L'avenida

Recommends

Chelsea Lin

Joined 6 years ago

One of the Inner Sunset's few burrito joints serves up the basics to locals on the go.. Takeout is the staple of business at this minimalist taqueria, but there are a couple of tables both inside and out for those who want their quesadillas straight from the grill. The menu is entirely no-frills standard Mexican fare like burritos (veggie, chicken, Niman Ranch beef, carnitas or prawns), tostadas, tacos, nachos and the like, all made without lard or preservatives. For larger eaters, the plates are a good deal: less than $10 for two items, rice, beans, salad, guacamole and salsa. And, a selection of domestic and Mexican beers, plus a few jarritos, is available to wash it down.

Doesn't Recommend

schnorr

Joined 6 years ago

Bland, below- average fare. 1) Food- had the regular pork (carnitas) burrito. Full of rice and beans, wouldn't know there was pork in there unless I looked. The salsa was bland and hardly there. The handful of chips on the side were stale. Maybe the "super burrito" with guacamole and sour cream would be better, but there is no reason that the "regular" burrito should be so lousy. No free salsa.

2) Service- when I ordered, the person behind the counter acted like I was bothering her (although there was hardly anybody in the restaurant). Her manner was not gracious and not welcoming. Maybe they don't like new customers- at least that's how them made me feel.

3) Ambience- this was actually quite nice. Clean, well decorated. I am used to family-type establishments in the central valley of California (or Mexico). This place looked very nice and clean, almost charming.

Summary- if you like an average size burrito packed with beans and rice, little meat and a hint of bland salsa served with lousy service in a very pretty restaurant, this is the place. Otherwise, I recommend steering clear and going to any other of San Francisco's excellent burrito restaurants.

Recommends

audreyjl

Joined 7 years ago

yummy. I really liked this place. I had a tostada and my friend the fajitas and both were very tasty. The one downside is you have to pay extra for chips and salsa which is always a downer at mexican places. Even if you want extra salsa for your main course they charge per serving... However their service is very fast, atmosphere nice, even has a fire place! lots of seating too. I will definitely be returning.

Recommends

foodielover

Joined 9 years ago

Tamales aren't too bad. It's probably the best you're going to get for that part of the Sunset. Haven't dined at the restaurant part yet but have joined the lines during the diiner hour for take-out. They only have 2 cooks and one cashier for a busy dining room and take-out line, so expect to wait. The chicken quesadilla is bland, but comes w/refried pinto beans and salsa, chips. The meat enchiladas was bland too and like my chicken tamales (which was the best tasting of the 3 dishes), came with black beans (or pinto), some salsa (good) and dash of a soupy dollop of sour cream next to the equally soup dollop of I guess what's suppose to be guacamole. We did get a bag of cripsy (not stale) tortilla chips w/the combo dinners. The horchata was sweet but good with bits of chopped up crunchy rice. The bill came to $25.

Recommends

courtaneywilson

Joined 7 years ago

Best Taco Plate in the City. I love this place -- the service, the food, and the price. Normally, I'm a burrito girl, but one day I decided to broaden my horizons and order the taco plate. Rice: I'm a big rice girl and this rice is the best I've tasted; chicken: BREAST meat -- perfectly cooked and spiced; Guac and sour cream -- amazing; and you even get your "choice of beans." I live in Noe and make the drive often.

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nighttripper

Joined 7 years ago

Good good good. The food is good, they even instituted a chicken salad (lettuce salad) for those of us who have to watch our diets--which is so rare for a taqueria. They remodeled a couple of years ago and did a really nice job. There's even agua fresca! All the food is delicious and plentiful, and cheap. People are nice too.

Recommends

gizmo3852

Joined 7 years ago

It's decent but not great. I've been eating here off and on for a few years now and lately the food has gotten worse. I love Mexican food and it's pretty much the only option in the neighborhood. The carne asada is dry and sometimes tastes like it was burnt on the grill. The chicken is bland. Whenever I ask for extra cheese or sour cream they totally skimp so it's not worth it to ask for more. The chips are often stale and their salsa is substandard.

Their chicken enchiladas and chile reano are quite good, but service can be very slow even when they are not busy. Avoid it on weekend afternoons as the lines get pretty long.

If you are not a resident of the inner Sunset I would suggest looking elsewhere for great Mexican fare.

Recommends

alleyla

Joined 7 years ago

One of the best places to eat out!. Me and my family go to L'Avenida quite often and we've always had a very good experience. The staff is very friendly and the service is great! - thank you for teaching us Spanish :) The food is always very delicious and fresh. Salsa picante is simply the best. The atmosphere is very nice: cool decorations and fresh flowers! And the price is more than reasonable. L'Avenida rocks!

Recommends

ard6

Joined 8 years ago

Mixed feelings. The first couple of times, I was impressed by the large portion sizes, noticed the so-so service, but was willing to overlook it when the urge for Mexican hit me. I admit I was also taken in by the cool fountain. Now that I've returned several times, I'm disappointed and probably won't be back. Yeah, the food is reasonably priced, but the ingredients are cheap - "guacamole" means a skimpy squirt of FAKE guacamole - that green snotty-looking stuff! Even when I ask for extra guacamole, I still get the ONE skimpy squirt of snot. The "salsa" or pico de gallo consists of about 5 tiny anemic fragments of tomato. The fajitas are extremely slim on meat and even bell peppers, heavier on the onions, and generous on rice and beans. I'm starting to feel like I'm being taken. Is good Mexican in the Sunset too much to ask?

Recommends

aliciaerin22

Joined 8 years ago

Great food, Great Price. I've been there a few times and every time have had great food. I highly recommend it when you are in the mood for a casual enviornment with authentic mexican food, with good portions, and great prices. You can take it to go, or sit down. The service when you sit in the resturant isn't fabulous, but the food and prices make up for it.