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Taqueria San Jose
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
2830 Mission St(between 24th St & 25th St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Neighborhood: Mission
(415) 282-0203
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
182 reviews for Taqueria San Jose
Review Highlights
"I just loooove the tacos carne asada / al pastor."
(in 30 reviews)
"I had a super burrito with al pastor."
(in 14 reviews)
"I had carne asada and pollo adobo."
(in 26 reviews)
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182 reviews in English
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Review from jennifer l.
San Francisco, CA
1/25/2012
SOLID four stars.
now, as you may know, i preach about how amazing tacos are in san diego because it's where i lived the past four years. i've been on the hunt for a replacement late-night mexican restaurant for quite a while.
this is my TENTATIVE replacement.
i've eaten here twice and gotten takeout twice.
i LOVE that they have different kinds of salsa because.... that's my thing. i don't LOVE any of them, but i do love variety :)
i REALLY like their super burrito because it's HUGE and mixed the perfect amount.
i also really enjoyed their tacos because of some special spicy pico de gallo they put on it. i wish they put that salsa in their burritos!!
the variety of food they have here is nice! it's also decently priced and there's plenty of room to sit :) the guys working there are also super nice and patient (because i take forever deciding). i hear this place is open really late too!! wish i lived closer or else i would come here more often. SF needs some more late night drunken munchie places. -
Review from Athena S.
1/2/2012
Seemingly
Solid
super
steak
burrito
that got me sick last time :(
Last tme, key word.
the end. -
Review from Sandra W.
San Francisco, CA
9/20/2011
If you love fish tacos, this place is very good and very affordable. The tacos have lots of tender tilapia and you can get four for $5.00. (There about)
I have another favorite restaurant that I go to for steak tacos but they cost a lot more. I always come here for fish or when I have very little money.
You can eat a super healthy and delishious fish dinner here for very cheap! -
Review from Justen P.
San Francisco, CA
2/5/2012
Amazing service, amazing food, and a very clean establishment. I've been going to Taqueria San Jose for the past 4 months and I'm still not tired of it. Their quesadilla suiza ($7.99), in my opinion, is probably the best in the Mission! The carnitas platter is also out of this world. I would definitely recommend Taqueria San Jose over any other Mexican place in the Mission.
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Review from Scott M.
Los Angeles, CA
1/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
A decent burrito with no rice so it's less filling. Fresh guacamole is great and the carnitas is excellent. The crisp taco is good too. Ridiculiously large and that green salsa is nice.
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Review from Nicholas A.
Hollywood, CA
1/21/2012
I had the beef enchilada here, I wasn't really blown away by the taste but it was a pretty good sized enchilada and unlike some of the other places they don't charge extra for the chips they include them with your order.
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Review from Jeremy G.
1/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
I only came here because the line at El Farolito was too long and I had to catch a BART train. After eating my burrito, I am quite pleased the line was too long across the street. My burrito was a little more expensive to get the guac and cheese added to it then it would be elsewhere, but boy, did they pack on the meat in this one. Aside from the top and bottom of this bad boy, every bite was packed with morsels of meat. It held up warm and it held up three hours later on my plane. I grabbed three different salsas and each was on point as dressing for my side of chips (Hallelujah for them not being stale). I could have wished for more guacamole, but overall this was a solid burrito and something I may wish to bring on every flight I take out of SFO.
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Review from Lulu G.
Inglewood, CA
1/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great tacos! I had some alpastor, tripitas and carne asada. The meat was tender and had great flavor for the alpastor and asada. The tripitas were nice and crispy as they should be. I will definately return here again.
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Review from Hunter M.
San Francisco, CA
9/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
My first review after leaching off of this site for years. Just taking. No longer. And I present to you, on this monumentous occasion, the most under-appreciated taqueria in the Mission. Or this part of it at least.
