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Tacos El Charro - San Francisco
Photo from Tacos El Charro
Tacos El Charro at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 13 of the guests
#886 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#46 Mexican Restaurant out of 134 in San Francisco
Good
7.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
64
Reviews
78.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic Tacos
- Friendly Staff
- Street Vibes
Frequently criticized
- High Prices
- Small Portions
- Limited Seating
Overview: Introducting Tacos El Charro
Tacos El Charro offers a genuine experience, with many appreciating its authentic tacos and vibrant street food vibes. The friendly staff also contributes to a welcoming atmosphere, making it a pleasant spot for a quick bite.
It’s a place that captures the essence of casual, flavorful Mexican fare. However, some visitors have noted concerns regarding the overall value, particularly the high price for what are essentially street tacos.
While the flavors are often praised, there are occasional remarks about portion consistency and the limited seating options, which can impact the dining experience.
Good
7.7
out of 10
64
Reviews
78.1%
Satisfaction
12
negative
2
neutral
50
positive
Tacos El Charro generally leaves a positive impression, reflected in its solid Restaurant Score of 7.7. Customer feedback indicates a Customer Satisfaction of 78.1%, suggesting most diners leave content.
This overall sentiment is built on 50 positive remarks against 12 negative ones, out of 64 total comments, painting a picture of a well-regarded establishment. The culinary offerings truly stand out, with Food earning an impressive (8.2), and the Service also receiving high marks (8.4).
The Ambience (7.2) contributes positively to the experience, though it has its quirks. The primary area for improvement appears to be Value (4), which some patrons found less compelling, indicating a potential disconnect between price and perceived portion or offering.
What people like
- Authentic, flavorful tacos
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Vibrant street food vibes
What people don't like
- Perceived high prices
- Inconsistent food portions
- Limited seating options
If you’re seeking genuine Mexican street food with a lively atmosphere and excellent service, Tacos El Charro is certainly worth considering. The 7.9 Recommendation Score suggests a strong likelihood of a satisfying visit, especially if your priority is flavorful food and a welcoming team.
However, be mindful of the pricing for street tacos and the potential for smaller portions, which some find less than ideal. If value for money is your top concern, you might find aspects of the experience less appealing.
For a focus on taste and a casual setting, it’s a solid choice.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Tacos El Charro
Food (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
The food here is definitely a crowd-pleaser, boasting a strong 8.2 score and a fantastic 84.1% customer satisfaction. Many of the 37 positive comments rave about the authentic street tacos, especially the Al Pastor, lengua, and tripa, praising their fresh and tasty flavors. The green and queso sauces also get a lot of love, making for a properly spicy and excellent meal.
However, not everyone is completely thrilled. A few of the 6 negative comments mention concerns about smaller portions and a lack of consistency, particularly with the al pastor sometimes lacking sear or having a thinner cut of meat. Some also felt the tacos could be a bit oily, which was a minor point of contention.
Food
44
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
6
negative
1
neutral
37
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic street tacos
- Delicious Al Pastor
- Wonderful sauces
What people don't like
- Smaller portions
- Inconsistent food quality
- Al pastor lacks sear
Often praised
- foodThe food was excellent
- al pastorAuthentic al pastor in the heart of the Mission
- lenguaMy personal favorites: cabeza, pastor and lengua
- pastorMy personal favorites: cabeza, pastor and lengua
- tacosThe tacos here are the most authentic street tacos
- Al Pastor TacosFire Al Pastor Tacos! This place has been on my radar for a long time, and I'm glad I finally made it out this Sunday to try it.
- Al pastorReally good Al pastor. This place is legit.
- Mexican street foodDelicious takeout Mexican street food
- Pastor TacosExcellent Option if you are looking for Pastor Tacos
- Taco Árabe meatfind "Taco Árabe" meat, this is a great alternative
Frequently criticized
- al pastorthey skimp on the al pastor and don't have enough sear
- consistencyWhile the food was good, I found the price for street tacos to be way too high, especially considering the portions are now a lot smaller. It's very disappointing that they are not able to be consistent with their food. No bueno!
- cut of meatI wish their cut of meat was a bit thicker
- foodFood:2
- portionstheir portions are a lot smaller
- tacothe taco is oily and toasted well
If you're craving authentic street tacos, especially Al Pastor, this spot is definitely worth a visit for its delicious flavors and wonderful sauces. Just be mindful that some have noted smaller portions and occasional inconsistency, so set your expectations accordingly.
Service (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 24% of the guests
Youre in for a treat when it comes to service here! With a really good score of 8.4 and an outstanding 100% customer satisfaction, its clear they excel. Based on 5 positive pieces of feedback, guests consistently rave about the friendly staff and how kind and friendly the team is.
Many also appreciate the no wait experience, even at opening. What's truly remarkable is the complete absence of any negative feedback regarding the service. Out of 5 observations, there were zero critical remarks, which is quite impressive.
This suggests a consistently smooth and pleasant experience for every guest, leaving no areas for improvement highlighted by customers.
Service
5
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- No wait
- Excellent service
What people don't like
Often praised
- serviceService:5
- friendly staffVery friendly staff
- staffThe staff are kind and friendly.
- waitCame at opening time and there was no wait.
