Highlights
- Great dessert
- Great coffee
- Sports
oChef » Rincon Latino – San Francisco
Rincon Latino - San Francisco
Photo from Rincon Latino
Rincon Latino at a glance
San Francisco Excelsior
- 🇸🇻 Salvadoran Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 20 of the guests
#2137 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#11 Salvadoran Restaurant out of 17 in San Francisco
Good
6.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
192
Reviews
56.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Friendly staff
- Good location
Frequently criticized
- Poor value
- Inconsistent food
- Bad atmosphere
The restaurant, Rincon Latino, is a delightful Salvadoran Restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Excelsior neighborhood. You’ll discover a cozy and casual spot where you can enjoy authentic flavors and, as a highlight, truly great dessert.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a relaxed meal, this place offers a welcoming atmosphere for you to unwind and savor delicious food.
Overview: Introducting Rincon Latino
Rincon Latino offers a taste of Central American cuisine, with many appreciating the freshly made delicious food and the general quality of their dishes. The employees often receive praise for their friendly and patient demeanor, contributing to a pleasant dining experience.
However, some diners have noted concerns regarding the value, feeling portions can be small for the price. The overall atmosphere has also been a point of contention, with cleanliness and noise sometimes detracting from the visit.
Good
6.1
out of 10
192
Reviews
56.8%
Satisfaction
73
negative
10
neutral
109
positive
Rincon Latino holds an overall score of 6.1, placing it in the average range, and customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 56.8%. This assessment comes from 192 customer opinions, with 109 positive remarks and 73 negative ones.
While the overall sentiment is somewhat balanced, there are clear areas of strength and weakness. Diners generally appreciate the Food (6.9), which stands out as a strong point.
However, the Service (6) and Ambience (5.5) are perceived as average, not quite elevating the experience. A notable concern is the Value (3.6), which many find to be a significant drawback, impacting the overall impression.
What people like
- Delicious, fresh food
- Friendly, patient staff
- Convenient location
What people don't like
- Poor value for money
- Inconsistent food quality
- Unpleasant atmosphere
Rincon Latino presents a mixed experience, with its Central American dishes often hitting the mark, especially if you appreciate freshly made food. The staff’s hospitality is frequently noted, making for a welcoming interaction.
However, be mindful of the value proposition and potential inconsistencies in dish quality or the dining environment. With a recommendation score of 6.2, it might be worth a try if you’re in the area and prioritize authentic flavors over a consistently polished experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Rincon Latino
Food (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 88% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, there's a lot to love! With 66 positive remarks out of 101 total opinions, many rave about the delicious Salvadoran food, especially the excellent pupusas and freshly made tortillas. The overall score for food stands at a 6.9, indicating a good culinary experience for most.
However, the customer satisfaction is a more mixed bag at 65.3%, with 27 negative comments highlighting some areas for improvement. Some found portion sizes to be small, dishes occasionally flavorless, and even the beloved pupusas sometimes lacking in filling or quality.
Food
101
Reviews
65%
Satisfaction
27
negative
8
neutral
66
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Salvadoran food
- Excellent pupusas
- Freshly made tortillas
What people don't like
- Small portion sizes
- Lacking food quality
- Flavorless dishes
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the freshly made delicious food and fruit drinks. The pupusas were excellent, and the fried cheese was delicious.
- pupusasMy experience at this restaurant has been largely positive, with the food being the standout element. Although I had never tried Salvadorian cuisine before, I've thoroughly enjoyed everything we've ordered, including burritos, super quesadilla, pupusas, and filete a la plancha. The employees are consistently friendly and patient, especially when I need them to explain the menu, which I often don't understand.
- burritosThe flavor in their burritos!
- delicious foodThis is my second time at this restaurant. My experience was good, with good service and delicious food. I recommend it to my friends.
- Central American foodIf you're craving Central American food that tastes like it's made at home, with freshly made tortillas, this is the place. The Churrasco Salvadoreno was a recommended dish.
