Pancho Villa Taqueria

I really enjoy the food served here. If in the area I believe you should give it a try. Just give yourself alot of time to find parking.

Pros: Great Plates

Cons: Prone to very long lines/ No parking

Posted 05/04/09

Get the tacos to go! Get the tacos! Get the tacos! Get the tacos! Get the tacos! Get the tacos! Get the tacos! Get the tacos! Get the tacos!

Posted 06/26/08

DO NOT LISTEN to those bad reviews and especially the ones about it being white washed. As a mexican I can say this place is NOT white washed. you want white washed then go to Chevy's. THis has got to be the best mexican taqueria in the city. And inexpensive to boot. like true taqueria format they got hella condiments (variety of salsa's, pico de gallo, limon, lemon, jalapeno's and carrots, raddish etc) a full bar of stuff. I love the taco's! two tacos, a churro, and a cold beer and I'm out! always eat there when I'm in the mission.

Pros: GREAT FOOD! and random mexican musicians

Cons: some times no seating.

Posted 02/13/08

This is perhaps the most white washed Mexican restaurant in the city. They serve lettuce and tomatoes and cater to hippy vegetarians with a veggie menu.

Posted 08/11/07

What can I say that hasn't already been said? The food is incredible, and every guest to the Bay Area I bring here leaves singing its praises. The lines are long, but they go by very fast. The only problem I can think of is that I never feel like experimenting, because I love their grilled chicken burritos I never think of getting anything else. :)

Pros: the food, what else?

Cons: not much in the way of ambience

Posted 08/07/07

I absolutely love this place. I've lived in the Mission for more years than I can remember and this place is by far the best. The chips are delicious! They are warm and cut thick for a homemade taste. The salsa bar is just like that you find in Southern California taquerias. I can't think of a single item I've had here that hasn't been tasty. The only complaint is that the line is really long during busy hours. You end up waiting a long time if you go at those times because they take awhile to make orders (done on the spot). I recommend the marinated pork and chorizo if you're looking for a meat that's different from your usual fare.

Pros: homemade chips, salsa bar, grilled meats

Cons: long lines during rush hour

Posted 06/18/07

I can't tell you how many times I'm here. I brought my gal here couple of times and she loves it. The food is so good and people are nice. I love the sauces, so good. You got to go there and try it yourself to believe it.

Posted 03/11/07

The great things all those other folks said about Pancho Villa's? Well, it's all true. I've eaten at a lot of taquerias over the years, and Pancho Villa's rates right at the top. Ignore the line, it moves fast, and it'll take you a while to read through the huge menu, everything you could want in Mexican food. Though burritos seem to be their specialty, they make a variety of full dinners, and you can watch as you wait in line. Your server consults you on every step of burrito construction, and all the meats and other fillings are right in plain sight as you make your choices. I love the carnitas, yum. The salsa bar offers many choices to augment your meal, and they also offer flan, churros and wedding cookies to finish off with.
Quick, cheap, filling, it's worth a trip even if you're not in the neighborhood.

Pros: Freshly made, delicious.

Cons: I always want a few more chips. Other than that, nothing.

Posted 02/01/07

For years, my husband (former San Fran resident) RAVED about San Fran burritos and on a recent trip from NYC, I finally got to taste why. The food here is amazing, fresh and delicious. The burritos are tasty, customized to your desires and wrapped tightly enough to be eaten while walking (though we ate in). Great juice bar. Great service. Good ambiance. Awesomely inexpensive. I can't wait to go back!

Pros: FOOD! Juice bar, inexpensive

Cons: Can be a bit crowded

Posted 12/30/06

Long lines but totally worth it. Everything is good here. Burritos a must, fish tacos are my favorite here as well as the chicken tacos. Service is fast and efficient so the long line goes fast.

Pros: food, service

Cons: ambiance and cafeteria style line

Posted 11/20/06

This place has a lot of choice for meats and fillings to customize your burrito, but they are all a little bland. The salsas are good though and help pep up the food. The place is fast and there is a lot of seating. Not sure what the security gaurd is there for though.

Posted 11/20/06

I would avoid this place by all means. They have awful customer service. They have been rude every single time i've been there. there's also definitely better mexican food in the city that i would rather go. i recommend going somewhere where your patronage is appreciated!

Pros: none

Cons: terrible service and always overcrowded

Posted 08/31/06

such a variety of things to choose from and not bad on the price. this place was clean and the food was so good. The portions are huge and the service is great. One of the best taquerias i have been to!

