Got here at 8 pm on a random Sunday and it was super packed. Not easy to get a table here, but it's Mexican food, so eat it anywhere. Heard good things about this place from friends. Pretty big menu, if you're in the mood for Mexican this place got you covered. I ordered the birria tacos, and to be honest, best tacos I've had in a while -- and I've lived in San Diego and frequented Mexico for food, so I feel like I got a good grasp on quality tacos. A definite recommend. read more

See all

Review #1,092 Posted on 7.23.26 We stopped in here on a whim last Saturday the 18th. I found this spot on Yelp after the 1st place we wanted to go to for lunch had a line about a block long. This spot had super good ratings and was also close by. We were so happy we ended up here. There was a few places left to sit inside, and the World Cup semi finals were on too, a good game 6-4 England over France. The cooks were going crazy in the back when goals were scored, it was a fun dining experience. The food here was excellent, the chips were so fresh and crispy, salsa really good flavor and tasted great also. My chile verde was super tender and flavorful. I also tried my kids shrimp quesadilla, and it was great too. Food came out super fast and they still have people there to help you out with bringing the food out and take away dishes, etc. It's a order counter type, then you sit and wait for your food. Tips are in order here when you order as they do wait on you somewhat after you're sat. I would come back here 100% and recommend this spot for good Mexican food. read more

See all

Ok 30 dollars for two meals and it was so good!!! We watched Croatia lose against Portugal. They had tvs around the resturant and the ambience was good to watch the game! They brought chips and salsa to our tables. It was very clean!! So the birria burrito was really freaking good. I got the super which adds Guac and sour cream which I highly recommend. We also got the quesadilla carnitas which was mid but the awesome burrito made it good read more

Amazing amazing Amaaaazing! Probs number one in my line of go-to taco spots out of all in the Mission! Juicy, savory, flavorful, not greasy, perfect every time! Service is great - order at counter and take a number. The counter area gets pretty crowded so please be patient! read more

The Mission District in SF, is filled with tons of taquerias, and I would have no doubt that many of them are pretty tasty. Tacos El Patron is worth the effort to figure out where to park, etc. it's not quite a hole in the wall, but it definitely is on the smaller side, and we ended up getting food to go because it was just easier. The birria quesadilla was a total surprise. It was FILLED with a very generous amount of meat. The meat was tasty, lightly seasoned, and the portion truly is a shareable. We asked about the consommé and I don't know if they just forgot it or what happened but we never got to try it. The shrimp taco was tasty and absolutely filled with again generous amount of shrimps. Ironically, it wasn't my favorite. It just was lacking the level of flavor that I really wanted. The Carne Asada was mediocre at best and not something that I would order again. The winner out of the numerous items that we ordered was the pork belly and the Al pastor. Between the two, the Al pastor is the one that you want. Incredibly well seasoned, a nice hint of light spice, the meat was juicy and tender, and the combination in the taco was outstanding. Seriously so good that my mouth is watering just thinking about how tasty it was. The chips were nothing to write home about, and I didn't really care for salsas that came with the meal. Really reasonably priced, generous amount of food, and absolute worth the push in enjoying their food! Diners tip: there seems to be a description in cost between ordering online versus in the restaurant and you may get a better deal ordering online read more

See all

Cool vibes. Good grub. Solid value. Nice staff. Clean bathroom. Always a go to whether you're looking to eat in or do take out. Highly recommend. read more

See all

100% Popped into this spot for lunch, and woowee. This place is fire Had the fish taco and carinitas taco. Everything was super fresh, fish taco was massive. Really glad I came in to this spot a little before the lunch rush as it got packed fast The orange and creamy green salsa is must have if you like heat If you order 2 tacos, you can ask for the sides. You only get them if you ask!! Definitely returning for more in the future read more

Tacos El Patron - Fish and carinitas tacos - Tacos Near Me - San Francisco, California

