Local taquerias are key players in San Francisco’s restaurant scene, but burrito fans in the Inner Sunset have fewer options than their friends who live east of Twin Peaks.
If you’re in the mood for Mexican food but don’t feel like leaving the neighborhood, we've rounded up your taco spots in the fogbelt, the better to quickly satisfy your cravings.
At the intersection of Carl & Cole streets, Padrecito (901 Cole) has been serving seasonal Mexican food since 2013. Even though it has seating for 75 and a seasonal, farm-to-table menu, this upscale eatery also does a lively take-out business. To save time, call in your order before getting on the N-Judah downtown, then disembark to collect your meal when you emerge from the Sunset Tunnel.
Carmelina’s Taqueria is located on the first floor of the Milberry Union food court at UCSF (500 Parnassus) and serves lunch and dinner. Because Carmelina’s is on a college campus, low prices and large portions are the norm.
Fans of La Fonda (712 Irving) call out the restaurant’s myriad vegetarian options, house made tortillas and well-stocked salsa bar (though several Yelpers have noted that two free containers are insufficient). With two levels of seating, wine and beer and an N-Judah stop outside the front door, La Fonda is a popular on-the-way-home spot that also moves muchos breakfast burritos on weekend mornings.
Flickr/Ram JoshiNopalito on Ninth (1224 9th Ave.) is a spinoff of the original Western Addition location at 306 Broderick St., but it's much larger than its progenitor, which translates into shorter wait times and more dining options, including a garden patio that can be reserved for private events.
The Taco Shop at Underdog's (1824 Irving) is a "fusion experiment" that combines a taqueria with a sports bar that boasts 10 plasma displays. Lively crowds are in evidence whenever there's a game, but The Taco Shop also offers a weekend breakfast menu.
If you know of other taquerias in the Inner Sunset, let us know in the comments!
