El Castillito

4.0 star rating
90 reviews Rating Details

Category: Mexican  [Edit]

2092 Mission St
(between 16th St & 17th St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Neighborhood: Mission
(415) 621-6971
Hours:

Mon-Sun 10 am - 2 am

Good for Groups:
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards:
No
Parking:
Street
Attire:
Casual
Price Range:
$
Good for Kids:
Yes
Takes Reservations:
No
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
No
Outdoor Seating:
No
Good For:
Late Night, Lunch, Dinner
Alcohol:
Beer & Wine Only
Noise Level:
Average
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Review Highlights   

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"Their carnitas super burrito is fantastic." (in 8 reviews)
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"The green salsa is great, creamy yet garlicy." (in 6 reviews)
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"Pros: tacos, especially carnitas and al pastor." (in 5 reviews)
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90 reviews in English

  • Review from Jason B.

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    12/7/2011

    Have an agenda.

    A corner of town you need to know exactly what you are doing. No pausing to figure out your next move. No standing around wondering where to get food. You need an agenda.

    I walked in hungry. Guy at the register couldn't have been nicer. Accommodated all additions and subtractions. Left about five minutes later with a burrito weighing me down with grilled chicken, plenty of black beans, lettuce at no charge and salsa. Dinner agenda fulfilled.

    First bite confirmed what I expected. This location is just as good as the others in the city. Comes with adventure on the side at no additional charge.

  • Review from Ellen C.

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    • 4 friends
    • 12 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    3.0 star rating
    1/23/2012

    A friend is forcing me to write this review, although I maintain that I'm currently underqualified.  Last night we landed in this taqueria and I pulled an ultimate drunk doofus move by running down the demi-waiter dude to claim a burrito that turned out to be NOT mine.  Joke's on me cause it was a veggie burrito without salsa.  Who even ORDERs that at 2 am?  That's a 10 am yoga-mat-toting move.  Rating this place based on that order is like critiquing the Sistene Chapel from the outside (kind of boxy, but digging the monochrome!).  

    The restaurant is small, but had seats for everyone.  The service was quick and the food was warm.  Pro tip: You're expected to bus your own table.  Like assholes, we tried to leave our mess on the table and some metal dude kindly suggested we clean up our mess.  Then he told us to fuck off.  Right away, sir.  

    This place is nothing to write home about, but it's open late and has aiiiight grub.

  • Review from Tiffany W.

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    • 7 friends
    • 27 reviews

    Union City, CA

    4.0 star rating
    11/9/2011

    This place is open until 2am on the weekdays when other local taquerias are not-- super sweet for those drunchies after Skylark on a Monday-- or whatever else you're doing in the Mission that late Mon-Thurs.

    The guys working here are ridiculously nice-- really helpful, making everything fresh even at 1:55-- and yes, if you manage to get past all of those cracked out crazies they will not deny you service even at 1:59am. And on top of that they know when to muscle one of those crazies out of the place if need be.

    Me and a semi-vegetarian friend ordered a regular cheese quesadilla, nachos sans meat add refried beans, and 2 chicken tacos.

    The QUESADILLA was shockingly good-- they use the good kinda cheese that is stringy and doesnt separate easily. Thin, wonderfully soft flour tortilla. (would have never usually ordered this but would order this here again.)

    TACOS- plain and simple, corn tortilla w/ moist chicken, tasty salsa and and cheap.  My veggie friend even took some bites.

    NACHOS- despite the fact that this is actually not mexican food there was a table of mexican men around a plate of these at a table nearby and i get why.  Lots of sour cream, lots of avocado, lots of all the right stuff and everything made to order. Devoured. (again, not a usual order but would absolutely go back for these.)

    Tiny place, but they have a salsa bar? and all 3 salsas are delish? AWESOME. free chips? AWESOME.  Take a friend, stay close while you maneuver your way down the street-- and throw these guys a good tip.

  • Review from Christopher W.

    Danville, CA

    3.0 star rating
    5/14/2011

    I was in The Mission for a show and needed a quick dinner.  After walking by El Castillito and pulling up the Yelp review I decided to check it out.  A couple of the tables were occupied but it wasn't full by any means.

