By: Sofia Naranjo By: Sofia Naranjo | July 30, 2024 | Food & Drink, Guides,
Here's our list of the best Mexican restaurants in San Francisco.
974 Valencia St. / Website
Loló is located in Valencia and combines Jaliscan-Californian cuisine right here in San Francisco. It's the latest location as there are two other restaurants in Guadalajara, Mexico owned by executive chef Jorge Martinez, his wife Lorena Zertuche and general manager Juan Carlos Ruelas, who all wanted to blend the vast Mexican traditions and trendy Bay Area food. We recommend the Beef Birria Quesadillas or Fried Avocado Tacos.
101 Hyde St. / Website
Mi Morena is truly authentic Mexican food with a rich backstory. The eatery manifested when chef Guadalupe Morena started to make quesadillas to help out her family in Mexico City. After working on her own for a while, Guadalupe and her family moved to the United States and stayed in San Francisco. Guadalupe’s main focus is street-style Mexico City tacos, and the menu features a wide variety of handmade bites from recipes with chicken, beef, pork and vegetables.
306 Broderick St. / Website
Nopalito started in a small village called El Aguila in Veracruz, Mexico. The chef-owner Gonzalo Guzman traditionally learned to cook from his mother and was knee-deep in the growing and preparation process of ingredients on the fields when he was growing up. Try standouts like the Tacos Dorados De Camote with sweet potato or the Champurrado and Norte54 Concha, which is Masa-based hot chocolate and Mexican pan dulce.
2675 Ocean Ave. at 19th / Website
Lucho’s is a relaxed, family-friendly restaurant serving Yucatan recipes mixed with American-Californian breakfast, brunch and lunch. The owner Lucho is from the Yucatan Region of Mexico and grew up being in touch and inspired by his mother’s traditional cooking. Enjoy Sunday brunch at Lucho’s over dishes like avocado toast, Bunuelos with cinnamon and sugar, Conchita pibil and chicken Milanese.
3435 Mission St. / Website
Owner and chef Isabel Caudillo was born and raised in Mexico City and cooks the meals she has known since childhood. Caudillo makes authentic-style Mexican meals from scratch using organic masa and hand-rolled enchiladas. Caudillo's cooking techniques for Mexican food will give you a unique and new experience when it comes to Mexican cuisine. The tacos and enchiladas traditionally have soft shredded beef and slowly stewed chicken. El Buen Comer also has less known recipes like a Mexican-style pasta dish coditos con crema. If you’re looking for the real deal then El Buen Comer is the place to be.
2250 Chestnut St. / 741 Valencia St. / Website
Tacolicious is all about San Francisco. The former stand at Thursday Ferry Plaza Farmers Market now has two locations in the city and a menu that emphasizes San Franciscan cuisine (Marina Girl salad and pastrami tacos are highlights). Every Tuesday after 5:00 pm, Tacolicious hosts Taco Tuesdays, with old-school tacos and margarita pitchers you won't want to miss.
2252 Clement St. / 1239 9th Ave. / 5450 Geary Blvd. / Website
Rapper G-Easy's favorite food spot in the Bay, Gordo's Taqueria has been making tacos and burritos for San Franciscans since 1977. With three locations across the city, you have no excuse not to sample Gordo's quesadillas, platters, tacos and burritos.
300 19th Ave / Website
If you're looking for a family atmosphere, Tia Margarita is for you. Family-owned since 1963, and female operated since 1975, Tia Margarita is designed to foster community, offering a full range of coctails and homemade salsas, as well as carne asadas, still made from the same recipe as when the restaurant opened over 50 years ago.
546 Valencia St. / Website
Another community focused restaurant that has been in San Fracisco for over 50 years is Puerto Alegre. Known for their margaritas and Sunday brunch, Puerto Alegre also showcases local artists every month, turning the restaurant walls into a gallery to add the community feel.
2251 Market St. / Website
Santeria is vibrant and lively not only in the restaurant but also through its food. The restaurant serves a wide range of tequilas, mezcals and specialty cocktails like the Salted Paloma or Mexican gringo with tamarind-chili infused tequila, mango cordial and lime. Santeria serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays with bottomless mimosas on the menu, with the occasional drag brunch shows.
If you're in the mood for nachos specifically, check our our list of favorite nacho spots in the city.
Photography by: Photo by Tai's Captures/Unsplash
