El Farolito

El Farolito, at 2779 Mission Street in San Francisco's Mission District, is the neighborhood's best-known late-night taqueria. It serves Mexican-American Mission-style food in an uncomplicated counter format, and its reputation comes from scale and hours rather than chef pedigree: the foil-wrapped super burritos are large, packed with meat, rice, beans, cheese, salsa and sour cream, and the kitchen stays open until roughly 1:45 to 3:00 AM depending on the day. The signature order is the super burrito with carne asada, though carnitas tacos and the quesadilla suiza, a large griddled quesadilla, are also staples. The room is bright, busy and noisy, with counter ordering, a steam-table line of meats and a rotating mix of locals, students, shift workers and visitors out after concerts and bars. There is no dress code and no table service in the traditional sense; food arrives in foil or on paper plates. The drinks list is simple, centred on sodas and aguas frescas, with no wine programme. Reservations are not available, because the model is walk-up service, and the only real planning question is when to go. Late evening and after-bar hours are the busiest, so the line can be long on Friday and Saturday nights, while weekday afternoons are calmer. Cash is accepted and an ATM is available inside, which suits visitors who arrive without cash. Prices are low, at roughly $10 to $16 per person, and portions are generous enough that many diners split orders or save half for later. The restaurant sits a short distance from the 24th Street Mission BART station, making it an easy stop after an evening in the Mission, and it pairs naturally with a daytime visit to La Taqueria for visitors comparing the neighborhood's two best-known burrito styles. Travelers should note that this is a local-feeling, high-turnover room, so patience at the counter is part of the experience.