La Fajita Grill
2312 Market St
(between 16th St & 17th St)
San Francisco, CA 94114 (415) 593-0031
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: No
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: Yes
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Late Night
106 reviews
Neighborhood: Lower Haight
"Oh oh oh, I'm the 100th review... I think this must be a sign... I'm not sure a sign for what, but it must be one! Where to begin... well,…" read more »
51 Reviews for La Fajita Grill
Had a burrito here today and it kinda sucked. Fell apart, was very "watery", couldn't find the chicken. I guess I expect more of an $8 burrito.
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
We didn't have the fuhjituhs; we wanted something smaller, so we ordered tacos. Simply put, they were reminiscent of truck tacos (meat, chopped onions, and cilantro with a wedge of lime), except they were $2 somethin' instead of a dollar. They were plenty meaty, which was nice, but still rather costly for what they were. Frankly, I've had better.
$4.75 for a burrito that has just black beans, cheese, and rice. Head down to Casa Mexicana (on Church @ 14th) and you can get the very same item (only tastier!) for $3.25, plus a much, much less cramped dining room. La Fajita doesn't sell beer. They have limited menu options. They cut the burrito in half as if it's some kind of gringo sandwich!?!? The chips were very thin & crispy, which i like a lot, but I will not return based on the chips.
STYROFOAM EEP! What are we? Wallowing in the 70's? La Fajita sure thinks we are -- don't think you can hide your shame, I saw that Styrofoam to go bowl.
Let's go beyond just the evil to the just plain lame, shall we? I order a Taco. Taco turns out to be 5 bucks and minuscule. Oh and it arrived absent chips as companions, and turned out to be mostly tasteless.
Maybe the Castro has lower standards for Mexican food, but really this is absurd. Common Castro, pick it up a notch.
And then the woman working behind the counter: can we say drugs? Aside from being totally incomprehensible, in the middle of my order she walked off to go do something, returning about a minute later. There was no, "I'll be back in a second," nope, it was a "I could not care less about you so you do not get a modicum of civility."
Would I go back if they got rid of the Styrofoam? Hells no. And I suggest you too avoid this little slice of crap in the Castro.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (3)
Cool (3)
There are burritos and there are burritos. This place makes a nopali burrito that is the best I have ever had, anywhere. And the shrimp and fish tacos are fantastic. I've been coming here for more years than I can remember, and have never had a bad meal. The food is good, the service is good, they're open late...what's not to like? Enjoy!
All right, now, I hate most food in the Castro. I think it's the biggest disappointment-everything is trashy, cheap & just gross-which is tragic, as I am gay and tend to think the gays have it together with taste but the Castro proves otherwise for food. However, this is not the case with La Fajita Grill-this was the BEST, I mean, the BEST burrito I have had in three years in this city! The way they grill those shells on the stove-top, it's amazing! The fish tacos are delicious too. I was beyond impressed, stuffing that food into my mouth-I couldn't get a word out, I was left satisfied and speechless. I patiently await my next visit..... :)
That was a pretty good burrito. $6.75 for a vegetarian burrito is kinda expensive but seeing as I won't be going back to la Tortilla on Castro any time soon (they know what they did) I guess we'll be paying $6.75 for a vegetarian burrito. So then they tried to convince me that what I really wanted was a steak with pinto beans and that my order # was 79 when my order # was 80 and I clearly ordered a vegetarian burrito with black beans on wheat not even 30 seconds earlier because I'm all about eating healthy. Pretty good chips and salsa bar.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (3)
Cool (2)
I literally live right next to this place and I've always found them to be super friendly.
I have only ordered their chicken nachos. The guacamole doesn't have raw onion or cilantro, so that's probably the reason I always go back. Sometimes I'll phone in my order (yes, I'm that lazy) and go in only to realize they actually didn't place my order. I forgive them because they literally are right next to me.
I love convenience.
I honestly just come here for I don't know what reason, but he fact that I always bring new friends here and they love it should say something about how good it is. I can't say that I myself have tried a great deal of their menu but my friends sure have and not one has been disappointed. I really like going in on late nights and just chatting it up with their friendly staff and eating my food. This is definitely a place where I will keep coming back whenever in need of mexican food in the castro.
