Pancho Villa Taqueria

When the Espinoza brothers started their first restaurant in the Mission more than 30 years ago, they weren't the first to bring Mexican food to the U.S., nor were they the first to sell a burrito. The brothers were, though, on a very specific quest: They wanted to elevate the U.S. version of a Mexican Taqueria to perfection. That meant looking at every aspect of the business — not only how to bring the freshest ingredients from farm to restaurant, and how to prepare them to a new level of excellence — but also how to make sure every aspect of the food experience is fast, reliable and pleasant. The Espinoza brothers also introduced the superior wrapped burrito, lean meats, free complimentary house made chips, and salsa bar. Yes, the free salsa bar. Why? Because, ultimately, food has to be about flavor — or at least it has to be about flavor, if you want to stay in business here in the Bay Area. Over the more than 30 years that The Espinoza brothers and Family have served the Mission and other communities in the Bay Area, the restaurants and taquerias that have come and gone are too numerous to mention. But, if you ask someone who has been around these parts for a while, chances are they will let you know about Pancho Villa and the great Mexican food they serve. Hard to find a better badge of honor