- Chicharron Pupusahighly recommend the Chicharron Pupusa
- Churrasco SalvadorenoThe Churrasco Salvadoreno was a recommended dish
- Horchatathe best tasting Horchata you have ever tasted
- Pupusasthere are only two places where they are superb. Rincon is one of them
- Queso PupusaThe Queso Pupusa is a great choice
Frequently criticized
- pupusasI used to rave about the pupusas here because they used to be big and full of cheesy goodness. My last order was like tortillas with a little bit of filling. Don't skimp on the best part of the pupusa, cause I can get tortillas anywhere.
- foodThe price of the pupusas is $4, the same as all restaurants in San Francisco. The bad thing is the size, it seems like they serve you a taco, very little food and they charge a lot. A small drink is $6.
- meatI ordered the beef soup, and it was flavorless. It contained only bone and pieces that were not meat. It was a disagreeable experience.
- beef ribsEverything looked spongy and old. My husband purchased the beef ribs; the meat was very tough and barely seasoned. We ordered one pupusa on the side which tasted okay.
- beef soupbeef soup, and it was flavorless
- beerthe beer are burnt
- cabbage with lemonThis is far too expensive for what was provided. The so-called salad was just a bit of cabbage with lemon. 😡😡😡😡
- corn atoledamn corn atole is too much and to top it all off, it was burnt
- cup of soupFor nearly thirty dollars, I received a cup of soup that was incredibly disappointing. It was almost flavorless, with barely any noodles, just water and a few pieces of vegetables.
- fillingI used to rave about the pupusas here because they used to be big and full of cheesy goodness. My last order was like tortillas with a little bit of filling. Don't skimp on the best part of the pupusa, cause I can get tortillas anywhere.
If youre craving authentic Salvadoran food and excellent pupusas, its definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that some experiences mention small portions or inconsistent quality, so manage your expectations regarding portion sizes and flavor consistency.
Service (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 65% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot seems to have a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6 and customer satisfaction at 55.3%. Many guests rave about the friendly staff, accommodating team, and excellent hospitality, with 26 positive remarks highlighting good service and attentive people like Margarita. It sounds like when they hit it right, they really shine!
However, there's definitely room for improvement, as indicated by 20 negative comments. Some folks have experienced frustrating wait times, slow service, and issues with communication or attention. It appears that while the team can be great, consistency in customer service and managing expectations around food arrival and restaurant hours could use some work.
Service
47
Reviews
55%
Satisfaction
20
negative
1
neutral
26
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, accommodating staff
- Excellent hospitality
- Good customer service
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Slow service
- Poor communication
Often praised
- serviceThe service and atmosphere were both rated a perfect 5
- attentionThe place and everything is nice, as is the attention. The price of the pupusas is $4, the same as all restaurants in San Francisco.
- staffStaff, super accommodating and quick!
- employeesthe employees are patient and willing to explain
- customer serviceVery good customer service
- good serviceThis is my second time at this restaurant. My experience was good, with good service and delicious food. I recommend it to my friends.
- hospitalitythe hospitality by Julio & Juanita is so pleasant and warm
- owner cooksaun mas cuando cosina la dueña
- peopleThe people are nice.
- people like Margaritabecause of people like Margarita the business works perfectly
Frequently criticized
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was one of bad service and terrible food. The beer was also burnt.
- attentionWe are frequent customers, but the person handling the bills is not paying attention. When giving me my bill, she charged me for the table next to us.
- closing timeget at 8;30 we get inside and they said is close
- communicationdo not tell clients that they are going to charge them
- customer servicethe costumer service was not worth it
- food arrivalonly my wife's food was served
- jobWhen giving me my bill, she charged me for the table next to us. If I hadn't said anything, she wouldn't have noticed because she was distracted by other things and not focused on her job.
- my mealthe computer didn't register my orders
- ownerThe owner it’s not nice.
- restaurant hrsNeed to update the restaurants hrs said close at 10pm
If you're not in a rush and appreciate genuinely friendly staff, you might have a great experience here. But be prepared for potentially longer wait times or inconsistent service, which could be a dealbreaker for some.
