- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
El Tonayense Taco Truck - CLOSED
Categories: Restaurants Mexican Restaurants Food Stands Mexican, Food Stands [Edit]
22nd St & Harrison StSan Francisco, CA 94110
Neighborhood: Mission
(415) 559-0404
- 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:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Owner & operator, Jorge Saldana has created a unique restaurant offering multilevel classic Mexican cuisine dining and an atmosphere that is both… read more »
252 reviews for El Tonayense Taco Truck
Review Highlights
Loading...
252 reviews in English
-
Review from Guillermo C.
Napa, CA
Do you eat tripas? This place makes them perfect, just go here and eat. Your not going to find too many trucks as good as this one, do yourself a favor and try them, you know you want to.
-
Review from jeddie k.
San Francisco, CA
Do I really need to repeat what everyone else has said?
No, that's a rhetorical question.
My new favorite spot.
Get the tacos. Quesadilla is passable. Will return for burritos. Go get drinks and groceries at Rainbow Foods while you're at it.
The truck near there at least, I didn't know this one had closed.
Oh, mistakes... -
Review from Lolia S.
San Francisco, CA
Happy Cinco De Mayo! And it's on a Tuesday this year (Taco Tuesday).
When I think of tacos, I think of El Tonayense. I was in the mood for brains but I accidentally ordered the cabeza again (head meat). I like how the cabeza meat is cut into small cubes and topped with raw onions, cilantro and your choice of salsa (hot or mild, I always choose hot). The tacos ($1.75 each) came with lime wedges, radishes, spicy, crunchy pickled carrots and jalapenos. The food arrives quickly. One guy takes your order and the other guy grills your corn tortillas and assembles the taco.
The tacos are small but they give you a good amount of meat.
* Cabeza: I liked it better here than I did at their other location (though I think the meat all comes from the same place), it had more seasoning than before. Some of the meat was stringy (but not dry), other pieces were more gelatinous and soft, good beefy flavor.
* Lengua: Tender and tasty tongue.
The menu is probably the same for all their trucks? Choose your meat (or the veggie option) and form (tacos, burritos, tortas) and pick a drink if you want. Chips are $1.
I drove past three El Tonayense trucks on Harrison and the line was the 14th St. truck (by Best Buy) had the longest line. I'm sure the difference is driven primarily by location.
The 22nd St. truck provided better service and extras on the side. He asked me if I wanted it for here or to go. I said to go and he wrapped the paper plate in foil. The 14th St. truck didn't bother to ask. The 22nd St. truck gave me radishes, spicy, crunchy pickled carrots and jalapenos and the 14th St. truck didn't. -
Review from Daniel L.
I've been a staunch supporter of taco trucks ever since LA business owners were trying to pass an unjust zoning policy for taco trucks about two years ago. In fact I was just telling Mary J that someone needs to start a soul food taco truck in the East Bay but who's got time to get a business plan together when you're too busy eating and yelping?
I bookmarked this place after learning about it from Karen Y. Since the truck parks on the same street corner all day I was able to stop by late last night to try it out. The truck is very clean and it was good to see that they have a few tables and chairs nearby so I wouldn't have to eat with my hands standing up. My lengua and pastor tacos were $1.75 each and served with double decker tortillas loaded with meat and hot sauce. Although the tacos at some other places may cost less, the ones last night were huge and juicy and definitely worth the price.
Of the two tacos, I like my lengua taco the best since I thought the pastor was a bit too salty. Not sure why my pastor was minced but overall the texture was alright. I wish I could have more cilantros and onions, and the hot sauce appeared too watery when I thought it would be thick and salsa-like. My experience was certainly not the best of the best, but it was still tasty and yelpaliciously spicy--just the way I liked it. On top of it all, I really liked the quiet location and overall convenience. I would love to go back again and try their torta the next time I'm there.
Thanks to Karen Y for her great review. -
Review from Mike K.
It's not often that a vehicle can stun your culinary palate, but El Tonayense will do just that to you, on a relatively boring white paper plate.
Come Tuesday, this truck has become more and more a part of my weekly ritual that come Monday night, I go to bed with a craving.
