Ask any long-term resident where to eat in Sayulita and El Itacate comes up within the first few answers. It's a straightforward Mexican restaurant on Calle José Mariscal that has built its reputation on steak tacos — carne asada done properly, served on small handmade tortillas with the appropriate sides and salsas. There's nothing complicated about it, which is the point.
The menu covers the expected range of Mexican standards: tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and various grilled meats. What sets El Itacate apart from the tourist-facing equivalents is the sourcing and the execution — the meat is good, the tortillas are fresh, and nothing arrives looking like it came from a production line. It's priced for locals as much as visitors, which keeps the quality honest.
The setting is simple: plastic chairs, a few tables, a lively kitchen. No view, no atmosphere beyond the food and the noise of people eating well. Calle José Mariscal 42. Open for lunch and dinner.