Eric Koo
Ordered the two most popular sandwiches, the Mega Cubano and the Pierna Enchilada. Definitely preferred the Pierna Enchilada. The Mega Cubano felt like it was missing something, maybe if they swapped out the regular sausage for a hot link. I did take the second half of my Mega Cubano home and added pickles, tomato, and sriracha mayo. That really elevated the sandwich and made quite scrumptious. Outside the food, loved the homey feel of the restaurant and the staff were all very friendly with a smile.
… moreMisha Flores
Wonderful, enormous carne asada torta. I couldn’t believe I ate the whole thing but it went down smooth, it was too good. They do tortas right at this place with good proportions of beans, jalapeño and avocado.
My husband had the asada plate. We loved the grilled nopales and green onion. Good jugos. Lovely people, nice atmosphere, clean, we will be back!
… moreSarah Potts
This is a yes. Backyard patio. Delicious tortas. Loved my pombazo. The pierna torta was incredible.
Aguafrescas are good – best are at la taqueria.
Will keep eating through the whole menu.
… moreRoberto Fernandez
This is your go to place if you want to try a delicious torta. Guac was extremely fresh, flavor was on point. Service was excellent , 100% recommended
… moreEunju Tae
I love this kind of neighborhood restaurant that has been here for long time and have good customers over time.
I got to know place from the tv show but I can see why they are famous for!
Highly recommended and kind staffs!
… moreDaniel G
You don’t just walk into La Torta Gorda, you get pulled in—nose first. Somewhere between the sizzling plancha and the towering jars of agua fresca, you realize this isn’t just another Mission District eatery clinging to nostalgia—it’s the real damn thing. A greasy, glorious postcard from Mexico, lovingly sent by people who never forgot how their mothers cooked.
The couple running this joint aren’t chefs—they’re culinary procurers. You see them back there, sleeves rolled, pouring heart and history into every bite like it’s a sacrament. The sazón—that mystical thing Mexicans talk about like it’s part of their DNA—is here, in spades. It’s in the pambazos, it’s in the torta poblana, it’s in the tlacoyos, which are so good you’ll start questioning the point of every other snack you’ve ever eaten.
The menu is both chaotic and comforting—like rifling through your abuela’s handwritten recipes. There’s too much to choose from, and that’s a beautiful problem to have. You’ll stand there paralyzed, torn between the memory of your last great bite and the promise of the next one.
And the place itself? Picture a cheesy neighborhood soccer shrine smashed into a kitchen from Puebla. Soccer posters everywhere, soccer balls randomly perched above the fridge like trophies from another life. It’s loud, honest, and beautifully unpretentious. The kind of place where comfort food isn’t a marketing gimmick—it’s just food.
It’s never overcrowded, but it hums. The kind of local buzz that tells you you’re in the right place. The chilaquiles for breakfast? They could resurrect the dead—or at least cure a hell of a hangover.
So skip the trendy joints peddling $10 tacos served on slate. Go here. Eat like you’re home, even if you’ve never been.
… moreJaime Chanter
So delicious. The guacamole was incredible and the chips were thick and crispy. The juice and pins colada were awesome too. We tried both famous tortas and loved them both. The patio out back is gorgeous with tons of plants and nice shade.
… moreAdam Rosenberg
If you want authentic Mexican food, La Torta Gorda is a fantastic choice. My wife and I sat at the table in front, basking in the Californian sun as it filtered through the large windows and illuminated the colorful interior. We put in our orders (a great opportunity to practice the Spanish I’ve been learning on Duo Lingo) then chilled out listening to some soothing latin music. Our plates arrived in an aromatic aroma that whet our salivary glands. My plant-based burrito was packed into a huge, faintly sweet, light, and slightly browned home-made flour tortilla that wrapped its contents so tight that there was no shifting of individual ingredients during the teeth-sinking process. Inside this delectable wrap was a bevy of fresh ingredients—fluffy brown rice, deep dark black beans, savory mushrooms, freshly cut slices (chunks even) of avocado, and an understated pico de Gallo and lightly cooked jalapeño pepper slices that provided a subtle kick to this Mexican melange. My wife had the Taco Placero with pollo and enjoyed every bite. We finished with a pair of deliciously sweet Very Berry Smoothies—a base of freshly squeezed orange juice (squeezed right in front of us) with berries and ice—that’s all, and that’s all you need. I highly recommend a visit for a quick lunch while touring the Mission District of San Francisco.
… moreHv V
These tortas are tasty, though not the absolute best. They closely resemble authentic Mexican tortas, with flavorful meat. The service is excellent; the staff is very friendly. The ambiance feels like a traditional Mexican eatery despite its age. I’d return to try more dishes
… moreTj Gross
As one could see from my previous posts, I travel the world following the steps of Anthony Bourdain and Phil Rosenthal. I had high hopes for this establishment. Out of all the food establishments I have tried this is the very first one to have extensive advertising on the TV shows it was featured on. Having said that, this is this the very first location I did not need to pull any strings to get a table as the place was essentially empty. This experience brings me back to a chapter in Amthony Bourdain’s book medium raw, where he speaks to the food critic industry.
The sandwich which was rated as 6th in The US holds zero footing on Verdi Mart in New Orleans nor would it be rated as anything outstanding in my opinion. The tacos were dry and the server who was not busy would not bring any salsa or accompaniments.
The outdoor terrace is very nice however this restraunt does not sell any alcoholic beverages.
Overall I would not bother spending the time at this place? There are many other Mexican restaurants that are far superior
… more