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oChef » Balompié – San Francisco
Balompié - San Francisco
Photo from Balompié
Balompié at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🇸🇻 Salvadoran Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 53 of the guests
#2309 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#15 Salvadoran Restaurant out of 17 in San Francisco
Average
4.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
334
Reviews
41%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious pupusas
- Inviting atmosphere
- Attentive owner
Frequently criticized
- Service inconsistency
- Cleanliness issues
- Value concerns
The Salvadoran restaurant Balompié in San Francisco’s vibrant Mission District invites you to a truly authentic culinary journey. You’ll discover a casual yet trendy atmosphere perfect for any meal, whether you’re seeking healthy options or a quick bite.
This spot is known for its delicious small plates, coffee, and wine, ensuring a delightful experience from breakfast through dinner. You can enjoy your meal with outdoor seating or opt for convenient delivery.
Overview: Introducting Balompié
Balompié offers a mixed experience, with its pupusas often receiving praise for their flavor and quality. The atmosphere, especially for futbol fans, has seen some positive upgrades, creating a more inviting space.
However, some diners have noted concerns regarding service consistency and occasional issues with cleanliness, which can detract from the overall visit. It seems there’s a blend of strong points and areas needing attention.
Average
4.9
out of 10
334
Reviews
41%
Satisfaction
179
negative
18
neutral
137
positive
Balompié registers an overall score of 4.9 out of 10, indicating an average performance, with customer satisfaction sitting at 41%, suggesting a mixed reception among patrons. This assessment is drawn from 334 customer remarks, with 137 positive and 179 negative observations.
Digging deeper, the Food (6.6) stands out as a relative strength, often praised for its quality. However, Ambience (5) is merely average, while Service (3.3) and Value (3.5) scores suggest these aspects frequently fall short of expectations, impacting the dining experience.
What people like
- Delicious pupusas
- Inviting atmosphere
- Attentive owner
What people don't like
- Service inconsistency
- Cleanliness issues
- Value concerns
With a recommendation score of 5.3, Balompié presents a place with clear potential, especially if you’re seeking well-regarded pupusas and a casual, sports-friendly setting. It’s worth considering for its culinary highlights.
However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies in service and some concerns about the overall value and upkeep. If these aspects are critical for you, you might find the experience less satisfying.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Balompié
Food (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 92% of the guests
When it comes to the grub, the food here gets an average score of 6.6, with a mixed customer satisfaction of 60.7%. Many diners, accounting for 91 positive remarks out of 150, rave about the delicious Pupusas and flavorful chorizo. Folks also appreciate the freshly made tortillas and overall quality food, often finding it consistent and satisfying.
However, not all experiences are stellar, with 45 negative comments pointing to some issues. Some guests have encountered cold food, particularly pupusas, and noted concerns about the quality of the cheese or a general lack of flavor. Portions of curtido and salsa also seem to be a point of contention for some.
Food
150
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
45
negative
14
neutral
91
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious Pupusas
- Freshly made tortillas
- Flavorful chorizo
What people don't like
- Food served cold
- Inconsistent food quality
- Lack of flavor
Often praised
- pupusasI went here because I wanted pupusas, and I was not disappointed. Their pupusas were very tasty and a lot less greasy than some of the pupusas I've had at other places. And the server, Evaline (not sure if that's how you spell it), was very friendly.
- foodEverything arrived packed very well, but the driver got lost and missed the delivery window by 30 minutes. So I received my food 1 hour and 30 minutes after ordering, but it was still delicious. I will definitely reorder.
- papusaspapusas. Excellent service and delicious food.
- Pupusasone of the best Pupusas I have ever had
- menuso many delicious items on the menu
- Canoethe Canoe is fantastic
- Fresh ingredientsFresh ingredients and made with so much care
- Mondongo soupMondongo soup that I had for dinner, it was delicious
- PapusasI love the Papusas
- Pupusa specialWe usually get the Pupusa special and meat plate special to share.
Frequently criticized
- foodI honestly have zero idea how this place is in business. The low rating is deserved for the “service” alone; but the food is also greasy and tasteless 🤮.
