Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Taqueria El Buen Sabor – San Francisco
Taqueria El Buen Sabor - San Francisco
Photo from Taqueria El Buen Sabor
Taqueria El Buen Sabor at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 97 of the guests
#749 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#33 Mexican Restaurant out of 134 in San Francisco
Good
7.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
425
Reviews
79.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Great food
- Generous portions
- Friendly service
Frequently criticized
- Hygiene issues
- Cramped space
- Long waits
The restaurant, Taqueria El Buen Sabor, is a vibrant Mexican eatery nestled in San Francisco’s lively Mission District. You’ll discover a cozy and casual spot perfect for enjoying authentic flavors.
Whether you’re craving a quick bite or a relaxed dinner, this popular destination offers a welcoming atmosphere where you can unwind and savor delicious food.
Overview: Introducting Taqueria El Buen Sabor
Taqueria El Buen Sabor offers a casual dining experience with a focus on hearty Mexican fare. Many appreciate the great flavors and generous portions, often finding the food to be consistently delicious.
The staff are frequently described as friendly and welcoming, contributing to a generally positive atmosphere. However, the dining space can sometimes feel cramped inside and chaotic, especially during busy times.
While many praise the food, there are concerns regarding hygiene practices like employees preparing food without wearing gloves, which some patrons have observed.
Good
7.9
out of 10
425
Reviews
79.8%
Satisfaction
59
negative
27
neutral
339
positive
Overall, Taqueria El Buen Sabor garners a solid 7.9 out of 10, reflecting a generally positive dining experience. This is further supported by a 79.8% customer satisfaction rate, indicating that most patrons leave content.
These figures are drawn from a substantial body of feedback, with 339 positive remarks compared to 59 negative ones, painting a clear picture of its standing. Delving deeper, Food leads the way with a strong score (8), consistently praised for its quality and generous portions.
Service also performs well (7.9), with many appreciating the helpful and friendly staff. The Ambience (7.5) and Value (7.5) also receive good marks, suggesting a comfortable setting and reasonable pricing for the offerings.
What people like
- Great food flavors
- Generous portions
- Friendly, welcoming staff
What people don't like
- Hygiene concerns
- Cramped ambience
- Long lines
Taqueria El Buen Sabor, with a strong 8.2 recommendation score, is a solid choice for those seeking flavorful, generously portioned Mexican food in a casual setting. If you prioritize taste and value over a polished dining room, it’s certainly worth considering for your next meal.
However, be prepared for a potentially bustling atmosphere and occasional service inconsistencies, particularly regarding hygiene practices. If these aspects are deal-breakers for you, you might want to manage your expectations or explore other options.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Taqueria El Buen Sabor
Food (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 98% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark with a good score of 8 and a good customer satisfaction of 81.1%. Many of the 228 positive opinions rave about the delicious burritos and tacos, often highlighting the fresh ingredients and generous portions. Patrons frequently praise the flavorful salsas and the overall authentic taste, making mealtime a pleasant experience.
However, based on 40 negative comments, there are some areas for improvement. A few guests found certain dishes, like the carne asada, to be dry or lacking flavor, with some mentioning bland rice and beans. There were also instances of skimpy toppings or guacamole, which can be a bit disappointing.
Food
281
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
40
negative
13
neutral
228
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious burritos/tacos
- Fresh ingredients used
- Generous food portions
What people don't like
- Food lacks flavor
- Dry carne asada
- Skimpy toppings
Often praised
- foodIt's probably the best I've had since I arrived in California two months ago. The price is good and the food is bomb!
- tacosWe were devastated when they had to close down for a few weeks for repairs – we really needed our weekly nacho fix : 'D The food is always fresh and the portions are amazing. The tacos come stuffed with so much meat, you could easily make two out of one. We highly recommend the carne asada quesadilla and nachos!
- burritoEven though I only ordered a regular burrito, it was packed with carne asada.
- burritospersonally prefer their burritos - they pack plenty of meat inside
- Foodit’s delicious every time
- portionsThe portions are greater than most taquerias
- salsaThe salsa had just the right amount of veggies and spices and was a perfect mild flavor.
- carnitascarnitas, al pastor, and chile verde pork and they were all sooo yummy
- chipsI liked the chips it was soo good
- flavorsjust great flavors
Frequently criticized
- beans and ricebeans and rice were also underseasoned
- burritosordered two burritos with guacamole. They didn't have any guacamole.
- carne asadaA mark of a great taqueria is the carne asada; if your carne is consistently tender, I will continue to return. This place, however, has very dry, chewy carne, which is not awesome. Aside from that, they have other meat options that are tender and juicy.
- flavorwhole thing was just lacking flavor
- guacamoleI ordered two burritos with guacamole. They didn't have any guacamole. When I called, the lady insisted they did, asking the cooks.
- Al Pastor Burritopretty much devoid of the Al Pastor
- Al Pastor flavorpretty much devoid of the Al Pastor
- Al pastor wet burritoThe burrito was bland and didn’t have a lot of flavor.