So, my one major barometer of a good taqueria are the tacos. duh; but specifically the carnitas and al pastor. They're widely available options for meat, so serve as a good standard order; also because they're generally delicious as well. These guys just consistently get both so right, so much so that "right" is now partially defined by their succulent benchmarks. Forget the lines down the block either way at La Taq or El Farolito, there's no wait at TSJ#1, and the pork is ready for you. -
Review from Kat M.
San Francisco, CA
8/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Friendly staff, decent salsa and a good late night burritos that gave me wonderful gas an indigestion for the rest of the night. The super burrito can easily be shared by 2 normal people.
A good amount of seating and well lit. -
Review from Russell R.
San Francisco, CA
11/30/2011
This was the 1st taqueria I ever ate at in SF 20 years ago and used to be my favorite. I always loved their Carnitas Burritos and I had two in the past 6 weeks to give them a chance before writing this review. Can you say FREEZER BURN? My guess is that their freezer went out, they had a big giant piece of pork that partially thawed and they refroze it. They served me freezer burned pork twice and I'm 100% sure as we all know what freezer burned food tastes like. I'm not sure if their other meat is freezer burned but if you must eat there, stay away from the pork!
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Review from Rat a tat R.
San Francisco, CA
6/9/2011
Taqueria San Jose is an old haunt of mine from my days living in the east bay, due to its proximity to BART and typical lack of line compared to the other local taquerias. Out of old familiarity, I ended up grabbing lunch here during my exhausting weekend of sublet searching.
It was pretty much as I remembered it from a couple of years back. This taqueria is more expensive than other taquerias but has less of a line, more space for eating, seems to generally be cleaner, and is open late. The food here isn't extroardinary, but I've never had any complaints. The portions are large - perfect for leftovers. There are more exciting options in The Mission for tacos and burritos, but this is a reliable place to hit up if you need to be fed in a hurry before catching BART. -
Review from Trevor H.
Brooklyn, NY
12/19/2011
I rarely feel compelled to write a Yelp review because I find they're often more narcissistic than helpful, but this is an important public service announcement. You've been lied to. Sure, La Taqueria is good, in a sort of white-washed "cripsy taco" sort of way, but this place has reasonably priced Pastor tacos that are as authentic as I've ever tasted, they actually come from the real spit. Just get 4 for the price of 3, spicy style. 7 bucks. About the price of one and half cripsy taco across a street with the trendoids. The best tacos around without overpaying and their open late when you want them.
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Review from J A.
San Francisco, CA
9/7/2011
I have to agree with Colin H.
I used to love this place when I first started going there. Now, all they offer me (aside from pretty good tacos de el pastor) is a big ass Corona for like $8.
You have to realize that by gentrifying your taqueria, you're going to lose a lot of your true fan base, and probably even some hipsters too. -
Review from Tony N.
I had a super burrito with al pastor. The only thing super about it was it's size, and the guac was pretty fresh and tasty.
The burrito itself was not unlike an old man sans viagra: limp and prone to premature ejaculation, as it fell apart only 4 bites into my dinner.
Needless to say, I was sad and disappointed that this was my last meal before i left. -
Review from Rebekah T.
San Francisco, CA
1/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is my Go-To Taco spot when I'm at 24th and Mission. Sure , there are a lot of places to go in the Mission, but if I'm headed home from Bart - you better believe that I'll be stopping off for a Super Taco.
The super tacos are so big, I like to use chips and treat it like nachos until it gets down to something I can handle. I usually just order one, not because I'm a cheap date, but because they are huge.
Yes you have to pay for chips now, but in these economic times ~ $1.50 for a huge order of chips is not going to break the bank. Get over it. I overheard this guy complaining about it, saying he was going back to Noe Valley where the chips are free. I laughed my a** off, Taco + Chips + Salsa + Free Comedy for under $6.00.Listed in: I love Latin Food
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Review from Jeremy C.
Sunnyvale, CA
12/10/2011
Arrived a little after dinner to find the place deserted. Apprehensive, I tried the carne asada taco and found the meat pleasantly tender and flavorful. The guac and salsa was generous, fresh, and refreshing. Price about standard for mission tacos.