- pupusasI've been a long-time customer, but now the pupusas are too small for the same price. They've increased the price, but the quality is no longer the same.
- food qualitythe food quality was also very poor
- qualityI've been a long-time customer, but now the pupusas are too small for the same price. They've increased the price, but the quality is no longer the same.
- salsael curtido y salsa siempre que compro están muy salados
- Pollo encebolladothe chicken and rice were hard and had no flavor
- appetiteThat kill my appetite
- beansthe tiniest bowl of beans
- beerme la dio sin espuma y no fría
- breakfastone plate of breakfast takes mores then 45 minutes
If youre craving authentic Pupusas, this spot might hit the mark, as theyre a definite highlight for many. Just be aware that food quality can be a bit of a mixed bag, so temper your expectations for other dishes and be prepared for potential inconsistencies.
Service (3.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 80% of the guests
When it comes to service, it's a bit of a mixed bag here, with some truly shining moments. Guests have frequently mentioned nice and attentive staff, praising the friendly staff and even the owner for making them feel welcome. There are 28 positive remarks highlighting excellent customer service and prompt attention, suggesting that when the team is on point, they deliver a great experience.
However, the overall picture for service is quite challenging, with a poor score of 3.3 and a poor customer satisfaction rate of just 21.2%. A significant 101 negative comments point to issues like long waiting times, rude people, and generally poor customer service. Many experiences describe disorganized staff and a lack of attention, indicating a need for consistent improvement.
Service
132
Reviews
21%
Satisfaction
101
negative
3
neutral
28
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Welcoming owner
- Good customer service
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Rude, slow staff
- Poor customer service
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's one of the Mission's best kept secrets for brunch, offering excellent food and excellent service without a wait. The atmosphere was also a highlight, rated a perfect 5.
- attentionthe attention was very pleasant
- customer serviceExcellent Customer service
- ownerowner takes your table you're in for an outstanding experience
- peoplethe people are attentive
- staffThe pupusas and chicken soup were outstanding. I also appreciated the very reasonable prices and the kind and friendly staff. I will definitely be back!
- EvelynEvelyn the owner is awesome
- everyoneeveryone was really nice
- experienceI've known this place for the last 15 years, and the food is amazing. When the owner takes your table, you're in for an outstanding experience.
- greetingI was greeted so cheerfully!
Frequently criticized
- serviceMy lunch experience was okay. The only thing that I don't like was the service, as the staff never checked on us to see if we needed anything else or a refill on our drinks.
- waiting timeThe staff attended me terribly today. Even though they took more than an hour to prepare 10 pupusas, they told me that if I was hungry, I had to wait and that I had to go outside to wait because I was in the way, and they didn't even have that many customers to say they were very busy. 😡😡😡😡😡
- staffA restaurant should have a waiting list and manage who arrives first and who arrives second. The employees are all disorganized; there is NO STAFF to manage the control! Everything starts with the service from the entrance!
- customer serviceFor example, I once placed a large order and some pupusas were missing, and I was insulted for pointing out the incomplete order. After two years, I hoped things might have changed, especially their customer service. I regret tipping and returning to this place!
- deliveryMy experience was with very good El Salvadoran food. Everything was cooked perfectly and held up after a very late delivery. The bistec and chorizo were tender and juicy, perfect.
- employeesA restaurant should have a waiting list and manage who arrives first and who arrives second. The employees are all disorganized; there is NO STAFF to manage the control! Everything starts with the service from the entrance!
- orderI ordered food via Uber, and they got the order wrong. On top of that, I found a video in my chicken soup.
- ownerthe owner looked at me weird
- serverserver tried to play dumb and act like he did not know what I was talking about
- waitertienen que aprender mucho lo que es cer mesero
If youre considering a visit, be prepared for a potentially inconsistent service experience. While some guests rave about friendly interactions, the high number of complaints about slow and disorganized service means you might face significant wait times or less-than-attentive staff. Its a bit of a gamble, so manage your expectations.
