San Francisco's La Taqueria Serves Up Iconic Mission-Style Burritos

The 50-year-old restaurant is known for its fresh, flavorful burritos and salsas.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 2:25am by Ben Kaplan

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La Taqueria, a beloved San Francisco institution located in the heart of the Mission District, is renowned for serving up authentic and award-winning Mission-style burritos. Founder Miguel Jara opened the restaurant in 1973 without any formal culinary training, but with a deep passion for the flavors of his hometown of Tijuana, Mexico. Today, La Taqueria is a local favorite and a must-visit destination for tourists seeking the quintessential Mission burrito experience.

Why it matters

Mission-style burritos have become a beloved culinary icon, with the style influencing burrito offerings across the country. However, La Taqueria stands out as the original and best purveyor of this iconic dish, maintaining its commitment to fresh, high-quality ingredients and traditional preparation methods over the past 50 years.

The details

At La Taqueria, the burritos are massive, wrapped in foil, and loaded with avocado, meat, pico de gallo, salsa verde, and more. The restaurant's dedication to using fresh, high-quality ingredients and cooking twice daily to ensure optimal freshness has earned it a loyal following and accolades, including a 2017 James Beard America's Classic award.

  • La Taqueria was founded in 1973.
  • The restaurant received the James Beard America's Classic award in 2017.

The players

Miguel Jara

The founder of La Taqueria, who opened the restaurant in 1973 without any formal culinary training but with a deep passion for the flavors of his hometown of Tijuana, Mexico.

La Taqueria

A beloved San Francisco institution located in the heart of the Mission District, known for serving up authentic and award-winning Mission-style burritos.

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The takeaway

La Taqueria's enduring success over the past 50 years is a testament to its commitment to authenticity, quality, and community. As a local institution that has helped define the iconic Mission-style burrito, the restaurant continues to draw in both loyal locals and curious visitors seeking a taste of San Francisco's culinary heritage.