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oChef » XICA – San Francisco
XICA - San Francisco
Photo from XICA
XICA at a glance
San Francisco Telegraph Hill
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 91 of the guests
#472 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#22 Mexican Restaurant out of 134 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
565
Reviews
83.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Gluten-Free Food
- Great Ambiance
- Attentive Service
Frequently criticized
- High Prices
- Billing Issues
- Loud Interior
The Mexican restaurant XICA in San Francisco’s vibrant Telegraph Hill neighborhood offers a truly engaging dining experience. You’ll discover a trendy spot where you can enjoy delicious meals.
Whether you’re looking for a casual lunch or a lively dinner, XICA provides a welcoming atmosphere. It’s a perfect place to explore authentic flavors and unwind.
Overview: Introducting XICA
XICA offers a vibrant dining experience, often praised for its cozy atmosphere and generally attentive service. Guests frequently highlight the delicious food, which stands out for its quality and unique offerings.
However, the experience can be a mixed bag when it comes to cost. While the culinary offerings are well-received, some diners find the overall pricing to be quite expensive, occasionally leading to concerns about value.
Excellent
8.2
out of 10
565
Reviews
83.7%
Satisfaction
74
negative
18
neutral
473
positive
This establishment achieves a respectable overall score of 8.2, reflecting a generally positive dining experience. Customer satisfaction also stands strong at 83.7%, indicating that most patrons leave content with their visit.
This solid performance is built on several key pillars. The restaurant truly shines in its Ambience (8.7) and Food (8.4), both receiving high marks for their quality and appeal.
Service (8.0) also contributes positively, with staff often noted for their attentiveness. However, the Value (3.3) aspect presents a clear challenge, with many of the 565 customer observations, including 74 negative remarks, pointing to concerns about pricing.
What people like
- Delicious Gluten-Free Menu
- Vibrant, Welcoming Ambiance
- Attentive, Friendly Staff
What people don't like
- High Prices
- Questionable Billing Practices
- Occasional Loud Interior
With a recommendation score of 8.4, this restaurant is certainly worth considering if you prioritize a lively setting and quality cuisine. It’s a place where the vibrant atmosphere and well-prepared dishes often create a memorable visit.
However, be prepared for the price point, as value is a consistent concern. If you’re seeking an enjoyable meal and experience and are less sensitive to cost, this spot could be a good fit for your next outing.
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Verdict: Our expert take on XICA
Food (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
The food at this spot is a real highlight, boasting a fantastic score of 8.4 and satisfying an impressive 85.5% of customers. With 294 positive remarks out of 344 total, diners consistently praise the delicious gluten-free options, amazing fish tacos, and magical churro waffles, highlighting the imaginative and flavorful dishes. While largely positive, there are 36 negative comments to consider.
Some guests noted issues like soggy tortillas, dishes feeling overpriced for the portion, and occasional blandness. A few also found the fried chicken a bit greasy, indicating some areas for improvement in consistency.
Food
344
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
36
negative
14
neutral
294
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Entirely gluten-free
- Delicious fish tacos
- Imaginative flavors
What people don't like
- Soggy tortillas
- Overpriced portions
- Bland dishes
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this gorgeous spot, pronounced "Chica, " was for a cocktail before climbing the Filbert Stairs. I need to come back to try some of the food, as it smelled and looked delicious! A major plus is that everything is gluten-free.
- fish tacoswaffle churros and fish tacos were absolutely delicious
- gluten-free100% gluten-free, which means no risk of cross-contamination
- waffle churrosThe food was outstanding, and it's fantastic that everything on the menu is gluten free. To top it off, the waffle churros for dessert were heavenly! We will definitely be back.
- churro wafflesdreaming about these churro waffles for months. They did NOT disappoint
- taquitosthe taquitos. The filling was delicious, it reminded me of my mom's tacos dorados. And they were perfectly crispy on the outside.
- Mexican foodMy experience at this restaurant was absolutely fantastic! We had the best Mexican food ever here. The staff were incredible and made excellent suggestions for what to order, leading us to try dishes we wouldn't have chosen otherwise, which tasted amazing.