Ambience (5 out of 10)
mentioned by 24% of the guests
The ambience here is quite a mixed bag, with a 5 score and 46.4% customer satisfaction. Many guests, however, appreciate the recent remodeling upgrades and the cozy mom and pop shop feel. Its a great spot for futbol fans seeking a home/sports experience, with 13 positive remarks highlighting the inviting atmosphere and clean location, plus a nice parklet for outdoor dining.
On the flip side, 14 negative comments reveal significant concerns. Several patrons reported mice sightings and a strong smell from old, dirty carpet. Issues like difficult parking, a sketchy neighborhood, and unclean bathrooms' also detract from the experience, indicating areas that definitely need attention.
Ambience
28
Reviews
46%
Satisfaction
14
negative
1
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Remodeling upgrades
- Homey sports vibe
- Outdoor parklet
What people don't like
- Mice sightings
- Filthy carpet smell
- Unclean bathrooms
Often praised
- atmosphereI would love to kick back and eat there
- ambianceThe ambiance is nice
- coffee machineI can't wait to come back to slowly take pictures and eat everything! The bar menu looked appealing, with Mimosas on the menu, and I spotted a beautiful coffee machine, so I definitely want to order a cappuccino on my next visit!
- futbol (soccer) fansespecially for futbol (soccer) fans
- home/sports experienceyou get a home/sports experience
- location cleanlinessFrom the moment I walked in, I was greeted so cheerfully. The location is super clean and even has 2 televisions, making it a great spot to watch a soccer match with a cold beer or soda. I ordered 6 pupusas to go – 4 rebueltas and 2 cheese – and they were excellent!
- mom and pop shoptruly defining what a mom and pop shop should be
- parkletyes there is a parklet outside for outside dining
- placeel lugar está remodelado y es más cálido
- remodeling upgradesmade some remodeling upgrades which makes it even nicer
Frequently criticized
- placeel lugar podría ser mejor
- bathroomthe bathoom is dirty
- carpetthe carpet was just filthy
- cleanlinessMy family used to travel from a long distance to have lunch here before COVID. However, nowadays, the food is very bad, the place is very dirty, and the food is placed just two feet away from the bathrooms. Not to mention the waiters' horrible attitude.
- doorsthe doors need to be clean
- food placementfood put 2 feet of the bathrooms
- locationstarting with the place where it is located
- micea mice showed out running around the table
- mousea MOUSE ran across the restaurant
- neighborhoodNeighborhood is sketchy especially at night
The ambience here presents a real dichotomy. While some find it charming and perfect for catching a game, others are seriously put off by cleanliness issues and pests. If you're seeking a casual sports-watching spot and can overlook potential downsides, it might be worth a try, but be prepared for inconsistencies.
Value (3.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 21% of the guests
When it comes to value, a few diners have found some bright spots, noting the restaurant can be affordable and offer reasonable prices, especially for the area. Out of 24 total remarks, 5 positive comments praised the value for money, with some finding the price worth it and consistent. However, the overall sentiment leans heavily negative, with 19 remarks expressing concern.
Many felt the portions were too small for the price, leading to feelings of being ripped off. Issues like high prices, expensive for the quantity, and bill discrepancies were frequently mentioned, along with an automatic 20% tip. The value score sits at a 3.5 (poor), and customer satisfaction is a low 20.8% (poor), indicating significant room for improvement.
Value
24
Reviews
20%
Satisfaction
19
negative
0
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
What people don't like
- Expensive for quantity
- Billing discrepancies
- Mandatory service charge
Often praised
- pricesThe prices, especially for sf, are affordable
- affordablethey have always been consistent and affordable
- pricethe price is worth it
- value for moneyGreat value for the money
Frequently criticized
- time and moneyWastes time and money
- 20% tips chargedautomatically charge the 20% tips on your bill
- bill discrepanciesbill has discrepancies
- billingtrying to cheat and took no responsibility when called out for the error
- businessPictured is their $15 plate, which included the tiniest bowl of beans, half a sliced plátano, and a scrambled egg. I honestly have zero idea how this place is in business. The low rating is deserved for the “service” alone; but the food is also greasy and tasteless 🤮.
