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oChef » El Farolito – San Francisco
El Farolito - San Francisco
Photo from El Farolito
El Farolito at a glance
San Francisco North Beach
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 98 of the guests
#1004 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#58 Mexican Restaurant out of 134 in San Francisco
Good
7.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
400
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Generous portions
- Excellent value
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent service
- Lacking ambiance
The restaurant El Farolito, a popular Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco’s vibrant North Beach neighborhood, is your go-to spot for delicious late-night food. You’ll find a casual yet trendy atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
Whether you’re craving small plates or a full dinner, this spot has you covered with convenient dine-in and takeout options.
Overview: Introducting El Farolito
El Farolito offers a straightforward dining experience where the focus is clearly on the plate. Many appreciate the generous portions and consistent flavor that make it a reliable choice for a satisfying meal.
While the food often hits the mark, some experiences suggest that service can be a bit of a mixed bag. Diners often find the offerings here to be quite affordable, providing good bang for your buck.
However, the atmosphere might not be for everyone, with occasional comments about it being less refined. It’s a place where the culinary offerings generally outweigh any minor inconveniences.
Good
7.6
out of 10
400
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
67
negative
25
neutral
308
positive
El Farolito generally earns a solid reception, reflected in its Restaurant Score of 7.6 and a Customer Satisfaction rate of 77%. These figures indicate a good overall experience for most patrons.
Based on 400 customer remarks, with a clear majority of 308 positive observations against 67 negative ones, the sentiment leans favorably towards what El Farolito delivers. Delving into specifics, Value stands out with a strong (8.2), often praised for its affordability and substantial offerings.
The Food also performs well (7.8), consistently satisfying appetites with its hearty preparations. Service receives a good (7.4), though some experiences suggest it can vary.
The Ambience (6.3) is where opinions are most divided, indicating it’s not a primary draw for many.
What people like
- Generous portions
- Excellent value
- Flavorful food
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Lacking ambiance
- Cash-only inconvenience
If you’re seeking a straightforward meal that prioritizes substance and affordability, El Farolito is certainly worth considering. With a Recommendation Score of 7.9, it generally delivers on its promise of satisfying food without breaking the bank, making it a solid choice for many.
Expect hearty portions and good value, but be prepared for an unpretentious setting and potentially varied service. It’s a place to visit when your primary goal is a filling and flavorful meal, rather than a refined dining experience or seamless interaction.
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Verdict: Our expert take on El Farolito
Food (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
The food here generally shines, boasting a good score of 7.8 and strong customer satisfaction at 80.2%. Many rave about the delicious tacos, super burritos, and fresh ingredients, often highlighting generous portions and authentic flavors. With 206 positive remarks out of 257, the quality Mexican food clearly hits the spot for most.
However, some diners encountered issues, with 40 comments noting concerns. Specific complaints included dry or bland carne asada, tasteless burritos, and a general lack of flavor. A few concerning reports of food poisoning also surfaced, which is certainly a serious consideration.
Food
257
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
40
negative
11
neutral
206
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious, flavorful
- Generous portions
- Fresh ingredients
What people don't like
- Food poisoning reports
- Dry, bland meat
- Lack of flavor
Often praised
- foodI've been eating at this chain for 6 years, and I'm very comfortable with their flavor and incredible price. The food is good, and it's better than other recognized taquerias in the area.
- tacosThe tacos were packed with meat at an affordable price.
- burritosI bought a regular burrito with carne asada to-go, and it was delicious. The burritos are so full and big, that I was able to eat the rest of it for lunch the next day. You didn't need to pay extra for a bag or some sauce.
- FoodFood is good
- portionsIt's simple, this is the best burrito I've ever eaten. The prices are reasonable and the portions are ENORMOUS (literally). If you're someone who lives to eat good food like me, this is the place to be.
- quesadillassuper burritos and quesadillas! The portions are huge
- Mexican foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found it to be a lovely place with amazing Mexican food. The service was very fast, making it the perfect place for a quick meal.
- burritoYou can never go wrong with a good burrito. My experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially with the food quality.
- carne asadaMy tacos (carne asada and el pastor) really hit the spot.
- nachosBest quesadillas, tacos and nachos in town!
Frequently criticized
- burritomost dreadful burrito I’ve experienced
- carne asadathe carne asada was a bit dry
- foodnight and day difference in terms of food
- meatthe meat is bland and dry
- tacoI will say that the green salsa was good, but it's not worth going back to. Worst taco ever!
- El PastorMy experience at this restaurant was "incredibly mid". The burritos were just okay, and the El Pastor did not taste anything like a typical El Pastor taco. While the food was "ok for the price point", it was "not worth a return trip".
- Tex Mex restaurantsHad better Tex Mex restaurants
- al pastorThe al pastor lacked flavor and was dry
- al pastor tortagot al pastor torta, wasn’t good
- aluminum wrapThe aluminum wrap started leaking at the bottom
If you're craving delicious, generously portioned Mexican food with authentic flavors, this spot is generally a solid bet. However, be aware of occasional reports of dry meat or inconsistent flavor, and weigh the few serious food poisoning concerns before making your decision.