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Review from Jonathan B.
San Francisco, CA
7/7/2011
This place is awesome. I have fallen in love with the way they prepare the chicken, and constantly have to fight the urge to get it in a quesadilla every time I go in there.
The staff is super friendly, the server is really quick, and the place is much cleaner than it's 24th and mission rival across the block. Something about standing in line in a packed house when I could be across the way in a cleaner place and watch ESPN while I wait, instead of drunks and crackfiends..
But the food is what brings me here! Good stuff. -
Review from Kimbro B.
San Francisco, CA
2/18/2011
An overlooked gem next to the 24th St. BART station -- don't be fooled by the fact it's not as packed as the other places (which are just half its size). Mileage varies when it comes to taquerias, but the delicious food is between Good and Terrific, and bonus convenience make this a solid 4 stars.
Succulent carne asada, spicy grilled chicken, weekend BBQ pork taco specials, and one of the most mouth-wateringly tangy green salsas in the Mission. (Yes I'm a local and get to make that judgement.) They even offer "baby burritos" if you're craving less than an whole donkey.
No doubt it lacks some critical ingredient of your favorite eatery. (Personally I always miss Cancun's grilled tortillas.) And San Jose humbly lurks in the giant late-nite shadow of Farolito across the intersection. But the food gives Farolito a run for their money, arrives in a fifth of the time, and you can enjoy it in a window seat or at a large table. (This place is huge = awesome for crowds.)
And man oh man, that green salsa! -
Review from Jason B.
12/13/2010
The reddest taqueria ever. Red signs. Red interior. Lots and lots of red. And clean. Which is always a plus down in the good old Mission, especially at a burrito joint.
Prices are on the high side (especially for the breakfast burrito, but at least they made it happen with egg whites), so really your best bet is the baby burrito. Packed with meat and none of that distracting rice, for $3 and change it's the way to go.
Edible. Satisfying. And very red. -
Review from Joshua C.
1/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
It could have been the post NYE drunkeness or that the food was really good. I can't remember. Either way, the vegetarian tacos were hitting the spot!!
I wouldn't come all the way out here to try their food again, but if I was in the area and drunk, I might grab some tacos.
My only concern was the dead roach on the wall next to the table I was sitting. If I weren't drunk and busy stuffing tacos down my throat, I might have thought twice about eating there. My BF's response when I told him about the roach: "Well, it is the Mission." Touché. -
Review from Nenita E.
San Francisco, CA
12/5/2010
Okay, so it's been a while since I've ordered from here. I stopped eating burritos a while back since I cut back on eating a lot of carbs and would just grub on quesadilla suizas. I've been craving for a carne asada burrito the last couple of days, so I decided to stop by here since it was on my way home coming from BART. They've remodeled this place since I was here last and I have a feeling it was to compete for esthetic reasons, other than for customers, with Rosmunde next door. In any case,the place looks nice. The first thing I noticed was the new menu board and the new prices! YIKES!!! I always thought TSJ#1 was pricey compared to other taquerias, but come on! Then again, they just remodeled, so I figured they'd have to increase the prices a little. However, I wasn't expecting for them to skimp on some things.
As I was waiting for my order, I decided to go to the salsa bar- what's with the small containers?? They weren't this small before, why start now??? After I got my order, I noticed no chips in the bag. I asked the guy, "What happened with the chips????" He said they were extra. WTF????? They weren't extra before. So he asked if I wanted to buy a bag. For $1.50, sure why not. At least he filled it to the top of the paper bag. Sheesh!! Anyway, the burrito was good, minus the sour cream. I didn't want everything in it, just meat, rice and salsa. I got that along with the sour cream and guac. It was still good. I ate half for lunch and the other half for dinner. Needless to say, I won't be coming back here if I get a craving for a burrito or quesadilla. I think I'll stick to my usual spot, which I won't mention =). -
Review from Soda Pop C.
