Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » El Pipila – San Francisco
El Pipila - San Francisco
Photo from El Pipila
El Pipila at a glance
San Francisco West SoMa
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 15 of the guests
#933 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#43 Mexican Restaurant out of 134 in San Francisco
Good
7.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
140
Reviews
78.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
Frequently criticized
The Mexican restaurant El Pipila in San Francisco’s vibrant West SoMa neighborhood offers you a truly authentic culinary journey. You’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal, complete with inviting outdoor seating.
Whether you’re craving traditional flavors or looking for healthy options, this spot has you covered. It’s a fantastic choice for a delightful dining experience.
Overview: Introducting El Pipila
Good
7.7
out of 10
140
Reviews
78.6%
Satisfaction
22
negative
8
neutral
110
positive
What people like
What people don't like
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Verdict: Our expert take on El Pipila
Food (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
When it comes to the food, youre in for a treat! With a strong 8.1 score and 85.4% customer satisfaction, the culinary experience here is definitely good. Out of 96 total opinions, a whopping 82 rave about the fantastic flavors, especially the handmade tortillas, carnitas, and overall freshness of the dishes.
However, its not all perfect, with 9 negative comments pointing out a few areas for improvement. Some found issues like cold sauce, small portions, and occasionally bland flavors. While these are few, it's worth noting for a consistently great meal.
Food
96
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
9
negative
5
neutral
82
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Handmade tortillas
- Great flavor
- Fresh ingredients
What people don't like
- Cold food
- Small portions
- Bland taste
Often praised
- foodYou don't need to look for another restaurant; head straight to El Pipila. The warm staff and amazing food will not disappoint. As a side note, I am writing this after finishing their pozole, which also deserves 5 stars!
- Pozole VerdePozole Verde is great, with a nice kick
- carnitasone of the best carnitas I have had
- flavorSo much flavor.
- food qualityEverything is really high quality
- freshnessEverything tastes super fresh
- guacamoleThe atmosphere is modern, and the food is homemade and delicious. I particularly enjoyed the great horchata, and they aren't afraid to add a little kick to the guacamole. The tacos, enchiladas, and salads were all delicious.
- pozolehave not found one that compares to El Pipila! It's unmatched.
- tacosI also like the tacos
- tortillasThey make their own tortillas
Frequently criticized
- ricerice that dries out sticking to the sides of the cooker will be served to you... inedible
- beansthe beans were cold
- chicken enchiladasI ordered chicken enchiladas and the sauce was cold
- chipsChips were a little cruncy for my taste
- food qualityFood quality is not good for the high prices
- portion sizesSmall small portions( expect half filled enchiladas, no chips, no salsa)
- rest of the menuNot a big fan of the rest of the menu, its a bit bland
- saucethe sauce was cold
If youre looking for delicious, authentic Mexican food with a focus on fresh ingredients and great flavor, this place is a solid bet. Just be mindful of potential inconsistencies with temperature or portion sizes, but overall, its definitely worth a try for those standout dishes.
Service (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 53% of the guests
Alright, lets talk service! This spot generally hits the mark, with a solid score of 7.2 and customer satisfaction at a good 70%. Many folks rave about the personal touch from the "family owned and operated" business, often highlighting the "mother and daughter team" and their "warm staff.
" You can expect a "quick lunch" experience, with 14 positive remarks out of 20 total comments praising their friendly and efficient approach. However, its not all sunshine and rainbows. Some customers have noted issues with the staff, mentioning a lack of hospitality or concerns about masks.
There have also been a few bumps with online order experiences and some found the service to be mediocre. These points, from 6 negative comments, suggest there's a little room for improvement in consistency.
Service
20
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
6
negative
0
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Family owned
- Quick service
- Friendly staff
What people don't like
- Staff not hospitable
- Online order issues
Often praised
- serviceGreat service. They have mixed up our order, we called them “Hengry” and they delivered the order to our place.
- family owned and operatedFamily owned and operated damn they make a good taco
- family-owned businessThis is a family-owned business struggling to survive
- mother and daughter teamthe mother and daughter team that run the place are extremely nice
- ownersreally lovely owners
- passionate peopleThe food quality is consistently high quality. The mother and daughter team running the place are extremely nice and passionate people, contributing to a very pleasant service experience.
- quick lunchSuper quick as well for a quick lunch.
- staffthe warm staff
- take outstop by and take out
Frequently criticized
- servicefrustrating to be told we can't dine inside only after we completed our order and paid
- closing timeTo bad they close at 3pm daily!
- masksI would strongly advise against eating here. The staff were not wearing masks, and I witnessed a lady sneeze in the back. I will not be purchasing anything from this establishment again.
- online orderrecently placed an order online through their website
- staffI was also impressed by the spotless kitchen, including the carts and bins for dirty dishes. However, I deducted one star because I didn’t find the staff particularly hospitable.
If you're looking for a place with a personal, family-run feel and generally quick, friendly service, this spot is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that a few customers have experienced minor hiccups with staff interactions or online orders, so keep that in mind.
Ambience (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 41% of the guests
Stepping into this place, youll likely be greeted by a wonderfully clean and modern vibe, with many guests appreciating the spotless kitchen and cute space. The atmosphere often gets high marks, and its clear the family-run business takes pride in its appearance, even managing unforced social distancing. With a score of 7, the ambience is generally considered good, though customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 64.7%, based on 11 positive remarks out of 17 total.
