The Top 6 Super Carne Asada Burritos in SF (With A Ringer Thrown In)
Photography by Dwight Eschliman (left to right): Matthew Accarrino, Margo True, Charles Hodgkins, Ryan Farr, Prisca Chen
No jukebox blaring banda. No salsa, chips, or beer. Just pure burrito. In a blind taste test—analyzing everything from girth to beef-sear to ingredient distribution and harmony—five experts dig into six of the city’s most popular super carne asada burritos, with a ringer thrown in for fun (ahem, Chipotle). After some serious thought—and proof that even the best burritos can be flawed—conclusions were made.

1. El Farolito
1 ⅔ lbs ($6.30)
Continually ranked as one of the city’s top burritos, the Mission District’s classic 3 a.m. stop for booze-sopping came in first without much struggle. “What a whopper,” said Sunset magazine’s Margo True. “An amalgamated burrito with a careful arrangement of beans, rice, meat, and sauce. A thoughtful cook arranged it.” The carne asada is “wonderfully rustic,” said Charles Hodgkins of Burritoeater. However, burrito lover Prisca Chen did not concur. “The beef is like ground beef,” she lamented, scribbling a frowny face on her scorecard. “Where’s the pico de gallo?” Chen concluded that the burrito filling isn’t made up of true friends “though they tolerate each other.” But SPQR chef Matthew Accarrino gave it his top mark, citing the beans as “soft but with texture,” the beef as having the “best flavor of all.”
2779 Mission St., 415-824-7877

2. Papalote
1 ⅓ lbs ($8.49)
Last Feburary, this Mission District taqueria famously won the Bobby Flay burrito-off on the Food Network. The size of the carne in this burrito was noted by all: “Now that’s a steak,” said Chen. “An attention grabber,” said Hodgkins. “Nice but under-seasoned,” said True. “But I can finally taste the grill!” Hodgkins loved the “wonderfully griddled tortilla” and said, “I hardly ever think this, but this one has too much cheese.” Is such a thing possible?
3409 24th St., 415-970-8815

3. Taqueria Cancún
1 ⅓ lbs ($6.56)
A longtime SF favorite, this was selected by Chen as her top pick. She praised it as “juicy” and best for the uninitiated “tourist who’s never had an SF burrito.” Hodgkins deemed the tortilla steamed (though Cancún’s tortillas are in fact warmed on the griddle) and “sticky on the palate” and lamented the amount of sour cream. Farr was happy about the “good amount of heat, fresh cilantro, and avocado.”
2288 Mission St., 415-252-9560

4. El Tonayense
1 ¼ lbs ($6.50)
There are three El Tonayense trucks in SF, but this burrito, which has the addition of jalapeños (not green bell peppers as some judges guessed), was from the one parked at Harrison and 14th streets. “Good, crunchy sear on the meat,” said Farr. “And the addition of bean juice helps keep it moist.” True found the beef “forgettable—too pulverized.” But Chen appreciated its street-food scrappiness. “What this burrito lacks in girth it makes up for in grease and flavor.”
At Harrison and 14th streets, 415-559-0404

5. Chipotle
1 ¼ lbs ($8.71)
The heat was on, said True, for this chain’s take on a burrito. Their version was “packed with lots of rice, guac, and fire. Zesty!” But it had too much starch for most. “Where are the beans?” said Hodgkins. “Oh, here hidden behind the damn rice.” Farr called the meat “tender” but wished there was more char. Hodgkins said the guac was “top shelf” but that the cheese seemed absent. Accarrino deemed the burrito “right in the middle of the pack.”
232 O’Farrell St., 415-765-9043

6. Gordo Taqueria
1 ⅓ lbs ($6.73)
Representing the burritos of the Richmond District, this one got wildly differing comments. True liked the guac and the balance of ingredients, as did Farr. But Chen asked “WTF?” in regard to what she deemed the “white rice,” which made her “wanna cry.” (Gordo says their rice is actually made with tomatoes.) Hodgkins compared the sour cream or crema to “cream cheese—an abomination.” Accarrino described it as “not so bad but not so interesting either.”
5450 Geary Blvd., 415-668-8226

7. El Castillito
1 ⅔ lbs ($8.20)
“Raw onion, mushy rice, dried-out meat,” said Accarrino of this Castro favorite. “An unattractive mishmash,” said True. “The meat is pale and definitely not asada.” Hodgkins said the beans might be “appropriate for minestrone but not a burrito.” Only one person truly loved this burrito, and it was Farr. “Good meat, good char flavor, nice chunky salsa,” giving it his top ranking, which just goes to show that burrito-tasting is nothing if not personal.
