La Tapatia Mexicatessen

La Tapatia has been a neighborhood staple for decades and I remember how my parents would pick up one of their big burritos for dinner, which was such a treat!

I have to say even all these years later the quality and the service are still really amazing. You can feel the strong sense of family when you go inside and walk down through the aisles of this small market to find all the great Mexican treats and ingredients, from fresh salsas to spices to tortilla chips ( pro tip...get the blue corn tortilla chips with guac). You'll get and find it all in one place. I personally love their guacamole. It's so fresh with just a little kick of spice...but the reason why I come here is their Chicharrón botanero - they come in bags that range in price (about $6.50 each bag and that's about half a pound) They are so great and crispy and not too salty. Seems to stay fresh for a long time as well. Really great with your guacamole or a little spicy vinegar.

They also have a variety of other things, such as tacos, both fried and not fried, tostadas, Mexican sodas, and so many other things on the menu. You can even get cotija cheese and all the things that you would expect from a great delicatessen. The space feels like you've walked into a traditional market run by family and you feel like family coming inside.

Parking in downtown SSF is either metered or street parking but generally speaking pretty easy to find. This is a great local spot to support am so glad that it's still thriving and doing so well after all these years because the quality of the items that they sell are just so worth it.

Day Visited: Saturday at 9 AM
Price Range: $11-$13
Parking: Metered parking
Ordered: Al Pastor Super Breakfast Burrito

TLDR: Once you wake up, grab your keys, wallet, bike, small child or small dog, and bring yourself here for some great Mexican food.

In Mexican Markets across the border, one of the best things you can wake up to is the smell of amazing spices, stewed meats, fresh beans, and tortillas warming up. If you look up, you'll realize you're not standing in a market in Mexico, but actually La Tapatia here in SSF, ordering authentic Mexican Food from the counter where display cases full of guisados(Mexican stews), frijoles de la olla (fresh pot of beans), frijoles refritos (refried beans), and other fresh salsas are staring back at you and inviting you to order the entire menu.

When you walk in, your nose is welcomed the same way my grandma did growing up when I entered her house: a warm hug(and some amazing food to follow). You immediately see the different cold cases holding various meats and cheeses, followed by the hot food station where the magic happens. The ambiance is inviting, with a sense of urgency. Those who have been here already understand it's a regulars place: somewhere the people go.

We ordered the pastor super burrito for breakfast and when I tell you it was done in under 6 minutes, I wish I was joking. In the time it takes you to pull your wallet out to stand in line, the burrito is on the counter getting filled with fresh beans of your choice, lettuce, tomato salsa, fresh salsa, the pastor scramble that comes hot off the plancha, and wrapped expertly in a massive tortilla with tin foil(of course) and then placed in a bag where you hold it close like the long lost food baby you've been searching for your entire life.

As far as burritos go, it's perfect. Seasoned well, each item is individually prepared to the very best it can be done. The texture of the beans are flawless, the rice is not overdone or mushy, the scramble of pastor is seasoned just right, the avocado inside is great, and they don't overload it with sour cream to the point where you question your life choices. Speaking of life choices, let me help you make up yours: come here as soon as you can. You're welcome in advance.

This is a great spot to buy taqueria burritos, tacos and more. It's a small deli and grocery store. I go to this store for their take out or for items to make my own Mexican meal.

I stopped in today for their carnitas by the pound, creama, and avocados to make my own carnitas fries. They have all kinds of premade guacamole, salsa, cheese, tortillas, and everything you need.

It's been a while since I last went to La Tapatia, found myself in the area, and grabbed a quick bite.

As a burrito lover, I knew a super burrito was in my future. I wanted to try something new so I went with the chicharron en salsa because it looked hella good from the glass. I got in line and I was outta there in under 10 minutes and the burrito was around $14.

This thing was massive! It was honestly probably big enough for two meals. The meat was hella juicy with a few hella crispy bites of that chicharron. The pico de gallo and guacamole was so fresh tasting, and you can tell by the fresh flavor.

I made the mistake of eating it in my car and not grabbing enough napkins . It was so massive the tortilla busted, so burrito spilled all over my car and sweatshirt lol ... no biggie though, I wrapped it back up, and ate the rest at home. I think a tighter roll of the burrito would help bc it didn't hold it shapes. Lesson learned, just eat it at home lol

Overall, La Tapatia is one of the OG burrito spots. A quintessential place to visit for burritos on the Peninsula. Will definitely be back

I think I found my new go-to spot for authentic mexican eats and groceries and catering. I'm actually astonished that I passed by this gem my entire life. Street parking might be tricky depending on the time of day. There is also the Miller Ave Garage if you are willing to walk 2-3 blocks.

Everyone moves FAST in this little storefront. Next time I'll be sure to look up up the menu before entering and stepping in line. Too much pressure! I really like their homemade chips/guac/salsa. Amazing deal and freshly made.

Super Burrito w/ Chile Colorado ($12.95) - MASSIVE burrito the size of my entire arm. Half a burrito was already filling. Downside was the huge chunks of beef was very dry. Will have to try something else next time.

Chile Relleno ($4.75) - First time trying this and I enjoyed it. Cheese was just a bit too thick for me. You can order it a la carte or in the burrito!

It lacked flavor. I got the el pastor super burrito. First couple bites was good then it just went dry. Service was great, I'll give them that. You have to ask for sauce to go. Horchata wasn't that flavorful neither. It's located in a market so it can get super busy. I would give it another try but only if I'm in the area.

To the person saying food poisoning and avoid this place, I guarantee that was self caused stop being a baby. This place is one of the best AUTHENTIC Mexican places I have ever been to, I don't understand one word of Spanish, this will not be a problem entering here!! Staff is super friendly and have literally so many people staffed each day. Every day this place gets packed from start to end of day, the mini tacos are one of my favorite items as well as the carnitas and carne asada burrito. Only place I order my burritos and tacos from. You will not get food poison here.... Lmfao. THE ONLY THING that sucks is the paid parking!!! But hey that's the city for you.. spend a few quarters that you find around you're house, park you're car and have a amazing breakfast/lunch/dinner, and yes they do breakfast burritos (never had but heard amazing things)

Pretty solid supermarket / tacqueria. A friend recommended the place to me and I stopped by for a burrito and some tamales. They have a bunch of stuff for sale like tortillas, drinks, snacks, produce, etc.

Tamale had great flavor and I will definitely go back for it.

Burrito was huge and overall pretty good, I think you could easily split the super here or if you are really hungry you should be good. Carne Asada was fairly standard but I also tried the chorizo which I thought was really good.

Metered parking all along grand which usually isn't too bad.

Staff were friendly and overall this is a place I will go back to if I am in the area.

Also, it feels similar to La Palma in San Francisco if you are familiar but they are open a lot later.

Best in all of San Francisco, looking for authentic tacos and delicious burritos this is the place to go! It's always hard to find places that have Buche and the fact that La Tapatia provides Buche as a meat choice is phenomenal. Absolutely beyond satisfied I recommend to all!

Great for a Mexican grocery; good as a restaurant. I get my fresh tortillas here, along with beans, chilis, spices, and bulk cooked meats.

Get a big chunk of carnitas to bring home and make your own tacos! I wasn't super impressed by their burrito, but I think I just didn't order right. I was much happier bringing home their chicharron to snack on.