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oChef » Don Chuys Mexi-Mercado – San Francisco
Don Chuys Mexi-Mercado - San Francisco
Photo from Don Chuys Mexi-Mercado
Don Chuys Mexi-Mercado at a glance
San Francisco Excelsior
- 🍟 Fast-Food-Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 17 of the guests
#589 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#2 Fast-Food-Restaurant out of 35 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
158
Reviews
83.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Exceptional food
- Friendly service
- Neighborhood gem
Frequently criticized
- Owner issues
- Parking difficulty
- Portion changes
The fast food restaurant Don Chuys Mexi-Mercado in San Francisco’s vibrant Excelsior neighborhood offers you a fantastic spot for a quick bite. This casual eatery is known for its convenient service options, making it a go-to destination whether you’re dining in, grabbing takeout, or opting for delivery.
You’ll find it’s a great place to enjoy a satisfying meal in a relaxed setting, perfect for any time of day.
Overview: Introducting Don Chuys Mexi-Mercado
Don Chuys Mexi-Mercado offers a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine in a setting that feels like a true neighborhood spot. Many patrons rave about the friendly staff and the generous portions, making it a local favorite for a quick bite or groceries.
However, some have noted issues with customer parking and occasional negative interactions with the owner. This establishment blends a market feel with a taqueria, providing a convenient stop for both essentials and satisfying meals.
Its long-standing presence suggests a strong community connection, though some recent changes in ingredient quantity and pricing have been observed.
Excellent
8.1
out of 10
158
Reviews
83.5%
Satisfaction
18
negative
8
neutral
132
positive
Overall, Don Chuys Mexi-Mercado earns a solid 8.1 out of 10, reflecting a generally positive experience for most patrons. Customer satisfaction stands at a strong 83.5%, indicating that the majority leave content.
This positive sentiment is built on 132 positive remarks against 18 negative ones, out of 158 total customer comments. The Food (8.3) is clearly a highlight, frequently praised for its quality and taste, especially the burritos and carnitas.
Service (8.2) also stands out, with many appreciating the warm and welcoming interactions. The Ambience (7.1) is considered good for a market-taqueria hybrid, while Value (6.8) is seen as fair, though some recent price adjustments have been noted.
What people like
- Exceptional Mexican food
- Warm, friendly service
- Good neighborhood spot
What people don't like
- Inconsistent owner behavior
- Limited parking options
- Shrinking burrito portions
Don Chuys Mexi-Mercado is a strong contender for those seeking authentic Mexican flavors and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere, particularly if you’re in the neighborhood. With a solid 8.2 recommendation score, it’s certainly worth a visit for its highly-regarded food and service.
However, be mindful of potential parking challenges and occasional reports of inconsistent interactions with the owner. If you prioritize excellent burritos and a friendly local vibe over a formal dining experience, Don Chuys Mexi-Mercado will likely satisfy.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Don Chuys Mexi-Mercado
Food (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 93% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, its clear diners are mostly delighted! With a good score of 8.3 and an impressive 87.1% customer satisfaction, the kitchen is largely hitting the mark. Out of 101 comments, a whopping 88 praise the delicious, authentic, and generously portioned jumbo burritos, often described as roll-ups of joy and life-changing.
However, its not entirely without its critiques, with 8 comments noting some areas for improvement. Some diners mentioned concerns like too much rice in burritos, a perceived reduction in ingredients over time, or issues with dry carne asada and overcooked carnitas, suggesting consistency can sometimes be a challenge.
Food
101
Reviews
87%
Satisfaction
8
negative
5
neutral
88
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Jumbo burritos
- Authentic flavors
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Dry meats
- Too much rice
- Smaller portions
Often praised
- foodI visited Don Chuy's, a small neighborhood Mexican store that also offers fast food, after hearing about their good burritos. While the food looked delicious, my experience soured when it came to paying. The owner was very rude, accusing me of not having money when my card transaction didn't go through, despite my suggestion of a system glitch.
- burritosThe man at the counter, Don, is incredibly nice, kind, and caring, showing his passion for the Giants, Warriors, Niners, and this neighborhood. It's always a pleasure to say what's up when I stop by for their bomb burritos. These roll-ups of joy in a tortilla are just fire – I can't get enough of them!
- burritoHowever, deciding to try the burrito was a life-changing experience; it's one of the BEST burritos I've ever had, and my scale can attest to how many I've tried. The burrito is huge, delicious, and can be spicy if you like it that way, made with very fresh ingredients. I suggest grabbing a couple of burritos and heading to McLaren Park to find a nice view and devour them.
- carnitasIf you're looking for amazing carnitas or some pozole, Don Chuy's is the spot in Excelsior. Don Chuy's appears as a non-descript corner store, situated on the corner of Naples and Excelsior.
