El Tesoro Taqueria & Grill

Ew, why did I come here — I asked myself. This place is okay perhaps if you are drunk and hungry, but when you are only ever-​so-​slightly tipsy and not that hungry — please don’t feed your body this food.
Something about this place feels really dirty and I get that it’s a taqueria; usually cleanliness can be ignored if the food is good, but the meat was super dry and tortilla was bleh. The salsa bar is not central to the restaurant and so far away from where the food comes out.

Burritos are ok. Tacos are not any type of Mexican that I have ever tasted. Pork seems to be deep fried, and covered with a layer of shiny grease. (picture attached).
Cheap and close, lots of Italians hang there.

Ist the whors taqueria aim ordered steak and praws… w drink for 23 DLLs aim also aim ordered for eat dear but De server Togo meat ist over Cook. Aim Wait for my Food 25 min… aim never go back again

Oh how I miss El Tesoro! I moved out-​of-​state at the end of 2013 and haven’t found any really good burritos.
I loved their burritos and little salsa bar.

I ordered a super burrito and my husband ordered flautas food was great and fast! Burrito was super good and big

HUGE burritos and quesadillas that hit the spot. Not the best Mexican food I’ve had but totally satisfies the craving especially bc I live so close.

Not a bad place to get some late night eats. Had the taco salad without the shell. Generous portions for what you pay. Chicken en salsa was the meat I chose, and it was seasoned well. Served over iceberg lettuce with plenty of guacamole.
Place has a nostalgic décor with vintage «Coke» collectibles. When I was in there, an old black and white movie was on dubbed in Spanish.
Also had the Mango Agua Fresca. Lightly sweet.

The food is decent quality. It’s everything that you’d expect. Good flavors, low prices. Nothing special. I almost always opt for takeout because the ambiance is quite lacking. There is a little dine-​in area downstairs, but the whole place always has the unmistakable stench of a freshly cleaned public bathroom. Not very appetizing. The food is great if you eat it anywhere but inside the restaurant.
Another weird thing: they have a self-​serve salsa bar, but the ladles for the salsa are far too tall for the height of the sneeze guard. It makes for an awkward, messy situation.

Another place I just happened to run across while in the terrible tenderloin part of San Fran. This place has turned into one of my go-​to spots when I’m at working feeling Mexicanish. I usually order the super burrito or the super nachos here. They have a lot more items on the menu that look appealing but I like to keep it simple. Cost 8.50 before tax. An absolute must try if your in the area.

Excellent stop for a tasty meal. I’ve had the Super Burrito, Chicken Fajitas, and Quesadilla. All are great, but this place is clearly known for its burritos. They load the burritos full of meat, rice, beans, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa. Think Chipotle burrito x 10 (tastier and bigger).
Don’t let the Tenderloin location deter you from stepping into El Tesoro. The staff is great and the food is delicious. Either get your food to go or enjoy a Modelo Especial as you eat!

I’m not a tourist cat. I’ve lived in SF my whole life, and while some out of towners I meet are too scared to wander into the TL, I consider it my backyard and know that hidden amongst the sometimes junky and dirty buildings, are true gems of a restaurant just waiting to be discovered. El Tesoro is a place that I consider to be one of these gems.
El tesoro is a small little place with some side/​downstairs seating. coming in, you are greeted with a large menu of many options. my personal favorite is their burrito with the grilled veggies. their burritos are large and perfectly flavorful. No overwhelming saltiness or crazy amounts of sour cream like some places will do, here you get a truly tasty burrito that will fill you well.
their plate dishes are also massive and are always perfectly cooked and served fresh. You can see the cooks preparing the meals and they always seem to use the freshest ingredients.
I also must mention their horchata! *purr!*
I love the fresh horchata they make here! sometimes I stop by for that alone as I walk towards the embarcadero, always a perfect treat for me!
service here has always been very friendly and kind for me, and I always feel comfortable and at home here. Never had any sort of bad experience with any of the people behind the counter!
if you are in the area, definitely stop by El Tesoro! wonderful food, quick and easy, and two paws up!
*chirp!*

