Burritos in San Francisco

[cellardoor_sf]

Ok, I gotta settle this. Two people in the "SF Bound" thread picked El Farolito as the king of SF Burritos. I would like to know why, because I have been to 3 El Farolitos and none of them have satisfied me like a carne asada burrito from Cancun. I agree the best El farolito is on 24th and Mission, but even then it's worth the block walk to pick up delicious carnitas tacos and a corn quesadilla from La Taqueria on Mission and 25th.

I haven't been to that many places outside the Mission except in the Richmond where I grew up, so I'm wondering if anyone has any other spots that they like to go for burritos. El Burrito Express on Taraval is pretty good. El Balazo in the Haight is too expensive but I had a good burrito mojado there once...

[I^_^I]

For me it's a tie between Chevy's at Stonestown or Taco Bell/KFC at Taraval.

*ducks*

[hippyjonny]

wong's burrito palace on taravel

[akuma]

wong's burrito??!?!

dude, that's like saying "vinny's chinese" or "schwartz's ethiopian" is the best... GET YOUR STEREOTYPES RIGHT, FOOL!





i like farrolito best cause thats the one i like best ::shrugs::

[djbadmonkey]

i think it's the whole avocados that sell me on el farolito's.

that one burrito joint on taraval and 27th, i think it's called burrito express, is pretty decent.

[alarm]

ha I like to go to Gordo's on 23rd and Clement, just cuz it's near my house. It aint authentic, but it serves its purpose.

[Zaius]

El Farrolito for..

- grilled not steamed tortillas (also true of a few other places)

- sliced avocados, not guac

- best salsa verde I have ever tasted

complete lack of atmosphere is an atmosphere in itself.

[dragon chic]

la taq on 16th/Mission all the way! no better in the world! Schwartz's Ethiopian?!! i love you, akuma!

[YelloKitty]

el castillito on church

[Thirty Nine]

Don't forget "cabesa" and "sesos" for El Farolito! Can't get that, with a bat!

The workers used to do helluv-speed in the night shift; someone pointed that out. Anywhere where you have locals and locos hanging, with the lines down the street says something. It's got the local "stink" and what outsiders (and tons of Mission residents) call their fave. It's whoever chooses to to trumpet it.

Cancun's great, but the vibe isn't there. The food is probably better prepped and all that, but EF has got something close to it. It's not just good--it's good enough.

[Empty Screams]

i had bad sour cream once at cancun's a while back. that plus one pabst at the beauty bar, and my veggie burrito was all over the sidewalk.

i'm all for el farolitos when i can't have my east oakland taco truck. i miss oakland.

[lynrei]

La Victoria in San Jose IS the best.

[YelloKitty]

i have to make a tshirt that says:
"san franciscans know they burrito"

[hippyjonny]

Originally posted by dragon chic
la taq on 16th/Mission all the way! no better in the world! Schwartz's Ethiopian?!! i love you, akuma!
times have changed. pancho villa is bootie, plus they raised their prices.

[cellardoor_sf]

Yeah boo boo boo Pancho Villa plus no Mission Taq should ever have commercials on teevee! If I'm on that block I go to Panchito's for pupusas, which are a whole 'nother beast altogther...

Anyone ever been to El Faro on Folsom? My co-workers used to like going there at lunch, but I just always hit Cancun. I love Cancun's tortas too, they're like mexican sandwiches. La Corneta ain't bad for Glen Park.

The worst place used to be this spot in Stonestown that I used to hit at lunch time in high school because it was a cheap big meal, but jesus christ it was bad and sometimes it gave me the shits. They must have put some kind of mild opiate in their food because I had to eat it at least once a week; it was like an abusive relationship.

In elementary school bets and debts were paid off with afterschool visits to Gordo's, right around the corner from Alamo Elementary, that jewel of the public system, on 23rd and Clement.

