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oChef » El Aji – San Francisco
El Aji - San Francisco
Photo from El Aji
El Aji at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🇵🇪 Peruvian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 30 of the guests
#1512 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#9 Peruvian Restaurant out of 12 in San Francisco
Good
7.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
305
Reviews
68.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Peruvian flavors
- Friendly staff
- Local atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Price discrepancies
- Slow service
- Exterior appearance
The restaurant El Aji Peruvian Restaurant is a vibrant spot nestled in San Francisco’s lively Mission District. You’ll discover a cozy and casual atmosphere, perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
This trendy spot offers a delightful array of healthy and vegetarian options, ensuring there’s something delicious for every palate. Whether you’re craving small plates, a full dinner, or just a coffee, you’ll find a welcoming experience here.
Overview: Introducting El Aji
El Aji offers a taste of Peruvian cuisine that often leaves a positive impression, particularly with its flavorful dishes. Many appreciate the friendly staff and the overall local feel of the place, making for a comfortable dining experience.
However, some diners have noted concerns regarding misleading prices and occasional slow service. The exterior might appear a bit unassuming, and parking can be a challenge, which are points to consider before your visit.
Good
7.2
out of 10
305
Reviews
68.5%
Satisfaction
76
negative
20
neutral
209
positive
El Aji achieves a respectable Restaurant Score of 7.2, indicating a generally good dining experience. However, Customer Satisfaction sits at 68.5%, suggesting a mixed reception among patrons.
This divergence points to some areas that could benefit from refinement, despite the overall positive sentiment. These insights are drawn from 305 customer comments, with 209 being positive and 76 expressing concerns.
The Food (7.7) stands out as the strongest aspect, consistently praised for its quality. Ambience (6.4) and Service (6.0) are perceived as average, contributing to the overall experience but not necessarily excelling.
Value (5.9) is where some diners find room for improvement, with opinions suggesting it’s a bit of a mixed bag.
What people like
- Delicious Peruvian food
- Friendly, quick staff
- Local, cozy atmosphere
What people don't like
- Misleading menu prices
- Slow service issues
- Unappealing exterior
El Aji is a place to consider if you prioritize authentic Peruvian flavors above all else. With a Recommendation Score of 7.4, it suggests a generally positive experience for many.
Be prepared for a casual setting and focus on the culinary journey. If you’re particular about consistent pricing or expect swift, flawless service and a polished exterior, you might find some aspects disappointing.
However, for a taste of well-regarded Peruvian dishes, it’s certainly worth exploring.
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Verdict: Our expert take on El Aji
Food (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, youre generally in for a treat! Many diners rave about the authentic taste and delicious food, often highlighting the freshness and generous portion sizes. With a solid score of 7.7 and customer satisfaction at 76.2%, its clear that the culinary experience is largely good, with 154 positive remarks out of 202 total.
However, not every dish hits the mark, as 37 comments point out some areas for improvement. There are occasional concerns about inconsistent ceviche quality, with some finding it frozen or lacking flavor, and a few mentions of small dish portions or dry, flavorless chicken. It seems consistency can be a bit of a mixed bag for certain items.
Food
202
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
37
negative
11
neutral
154
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic, rich flavors
- Fresh, well-prepared food
- Good portion sizes
What people don't like
- Inconsistent ceviche quality
- Small dish portions
- Dry, flavorless chicken
Often praised
- foodMy comment aligns with previous ones: the food is delicious; the lomo saltado and the jalea (fried seafood platter) were superb! The fish in the jalea was melt-in-your-mouth tender, unlike any I've ever eaten.
- cevicheHowever, as someone who's only had Mexican ceviche, the presentation threw me off a little, though it wasn't a bad thing. I enjoyed the combination of the ceviche with the beans and potatoes, and the additional dipping sauce really elevated the meal. My only complaint is that the place is a little pricey, and the proportions didn't seem to justify the amount.
- Peruvian foodlove Peruvian food and so far this is the best
- Lomo Saltadoit was delicious! The rice was perfectly cooked, the meat was amazing 😋 and the flavor was outstanding.
- lomo saltadoIt felt very local. I highly recommend the Great aji de gallina, lomo saltado, and ceviche Chalaco. These were a special recommendation from the chef and totally worth the try.
