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oChef » El NorteƱo – San Francisco
El NorteƱo - San Francisco
Photo from El NorteƱo
El NorteƱo at a glance
San Francisco Mission Bay
- š® Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11ā$20
mentioned by 17 of the guests
#1081 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#59 Mexican Restaurant out of 134 in San Francisco
Good
7.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
209
Reviews
74.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Flavorful food
- Great service
- Generous portions
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent pricing
- Limited seating
- Unappealing location
The restaurant, a vibrant Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco’s Mission Bay, offers you a casual spot for delicious quick bites. At El NorteƱo, you can enjoy authentic flavors whether you’re grabbing a speedy lunch or a satisfying dinner.
This spot is perfect when you’re looking for a convenient and tasty meal on the go, providing a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.
Overview: Introducting El NorteƱo
El NorteƱo offers a compelling experience, particularly for those seeking robust flavors. Many customers praise the tacos and burritos, highlighting their delicious taste and generous portions.
However, some find the overall dining experience to be a bit inconsistent, especially regarding certain food items. The service at El NorteƱo generally receives high marks, with staff often described as friendly and efficient.
Yet, there are occasional concerns about availability and minor order discrepancies. It’s a spot that clearly excels in its core offerings, but has areas for refinement.
Good
7.6
out of 10
209
Reviews
74.6%
Satisfaction
44
negative
9
neutral
156
positive
El NorteƱo achieves a solid overall score of 7.6, indicating a good performance, complemented by a 74.6% customer satisfaction rate, which also falls into the good category. This suggests a generally positive reception from diners, with many finding their experience worthwhile.
These figures are drawn from a total of 209 customer observations, comprising 156 positive and 44 negative remarks. Delving into specifics, Service stands out with an excellent score of (8.6), reflecting the friendly staff and quick food delivery.
Food also performs well at (8.1), with many appreciating the flavorful options. However, Ambience (6.1) is more average, and Value (4.5) is a notable area for improvement, with some customers finding prices inconsistent or high.
What people like
- Flavorful tacos, burritos
- Friendly, efficient service
- Generous food portions
What people don't like
- Inconsistent pricing
- Limited seating options
- Unappealing location
With a recommendation score of 7.9, El NorteƱo is certainly worth considering if you prioritize delicious, well-prepared Mexican food and appreciate attentive service. The al pastor tacos and carne asada are frequently lauded, making it a strong contender for a satisfying meal.
However, be mindful of the value proposition and the casual, often limited, dining environment. If you’re seeking an affordable, sit-down experience with consistent pricing, you might find it less appealing.
For a quick, flavorful bite, it’s a solid choice.
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Verdict: Our expert take on El NorteƱo
Food (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
The food here truly shines, boasting a solid score of 8.1 and a fantastic customer satisfaction rate of 81.3%. Based on 139 comments, with a strong lean towards positive experiences (113 positive versus just 21 negative), customers rave about the delicious tacos, burritos, and flavorful carnitas, often highlighting the generous portions and authentic Mexican taste. However, a few diners noted issues like tasteless food, overcooked or overly salted meat, and occasionally dry burritos.
Some also mentioned watered-down salsa or limited meat options, suggesting minor inconsistencies in an otherwise strong culinary offering.
Food
139
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
21
negative
5
neutral
113
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic, delicious food
- Generous portion sizes
- Flavorful, tender meats
What people don't like
- Tasteless, dry food
- Overcooked, salted meat
- Inconsistent ingredients
Often praised
- tacosOn a hot spring day in San Francisco, I found myself squatting in a carpark, but that didn't detract from the experience of eating the best tacos I have ever eaten in my life. Don't think about it, just go.
- foodWhile it's not cheap, the portions are generous and will definitely fill you up. The food is delicious. Be aware that sometimes there's a wait due to the crowd, but people are willing to wait, so calling ahead is a good idea if you can!
- burritosordered small carne asada y super el pastor burritos
- burritoThe burrito is the best
- carnitascarnitas and carne asada tacos and burritos. Both meats were very flavorful
- Mexican foodbest food truck Mexican food I've had
- al pastor tacoshighly recommend the al pastor tacos
- carne asadacarnitas and carne asada tacos and burritos. Both meats were very flavorful
- carne asada tacosMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, primarily due to the food. I was initially stuck on the carne asada tacos, but then I tried their al pastor, and it was mind blowing! I now get tacos at least once a week.
- deliciousConsistently delicious.
Frequently criticized
- buchebuche needed some more time on the grill
- burritoThe burrito was very dry and did not have much flavor
- burrito ingredientsthe burrito had rice, beans, meat, and sour cream. No salsa, cheese, or lettuce
- cabezawish they had cabeza but they ran out
- carne asadacarne asada needed some more time on the grill
- carnitascarnitas needed some more time on the grill
- chorizo and egg tacoseen nothing but eggs i seen maybe 2 or 3 specs of chorizo
- eating paperI found the food to be tasteless and the overall experience very expensive. I felt like I was eating paper. I will never come back here.