- corn ribscorn ribs if you like spice - they won’t disappoint
- fried chickenFrom fried chicken to fish, everything danced with flavor.
- guacamoleWe also shared a very flavorful guacamole, where you could both smell and taste the little dash of oregano that was added to it.
Frequently criticized
- foodThe table we were given was cramped and uncomfortable, which made it hard to enjoy the visit. I did like the ‘Loca’ beer—it was very good—but the food didn’t meet expectations. The mole didn’t taste authentic, and the menu was quite limited, with few options to choose from.
- drinksDrinks were distinctly weak and bland
- EloteThe Elote wasn't quite what we thought
- Mexican foodthe rice, beans and the main dish were all garden variety Mexican
- PalomaPaloma isn't a Paloma
- Waffle Churrosthat food was dry - Waffle Churros
- amount of foodunbelievably overpriced for the amount of food we received
- beers and winesthey were out of several beers an wines
- breaded chickenFish tacos and the breaded chicken. It was unbelievably overpriced for the amount of food we received.
- chicken and wafflechicken and waffle too sweet
If you're seeking a restaurant with an entirely gluten-free menu and imaginative, flavorful dishes, this place is definitely worth trying. While a few items might miss the mark on consistency or value, the overall culinary experience is highly praised and likely to impress.
Service (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 75% of the guests
The service here generally shines, with a good score of 8 and customer satisfaction at a solid 79.3%. Many guests praised the friendly and attentive staff, highlighting how accommodating they were with dietary needs and quick service. With 92 positive mentions out of 116, it's clear that servers, staff, and their responsive, kind approach often leave a great impression.
However, not all experiences were perfect, with 21 negative mentions. Some diners encountered disappointing service, citing issues like slow service, forgotten requests, and long wait times for food. A few felt staff were dismissive when problems arose, leading to an unpleasant experience.
Service
116
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
21
negative
3
neutral
92
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Accommodating dietary needs
- Responsive, kind service
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Forgotten requests
- Dismissive staff
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The location and ambiance were wonderful, complemented by fantastic service. The Mexican food was delicious, and I can't wait to come back and try more.
- staffI appreciated how they thoughtfully accommodate different diners’ needs, with readily available alcohol-free drinks and vegetarian plates. The staff treated us warmly and, despite being very busy, maintained smiles and took time to explain items. Guadalupe, in particular, took excellent care of us and even shared some interesting tidbits on Mexican culture!
- serverWe had to wait for a table to be set up when we arrived. A few minutes later, we were seated, and our very nice and friendly young lady server was kind enough to bring our puppy some water. We started with a couple of drinks.
- ServiceService:4
- Wait timeWait time was non-existent
- waitressClaudia was our waitress. She did a wonderful job
- ArmandoAsk for Armando
- Claudia, our severClaudia, our sever... contagiuos smile, very attentive, accomodating and very fast
- GuadalupeGuadalupe especially took very good care of us
- Mexican cultureeven taught us some tidbits on Mexican culture
Frequently criticized
- serviceUltimately, we were brought rose, which we did not want. The service was extremely slow. Our waitress approached to ask how everything was before we had received any food or drinks, and then inquired about menu questions while we were still waiting for our orders.
- waiting timeover one hour from arriving to getting our food
- apologyWhen we notified the staff, they changed the dish, but they seemed really cavalier and dismissive about having the bug on their food. They didn't refund our dish or provide any real apology. It definitely soured our experience.
- attentionother tables around us were getting more checked on than us
- customer serviceNo explanation, no heads-up, just boom — more money gone. So we called them, and after a little customer service obstacle course, we finally spoke with a manager. That’s when the real fun began.
- drink refillnever got a refill on our drink as requested
- foodfood was extremely slow to come
- food arrivaltook a long time for the food to arrive
- private eventno nos dejaron entrar parece q tenÃan un evento privado
- refundWhen we notified the staff, they changed the dish, but they seemed really cavalier and dismissive about having the bug on their food. They didn't refund our dish or provide any real apology. It definitely soured our experience.
Overall, the service here is generally good, making it a solid choice if you value friendly and accommodating staff. While most experiences are positive, be aware that some guests have reported slow service or forgotten requests. If responsive and kind service is key for you, it's definitely worth a try.