136 Church St., 415 621-3428
The Judges
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Ryan Farr No. 1 pick: El Castillito A classically trained chef, Farr is the owner of 4505 Meats and an expert on all things carnivorous. Farr sells his own line of sausages and hot dogs and teaches popular classes on butchery. You can find 4505 Meats at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Thursdays and Saturdays. |
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Prisca Chen No. 1 pick: Papalote The winner of our burrito judge contest on 7x7.com, Chen might be the most burrito-obsessed person we’ve ever met. She even made a documentary and wrote her UC Santa Cruz senior thesis on the burrito. |
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Matthew Accarrino No. 1 pick: El Farolito The chef of SPQR, Accarrino might have the skills to cook haute cuisine but he equally appreciates downhome cooking. Accarrrino has worked as the sous chef at Per Se in New York and as the chef de cuisine at Craft Los Angeles. |
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Margo True No. 1 pick: Papalote The food editor at Sunset magazine and the editor of The Sunset Cookbook previously worked as the executive editor of Saveur and a senior editor at Gourmet. |
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Charles Hodgkins No. 1 pick: El Farolito Since 2003, Hodgkins, founder of burritoeater.com—the most comprehesive study on SF burritos out there—has been scouring the city for the best burritos and then ranking them with mustaches. |
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I have lived in the Mission District in 1989 and I must have had a Mission Burrito just about every day. They are fantastic, I prefer them over the proper Mexican Burrito. I remember that a big burrito weighing well over a pound cost $ 1.99 in those days.
Went and checked out #2 on the list and it was mediocre at best. Something tells me that something is wrong with the judges, and not necessarily SF's Mexican food.
FWIW, I'm a white dude who grew up on authentic Mexican food. All the same, it's a bit ridiculous to have a panel with absolutely no Mexican people.
Moothnuckle.
All you crackers ranting there is nobody from la raza, please get a grip. Growing up in L.A., a Mexican founded Burrito King, it was the first to feature "super burritos" ala americano and my hippie mother (a cracker from Ohio) would take us there to worship on Sundays.
Do you think in Vietnam they serve bowls of pho the size they do here? Not even close... and the chicken in Vietnam may as well be called "Olympic chicken" for it lack of excess bulk. Have a favorite Thai place? Those are Laotians. Budget sushi? Those are Chinese, cracker.
Anyway, props for Ryan Farr - Castillito. Perhaps not always reliable, but a long time fav from thier 16th & Mission spot.
I am amazed that in your panel of 5 judges to determine the best carne asada burrito you did not have a single Mexican or Latino. I can't imagine a best sushi or best pasta contest without a Japanese or Italian person who could reminisce about what mama used to make or what could be found in the old country.
I guess you weren't seeking to find the most AUTHENTIC carne asada burrito. I mean, for god's sake, you included Chipotle, a chain restaurant!
As such, I will take your results with a grain of salt and refer to them if I ever need to know the best carne asada burritos according to non-Mexicans.
Everyone always overlooks the most authentic burrito in the Mission - that made at La Palma, which is located at the corner of 24th and Florida streets. Could it be that this is not really considered to be a "Mission Burrito?"
Cess, Meester Taco, and SF smartass, I love you guys - and everyone who wondered why La Taqueria was not on the list. For the whiners ("La Taqueria costs too much!"), I just want to say: I live near La Taqueria. Since she moved in a few months ago, my southern-Texas raised Mexican-American housemate and her even more Mexican Mexican-American boyfriend have become addicted to La Taqueria's burritos. "The salsa - you can small the chiles!"
Seriously, La Taqueria's green salsa (ask for the red that's hidden behind the counter, if you like spicy/savory) has triggered my housemate to get her Mexican grandmother's salsa recipe.
Is La Taqueria a little pricier than the average taqueria? Is it irksome that they charge for chips and salsa? Is the food totally worth it, as shown by the loyalty of their many customers of all ethnicities (always including a high percentage of actual Mexicanos)? Hell yes to all of these.
Dammit, now I want one of their burritos, and they're closed for the night. I used to like CanCun, and Taco Loco is tolerable, but neither is quite as good. Also, mysteriously, the southernmost CanCun has the wimpiest salsas - ??? The green stuff is supposed to HURT you, guys.
Viva El Mexicano!!! Agree with you 100%. Son todos pendejos. Written for pretentious yuppies by pretentious yuppies. I would give more credence-much more-to a panel of Mexican construction workers and restaurant staff. Tell me where THEY eat and I'll go THERE.
