Cielito Lindo is a cozy counter-service Mexican joint in the Outer Richmond, serving up monster tortas and mouthwatering quesabirria in a vibrant setting.
Av. Ejército Nacional 6220, INFONAVIT, Casas Grandes, 32600 Juárez, Chih., Mexico Get directions
MX$100–200
"Quesabirria tacos are a highlight at this Mexican spot in the Richmond, but don’t sleep on the tortas. There are nine on the menu, but we especially love the milanesa and carne asada. You do also have some customizable options: monterey jack or queso fresco (queso fresco, always). And it’s $2 cheaper for a smaller size, which, unless you’re sharing with another person or two, is something to consider—these tortas are huge." - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez, patrick wong
"While we typically flock to this family-run Mexican restaurant in the Outer Richmond for their excellent quesabirria tacos, you'll also find us there first thing in the morning for their chunky breakfast burritos. There's 13 ways to get their breakfast burrito, with everything from ham to steak and refried beans. No matter which one you go for—our favorite is the eggs and chorizo with extra cheese—it will be excellent. The tortilla is soft and flaky, scrambled eggs are fluffy, and melted cheese blankets the entire inside. With just about a dozen seats, we suggest going the couple blocks to Golden Gate Park before digging in." - ricky rodriguez, patrick wong, julia chen 1
"This small Mexican restaurant planted its flag in the Outer Sunset, bringing with it a menu of flavor-packed tortas and tacos. The stars of the show are the quesabirria tacos, which can be ordered as a plate of four or individually. The tortillas get grilled to a crisp and shelter a mountain of tender meat that’s best enjoyed with a shower of cilantro and raw onions. The cozy blue-and-white space offers a few tables where diners can enjoy a meal under a canopy of papel picado." - Dianne de Guzman
"Birria Tacos One of the newest additions to the growing Bay Area birria taco scene is El Cielito Lindo. The Mexican restaurant is located on Balboa in the Outer Richmond, and serves everything from breakfast burritos to enchiladas to great carne asada tortas. But what you want to do is get the birria - the tacos are excellent and made with beef that has a nice balance of spices and flavors. They’re also pretty meaty, and are four for $19 (or one for $5.50)." - team infatuation
"The Park: Golden Gate Park Palm City is the power pairing for Golden Gate Park’s south side, but Cielito Lindo over in the Outer Richmond runs the north. Their hefty, tank-sized tortas are the energy burst you need before a major zonk out at Spreckels Lake. This counter-service Mexican spot inspires divine waves of euphoria you only feel when gobbling down fluffy bread, flavor-packed carne asada, sour cream, mayo, and oozy Monterey jack cheese. There are nine tortas on the menu, and there is no wrong choice. " - julia chen 1, lani conway, patrick wong