Everything is so good starting for the welcoming very charming staff, easy to order affordable food and very tasty I recommend the shrimp patron taco with combination the quesabirria, "Mar y Tierra" and the nopales or refried beans, in my personal opinion all complete meal for a reasonable price. Thanks Tacos El Patrón. read more

Tacos El Patron - Tacos Near Me - San Francisco, California

Forget the long wait at La Taqueria, Tacos El Patron takes the cake for the best burrito in the Mission! Their super burrito is definitely a third of the size larger than certain competitors and it's filled with the same juicy, tender, and delicious burrito fillings. I particularly love the char and flavor of their Al Pastor! Their birria tacos are top notch as well. Flavorful consomé with tender meat! A must try. Love that there's plenty of seating inside this restaurant as well. This is the perfect place to kick your Mexican cuisine craving. read more

Tacos El Patron - Al Pastor Super Burrito - Tacos Near Me - San Francisco, California

Been here a few times already and I'm honestly hooked. Their birria menu is really good, especially the lengua birria. The meat is super tender and dipping the tacos into that flavorful broth is the best part. Ordering is easy and they bring the food right to your table, which makes the whole process pretty chill. I love bringing my friends there to pig out. The place itself is very clean, with plenty of tables inside. They have a self-serve water station, fresh drinks near the front, good salsa, and the tortilla chips are always warm and generous. I also love the location since it's right near Valencia Street. Super convenient with Grocery Outlet nearby, Mitchell's Ice Cream close by, Salvation Army for some thrifting, and good coffee spots in the area if you want to walk around after. read more

See all

Tacos El Patron is still my go-to spot for birria tacos in the city. Food: I first discovered birria tacos during the pandemic and went on a mission to find the best one. A coworker recommended this place, and now I recommend it to everyone. What stands out is the balance--everything is done well. The meat is rich and flavorful, the tacos themselves are just as good, and the consommé ties everything together perfectly. I've tried places where one part is strong but something else falls short, but not here. You also get free sides like onions, cactus, radish, and beans, which make the meal even better. I've been coming back ever since, and I can easily finish three tacos in one sitting. On my most recent visit, I had two birria tacos and tried their birria ramen. It was surprisingly good--comforting and flavorful, more like a homemade dish than anything instant. For drinks, I've tried all their jugos, and the jamaica is the standout--get it in a large. Service: Friendly, efficient, and straightforward. Orders come out at a good pace, and the staff keep things moving even when it's busy. Ambience: The space has a Frida Kahlo-inspired design, which adds character and makes it feel lively and unique. There's one restroom available. Parking: Parking can be a bit difficult in the area, so expect to walk a little--but it's worth it once you get your food. If you're serious about finding a really good birria taco, this is one to try. read more

See all

The food is pretty solid here. I like the salsas and the fact that you can get grilled onions on the side. The meat came out cold in my carne asada taco. And the vampiro was essentially a mini quesadilla..it was aitteee. Guac was point though! Refrescas were so good and love that there are many options. Overall yes I'd come back just would tweak my order a bit! read more

Tacos El Patron - Carne Asada taco and Shrimp Vampiro - Tacos Near Me - San Francisco, California

I was a bit skeptical about how good this taqueria could be after being disappointed at another SF place's burrito, but I tried to keep an open mind and was rewarded for it. Even though it was a random early Thursday evening, the place was already almost at full capacity with a line of people ordering for dining in and takeout; fortunately we were able to score a two-seater by the window. Just like other Mexican joints, this one offered your usuals - tacos, quesadillas, aguas frescas, etc. However, this one was full of windows and felt like a good touch of modern with light design choices that made it feel less hole in the wall without compromising on comfort. We went with birria tacos, as well as the patron taco (shrimp) and a tinga taco, and horchata. Chips and salsa, as usual, were free, and were delicious, as usual. As expected, the birria came with a delicious dipping consomme. The tacos were all packed to the brim with meat. The birria had great flavour and tenderness that bested the ones I've had at taco trucks back East, while the stewed chicken meat of the tinga was addicting; usually the meat is either too dry or doesn't soak up enough flavour, but the chicken was juicy and had been infused with the spices, tomato, and peppers well. The horchata was also not watered down and tasted like an abuelita hawker in CDMX made it. It was a bit embarrassing, but after a taco and a half, I was completely stuffed and my only regret was that I couldn't eat any more. read more

