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El Gallo Giro Taco Truck

20 Mighty Mexican Restaurants in San Francisco

The city might be best known as the birthplace of the Mission burrito, but it’s also home to delicious pozole, mole, and handmade tortillas

by Paolo Bicchieri and Eater Staff Updated
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by Paolo Bicchieri and Eater Staff Updated

Remember when San Francisco used to be Mexico? In 1821 the Republic of Mexico won its independence from Spain who called the area Alta California. Mexico renamed the end of the peninsula Yerba Buena in honor of all the wild mint that grew in great spurts. These days Mexican gold in San Francisco can be found in its prodigious and preeminent restaurant world, running through its burritos and strong taco game, lodes spread throughout the famous Mission District. Try these 21 Mexican restaurants for a taste of what centuries in the Bay has brought out of its cuisine.

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La Cocina Municipal Marketplace

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The La Cocina municipal marketplace has a few Mexican options worth checking out. Chef Guadalupe Moreno has her signature dish, a taco on a corn tortilla (choose from blue or white), stuffed with delicious, saucy fillings like rajas con papas, juicy chicken tinga, or calabacitas a la Mexicana (squash stewed in tomatillo, serrano chili, and cilantro) at Mi Morena. Drop by for a hang in the nonprofit’s new parklet.

101 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 824-2729 ext. 322
(415) 824-2729 ext. 322
Lorena Masso

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Cielito Lindo

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This relative newcomer to Outer Richmond’s (previously not renowned) Mexican food scene, from the proprietors of Chino’s Taqueria down the street, brings a nice slice of regional variation to the outer avenues. The headliner, of course, is the quesabirria — probably the first version to hit this stretch of the city — but there are other notable menu items as well: a whole lineup of tortas and a very handsomely constructed pambazo, filled with the traditional combination of potatoes, chorizo, and queso fresco.

3440 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 742-0959
(415) 742-0959

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Nopalito

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One of the city’s best-known destinations for a more upscale sit-down Mexican meal, Nopalito is a showcase for chef Gonzalo Guzman’s cooking, with an emphasis on local, sustainable ingredients and a wide range of regional dishes, including — but not limited to — seafood specialties from his native Veracruz. Mission District customers can check out Nopalito’s new 18th Street takeout window, which has a handful of dishes — like a pozole verde — that are exclusive to that location.

306 Broderick St, San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 437-0303
(415) 437-0303
Nopalito/Facebook

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Otra

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Looking for a Mexican brunch that is a bit nearer to San Francisco than La Cheve? The homey vibe at Lower Haight’s Otra has you covered. Nick Cobarruvias and Anna Sager Cobarruvias, the same family team behind Son’s Addition, are at the helm as they dish up cheese and mushroom stuffed tortillas alongside a healthy list of mezcal and tequila. By night, look for a vegetable-heavy menu of tacos, tostadas, and more.

682 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 500-2774
(415) 500-2774
The interior of Otra with blue papel picado hanging over a long dining room with concrete floors. Lauren Saria/Eater SF

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El Pipila

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El Pipila might be the city’s only restaurant specializing in the cuisine of chef Guadalupe Guerrero’s home region of Guanajuato, known for dishes like red sauce-soaked enchiladas mineras (a traditional lunch for miners) and rich, spicy stewed nopales. The pozole verde, served with thick handmade tortillas, is one of the best versions in the city; and, more recently, the restaurant started selling burritos for the first time. It’s open for takeout, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

879 Brannan St, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 529-2049
(415) 529-2049

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El Castillito

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Less famous than the Mission’s Taqueria El Castellito (whose burritos have gotten well-deserved kudos), the now-unrelated Church Street location boasts excellent carnitas and, even more notably, one of the best breakfast burritos in the city — a rice and potato-free version filled with a juicy, exceptionally flavorful egg and chorizo scramble.

136 Church St, San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 621-3428
(415) 621-3428

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Poc-Chuc Restaurant

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The family-run Mission District mainstay, which specializes in Yucatecan and Mayan cuisine, is open for takeout from 12:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The restaurant continues to churn out its smoky, citrus-marinated pork; deeply flavorful turkey mole (served, in the Yucatecan style, as an ink-black soup); and wonderful handmade tortillas.

