El Metate
Neighborhood: Mission District, San Francisco
Address: 2406 Bryant St San Francisco, CA 94110
El Metate is a San Francisco classic. Talk to anyone who knows their way around San Francisco burritos, and El Metate will undeniably show up. It has that chill-but-colorful energy that makes you want to ease into the meal—and the burrito backs it up. When I was there, a few tables looked like old friends catching up—leaned back, mid-conversation, fully settled in—which tracks, because this is the kind of place where a good burrito keeps you coming back.
What We Ordered (and What to Order)
I researched ahead as usual, and carnitas is clearly a crowd favorite here. When I walked in, I asked what their best burrito was. The guy at the counter said carnitas, then went and checked with two chefs, came back, and said carnitas again. Consensus achieved. They also steered me towards the super burrito. Why not–let’s send it.
The Verdict: A Top Tier SF Burrito
Carnitas Super Burrito: 9.3
I get why the carnitas was the house move. The carnitas are rich, flavorful, and confidently executed—this wasn’t a shrug recommendation, it was the answer. The salsa bar is a cheat code: a deep lineup of homemade salsas, all different, all legit, and all worth your time. Fillings were slightly uneven bite to bite, but the burrito held together cleanly with no mess or mid-meal repairs. Tortilla and structure are solid, and once the salsa mix is dialed, the balance lands exactly where you want it.
Smart Moves Here
Order the carnitas—it’s literally their answer to “what’s best”
Send it with the super, no regrets
Spend time at one of the best salsa bars in San Francisco, it materially upgrades the burrito
Great for takeout, but also perfect for a calm sit-down dinner
Bottom Line
El Metate lives up to the well deserved hype. Trust the house pick and get the carnitas super, build your salsa lineup, and either take it to go or settle in and eat slow. It’s a low-key, high-confidence burrito that deserves repeat visits in the SF rotation.