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El Forastero opened its new location in San Ramon on Dec. 15, 2025. The drive-thru restaurant on the north end of the city serves Mexican food 24/7. (Photo by Jeremy Walsh)

San Ramon has welcomed the first Bay Area expansion for restaurant chain El Forastero, serving Mexican cuisine 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

With nearly 20 locations in Northern California and Nevada, mainly in greater Sacramento and the San Joaquin Valley, El Forastero opened Dec. 15 at 2222 San Ramon Valley Blvd. – the drive-thru restaurant spot that was home to Wendy’s for nearly a decade until it closed in the fall.

El Forastero is located at 2222 San Ramon Valley Blvd. (Photo by Jeremy Walsh)

“Get ready for tacos, burritos, loaded fries and all the Mexican favorites you crave, served 24/7 the El Forastero way,” management said in a Facebook post on opening day. They previously touted the location would become “your new go-to spot for bold flavors, late night cravings, and real Mexican comfort food.”

The San Ramon location features the same service model El Forastero is known for – dine-in, takeout, drive-thru, delivery and catering – with a full menu of breakfast and lunch/dinner meals available all around the clock. 

El Forastero representatives did not respond to requests for comment on the new restaurant and the company’s decision to expand into the Bay Area. 

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Jeremy Walsh is the associate publisher and editorial director of Embarcadero Media Foundation's East Bay Division, including the Pleasanton Weekly, LivermoreVine.com and DanvilleSanRamon.com. He joined...

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