Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Papalote – San Francisco
Papalote - San Francisco
Photo from Papalote
Papalote at a glance
San Francisco North of Panhandle
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 55 of the guests
#2240 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#129 Mexican Restaurant out of 134 in San Francisco
Average
5.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
396
Reviews
48%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Flavorful Food
- Efficient Service
- Vegetarian Options
Frequently criticized
- Poor Service
- Limited Seating
- Hidden Charges
The restaurant Papalote Mexican Grill is a vibrant Mexican restaurant nestled in the heart of San Francisco’s North of Panhandle neighborhood. You will find a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
This spot offers a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine, making it a popular choice for locals and visitors alike.
Overview: Introducting Papalote
Papalote offers a mixed experience, often praised for its flavorful preparations, especially certain items like their hot sauce and vegetarian options. However, some diners have noted inconsistencies, with food sometimes arriving cold or lacking the expected taste.
While the quick service and delivery convenience are appreciated, issues with customer service and staff attentiveness have been raised. The atmosphere leans towards a casual grab-and-go style, which might not suit those looking for a traditional dine-in experience.
Average
5.5
out of 10
396
Reviews
48%
Satisfaction
176
negative
30
neutral
190
positive
Papalote holds an overall Restaurant Score of 5.5, placing it in the average category. This is reflected in a Customer Satisfaction of 48%, indicating a mixed reception among patrons.
Based on 396 customer opinions, with 190 positive and 176 negative remarks, there’s a clear split in experiences. The Food (6.3) stands out as a relative strength, often receiving praise for its quality and variety.
However, Service (3.9), Ambience (3.8), and Value (3.8) all fall into the poor range, suggesting significant areas for improvement. Many comments highlight quick service but also frustrating customer interactions and concerns about pricing.
What people like
- Flavorful Food Quality
- Efficient Service/Delivery
- Vegetarian-Friendly Options
What people don't like
- Inconsistent Customer Service
- Limited Dine-in Ambience
- Perceived Overpricing/Charges
Papalote earns a Recommendation Score of 5.7, suggesting it’s a place with potential but also clear drawbacks. If you prioritize quick, flavorful food, especially their burritos and hot sauce, and plan for a grab-and-go experience, it might be worth a try.
However, be prepared for potentially inconsistent service and a lack of comfortable dining space. Those sensitive to pricing or seeking a full-service restaurant experience might find Papalote disappointing.
Consider it for a quick, satisfying meal rather than a leisurely outing.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Papalote
Food (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 93% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot offers a bit of a mixed bag, landing an average score of 6.3 with customer satisfaction at a mixed 58.5%. Many of the 158 positive comments rave about their delicious burritos, especially the carne asada and vegetarian options, and the highly addictive salsa, which often gets special mention. However, out of 91 negative remarks, some diners found issues with certain items like tacos being bland or having too much lettuce.
There were also complaints about food being served cold, minimal meat in some dishes, and a general lack of flavor in others, suggesting inconsistency.
Food
270
Reviews
58%
Satisfaction
91
negative
21
neutral
158
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Amazing salsa
- Great burritos
- Veggie friendly
What people don't like
- Cold food
- Skimpy portions
- Lacks flavor
Often praised
- burritosI used to frequent this restaurant often for their delicious burritos and wonderful salsa. However, my experience has significantly changed over the years.
- salsaI used to frequent this restaurant often for their delicious burritos and wonderful salsa. However, my experience has significantly changed over the years.
- foodThey are vegetarian friendly and, importantly, they don’t use lard in their beans, which made me feel safe to eat whatever I wanted. The food quality was excellent, reflected in the high rating.
- burritoMy experience at this restaurant was truly exceptional. I've had burritos all over the world, and this one stands out as the best burrito I’ve ever had anywhere in the world. The salsa is also incredible, though it's quite spicy.
- hot saucehot sauce - get the hot sauce. Trust me. It’s not anything overwhelming and it tastes amazing.
