La Canasta
3006 Buchanan Street
(between Filbert St & Union St)
San Francisco, CA 94123 (415) 474-2627
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: Yes
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Lunch
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
706 reviews
Neighborhood: Russian Hill
"wow is this place great or what??? If you want real tacos that actually taste good then come by nick's. yes it's crazy when it's taco $2…" read more »
76 Reviews for La Canasta
Um, today sucked here.
I am on a diet - the "Jessica Diet" thus my rules apply - so I got a CHICKEN burrito (not my usual MEAT) and no sour cream. IT SUCKED.
The chicken had no flavor. I got one giant piece of avocado in the middle and Avocado SHELL. YUCK YUCK.
Also, I had to wait forever to order bc the cute old man was talking to Spanish to the customer in front of me. UM HELLO, can I order and THEN you finish your convo?!!
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (3)
Cool (3)
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
08/14/2007
Yum!
A good, BIG, burrito - I love stopping here if I am shopping on Union. The place is TINY but the… Read more »
I can't believe I've lived two blocks down from this place for close to two and a half years and never tried it until yesterday! I had a friend in town for the day and we were craving Mexican food but didn't want to sit in a restaurant. I remembered seeing this place time and time again walking around the hood and thought it was time to finally try it.
My hesitation was always that La Canasta was claiming to have "Authentic Mexican food," but resided in Cow Hollow....I mean how good could it be? It just didn't make sense...call me ignorant but eating authentic Mexican food in Cow Hollow just seemed like an oxymoron. I'm excited to say that I was very pleased with the quality of food here.
I ordered a grande carnitas burrito. It came with the works: pork, beans, rice, cheese, guacamole, salsa and I held the sour cream. Overall, it did the trick. I've had burritos that had more tender pork but it was still damn good considering. I'll definitely be meandering over often now that I know it's tasty - how convenient!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I'll be honest with you: the food was a 3 - 3.5, but the service was a 5.
I walked in here for the first time the other day and the owner treated me like a son who had been away at war for a decade.
This is old-school service. I was treated with respect and like I was family.
I will definitely make a point of going back here if only to support their awesome owners.
I had a carnitas burrito and it was of a decent size. It wasn't cheap (under $5).
It's a hole in the wall, but definitely worth checking out.
People thought this was:
Useful (6)
Funny (4)
Cool (5)
For a place right off Union St, the food is pretty authentic. The place is clean, the food is quick, and the arbol sauce is damn good.
There's something funky; however, in the burritos and I haven't placed it yet - maybe there's garlic powder in the guac. I'm not really sure but I've been going sans guac lately.
If you want their best, get a plate lunch (or dinner, whatever) with the meat, beans and rice separate. Tortillas on the side...some assembly required...and pony up some change for a side of the arbol sauce.
Auf.
Lets get the negatives out of the way first:
Chicken used in the dishes is bland.
Bean element is too watery to hold the structual integrity needed for an excellent burrito.
That being said, everything else is delicous and the staff give you generally warm and fuzzy feeling, like your one of his favorite customers, but genuine, not over the top.
So don't eat the chicken, and maybe sub in some other beans and you are golden. If you want a good authentic mexican meal, go to Mexico, if you want a rather solid burrito, la canasty is the place.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Burritos overfilled with beans, guacamole, and beef strips is all it takes for me. Hey, I'm not that picky or complicated when it comes to my food. The place is the only spot on Union that has Mexican food and they makes some gooood burritos!
The service is always top-notched. The old man is always friendly, never messes up my order, and doesn't easily forget a customer's face!
Just go. You know you want to.
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
It makes me laugh to read the girls' reviews about the whole "sink deal" (literally, LOL) ... clearly they have not worked in any sort of restaurant because if they have, they'd know that there's a whole lot worse than cleaning dishes in a tiny dinky sink that happens to be in a bathroom.
