A guide to San Francisco’s best street food

San Francisco’s love affair with street food isn’t new. From Chinese pushcarts in the 1800s to Sonoran-style hot dog carts introduced in the 1970s, mobile food has long been a reflection of the city’s identity: resourceful, entrepreneurial and proudly multicultural. 

Today, thanks to a 2022 California bill easing rules for street vendors and the backing of food-hub champions like Off the Grid and Spark Social SF, San Francisco’s mobile food scene is thriving.

Street food here takes many forms: independent vendors selling tamales from coolers in the Mission District; gleaming food trucks with Instagram-friendly menus; permanent food truck parks and lively night markets that double as cultural festivals. Here are the places you can find dazzling flavours en plein air.

1. El Gallo Giro 

This taco truck has served diners in SF’s trendy Mission District since the early 2000s. Run by Elena Caballero and her family, El Gallo Giro is known for its deeply flavourful carnitas and Guanajuato-style chicharrón tacos: crispy pork skins simmered in house-made salsa. It’s not just a great taco spot but a cornerstone of the Mission’s culinary history. 

How to find it: from Monday to Friday, you’ll find the truck at the corner of 23rd Street and Treat Avenue in the Mission District.

2. Señor Sisig

Started in 2010 by friends Evan Kidera and Gil Payumo, Señor Sisig brought Filipino street food to San Francisco’s mainstream by blending it with Mexican flavours. The truck’s signature sisig tacos and loaded fries were an instant hit. The brand now boasts multiple trucks and two brick-and-mortar locations across the city. 

How to find it: Señor Sisig posts its truck locations on Instagram, while its permanent locations are at 990 Valencia Street and 1 Ferry Building.

3. Mozzeria 

Mozzeria, founded in 2011 by Melody and Russell Stein, stands out as one of the few deaf-owned and -operated food businesses in the US. Originally a sit-down pizzeria in the Mission, it later pivoted to a mobile format, serving beautifully blistered Neapolitan pizzas from a wood-fired oven in the back of a truck. 

How to find it: Mozzeria shares its truck location daily on Instagram.

4. Bowl’d Acai 

When friends Reza Morvari and Angel Serratos launched Bowl’d Acai in 2014, it was one of the first food trucks to focus on organic, wellness-centred fare. Its vibrant açaí bowls, prepared with locally sourced fruit, are now a downtown favourite – my father calls them the “best açaí bowl [he has] ever had”. 

How to find it: visit Bowl’d Acai’s Instagram page for location updates. They’re often found at Spark Social. 

5. The Chairman 

The Chairman first began appearing at festivals around San Francisco in 2009 and quickly earned a cult following for its bold, flavourful twists on traditional Chinese bao. Still, it’s the classic pork belly bao – with pickled daikon and cilantro – that remains the fan favourite. 

How to find it: The Chairman shares schedule and location updates on Instagram. It’s also a regular at Off the Grid.

6. Curry Up Now 

What started as a single food truck in 2009 has grown into a beloved Bay Area brand with a devoted following and locations across California. Curry Up Now reimagines Indian street food through a California lens – think tikka masala burritos, deconstructed samosas and “sexy fries” topped with paneer and chutney.  

How to find it: stop by the brand’s Mission district flagship at 659 Valencia Street or find Curry Up Now’s latest truck locations on Instagram.

7. Roli Roti 

Founded by Swiss butcher Thomas Odermatt, Roli Roti holds the distinction of being the first gourmet rotisserie food truck in the US. Its signature porchetta sandwich – pork rolled with herbs and slow-roasted until crisp – has a cult following, so be prepared to queue. 

How to find it: you can refer to Roli Roti’s full list of locations . The truck regularly appears at Ferry Building Farmers Market and Off the Grid.

Food truck parks

While individual trucks are the core of San Francisco’s mobile food scene, the city also hosts permanent parks where multiple vendors gather daily or weekly. These are social hubs as much as dining spots – designed for sharing meals and moments with friends.

Off the Grid – Fort Mason Night Market 

Held on select Friday evenings throughout the year, this market has been the beating heart of SF’s food truck renaissance. With more than 30 vendors, live music, drinks and views of the Bay, Off the Grid transforms Fort Mason into a vibrant destination where food, culture and community come together.

Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Boulevard 

Spark Social SF 

This permanent food truck park in Mission Bay features a beer garden, fire pits and a rotating line-up of vendors. With ample seating, Spark is perfect for families, casual groups and impromptu food crawls. The adjacent mini-golf course adds a playful touch, making it a great choice for first dates, too.

601 Mission Bay Boulevard North 

Night markets 

San Francisco’s night markets are transportive – taking you to the bustling streets of Taipei or Seoul. While most are held only once a month, their sheer abundance means you can nearly always find one happening somewhere in the city.

Held every second Friday of the month in spring and summer, Chinatown Night Market stretches across Grant Avenue with stalls selling dumplings and skewers, and lion dancers drawing crowds. The Sunset Night Market offers pan-Asian snacks and a local vibe every Friday during the warmer months, while the Castro Night Market adds DJ sets and a spotlight on queer-owned vendors to the mix every third Friday.

Whether it’s a bao eaten on a picnic lawn or a taco devoured curbside, San Francisco’s street food scene offers more than just a great bite. These Bay Area street food vendors work to preserve culinary traditions, build community and keep San Francisco extraordinary.