- charged $28.00charged $28.00 for an ordered that should have been $25.50
- everythingcarisimo todo
- expensive for the quantitya little expensive for the quantity of food
- food priceFolks, there’s a reason their menu doesn’t have any pictures. Their horchata is actually pretty good, but for what you’ll spend on food here, you can feed two at most other places nearby. However, the food is actually palatable.
- high pricespay high prices
If you're looking for great bang for your buck, this spot might disappoint. While a few find it affordable, the overwhelming feedback points to high prices for small portions and frustrating billing issues. Proceed with caution if value is your top priority.
How are the prices at Balompié?
You’re looking at roughly 30 per person – reported by 53 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Salvadoran Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average spend is 30, the prices are quite spread out. A good number of guests (23 out of 53) actually spend in the more budget-friendly $11–$20 range, showing a nice mix of options from cheaper bites to more premium experiences.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 53 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering the variety of price points available, we think the pricing feels fair for a Salvadoran restaurant, offering options for different budgets.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Balompié
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Delivery
3
Wrong Order Delivered via DoorDash
My experience with DoorDash from this store was extremely negative. I ordered pupusas but received something resembling chicken and cucumbers instead. This has never happened to me before with any other store.
The delivery person was unresponsive to my calls. While I know the food is good when I've visited in person, I'm unsure if there was an issue with the receipt or if the delivery guy is entirely responsible for this mix-up. I will not be ordering from this store via DoorDash again.
- food8
- pupusas1
- delivery1
- delivery person1
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Excellent Food and Service!
My experience at the restaurant was very good. The food was excellent, and the service was very excellent. They strive to satisfy the needs of all customers.
🥰
- food10
- service10
- needs of all customers9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
1
Cockroach Found in Pupusa
My experience at the restaurant was initially positive. The presentation of the food looked good. I ordered two pupusas and began eating one.
I was enjoying it, finding it pretty tasty, until I noticed what I initially thought was a piece of hair. Upon closer inspection and turning the pupusa, I discovered it was a cockroach in my food. I will include photos as proof.
This discovery completely ruined the experience, despite enjoying the taste of the pupusa beforehand.
- presentation7
- pupusas7
- cockroach1
Price per Person
- $91–$100
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Delicious Pupusas and Great Experience!
My experience at the restaurant was super delicious! The pupusas and desayunos were so good. My kids, and I too, really loved the curtido.
The pupusas revueltas were my favorite. And yes, they had pilsener y Suprema cerveza!
- pupusas9
- desayunos9
- curtido9
Visit Type
- Family Dinner
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Terrible Food and Service
My experience at the restaurant was quite disappointing. The food was just okay, nothing special. However, the service was absolutely terrible, very bad.
We went with my family and even though the restaurant wasn't full, our food was served incomplete and the organization was very poor. I definitely would never return.
- food5
- service1
- organization2
What Balompié offers
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Free Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
- Dogs allowed
Parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Balompié?
At Balompié, you’ll find a casual and trendy atmosphere perfect for any time of day. You can enjoy healthy options, quick bites, and small plates for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. Table service is available, and you can even grab a delicious dessert.
Does Balompié offer convenient services for families and pets?
Yes, Balompié is very family-friendly, offering a kids’ menu and high chairs, making it good for kids. You can also bring your dog along, as pets are allowed outside. Enjoy amenities like free Wi-Fi and outdoor seating.
How does Balompié generally rate?
Balompié holds a 4.9 out of 10 overall score, with Food (6.6) being its strongest aspect. Ambience (5) is average, while Service (3.3) and Value (3.5) present areas for improvement.
What are the standout dishes at Balompié?
Many customers praise the pupusas for being tasty and less greasy. Other popular items include the Canoe and Mondongo soup, noted for fresh ingredients.
Are there any common issues customers experience at Balompié?
Some customers have reported issues with service, including long waiting times and disorganized staff. There are also concerns regarding cleanliness in certain areas and the perceived value for money.