Welcome to El Pipila
Nestled in the heart of San Francisco, El Pipila is more than just a taqueria; it is a celebration of authentic Mexican flavors crafted with passion by a devoted mother-daughter team. The restaurant's commitment to quality shines through its house-made corn tortillas and flavorful fillings, from succulent shrimp tacos sautéed in garlic to mouthwatering carnitas. Each dish is prepared fresh, offering a delightful experience that connects diners with Mexican culinary traditions. With a focus on local ingredients and a warm, inviting atmosphere, El Pipila stands out as a beloved spot for both quick lunches and memorable meals.
- 879 Brannan St, San Francisco, CA 94103 Hotline: (415) 529-2049
Welcome to the vibrant world of El Pipila, a charming Mexican eatery nestled in the heart of San Francisco at 879 Brannan St. This delightful restaurant, open from 10 AM to 3 PM Monday through Saturday, is not just a meal stop but a culinary experience defined by passion, freshness, and heartwarming flavors.
At El Pipila, each dish is a testament to the art of traditional Mexican cooking, with every taco boasting gluten-free, house-made corn tortillas that redefine the meaning of softness. The Carnitas Taco, filled with slow-cooked pork shoulder, set against a backdrop of fresh cilantro and onions, is not to be missed. Pair that with a side of crispy tortilla chips and zesty salsa, and you'll understand why locals rave about this comforting classic.
- Steak Taco Plato: Featuring tender Asada wrapped in freshly made tortillas, paired with vibrant Mexican rice and beans. It's a hearty dish that is as satisfying as it is flavorful.
- Favorite Veggies Taco Plate: A delightful choice for vegetarians, combining sautéed bell peppers, zucchini, and onions, all crowned with fresh cilantro, making every bite a burst of flavor.
- Shrimp Taco Plato: For seafood lovers, this dish offers succulent shrimp sautéed in garlic sauce, providing an exceptional taste of the coast.
Customers like Dominic B. and Marissa D. hail the generous portions and robust flavors that El Pipila serves with a smile. The sheer joy of watching your food being prepared live at the counter adds an intimate touch to the dining experience. Each taco, burrito, or nacho dish is crafted with care, reflecting the dedication of a family-run establishment where Mama's recipes take center stage.
The ambiance is casual yet inviting, making it perfect for a quick lunch break or a cozy meal with friends. As Helen C. noted, the place feels immaculately clean, which enhances the overall dining pleasure. However, be sure to plan your visit wisely, as the limited hours can sometimes catch eager diners off guard. On Sundays, keep an eye out for El Pipila's presence at the Presidio food trucks—a perfect way to enjoy their beloved offerings even when the restaurant doors are closed.
Moreover, diners rave about the tantalizing Agua Fresca and the authentic flavors of their Pozole Verde, which offers a tantalizing warmth, making it a wonderful choice on a cool day. As said by Alice W., supporting women-owned businesses like El Pipila enriches the community while indulging your taste buds.
The buzz is real at El Pipila. Here, you can savor the essence of Mexico without straying far from the heart of San Francisco. Whether you're a loyal local or a curious traveler, it's time to treat your palate to the delightful offerings of this bustling taqueria. Don't just take our word for it; swing by and experience El Pipila for yourself!

Ordered for lunch delivery. Shredded chicken burrito. Option to select your own beans included + add additional items for extra charge. Delivered in about 15 min and held up well. Was double wrapped in aluminum. Also included chips which was something I wasn't anticipating. Nice touch! Also came with a spicy red salsa and a mider, green salsa. Burrito was densely wrapped with lots of chicken inside. Much appreciated. Paired my burrito with the green salsa which introduce a nice amount of moisture and additional flavor. Ate the entire thing and was very content for lunch. A tasty and accessible meal.

My boyfriend and I love this place and have been regulars for the past three years. Their burritos and the chicken nachos are unmatched. The staff are always nice to talk to and the food is ready quickly. Highly recommend!

This cute little lunch place screams local business! I love it so much. The tacos are amazing, no matter what the filling. My favorite is the crispy shrimp taco!! Wow. Plus the food is all prepared when you order it right in front of your eyes since seating at the counter faces right into the kitchen! Only cons about this place are the limited seating & very limited hours, but they have a sign that on Sundays they are at tunnel tops! The agua Fresca was good but I have had better, but their homemade chips are an amazing side!

