Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
oChef » El Alambre – San Francisco
El Alambre - San Francisco
Photo from El Alambre
El Alambre at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 25 of the guests
#861 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#39 Mexican Restaurant out of 134 in San Francisco
Good
7.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
148
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
Often praised
Frequently criticized
The restaurant El Alambre #2 (14th St.) is a vibrant Mexican Restaurant located in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District. You’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for enjoying small plates and quick bites.
It’s a spot where you can easily drop in for a satisfying lunch or dinner, offering a relaxed setting for everyone.
Overview: Introducting El Alambre
Good
7.8
out of 10
148
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
22
negative
15
neutral
111
positive
What people like
What people don't like
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Verdict: Our expert take on El Alambre
Food (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot truly shines! With a strong score of 8.3 and a customer satisfaction rating of 84.2%, it's clear that most diners are leaving happy. Out of 101 customer remarks, a whopping 85 were positive, frequently praising the delicious tacos , quesadillas , and burritos .
Many highlight the excellent meat quality , describing it as tender, juicy, and flavorful, making for a truly satisfying meal. However, not every bite is perfect. With 11 negative remarks, some customers noted a lacking flavor in certain dishes or found the steak to be too chewy.
There were also occasional comments about the pico de gallo not being fresh or concerns about the overall quality of taco compared to other options. These seem to be isolated incidents rather than widespread issues.
Food
101
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
11
negative
5
neutral
85
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious tacos
- Tender, juicy meat
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Lacking flavor
- Chewy steak
- Old pico de gallo
Often praised
- tacosI mixed it up with the tacos, trying some Carna Asada, chicken, and Al pastor. Everything was delicious 😋. I really liked that they provide 2 different salsas, red and green.
- foodMy experience at this food truck was great and reliable. While it takes about 5-10 minutes to get your food, they make it fresh and it's super good. The chorizo alambre style tacos are super bomb.
- cheeseMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I ordered two regular tacos with grilled chicken, added cheese, and requested spicy salsa. I was either super hungry or these tacos were off da chart good.
- meatmeat is so tender and flavorful
- FoodHands down, the best Birria I have ever had, and the tacos were superb! My experience was fantastic, especially with the food quality.
- Mexican foodme ha enseñado lo que es la verdadera comida mejicana
- birria tacosI eat there once a week minimum. The food is great, including their burritos, birria tacos, and carnitas. The people are super nice.
- chicken quesadillaI had the chicken quesadilla and was blown away by it
- red salsaThe red salsa has good heat to it
- salsabest salsa I can find
Frequently criticized
- Carne Asadatheir asada is not cooked well
- FoodFood:2
- flavorLacking in flavor
- pico de galloel pico de gallo se siente por en veces viejo
- quality of taconot happy with the quality of taco in compare to the other one nearby
- quesabirriaAll other quesabirria feels lacking in flavor
- sauceonly got green sauce here
- shrimpsonly had four shrimps on it
- steakthe steak was too chewy in parts
- super tacoinstead of so called “super taco” I got veggie one
If youre looking for a place with generally fantastic Mexican food, especially tacos and quesadillas , this spot is definitely worth a try. While a few minor issues like chewy steak or occasional flavor concerns pop up, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests youre in for a delicious experience. Don't hesitate to check it out for a satisfying meal!
Service (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 58% of the guests
Alright, lets talk service! With a score of 6.8, its leaning towards good, though customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 58.6%. Many of the 29 customer comments, specifically 17 positive ones, praise the convenience of Apple Pay and the ability to order ahead.
Folks also appreciate the quick service, friendly staff, and reliable food truck experience, with owners often described as super sweet. However, it's not all smooth sailing. Some of the 7 negative remarks point to a decline in service, with issues like rude staff and longer waiting times.
The lack of online ordering is a bummer for some, and there are occasional hiccups with order customization, leading to frustration for a few customers.
Service
29
Reviews
58%
Satisfaction
7
negative
5
neutral
17
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Convenient ordering
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Long waiting times
- Order customization
Often praised
- ServiceThey serve some of the best tacos in SF. We visited on Taco Tuesday and were pleased that they allowed us to replace the soda with an extra taco, which they gladly did. I also really loved the chillies on the side.
- order aheadYou can order ahead which is great
- servicefriendly served
- Apple PayThey take Apple Pay
- deliveryOrdered delivery and was hot when I received it
- food truckthe food truck is great and reliable
- one offmaybe my experience was only ONE OFF
- ownersowners are also super sweet
- packagingThe consommé was sooo good. I ordered delivery, and the food arrived hot and was packaged well.
- peopleSuper nice people
Frequently criticized
- waiting timeMy experience was disappointing. I waited forever for my taco, and it only contained four shrimps for $5. 50.
- issue afterwardevery time i eat here, some issue afterward
- online orderingbummer no more online ordering
- order customizationsometimes don’t understand orders with any amount of customization
- serviceI used to consider this my favorite food truck when I lived in the area three years ago. Unfortunately, the service has gone down, and the food is just okay. It now takes way longer than before, and the staff is rude.
- staffthe staff is rude
So, should you go? If you value convenience like Apple Pay and ordering ahead, and dont mind a potentially mixed bag on speed and staff demeanor, it could be worth a try. Just be prepared for possible waits or customization challenges, especially if youre particular about your order.
