Papalote Mexican Grill is a local joint that was featured on Throw Down with Bobby Flay. The chef/owner won the throw down with their burrito. Winning against Bobby Flay is a feat in and of itself, but when you win against Flay's signature flavor profile that's saying even more.
Papalote has a couple of locations in San Francisco. I went to the one located in the Mission District at the corner of 24th and Valencia. It definitely seemed like a local favorite as there was plenty of traffic coming and going with eat in and take out orders. It's a small location, but has a great atmosphere. The walls are brightly painted red, there large windows that let in a ton of light, and it has some eclectic decor, which include a yellow dragon kite and colorful artwork.
I tried the carne asada tacos, which was served in corn tortillas with lettuce and tomatoes. It was a simple yet flavorful dish. The carne asada was tender and perfectly seasoned. The lettuce and tomatoes were fresh and the corn tortilla warm and soft. It was the perfect portion too as it just came with the two tacos. You can order a variety of sides if you have a bigger appetite, from guac to beans and rice.
Put Papalote on your San Francisco bucket list and give it a try. You won't be disappointed!
