The Most Flavorful Mexican in San Francisco

Frisco Flavor

★★★★☆ 4 (11)

"Don't write this off as another taqueria. This is a new casual El Salvadorian and Mexican restaurant just off of 24th Street Bart, which is exactly how my hungry self accidentally found this place. This is new as in 'three months old' and likely a place I will visit again. Tacos and burritos, yes. But, if you come here, you are missing out if you don't try the El Salvadorian or Oaxacan tamales. Oh. My. God. Their pupusas are also stars, here, as is ... hold for it, their *housemade mole*! You read that correctly. If you've ever made mole from scratch, you know the work and ingredient list this entails. Even the tomatillo and chipotle sauces are housemade. Oh, I was happy and full when I left this place. I wish I had taken more photos before I devoured my El Salvadorian tamale. Chicken, potatoes, masa in a banana leaf... oh this is my love language."

Habibi's Birria

★★★★☆ 4.1 (20)

"This is a real tough place to have a business. Despite that, their Burrito with shrimp is great. They also have other meat options that others ate but I loved the shrimp. I could eat it daily. The place is small but clean and the waitress was friendly and helpful. The cook even came out to say hi when I told the waitress I liked the food. I gave both a monetary tip on top of my purchase price because they're in a tough location but providing great food in a friendly but professional manner. I'd Definitely go back! We chose to pick up our order and ate elsewhere not because of Habibis but due to the outside street vibe. Five stars for food and service. I'd remove one star for street ambiance but Habibis can't control that so I left it at 5!"

Taqueria El Nayarita

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (258) • $$

"5 stars for the tacos with the fresh hand-made tortillas! I just ate two of them, and man, I'm soooo stuffed! In a good way. :)3 stars for for the ambience / decor - but it's a taqueria; I mean it's the real deal, and basically what you'd expect. Just not a fancy date-night restaurant.People working there were nice and friendly."

Los Reyes Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4 (89) • $$

"I wanted to try the torta. I asked for an al pastor torta. The girl didn't understand what I said and asked if I wanted a burrito. She got another lady to ask what I want and i said I would like a al pastor torta. The other lady also asked if I wanted a burrito. I gave up and said I'll have an al pastor burrito, just to make it easier. The al pastor meat was very good. It had a lot of spice and well browned. It was a nice sized burrito and was quite tasty. This restaurant is near the Cow Palace."

The Ocean Taqueria

★★★★☆ 4.1 (15)

"The one thing Ocean Taqueria has, that the other taquerias around the Excelsior district doesn't have, is taco salads. I tried their steak taco salad $11. It was OK. I had better ones. It came with a crunchy taco shell, a base of iceberg lettuce, grilled onions and peppers, flank steak, sour cream topped with avocado, spicy pico (salsa) and sour cream. That spicy pico had some kick. I did enjoy this taco salad. Some places include rice and beans in their taco salads but this establishment does not. Chips are $0.75. At 7pm, I was the only customer eating in the dining room. My food came out fast. Good job staff at Ocean Taqueria."

Aramex

★★★☆☆ 3 (40)

"This crack in the wall restaurant has some many food options. Pizza, Latino food, fried chicken and other stuff. I ate lamb shank with yellow rice and plantains, and it was delicious. The place seems to have good food safety practices."

Tato

★★★★★ 4.5 (137) • $$

"5* food and 5* charity This place offers amazing food all week.But on Fridays, it's unique.They offer these fantastic taco plates for for whatever you can pay. If you're willing to pay the full price of $10, they will then donate towards a charity. It doesn't get any better than that. Turkey is pretty tight and the meat offered varies based on availability"

Las Brisas de Acapulco

★★★★☆ 3.7 (71) • $

"I have fallen in love with this place and their oysters. They have a very nice host. She is always so nice and knows my order at this point she even gives me two salsa with my chips now cause she knows how much I like it . Need your vaccination card. Best to get to go but make sure you get extra salsa with your chips"

Fernando's Mexican Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.6 (383) • $$

"This is my 2nd time eating here. Can't believe I haven't made a review yet. This place has the best chips and salsa!I've come here on a weekday afternoon so it's never that busy. Patio seating is available but the indoor seating is nice dark and cozy. Lots of street parking. This place is not too far from Hillsdale Shopping Mall. As a person that just moved from Texas a year ago, I will admit that California does have better Mexican food."