Ambience (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 22% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, the restaurants new location seems to be a hit, with many appreciating the fresh Atmosphere it brings. Guests have also noted the presence of interesting art, adding a nice touch to the surroundings. With 5 positive remarks out of 10 total, the ambience scores a respectable 6.8, indicating a generally good experience.
However, not everyone is entirely charmed, as some find the overall Atmosphere to be less than ideal. A recurring concern, mentioned in 2 negative comments, points to the presence of homeless people nearby, which can detract from the dining experience. This contributes to a mixed customer satisfaction of just 50%, suggesting theres room for improvement despite the good score.
Ambience
10
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
2
negative
3
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh new location
- Interesting art decor
What people don't like
- Homeless people visible
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- artThey do have a little table to sit at while you eat. There's interesting art to see in the area, but also a few homeless people wandering by on the sidewalk.
- atmosphereAtmosphere:5
- new locationNueva locación le aporta un toque de sabor
Frequently criticized
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:2
- homeless peopleThey do have a little table to sit at while you eat. There's interesting art to see in the area, but also a few homeless people wandering by on the sidewalk.
If youre looking for a spot with a generally good vibe and some interesting art, its worth a visit. Just be aware that the surrounding area might present some distractions, leading to a mixed experience for some.
Value (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 22% of the guests
When it comes to value, its a bit of a mixed bag, with a customer satisfaction of 50% and an average score of 6.4. Many guests appreciate the affordability, noting that items are often priced extremely cheap and theyd even pay more for the experience. There are 4 positive remarks among the 8 total comments, highlighting a reasonable price per person for the offerings.
However, not everyone feels theyre getting a great deal. Some found the pricing for tacos to be comparable to competitors but felt it was a rip-off' given the quality. These 2 critical observations suggest that while some items offer good value, others might leave you feeling shortchanged.
Value
8
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
2
negative
2
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Extremely cheap prices
- Customers would pay more
- Affordable menu items
What people don't like
- Felt like rip-off
- Tacos overpriced
Often praised
- Price per personPrice per person:$10–20
- pay moreI'd pay more to do this
- priceMy experience at this taco truck was mediocre. While the burritos are decently priced at $10, which is a plus as there's no extra charge for Carne Asada unlike many other Mexican spots, the quality of the asada was disappointing. It was not cooked well, appearing chunky and more like it was stewed.
- priced extremely cheapthey’re also priced extremely cheap
Frequently criticized
- tacofelt like it was pretty much a rip-off
- tacostacos for $3.50; $4; and $4.50 which is same as $3.50 at their competitors location
Overall, the value here is a mixed bag. While some items are priced extremely cheap and offer good bang for your buck, be cautious with the tacos as some customers felt they were a rip-off. It's worth a try if you pick carefully.
How are the prices at El Alambre?
On average, you’ll spend around 16 per person – from 25 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $11–$20 category. For a Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Most of our diners (21 out of 25!) happily land in that $11–$20 bracket, showing prices cluster nicely around the average, with just a few exploring cheaper or more premium options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 25 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering its a Mexican spot in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair for the value you get. Its a solid choice!
Customer Reviews: what people think about El Alambre
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
5
Food Truck: Just Okay, Nothing Special
I've been to this food truck 5 times now. My experience with the food has been just OK, nothing spectacular. The atmosphere was rated a 3, and the service received a 4.
The price per person is between $10–20.
- food5
- atmosphere6
- service7
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Rip-off taco, won't return
My experience was disappointing. I waited forever for my taco, and it only contained four shrimps for $5. 50.
This felt like a rip-off, especially when I can get a taco with at least six or seven shrimps and better toppings for $4 at another taco truck. I won't be coming back. Additionally, the other truck provides both green and red sauce, but I only received green sauce here.
- waiting time2
- shrimps2
- taco1
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
10
Favorite Truck for Great Burritos!
This has become my favorite truck in SF. I eat there once a week minimum. The food is great, including their burritos, birria tacos, and carnitas.
The people are super nice. Highly recommend!
- burritos9
- birria tacos9
- carnitas9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Delivery
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Amazing Quesabirria Tacos!
My experience with the quesabirria tacos was absolutely fantastic! I highly recommend them. The consommé was sooo good.
I ordered delivery, and the food arrived hot and was packaged well.
- Quesabirria tacos10
- consommé10
- delivery8
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Experience, Skipping This Spot
Something about this spot is off. Every time I eat here, there's some issue afterward. I'm skipping this place for Castillito.
- issue afterward2
- Atmosphere2
- Food2
What El Alambre offers
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience does El Alambre #2 (14th St.) offer?
At El Alambre #2 (14th St.), you can expect a casual and welcoming atmosphere. It’s a great spot for small plates and quick bites, perfect for both lunch and dinner. Plus, it’s known to be good for kids, making it a family-friendly Mexican restaurant in San Francisco.
What are the parking and accessibility options at El Alambre #2 (14th St.)?
You’ll find convenience at El Alambre #2 (14th St.) with a free parking lot that usually has plenty of space. For accessibility, the restaurant features a wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring a comfortable visit for all guests in the Mission District.