Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Cielito Lindo – San Francisco
Cielito Lindo - San Francisco
Photo from Cielito Lindo
Cielito Lindo at a glance
San Francisco Outer Richmond
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 69 of the guests
#993 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#52 Mexican Restaurant out of 134 in San Francisco
Good
7.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
341
Reviews
77.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Generous portions
- Friendly service
Frequently criticized
- Cleanliness
- High prices
- Delivery issues
The Mexican restaurant Cielito Lindo in San Francisco’s Outer Richmond neighborhood offers a casual and inviting atmosphere for you to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a full meal, this spot provides a welcoming setting.
You can experience authentic flavors in a relaxed environment, perfect for any day of the week.
Overview: Introducting Cielito Lindo
Cielito Lindo offers a culinary experience centered around delicious food and huge portions, often praised for its flavorful dishes like birria tacos and breakfast burritos. Many appreciate the friendly staff who contribute to a welcoming, homey atmosphere.
However, some experiences at Cielito Lindo point to concerns regarding cleanliness, with mentions of unclean restrooms and a generally sparse interior. While the food is often a hit, a few found certain items to lack flavor, and the pricing structure raised questions for others.
Good
7.6
out of 10
341
Reviews
77.1%
Satisfaction
62
negative
16
neutral
263
positive
Overall, Cielito Lindo earns a solid 7.6 out of 10, with customer satisfaction sitting at a respectable 77.1%. This indicates a generally positive dining experience for many, supported by 263 positive remarks against 62 negative ones across 341 total customer comments.
The Food truly stands out, scoring an excellent (8.1), frequently highlighted for its quality and generous portions. Service also performs well (7.6), with patrons often noting the accommodating staff.
However, the Ambience (6.6) is more average, and Value (4.7) appears to be a notable concern for some diners.
What people like
- Delicious, flavorful food
- Generous portion sizes
- Friendly, quick service
What people don't like
- Cleanliness issues
- Perceived high prices
- Delivery service problems
Cielito Lindo offers a compelling experience for those prioritizing tasty, substantial meals and welcoming interactions. While some aspects like cleanliness and value might be inconsistent, the core culinary offering and attentive service often shine through.
With a recommendation score of 7.7, Cielito Lindo is generally worth considering if you’re seeking a satisfying meal in a casual setting. Just be mindful of potential inconsistencies in pricing and the overall upkeep of the dining space.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Cielito Lindo
Food (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark with a 8.1 score and a solid 81.6% customer satisfaction. Many diners, accounting for 168 positive remarks out of 206, rave about the delicious Quesabirrias and authentic Mexican food. You'll often find praise for the big portions and good flavor, making for a satisfying meal.
However, not every dish is a home run. A smaller number of 26 comments point to some disappointments, with a few finding certain items lacking in flavor, like bland al pastor or gamey meat. There were also mentions of dry enchiladas and horrible tortillas, suggesting some inconsistency in execution.
Food
206
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
26
negative
12
neutral
168
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious Quesabirrias
- Generous portions
- Authentic Mexican flavors
What people don't like
- Lacking flavor
- Gamey/dry meat
- Poor tortillas
Often praised
- foodA friend who lived in the Mission for two years brought me to the best place he found there, and while it was very good, Cielito Lindo blew me away. In addition to the amazing food, friendly staff, and homey atmosphere in the shop, its location is also great! It's nestled on a very cute street with lots of parking available and outdoor seating, plus a very good cafe right next door!
- breakfast burritosMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had delicious breakfast burritos and huevos rancheros, which were the best I've had in SF. The service was very friendly, and it's a wonderful neighborhood spot.
- portion sizeGreat portion size for the price
- burritosThe place was packed with all types of people on their lunch breaks – suits and wife beaters alike. I got two burritos the size of my forearm and helped myself to the salsa bar. I picked up my friend and presented her with a massive burrito that we ended up eating the rest of the next day.
- portionsWe enjoyed the vegetarian super burrito, vegan enchiladas, and vegan pambazo. All the dishes were phenomenal, served in huge portions. The staff was also super great, contributing to the lovely restaurant vibe.
- birria tacosI would recommend the birria tacos
- tacosWe ordered one of every taco, and they generously gave us one free drink and another for just a dollar, even though our wait was only 15 minutes. All the tacos were great, with the al pastor and steak options being my personal favorites. The mole was also very special.