Food is fairly good, I come here quite often so can't be to bad. I usually stick with the basic chicken burritto. Pretty inexpensive. The only thing that drives me nuts about this place is the service, it seems very scattered and unorganized..I usually order the same thing everytime I go and it's a different amount everytime. If it's not my order thats a problem it seems like someone else is having an issue when I am there...
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
I think the food here is great but.....service is terrible. I have eaten there 3 times over the last couple of weeks. First time the lady was talking on the phone and rang up my order, didn't give me my change and then rang up the phone order over mine and then couldn't give me my change so my $6 burrito cost $10, second time my order was wrong along with the person who ordered in front of me and again she was on the phone and finally I (who speak fluent Spanish) was horrified when she helped fellow Hispanics cut ahead of the non-hispanics who had been waiting in line - they actually left they were so pissed. I lived in Brazil for years and Ecuador for a couple so I get the culture but that is not cool, not cool at all....
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
After getting my haircut, I was ferociously hungry yet feeling frugal. I needed some filling food that wouldn't break the bank. La Fajita Grill caught my eye from across Market Street, and it fit the bill.
They had a hand-written special in the window for a Pork Burrito for $5.50 (I think it is regularly $6.25 or so). Sold! The burrito's meat was grilled just for my burrito (as opposed to sitting around, getting dry in a bucket or whatever). They grilled the burrito itself - kinda quesadilla-ing the thing, which I loved even more. The soda was only $1.40 from the fountain, and they didn't seem to mind me going back for a refill (I'm part camel, I think - I love me beverages).
Anyway, it was a good burrito - not necessarily the best in town, but very good and a nice price if you happen to be wandering around Castro and Duboce Triangle.
I thought this place was pretty good. I ran in with a buddy for a quick bite after the gym. I had the Nopal Burrito and was pleasantly surprised. It was fairly well seasoned and very fresh. I would have liked the nopales (cactus) to have been warmed up just a bit before it was put into the burrito. The hot 'n freshness of the steak kinda clashed with the cold fresh-from-a-jar feeling you get from the nopales.
Salsa variety is good...but damn it, please make your hot salsa hot? It tasted like the spicy (not really spicy) ketchup I had in Holland. Sorta ignunt. =(
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
Great tacos, good value.
So you know how it's late sometimes and you're driving through the city, hungry, praying to the parking goddess to throw you a spot?
Last night the goddess had a space ready for me in front of La Fajita Grill, where I got a Beef Taco ($1.99), Chicken Taco ($1.99) and a Fish Taco ($2.55, worth every penny) and an order of Guacamole & Chips ($3.80 for a VERY LARGE SERVING OF BOTH).
Everything was delicious and they can turn out a mean fish taco which most places seem to screw up. So extra estrellas for that. The guac was kinda bland so I doctored it up a bit at home, and the chips were too salty for my taste but I'll be baaaaaaaaaaaack.
************CASH ONLY***************
People thought this was:
Useful (14)
Funny (11)
Cool (16)
This place simply can't follow instructions. I say "no meat, sin carne!" but get meat. Even without meat the food is just so-so for the price.
This taqueria simply has the best tortilla chips in town. The chips are fried fresh and just have the perfect "crunch" to it. Speaking of fresh, everything is freshly made here. Any burrito ordered enchilada style is worth it. Plus, they offer free delivery after 5:00pm (except for Friday & Saturday, I believe). I love this place but the reason why I'm only giving four stars instead of five is because the variety in their menu is lacking. Otherwise, I love this place.
Nopales Steak burrito Enchilada style YUM!
One of the best/better burritos I've had in SF.
Last night I worked out hard for two hours, drank a disgusting post workout shake and partook in my favorite herbal relaxation technique. Of course that all leads to me being starving and not wanting to go very far. So I end up at La Fajita again.
I really like this place. The food is all cooked to order. The chips are made right there. The salsas are awesome. I go for the light green one and the meaty brown looking one and toss in some HOT HOT HOT to make it all burn. I love the burn.
