Santo Coyote in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland

Huaraches con nopales at Santo Coyote.

 At 4806 International in Oakland, Santo Coyote is at the Southeastern edge of the Fruitvale neighborhood, but given the fact they've got such high calibre chops here, and is practically next door to the fabulous Paisa, this one block is one of the lesser known culinary hotspots of the Bay Area.

Very fresh salsa rojo with ripe fruit. Housemade tostadas.

Birria (goat) plate with freshly made yellow corn tortillas.

As far as I know, Santo Coyote's the only restaurant in the Bay Area serving Birria on weekdays. Usually rich goat and lamb dishes, pozoles and menudas are only served on weekends. The birria was goat cooked slowly for hours, served with a rich chile-based sauce, tender and falling apart. Perfect frilojes, and rice cooked in a rich meat based stock.

But if you're a vegetarian, these huaraches have no meat (possibly manteca, though). Sauteed nopales & onions cover a freshly cooked huarache, topped with lettuce, tomato and sour cream. Perfectly executed, cold ingredients place atop hot ones, a compelling mix of aromas, flavor and texture.

Before shot.

And after. We were stuffed. Plenty of leftovers to share with friends. Can't wait to return to check out their mole and pipian dishes.