Highlights
- Great beer selection
oChef » Sarita’s – San Francisco
Sarita’s - San Francisco
Photo from Sarita’s
Sarita’s at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🇸🇻 Salvadoran Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 42 of the guests
#126 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#1 Salvadoran Restaurant out of 17 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
201
Reviews
93%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Friendly Service
- Great Value
- Tasty Food
Frequently criticized
- Dry Hen
- Bland Pork
- Dish Inconsistency
The restaurant Sarita’s invites you to experience authentic Salvadoran flavors right in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant Mission District. You’ll discover a cozy and casual spot known for its great beer selection, perfect for unwinding.
Whether you’re looking for a delightful lunch, a satisfying dinner, or just small plates to share, this spot offers a welcoming atmosphere. You can enjoy a wide array of beverages, including wine, coffee, and cocktails, making it an ideal destination for any occasion.
Overview: Introducting Sarita’s
Sarita’s seems to offer a generally pleasant dining experience, with many appreciating the warm welcome from the family owners and the overall positive vibe. The food often hits the mark, providing satisfying flavors that keep guests coming back.
While much is well-received, a few dishes like the Grilled Hen or certain pupusas have occasionally missed the mark for some. However, the attentive service and reasonable prices generally contribute to a positive impression, making it a place worth considering.
Excellent
8.7
out of 10
201
Reviews
93%
Satisfaction
9
negative
5
neutral
187
positive
Sarita’s earns a solid 8.7 overall, reflecting a generally positive experience for many. Customer satisfaction stands at an impressive 93%, indicating that most diners leave content.
This strong performance is supported by 187 positive remarks against only 9 negative ones, drawn from a total of 201 customer comments. Digging deeper, Service (9.1) truly shines, often described as kind and efficient.
The Food (8.6) also performs well, frequently praised for its flavors and portion sizes. Guests also find the Value (8.7) to be quite good, and the Ambience (8.6) contributes to a comfortable setting.
What people like
- Attentive, kind service
- Excellent value
- Flavorful main dishes
What people don't like
- Dry grilled hen
- Bland pork
- Specific dish inconsistency
Sarita’s comes with a strong recommendation score of 8.9, suggesting it’s a place many would happily revisit. If you’re seeking a spot with genuinely friendly service and good value, it certainly warrants a visit.
While some specific dishes might not always hit the mark, the overall experience, especially the flavorful main offerings, makes it a worthwhile stop. It’s a solid choice for a satisfying meal in a welcoming setting.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Sarita’s
Food (8.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this place truly shines, boasting an excellent score of 8.6 and an outstanding customer satisfaction of 90.2%. Based on 119 positive remarks out of 132 total, diners consistently praise the authentic Salvadorian food, especially the incredible pupusas, rich flavors, and generous portions that evoke a comforting home cook flavor. However, a small fraction of 8 comments did highlight some areas for improvement.
A few found the guacamole heavy, the grilled hen dry, and some veggies disappointing. There were also mentions of bland pork and other dishes like quesadillas and burritos not quite meeting expectations.
Food
132
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
8
negative
5
neutral
119
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Salvadorian food
- Incredible, flavorful pupusas
- Generous, home-style portions
What people don't like
- Dry grilled hen
- Bland pork
- Heavy guacamole
Often praised
- pupusasThe guacamole is a must-try; it's made to order and absolutely perfect. I enjoyed a Pacifico, the guacamole, and a couple of pupusas, which made me a very happy camper. The atmosphere and food both received a perfect score of 5, and the service was also rated a 5.
- foodI don't often leave reviews, but I am OBSESSED with Sarita's and NEED them to stay around! I was just walking down Valencia tonight and was drawn in by the amazing smell – and the food tasted even better than it smelled 😂. The food is incredible, and the service is the KINDEST, provided by an amazing family who’s so proud of their roots.
- pupusa comboGot the pupusa combo with beans and plaintains
- BotanaWe liked this botana because they put an extremely good amount of meats and shrimps and all the other favs and not filled with tortillas only compared to other places where they give you botana but packed with tortilla.
- FoodFood:5
- beansThe “crazy” pupusa is HUGE (see half eaten pic). I loved the pupusa combo and that the beans are vegetarian friendly. We left super full!
- chicken soupthe chicken soup was lovely to cut that
- flavor💯 on flavor, texture, food readiness and smell!