[YelloKitty]

Originally posted by Chauncy!


shit i just noticed this~!

yay yellokitty! you know the goods...:heart:
hells yeah, their stuff is my jam! have you tried their super castillito quesadillas? namely, the al pastor (spicy pork) quesadilla?

i seem to order this everytime i'm PMSing.

also, their nachos are killaaaaa

[hippyjonny]

i live like half a block away from gordos on clement and sadly i go there too often. damn you, convenient faux mexican food.

[cellardoor_sf]

Gordo's really isn't too impressive in the grander scheme of the SF burrito universe, but for nostalgic reasons I'll always enjoy it. It's cheap, the carnitas isn't bad, the Gordo plate (always get it to go, its bigger) is pretty good too.

I'm so hungry right now, and Hilo doesn't offer much in the form of cheap mexican fare, so this thread is making me depressed. I will return a conquering burrito conquistador in 7 weeks!

[djbadmonkey]

for fancy pants burritos head over to the east bay and go to cancun taqueria on kittridge and shattuck (maybe allston? or center?) salsa bar features 20 different kinds of salsa and a decent burrito next time you're stationed in the

5
1
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[I^_^I]

Scratch my previous submissions. It's now a three way tie between O' Sullivan's Authentic Burrito on 45th and Ulloa, the Golden Bear Bean Burrito at UC Berkeley (one swipe for your meal card-two swipes if you want a soda with that), and those microwaveable burritos from the 7-11 on Hickey and Gellert in Daly City


Originally posted by lynrei
La Victoria in San Jose IS the best.

Yeah on a serious tip I've heard 408 is the best place for Mexican in the Bay. It's like the only thing that San Jose does better than the 'Sco beside making computer chips and making really shitty HIGH NRG 180 BPM dance music.

But who the fuck wants to drive 50 minutes for a meal? Amidst all those nouveau rich teeny boppers? Eff that. Case closed.

[Thirty Nine]

I'll wait months, travel great lengths for FOOD! Totally do.


Fifty miles for a good burrito? No problem. I've done Campbell and Davis for DEL TACO alone...what can you live for, when you don't have the right taste?

[alarm]

Originally posted by cellardoor_sf
Yeah boo boo boo Pancho Villa plus no Mission Taq should ever have commercials on teevee! If I'm on that block I go to Panchito's for pupusas, which are a whole 'nother beast altogther...

Anyone ever been to El Faro on Folsom? My co-workers used to like going there at lunch, but I just always hit Cancun. I love Cancun's tortas too, they're like mexican sandwiches. La Corneta ain't bad for Glen Park.

The worst place used to be this spot in Stonestown that I used to hit at lunch time in high school because it was a cheap big meal, but jesus christ it was bad and sometimes it gave me the shits. They must have put some kind of mild opiate in their food because I had to eat it at least once a week; it was like an abusive relationship.

In elementary school bets and debts were paid off with afterschool visits to Gordo's, right around the corner from Alamo Elementary, that jewel of the public system, on 23rd and Clement.

ha ha yay Alamo....man that was my school. good friends good memories.

[cellardoor_sf]

Alamo: Be a Friend!

Our principal was Ms. Quinones, she was super nice to everyone and I think she knew just about everyone's name...I loved her. I went there from 1987-1993.

[hippyjonny]

Originally posted by I^_^I
Scratch my previous submissions. It's now a three way tie between O' Sullivan's Authentic Burrito on 45th and Ulloa, the Golden Bear Bean Burrito at UC Berkeley (one swipe for your meal card-two swipes if you want a soda with that), and those microwaveable burritos from the 7-11 on Hickey and Gellert in Daly City







oh shit you know about o'sullivans. that place is great, what with the award winning potato salsa. plus how can you beat a burrito and a pint of guiness for only 3 pounds.

[alarm]

Originally posted by cellardoor_sf
Alamo: Be a Friend!

Our principal was Ms. Quinones, she was super nice to everyone and I think she knew just about everyone's name...I loved her. I went there from 1987-1993.

yeah she was principal when I was there too. She got hired near the end of my stay there. ha ha I was there til 89.

