La Taqueria
The Verdict
"Order the carne asada dorado style. The griddled tortilla changes everything. The line looks intimidating but moves fast. Go weekdays at lunch to skip the worst of it."
What you need to know
La Taqueria has won San Francisco burrito arguments for over fifty years. The Mission Street counter serves a stripped-down version that purists consider the only true Mission burrito: meat, beans, salsa, cheese, and sour cream in a griddled tortilla. No rice.
What to Order
Super Burrito (Carne Asada): The benchmark. Properly grilled beef with crispy edges and char flavor.
Carnitas: Fall-apart pork with enough fat to keep everything moist.
Dorado Style: A final griddle press that crisps the tortilla. Costs an extra couple of dollars and is worth ordering every time.
Tacos: Same simple ingredients in a smaller format. Try multiple meats in one visit.
The No-Rice Position
Most taquerias add rice as filler. La Taqueria refuses, arguing rice has no place in a Mission burrito. The result is denser and meatier than the rice-heavy competition.
The Experience
Order at the counter and wait for your number. The line moves steadily even when it stretches toward the door. The space hasn’t changed much since 1973.
Practical Info
Price: Burritos $12 to $16
Payment: Cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and cash
Hours: Wed-Sat 11am-8:45pm, Sun 11am-7:15pm. Closed Mon-Tue.
Address: 2889 Mission Street
📍 Location: This restaurant is in The Mission District. Explore the neighborhood →
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What to get
Super burrito carne asada dorado style, carnitas burrito, tacos on corn tortillas