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Taqueria Mana
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Taqueria Mana
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
Tiny counter-service taqueria just off Union Square turning out straightforward tacos at wallet-friendly prices. Locals lean on quick service and dependable fillings for a fast lunch or grab-and-go bite.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quesabirria Tacos, Carne Asada Tacos, Al Pastor Tacos
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 6
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Union Square’s tiny taco counter with fast, no-fuss classics.
Who should go: Time-crunched shoppers and office lunchers
When to visit: Weekdays 11:15–1:00 before peak lunch lines
What to order: Quesabirria, carne asada tacos, al pastor tacos
Insider tip: Ask for extra consomé with the quesabirria for dipping.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Post and Geary is scarce midday; nearby garages like the Union Square Garage (333 Post St) are the best bet for quick access.
Dress code: Completely casual — come as you are; most customers are in office wear or street clothes.
Noise level: Moderate during peak lunch; you can still hold a short conversation but expect a steady hum from takeout orders.
Weekend wait: Usually no wait; limited dinner traffic since it’s a daytime spot.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes max during peak hours; no seating wait since it’s counter-service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — veggie tacos and cheese quesadillas are available on request.
Vegan options: Limited — veggie tacos can be made vegan if you skip cheese and crema.
Gluten-free options: Mostly yes — corn tortillas are standard, but no dedicated gluten-free prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal — it’s a small counter-service joint best for solo or casual quick eats, not lingering conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is first-come, first-serve and limited; most customers grab food to go or stand at the counter.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who can handle quick counter dining; no high chairs or kids’ menu, but soft tacos are easy for children.
Best For
Better for: Faster service and lower prices than most nearby Mexican spots; ideal for a quick taco fix near Union Square.
Skip if: You’re looking for margaritas, a sit-down experience, or a social meal — it’s built purely for speed and simplicity.
Taqueria Mana
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Family Friendly Favorites
Tiny counter-service taqueria just off Union Square known for fast, generously filled Mission-style burritos. Expect quick lines at lunch, solid salsas, and dependable classics from regular to mojado.
Must-Try Dishes:
Super Burrito (carne asada), Mojado (Wet) Burrito, Breakfast Burrito (chorizo)
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.3
What makes it special: Speedy, no-frills burritos with reliable portions and salsas near Union Square.
Who should go: Downtown workers and shoppers craving a fast burrito
When to visit: Early lunch 11:00–11:30am to beat the rush
What to order: Carne asada super burrito; mojado burrito; chorizo breakfast burrito
Insider tip: Ask for extra salsa roja on the side—it travels well for takeout.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Post and Taylor can be hit-or-miss; nearby paid garages like Union Square Garage or Sutter-Stockton Garage are the best bet.
Dress code: Completely casual—come as you are, jeans and hoodies welcome.
Noise level: Moderate during lunch rush with counter chatter and kitchen sounds; quieter afternoons.
Weekend wait: Usually minimal—steady takeout flow but rarely a line.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes at peak noon hour; quick turnaround thanks to efficient counter service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple vegetarian burritos, quesadillas, and rice bowls available.
Vegan options: Yes—order veggie burrito without cheese or sour cream; salsas and beans are vegan-friendly.
Gluten-free options: Limited—corn tortillas available for tacos, but burritos use flour tortillas and no separate prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a formal first date—it’s counter-service and quick turnover. Better for a casual lunch meet or a shared bite before exploring Union Square.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—no reservations accepted or needed. Small dine-in area turns over fast, but seating is limited to a handful of tables.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—simple menu, mild salsas, and quick service work well for families with kids. Space is tight, so stroller access can be tricky during peak lunch hours.
Best For
Better for: Faster and more consistent than most Union Square taquerias—great for quick, filling burritos on a lunch break.
Skip if: You’re after sit-down ambiance or bar-style margaritas; head to Colibri or Tacorea instead for that experience.
Taqueria Mana
7.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Business Lunch Power Players
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Tiny counter-service taqueria just off Union Square turning out straightforward burritos, tacos, and plates at honest prices. Fast-moving lines and consistent execution make it a reliable downtown grab-and-go option.
Must-Try Dishes:
Super Baby Burrito (carnitas), Carne Asada Tacos, Wet Super Burrito (mojado)
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: No-frills downtown taqueria known for speedy counter service and solid burritos.
Who should go: Office workers and budget-minded diners
When to visit: Weekdays before noon for the shortest wait
What to order: Carnitas super baby burrito; carne asada tacos; wet super burrito
Insider tip: Ask for extra salsa on the side—it travels well and perks up takeout.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking around Union Square is scarce and metered; garage parking available at Union Square Garage ($6–$10 per hour).