- famous restaurantsfamous restaurants of the mission district are living off hype
- foodtasteless food
If you're craving authentic Mexican food with generous portions and fantastic flavor, this place is definitely worth a visit. While a few minor hiccups were reported, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests a delicious experience awaits you.
Service (8.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 44% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot truly shines! With an impressive score of 8.6 and customer satisfaction soaring at 90.3%, it's clear guests are consistently delighted. Many rave about the friendly staff, quick service, and impeccable service, noting how employees are super nice and welcoming and genuinely care about customers.
Out of 31 customer remarks, a whopping 28 were positive, highlighting the great care and efficiency, even with large orders. While the service is overwhelmingly positive, there are a couple of minor points to consider, with only 2 negative remarks. One mentioned limited availability due to early closing hours, which is understandable given how slammed they often are.
Another isolated incident involved a small discrepancy in a taco order, but these seem to be rare exceptions rather than the norm.
Service
31
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
2
negative
1
neutral
28
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Impeccable care
What people don't like
- Limited availability
- Minor order errors
Often praised
- servicegreat service, The employee had a nice attitude.
- peopleall the beautiful peoples running it!
- staffI've been a regular here for over two years while working in the area, and it's consistently my favorite lunch option. The prices are fair, the staff is incredibly friendly, and everything I've ordered has been awesome. The Carnitas are done correctly here, in my opinion.
- Wait timeWait time:No wait
- cateringThe bride-to-be has a gluten allergy, and Magdelena with El Norteno Catering made sure all the food was completely gluten-free. The catering was perfect. They were on time, set things up, and all the food was fresh and good.
- companyThey were on time, set things up, and all the food was fresh and good. I highly recommend the company. As the host, you can just relax; they take care of it so you can enjoy your guests.
- customer servicebest customer service
- customersthey care about customers
- employeesemployees are always super nice and welcoming
- foodfood comes out pretty fast
Frequently criticized
- availabilityThis is one of the Top 3 Taco trucks in SF. Just be aware that they aren't there past 4 o'clock. Can't blame them, they are always slammed!
- staffThere were only 13 tacos. One staff member gave 3 tacos instead of 4! What didnāt make sense is that the office had ordered 6 tacos three days ago and a drink for myself.
If youre looking for a place with genuinely friendly and efficient service, this is definitely worth a visit. You can expect quick, caring attention from the staff, making for a smooth and enjoyable experience. Just be mindful of their closing times, as theyre popular and can get busy!
Ambience (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 16% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot is a bit of a mixed bag, landing an average score of 6.1 with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 50%. On the bright side, folks often noted the quiet atmosphere, making it easy to chat, and some even found the location to be perfectly fine, especially for a food truck. Plus, the free parking options were a definite plus for many of the 5 positive remarks.
However, the ambience isn't without its challenges, as highlighted in 4 negative comments. Many pointed out the questionable location, describing it as a not-so-great part of town. The biggest gripes revolved around the lack of seating and limited room to eat, making it tough to settle in.
Parking also proved to be a concern for some, despite the free options mentioned by others.
Ambience
10
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
4
negative
1
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Quiet atmosphere
- Free parking
What people don't like
- No seating
- Limited parking
- Questionable location
Often praised
- Noise levelNoise level:Quiet, easy to talk
- Parking optionsParking options:Free parking lot
- atmosphereAtmosphere:5
- best truckBest truck on this side of town!
- locationit's ok given the location
Frequently criticized
- atmospherewhat can you expect on a corner lot across from the Hall of Justice in a not so great part of town
- parkingnot much parking unless you are going to pay
- room to eatNot much room to eat where it's located
- seatingThere isn't seating
If youre looking for a quick bite and dont mind standing or taking your food to go, this place could work, especially if you appreciate a quiet setting. However, if comfortable seating, ample dining space, or a prime location are high on your list, you might find it a bit disappointing.
Value (4.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 42% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot presents a bit of a mixed bag, with an average score of 4.5. Many customers appreciate the affordable and reasonable price points, often noting the fair pricing makes it a worthwhile visit. With 10 positive remarks out of 29 total, some find it to be one of the best values on the menu, especially considering the quality.
However, customer satisfaction sits at a poor 34.5%, largely due to concerns about expensive items and a perceived ripoff. There are 17 negative comments highlighting issues like inconsistent prices, unexpected surcharge additions, and a general feeling that the bill can be too high for what you get. It seems clarity on pricing is a common pain point.
Value
29
Reviews
34%
Satisfaction
17
negative
2
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable pricing
- Reasonable value
What people don't like
- Inconsistent pricing
- Unexpected surcharges
- Can be expensive
Often praised
- pricesThe prices were reasonable
- Price per personPrice per person:$10ā20
- affordablevery affordable
- pricewasn't too expensive all things (primarly, its size) considered
- pricingfair pricing make this a taco truck worth visiting.
