Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » El Capitan – San Francisco
El Capitan - San Francisco
Photo from El Capitan
El Capitan at a glance
San Francisco West SoMa
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 78 of the guests
#2140 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#122 Mexican Restaurant out of 134 in San Francisco
Good
6.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
459
Reviews
57.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Budget-friendly
- Large portions
- Flavorful Mexican
Frequently criticized
- Uneven quality
- Service lapses
- Unpleasant atmosphere
The restaurant El Capitan is a vibrant Mexican restaurant located in the heart of San Francisco’s West SoMa neighborhood. At El Capitan Taqueria, you’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
Whether you’re craving authentic flavors for lunch or dinner, or even some late-night food, this spot has you covered. It’s a great choice for anyone looking for delicious Mexican cuisine in a welcoming setting.
Overview: Introducting El Capitan
El Capitan offers a mixed experience, often praised for its hearty tacos and burritos, with many finding the portion size generous. It’s a spot where you can often find satisfying meals, especially if you appreciate a good value.
However, some experiences at El Capitan point to inconsistencies, particularly concerning food quality and occasional issues with customer service. While some find the atmosphere lively, others have noted concerns about cleanliness and noise.
Good
6.1
out of 10
459
Reviews
57.5%
Satisfaction
153
negative
42
neutral
264
positive
El Capitan holds an overall restaurant score of 6.1, placing it squarely in the average category. Customer satisfaction stands at 57.5%, indicating a mixed reception among diners.
This feedback comes from a substantial 459 customer remarks, with 264 positive observations contrasting with 153 negative ones, suggesting a noticeable split in experiences. Diving deeper, Value emerges as a relative strength (6.8), often highlighted for its affordability.
The Food (6.3) and Ambience (6.2) also land in the average range, though some find the food inconsistent. Service (5.3) is noted as average but leans towards needing improvement, reflecting some reported issues with staff interactions.
What people like
- Affordable pricing
- Generous portions
- Tasty tacos/burritos
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Service inconsistencies
- Ambience issues
With a recommendation score of 6.1, El Capitan presents itself as a place with potential, particularly if you prioritize value and substantial portions. It can be a solid choice for a casual meal, especially if you’re seeking specific Mexican staples like tacos or burritos.
However, be prepared for a potentially inconsistent experience, especially regarding food quality and service. If you’re looking for a consistently polished dining experience or a quiet atmosphere, you might find El Capitan falls short.
It’s best approached with realistic expectations.
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Verdict: Our expert take on El Capitan
Food (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
The food here is a bit of a mixed bag, with 164 positive comments highlighting delicious options like El Capitan Taco Salad and Super Nachos, along with generous portions and great flavor. Many appreciate the vegan menu and vegetarian options, finding the food fresh and cooked perfectly. Overall, the food scores an average 6.3, suggesting it often hits the spot.
However, there are 82 negative opinions that point to some significant issues. Customers have described the food as bland, rubbery and tasteless, or soggy, with concerns about poor food quality and zero flavor in some dishes. This contributes to a mixed 58.8% customer satisfaction, indicating inconsistency in the dining experience.
Food
279
Reviews
58%
Satisfaction
82
negative
33
neutral
164
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious food options
- Generous portion sizes
- Excellent vegan choices
What people don't like
- Bland, tasteless food
- Inconsistent food quality
- Soggy or dry dishes
Often praised
- foodI do enjoy the food served here when it is properly made
- tacosMy experience at this restaurant was centered around their delicious and cheap tacos. I particularly enjoyed the regular taco.
- burritosMy favorite experience is dinner and dessert. Any of their dinner plates are good, and the burritos with carne asada or carnitas are great! I love the chicken flautas and have been going back and forth between that and a plain cheese quesadilla.
- food qualityThey also offer American style food and pizza, providing a variety of options. The service was excellent, rated 5 out of 5, and the food quality was also very good, rated 4 out of 5. The atmosphere was pleasant, rated 4 out of 5.
- portion sizeToo much for me to finish in one sitting
- California BurritoIt's also a great spot because it's one of the few places open till 3 am, which is a huge plus. I highly recommend the California Burrito.
- FoodFood:4
- Taco TuesdayThey have Taco Tuesday here every week
- burritoI'm always on the lookout for bargain vegan options, and this place delivered. I got an incredibly delicious and healthy burrito for only $12, made with a whole wheat tortilla, beans, rice, and avocado. They also offer vegan meat, sour cream, and cheese for those who prefer it.