Wait a minute, wait a minute here!!!! This list is all wrong. I don't care who you are as a "judge". If you did not take La Taqueria on Mission and 25th street OR La Cumbre on Valencia and 16th street, you should not be judging burritos, and you sure should not be rating this "Top 7 Carne Asada List"... How in the world did you guys miss these two incredible taquerias?! Chipotle is #5? Really?! Wow!! Readers: Do not be mislead! Go to these two taquerias I just mentioned and YOU be the judge for yourself! Enough Said.....
I'm confused, because the article is titled "The Top 7 Super Carne Asada Burritos in San Francisco," not "The Top 7 MISSION-STYLE Super Carne Asada Burritos in San Francisco." So while the distinction has been heavily debated, it does seem like the article's misleading, and El Mexicano kind of has a point. Also, it does make sense to have some Latinos in the mix. If the article were truly "The Top 7 Super Carne Asada Burritos in San Francisco" then I have to say La Taqueria is the best Carne Asada Burrito in San Francisco. It's just delightful, and also, perhaps more authentic. But the others are good too, right? Yes, they are, even Chipotle. Thanks, Mexican people for burritos. Let's all come together for Mexican-inspired food, and civic-pride, Pendejos (which I think means something like Amigos).
Salut, où avez-vous obtenu cette information peut vous s'il vous pla?t appuyer ce avec une certaine preuve ou vous pouvez dire quelques bonnes références que moi et d'autres apprécieront vraiment. Cette information est vraiment bon et je vais dire sera toujours utile si nous essayer sans risques. Donc, si vous pouvez le sauvegarder. Cela nous aidera vraiment à tous. Et cela pourrait apporter un peu de bonne réputation pour vous.iphone 3gs cases
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To El Mexicano, I don't usually post comments, but when I saw your post I was simply too inspired not to.
Please allow me to now educate YOU (as humoring someone actually involves allowing them to make their point, not making your own):
A: Beans and rice are a side dish in Mexican cuisine but when it comes to the Mission burrito (so named because it was invented in the Mission District of SF, not Mexico) they are an important and also defining component. And I don't care if they started as a $0.50 filler used to rip off Gringos, they taste damn good in a burrito.
B: If the Mission burrito is inauthentic food designed to make Gringos happy, as you insinuate rather condescendingly with your chop suey analogy and other comments, why would any Mexican or Latino WANT to be a judge? Wouldn't it be insulting to ask them to judge something that is basically a bastardization of their culture's cuisine? Maybe not (or, ahem, maybe the SF burrito was not actually designed just for Gringos), in which case I would agree it would have been nice to have a Mexican/Latino/Chicano judge who knows about food included in the panel. However, the existing judges do know tasty food, and I think we can all agree that if something's more authentic but tastes bad, it's not going to beat something that is less authentic but tastes good, regardless of a judge's background.
C: You see, the thing about us dipshit preppies is we generally will read an article before we comment on it; were you to do the same, you would have seen that Chipotle was included as a ringer (if you don't know what that is, look it up) FOR FUN. See, they didn't actually consider Chipotle to be a top burrito. So really, you shouldn't be outraged at 7x7 about it since they actually agree with you; if you want to channel your rage at someone, why not try the not one but TWO local restaurants Chipotle beat in a blind taste test? Or perhaps a large, inanimate object?
D. Yes, I agree that pretty much anything does taste great at 3am and your [sic] wasted...not really sure where you're going with this one. The taste test took place during the day and none of the judges was inebriated, at least not to my knowledge.
A quick aside, please don't hate on Matthew Accarrino (the chef from SPQR) just because you're bitter about a magazine article and he's a successful chef working in a nice restaurant. Especially when a) you've never eaten there b) you don't know much about the restaurant (Italian inspired, local food, not Italian food), and c) you don't know much about him. Given that he spent time cooking in a Michelin-starred restaurant in Italy I think he can probably handle Italian inspired food, or gee, even straight up Italian food (and yes I googled him. Another thing we dipshit preppies do is research our arguments).
I don't think anyone at 7x7 considers themselves a burrito critic/expert, hence their use of a panel of judges rather than their staff. Should they have called it something other than "The Top 7" to be more accurate? Perhaps. But the headline is to sell the magazine and pique your interest in the article, you're supposed to then actually read the article. In it they make no misrepresentations about their purpose or results. They were not in search of great or authentic Mexican cuisine. I think they were just trying to do a piece with a different take from your run of the mill food story and that features some popular local restaurants specializing in SF style burritos. To that end, they succeeded. It was interesting to see what the judges had to say and I will definitely keep it in mind the next time I'm craving a burrito. I mean of course I'm going to head to the Mission when that time comes. Any yuppie knows you can't get a great burrito in the Marina, we're rich, not stupid.