Señor Sisig

★★★★☆ 4 (566) • $$

"I was caught but surprise by how much i enjoyed a enjoyed a specific item on this menu - the Tosilog burrito. The first time I tried this burrito, it was delivered while on a night shift at the hospital. On that day, I thought the burrito was really good and scarfed it down but wasn't sure if i was just stressed or super hungry. I next tried recently in an in person pickup order. This time, the burrito tasted just as I remembered but even better! I really appreciate that you have the option to remove egg (i am one of those people who sometimes gets a weird/unpleasant feeling from the taste/texture of eggs). Ordering on toast tab was super easy and it was a quick, seamless pickup experience at the restaurant. The tosilog burrito is and will be one of my favorite san francisco staples while I live here."

El Ranchito Taco Truck

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (10) • $

"carne asada super burritos are definitely a go to. the wait is long, but the service is pretty quick once you've ordered. good lunch spot."

Olivo's

★★★★☆ 3.9 (363) • $

"Got these via doordash and was pleasantly surprised! There's nothing like fresh pupusas but they did a good job of delivering them hot and with the cheese all melty. The plantains were delicious too and everything was sustainably packaged in compostable boxes and a ziploc for the cabbage. Also very reasonably priced! Gotta try them out in person when I'm passing by."

Taqueria La Cumbre

★★★☆☆ 3 (635) • $

"This is a solid taqueria and I'm not just saying that because I've been eating their food my entire life. It's consistently tasty and the service is efficient. I love their salsas (especially the creamy orange salsa) and sitting on the patio on sunny days. My favorite lunch is a deluxe veggie taco with chips and salsa. The best part is that they put a little bit of cheese in between the two corn tortillas--it's like a taco on top of a mini quesadilla! Did I mention that La Cumbre's tacos come with free parking in downtown San Mateo? I miss their pre-Covid salsa bar but I have no complaints beyond that."

Tacos El Flamingo

★★★★☆ 4.2 (35)

"3.5 starsThe cool thing about food trucks and trailers is, of course, that they roam! The bright orange paint of Tacos El Flamingo has always drawn my attention when parked in downtown San Mateo, but the first time I actually found it active was at the Sunday Burlingame Farmer's Market! Tacos, of course, are the thing to get--I asked for a recommendation, and the server touted the pastor spicy pork, made of strips of lean and fatty pork grilled to perfection with a delicious marinade. It was served on two yellow corn tortillas and dressed with chopped cilantro, onion, and salsa verde, along with pickled carrots, radish, and lime on the side! While tasty, the pork was definitely on the greasy side. I also tried the asada steak taco, made of chopped pieces of grilled steak with the same toppings. Overall, this was a nice plate of tacos, though not the best I've had and rather expensive for the portion sizes. But this truck will continue to stand out to me, thanks to its bright, flamingo-like color if nothing else!"

La Pinata Mexicatesen

★★★★☆ 4.1 (241) • $

"Solid pupusas. Friendly atmosphere. Super delish pouches of happiness. You have to eat it hot right away. You can use knife/fork but it's so good just tearing it up with your hands. The pork and cheese one (chicharrón y queso) was velvety. I guess you could almost think of it as a quesadilla but this is a much more manageable size. I had some tomato soup and crunchy pickled cabbage. Then the Loroco leaf was new to me. It reminds me a little bit of the skin part of a chile relleno, but it's fine enough that it's just the taste. The rest was cheesy softness in the corn pouch. Times visited: 1"

Taqueria Don Tavito

★★★★☆ 3.7 (13)

