Taquerias: the cheap and easy way to experience Mexican food in San Francisco (if done right)
Whenever I have friends visiting San Francisco I always take them to at least one taqueria. It would be a huge miss not to try one in this city. Aside from the fact that the food is good, they're great when you are starving and don't want to wait on your food. And for me, it's comfort food.
My favorite taquerias are La Cumbre, El Farolito, and Papalote's. Both La Cumbre and El Farolito are cheap, quick, and filling. They are also open until 2:30am (which will come in handy if you plan to go to their Mission locations after a late night in the popular neighborhood.) Papalote's unfortunately cannot be your go-to after a late night. It is open until 10pm, and expect a line around the meal rush hours. I am telling you though, it is well worth the wait. While it is a bit more "fresh" and clean in comparison to some of your typical Mission taquerias, and I am talking both in regards to atmosphere and ingredients, they have an AMAZING secret sauce. But more on that later.
In terms of what to get at each location, here are my favorites:
La Cumbre: delicious burritos and nachos. I always get everything in "super" or "deluxe" because I love all the extras. But, one of the big perks about this place is that they have a great salsa bar; fully equipped with mild to hot salsas, and fresh veggies and peppers. For me, it's really the icing on the cake and one of the reasons I go to La Cumbre so much. They also give you chips.
El Farolito: I always get the super Quesadilla Suiza. I'll warn you now that it is heavy and rich, so if you want something a little lighter get the regular, non-super, one. But if you want something light, then don't even think of ordering this. The Quesadilla Suiza is cheese-filled delight. They stuff the quesadilla, fold it, and grill it to perfection. It has just the right amount of crunch on the outside, and the warm ingredients inside are enveloped in melted cheese. So, like I said, don't get this if you want something healthy or light.
Papalote's: okay, really, the food is great but their sauce is what does it for me. It is a creamy, tangy, mildly spicy secret recipe that makes their already amazing food even more delicious. I put it on everything. What I love about Papalote's (other than the sauce) is that the owner has taken the taqueria and its meals, and made it his own. The food doesn't feel as heavy and the ingredients range from your standard carne asada to eggplant and soyrizo (neither of which are usually available at a taqueria in San Francisco.) The atmosphere is also bright and "poppin", from the color on the walls to the hustle and bustle of folks eager to get in. Papalote's is my go-to when I want a different taqueria experience. Maybe it's the one that makes me feel the most pampered.
Mexican Restaurants: for when you just want to relax and be waited on
While I love my taquerias, sometimes it is nice to sit and have someone serve you food on a nice plate. Between the atmosphere and variety of dishes, I think these next two places are great choices when you want some quality Mexican flavors.
Don Pisto's: my husband and I have had many date nights at Don Pisto's, and we love introducing friends to it as well. Located in North Beach, it's a nice addition to the Italian and Asian restaurants in the area. Don Pisto's is lively and great for a night out when you want to be around the hustle and bustle of a Friday or Saturday night. While you probably won't find many San Francisco natives at Don Pisto's, you will see a lot of young, happy folks. If you're looking for a quiet family friendly place, this probably isn't it but they will welcome you equally. Service is good and you can sit and enjoy yourself over some wonderful Al Pastor tacos with pineapple (to die for!), lobster, or tortilla soup. These are my go-to dishes and I really think you can't go wrong with them. The food is quality, full of flavor, and well-crafted. While there can be a wait, they take reservations and there is also capacity for large groups.
Gracias Madre: this restaurant is a great option for the vegan or vegetarian. They've taken traditional Mexican dishes and found a way to make them taste good without all the usual ingredients that make Mexican food taste as incredible as it does. I'll admit, at first I was extremely skeptical but I have come to love this place when I want something a little more healthy.
Pro Tips:
- Do not eat a lot beforehand: unless your hunger is almost impossible to conquer, chances are anything you get at a taqueria or Mexican restaurant will fill you up.
- Leave room for dessert: I know I just said Mexican food will fill you up, but if you decide to go to one of the recommendations listed in the Mission there are 3 great dessert places you must try! Mission Pie has amazing pie, but you'll want to get there earlier in the day to make sure they still have all the good ones (if you do lunch in the Mission for example.) My all-time favorite ice cream joint is Mitchell's. There's no hype about this place. It's just great ice cream with a wide range of flavors, and full of locals. And then there's Bi-Rite creamery. In my opinion it is a bit of scene but it's popular for a reason. The ice cream is quality stuff and the flavors are hard to beat.
- Leave the rental: if you end up in the Mission, parking is tough. Luckily both BART and MUNI will get you there round-trip ($4 on MUNI; BART varies based on distance).
¡buen provecho!