- flavorsThe flavors make me enjoy eating here
- portion sizeI usually buy the 2 pupusas and chicken or beef soup combo to go. The portion size is very generous; for those who eat little, it can easily serve for 2 meals. 🤭😁 The soup has a delicious flavor, and the pupusas satisfy cravings.
Frequently criticized
- BurritoQuesadilla and burrito did not slap
- Grilled HenI think that hen died of thirst as it was about as dry as you could serve up a bird of any kind.
- Guacamole and ChipsThe guacamole was so heavy and thick and served up a chip that tasted and looked like a Doritos chip.
- QuesadillaQuesadilla and burrito did not slap
- dipping saucethat dish misses a simple dipping sauce.
- porkthe pork was bland and was lacking flavor
- pupusasthe pupusas were not it
- veggiesthe veggies...sad .
If you're craving authentic Salvadorian cuisine, especially pupusas, this spot is definitely worth a visit. The overwhelming positive feedback suggests a delicious and satisfying meal awaits, though some non-specialty items might be less consistent.
Service (9.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 73% of the guests
When it comes to service, this place truly shines! With an excellent score of 9.1 and a stellar 97.3% customer satisfaction, its clear guests are consistently impressed. Out of 37 total remarks, a whopping 36 rave about the fantastic experience, highlighting the friendly staff, responsive waitress, and fast service that make every visit a joy.
Youll find friendly service is the norm here. However, its worth noting that one comment did express concern for an overworked waiter, suggesting a moment where staff might have been stretched thin. While this was a singular observation among many glowing reviews, its something to keep in mind, but certainly not a common complaint.
Service
37
Reviews
97%
Satisfaction
1
negative
0
neutral
36
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast service
- Attentive servers
What people don't like
Often praised
- serviceIt’s amazing to me that a place like this is not full 24/7, but I’m sure once word spreads it will be! I had the best pupusas ever, enjoyed attentive service, and was impressed by the incredible prices!
- ServiceService is alright and friendly
- staffEverything was amazing staff
- Friendly staffFriendly staff
- NataliNatali, who runs the place, is super friendly
- customer attentiongreat customer attention
- everyone working hereEveryone working here is an absolute gem.
- family ownersThe prices are great, the food taste is amazingly good, the environment is clean and smells good, with nice decorations and great music. The family owners are amazing and kind. I prefer Saritas much more than Pasitas, Balompie, or any other Salvadorean restaurant in the Bay Area.
- fast servicefast service
- food readinessFood was so fast to get to the table!
Frequently criticized
- waiterI kinda felt sorry for our waiter as it seemed she was working the front and the back and the kitchen all by herself.
If youre looking for a place where youll feel genuinely cared for, this spot is a definite must-try. The overwhelmingly positive feedback on service means you can expect a warm welcome and efficient attention, making your dining experience truly enjoyable.
Ambience (8.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 41% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot truly shines! With a fantastic score of 8.6 and an incredible 100% customer satisfaction, its clear guests adore the atmosphere. Based on 23 glowing remarks, people consistently praise the restaurants cleanliness, lovely decorations, and great music.
Many also appreciate the spacious and comfortable setup, making for a truly friendly environment. Whats even more impressive is the complete absence of any negative feedback regarding the ambience. It seems theres simply nothing to complain about, with every single comment highlighting a positive aspect of the restaurant's environment.
This consistency speaks volumes about the delightful experience awaiting you.
Ambience
23
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
23
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean and spacious
- Lovely, friendly atmosphere
- Great music and decor
What people don't like
Often praised
- atmospherethe atmosphere was lovely
- environmentenvironment is clean and smell good
- restaurantThe atole de elote is possibly the best I've ever had. The restaurant itself is very spacious and comfortable, and we loved the nice tables and bench seating.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- HygieneHygiene is great!
- decorationsreally nice decorations around
- friendly environmentFriendly environment
- high chairsThey have high chairs!
- interioradoooorable interior
- lotería gametheir lotería game is so much fun
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If youre looking for a place with a fantastic atmosphere, this is definitely it. The consistently positive feedback and high scores mean you can expect a clean, comfortable, and enjoyable environment for your visit. Its a solid choice if ambience is a top priority for you.
Value (8.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 20% of the guests
Looking for a place that wont break the bank? This spot absolutely nails it when it comes to value! With an impressive score of 8.7, guests are consistently thrilled, and customer satisfaction is an excellent 100%.