"I have pasted by this food truck for over 4 months and I just recently was able to finally stop by. I have always been a bit skeptical about food trucks but I was hungry and decided why not give this one a chance. I had always noticed that the lines are fairly long here around lunch time so I figure it must be good or at least decent. When I arrived to grab lunch I noticed that the line had died down and there was no waiting which is always a plus. The menu prices are posted on the side of the truck as well as pictures which always helps. I could be wrong but I believe this food truck is a family owned business, I may be wrong. I wasn't looking too deep into the menu seeing as I was very hungry, I ordered my burrito and then proceeded to wait for the food the be prepared. One of the cool things about this food truck is that you can see the preparation of your food from the lawn if you stand up high enough. I think the recommendation is to park in the lot that is parallel to the curb where the truck is parked. I thought that this area would be heavily congested due to the truck but it is relatively easy to get in and out around the afternoon. The food was great. I ordered a super burrito and all was well with the flavor. I only wished that I had asked for black beans instead of the refried beans. I wound up paying $9.00 and some change for the burrito. Not bad for what you are getting. I wouldn't mind subscribing to this place regularly if I'm in the area. This place could save your life if you are looking to get something quick and fast to go either for yourself, the office, or the family.#FoodToGo"

Casa Barajas

★★★★☆ 4.4 (198) • $$

"One of the best carne asada's I've had in San Francisco (includes the Mission). I like mine to taste like it's been grilled over an actual flame, and few places can get that down right. Probably because most just use a gas stove. The flavors are phenomenal. The salsas are actually spicy, the guacamole has just the right amount of onion. They follow instructions flawlessly. 2 things to note: - Super burrito size was not "mission style," it was closer to a bean&cheese burrito size. It was enough to fill me up, but just keep that in mind. Looks like the reviews are inconsistent on it, and sometimes they're bigger. - skip the churros. The caramel sauce is amazing, but the churros were just okay"

El Camaron RWC

★★★★☆ 4.3 (64)

"The food at El Camarón is really tasty and fresh. We ordered the chicharrón and guacamole and the stuffed yellow chiles (forgot the name of them) and fajitas for the entree. The chicharrones were crispy and hot when they arrived, the stuffed chiles were equally fresh and had some kick to it. The fajitas were also fresh and hot, but a little on the blander side, but not bad. I love that they make the handmade tortillas. The waitress was very nice and did a decent job attending to us initially and then it kinda dropped off as we ate and had to get up and ask for refills and a beer. The bar is separate from the restaurant and charges separately. The young lady tending bar was nice and attentive. Definitely coming back again."

La Mordida Taqueria

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (412) • $$

"Ordered menudo today. $18 barely and ingredients thin soup and not great flavor. Tortillas meh.Pass"

Taqueria Cancún

★★★★☆ 4 • $$

"Stopped in for a late lunch. Ordered a super burrito and a super quesadilla for two of us to share. We were the only ones in so food came up super fast. For the quesadilla we went with the carne asada and al pastor for the burrito. The al pastor was the winner of the two meats. It was flavorful and juicy, while the carne asada was a little on the chewier/dry side. Portions were pretty massive, we were starving and still went home with about half of the quesadilla left. Parking in the area can be pretty hard, we found a spot on the street around the corner and down a couple blocks."

Nopalito

★★★★☆ 3.8 • $$

"Perhaps equally so famous as sister space Nopa it was 2009 that Nopalito opened just north of the Panhandle, and since that time a focus on organic Produce and sustainability has found the Restaurant widely regarded as one of the best Mexican eateries in the Bay Area.A labor of love from Veracruz native Gonzalo Guzman, a youth in the fields and techniques passed down from his mother yielding traditional flavors bolstered by California's bounty, it is at 306 Broderick that guests are greeted warmly by staff offering a menu including everything from slow-cooked Pork to handmade Tortillas.Upscale yet casual, a true "Bib Gourmand" punching above its weight class in a city where very little is a bargain, Cocktails are simple yet effective while those craving the likes of Chilaquiles or a fluffy Concha to-go will appreciate hot or coldbrew Coffee from a take-away window.Open all-day with no reservations, a concise indoor-covered patio setup with wood and organic elements offering comfortable seating, Appetizers lean heavily on Vegetables and whether one chooses creamy Esquites or smoky Cauliflower adjacent Orange slices the results are equally impressive.The author of JBFA winning cookbooks and a retail line, recently celebrating their quinceañera, it might be expected that Nopalito's Pozole brings the sort of complexity possessed by few others while Enmoladas utilize Corn Tortillas with appropriate flex to house a good amount of Cheese then smothered in Mole that is equal parts sweet, smoke and earth."