[onique]

el farolito is good, and so is cancun
but i like the shop on haight right by the park, across from cala
also the best chili reanllo comes from el super burito on polk and bush
also that place on church isnt bad (across from slaveway) but their salsa is lacking flavor
el balazo on height has a good catas burrito

[Zaius]

Originally posted by onique
el farolito is good, and so is cancun
but i like the shop on haight right by the park, across from cala



McDonald's?

[onique]

no, three doors up, not past shrader ( zonarosa), ok maybe across from frequency 8

[akuma]

"balazo"




i like the seating in the back.

[onique]

its not balazo, balazo is on haight near claton

[gobofunk]

i like casa mexicana and azteca? both are on church and market. tofu ranchero burrito....yum

[djbadmonkey]

kim's super burrito.

mmm

[cellardoor_sf]

Balazo has a pretty good Burrito Mojado, but otherwise I find them a bit overpriced.

Anyone fuck with the Casa Sanchez shop? They make the best tortilla chips i've ever had, and that includes the homemade ones at Juan's Place in berkeley.

[YelloKitty]

chauncy, how'd you like dem quesadillas?

[Zaius]

Originally posted by cellardoor_sf
Balazo has a pretty good Burrito Mojado, but otherwise I find them a bit overpriced.

Anyone fuck with the Casa Sanchez shop? They make the best tortilla chips i've ever had, and that includes the homemade ones at Juan's Place in berkeley.

I know three people who got the tattoo.

[Empty Screams]

Originally posted by Zaius


I know three people who got the tattoo.

i know one

[onique]

What Tatoo?

[hippyjonny]

casa sanchez has great salsa.

[scuba keef]

dos hermanos on polk st. also a second at geary and jones.

[sugar_high]

Originally posted by randall fairbrook
el farolito in the mission is the shit but..my favorite favorite has always been the burritos at the taqueria on campus at sf state...those motherfuckers are huge and taste like heaven...the diego rivera burrito with a double scoop of asada and guacamole and sour cream...with black beans

try it and see......

well...the last one i tried was probably a few years ago..i hope they didn't shut down the taqueria...

Brah, you gotta stop smoking till your taste buds come back cause that was the blandest shit in the Sunset. But yeah those burritos were fucking huge! You had to eat that shit in 2 sessions or you'd wind up leaving your after lunch class for a 2pm dump! jesus those things could choke a horse! :eek:

[YelloKitty]

the taqueria at state recently renovated. they're good people over there, i'll tell you what, but i can't get down with their burritos. the nachos are alright but yeah, shit is expensive.

[sugar_high]

Originally posted by YelloKitty
the nachos are alright but yeah, shit is expensive.

yeah the nachos are pretty good! the average burrito $3.75, thats not too bad considering they're friggin mammoths.

[sugar_high]

Originally posted by randall fairbrook


maybe the recipe has changed since i went to school...and yeah they were sofa king big...


yeah it must have, the main thing they're lacking is spice. You gotta dump half a bottle of hot sauce on them now to be satisfied. Or you gotta spring the extra cash for the guacamole. But I guess i can't complain, its stilll better than Chevys'.

[cellardoor_sf]

Burritos in less than a month for me!! Woo! Definitely Cancun, La Taq, and old favorite Gordo's. I will try to check out La Casti-whatever on Church, I used to live around the corner and just never got there, I always ate cheap sushi at the no name place that actually has a name I found out recently...

Anyway, soon my homesickness will be assuaged by the glorious warmth of beans eminating from my bum.

[cordani]

the ultimate guide to burritos in sf (http://www.burritoeater.com/)



this guy who runs burritoeater.com visits EVERY one of the burrito spots in sf and eats there MULTIPLE times and rates each experience. ratings are given in moustaches.

[cordani]

he's either dangerously obese or one of those tapeworm stomach metabolism guys


im thinking the former...

[650lex]

i found a great place in the outer sunset when i can't make it to the Mission:
La Playa

but my heart still goes out to Taqueria Cancun on 20th/La Taqueria on 24th/El Toro on 17th....

