La Taqueria Is Proof That San Francisco Has Better Burritos Than L.A. - Dining on a Dime

This week, Dining on a Dime host Lucas Peterson continues this season of culinary exploration of San Francisco with the Mission-style burrito. It’s not what you might think, though: What La Taqueria (voted best burrito in the country by FiveThirtyEight) does is, rather, a classic riff on an the Mission-style burrito. Owner Miguel Jara dispenses with the overstuffed-with-rice classic in favor of a pared-down version: meat, pinto beans, avocado, and salsa. The restaurant also specializes in tacos and quesadillas, and has incredible homemade hot sauces.
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[@alexjames6991]

if he got stoned before doing this show it would be on vice by now

[@lucaskwanpeterson2010]

Alex James 🤔

[@HarperNguyen]

Alex James What's to say he isn't stoned already? 🤔

[@chuckaholicpunk]

Lucas Peterson ❤️

[@lerryocean]

I'm stoned

[@leolldankology]

Wavy Woodard stoned I'm

[@andresbrambila4268]

People fighting and comparing best burritos and tacos around California, but one thing we Californians can ALL agree on is, we have better Mexican food than Texas..

[@papamilfz1565]

Andres Brambila Every state has its' strengths and weaknesses. Texas is king of bbq

[@elgallonegrotv6003]

Andres Brambila Yes, I can’t stand flor tortillas.

[@d.lawrence5670]

@@papamilfz1565, also heard Texas is king of barbecue brisket and pecan pie

[@iamthelaw82]

not me. mexican food in el paso or tuscon beats the crap out of anything in the bay area.

[@felixxdenolo6793]

Ha ha ha no way bro

[@Jay-qh6uv]

Lucas is the anti-Guy Fieri. He puts people at ease and they love talking to him. He's not loud, instead he's actually funny. He's nice and respectful. When he eats food he actually analyzes and talks about and appreciates it, instead of faking an orgasm. I love you, Lucas.

[@konalily]

that was well said!!!

[@Diego-rm3yt]

That annoys me. Ppl like Guy Fieri and others always act like that first bite is amazing and not like anything they've had before. It's like come on now. It can't ALWAYS be "amazing" lol

[@llama2.091]

I'm a native San Franciscan and my favorite spot is LA Corneta Taqueria ... Don't miss out !! 😍

[@diego4376]

Cece Celeb its so good!!! Their crispy tacos and burrito mojado is the best!

[@diego4376]

So underrated

[@ImBooblehead]

On mission yes but everyone that's not white hates Glenn Park 😂

[@KimyonaShicksal]

I noticed your usual "walking casually into the store" got smoother, you're getting more confident and better as a presenter Lucas! Keep up the good work!

[@samsports92]

When I went I was (and still am) jealous of the guy near the register who cuts all that beautiful asada. What a dream. Such a great joint!

[@sarcasticsasquatch]

This is the series I always come back to. Ultimate comfort food. I hope Lucas is a rich, and happy man these days. What a fantastic series and one of the best personalities online. Dining on a dime is something special.

[@michellepark2040]

Love your show and how down to earth you are, Luca! No gimmicks, scripted lines, over-the-top-jokes...just the truth. Reminds me of one of my favorite C.S. Lewis quotes: "Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it." Cheers!

[@MrPritchar]

KZbin is so full of youtube reviewers going crazily over the top, its nice to see a host with genuine personality and humour who doesnt feel the need to act up

[@leorickt.9604]

this was a fantastic episode. Great explanation and break down of the food. Top notch food repoting. Nice change from munchies.

[@sbalchan]

Miguel Jara is a rockstar!!!! Thanks for highlighting the fascinating people behind awesome food Lucas!

[@lucaskwanpeterson2010]

Stephanie Balchan ty for watching 😘

[@sinacal]

The Super crispy Taco is the best thing to get at La Taqueria....

[@49erMinded]

I lived in Southern California for two years. I never had Mexican food that tasted as good as what I can find in the Mission.

[@AceAchillez]

They should've gone to El Faroito on Mission street.

[@chicagocurly]

Naturally I subscribe for Lucas (Hotty McHotty), but it's wonderful to hear the backstory of these Mom & Pop restaurants directly from the owners! Keep up the great work +Eater (and Lucas)

[@mangols12]

Burrito w/ Beans>>> Burrito w/ Rice.. Facts!

[@Yungdil]

mangols12 burrito with neither rice or beans >

[@dchen2140]

California burrito all the way.

[@solidkingcobra]

Quesadilla w/o tortillas = just cheese.

