Little Italy now has a little taste of Baja! Bracero Cocina de Raiz made a splash in San Diego’s Little Italy last July and continues to make waves with Chef Javier Plascencia’s modern Mexican cuisine.

Bracero is the second restaurant from Chef Plascencia in San Diego, who also owns the popular Romesco Mexiterranean Bisto, as well as multiple restaurants in Mexico including the renowned Misión 19.

The name Bracero was inspired by the Bracero Program, which resulted in the importation of temporary contract laborers from Mexico to the United States back in the early 1940s through mid-1960s. Bracero, meaning “one who works with their hands and arms,” was a term for the Mexican manual laborers. An el cortito, a farm tool used by the Braceros, is displayed in the center of the restaurant above the bar and showcased on the second floor as you can see in the video below. Now a contemporary art piece, this tool represents the journey of the Bracero through the fields and communities in California and elsewhere.

From their handmade tortillas to the fresh locally caught seafood they serve, Plascencia uses only the finest ingredients to deliver a tasting experience that will leave you wanting more. Their tequila connoisseur will help you get in the spirit with some of the finest tequilas that happen to pair very nicely with their Surf & Turf Oysters. Tantalize your taste buds with their Wood-Grilled Octopus with black bean & and squid ink sauce, achiote, green garbanzo and finished with their homemade habanero-peanut salsa. Conclude your meal with the Dulce de Leche Coyota dessert paired with a glass of wine sourced from a California or Baja winery.

Plascencia wanted San Diegans to taste the real flavors of Mexico, and its safe to say that fans are more than pleased with Bracero’s cuisine. They are now open for lunch daily starting at 11:30 a.m. with open seating on the first floor. Navigate to 1490 Kettner Blvd. San Diego, CA 92101 and grab your seat for lunch today! No reservations needed!