El Farolito
The Verdict
"Carne asada super burrito, mix both salsas, 24th Street location only. The line looks long but moves fast. Have your order ready before you reach the counter."
What you need to know
El Farolito is the Mission’s undisputed late-night champion. When the bars close and you need a burrito, this is where San Francisco goes.
The fluorescent lights are harsh. The line is long. The carne asada is grilling on an open flame while you wait. This is exactly what you want at 2 AM.
What to Order
The Super Burrito (Carne Asada): This is the move. Grilled beef, rice, beans, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and salsa wrapped in a flour tortilla the size of your forearm. The meat is chopped fresh off the grill, still sizzling when it hits the tortilla.
The Super Quesadilla: Underrated. They grill the tortilla until crispy, fill it with your meat of choice, and serve it with the same fresh ingredients.
Tacos: Get them on soft corn tortillas, two or three at a time. The al pastor is excellent. Marinated pork with pineapple, sliced off the spit.
Don’t overlook the salsas. The red is bright and tangy; the green has serious heat. Mix them.
The Experience
El Farolito is not trying to impress you with ambiance. You order at the counter, find a seat at the communal tables (if there is one), and eat surrounded by the Mission’s night owls: cab drivers, service industry workers, post-bar crowds, and everyone else who knows this is the spot.
It’s loud. It’s crowded after midnight. The staff works fast and doesn’t have time for indecision. Know what you want before you reach the front of the line.
Practical Info
The 24th Street location is the original and the one that matters. There are other outposts, but this is where the magic happens.
Cash is preferred, though they accept cards now. The line can stretch out the door on weekend nights. It moves faster than it looks.
Why It Matters
Every city has late-night food. San Francisco has El Farolito. It’s not fancy. It’s not trying to be a destination. It’s just doing one thing exceptionally well, the same way it has for decades.
The Mission wouldn’t be the Mission without the 2 AM pilgrimage to El Farolito. Now you know where to go.
📍 Location: This restaurant is in The Mission District. Explore the neighborhood →
More Restaurants in The Mission District
Explore Nearby
What to get
Super burrito (carne asada), super quesadilla, al pastor tacos, mix the red and green salsas