The 8 Best Burritos in San Francisco, According to a Local Expert

Ozi Magaña is a longtime San Francisco-based visible artist. One among his favourite topics to painting can also be certainly one of San Francisco’s most iconic: the Mission-style burrito, which Magaña paints and attracts and emblazons on t-shirts. However whereas his work is gorgeous, what first caught our consideration was a devoted Instagram account the place Magaña paperwork his ongoing journey to seek out his favourite Bay Space burritos—a quest he takes very severely. That’s why we turned to him to create a listing of town’s eight can’t-miss burritos.

My first burrito expertise was after I was a child. My dad and mom are each from El Salvador, however the Bay Space, the place I spent most of my childhood and the place I stay now, has at all times been residence. I used to be raised by a single mother and a burrito was one of many methods she would feed me rapidly with out actually having to prepare dinner something. Burritos had been at all times in my life and at all times what bought me via the day.

You’ll discover nice burritos all through San Francisco, however a majority of town’s finest burritos are positioned within the traditionally Latino Mission District. This neighborhood is the place the namesake Mission burrito was born—piled excessive with meat and (generally) rice, and wrapped expertly tight with aluminum foil. Any Mission burrito comes stuffed, however order a “tremendous” burrito, and it’ll arrive packed to its limits with guacamole, bitter cream, and cheese. The Mission burrito has turn into so ubiquitous that while you hear the phrase “burrito,” it’s possible some model of this San Francisco traditional that involves thoughts.

How do I discover my favourite burritos in a metropolis stuffed with them? If I’m going to a brand new taqueria, I at all times strive their carne asada (seasoned and grilled steak) first. You’ll be able to inform loads about a spot by the way in which they prepare dinner their steak. As for salsa, I’ll at all times get a scorching salsa. I actually like my burritos spicy, taking breaks between bites simply to calm the tone slightly bit. One other professional tip: Ask to have your burrito put again on the stovetop after it’s rolled to get a pleasant crisp on the sides. Some eating places name this “dorado model.”

Now for the don’ts: I by no means put lettuce in my burrito; it will get too soggy and it ruins the entire thing, until you’re a really quick burrito-eater. And I don’t at all times add cheese—that is dependent upon the day, and if I need to deal with myself slightly bit. At an excellent burrito spot, forgoing rice means the butt finish will probably be stuffed with all of the flavorful juices from meat, beans, and salsa that in any other case would have been absorbed. But when the elements aren’t balanced, going rice-free may end up in a very greasy burrito.