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oChef » Los Panchos – San Francisco
Los Panchos - San Francisco
Photo from Los Panchos
Los Panchos at a glance
San Francisco Bernal Heights
- 🇸🇻 Salvadoran Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 43 of the guests
#1565 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#4 Salvadoran Restaurant out of 17 in San Francisco
Good
7.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
274
Reviews
70.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic flavor
- Quality pupusas
- Clean ambiance
Frequently criticized
- Long waits
- Food issues
- Parking difficulty
The restaurant Los Panchos, a beloved Salvadoran Restaurant in San Francisco’s vibrant Bernal Heights neighborhood, invites you to experience authentic flavors. You can enjoy delicious late-night food offerings, perfect for satisfying those evening cravings.
This casual spot is ideal for a quick bite or a relaxed meal, providing a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.
Overview: Introducting Los Panchos
Los Panchos offers a generally pleasant dining experience, with many patrons appreciating the authentic flavor of its dishes. The pupusas, in particular, often receive high praise for their consistent quality.
However, some guests have noted concerns regarding the overall food quality in certain instances and occasional issues with parking. Despite these points, the restaurant maintains a welcoming atmosphere.
Good
7.1
out of 10
274
Reviews
70.4%
Satisfaction
71
negative
10
neutral
193
positive
Los Panchos earns a respectable overall score of 7.1, reflecting a generally positive reception from diners. Customer satisfaction stands at a solid 70.4%, indicating that most visitors leave content with their experience.
This assessment is drawn from a substantial 274 customer observations, with 193 positive remarks outweighing 71 negative ones. Diving deeper, Food scores well at (7.6), often highlighted for its authentic taste, though some specific dishes receive criticism.
Ambience also rates well at (7.3), praised for its welcoming and clean environment. However, both Service (6.1) and Value (6.1) hover in the average range, suggesting areas where improvements could enhance the overall dining journey.
What people like
- Authentic food flavor
- Consistent pupusa quality
- Pleasant, clean ambiance
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Specific food issues
- Parking difficulties
Los Panchos presents a mixed but generally positive experience. If you’re seeking authentic flavors, particularly for their well-regarded pupusas, it’s certainly worth considering.
However, be prepared for potential service delays and some variability in other menu items. With a recommendation score of 7.3, Los Panchos leans towards a favorable visit, especially if you prioritize taste and a pleasant setting.
Just manage your expectations regarding speed of service and parking, and you’ll likely find a satisfying meal.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Los Panchos
Food (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
The food here generally hits the spot, earning a 7.6 score and a 77.4% customer satisfaction rating, both indicating a good experience. With 123 positive remarks out of 159, many rave about the delicious pupusas, flavorful carne asada, and yummy plantains, often praising the authentic taste and generous portions. However, not every dish is a winner, with 32 negative comments noting some food as bland, greasy, or even half-cooked.
A few also felt certain items were overpriced, and some found the tortillas disappointing, suggesting inconsistency in quality.
Food
159
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
32
negative
4
neutral
123
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious pupusas
- Authentic flavor
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Inconsistent flavor
- Can be greasy
- Overpriced dishes
Often praised
- pupusasMy experience at this restaurant has been consistently excellent for the past ten years. I exclusively go here for pupusas because the quality has not skipped a beat. The staff is both friendly and accommodating, and the food is freshly made every time.
- foodI've been coming here since I was a teen, and anytime I visit, I try to go. I have nothing but good memories here, so you know the food is awesome. As a youth, I almost exclusively ordered pupusas and atole, but this time I really wanted the tamale 🫔 and yucca that comes in the Plato Tipico, and it WAS so good.
- salsa” The plantains in the burrito were a perfect complement to the authentic salvadorian crema, beans, rice, and cheese. The pupusas were a perfect pairing, as the salsa and curtido balanced out the burrito. The atmosphere was also enjoyable, rated a 4 out of 5.
- FoodFood:4
- beans and ricecarne asada plate with beans and rice
- carne asada platelove the carne asada plate with beans and rice
- curtido” The plantains in the burrito were a perfect complement to the authentic salvadorian crema, beans, rice, and cheese. The pupusas were a perfect pairing, as the salsa and curtido balanced out the burrito. The atmosphere was also enjoyable, rated a 4 out of 5.
- delicious foodcontinue to make delicious food
- flavormost authentic in terms of ... flavor
- horchataThey have a unique horchata that gives it a crispier and more richer, earthier taste.
Frequently criticized
- pupusasthe beans are runny and is super greasy i can’t enjoy it anymore
- foodOn the bright side, the service is always great; the owner even sat down and chatted with me. I reminisced about the fun times I used to have here, but noted the restaurant now lacks energy and ambiance, feeling like a quiet cafeteria with sad food. It was overpriced and not worth it.