- Chile Relleno burritothe burrito is a sad burrito, none of the components have flavor
- al pastorthe al pastor was hella salty
Overall, if youre looking for a place with generally delicious and authentic Mexican food, especially burritos and tacos with fresh ingredients, its definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that some items might occasionally lack flavor or have smaller portions of toppings.
Service (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 54% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark with a 7.9 score and a solid 80% customer satisfaction. Many rave about the genuine smiles and friendly staff, especially the ladies serving, noting the excellent and quick service. Even with a long line, guests often find it moves swiftly, making the wait totally worth it.
However, not all experiences are perfect. A few customers have mentioned issues with staff attitude or poor customer service, particularly during the dinner rush when lines run out the door. There are also some concerns regarding employees not wearing gloves or washing hands, which is definitely something to keep an eye on.
Service
65
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
9
negative
4
neutral
52
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Efficient lines
What people don't like
- Poor staff attitude
- Hygiene issues
- Long wait lines
Often praised
- serviceCaucasians, Asians, or any race, don't fear this place. This restaurant does not discriminate, understands English, and supplies a very clean, relaxed, enjoyable, and comfortable environment for all to enjoy a mouth-watering, delicious burrito, with NO attitude. Just walk in, order, and watch them make your burrito/meal right there on the spot.
- Servicethey very kindly split in half
- staffThe restaurant staff is consistently friendly and welcoming
- peopleberry welcome people
- waitMy experience at this restaurant was a 10/10. While there was a line, it moved quickly and was totally worth the wait. I split the Super Carne Asada Nachos with my spouse.
- wait timeWait time:No wait
- Blancashe’s an angel
- DeliveryFor two very hungry people, this was the perfect amount of food. (Ordered via Uber Eats)
- customer servicelove 😘 the customer service 💖
- employeesthe employees are very friendly
Frequently criticized
- customer serviceDO YOUR JOB RIGHT. This is why Latinos are looked down upon; they don't know how to provide good customer service. They don't know how to talk to people.
- dinner rushThe Suiza Quesadilla with carnitas was more than enough for one person; it was a sizeable amount, loaded with delicious cheese and other toppings. This location gets really busy during the dinner rush, often with lines extending out the door. While there are some indoor tables and chairs, they are not sufficient for everyone waiting.
- employeesemployees consistently make food without wearing gloves
- glovesmake food without wearing gloves
- lines running out the dooryou will often see the lines running out the door
- responseno response pick up costumer.
- staffThis restaurant staff is very bad habit very solo and no response pick up costumer.
- staff attitudeThey don't know how to talk to people. They have no empathy, no apology, nothing.
- washing handsI used to like this place and started eating here when I began working in the area. However, my experience soured when I observed employees consistently preparing food without wearing gloves or washing their hands between orders. I attempted to overlook this, as it seemed to be the norm.
Overall, you can expect a generally positive service experience here, often marked by friendly staff and quick service. Just be prepared for potential lines during peak times, and keep an eye out for hygiene practices if that's a dealbreaker for you.
Ambience (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 43% of the guests
The ambience here generally hits the mark, boasting a good score of 7.5 and a good customer satisfaction of 72.2%. Many rave about the vibrant atmosphere, noting its cleanliness and the pleasant music. The seating is often praised, and being so close to Dolores park is a huge plus, based on 39 positive comments.
However, its not without its quirks. Some found the space a bit dark or cramped inside. A few experiences mentioned kids running amuck, leading to a noisy environment.
Plus, parking' can be a bit tricky in the area, according to 8 observations out of 54 total.
Ambience
54
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
8
negative
7
neutral
39
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Lively atmosphere
- Very clean place
- Near Dolores Park
What people don't like
- Can feel cramped
- Noisy with kids
- Difficult parking
Often praised
- atmosphereplenty of rustic, hole-in-the-wall charm
- AtmosphereThis place is located near dolores park too
- placeI liked the food, but for the price, I feel I should have received more. Other than that, it's a great place to eat.
- Dolores parkClose to Dolores park so perfect to grab to go
- bathroomsbathrooms are clean
- casual dining experienceThe ladies serving us were very helpful in guiding our choices. It's a casual dining experience where you order at the counter with everything visible. We will definitely be back!
- cleanlinessThe place looked clean.
- cornerStill a beautiful corner
- environmentvery clean, relaxed, enjoyable and comfortable environment
- experiencewe enjoyed our experience
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was chaos as there were kids running amuck everywhere
- concrete support beamdamaging the concrete support beam
- crampedcramped inside
- darkBit dark
- kids running amuckkids running amuck everywhere and we couldn’t hear each other speak!!
- parkingparking is kinda though around that area
- seat and eatS. Don’t expect fancy ‘seat and eat’.
- tables and chairsnot enough to accommodate everyone in line
If youre seeking a lively, clean spot with a casual vibe, especially if youre near Dolores Park, you'll likely enjoy the atmosphere. Just be mindful that it can get a bit noisy and finding parking might require some patience.
