OUR VISION
DEL NORTE KITCHEN envisions a future where culinary excellence goes hand in hand with personal and professional growth. We strive to create a dynamic environment where our team members are encouraged to pursue their passions, develop their skills, and achieve their full potential. By uniting the bold flavors of Northern Mexico with the fresh, seasonal ingredients of Northern California, we aim to inspire creativity and innovation in the culinary arts. Our goal is to be a leader in fostering a supportive, inclusive community where every individual can thrive and contribute to a shared legacy of excellence.
OUR STORY
DEL NORTE KITCHEN, LLC embodies years of vision, passion, and resilience. The restaurant idea emerged in early 2020 when B2B catering was thriving. However, the pandemic halted the world and left the hospitality industry, including us, uncertain about the future.
By fall 2021, as San Francisco revived its culinary scene, the concept for DEL NORTE KITCHEN took shape, blending the bold flavors of Northern Mexico with the fresh ingredients of Northern California. Despite setbacks in early 2022 that delayed our launch and prompted a reassessment, each challenge strengthened our vision. In April 2024, after extensive planning and endless hurdles of challenges, DEL NORTE KITCHEN officially opened. The past months have been focused on perfecting recipes and securing resources. DEL NORTE KITCHEN is more than a restaurant; it's a fusion of Northern Mexico's cultural richness and Northern California's agricultural bounty. “DEL NORTE,” meaning “from the north” in Spanish, reflects this blend, offering an authentic and innovative dining experience where every dish tells a story of resilience and passion.
By fall 2021, as San Francisco revived its culinary scene, the concept for DEL NORTE KITCHEN took shape, blending the bold flavors of Northern Mexico with the fresh ingredients of Northern California. Despite setbacks in early 2022 that delayed our launch and prompted a reassessment, each challenge strengthened our vision. In April 2024, after extensive planning and endless hurdles of challenges, DEL NORTE KITCHEN officially opened. The past months have been focused on perfecting recipes and securing resources. DEL NORTE KITCHEN is more than a restaurant; it's a fusion of Northern Mexico's cultural richness and Northern California's agricultural bounty. “DEL NORTE,” meaning “from the north” in Spanish, reflects this blend, offering an authentic and innovative dining experience where every dish tells a story of resilience and passion.
MEET THE TEAM
THE TEAM'S ORIGIN STORY
A few months and after leaving catering, Chef Esteban began to plot DEL NORTE. He needed an extra pair of hands, eyes, ears and another brain - so he called Chris. Although Chris was busy flipping the pages of his high school chapters, he excitedly joined this pirate ship of uncertainty and excitement. Together they embarked to navigate several daunting tasks as they worked hours on end to bring Del Norte to life. It was certainly an odd and unexpected duo; however, with Chef Esteban’s determination and Chris’s support, the doors of Del Norte Kitchen would open soon enough.
A few months and after leaving catering, Chef Esteban began to plot DEL NORTE. He needed an extra pair of hands, eyes, ears and another brain - so he called Chris. Although Chris was busy flipping the pages of his high school chapters, he excitedly joined this pirate ship of uncertainty and excitement. Together they embarked to navigate several daunting tasks as they worked hours on end to bring Del Norte to life. It was certainly an odd and unexpected duo; however, with Chef Esteban’s determination and Chris’s support, the doors of Del Norte Kitchen would open soon enough.
Chef Esteban Beas aka Chef'steban
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Born and raised between San Diego and Tijuana, Chef Esteban, known as Chefsteban, developed a passion for food early on. Immersed in the culinary traditions of both cultures—street tacos, barbecue, and fresh seafood—he found inspiration that shaped his career.
With over 20 years in the industry, Chef Esteban’s path took him through culinary school in Scottsdale, AZ, and kitchens in Seattle, San Diego, and Northern California. His love for the bold flavors of Northern Mexico—tacos, smoke, chiles, and outdoor cooking—led him to create Del Norte Kitchen. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Chef Esteban envisions Del Norte as more than just a dining experience. It’s a space for inclusivity and pride, where food and community come together. Del Norte blends the seasonal richness of Northern California with the vibrant traditions of Northern Mexico, celebrating both Chef Esteban’s heritage and identity. |