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Carnitas from Nopalito — Nopalito

15 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 Sep 19, 2023, 1:06pm PDT

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Nopalito

| Eva Kolenko

by Paolo Bicchieri and Eater Staff Updated Sep 19, 2023, 1:06pm PDT

There is no shortage of phenomenal Mexican food in the Bay Area. But it’s San Francisco that can claim to be the birthplace of the Mission-style burrito, and is well-known for its other essential styles. There’s no Chipotle without the Mission District, after all. Unsurprisingly, then, there are plenty of longtime Mexican restaurants to hold diners over as they wait for Abraham Nuñez’s Chicano Nuevo to reopen on Mission Street. On the west side there’s 63-year-old Celia’s by the Beach, and in the southeast there’s relative newcomer Tato and it’s chicken tinga tostadas. Here are just 15 restaurants that showcase a sliver of the powerful roots Mexican cuisine has in the area.

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Xica

San Francisco’s waterfront got a big helping of gluten-free Mexican fare when Maria Elena Esquivel opened her restaurant Xica in March 2023. The entrepreneur returned to Levi’s Plaza where she first launched the business as a take-out window years ago; the crispy flautas and carne asada fries are smart choices here.

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1265 Battery St, San Francisco, CA 94111

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A photo of food.

Also featured in:

The 14 Restaurants in San Francisco Changing the Narrative for Gluten-Free Diners

Cantina Los Mayas

Only a few blocks from the first location, Taqueria Los Mayas, this purveyor of crab sopes, hardy tostones, and Mexican wine (with 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.

Open in Google Maps

431 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94118

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An empanada on a plate. — Once again, don’t play yourself: order the empanadas.

Also featured in:

Here Are the Hottest New Restaurants in San Francisco, September 2023

Nopalito

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 18th Street takeout window, too, which has a handful of dishes that are exclusive to that location.

306 Broderick St, San Francisco, CA 94117

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Otra

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

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The interior of Otra with blue papel picado hanging over a long dining room with concrete floors.

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El Pipila

El Pipila is one of the city’s few restaurants 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. The restaurant even began selling burritos for the first time in 2020.

879 Brannan St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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El Castillito

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

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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Poc-Chuc Restaurant

This is a family-run Mission District mainstay. Specializing in Yucatecan and Mayan cuisine, 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.

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2886 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

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Also featured in:

18 Essential Tacos to Try in San Francisco

Puerto Alegre

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

546 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

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Celia's by the Beach

About as far from the Mission District as one can get, Celia’s by the Beach has offered righteous Mexican fare for 63 years on Judah Street. A must-hit during Outside Lands — in 2023 the restaurant offered themed drinks at its excellent bar such as the Kendrick Lamargarita — the restaurant is known for tremendous portions, bottomless well-fried chips, and a robust vegan menu including Impossible meat nachos.

4019 Judah St, San Francisco, CA 94122

Visit Website

Drinks. — Humor is not lost on the owners of longtime Outer Sunset mainstay Celia’s by the Beach.

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El Gallo Giro

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.

986-998 Treat Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110

The El Gallo Giro food truck parked in its usual spot near Mission and 23rd

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La Palma Mexicatessen

Open since 1953, the Mission’s fresh, handmade tortilla specialist is good for anything made with fresh masa. From tacos to tamales, everything on the menu is worth consideration. The burritos, rolled with freshly made flour tortillas, are a rare treat.

2884 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

Also featured in:

La Taqueria

La Taqueria offers 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 basically burrito royalty, making Miguel Jara, as Eater’s Hillary Dixler Canavan put it, the ruler of his own culinary fiefdom.

2889 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

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A dorado burrito at La Taqueria

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El Buen Comer

Mexico City native Isabel Caudillo’s restaurant leans 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.