- CevicheJust the right crunch and seasoning leaving me to secretly want to order another round. As for the Ceviche, my daughter is the connoisseur of that dish and she gave it the Chef's kiss.
- Peruvian restaurantTHE BEST PERUVIAN RESTAURANT IN SAN FRANCISCO !
- aji de gallinaIt felt very local. I highly recommend the Great aji de gallina, lomo saltado, and ceviche Chalaco. These were a special recommendation from the chef and totally worth the try.
- authentic tastelooking for the authentic taste
- fishThe Arroz Con Marisco was delish. The fish was light, airy and flavorful. The Calamari was a hit as well.
Frequently criticized
- cevicheThe ceviche was served in a very Franciscan manner, with only 10 pieces of fish.
- foodThe food was so horrible 🙄
- rotisserie chickenWe ordered a mixed ceviche that had two spoonfuls of fish and mussels, a 1cm x 1cm cube of sweet potato, and no corn, for $11 dollars. The rotisserie chicken was flavorless, and their ajà was pure water. The lomo saltado had only four small pieces of meat.
- CevicheThe Ceviche had too much ginger in it so it lacked the very lemony taste it usually has
- Indian restaurantsindian restaurants will go under
- Peruvian breakfastI ask for Peruvian breakfast, he told me that they did have it.
- Pollo BrosterI ordered a pollo broster on Uber Eats and they send me same crappie thing
- ajinos lo trajeron al finalizar la comida
- aji aguadoThe aji aguado was not good.
- arroz con mariscosthe arroz con mariscos very greasy and didn’t taste like anything
If youre seeking genuine Peruvian flavors, this spot often delivers with its delicious and authentic dishes. Just be aware that while many rave about the food, some specific items like the ceviche or rotisserie chicken might occasionally fall short in consistency or portion size. Its worth a try for the overall good experience, but manage expectations for every single dish.
Service (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 43% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot offers a bit of a mixed bag, landing an average score of 6 with customer satisfaction at a mixed 57.1%. On the bright side, many customers (24 out of 42 opinions) rave about the quick service and friendly staff, often highlighting chef recommendations and excellent customer service. It seems the team, from the staff to the owner, really makes an effort to be welcoming and efficient.
However, there's definitely room for improvement, as 17 opinions point to some issues. Bad attention and waiting time are recurring complaints, with some experiencing slow service and a perceived lack of respect or organization, especially concerning pickup orders. It appears consistency in service quality, particularly in managing expectations and order accuracy, could be a key area to address.
Service
42
Reviews
57%
Satisfaction
17
negative
1
neutral
24
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Chef recommendations
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Bad attention
- Lack of respect
Often praised
- servicethe food and service was nothing short of EXCELLENT
- staffthe staff is friendly
- StaffStaff is super friendly
- chefthe chef is from Peru, so you know he knows what his cooking
- chef recommendationspecial recommendation from the cheff
- customer serviceGREAT CUSTOMER SERVE !
- daily recommendationask them what they recommend of the day
- dish preparationthey prepare your dish instantly
- dishesnos trajeron nuestros platos a velocidad récord
- foodfood came out quick!
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe service is a bit slow tho
- waiting timethat I would be ready on 7 minutes, after he said there is no longer.
- appreciate your customersplease Restaurant Aji Appreciate more your customers
- attentionBad attention
- care that they havedisappointed with the care that they have with uber eats
- clarificationI wish they have made it clear when i ordered.
- clean the tablesyou should clean the tables quicker
- customer concernno matter what want costumer eat in his restaurant
- lack of respectlack of respect
- menuMy husband and I found this restaurant on Google Maps. When we arrived, the waitress gave us a different menu with different prices than what we saw online. We asked for the prices to be matched because they were misleading, but she refused, stating it was an old menu.
If youre looking for a place with generally friendly staff and quick food delivery, youll likely be pleased. However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in attention or longer waits, especially if you're ordering for pickup.
Ambience (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 30% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, many guests really appreciate the local, homey feel and fun atmosphere, often describing it as a favorite neighborhood spot. Theres a definite charm, with some even noting good Covid precautions. Based on 15 positive remarks, the overall ambience score sits at an average 6.4, suggesting a generally pleasant, if not spectacular, setting.
However, its not all sunshine and roses. Some folks found the exterior a bit seedy, and the location isn't always ideal, especially with difficult parking. Loud noise, like a singer, also made conversation tough for a few, leading to a mixed 51.7% customer satisfaction.
