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oChef » El Capricho – San Francisco
El Capricho - San Francisco
Photo from El Capricho
El Capricho at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 14 of the guests
#261 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#11 Mexican Restaurant out of 134 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
110
Reviews
90.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Exceptional service
- Diverse food
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Outdated bathrooms
- Specific food
- Pricey orange juice
The restaurant El Capricho is a vibrant Mexican restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s lively Mission District. You can step into a cozy atmosphere where authentic flavors come to life.
Whether you’re craving a quick bite or a leisurely meal, this spot offers a welcoming setting for you to enjoy delicious small plates and more. It’s a perfect place for you to experience genuine Mexican hospitality.
Overview: Introducting El Capricho
El Capricho offers a vibrant dining experience where the culinary offerings shine, featuring a diverse array of food that many find satisfying. The service here consistently receives high marks, with staff and the owner making guests feel genuinely welcome.
While the overall atmosphere is lively and inviting, some guests have noted areas for improvement, particularly concerning the facilities. However, the general sentiment points to a place that delivers on its promise of good value.
Excellent
8.5
out of 10
110
Reviews
90.9%
Satisfaction
6
negative
4
neutral
100
positive
El Capricho achieves an impressive overall score of 8.5, reflecting a largely positive dining experience. Customer satisfaction is also notably high at 90.9%, indicating that most patrons leave content.
This strong performance is built on 100 positive observations, with only 6 negative comments out of 110 total customer remarks, suggesting that any issues are isolated. Digging deeper, the Service (9.4) stands out as exceptional, with staff and the owner frequently praised.
The Food (8.5) also garners excellent feedback for its variety and taste. While Ambience (7.9) and Value (7.8) are rated as good, they still contribute positively to the overall experience, making it a well-rounded choice.
What people like
- Exceptional service
- Diverse food selection
- Good overall value
What people don't like
- Outdated bathrooms
- Specific food issues
- Pricey orange juice
With a strong recommendation score of 8.8, El Capricho is certainly worth considering. If you appreciate attentive service and a wide variety of dishes, this spot delivers.
It’s a place that generally leaves a positive impression on its guests. However, be mindful that the facilities could use attention, and a few specific breakfast items have received mixed feedback.
Given the very low number of negative comments, these seem to be minor points. If those aren’t your primary concerns, you’ll likely find El Capricho to be a lively and satisfying choice for a meal out.
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Verdict: Our expert take on El Capricho
Food (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 92% of the guests
The food here is a real highlight, earning a strong score of 8.5 and boasting an impressive 88.5% customer satisfaction! Based on 61 comments, with 54 positive remarks, diners consistently praise the delicious food, great variety, and generous portions. Standout items frequently mentioned include amazing tortillas, flavorful quesabirria, and incredible mole enchiladas, all celebrated for their quality and taste.
However, a few diners (4 out of 61) did point out some minor areas for improvement. Specific concerns included overcooked eggs, cold butter served with toast, and rice that was a little mushy. There was also a note about orange juice being served warm without ice, indicating some small inconsistencies in certain offerings.
Food
61
Reviews
88%
Satisfaction
4
negative
3
neutral
54
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Amazing tortillas
- Flavorful quesabirria
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Overcooked eggs
- Cold butter
- Mushy rice
Often praised
- foodDifferent Kinds of Food from different Countries and USA
- dishesLos platos están bien para alguien que le gusta comer
- enchiladasNo problem though, I took the rest to go. Next time I'll try the enchiladas, they look delicious. Everything looks and tastes delicious!
- tacosvery good tacos
- Pescado fritoPescado frito was good
- Queso Birria tacosGet the Queso Birria tacos, trust me you won’t regret it!
- Tony the German GuyThe best taco was: “Tony the German Guy”
- amazing foodhighly recommend this amazing food
- best mealBest meal I’ve had in San Francisco!
- breakfasttienen desayuno de todos los países
Frequently criticized
- butterbutter they gave me for the toast was so cold and hard
- eggsEggs were extremely overcooked
- orange juiceorange juice with a lot of ice and it came warm with no ice
- ricerice served with the plates was a little mushy
If you're craving flavorful Mexican cuisine with generous portions and a good variety, this place is definitely worth trying. While there might be minor issues with some breakfast sides, the overall food experience is overwhelmingly positive and comes highly recommended.