See all

Located in the Mission, Tacos El Patron is known for their birria tacos. I got their large Pineapple Aqua Fresca, a Tripa Taco, Lengua Taco, Birria Taco, and Taco Patron. My favorite is the Taco Patron with lots of shrimp. So good! Definitely get this! Second favorite is the Tripa taco. Crispy and delicious! The birria taco was good but not particularly special. I feel like this can be had in lots of places. The lengua taco is not really my taste, didn't like the texture. This is probably me and not them bc of my personal taste. The pineapple Aqua Fresca was good. Airy and comfortable space. Efficient service. Located on South Van Ness and 26th street. read more

See all

Another quest to fulfill D2's birria craving. I was surprised at how many things they make with birria. Very popular spot as we had to wait for a table to clear. We lucked out with parking though. Total taqueria vibes inside, minimal decor. I am on a vampiro quest and it was just okay to me. The el patron (shrimp taco) had too much cheese in it and not enough shrimp (it was more like a quesadilla than anything else), the vampiro wasn't very impressive either and the regular carnitas was also just okay to me. I think it's overhyped IMHO. I've had better. And I'm still not a fan of birria but it seems that's what you're supposed to order there. read more

See all

I really wanted to like this place, but aside from the chips, aguas frescas, and salsas, it was a disappointment. We ordered six tacos - two birria, one asada, one al pastor, one carnitas, and one taco patrón. Unfortunately, every taco lacked flavor. The consomé was rich and well-seasoned, but that flavor didn't carry over to the birria tacos themselves. The taco patrón was also overwhelmingly cheesy. Given the glowing reviews, the price, and the presentation, I expected much more. read more

Wow! This might be the home of the best quesa birria taco I have ever had. I went to this spot when doing a taco tour with the company that I work for. My companion and I didn't have any recommendation besides the birria which I took. I also got the crispy pork belly taco. The counter service was quick and no-nonsense. This doesn't mean they are rude but it does mean just order your food and get on with it. We ate at the restaurant and they dropped chips and salsa at the table. A wonderful touch and they were very good. The birria was exquisite. The meat was tender, juicy, and flavorful. The consume was amazing and added to the birria taco without overpowering it. The tortilla was properly griddled and made for an easy and excellent bite. Now, the birria might be the star here but I think the crispy pork belly taco is a must if you visit here. Literally the best pork belly I have ever tasted. It tasted like how I have wanted ever chicharrones taco I have ever had. I will miss that taco. I got a Modelo to drink and it was the perfect compliment. read more

Tacos El Patron - Quesabirria and Pork Belly taco - Tacos Near Me - San Francisco, California

I first learned about birria tacos several years ago. How had not known about it before was a mystery. Sadly, the taco joint that I frequented closed down and my world collapsed. Years later, I changed jobs and discovered Tacos El Patron from my boss. My world blossomed. It was even within walking distance of my office. I actually ran there, tripped over a bump in the sidewalk, fell and had a homeless guy laugh at me. j/k. Their tacos are heaven in a take out box. The meat was so tender, so flavorful...so...heavenly. A squeeze of lime and a dip in the au jus(?) and I am thinking TEP will be my Go-To taqueria during the work week. I could eat tacos for breakfast. Check the pic: read more

