About us

XICA is a proudly first-generation, Chicana kitchen celebrating the vibrant coastal and culinary heritage of Culiacán, Sinaloa & Guadalajara, seamlessly woven with Bay Area comfort. Rooted in Chef Maria Esquivel & Ignacio Perez’s family legacy, our menu rejects rigid formality in favor of soul, culture, and community.  We honor tradition through a contemporary lens, offering a thoughtfully curated, 100% gluten-free kitchen where everyone can experience modern Mexican dining without boundaries.

XICA signifies the return to their starting place as CHICA, which started as a takeout window from 2015-2020 on Green street at Levi's Plaza.

From a dream to serve home style food and coffee in a beautiful and comfortable environment, returning to the Levi's plaza to 1265 Battery Street is really coming full circle. They both love and appreciate a good cup of coffee, great food and what it produces: bringing people together. They look to connect & create with Chef Maria E's dishes with the duo saying "We want to create and be part of a world where we're happy to live in". By choosing XICA you are supporting a locally Mexican Family-Owned, Woman & POC-led business. All of their food is prepared in house, by locals using ingredients sourced from local vendors. When you serve XICA's food, you are serving the community.