For 10 bucks I got a burrito bigger than a new born and a small soda. What more could I ask for? Well I could ask for them to come and cook at my place so I don't have to cross that wonky intersection but I am not sure I have all the great ingredients they do.
La Fajita is going to be in my take out rotation for a long long time.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
Awesome nachos. As opposed to most Mexican places that will get their chips from a distributor or even go to Costco (I've seen some guys bag loads) for their chips, La Fajita fries their own chips.
The burritos are great and so are the fish tacos. The tortas are average (had better at other places) The staff was really nice, but it helped that my friend is a regular. Parking is kinda difficult on Market, but it's convenient that it's within walking distance from the Muni metro station.
I have to agree with the Spanish speaking white guy. I was in line and just about ready to order and this Hispanic guy came in, cut right in front of me, and the counter lady took his order first. I guess if you are white guy (Spanish speaking or not) you just have to wait your turn. Also, the food is mediocre at best and the flies and uncleanliness of the place will keep me from going back.
Read no further: I'm going to tell you exactly what you need to know.
Ever since I moved back from San Diego, I've wondered why all the taquerias in San Francisco steam their tortillas. Why not toss them on the grill instead? They taste so much better that way -- with just enough crispiness. The steamed ones are just gooey and stick to the roof of your mouth.
When I ordered my bean, rice and cheese burrito, I was thrilled to see that they grill their tortillas. And that's all I have to say about that. Thanks, La Fajita!!!
(Remember, it's cash only.)
A burrito place that delivers?!!!! Beyond that, this is a great place. They have excellent food. Everything is so fresh!
Some places have a larger selection, but this place is probably my favorite.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
not very good at all. i ordered the fajita grande burrito with chicken, i believe. i asked for sour cream, which she told me it comes with, but when i got home and bit into it, there was none inside. the burrito could have really used the sour cream too, as it was dry as hell. it also lacked in overall flavour. i gave it 2 stars because i kinda liked their spicey salsa. i at least enjoyed the chips and salsa. so many better options for mexican food, why go here?
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
La Fajita Grill was delicious. I ordered the La Fajita Burrito and it was very good. It tastes fresh, warm, moist, and very filling. It's a fajita wrapped up neatly in a fresh flour tortilla. I will definitely be a frequenter of La Fajita Grill in the future.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
When I moved to the city from San Diego, I left behind awesome weather and THE BEST fish tacos. I really was spoiled down there... almost every mexican joint i wandered into served up perfect fish tacos. It's not a very complicated dish -- lightly-battered fish served on top of creamy, lime sauce, cabbage and a tortilla.
unfortunately, for me, anyway, it's been almost impossible to find the same fishy heaven in san francisco... until now! I FINALLY found a place in the city that has san diego-style fish tacos... la fajita grill in the castro. I've walked by this place a hundred times and was always turned off by its concept- healthy mexican food? sha, like, whatever!
Well, last weekend, a friend dragged me here and I decided to try their fish tacos. they are PERFECT! battered and fried fish on a corn tortilla topped with cabbage, tangy cream sauce and salsa.... to my fellow san diegans: i'm serious, this is it!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
most food that tastes good eaten while drunk, in truth, tastes horrible eaten once sober.
la fajita is definitely good no matter what time of day or night.
their store hours (open til 2am) make it a deadly drunk munchies spot, and the outdoor seating and people-watching friendly location make it great for lunch dates.
their burritos and salsas don't stand out but their tacos are good, and their quesadillas are the best.
Good concept - "healthy" Mexican. The execution leaves something to be desired. I had the La Fajita burrito. No rice or beans; which was fine. I was looking forward to the addition of grilled veggies (bell peppers, mushrooms, onions) - but they weren't cooked long enough, and veggies like that tend to exude a lot of water, which lead to a really soggy burrito. Grrrrrr. I might be willing to try it again, if I opted for a taco or a more traditional (i.e., bean and cheese-laden) burrito.
