Beloved San Francisco Taqueria Faces Closure After 73% Rent Hike

El Faro, a Mission District staple since 1961, struggles to afford skyrocketing costs as owners look to sell the iconic restaurant.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 11:39am by

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a worn chef's knife, a tarnished metal spoon, and a crumpled paper menu, conceptually representing the history and community ties of a family-owned taqueria facing closure.The worn tools and ingredients of El Faro's kitchen symbolize the deep community ties and culinary traditions at risk of being lost as the beloved taqueria faces an uncertain future.San Francisco Today

El Faro, a beloved family-owned taqueria in San Francisco's Mission District that has been in business since 1961, is facing closure due to a dramatic 73% rent increase. The restaurant's daughter says the hike caught her mother by surprise, nearly doubling the monthly costs, and the owners are now looking to sell the taqueria for $225,000 on Facebook Marketplace.

Why it matters

The potential closure of El Faro highlights the challenges facing small, family-owned businesses in San Francisco as the city's economy and real estate market continue to boom. The taqueria is a longstanding community fixture, known for its famous super burrito and close relationships with loyal customers, making its potential loss deeply felt by the neighborhood.

The details

El Faro's daughter, Patricia Kocourek, says the rent increase occurred in April 2026 and caught her mother by surprise, nearly doubling the restaurant's monthly costs. Despite being able to pay rent for April, the future remains uncertain as the family-owned business looks to sell the taqueria for $225,000 on Facebook Marketplace.

  • El Faro has been in the Mission District since 1961.
  • The rent increase occurred in April 2026.

The players

El Faro

A family-owned taqueria in San Francisco's Mission District that has been in business since 1961 and is known for its iconic super burrito.

Patricia Kocourek

The daughter of the family that owns El Faro, who says her mother was caught off guard by a 73% rent increase that is now forcing the restaurant to consider selling.

Esther Harkreader

A longtime customer of El Faro who feels a deep connection to the restaurant and its owners, saying they have become like friends over the years.

Ce'Myah Bacchus

A student who attends a nearby school and is a regular customer at El Faro, appreciating the kindness of the owners who have given her discounts when she's been short on cash.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“To our surprise, it was almost a double raise, so it was like 73% increase after we did some math.”

— Patricia Kocourek, Daughter of El Faro's owners

“I don't even have to say anything. I just walk in and say, 'Hi.' And they say, 'How many?' And they make my food. They know me. They are good neighbors.”

— Esther Harkreader, Longtime El Faro customer

“I'm pretty sad, honestly, because it's been here for so long. The burritos are so great. And the people there are just so nice. Any time I don't have enough, they give me a discount.”

— Ce'Myah Bacchus, Student and El Faro customer

What’s next

El Faro's owners are continuing to list the restaurant for sale on Facebook Marketplace, hoping to find a buyer before they are forced to close the longstanding taqueria.

The takeaway

The potential closure of El Faro, a beloved community institution, underscores the broader challenges facing small businesses in San Francisco as rising rents and a booming economy threaten to displace longstanding local establishments that have served as anchors for their neighborhoods.