The fastest, cheapest, frequently best food on San Francisco's streets.
Vendors, food trucks and stalls: the cheapest, fastest, frequently best food in San Francisco.
La Taqueria in San Francisco is Miguel Jara's Mission counter and a James Beard America's Classic, with the modern Mission burrito and a doubled-corn taco template.
Try: Carnitas burrito and tacos
Tip: Ask for the dorado-style burrito; the kitchen sears it on the plancha for a crisp edge.
El Farolito in San Francisco is the Mission's all-night taqueria on 24th and Mission, with the super burrito al pastor the late shift orders and a horchata on tap.
Try: Super burrito and quesadilla suiza
Tip: Open to 02:30 on weekends; the 23:00 to 01:00 window is the city's best post-bar order.
Off the Grid Friday Night at Fort Mason in San Francisco is the city's largest food-truck gathering, with 30-plus operators and a bay-view picnic lawn each summer Friday.
Try: Rotating food trucks (Friday night market)
Tip: Arrive at 17:00 sharp for the shortest lines; bring cash for the trucks that still take cards slowly.
The Sentinel in San Francisco is Dennis Leary's South of Market lunch window, serving a corned beef and Russian dressing sandwich to a long FiDi office line.
Try: Corned beef sandwich
Tip: Order ahead via the website by 11:00; the window is a six-deep line from 12:15 to 13:30.
El Toro Taqueria in San Francisco is the Valencia and 17th corner counter, a 1995-opened Mission taqueria with a strong al pastor and a quick burrito line.
Try: Mission taqueria counter
Tip: The taco al pastor with onion and coriander is the simplest, fastest order under five dollars.
Popson's Burgers in San Francisco is the SoMa fast-burger counter from Bill Clarke (ex-Mina), with a Niman Ranch beef patty and a sharp shoestring fry programme.
Try: Counter burger
Tip: Cheeseburger plain plus shoestring fries; the milkshake list rotates seasonally.
Peak food season in San Francisco is year-round.
Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.
service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. San Francisco rewards trust.