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If a genuinely friendly and efficient experience is high on your list, you absolutely should give this place a try. The service consistently earns top marks, promising a smooth visit where you'll feel truly welcomed.
Ambience (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 41% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.2 and customer satisfaction at a good 77.8%, many folks appreciate the vibe. Reviewers loved the real street food vibes, often mentioning the great music and the convenience of being open till late.
Plus, theres even "small outdoor seating" for those sunny days, based on 7 positive remarks. However, its not entirely perfect. A couple of comments, just 2 out of 9 total, pointed out a significant issue: no seating at times, with one person even having to put our plate on top of the mailbox.
While some found the atmosphere great, others rated it lower, suggesting it can be a bit of a mixed bag depending on your expectations.
Ambience
9
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
2
negative
0
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Street food vibes
- Great music
- Outdoor seating
What people don't like
- Limited seating
Often praised
- atmosphereAtmosphere:5
- musicI had extremely fresh and tasty, authentic tacos. The atmosphere was great, with common tables and great music. It truly had a real street food vibes, and I loved it.
- open till lateOpen till late
- outdoor seatingsmall outdoor seating where you can take a big bite of tacos
- seats/tablesThey have a few seats/tables available at the corner
- street food vibesreal Street food vibes
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereAtmosphere:2
- no seatingno seating, so we put our plate on top of the mailbox
If youre looking for a lively spot with genuine street food energy and dont mind a potentially casual seating situation, this place is definitely worth checking out. It's great for a late-night bite with good tunes, but be prepared that seating might be limited.
Value (4 out of 10)
mentioned by 29% of the guests
It seems theres a small silver lining when it comes to value, with one positive comment out of 6 total opinions noting a fair price for certain items. However, the overall picture is less rosy, with the value score landing at an average 4 and customer satisfaction a rather poor 16.7%. On the flip side, the majority of the 4 negative comments out of 6 total opinions expressed significant concerns about the price and taco price.
Many felt the restaurant was charging more for less, especially for street tacos, with customers finding the cost wild and way too much' for what they received.
Value
6
Reviews
16%
Satisfaction
4
negative
1
neutral
1
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
- High taco prices
- Poor overall value
Often praised
- priceal pastor at $5
Frequently criticized
- charging moreNo bueno! They’re charging more for less!
- pricecharging way to much for street tacos
- street tacoI can’t not give them 5 stars, but $5 for a street taco is still WILD to me. The food was excellent, but the price of the street taco was surprisingly high.
- taco price$4 a taco and it's whatevers
If youre looking for great value, this might not be your top pick, especially if youre eyeing the tacos. While some specific items might be reasonably priced, the general sentiment points to disappointment regarding overall cost for quality.
How are the prices at Tacos El Charro?
You’re looking at roughly 15 per person – reported by 13 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Mexican Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, most diners cluster around this $11–$20 sweet spot, though there’s a good mix of folks spending a little less and a few who go for a slightly higher tab.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 13 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
For a Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It hits a good balance, offering solid value without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Tacos El Charro
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Great Food, Wild Price
I can’t not give them 5 stars, but $5 for a street taco is still WILD to me. The food was excellent, but the price of the street taco was surprisingly high.
- food9
- street taco3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Best Al Pastor for $5!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially for the price. I had the best al pastor I've ever tasted, and it was only $5! My only tip is to avoid coming too early, as this will ensure your al pastor is extra crispy.
The food, service, and atmosphere all received a perfect 5/5 rating.
- al pastor10
- extra crispy9
- price10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
Noise Level
- Loud
3
Disappointing Price Increase for Smaller Portions
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. While the food was good, I found the price for street tacos to be way too high, especially considering the portions are now a lot smaller. It's very disappointing that they are not able to be consistent with their food.
No bueno! They’re charging more for less!
- food7
- price2
- portions2
- consistency2
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Fantastic Al Pastor Tacos!
Fire Al Pastor Tacos! This place has been on my radar for a long time, and I'm glad I finally made it out this Sunday to try it. I arrived at opening time and thankfully, there was no wait.
The staff were kind and friendly. I tried the pastor and chorizo tacos, which were fantastic – perhaps some of the best in the city. I will definitely be back!
- Al Pastor Tacos10
- pastor and chorizo tacos10
- staff9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Deliciously Spicy Meal!
My experience at the restaurant was absolutely delicious. The green sauce and queso sauce were wonderful. It was a properly spicy meal.
- green sauce9
- queso sauce9
- spicy meal8
What Tacos El Charro offers
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
Service Options
- Dine-in
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
How does Tacos El Charro rate overall?
Tacos El Charro holds a **Restaurant Score** of **7.7**, indicating a generally good experience. Its **Food** (8.2) and **Service** (8.4) are particularly strong, while **Ambience** (7.2) is also positive. **Value** (4), however, is an area where some customers found room for improvement.
What are the standout features of the food and atmosphere?
Customers frequently praise the authentic tacos, especially the al pastor, and the overall street food vibes. The atmosphere is often described as lively, with good music and some outdoor seating available, contributing to a genuine experience.
Are there any common concerns about Tacos El Charro?
The main concerns revolve around the price of the street tacos, with some feeling they are too expensive. There are also mentions of inconsistent portions and limited seating, which can affect the dining experience for some patrons.