El Mexicano, perhaps you should come on over to the Marina/SOMA/South Beach (the latter two of which, for the record, are actually two different neighborhoods) so that you can score some Xanax an chill the F out.
To the staff at 7x7, nice job presenting a local food in a different and interesting way; I also enjoyed the cover art. Try not to let those who judge without actually reading first get you down.
To everyone else reading this, sorry for the heavy dose of both sarcasm and snark. I really don't take myself as seriously as it might appear; I just get really annoyed when people go off half cocked and are unnecessarily rude and insulting (like, for instance, telling the staff of a magazine they are idiots and to F themselves over a story about BURRITOS).
El Mexicano is the only dude that knows what's going on.
You don't have to be Mexican to appreciate a good burrito, you don't have to be Vietnamese to enjoy a bowl of pho, you don't have to be a New Yorker to truly know what makes a good pizza. You people takes things so seriously. Taste is subjective. If you don't like what these people have to say, avert your eyes and eat whatever shit makes you happy.
ybemad!? 'Cus you didn't include Burrito Express in this so called top 7. 2 locations and you couldn't find either one....
I think this is good work, and I can tell a big effort was made to produce this, But the results are a little disappointing. Gordos burritos are flavorless to me. Chipotle is okay-ish, but it doesn't really deserve to be in the top 7 (i'm totally not biased, i only ate chipotle in freshman year of college and got sick of it).
My favorite burrito place is not in the city.. it's actually in Davis, CA - Taqueria Guadalajara.. especially the "Super Giant Burrito" that costs $10 and when cut in half, it's the size of a large burrito. College kids would make 3-4 meals out of that.. And taste - it was legit. Better than El Farolito.
To ElMexicano: Whoah man, sounds like you wanted some say in the burrito review. As for Mission burritos, they are called that because they originated in the Mission years ago. They are not from Mexico. You said it yourself..rice and beans are typically eaten separately there. San Franciscans created these burritos and that's who tasted them...San Franciscans! So get off your ethnically charged horse and be happy you're in San Francisco and not in Mexico.
To all the other haters: we're talking burritos here, not the death penalty. It was a fun and interesting article. If you'd like to write your own article in your own magazine feel free...if not, then give these guys a break.
Last comment....amazing cover picture! Nice work guys
Where are the Mexican judges? 7x7 should stick to the Marina.
Well OK 7x7, but what about the all-important VEGGIE BURRITO?
Come on folks, it's the 21st century and sustainable, healthy burritos are the future ;-)
El Mexicano seems upset...
Al Pastor is the best way to judge a "log"
Cancun is a awesome place for that
No Pancho Villa? for shame
Seriously?! Who the hell are these people and what are they thinking? Oh, "I have a masters degree and I work for a chic magazine that no one even reads (unless its free) so that make me a burrito critic/expert." F-you people!
Now as a full blooded Mexican-American I can say this: I'm totally offended by this article and the fact that not ONE Mexican or fellow Latino was represented on the "board".
I mean who invented this masterpiece anyhow? Uh, we did. Thanks. How lame is that?! That's like
me going to China and rating them on their Chop Suey. Oh wait, there is NO Chop Suey in China! It was fabricated here, just to make the round eyes happy!
So let me educate you or at least humor you...
A: Beans and Rice are a side dish! Meant to be eaten separate hence the term "Beans and Rice".
They use them in these burritos as fillers and thus reducing costs of what a real burrito should be like and gladly take the Gringo's $8-$10 bucks for about 50 cents worth of food! We rule!
B: No Mexicans or Latinos on the "board". B.S.! (See above...)
C: Chipotle?! For F's sake doesn't McDonald's own that chain of restaurants?!
D. Anything taste great at 3am and your wasted!
7X7 stay in the Marina, Financial District, SOMA (or is called "South Beach" now?) where you dip-shit preppies belong!
Un-freaking believable!!!
You people never cease to amaze me with your idiocy!
You want a good burrito? A "real burrito"? Go to San Diego, any other border town, Mexico or come on over to my home and I'll gladly wrap up some shit in a tortilla and charge you $10 bucks for it and you can call it gourmet! :)
Oh and to the Chef from SPQR, you should know better dude! But then again I haven't been to your restaurant recently and dissected it to "real" Italian food yet. I mean have you ever even been to Italy? Now I haven't been there since you've taken over... But I can tell you, I heard was better before you got there... Maybe I'll stop by one day and pay $20 bucks for a couple of meatballs... Sounds like you need a pair.