Value (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 26% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot really shines! With a 7.5 score, indicating good performance, and a solid 80% customer satisfaction, many diners are thrilled with what they get. Out of 25 comments, 20 rave about the fair prices and good value for the food, often noting generous portions and reasonable costs.
However, a couple of voices, just 2 out of 25, did express some disappointment. These folks felt that for the price, they expected more, with one even mentioning wanting money back due to a perceived lack of meat in their dish. It seems a rare few found the value didn't quite meet their expectations.
Value
25
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
2
negative
3
neutral
20
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fair pricing
- Good value
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Skimpy portions
- Value expectations unmet
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant involved a solid carne asada super burrito for about $16. While it wasn't overwhelmingly impressive, it's a good option for a good price if you're in the area. The portions were generous, and the green salsa was super solid.
- pricesdecent prices for San Francisco
- foodAll of their food is low priced
- buffet priceBuffet was very fair priced during week for $9.99
- good valueGood value
- modest priceat a modest price
- price per personPrice per person:$10–20
- reasonable pricingreasonable pricing considering inflation
- tacos$4 tacos
Frequently criticized
- money backIt was mostly beans and rice, hardly any meat, and no guacamole. I'm going to call the bank to get my money back. I've been buying here since I was 15, and it's gotten worse and worse.
- pricefor the price I feel I should have more
Overall, if youre looking for a place where your money goes far, this restaurant is generally a great bet. Most diners find the portions generous and the prices fair, making it a solid choice for good value. Just be aware that a very small minority felt their specific order didnt quite hit the mark on portion size for the cost.
How are the prices at Taqueria El Buen Sabor?
You’re looking at roughly 17 per person – reported by 97 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, most diners (a whopping 73 out of 97!) are right in that $11–$20 sweet spot. So, while there are a few cheaper bites and some slightly pricier dishes, the pricing is pretty consistent around that average.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 97 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
We think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Mexican spot in San Francisco. You’re getting good value for a mid-range experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Taqueria El Buen Sabor
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Delicious Fish Burrito - Don't Expect Fancy!
I was hungry, and the smell was delicious. We didn’t regret stopping by and having a fish burrito. It was delicious.
I saw people complaining about food being bland, and I strongly disagree with them. However, if you eat a high sodium diet, then it’s not for you. P.
S. Don’t expect fancy ‘seat and eat’.
- smell9
- fish burrito10
- food8
- seat and eat4
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
2
Disappointing Chile Verde Burrito
My experience at the restaurant was disappointing. I ordered the chile verde super burrito, which was extremely wet and I wouldn't recommend it. The meat portion was tiny.
Overall, I was not impressed with the food.
- chile verde super burrito2
- meat portion2
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
8
Great Burrito for a Picnic
While the atmosphere of the restaurant isn't the most appealing, it's not designed to be. The grilled chicken burrito is a standout! It's a solid size and perfect for taking to Dolores Park for a picnic.
The burrito is delicious and always hits the spot. For the full experience, definitely get the super option, which includes guacamole, sour cream, and cheese.
- atmosphere5
- grilled chicken burrito9
- solid size8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Consistently Delicious Super Burrito
I've been a loyal customer for years and have consistently found this restaurant to be excellent. My go-to order, the super burrito with carnitas, is always delicious. The location is also a plus, being near Dolores Park, making it a great spot for a picnic.
I highly recommend this place!
- super burrito with carnitas10
- Food10
- Service10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
8
Solid Carne Asada Burrito!
My experience was centered around a solid carne asada burrito that was gone in 60 seconds. The preparation was cafeteria style. The green sauce was a standout at 10/10, while the red sauce was good at 7/10.
- carne asada burrito9
- green sauce10
- red sauce7
What Taqueria El Buen Sabor offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Late-night food
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What dining options and accessibility features does Taqueria El Buen Sabor offer?
Taqueria El Buen Sabor serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert, with dine-in, takeout, and delivery. You’ll appreciate the wheelchair accessible entrance and seating, ensuring a comfortable experience for all guests looking for a delicious meal in the Mission District.
What kind of food and atmosphere can you expect at Taqueria El Buen Sabor?
Expect a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere at Taqueria El Buen Sabor. You’ll enjoy Mexican small plates, vegetarian options, and late-night food, complemented by beer and other alcoholic beverages. It’s a great spot for a quick bite or a relaxed meal in the Mission District.
What is the overall rating for Taqueria El Buen Sabor?
Taqueria El Buen Sabor holds a strong overall score of 7.9. Its Food (8) is highly rated, followed by good scores for Service (7.9), Ambience (7.5), and Value (7.5).
What do customers enjoy most about the food at Taqueria El Buen Sabor?
Customers frequently praise the great flavors and generous portions of the food, noting that dishes like tacos and burritos are often packed with meat and offer good value.
Are there any common concerns about Taqueria El Buen Sabor?
Some patrons have noted a cramped inside and chaotic atmosphere, especially during busy periods. There have also been concerns raised about hygiene practices, specifically employees preparing food without wearing gloves .