[Zaius]

http://a936.g.akamaitech.net/7/936/33/25ec1b9b4c9c73/images.citysearch.com/profile/0e/f3/888465p1.jpg

[grandpa_shig]

awesome!

that burrito eater.com thing is pretty cool. but i gotta say it. bay area burritos is straight booboo compared to that real shit down here in LA.

closest thing in the city is el castillito on like church right close to that out of the closet where the j church pops out the ground. im not a big mission style fan what with all the beans and rice and shit. i really feel like im getting ripped off with all that shit.

one of the most tastiest asada marinades ive ever had is in berkeley on like shattuck and ashby. place called la familia taqueria. its behind berkeley bowl. im not sure if its still there but they put lots of pepper in their steak and the fish tacos, though deep fried, are the fuckin joint.

dont front on la torta loca on intl near fruitvale. its just a taco stand with some stools out front but they make that sammich crack torta pambasos.

[charlos3000]

Originally posted by grandpa_shig
awesome!

that burrito eater.com thing is pretty cool. but i gotta say it. bay area burritos is straight booboo compared to that real shit down here in LA.

closest thing in the city is el castillito on like church right close to that out of the closet where the j church pops out the ground. im not a big mission style fan what with all the beans and rice and shit. i really feel like im getting ripped off with all that shit.

one of the most tastiest asada marinades ive ever had is in berkeley on like shattuck and ashby. place called la familia taqueria. its behind berkeley bowl. im not sure if its still there but they put lots of pepper in their steak and the fish tacos, though deep fried, are the fuckin joint.

dont front on la torta loca on intl near fruitvale. its just a taco stand with some stools out front but they make that sammich crack torta pambasos.

Taqueria la familia is the jam! best tacos in berkeley. Cancun might have had the bling salsa bar (and i liked cancun) but taqueria la familia was great.

LA burritos are a little hit and miss. they're more intense than SF burritos, with a lot more of a focus on meat. Burritos to me have too many dynamics to really analyze them empirically, like i would a taco, but i've found SF burritos to be more to my liking and LA tacos far superior.

with a burrito i don't mind cheese and beans and shit, but the only extra shit that belongs on a taco is salsa, onions and cilantro.

cheese on a real taco is a crime.

[grandpa_shig]

seriously. best of the bay and no one really knows it. they make their own chips too! the owner got pictures of himself doing like ballet or some shit which is funny as fuck except that he's hella big and would stomp on me if i laughed in his face...

anyways, i remember when taco joints in the mission started doing that pura carne shit and i was like yesh this is that good shit but like you said the marinade is so much more poppin down here and they aint trying to gas you up on beans.




ps
dont forget a lil squirt of lime on that taco. te neccesito

[grandpa_shig]

Originally posted by djbadmonkey
kim's super burrito.

mmm

is this that joint that used to be right next to peoples park? the korean joint that made kalbi burritos with kim chee. that place was pretty decent.

[650lex]

kimchee in a burrito?
nice!
i gotta try that one....

[cordani]

LA burritos > SF burritos

say whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?!?!?!?!


T R I P P I N G!

[650lex]

worse burrito ever?
when i lived in Seattle
and worked in a Mexican restaurant!

[grandpa_shig]

Originally posted by 650lex
kimchee in a burrito?
nice!
i gotta try that one....

sadly, its no longer there. i dont think they did so great with the kalbi/kimchee burrito thing.

and dude cordani, look man, im a tourest down here in LA. and im not a big fan of LA. the bay is my home. but i will say this. LA food beats the pants off any spot in the bay. you name it, better VN, better hakka, better shanghaiese, better yum cha, better estillo chilango, better oaxacan, better japanese, better korean, better peruvian, better indian, etc. dogg, they got machaca down here which is like my alltime favorite burrito. can you name a spot up nawf that has machaca? i cant. you can buy elotes and about a dozen different varieties of tamales on the street. bacon wrapped wieners, fucken posole, agua fresca and the paleta dude has a ice cream truck painted like the bat mobile. shit is how they say "bananas oh bananas oh bananas oh bananas"

[YelloKitty]

Originally posted by YelloKitty
el castillito on church
Originally posted by grandpa_shig
closest thing in the city is el castillito on like church right close to that out of the closet where the j church pops out the ground.
this is what i'm talking about!!!!!!!!! they're so good to us too since we go there so often. i'll miss this place if we move out of the city.