Boston, MA
3/2/2011
I ordered the al pastor and carnitas tacos as well as fish and chicken enchiladas.
The tacos were well priced, flavorful and loaded with meat. There is also a fresh salsa bar which was nice. There pico de gallo was very fresh and complimented the taco well.
The enchiladas were ok- not my favorite. The rice was very bland. It's not a bad choice in the Mission- just not the best. If it was just on the tacos I would have given it 4 stars but the enchiladas and the ambiance (or lack there of) knocked it down. -
Review from Corbin C.
San Francisco, CA
2/21/2011
Visually appealing, with large, colorful murals of San Jose, but lacking yum yum.
The chorizo in the super tacos was depressing and the only hearty topping on the super nachos was sticky malaise.
Plus, every menu item is about a buck or two more expensive than other Mexican joints in the area.
I feel so empty. -
Review from Phoebe B.
San Francisco, CA
7/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Sober or not, this is the best taqueria in the Mission by far. It's never ridiculously crowded, the quesadillas are always done to PERFECTION.
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Review from Beth D.
San Francisco, CA
5/18/2010
Stopped in for a burrito on my way home from work, seemed like kind of a long wait since I was the only customer. I got a carnitas burrito and asked for salsa verde, but pretty sure I ended up with some other kind of salsa. I think there were carrots in my rice which was weird, and some very raw onion which was so strong I couldn't finish the burrito. The carnitas were waaaay overcooked, to the point of being crispy and I got a big bite of something that I hope was only gristle. Too grossed out to finish.
The photos on the wall looked good, I'd maybe come back and try the tacos since I can see whats in / on them. Wouldn't get carnitas ever again though. -
Review from allegra f.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 10/10/2010
Okay, this place has officially gotten my thumbs up. Took a while, but it has totally grown on me. Mostly because the people that work here are so friggin awesome!
Always friendly, hook a girl up with chips and lots of salsa cups. When I get home super late from work, a chicken taco with guac from this place hits the spot. Well cooked chicken and generous portions of both the protein and the guac.
Sounds like next time I need to try the fish taco. yum.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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1/7/2010
Okay, hubby brought home a taco that was pretty good. Only after I ate it did he tell me it was from… Read more »
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Review from Colin H.
San Francisco, CA
9/7/2011
taqueria san jose has always been a place that i USED to go to for great authentic mexican food. it WAS definately one of my favorites. great food and decently priced, but then all of a sudden a new menu, painted walls, and prices jumped up. WHAT THE HELL MAN, i hope you realize that there's a great chance of losing customers considering you are in competition with other awesome mexican food close by. whatever, im over it.
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Review from Yishra L.
Pleasant Hill, CA
7/15/2010
3 stars for the tasty food, 1 for the nice portions they give. Minus 1 star for their staff. My husband bit into some hard object, in his chicken taco which made his lip bleed. When we went to tell the woman about it, she called the manager/owner and he came over NOT apologizing but excusing himself. He went on about how it's not his fault. I told him all I wanted was to let him know in case it happens again. Granted, I think he was mostly afraid of a law suite since he mentioned twice about sending him the doctor's bill, he shouldn't have been so difficult as if we were attacking him. We told him several times we weren't going to go to the doctor's and we really just wanted to let them know. He ended up handing my hubby $30 bucks and told us to come back for a free meal.
Food is great, kind of a weird experience though. But we will probably be going back (: -
Review from Cindy W.
4/4/2010
What do you do when it's after 2:30a, the alcohol buzz waning to a quiver, yet you're hungry for just about anything, and not willing to wait in a 30 minute El Farolito line in the cold? You head to what's open - and for us that was Taqueria San Jose.
Bright with fluorescent lighting, smelling of cooked meats, this is the antithesis of the bar/club you just vacated. Luckily the bathrooms are clean (customer use only, and opened by a buzzer from the cashier), and the restaurant spacious, to accommodate revelers looking for a last meal.