2886 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 558-1583
(415) 558-1583
Caleb Pershan

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Puerto Alegre

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This Valencia Street business has been dealing out Saturday fajitas and pouring pitchers of margaritas for more than 50 years. In a neighborhood increasingly heavy with restaurants, Puerto Alegre represents the many businesses that stand the test of time and withstand the rising costs, among the changes. Try the enchiladas.

546 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 255-8201
(415) 255-8201

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SanJalisco Restaurant

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This Jalisco-inspired Mission restaurant is probably best known for its oversized tacos (both soft and hard-shell) and its excellent chilaquiles. But true devotees know to come on Fridays and weekends, when it serves its most famous Jaliscan specialty: goat birria, available either as a stew or in the crisp-edged dry style, with rice, beans, and good handmade corn tortillas on the side.

901 S Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 648-8383
(415) 648-8383
Chilaquiles at SanJalisco SanJalisco/Facebook

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El Gallo Giro

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El Gallo Giro has long been one of the best taco trucks in the business, dishing out juicy Michoacan-style carnitas and deeply flavorful grilled chicken for $2.50 a taco. Currently, the truck is parked in its usual spot El Gallo Giro has long been one of the best taco trucks in the business, dishing out juicy Michoacan-style carnitas and deeply flavorful grilled chicken for $2.50 a taco. Currently, the truck is parked in its usual spot at 23rd and Treat Streets from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Walk up or call in orders to 415-240-1224; for a contactless transaction, customers can arrange to pay ahead via Venmo.

986-998 Treat Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110
The El Gallo Giro food truck parked in its usual spot near Mission and 23rd y6y6y6/Flickr

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La Palma Mexicatessen

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Open since 1953, the Mission’s fresh, handmade tortilla specialist is open for takeout for limited hours — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day except Tuesdays. Anything made with fresh masa, from tacos to tamales, is worth ordering. The burritos, rolled with freshly made flour tortillas, are a rare treat.

2884 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 647-1500
(415) 647-1500
La Palma Mexicatessen

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La Torta Gorda

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Known for its gigantic, Puebla-style tortas and sauce-dipped pambazos, La Torta Gorda is a Mission District icon for good reason: Every torta on chef and owner Armando Macuil’s menu is a master class in smart and generous sandwich construction. First-timers can’t go wrong with the shop’s famously sloppy #12, or “pierna enchilada,” featuring roast pork, avocado, refried beans, pickled chiles, and a red adobo chile sauce — all crammed inside a bun that gets toasted, like all of the tortas here, on a panini press.

2833 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 642-9600
(415) 642-9600
Caleb Pershan

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Tortas Los Picudos

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This tiny Mission District sandwich shop (now open for takeout only) has been cranking out some of the city’s most skillfully assembled tortas for two decades. Of particular note are Los Picudos’ Michoacan-style carnitas, which are cooked on the stovetop in plenty of lard and then showcased in sandwiches like the shop’s habit-forming torta ahogada, or drowned torta, which comes drenched in a pool of spicy chile de arbol salsa.

2969 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 824-4199
(415) 824-4199
Luke Tsai

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La Taqueria

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La Taqueria is back at it with its meaty, famously rice-free burritos (griddled on the plancha until the outside is brown and crisp if you order it “dorado”) and its super-sized tacos, which, quite frankly, might be even better. The restaurant is now open for takeout, with a slightly streamlined menu. It’s even taking credit cards for the first time.

2889 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 285-7117
(415) 285-7117
A dorado burrito at La Taqueria Patricia Chang

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Tacos El Patron

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San Francisco’s most popular quesabirria spot is still slinging its cheese-laden beef birria tacos and other offerings, and it’s even offering free in-house delivery to customers within a three-mile radius of its Mission location. Wash down each bite of quesabirria with a sip of the rich, flavorful consomé that comes on the side.

1500 S Van Ness Ave #100, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 829-7315
(415) 829-7315

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Los Yaquis

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This relative newcomer in Bernal Heights is probably best known for its extensive selection of well-executed Mexican egg dishes: huevos rancheros, divorciados, or scrambled with nopales, all served with good handmade tortillas. (If, on the other hand, you’re in the mood for the traditional Jaliscan snacks known as botanas — say, boiled quail eggs or pickled pork skin — try its sister location, the original Los Yaquis in the Mission.)