[Nerv']

Originally posted by onique
What Tatoo?

A tattoo of a burrito!!!!

Beef or chicken?

My mind reels...

[cordani]

all this talk about castallito and i went there tonight with big bro 'n b-love

i had the fish taco which aside from the name is a serious dish. their pescado is wonderful, not fishy tasting AT ALL, which is huge to me. they piled on enough shizz that it looked like an open burrito. guac out the ying yang. bro had the pastor and was impressed esp for a place not in the mission (altho close) but still thought it couldnt compete with farralito. b-love had a fish burrito and he said it was the best one he's ever had.

and the cats who work there are so fucking awesome- that tall dude is so nice and that guy who draws on the burrito wrapper is hilarious.

[YelloKitty]

did you get the tall dude who looks like mike york? HE IS SO FRESH! he always hooks it up with extra meat & thangs. they're all really cool actually, and the owner dude is always hooking it up with extra bags of chips, so we tip like whoa. al pastor was my joint for awhile but then it started to give me heartburn so carnitas is my :heart:

[cordani]

Originally posted by grandpa_shig


sadly, its no longer there. i dont think they did so great with the kalbi/kimchee burrito thing.

and dude cordani, look man, im a tourest down here in LA. and im not a big fan of LA. the bay is my home. but i will say this. LA food beats the pants off any spot in the bay. you name it, better VN, better hakka, better shanghaiese, better yum cha, better estillo chilango, better oaxacan, better japanese, better korean, better peruvian, better indian, etc. dogg, they got machaca down here which is like my alltime favorite burrito. can you name a spot up nawf that has machaca? i cant. you can buy elotes and about a dozen different varieties of tamales on the street. bacon wrapped wieners, fucken posole, agua fresca and the paleta dude has a ice cream truck painted like the bat mobile. shit is how they say "bananas oh bananas oh bananas oh bananas"


im not sayin you dont know yr food but sf's cuisine, burritos and all, are paramount in the states- hands down. yeah i should eat more in la to make sure but i cant stand it down there.

IM JUST KIDDING L.A. BOTS. THE ABOVE STATEMENT WAS SAID WITH SARCASM, HEREBY RENDERING IT NULL AND VOID TO ANY "HATING ON L.A" ACCUSATIONS ;)

[cordani]

Originally posted by YelloKitty
did you get the tall dude who looks like mike york? HE IS SO FRESH! he always hooks it up with extra meat & thangs. they're all really cool actually, and the owner dude is always hooking it up with extra bags of chips, so we tip like whoa. al pastor was my joint for awhile but then it started to give me heartburn so carnitas is my :heart:

yeah, thats the tall guy i was talkin about! great guy who def kills it with the toppings.

i gotta hook up the carnitas soon, i never get that...

[YelloKitty]

damn now my mouth is watering :(

[cordani]

i know... whenever i stay up this late on a weekday i get real hongry

[YelloKitty]

i can't believe you quit smoking & dranking

[YelloKitty]

^and that comment applies to this thread because a cerveza is so very necessary with a carnitas burrito

[cordani]

yeah, it was hard... still is.


and to clarify - yeah i quit drinking, but that's 'drinking-drinking'...i still had a pacifico wif my taco & i still have a glass of red wif my bolognese. i still need to live :D

[YelloKitty]

i see, that sounds good :)

[YelloKitty]

go to sleep dan

[grandpa_shig]

if you take a dump or go pee at el castillito, one of the dudes that works back there will make cat meow meow noises at you.

there's a spot along the 1 freeway near half moon bay. i think its called tres amigos. great burritos and tacos and it kinda has a baja vibe to it with its indoor/outdoor decor. plus youre like a 3 minute walk to some tide pools. i used to drive out there from sf during the week. its relaxing.

and dude, cordani, trust me. LA is like a glorified fresno. except the food is better.

