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Welcome to Chino’s Taqueria

Chino’s Taqueria is a vibrant culinary gem located on Balboa Street in San Francisco, blending Asian flair with classic taqueria favorites. Born from a passion for fusion cuisine, this innovative spot has captivated local food enthusiasts through its Sunday pop-up events. Signature dishes, like the Taiwan Taco—a delightful scallion pancake filled with savory ingredients—exemplify their creativity and commitment to flavor. Patrons rave about the juicy chicken shoyu sando and indulgent B-Fast Burger, showcasing a spectrum of tastes that delight the palate. With warm hospitality and a dynamic rotating menu, Chino’s Taqueria promises an unforgettable dining experience.

Chino’s Taqueria: Reviews & Ratings

Dawn B.
Dawn B.

Lovely Asian fusion spot in the Bay. We've been to their Sunday pop up spot many times now and always consistently enjoy their food. The Taiwan Taco - this "taco" uses one of my favorite Taiwanese breakfast items, scallion pancakes, and pairs it with kewpie, egg scramble, pickles, nori, tare, and avocado. The flavor combination is a nice mix of savory and sour flavors. The scallion pancake is cooked to perfection and has a nice flaky exterior without being to oily. Other rotating items we've enjoyed are the garlic and shrimp bento, chicken shoyu sando, and trout. All have been extremely flavorful and for the chicken shoyu nice and juicey as I prefer it. The owners are also so kind and friendly. They do catering too, so hitting up one of their pop ups is not the only option to enjoy their meals.

Dj K.
Dj K.

Hold on... damn wish I could've snapped a picture. I had the "B-Fast Burger" and holy shhhhhhh..... that had to be the best burger I've had my entire life! The egg, bacon, hash brown.. wow. I could not put it down.

Mike C.
Mike C.

It's difficult to describe the dining environment these days. Takeout? Outdoor dining? Delivery? Dine in... well, not quite there yet. As a result, jumping out of the box has been a must especially until this 'thing' goes away. So this Sunday pop-up in a sleepy neighborhood in a brewery has been my source of sustenance over the past few weeks. When I stare at a menu and cannot decide what to get, I often end up getting everything... meaning, I know what I'll be reheating and eating over the course of the following week. In the course of the past month, I've stopped here three of the four Sundays to try various menu items besides picking up family meals from their sister company Hen Zhi. My favorite and a staple menu item on every week is their Taiwan taco (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=QmkqbaPeBPrqZbDL1LKp_Q&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q); it's actually a green onion pancake that's rolled around pork floss, kewpie, egg scramble, pickle, Brokaw avocado, shoyu tare, and nori; if you appreciate Taiwanese street food, you'll enjoy this one. During that first visit, I also picked up the rice porridge (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=TX-eZFH768mLKphNdrKxWg&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) (Koda farms rice, pork floss, wakame cucumber relish, Takuan, furikake, shiitake mushroom namui, soft egg, and mala chili) which I reheated a few days later. I regret not eating it immediately not knowing that there was a runny egg sleeping under the topping. So, the first thing that I actually tried was the D B-fast burger (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Vgy8xPmRuGRrAtWobK3sLA&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) (fried egg, Takuan, hash brown, kewpie mayo, brown sugar bacon, and cabbage slaw) which came with a bag of Dirty Chips; wanting to try something fresh but still not comfortable with outdoor dining, this became my late morning breakfast. Let's just say, it also became my lunch too since I had a small bowl of soup an hour or so later and didn't eat until dinner. The list of ingredients says it all... indulgence is the best description. A couple weeks later, the menu included a beef katsu sando (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=s2mQej4eO-xNNjf8F0R2iQ&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) which I enjoyed with the beef reminding me of a teriyaki flavor. The shrimp katsu sando (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=aQbPs-c_nUfBodi7xCj9xg&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) was a bit dry for me and I overdid it by supplementing lop cheung on it; the supplement of lop cheung to the shrimp toast (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=gDd08RFcaqTJU7zI3vdXrw&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) however did work for me. To wash my meal down, I was given a Lilikoi black tea (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=RgBlfiBA_jUwBKk3yKv1Rw&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) which hit the spot. I had it again two weeks later though, preferring my drinks ice cold, I waited to drink them at home in a glass of ice. They post their weekly menu on Wednesdays on IG so keep an eye open in case you find something to your liking. I am going this weekend since two rice bowls are on the menu (Lu Rou Fan and Loco Moco).

Location

Welcome to Chino’s Taqueria, a delightful fusion destination nestled in San Francisco’s Richmond District. Located at 3416 Balboa St, this vibrant taqueria is not just another spot on the culinary map; it is an experience that marries comforting Asian flavors with classic taqueria delights.

Chino’s Taqueria specializes in Asian fusion cuisine, offering an eclectic menu that captures the essence of Taiwanese street food while incorporating traditional Mexican staples. Drawing from the culinary roots of both cultures, Chino’s presents a range of tantalizing dishes that tell a flavorful story with every bite.

  • Taiwan Taco: A star of the menu, this unique creation features a green onion pancake as the taco shell, brimming with pork floss, kewpie mayo, egg scramble, and pickled vegetables. The crispy exterior and tender filling create a savory and sour harmony that is a true delight.
  • Breakfast Burger: Diners rave about the indulgent "B-Fast Burger," layered with a fried egg, crispy bacon, and a hash brown that promises to satisfy your morning cravings in one epic bite.
  • Super Orders: For those seeking generous portions, select from super orders like burritos, tacos, or savory nachos. Priced affordably, these dishes ensure that flavor is never compromised.
  • Rotating Specials: The menu constantly evolves, featuring rotating items such as the garlic and shrimp bento, offering seasonal flavors that keep even the most adventurous eaters on their toes.

Chino’s Taqueria has gained a loyal following, particularly for its Sunday pop-up events where food lovers flock to experience the latest innovations from the kitchen. Patrons appreciate the warmth of the owners, enhancing the dining atmosphere and making every visit special.

As I savored the delicate flavors of the dishes presented, I felt a wave of nostalgia for both cultures. The fusion is not just culinary but emotional, stirring memories of shared meals and cherished moments. Dawn B. encapsulated this feeling perfectly, highlighting how each dish evokes the familiar comforts of home while introducing exciting new textures and flavors. My own experience left me yearning for more, and I couldn’t help but dream of the next visit.

In conclusion, Chino’s Taqueria is a culinary gem that delivers on both quality and creativity. It invites diners to explore bold flavor combinations that blur the lines between cuisines, all while providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you are a dedicated foodie or exploring Asian fusion for the first time, Chino’s is an experience you won't want to miss.

Visit them at 3416 Balboa St, San Francisco, or give them a call at (415) 668-9956 for more information. Your taste buds will thank you!