3214 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 341-0110
(415) 341-0110

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El Buen Comer

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Mexico City native Isabel Caudillo’s restaurant is offering a limited takeout menu, with weekly offerings leaning into Mexico City-style street foods: masa-based dishes like huaraches and gorditas, the sauce-smothered sandwiches known as pambazos, and a selection of tamales. There are usually also a couple of the guisados (slow-cooked stews) that the restaurant is known for, like the wonderful, velvety pork mole verde. El Buen Comer also has a stand at the Noe Valley farmers market on Saturdays.

3435 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 817-1542
(415) 817-1542
Spread of dishes at El Buen Comer El Buen Comer

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Lucho’s

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This Lakeside Mexican American favorite combines chef and owner Luciano Romero’s Yucatecan heritage with a classic American breakfast and brunch menu. Highlights include the cinnamon-and-sugar topped buñuelos and variations on eggs Benedict and omelettes that feature cochinita pibil, the traditional Yucatecan slow-cooked pork preparation.

2675 Ocean Ave, San Francisco, CA 94132
(415) 347-7416
(415) 347-7416
Lucho’s buñuelos Lucho’s

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Chicano Nuevo

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The Excelsior has good food coming out of its ears. Chicano Nuevo, operating out of dive bar Broken Record, is stocking modern Mexican food like Hennessy-infused flan in the shape of the Wu-Tang symbol and Ensenada-style beer-battered fish tacos. But the restaurant won’t be at the bar for much longer; owner Abraham Nunez is opening his own place on Mission Street in 2023.

1166 Geneva Ave, San Francisco, CA 94112
(415) 583-7641
(415) 583-7641
Chicano Nuevo

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Cantina Los Mayas

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Only a few blocks from the first location, Taqueria Los Mayas, this purveyor of crab sopes, hardy tostones, and Mexican wine (a list of about 45 varieties) serves an upscale menu in comparison to the original. It’s the type of restaurant where it’s easy to rack up a steep bill as nothing on the menu is a miss — even the complimentary chips come out with three salsas to sample.

431 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 571-8027
(415) 571-8027
An empanada on a plate.
Once again, don’t play yourself: order the empanadas.
Paolo Bicchieri

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La Cocina Municipal Marketplace

101 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94102

The La Cocina municipal marketplace has a few Mexican options worth checking out. Chef Guadalupe Moreno has her signature dish, a taco on a corn tortilla (choose from blue or white), stuffed with delicious, saucy fillings like rajas con papas, juicy chicken tinga, or calabacitas a la Mexicana (squash stewed in tomatillo, serrano chili, and cilantro) at Mi Morena. Drop by for a hang in the nonprofit’s new parklet.

101 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 824-2729 ext. 322
(415) 824-2729 ext. 322
Lorena Masso

Cielito Lindo

3440 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121

This relative newcomer to Outer Richmond’s (previously not renowned) Mexican food scene, from the proprietors of Chino’s Taqueria down the street, brings a nice slice of regional variation to the outer avenues. The headliner, of course, is the quesabirria — probably the first version to hit this stretch of the city — but there are other notable menu items as well: a whole lineup of tortas and a very handsomely constructed pambazo, filled with the traditional combination of potatoes, chorizo, and queso fresco.

3440 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 742-0959
(415) 742-0959

Nopalito

306 Broderick St, San Francisco, CA 94117

One of the city’s best-known destinations for a more upscale sit-down Mexican meal, Nopalito is a showcase for chef Gonzalo Guzman’s cooking, with an emphasis on local, sustainable ingredients and a wide range of regional dishes, including — but not limited to — seafood specialties from his native Veracruz. Mission District customers can check out Nopalito’s new 18th Street takeout window, which has a handful of dishes — like a pozole verde — that are exclusive to that location.

306 Broderick St, San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 437-0303
(415) 437-0303
Nopalito/Facebook

Otra

682 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Looking for a Mexican brunch that is a bit nearer to San Francisco than La Cheve? The homey vibe at Lower Haight’s Otra has you covered. Nick Cobarruvias and Anna Sager Cobarruvias, the same family team behind Son’s Addition, are at the helm as they dish up cheese and mushroom stuffed tortillas alongside a healthy list of mezcal and tequila. By night, look for a vegetable-heavy menu of tacos, tostadas, and more.