These 9 negative comments highlight areas where the restaurant itself could use a little sprucing up.
Ambience
29
Reviews
51%
Satisfaction
9
negative
5
neutral
15
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Warm, local vibe
- Good Covid safety
- Vibrant neighborhood feel
What people don't like
- Loud conversation noise
- Seedy exterior look
- Difficult parking
Often praised
- atmosphereme parece lindo, bienlatina y con un predio muy bueno
- Covid precautionsCovid precautions were good
- ambianceThe ambiance, with pictures of alpaca and llamas
- flair diningfoodies love flair dining
- home cookingfeels like home cooking
- local feelfeels local
- neighborhoodInstead of parking, I recommend bringing a family member to help pick it up while you drive around the block. It’s a very vibrant neighborhood with lots of energy. There were 2 tables of people dining in.
- neighborhood spotsI tried the Lomo saltado, ceviche, and seco de cordero, and all were excellent. It's become one of my favorite neighborhood spots. The pricing is also very reasonable, with meals costing between $10 to $15.
- pickup stationThere were 2 tables of people dining in. The pickup station has a huge bottle hand sanitizer.
- placeqe Dios bendiga ese lugar
Frequently criticized
- ambianceFrom my vantage point, the place really looked seedy from the outside. The ambiance wasn't much either, but I'm here to tell you. , seedy looking and all, the food and service was nothing short of EXCELLENT.
- atmospheresinger came in and was singing super loud
- conversationmade it hard to talk to my friends
- discomfortIt seems there is a lack of control over the dishes offered, showing no respect, organization, or concern for what customers want to eat. The experience at El Aji restaurant created discomfort and a feeling of disrespect.
- exteriorThere's no banner or sign outside indicating what it is. From my vantage point, the place really looked seedy from the outside. The ambiance wasn't much either, but I'm here to tell you.
- locationToo bad the location is not that great
- parkingParking space:Difficult to find parking
- restaurant itselfrestaurant itself needs to look better
- temperaturethe temperature at the inside of the restaurant was too cold
If youre looking for a casual, local spot with a homey feel and dont mind a potentially loud atmosphere or tricky parking, this place could be a good fit. Just be prepared that the exterior might not impress, and the interior temperature could be a bit chilly.
Value (5.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 33% of the guests
When it comes to value, many diners find this spot offers quite a bit for your buck! Guests frequently praise the reasonable pricing and overall affordability, often noting that meals are worth the try due to generous portions or unexpected extras. With a customer satisfaction of 50% and a score of 5.9, it seems many walk away feeling they got a fair deal.
However, the picture isn't entirely rosy, with 13 negative remarks among 32 total opinions. Some experiences highlight concerns about misleading prices and false advertising, particularly regarding discrepancies between online and dine-in menus. A few found certain items to be quite pricey, leading to feelings of being overcharged for what was received.
Value
32
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
13
negative
3
neutral
16
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable food prices
- Affordable meal options
- Good value offered
What people don't like
- Misleading menu prices
- False advertising claims
- Some items overpriced
Often praised
- pricesI particularly enjoyed their daily specials. The prices are good, and the staff is friendly. I've even received a free appetizer with my take-out orders!
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was absolutely delicious, on par with our favorite Peruvian restaurant at home, but with a lower price. The ceviche is outstanding, as is the Lomo Saltado and Seco de Carne.
- food priceslos precios de la comida son muy cómodos no es caro
- affordabilityaffordable to the median people of economic resources
- meal for 2There are plenty of side dishes: potato salad, dessert, and chips. I think this was way more than expected for a meal for 2. Instead of parking, I recommend bringing a family member to help pick it up while you drive around the block.
- meal pricing10 to 15 bucks for a meal
- reasonable pricingvery reasonable pricing
- worth the tryI highly recommend the Great aji de gallina, lomo saltado, and ceviche Chalaco. These were a special recommendation from the chef and totally worth the try.
Frequently criticized
- priceI asked the waitress for ajà (spicy sauce) and they only brought it at the end of the meal. We ordered a mixed ceviche that had two spoonfuls of fish and mussels, a 1cm x 1cm cube of sweet potato, and no corn, for $11 dollars. The rotisserie chicken was flavorless, and their ajà was pure water.