[@henryjw15]

Heat up flour tortillas and spread butter. Want dessert? Repeat the steps and then add honey.

[@elsalisa146]

Thanks for the great video! Miss the food from the Mission desperately.

[@LegendoftheGalacticHero]

I subscribed long ago. Eater. +Lucas Peterson is your jewel. Take good care of him

[@azshall]

Taqueria Guadalajara on 3146 24th St. in the mission is hands down, the best burrito in SF. La Taqueria is good, but god damn Guadalajara is something to behold.

[@majornewb]

One can argue that Farolito's on 24th and Mission is the best

[@azshall]

majornewb farolito and Cancun are on par with each other. Farolito is awesome for the after hours burrito but not better than Guadalajara :)

[@9KapCity1KlapCity6]

Taqueria La Morena in South city is better than any spot in the mission

[@t-diddy1268]

@@majornewb this 100%

[@MorningWoood]

Normally when someone tells me to subscribe I just disregard it. But when Lucas told me to, I double checked and was surprised I wasn't already. I guess I watch him so much that it's always in my feed anyways. Anywho, subscribed.

[@alexhernandez49]

My parents used to take us there to eat. Love La Taqueria!

[@allenwaddell556]

I ate at his store in San Jose before the city lost its mind and replaced him with a damn Carl's Jr. He makes the best tacos, burritos, and quesadillas I've ever eaten and heaven knows I've eaten quite a few! If you're in San Francisco you owe it to yourself to visit La Taqueria.

[@MegaLaidback]

All these food spots have unique and diverse stories behind them.

[@ImBooblehead]

I respect this title SO MUCH. La Taqueria is the spirit of Mission Style burrito. To compare it to LA style burritos is apples to oranges, like comparing a New York Slice to Sicilian. I've tried almost every SF burrito and La Taqueria is the best first bite you'll find.

[@MartinME3]

Grew up in Sonora Mexico. Arguably the birthplace of the burrito. Been in Cal for 15 years now and for the life of me I cannot understand rice in a burrito. This is THE first time I see a real burrito around here. Respect. Also..... most places i go to give you the tortilla cold.... or even raw.... (DO NOT GO TO WAHOO TACOS tortilla there is not even cooked i do not understand their star rating).... Tortilla is always always always cooked, and most definitely a bit grilled. So yea Double respect. Sonora Town in LA is a competing place BTW.....

[@RyRy2057]

totally, it's like serving bread untoasted!

[@achtungvolk7807]

Born in NYC, raised in AZ, lived in N. County SD for the past 4 years. Between LA, SF, and SD, If we are talking taco shops(a term inclusive of burritos), It’s not even close. SD is the best. I went to this spot in SF last year. yes it’s very good, But SD has 5 of these every 2 blinks as you drive along, and for far less. I’ve heard there are far better burritos in SF than this place, so I’ll have to do more research. Props to Lucas. The other guy is straight buzzfeed cancer with his Photos and excessive observations/lectures of food to amazing chefs

[@Diego-rm3yt]

Ok but you're lying

[@PATRIIEENNG]

I did a marathon on dining on a dime because the first time i saw lucas i knew i wont get over him haha.

[@homemadeshenanigans]

Dude thanks for confidently describing the delicious food you make every Eater video the best to watch! This is what I want a yelp review in action man! Fuck tell the rest of your pals to take note!

[@NorthEast]

I just went from interested to starving!!! Yum

[@basharcali]

I lived in Southern California for two years and I couldn't find one Taqueria comparable to the avg places I'd eat at in the Bay Area. I wasn't even comparing them to the places in SF Mission. With that said everyone knows the SF Mission District has the BEST BURRITOS ON PLANET EARTH. You can't go wrong with the Taquerias in Mission but my favorite is EL FAROLITO

[@baf03]

You’re not going south enough 😂

[@basharcali]

@@baf03 I tried all kinds of spots in LA and Orange County. Mission District Taquerias destroy all of them

[@baf03]

@@basharcali again keep going more south haha. Southern California doesn’t end at Orange County

[@basharcali]

@@baf03 I've been to San Diego on multiple occasions. Which spots down there get national praise like the SF ones do?

[@baf03]

@@basharcali I would say Lucha Libre is the national representative for San Diego style Mexican food. Like you, everyone has their preference in terms of a spot. The point of this message is to not discredit Mission style Mexican food. The point was to agree that San Francisco and San Diego have better Mexican food than LA 😂😂

[@biffdinkley3870]

I want an episode with nothing but Mr. Jara telling his stories.

[@wildsprig]

La Taqueria is excellent, but my favorite Mission-style burrito is, hands down, El Farolito. No contest for me.