- FoodFood:5
- Mexican foodOn a busy Thanksgiving Day, it was a pleasant surprise to get delicious Mexican food. We received it in reasonable time and at a reasonable price.
- birriabirria on the side, extreemly succulent, and so much flavor
Frequently criticized
- foodfood. You have to get up and get your food
- salsassalsas less than half full
- super burritosuper burrito with Carne Asada, meat tasted gamey
- Carne AsadaCarne asada, meat tasted gamey
- al pastorBlandest al pastor.flavorless!
- beanscharge me $5+ to add beans to my breakfast burrito
- breakfastbreakfast and the chicken burrito - both of them lacking much flavor or even salt
- breakfast burritocharge me $5+ to add beans to my breakfast burrito
- cheeseMy experience at the restaurant involved ordering a super burrito with Carne Asada. Unfortunately, the meat tasted gamey, and I was surprised that it didn't have any cheese, which I thought was normally included in a super burrito. Given this experience, I'm unsure if I'll be back.
- chicken burritobreakfast and the chicken burrito - both of them lacking much flavor or even salt
Overall, the food here is a strong contender, especially if youre seeking authentic Mexican flavors and generous portions. While there might be occasional misses, the high satisfaction suggests youll likely leave happy. It's definitely worth a try for a hearty meal.
Service (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 72% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark with a 7.6 score and a solid 78.6% customer satisfaction. Many of the 55 positive comments rave about the friendly staff, quick service, and genuine hospitality, often noting no wait times. Guests frequently feel welcomed and well-cared for, making for a pleasant dining experience.
However, not everyone has had a perfect experience, with 14 negative remarks pointing to some bumps. Issues include occasional unfriendly staff or customer service hiccups, and frustrating long wait times. Some also mentioned delivery issues or inconsistent opening time, which can be a real bummer.
Service
70
Reviews
78%
Satisfaction
14
negative
1
neutral
55
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, welcoming staff
- Quick, efficient service
- Great hospitality
What people don't like
- Inconsistent opening hours
- Occasional long waits
- Delivery service issues
Often praised
- serviceBoth were incredibly tasty, juicy, and packed with flavor. The service was quick and friendly. The front desk waitress noticed we were students with backpacks and kindly offered us free drinks from the refrigerator.
- staffA friend who lived in the Mission for two years brought me to the best place he found there, and while it was very good, Cielito Lindo blew me away. In addition to the amazing food, friendly staff, and homey atmosphere in the shop, its location is also great! It's nestled on a very cute street with lots of parking available and outdoor seating, plus a very good cafe right next door!
- ServiceService:5
- customer servicethe customer service was top tier
- employeesEmployees were very accommodating
- peoplethe people were so lovely and helpful
- waiting timebecause we were waiting a long time (it was only 15 minutes)
- cashiernice cashier
- cooksMy experience at the restaurant was very good. The food was very good, and the cooks were very friendly. I recommend the birria tacos; they were delicious!
- everyoneeveryone is super friendly
Frequently criticized
- Uber EatsMy experience at this restaurant has been incredibly frustrating. Despite being open for business, I've found that there is no delivery available and the restaurant is ALWAYS CLOSED ON UBER EATS. This means I CANNOT ORDER DURING OPEN BIZ HOURS.
- cooksthe cooks backed him up
- customer servicecustomer service sucks!!! Horrible customer service
- deliveryMy experience at this restaurant has been incredibly frustrating. Despite being open for business, I've found that there is no delivery available and the restaurant is ALWAYS CLOSED ON UBER EATS. This means I CANNOT ORDER DURING OPEN BIZ HOURS.
- employeeemployee needs to learn to respect other people's personal space
- open biz hoursDespite being open for business, I've found that there is no delivery available and the restaurant is ALWAYS CLOSED ON UBER EATS. This means I CANNOT ORDER DURING OPEN BIZ HOURS. It's a complete FAIL.
- opening timedisregard their 830 opening time as it means nothing.
- personal spaceemployee needs to learn to respect other people's personal space
- registerguy at the register tried to charge me $5+ to add beans
- serviceawful service
Overall, you can generally expect a good service experience here, especially if you're dining in. While there are occasional reports of slow service or operational quirks, the friendly and quick staff usually make it a worthwhile visit.
Ambience (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 46% of the guests
When it comes to the overall feel, this spot gets a solid 6.6, landing it in the average range, though customer satisfaction is a bit higher at 70.5%, which is pretty good! Out of 44 customer comments, 31 were positive, often praising the easy parking, the neighborhood spot feel, and the homey atmosphere. Many loved the beautiful interior, great location, and even the outside seating options.
