La Palma Mexicatessen — Restaurant in San Francisco

Masa products made on-site, fresh daily, and they've been open for over 80 years. Trying a variety of things here is a good idea if you've only ever been exposed to tacos and burritos, but this is truly mexican territory on 24th Street and it may take some figuring out if you, like me, don't speak a lick of Spanish. So this place is a mexicatessen, in that it's roughly operating similar to a deli with a selection of things you can eat freshly made or buy ingredients to make your own or snacks for later. Since they grind masa one of those products is varieties of masa products like corn flour masa, tortillas, corn chips, but also all the things that go with it - queso, dried chillies, canned beans and pickles by the jar, house made chicharron, dips, hot sauce, premade guacamole, etc. That part makes up the bulk of the public space, counter at the front on your left as you walk in, fridges on the left wall and a shelf of goods that splits the small stall into two tight fitting aisles, if it's busy you may not have much room. Towards the far side as you walk in you get to the food ordering counter. You can pick off the screens, which rotate between submenus, so waiting for the screens can be annoying. Everything is made in the large manufacturing space behind that counter, and they are always busy with production. Now, even if you and one of the folks behind the counter are speaking English, it may be hard to communicate because of accents - as an Aussie with a soft voice that can't pronounce the things on the menu I had to repeat things many times so your mileage may vary, but they are there to help while accomplishing other tasks so be patient. Now you can get tacos, burritos, or quesadillas, sure. But you want to try pupusas (flat breads stuffed with choice of protein), gordita (think stuffed pita with lots of cheese and choice of protein), tamales (steamed masa with choice of protein), tortas (sandwiches), be different and try a variety, look at pictures here on google maps and ask, the menus are fairly descriptive. Once you place your order you get a number and can pay at the other counter at the front, which is also where you pick up your order. They call out numbers in Spanish so I had to listen for something tres because I can only count to 6 thanks to the Offspring and Pretty Fly for a White Guy but they won't get upset if when it's quiet that you check on your order. There's space to the side of the shop outdoors with a small row of tables and chairs, which may be quite sunny and only lightly shaded if you need it depending on...

Buyer beware of spoiled nixtamal in the corn tortillas. Only people that can't distinguish good corn tortillas will rate this place anything more than one star. I had high hopes to find good corn tortillas here from reading the reviews but unfortunately it was a huge disappointment due to the stinky corn tortillas made from spoiling nixtamal.

The corn tortillas had a strong smell of spoiled nixtamal (the corn maize used to make the masa dough). How is it missed by so many people?) I don't think many ppl notice it because there are a lot of non-latino customers and they probably can't tell the difference.

My guess is they are mixing old leftover corn masa (dough) with new one so it doesn't go to waste. A trick often used in many tortillerias, which is fine if your masa isn't spoiling but the strong smell on the tortillas was a huge hint it was. I'm familiar with the tortilla-naking process and this smell is inconfusable. Tortillas are also on the thicker side, too thick for my preference. I did not try the flour tortillas but they are ridiculously overpriced. Nearly $8 for one dozen!?! Ridiculous... I'm often surprised at what ppl are so easily willing to overpay for.

I will never buy from here again and wouldn't return for the food either, it wasn't anything special.

The good things I found.. chicharrones are good here, pretty authentic. Food was okay but beware when ordering. If you like extra salsa or any extra anything make sure to request it when ordering as they will not give/sell you any once you receive your plate. My son had the crunchy tacos and only one of the tacos had salsa the other two didn't. I offered to pay to get more salsa and was told you only get what you got...

My roommate wanted to go to La Palma to get tamales. I never say no to tamales.

Nestled on 24th Street in the Mission, this tiny mom-and-pop shop is hard to miss because of the line that's out the door! I ordered a chicken taco with their handmade corn tortilla and an horchata. I think their handmade tortilla is THE best tortilla I've ever had next to being homemade. I had the option of getting roasted chicken, but I think next time I'll get marinated chicken. The roasted chicken was delicious, but I think the marinated chicken would've gone well the the black beans, onions, and the cilantro that were in the taco. The horchata was good too, and very sweet. I wanted to try a strawberry tamale, because I've never heard of it before, but they ran out. I got, instead, a corn tamale, which was heavy. I wish there were whole kernels in the tamale. I also wish they told me they ran out before I purchased it since the corn tamale was cheaper. Even when my roommate tried to order a cinnamon tamale, they suggested a strawberry one. They need to be informed as to what the inventory is.

Otherwise, I'm definitely coming back and ordering sopes because the one my roommate got looked so good and...