[@Galactusz007]

Nah. I prefer La Taqueria.

[@Tearyatobitz]

Everywhere I go I ask for burritos without rice. This guy gets it👏🏾

[@rauhaan.]

I love the way that guy talks haha literally made my day 😊

[@waxdec]

wow that food looks seriously amazing

[@Rrttttyyyyyy]

The further south you go the Mexican food get better just a fact of life .

[@dabig25]

Burritos in the Mission are RIDICULOUSLY expensive nowadays

[@bartonpercival2147]

For $8.95 you can get a super burrito at El Faro. Totally awesome!!!!!!!!!!🌯🌮

[@pinofro]

When it comes to Mexican food, LA is to San Diego what San Francisco is to San Jose. Next time you are in our area please hit up San Jose for Mexican food!!!

[@MultiKdizzle]

pinofro Preach

[@obijuankenobi420]

Bro.....San Jose is not even in the conversation. San Francisco or Oakland....thats it.

[@bartonpercival3216]

When in San Jose I usually go to Joe's of San Jose. Really good Italian food and great grilled over charcoal big burgers on sourdough rolls!!!! 👍

[@DessertGeek]

I'm still sad I had to skip going here when I was in town last! It looks like the best time ever. (Though yeah, now you need to figure out a way to properly compare LA versus SF with this title.)

[@linkinparkundrground]

Can't watch these videos without eating a meal at the same time or I just end up getting super hungry. But then I have the issue of my food being nowhere near as good, so I get depressed with my sad little grilled cheese. The struggle is real Lucas.

[@RyRy2057]

haha i feel you! I'm tryna research the burritos from my hometown just out of interest and man... it makes me wanna go to the local taqueria here in new orleans despite knowing it's not gonna be as good as back home. I hope you're doing well, I appreciate your comment!

[@umiluv]

NorCal has some of the best Mexican food I've ever had and I'm from LA. I lived up there for 5 years and moved back to LA and I still miss my spot - Freedom Burrito in San Jose. They barely spoke any English there. The best pozole and veggie burritos ever. Miss them so much!

[@chilangochongo6487]

I don't know you, but veggie burrito...? Tells me you already make bad decisions right there

[@Calzaghe83]

@@chilangochongo6487 Bay Area Mexican food is weak compared to So Cal. I don't even think it's close.

[@genuvive]

Love this spot!

[@stevethach3340]

Very good production!

[@InnerMagnetismEarth]

Lucas! GO to Oakland and eat at Tacos Mi Rancho truck. The al pastor burrito is the best burrito ever. La Taqueria and El Farolito in SF are alright... but grabbing that burrito and sitting by Lake Merritt is the ultimate bay area goodness. Miss that mucho.

[@willcru3rds]

If you are ever in the Inland Empire Try Los Altos in San Bernardino Or Acevedos on Slover And Live Oak

[@cyrilgomez]

You have such a warm personality .. all round nice guy Lucas

[@Char12403]

I love rice in my burritos :(

[@yanchentao988]

this guy is a legend in describing flavors

[@brozors]

SF can have their $12 burritos. I get the same thing in LA for less than half the price, double meat option for two bucks more.

[@elchingon98734]

I dont know LA spots sell burgers hot dogs and pastrami at the same place they sell Mexican food. Cant trust it

[@jjisablizzard]

i subscribed when you actually asked me to cuz you were so sincere about it lol

[@Tzangas]

I love that place!!! It is really good!!!

[@elizabethwade9619]

in evey Eater video with Lucas I always look for the "Falls off the bone!" reference

[@makrandpai4552]

How stoned was Lucas when you filmed this. Love ya man :')

[@geralditobarbadechivo6046]

I'm from LA, lived in San Francisco, Castro district, for a couple years, and I won't argue. SF has better SF style burritos. That said, the quality and quantity of LA taquerias and other types of Mexican restaurants means that LA wins as far as Mexican food in general goes. LA probably has the biggest selection of Mexican food outside Mexico city. San Francisco has SF style burritos and some good taquerias. LA has basically anything you could want from Mexico. Mexicans from LA or that have lived in LA, please give examples of Mexican food that you craved but couldn't find in LA

[@oldaccount8478]

Geraldito Barba de Chivo SF Mexican food sucks! I’m from near LA and currently living in SF, Mexican food here isn’t good. LA wins by far. It isn’t even a competition, LA wins.

[@mobrien411]

@@@oldaccount8478 LA has much better Mexican food in general, but we're talking about burritos. And SF style mission are the best.