A straightforward menu, with ingredients that have depth, make this nonchalant truck a hit.
My order: Steak Burrito with everything, hold the sour cream, and two chicken tacos.
The chicken tacos will have you fall with the first bite. Your heart will cave, knowing that it just got sucker punched from the taco cupid.
Fresh onions, and greens top off spicy marinated chicken that has all the tender juices locked in between 2 layers of soft tortillas. Yes folks, this simple combination of Mexican flavors will leave you substantially content.
The burrito is wrapped with a flavorful protein, and a medley of supporting actors that will leave you looking for a post chow couch.
Fast service, fun sidewalk atmosphere, and a delightful example of how food can push your weekly compass in the direction of Friday. -
Review from graceypoo m.
Boston, MA
I will commission one of these taco trucks for my "You've Been Accepted into XXXXX Medical School" party (and the Bacon Dog Cart too http://www.yelp.com/bi...).
For y'all who know me, I love street hand-held foods with superstar meats done well. This place was good (not as freakin' awesome as La Perla de Occidente in Stockton though: http://www.yelp.com/bi...) but it's a great spot to just chow down on cheap tacos, burritos, and tortas.
Located just outside the parking lot of Best Buy (where you can get gum and other breath fresheners after eating the food at El Tonayense), this Taco Truck has great amenities:
-you can practically park your hoopty in the lot (PARASITIC PRIVATE LOT!!!!)
-you can sit on the almost unlimited curb and enjoy an awesome afternoon before loading up on free alcohol at a Yelp Elite event.
-huge garbage bin for accessible disposal of your trash
-offers good and refreshing HORCHATA!!!! on top of their soda selections
chikkidowd!!!!Listed in: Getting full for $7 or less
-
Review from Christopher K.
San Francisco, CA
A taco truck is supposed to be a convenience.
You're supposed to travel to Best Buy to pick up Season 4 of the Golden Girls on DVD and grab some tacos on your way out as an afterthought.
You're not supposed to lure your unsuspecting coworkers on a field trip through hobo alley underneath the freeway just because you need your fix of delicious taco meat and savory spices.
This is the best damn taco truck in the city. Employ whatever ruses you need to get some. The ends justify the means. -
Review from matthew r.
San Francisco, CA
I went to Best Buy for something, but when I got there I just lost all motivation I had to buy anything. Am I clinically depressed? Am I just getting old? I don't like to go to Best Buy because I end up asking myself difficult questions.
I went outside and the taco truck is there, the one I've heard so many good things about. Two al pastor tacos will make this trip not seem like such a failure and help me avoid an internal confrontation.
This is the cleanest taco truck I've ever seen, so clean that for a minute I questioned it's authenticity (They've even received a commendation from the health department, evidently.)
The al pastor is good, plenty spicy. The tacos are sized such that two of them will work as a light lunch, three if you're starving. This is a better value than anything inside Best Buy. -
Review from Dave d.
San Francisco, CA
I Love these tacos.
Love them. -
Review from Shawn S.
San Francisco, CA
As many a world traveler has discovered, and as the great philosopher Socrates might put it...
Often street food is actually amazing.
Taco truck fare qualifies as street food.
Therefore, taco truck food is often amazing.
I never actually know the names of taco trucks, and this one to me has always been "the one in front of the Best Buy." But I've been working in this neighborhood recently, and I've become a regular. I took note of the name so I could write this review, and I can't say I'm surprised to be putting mine on top of the pile of 175 others.
Here's my secret to a great Mexican meal: Order the cabeza.
In Mexico, the cook might then point you to a whole roasted head of a cow and expect you to point to the specific bits you favor - the ojo, oreja, labios, cachete.
In San Francisco, however, the result is not so horrifying. Here, cabeza is mostly the cheek (cachete) meat, slowly braised to perfection. It's the tenderest beef you can imagine, and when mingled with a few diced onions, a hint of cilantro and a squirt of lime, then laid before you on a pair of corn tortillas, it just might be the best $3.50 you could spend. -
Review from Christy L.
San Francisco, CA
Be grateful, Juan Pablo, today is especially delicious...
The tacos, burritos and tortas are so good, they make me wet myself every time I think about eating them...
