Tacolicious

location: 2031 chestnut (at fillmore), the marina
time of day: week day lunch
i ate: chicken taquitos (no longer on menu?), chili con queso ($7.50), rock shrimp taco ($3.95), carnitas taco ($3.95)

if you're lucky enough to get a seat at tacolicious without waiting an hour, you're in for a real treat. if it's busy and you're waiting, it can be super crowded and irritating and by the time you sit, who you're squeezed next to can really affect your meal. i've done my fair share of waiting for tables at tacolicious because the food really is worth the wait and the staff seem to do all they can to get in you in quickly, but that also means that often they're trying to get you out quickly. almost all of their menu items are made with fresh, local meats and veggies and you can really taste the freshness in every bite. the queso (which the menu claims is neither fresh nor local) is my favorite thing here. i contend that one of the best things you can get in sf is their $10 special (taco, tecate, tequila shot).

food vs. price: yay!
tastiness: yay!
service: okay!

Locanda

location: 557 valendia (between 16th & 17th), the mission

time of day: weekday night

i ate: fried castelveltrano olives ($), jewish style artichoke ($8), bucatini all'amatriciana ($16), carciofi crudi ($11), halibut with white beans ($21)

when i was seated at locanda the couple finishing their meal at the table next to me asked if it was my first time, it was so i told them yes, and they said "well get ready for the best meal you've ever had." my meal at locanda would definitely be high up on a list of best meals ever. the restaurant serves delicious, fresh, authentic italian dishes that worked perfectly for sharing. our server was fantastic, explaining anything we were unsure of and giving recommendations when asked. the belgian beer selection was wonderfully expected. i couldn't ask for more, accept for the long wait for a reservation. if you're thinking about going at a normal time, like most of the other hyped sf restaurants, the wait can be a while for a res. 

food vs. price: yay!

tastiness: yay!

service: yay!