In this line of work, we’re often asked the million-dollar question: what’s the best burrito in San Francisco? What’s the professional’s pick? The answer is, admittedly, not as easy as rolling through a bracket. But it’s high time we let you know about our favorites.

So here’s a first cut at answering the question. El Castillito is excellent. Three ingredients are key to its magic: the meat, the tortilla, and the cheese. The meat is perfectly tender and well-spiced. We’re partial to their al pastor, which gets carved off the spit, crisped up, and laid onto an immaculately griddled tortilla.

Melted cheese on the inside of the tortilla is the thing that brings this burrito from great to incredible. We don’t know why so few taquerias go to the effort to liquefy the interior with fat, but those that do are instantly promoted. El Castillito’s burritos are a signature example.

We’d eat at this Duboce Triangle spot over its more notorious counterparts any day of the week. If you haven’t visited, you should.

Food Rundown

Burrito

Basically, this entire review was a food rundown of a single food. As noted above, we go al pastor, but the carne asada is a top-tier choice, too. You must have the melted cheese, whether you go super or not. You will be happy.