The al pastor makes me quiver and the horchata is like the nectar of love. This taco truck is orgasmic and only the best taco truck in the universe (if you count San Francisco the universe). -
Review from Bart C.
San Francisco, CA
The best Al Pastor taco in San Francisco. This is very close to the tacos you get in Mexico, where the emphasis is on really amazing meat served very simply - ie on a fresh tortilla right off the grill and garnished with a little chopped onion and fresh cilantro - so the rich flavor of the meat really comes through.
That means no lettuce, sour cream, rice, beans etc - the stuff which is standard in Mission Mexican food.
A couple of other things:
* "Tonayense" is named after where the owners come from - Tonaya, in the Mexican state of Jalisco.
* The trucks are checked out by the health dept. a couple of times a year, just like a regular restaurant.
* Note that I said this is only the best Al Pastor in SF. If you get hooked check out the taco trucks in the east bay - around Fruitvale or on International Blvd. between 29th Street and High Street in Oakland
Don't sleep on this! -
Review from Stanley K.
San Francisco, CA
Many agree that the best taquerias are the mobile ones, such as this popular taco truck. The tacos are caliente, right off the griddle and eaten , as their juices drip onto your face. You can order one small taco at a time, but most people order two or three. You might throw in a burrito if you are hungry. Be sure to get the salsa, it's the best. The chips are ok, but not necessary.
So everytime, you see a taco truck hungry or not, you gotta try it. You don't wanna miss a good thing. -
Review from A P.
San Francisco, CA
The best place to get a taco when you are in a rush and don't have alot of cash! I have been coming here for easily 8+ years and the consistency of the flavors in unwavering!
I have had almost everything they offer, but I stay away from the brain.
At a buck fitty, you can eat till you burst at the seams!Listed in: Welcome to my Hood!
-
Review from Jason B.
One day. Four taco trucks/stands. I don't know why. Maybe this fantastic city/neighborhood provide the opportunity to go to four different taco trucks/stands within a few blocks. Or maybe because I wanted an adventure. Wouldn't be the first time.
The plan:
Chicken taco at each location. See what customizing can be done. Sample a bit of each. Rank 'em. Save the rest and mix everything together for a massive burrito for dinner. Give away some as a replate. Post same yelp for all four to give context.
The verdict:
1. Tonayense. Average cost at $1.75. Way above average flavor. Black beans were a huge bonus, loved the mild green sauce and oil was minimal. This was easily my favorite.
2. Mexicali. Second cheapest at $1.50. Tasty. Bonus points for having a bell you ring to get their attention, as well as giving me the opportunity to use a little spanish from 8th grade/Taco Bell to ask for lechuga (lettuce). The friendly lady obliged. More good stuff with the guy who wanted to pay with an ATM card. Didn't work. The lady working and me chipped in to cover his taco. I hope that karma pays off.
3. Gallo Giro. Incredibly cheap at $1.25. Bit on the spicy side. Oil content seemed standard.
4. Cachanilla. Most expensive at $2.00. Tasty. Made in the same building but different prep area than Mexicali. I give them credit for being up front saying if I order at the window (Mexicali) it's $1.50, and inside it's $2.00. I paid an extra $0.50 just for the experience.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
11/16/2008
No black beans or wheat tortillas usually means three stars or less. But when it comes from a truck… Read more »
-
11/16/2008
-
Review from Sus.annah B.
San Francisco, CA
This place made me nostalgic for who my former coworkers and I affectionately called "The Burrito Lady" in Goleta - she'd come around in the catering truck to different businesses (showed up at ours around 10 or 11) and provide yummy goodness for all who paid.
I've only had the carne asada taco from this place so far, but I'm reminded that I really need to come out here more often - maybe get a taco here, try the quesadilla, and stop by El Farolito on my way home... -
Review from Gloria L.
San Francisco, CA
We had pork tacos and a carne asada burrito. Except for the tons of onions and cilantro, this was not noteworthy at all. All the hype has let me down. And the price : food ratio is not what you'd expect from a taco truck.
Skip El Tonayense and go to El Farolito or La Taqueria instead. -
Review from Ulises C.