- Camarones al mojo de ajoCamarones al mojo de ajo (garlic shrimp) and was so disappointed
- Chile ColoradoMiss their Chile Colorado, wish they'd bring it back!
- Mexican foodThe most boring Mexican food on the planet.
- MicheladaThe Michelada was not that tasty
- PupusasPupusas they were half cooked and definitely not tasty
- atol de eloteA huge disappointment for me was the atol de elote, it had a soapy taste
- beansthe beans are runny
- cheesenot putting cheese on things
If you're craving authentic Salvadoran flavors, especially pupusas and carne asada, this spot is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that some dishes might be inconsistent, so stick to the crowd favorites for the best experience.
Service (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 70% of the guests
Based on 67 customer observations, the service here often shines, with 39 positive remarks highlighting friendly service and polite staff. Many guests praise the waiters and servers for being attentive and providing good service, making for a pleasant dining experience. However, its a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.1 and customer satisfaction at 58.2%.
There are 25 negative comments pointing to significant waiting time and slow serving time. Some experiences mention issues with the speed of service and overall customer service, suggesting theres room for improvement.
Service
67
Reviews
58%
Satisfaction
25
negative
3
neutral
39
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Attentive servers
- Great hospitality
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Poor staff attitude
- Order mistakes
Often praised
- serviceThe service is always friendly
- ServiceService:4
- friendly serviceStill has friendly service
- staffFriendly and accommodating staff
- customer servicegreat customer service
- eat ineat in
- employeesEmployees are very friendly
- full table servicethey have full table service
- gentlemanThe gentleman who helped us was very nice and attentive
- good servicethe service was also good
Frequently criticized
- waiting timebeen waiting for more than an hour for the food
- serviceMal servicio este lugar no los recomiendo muy mal pesimo servicio
- Doordash ordersfocus on doordash order more than the customer seating
- customer seatingfocus on doordash order more than the customer seating
- customer servicecustomer service are trash
- older waitressesthe old waitresses that are there are trash
- order was wrongMy order was wrong
- owners sonowners son took over. Now he is more interested in cutting costs
- questionspreguntas fuera de lugar
- replaceellos no querian cambiar por otra comida
If youre looking for a place with generally friendly staff, youll likely be pleased. However, be prepared for potential waits, as service speed can be inconsistent. Its worth a try if youre not in a rush, but manage your expectations regarding timing.
Ambience (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 39% of the guests
The ambience here generally hits the mark, earning a 7.3 score, which is quite good! While customer satisfaction is a bit more mixed at 67.9%, many of the 19 positive opinions out of 28 total praise the cleanliness, beautiful Mexi/Salvi decoration, and overall friendly, family-friendly atmosphere that truly showcases the culture. However, not all feedback is glowing.
Among the 7 negative opinions, some mentioned a sour smell, tough parking at peak times, and a lack of music or energy, which left the ambiance feeling a bit flat for some. It seems there's a little room for improvement in these areas.
Ambience
28
Reviews
67%
Satisfaction
7
negative
2
neutral
19
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Very clean
- Authentic decor
- Family friendly
What people don't like
- Sour smell
- Tough parking
- Lacks ambiance/music
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere inside the restaurant is very welcoming
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- COVID protectionexcelente protección covid
- Mexi/Salvi decorationI loved their decoration Mexi/Salvi
- ambianceGreat ambiance
- bathroomsBathroom are very clean
- beautiful placeMuy bonito lugar
- cleanlinessmuy limpio el servicio
- decorative atmosphereThe restaurant is decorative
- family friendlyFamily friendly!
Frequently criticized
- ParkingParking can be tough at peak times
- ambianceit lacked energy with no ambiance
- crowdedor crowded either
- kidsif you have kids don't bring them here
- loudWasn't too loud
- musicsolo falta algo de música
- sour smellit smelled sour
If youre looking for a clean, culturally rich, and family-friendly spot, this places ambience is definitely worth checking out. Just be mindful of potential parking challenges and the possibility of a less lively atmosphere or an occasional sour smell, especially during busy hours.
Value (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 32% of the guests
When it comes to value, its a bit of a mixed bag, but many customers found some real gems! With 12 positive remarks out of 20 total, folks often praised the "excellent price" and "great prices" for delicious food. You might even snag a "good price pick-up deal" or find "affordable amount" items, contributing to a 60% customer satisfaction, which is a mixed result.
The score for value sits at an average 6.1. However, not everyone felt they got their moneys worth. With 7 negative remarks, some customers felt the food was too expensive or overpriced and not worth it.