Ambience (5.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
While the overall ambience scores an average 5.5 with 55% customer satisfaction, there are some definite upsides, noted in 11 positive remarks. Guests often praise the convenient location with good parking places, finding it a chill place to relax. Many appreciate the clean kitchen and spotless bathrooms, with some enjoying the atmosphere and music.
However, 9 negative remarks point to areas needing attention. Some found the place dirty and the atmosphere unpleasant, with concerns about cleanliness and a bad smell. The presence of drunks and resulting noise made it feel less like a family place, and parking could be difficult.
Ambience
20
Reviews
55%
Satisfaction
9
negative
0
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Convenient location
- Clean restrooms
- Chill atmosphere
What people don't like
- Unclean environment
- Noisy crowd
- Bad smells
Often praised
- atmosphereThe service and atmosphere were both rated a perfect 5
- bathroomslos baños limpios
- breweryIt was great to meet some of Le thu's friends and co-workers; they were a great bunch. I've worked in breweries before, and this is the biggest one I've ever been in. I also found a new beer for when I go back.
- kitchenI looked at the kitchen and it was impeccable
- locationlocation is very convenient
- musicNo loud music but everyone’s around to watch the game
- parking placesMy experience at this restaurant was very good! 👏 👌 👍 The food was excellent, the service was great, and the location is very convenient with a lot of parking places.
- placeThe place and everything is nice, as is the attention. The price of the pupusas is $4, the same as all restaurants in San Francisco.
- restroomthe sanitary service was just like one in a home
Frequently criticized
- atmospherethe atmosphere is not so pleasant
- cleanlinessMy experience at this restaurant was horrible. It was not very clean, and there were lots of drunks, making it very noisy. This is definitely not a family place to bring your family.
- closedit was closed
- drunksMy experience at this restaurant was horrible. It was not very clean, and there were lots of drunks, making it very noisy. This is definitely not a family place to bring your family.
- family placeIt was not very clean, and there were lots of drunks, making it very noisy. This is definitely not a family place to bring your family. Additionally, the place smelled bad.
- noiseMy experience at this restaurant was horrible. It was not very clean, and there were lots of drunks, making it very noisy. This is definitely not a family place to bring your family.
- parkingParking can be difficult in the area
- placeThe place was a little dirty
- smellsmells been bad
If youre looking for a casual spot with convenient parking and dont mind a potentially lively, sometimes noisy crowd, this place might work. However, be prepared for a mixed bag regarding cleanliness and overall atmosphere.
Value (3.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 35% of the guests
When it comes to value, it seems theres a bit of a mixed bag, though leaning towards disappointment. While a few folks found the prices fair for the quality, noting some items like pupusas were a good deal and generally affordable, the overall sentiment isnt quite hitting the mark. With a score of just 3.6, it falls into the poor range, and customer satisfaction sits at a low 25%, indicating significant room for improvement based on 6 positive remarks out of 24 total.
However, the majority of comments, 17 to be exact, point to concerns about things being too expensive or feeling overcharged. Many mentioned issues like unexpected service charge or card payment fee, and even an automatic tip being added. There were also frustrations about menu prices being incorrect or portions being small for the cost, suggesting that the perceived value often doesn't align with expectations.
Value
24
Reviews
25%
Satisfaction
17
negative
1
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fair prices for quality
- Some items affordable
What people don't like
- Too expensive overall
- Unexpected service charges
- Small portions, high price
Often praised
- pricesprices are fair for the quality
- affordableVery affordable
- good pricegood price
- price$3/pupusas good deal
- valuemissing value
Frequently criticized
- priceThe price of the pupusas is $4, the same as all restaurants in San Francisco. The bad thing is the size, it seems like they serve you a taco, very little food and they charge a lot. A small drink is $6.
- 18% tipcobran el 18% de propina
- Outside foodPlease do better. Outside food is expensive 🙏
- automatic tipwhy was she adding and automatic tip
- billsWe are frequent customers, but the person handling the bills is not paying attention. When giving me my bill, she charged me for the table next to us. If I hadn't said anything, she wouldn't have noticed because she was distracted by other things and not focused on her job.