San Francisco, CA
El Tonayense. Always a mission gem. Fast service, reliable, and just cheap. The fellas have about 3 trucks on harrison. I like the one on 19th better. Im in it for the tacos, awesome. Top 3 are: Carnitas, Chicken, Carne asada tacos. The burritos are a little dry, and.. not my steez.
19th St. truck only Sat and Sun
A while back, a big deal was made to boot the truck else where. Reason being that they were parked in front of the High School. School district folks were saying that they were unhealthy, and kids were leaving school ground to get they grub on. I mean.. -
Review from Karen Y.
San Francisco, CA
Places like this make me feel very grateful for living in the Mission District. I was craving tacos earlier and I already knew that El Tonayense was the spot to stop by on my way home. Luckily, there was no line and my order was taken right away...took only a few minutes for them to prepare it and wrap the paper plate in foil to-go.
I decided to be adventurous today and try the cabeza (head and cheek meat) taco and also ordered my typical chicken taco. The toppings on it include raw onions, cilantro, and spicy salsa is what I chose. $1.75 each is more expensive than I remembered it to be but totally worth it since they are loaded with meat!
The cabeza cubes were super tender and bursting with flavor...delish! Can't go wrong with the moist and yummy chicken either. The pickled carrots and jalapenos on the side packed quite a bit of heat too which I loved! All in all, a great meal that was filling and cheap.
Brains is next on my list to try!Listed in: Local Faves in my District…
-
Review from Andrew E.
San Francisco, CA
The taco truck (there are three of the them along Harrison St, one in front of Best Buy, another around18th, and another at 22nd) easily makes some of the tastiest (and cheapest) tacos in the City. You get a nice helping of extremely tasty meat (the carne asada and carnitas are particularly delicious, possessing a crack-like quality that makes me crave them fort-nightly), some good hot salsa, cilantro and onions. When you're talking about a legit, well-made taco, that should be all you need. The other places that dress their tacos up with other stuff (much like the burrito places that cram their burritos full of beans and rice) are just trying to hide the fact that their meat tastes like cardboard.
You can get burritos at the taco truck too, but why would you want to do that? -
Review from Norm G.
San Francisco, CA
So, for about six months after moving to the Mission, I thought the truck by Best Buy was owned by a different company than the truck that parks outside the Industrial Arts High School at 19th & Harrison.
Lo & behold, I'm telling the guy in the Best Buy truck how much better his burritos are than the ones from the other truck up the road.
Then one day, an El Tonayense truck shows up at Best Buy. What's up? What happened to the other guy's truck? That's when I found out they're both run by El Tonayense. I still think the burritos at the Best Buy truck are better, but how can that be, they come out of the same kitchen?
Where else can you have a huge protein rich lunch for $5? Their tacos and burritos beat the chinos off any actual storefront taquiera around.
Ask 'em how they get the same parking space every day . . . I know but I'm not telling. And no, they don't have any kind of special deal with the City or the cops. -
Review from Marty M.
San Francisco, CA
This might be my new go-to. The tacos are small, but not if you consider the $1.75 price. You could go to El Metate and spend $2.75, but then you couldn't get 3 different tacos! Go for the triple threat!
I've only had the pollo, carne asada, & carnitas, so I can only comment on those, but all of them were awesome. At least as good as any other taqueria.
A bottle of Coke is more than the tacos. I'll probably try the other taco trucks just to see if I need to pick one over the others, but I'm pretty sure that 22nd and Harrison is going to be mine. That is unless I can't become mayor on Foursquare at one of the others :) -
Review from Marivel M.
San Francisco, CA
All I will say is:
*Cuatro
*Tacos
*De
*Lengua
Yes, tongue...cow tongue. Four of them. (Five if your really hungry...six if you missed breakfast and it's already 2..)
Get some salsa, get some radishes, and get some chiles y sanaorias en vinagre (chili's and carrots in vinegar).
This place is clean, quick and delicious!
And, mark my word, the only place that has the best tacos de lengua in SF. I know this because I have been searching for them here since my old favorite is all the way in Fruitvale, Oakland. -
Review from Scott W.