The chicken was slightly discolored...yellow actually. Not quite sure what they were using to season or preserve, as it were, this meat. This burrito was lacking in flavor and that spicy zing I love so much. Won't be eating here again.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (1)
Excellent quesadillas. Good salsa options. Green, red, a normal salsa and one that reminded me of the salsa at Chevy's restaurant. nice staff. Fast service. I trust the ingredients are quality (no lard).
Open late. great after drinking in the Castro on a Friday or saturday night. oh yeah....yummy chips
Pretty good tacos, if only because it's the only place in the Castro I know of that DOESN'T put beans or sour cream or god knows what else on by default. Props for not complicating the humble, simple taco.
The fish tacos are really tasty too. I don't normally like them when the fish is battered, but they're nice and crispy and have a great tangy dressing.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
quality fish tacos @ 2 fiddy a pop. simple, fast and quality burritos/tacos. la costea is my 2nd choice on their menu.
Cheap, friendly, and AWESOME food! I always make sure to tip these guys when I'm getting a meal here.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Totally solid neighborhood burrito joint in the Castro. If you seek more "authentic", mexicano stuff, you my friend, are on the wrong side of 16th street. No lard, no refritos, no pork - just straight up white-fied burritos & tacos. Best of all, they have many no-rice options (just filler, my darlings) and they GRILL the tortilla so it doesn't turn into a soggy mess. Grilled to order chicken rounds this out. Why so many people patronize the WACK ASS La Tortilla on 18th street... I will never know. Be smart and know better. Come here instead.
My only complaint is that they are cash only. I hate that about this place.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
I used to go in all the time for one of my favorite burritos in the 'hood, and I admit, I do still love the chicken fajita burrito.
These days, I find I stop in more frequently for the fish taco - more of a snacky - on my way home from the bars. I'm surprised they even understand my order through all the slurring.
The food here is really good quality. Lacking a bit in flavor because it is so healthy. You know when you taste it and you just know it's good for you cause it's missing something? However the salsa is a good pick me up and is delicious. You won't feel weighted down.
Delivery time for the food is amazing, that's right... THEY DELIVER...yummy, healthy cheap Mexican food delivered to you door in almost under 30 min!!! Way better than that other crappy mexi place in the Lower Haight that delivers...
Just moved back to the City and found this great burrito bar near Duboce Triangle. They use healthy ingredients -- everything fresh -- no MSG -- and they even deliver! What a find! Highly recommended!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
I go here when I'm wandering down to Castro and need a quick fooding. The food is okay and, like other people have said, healthier than a lot of the fare at similar joints. But it's just a place to order and some chairs, and I haven't found the food to be all that cheap. Bang for the buck, you could do better. It's certainly not somewhere you'd go to as a destination.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
This is one of the better taquerias we've been to around the upper market or castro area... The chicken fajita combo was delicious, although a little different from expected as the chicken was grill separately from the veggies, and it was a little bit dry. Because of this, we'd like to pick a four and a half rating, but are unable to. The quesadilla was really, really, really good. SImple and delicious, and it came with guacamole. It was also a steal at 4-something, and it was huge, as well as the fajita which is about 2 or 3 meals.
Their salsa and guacamole are the best parts... The guacamole was fresh, not liquid-y and just really tasty. They really have some of the best salsas we've tried in the city, with some unusual and great flavours.
Good burritos. We really enjoyed the "enchilada style". Certainly nothing that would make you cross the city for, but just a good solid local tacqueria.
Oh, and those chips are really yummy.
This place is often overlooked in the castro, but has wonderful burritos! They have a very In-n-Out burger philosophy... all fresh, no lard, homemade everything, cooked to order etc... Their chicken burritos are particularly good.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
My Neighborhood
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,…
Hot and New
- Club Waziema
237 reviews
Neighborhood: Western Addition/NOPA
- Zuni Cafe
600 reviews
Neighborhood: Hayes Valley
- Foreign Cinema
1070 reviews
Neighborhood: Mission
- The House
627 reviews
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill
- Rosamunde Sausage Grill
616 reviews
Neighborhood: Lower Haight