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oChef » Al Hamra – San Francisco
Al Hamra - San Francisco
Photo from Al Hamra
Al Hamra at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🍛 Pakistani Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 51 of the guests
#566 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#4 Pakistani Restaurant out of 9 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
332
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Food Quality
- Great Value
Frequently criticized
- Ambience Issues
- Service Inconsistencies
The restaurant Al Hamra is a vibrant Pakistani eatery nestled in San Francisco’s lively Mission District. You’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for catching a game, as sports are a highlight here.
Whether you’re craving late-night food or a quick bite, this spot has you covered. They offer a diverse menu with vegan and vegetarian options, ensuring there’s something delicious for everyone to enjoy.
Overview: Introducting Al Hamra
Al Hamra offers a culinary experience where the flavors often shine, with many appreciating the friendly service and the generally clean establishment. It’s a place where the food often hits the mark, making it a frequent choice for those seeking satisfying dishes.
However, some visitors have encountered challenges, particularly concerning the general atmosphere and occasional reports of horrible customer service. While the food is a draw, aspects like the overall setting and parking is an issue can sometimes detract from the experience.
Excellent
8.1
out of 10
332
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
45
negative
18
neutral
269
positive
Al Hamra holds a respectable overall score of 8.1, indicating a good dining experience for most, supported by a strong Customer Satisfaction of 81%. This positive sentiment is drawn from 332 customer observations, with 269 positive remarks outweighing 45 negative ones.
Diving deeper, the Food truly stands out with an impressive score of (8.7), reflecting its consistent quality. Value also rates highly at (8.0), suggesting generous portions for the price.
While Service is rated well at (7.1), the Ambience (5.8) appears to be an area that could benefit from attention.
What people like
- Excellent Food Quality
- Great Value
- Friendly Staff
What people don't like
- Ambience Issues
- Service Inconsistencies
- Parking Difficulties
If you’re prioritizing flavorful food and good value, Al Hamra is certainly worth considering. The strong Recommendation Score of 8.2 suggests many leave satisfied, especially with the generous portions and appealing dishes.
However, be prepared for a no-frills setting and potential service variations. While the culinary offerings are a draw, those seeking a polished dining atmosphere or seamless service might find aspects needing improvement.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Al Hamra
Food (8.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 93% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot truly shines with an impressive 8.7 score and a solid 88.8% customer satisfaction! Based on 190 positive remarks out of 214 total comments, diners consistently rave about the authentic flavors, generous portions, and delicious Indian food, especially the fresh naan. Many find the quality and taste to be out of this world, with highlights like the Chicken Tikka Massala burrito and butter chicken.
However, a small number of 16 negative comments indicate some areas for improvement. A few found the food bland, while others were disappointed with certain pizza options or experienced hard naan. There were also mentions of overcooked curries and channa masala, suggesting some inconsistency in preparation.
Food
214
Reviews
88%
Satisfaction
16
negative
8
neutral
190
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic, delicious flavors
- Generous portion sizes
- Fresh, tasty naan
What people don't like
- Bland food taste
- Disappointing pizza options
- Overcooked curries
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was simple and no-frills, with good food and super friendly service from the brother at the front. While dishes like tikka masala, roti, and mango lassi are familiar, the tikka masala pizza was a pleasant surprise, as it wasn't an option during a previous visit pre-pandemic.
- Indian foodMy experience at this restaurant was exceptional. I had the Chicken Tikka Massala burrito, and it was hands down the best damn Indian food in the bay. I highly recommend getting this dish; it truly made my day the best day of my life afterwards.
- naanmy go-to for some chicken tandoori, naan
- pizzaIt's easily my favorite spot in the city for the most delicious chicken tikka. This is an excellent family-owned restaurant that serves curry by the bowl, pizza by the slice, and smiles by the visit. The service, atmosphere, and food were all rated a perfect 5 out of 5.
- butter chickenMy personal favorites and recommendations are the butter chicken
- saag paneerThe saag paneer and tikka chicken is smothered in flavor, in rich spices and ingredients.
