Best Taquerias in San Francisco
Best Taquerias in San Francisco
I love burritos. I eat at least 5 a week. They're cheap, they're healthy and San Francisco happens to have some of the best Taquerias in the United Sates. Here are my picks:
La Taqueria
2889 Mission St (Cross Street: 25th Street)
San Francisco, CA 94110-3907
(415) 285-7117
Open till 9pm
Probably the best all around taqueria in SF. It's pricey (as taquerias go), but delicious and addictive. Make sure to order the "dorados," (a delicious taco with a crispy AND soft tortilla, your choice of chicken, steak, or pork) BOMB!
Gordo Taqueria (Geary)
5450 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 668-8226
If you're a burrito lover, Gordo is the place for you. There are three of these place in the city and at least one in Berkeley, but you have to go to either the one on Geary (above), or Clament (below). In my opinion, the one on 9th and Irving just isn't as good. Just get the super burrito and can't lose.
Gordo Taqueria (Clement)
2252 Clement St
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 387-4484
Taqueria Pancho Villa (16th St)
3071 16th St
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 864-8840
If you're in the Mission and it's after 9pm, Pancho Villa is a strong second option after La Taq. It's actually a great spot to hit up for a late dinner before going out to the bars in the Mission. You always last longer at the bars if you have a good drinking base.
Feel free to comment on my picks and add your own!
Taqueria Cancun in the Mission, across from Little Baibao (or Baibob, I never get it right, the one at 18th and mission w/ the hibiscus margaritas). Best tacos ever.
Although I agree that these are all good Mexican food establishments, I have to say that hands down I choose La Corneta over La Taqueria and Pancho Villa every time. I'll even go so far as to say it is a must-stop on any San Francisco burrito tour.
Two key points on the superiority of La Corneta Taqueria.
One: I think we all have little mental checklists for what makes a good taqueria (or other dining experience). For example, whether they offer black beans, a variety of flour tortillas, etc. At the top of my checklist is the 'grease' test. You can immediately tell how greasy the food is in a taqueria by how pimply its workers are. You scoff, but I dare you to try it. This works on all taquerias. The blemish-free skin of the workers at La Corneta is indicative of how healthy their food is.
Two: I was living in San Diego, CA, for the past year where fish tacos often means battered & fried white fish wrapped in a small flour tortilla. If you're from San Francisco or northern California, then you're definitely thinking what I'm thinking: EWW! Now get this: at La Corneta, fish taco means two corn tortillas wrapped around grilled salmon. Yes. Salmon. Grilled. YUM! To me, the salmon is just an indication of the high quality of their basic ingredients, which are all very fresh, and seasoned just right.
Those two points are key for me. You might like to know that they have every kind of tortilla, bean, and meat you could ever want (including lengua and tofu, although I assure you more Mexicans than yuppies eat here). Everything is good. If you don't trust me, I'm sure you'd trust the Burrito Blog (they know burritos) which rated La Taqueria's burrito experience at 8.5 and 8.7 out of 10, while La Corneta was rated 9.0 (and don't knock it just because they reviewed Taco Bell).
La Corneta Taqueria
2731 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(between 23rd & 24th streets, 1 block from BART)
(415) 643-7001
**original location**
2834 Diamond Street
San Francisco, CA 94131
(1 block from Glen Park BART Station)
(415) 469-8757
Thanks for allowing me this. You understand: I miss burritos.
--Misha in Canberra, who is refraining from eating Mexican food while in Oceana
I could not agree more with your best taqueria choice...a lot of my friends complain cuz they dont serve rice with the tacos, but rice is filler anyway, right! Their aguas frescas are really good too!
Just wanted to let you know that there is also another Gordo's on 9th and Irving in SF. Close to the park/ panhandle. Get some.......