Tacos El Patron - Tacos Near Me - San Francisco, California

Tacos El Patrón in the Mission is a banging neighborhood joint that absolutely hits every time I go there. Their menu apparently has items besides tacos but why would I stray from what works? While everything I've tried has been delicious, two items have firmly become my go-to's. The quesabirria is so deep in flavor. with the cheese being so ooey gooey, the birria meat so juicy and the crispy, griddled tortilla the perfect vehicle to dunk the whole package into their intensely rich consommé (pro-tip: throw all of your remaining tortilla chip scraps into the leftover consommé at the end of your meal. You're welcome). The namesake taco is one of my other favorites: shrimp with cheese, guac, and pico, all piled together into a glorious, delicious mess that is so satisfying but weirdly also feels a bit healthier? Those in the know always ask for all of the free sides as they are delicious and pair so nicely with the rest of the meal and then wash everything down with an ice cold fresca. The jamaica and horchata are my usual jams, and both pair perfectly with the richness of the tacos and heat from the salsas. Every meal starts with a piping hot basket of tortilla chips and red salsa, plus access to 4 different house made salsas. The habanero one is especially delicious, but be warned that it can have a kick! The staff are super friendly, quick, and provide great service and between the amazing tacos, the killer salsas, and the laid-back, neighborhood vibe, Tacos El Patrón is a staple for taqueria style food in the Mission. read more

Recently visited this restaurant in sf and was delightfully surprised by their quick online ordering service and pickup time. The food itself was good according to my companions but unfortunately I ordered a vegetarian burrito that ended up having chicken in it so I was unable to eat. In the future I look forward to trying this spot again and the food did look very pleasant. read more

Tacos El Patron - Birria Taco, Vegetariano Burrito - Tacos Near Me - San Francisco, California

Been frequenting this spot for a few years now which makes this review long overdue! Inside is bright and well decorated. For dining in, you order at the front (don't forget to order your free side if you order 2+ tacos!) and choose a seat. Your food gets delivered to your table. They serve complementary chips and salsa. On top of that, they also provide you with 4 different sauces to enjoy your food with. The avocado lime crema is immaculate. Perfect blend of tangy and creamy, and helps to cut through some of the oiliness of the food. I'd definitely say that their most popular dish are their birria tacos and for good reason: They're seriously so bomb. Super savory and the overall taco from the beef down to the tortilla is so flavorful. The beef itself is also incredibly tender and juicy. And don't get me started on their consommé. I can drink that stuff like water. While we're on the topic of drinking, I've also had their horchata and agua frescas. Their horchata is yummy, although a little grainy. The agua frescas are fruity and refreshing. Strawberry is my favorite. Prices are a little steeper compared to other taquerias (1 for $5.75). BUT they stuff each taco to its absolute limit to the point where they have to use two tortillas per taco just to hold everything together. All that being said, I try to come by on Tuesdays to get their $1 off discount per taco, which is basically the equivalent of getting free cheese on each! One day, I'll try their other menu items, but for now, I'm perfectly fine staying a creature of habit and continuing to order their quesabirria. read more

Tacos El Patron - Birria Tacos - Tacos Near Me - San Francisco, California

We were visiting from out of state and this was our first bite when getting there. Ordered over the phone and got it quite quickly, the workers were also super nice! We got two carne asada super burritos, they were very reasonably priced for SF and pretty big as well. It was also really a nice surprise that you get fresh tortilla chips with the burrito, and the salsa from the salsa bar was really delicious as well. My only qualm with this burrito is that it was very oily all over, not sure why. Would love to come back and try their quesabirria and nopales, though, looks delish!! read more

The best birria tacos I've ever had! The tacos were absolutely delicious--full of flavor, fresh, and cooked to perfection. The customer service was outstanding, too. Everyone was friendly, welcoming, and made us feel right at home. I highly recommend this place if you're craving amazing birria tacos and excellent service! read more

Came here when the line at La Taqueria was way too long. Birria tacos are excellent, carne asada burrito is solid but doesn't compare to LT. Only disappointment was coming home to see they forgot my side of guacamole in my takeout order. read more

The food was delicious! The line was out the door, but, it moved quickly. Seating is limited. Bathroom was clean. Customer service was friendly! read more