[YelloKitty]

two of my favorite spots (el castillito in SF & la morena in SSF) were listed in the top 20!
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/09/13/FDGL8L16681.DTL
In search of the transcendent taqueria
Our critic puts 85 beloved Bay Area burrito joints to the test

Here are critic Bill Addison's 20 favorites from his 85-taqueria tour of the Bay Area, listed in alphabetical order.

Cactus Taqueria

5642 College Ave. (at Shafter), Oakland; (510) 658-6180

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $5.95, Regular taco: $3.95, Crispy taco: $2.60

DESCRIPTION: Vivaciously bright, kid-friendly and committed to serving high-quality meats, this popular East Bay staple crafts definitive, deliriously oozy crispy tacos. Steady business ensures burrito fillings stay fresh.

Cancun Taqueria

2134 Allston Way (at Shattuck), Berkeley; (510) 549-0964

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $7.25,Regular taco: $3.75,Crispy taco: $3.95

DESCRIPTION: Line cooks put real muscle into thwacking ingredients onto as-yet-folded burritos. Burritos and tacos are serviceable, but the outrageous salsa bar -- including the mouth-murdering "Infierno -- XX hot" version -- elevates the experience.

El Burrito Express

1812 Divisadero St. (at Bush), S.F. (415) 776-4246

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $5.25, Regular taco: $2.65, Crispy taco: $1.75

DESCRIPTION: Decorative sombreros and blue and red sponge-painted walls imbue a sweet, kitschy warmth. Try the not-too-saucy green chile burrito that includes plush chunks of avocado. Green salsa has a distinct, roasted peppery snap.

El Farolito

2779 Mission St. (at 24th St.), S.F. (415) 641-0758

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $4.95, Regular taco: $1.95

DESCRIPTION: When piles of smoky meat can be seen sizzling on the grill, join the late-night hipsters in line at this stalwart Mission standby. Be sure to douse the carne asada burrito with silky avocado-tomatillo salsa.

El Metate

2406 Bryant St. (at 22nd Street), S.F.; (415) 641-7209

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $5.25, Regular taco: $2

DESCRIPTION: A relative newcomer to the Mission taqueria scene, the kitchen here cranks out handsome carnitas -- chunky, crisp on the edge, rich and unctuous in the center. Burritos are a manageable size. Good, frothy horchata.

La Cumbre

515 Valencia (at 16th Street), S.F.(415) 863-8205

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $6.50, Regular taco: $2.50

DESCRIPTION: A Mission staple that has served burritos and tacos since the '60s, its steak-y carne asada lives up to the legend. Intriguing people-watching in the funky dining room.

La Fonda

712 Irving (near Eighth Avenue), S.F.; (415) 681-9205

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $6.20, Regular taco: $2.30

DESCRIPTION: Friendly counter staff complements this bright orange taqueria with an upstairs eating area. Come for tacos made with cochinita pibil -- pork shoulder roasted with achiote in banana leaves.

La Luna Market and Taqueria

1153 Rutherford Road (near Hwy. 29), Rutherford; (707) 967-3497

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $6.25, Regular taco: $1.75

DESCRIPTION: The taqueria counter is located in the back of this small Napa grocery. Camp out at the picnic tables outside and savor carne asada or cabeza tacos, or a carnitas burrito constructed with exceptional care.

La Taqueria

2889 Mission (at 25th Street), S.F.(415) 285-7117

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $7.05, Regular taco: $3.50, Crispy taco: $3.50

DESCRIPTION: Rice-less burritos? Extra charges that can raise taco prices to almost $5? This is the city's favorite taqueria to lock horns over. Ask for the crispy tacos, which aren't listed on the menu, and count on a gutsy -- and, yes, debate-worthy -- burrito.

Papalote

3409 24th St. (at Valencia), S.F.(415) 970-8815

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $5.90, Regular taco: $4.49

DESCRIPTION: Fresh is the key word at Papalote. Meats are cooked to order and agua frescas taste naturally sweet from ripe fruit. Folk art and walls painted rich colors lend this place a date-night feel -- an unusual trait in taquerias.

