More sit-down restaurant than taqueria, this Mexican diner dishes up huge plates of authentic favorites.

by Chelsea Sime

A neon arrow points hungry 24th Street passersby indoors, where fresh guacamole, chile rellenos, chorizo with eggs, carne asada, flautas and more are served up fresh all day. And don't forget the signature tamales: original recipes from Puebla, Mexico that include chicken, pork and beef for carnivores and bean, cheese or squash varieties for vegetarians.

08/06/07

Amazing Mexican food!

by mluerra

This restaurant is truly the most authentic and delicious mexican food I've had anywhere. Everything is homemade, right down to the chips. We came for lunch, and walked in about 20 minutes before they were open, but the owner told us it was no problem, sit down. I had the chicken tostada, which was delicious. Also, the rice is absolutely perfect! Anyone who knows anything about mexican cooking, knows that there's an art to making the perfect rice, and they've got it! It's as if your grandmother is back there cooking for you. Can't wait to go back to try some of their other dishes. If you love great mexican food, this is not to be missed!

• Pros: Food, Service
• Cons: None

06/11/07

Early San Francisco style Mexican food

by dibauma

Why on earth would someone (itsthefood) order ribs at a place called a tamale parlor? The owner treated me like a king, and the beef enchiladas and sauce reminded me of Johnson's Tamale Grotto from my childhood. They nailed it!

04/07/07

cramped space, rushed service

by itsthefood

This is my first review and I thought it necessary because no one else has written about this place. Dined here three times and each time the service and food got progressively less professional. At my last experience the waiter told us the wrong (lower) price for the special of the day and when the bill came 3 people came to our table when we questioned the charges. Except for the mistaken waiter the other two treated us like we were lying and were very rude. The manager grudgingly altered the bill. The special we had was the ribs and they were ICE COLD in the middle and the meat was really hard/tough and undercooked. The tamales are just average, have had better ones from the sidewalk vendors at the 24th Street BART. The only good, actually great menu item is the warm chocolate brownies that are like nothing I ever had before (I am a chocoholic, with pastry school training): moist and deep dark Mexican chocolate taste and a slight texture of cornmeal....topped with whipped cream, heavenly. If I go there again it will be only to have that dessert.