The irony is that when you walk in to La Canasta, even at its busiest, the place is IMMACULATE. They are always cleaning the food and counter areas to the point where they don't even need to. If the health department had a problem with them using a bathroom sink --- trust me, they'd be shut down in a heartbeat. You can view a list of EVERY restaurant in SF's health records by going on to the dept. of health's website and restaurant database. There are PLENTY of expensive restaurants that do way worse than use a bathroom sink to clean their dishes... and all you have to do is research! Fine dining don't mean the kitchen is safe, ya'll! Just remember: your dollars don't go toward cleaning or health requirements or making sure the kitchen staff isn't licking their fingers to try a soup or washing their hands after they pee :-)
Enough about that. On to the food:
La Canasta is the best cheap Mexican in the Cow Hollow/Marina area and the portions are glorious considering the prices. They are so friendly and pretty efficient considering the phone is ringing off the hook non-stop. So if you're far away from the Mission and you're looking for a quick Mexican fix, head on by. You won't be disappointed.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (4)
Somewhat authentic. That's good. They let me order in Spanish without laughing at me, that's good.
Their food is pretty good, but messy. Probably the most authentic Mexican food in this part of town. The ladies working here are always really nice.
Why don't I give it more stars? Because the times I've eaten here I always feel a little sick later. I'm not sure if that is because the ingredients are so authentic, or because they are so un-authentic, but either way. I don't like that part.
People thought this was:
Funny (2)
As a rule, I generally don't hit Taqeruia's outside my neighborhood, because it's usually just wrong. And a perfect example is this place that might be mistaken for a card game. Smack dab in the middle of Cow Hollow, I only went here because my friend who works down the street was hungry for their tostadas.
I don't see how such a tiny place that is so small, it rivals some walk i closets. No seating at all, and barely any standing room for lining up to order. It was fun to see the 4 cooks stepping over each other trying to get all the orders filled. Each item is cooked to order, so expect to wait.
Anyway, I tried the Quesidilla suiza and it was just OK. But they do come with sour creme and guacamole. I also ordered some "California" tacos, which are hard shell tacos, with your choice of beef or chicken. They come with lettuce, salsa and cheese, but a bit expensive at $2.50 each. The tostada was OK, and my friend takes a spin on it my making it into a sort of taco salad. She liked it, but I was not impressed. We tried the chimichanga, but again, we were not impressed. It was small, and not very interesting.
I found the food to be uninspiring, run of the mill, taqueria. If you live in the area, then maybe this place is for you. But they did give me a big batch of chips and salsa, which they normally charge for. Also note it's not wheelchair accesible.
SEE? An acutal "New Review"!
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
What a shining light in the fetid shit hole that is Cow Hollow (offense fully intended) for cheap and nourishing food.
Yes, the food is "bland" if you compare it to anywheres else. But pull your head out and look around you dude...Does this neighborhood look unbland to you? Just be thankful that you can get a good warm meal for seven bucks in this nouveau riche whore-festival. How's steak fajitas at Bus Stop suit you?
The food tastes like what I'd imagine my Mexican-American grandma would be making me while working here and she rocks! If you'd prefer your taqueria's manned by her sons, you'd have to get outa that area of town. They still work at many other eateries here though.
The carne asada items are grilled when you place your order so it has just tasted the tongues of flame just prior to tasting yours. I think the fact that there is always a wait there for lunch-hour tells you that both the place is too small to serve you as quickly, and that the food is good enough for people to keep coming back. Or maybe they've looked around, and chose this place over their neighbors. People that have to work in this neighborhood often eat here. You can tell by the number of cleaning/utilities and delivery service vehicles often double parked while they're waiting for theirs. Place your order, go run some walkable errands, then come back to pick it up. It's as simple as that.
