Sunday Tacos in the Mission
I'm not going to pretend I've found a secret. This place has a line down the block and has for twenty years. But I've eaten here probably sixty times, at every hour of the day and in every state of mind, and it has never once been less than exactly what I wanted.
The Order
Al pastor off the trompo, always — the edges get lacquered and the pineapple isn't sweet, it's acidic, which is the whole point. Suadero if you want something richer. Skip the burrito unless you're feeding someone else; the tacos are where the cooking actually shows.
The Salsa Situation
There are four and they are not equal. The salsa verde is the one — bright, raw, aggressively limey. The red is smoky and mild. The habanero one on the far right is not a joke and I have watched it end friendships. Ask for verde on the side and use it liberally.
When to Go
Sunday around 1pm is peak chaos and honestly the best version of the experience — full room, music loud, families three generations deep. If you want a seat, go at 3pm on a weekday. If you want the best food, go whenever the trompo is full.
What I ate, dish by dish
Scored the same way as everything else on this site — honestly, and with the understanding that not every plate deserves your money.
- Al Pastor Taco$3.259.8
Off the trompo, edges caramelized, pineapple acidic rather than sweet. Order two.
- Suadero Taco$3.509.4
Richer, softer, the one to get if you're only having one.
- Quesabirria (2)$99.0
Crisped in the fat, consommé on the side. Weekend only, and they run out.
- Salsa Verdefree10.0
Raw, limey, aggressive. Ask for it on the side and use all of it.
- Super Burrito$137.6
Fine, huge, not why you're here. The tacos are where the cooking shows.