- Chicken ThaliChicken Thali with chicken tikka masala and it was the most delicious rich gravy
- FoodFood:5
- biryanithe lamb korma and biryani were so tender
- cheese naancheese naan are my absolute favorites
Frequently criticized
- foodFood was extraordinarily bland
- pizzaWe were so disappointed! We love the Tikka Masala as a dish, but were so disappointed because the pizza doesn’t taste like Tikka Masala at all! It didn’t taste like anything… I don’t know if there was not enough sauce or something.
- "Halal" foodmy worst experience "Halal" food
- Indian pizza choiceswished they had more Indian pizza choices
- Tikka MasalaWe were so disappointed! We love the Tikka Masala as a dish, but were so disappointed because the pizza doesn’t taste like Tikka Masala at all! It didn’t taste like anything… I don’t know if there was not enough sauce or something.
- chaiBefore chai was complementary, now it’s not
- channa masalaThe channa masala came out more as dhal because it was overly cooked.
- curriesAvoid curries
- flies in foodThey had flies in food
- masalathe masala it came with was unremarkable
If youre seeking authentic and flavorful Indian cuisine with hearty portions, this place is definitely worth a try. While some pizza choices or curry preparations might occasionally miss the mark, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests youll likely leave satisfied and full.
Service (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 63% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.1 and a customer satisfaction rate of 71%, its clear that many diners have had good experiences. Out of 62 total customer remarks, 44 highlight the positive aspects, often praising the friendly staff, excellent service speed, and genuine hospitality and love from the team.
However, its not all smooth sailing, as 17 remarks point to areas needing attention. Some guests encountered issues like long wait times, receiving the wrong order, or experiencing what they described as horrible customer service. There were also concerns about basic amenities like napkins and adherence to Covid-19 protocols.
Service
62
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
17
negative
1
neutral
44
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, kind staff
- Excellent service speed
- Great hospitality
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Wrong orders
- Poor customer service
Often praised
- serviceThe food was very tasty and the prices were good. I also appreciated the friendly service. It's a clean establishment where you can see them cooking the food, which adds to the experience.
- staffIt's a plain and spacious restaurant located in a neighborhood surrounded by pricey establishments. What stood out were the great prices, large servings, and the friendly staff. The restaurant is also open late, which is convenient.
- ServiceService:5
- peoplethe people so nice and humble
- Aijaz and his son SahirThe main guy, Aijaz and his son Sahir are great
- amazing facesThere are a bunch of restaurants in the city, but this is my absolute favorite. I've been living here for almost 4 years now, and I've consistently encountered the same amazing faces and workers.
- amazing workersThere are a bunch of restaurants in the city, but this is my absolute favorite. I've been living here for almost 4 years now, and I've consistently encountered the same amazing faces and workers.
- cooked fastMy experience at the restaurant involved trying their Indian pizza, which featured fresh ingredients and was cooked fast. I enjoyed the quality of the pizza, but I wished they had more Indian pizza choices.
- delivery of potsdelivering the pots to the event
- friendly customer serviceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I love this place; it has awesome food and friendly customer service. The Chicken curry and chicken tandoori are always delightful.
Frequently criticized
- staffMy experience was frustrating because the staff did not respect my to-go order. Then, a different person handled it.
- Covid-19 protocolscooks did not follow Covid-19 protocols
- asking about ordersThe employees in this store can attack you at any time. I was told to be careful when asking about your orders, as your life may be endangered there.
- county health departmenthow does the county health department allows them
- employeesMy experience at this restaurant was alarming. The employees in this store can attack you at any time. I was told to be careful when asking about your orders, as your life may be endangered there.
- gloves and maskthey didn't use gloves ans mask neither
- horrible customer serviceHorrible customer service
- horrible ordering experience” There was not even an apology. This resulted in a horrible customer service and an overall horrible ordering experience. I will not be dining here again and suggest saving your money for a better meal at Pakwan, located right up 16th street.
