Chef Traci Des Jardins’ fast casual Mexican restaurant Mijita closes after 15 years

Chef Traci Des Jardins has closed her fast casual Mexican restaurant Mijita after 15 years in San Francisco. Chef Traci Des Jardins has closed her fast casual Mexican restaurant Mijita after 15 years in San Francisco. Photo: Photo By Dean C. On Yelp Photo: Photo By Dean C. On Yelp Image 1 of / 48 Caption Close Chef Traci Des Jardins’ fast casual Mexican restaurant Mijita closes after 15 years 1 / 48 Back to Gallery

After 15 years of serving casual Mexican fare at the Ferry Building, chef Traci Des Jardins' restaurant Mijita Cocina Mexicana has closed.

The closure was announced on Mijita’s website, which stated its last day of service was Dec. 29, 2019.

“We thank you for your support and patronage over these past 15 years,” read the note. “We will miss being in the Ferry Building and all our wonderful guests.”

According to a report by The Chronicle, reasons behind the closure include the end of a lease term and a rent hike. When asked if she would consider opening Mijita at an alternative location, Des Jardins seemed open to that possibility.

“It’s been a successful project for us and it’s just the right formula, so I wouldn’t be surprised if I reinstate it,” she told Chronicle reporter Janelle Bitker.

Mijita’s closure comes just eight months after Des Jardins closed Jardinière, her flagship restaurant of 21 years, in April 2019. A report by the New York Times wrote that Des Jardins thought the restaurant was healthy, but it was no longer thriving.

“I’m ready to put it to rest,” Des Jardins told the New York Times. “I’m tired of fine dining.”

Des Jardins currently owns a number of other San Francisco restaurants that include The Commissary, Arguello and School Night.

Susana Guerrero is an SFGATE digital reporter. Email: Susana.Guerrero@sfgate.com | Twitter: @SusyGuerrero3