[@oldaccount8478]

@@mobrien411 I'll check them out for the burrito. But taco wise SF sucks lol. Went to several different locations and they are all missing a good amount of salt, and the salsas dont even get me started lol

[@HarZoiD]

You explained it perfectly. I'm a SoCal native who lived in the Bay Area for years. SF Mission burritos are definitely fire but its a certain style of burrito. East San Jose has the most authentic Mexican food in the Bay. In general Mexican food is better the more southern you go.

[@Diego-rm3yt]

​@@oldaccount8478 Who tf orders overrated tacos 💀

[@user-ob9hs2yf4z]

My mom grew up in San Diego for some part of her life and told me that San Diego has the best burritos and she has lived in san francisco for a little over 20 years.

[@kathrynnegrete6576]

Well, your mom is wrong.

[@obijuankenobi420]

@@kathrynnegrete6576 No she's not. Lived my whole life in the Bay Area.....San Diego Mexican food is next level.

[@californiamade5608]

San Diego burritos suck

[@SalsaSippin_]

The title is a joke. So cal doesnt water down the burritos with beans and rice. Nor cal doesnt even have the Machaca burrito.

[@Tloc103]

San Diego has the best Mexican food hands down.

[@Dwaynerade]

My favorite Bay Area burrito is from Tres Portrillos in Sunnyvale on N. Fair Oaks. Everything about it is delicious. Nothing fancy--just good burritos made with love.

[@davidrotoreuther5168]

Hi Lucas, Love your show, keep up the great work! Can I please ask what is the name of the song played in the opening, I love that tune! Thanks in advance :-)

[@eater]

The music is from a music licensing service called APM. The track is called "Fun Days" and the composers are Kyle Moorman and Skip Armstrong

[@davidrotoreuther5168]

Hi EATER: Thanks for your reply. Strange I can't find this song anywhere on youtube nor on the APM website. Any suggestions how to listen please? Thanks again, David.....

[@smallnumbers36]

I need more burritos in my life.

[@o67910]

My dad's family owns this place! Truly authentic, and the tacos are soooo good.

[@ImBooblehead]

Best burrito in SF and it's not even close!!! Really keen to hear any history between Faro and what we have today. Like is Gordos related to La Taqueria? In Philly, all those cheesesteak guys are family friends lolol

[@DANdelionsLife]

It's all about their tacos!

[@Proof-xw5ug]

His walk makes this show

[@daniellosangeles8304]

How can SF have better Mexican food when there’s only about .....5 Mexican people left in SF?

[@michaelvaladez6570]

I have been to this Taqureia years ago and its the bomb 💣 !!!!

[@s.c7105]

On the bucket list!!!!!

[@northstar6580]

Yummm looks good!!

[@itsMinuteMaid]

Go to any Chipotle, get the same ingredients inside, and ask them to grill it for you. Same shit.

[@deeztacos6336]

itsMinuteMaid chipotle is straight garbage. Their food is flavorless.

[@mykindoflibrarian]

Very Sonoran style. Reminds me of food here in SW Arizona (Not too far from Tijuana) except for grilling the burrito after it's wrapped.

[@SilverLakeify]

mykindoflibrarian yes! Arizona and San Diego have waaay better tacos and burritos than lots of these cities because we do meat Sonoran style, and nothing else compares. SF meat is nasty and their burritos taste like dumplings.

[@Diego-rm3yt]

​@@SilverLakeify Lmao yea right. SF is much better.

[@evergreenrodeo]

I've been subscribed to eater just because of you lucas

[@09mjeternity]

I went all three days I was in sf. Top 5 things I’ve ever tasted, hands down. (Although they never toasted my burrito 🤔)

[@stevencastro7505]

Lucas low key should have his own channel

[@I2each]

I picked Stop it, Lucas sarcastically. But actually don't stop keep on keeping on!!!

[@seiender19]

First, Nice, been waiting for this, lets eat some Burritos!

[@ajshehata]

cool

[@lucaskwanpeterson2010]

seiender19 let's doooooo it 😋😋😋

[@malikbronson1844]

Bay Area Got it Popping 👍 FACTS!!!

[@haneulj.skykim5830]

hi Luca, Go Bears! :)

[@lucaskwanpeterson2010]

Haneul Kim go bears!! 🐻🐻

[@MJDHX]

Daaah Bears! Have another Brat!