Service (9.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 65% of the guests
When it comes to service, youre in for a treat! With an excellent score of 9.4 and a perfect 100% customer satisfaction, its clear the staff, waitstaff, and especially the owner/manager go above and beyond. Based on 22 overwhelmingly positive remarks, guests consistently praise the excellent service and the genuine care they receive.
Interestingly, out of those 22 customer remarks, there wasn't a single negative comment about the service. This means you can expect a consistently positive and welcoming experience from start to finish.
Service
22
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
22
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent service
- Friendly staff
- Attentive owner
What people don't like
Often praised
- servicethe service was even better
- staffThe local scene was in their TGIF groove and super welcoming to us out-of-towners - always awesome! Let the staff know we were in a hurry and they recommended empanadas and other quick bites. Those came super quick and the whole variety were incredible.
- ownerthe owner wow, he's a sweetheart, a charming person, very kind and attentive
- waiterOur waiter was great as well
- waitressThe waitress was super friendly
- care they showedOur waitress was super friendly, and I believe the owner/manager, though I forgot his name, was also great. He made us feel welcomed and added a special touch to my mom’s birthday with the care they showed. It's definitely a place to stop and visit.
- excellent serviceun excelente servicio
- great serviceI had the mole enchiladas and they were absolutely incredible. The restaurant offers a good assortment of food, and I was very pleased with both the great food and the great service.
- owner/managerhe was the owner/manager . He was great
- staff and ownerAttentive staff and owner
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If top-notch service is high on your list, this place is definitely worth checking out. You can expect a warm welcome and attentive care from the staff and owner, making for a truly pleasant dining experience.
Ambience (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 46% of the guests
Alright, lets talk vibes! The ambience here is definitely a highlight, scoring a solid 7.9, which is pretty good in my book. Customers are feeling it too, with a strong 89.5% satisfaction rate.
People absolutely love the lively atmosphere, especially when a mariachi band pops up, and they rave about the great decorating place and nice outdoor seating. Plus, theyre on top of hygiene measures, which is always a win. Out of 19 customer opinions, a whopping 17 were positive about the overall feel!
However, its not all perfect. The main sticking point, mentioned in 1 opinion, seems to be the bathrooms. It sounds like theyre in need of a remodel and some updated sinks.
While its just one negative point among many positives, its definitely something to keep in mind if you're particular about restroom facilities.
Ambience
19
Reviews
89%
Satisfaction
1
negative
1
neutral
17
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Lively atmosphere
- Mariachi band
- Great decor
What people don't like
- Outdated bathrooms
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere is very lively
- placeIt's a great place for a get-together with Latino friends. However, the bathrooms are a problem; they really need to be remodeled and updated with proper sinks.
- TGIF groovethe local scene was in their TGIF groove and super welcoming
- areaClean Area
- charactersacá puedes encontrar personajes más que extraños
- decorating placegreat Decorating place
- hygiene measuresUsan toda medida de higiene
- local scenethe local scene was in their TGIF groove and super welcoming
- locationEXCELENT LOCATION BY 16TH ST AND MISSION SFO
- mariachi banda mariachi band came in to sing randomly
Frequently criticized
- bathroomsthe bathrooms, needs to be remodeled and updated
If you're looking for a lively spot with a great atmosphere, music, and even a mariachi band, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared that the bathrooms might not be up to the same standard as the rest of the vibrant setting.
Value (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 27% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot really shines! With a solid score of 7.8 and customer satisfaction at a fantastic 87.5%, its clear most diners are happy. Many folks, across 7 positive remarks, rave about the accessible and good prices, often noting how cheap the main course prices are, especially for a city like SF.
However, its not entirely without a tiny snag. Out of 8 customer comments, there was just 1 specific point of contention: the price of orange juice. While overall prices are praised, one diner felt the cost of a glass of orange juice was a bit steep, standing out as the sole negative comment regarding value.