Ambience (8.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 64% of the guests
Stepping into this spot, you're in for a treat! The ambience here is truly a standout, earning a fantastic score of 8.7 and an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 94.4%. With 85 positive remarks out of 90 total, guests consistently rave about the gorgeous decor, beautiful lighting, and the overall welcoming atmosphere.
Many especially love the lovely patio and the intentional design that creates such a great vibe. However, a few guests (5 out of 90) did note some minor drawbacks. Some found it quite loud inside, particularly the music, which occasionally soured their experience.
There was also a mention of a cramped table, suggesting that not all seating arrangements are ideal, especially for a business dinner.
Ambience
90
Reviews
94%
Satisfaction
5
negative
0
neutral
85
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Gorgeous decor
- Lovely patio
- Welcoming atmosphere
What people don't like
- Loud music
- Cramped tables
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The cozy atmosphere and attentive service made for a wonderful evening. I especially loved the patio and the charming lights.
- ambianceThe place's ambiance is great, super clean, lively!
- interiorThe interior is beautifully designed, with a clean, modern look
- locationthe staff, service, vibe, location, and the food of course. Everything was perfect
- patioyou can feel a good breeze,if you sit on the patio
- vibethe staff, service, vibe, location, and the food of course. Everything was perfect
- placeThe place is beautiful! It has super good vibes from the team working there.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- noise levelNoise level:Quiet, easy to talk
- restaurantThe restaurant is so welcoming, vibrant, and cheerful.
Frequently criticized
- business dinnerwould not return here for a business dinner
- experiencedefinitely soured our experience
- loud insideit was quite loud inside
- musicThe music was very loud
- tableThe service was slow, and it took a long time for the food to arrive. The table we were given was cramped and uncomfortable, which made it hard to enjoy the visit. I did like the ‘Loca’ beer—it was very good—but the food didn’t meet expectations.
If you're looking for a place with a fantastic atmosphere, beautiful decor, and a great vibe, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. While a few found it a bit loud, the overwhelming consensus is that the ambience makes for a truly enjoyable experience.
Value (3.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 9% of the guests
When it comes to value, it seems there's a bit of a mixed bag, though leaning heavily towards the downside. While a couple of folks found the pricing to be very adequate and even mentioned great prices, these positive sentiments are quite rare, with only 2 positive remarks out of 15 total customer observations. However, the overall sentiment paints a different picture.
With a score of just 3.3 and customer satisfaction at a low 13.3%, many customers felt the experience was on the pricy end. Common complaints revolved around the cost of items like soda and chips and salsa, with several feeling the food was overpriced. There were also significant concerns about extra charges, unauthorized upcharges, and the final bill not matching expectations, which is definitely a red flag.
Value
15
Reviews
13%
Satisfaction
12
negative
1
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Adequate pricing
- Great prices
What people don't like
- Overpriced food
- Excessive charges
- Unauthorized upcharge
Often praised
- pricesgreat prices
- pricingPricing is very adequate
Frequently criticized
- priceWayyy to expensive
- SF pricesIt is SF prices, so be ready to pay above average
- billActually really good — small portions, but hey, we weren’t expecting buffet-style. The bill came out to $149, and my husband left a $10 tip because we’re decent people. That brought our total to $159.
- chargeOr so we thought. Two days later, plot twist — my husband gets a random $60 charge from Xica. No explanation, no heads-up, just boom — more money gone.
- charge extrathey charge extra for every little thing
- chips and salsaThe restaurant wasn't even busy. Paying $5 for a single can of soda and $15 for chips and salsa is excessive. I would not recommend this place.
- extra chargeInteresting, considering the original said $159 and was already paid for. So unless brunch comes with a side of financial wizardry, someone at Xica thought it’d be cute to slip in an extra charge. Look — good food doesn’t excuse shady business.
- overpriced foodWhile I'm unsure if our server was new or having an off day, this experience has made me not want to return. We spent over $120 for overpriced food and poor service. On a positive note, it was a safe meal for us due to their dedicated gluten-free kitchen.
