La Oaxaqueña
Location: Mission District, San Francisco
Address: 2128 Mission St San Francisco, California 94110
La Oaxaqueña is a small, colorful Oaxacan restaurant in the Mission District—six to eight tables, bright art everywhere, and enough lively energy to make it feel like you accidentally walked into someone’s family celebration. It sits on a rougher stretch of the Mission, but honestly, so do most of the neighborhood’s best burrito spots. We were out there with a camera dangling off our neck like tourists who’d lost the group, and we were totally fine.
If you're hunting for a solid burrito in San Francisco, this is one worth knowing about.
What We Ordered (and What to Order)
We did the usual research ahead of time, and asked the staff what was the best burrito on the menu. They answered without hesitation: the carne asada burrito. Great construction, balanced fillings, and no filler overload. And the tortilla gets browned on the skillet, which is a wildly underrated upgrade. More burrito places should take notes.
The Burrito Bible Score
Carne Asada Burrito - 7.2/10
Protein: 6.5/10
Filling: 7.5/10
Salsa: 6/10
Tortilla: 8/10
Balance: 9/10
Misc: 8/10
This burrito is the definition of balance. No filler, no cheap “here’s a pound of rice, good luck”—just a clean ratio that never overwhelms. The carne asada has solid seasoning and blends nicely with the other fillings, even if it isn’t the kind of protein that changes the trajectory of your afternoon. The tortilla work is excellent—a skillet-browned wrap with great texture that holds everything together.
The tortilla is the standout—browned, a little crisp, great chew. You can tell whoever’s on tortilla duty actually cares. The salsa? Fine. Not great, not bad, just sort of vibing in the background.
This place shines more for execution than for bold, standout flavors, but that execution goes a long way.
What to Know Before You Order
Get the carne asada burrito. Don’t overthink it.
Expect a solid rap—rare these days—so it’s safe for commuters, dates, or anyone wearing white.
Salsa is fine but not a deciding factor here.
Ideal for a casual dinner spot rather than a grab-and-go taqueria run (they do to go too though).
Bottom Line
La Oaxaqueña delivers a well-built carne asada burrito in a fun, colorful setting that feels like a friend’s living room—if your friend had better taste in art and cooked way more Oaxacan food. The tortilla work is top-tier, the balance is spot on, and the whole experience just feels good. The salsa won’t blow your mind, but the burrito absolutely earns its place in your Mission rotation.