Pros: wallet friendly, authentic mexican food

Cons: guacamole not so great

Posted 08/07/06

Great location, on Embarcadero...great selection of sala's and a great selection for an awesome price!! My son and I always stop a get a couple for the road...while visiting San Fran.

Pros: Great food and price and a huge choice of salsa's

Cons: Parking non-existant

Posted 08/05/06

I love this place. When I first moved here I heard about it and had to go. I missed my L.A. mexican eats! Everything is pretty good here, and you get your order pretty quickly. The only problem is the line. This place is usually crowded especially on weekends.

I love their carnitas, and their nachos, with or without meat!

A definite must try. They also have another location at the Ferry Building.

Pros: Great food and salsas!

Cons: The place gets crowded!

Posted 07/06/06

If you're looking for a quick bite, but refuse to go to cheap fast-food joints, this is an excellent choice. I think it's one of the best mexican places in the city (for fast-food); they also have a restaurant in San Mateo. The food is always fresh, good quality and very tasty. They also have an excellent juice bar (10 times better then one of those over-rated juice places).

Pros: Food, Excellent Tacos, Juice Bar

Cons: Parking, Crowded

Posted 05/23/06

There's no shortage of taquerias in the Mission, so when people claim this is the best Mexican in the city, it really says something. And, it's true. There's always huge lines. Don't let that deter you. The owner of this place just absolutely gets it. There's always a ton of staff ready to make your burrito, or any other Mexican standard. The prices are ridiculously reasonable, especially given the quality of the food. The chicken tends to be a little dry, but the carne, bbq pork (al pastor), carnitas, and chile verde pork are just awesome. The fish tacos are unbelievable and are not fried. Here's the cherry on top: even with the huge crowds, the place always has places to sit. As soon as someone leaves, the staff has the table cleaned in under a minute.

Pros: Food, Prices, Service

Cons: Chicken

Posted 01/25/06

Seriously. Imagine the perfectly-warmed tortilla, smothered in moist black beans that are sprinkled with finely shredded iceberg lettuce, dolloped with smooth silky sour cream and the most-perfect-cheddar ever. Topped off with fresh roma tomatoes and zesty, tangy salsa.. rolled up into a delicious burrito.. and served. Get it with the spritzy apple soda, you're set for life people.

Posted 09/20/05

i've been going to panch villa for a long time and will continue to go. i've tried a lot of other taquerias but i've settled on this one. i love the food and service. although the lines are sometimes long it is usually speedy so dont let it intimidate you.

Pros: service

Cons: long lines

Posted 08/09/05

Lines move alright. Where did they get that meat? If you go there, go veggie! Portions are good. Better places up the street, down the street, around the corner. It's probably good for people who are in a hurry or are not familiar with Mexican food. It's not bad, just not all that great (fresher food would be nice, and an upgrade(s) on the meat quality).

Pros: Portions, Near BART, Fast

Cons: Quality, Service

Posted 07/06/05

I used to eat at Pancho Villa when I was attending SFSU. It was a wonderful place to go for a big lunch/dinner and bottomless chips and salsa. Lately however, the service seems to have gone down as well as the portions. The burritos tend to be more bland and gringolike instead of the wonderful spices and marinated steak flavors. I cannot recommend anymore. Sorry.

Pros: value, free chips, great location

Cons: parking, smaller portions, inpersonal service

Posted 06/13/05

...tells you that the food's gotta be great. And it is. I keep taking my friends (ok, myself too) here for the great food, always made fresh, never cold, consistently tasty, and a GREAT value. The burritos are a big as a log! With your meal you get fresh tortilla chips and plently of authentic salsas to choose from. Pancho Villa proudly watches over the tables, and sometimes a local will be playing guitar in the background. I can't think of a better lunch, or value, in the Mission!

Pros: Great Value, Huge Portions, Very clean

Cons: Can be noisy

Posted 03/27/05

Lots of positive reviews made me check this place out, but unfortunately the ingredients weren't fresh, the meat (carnitas) had enough salt for a family of five, and the overall texture and taste approximated gritty rice and mashed potatoes.

Pros: friendly staff

Cons: , pricey for a burrito, bland taste

Posted 04/09/04

This place is extremely overrated. My first time there is also my last time. Service makes or breaks a place, and at Pancho Villa service was horrendous. Not only did it take forever waiting in line to get my burrito made, by the time I made it to the cash register, they had lost my burrito, so I had to wait even longer. And they didn't even apologize. When I finally got my burrito, it was bland and tastless. I've had better food at Taco Bell. I'm taking my business elsewhere, to the dozens of superior taquerias in the city.

