El Metate San Francisco

Authentic and simple

Stefanie from San Francisco

""El Metate" San Francisco is my favorite place for tacos. And as local as it gets. I take tacos very seriously. Some may say too seriously..."

I take tacos very seriously. Some may say too seriously, if such a thing is possible. So when someone asks, "Which restaurant has the best tacos?" I don't hesitate - El Metate.

The Mission is chock full of taquerias and Mexican restaurants abound, so what makes El Metate so special? Two words: salsa bar. El Metate offers 6 different fresh salsas every day to go with their delicious chips and tortillas made fresh and by hand every day on site. If you have never had a handmade tortilla I apologize in advance, and warn you that once you have, you will never want to go back to store made again.

El Metate has a wide menu offering Mission style burritos, classic tacos, and tortas. A true creature of habit, I always get a taco plate with carnitas and a glass bottle of Pepsi. The Pepsi is imported from Mexico and made with Mexican sugar. However, my usual lunch companion favors horchata and shrimp tacos. Both are good options.

Staying true to tradition, tacos are served on corn tortillas with onions, cilantro, salsa brava. They do not come with cheese so you must request it with your meal. But if you are going to spend the extra dollar, get the avocado instead. This is California, after all.

Located on the very edge of the Mission, El Metate is about as locals only as it gets. The average lunch crowd is made up of people who live and work in the neighborhood.

Restaurants

This week 25% off

with the code fall25

*on our yearly membership

San Francisco Spotter Stefanie

About me I grew up in Vacaville, 45 miles east of San Francisco, and moved back to San Francisco 3 years ago after spending 8 years in Washington, DC. While I was on the East Coast, the Bay Area was never far from my heart or email exchanges. People would constantly ask me, “What unique things should I do when I visit San Francisco?” I would write back pages and pages of suggestions. Why San Francisco? San Francisco combines the trappings of urban life: food, art, and music with true natural beauty. I love living in place where neighborhoods have a distin...

About this spot

2406 Bryant St

Taco platter:

US$

Website

4156417209

Oct 10, 2025

Our San Francisco City Guide

Find your way with 158 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our San Francisco guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in San Francisco

Fog Harbor

One of the best restaurants at Pier 39

"Fog Harbor" Fish House in San Francisco's Pier 39 is a total winner: the food is incredible, the people are friendly and it won't break your wallet!

Restaurants

Kathleen

Messmer

Nov 11, 2025

Little Baobab

Senegalese food and music

Whatever your favorite restaurant in San Francisco might be, it's about to become your second-favorite after Senegalese restaurant "Little Baobab"...

Music

Restaurants

Marcus

D'Avignon

Nov 11, 2025

San Francisco Circus Center

Run away with us

Ι stumbled into the SF "Circus Center" to try a class. I didn't realise that I would soon be addicted to being up-side-down and high in the air!

Art & culture

Nadine

Johnson

Nov 10, 2025

Mountain Lake Park

Your Neighborhood Park

My neighborhood park is San Francisco is "Mountain Lake Park." It's one of our last remaining natural lakes,

Relaxing

Brooke

Ekdahl

Nov 9, 2025

The Carousel