- pozolepozole for $9.75 a quart with all the garnishes included
- quesadillasMy experience at Don Chuy's was that of a great little neighborhood corner grocery with a small taqueria in the back. They offer great burritos and quesadillas, along with sandwiches and more. It's important to note that they do not offer customer parking, but this is understandable for a corner grocery.
- super tacosTheir super tacos are delicious
- Burritosgreatest Burrito
- Carne Asada BurritoRecommended dishes:Carne Asada Burrito
- Carne Asada TortaCare Asada Torta w/everything 😋😱😋
Frequently criticized
- al pastoral pastor is off…wrong texture & similar to a mole flavor
- burritosThey still taste great, but they are being overcooked to the point where they are like chewing on rocks unless you specifically ask for soft carnitas. The most significant issue, however, is that they have cut back on the size of the burritos. I feel that businesses should never cut back on product size; raising prices slightly is preferable.
- carne asadathe carne asada dry unfortunately
- carnitasway over cooking them to to point of if you don’t specifically ask for soft carnitas it’s like chewing on rocks
- foodthe al pastor is off…wrong texture & similar to a mole flavor. Pollo asado today didn’t seem grilled, more boiled and over cooked and dry
- ingredientsTime has changed this place. There are less ingredients and more $$$$$$, but it's still a great place to go and enjoy a good Chicano burrito.
- pollo asadoPollo asado today didn’t seem grilled, more boiled and over cooked and dry
- rice in burritosthey put too much rice in their burritos
If you're craving a hearty, authentic Mexican meal, especially a jumbo burrito, this place is a strong contender and definitely worth a visit. While a few experiences mention inconsistent meat quality or portion changes, the overwhelming sentiment points to delicious and satisfying food.
Service (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 62% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot really shines! With a solid score of 8.2 and a fantastic customer satisfaction rate of 85.3%, its clear most folks are leaving happy. Out of 34 comments, a whopping 29 rave about the friendly staff, excellent customer service, and how the owners make you feel like FAMILIA.
It sounds like theyve got hospitality down pat! However, its not entirely without a hitch. A few of the 34 comments, specifically 5, did mention some bumps.
There were a couple of instances where the owner was described as rude, and a transaction issue led to someone feeling treated as garbage. While these seem to be isolated incidents, theyre definitely worth noting.
Service
34
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
5
negative
0
neutral
29
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Excellent service
- Welcoming owners
What people don't like
- Rude owner
- Transaction problems
- Poor treatment
Often praised
- staffThis place was one of the great surprises we found after moving to Excelsior! At first glance, it's just a small local Mexican market with a limited selection of essentials and very friendly staff. However, deciding to try the burrito was a life-changing experience; it's one of the BEST burritos I've ever had, and my scale can attest to how many I've tried.
- servicerest of there food & service is just as good
- ownersSame great owners and they are some great people
- DonThe man at the counter “Don” is so nice, kind, and caring
- FriendlyFriendly too!
- ServiceService:5
- Smiles for Miles"Smiles for Miles" leave there
- cashierThe cashier is a very nice man
- customer serviceWow felicidades buena atención al cliente
- feel like FAMILIAThis is one of my and my family's favorite carnitas spots in the heart of THEE EXCELSIOR. Don Chuy's always goes above AND BEYOND TO MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE FAMILIA❤️. I've been going here for over 3 decades, since they were called Aztec AS💯.
Frequently criticized
- garbagetreated as if I were a piece of garbage
- ownerthe owner of the was very rude
- system glitchmust have been a glitch in his system
- transactionthe transaction did not go through
- treatmentnever been treated this way
Overall, if youre looking for a place where youll likely be treated like family by a friendly crew, this spot is definitely worth checking out. While there are a few rare reports of less-than-stellar interactions, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests you're in for a good experience.
Ambience (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 31% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot generally hits a good note! With a solid score of 7.1, many appreciate its atmosphere and describe it as a quick spot or a beloved neighborhood spot. Customers also frequently mention its hygiene and even call it one of the best hidden spots in SF.
Based on 9 positive remarks out of 14 total, it seems to offer a pleasant, local vibe. However, customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 64.3%, suggesting there's some room for improvement. A few points, noted in 3 negative opinions, highlight that it might not be the place to entertain your friends or consume alcoholic beverages.
The most significant drawback mentioned is the lack of customer parking, which can be a real hassle for some.
Ambience
14
Reviews
64%
Satisfaction
3
negative
2
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good hygiene
- Hidden gem
- Local spot
What people don't like
- No customer parking
Often praised
- atmospherea store with good atmosphere
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- family help buildmy family help the guys build the place
- hidden spotsbest hidden spots in SF
- hygienemucha higiene
- neighborhood spotThis place been in the neighborhood since i was born
- quick spotMy experience at this restaurant was that the food could be better. However, it's a quick spot to grab groceries, which makes it a good place overall.
