That's a great list. Whenever I visit my sister in the Bay Area, I make sure to go to a taqueria and have a burrito nearly every day. There's just nothing like it around where I live (DC).
A few they forgot to mention... Papalote on 24th and Valencia has the best taqueria style Mexican food in town. Period. Il Castilito on Church & Market. Their carnitas super-burrito is the best I've had. El Toro on 18th and Valencia. It's owned by the same foks who own Pancho Villa on 16th St. Very, very good. They mentioned CanCun, but let me reiterate on the greatness of their Al Pastor super burrito. It really can't be touched.
] Here's a second vote for La Bamba. Huge burritos with very fresh meats and produce. A must try when in Mountain View.
I'm about five minutes away from my girlfriend picking me up from work so I can go get one of these bad boys. Woo hoo!!
My vote is Zona Rosa at Haight and Shrader. Great window seats for people watching. The mole is really tasty.
If you like urban hiking, you can taste test both burrito joints. I suggest starting at the Haight and having lunch at Zona Rosa. Mole chicken is my favorite. Shop at Amoebas for music and any of the punk/hippie joints for clothes. Hike over Buena Vista park and drop into Castro. They have a big rainbow flag at Castro and Market. Continue hiking down Castro to 24th and you are in Noe Valley. Do a left on 24th and cross over to Mission. Dinner at Papalote's and then off to the clubs for some live music. We've done this hike, and it is great. Why am I typing this on a Friday night? I have two teenagers, both out with friends. It's like being a doctor on-call.
655321: Will do, thanks. Roel: I often hike through those very neighborhoods, so that sounds like a good idea. I'll be staying sort of in the Duboce Triangle area, which is right along the way... I can't wait for the burritos!
If you feel like a drink after all that, stop at the Latin American on 22nd and Valencia (next to Boogaloo's breakfast joint). They have one of the best margarita's in the city. Be careful, 'cause they are f'ing lethal... They also only sell California beers, if that's more your flavor, which I think is pretty cool.
Thanks for the tips, guys. It looks like I'll be eating well on my trip! One question, though: A few years ago, I had a really good salmon (!) burrito at some place on Haight St (as I was on a bit of a bender that night, I don't remember exactly where... except that it was more in the Upper Haight area. -Might that be Zona Rosa?
I don't think Zona Rosa has any fish products, that sounds more like Balazo's...Near Cole / Haight (I think), somewhat next door to Booksmith's book store on Upper Haight.
La Corneta, in the Misson and the Glen Park dist serve up awesome burritos. I have a friend from England and another from Switzerland who always make it there first and last meal while in SF.
Well, I've been living in the Mission district for almost a month now, and I've had Mexican food everyday, sometimes twice. I'm not anywhere near being sick of it.
This last week I had... 1)a shrimp burrito from Papalotes on 24th and Valencia. Divine...could be the best "non-traditional" burrito I've ever had. 2)super Pastor from Taqueria CanCun (needs no explanation, the second best in the city). 3)Carnitas platter from Los Jarritos on S. Van Ness. The bomb. 4)two chorizo and egg burrito's from El Faro on 20th and Folsom. Eh...not bad. A bunch more. I've gained like 15 pounds in the last month or two.
Not quite a burrito, but last week I had huevos rancheros for breakfast at Red's Java House. Cool place just below the Bay Bridge and one pier over from where they filmed Nash Bridges. And they have fantastic red sauce. Lives up to its name.
Again, not quite a burrito, but certainly in the Mission district. A buddy of mine and I went to Mi Lindo Yucatan at the corner of 15th and Valencia. I had the poc-chuc with authentic tortillas. Outstanding!
is this the same la bambas which is also in columbus, austin, and a few other college towns across the country? freebirds, in dallas, has the best burritos, though...