3435 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

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Spread of dishes at El Buen Comer

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Tato

This decadent taco destination lies on the historic Third Street business corridor in the Bayview. In 2023 the restaurant, named after owner Kristin Houk’s son, celebrated five years of powerful margaritas and mango coconut shrimp ceviche. Customizable tacos, bowls, burritos, and more are central here, and the outdoor patio is not to be missed.

4608 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94124

Outside of Tato.

Also featured in:

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Lucho’s

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 omelets that feature cochinita pibil, the traditional Yucatecan slow-cooked pork preparation.

2675 Ocean Ave, San Francisco, CA 94132

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Lucho’s buñuelos

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Xica

1265 Battery St, San Francisco, CA 94111

San Francisco’s waterfront got a big helping of gluten-free Mexican fare when Maria Elena Esquivel opened her restaurant Xica in March 2023. The entrepreneur returned to Levi’s Plaza where she first launched the business as a take-out window years ago; the crispy flautas and carne asada fries are smart choices here.

Open in Google Maps

1265 Battery St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Visit Website

A photo of food.

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 (with 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.

Open in Google Maps

431 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94118

Visit Website

An empanada on a plate. — Once again, don’t play yourself: order the empanadas.

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 18th Street takeout window, too, which has a handful of dishes that are exclusive to that location.

306 Broderick St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Visit Website

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

Visit Website

The interior of Otra with blue papel picado hanging over a long dining room with concrete floors.

El Pipila

879 Brannan St, San Francisco, CA 94103

El Pipila is one of the city’s few restaurants 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. The restaurant even began selling burritos for the first time in 2020.

879 Brannan St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Visit Website

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

Visit Website

Poc-Chuc Restaurant

2886 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

This is a family-run Mission District mainstay. Specializing in Yucatecan and Mayan cuisine, 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.

Open in Google Maps

2886 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Visit Website

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 heavy with top-tier restaurants, Puerto Alegre represents the many businesses that stand the test of time and withstand the rising costs. Try the enchiladas.

546 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

Celia's by the Beach

4019 Judah St, San Francisco, CA 94122

About as far from the Mission District as one can get, Celia’s by the Beach has offered righteous Mexican fare for 63 years on Judah Street. A must-hit during Outside Lands — in 2023 the restaurant offered themed drinks at its excellent bar such as the Kendrick Lamargarita — the restaurant is known for tremendous portions, bottomless well-fried chips, and a robust vegan menu including Impossible meat nachos.

4019 Judah St, San Francisco, CA 94122

Visit Website

Drinks. — Humor is not lost on the owners of longtime Outer Sunset mainstay Celia’s by the Beach.

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 at 23rd and Treat streets.

986-998 Treat Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110

The El Gallo Giro food truck parked in its usual spot near Mission and 23rd

La Palma Mexicatessen

2884 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Open since 1953, the Mission’s fresh, handmade tortilla specialist is good for anything made with fresh masa. From tacos to tamales, everything on the menu is worth consideration. The burritos, rolled with freshly made flour tortillas, are a rare treat.

2884 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

La Taqueria

2889 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

La Taqueria offers 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 basically burrito royalty, making Miguel Jara, as Eater’s Hillary Dixler Canavan put it, the ruler of his own culinary fiefdom.

2889 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

A dorado burrito at La Taqueria

El Buen Comer

3435 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Mexico City native Isabel Caudillo’s restaurant leans 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.

3435 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

Spread of dishes at El Buen Comer

Tato

4608 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94124

This decadent taco destination lies on the historic Third Street business corridor in the Bayview. In 2023 the restaurant, named after owner Kristin Houk’s son, celebrated five years of powerful margaritas and mango coconut shrimp ceviche. Customizable tacos, bowls, burritos, and more are central here, and the outdoor patio is not to be missed.

4608 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94124

Outside of Tato.

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 omelets that feature cochinita pibil, the traditional Yucatecan slow-cooked pork preparation.

2675 Ocean Ave, San Francisco, CA 94132

Visit Website

Lucho’s buñuelos

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