La Palma Mexicatessen
Neighborhood: Mission District, San Francisco
Address: 2884 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
La Palma sits on a busy corner and feels more like a working Mexican market than a traditional taqueria. . You walk in and immediately see shelves of tortillas, tubs of salsa, and ingredients you’d actually come back to buy. Ordering is fast and efficient, clearly optimized for people who already know what they’re doing. This is a grab-your-burrito-and-go operation—definitely not a sit-down-with-beers or linger-with-friends spot.
What We Ordered (and What to Order)
I went with the Chicharrones Burrito, largely because that’s the consensus order here and the one most people point to as the move. If you’re coming to La Palma specifically for a burrito, this is the order that best represents what they’re known for.
The Burrito Bible Score
Chicharrones Burrito — 7.1/10
Meat: 7.5/10
Salsa: 6.2/10
Fillings: 7.0/10
Tortilla: 7.6/10
Balance: 7/10
Misc: 7/10
This is a good burrito—but not the life-altering experience the hype might set you up for. The chicharrones had solid flavor and texture, and the homemade tortilla is the clear standout—nice chew, sturdy, and quietly excellent. The salsa leans very tomato-forward, almost bisque-like, which is interesting but not especially memorable, and it tends to dominate bites more than elevate them. A few rice-heavy mouthfuls and slightly uneven distribution kept it from feeling fully dialed. I enjoyed it, but I also walked away wanting a bit more.
Smart Moves Here
Order the chicharrones burrito—it’s the consensus pick
Expect fast service and zero lingering; this is not a hangout spot
Great stop if you also need tortillas, salsa, or groceries
Bottom Line
La Palma is a dependable neighborhood burrito with a standout tortilla and strong ingredients, even if it doesn’t quite hit the ceiling the reputation suggests. I do want to come back and give it another shot, especially given how much people love it—but on this visit, I actually preferred the chicharrones across the street at La Espiga. Still, this is a solid rotation burrito that’s worth a stop.