However, not everyone was thrilled, with 12 negative comments pointing out some significant issues. Some found the place dirty and even foul-smelling, with unclean restrooms lacking basic amenities like soap or towels. Others mentioned the restaurant decor was sparse or that the restaurant was freezing on a winter's night, which definitely dampened the vibe.
Ambience
44
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
12
negative
1
neutral
31
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Easy parking
- Lively atmosphere
- Great location
What people don't like
- Dirty place
- Unclean restrooms
- Sparse decor
Often praised
- atmosphereA friend who lived in the Mission for two years brought me to the best place he found there, and while it was very good, Cielito Lindo blew me away. In addition to the amazing food, friendly staff, and homey atmosphere in the shop, its location is also great! It's nestled on a very cute street with lots of parking available and outdoor seating, plus a very good cafe right next door!
- parkingIn addition to the amazing food, friendly staff, and homey atmosphere in the shop, its location is also great! It's nestled on a very cute street with lots of parking available and outdoor seating, plus a very good cafe right next door! Honestly, it deserves at least 7 stars, but Google only lets me give 5.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- bathroomClean bathroom
- casual spotLow key, casual, no wait kind of spot
- delicious smellsYou can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. This is a no frills, neighborhood joint with loud music playing and delicious smells. It's also walking distance from the beach.
- interiorbeautiful interior
- locationI also love the location of this place
- loud musicYou can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. This is a no frills, neighborhood joint with loud music playing and delicious smells. It's also walking distance from the beach.
- neighborhoodI used the broth on literally everything! The staff was super friendly, the interior was beautiful, and it's in a great neighborhood. I'll definitely be there on the regular and want to try the whole menu!
Frequently criticized
- placeThe place was dirty, foul-smelling
- restaurantAVOID this restaurant at all costs!! The place was dirty
- ambienceambience was a zero
- bathroomgraffiti bathroom
- cleanlinessThe food was good, and the services were fast. However, the cleanliness was a major concern, as not a single table had been wiped down, even when I was the first or only customer. Additionally, the salsas were less than half full.
- decorRestaurant decor was sparse and minimal
- restroomsThe restrooms were unclean, no soap or towels to dry hands
- towels in the bathroomFor $50. 00, we also found no towels in the bathroom, which was covered in graffiti, reminding me of an outhouse. My wife's enchiladas were dry, and the plastic forks were useless as they wouldn't cut anything.
If youre looking for a casual, lively neighborhood spot with good parking and a homey feel, you might enjoy the vibe here. However, be prepared for potential cleanliness issues or sparse decor, especially if youre sensitive to those details.
Value (4.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
When it comes to value, many diners found things to appreciate, noting good value and reasonable price for what you get. Some even felt it was well worth it, especially for a casual meal. With 9 positive remarks out of 21 total, theres a decent amount of praise for the pricing.
The score for value sits at an average 4.7, with customer satisfaction at a mixed 42.9%. However, not everyone agreed, with 10 negative comments out of 21 total expressing concerns about high prices and feeling things were overpriced. Some felt the pricing was unfair, leading to a sentiment of waste your money somewhere else.
This indicates a significant portion of customers felt the cost didnt match the experience.
Value
21
Reviews
42%
Satisfaction
10
negative
2
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good value found
- Reasonable pricing
- Well worth it
What people don't like
- Overpriced items
- Unfair pricing
- Waste of money
Often praised
- priceat a fair price
- price per personThe service and atmosphere are both rated at a 4, contributing to a pleasant dining experience. For a late lunch, the price point of $10–20 per person is quite reasonable.
- pricesreasonable prices
- good valueA good value!
- reasonable priceat reasonable $$
- reasonably pricedThey're not fast, but reasonably priced and well worth it.
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was very lackluster. The quesabirria tacos were lacking in flavor and extremely overpriced. I paid $32 for the tacos and a can of coke, and I didn't even want to finish them.
- Price per person50.00 dollars
- billthe bill was over $40- dollars.....such unfair pricing
- high pricesdue to the high prices
- moneyWaste your money somewhere else
- pricingsuch unfair pricing
- tacos and a can of coke32 dollars for quesabirria tacos and a can of coke
Value here is a bit of a gamble. While some find the prices reasonable and the experience well worth it, others feel its overpriced and unfair. If youre looking for a budget-friendly meal, you might want to proceed with caution, as experiences vary widely.