    The man behind the counter greeted us right away.  I made a quick decision and put in my order.  He wasn't thrown off when I ordered in Spanish and was kind enough to respond back in Spanish (many places will look at me and just reply back in English).

    I would say the thing I enjoyed most about El Castillito was their chunkier house salsa.  It had a nice kick and more robust flavor than most places.  I tried three tacos, 1 al pastor, 1 carne asada, and 1 pollo.  I have to admit they weren't super tasty.  Slightly on the bland side to the point that there wasn't much different flavor between the different meats.  

    Does anyone know if they are more known for the seafood items?  Perhaps I need to try that next time...

  • Review from Alexa B.

    •  
    • 17 friends
    • 81 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    4/29/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Happy hour $1 taco. YUM!
    It was two baby soft tortillas loaded with goodies. I don't know if it was supposed to be two or if they accidentally grabbed two, but I found two.
    There were so many toppings though that you would have to have two tortillas. So a little confused on that part, but i'm not complaining!

    Only reason 4 stars is because they were out of diet coke! Don't tell diet coke addicts that you are out! It's bad when you go somewhere and they don't sell it, but to know that they once did, possible 15 minutes before you were the.. no bueno.

    Small bonus, and I do mean small, they give you chips and salsa. The serving size is about 1oz but it's cute and I'll take it.

  • Review from Lauren S.

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    • 407 friends
    • 676 reviews

    Stockton, CA

    3.0 star rating
    5/23/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Most mexican food tastes absolutely delicious to me when I'm drunk, and I think this can apply to a lot of people I know personally and beyond. So when we came in here after 2am, I got the quesadilla suiza, and I must be honest...I really wasn't all that impressed. I thought it was rather bland and so was the salsa...yeah kinda lame. But there are so many other good reviews for this place I may have to try it again...after all I used to really love the Church st location...

  • Review from Jessica B.

    •  
    • 7 friends
    • 16 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    3.0 star rating
    8/31/2011

    Mission burritos are over rated, especially the little castle's, but for what they are, a-okay.

  • Review from Vanna S.

    •  
    • 10 friends
    • 129 reviews

    Fremont, CA

    5.0 star rating
    9/15/2010

    This is where we cheat at.  Yes, you heard right, we are cheaters, my hubby and I.  We're in constant strive to be freakin' healthy, but on our weak days, we come running and running pretty damn fast.  The reasons?

    #1 They know us so well, we don't have to order, order.  The cashier just say, "The usual?"  Hubby nods and pays.  And our order shows up after we helped ourselves with #2 all the salsas we desired.

    #3 Super Steak Burrito - Big beefy flavor with all the fixings. His fave.
    #4 Quesadila El Castillito - Chicken with avocado, pickled jalapeno, and oozy creamy cheese.  My fave.
    #5 The chips are good and not greasy.  Thick, but not too thick.

    Enough for guilt for the whole week, but oh so devilishly delicious.  The party you shouldn't have, but our mouths beg for it.

  • Review from Janice C.

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    1/9/2010

    What is it with me and my late night eats? it's doing serious damage to my waistline and I almost never crave Mexican food late night, but I just couldn't go home on an empty stomach.

    After wandering around the Mission (BTW: never a good idea if you're walking alone at night, especially on this block) we saw the bright yellow sign for El Castillito and headed in for some Mexican eats.

    I was eyeing the quesadilla that night: carne asada with the works. Sour cream, avocado, salsa, jalapenos. Ai-yai-yai come to mama!

    Served hot. Freshly prepared. Thin flour tortilla. Tender steak. Creamy avocado.  Their chips are on the thick side and they have a salsa bar. As I took one bite after another of my quesadilla, I remember how good it felt having such simple, but delicious ingredients mark the ending of a fun night.  

    Just watch out for the crazy crackheads outside the door.

  • Review from Joe C.

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    • 257 friends
    • 238 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    6/24/2008

    It ain't fancy.  It ain't hoity toity.  There be crack dealers outside and a massage parlor next door . . . but the corn tortilla quesadilla with chicken knocked my socks off.  Literally.  I left my socks in El Castillito.

    Plus they've got a cute little Yelp sign by the cash register.

  • Review from Drue C.

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    • 368 friends
    • 900 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    2/14/2007

    I don't know what it is lately, but I have had about 5 people just start talking to me in Spanish this week, then look at me strangely when I say I don't speak the language.

