There are few things San Franciscans revere more than their local taquerias. Emotional connections to bars, corner store guys, and weed dealers all pale in comparison to the gusto with which we defend the honor of our neighborhood carnitas. So, creating a definitive guide to San Francisco burritos may seem like bringing religion to the dinner table. But before you head down to the comments section and begin to yuck each other’s yums, let us take a moment to appreciate that we live in a land where the avocados are always ripe, the meat is always seasoned, and the French fries know their true place (lookin’ at you, San Diego). So, pour another aguas fresca, peel back the foil, and let’s dig our teeth into the best burritos the world has to offer. #YESALLBURRITOS
Pacific Heights
Taqueria: Ocean Taqueria
Order: Super Pollo Asado con cebollas y pimientos
Don’t judge this cook by its cover! The fact that the restaurant’s half-painted interior and menu looks like a repurposed lemonade stand sign won’t matter in the slightest after you get your burrito. Arguably the juiciest first bite in the entire city, the explosion of grilled meat and fresh pico de gallo will take you on a ride from farm to face. Throw in some mariachi music and the giant “Latinalicious” mural on the wall, and you will be transported to a land far away from blow-dry bars and artisanal fro-yo.
The Lower Haight
Taqueria: The Little Chihuahua
Order: Super Al Pastor
The only SF taqueria with a logo on par with a graphic design startup, “Lil Chi” is a mix of traditional Mexican fare and San Francisco sustainable sensibilities. Although the eviction of neighborhood favorite Cuco’s (and its legendary plantain burrito, RIP) may have made Lil Chi’s quest for the Lower Haight title a walk in the park, the grilled pineapple salsa in the Al Pastor is a force to be reckoned with and a killer balance to a plethora of spicy options from the fresh salsa bar.
Western Addition
Taqueria: Papalote
Order: Super Chile Verde Pork
Papalote is the great exception to the “if the taqueria ends in an o or and a, you’re OK” rule. This Mission-original branched off to become a feeding ground for USF students within the Western Addition. Papalote is the champion of consistency with a delectably grilled tortilla, expertly refried black beans, and a roasted tomato salsa that will have you buying jars to send to your dear Aunt Susan.
The Upper Haight
Taqueria: Street Taco
Order: Super Al Pastor, spicy
Street Taco is such a breath of fresh air in a neighborhood that shouldn't have to suffer from burrito mediocrity! The Upper Haight is already home to El Faro and Zona Rosa, both aggressively average taquerias, with Zona as the slightly better option. At Street Taco, the tables are clean, the chips are warm, and the Al Pastor comes straight from the spit. Enjoy some Mexico City street food from an establishment where you won’t have to avert your eyes from the health rating on the wall.
The Mission
Taqueria: El Farolito
Order: Super Carnitas, a nap
The super carnitas burrito from El Farolito is bigger than Michael Morse’s forearms. It also happens to be the greatest burrito on the face of the planet (come at me, ESPN). Consuming an entire burrito from El Farolito will leave you asking how that was physically possible. Tell me, how can one make meat so tender? Yes, La Taqueria deserves its propers, but hefty slabs of braised pork and globs of Jack cheese in every single bite make the El Farolito’s carnitas the salt of the earth in more ways than one.
The Excelsior
Taqueria: Taqueria Guadalajara
Order: Super Mixto (Steak and Shrimp)
Welcome to the real deal. Taqueria Guadalajara looks, smells, and feels like a taqueria should. The massive burritos are served with creamy avocado, flavorful Mexican rice, and the juiciest meat this side of Kansas City. From the salsa bar to the décor – this place screams authenticity. You will undoubtedly leave this joint with a taste of Mexico still in your mouth and a food coma deserving of a siesta.
Potrero Hill
Taqueria: Papito
Order: Braised Beef
Although Papito’s top-of-the-hill mentality holds a little too much pretension for a neighborhood taqueria, this “fresh, organic Mexican bistro” delivers a quality product. With some innovations beyond the standard chicken, beef, or pork, the flavor profile of a Papito burrito caters to a SF foodie’s palate. Yet, in the timeless words of Humphrey Bogart, “A hot dog at the ballpark beats a steak at the Ritz.”
The Dogpatch
Taqueria: The New Spot
Order: Carnitas Burrito
The New Spot is the best of the taqueria-sit-down-restaurant-fusion category. It’s hard to go wrong with anything on this Mexican and Salvadorian menu – especially because the homemade tortilla chips and fire-roasted salsa are table stakes. The gooey mix of cheeses gives the carnitas burrito a nice sense of cohesion, while the oversized parrot mural on the wall may be the only reason to look up from your meal until only tinfoil remains.
The Sunset
Taqueria: Mexican Grill (formerly L'Avenida)
Order: Super Chicken Fajita
Although this spot will never win the award for most creative name, the new incarnation of Taqueria L’Avenida definitely has the most interesting location out of any place on this list. Mexican Grill is located within Tart to Tart bakery on Irving. I kid you not, the salsa bar shares a shelf with the toppings for the ice cream. Nevertheless, the Grill serves up a burrito that awakens the taste buds and maintains the quality of its Inner Sunset predecessor.
The Richmond
Taqueria: Gordo
Order: Super Grilled Chicken
What would a Bay Area burrito list be without Gordo? There are probably more Gordos than Hummers in this city, but none is better than the OG on Clement Street. Although the Gordo burrito is Chipotle-like in its chode stature, the comparison stops there. Salsa verde that pulls no punches, artfully charred chunks of chicken, and refried beans that deserve their own article – all make this burrito a San Francisco classic.
That’s a wrap.