682 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 500-2774
(415) 500-2774
The interior of Otra with blue papel picado hanging over a long dining room with concrete floors. Lauren Saria/Eater SF

El Pipila

879 Brannan St, San Francisco, CA 94103

El Pipila might be the city’s only restaurant specializing in the cuisine of chef Guadalupe Guerrero’s home region of Guanajuato, known for dishes like red sauce-soaked enchiladas mineras (a traditional lunch for miners) and rich, spicy stewed nopales. The pozole verde, served with thick handmade tortillas, is one of the best versions in the city; and, more recently, the restaurant started selling burritos for the first time. It’s open for takeout, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

879 Brannan St, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 529-2049
(415) 529-2049

El Castillito

136 Church St, San Francisco, CA 94114

Less famous than the Mission’s Taqueria El Castellito (whose burritos have gotten well-deserved kudos), the now-unrelated Church Street location boasts excellent carnitas and, even more notably, one of the best breakfast burritos in the city — a rice and potato-free version filled with a juicy, exceptionally flavorful egg and chorizo scramble.

136 Church St, San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 621-3428
(415) 621-3428

Poc-Chuc Restaurant

2886 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

The family-run Mission District mainstay, which specializes in Yucatecan and Mayan cuisine, is open for takeout from 12:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The restaurant continues to churn out its smoky, citrus-marinated pork; deeply flavorful turkey mole (served, in the Yucatecan style, as an ink-black soup); and wonderful handmade tortillas.

2886 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 558-1583
(415) 558-1583
Caleb Pershan

Puerto Alegre

546 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

This Valencia Street business has been dealing out Saturday fajitas and pouring pitchers of margaritas for more than 50 years. In a neighborhood increasingly heavy with restaurants, Puerto Alegre represents the many businesses that stand the test of time and withstand the rising costs, among the changes. Try the enchiladas.

546 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 255-8201
(415) 255-8201

SanJalisco Restaurant

901 S Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110

This Jalisco-inspired Mission restaurant is probably best known for its oversized tacos (both soft and hard-shell) and its excellent chilaquiles. But true devotees know to come on Fridays and weekends, when it serves its most famous Jaliscan specialty: goat birria, available either as a stew or in the crisp-edged dry style, with rice, beans, and good handmade corn tortillas on the side.

901 S Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 648-8383
(415) 648-8383
Chilaquiles at SanJalisco SanJalisco/Facebook

El Gallo Giro

986-998 Treat Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110

El Gallo Giro has long been one of the best taco trucks in the business, dishing out juicy Michoacan-style carnitas and deeply flavorful grilled chicken for $2.50 a taco. Currently, the truck is parked in its usual spot El Gallo Giro has long been one of the best taco trucks in the business, dishing out juicy Michoacan-style carnitas and deeply flavorful grilled chicken for $2.50 a taco. Currently, the truck is parked in its usual spot at 23rd and Treat Streets from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Walk up or call in orders to 415-240-1224; for a contactless transaction, customers can arrange to pay ahead via Venmo.

986-998 Treat Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110
The El Gallo Giro food truck parked in its usual spot near Mission and 23rd y6y6y6/Flickr

La Palma Mexicatessen

2884 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Open since 1953, the Mission’s fresh, handmade tortilla specialist is open for takeout for limited hours — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day except Tuesdays. Anything made with fresh masa, from tacos to tamales, is worth ordering. The burritos, rolled with freshly made flour tortillas, are a rare treat.

2884 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 647-1500
(415) 647-1500
La Palma Mexicatessen

La Torta Gorda

2833 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Known for its gigantic, Puebla-style tortas and sauce-dipped pambazos, La Torta Gorda is a Mission District icon for good reason: Every torta on chef and owner Armando Macuil’s menu is a master class in smart and generous sandwich construction. First-timers can’t go wrong with the shop’s famously sloppy #12, or “pierna enchilada,” featuring roast pork, avocado, refried beans, pickled chiles, and a red adobo chile sauce — all crammed inside a bun that gets toasted, like all of the tortas here, on a panini press.