San Francisco, CA
Now this is what I'm talking about. My favorite burritos over in Oaktown were always from trucks, so it's no surprise that my favorite burrito so far in the mission is from one as well.
Just a short walk from my house and I'm face deep in a slab of goodness. I got the Carne Asada and it was fab. The sauce and spices were right on and unique. Meat was good and the burrito was good sized.
At $6 it wasn't cheaper than going to a taqueria, but far superior to the places I've tried down here so far. I'll be hitting this place up on the regular...tacos, burritos, tortas...I'm down for it all.
I'm pretty sure the burrito made me shit my pants later in the evening, but it was a small price to pay. -
Review from Carla R.
San Francisco, CA
Amazing. This place has the best burritos in the city, at a very decent price.
The tacos are equally as good, but a little overpriced here ($1.75). However, they are good as a side for your burrito. Also, I think it was voted as having the best SF Style burrito last year.
The only problem I've ever had with this place is when they gave my boyfriend the super burrito just because he said he wanted everything on it, which includes sour cream. He can't eat sour cream. When he tried to take it back the man behind the counter said that when people say everything (even when they don't say they specifically want a super burrito) they get the super burrito. It took my boyfriend about 3 times of telling this guy he couldn't eat it because the sour cream would make him sick before they would make him a new one. So minus one star for lack of understanding/miscommunication.
Definitely a must, especially if you're in the mood for Mexican food, and especially if you need to pick up some stuff from Best Buy. -
Review from anna D.
Chicago, IL
Hungry and poor? For $6 you can buy a super burrito with your choice of meat along with rice, beans, cheese, sour cream, guac, cilantro, onions, FLAVOR. It's so good.
I made my self stop (..breathe) when I was halfway through the mighty burrito so I could eat the second half later on for dinner. I recommend that game plan if you're ultra poor. -
Review from Caroline L.
San Francisco, CA
THIS PLACE IS SO GOOD!!!!
After my sushi disaster earlier in the day, not only did I get two lusciously filled and good carne asada tacos under four dollars, but it filled me up as well. The line in this place is always pretty long, but now I know why!
Every bang for your buck... I can't wait to come back here for more! The dudes in the taco truck are also very nice and friendly... even better! -
Review from yeeman n.
Burrito. Taco taco. Burrito. Taco. Taco taco.
Don't think just because I got a lot of money,
I'll give you taco-flavored kisses, honey.
Fulfill all your wishes
with my taco-flavored kisses.
Baby, let's make a run for the border,
I've got a hunger only tacos can stop.
I know exactly what I'll order
three tacos, two tostadas, and a soda pop.Listed in: Good and Cheap
-
Review from Alex P.
San Francisco, CA
The cabeza tacos from this truck are unreal. I also like telling people I'm eating cow head tacos- sounds so much more radical than beef cheeks.
And don't forget to wash your tacos down with a bottle of Mexican coke, made from sugarcane instead of corn syrup.
A warning, though: The combination of like 6 tacos (spicy, natch), a soda, and a handful or two of those tasty pickled jalepenos can create quite the perfect storm in your stomach. Um, or so I've heard. -
Review from Nora O.
San Francisco, CA
Okay, I am going with a 5 here.....
I have to say I am an addict. I am addicted to the carnitas tacos from the truck @ best buy... (I actually tried out the restaurant in the mission, and didn't get my fix like I get at the truck!!!)
Cheap, fresh, fast. and DELICIOUS! My only complaint is that they won't drive by my apartment for delivery's :) Darn....
Gotta love "only sexy people tip" written on the tip bucket.... Always having to throw a few mandatory bills in there!!! ;) -
Review from Natalie O.
Albany, CA
mmm, mmm, mmm! Love this taco truck! Food is authentic, cooked fresh and is VERY flavorable!
On the corner of Harrison St in SF, I can't resist but to order my carne asado taco times 2 and a bottled Coke! Order this with jalapenos and add hot sauce, the taco melts in your mouth!
There's always a line here, but goes very quickly!
Got their business card and will def use them for future catering services! -
Review from W L.
