A San Francisco Tradition Since 1963

For more than 60 years, Tia Margarita has been serving classic Northern Mexican fare, fresh lime margaritas, and familiar hospitality.

Where Customers
Become Friends

Tia Margarita is a family-owned San Francisco restaurant with a story that dates back to 1963. Built on classic Northern Mexican recipes, a lively bar scene, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, Tia Margarita has become the kind of place where first-time guests quickly feel like regulars.

Many of the recipes have stayed true to the restaurant’s early days, including longtime favorites like carne asada, homemade salsa, chile rellenos, tamales, and classic combination plates. Other dishes have evolved over time, allowing Tia Margarita to keep welcoming new generations while staying rooted in the flavors and traditions guests have loved for decades.

And then, of course, there are the margaritas. Known for outstanding fresh lime margaritas served from the blender or on the rocks, Tia Margarita’s original horseshoe bar remains a favorite gathering place for cocktails, conversation, and a true neighborhood bar scene.

A bartender pouring a clear cocktail into four margarita glasses with salted rims and lime wedges on top, on a dark wooden bar.
In the left photo, a group of waiters and staff in tuxedos and uniforms stand together in a restaurant, some smiling. The right photo shows four women standing around a bar, engaged in conversation, with drinks and snacks on the bar counter.

The Story of Tia Margarita

More than 60 years ago, two couples—Alex and Virginia Hobbs and John and Myrtle Holbrook—took a chance on opening a place of their own. Alex and John, longtime San Francisco bartenders, found a neighborhood bar with back rooms available, and Tia Margarita was born. Chef Alejandro Espinosa developed a classic Northern Mexican menu that, paired with a lively bar scene, made the restaurant an instant success.

After Virginia’s husband and business partners passed away too soon, she brought her daughters, Penny and Helen, into the business in 1975. Together, they carried on the welcoming family atmosphere that made Tia Margarita a place for everyone—from families and longtime locals to newcomers and generations of San Franciscans.

Through a strike in 1984, a fire in 1988, an earthquake in 1989, a robbery in 1997, and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Tia Margarita remarkably never ceased operations. Over the decades, it has become a cornerstone of the Richmond District and a gathering place for social events, school meetings, as well as birthdays, anniversaries, and celebrations of every kind.

Much of the restaurant’s history can still be seen throughout the space. Its original neon marquee has been present since opening day, the horseshoe bar remains from The Bostonian, and stained-glass windows depicting iconic Mexican culture have been in place since 1988. The front room also displays Aztec masks originally from the 1940 World’s Fair on Treasure Island and later displayed on the ballroom ceiling of the Fairmont Hotel.

Empty vintage bar with a curved counter, barstools, a wall-mounted television, and posters on wood-paneled walls in black and white.
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of an event in April 1963 with two women standing in front of a building decorated with colorful flags and banners.

Carrying the Tradition Forward

Virginia proudly led Tia Margarita until her passing in 2006. Today, her granddaughter Jennifer Corwin continues the family legacy, honoring the restaurant’s history while guiding it into its next chapter.

As Tia Margarita approaches its 65th anniversary, the values behind the restaurant remain unchanged: great food, handcrafted cocktails, good value, and genuine hospitality.

Whether guests come for homemade salsa and chile rellenos, tamales and carne asada, a dynamite margarita at the horseshoe bar, or a family celebration, they’re welcomed into a fun, inviting atmosphere where customers become friends and generations continue making memories together.

MAKE A RESERVATION
A smiling bartender in a black shirt behind the bar, with six frosted margarita glasses with green stems arranged on the counter, each on a white napkin, inside a lively restaurant or bar.

Familiar Faces, Favorite Orders

Part of what makes Tia Margarita special is the people. Many staff members have been part of the restaurant for more than 20 years, building real relationships with guests and taking pride in remembering the little things — favorite tables, go-to orders, preferred margaritas, and the familiar faces who return again and again.

It’s that sense of connection that has made Tia Margarita more than a restaurant. It’s a neighborhood gathering place where customers become friends.