La Torta Gorda

★★★★☆ 4 (454) • $$

"The torta was flavorful and had so much depth to it! I really liked the fresh avocados paired with the pork. I thought the works/the toppings would be overwhelming (tempted to omit certain things like mayo or the onions), but since it was my first time, i had to try it as is, though i did ask for less jalapenos. The ratio of toppings was perfect and nothing was really competing against another. The bread was pillowy soft on the inside but crispy on the outside. There was a bit too much oil, otherwise super tasty. The complimentary salsas were tasty, the green one is a refreshing spice. It was 11$ for a junior torta which is a good size for one person. They have seasonal aguas (didnt try it but they had cantaloupe and strawberry!). You can find free 1 hr parking in the nearby streets. I saw a lot of people stop in for to-go orders. Not crowded at all for Monday lunch. The vibe was quaint, music wasnt too loud. Lots of wall decorations were focused on their tv appearance. Would come again to try another torta!"

Spanishtown Mexican Restaurant & Market

★★★★☆ 3.8 (252) • $$

"I have eaten lunch here twice now before leaving this review. Lunch has been good and I hope to try dinner soon.I was told it's been here almost 40 years. It's a good alternative to the chain restaurants. Drinks, service and food are good. Located downtown with plenty of parking."

Taqueria La Iguana Azul - Daly City

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (52)

"Ordered Taqueria La Iguana Azul for delivery via Doordash and opted for a burrito mojado and two drinks. When the burrito arrived, it was still warm, but i noticed that the entire container was sideways in the bag is was delivered in. Not sure if it was placed sideways due to bag space or if this was a result of the driver but my entire burrito was shifted to one side, along with all the salsa. The burrito itself was okay. It was a bit dry on the inside, and it wasn't as covered in salsa as I would have liked. I think when I order a wet burrito, I typically expect more wet. I paired my burrito with a strawberry fresa and horchata. I really enjoyed the strawberry fresa as it was very refreshing for a hot day. The horchata was solid, but i do think the flavor could have been a bit stronger."

Tacos Al Vapor Nueva Italia

★★★★☆ 4.1 (140) • $

"Hole-in-the wall taqueria that serves delicious Mexican food and only place in the area that serves warm champurrado, Mexican-chocolate based drink.This is my 2nd visit and not sure why it took me awhile to return. When my friend said she wanted champurrado on this cold day I was totally game. Opted to get a simple Super carne asada burrito and she a vegetarian sope with chips...everything tasted so fresh and delicious with their housemade tortillas and salsas3rd time ever having champurrado with my first time when I was in Oaxaca about 15yrs ago...Warm, chocolate-based (not too sweet) beverage thickened with corn flour with a hint of cinnamon...and yes it would be wonderful with some crispy, sugary churros! Definitely great on a cold day! Service friendly, variety of menu itemsthat offers the usual proteins: seafood, cabeza, lengua along with goat birrias. Located on busy E4th toward the entrance of Highway 101....street parking with a small lot in back. No outdoor seating available"

Tommy's Mexican Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.6 • $$

"Is there a better margarita? I don't think so. I live nearby and this is absolutely a gem of a place. The widest tequila selection I've ever seen and a house recipe that is simple but compliments the taste of tequila.The chips and salsa are also incredible. I typically come for the margaritas but the food portions are also very generous and the chips and salsa definitely hit the spot.Check this place out if you are in the neighborhood or are just seeking the best margarita in the world"

La Viga Seafood & Cocina Mexicana

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$

"La Viga Seafood & Cocina Mexicana is hands down the most underrated restaurant in the Bay Area! This place is an absolute gem when it comes to delicious and flavorful food. My boyfriend and I had an incredible dining experience here.Empanadas de Champiñones Tapas - The empanadas were bursting with flavor and had a perfect balance of ingredients. They were not heavy at all and tasted light, making them a fantastic appetizer to kick off our meal.Camarones a la Diabla - This was the true standout of our visit. The shrimp was cooked to perfection, tender and juicy with just the right amount of spice. But what truly took this dish to the next level was the rice with mixed vegetables. The corn in the rice was incredibly sweet and burst in my mouth with every bite. It was almost comparable to Chipotle, but even more elevated and flavorful. Trust me, words don't do this dish justice. It is hands down one of my top three favorite dishes in the Bay Area.If you're in the Bay Area and haven't tried La Viga Seafood & Cocina Mexicana yet, you're truly missing out on a fantastic dining experience. The food is outstanding and the overall experience is one that will leave you wanting to come back for more."

