SFReview
photo credit: Carly Hackbarth
Donaji
Included In
The mole enchiladas at Donaji pull you in: first with the mesmerizing lines of marbled crema over the top, then with the velvety mole itself—spicy, rich, and nutty flavors linger on your tongue after every bite.
This fantastic dish isn't the only reason we’d cross town, by pogo stick, just to eat at this walk-in, counter-service Oaxacan spot. The mood-boosting space makes Donaji a place we go to on casual Tuesday nights, for comfort food after a tumultuous breakup, and any time we need to feel better about getting another street sweeping ticket. Also count on the masa-centric food being phenomenal.
The Mission spot is fun and informal. Everyone in the neighborhood seems to know this, because you’ll see tables packed every night and during weekend brunch. There’s a huge hummingbird painted on one of the bright blue walls, faux doors and windows, and papel picado hanging above the bar. Just place your order, find a seat next to the hot sauce bike, and prepare to have your food out in about 10 minutes flat.
photo credit: Carly Hackbarth
You could pick the name of any Donaji dish out of a hat and end up with something you’ll wind up talking about to anyone you encounter over the next week. That’s because fresh masa appears in just about every dish on the menu, and is flawless in all of its forms. The crunchy, vinyl-sized beef tlayudas and hefty tacos are made with house-made tortillas. And the piled-high sopes and carnitas benedict (one of the few brunch-only dishes) are served atop golden-brown discs of fried masa that make a satisfying crunch. Donaji started out as a tamales catering company, so their fluffy, chicken tinga-filled tamales should definitely be on your table. As should everything drenched in that slightly sweet mole, like the crispy-skinned rotisserie chicken or the bowl of totopos finished with queso.
Whether you realize you might need to use the hot sauce bike as a form of transportation until you finally pay off that ticket, or want to drop in for a quick bite on a random weeknight, Donaji is here for you. They’re churning out food that’s as exciting as a spontaneously dropped Beyoncé single. Come for the mole and masa, and stay for literally everything else. Or make your way back again next week.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Carly Hackbarth
Enchiladas De Mole
photo credit: Carly Hackbarth
Tlayuda
photo credit: Carly Hackbarth
Sopes
Tamales
Pollo Con Mole
photo credit: Carly Hackbarth
Tacos
Carnitas Benedict
photo credit: Carly Hackbarth