Also, I've never had anything here served on a dish. I'm gonna check out their bathroom next time tho'. Thanks for the tip, ladies.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
i am sorry...that is NOT guacamole. they can do better. i want them to do better.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Every neighborhood in the city has its good burrito place, yes? NO! The Marina lacks this simple and wonderful convenience. After 3 months of living here and trying to convince myself that La Canasta is decent, I have officially given up. The food is bland, the place is not clean, and the staff doesn't seem to really care much. Sometimes I get pinto beans, sometimes refried beans - but NEVER do they ask for your preference. They do ask if you want hot sauce - and I always say yes - but I have yet to taste it. The clincher came yesterday when I found a mysterious hard object in my burrtio. Kind of like a miniature peach pit. Gross. I really wish this place was just decent, but no dice.
Sometime between my junior and senior year of college, a Taco Bell magically appeared in Morris County, NJ. Some of my buddies and I had heard of these mythical places. They served something called...burritos. We wondered what burritos were. What were these strange things from the land beyond Tejas, Arizona, and California. (Diversity where I grew up and attended school meant you didn't celebrate Columbus Day or St. Patrick's Day.) We began wolfing these strange and wonderful foodstuffs down. Better yet, they were open late. For the first time in my life I was confronted with what the hell "refried" meant. (As Mitch Hedberg once said, "I like refried beans, but maybe fried beans are just as good and we're just wasting time.)
Flash forward to the summer of '99 and my arrival in the Golden State. I learned a new lesson. Taco Bell sucked. You could go elsewhere for the magical burrito. And there were lots of places to buy them. Wow. I can get fat at a variety of establishments. Wonderful. I then learned that the best place to get burritos was in the Mission. However, whenever I ventured into the Mission I got dirty looks from people. These people wore black, had pierced parts of their bodies that I did not know could be pierced, and seemed to hate clothing that has either a collar or buttons...or heaven forbid....BOTH. I was told that these are hipsters. They are cooler than you, hate your madras shorts and collared shirts, and don't want you in the Mission.
That's where La Canasta saved me. This is exactly the kind of Mexican take out joint that prevails in the Mission. Except there aren't a line of pretentious hipsters inside giving you dirty looks because own a razor and wash on a regular basis. Most importantly it is in a great location and I can walk down the hill to get there.
The portions are awesome. Sometimes too big to finish. (Who am I kidding...I always finish their burritos. Just ask my tailor.) The ingredients are in good proportion to one another. The shrimp burrito is excellent. Probably because they put more than two of those little critters in there. I wish they gave you some complimentary chips, but then my tailor would be apoplectic. (I can't take out these pants anymore!!! Lose some weight instead!)
My only complaints are that I wish they stayed open a little later and were a little speedier. The ordering area is a little tight as well. Another reason to pass on the chips. I might not fit in there otherwise.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (4)
Cool (3)
I've been here numerous times in the last few years. 90% of the time the food is great, 10% it has something to be desired. The nachos are consistently good, ceviche has always been great, and the burritos are usually good, but not guaranteed. The best part of La Canasta is the people who work here. They're always friendly and welcoming despite being crowded. I grew up in an area with great Mexican food and La Canasta makes me feel right at home.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I work in the neighborhood, and this is the only decent place on Union St (actually, it's the only place on Union Street) for Mexican food. I could walk to Chestnut, but dealing with Marina folk tires me out too much. That, and I'm lazy.
I usually switch between burritos, tacos, or the chicken tortilla soup. All the meat is really good, but I usually get the carnitas (good thing my boyfriend isn't kosher). My co-worker gets the enchiladas all the time, but I wasn't that impressed with them.
Let me just say something about the soup: it was really, really weird at first. The broth is red, which I was not expecting. The first sip has a tomato-y taste. I thought, 'Great. Thanks, coworkers. This shit sucks.' But then, the next thing I knew, it was five days in a row later of chicken tortilla soup for lunch. The tortillas in the soup are THE BEST I've ever had. They're not stringy or gargantuan strips of tortilla chips...they're just the perfect size so that you can eat them in one bite, and so that they end up just the right amount of soggy by the time you eat your soup.