- delicious foodLook at the delicious food on my plate!!!
Frequently criticized
- fooddouble check any food they do give you. Could be spoiled
- food qualityI couldn't finish my meal after that and ended up throwing it away. I would advise others to stay away due to the bad food quality. However, I will give them extra stars for remaking the burritos after I called to notify them that their pico de gallo was off.
- blandThe mushroom quesadilla was good, but there were more bell peppers and onions versus mushrooms in it. It was a bit bland on its own, but nothing some hot sauce can’t fix. They have a lot of options for vegetarians and vegans.
- burritoAfter a night out with friends, I visited this restaurant and ordered a California Burrito with carnitas. I have to say that it was the driest burrito I have ever had. There was zero moisture in the burrito, and it was so hard to devour.
- meatOn one occasion, I ordered the shrimp and steak burrito. While it had plenty of shrimp, it didn't have much meat. The reviewer rated Service, Atmosphere, and Food as 4 out of 5.
- ricerice feel for me there is to much salt
- shrimpshrimp in my burrito was going bad
- tortillastarch and juice on starch, making it all soggy and without structural integrity
- Al Pastordidn't taste the pork
- California BurritoAfter a night out with friends, I visited this restaurant and ordered a California Burrito with carnitas. I have to say that it was the driest burrito I have ever had. There was zero moisture in the burrito, and it was so hard to devour.
If youre looking for a place with a wide array of options, especially for vegans and vegetarians, and dont mind a bit of hit-or-miss quality, it might be worth a try. Just be aware that while some dishes are praised for their flavor and generous portions, others have fallen flat.
Service (5.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 59% of the guests
It seems the service here is a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.3 indicating its pretty average, and customer satisfaction sitting at a 48% mixed level. On the bright side, many customers, in 49 positive remarks, frequently praise the "friendly staff, " "speed" of service, and appreciate the "late hours" and dedicated "employees" and "chefs. "However, there are also 48 negative remarks that highlight some significant issues.
Customers have reported problems with "delivery" and "order" accuracy, encountering "rude" or "unprofessional" staff, and even concerns about "unsanitary practices. " It appears theres room for improvement in consistency and customer interaction.
Service
102
Reviews
48%
Satisfaction
48
negative
5
neutral
49
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast service
- Open late hours
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Order errors
- Unsanitary practices
Often praised
- servicethe service was friendly and fast
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was positive, primarily due to the friendly staff and the fact that it's open late, which is great! The meat was seasoned fairly well.
- ServiceService:4
- customer serviceGreat customer service
- cashierthe guy cashier was so sweet
- chefsTake care, and I highly recommend this restaurant. Love the food and great employees and great chefs too! Thanks, El Capitan.
- deliveryhave it delivered
- delivery orderHad no issues with our delivery order
- employeesTake care, and I highly recommend this restaurant. Love the food and great employees and great chefs too! Thanks, El Capitan.
- experienceVery nice.👍
Frequently criticized
- customer serviceMy experience at this restaurant was very disappointing due to the terrible customer service. The large man who took our order exhibited unsanitary practices by wiping his nose with his fingers and then touching my order.
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing, primarily due to the service. After waiting at the bar for 15 minutes, the bartender finally indicated I was in the wrong spot. If a business is popular enough that people go out of their way to visit, they should at least practice the bare minimum for service.
- deliveryI would not recommend delivery. I ordered from here twice and my order has been wrong both times.
- ownerowner is that desperate to make money
- allergy infothey don’t follow allergy info
- attention to ingredientsplease more attention is really a bummer
- attitude and serviceHorrible attitude and service from staff
- bare minimum for servicepractice the bare minimum for service
- blameTwo of the meals were passable, though not what we asked for, and one was entirely wrong. To make matters worse, the restaurant attempted to shift the blame onto the delivery driver, a poor excuse considering the receipt is clearly attached to the bag, and the errors stemmed from the kitchen, not the courier. Being hung up on twice when I simply called to get the issue resolved was the most disappointing part.
- cashierhe starts arguing that I should not miss my ticket
If youre looking for quick service and friendly faces, especially during late hours, you might have a good experience. However, be aware that theres a noticeable chance of encountering rude staff, order mistakes, or even unsanitary practices, which could definitely disappoint.