How are the prices at Cielito Lindo?
You’re looking at roughly 23 per person – reported by 69 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average is 23, a good number of guests actually spend a bit less, with many prices clustering in the $11–$20 range. This suggests a nice mix of options, from more budget-friendly bites to some pricier specialties that nudge the average up.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 69 reviews.
Comparing value for money against similar restaurants in San Francisco.
Considering the variety of price points available, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Mexican spot in San Francisco. It offers flexibility for different budgets.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Cielito Lindo
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Best Mexican Food Ever!
Jose made our day! He is the nicest guy in SF and served the best Mexican food I’ve had in my life. I would give it a 12/10 and recommend it to anyone.
- nicest guy10
- Mexican food10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Meal Type
- Breakfast
9
Hearty Breakfast Burrito Bliss
My experience at this restaurant was pretty darn good, especially for breakfast. I ordered a veggie breakfast burrito (egg and potatoes), and it was packed with cheese and lots of other goodness. The portions were generous, making it a hearty meal to start the day.
I often find myself in a food coma afterward and need coffee to get back to work, which speaks to how satisfying it was. Overall, a great choice for a filling breakfast.
- veggie breakfast burrito9
- cheese and lots of other goodness9
- portions8
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Delivery
2
Consistently Closed, Impossible to Order
My experience at this restaurant has been incredibly frustrating. Despite being open for business, I've found that there is no delivery available and the restaurant is ALWAYS CLOSED ON UBER EATS. This means I CANNOT ORDER DURING OPEN BIZ HOURS.
It's a complete FAIL.
- delivery1
- Uber Eats1
- open biz hours1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
10
Phenomenal Burrito Experience!
My experience at this restaurant was nothing short of an experience. I visited with my family after a surf session at Ocean Beach, and this spot truly blew us away. For my cousin's 30th birthday, he wanted burritos and Mexican coffee, and Cielito Lindo delivered exceptionally.
We all indulged in the steak & avocado breakfast burrito, which was truly special. The unique preparation, where the cook flattens the egg and presses the tortilla onto it, creating an egg-lined tortilla, was absolutely phenomenal and unlike anything I'd encountered before. The steak was tender, the avocado fresh, and the entire burrito was perfectly balanced.
It's no surprise there's a picture of it on the wall – it's clearly a favorite. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming. We arrived just before the lunch rush, and by noon, the line was nearly out the door, filled with local students.
The staff was friendly and attentive. Upon learning it was my cousin's birthday, they played Las Mañanitas and surprised us with complimentary nachos with guacamole and a delicious pork topping. This special touch made the day truly memorable.
Between the outstanding burritos, the spiced Mexican coffee, and the exceptional hospitality, this place is genuinely something special. You can sense the pride and care in both the food and the service. I highly recommend making the trip; the long lines become understandable once you've tasted it yourself.
- steak & avocado breakfast burrito10
- egg-lined tortilla10
- steak9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Delicious Food, Excellent Service!
We stopped to eat here and had a wonderful experience. The employees were very nice and accommodating. The food was delicious, and the service was quick.
We were visiting from Chicago and appreciated the great experience.
- employees10
- food10
- service10
What Cielito Lindo offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options and service styles does Cielito Lindo offer?
At Cielito Lindo, you can enjoy a variety of dining options including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with comfortable seating available. For your convenience, the restaurant also provides outdoor seating, takeout, and delivery services.
Is Cielito Lindo accessible and family-friendly, and what are the parking options?
Yes, Cielito Lindo is designed to be welcoming for everyone, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance and seating. It’s also good for kids. You’ll find both free and paid street parking options nearby for your visit.
What is the overall sentiment for Cielito Lindo?
Cielito Lindo holds a good overall Restaurant Score of **7.6** and a Customer Satisfaction of **77.1%**. Customers particularly praise the **Food** (8.1) and **Service** (7.6), though **Ambience** (6.6) is average and **Value** (4.7) is a common concern.
Are the portions at Cielito Lindo generous?
Yes, many customers frequently mention the generous portion sizes, with some describing burritos as “the size of my forearm” and dishes served in “huge portions.”
Are there any issues with cleanliness or pricing?
Some customers have noted concerns regarding cleanliness, mentioning dirty tables and unclean restrooms. Additionally, a few found certain items to be overpriced, leading to questions about the overall value.