Perfect for satisfying late night munchies or just chowing down whenever the craving for Mexican food on-the-go may hit, burritos are well-loved in the Bay Area. A countless number of taquerias serve up this inexpensive dish of grilled meat, beans and rice melded in perfect harmony with a variety of condiments inside a warm tortilla. And while San Francisco's Mission District may be home to some of the country’s best burritos, there are a great number of popular restaurants just south of the city serving up equally praise-worthy burritos. Whether you’re looking for perfectly cooked carne asada or a gargantuan burrito, this list features five favorite burrito spots south of San Francisco. In addition to these south of SF restaurants, be sure to check out this Bay Area Bite’s Burrito Guide for an extensive list of burrito spots across the Bay Area. If we missed your favorite, please be sure to share it in the comments.
Located in downtown San Jose among a number of other contenders for great burritos, Angelou’s Mexican Grill sets itself apart with their unique burrito creations and late night weekend hours. The small counter-service restaurant has a menu of standard taqueria fare and was recently crowned by locals as serving the best burrito in San Jose. Angelou’s most popular item is a creation typically found in Southern California taquerias. The California burrito replaces the traditional rice with crispy French fries and includes your choice of meat, cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, and lettuce all wrapped in a flour tortilla and finished on a flat top grill for a warm and crunchy shell. The result is a delicious, gut-busting combination of flavors and textures. To make things even better, Angelou’s offers two special hot sauces, a chile de arbol-style salsa, and a salsa verde to add a touch of spice and flavor to their already delicious burritos.
Angelou's Mexican Grill
21 N 2nd St. [Map]
San Jose, CA 95113
Ph: (408) 971-2287
Hours: Mon-Thu 9am- 10pm; Fri 9am-12am; Sat 11am-12am; Closed on Sunday
Facebook: Angelou’s Mexican Grill
Price Range: $ (entrees under $10)
While the original Taqueria La Cumbre is located in the Mission District of San Francisco, home to arguably the best burritos in the country, a second location in downtown San Mateo allows you to enjoy the Mission-style burrito without having to travel into the city for your burrito craving. Taqueria La Cumbre’s burritos have been featured on numerous food and travel programs and it is easy to see why. The grilled chicken fajita burritos are a must-have for any first visit. The sweet red bell peppers and caramelized onions are a delicious contrast to the bites of smoky chargrilled chicken. For vegetarian burrito enthusiasts, Taqueria La Cumbre has you covered. The fajita vegetable burrito is a delicious medley of sauteed bell peppers, zucchini, onions, carrots, and mushrooms, with cashews for tasty crunch. Also on the menu is a twist on the vegetarian fajita burrito with crunchy falafel mixed into the sauteed vegetable filling.
Taqueria La Cumbre
28 N B St. [Map]
San Mateo, CA 94401
Ph: (650) 344-8989
Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-9pm; Fri 11am-9:30pm; Sat 11am-9pm; Sun 11am-8:30pm
Facebook: Taqueria La Cumbre
Twitter: @TLaCumbre
Price Range: $ (entrees under $10)
A relative newcomer to the number of established Mexican restaurants in the area, Sancho’s Taqueria has quickly branched out to a number of San Francisco Peninsula locations including a mobile taco truck. The insides of the brick and mortar locations are painted in a combination of vibrant colors and decorated with Mexican folk art providing a festive backdrop while you enjoy the tasty food. Sancho’s is best known for their Baja-style fish tacos and sweet and savory carnitas burritos. The popular Baja fish tacos are also served as a tasty burrito with grilled or fried white fish, zesty pico de gallo, rice, beans and a sweet and smoky chipotle mayonnaise.
Sancho's Taqueria
491 Lytton Ave. [Map]
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Ph: (650) 322-8226
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:30am-9pm; Closed on Sunday
Facebook: Sancho’s Taqueria
Price Range: $ (entrees under $10)
(Jeff Cianci)
A longtime favorite in Mountain View, La Costena Mexican Grill began as a small counter within a Mexican grocery store. The taqueria now operates in a brick-and-mortar location where they build custom burritos from an extensive menu. First-time visitors may be overwhelmed by the number of meat options presented to them but can take comfort in knowing whether they opt for, the sweet and spicy chicken mole or the tender and juicy carne asada, they’ve made a winning choice. La Costena also offers their burritos is several different sizes: chico, regular and super. What La Costena considers a regular burrito is quite hefty compared to the standard burrito and the next size up is a massive super burrito prepared from two large tortillas layered end-to-end. Perhaps it’s no surprise that La Costena broke the Guinness World Record in 1997 for the world’s largest burrito.
La Costena Mexican Grill
235 E Middlefield Rd #1a [Map]
Mountain View, CA 94043
Ph: (650) 967-0507
Hours: Mon-Sun 8am-10pm
Facebook: La Costena
Twitter: @LaCostenaCA
Price Range: $ (entrees under $10)
Taqueria Eduardo, a quaint taqueria tucked in the corner of an unassuming shopping center is the spot to enjoy large, inexpensive burritos and other Mexican specialties. The location has only a handful of tables since the open kitchen takes up the majority of the interior space. Yet, don’t let the small casual environment deter you from enjoying some of the best carne asada around. Shaved thin and caramelized on a hot flat top grill, the tender and savory steak melts in your mouth while ample dollops of guacamole and sour cream add a creamy and cool contrast to the spiced beef. If you’d rather just enjoy a tasty and hearty serving of rice and beans in your burrito, the massive super vegetarian burrito with generous portions of guacamole, rice, and beans, is a great value.
Taqueria Eduardo
3123 Williamsburg Dr. [Map]
San Jose, CA 95117
Ph: (408) 374-9764
Hours: Mon-Sun 9am-11pm
Facebook: Taqueria Eduardo
Price Range: $ (entrees under $10)
More South Bay Burrito and Mexican Food Options from Bay Area Bites
- Iguana's (San Jose): Home to the famous "burritozilla," Iguana's was featured on Travel Channel's Man v. Food for its five-pound monster burrito. Can you take it down? Or, if you'd rather a more reasonable sized meal, the family recipe al pastor keeps people coming back for many smaller bites.
- Dia di Pesca (San Jose): It's right there in the name: this place does seafood right. The specialty is fish tacos, but it didn't expand from a food stand to a brick-and-mortar restaurant on the basis of one dish. The burritos are also delicious, with local and sustainably-sourced ingredients inside -- including sliced cucumbers and grilled peppers.
- Taqueria La Bamba (Mountain View): Since the 1980s, La Bamba has been a South Bay staple. At one point it had three locations, but was forced to move from its original spot and consolidate. The food, though, hasn't lost any of its luster. The restaurant offers both Mexican and Salvadoran food. You come for the fresh tortillas and salsa. You stay because you're too full to leave.