El Capitan Taqueria

So... health code violations...El Capitan has 'em and keeps getting 'em. At the time of this writing, they have four serious violations warranting closure. For some readers, that's probably enough for you to make up your mind on whether or not to hazard an order.Still here? Well, it's a taqueria in an old, untouched part of SoMa that's in immediate proximity to two nightclubs. That's the long and short of it. Not sure what else needs to be said.Look... this place is still around because of those nightclubs. The food is sloppy and rushed but will taste okay and you're not going to have to wait a long time for your order to materialize. The bar can be set higher but El Capitan doesn't want to aspire to greater things because most of their clientele is at night -- either rushing in to cram food before getting liquored up at one of the clubs or leaving a club near-wasted and now scrambling to get something in their stomach to sober up. I'm willing to bet that this has allowed them to float comfortably during their residency on Folsom.People visit here out of need. They aren't visiting after sifting through Yelp looking for a dining experience.Huh? You're STILL here?! Don't you have something else better to do, like mow the carpet or vacuum the lawn or something? Fine, you wanna hear about their burritos? They're the size of a newborn. Bring a stroller (a pram, if you're from the Commonwealth) with you because if you don't then you have to be seen leaving the joint cradling the burrito in your arms like, well, a newborn. Is this a taqueria or a nursery?If you're STILL reading this then, please, seek help.

In town for the NBA All-Star weekend & mostly ate at the events but had heard about this place all throughout social media so wanted to give it a try during the late night regardless of the reviews. Ordered takeout & got the beyond super burrito with a spinach tortilla & the mushroom quesadilla. The beyond burrito was delicious! It was a bit sloppy with pieces of filling sticking out of the burrito but was flavor in every bite. You also don't feel gross or heavy after. The mushroom quesadilla was good but there were more bell peppers & onions vs mushrooms in it. Was a bit bland on its own but nothing some hot sauce can't fix. They have a lot of options for vegetarian & vegans. Had no issues with our delivery order & had only vegetarian food but afterwards I did see the other reviews about potential health violations.

Todo el día y la noche... All day and late night Mexican Taqueria of SoMa, we're grateful for you.Very intimate space sharing a joint double sided co-op with Anton's Pizza & Deli - separate kitchens and businesses adjoined by an entryway inside - meaning you can order food from either and enjoy on either side. We definitely saw a lot of pizza at El Capitan which has some tables and limited counter/bar seating. You have a huge menu to choose from of traditional Mexican meets street style and loads of vegan y vegetarian options consisting of:Tacos, Tortas, Quesadillas, Special Plates, Postres (desserts), Ensaladas y Desayuno (all day breakfast) como sus Breakfast Burritos. Not to mention all the yummy sides - chips, guac, fries, rice, beans, sour cream, pico.I didn't realize I passed by here a few times over the course of a few days so I was happy to go. I know where we are when we stopped in after a long day out. Estaba emocionado to try their Super Beyond Burrito and my boyfriend was already ready for a Steak & Prawn. When we eventually got to the front of the counter, a long line, we put in our orders... To our dismay they were out of several things from the huge event weekend being out of so much on the menu after a huge event weekend...The guy on the register explained they couldn't do the Super Beyond it the way they normally do because they were out of vegan meat, vegan cheese, vegan sour cream, etc etc... It still comes with a lot of veggies and other things so I was okay with it not being as filling plus he charged us less. For some reason he didn't understand that I still wanted this initially and I let him know no como carne, soy vegano... So my options are literally what I can get lol... I think that blew his mind or he expected me to order something easier... But I'd never been here and the options were so many that figuring out what was available was what I like to call a como se dice un viaje (a journey) and a half... in fairness it was crazy busy.My boyfriend is so awesome that he re-explained that he/I doesn't eat meat so whatever you can put in the burrito he'll eat it and we'll take it. This was true of his meal as well with them being out of steak...We did water (though we had to wait for them to refill it and they were so unbothered), plus chips. Though they have loads of beverages like agua frescas, sangria, margaritas, canned sodas, plus bottled goodness (Mexican Coke, Jarritos).I really wanted to love El Capitan, but we're just in a casual likeship. Tables got used like it was lunch time at an elementary school we cleared out ourselves and with there being little room for someone to come clear these it would've been interesting O.o.On the corner of 8th & Folsom Street they have a great location, but experience a lot of foot traffic - I was at F8, the nightclub next door the night before and noticed them even busier then. Would try again - maybe during the day and/or when they aren't out of as much.Oh Captain, mi Capitan until we beyond meat again/for the first time because you were out...

