El Jacal - Reviews

I visited this restaurant from Oregon while looking for a lunch spot. My experience was fantastic! I tried the Tacos de lengua, caldo de camarón, and mojarra (fried fish), and everything was delicious! The restaurant offers amazing authentic Mexican flavor with filling portions. I would highly recommend eating here! Additionally, it's a clean place with friendly staff 💕.

My experience at this restaurant was largely positive due to the amazing food, which I consider some of the best burritos in SF, even surpassing famous spots. However, I am sad that they recently decided to close at 8 PM. This was one of the very few places on Cortland that’s open past 8 PM, but now I can’t eat here if I’m even slightly past the conventional dinner time. As much as I love this place, I won’t be coming as often since they close so early now : (I really hope they reconsider staying open a bit later. Any restaurant that’s open past 9 in Cortland has my gratitude forever.

My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed delicious tacos and the service was amazing. Everything is cooked fresh, including the chips. The people here are very warm and welcoming.

My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The nachos were "on fire" and truly super, making for great food. The customer service was also excellent, with the staff being very friendly. I highly recommend this place, especially for vegetarians.

My experience at this restaurant was a pleasant surprise, offering more than the typical taqueria menu. The caldos were excellent, prepared to order, and served hot. The food quality was a definite highlight, earning a perfect score.

My experience at El Jacal after a Little League game with my son, his teammate, and his dad was a total win. The food was fantastic—fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. Everyone at the table left full and happy. What really stood out, though, was the hospitality. When the staff heard we were celebrating a game, they brought out a complimentary dessert without us even asking. It was a thoughtful gesture that made the evening feel special. El Jacal is more than just a great local restaurant—it’s the kind of place that reminds you why supporting family-owned spots matters.

I decided to try this taqueria, which is conveniently located near my house, and I was quite surprised by what I received for $20. The meal consisted of a super burrito and two napkins. I was expecting more for the price, especially considering the talk about food inflation. The super burrito itself was not very substantial for the cost. While the service was excellent, receiving a perfect score, the food quality and value were disappointing. The price per person of $20–30 felt high for what was provided.

I had a delicious lunch today at this restaurant. The manager, Tino, was so nice and ensured our meal was scrumptious. Both the Baja Shrimp and Baja Cauliflower tacos were superb. My friend also loved all the veggies in her veggie burrito. The housemade chips & salsa were hands down some of the best; we went through two orders! I also loved how colorful the interior and exterior of the restaurant was. I will definitely return here.

My initial experiences at El Jacal were fantastic, particularly with their breakfast and chicken burritos. They were so good that I didn't want to order anything else. However, my recent visit was a letdown. I ordered a chicken burrito with cheese and beans, but it was overloaded with rice and lacked both cheese and sufficient chicken. The overall quality has significantly decreased, leading me to believe there might be a new chef. It's just not the same experience anymore, and I'll be returning to La Taqueria.

My experience at this restaurant was largely positive, especially regarding the food quality. I found it to be the best Mexican food on the hill, and even by the standards of the Mission, it was very good. The Super Burrito was a standout recommended dish. While the prices are a bit high, with a super burrito costing around $20, I understand that rent can be a factor. The service received a perfect score of 5, and the atmosphere was rated a 4, indicating a pleasant dining environment. The food itself was rated a 5, reinforcing its excellent quality.