La Taqueria Wins “America’s Classic” Award from James Beard Foundation

Earlier today, La Taqueria, a mainstay in San Francisco’s Mission District, was named one of “America’s Classics” by the James Beard Foundation.

This honor is awarded to restaurants with “timeless appeal [that] are cherished for quality food that reflects the character of their community.” La Taqueria clearly fits the bill; for almost three decades, its owner, Miguel Jara, has serviced the San Francisco community with burritos filled to the brim with fresh, authentic ingredients that speak to and honor the Bay Area’s Mexican-American community. 

Unlike the Chipotle behemoths that rely mostly on rice and always charge extra for guac, Jara’s burritos are all flavor and no fillers: fresh tortillas are packed with meat, salsa, beans, and guacamole. 

By recognizing Jara’s work and naming it “America’s Classic”, the James Beard Foundation is highlighting the greater Latin American contribution to popular American culture, a message we needed today more than ever. Mere hours ago, President Donald Trump enacted a one-two punch of executive orders to the Department of Homeland Security: a) to officially begin construction of the border wall and b) to eliminate “sanctuary cities.” In this divisive time, we hope the James Beard Foundation continues to remind the general population of the many sabores that go into creating the fabric of the US.