Food was ok (pastor burrito).
I ordered a pastor burrito with only beans, cheese and rice. Simple. I see a big Corona quart in the fridge by the register and I say «and add the Corona». She rings it up and tells me it is almost $ 17. I said «how much is that beer??» She tells me it’s over $ 7. I say just give me the burrito. Wasn’t really that excited about the beer anyway. Then she tells me she CANT take it off! I look at her like she is crazy. I haven’t given her any money yet! She says she «never cancels». I tell her «oh well than keep it all». This is all within 30 seconds of ordering. No one has made my food. And she just looks at me like this tourist will bluff and give in. I just stare at her then she says «8.97» for the burrito.
Of course I get it and it has sour cream and all this stuff I said I didn’t want. So two stars for trying to scam a «tourist», which I wasn’t and two stars because she couldn’t heat a tortilla and slop meat, beans cheese and rice on it without messing it up.
Same girl that is always there. Just scamming… «I never cancel». Ok

This is such an amazing taqueria! Really, really good burritos. I always get the BBQ chicken super burrito in a Chipotle wrapper. Their sauces are to die for as well. Highly recommended. Serves booze. Tiny dining room. Friendly staff.

The burritos are freaking huge.

One of the better taquerias in the area. Tasty burritos, reasonable prices, and a fantastic salsa bar.
The salsa bar is really a big selling point here — the taqueria lets you get salsas on the side on your own, so you don’t have to beg for an extra side of salsa as you do at many other taquerias.

Been going here for years. Wish it had more seating. Gets really crowded at lunch. Also the prices just went up. Still affordable tho. Yummy

These guys are there for you.
When you’re drunk and you want a burrito.
When you’re sober and you want a burrito.
When you’re broke and you want a burrito.
When you’re lost in the TL and you want a burrito.
When you live in the TL and you want a burrito.
When it’s 2am and you want a burrito.
When it’s 3am-​only-​because-​of-​daylights-​savings-​time-​and-​they-​still-​stay-​open-​for-​you and you want a burrito. (#ThatHappened)
When you want a burrito, just because you CAN get a burrito.
Vegetarian menu available, spinach flour on request, salsa bar gains, beans tasting better on some days over others.
3.5 round up to 4.
It’s like the guy you use to date. Nothing special, but satisfied the hunger and was around when you needed him. It was not a total loss when you had to stop seeing him.
Thanks El Tesoro!

Basically in front of my dorm and always open when I’m craving for the Vegetarian Super Burrito.
Cheap, big and super fast with amazing taste. The salsa tastes fresh and the rice is perfectly cooked.
Perfect after a hangover or a stressful day.
Side of chips is only one dollar something and the salsa is free!
The salsa verde and the mild salsa are the best in my opinion.
Nice restaurant, nice takeout.

This is my favorite Mexican place in TL. Fast and friendly service. Open late. Nice salsa bar. Chicken taco salad, fish tacos, and burritos are all good. Generous portions.
Cash only at the moment. There’s a small seating area downstairs, TVs that usually play soccer. And they sell beer!

I must have taken the wrong turn and ended up in San Francisco’s most exquisite neighborhood. Gazed at and greeted by many unfamiliar friendly folks I was wandering the Streets Of Tenderloin in search for a quick bite to eat.
El Tesoro Taqueria & Grill wasn’t on my list of things to try this evening but it was getting dark, and Tenderloin started to turn into Zombie town. My Spanish is not that great but maybe El Tesoro means Oasis. I’m not sure.
I stepped in. Closed the door behind me cautiously. Looked at the extensive menu full of Mexican food items. And soups. And burgers. And sandwiches. Perfect. I felt safe.
While I was waiting for my food, I looked outside. It was dark by now and the Streets of Tenderloin had turned into a scene from World War Z. I knew I need to be strong once I get out there again.
Luckily, only a few minutes later I was consuming my vaccine called burrito, fish taco, and quesadilla. Satisfied and bulletproof, I said «Adiós» and made my way to the front door.
Take that, Zombies.