Dare I say, best tacos ever?!?! House made corn tortillas that have the soft texture of flour tortillas, plus tasty generous fillings, equals the best tacos I've had. Downside? They close at 3pm. Granted I don't tend to order tacos when they're on the menu because places usually either skimp on the fillings or the shell is crunchy or super dry. Def not the case here! My fave is the Al pastor. Tacos are so tasty, it's like they're really cooking with love. These would also be perfect fantastic corporate catering if anyone is looking for easy, portable, delicious food (not sure if they necessarily do this, but it's worth it to inquire!). Agua Fresca is authentic and not watered down. The pozole is suuuuper tasty, but also really spicy--too spicy for my low spice tolerance, but delicious enough for me to persist through the runny nose. This place is great for grab and go food. Parking is all metered street parking.

I've had El Pipila countless of times when I lived in the area. I love supporting Women owned businesses so ordering from here is an easy decision when I'm feeling Mexican food. The only caveat is the open hours, but I understand that a majority of the traffic comes from workers on weekdays during lunch hours. Throughout the years, these are some of the foods I've ordered: 1. Pozole (5/5): If it's cold outside and you crave soup, this is the item to order. Savory yet tart and warm, this is such a deep and well rounded dish with plenty of soft and tender pork. 2. Chicken tacos (5/5): The chicken is seasoned, cooked well, and with the toppings and wrapped in their delicious tortilla, this is so good. This comes with a side of chips and some spicy salsas. 3. Chicken Burrito (4/5): The chicken here is similar seasoned to that in the tacos, and is cooked very well too. I think it's soaked in soup until they serve it because it was soft but what made the burrito a little soggier. I ordered black beans and added guac to the burrito. The only sad point was that the tortilla was soggy from the black beans or chicken. Overall, very delicious. I will be back if in the area during open hours and hope to try out more of their food too!

Places like this should have a line out the door!! Lucky for you, there's not, yet. It's a family owned restaurant by mom and daughter, go Mama! More than that, the food is delicious and so fresh! The tacos are $5 each and you can probably do 3 easily. The carne asada is tasty and the Al pastor might have been even better. It's done with pineapple and all! The best part is the homemade corn tortilla that isn't deep fried like most places. The quesadilla is made with the same corn tortillas and it is soooo good with sour cream inside making it unlike any other quesadilla I've had. The aqua fresca $5 all looked tempting but we went with horchata, which was creamy and flavorful. Lastly this has to be one of the cleanest restaurants in all of SF! It's pleasant to actually sit at the bar and watch them make the food right in front of you. Watch out on the hours though. They are only open for lunch until 3pm Mon-Sat but you can find them at Presidio food trucks on Sundays.

When you want pizza from Pizza Squared but they are closed, next door was El Pipila -- the next man up! Only open from 10a-3p, so you better hurry. Super fresh and reasonable prices, everything housemade including the tortillas and beans -- which I'm big on. I got the carnitas burrito (with cheese for a buck extra), and whoa. Super tender pork with great flavor. Topped with one/all of their delicious salsas [$13.50, 4.5 stars]. The service is nice as pie. Counter seating, Not alot (10?), and a couple of tables outside. Winner.

My partner ordered the asada torta - he's a hearty eater and he left full and satisfied. The torta arrived quickly after order, and had a generous portion of meat, which was seasoned well. His only request was that the torta come with a small side, like chips. Otherwise, great spot for a nice lunchtime meal when you are in the neighborhood!

My local neighborhood taqueria, run by a mother and daughter team. The mother is always behind the counter cooking and boy does she whip up some delicious stuff. My go-to on a dreary afternoon (or, truth be told, after a hangover) is her delicious pozole verde, a rich soup with a thick chile/chicken broth, loads of hominy, and fresh onions and cabbage on top to give it a crunch. Normally though, I'll just order a burrito and I'm always satisfied. The chips are house-made, and do ask for the salsa, which they keep in condiment bottles behind the fridge. Friendly, family-run, clean, delicious. I'm lucky that they are so close!