Before the fall semester started, I spent a week in San Francisco.

This is commonplace–my family travels to the city, squeezing like sardines into my uncle’s house. There is no goal, or reason, except to spend uninterrupted time with one another. 

Like many summers before, I shoved myself in the bottom bunk of my cousin’s room and left my younger siblings to fight for a spot on the air mattress. Regardless of lack of space, there is never a shortage of food. 

This summer, we placed our normal order at Taqueria El Farolito, a Mission District staple. 

Our “normal” order is enough to feed everyone on the block, but you can’t blame us when the food is that good, and the history is even richer. 

Recently, a former co-worker and wonderful friend of mine, Abel Anguiano Gomez,  released a mini-documentary titled, “Burrito Boys”, a twenty-six minute tribute to Taqueria El Farolito and its soccer club, which was founded in 1985. 

Before watching the mini-doc in its entirety, I can admit that, to me, El Farolito was just a taqueria that my mother and her siblings frequented since immigrating to San Francisco from the Philippines. 

I am pleased to write that my entire perspective has changed after learning about the importance of El Farolito–not as a soccer club or restaurant, but as a crucial hub for the community in San Francisco’s Mission District, an extension of personal identity, and a space for dreams to live alongside reality. 

In “Burrito Boys”, Abel and his team of creatives, including Dario Cruz and Luis Mireles,  showcase the humble beginnings of Taqueria El Farolito under its founder, Salvador Lopez, in 1982, and his motivation behind establishing a club soccer team a few years later. 

Interviews with Lopez’s children, Santiago (Head Coach of El Farolito SC) and Irene, alongside testimonials from current players, paint a picture of how this soccer club is much more than their efforts on the field. 

Highlighted in this mini-doc is Herlberto Soto, a forward for El Farolito SC, who shares his difficult story of losing his mother and not being able to reach Colombia in time to say goodbye. He emphasizes that, without knowing him well, other members of the team gathered money for him following her passing. 

Upon hearing his story, I was struck by the actions the team took to support him through his hardship, especially with no formal establishment of obligation. Moved by strong camaraderie, his teammates expanded their shared commitment to soccer into a shared responsibility to one another. 

For other members of the team, who also immigrated to the US, this sense of community responsibility has an entirely different significance. Throughout the documentary, other players echo this sentiment, describing El Farolito as a place where they have found stability, familiarity, and support. 

The camera doesn’t forget the stands, showcasing banners that proudly advertise “Immigrants Welcome” and stickers that boast team pride. This sense of belonging, already cultivated within the team, is reflected in the fans who come out to support them. 

Altogether, these moments depict a community that extends beyond the field. Solidarity exists in the relationships between teammates, restaurant staff, and supporters who have all made El Farolito their own. The victories and losses of the club team are a standalone story, but I was captured by what happens between games. 

I would like to make the disclaimer, this far into my review, that I am not a soccer expert, much less a sports expert. I enjoy watching all sports for the sake of excitement. 

However, with my professional background rooted in the nonprofit sector, I am acutely focused on California’s underserved communities, what makes and keeps them healthy, and how they can be empowered to continue thriving in their own way. 

I’ve noticed we use buzz words like “interconnectivity”, “community-driven solutions”, “empowerment”, and “collective impact”, sometimes forgetting altogether to recognize them when they are happening right in front of us. 

But, what I’ve come to learn and value the most from my work, and what is apparent in this documentary, is that the value of community institutions, whether they are a nonprofit program or a taqueria-turned-soccer-club, also unintentionally fulfill greater needs beyond their intended purpose.  

The next time my family places their mega-order from El Farolito, we will undoubtedly enjoy it, as we always have. 

But, a new understanding of the history and people behind the counter will add a new flavor profile and enhance the entire experience for me. 

A huge thank you to Abel and his peers for putting together this work, and thank you for reading my review! 

Make sure to check out “Burrito Boys” here :)