The Best Tacos in San Mateo
Al pastor off a real trompo, Sinaloa mariscos, birria, and a market counter locals swear by.
San Mateo takes its tacos seriously, from hole-in-the-wall al pastor to Sinaloa-style mariscos to a taco truck with a real spinning trompo. Here's where to go, whatever you're craving.
A guide to 17 taco spots in San Mateo, put together by a local who eats here. Nobody pays to be on it.
The local favorites
El Palenque Taqueria
A tiny family-run spot with a big following. Regulars call the al pastor and carne asada the best tacos in town: cheap, generous, crispy tortillas, only a handful of seats.
Leo's Tacos Truck
An Oaxaca-family taco truck famous for al pastor carved off a real spinning trompo, with tender meat and killer salsas. Parked on El Camino across from Heidi's Pies.
Taqueria La Cumbre
The San Mateo outpost of the legendary SF taqueria credited with inventing the Mission burrito. Twenty-five years downtown, huge burritos, solid carne asada and al pastor.
Suavecito Birria & Tacos
A modern birria-focused taqueria doing beef quesabirria tacos with consomé for dipping. One of the most-reviewed taco spots in the city.
Mariscos & seafood
El Sinaloense
A family-run Sinaloa-style seafood house famous for a nearly full page of ceviches plus oyster cocktails, prawns, and fish tacos. The ceviche is the move.
La Casa de los Huevos
Sinaloa-style breakfast and mariscos: fried mojarra, ceviche, and creative rolls alongside the taco and seafood menu.
The rest of the lineup
Mi Tienda Taqueria
The in-store taqueria at the back of a Mexican market, where locals go for cheap tacos and pupusas. Grab groceries and eat at the counter.
Charlie's Taqueria
A relaxed jungle-themed taqueria with free chips and an unlimited salsa and condiment bar. A casual sit-down neighborhood spot.
S El Camino Taqueria
A quick-service taqueria praised for fast, cheap, fresh food. The lengua and the super tacos are the standouts, backed by a good fresh-salsa bar.
Pancho Villa Taqueria
A high-volume downtown institution with an award-winning salsa bar and big burritos. A reliable neighborhood staple for years.
Taqueria Los Primos
A no-frills local taqueria known for a wide meat selection, generous portions, and tacos on double tortillas. Open late.
Taco trucks & stands
Tacos El Flamingo
An early-opening South El Camino stand for breakfast burritos, tacos, tortas, and quesadillas. The morning taco run.
Camila's Tacos
A small South El Camino spot doing tacos, burritos, sopes, and quesadillas on weekdays. Quick, cheap, and local.
Los Carnalitos
A low-key taqueria on South Norfolk, open lunch through dinner Monday to Saturday.
Edi's Quesabirrias and Tacos
A quesabirria specialist known for beef birria tacos with consomé for dipping. Closed Tuesdays.
El Sabor de Mi Pueblo
A North Humboldt Mexican spot open weekdays for lunch and dinner, closed on weekends. The weekday-only find.
La Carreta
A taco truck parked near Fashion Island doing tacos and Mexican plates for lunch and early dinner.
Frequently asked
What is the best taco in San Mateo?
Local favorites include El Palenque Taqueria, Leo's Tacos Truck, Taqueria La Cumbre. Browse the full guide above. Nobody pays to be on it.
How many taco spots does San Mateo Local recommend?
17, 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.
Got a taco spot or truck we missed? Tell us here.