Sancho's

3205 Oak Knoll (near Canyon Rd.), Redwood City; (650) 364-8226

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $6.55, Regular taco: $1.25

DESCRIPTION: Burritos and tacos are everything they should be at this diminutive storefront with expansion plans. Each element zings with freshness and quality. The bonus of well-made fish tacos, a rarity in the Bay Area, makes this a must-try.

Tacos El Grullense

1280 El Camino Real (at Jefferson), Redwood City; (650) 368-3737

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $5.75, Regular taco: $1.25

DESCRIPTION: Redwood City has a booming taqueria scene, but this diner-like joint stands out for serving traditional, appropriately small tacos topped with exceptionally robust meats. A balanced ingredient mix gives the meaty burritos sturdy structure.

Taqueria Cancun

2288 Mission (at 19th Street) S.F.(415) 252-9560

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $4.80, Regular taco: $2

DESCRIPTION: Mariachis are often seen meandering into this colorful Mission crowd-pleaser. Cancun doesn't serve carnitas, but lighter appetites flock here for vegetarian and roasted chicken burritos.

Taqueria El Castillito

136 Church (near 14th Street), S.F.(415) 621-3428

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $6.49, Regular taco: $2.48

DESCRIPTION: A perennial favorite of taqueria habitues, the steam table setup of the kitchen belies how astutely the cooks assemble bodacious burritos. Exemplary salsas -- dusky red and searing yet velvety green -- add considerable punch to the food.

Taqueria La Mexicana

250 Hwy. 1 (near Hwy. 92), Half Moon Bay; (650) 726-1746

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $5.99, Regular taco: $1.99

DESCRIPTION: The appeal of this scruffy place, which looks like an old 1950s hamburger stand, sneaks up on you. Super burritos, filled with guacamole and properly melted cheese, are wonderfully hot throughout.

Taqueria La Morena

307 Baden Ave. (near Linden), South S.F.; (650) 553-9707

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $4.60, Regular taco: $2

DESCRIPTION: A rollicking lunchtime business keeps the cooking focused. Tacos come with both pico de gallo and a slick of hot sauce. Choose standards like carne asada and carnitas instead of stewed meats.

Taqueria Reina's

1550 Howard (at Lafayette), S.F. (415) 431-0160

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $4.99, Regular taco: $2.20

DESCRIPTION: Affable smiles from co-owner Juan Garcia precede the skillfully cooked burritos and tacos. Juicy, smoky al pastor and tender cabeza -- beef head meat -- are the taco fillings of choice. Long-griddled tortillas impart ideal flakiness to burritos.

Taqueria San Francisco

2794 24th St. (at York Street), S.F.(415) 641-1770

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $5.75, Regular taco: $2.25

DESCRIPTION: A thumping jukebox adds life to this bare-bones spot. Strong on the basics. Try either the intense chorizo burrito or a meatless chile relleno burrito for a change in taqueria pace.

Taqueria Vallarta

3033 24th St. (near Treat), S.F.(415) 826-8116

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $4.75, Regular taco: $1.50

DESCRIPTION: The taco stand that Vallarta sets up evenings in front of its doorway provides some of the Mission's great late-night eats. Be brave and nibble on the excellent beef tongue. Burritos gush in all the right ways.

Tres Amigos

270 Hwy. 1 (near Hwy 92), Half Moon Bay; (650) 726-6080

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $6.77, Regular taco: $1.90

DESCRIPTION: The prime location draws a rich cross-section of locals and tourists to this attractive, recently renovated taqueria. Taco tortillas have true corn flavor and pair well with pork in chile verde and al pastor. Weighty burritos can easily be shared.

[YelloKitty]

^shig, you called it! tres amigos!

[grandpa_shig]

Ha! awesome! them dudes got great taste! One of my 2 of my favorite east bay taqueria’s are not listed.

La Familia Taqueria on Shattuck & ashby. They make the best baja fish tacos in the bay. And their asada marinade is very delicious and peppery. Plus its pretty clean for a taqueria. kinda like cactus taqueria but without that corporate vibe. right close to Berkeley bowl.