    Maybe its because I always seem to be in the Taquerias ordering "Un Carne Asada super burrito, ningun arroz, la salsa caliente, por favor". I am really good at saying that, even when I am slurring.

    The man who helps me here always talks to me in Spanish. No matter how many times I tell him I don't understand, he doesn't seem to believe me. I am pretty sure he is telling me the following;

    - I am happy you are not a crackhead
    - Don't let the crackheads steal your change on the way out
    - Don't let the crackheads swipe your burrito, which is better than most in the Mission, by the way
    - We grill our burritos, don't steam them
    - you are ruining our profit margin by requesting no rice in your burrito, but you are cute so its okay
    - Eat the green salsa, though it is not muy caliente it is f*ckin good

    And something dirty I just cant repeat here.........

    They use avocado instead of guacamole, pinto beans instead of re fried and add cilantro to their burritos. A little different, but good nonetheless.

    They are open later on school nights than the other Taquerias nearby.

  • Review from Fancypants X.

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    • 149 friends
    • 758 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    2.0 star rating
    2/21/2010

    This review is brought to you by the letter H.
    H as in "Hella."

    1 am. Everyone in this joint is hella suspect. Hella sketchy. I know it's part of the late night Mexican food in the Mission experience, but it is especially unnerving at this particular joint, even for a native San Franciscan like me. Trust, I'm used to hella unsavory ass characters, but the creep factor here is turned up way past 10.

    Plus, I'm hella bitter that I ordered my veggie burrito "wet." Instead of a buttery enchilada sauce like at every other taqueria, this one was more of a mole sauce (I hate mole sauce.) Mole sauce all over my "veggie" burrito (I guess rice & beans constitutes as a veggie burrito.) I was not amused.

    My dining partner was super pleased with his two tacos (i know one was carne asada, can't remember the meat in the other.)

    The monetary damage was small: $17 for the above mentioned foods plus a Jarritos & an agua fresa (sweet strawberry drink, not watered down) but the damage done to my mood was monumental.

    Cash only.

    P.S. as irritated as I was that #1, we didn't just take our food to-go & #2, I did not enjoy my burrito, I have to say that the guy who took our order was hella friendly, like the best service I've ever gotten at a taqueria.

  • Review from Joshua L.

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    8/6/2009

    Aside from my recent Quesadilla kick, I've also been heavily involved in this long-delayed highly-anticipated blockbuster-sequel-esque love affair. With Cinnamon.

    For so long, I ran away from Cinnamon like he was a giant can of SlimFast and I was Camryn Manheim. I regret it, but the time apart has been good for us. It's made our love-making all the more sweeter... more passionate... more flavorful...

    I've been dashing Ground Cinnamon on everything: coffee, cereal, my fingers, PBJ sandwiches, through the snow on a one-horse open sleigh, etc. etc.

    I am inherently a better man because of the Cinnamon in me. Another thing inherently greater for the same reason is the famed Mexican drink of tradition, horchata.

    And I've found a great place for inexpensive, creamy, refreshing, cinnamony horchata.

    I didn't know the name of this place so I had to do a Search on Yelp.

    For Janet's sakes, Searching for "Mexican Restaurant" in the "Mission District" is like trying to find false eyelashes stuck on a drag queen's wig!

    After clicking on a bunch of the tiny little triangles with numbers on them, I finally found the one. El Uno, if you will.

    El Castillito. I believe this translates roughly to "The Castle... Lito" which I think is the most perfect way to describe this place.

  • Review from Julia Z.

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    4/2/2009

    Wow, I have such mixed feelings. It's in the Mission and this neighborhood is what I call ghetto chic. There are really nice parts and there are REALLY ghetto parts. I usually don't venture out to the questionable areas because I'm a wimp and I don't wanna be asking for it.. Being an averaged sized and directionless Asian girl doesn't help either. Though, I still think I've done my fair share of "ghetto dining", this place was up there on the level of gHeTtO-NeSs.

    I....yes I actually picked this place for dinner based on a friend's request for Mexican. I totally ignoring other yelpers' reviews about it being ghetto. How bad could it be? I'm from Richmond! Pssh...

