I've never understood why Southern California doesn't have any good taquerias and Northern California doesn't have any good sit-down Mexican restauraunts. I know this is an overgeneralization, but it holds pretty true. Don't even get me started about the state of Carne Asada in SoCal: most places fry it on a griddle instead of char-broiling it as it should be made.
While San Francisco's Mission District is the home to many fine taquerias (most in the 16th and Valencia area), my favorite by far is Pancho Villa Taqueria. This place is nothing fancy: you stand in line and give your order, which is prepared while you wait to pay. The line is always long, and yet as held true from a conversation I had with a parton in line, there's always a table available no matter how crowded it is. The choices at Pancho Villa are numerous, with every Mexican favorite you can think of. They also have a large variety of meats (and tofu) to fil their huge creations, including lengua (tongue), al pastor, chili verde and chorizo. Their salsa consistently wins awards at the state fair every year, and their aguas frescas are great thurst quenchers.
While their tacos are fine, I adore their huge burittos filled with everything but the kitchen sink.
Pancho Villa is a favorite spot with San Franciscans, and to add to the cool factor, Beck shot part of a video there.
Pancho Villa Taqueria
3071 16th St
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 864-8840
Fax: (415) 864-3484
www.panchovillasf.com
