Many took a stroll through the Mission on Friday on a taco tour to celebrate National Taco Day. Pollo, carne asada, al pastor, shrimp and other less well-known options, such as crispy potato and cochinita pibil, were part of a menu that featured 10 local restaurants, each offering its own signature creation.
Participants had the option of buying a $17 ticket that included five tacos from any of the participating establishments. For an extra $40, they could also secure a spot in a tour of five restaurants led by Mission Loteria’s creator, Luis Quiroz.
The 10 participating restaurants: El Rey Taquiza, Al Carajo, Café de Olla, La Corneta, Taqueria Vallarta, Chava’s Restaurant, El Catrachito, Donaji, Frisco Flavor and Casa de la Condesa.
Friday’s 2 p.m. lunch tour started with a shrimp taco at La Corneta, a crispy Potato at Casa de la Condesa, a chicken taco at Chava’s Restaurant, a carne asada at Frisco Flavor and a pork taco at El Carajo.
“It’s fun. This is a thing to meet new people and have a group experience,” said Paul Martin, a resident of Lower Nob Hill who traveled to the Mission to participate in the tour.
Martin said that after three tacos, his favorite had been the crispy potato, because it reminded him of the tacos he ate as a kid growing up in Chula Vista in San Diego County.
Sarah Enriquez agreed — the crispy potato had been her favorite of the afternoon.
“The potato one, because I’ve never had a taco with potato in it before,” said Enriquez, who arrived in San Francisco just over a month ago from Los Angeles.
“I feel like the tacos are more innovative here than there are in L.A.” said Enriquez. “Combining different cultures and different foods together, which is really cool.”
The tour was organized by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development in conjunction with Mission Loteria, an initiative funded by that office to support small businesses by creating a game where customers collect a sticker every time they visit a participating establishment. Once filled, the holder of the loteria card can enter to win cash and gift cards. It is an initiative to encourage visits to local businesses and at the same time celebrate National Taco Day and Latino Heritage Month.
Diana Ponce De Leon, the director of Community Economic Development, said the idea to organize a taco tour came from a visit she and the mayor made it to the Mission a few weeks ago. One of the main concerns they kept hearing from establishments, she said, was a decrease in foot traffic.
“The mayor was here and asked ‘What can we do to support them?’” said Ponce De Leon.
After brainstorming with Mission Loteria, they decided on the taco tour.
Why is it that we never find out about great events like this one until they’re over?