- ketchup and hot sauceasked for ketchup and hot sauce and they didn't have it
- napkinsasked for napkins too but they only gave me 2 napkins
Overall, you can expect a good service experience here, especially if you value friendly and efficient staff. Just be aware that there's a chance of encountering longer wait times or minor order mix-ups, so manage your expectations accordingly.
Ambience (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 34% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot has a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.8, placing it squarely in the average range. Customer satisfaction for the ambience sits at 45.5%, indicating a somewhat mixed reception. Many appreciate it as a clean, family-owned restaurant, often described as a quiet place or a local spot, with 15 positive remarks out of 33 total observations.
However, there are some clear areas for improvement. Several comments point to issues with parking space, and some found the Restroom to be dirty. The neighborhood itself was mentioned as not being the best, and there were even observations about a mess inside of the kitchen, with 10 negative comments highlighting these concerns.
Ambience
33
Reviews
45%
Satisfaction
10
negative
8
neutral
15
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean establishment
- Family-owned restaurant
- Quiet local spot
What people don't like
- Parking issues
- Dirty restroom
- Rundown appearance
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- atmospherepleasant atmosphere
- family-owned restaurantExcellent family-owned restaurant
- cleanI also appreciated the friendly service. It's a clean establishment where you can see them cooking the food, which adds to the experience.
- cooking the foodsee while there cooking the food
- family owned restaurantthis family owned restaurant is amazing
- humble family restauranthumble family restaurant kind of setting
- local spotI used to love this place as it is a local spot and has decent prices. However, my experience has drastically changed.
- old school establishmentold school establishment being in the neighborhood
- placethe place is great
Frequently criticized
- placeIt looks like a rundown place
- RestroomRestroom was dirty
- coolerowner when opened the cooler everything was messed up
- employees' white apronsemployees had their withe apron super dirty
- mess inside of the kitchenmess inside of the kitchen for everywhere
- neighborhoodNot in the best neighborhood
- outside the restaurantoutside the restaurant smells like pess
- parkingWhile the food was a definite highlight, there were a couple of drawbacks. Parking is an issue, though there is a paid parking lot nearby at $3/hr. The sitting area, while okay to sit down and have a bite, is not as luxurious as a typical American restaurant.
- parking spaceThe only problem is the parking space around the restaurant
If youre looking for a no-frills, quiet, family-owned spot and arent too concerned about parking or pristine facilities, you might find it charming. However, if a polished atmosphere and spotless amenities are high on your list, you might want to adjust your expectations.
Value (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 29% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines! With a good score of 8 and customer satisfaction at a good 87%, guests consistently rave about the affordable Indian meal, fair price, and finding everything worth every penny. Many feel its a "good deal" offering "value for money, " especially given the generous portions.
This positive sentiment is echoed in 20 positive remarks out of 23 total. However, a couple of voices (2 negative remarks) did point out minor hiccups. Some customers encountered issues with an "Uber offer" not being honored or an unexpected "charge" appearing.
While these instances are few, they suggest its worth double-checking any special promotions to avoid any surprises.
Value
23
Reviews
87%
Satisfaction
2
negative
1
neutral
20
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable meals
- Generous portions
- Great value
What people don't like
- Offer discrepancies
Often praised
- priceWhile dishes like tikka masala, roti, and mango lassi are familiar, the tikka masala pizza was a pleasant surprise, as it wasn't an option during a previous visit pre-pandemic. We purchased a large slice for a super reasonable price, and it was "bomb"! The pizza was light and airy with a hefty amount of toppings.
- pricesIt's a plain and spacious restaurant located in a neighborhood surrounded by pricey establishments. What stood out were the great prices, large servings, and the friendly staff. The restaurant is also open late, which is convenient.
- worth every pennyWe initially came for the Pakistani Cuisine and were so impressed that we returned the very next day for pizza by the slice. Everything was worth every penny, and the generous portions were greatly appreciated!
- $12.99two entrees for $12.99 it was wonderful
- $5 slice of pizza$5 slice of pizza that was HUGE
- PriceI returned to try the chicken tikka masala pizza, and it was great. It was a huge slice for 5 bucks, and the flavors were bomb.