Dress code: Casual—office attire, jeans, and everyday wear are all fine.
Noise level: Moderate during peak lunch hours with chatter and kitchen noise; quieter mid-afternoon.
Weekend wait: Usually no wait—many downtown office workers are gone by then.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes in line during peak noon rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—bean and cheese burritos, veggie tacos, and rice plates available.
Vegan options: Limited—can request veggie burritos or tacos without cheese and sour cream.
Gluten-free options: Partially—corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but no dedicated prep space.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it’s a counter-service spot geared toward speed and convenience rather than atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are a handful of small tables; seating is first-come, first-served and turnover is fast.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy burritos and tacos, but there’s no dedicated kids’ menu or high chairs.
Best For
Better for: Faster and cheaper than most Union Square sit-down options—great for grab-and-go or budget lunches.
Skip if: If you want a leisurely meal, cocktails, or a sit-down dining experience, choose a full-service Mexican restaurant instead.
Taqueria Mana
7.9
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Compact, counter-service taqueria just off the Stockton tunnel turning out fast burritos, tacos, and plates at wallet-friendly prices. Popular with downtown families for quick, no-frills meals near Union Square.
Must-Try Dishes:
Super Baby Burrito (carnitas), Sopes (al pastor), Wet Burrito (mojado)
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Speedy, affordable Mexican staples a block from Union Square.
Who should go: Families needing a quick, budget lunch or dinner
When to visit: Early lunch or late afternoon to avoid lines
What to order: Baby burrito, sopes, wet burrito
Insider tip: Ask for the smaller “baby” burrito for kid-friendly portions.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited near the Stockton tunnel; best bet is the Union Square garages a few blocks away.
Dress code: Casual—jeans, tees, and sneakers are all fine.
Noise level: Moderate—bustling counter service but still possible to chat over a meal.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during peak family hours; turnover is quick.
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait except right at noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—bean and cheese burritos, veggie tacos, and sopes available.
Vegan options: Limited—bean tacos and veggie burritos can be made vegan if you skip cheese and sour cream.
Gluten-free options: Some corn-based items like tacos and sopes are gluten-free, but no dedicated prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it’s more of a quick, casual counter-service spot than a sit-down date atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—reservations aren’t needed; seating is limited but tables turn quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—families often stop in for quick meals, and the smaller 'baby burrito' is perfect for kids.
Best For
Better for: Quick, affordable Mexican near Union Square where speed and price matter most.
Skip if: You want a full-service dining experience or quieter, more leisurely Mexican meal.
Taqueria Mana
8.0
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
Compact counter-service spot near Union Square serving straightforward tacos, burritos, and sopes at wallet-friendly prices. Locals use it for a fast, filling lunch or an easy grab-and-go before downtown plans.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baby Burrito (carne asada), Al Pastor Super Taco, Sopes
Scores:
Value: 9
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.3
What makes it special: Honest, affordable Mexican plates steps from Union Square.
Who should go: Budget-minded downtown workers and travelers
When to visit: Weekdays 11–1 or after 2 to dodge lines
What to order: Baby burrito, al pastor super taco, sopes
Insider tip: Portions are generous—add salsa after tasting heat levels.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce near Union Square; best to use nearby garages like Union Square Garage (hourly rates) or rely on public transit.
Dress code: Casual—come as you are; most people drop by during lunch breaks or while shopping.
Noise level: Low to moderate—counter-service style with some bustle but fine for solo dining or quick conversations.
Weekend wait: Usually no wait; service is quick and takeout is common.
Weekday lunch: Expect 5–10 minute line at peak (11:30am–1pm); faster outside rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—bean, cheese, and veggie burritos or sopes are popular options.
Vegan options: Limited—can order bean tacos or burritos without cheese/sour cream; check salsas for dairy.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free prep; corn tortillas are available but cross-contact likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it’s a counter-service taqueria with limited seating. Better for quick, casual meals than a romantic setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—reservations aren’t taken. Seating is limited, so many opt for takeout if it’s full.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who like tacos and burritos. There’s no kids’ menu, high chairs, or play space, so best for quick family stops rather than long meals.
Best For
Better for: Faster, cheaper, and more straightforward than sit-down Mexican spots around Union Square—perfect for a grab-and-go burrito or taco.
Skip if: If you’re looking for a full-service Mexican dining experience, margaritas, or a lively atmosphere, choose a larger restaurant instead.