Value
8
Reviews
87%
Satisfaction
1
negative
0
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Accessible prices
- Cheap main courses
- Good value for SF
What people don't like
- Expensive orange juice
Often praised
- pricesThe food was VERY TASTY 😋. I also appreciated the GOOD PRICES and the EXCELLENT LOCATION by 16th St and Mission SFO.
- cheapfood was very good and cheap
- main course pricesThe prices are cheap for SF. Main course prices range from $8-15
- pricetrès raisonnable pour la ville
Frequently criticized
- orange juiceit was $8 for a glass of orange juice
If youre looking for a place where your wallet wont take a hit, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. Most diners find the overall prices very reasonable, especially for the area. Just be mindful of that orange juice if you're a fan!
How are the prices at El Capricho?
On average, you’ll spend around 20 per person – reported by 14 diners. That puts it squarely in the $11–$20 category. For a Mexican Restaurant, thats comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While most guests find themselves in this $11–$20 sweet spot, theres a nice mix of options, with some folks spending a bit less and a few opting for something a little more premium.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 14 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering it’s a Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco, we feel the pricing is quite fair for the experience. It hits that sweet spot for a satisfying meal without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about El Capricho
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Great Tacos, Friendly Staff, Cheap SF Prices
My experience at this restaurant was very positive. The staff was incredibly friendly, and the tacos and tortilla chips were very good. The atmosphere is hard to describe, but it made me feel welcome, and I left with Latin songs in my head.
For San Francisco, the prices are cheap, with main courses ranging from $8-15 for a good portion. I'd recommend bringing some Spanish to make ordering easier.
- staff10
- tacos9
- tortilla chips9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Best Tacos in SF!
My experience at this restaurant was phenomenal! I had the best tacos in San Francisco, and the food was truly unique. The staff were all very, very nice.
I particularly enjoyed the taco named “Tony the German Guy” :) Thank you, we will definitely be back!
- tacos10
- food10
- staff10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Quick Bites and Great Flavors!
We were starving and in a rush on a Friday night, and were thrilled to pull up a seat at the bar. The local scene was in their TGIF groove and super welcoming to us out-of-towners - always awesome! Let the staff know we were in a hurry and they recommended empanadas and other quick bites.
Those came super quick and the whole variety were incredible. Can’t wait to return for all the sabór del Yucatán.
- empanadas10
- quick bites10
- staff9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Best Tortillas, Good Food!
My experience at this restaurant was largely positive, especially concerning the food. The tortillas were described as the best, and the overall food quality was very good and cheap. While the rice was a little mushy, it wasn't a significant issue.
The reviewer rated Service as 5, Atmosphere as 4, and Food as 5.
- food9
- tortillas10
- rice6
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
A unique, Lynchian bar experience
It's basically a bar for the departed. A very Juan Rulfo-esque experience. With a pleasant atmosphere, you can find more than strange characters here.
The kind you'd see in a David Lynch film. Highly recommended.
- atmosphere8
- characters7
What El Capricho offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options are available at El Capricho?
At El Capricho, you can enjoy a wide array of dining options throughout the day. You are welcome for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Don’t forget to save room for dessert! Seating is available for your comfort, making it a great spot for any meal.
Is El Capricho accessible for all guests?
Yes, El Capricho is designed to be accessible for everyone. You will find a wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring easy access. Inside, there is wheelchair accessible seating, and a wheelchair accessible restroom is also available for your convenience.
What makes El Capricho stand out?
El Capricho is highly regarded for its exceptional service and diverse food offerings, including various international and American dishes. Many guests also appreciate the lively atmosphere and good value.
How does El Capricho score overall, and what are its strengths?
El Capricho holds an overall score of 8.5, indicating an excellent experience. Its strengths lie in Service (9.4) and Food (8.5), both rated excellent. Ambience (7.9) and Value (7.8) are also rated good.
Are there any common concerns at El Capricho?
While generally positive, some guests have noted that the bathrooms could use updating. There were also occasional comments about specific breakfast items, such as overcooked eggs or mushy rice.