    My stars are for the food alone. My carne asada super burrito was actually very delicious. It was also cheap ($5) and huge! It came with your choice of meat, avocado, cheese, onions, hot salsa, and beans. I thought it was actually a nice change up for them to use avocado slices instead of guacamole. But I really lost my appetite thanks to the crackheads lurking outside, homeless (or just dirty..?) people loitering in the place, random thugs smokin' it up, and a big scary dude having some Jerry Springer moments with his woman. I was so scared he was going to start eyeing us!

    My friend and I had a conversation online about this later that night. I think this snippet basically sums it up:

    me: that place was HELLA ghetto dude..
    me: werent u scared
    friend: fo realz, um a lil when that man hella yelled at his bitch! shooo
    that was just dam... calm down yo
    me: LOL
    friend: but dam it was GOOD shite! mmmm!

    Shout out to my three homies who accompanied me! :P

  • Review from Mariah B.

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    • 16 friends
    • 130 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    5.0 star rating
    10/14/2008

    If you can get past the fact that you're walking through drug deals, crackheads, and crazies alike, you're in for a treat!

    I was DYING for some good Mexican food and boy did I find it.  It was so delicious and I plan on going back again soon.  I ordered the Tamales and they were wonderful.  The refried beans had just the right amount of salt and flavor.  The rice was wonderful and the Corona wahsed it all down jusssttttt riiiiiggghhhhttt...

    Get over the fact that it's in the HOOD and GO FOR IT!  YUM!

  • Review from Sarah J.

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    • 43 friends
    • 80 reviews

    Washington, DC

    4.0 star rating
    6/26/2008

    Came here on a hungover Saturday for some pre-Bay-to-Breakers costume search fuel.  We got the quesadilla that ate Manhattan... more like a three-month-old-infant-sized grilled burrito than a quesadilla.  

    We shared it four ways, using a newspaper stand in front of Thirft Town as our table.  Now that's class.

  • Review from Ben A.

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    • 79 friends
    • 178 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    3.0 star rating
    3/22/2007

    El Castillito has what has to be the greasiest carnitas in San Francisco.  The grease ran down the side of the burrito, pooling in the tinfoil.  My hands were still shiny after a stack of napkins.  This is both good and bad, but mostly bad.   Add the over-zealousness with sour cream, and the fact that the salsa fresca is way hotter than anyone else's (this is definitely good), and El Castillito = rough night ahead.  

    The Mission branch of El Castillito does not have much in veggie options -- no roasted veggies, no tofu, only rice & beans.  

    All that said, El Castillito is still better than Cancun, and better than a large number of joints in the area.

  • Review from Pete M.

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    • 10 friends
    • 57 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    2/19/2008

    I'll start with the reason I deducted a star; the locale can be intimidating.  Adrienne G. pretty much summed up the daily landscape that is Mission & 17th Sts.  But on to the fare.

    This is one of my top 3 burrito places in the City (La Corneta & Chunky's).  Sarah s. (see below) called it with the freshness of the ingredients and the grilling of the tortilla.  Best part is they do it right every single time I've been there.  These hombre's are consistent.  I've had the carnitas, carne asada, and pollo burritos and they all kick ass.

    Forget the lines at that one on 16th Street.  Drop by here instead.

  • Review from Chelsea P.

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    • 344 friends
    • 474 reviews

    Berkeley, CA

    3.0 star rating
    12/13/2008

    Felt pretty clean, though plenty shady. There was no shortage of hobos inside unloading their belongings on the surrounding tables as they glared and gawked at us while we ate.

    My quesadilla castillito (I still have a hard time pronouncing it) was humongous and decadent, filled will plenty of meat and extras but it was very leaky. It was sort of a half finger food and half scoop out the innards kind of wrap, still no short of delicious. The carnitas tasted different, more chunky than pulled consistency, with plenty of grease and solid cubes of fat to pick out, but good nonetheless.

    What's up with the chips? You only get like 4 served in a small paper trough. WTF.

    Overall, not bad. We only went in because we parked immediately in front, though I think I prefer Cancun.

  • Review from Tim O.

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    • 26 friends
    • 139 reviews

    Philadelphia, PA

    5.0 star rating
    11/20/2008

    Everytime i'm in the mission i seem to stop here.  even if you're not hungry it's a good stop.

