Al Carajo
Mexican restaurant · Mission ·
Yucatan-inspired eats: birria pizza, fish tacos, breakfast burritos
Yucatan-inspired eats: birria pizza, fish tacos, breakfast burritos
"Javier León’s 18th Street restaurant may be little, but it is mighty. The chef has created one of San Francisco’s favorite Baja-style fish tacos. There’s birria pizza on the menu — no small feat — but the tacos are what keep customers lining up around the block. The pastor negro taco, arriving after marinating in chiles, is worth an order, too." - Paolo Bicchieri
"Tiny counter-service Al Carajo in the Mission is pumping out Yucatecan plates that get the job done—as long as you order right. The tacos de pastor negro are tangy and the juicy chicken tinga quesadillas work great with the spicy red salsa. On the other hand, the seafood dishes like the octopus panuchos, the ceviche yucateco, and the aguachile leave a lot to be desired. Each of these dishes feel like they have their flavors turned down a few notches. Still, this place works in a pinch for a casual lunch or dinner, but just keep in mind that there are only two high tops inside and a small (but heated) patio outside." - Ricky Rodriguez
"Al Carajo opened on October 20 in the Mission in the former Breakfast Little location, transitioning from a food-truck origin to a permanent space and serving Yucatan-style Mexican dishes like chilaquiles with chicken tinga." - Lauren Saria
"This three-seat takeout spot in the Mission is a little more expensive than a lot of the places on Clement Street, but the dim sum is good enough to merit the extra few dollars. Aside from the shrimp dumplings, get some charred lava salty egg yolk buns. Or, if you’re lazily walking around the neighborhood, get the popcorn chicken - it’s a big cup of fried chicken bites served with caramel, and it all somehow works." - Will Kamensky