Also worth mentioning is their guacamole, salsas, and Mexican wedding cakes.
I always spend no more than $6-7 (because I always tip them at least $1), and end up really full.
I love the owner (the old man). He's so friendly; I want to adopt him as my Abuelo. (I'm not Mexican). He always remembers things we talked about last time. His wife is not as friendly, but I presume this is because her English is not that great. I should mention though that almost every time she helps me, my order gets a little tweaked or takes longer than it should. (I think she works the later shift).
It is a REALLY small space. My bathroom is bigger than this place. Sometimes it's hard to figure out who's waiting for food, and who's waiting to order. They have a makeshift wrap-around bench outside, and there are two other benches, though I'm not sure if they belong to Canasta or Jamba (it's right next door). I would hardly consider that outside seating, since anything as messy as a burrito or taco shouldn't really be eaten over your lap.
I never think about what goes on behind the scenes in a restaurant; if washing dishes in the bathroom sink is what you're worried about, you probably just shouldn't eat out (I can attest to the many entries about the [un]sanitary levels in restaurants, having worked in many dining establishments before). I once worked at a restaurant where we served a bagel that had fallen onto the floor to a SIX YEAR OLD GIRL.
But the two big cons: the size and sanitary issue...aren't these part of the charm of hole-in-the-wall ethnic eateries anyway?
I had a fairly underwhelming burrito here, but the price is right and they're friendly (except when ignoring you for phone orders...see below).
I think the best way to go is to call ahead. The phone never seems to stop ringing, and it's a little obnoxious when you're standing there and the guy behind the counter takes phone calls instead of your order (this happened each time I went). Not that I'd expect white-glove service while patronizing a burrito place, but flat-out ignoring your customers is rude. Rule of thumb is that if someone is standing in your restaurant, you serve, or at least acknowledge them over a phone order.
And sorry, but 8:53pm is NOT 9pm (when they close). You left me hungry La Canasta.
I wish I could give 1.5 stars. Two is too high, but one is too low. Food is super bland and uninteresting. The only reason why its rated so high is because it is the only taqueria in the area, pretty much it DESTROYS ALL COMPETITORS. seriously though, if your in the neighborhood and want mexican you should change your mind and get pizza. Because this mexican food makes me sad. I live close by and I actually get in my car and drive to another taqueria. I do LOVE mexican food and that is why I give this place a couple of stars.
Damn good burritos. Nice guy who runs the place. Pretty fast too.
I work at SEPHORA on Union street and go there for Lunch! I always get carne asada and Mmmmm it is really goood and the service is great too. The guy always remembers and knows me and he is always so nice! Recommendable especially if you don't wanna travel all the way to the Mission for some authentic but nothing beats authentic Mission... Yummmmm :-)
I went here to get lunch one afternoon when I got of class and I was expecting it would be good because of the convenient location. I was wrong. The food here IS BAD. Very dry, bland, and eating a burrito taste like your chewing on nothing. I don't recommend this place and plus it's usually crowded. I guess the caucasian folk like this place.
Although I am not a fan of shredded chicken, somehow, some way, this place manages to pull it off. I don't know how -- perhaps it's all the other ingredients that mask it, but it is quite a tasty taco they're kicking out.
Quick and delicious, its the only decent Mexican food I've found in the Marina.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
All of the Marina t00ls that think the food sucks here probably also think that a burrito needs rice in it, that Uggs are still cool and that jaeger-bombs at the BusStop at 11pm on a Tuesday are cool and that leaving your credit card there to pick up on Friday is 'what Bro's do."
Wait. I think that is it.
p.s. try the carnitas. Move away from the burrito. Seriously.
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
I love that I can order a mojado style grilled chicken burrito and watch you put the meat on the grill right then. I also love that you will deliver my burritos to my apartment, along with your wonderful super nachos.