See all

Easily one of the worst customer service experiences I've had in recent memory. I asked for the free sides that come with 2+ tacos (as listed on their menu), and instead of simply clarifying, the person working the register on Thursday night immediately raised his voice and repeated, "WHICH SIDES?" as if I was inconveniencing him for ordering. It caught me off guard until my wife stepped in and clarified "all sides." I used to come here regularly 2-3 years ago, when all four sides were included as a combo set. I understand now that I should've specified each side, but the reaction was still unnecessarily aggressive. I then ordered additional tacos "patron style" per their menu. Rather than simply correcting me, he abruptly responded that it only applies to certain tacos. That wasn't entirely clear at first glance, but apparently asking a question is enough to set him off. Even the people next to us looked puzzled. I get that customers can be confusing sometimes, but nothing about this interaction justified that level of hostility. I wasn't being demanding. It felt more like being talked down to than being helped. Food still tastes good, but portions have gotten noticeably smaller. Between that and the rude service, it's not surprising this place doesn't get the same hype it used to. read more

Tacos El Patron - Tacos Near Me - San Francisco, California

Food here is very tasty and good quality. Got vanpiro, norteño, birria and taco de pescado. All very good in flavor just thought the birria was a little underwhelming. Staff were super kind and the place had a cool hip vibe to it. I understand prices are high in the city but I thought for Mexican food it was a bit steep. Makes sense though it was good food read more

See all

The food is decent. I ordered twice on the phone. They missed my order twice. It's so sad because they're normally very good. The shrimps are very, very, very small barely any shrimp and this is the second time they forgot my Horchata. I highly recommend you go do an order in person rather than order on the phone or any food delivery you're 1000% gonna miss a lot of items. They're a little Bay shrimps like literally shrimps that go on a salad and you pay a lot of money thinking that you get a decent size of shrimp. I'm so disappointed. The staff is sometimes nice and sometimes rude as well. It's crazy because the food is so good but the service is what gets you read more

Had a chance to try Tacos El Patron today when in the Mission area. If you are looking for a popular and authentic Mexican place in SF, this is a good place. This spot is also very popular for Birria tacos. The service here was pretty fast and ambiance is on the more casual side. For food we ordered: * Birria taco - juicy and cheesy but went really well with the consome. They did not skimp on the meat thats for sure * Fish taco - this was actually delicious but very filled up which I did love even though it was a little hard to eat. The fish is perfectly crispy and the sauce on top was divine *al pastor taco - I loved this one thoroughly, the meat was very well marinated and very juicy. Every bite was delish *Carne asada taco - very yummy and fully of meat I really liked this one too Overall, had a really nice experience and really enjoyed the complimentary chips this came with. The salsas here were also very yummy! read more

See all

the birra tacos were so good but i ordered 2 orders of birra tacos and they only gave me one order. considering the high rating I wouldn't think that they would mess up my order. when i opened the lid i was disappointed that they forgot. read more

Tacos El Patron - Birria Taco - Tacos Near Me - San Francisco, California

Jaimaica not too sweet, wish the pastor super burrito had a little more pastor, but super flavorful. Good selection of sauces and the pico was very flavorful. Nice vibes inside, authentic. read more

Tacos El Patron - Tacos Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

I got the Birria Taco (with cheese) & the Taco Patron (shrimp). The Birria taco was really, really good. The Patron wasn't nearly as good. The Birria is absolutely stuffed with meat. I also liked the free refried beans, grilled onions, chips and salsa. The chips tasted really fresh. I liked the pico de gallo salsa and the green avocado salsa. It is a bit strange that if you order four tacos, you get exactly as much chips & free sides as if you ordered two tacos. Next time, I'm just going to get two Birria tacos! Service was super fast. Got our food in less than 10 minutes. read more

I literally have nothing bad to say about Tacos El Patron. This is by far one of my favorite places in the city to grab birria tacos, and honestly, I probably think about it once a week. Whenever my friends come to visit from out of town, this is one of my go-to spots to take them. While the birria taco is definitely my favorite item on the menu, their fish tacos are also very, very good. The portions are generous, and I always leave happy. Also, shoutout to their habanero sauce, it's soooo spicy, but it's one of the reasons why I keep coming back. If you haven't been here already, I'd highly recommend giving it a go! read more