Service (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 45% of the guests
Alright, lets talk service! It seems like this place generally hits the mark, with a solid score of 7.4 and a good customer satisfaction rate of 73.5%. Many folks (36 out of 49 comments!) rave about the friendly staff, very fast service, and quick meal delivery.
Youll often find the cashier was very nice, and the overall speed of service is a big plus here. However, its not all sunshine and rainbows. There are 10 comments highlighting some bumps, with mentions of rude behavior, waiting time issues, and even order accuracy problems.
A few experiences point to poor customer service and an unhelpful attitude, suggesting theres room for improvement in consistency.
Service
49
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
10
negative
3
neutral
36
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Efficient service
What people don't like
- Rude behavior
- Order errors
- Poor customer service
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was great. I picked up some food and was very pleased with the excellent burritos and great service. I'll gladly go back.
- staffThe staff is courteous, polite and fast
- ServiceService:5
- peopleThe people are really nice
- Quick serviceQuick service
- cashierNice cashier
- cashier was very niceThe cashier was very nice too
- customer serviceThe customer service was excellent
- fast serviceOverall fast service
- food came out quickFood came out quick and hot!
Frequently criticized
- servicenight and day difference in terms of service
- ServiceService:2
- attitudethey just give an attitude
- customer servicegives horrible customer service
- new staff memberthe new guy who works there SUCKS
- ordershe gave me a burrito
- order accuracygot my simple, one item order wrong
- rude and racist behaviorrude and racist behavior
- waiting timeTook 10+ min to get it despite me being only one in store
If youre looking for generally quick and friendly service, youll likely be pleased here. Just be aware that a few customers have encountered issues with rudeness or incorrect orders, so it might be a bit of a gamble on rare occasions.
Ambience (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 39% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot has a bit of a split personality! With a score of 6.3, it lands squarely in the average range, and customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 50%. Many folks love that it's an unbeatable spot with a great vibe and open late, making it a lovely place to hang out, especially with its late hours and popular atmosphere, as noted in 23 positive remarks out of 46 total.
However, not everyone is charmed. Some find the small space to be a real drawback, leading to a very loud noise level that makes it hard to hear. There are also concerns about the cleanliness, with some opinions calling the place not sanitary or even dirty, which definitely impacts the overall atmosphere for a few of the 13 negative comments.
Ambience
46
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
13
negative
10
neutral
23
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Open late
- Great vibe
- Popular spot
What people don't like
- Limited space
- Very loud
- Not sanitary
Often praised
- atmosphereThe quesadillas, tacos, and nachos were the best in town. The food quality was excellent, and I also enjoyed the great atmosphere.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- open lateMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's one of the best in the city and is open late, which is a huge plus. With several locations around the city, it's convenient to find one.
- ChinatownChinatown is right around the corner so that's a plus
- best in the cityone of the best in the city
- experienceWhat an awesome experience
- indoor seatingindoor seating which was very nice
- late hoursOpen late
- line out the doorThe meats were incredibly moist and tender, bursting with flavor. The vibe was fantastic, with a line out the door several times, and the red and yellow sign was a sure sign that the food would deliver. This spot was a treasure of an SF Easter egg.
- local popular placelocal popular place
Frequently criticized
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:1
- atmosphereAtmosphere is not good
- food safety practicesfood safety practices are questionable at best
- indoor seatingThe filling was notably more wet than most others, which I found to be a good thing. However, the dining experience was slightly impacted by the limited indoor seating. It's also important to note that it is not cash only.
- insideAlso was hot inside
- messy patronssome of the other patrons were messy
- noise levelVery loud, hard to hear
- placeEl lugar es pequeño
- restaurantRestaurant is incredibly dirty
- sanitarynot even sanitary with their food
If youre looking for a lively, late-night spot with a popular buzz and dont mind a bit of a crowd, this place could be a fun experience. However, if a quiet, spacious, and impeccably clean environment is a must-have, you might find yourself a little disappointed.
Value (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 44% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines with a good score of 8.2 and an impressive customer satisfaction of 89.6%. Many rave about the affordable and reasonable prices, often calling it the best bang for your buck and excellent value. With 43 positive remarks, guests consistently find the portions generous and the food delicious for what you pay.
However, not everything is perfect. A few of the 4 negative comments mention that prices have recently increased. More notably, some customers are bothered by the cash only policy and the associated ATM fee for withdrawals, which can be an unexpected inconvenience.
Value
48
Reviews
89%
Satisfaction
4
negative
1
neutral
43
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent value
- Affordable prices
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Cash only
- ATM fees
Often praised
- priceThis location is smaller than the Mission one, but it's a lot homier and quieter in terms of atmosphere. I also think it's a bit cheaper, too, but El Farolito is already very affordable. I bought a regular burrito with carne asada to-go, and it was delicious.