Ambience (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 36% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot has a lot going for it, with a 6.2 score and 62.5% customer satisfaction indicating a mixed but generally acceptable experience. Many of the 56 opinions praise the great vibe and fun music, especially for those looking for a lively atmosphere. Guests appreciate that its "open late" and note the "cleansiness, " making for a pleasant visit.
However, its not all sunshine and rainbows. Some patrons found the crowds overwhelming, making finding a seat a challenge. There are also concerns about an unpleasant smell and some describe the place as dirty or run down, with a few even mentioning offensive music that made the atmosphere uncomfortable.
Ambience
56
Reviews
62%
Satisfaction
17
negative
4
neutral
35
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great vibe
- Open late hours
- Wheelchair accessible
What people don't like
- Gets too crowded
- Unpleasant smells
- Offensive music
Often praised
- atmosphereThey recently switched management which caused a noticeable dip in the quality of their cooking - this has since been remedied though, so I wouldn't worry about it too much. All in all, El Capitan Taqueria is a great place to end an evening of drinking and partying, with their lively atmosphere and above average fare (they serve alcohol, too!) it's hard to find better bang for your buck anywhere in SoMa.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- placesimple, unassuming place that hit the spot
- restaurantThe restaurant is clean and well lit
- Mexican dive restaurantGreat Mexican dive restaurant
- cleansinessCleansiness 5 🌟 They keep it clean including the toilet.
- fun musicI got the pollo asado super quesadilla, which had lots of meat and cheese and was cooked perfectly. The restaurant also has a great vibe when you sit in, with fun music while you wait or eat.
- gender ratioGender Ratio 5 🌟 Every gender comes there.
- good restaurantIt was a good restaurant
- great vibeThe restaurant also has a great vibe
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereRestaurant was bare and appeared unfinished in it's design
- placeThe place stinks, it's a bit dirty
- crowdsit gets really crowded
- dirtyit's a bit dirty
- finding a seatyou'll never find a seat
- fryer oil smellcould smell the oil from the fryer and it was past it's prime
- health violationsThey have a lot of options for vegetarians and vegans. I had no issues with our delivery order and had only vegetarian food, but afterwards, I did see the other reviews about potential health violations.
- logologo is a pirate because they lie steal and cheat
- musicmusic was so loud I could barely hear the guy
- offensive musicThe atmosphere was also a major issue. The music played was very offensive, containing explicit sexual references and vulgar language, which was entirely inappropriate for a family environment.
If youre looking for a lively, late-night spot with a good vibe and dont mind potential crowds or a casual, sometimes gritty atmosphere, this place could hit the spot. However, if you're sensitive to strong smells or prefer a quiet, pristine environment, you might want to consider other options.
Value (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 20% of the guests
When it comes to value, customers generally feel pretty good, with a strong 72.7% satisfaction rate. Many of the 16 positive comments out of 22 total remarks highlight the affordable Mexican fare and decent prices for drinks and food. Guests often praise the great portion for the price, finding it to be a great value and bang for your buck overall.
However, the overall score of 6.8 suggests there's a bit of a mixed bag. While many find the main offerings reasonable, 6 negative remarks point to some specific cost concerns. Issues like a plastic bag charge, credit card charge, and the price of a can of soda occasionally leave guests feeling that certain items are a bit too expensive, with parking also being a minor hassle.
Value
22
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
6
negative
0
neutral
16
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable drinks
- Decent food prices
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Credit card fee
- Plastic bag charge
- Expensive soda
Often praised
- priceincredibly delicious and healthy burrito for only $12
- Pricingvery affordable In Pricing
- acceptable pricesThis place was a win. We experienced big portions and acceptable prices. We ate in and would do it again.
- affordable Mexican fareproviding affordable Mexican fare
- bang for your buckThey recently switched management which caused a noticeable dip in the quality of their cooking - this has since been remedied though, so I wouldn't worry about it too much. All in all, El Capitan Taqueria is a great place to end an evening of drinking and partying, with their lively atmosphere and above average fare (they serve alcohol, too!) it's hard to find better bang for your buck anywhere in SoMa.
- decent pricesGood food for decent prices
- drinksDrinks 5 🌟 Mexican drinks, Mexican beer, Corona, soda are so affordable.
- portion for the pricegreat portion for the price.
- pricestheir prices are very very fair.