    A taco is about $2.30. Practically a meal. lots of meat. Carnitas is a good choice. piled onto 2 corn tortillas. cilantro and so juicy and flavorful.

    i love the molded plastic orange and yellow seats. it's like i'm in a 1985 mexican cafeteria.

    plus you can get a bottle of beer or a jarritos for cheap.

  • Review from Mark W.

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    • 133 friends
    • 513 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    5.0 star rating
    10/23/2007

    My favorite Taqueria of all time.  I started coming here back in High School and have never looked back.  I've tried many places over the years but have always come back here when I wanted the best tasting burritos and a whole avocado stuffed inside at a fair price.  I pretty much get the Al Pastor (Marinated Meat) every time I come here.  It's acddictive you know.  

    And though the surroundings can be shady on certain nights here, you always have the option to eat it to go.  What I do like is that the prices are pretty fair when you compare it to other better known taquerias in the area like El Toro and Pancho Villa.  I mean I hate having to pay like $8-$9 for a Super Burrito.  Just don't seem right.....

  • Review from Ken B.

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    • 3 friends
    • 362 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    1/17/2008

    OH MY GOD
    I don't know who this guy "Al Pastor" is, but he makes one hell of a burrito.  

    He sure doesn't work at Gordo, which is unfortunate because I live in the Richmond.  Now I must go to the Mission to enjoy TASTY burros when the mood strikes.  This is not too difficult, since they're open late (we were there on a recent Wednesday at 10:00 pm.)

    Typical Mexican fare:  taco taco, taco burrito, platos, burritos, agua fresca, fresh squeezed jugos, and I saw a delicious-looking flan on the counter, but after that monster-sized burro, there was certainly no room left.

  • Review from Jen M.

    Berkeley, CA

    4.0 star rating
    8/12/2008

    On my most recent trip to SF, I emerged hungry from the Mission/16th BART station and trusted my ghetto fu to get me to some good cheap Mexican eats. I picked the direction that felt like it had the fewest hipsters and entered the first eatery that advertised menudo sabado y domingo.

    I knew I'd made the right decision when I heard ranchero tunes coming out of the jukebox and saw AL PASTOR ON A SPIT! This has gotten to hard to find in LA and I have no idea why. The menu was also pretty clever, with real Mexican food living harmoniously alongside the more Tex-Mex sour creamy/guac-y dishes that will keep the gentrifiers coming back with daddy's money.

    I order an al pastor burrito and the cashier also gave me a small serving of chips. Cute. I told him I was excited about the trompo (the spit) and he seemed amused. Then I decided to go nuts and order a Negra Modela. This is when the cashier decided he really liked me and offered me more chips. I thanked him but said I wanted to save room for the burrito.

    The burrito was everything that has made a Mission burrito famous. Yum yum.

    You can't definitively judge a place on one burrito, but I would definitely return here.

  • Review from Molly G.

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    • 89 friends
    • 135 reviews

    Oakland, CA

    5.0 star rating
    1/13/2009

    I like!

    I like that the line is never more than 7-10 people.

    I like the jukebox selection (Selena, yes please)!

    I like that a huge, fabulous veggie burrito is $4.60

    I like the salsa they have!

    I like that I forgot where it was but found it the other night like the big, yellow holy grail of taquerias that it is!

    *no credit/debit cards but they have an atm machine for your/their convenience.

  • Review from Mario T.

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    • 16 friends
    • 38 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    5/16/2006

    This would be my favorite burrito joint in the city if it weren't for the neighborhood. I'm no snob, I live a block away but the crack heads, meth addicts, and strung out prostitutes will eventually get to you. To be honest, I only order burritos so I have no idea how their other dishes are but their burritos are AWESOME!

    Their tortillas are heated on a griddle--not steamed! Their meat is tasty and clean (though it doesn't have the grilled flavor of some of the more expensive taquerias), their salsa bar is yummy, and you can get a delicious burrito for less than $5.00! I don't know what it is but their burritos are SO tasty--some of the best. And you can afford to eat here every night!

  • Review from eric m.

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    • 11 friends
    • 21 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    10/9/2008

    Wow. I used to frequent the church location but never never again. Its worth the extra 10 block walk which you'll need anyway if you're planning on ordering the carnitas but now that I have transportation again, no matter. The service is way friendlier and the juke box doesn't always
    come on without fail when I sit down. The cheese is way better here! I'm as asada quesadilla guy myself. May I reccommend the Castillito Quesadilla. And the salsa variety is a major plus!!!