- takeout placeThis is a takeout place
Frequently criticized
- alcoholic beveragesconsume alcoholic beverages
- customer parkingDoes not offer customer parking
- friendsentertain your friends
If youre seeking a clean, local, and convenient spot for a quick bite or groceries, this place could be a great find. However, if customer parking is a must or youre looking for a place to linger with friends over drinks, you might want to consider other options.
Value (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 19% of the guests
When it comes to value, it seems theres a decent buzz! With 6 positive remarks out of 9 total, many customers feel theyre getting a good deal. The overall score for value sits at an 6.8, which is pretty average, and customer satisfaction is a 66.7%, indicating a mixed but leaning positive experience.
People often mention prices as being well priced and offering good value, appreciating a generous portion for the price. However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. A couple of folks, 2 out of 9, did find the prices to be a bit high.
One comment noted a shift over time, suggesting less ingredients and more $$$$$$, implying that while still enjoyable, the value proposition might have slipped slightly for some regulars.
Value
9
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
2
negative
1
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good value
- Generous portions
- Well priced
What people don't like
- Prices high
- Less for more
Often praised
- pricegenerous portion for the price
- good valuegood value
- pricesVery good prices
- well priceddelicious and well priced
Frequently criticized
- priceTime has changed this place. There are less ingredients and more $$$$$$, but it's still a great place to go and enjoy a good Chicano burrito.
- pricesprices a bit high
If youre looking for decent value, this spot generally delivers, especially with generous portions. While some find the prices a bit steep, the overall sentiment suggests youll likely find it a worthwhile experience. Just be aware that opinions on value are a bit mixed.
How are the prices at Don Chuys Mexi-Mercado?
On average, you’ll spend around 25 per person – from 17 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $21–$30 category. For a Fast Food Restaurant, that’s definitely on the higher side of mid-range.
It’s worth noting that while the average is 25$, most diners (14 out of 17) actually spend less, typically between $11–$20. This suggests there are some great value options, but a few guests chose much pricier items, which pulled the overall average up.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 17 reviews.
A look at how this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering it’s a Fast Food Restaurant in San Francisco, an average of 25 can feel a bit steep. However, with many guests spending in the $11–$20 range, we believe it offers flexibility for different budgets. It seems you can find both quick, affordable bites and more premium choices here.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Don Chuys Mexi-Mercado
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Best Burrito in SF Found Here!
Is it possible to have the best burrito in SF found inside a liquor store? Yes, it can! It's here!
I've been going here for decades and the food is consistently excellent, earning a perfect 5/5. The service is also top-notch, rated at a perfect 5/5. While the atmosphere is rated a 3, the incredible food and service make it a must-visit.
I highly recommend the Carnitas.
- best burrito10
- food10
- service10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Breakfast
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Best Breakfast Burritos in Excelsior!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had the best breakfast burritos in the Excelsior. This is a takeout place, making it perfect to grab food for the park.
The food and staff were excellent.
- breakfast burritos10
- food9
- staff9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Hidden Gem for Amazing Burritos!
My experience at Don Chuys was fantastic! It's one of the best hidden spots in SF for a truly fire burrito. Keep up the great work!
🔥
- burrito10
- hidden spots9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Hidden Gem Taqueria in Bodega
My experience at this taqueria was fantastic! I knew it was going to be hella good when I found it tucked away in the back of a bodega. The staff were friendly, the food was great, and they had a pretty decent selection of beer and snacks.
- staff10
- food10
- selection of beer8
Price per Person
- $91–$100
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
3
Disappointing Al Pastor and Chicken
I really want to love this place, but my second visit was disappointing. The al pastor had the wrong texture and tasted similar to a mole flavor. Today's pollo asado didn't seem grilled; it was more boiled, overcooked, and dry.
I was hoping for a better experience with the food.
- al pastor2
- pollo asado2
- food2
What Don Chuys Mexi-Mercado offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Healthy options
- Beer
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
Service Options
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options are available at Don Chuys Mexi-Mercado?
At Don Chuys Mexi-Mercado, you can enjoy a meal at any time of day. They offer convenient dining options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, ensuring you can grab a quick bite whenever you’re hungry.
Does Don Chuys Mexi-Mercado offer healthy choices and convenient services?
Yes, you’ll find healthy options alongside their regular menu. For your convenience, Don Chuys Mexi-Mercado provides onsite services, takeout, and delivery, making it easy to enjoy their food.
What are the standout dishes at Don Chuys Mexi-Mercado?
Customers frequently praise the burritos, especially the carne asada burrito, and the carnitas. The pozole and super tacos also receive positive mentions.
How is the customer service at Don Chuys Mexi-Mercado?
The service is generally highly regarded, with many customers highlighting the friendly staff and the kind, caring demeanor of “Don” at the counter, making them feel like family.
What is the overall rating for Don Chuys Mexi-Mercado and what contributes to it?
Don Chuys Mexi-Mercado holds an overall score of **8.1**. This is driven by strong scores in **Food** (8.3) and **Service** (8.2), with **Ambience** (7.1) and **Value** (6.8) also contributing positively.