La Torta Loca on Intl just off fruitvale. Its more of a stand cuz all they have are stools. But they got the torta game on lock with pambasos and cubanos and all kinds of variants of tortas, plus they flip huaraches. Delicioso!

Man I miss the bay. Of course, you cant get handmade corn tortillas and machaca in the bay, so I think im happy in LA for the time being.

[650lex]

I love La Morena

I use to go to that spot for lunch all the time when i worked for the Giants at Candlestick!

[Zaius]

La Fonda

712 Irving (near Eighth Avenue), S.F.; (415) 681-9205

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $6.20, Regular taco: $2.30

DESCRIPTION: Friendly counter staff complements this bright orange taqueria with an upstairs eating area. Come for tacos made with cochinita pibil -- pork shoulder roasted with achiote in banana leaves.


yay! two blocks from my house!

[Zaius]

Originally posted by YelloKitty

El Farolito

2779 Mission St. (at 24th St.), S.F. (415) 641-0758

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $4.95, Regular taco: $1.95

DESCRIPTION: When piles of smoky meat can be seen sizzling on the grill, join the late-night hipsters in line at this stalwart Mission standby. Be sure to douse the carne asada burrito with silky avocado-tomatillo salsa.




I once moved into a house on South Van Ness JUST because it was around the corner from El Farolito and I could eat a Carne Asada smothered with avocado tomatillo every damn day.

I put on 15 fucking pounds.

[charlos3000]

Originally posted by grandpa_shig
Ha! awesome! them dudes got great taste! One of my 2 of my favorite east bay taqueria’s are not listed.

La Familia Taqueria on Shattuck & ashby. They make the best baja fish tacos in the bay. And their asada marinade is very delicious and peppery. Plus its pretty clean for a taqueria. kinda like cactus taqueria but without that corporate vibe. right close to Berkeley bowl.


Taqueria La Familia is great. Good honest taco, good carne asada, and good vibes when you eat there. Paired with flint's and roxie delicatessen (:P) you can't go wrong w/ that side of town...

[650lex]

Originally posted by Zaius



yay! two blocks from my house!

the name still cracks me up!

[YelloKitty]

Originally posted by YelloKitty
La Cumbre

515 Valencia (at 16th Street), S.F.(415) 863-8205

BASE PRICE: Super burrito: $6.50, Regular taco: $2.50

DESCRIPTION: A Mission staple that has served burritos and tacos since the '60s, its steak-y carne asada lives up to the legend. Intriguing people-watching in the funky dining room.
we were feeling a bit adventurous so we went here today (super carne asada and super al pastor, two regular tacos). it's rare to find a place that does al pastor right, so i wasn't expecting much. it was just alright, didn't taste barbecued or marinated enough. the rice was good and fluffy though. bf said his carne asada was kinda dry. el castillito is still the winner!

oh yeah, i had to walk back there cus they didn't put our tacos in the bag. BOOOO

[grandpa_shig]

there's a salvadoran [i think] place right there on 16th and valencia. i cant remember what its called but its more of a sit down spot. anyways, its one of the few places that makes their own horchata. not one of them powder shits orange whiz bang joints that spooges horchata on the top of some plastic case thing. its really good, but kinda gritty with all the ground cinnamon and whatnots. anyways, if im in the neighborhood, i always try and make it there for some horchata.

[YelloKitty]

ahhhhh i love the gritty dirty horchata... now i need to figure out which one you're talking about!

[YelloKitty]

okay so much for being adventurous. i have major heartburn. el castillito por vida!

[grandpa_shig]

this spot.

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/fzhWuy8DD4Gr9HwDLaWISA?select=C0QpZCM1zXvDp1yty9NEpQ

tell me what you think!

[mikee]

used to go to castillito and farolito all the time when i still lived in sf. lived around the corner from castillito from 01-04. super burrito was < $5 back then. absolutely nuts.

surprised he didn't mention the super quesadilla suiza at farolito though. my favorite dish from all the taquerias. salsas at farolito are second to none as well. the second farolito at 24th and alabama is just as good. less crowded too.