Based on 9 positive remarks, patrons frequently praise the prices and pricing as incredibly well-priced, often highlighting the fantastic happy hour as a major win. Whats even more remarkable is the complete absence of any negative feedback regarding the cost. There are zero negative mentions, indicating that every single customer finds the prices and overall pricing to be more than fair, leaving no room for complaints about the value.
Value
9
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Prices are great
- Excellent value
- Happy hour available
What people don't like
Often praised
- pricesIn conclusion, this is the best Salvadorean place to eat. The prices are great, the food taste is amazingly good, the environment is clean and smells good, with nice decorations and great music. The family owners are amazing and kind.
- Great pricesGreat prices
- happy hourI also love that they have a happy hour!
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had the pupusas, which were great and at a super reasonable price. I will definitely come back for lunch 🩷.
- pricingthe pricing is reasonable
- valueone of the most value restaurants
- well-pricedmost well-priced
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If youre looking for a fantastic meal that wont empty your wallet, this place is a clear winner. The value is consistently excellent, making it a smart choice for anyone seeking great food at incredibly reasonable prices.
How are the prices at Sarita’s?
You’re looking at roughly 19 per person – reported by 42 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Salvadoran Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people spend, most guests are indeed finding options in that $11–$20 sweet spot, though there are also popular choices in the $21–$30 range, suggesting a nice mix of options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 42 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Salvadoran spot in San Francisco. It offers good value for a casual meal without breaking the bank, and there’s enough variety to suit different budgets.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Sarita’s
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Meal Type
- Dinner
6
Mixed Feelings on Yuca and Pork
My experience at the restaurant was a mix. I ordered the Yuca and pork, which was good. However, the pupusas were not to my liking, and the pork was bland and lacked flavor.
- Yuca and pork7
- pupusas3
- pork3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
8
Good Service, Reasonable Prices
My experience at this restaurant was positive. The service was good, and the pricing was reasonable. It's definitely a good place to stop for a pupusa (or two).
- service8
- pricing7
- pupusa7
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Great Last-Minute Option
My experience at this restaurant was excellent. The papusas were yummy and the plantains were perfect and great. The service was friendly, and the place usually has open tables at all times.
It's a perfect choice on nights when Valencia street is too crowded and you need a last-minute option.
- papusas9
- plantains10
- service8
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
3
Gut Instinct Ignored, Food Disappoints
My gut instinct told me to skip this place, and I wish I had listened. We tried three dishes: Guacamole and Chips, Yucca and Pork, and Grilled Hen with rice. The guacamole was heavy and thick, served with a chip that resembled a Doritos chip – sad and not tasty at all.
The yucca root was nice and crisp yet tender, and the pork was cooked to perfection, but the dish desperately needed a simple dipping sauce, like a lime with pepper sauce, to lighten it up. The grilled hen was incredibly dry, as if it had died of thirst. The rice was alright, but the accompanying vegetables were sad.
Service was alright and friendly; I felt for our waiter who seemed to be handling everything alone.
- Yucca root7
- pork8
- rice5
- Guacamole and Chips2
- dipping sauce3
- Grilled Hen2
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
9
Great Pupusas, Worth the Wait
We visited on a Sunday and were seated right away. The service was great. Although the food took a while to come out, it wasn’t an issue for my husband and I.
We really loved the pupusas!
- seating9
- service9
- food6
What Sarita’s offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What parking and accessibility options are available at Sarita’s?
When you visit Sarita’s in the Mission District, you’ll find convenient paid parking options, including a lot and street parking, often with plenty of spaces. The restaurant also ensures accessibility for everyone, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance and seating for your comfort.
Can I bring my dog to Sarita’s, and what kind of dining experience can I expect?
Yes, you can bring your dog to Sarita’s, as they are allowed outside. You can expect a cozy and casual dining experience, perfect for lunch or dinner. The restaurant offers table service, and you can also enjoy small plates, a great beer selection, and other beverages.
What is Sarita's overall rating and what do customers think about its key aspects?
Sarita’s holds a strong overall score of 8.7. Customers particularly praise the Service (9.1), Value (8.7), Food (8.6), and Ambience (8.6), indicating a well-rounded positive experience.
Is Sarita's considered good value for money?
Yes, many customers highlight Sarita’s as offering great value (8.7). Opinions frequently mention reasonable prices and even a happy hour, making it an affordable option.
Are there any specific food items to be cautious about at Sarita's?
While the food (8.6) is generally well-received, some specific dishes like the Grilled Hen, Burrito, or certain pupusas have received comments about being dry or lacking flavor.