  • Review from Ben M.

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    • 25 friends
    • 11 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    8/15/2008

    I'm going out on a limb and saying just on food quality...5 stars.  This place has the best Mexican bbq pork in the city.  It's just that good.

    Large quantity for the price.  Awesome aqua frescas.  Awesome quesidillas.  Awesome burritos across the board.

    The place is surrounded by crack hookers and some pretty uncool characters, so don't bring your mom... unless she's a crack hooker.

  • Review from cindy j.

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    • 27 friends
    • 86 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    3.0 star rating
    1/21/2008

    I had the super carnitas taco. It was delicious and just filling enough. The place is very cold inside so you have to eat with your jacket on if
    you don't get it to go. Also in a very questionable/dicey neighborhood.
    The funny part is the chips. They give you these teeny, tiny ,mini cardboard containers of corn chips which is enough for about 3 bites. I did ask for another round of chips and it was no problem. The 3 types of salsa are all very good. I'll be back for another one of those tasty tacos.

  • Review from Amelia I.

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    • 0 friends
    • 26 reviews

    Oakland, CA

    2.0 star rating
    5/3/2008

    I was expecting good things of El Castillito, given that it ticked the usual boxes for a good Mexican eating establishment: in the kind of area you wouldn't want to visit alone at night, grotty plastic tables and chairs, and at least half of the patrons having a distinctly druggie look to them. I went for the camarones a la diabla and was looking forward to some devillishly spicy prawns! I think there must have been some kind of mix up in the kitchen, as the prawns I got seemed to be a la Heinz - the sauce looked and tasted suspiciously ketchup-y, and it certainly wasn't hot. The rest of the dish was pretty so-so, although the unmelted cheese on top of the beans wasn't greatly appetizing. The service was pretty friendly, though, and the mild salsa was tasty -- it's a shame they don't do a hot version of the same recipe.

    Might give it another try, but won't be having that dish again!

  • Review from Frankie D.

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    • 42 friends
    • 291 reviews

    New York, NY

    1.0 star rating
    6/16/2006

    Totally eat here if you want violent liquid shits!

    I know I did!

  • Review from Ayse B.

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    • 15 friends
    • 106 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    12/19/2007

    Mmmm burritos! I had been away for three months, so a burrito had to be had as soon as I arrived back in Sf! El Castillito served us great burritos, slightly stale chips, and yummy salsas. The green salsa is great, creamy yet garlicy.

    I... want...more...

  • Review from Elizabeth B.

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    • 12 friends
    • 20 reviews

    Oakland, CA

    4.0 star rating
    2/2/2009

    A friend and I journeyed over to the Mission to get haircuts the other day, and by the time we left the salon (check it out: Pirate Salon), we had worked up a ravenous appetite for cheap Mexican food. The huge "TAQUERIA" sign out front of El Castillito lured us in, and minutes later, we were happily chowing down on what were probably the biggest burritos I've ever gotten at a restaurant.

    I had the Super Burrito with carne asada - it was, to put it quite simply, big and delicious (that's what she said... haha, sorry, I couldn't resist throwing that in there!). It was really exactly what I needed. The cashier was also really friendly and helpful, and the salsa was decent. I could only eat about half of my burrito there, so I took the rest home with me and had it for dinner, too - still tasted just as good the second time around. I will definitely be coming back the next time I'm in the area.

  • Review from Eric H.

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    • 7 friends
    • 45 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    2/6/2006

    In terms of number of times I've been here, this is my hands-down #1 spot for burritos in SF.  While my proximity to the restaurant doesn't hurt, it's really the green salsa that brings me back and back and back.  

    And the (ahem) live entertainment.  

    The two highlights were really slow motion drunk boxing between homeless men (the kitchen staff all came out to watch because it was so ridiculous - don't worry, none got hurt, noone landed a "punch"), and a 6-something foot postitute hoofing in on giant heels yelling about chips and salsa and then hoofing out after a brief tantrum about something unintelligible.  While I know that these are sad sights, I must admit: on some level they are so incredible, that you have to shake your head and laugh.  