- vegetarian optionsvegetarian options that are more interesting than standard taquerias
- carne asadacarne asada is grilled in the moment
- carne asada burritoordered a carne asada burrito. It was good!
- chicken moleI ordered the chicken mole this time around
- chicken mole burritoGot both the vegetarian burrito and chicken mole burrito. Loved the flavors
Frequently criticized
- chipsThe chips they gave me were all the broken, tiny ones
- foodI ordered inside and took my food to go. Unfortunately, the food was cold and did not seem to be cooked fresh. : (My experience with the food was disappointing, as it was served cold and lacked freshness.
- burritosburritos must have a cheese or something (sodium?) that feels incredibly heavy and unappetizing
- burritonoticed it had a lot of sour cream in it
- lettucetacos come with lettuce standard
- meatThe only positive aspect is that they are a little bit bigger than the usual tacos. However, they are filled with so much lettuce and tomatoes that you can’t find the meat. Additionally, they don’t provide utensils or straws.
- quesadillavery small quesadilla
- saltNo salt or sauce at all
- saucefajita fixings have no business swimming in that much sauce
- tacosMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. If you like plain and unflavored tacos, this is your place. They use no salt or sauce on their tacos.
If you're craving a solid burrito or some fantastic salsa, this place is definitely worth a try, especially for vegetarians. Just be aware that some dishes might be inconsistent in flavor or portion size, so choose wisely.
Service (3.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 43% of the guests
Let's talk service! While the overall sentiment leans negative, some customers have genuinely enjoyed their experience. With 18 positive remarks, many highlighted the speedy service and how quick their food came out, often noting the staff as attentive and lovely.
The convenience of delivery also received praise for its efficiency. However, the service aspect generally struggles, reflected in a poor score of just 3.9 and a low customer satisfaction of 29.5%. Out of 61 total comments, a significant 39 pointed to issues like rude staff, poor communication, and generally bad customer service.
Many felt their orders were forgotten or that the counter service was unprofessional, leading to considerable frustration.
Service
61
Reviews
29%
Satisfaction
39
negative
4
neutral
18
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fast food delivery
- Attentive staff
- Quick order readiness
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Poor communication
- Forgotten orders
Often praised
- servicethe service was excellent. Everyone there was lovely, I have zero complaints.
- staffthe staff were very attentive
- ServiceService:5
- convenience of deliveryconvenience of delivery made it easily worth it
- deliveryit came quick with no issues
- food came out fastIt was a simple meal, but overall very tasty! The restaurant is small with no seating, kind of a hole-in-the-wall, but it looked pretty busy, yet the food came out fast. My only negative point is the lack of a vegan cheese option.
- kitchen staffI dine here about once a week, and the kitchen staff is great. However, the counter service is a loser who needs to be fired.
- orderOur order is usually ready in 10 minutes
- quickboth quick yet still with fresh ingredients
- quick Mexican foodgreat quality quick Mexican food
Frequently criticized
- customer serviceMy experience at this restaurant was marked by garbage customer service. I ordered in person, but they forgot my order and prioritized four DoorDash orders instead.
- staffShe was not phased and when I said it was kind of gross she just shrugged
- orderThe order was completely wrong
- serviceService ran by the cooks is always going to be poor service
- cashiercashier did not answer my questions
- Covid rulesdidn't follow the Covid rules
- ServiceService:1
- allergy needsvery inconsiderate of allergy needs
- anti minimum wage raise statementscompany made anti minimum wage raise statements
- attentionhad to beg for their attention to order
If speedy food is your top priority and youre willing to overlook potential hiccups, you might find it acceptable. However, be aware that many customers have encountered rude staff and poor communication, so reliable, friendly service isnt a guarantee here.