- pricesIt's simple, this is the best burrito I've ever eaten. The prices are reasonable and the portions are ENORMOUS (literally). If you're someone who lives to eat good food like me, this is the place to be.
- value for moneyMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It offers great value for the money, with everything being both delicious and cheap. It truly is a gem of North Beach.
- affordablefood is delicious and affordable
- best bang for your buckIt's a great taqueria to have in the neighborhood. The super burritos are enormous and offer the best bang for your buck. The food is consistently served hot and fresh.
- reasonable priceI enjoyed the al pastor, which was incredibly juicy, and my girlfriend loved her huge and really good prawns. I highly recommend this place to anyone visiting for its great flavourful food at a very reasonable price. It's clear why this place has been around for a long time!
- $10super burrito for $10
- Good pricesGood prices
- Price per personPrice per person:$1–10
- PricesPrices are very reasonable
Frequently criticized
- ATM feeATM in the restaurant charges $3.50 fee
- cash onlythey are cash only
- minimum withdrawalMinimum withdrawal $20
- pricesThey raised their prices!!!!
If youre looking for a delicious meal that wont break the bank, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just remember to bring cash, as their cash only policy and ATM fees can be a minor snag in an otherwise excellent value proposition.
How are the prices at El Farolito?
On average, you’ll spend around 16 $ per person – from 98 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $11–$20 category. For a Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco, that’s comfortably mid-range.
Most diners cluster right in this $11–$20 sweet spot, showing prices aren’t widely spread into premium territory.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 98 reviews.
Comparing value for money: how this restaurant stacks up against similar ones in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Mexican spot in San Francisco. It offers a good mid-range option without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about El Farolito
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Legit Food, Great Value!
My experience at this restaurant was legit! The food was delicious and affordable. It was busy when I arrived, but the crowd cleared out fairly fast.
- food9
- affordable9
- busy6
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Fantastic Chorizo Quesadilla and Great Value
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I tried the chorizo quesadilla and it was absolutely delicious. The portion sizes are generous for the price, offering great value for money.
I also loved the salsas, which were fantastic. Overall, it's a great spot.
- chorizo quesadilla10
- portion sizes9
- value for money9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Delicious and Affordable North Beach Gem
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It offers great value for the money, with everything being both delicious and cheap. It truly is a gem of North Beach.
I particularly enjoyed the Breakfast burrito, quesadilla, and chicken fajitas. Honestly, you doubt you could go wrong ordering anything on the menu.
- value for money10
- food10
- price10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Nachos Served Upside Down, No Tip Given
I visited last night and ordered the pastor Super Nachos. Unfortunately, the container was given to me with the division side down, meaning the chips and ingredients were piled on top of the plastic "filler. " This could have easily been avoided by rotating the container.
This experience is why I only drank my water and didn't leave a tip.
- pastor Super Nachos2
- container2
- Service2
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
2
Disappointing Experience, Downhill Trend
My recent experiences at this restaurant have been disappointing. On my last two visits, my simple, single-item orders were incorrect. I was charged for a camarone burrito but received chicken.
When I attempted to return the incorrect order, the restaurant was closed. Tonight, on a Sunday, they were out of chicken. I ordered a regular taco and received a few camarones on a crispy shell with no lettuce or salsa.
To top it off, the staff had a bad attitude. Several people I know, including myself, have gotten ill recently. This place used to be really good, but there's definitely something wrong now.
- order accuracy2
- camarone burrito2
- chicken1
What El Farolito offers
Crowd
- Transgender safespace
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Family-friendly
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Small plates
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Paid parking garage
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What are the parking options when visiting El Farolito in North Beach?
Finding parking near El Farolito can be challenging, as it’s usually difficult to find a space. You’ll find both paid parking garages and paid street parking available in the vicinity for your convenience.
Is El Farolito a suitable dining option for families with children?
Absolutely! El Farolito is known to be good for kids, making it a welcoming spot for families looking for a casual Mexican meal in San Francisco’s North Beach. You can enjoy lunch or dinner here with your little ones.
How does El Farolito rate overall?
El Farolito holds a Restaurant Score of 7.6 and a Customer Satisfaction of 77%, indicating a generally good experience. Its Value (8.2) and Food (7.8) are particularly strong, while Service (7.4) is good, and Ambience (6.3) is more moderate.
What kind of food can I expect at El Farolito?
Customers frequently praise the food for its generous portions and flavor. Popular items include burritos and tacos, often described as hearty and satisfying, making it a reliable spot for a filling meal.
Are there any common issues or things to be aware of before visiting El Farolito?
Some patrons have noted inconsistent service experiences, with occasional comments about attitude or waiting time. The ambiance is also a point of contention, with mentions of it being loud or dirty. Additionally, be aware that some locations might have cash-only policies.