The Best Burritos in San Mateo, According to Locals
We asked San Mateo where it actually gets its burritos. Over a hundred locals answered on r/SanMateo. Here is where the recommendations kept landing.
We didn't want to build this one off Google stars. San Mateo has too many longtime counters, food trucks, and hole-in-the-wall gems for a star rating to mean much. So we asked the people who actually eat here.
We put it to r/SanMateo: your top three burrito spots, and the one that flies under the radar. One rule, no chains, local only. Over a hundred of you answered, way more than we expected, with longtime favorites, very specific orders, and some strong opinions.
Here is the honest part. A few of the most-loved spots are places I have not even been to yet. El Palenque blew up the whole thread, practically in my backyard, and somehow I have never made it in. That is exactly what we hoped would happen. San Mateo Local was never about me telling you what is best. It is about finding out what San Mateo actually loves.
So this is not a scientific ranking. It is where the recommendations kept landing, with my own notes where I have a dog in the fight.
The Best Burritos in San Mateo is built from what over a hundred locals said on r/SanMateo, plus notes from Jason where he has actually eaten. Nobody paid to be on it.
The names that kept coming up
El Palenque Taqueria
Its recommendation was the most upvoted answer in the whole thread, by a wide margin. Honest note from me: I have not actually made it over to North Shoreview for this one yet, but when this many locals point to the same place, you listen.
Charlie's Taqueria
This is where I keep landing lately. A lot of burrito for the money, and that stretch of B St has less traffic and easier parking.
La Cumbre Taqueria
A downtown mainstay by the Transit Center, from the lineage credited with the original Mission-style burrito. Old-school, hefty, and the kind of place people stay loyal to for years. Regulars order it super, no rice, half carne and half al pastor.
Las Palomas Taqueria
Big, loyal following. A lot of people in the thread miss the old location near Jack in the Box and admit they have not been back since it moved. I have had the new spot for takeout and it still holds up. Plenty of folks swear by it.
Taquería Los Moreno
The thread's favorite sleeper. I tried it a few years back and the burrito was the size of my forearm. Not everyone agrees, but the people who love it really love it.
Taqueria Pancho Villa
A place people have gone to since they were kids. Also the most honest debate in the thread: plenty say it was the best in town years ago and liked it better back then. The fish taco still gets defended.
Trucks and stands worth chasing
La Carreta
Parked on the corner near Bridgepointe, and you will almost always see a line. Several people said it beats a lot of the sit-down spots, which is high praise for a truck.
El Sabor de Mi Pueblo
Parks by the military surplus, weekdays only. A quiet neighborhood favorite.
Kelly's Deli
The breakfast-burrito pick. A stand parked at the Home Depot on Chess Drive, turning out big breakfast burritos for shoppers and local workers.
Value picks and sleepers
Suavecito Birria & Tacos
The move here is the 24K California burrito with tots. That is the one people rave about. Fair warning from the thread: opinions split on the regular burrito, but the cali burrito has real fans.
Guadalajara Grill
I forget about it because it is not close to me, but it is genuinely good. Big grilled-chicken supers, and free soda refills.
Taqueria Los Primos
Something about their carne hits different. It was cash-only the last time I went, so worth checking before you go.
S El Camino Taqueria
The steak and prawn super burrito combo has a loyal following. Solid al pastor too.
Ay Caray Taqueria
Right by the Chavez market. The rice gets specific shout-outs, which tells you they sweat the details.
Frequently asked
What is the best burrito in San Mateo?
Local favorites include El Palenque Taqueria, Charlie's Taqueria, La Cumbre Taqueria. Browse the full guide above. Nobody pays to be on it.
How many burrito spots does San Mateo Local recommend?
16, all added by hand and refreshed regularly.
Is San Mateo Local a paid directory?
No. Nobody pays to be listed here, and nothing was scraped or bought. A business can sponsor a guide, and if one does, it is clearly marked as a sponsor.
This whole list came from you. We asked r/SanMateo and over a hundred locals answered. Think we have the order wrong, or we are missing your spot? That is kind of the point. Tell us here. No chains, and nobody paid to be on it.