- card payment fee$5.75 for paying by card
- courtesy tiptrying to add courtesy tip
- menu pricesthe menu prices are incorrect
- overchargedwe were overcharged compared to the prices that were advertised
- pricesThe prices were overpriced
If you're looking for great value, this spot might disappoint, as many customers felt things were overpriced or had hidden fees. While some items might be a good deal, be prepared to scrutinize your bill and manage expectations regarding portion sizes for the price.
How are the prices at Rincon Latino?
On average, you’ll spend around 34 per person – from 20 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $31–$40 category. For a Salvadoran Restaurant, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
While the average sits here, most diners actually spend a bit less, with a clear cluster of prices in the $21–$30 range. However, there are also some higher-priced options that pull the average up, showing a bit of a spread in what people choose to spend.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 20 reviews.
A comparison of this restaurant’s value for money against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering the average spend and the variety of prices, we think the pricing is fair for San Francisco, though it might be a bit on the higher side for a Salvadoran spot. It seems there are options for different budgets, which is always a plus!
Customer Reviews: what people think about Rincon Latino
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Excellent Latin American Gem!
If you're Latino and find yourself near this city, this is your place! I took the time to ask who made the pupusas and who cooked the dinner. Margarita prepared them.
I'm writing this review because I want the owner to know that because of people like Margarita, the business runs perfectly. The waitress was great. I took the time to look at the kitchen, and it was spotless.
The restroom was just like one in a home. In short, you have a great team, and I congratulate you for it.
- pupusas10
- dinner10
- people like Margarita10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
3
Pretty Place, Small Portions, High Price
The place and everything is nice, as is the attention. The price of the pupusas is $4, the same as all restaurants in San Francisco. The bad thing is the size, it seems like they serve you a taco, very little food and they charge a lot.
A small drink is $6.
- place8
- attention7
- pupusas3
- food2
- price3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
3
Decent food, poor service and cleanliness
My experience at this restaurant was mixed. The food was decent, but the service was not great. I had to chase the waitress down to ask for drinks.
Additionally, the place was a little dirty.
- food6
- service3
- waitress3
- place3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
6
Decent Food, Nice People, Small Portions
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The food was good, though nothing particularly special. I found the portion sizes to be below average.
On the positive side, the people were nice, contributing to a pleasant interaction with the staff.
- food6
- people8
- portion sizes3
Visit Type
- Family Dinner
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Great Food and Service, Poor Atmosphere
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The food was excellent, and the service was top-notch. However, the atmosphere was not very pleasant, making it less ideal for a family outing.
- food10
- service10
- atmosphere2
What Rincon Latino offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Transgender safespace
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Family-friendly
- Groups
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
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Hard liquor
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What type of cuisine and dining options are available at Rincon Latino?
Rincon Latino specializes in authentic Salvadoran cuisine, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. You’ll find healthy options, vegetarian dishes, and quick bites. Enjoy coffee, beer, wine, or cocktails, and be sure to try their highly-rated desserts.
What amenities and services does Rincon Latino offer, and is it family-friendly?
Rincon Latino provides a cozy atmosphere with free Wi-Fi and a bar. You can dine-in, get takeout, or opt for delivery. It’s wheelchair accessible (entrance, seating, restroom) and offers free street parking. Plus, it’s great for kids with a menu and high chairs.
How does Rincon Latino generally perform according to customer feedback?
Rincon Latino has an overall score of 6.1, indicating an average performance. While Food (6.9) is a strong point, Service (6) and Ambience (5.5) are average, and Value (3.6) is a significant concern for many.
What kind of food can I expect at Rincon Latino?
Many customers praise Rincon Latino for its freshly made delicious food, including Central American specialties. Specific items like pupusas and burritos often receive positive remarks for their flavor.
Are there any common concerns about dining at Rincon Latino?
Some diners express concerns about the value, citing small portions for the price and unexpected charges. Additionally, the atmosphere can sometimes be affected by cleanliness issues or noise.