First Bites: Txoko Opens in North Beach

Ryan Maxey and Ian Begg, the gentlemen behind the popular North Beach lunch spot Naked Lunch, have expanded next door with this week’s opening of the Basque-inspired dinner spot Txoko (pronounced choke-oh).

Opening in the shuttered Enrico’s space, Begg and Maxey have created a restaurant with a rather eclectic menu and wine/cocktail list, relying heavily on the freshest ingredients.

Squid

The food menu is split into small bites/pintxos ($2-9 each), small plates ($9-13) and larger entrees (a bone-in rib eye steak for two and suckling pig). There are also plenty of options in terms of cheeses and desserts. Like a normal tapas restaurant, the menu offers a little something for everyone and is perfect for sharing dishes and trying a wide range of items.

There is a nice selection of wine, beer and cocktails to choose from as well.

The restaurant has a bar area, communal table in the middle and smaller tables off to the side. Customers can also take advantage of the multiple tables outside on the patio, offering the perfect opportunity to enjoy a nice meal while also watching the large crowds walking by on Broadway.

Grilled Asparagus, Mushroom Arroz

Maxey and Begg will keep late hours (5 pm- 2 am), playing to the neighborhood and will also continue to run Naked Lunch next door.

Click here for more information on Txoko

It's simple. Keith Mizuguchi loves to write and write and write some more. After taking a hiatus from the journalism business, he has rekindled his passion for writing over the last two years, holding a job as both a web and on-air writer for San Francisco news radio station KCBS. While he enjoys the news business, his true passions are twofold: sports and food. Bay Area born and raised, he lives in San Jose, commutes to SF and loves every minute of it. You can follow his food adventures on Twitter @foodie_keith.