I'm a little concerned by Taylor E's post (8/21/07) that says you wash your dishes in the bathroom sink, though. Is that possible? Can a restaurant exist in SF for so many years and the inspectors never catch that? Let's take a look:
http://dphwww.sfdph.or...
True, an 88 rating isn't spectacular. But it's also not horrible. (Nick's got an 86, for example.) Cantasta, you lose one star for possible pee-hand burritos... but after enjoying them for 10 years, I can't break up with you just yet. My hope is that your '08 inspection will show improvement.
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
I used to drive cross town for their chicken burritos, but its been not so great the last few times, so its not worth the drive.
I would totally eat here again if i was in the Marina.
Best Pick: Chicken Burrito
I was delighted to see mexican food in Cow Hollow and glad to know it's decent enough for those nights I just want a taco or burrito. I've tried the shredded beef taco (not great) but the shrimp taco and fajita steak taco is quite tasty. It's nice to know that I'm helping a mom & pop shop continue in business - very nice people! Tortillas are ok - easy to break unfortunately.
WARNING: Do not eat here. Incredibly unsanitary. The mere thought of this place makes me queasy...
I used to work next door to La Canasta. We shared a teensy bathroom. This bathroom doubled as their washroom.
Yes. They washed all their dishes in the bathroom sink. The same one everyone washed their pee hands in. And since the sink would get stopped up with beans, the gross pee water builds up and just sits in there with the dishes that they're cooking your food with.
Not to mention that their food blows chunks. I repeat - do not eat here.
People thought this was:
Useful (6)
Funny (2)
Cool (1)
Tomorrow the Hubby goes back to work which is so great in so many ways but sucks in one major way. We work opposite schedules and have a toddler, so our time together will be next to nothing and our time alone will be practically non-existent.
So he picked me up from work, the kid in the back seat with a promise of frozen yogurt. We really wanted ice cream, but due to having a baby my cholesterol is a bit high and he is trying to help me get it back to normal. So off we went to seek out frozen yogurt and we did.
After dessert we realized that we needed to figure out what we were going to eat for dinner. Being in the marina we tried to think of something quick, easy, and good? It is hard to find something to bring home that satisfies those categories in the marina.
Then we thought of this take out Mexican restaurant that we have always been curious about but have never tried. It looks so promising! There is just a counter and a plastic bench outside. Little old ladies behind the counter give you the false sense of security that the food is truly going to be authentically delicious. (I don't know why, if they weren't good cooks when they were young then they won't be much better now!) The menu is small but sounds promising, with all the staples of a good taqueria including home fried tortilla chips, both corn and flour. We didn't try those but they did look delicious.
The hubby stuck with the classic carnitas burrito. It was okay, but nothing inspired. I wouldn't go back for it. I got a half order of a platos de carne. I got the chile Colorado. It came with rice, re-fried beans coated with melted cheese, corn tortillas, and the Chile Colorado. It was really not that good. So disappointing! Anyways, lesson learned. Not horrible, but is that any reason to go back?
People thought this was:
Useful (8)
Funny (4)
Cool (6)
It's no Nick's Crispy, but it does the job.
Avoid the soupy, unseasoned burritos and instead rely on the solid, seemingly healthful fajitas platters. A half-size order does the job -- grilled chicken or steak, a side of guac, salsa, and pinto beans with melty cheese on top -- plus your choice of corn or flour tortillas. Good enough.
It was okay overall. Black beans aren't too hard to get right, the rice was okay...the problem was the tortilla...it wasn't steamed. There was too much flour on it and it wasn't warm enough to be able to expand...so it was so so.
The people working were very nice and quick. I don't hate it...I'll say that much.
