Saucy Chick Goat Mafia began as two separate pop-ups at Smorgasburg that teamed up to run their businesses in a bright shared restaurant space in Pasadena (a previous co-residency in the Fairfax district ended in August 2023). Goat Mafia specializes in birria de chivo; Saucy Chick offers Mexican and Indian riffs that never feel forced. The result? A menu that effortlessly blends Indian spices and sauces with Mexican American classics. Think Chicken tinga masala tacos and lamb tamales. If you’re eating with the whole family, Saucy Chick Goat Mafia has what might be one of the last affordable family dinner options: a whole chicken, two sides, and tortillas to feed 4 to 6 for $51.
This is a casual taqueria where you’re welcome to bring the whole family. Order at the counter, then choose from a few tables inside or the colorful tables on the sunny patio in the front.
Timing is everything: The limited-quantity tamales (kashmiri lamb, saag and cheese, and chicken tinga masala) sell out every day, so order ahead to make sure you get one. Same goes for the breakfast burritos (amchur and asada), which are only sold on weekend mornings. I have yet to snag a cucumber-lime-mint agua fresca or an chai horchata (both routinely sell out) but the ginger jamaica more than satisfies.
Dining and Cooking