    In short, the quality of the food here *may* be a little worse than the Castillito on Church (and many other taqueria), and the customers are - for sure - a little worse for wear (ok, some ALOT worse for wear), but that's part of the charm, I suppose.  I've seen some pretty mundane things, some sad things, some uncomfortable things, and - most importantly - some funny things (at least in a cosmic sense) while eating meal at this other Castillito.  I chalk it all up in the name of dinner theater.

    And the green salsa flows delicious.

  • Review from Danyell K.

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    • 66 friends
    • 218 reviews

    Tahoe City, CA

    4.0 star rating
    5/6/2008

    Standard Mission Burrito.

    Minus the hipster-yuppie-drunken mess just a few blocks down at Cancun.

  • Review from gene x.

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    • 283 friends
    • 764 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    4.0 star rating
    4/6/2008 1 Check-in Here

    Damn I can't believe I haven't been here before even though I've ridden past here time and time again.  Well today's hangover prompted me to finally stop in and I am kicking myself for not enjoying El Castillito before!

    The carne asada here is pretty good - definitely different from Pancho Villa but I'm not quite sure how to describe it other than it is also really tasty so it's not a bad thing.  Not rubbery at all or over done.

    You don't get a whole lotta chips with your burrito here but hey I am not here just for chips.  It's pretty clean inside and has a decent amount of seating too.  Nice chill spot for a good solid massive burrito meal!

  • Review from cyndi L.

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    • 86 friends
    • 408 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    3.0 star rating
    5/21/2008

    The neighborhood is way sketchy! And I walk at least once a week through the Tenderloin for pho. That's sayin' a lot people.

    Other than the ambiance outside this place is ok. I had a regular carne asada burrito and it was good. It was gigantic and had a ton of beef. But I kind of wish  it had a little more rice. I know, crazy but I like a balance of everything and not just have it all be meat, meat, meat. But what really made me want to come back? The sandia (watermelon) aguas fresca! So. Good. I'm told that the strawberry one is also excellent. I couldn't tell you as I'm pretty much a one flavor aguas fresca gal. I would brave the sketchiness for this drink.

  • Review from Art A.

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    • 206 friends
    • 494 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    3.0 star rating
    10/28/2009

    I get burritos from here about 1/week. They're good, quick.

    Not crazy friendly or best burrito ever.. but good, quick, good price.. they get the job done.

    Plus no long lines the places around the corner on 16th.

    Service: eh, not crazy friendly. Stopped supporting the business since they're so unfriendly.

  • Review from Jason H.

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    • 13 friends
    • 16 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    2.0 star rating
    10/26/2007

    Working in the Mission till 8 most nights provides some interesting entertainment during my dinner breaks, let me recount a scene from last  nights "dinner theater".

    A lost soul enters El Castillito touting a lab top computer he very well may have swiped from a Yahoo employee getting off their Bio Bus and walks up to the counter to begin his negotiations to sell said lab top for 350 bucks. El Castillito employees, all the while taking orders, council and counter with 150 because the comp has no charger. This causes the seller to get cold feet and stumble out of the restaurant cursing quietly under his breath.

    Now granted the free entertainment was comical/sad, the camarones a la diabla were just plain gross, the refried beans had what looked to be a Kraft single partially melted on top. *barf* Probably won't go here again.

  • Review from Jaime R.

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    • 50 friends
    • 46 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    3.0 star rating
    10/17/2009

    El Castillito, especially this location, has some great tacos. If tacos are all you're thinking about and not the overall eating experience then this restaurant is fantastic.  this is especially the case if you absolutely love al pastor or carnitas.  Their employees have seen it all and they're located in kind of a crappy area... They're pretty much the only thing open late on that part of 18th St.  

    Pros:  tacos, especially carnitas and al pastor
    Cons: location, more "finesse entrees" -- seek these out at the Church St. location instead.

  • Review from Kandy P.

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    • 77 friends
    • 66 reviews

    Alameda, CA

    4.0 star rating
    4/18/2008

    I had the vegetarian burrito with no rice and it was the BEST one I've ever had. SO damn good! I will be back and I will be ordering the same thing.

    (I did get a bit of a gassy feeling from this later that night, but nothing earth shattering) (ha HA, get it?)

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