2833 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 642-9600
(415) 642-9600
Caleb Pershan

Tortas Los Picudos

2969 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

This tiny Mission District sandwich shop (now open for takeout only) has been cranking out some of the city’s most skillfully assembled tortas for two decades. Of particular note are Los Picudos’ Michoacan-style carnitas, which are cooked on the stovetop in plenty of lard and then showcased in sandwiches like the shop’s habit-forming torta ahogada, or drowned torta, which comes drenched in a pool of spicy chile de arbol salsa.

2969 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 824-4199
(415) 824-4199
Luke Tsai

La Taqueria

2889 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

La Taqueria is back at it with its meaty, famously rice-free burritos (griddled on the plancha until the outside is brown and crisp if you order it “dorado”) and its super-sized tacos, which, quite frankly, might be even better. The restaurant is now open for takeout, with a slightly streamlined menu. It’s even taking credit cards for the first time.

2889 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 285-7117
(415) 285-7117
A dorado burrito at La Taqueria Patricia Chang

Tacos El Patron

1500 S Van Ness Ave #100, San Francisco, CA 94110

San Francisco’s most popular quesabirria spot is still slinging its cheese-laden beef birria tacos and other offerings, and it’s even offering free in-house delivery to customers within a three-mile radius of its Mission location. Wash down each bite of quesabirria with a sip of the rich, flavorful consomé that comes on the side.

1500 S Van Ness Ave #100, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 829-7315
(415) 829-7315

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Los Yaquis

3214 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94110

This relative newcomer in Bernal Heights is probably best known for its extensive selection of well-executed Mexican egg dishes: huevos rancheros, divorciados, or scrambled with nopales, all served with good handmade tortillas. (If, on the other hand, you’re in the mood for the traditional Jaliscan snacks known as botanas — say, boiled quail eggs or pickled pork skin — try its sister location, the original Los Yaquis in the Mission.)

3214 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 341-0110
(415) 341-0110

El Buen Comer

3435 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Mexico City native Isabel Caudillo’s restaurant is offering a limited takeout menu, with weekly offerings leaning into Mexico City-style street foods: masa-based dishes like huaraches and gorditas, the sauce-smothered sandwiches known as pambazos, and a selection of tamales. There are usually also a couple of the guisados (slow-cooked stews) that the restaurant is known for, like the wonderful, velvety pork mole verde. El Buen Comer also has a stand at the Noe Valley farmers market on Saturdays.

3435 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 817-1542
(415) 817-1542
Spread of dishes at El Buen Comer El Buen Comer

Lucho’s

2675 Ocean Ave, San Francisco, CA 94132

This Lakeside Mexican American favorite combines chef and owner Luciano Romero’s Yucatecan heritage with a classic American breakfast and brunch menu. Highlights include the cinnamon-and-sugar topped buñuelos and variations on eggs Benedict and omelettes that feature cochinita pibil, the traditional Yucatecan slow-cooked pork preparation.

2675 Ocean Ave, San Francisco, CA 94132
(415) 347-7416
(415) 347-7416
Lucho’s buñuelos Lucho’s

Chicano Nuevo

1166 Geneva Ave, San Francisco, CA 94112

The Excelsior has good food coming out of its ears. Chicano Nuevo, operating out of dive bar Broken Record, is stocking modern Mexican food like Hennessy-infused flan in the shape of the Wu-Tang symbol and Ensenada-style beer-battered fish tacos. But the restaurant won’t be at the bar for much longer; owner Abraham Nunez is opening his own place on Mission Street in 2023.

1166 Geneva Ave, San Francisco, CA 94112
(415) 583-7641
(415) 583-7641
Chicano Nuevo

Cantina Los Mayas

431 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94118

Only a few blocks from the first location, Taqueria Los Mayas, this purveyor of crab sopes, hardy tostones, and Mexican wine (a list of about 45 varieties) serves an upscale menu in comparison to the original. It’s the type of restaurant where it’s easy to rack up a steep bill as nothing on the menu is a miss — even the complimentary chips come out with three salsas to sample.

431 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 571-8027
(415) 571-8027
An empanada on a plate.
Once again, don’t play yourself: order the empanadas.
Paolo Bicchieri

Related Maps