[@RayfilWong]

I'm a Cal Bear 🐻 foodie // ig asianfoodnerd

[@mobrien411]

I used to go there all the time in the late 70's through mid 80's. Born and raised in SF. This video might be what they are now, but not back then. They look half the size. Mine always came with rice and beans - maybe I ordered it that way. The tortilla steamers were different. Like many other mission style burrito places in SF. The key is to water down the sour cream and guacamole, add ingredients, wrap in foil then put it back in the steamer and "pump it" (that's the way they used to steam them) so all the flavors blended together into the tortilla. It became very popular back then. Not my favorite though. Just convenient. SF does have better burritos than L.A. where I've been living for 30 years but I'll have to try the SD burritos since others recommend them. But a burritio need to be steamed or its not Mission Style.

[@RyRy2057]

San Diego seems to have taken the Bay Area path with their huge burritos, and I respect it. I love Boyle Heights in LA don't get me wrong but I can't fathom serving burritos that are basically just some beans and stew and a lil cheese on a small tortilla!

[@mjwilliams7220]

Saw Lucas automatically LIIIIKKKEEEDDD !!!

[@beatrizfores]

requesting for dining on a dime international edition! lucas still as the host. natural lucas. Lol!

[@KH-yd2pu]

This where all the hipsters and tourists go. Way better burrito spots in the city, we just dont want to tell you where.

[@bartonpercival2147]

El Faro Super Burrito!!!!!!! 🌯

[@CianMcG16]

Alex Turner put one of these on the roof, apparently it got rave reviews

[@SpockBorg5]

I used to frequent this place, they make a great product. one question though, I know they don't put rice in their burritos, but will they add it if requested?

[@tsubakichan]

They don't make rice at all at La Taq, so no

[@justhan9630]

yeah lucas comeback!!!

[@jamilmereck]

i used to eat there with my mom as a child all the time...back then i hated it only becasue i'm super picky with meat in that it needs to be completely lean, no gristle, no fat, no tendon, etc....and my mom would always order me the carne asada, which is the type of meat most likely to have those things, so i would without fail get a nasty bite of tendon or whatever and it would ruin the meal for me...that peev sticks with me today and is rooted in memories of la taqueria...and to be fair, this problem would persist at ANY taqueria when i'd eat carne asada.....BUT in my adulthood, i realize that's just the asada...everything else? ROCKS!!!

[@Rerunwannabe]

In Arizona, when you order a carne asada burrito, you get a carne asada filled burrito. No beans or rice. Much better than Cali style.

[@angelderp6689]

Rerunwannabe thats not even a burrito it's just a taco over stuffed with carne asada

[@baf03]

San Diego does the same. Less is more!

[@Jc-jf9rz]

Im so happy we have one in turlock ca his daughter opened one u should visit it its off w main st in turlock ca

[@golu_badbola]

Noiice!!

[@ulywukills]

L.A known for Tacos though

[@j.b.5230]

I'd say San Diego for taco's.

[@eater]

Totally agree!

[@ULICKMYBUTCRACK]

LA street tacos, San Diego Burritos and Fish tacos

[@ByAnyMeans000]

You are sleeping on SF’s tacos.

[@FunyColors]

San Diego > Mission District (San Francisco) > Los Angeles > San Francisco

[@HotInTheCity]

Lucas, you missed out. You should have ordered the lengua taco, too. Theirs are awesome!

[@salvadorquincy4599]

I remember when I was a kid in Mexico, there was this burrito place in Zacatecas. Anyways, they kept their burritos simple with meat and beans and they were the most delicious burritos to date. I agree, the rice ruins the burrito.

[@henryjw15]

Sam herreria wait I thought burritos in Mexico was only in the north east and to be specific chihuahua

[@ericzepeda4378]

If you ever see lettuce or sour cream on a burrito RUN!

[@JellyOnDaToast]

You guys should come to Houston for Dining on a Dime. Lots of great and cheap restaurants

[@craigharrison1274]

Most alluring subscribe request I've ever heard.

[@russcat321]

wow this was literally just uploaded

[@bettergokarting]

What do you guys shoot on?

[@kashmirirose3733]

I was raised on Mission burritos and I got to say, that burritos from LA just don't take you all the way.

[@renegonzalez6306]

I've lived all over and i gotta say SF does have the best burritos, best burrito spot in SF is ZONA ROSA, my dad used to work there and make burritos for Carlos Santana.

[@majornewb]

The riceless burrito here is actually really good

[@seth817]

You should try los gallos taqueria in concord, CA really excellent.

[@jonharana]

As a San Diegan, I appreciate how this place doesn't use rice as a filler. Looks good- especially the carne asada. Burritos should just be meat, salsa and/or onions + cilantro, and guacamole tho (with the exception of San Diego's "California burrito" which is carne asada + fries + cheese).

[@iamthelaw82]

the place is ok for the bay area, but sucks in comparison to the rest of the state