However, there are a few snags that might affect your experience. Some guests have noted limited street parking, and the absence of restrooms is a definite drawback. Plus, if youre planning on using the outside seating, be aware it can be cold and windy.
These points, highlighted in 4 negative comments, suggest theres room for improvement in practical amenities.
Ambience
17
Reviews
64%
Satisfaction
4
negative
2
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean and modern vibe
- Spotless kitchen
- Great atmosphere
What people don't like
- Limited street parking
- No restrooms available
- Cold outside seating
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was rated a 5
- cleanVery very clean
- family-run businessBeautiful family-run business
- kitchenThe entire kitchen is spotless
- modern vibeModern vibe
- placeThis is a surprise little place, listed in the La Cocina cookbook. The sopes were wonderful, though they weren't on the menu, they were available if you asked!
- social distancingsocial distancing unforced
- spaceSpace was modern and cute
- vibeNice vibe
Frequently criticized
- lady sneezedlady sneezed around the back
- outside seatingOutside seating was cold and windy
- restroomsand no restrooms
- street parkingThere’s limited street parking
If a clean, modern vibe and a good atmosphere are high on your list, this spot is worth checking out. Just be prepared for potential parking challenges and the lack of restrooms, especially if you plan a longer visit or need outdoor seating.
Value (5 out of 10)
mentioned by 18% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot presents a bit of a mixed bag, but many found some good things. With an average score of 5 and customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 42.9%, its clear there are differing views. Still, 3 positive remarks out of 7 total praise the cheapish good mexican food and value for the price, noting its a good price for neighborhood.
However, the value proposition isnt without its snags. 3 negative comments highlight issues like an unexpected service fee and an unauthorized tip. Some felt the prices were simply not good for the high prices' charged, leading to a less-than-stellar experience for others.
Value
7
Reviews
42%
Satisfaction
3
negative
1
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good value Mexican
- Fair neighborhood price
What people don't like
- Unexpected service fee
- Unauthorized tip
- High prices
Often praised
- cheapish good mexican foodSF lacks cheapish good mexican food. Was glad to find this place.
- priceGood price for neighborhood.
- value for the pricea great value for the price
Frequently criticized
- pricesnot good for the high prices
- service feethe store added a service fee
- tipand a tip that I did not authorize
If you're seeking decent Mexican food at what some consider a fair neighborhood price, it might be worth a shot. Just be sure to double-check your bill for any unexpected service fees or tips, as these can quickly diminish the perceived value.
How are the prices at El Pipila?
Youre looking at roughly 16 per person here, based on what 15 diners reported. That comfortably places it in the $11–$20 category. For a Mexican Restaurant, especially in San Francisco, thats a solid mid-range price point – not a steal, but definitely not bank-breaking either.
What’s cool is that all our diners spent within this exact $11–$20 range, showing a really consistent pricing experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 15 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering its a Mexican spot in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. You know what youre getting, and it won’t break the bank for a good meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about El Pipila
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Delicious Tacos, Family Owned Gem
I discovered this restaurant a few weeks ago and I'm absolutely loving it. It's a family owned and operated establishment, and they truly make a good taco. My personal favorite so far is the carne asada, but I also enjoy the al pastor.
I recommend stopping by for a quick bite. They offer counter seating inside and a few tables on the sidewalk, conveniently located next to Pete's Coffee on Brannan.
- taco9
- carne asada9
- al pastor8
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
2
Disappointing Cold Meal
I finally took the time to stop by to try the food and was very excited, but boy was I let down. I ordered chicken enchiladas and the sauce was cold, the beans were cold, and the rice was cold. The guacamole was OK but slightly old.
I was very disappointed because I don't like cold Mexican food. I was super bummed! Edited for spelling 5.
28. 25
- guacamole5
- sauce2
- beans2
- rice2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Cozy South American Gem for Lunch
My experience at this cozy, authentic, woman-owned restaurant was delightful. They feature South American fare and it's a great spot for lunch as they close early. The atmosphere was rated a 5, and the service also received a perfect 5.
The food was equally impressive, earning a 5. For those with dietary needs, there are some gluten-free options available, and vegetarians will find veggie tacos and several veggie sides. The vegetarian offerings are clearly labeled, making it easy to choose.
The price per person is between $10–20.
- atmosphere10
- service10
- food10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Authentic Mexican Flavors, Fantastic Tortillas
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's one of the few Mexican places where the food is nicely flavored and not overly salted. The tortillas were absolutely fantastic and handmade.
You can truly taste the flavors and not just salt!
- food9
- tortillas10
- flavors9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
7
Good Veggie Burrito, Crunchy Chips
My experience at this restaurant was positive overall. I ordered a veggie burrito, which was quite good. However, the chips were a little too crunchy for my personal taste.
The atmosphere and service were excellent, both receiving a perfect score of 5. The food also scored a 5. I had this for lunch.
- veggie burrito8
- atmosphere10
- service10
- chips4
What El Pipila offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Healthy options
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at El Pipila?
At El Pipila, you can enjoy a casual dining experience with options for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. You’ll find comfortable seating, and the restaurant is good for kids. Plus, you can even bring your dog to enjoy the outdoor seating area, making it a versatile spot for many occasions.
Does El Pipila offer convenient service options for you?
Absolutely! El Pipila provides a range of service options to suit your needs. You can choose from no-contact delivery, traditional delivery, takeout, or dine-in. They also offer outdoor seating for a pleasant meal, and catering services are available for your events, ensuring flexibility for every customer.