Mission Buzz: Los Coyotes Taqueria Poised for Comeback

Beloved burrito spot eyes return to former 16th Street home after 2018 fire

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:50pm by Ben Kaplan

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration of a California burrito, repeated in a grid pattern to capture the iconic dish's significance to the Mission neighborhood.The return of the beloved California burrito from Taqueria Los Coyotes would be a celebratory moment for the Mission District's vibrant food scene.San Francisco Today

Taqueria Los Coyotes, a longtime Mission District staple known for its California burritos, is in talks to reopen at its former 16th Street location that was damaged by a fire in 2018. The restaurant's co-owner Javier Guzman is hopeful the deal will go through, as reconstruction work is already underway at the three-story building that housed both the taqueria and 22 residential units.

Why it matters

The potential return of Los Coyotes would be a welcome development for the Mission, which has seen the closure of many longtime local businesses in recent years due to rising rents and other economic pressures. As a beloved late-night destination, the taqueria's revival could help revitalize the 16th Street corridor and provide a boost to the neighborhood's vibrant food culture.

The details

Taqueria Los Coyotes first opened in the late 1990s near Geneva Avenue and Mission Street, gaining a reputation for its California burritos and slow-cooked barbacoa meat. The restaurant later opened a second location at 16th and Wiese streets in 2005, which became a popular spot for late-night revelers on 16th Street. However, a fire in 2018 displaced both the taqueria and 22 residential tenants living upstairs. Now, with the building under new ownership, Los Coyotes' co-owner Javier Guzman is hopeful the restaurant can return to its former home by the end of the year if a deal can be finalized with the current owner, Sam Devdhara.

  • Taqueria Los Coyotes first opened in the late 1990s near Geneva Avenue and Mission Street.
  • The second Los Coyotes location opened in 2005 at 16th and Wiese streets.
  • A fire in 2018 displaced the taqueria and 22 residential tenants from the 16th Street building.
  • Reconstruction work is currently underway at the 16th Street building.
  • Javier Guzman hopes a deal can be finalized for Los Coyotes to return to its former home by the end of 2026.

The players

Taqueria Los Coyotes

A longtime Mission District staple known for its California burritos and slow-cooked barbacoa meat, with two former locations in San Francisco.

Javier Guzman

The co-owner of Taqueria Los Coyotes, who is hopeful the restaurant can return to its former 16th Street location.

Sam Devdhara

The current owner of the 16th Street building that housed Taqueria Los Coyotes, who is working on the terms for the taqueria's potential return.

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What they’re saying

“We're happy and just hoping that everything goes well.”

— Javier Guzman, Co-owner, Taqueria Los Coyotes

“I'm looking forward to bringing them back.”

— Sam Devdhara, Building owner

What’s next

If a deal is finalized, Taqueria Los Coyotes could return to its former 16th Street location by the end of 2026.

The takeaway

The potential return of the beloved Taqueria Los Coyotes would be a significant boost for the Mission District, helping to revitalize the 16th Street corridor and preserve the neighborhood's rich food culture in the face of ongoing economic pressures that have led to the closure of many longtime local businesses.