Clutch Mexican spot after a night out drinking! Not too many spots open until 3 AM. Food came pretty fast and was piping hot. Service was friendly, calling out your # order once it's ready. Ambience did feel a little divey, with tables not as clean and some interesting characters inside. Nonetheless, it totally hit the spot. El Capitan Nachos - 3/5 - Hefty amount of fries and toppings. They are GENEROUS with the cheese, getting a cheese pull with every other bite. Carne asada was not bad, tender and hot, although most flavor came from the toppings and cheese. Also had a lot of refried beans which took away the texture of the fries, next time I'll order it without. The fries didn't really have much of a taste either. Took 3 of us to kill this. Super Nachos - 3.5/5 - Same sentiments as above, with too much refried beans. At least the chips added texture by staying crunchy if not dosed with beans. The cheese really saved the nachos for me. Super Burrito w/ Shrimp - 3/5 - Shrimp was plump and had a nice flavor. Burrito was a bit floppy and really juicy wet, in not the best way. Super hot when ready. Horchata - 2/5 - Tasted a little on the thicker side with not as much cinnamon flavor. Did taste like sweet dairy milk, not rice milk.

Definitely a mistake. lol. Pretty sure the fish is fried in the same oil as other things and the food tasted soapy.

Nice and friendly staff, tried the fish, shrimp and steak tacos, overall pretty solid for fast casual, salsa was good.

The food here wasn't the best, but I appreciate that it's open late, which is a nice option when you're craving something after hours. I ordered the Steak Salad, and while the presentation looked promising, the steak itself was a bit tough, making it harder to enjoy. However, the redeeming part of the dish was the sauces it came with - they added a flavorful touch that complemented the salad nicely. Overall, it's not a place I'd rush back to for the food, but it could be convenient in a pinch due to the late hours.

Not much to say other than that this place is open late, so it's super convenient and awesome for those late nights. The carne asada super burrito is super solid, but I wouldn't say that it's anything to write home about.It definitely is more of a hole in the wall, but the service is good and the food is good!

Good prices, good variety of many Mexican Taqueria classics, and decent service. Also, they have my personal favorite - All day breakfast!I've been here about 4 times at different times of the day in the last month and a half.This place is known as an afterparty spot due to the proximity to two clubs and a joint pizza shack adjacent. However, there are quiet moments throughout the day and evening.In contrast, at night It can get crowded, busy, and a little crazy. The place is a little small but they have a bathroom, single/table/counter seating, and alcohol.There is also tasty aguas frescas.

As a food enthusiast and someone who loves to explore new dining spots, I was genuinely excited to try this place, but unfortunately, my experience left much to be desired. The food was not that good, and from both a flavor and presentation standpoint, it missed the mark in several key areas.Let's start with the most important aspect--taste. The dishes lacked the depth and complexity I was expecting. The seasoning was either nonexistent or poorly balanced, leaving the food feeling flat and one-dimensional. For example, the grilled chicken was dry, lacking the juicy tenderness you'd expect from a well-cooked piece of poultry. It was seasoned sparsely, and the accompanying sauce--while it had potential--was either too thick and overpowering or watery and bland.In terms of texture, there was a significant disconnect between the ingredients. Vegetables were overcooked, resulting in a mushy, unappealing bite, and the starches, like the mashed potatoes and rice, felt underwhelming at best. The mashed potatoes, for instance, were oddly grainy and lacked the smooth, buttery consistency that makes them a comforting side dish. The rice was overcooked, bordering on mushy, which detracted from the overall experience.Presentation was another area where this meal fell short. The food arrived looking a bit lackluster, and while I don't expect every dish to look like a Michelin-star creation, the lack of care in presentation suggested a lack of attention to detail in the kitchen.The overall dining experience felt rushed, and unfortunately, the poor quality of the food overshadowed any other positive aspects of the meal. With so many restaurants offering fresh, vibrant, and flavorful dishes in this price range, this place didn't deliver the kind of dining experience I was hoping for.In conclusion, while the restaurant may have potential, the food itself simply doesn't meet the standard that a quality establishment should strive for. As a food lover, I look for dishes that are balanced, well-seasoned, and full of flavor, and sadly, this meal missed those key marks. I would recommend looking elsewhere if you're seeking a memorable and satisfying meal.