There were even complaints about being charged for chips and salsa, leading to sentiments like not worth what they charge. This indicates some areas where the value proposition could use a little work.
Value
20
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
7
negative
1
neutral
12
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent pricing
- Affordable items
- Good pick-up deals
What people don't like
- Too expensive
- Overpriced items
- Charges for chips
Often praised
- pricesGood prices
- priceat a great price
- affordable amountThey have two pupusas for an affordable amount
- excellent pricedelicious food at an excellent price
- good price pick-up dealgood price pick up deal
- great pricea for a a great price.
- great pricesat great prices
- price per personPrice per person:$1–10
- value itemswhere the best value items are
Frequently criticized
- priceIt was overpriced and not worth it
- chips and salsacharges for chips and salsa
If youre looking for a good deal, keep an eye out for their specials and affordable items, as many find them to be excellent value. However, be mindful that some dishes might feel overpriced, and unexpected charges could leave you feeling disappointed. Its a place where you might find a bargain, but also where you could pay a bit more than you expect.
How are the prices at Los Panchos?
You’re looking at roughly 25 per person – reported by 43 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Salvadoran Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average is 25, a significant number of guests actually spend less, often in the $11–$20 range. This suggests a nice mix of options, from more budget-friendly bites to some slightly more premium choices.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 43 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for a Salvadoran spot in San Francisco. With options for both budget-conscious diners and those looking to splurge a little, it offers good flexibility.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Los Panchos
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
9
Legendary Spot with Delicious Traditional Flavors
This place is legendary and historic. I've been coming here since I was a teen, and anytime I visit, I try to go. I have nothing but good memories here, so you know the food is awesome.
As a youth, I almost exclusively ordered pupusas and atole, but this time I really wanted the tamale 🫔 and yucca that comes in the Plato Tipico, and it WAS so good. I also got the bebida de "ensalada de frutas, " which I had never had but was delighted by. It's what its name implies: a refreshing punch with lots of little bits of fruit in it.
Super satisfying and worth the visit.
- food10
- tamale and yucca10
- ensalada de frutas9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
7
Good Pupusas, Okay Michelada
My experience at the restaurant was mostly positive. I really enjoyed the pupusas, especially the mixtas, which were great 👍👍. The service was also good.
However, the Michelada was not that tasty; I've had much better. Overall, it was a good meal with excellent food and service, despite the drink not meeting expectations.
- pupusas9
- mixtas10
- service8
- Michelada4
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
8
Delicious Food, Great Service, Needs Music
My experience at the restaurant was very positive. The food was delicious, and the service was very good. The place was also very clean.
The only thing missing for the ambience was some music, even piano music 🎹 would be nice.
- food10
- cleanliness9
- service9
- music4
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
3
Disappointing Food, Helpful Service
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to the food quality. The pupusas were not good at all, and the curtido was poorly prepared and seasoned badly. The salsas were also not good.
However, the waitress was super helpful. While the service was good, the food is not recommended, and I won't be coming back, sorry.
- waitress8
- pupusas2
- curtido2
- salsas2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Excellent Food, Great Atmosphere
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the excellent food and the delicious pupusas. The menu offered a good variety of options, and the service was also good.
I particularly appreciated the decorative atmosphere that truly showcases culture throughout the space.
- excellent food9
- delicious pupusas10
- menu variety8
What Los Panchos offers
Crowd
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Late-night food
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Counter service
- Table service
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options and services does Los Panchos offer?
At Los Panchos, you’ll find a wide range of dining options to suit your schedule, including Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner. They also provide Catering services for your events. You can choose between convenient Dine-in or Delivery service, with both Counter service and Table service available, ensuring comfortable Seating.
Does Los Panchos cater to families and offer vegetarian choices?
Yes, Los Panchos is good for kids, offering high chairs to accommodate younger guests. For those with dietary preferences, you’ll be pleased to know that vegetarian options are available. Additionally, you can enjoy a selection of Alcohol, Wine, and Beer with your meal.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Los Panchos?
Los Panchos holds a good overall score of 7.1, with customer satisfaction at 70.4%. While Food (7.6) and Ambience (7.3) are well-regarded, Service (6.1) and Value (6.1) are considered average.
What do customers particularly enjoy about the food at Los Panchos?
Many customers consistently praise the authentic flavor of the food, especially highlighting the quality of their pupusas, salsa, and dishes like the carne asada plate.
What are some common concerns or drawbacks mentioned by diners?
Diners sometimes report long waiting times for food and occasional issues with service quality. Additionally, some find parking challenging and have experienced specific disappointments with certain menu items or a lack of lively music.