Ambience (3.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 28% of the guests
A few customers found a certain charm, describing it as a hole in the wall or a great spot for a quick bite, especially if youre looking for a grab and go spot with some even mentioning an upstairs seating area. These 7 positive remarks, however, are overshadowed by a much larger sentiment. However, the ambience, with a score of 3.8 and customer satisfaction at a low 22.6%, clearly has significant room for improvement.
Many of the 21 negative comments point to issues with cleanliness, a lack of place to sit, and a general absence of a dine-in atmosphere, with some even mentioning the place is small and smelling of Fabuloso'.
Ambience
31
Reviews
22%
Satisfaction
21
negative
3
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Hole in the wall charm
- Grab and go spot
- Upstairs seating area
What people don't like
- Lack of seating
- Cleanliness issues
- No dine-in atmosphere
Often praised
- atmospherethe atmosphere
- grab and go spotAmazing grab and go spot
- great spotthis is a great spot regardless!
- hole in the wallHole in the wall. Totally worth it!
- upstairs seating areahave an upstairs seating area that accommodates the crowds
Frequently criticized
- atmospherethere isn't atmosphere
- seatingthey have zero seats available (only a small area to stand and eat)
- Fabuloso smellwhole place smelled of Fabuloso
- cleanlinessPlace not as clean as you would want
- dine-in atmospherethey don't have the nice little dine-in atmosphere anymore
- dine-in optionsVery limited dine-in options
- dining inwe have to leave and we can’t eat at the restaurant
- eat at the placeMy experience was with the excellent flavor and portion size of the food. Unfortunately, the main drawback was that you cannot eat at the place. However, everything else was good.
- food handlingfood handling doesn't seem clean
- indoor seatingwithout any real indoor seating
If youre looking for a quick grab and go meal and dont mind a very casual, perhaps even rustic, setting, this might work for you. However, if a comfortable, clean, and spacious dining experience is important, you'll likely be disappointed by the lack of seating and general atmosphere.
Value (3.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 28% of the guests
While the overall score for value sits at a rather poor 3.8 and customer satisfaction is a low 20.6%, a small number of customers (7 out of 34 comments) did find some positive aspects. These folks appreciated the reasonable price/portion and accessible prices, feeling that some items offered good value and were worth every cent for the quality and size. However, the overwhelming sentiment (25 out of 34 comments) points to significant concerns about value.
Many customers felt the food was overpriced and very expensive, especially for what they received. Issues like overcharging for extra salsa or add-ons and general high prices for basic items were frequently mentioned, leaving many feeling that the cost wasn't justified.
Value
34
Reviews
20%
Satisfaction
25
negative
2
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable price/portion
- Good value
What people don't like
- Overpriced food
- Hidden charges
- Expensive add-ons
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was truly exceptional, primarily due to their steak burrito. I was initially hesitant about the price for a single burrito, but it was worth every cent. The ingredients were perfectly distributed, allowing each component to shine while the steak remained a constant presence.
- pricesthe prices are accessible
- pricingThe pricing is very reasonable
- reasonable price/portionFor me, Papalote strikes a perfect balance between a greasy hole-in-the-wall and a fancy, gentrified Mexican restaurant. They use good ingredients, provide speedy service, and offer reasonable price/portion.
- reasonable pricesHuge portions reasonable prices
- valueThe burrito was a good value.
Frequently criticized
- priceIt lacked any taste, and the meat was excessively dry. To add to the issues, the food was also overpriced. It's a shame because the restaurant shares the name of a famous Mexican museum.
- $15 burritothe $15 burrito I bought is advertised as coming with chips
- OverpricedOverpriced
- add-onsstarted scamming - I add cheese and guac but not sour cream
- chargebecause they charge as if
- charged me for extrashe charged me for extra $1 for the other buritto
- chipsthe restaurant didn't give me anything for free
- extra salsathey said they charge for it
- full pricefood definitely not worth full price
- overchargingbegan to overcharge us multiple times
If you're considering this spot, be prepared for a potentially high bill, as many find the value proposition lacking. While a few items might hit the mark, the general consensus suggests prices are steep, especially for add-ons and basic dishes. Proceed with caution, and perhaps double-check your receipt.
