Mexican Rotisserie Meats Are Now Being Served in Mill Valley

Marin County’s Mill Valley has a new option for tacos and beer with the opening this week of Parranga, set in the Strawberry Village shopping center. The Mexican restaurant, which replaces The Plant Café, is from the crew behind Colibri in Union Square.

Owner Eduardo Rallo and chef Jose Miguel Smith Bustos are focusing on meats slow-cooked in Parranga’s rotisserie and used in an array of tacos, tortas, and salads, like the roasted pork shoulder in a pineapple-chile marinade served with house-made corn or flour tortillas. There are also chicken, beef, seafood, and tofu options.

The restaurant — a casual space with communal tables and an industrial design — is located at 800 Redwood Highway, Suite 801. It’s striving to keep things local, with produce from area farms and pastries from long-running Mission District bakery La Victoria — though possibly not for long.

To drink, look for beer, margaritas, sangria, and, on the non-alcoholic side, a full menu of shakes, smoothies, and juices. The smoothies and shakes can be made with rice or almond milk instead of dairy, with a choice of sweetness level. Aquas frescas come in four flavors, including a hibiscus and cinnamon combo, and, yes, there is Mexican Coke.

Marcus Cano

As for the name, Parranga, it’s similar to a Spanish word that loosely means “to party,” and, according to the restaurant, here stands for “endless joy.” It’s also a play on tongue twister Parangaricutirimicuaro, a small Mexican town wiped out by a volcano in 1943 (and since rebuilt).

Parranga is currently open for lunch and dinner, and will add breakfast and brunch when it gets settled in.

Marcus Cano

Marcus Cano

Marcus Cano

Marcus Cano

Marcus Cano

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