- receiptThat’s when the real fun began. Suddenly, there’s a brand new receipt. One that magically adds up to over $200.
- sodaYou pay $5 for a single can of soda
If youre looking for a budget-friendly meal, this might not be your spot, as many found it quite expensive with unexpected charges. However, if youre prepared for higher prices and potential bill discrepancies, you might still find some value in the food itself.
How are the prices at XICA?
You’re looking at roughly 45 per person – reported by 91 diners. That puts it in the $41–$50 category. For a Mexican Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While many guests enjoy a more budget-friendly meal, the data shows a good number also opt for a more premium experience, pulling the average spend up.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 91 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering it’s a Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers options for different budgets, which is always a plus!
Customer Reviews: what people think about XICA
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Excellent Local Mexican Food
My experience at this restaurant was really excellent. I found it to be one of my favorite places in downtown SF, offering healthy and local Mexican food. The vegetarian selection is large, and I highly recommend it for vegetarians.
The atmosphere, service, and food were all rated a perfect 5. It was a quiet dinner, making it easy to talk.
- Mexican food10
- vegetarian selection9
- atmosphere10
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Disappointing Visits, Left Wanting More
We tried to visit twice. The first time at 9 PM, they were already closed. The second time at 8: 30 PM, they wouldn't let us in, seemingly for a private event.
We were left with the desire to try it.
- restaurant hours2
- private event3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Flavorful Food, Great Ambiance, Minor Service Hiccup
My experience at this restaurant was largely positive. The food was flavorful and beautifully presented, served quickly. I particularly loved the Abuela's mole chicken, which was 5/5, spot on with its mole flavor and tender chicken texture.
The enchiladas divorciadas were rated 4/5, though I felt they could have benefited from more variety in the filling, like mushrooms. The taquitos were also a hit at 5/5, complemented by a flavorful salsa. The michelada was excellent at 5/5.
The ambiance was great – super clean and lively! The noise level was quiet, making it easy to talk. Service was generally pretty good, although there was a slight delay in being seated initially.
Despite this, I would definitely come back!
- food9
- Abuela's mole chicken10
- chicken texture10
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Moderate
10
Magical Dinner with Delicious Food
What a magical place to run across! The food was delicious and the building and interior design is spectacular. We had the rolled beef tacos, carnitas enchiladas and salsa and chips, plus house prickly pear margaritas.
It was a lovely dinner after walking along the pier. We will definitely be back!
- food10
- building and interior design10
- rolled beef tacos9
Price per Person
- $91–$100
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Excellent Food and Atmosphere at Xica
My wife and I, along with a friend, visited Xica last Saturday for dinner. The location is great, and the place itself is lovely with very high ceilings and beautiful painted murals, creating a spacious and peaceful atmosphere. The service was good, and the food was very good.
We enjoyed the chips, guacamole, enchiladas divorciadas, taquitos, and chicken mole, all of which were excellent. The tres leches flan was beyond excellent. The wine was good, though the wine list is limited, and they were out of several beers and wines.
Overall, I would highly recommend Xica!
- location8
- place9
- spacious8
- wine list4
- beers and wines3
What XICA offers
Crowd
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Vegan options
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Organic dishes
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Counter service
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
- Dogs allowed
Parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
Does XICA offer options for specific dietary needs?
Yes, XICA caters to various dietary preferences. You can find both vegan and vegetarian options on their menu, ensuring there’s something delicious for everyone.
What dining and service options are available at XICA?
At XICA, you can enjoy a range of dining options including breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. They offer outdoor seating, dine-in service, and even allow dogs outside.
How does this restaurant generally perform?
This establishment scores well overall with a 8.2, driven by strong performance in Food (8.4), Ambience (8.7), and Service (8.0). However, Value (3.3) is a notable area for improvement.
Is this restaurant suitable for gluten-free diners?
Yes, this restaurant is 100% gluten-free, ensuring no risk of cross-contamination. Many guests praise the delicious gluten-free options, including fish tacos and waffle churros.
What should I know about this restaurant's pricing?
While some find the pricing adequate, many consider this restaurant expensive, especially for items like soda and chips and salsa. There have also been concerns about unexpected extra charges on bills.