Café Capistrano

★★★★☆ 4.3 (559) • $$

"I have eating at Cafe Capistrano ever since he was over by opl in Princeton. Although all his food is always fresh and delicious, I get the same thing every time I go there.... The chicken fajitas! I get extra tortillas and extra cabbage and eat absolutely everything on my plate every time. They are delicious. His unique blend of spices on the chicken and vegetables are unique and absolutely amazing. They are the best plate of fajitas I've ever eaten anywhere and would highly recommend them to anyone who loves fajitas."

Street Taco

★★★★☆ 4.2 (766) • $$

"A new Street Taco arrived on 7th and Irving Street! It's got all of the stuff as the one on Haight and there's room upstairs to sit as well. Service is quick and we ordered a Super Burrito to go. Good grub!"

Cielito Lindo

★★★★☆ 4.4 (379) • $$

"Visiting family, my Mom's request was "crunchy taco" lol. She had never had birria tacos so my companion suggested Cielito Lindo since it was in the area.We arrived early in the evening and it was very quiet. The restaurant is cozy, colorful, and somewhat spacious. Ordering is easy as the menu is displayed, you order at the counter, and they call out your number. Our food came out in less than 10 minutes and stayed hot throughout our drive! Service was straightforward and decent. I got my Mom the Quesabirria Tacos. You can order a la carte or a plate, I chose the former and got her three. Though I didn't have any, she enjoyed her first time trying birria. The tacos were crispy, the meat was chunky, and they were massive in size! My companion and I chose to share the Super Burrito with Al Pastor, with No Cheese, and Light Sour Cream. The burrito was huge and I'm glad we shared it as half filled me up. It didn't wow me too much--the meat was way too salty and everything else wasn't seasoned. I'd say go for the birria but there's better options for other items elsewhere.With limited Mexican restaurants in the Richmond, Cielito Lindo stands out in the neighborhood. Easy to find with their blue building, they're located off Balboa with metered and neighborhood parking. I wouldn't mind coming back but to try something else."

Los Yaquis

★★★★☆ 3.9 (400) • $$

"So much fun! We came in on a Friday night to celebrate a friend's birthday, and there was a DJ playing music and karaoke. The food and drinks were delicious and service was amazing! They even gave us a round of shots on the house! Will definitely be back soon!"

El Faro

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (167) • $

"El Faro has stood the test of time, "serving the first retail burrito on September 26, 1961."When Kennedy was President!And in this town that grinds down the best restaurants through large rent hikes and changing consumer tastes, I salute El Faro for serving up tacos and burritos to generations.My son loves this spot because the burritos are enormous and stuffed with the goods. He's had both the carnitas super burrito and the breakfast burrito, both gargantuan. It's almost the size of his shoe!I was less impressed with the agua fresca. We had the "Jamaica" flavor and it tasted like watered down high fructose syrup. Pork enchiladas were good, had a faint but distinct taste of cinnamon in the roasted pork that was interesting. I liked it, never had pork seasoned that way before.Service was alright, maybe they had a busy lunch rush and were tired. They also open **early at 7am, those ladies work hard!I didn't see a place to run credit cards and there's an ATM placed right before the window so it could be cash only? Luckily, I had enough.Recommend anything that has their delicious roast pork!"

Las Chiquitas

★★★★★ 4.5 (252) • $$

"Nice find in Redwood City for some tacos. The shrimp, fish, and carnitas tacos were awesome. The al pastor needed a bit of work. Also, needs a hotter hot sauce - maybe they have one already.Lunch* Shrimp taco (Excellent)* Fish taco (Excellent)* Carnitas super taco (Very good)* Al pastor super taco (Good)"

Freshito

★★★★★ 4.8 (34)

"Newly opened in the Outer mission area. Roomy inside with your usual suspects of Antojitos. Supporting local businesses during these time of pandemic. Currently cash only so maybe sure you have cash on hand and tip well too."

Mariscos El Pariente

★★★★★ 4.7 (139) • $

"I love their shrimp cocktail. Flavorful and fresh. Perfect lunch for me since I didn't want anything too heavy. Comes with tostadas and crackers."