- affordabilitySuper affordable for its size!
- affordable Indian mealreally tasty, affordable Indian meal
- decent pricesI used to love this place as it is a local spot and has decent prices. However, my experience has drastically changed.
- fair pricebeyond wonderful with giving a fair price
Frequently criticized
- Uber offeroffer on Uber, order a piece that gets the second for free
- chargeit's a charge
If youre looking for great bang for your buck, this spot is a solid choice. Expect generous portions at fair prices, but its always smart to double-check any special offers.
How are the prices at Al Hamra?
You’re looking at roughly 27 per person – reported by 51 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Pakistani Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While most diners cluster around the 11 – 30 $ mark, there are also options for those looking for a more premium experience, with some spending 41 $ or more.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 51 reviews.
A comparison of this restaurant’s value for money against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Pakistani Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a good balance, catering to both everyday meals and those special occasions.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Al Hamra
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
9
Delicious Chicken Roll!
My experience at the restaurant was centered around their incredibly tasty chicken roll. It's so good! I'm actually going to order it right now.
- chicken roll10
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Delivery
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Disappointing Online Order Experience
I used to love this place as it is a local spot and has decent prices. However, my experience has drastically changed. I’ve ordered online twice now and received the wrong order.
On both occasions, I received samosas instead of the pakora I ordered. When I called to let them know about the mistake, hoping they would rectify it, I was told, “we didn’t make pakora today so we gave you samosa. ” There was not even an apology.
This resulted in a horrible customer service and an overall horrible ordering experience. I will not be dining here again and suggest saving your money for a better meal at Pakwan, located right up 16th street.
- local spot8
- decent prices7
- wrong order2
- horrible customer service1
- horrible ordering experience1
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Delivery
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Disappointing Experience: Wrong Order and Dirty Restroom
My experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing. I did not receive my online order from their own website, which led to an extra 30-minute wait. To make matters worse, the pizza was not thin crust as I had ordered, and the taste was just 'meh'.
Additionally, the restroom was dirty. Overall, the service was poor due to the order mix-up and wait time, the food was not as expected, and the ambience was negatively impacted by the cleanliness of the restroom.
- taste4
- online order2
- wait2
- pizza3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
9
Amazing Curry and Great Value!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found the naan to be very good and the curry was amazing. The portions were very large, making it a very good deal.
- naan9
- curry10
- large portions9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Delicious Food, Worth the Price
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The food here is absolutely delicious, with amazing flavors. I particularly loved the saag paneer and cheese naan – they are my absolute favorites and I can’t get enough!
I’ve been three times now, and it never disappoints. While it is a bit on the pricey side, the quality and quantity of food make it totally worth it. I highly recommend this place!
- food10
- price6
- flavors10
What Al Hamra offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Vegan options
- Small plates
- Halal food
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Are there vegan or vegetarian options available at Al Hamra Indian Pizza & Curry?
Yes, Al Hamra Indian Pizza & Curry caters to various dietary preferences. You’ll find both delicious vegan options and satisfying vegetarian options on their menu, ensuring a great meal for everyone in your party.
What service options and accessibility features does Al Hamra Indian Pizza & Curry offer?
Al Hamra Indian Pizza & Curry provides flexible service options including no-contact delivery, takeout, delivery, and dine-in. For your convenience, the restaurant also features a wheelchair accessible entrance and wheelchair accessible seating.
How does Al Hamra score overall, and what are its strongest aspects?
Al Hamra achieves a solid overall score of 8.1, with Food leading at 8.7, followed by Value (8.0) and Service (7.1). The Ambience scores 5.8.
What do customers frequently praise about Al Hamra?
Many customers often highlight the great prices and large servings, appreciating the overall food quality and the generally friendly staff.
Are there any common concerns or areas for improvement at Al Hamra?
Some patrons have noted issues with the general ambience, describing it as “rundown” with occasional reports of dirty restrooms, alongside some instances of service inconsistencies.