San Pancho was brought to life by husband-and-wife team Carolina McCandless and David Perez. Since opening in July 2024, the restaurant has garnered acclaim as one of the “
Hottest New Brunches
” and “
Hottest New Restaurants
.” Recently, the restaurant was also highlighted for its
unique coffee drinks
that have drawn lines out the door, and now it’s celebrating its one-year anniversary by thanking customers and asking where it should open the next San Pancho.
San Pancho Burritos shared the following on social media:
“1 year ago today we opened to the public! What an amazing year it’s been! Before we opened, we weren’t sure if the burrito culture was strong enough in the DMV compared to the Bay Area (where you find a burrito shop every couple blocks!). Well. Y’all turned out! The burrito culture is strong and vibrant! Our staff did an incredible job adjusting to all the changes and tweaks to make a new restaurant work.
With a glowing review from @tomsietsema from the @washingtonpost to a Rammy @ramwdc nomination as a finalist for Best New Restaurant- we think it’s been a successful year! Our staff has put in hard work and, more importantly, given their heart into their jobs which has translated in a welcoming and warm space that we get to share with the community! We love our loyal customers and we couldn’t be here without your support! Now, where shall we open up another San Pancho next?”
The couple who opened San Pancho also own nearby Cielo Rojo. They first crossed paths in 2012 at a Mexican restaurant in San Francisco’s vibrant Mission District, where they developed a passion for the region’s iconic “Mission style” burritos. Inspired by their experiences, they founded San Pancho with the tagline “Born in La Mission,” aiming to deliver authentic burritos crafted from premium ingredients. Their flour tortillas, imported from Mexico, are made in the traditional Sonoran style, while their meats are sourced from local, hormone-free farms. Committed to scratch-made dishes, San Pancho seeks to transport San Francisco transplants and food enthusiasts alike to a little corner of the bay right in their own neighborhood.
