The food here can be summed up in six words: really big, really good, really cheap. That is why Pancho Villa is so popular. The place is huge, offering plenty of room to sit and savor your meal. Enjoy the local artwork displays as you eat your taco, quesedilla, burrito, nachos, torta or special platter. Chicken, beef, beans, tofu, pork, chile verde, chili colorado, tongue, seafood, cheese, vegetables are your options. Take your pick of fillings for your entrees. Toppings include sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, and a variety of home made salsas. The service is friendly and quick.

Taqueria La Cumbre is an original Mexican restaurant in Mission District of San Francisco. High ceilings, cheerful and well lit area, and festive decorations create a warm ambiance. The table legs are an innovation, carved into shapes of people holding out offerings. The burritos, enchiladas, guacamole, black beans, and everything else are fresh and tender. The burritos are especially famous, being the first restaurant to create the giant "Mission style" burritos the district is now known for. Wash it down with ice cold beer for a hearty meal. The salsa bar serves six types of snappy salsas that make the meal even more exciting.

Located in the Lower Haight The Little Chihuahua is a popular burrito joint with freshly prepare enchiladas, tacos, tostadas, house made horchata and specialty burritos. Service is friendly and fast, with reasonable prices. The burritos are quite large, so be sure to come with an appetite!

The ambiance at Taqueria Cancun is Mexican bohemian, with students, artistic types, yuppies, tourists and Mexican ex-pat families mixing easily over huge platters of enchiladas, tacos, fajitas and other authentic Mexican favorites. The beef here is slow-cooked and exceptionally flavorful with its chile-spiked marinade. The service is friendly and personable, but peak hours can slow them down, so plan accordingly.

Tacolicious is not the average taquería that you'll find all around this Mission District location. The trendy Tacolicious always has nine different tacos on offer, including one special taco of the week; fillings can range from cochinita pibil to butternut squash and chard. In addition to the namesake tacos, there is also a menu full of other dishes from salads to enchiladas and tostadas. The full bar offers a huge selection of tequilas, Mexican beers and hand-crafted cocktails.

This eatery is hidden away so well, you're likely to walk right past it unless you know it's there. Lunchtime brings crowds of people to Garaje, where tacos, zapatos (grilled, pressed burritos) and other Mexican specialties are served with a California flair. The specialty here is fish tacos, from the seared tuna and avocado taco to the beer-battered tilapia taco with chipotle aioli. If you don't feel like fish, their burger and veggie burger have garnered rave reviews from regulars. They have a well-curated selection of craft beers on tap to go with your meal. Come prepared with cash, since they don't take credit cards.

Even though the Mission District is known to house San Francisco's premiere Mexican food, it is important to know which establishments are best. Look no further than El Metate, home to the Mission's arguably best Mexican. The menu highlights include the fish tacos, vegetarian burritos and the quesadilla suiza. With substantial portions, great guacamole and crispy chips, you will surely be asking for "mas por favor" before the meal ends.

El Farolito is one of the Mission's most beloved dive taquerias. The lighting is alright, the decor is bargain-basement, but the burritos are huge and the filling is a delicious, slow-cooked Carne Asada, tender chicken, spicy pork, or veggies and guacamole. You will also find tacos and enchiladas. It is a popular place with locals and people looking for a quick meal, especially late at night when most other spots have closed down. The service is quick and efficient. Only cash accepted.

The name means kite in Spanish, hence the decor of swooping kites filling the air. The food is as vibrant as the blue and red color scheme and features classic Mexican offerings with monthly emphasis on the cuisine of a particular region. Whatever the geography, the food is authentically prepared using quality ingredients and served up by a cheerful and professional staff. You will also find a regular menu of burritos, tacos and enchiladas with flavorful fillings as well as Mexican beers, tequilas and a tartly refreshing hibiscus water. Breakfast includes a wonderful take on Huevos Rancheros.

Opened in 1990, Taqueria San Francisco quickly became an integral part of the culinary scene in the Mission District. The classic Carnitas Burrito is often recognized as one of the city's best burritos. Locals also rave about the chorizo and carne asada. In 2004, renowned artist Juana Alicia contributed to the eye-catching mural that graces the building's exterior, marking it as a true San Francisco landmark.

For a taqueria to survive the competition in the city's Mission District, it has to be more than just good - it has to be great. La Taqueria, an unpretentious place with an appropriately mission-inspired decor, is just that. The tacos and burritos come with a variety of flavorful meat and vegetarian fillings, and prices that'll tempt you to order more than one. Regulars swear by the carnitas, made from slow-cooked pork and seasoned to perfection. It is a casual, friendly place that has been feeding the locals for over 25 years.

One of the nation's leading tequila experts owns this Mexican eatery. If you make it to his restaurant, you will be rewarded with some of the best margaritas in the city. In fact, they've been voted just that for 11 years running by The Guardian and The San Francisco Chronicle. The house margarita is made with Herradura Silver tequila. Or, for a kick, try one of the over 200 premium tequilas from around the world. Tommy's serves hearty Mexican fare for medium prices. The service is friendly and quick.