Tacos El Patron - Tacos Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

My friend has never tried birria before so we decided to grab dinner here. You order at the counter and they give you a table number, and the food comes out fairly quick. They have a lot on the menu, so there is a little bit of everything for everyone. What I love about this place is their free sides! You have to ask for them when you place your order, so make sure to ask for all of them to maximize your value. They also gave us complimentary chips and salsa for the table. What we ordered: *Quesabirria: 8/10. So yummy! I'm glad we tried it here because the meat is sooo juicy and full of flavor. Better than the ones I've had before and not as greasy or heavy. *Lengua: 10/10. The meat is insane, extremely tender and delicious. Literally melt-in-your mouth and one of the best I've had. This is a must try! *Al pastor: 6/10. It was just okay, nothing special but I'm also not a huge fan of al pastor. *Baja fish: 5/10. I usually love fried fish tacos but this was surprisingly our least favorite. The sauce that was drizzled on top was a little too much, making it soggy that the fish batter was falling apart. *Taco patron: 9/10. Another fave! Shrimp was fresh and loved the guacamole it came with. Portions are big and they do not skimp out on the meat. Would come back again when I'm craving delicious and authentic Mexican food. read more

Tacos El Patron - Tacos Near Me - San Francisco, California

We slid up to the bay from Long Beach & this food was on point! I figured it would be good by the line of folks. Never had up north Mexican food but it's very similar to Mexican down in southern Cali. They had a couple items w the Norteno twist which were fire !! I love lengua & it was so tender & seasoned!! Refried beans had much flavor. Only thing lacking was their sauces in the bottles. Need some tweaking.... But their chips & salsa was fire! Great job! I'd definitely slide back on the next trip. read more

Their tacos are really good. Definitely liked their birria tacos here! It's clean and plenty of seating. It's fast casual but they help you clear your tables. Would come back. read more

Tacos El Patron - Tacos Near Me - San Francisco, California

Open till 10pm! When you're looking for a late night eat. How did I not know about this place before? Large Birria menu with Birria made many different ways, whatever you're craving for. There's Birria tacos, tamales (which was great!), ramen, nachos, list goes on. Birria tacos seem to be most popular item Quesabirria was cheesy and crispy outside, comes with the Birria sauce in a little bowl on the side. Tacos: shrimp was tasty. Appreciated Fish taco was LOADED with sauce, veggies, and a large piece of fried fish though I would order something else next time to try more stuff Hands got so messy eating all this (not a bad thing), sauce all over. That's why there's a cup of napkins on your table Chips come with 4 sauces. Green sauce is delicious. Careful the orange one is spicy! Service was kind and someone walking around collecting dishes, refilling water read more

See all

I had this location on my list of must tries for awhile. And was finally able to try it out today. the parking in the area is really tough to find. We had to double park to offer quickly. Luckily there was a line but something we were able to manage. I has asked for a shrimp taco with grilled onions and grilled peppers but the cashier kept saying el patron. But kept repeating the order of Shrimp taco with grilled onion and grilled peppers, 1bairria taco, 1 pastor super burrito, and 1pastor taco. After repeating the order back to me and me making the corrections. The order was still wrong. When we got home to eat the shrimp taco became a veggie burrito. Such a shame. I was looking to grow different types of meat . The sauce bar had a variety of options. My favorite one was the orange one. The containers are a bit small so I had to fill up and waste a lot of the plastic containers. I would like to go back one day and hopefully my orders will be correct. read more

Taco Tuesday at Tacos El Patron is worth it every time! We came hungry and left full. Love the complimentary chips and dip. They pack the tacos and don't skimp on anything here. Truly a hidden gem in the city. read more

Tacos El Patron - Taco de Pescado/ Fish Taco Asada Taco/ Steak - Tacos Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great food and salsa with good service in a classic SF location. Worth trying in my opinion.