We quickly ordered some waters (a la Costco bottles), and our standard Quesadilla Suiza ($7.99). Like most places in the Mission, these quesadillas are enormous - hefty in weight, it is filled with meat, sour cream, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and some sauce - all wrapped in a tortilla and grilled. They serve it in 2 halves b/c it won't fit otherwise. It's delicious and hits the spot.
TSJ's version is a little lighter on the seasoning and the grilling (vs. EF) but it was still good. And they even accommodated AL's tradeout for a crisper taco shell. I did venture a bite of the Burrito Lengua. Have to say that it was too full of sour cream and personally not a fan of beef tongue. (The bumps gross me out.)
A clean decent alternative to waiting in the cold. -
Review from Archie G.
San Jose, CA
5/11/2009
After a wild Friday night adventure at Club Six, I worked up quite the appetite. Richard G. recommended this place based on my affinity for carnitas. I was not disappointed.
I was impressed.
This place is located across the street from the super awesome La Taqueria, which recently shut down in San Jose due to the owner wanting to retire. It still exists in SF and it thrives; yet, Taqueria San Jose can find a way to compete with the best taqueria ever?
How do they do it? Well, by making the best carnitas in town and staying open late.
Wow. Holy smokes. My super burrito was pricey (over $8), but it was also enough for 2 people. I could not finish it. Everything was fresh and the carnitas were amazing.
Ajua! Ajua!
I'll be telling my friends and even my future kids about them. Well, as long as I survive the swine flu.
My fellow Yelpers (Richard G., Yvonne C. and Jessica Y.) were growing tired, so they made me eat faster. So I just took a fork to my burrito and scooped out the remaining carnitas and shoved them down my throat.
Heaven wrapped in a tortilla. Heaven on a fork.
I also tried their chicken quesadilla when Jessica was not looking. It was very tasty and they did not use garbage boiled chicken (like they do at La Victoria).
Anyway, if you are ever in San Francisco and you have a late night craving for Mexican grub, you have to consider Taqueria San Jose.
I dare you try to the carnitas.
Heaven wrapped in a tortilla.
Heaven in my mouth.
Heaven in my tummy.
Heaving in the toilet.
Ajua! Ajua!Listed in: Taco Time!
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Review from Fong L.
4/14/2007
oh god. meat on a vertical spit. When you see that pillar of meat and fat, slowly turning as the heating elements spark and flare from fat melting and sputtering on the grill, you know you're at a place to be reckoned with. They have it at truly med. they have it at el castillito. and they have it here.
I was walking past 24th and mission and was hungry and el farolito had their usual massive line, so I kept walking and there was taqueria san jose, which burritoeater talks well of, as do other yelpers. No line! sweet.
One glance at the spit and I knew what I had to order. dos tacos. un de pastor, y un de carnitas. carnitas and pastor. the pillars of mexican pork.
tacos were 2.40 ea (inc tax), and the pile of meat was bigger than the tortillas they came on. I picked up the taco de pastor first and the meat fell all over the basket, as the hot taco burned my hand. I shoved a bite in my mouth, and it was just heaven. I'd have to say the pastor at castillito is more flavorful, but I think perhaps the balance here was better, since the "bbq" flavor was not overpowering. I'm going to need to come back a few more times to do the true comparison.
The carnitas...came out looking like pork hash browns on a tortilla. oh man. PORK HASH BROWNS. absolute genius. it was a patty of stranded pork, with a whole side browned and crispy.
Dare I say the carnitas was better than farolito's? I dare.
damn, I think I have a new default taqueria in this part of the mission.
only complaint: the pico de gallo needed some more tomato. it was nice that it had lots of pickled jalapenos chopped up in it, but still.Listed in: Best Cheap(er) eats in the…, Nice Pieces of Meat
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Review from Michael M.
San Francisco, CA
1/11/2009
In my quest for the perfect al Pastor, I finally made my way here. I found my quest will continue, and will still go to El Gran Taco Loco when I want this greasy, sometimes spicy pork.
