Bucket list

30 Hall of Fame dishes of the neighborhood

30 Mission dishes you have to try.

There is no better food neighborhood in America than San Francisco’s Mission District. As such, we’ve compiled a list of the best and brightest things to eat and drink in the best spots in the neighborhood, ranging from ice cream shops to dives to temples of California cuisine. We’ve hit the pavement, seeking our favorite Mexican and Latin American destinations. We’ve shared our favorite tasting menus, and our picks for the best places to take vegetarians. We even shared suggestions on our favorite ways to explore the area.

To get us started, however, we thought it essential to anoint the dishes that we, the Chronicle food staff, see as the Hall of Famers of the Mission — old and new classics alike that have come to shape the neighborhood through the decades.

We also feel it’s a pretty darn good bucket list for any Bay Area eater.

Stephen Lam / Special to The Chronicle Margherita pizza at Pizzeria Delfina is a must-try classic.