San Francisco, CA
All I can say is "YUM!" (Thanks Joey Altman/Bay Cafe)
I went to Best Buy (1717 Harrison Street), saw the truck, made sure I bought some fruit snacks thus official use of the parking lot, then made a fast track to the truck for the most inexpensive ($1.50 each), awesome tacos with fresh salsa and lime wedge. Lots of meat and even veggie choices to chose from, good/efficient service, and next time to remind myself to wash it down with one of the Mexican sodas or Coca-Cola. -
Review from Naoya W.
Atlanta, GA
Coming off the plane, I knew I had one thing on the mind... The elusive taco truck that doesn't even exist in Atlanta. That said, we exited off the highway and went directly to Best Buy, where we could find some streetside grub.
I ordered the lengua, and it was decent. A little more flavor could have been nice, but overall it was a nice re-introduction to the city I grew up in. I would go here again, but I feel like there are better ones to be visited... -
Review from Laura B.
San Francisco, CA
So authentic and delicious. My favorite of the nearby lunch options for the Po-sion (Potrero-Mission) area.
Deliciously lard-y tortillas. (mm!) I always get the chicken tacos with green sauce and extra limes.
Very friendly staff. -
Review from Barbara Y.
El Cerrito, CA
This place is DA' BOMB! Order the Taquitos de Carne Asada with salsa verde, radishes, marinated carrots, peppers and lime, YOU TOO WILL FALL IN LOVE! Take a look at Caroline L.'s photo, now that is what I am talkin' about!
I remember the days of dollar tacos from this truck, but still at 1.75 per taco it's a great deal.
I never recommend anything from this truck other than tacos, you order a burrito or a torta, you are on your own!
If you hang out for a bit the "paleta" guy comes around and for a buck twenty-five you can spoil your palette with a watermelon or mango paleta and be set for the eve! -
Review from SC ..
Oakland, CA
The trucks are alright, but the soft underbelly of that burrito can be penetrated on 24th Street at Shotwell where their restraunt is. Their Pollo Asado is the chingon. They got 3 different taco masters that work the grill, the best being Chuey. Check out their red salsa too. I hit that joint a minimum of 4 times a week when I lived off 26th and always stop by when I'm around that part of town, and grab an extra cup of salsa to take home and mix up into my eggs to make some quick huevos ala mexicana in the morning. Their super veggie burritos are great too, although I'm not a fan of their grilled-veggie burrito.
Be prepared to duck yo' head when a drunk 250 pound pissed off mexican dood chucks a Jarritos bottle at you with all his skull shattering might, or to buy destitute people just released from SF General a taco or two cus their bandaged street wounds need some magical Tonayense healing powers... to die for. -
Review from Leticia B.
San Francisco, CA
I hear the further you are from the (Mexican) border, the crapier the (Mexican)food is.
So far it has been true for me. However, this place may be an exception.
I asked my co-workers for a recommendation for good tacos, they too are Mexican, and they suggested El Tonayense.
I'm originally from Bakersfield, where there is a very large Mexican population, so there a few places down there that are good for tacos. Longing for something close to it without having to take a road trip, I tried this place for the first time last night.
YUM!!
I'm glad I did. All of a sudden, I don't miss home so much :) -
Review from Ali G.
San Francisco, CA
Got a pork burrito after developing a huge appetite from climbing at mission cliffs. It was so gross that I only had 4 bites before trashing it. I noticed the "chef" totally wipe and pick his nose right after making my burrito and didn't wash/sanitize his hands - nasty!
I did notice tripe, tongue, and brains on the menu for those with more adventurous taste. -
Review from Lady D S.
San Francisco, CA
I had my druthers about the quality of food prepared and served up from a truck, but after two solid experiences, I must admit El Tonayense serves up some of the best, fresh simple tacos available in SF! Both the carnitas and pollo asada were juicy and delicious , and topped with fresh, local ingredients which far exceeded my expectations... even if they were prepared from a truck in front of Best Buy.
Who'd a thunk?! -
Review from Shanan A.
San Francisco, CA
Seriously, best taco truck in SF. And, due to my sad life of travel and inability to figure out when "normal" people eat meals, I end up at taco trucks a bit too often. Not quite a regular, but too often.
And El Tonayense is the best. I'd even risk my honor in a blind taste test.