- reasonableVery reasonable
Frequently criticized
- can of sodaforced to purchase a $3.25 can of soda that I didn’t need or want
- credit card charge$0.53 charge on a credit card
- parkingParking space: Somewhat difficult to find parking
- plastic bag chargecharged $0.25 for a plastic
- pricePrice is super high!
- pricescharge almost 3 dollars to pretty much their entire menu
If you're looking for generally affordable Mexican food with good portions and fair drink prices, this spot is worth checking out. Just be mindful of potential extra charges for things like plastic bags or credit card use, and perhaps skip the canned soda to keep your bill truly budget-friendly.
How are the prices at El Capitan?
You’re looking at roughly 18 per person – reported by 78 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.
Most guests stick to this sweet spot. A big cluster of 52 prices falls right into the $11–$20 range. This shows prices really cluster around the average.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 78 reviews.
A look at how this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering it’s a mid-range Mexican spot, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers good value without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about El Capitan
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Quick Slice, Nice View
I had a quick slice of pizza during my visit. The pizza was hot and semi-fresh, but it wasn't anything special; it did the job. The atmosphere was also unremarkable, nothing special.
However, I did enjoy watching the busy street outside through the huge windows while I ate.
- pizza6
- atmosphere5
- huge windows7
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
2
Uncooked Shrimp and Upset Stomach
I had a Shrimp quesadilla earlier today, and unfortunately, the shrimp was uncooked. This has resulted in an upset stomach. I urge you to be more careful with food preparation.
- Shrimp quesadilla2
- shrimp1
- upset stomach1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Takeout
9
Best Burritos in SF!
I ordered takeout from here and got the vegan super burrito, while Bryce got the prawn and steak burrito. I loved my burrito; the only difference I would make next time is to get black beans. Bryce also liked his, and we agreed it was one of the best burritos we’ve had in SF.
It also came with tortilla chips and salsas, which were too spicy lol.
- vegan super burrito9
- prawn and steak burrito8
- best burritos10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Excellent Veggie Burrito and Salsas!
My daughter brought me here shortly after I arrived in the city. I had the veggie burrito and it was excellent. The chips were fresh, and both the red and green salsas were delicious.
I will definitely be back.
- veggie burrito9
- chips8
- red and green salsas9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Late Night Mexican Gem!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially for late-night Mexican food in San Francisco. The location is perfect, situated amidst the best nightclubs and dance clubs, making it ideal for grabbing a bite after a night out. The hours are a huge plus, as they are open till late, perfect for midnight snacks.
The drinks, including Mexican beer like Corona and sodas, are incredibly affordable, though I do wish they had coffee. The speed of service is impressive; if you're hungry, this is the place to be. Cleanliness is also top-notch, including the restrooms.
The gender ratio is diverse, with LGBTQ, Goth, and leather communities all present, fostering a friendly atmosphere at the counter where you can make great friends. The food quality is very good, with everything cooked carefully. I've tried 60% of the menu and enjoyed it all.
The staff makes you feel truly at home, and as a repeat customer who's been here 20+ times, I'm certain locals feel the same.
- location10
- hours10
- drinks10
- coffee3
What El Capitan offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Checks
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Late-night food
- Beer
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining and service options are available at El Capitan Taqueria?
El Capitan Taqueria offers a range of convenient service options including dine-in, takeout, delivery, curbside pickup, and no-contact delivery. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner, with seating available. They also provide late-night food and quick bites in a casual setting.
Is El Capitan Taqueria accessible and family-friendly?
Yes, El Capitan Taqueria is designed with accessibility in mind, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, and restroom. It’s also considered good for kids, making it a welcoming spot for families. Free Wi-Fi is available for your convenience.
What is the overall standing of El Capitan?
El Capitan has an overall score of 6.1, indicating an average performance. While Value (6.8) is a strong point, Food (6.3) and Ambience (6.2) are average, and Service (5.3) is on the lower end of average.
Is the food quality consistent at El Capitan?
Opinions on food quality at El Capitan are mixed. While many praise specific items like tacos and burritos, some customers have reported issues with blandness, dryness, or even spoiled ingredients, suggesting inconsistency.
Is El Capitan considered good value for money?
Yes, El Capitan is frequently noted for its good value. Many customers appreciate the affordable pricing, generous portion sizes, and reasonable cost of drinks, making it a budget-friendly option for Mexican fare.