It’s Tuesday, and the heart calls for one thing: tacos.
We’ve discussed the city’s best fancy pizza places, late-night meals and tiki bars. We’ve comprehensively analyzed the Bay’s best sandwiches.
We’ve previously left tacos alone, though, partly because declaring top tacos seems to be a more subjective endeavor than most. So instead of calling these eight the city’s best — who, among us, can really judge? — we’ll only say that these are our favorites.
And we note, too, that these picks are limited to the city borders and brick-and-mortars, since taco trucks are a realm unto themselves, and deserve our sole attention at some point in the future.
The spot: Tato (map)
The pick: Berkshire pork al pastor, with achiote-marinated pork shoulder, pineapple Fresno chili salsa, white onion, cilantro and salsa verde
Also consider: Avocado tostadas
Tuesday situation: Taco happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. with three tacos for $10 (also available non-Tuesday weeknights except Monday, when they’re closed)
The spot: La Oaxaquena (map)
The pick: The cecina, a spicy pork that’s salted and cured
Also consider: A tlayuda with Oaxacan quesillo
The spot: Nopalito (map)
The pick: Tacos de Pescado al Pastor, with seared fish and an ancho chile adobo, orange, onion, cilantro and salsa
Also consider: Sangria and the pork belly quesadillas
The spot: El Farolito (map)
The pick: With chorizo on a corn tortilla, if your stomach’s feeling too sensitive for the sesos (beef brain)
Also consider: A stand-out quesadilla super suiza, with cheese, steak, avocado, sour cream and salsa
The spot: Tacolicious (map)
The pick: The guajillo-braised beef (and if you’re not up on the exact definition of “guajillo,” expect garlic, guajillo chilis, cumin, oregano and black pepper
Also consider: The ceviche mixte with tuna, shrimp and green apple
Taco Tuesday situation: $15 for six tacos after 5 p.m.
The spot: Taqueria San Francisco (map)
The pick: Super shrimp with onions, cilantro, sour cream, cheese and avocado
Also consider: The frankly humongous burritos
The spot: El Metate (map)
The pick: Breaded fish on a corn tortilla with lettuce, rice and salsa
Also consider: The cheese enchilada plate with rice and beans
The spot: El Castillito (map)
The pick: The al pastor with onions, cilantro and salsa
Also consider: The prawn burrito (with precisely 12 prawns), rice, beans, cheese, sour cream, avocado, salsa, onions and cilantro
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