How are the prices at Papalote?
On average, you’ll spend around 19 per person – from 55 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $11–$20 category. For a Mexican Restaurant, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Looking at the recent reviews, most diners spend in this $11–$20 bracket, showing a clear cluster around the average. While there are a few higher spenders, the majority stick to this comfortable mid-range.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 55 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a mid-range Mexican spot in San Francisco. It’s a good value for what you get!
Customer Reviews: what people think about Papalote
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Meal Type
- Dinner
3
Annoyed by New Pricing for Add-ons
I live nearby and eat a lot of burritos here. Recently, I've noticed a change in how they charge for add-ons. I typically add cheese and guacamole but skip the sour cream.
Previously, these were charged as individual items. However, in the last month, they've started charging for the 'super' option (which includes all three add-ons) and still omit the sour cream. Given that the vegetarian burritos are already overpriced at $18, this new practice is quite annoying.
- burritos6
- add-ons2
- super (all 3)2
- vegetarian burritos2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
3
Disappointing Service at a Taco Spot
I'm not sure how a taco spot where the tacos come with lettuce as standard can last since 1999. Service run by the cooks is always going to be poor service. I got tacos and didn’t expect they had lettuce.
I explained that I’m pregnant and can’t eat raw lettuce, but the cashier deferred to the cook, and he just shrugged and said the menu has it written. It looks like a taqueria you’d find in a small Mexican town/city, not in a good way. The food itself was decent (rated 4/5), but the service (rated 1/5) and atmosphere (rated 2/5) were significant drawbacks.
- tacos4
- lettuce1
- raw lettuce1
- service1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Rude Staff, No Seating for Customers
My experience at this restaurant was incredibly negative due to the rude staff. Despite being the only customer, I was denied a seat at the counter stools, which they claimed were reserved for staff only. There were more stools than staff, yet they refused to budge.
It's clear they are not hungry for customers. I would advise taking your business elsewhere.
- staff1
- seating1
- stools1
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
6
Fantastic Burritos, Terrible Chips
My experience at this restaurant was mixed. While the salsa and burritos were fantastic, the chips were inedible. I've called to let them know multiple times over the last 3 years, but sadly every time I get chips from this location they taste like sanitizer.
The chips taste like chemical cleaner.
- salsa9
- burritos9
- chips1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Great food, weird chips
My experience at the restaurant was largely positive, with great food. However, the chips consistently taste weird, which has been an ongoing issue for years. I'm unsure of the cause, but it's a noticeable detractor from the overall meal.
- food8
- chips3
What Papalote offers
Crowd
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What service options are available at Papalote Mexican Grill?
At Papalote Mexican Grill, you can enjoy a variety of convenient service options. Whether you prefer no-contact delivery, traditional delivery, or takeout, they have you covered. For those who wish to dine in, seating is also available for you.
Is Papalote Mexican Grill a good place for families with children?
Absolutely! Papalote Mexican Grill is known for being good for kids, offering a dedicated kids’ menu. High chairs are also available, ensuring a comfortable dining experience for your little ones when you visit.
How does Papalote generally score with customers?
Papalote has an overall Restaurant Score of 5.5, indicating an average experience. While Food scores highest at 6.3, Service, Ambience, and Value all received lower scores around 3.8-3.9, suggesting areas for improvement.
What are some popular food items at Papalote?
Customers frequently praise Papalote’s burritos, especially the carne asada and chicken mole. Their salsa and hot sauce are also highly regarded, and they offer interesting vegetarian options.
What are the main drawbacks of dining at Papalote?
Common complaints include inconsistent customer service, a lack of comfortable dine-in seating or atmosphere, and concerns about perceived overpricing or extra charges for items like salsa or add-ons.