- pricesMy husband and I found this restaurant on Google Maps. When we arrived, the waitress gave us a different menu with different prices than what we saw online. We asked for the prices to be matched because they were misleading, but she refused, stating it was an old menu.
- dine-in price25 is takeaway price and 28.95 is dine in price
- false advertisingWe suggested she tell the owner to update it. We'll see if they update the menu or continue to trick people with false advertising. Customers, please update!
- full chicken pricethey charged me 28.95+tax for the chicken instead of 25+tax
- menui asked them nowhere was it written on the menu
- misleading pricesprices because they were misleading
- priceythe place IS a little pricey
- pricingseems they used this old trick before
- website menui checked their website also and the updated menu and nowhere was it written like that
If youre looking for generally affordable options, this place could be a good fit, as many find the prices reasonable and portions generous. However, be mindful of potential price discrepancies between online and in-store menus, as some guests have encountered issues with misleading pricing. Its a mixed bag, so check current prices carefully.
How are the prices at El Aji?
On average, you’ll spend around 34 per person – based on 30 guests. That places this Peruvian spot in the $31–$40 category. For a Peruvian Restaurant in San Francisco, that feels comfortably mid-range, perhaps a touch on the higher side.
Looking at what people actually spend, it’s quite a mix! While the average sits at 34, most diners tend to spend a bit less, often in the $21–$30 range. But there are definitely options for those looking to splurge, with some guests spending well over 50 $.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 30 reviews.
How this Peruvian Restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels quite fair for a Peruvian restaurant in San Francisco, especially with the variety of price points available. It offers a good balance for different budgets!
Customer Reviews: what people think about El Aji
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Food Experience
My experience at the restaurant was largely disappointing, especially concerning the food. I ate there several times, but the last visit was the worst. The meat was tough, and the plantain was burnt.
The reviewer also rated Service, Atmosphere, and Food as 1.
- meat2
- plantain1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Delivery
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Delivery
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Delicious food for an event!
We ordered mostrito and arroz chaufa through Uber Eats for an event nearby, and the food was delicious!
- mostrito9
- arroz chaufa9
- food9
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Amazing Food and Fast Service!
My experience at this restaurant was amazing! The service was incredibly fast, and the food was absolutely delicious. I particularly enjoyed the El ceviche chalaco, which was divine, and the jalea was super fresh.
Everything they make is tasty 😋. I highly recommend it!
- service10
- food10
- El ceviche chalaco10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Amazing Flavors, Must-Try!
Oh my god, the food here is good! We had the saltado de pollo (sautéed chicken) and seco de carne (marinated beef). The flavors are out of this world.
Don't pass this place up if you want a hearty lunch. Oh, get the chicha morada, too!
- food10
- saltado de pollo10
- seco de carne10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Insanely Tasty Food & Fun Vibe!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The food was insanely tasty and fresh. The owner was really nice, contributing to a fun vibe.
I absolutely recommend it and will definitely be back.
- food10
- owner9
- vibe9
What El Aji offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
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
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What dining and service options are available at El Aji Peruvian Restaurant?
At El Aji Peruvian Restaurant, you can enjoy various dining options including breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner with comfortable seating. For your convenience, they offer dine-in, takeout, delivery, and even no-contact delivery. Reservations are also accepted for planning your visit.
Does El Aji Peruvian Restaurant cater to specific dietary needs or offer accessibility features?
Yes, El Aji Peruvian Restaurant provides healthy options and vegetarian options to suit diverse preferences. The atmosphere is cozy, casual, and trendy. Additionally, the restaurant ensures accessibility with a wheelchair-accessible entrance and seating, making it welcoming for all guests.
How is El Aji generally rated by customers?
El Aji holds a **Restaurant Score** of **7.2**, indicating a good overall experience. Its **Food** (7.7) is highly praised, while **Ambience** (6.4), **Service** (6.0), and **Value** (5.9) are considered average.
What are the standout dishes at El Aji?
Customers frequently praise the **ceviche** and **Lomo Saltado** for their authentic taste and delicious flavors, often highlighting them as must-try Peruvian specialties.
Are there any common issues customers experience at El Aji?
Some customers have reported concerns with **misleading prices** on menus, occasional **slow service**, and the restaurant’s somewhat **unappealing exterior** or difficult parking.