Señor Sisig, a local fast-casual chain famous for popularizing the Filipino-Mexican fusion “sisig” burrito, is about to unveil a new concept in Downtown Oakland. The restaurant’s small Oakland outpost on Webster and 17th streets will soon move just across the street into a larger sit-down cantina with a bounty of “never-before-tasted items,” according to a publicist for the brand.
The new location's opening date is scheduled to be announced next week.
Señor Sisig’s team is keeping the new menu hush-hush at the moment, but here’s what we know. Helmed by co-founder and executive chef Gil Payumo, the Oakland cantina will offer specialty cocktails and shareable plates to complement the sisig burritos, tacos, nachos and fries—a Mexican spin on a traditional Filipino dish that combines seasoned pig and chicken liver.
Payumo and co-founder Evan Kidera were high school friends who grew up immersed in the Filipino cooking of Payumo’s family and the Mexican fare of their favorite hangouts in San Francisco and Daly City. The partners launched a fleet of food trucks that evolved into a local restaurant chain. They currently operate two San Francisco locations—in the Mission and in the Ferry Building.