Uno Dos Tacos

"It’s seventy degrees out and a team lunch needs to happen. This is not a drill. You must get outside or Steve the walking HR violation is going to lose his sh*t. But you know what to do, because Uno Dos Tacos exists, and it’s a very good solution for any lunch or happy hour with a group where you also want to be outdoors so you can maybe run away from Steve. The food at Uno Dos Tacos is fairly predictable and follows the standard fast-casual Mexican setup: a few protein options, plus one vegetarian choice, and the ability to get the fillings served as taco, burrito, bowl or salad. Everything is fine. No dishes are bad, but nothing could really be described as great either. It’s a very safe place with no surprises, but definitely don’t expect a taco revelation. Besides the perfectly acceptable food, Uno Dos also has a surprisingly serious bar menu with an ideal happy hour from 4-8pm on weekdays, and an extensive mezcal and tequila list plus cocktails. The shots are small, more like tasters, so they are definitely trying to reign in the terror that could be unleashed by a four hour hard liquor-fueled happy hour near major office buildings. Smart. But they don’t limit your $4 beer intake, so do with that what you will. The outdoor patio area, on a pretty big corner off Market, is perfect on a nice day, meaning there will definitely be a line and a short wait for tables. Besides the humans, there are also many aggressive pigeons who will probably try to steal your tacos. Stay safe. The inside is nice too, and very big, so you can still hit it on a chilly day for a quick lunch. So when you’re put in charge of planning the next team lunch or happy hour and it happens to fall on a sunny day, round up the troops (maybe forget to cc Steve) and head over to Uno Dos. Food Rundown Chips & Guacamole The chips tend to be far too greasy, and the guacamole is strong, but served in a pretty tiny cup. You get a huge basket of chips, which you can dole out to any pigeons that may approach. Pescado Taco Solid but a bit salty. They do the job if you’re craving fish tacos, but not our favorite. Tinga Taco The chicken is a tad bland, but overall a good taco. Just add salsa. Asada Taco Slightly chewy but also fine. Not upset about them and also not overjoyed. Carnitas Taco These were maybe the best of the options, but also nothing to write home about. A little dry. Salad You can get any of the meats (or the vegetarian option) on top of a salad instead of a taco. It has tortilla strips and some veggies and is only moderately healthy. The main selling point is not getting your hands as dirty as you would eating tacos." - Taylor Abrams

"Yes, this place is where you go after work to get margarita pitchers, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get lunch here, too. Tacos are $3.25-$4.50 each, and you’ll probably want two or three. Get the carnitas and the pescado, and keep in mind that it’s never too early to stake out your Happy Hour spot." - taylor abrams, jess basser sanders, will kamensky

"For a margarita and a quick bite after work, head to Uno Dos Tacos. The food line is separate from the drink line, but neither one takes long. The outdoor patio is great when it’s warm out, but snagging a good table can be a bit of an endeavor, so have a friend look for a spot while you go inside and order. Just like your manager keeps saying (ironically, we hope), teamwork makes the dream work." - will kamensky

"When your eyes have all but glazed over from staring at a computer all day and you need to faceplant into a margarita pitcher, get to Uno Dos Tacos. The counter-service Mexican spot in SoMa is primed for the after-work snack-and-drink—there are solid burritos, tacos, and plates with your choice of meat, plus a full tequila bar and a patio with tons of picnic tables looking out onto 2nd Street. And on days when your light jacket isn’t quite cutting it, grab a colorful sarape by the entrance to warm up. " - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez, lani conway

"Going to Uno Dos Tacos is a team effort, like selling SaaS to the entire domestic market. This place gets crowded after work, but the patio is one of the biggest in the Financial District. Send a few people early to scout tables, and buy carne asada tacos and pitchers of palomas or margaritas for everyone - but keep the receipt to get reimbursed later." - will kamensky