- reasonable priceI tried the Cabeza, pastor, chorizo, and lengua tacos, and they were all incredibly juicy. The truck offers a very reasonable price for the quality of food.
- valueone of the best values on the menu
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at the restaurant was that the food was decent. However, I found it to be way overpriced. For example, 4 tacos and nachos came out to $34.
- pricesThe prices seem to very person to person
- 4 tacos and nachos4 tacos and nachos came out to 34$
- 7 tacos and a quesadillaHowever, the carnitas, legua, buche, and carne asada needed more time on the grill, which was a bit of a letdown. Additionally, the restaurant is kind of pricey; we spent $45 for 7 tacos and a quesadilla.
- billThe bill was $15 even. shorted twice in week is bad.
- chargewe canāt figure out how they charge. It is never consistent.
- credit cardwould not recommend using credit card here
- expensivevery expensive
- parkingParking for free nearby is tricky
- parking lotparking lot this truck is situated in is a little pricey
If youre looking for a good deal, you might find some affordable options here, but be prepared for potentially inconsistent pricing. Its worth trying if you're mindful of what you order, but be aware that some customers feel it can be overpriced.
How are the prices at El NorteƱo?
Youāre looking at roughly 15 per person ā reported by 17 diners. That puts it in the $11ā$20 category. For a Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco, itās comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average is 15, most guests tend to spend in that $11ā$20 sweet spot. There are a few who opt for a cheaper bite, and a couple who splurge a bit more, showing a nice mix of options.
Hereās a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 17 reviews.
This graph compares the value for money of this restaurant against similar ones in San Francisco.
For a Mexican spot in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. It offers good value without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about El NorteƱo
Price per Person
- $11ā$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0ā5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Excellent Food Quality!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I tried everything on the menu, and the food quality was excellent across the board. The service was also top-notch, receiving a perfect 5/5.
The atmosphere was equally impressive, rated at 5/5, and described as quiet and easy to talk in. Parking was a breeze with a free lot and plenty of spaces. For vegetarians, there's a dedicated menu or section, and it's highly recommended.
The wait time was non-existent, and the price per person is reasonable at $10ā20. The restaurant is also wheelchair accessible.
- food quality10
- service10
- atmosphere10
Price per Person
- $11ā$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0ā5 min.)
Noise Level
- Loud
9
Great Tacos in an Industrial Area
My experience at this restaurant was excellent, especially considering its location in a more industrial area of San Francisco with fewer dining options. The portions were generous, and the pickled jalapeƱos were a standout, likely made in-house. I'd also highly recommend the al pastor tacos.
The owner was very nice as well.
- portions9
- pickled jalapeƱos10
- al pastor tacos10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Good Service, Okay Tacos, High Price
I tried four tacos: two al pastor and two carne asada. The al pastor tacos were better than the carne asada. The service was impeccable.
However, I found the price of $21 for four street tacos to be quite high. Hmmmmm.
- al pastor tacos7
- carne asada tacos5
- service10
- price3
Price per Person
- $11ā$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Fantastic Food and Sweet Service!
My experience at this restaurant was absolutely fantastic! The staff were so sweet, and the food was incredible. I ordered the carne asada burrito, and my husband enjoyed the cheese quesadilla.
The carne asada burrito was one of the best I've ever had, and the portion size was generous enough for lunch the next day. I will definitely return!
- staff10
- food10
- carne asada burrito10
Price per Person
- $11ā$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Amazing Mexican Food Truck!
I had some of the best food truck Mexican food I've experienced in San Francisco! The employees were consistently super nice and welcoming, and their super burrito was incredibly tasty.
- Mexican food9
- employees10
- super burrito9
What El NorteƱo offers
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
Service Options
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Free street parking
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What service options and parking facilities does El NorteƱo offer you?
El NorteƱo provides convenient takeout and delivery services for your meals. Regarding parking, you’ll find both a paid parking lot and usually plenty of free street parking available, making your visit hassle-free.
When can you dine at El NorteƱo and what kind of dishes can you expect?
You can visit El NorteƱo for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, offering flexible dining options throughout the day. The menu features small plates, perfect for a quick bite, ensuring you get a delicious and satisfying meal.
How does El NorteƱo generally perform according to customer feedback?
El NorteƱo holds a good overall score of 7.6 with a customer satisfaction rate of 74.6%. Customers particularly praise the Service (8.6) and Food (8.1), while Ambience (6.1) is average and Value (4.5) is an area for improvement.
What are the standout dishes at El NorteƱo?
Many customers frequently commend the flavorful tacos, especially the al pastor and carne asada, as well as the burritos, noting their delicious taste and generous portions.
Are there any common concerns customers have about El NorteƱo?
Some customers express concerns about inconsistent pricing and finding the overall experience to be expensive. Additionally, the limited seating and casual, unappealing location are frequently mentioned.