Pros: None

Cons: Price, Poor Service, Mediocre food

Posted 09/10/03

Pancho Villa was right around the corner from where I lived in San Francisco and I would go there almost every day. It was consitant and all of there food was really good.

Pros: Quick, Good variety

Cons: No parking, Can get dirty

Posted 01/14/03

The food taste great no matter what they make. Big portions and And i like the fact that they make it right in front of you so you can see the food. Prices are reasonable for what you get. Count on leftovers..

Posted 12/05/02

this is the best burrito joint in the bay area and maybe the world. not only is the food fresh but there are no additional charges for subsitutions, whole wheate tortillas, or friendly service. i leave the bay area often and always look forward to coming home for a vegetarian burrito.

Pros: price, quality, service

Cons: parking, flourescent lights, parking

Posted 10/28/02

I grew up in a family who owned a Mexican Restaurant. My best friend's family also owned a Mexican Restaurant. I know good Mexican food, and believe me, the name has simply become an over-rated, trendy buzz. That's why the line is long. No other reason. -They're just average, attracting the average, cringo, trendy San Franciscan, with no point of reference. El Faralito. -Now that's a burrito. Or how about Mario's La Fiesta?

Posted 10/09/02

I have only eaten at the Pancho Villa's in San Mateo, but theire burritos are the best I've had. Their carnitas is awesome, as is their chicken mole'. They are fast, consistantly good, and cheap. The burritos are just the right size, and wrapped so they can be eaten without wearing them. My only complaint...not for quiet dining. The chef in the front of the restuarant really goes at it with dual cleaver technique of chopping the carne asada. It tastes great, but make a lot of noise.

Go to either resturant NOW...it'll be a burritoful experience.
RichardGear

Pros: Great food, Inexpensive, Fast, not fast food

Cons: Loud, Can be crowded

Posted 10/07/02

I wouldn't say this was the best Mexican food or burrito I've ever had, but it was okay. The burritos are a little too dry. With all the great Mexican places around that area, I wouldn't suggest this to be the first choice. Good atmosphere and very nice people though!

Posted 09/18/02

This place is good, but a bit inconsistent in my experience. I think there are other places, such as Taqueria Cancun with MUCH better burritos, but this place is more known, perhaps because of its location. I have often gotten burritos from here that taste dry and a little bland. The red snapper tacos are good though.

Posted 09/07/02

They don't give you a enough time to ponder what you want. And the screaming next...next ...I felt like they throw your food together while triying to rush you through the assembly line.

Posted 08/29/02

Good Mrexican Food, quick servive, but noisy and poor seating for people who are handicapped. The dinnner plates are filling. They is a good quantity of food for the price.

Pros: Clean, Excellent food, Quick service

Cons: Bad parking, Noisy, Uncomfortable seating

Posted 08/28/02

This is the best burrrito place in the world......a must for fresh food ...great burritos great grilled foods as well as great prices

Pros: service, price, taste

Posted 08/07/02

I was a customer of Pacho Villa when I lived in the city now I am a regular at their location in San Mateo! Great food!

Posted 07/18/02

We thought these were the best burritos we've ever had (esp. compared to NYC!). They were fresh and filling. The choices were great and we loved the salsas too. We went to La Taqueria too but Pancho Villa by far was better with the selection. I liked that I was able to get the super vegetarian burrito with tofu. Next time we visit San Fran, we are definitely going back here!!!

Posted 07/09/02

Has an incredible variety of food...seafood included.Fresh ingredients, and delicious! Although the restaurant is large, it gets really crowded at lunch. Service is excellent and portions are huge.

Pros: Great food, inexpensive, good service

Cons: crowded, no parking

Posted 07/03/02

The burritos are rather huge, filling, and immensely flavorful. And, if that is not enough, add in some of their fresh salsa (of which there are 5-8 varieties). I've been going there for 3 years, and the food and prompt service have remained consistent. The steak quesadillas, nachos, and pork tamales are also quite good. Don't expect spectacular ambience though. The area outside is a bit shady, and parking is a little hard to find in the neighborhood.

Pros: Great Mexican food, Good value, Prompt Service

Cons: Poor parking in area, Noisy

Posted 06/26/02

Don't expect the personalized service and homespun service you'll get at many Mission taquerias. This place is big and has a bit of an assembly line feel to it. But the ingredients of every dish are absolutely fresh, the prices are reasonable and the overall value is hard to beat.

Every order comes with complimentary chips and salsa. The chips are thin and crispy, the best chips of any taqueria in San Francisco. Other highlights include the chile relleno burito, and the fish tacos.

Pros: Fresh Ingredients, Service

Cons: Food temperature

Posted 05/20/02