My roommate was hungry for a burrito. After first going to Phat Philly, while waiting for the 14, I went here. It's clean at least. She reported her burrito to be just OK.
For lunch for myself the next day, I bought a quesidilla suiza with al Pastor. I also thought it was just OK, and nothing special. Perhaps all the good reviews were alcohol enhanced?
I did like the salsa though. But I don't think I will be back. -
Review from Jess T.
San Francisco, CA
6/12/2007
Much like mediocre sex, life is too short for mediocre burritos.
Even at 2 in the morning. -
Review from Lisa L.
Oakland, CA
6/29/2007
The carnitas taco here is WAY better than at La Taqueria.
There. I said it.
La Taqueria gets way too much hype, if you ask me. Why wait in line with the taco tourists when you can walk up one block to Taqueria San Jose and get the good stuff?
Logic and reason, people. -
Review from Kim R.
San Francisco, CA
6/3/2007
My friend tried to get me to go here recently which I had to decline don't get me wrong once upon a time this was the place to be after 2am. I knew all the people who worked here and after hanging out on 30th and Mission( at the gas station) or Day Street Park we would come and eat our drunk away.
Even when I stopped hanging out outside I would come after the clubs that is until that one fateful experience.
I was eating my burrito and everything was all good until I reached for a chip and out popped a COCKROACH as big as day I could not belive it...
My Late night burrito Dreams shattered... -
Review from Shayna N.
Chicago, IL
11/16/2007
Have you ever been drunk in the Mission?
Have you ever been hungry after your alleged "drunken night" in the Mission?
Have you ever craved a taco, burrito or nachos after bar time?
Have you ever been appalled at the line that wraps around the corner outside El Farolito at 2am?
Refusing to wait over an hour for a $2 taco you stumble caddy corner across the street into Taqueria San Jose. Damn, it's bright in here... you wish you brought your sunglasses, but there's no line and it's clean enough. You order your taco and a quesedilla and within 5 minutes it appears before your half-lidded, drooling, smiling face. You inhale your meal within a matter of seconds and pity all those SUCKAS *still* waiting in the rain just to order their food.Listed in: My former SF stomping grounds
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Review from Melanie K.
Oakland, CA
7/2/2009
This is my favorite Taqueria of all time.
Why? Well, they say you always remember your first... and this was where I ate my first ever carne asada burrito, no frijoles!
Throughout high school, my friends and I always ate here. When we were broke, we'd buy sodas and the guys working there used to give us chips and salsa. A high school student's dream!
Also, the owner (I don't know if he's still the owner) used to have the funniest (unintentionally) business card ever - it said "Taqueria San Jose" and there was a drawing of the spit of meat... under which was his name, "David." So we named the spit of meat David. Good times!
While the new staff is a tad more abrasive and the ambiance is akin to a cafeteria, I still LOVE this place. And the carne asada still rocks. -
Review from Christine M.
San Francisco, CA
12/11/2006
Gross. I don't care how many cocktails and cheap beer I've thrown back. I would rather eat my own regurgitated dinner than go here again.
I went with a group of friends after hitting a few bars, e.g. I was boasting a significant enough buzz to enjoy most anything put in front of me. However, my order of cheese enchiladas was hard, stale, and more than a little mysterious. My friend, who ordered the chicken burrito, was met with chicken so undercooked that it was pinker than the bubblegum stuck under the table. The others, who actually chose to eat their food, were all met with a very uncomfortable visit from the 'rhea fairy later that night... if you catch my drift.Listed in: Worst of the Worst, Late Night Taquerias
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Review from Dwigt S.
San Francisco, CA
6/17/2007
I can't really comment much on whether their burritos are mediocre, but until I visited this place on a Friday night at 2 in the morning, I was convinced that NorCal just couldn't do tacos the way SoCal did. This discovery was nothing short of miraculous. (Sorry, NorCal...but it is what it is.)
I had the al pastor super taco, or taco supreme...or whatever the taco with all the fixings was, and you should try it too.