People thought this was:
Useful (5)
Funny (3)
Cool (5)
Went in last night because I was really craving Mexican food and I didn't want to go all the way to the Mission. I can't believe I've never been in to this place being that it's around the corner from house! It was excellent (for Cow Hollow). I refuse to go get crap in a tortilla from Los Hermanos and I can't believe why in the world anyone would rate Los Hermanos higher than La Canasta...must be from total lack of knowledge of what constitutes good Mexican food, or impairment of judgment from alcohol while consuming said Mexican food. Anyway, the chile relleno burrito was good, and the carnitas grande burrito was excellent. The carnitas were well made, melt-in-your mouth tender, well trimmed (no fatty pieces), and juicy and beans were great. Not "refried" in the traditional fried-in-lard sense, just "refried" as in mashed up pinto beans. I have an affinity for this kind of refried beans because that's how my mama makes them. The place was very clean and the service was excellent. I think I finally found my local comfort food/take-out spot.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Unfortuantly, Taylor E. is right... They do wash their dishes in a nasty and dingy bathroom that is just filthy. I've never had the food, but just the mere idea of a make-shift bathroom/dishes area really has put me off for life.
I think the men and women of the Marina need to expand their horizons because this place is horrid! The burritos were absolutely tasteless and they don't even steam the tortilla. Don't they realize the secret to a San Francisco Burrito is the steamer? It allows the toritilla to expand and made its soft and palatable! It doesn't help that the beans tasted like refried beans from your typical HungryMan tv dinner, and the Nachos always made my coworkers go straight to the toilet. I know this review sounds harsh but thats the point, to persuade you, the consumer, from not coming to this place. The only time I would eat there is when me and My coworkers were able to trade a smoothie for a burrito, and even then it wasn't a guarantee. They also took forever to make a burrito.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
I've been patronizing La Canasta for over 20 years...which seeing as I was born in the 1980s is saying something. This is usually the last place I stop before a long flight because their burritos make great plane food. Success here is a matter of knowing a simple secret: call your order in advance. I'm a particular fan of the excellent shrimp burritos and the garden burritos-for my money the best veggie burrito in town. If you are in the Marina and the urge for Mexican food strikes this is the best choice.
It is SO slow, only one lady making the food, but definitely home made and my eyes lit up one day when I REALLY wanted the refried beans, but saw my big tummy and the guy working there said they don't add any lard to their beans. So now I can get my bean and cheese burrito with "refried" beans that aren't really fried. Not your yummy mission burrito, but one block from work, so satisfies the need when you are in, you know, NEED for a burrito.
Their tacos are great (especially the California style), but they have the worst burritos I've ever had.
I write this on behalf of my husband. He went there religiously numerous times a week for their vegetarian burrito for about 10 years. I personally think their gaucamole leaves much to be desired - but they have the warmest staff and great service. Oh and perfectly salted tortilla chips. There isn't seating here - so you need to take your food to go.
Good burritos, not great but will do in a pinch, especially if you live in the 'hood. It's always crowded but the line moves fast. If you don't like a busy signal don't bother trying to call and place an order to go!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
I live up the road from La Canasta and was happy I discovered yummy authentic Mexican food in walking distance. La Canasta uses fresh ingredients and cooks to order. My tostada and tamale was superb! Please go and enjoy some great authentic Mexican food. Those who say the food here is bland need a tongue cleaner, because they must enjoy lard and chili paste with their tacos.
I am just sad they close around 9- too early for most cravings. I tend to want great Mexican food around midnight. !En el La Canasta el alimento es fresco y delicioso!
I'm surprised to see so many negative Yelps about this one. The food is very good for the price, which is dirt cheap. I would agree that the burritos are not the best, for all the same reasons other Yelpers have listed. I have found the hidden gem though, and it is the Carnitas meal. For the Marina types that may not know what Carnitas are, it is shredded pork that is fried in grease. If you get the full meal with either corn or flour tortillas, you can build your own mini tacos with carnitas, refried beans, rice, guac and pico de gallo. A little on the salty side, but totally delish.
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
My Neighborhood
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,… -
The Normal Girl's Guide…
There's no where I'd rather live than the Marina,… -
My regular fixes
Some of my favorite "any day" dining destinations…