No food defines San Francisco like the Mission burrito, the foil-wrapped, rice-and-beans behemoth born in the city's Mission District in the 1960s. From the riceless, James Beard-honored carne asada at La Taqueria to El Farolito's two-pound super burritos eaten at 2 a.m., these are the counter-service taquerias that fuel the city. Most line the few blocks around 24th and Mission, where the only real debate is which order to try them in.
The full ranking
No food defines San Francisco like the Mission burrito, the foil-wrapped, rice-and-beans behemoth born in the city's Mission District in the 1960s. From the riceless, James Beard-honored carne asada at La Taqueria to El Farolito's two-pound super burritos eaten at 2 a.m., these are the counter-service taquerias that fuel the city. Most line the few blocks around 24th and Mission, where the only real debate is which order to try them in.
Taqueria El Farolito (Mission)
The cash-only, open-late beacon at 24th and Mission, where two-pound super burritos stuffed with al pastor and carne asada have fed a generation of night-owls and burrito pilgrims.
La Taqueria (Mission)
A James Beard America's Classic and FiveThirtyEight's national burrito champion, famous for its riceless, griddle-crisped carne asada burrito wrapped in a dorado-style toasted tortilla.
La Palma Mexicatessen (Mission)
A 24th Street tortilla factory, deli, and taqueria since 1953, where handmade masa and house-made carnitas and chicharron go into burritos with serious old-school pedigree.
Taqueria Cancún (Mission)
The Mission mainstay famous for its burrito mojado drowned in salsa and for vegetarian burritos with grilled veggies, a late-night staple beloved across the neighborhood.
El Metate (Mission)
A brighter, sit-down-friendly Mission taqueria on Bryant Street turning out consistently excellent burritos and grilled meats that critics rank among the city's very best.
Don Chuy's Mexi-Mercado (Excelsior)
An Excelsior corner store with a takeout taqueria in back, a sleeper pick that critics praise for fresh, carefully made burritos away from the Mission tourist trail.
Papalote Mexican Grill (Mission)
A modern Mission taqueria whose cult-favorite roasted-tomato salsa and grilled-meat burritos, including the Triple Threat, have won fans well beyond the neighborhood.
La Corneta Taqueria (Glen Park)
A Glen Park original known for big, neatly built burritos and a popular shrimp option, a friendly counter that has spawned a small local following.
La Espiga de Oro (Mission)
A longtime 24th Street taqueria celebrated for its chicharron burrito and homey, old-Mission feel, a quieter counterpoint to its flashier neighbors.
Taqueria El Buen Sabor (Mission)
A dependable Valencia Street taqueria near Dolores Park, known for fresh, well-stuffed burritos and a steady stream of park-bound regulars.
Ranked across 6 sources: The Infatuation · The Best Burritos in San Francisco, Ranked (2025); FiveThirtyEight · The Burrito Bracket (national winner: La Taqueria); Time Out · The Best Burritos in San Francisco (unordered roundup); 7x7 · The Best Burrito Joints in SF (unordered roundup); Yelp · Ranked by Rating (June 2026); Google Reviews · Ranked by Rating (June 2026). Full scoring is on the Methodology tab above.
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