Bunch of Pendejos!
why don't they ever include the cross street when they give the address? If 7x7 really wants to be helpful they would do that all the time!
you should stop being a jerk assface
7x7 should just drop their burrito coverage and stick to things to do in the marina.
Seriosly? I think you're missing the Mexican guy on your team to tell us where the good burritos are...
Please tell me this is a joke.
These comments only prove one thing: that "burrito-tasting is nothing if not personal".
No matter what ends up being on this "top" list, there will always be someone complaining.
And Chipotle was only added to throw the tasters off. I dont think 7x7 really meant to add it as a "top" contender. Maybe if the title of this article was different, people would have reacted differently.
Rice and beans DO NOT BELONG in a burrito. Why not just add some dirt in there?
Love the photos and reviews. Just wish I could eat them all in a single day. A good way would be to do a Taste Test Cycle Ride with friends - any one interested?
See Google map of vendor locations.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=2118940480491465...
Last red meat I ate was a San Diego carne asada burrito at Alberto's over 20 years ago. Basically just strips of carne asada, guacamole and a few onions in a flour tortilla. No dobt in my mind that it would outdo these monsters.
No El Burrito Express = no credibility.
Chipotle, Gordo, and Papalote? Really? Gordo and papalote are decent enough, but overpriced and ovverated (hipster/yuppie transplants LOVE Papalote for some reason), and Chipotle is a chain restaurant from Denver. You guys reviewed a chain restaurant from Denver that imitates SF style burritos, for a contest held in SF, about the best burritos in SF. Are you serious? Also, any list without La Taqueria on it is a joke. There's a reason it's been around the 1970's.
in the immortal words of the police: CHUCK! CHUCK! CHUCK!
as usual 7x7 disappoints. trendy crap articles that offer no value. ive tried un facebooking, but now sfgate cross marketing did me in. damnit :(
why dont you get 30 people to judge 50 buritos in some sort of statisticaly interesting way. good christ, your budgets could afford a few thousand $$ to actually have something valuable. instead of these trendy aholes , we could be using science.
Glad they didn't like the real number one...GORDOS! But try the one on Clement next time.
Prisca is a cutie and I'd love to be eating anywhere she wanted to be eating. Gotta love a girl who loves burritos. She is yummy.
If you want really good Mexican food then go to Redwood City or San Jose, definately much better food there. The best tacos in the bay area are El Grullense tacos in RWC, hands down. If you want Mexican food eat tacos if you want American food order a burrito.....
You got an asian girl, white girl, and 3 white guys telling you their opinion on burritos. Give me the chunky latin guy, the crazy aunt, and the grandmother who grew up in the mission to tell me what burrito tastes good.
I know burritos were actually something created here in the U.S. but come on. El Farolito? for reals ? I dropped my drink when I saw Chipotle.
If they were judging hamburgers, would they have included McDonald's in the Top 7? I wonder if they know that Chipotle is owned by McDonald's. It's not local. It's part of a worldwide chain, and it shouldn't count.
El Farolito? What is it with this place? Drunk Marina people think this is the bomb, but they are horrible. Look at how all the grease settles into the bottom of your burrito. Look at how filthy the restaurant is.
Smart locals know it's La Cumbre and El Burrito Express.
Remove "The Top" from the title of this review and you'll make a lot of people happy =)
i love living in the city, but being from the LBC i must say that mexican food up here is second rate. the competition is just not close to what exists in socal.
Love the cover art on the print edition!
We should try them all!
i like how there are no latinos judging this food
la taqueria is not even on the list???! impossible. 7x7's top 7 is disqualified.
Mexico, San Diego, la, and San Francisco all have different versions of the burrito, but ours (san francisco) have rice and beans. It is a shame that La Cumbre( the HOME of the San Francisco style burrito) does not appear on the list, but I didn't write a college paper on burritos, so what do I know...
Very disappointed with 7x7. This is a list of "super-sized" (with fillers) & cheap burritos, instead of "just right" & tasty. And none of the so-called judges had the balls to make the call for the real thing.
The fact that this 7x7 didn't include La Taqueria for a Carne Asada burrito competition in SF just means that these guys are amateurs. Seriously, Chipotle in any SF competition is just bougie! You guys don't even deserve the HTML that this page was written on...NEXT!
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