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oChef » El Alambre – San Francisco
El Alambre - San Francisco
Photo from El Alambre
El Alambre at a glance
San Francisco Japantown
- 🍽️ Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 6 of the guests
#944 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#117 Restaurant out of 254 in San Francisco
Good
7.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
37
Reviews
78.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Food Quality
- Great Ambience
Frequently criticized
- Long Waits
- Salsa Issues
- Safety Concerns
The restaurant El Alambre is a welcoming spot in San Francisco’s vibrant Japantown. As a casual restaurant, you’ll find it perfect for a relaxed meal.
You can enjoy a laid-back atmosphere whether you’re stopping by for lunch or dinner. This eatery offers a comfortable setting for everyone.
Overview: Introducting El Alambre
El Alambre offers a generally pleasant dining experience, with many guests praising the excellent food and great atmosphere. You’ll often find the friendly staff contributing to a welcoming vibe.
However, some visits have been marred by considerable waiting time for orders. A few isolated reports even mentioned serious food poisoning concerns, which is certainly something to note alongside the occasional perception of being too expensive.
Good
7.7
out of 10
37
Reviews
78.4%
Satisfaction
8
negative
0
neutral
29
positive
El Alambre maintains a solid overall standing with a Restaurant Score of 7.7, indicating a good performance. This is supported by a Customer Satisfaction rate of 78.4%, which also falls into the good category.
These figures are derived from 37 customer observations, with 29 positive and 8 negative remarks. Diving deeper, the Food (8.1) receives high marks, reflecting many positive comments about its quality.
The Ambience (10) is particularly well-regarded, creating a very enjoyable setting. However, Service (5.9) and Value (5) hover around average, suggesting areas where experiences can be inconsistent.
What people like
- Excellent Food Quality
- Pleasant Atmosphere
What people don't like
- Extended Waiting Times
- Salsa Availability Issues
- Food Safety Concerns
If you prioritize a great dining atmosphere and genuinely good food, El Alambre is certainly worth considering. The Recommendation Score of 7.7 suggests a positive experience for most, especially if you’re seeking flavorful dishes in a pleasant setting.
However, be prepared for potentially longer waits and understand that the overall value might not impress everyone. While the food is a draw, inconsistent service and isolated concerns mean it’s a place to approach with tempered expectations, but still worth a try for its culinary strengths.
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Verdict: Our expert take on El Alambre
Food (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, things are looking pretty great! With a solid score of 8.1 and customer satisfaction soaring at 85.2%, its clear most diners are leaving happy. Many rave about the delicious birria, excellent Carne Asada Quesadillas, and the amazing chicken quesadilla.
Folks also love the fresh rice, beans, and tasty meat, often noting generous portion sizes. However, out of 27 customer remarks, there were 4 negative comments worth noting. A few experiences mentioned issues with the pastor, even leading to food poisoning in one instance.
There was also feedback about a disappointing veggie burrito and an observation that salsa wasnt available, which is a bit of a bummer for Mexican food.
Food
27
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
4
negative
0
neutral
23
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious birria
- Great quesadillas
- Fresh ingredients
What people don't like
- Pastor caused issues
- Bland veggie burrito
- Salsa often missing
Often praised
- foodI decided to try their Carne Asada Quesadillas, and they did not disappoint ❤️. The food was excellent, and the atmosphere was great.
- meatmeat was fresh
- AvocadoThe Avocado 🥑 was a nice touch
- Burritosgot to try their Burritos next time
- Carne Asada Quesadillastheir Carne Asada Quesadillas, and it did not disappoint
- FoodFood:5
- Mexican foodI promise you never had better Mexican food.
- Tacossuper place for some on the go Tacos
- birriaExcelente birria la mejor
- cheesereally bomb cheese (Oaxaca?)
Frequently criticized
- food poisoningI think I got food poison from it
- pastorthe pastor made me throw up
- salsathey don't have salsa anymore
- veggie burritoburrito it was just veggies tossed in a tortilla
Overall, the food here seems to be a hit with most customers. If youre craving delicious Mexican staples like quesadillas, birria, or burritos, its definitely worth a try. Just be mindful of specific dishes like the pastor, and don't expect a veggie-packed burrito.
Service (5.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
Lets talk service! While its a bit of a mixed bag overall, with a 5.9 score and 50% customer satisfaction, there are definite bright spots. Guests frequently mention the friendly staff and the sweetest people, creating some genuinely pleasant interactions.
These positive sentiments come from 3 remarks, highlighting the good vibes from the team. On the flip side, there are an equal number of concerns, with 3 negative remarks highlighting areas for improvement. Guests experienced significant waiting time, with orders taking 45+ minutes.
There were also questions about why orders were taken for items that had run out, like salsa, without prior mention. This points to a need for better communication and order management.
Service
6
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
3
negative
0
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
What people don't like
- Long waiting time
- Unavailable items taken
Often praised
- ServiceService:5
- peopleThey are the sweetest people
- staffFriendly staff
Frequently criticized
- mentioned they ran outThey should have at least mentioned they ran out of salsa
- taking orderswhy were they taking orders?
- waiting timeit took 45+ mins to get our order
So, should you go? If you value friendly staff and don't mind potentially longer waiting times, you might find it okay. However, be prepared for possible delays and check if they have everything in stock before ordering to avoid disappointment.
Ambience (10 out of 10)
mentioned by 20% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this place absolutely nails it! Based on 2 positive comments, guests consistently rave about the fantastic atmosphere. With an impressive score of 10, the ambience here is truly excellent, and customer satisfaction sits at a perfect 100%, showing everyone loves the overall feel.
The Atmosphere is definitely a standout feature. Whats truly remarkable is the complete absence of any negative feedback regarding the ambience. Out of all the comments, there isnt a single mention of anything less than stellar.
This suggests a consistently pleasant and well-received environment, leaving no room for improvement in this area.
Ambience
2
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great atmosphere
- Fantastic vibe
What people don't like
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- atmosphereI decided to try their Carne Asada Quesadillas, and they did not disappoint ❤️. The food was excellent, and the atmosphere was great.
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If you're looking for a spot with an incredible vibe, this is definitely it. The ambience is a major draw, promising a fantastic experience that guests consistently adore. You can expect a truly delightful setting for your visit.
Value (5 out of 10)
mentioned by 20% of the guests
When it comes to value, some folks found a silver lining, particularly noting a fair priced regular burrito. Based on 1 positive comment out of 2 total, theres a glimmer of affordability here. The overall score for value sits at an average 5, suggesting its not breaking the bank for everyone.
However, the sentiment isnt universally glowing, with others feeling its Too expensive for truck food. This mixed feedback is reflected in the customer satisfaction, which hovers at a 50%, indicating a pretty even split on whether the prices hit the mark.
Value
2
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
1
negative
0
neutral
1
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fair priced items
What people don't like
- Too expensive for food type
Often praised
- fair pricedfair priced regular burrito
Frequently criticized
- truck foodToo expensive for truck food
So, whats the verdict on value? It seems to be a bit of a toss-up. If youre eyeing specific items like their regular burrito, you might find it reasonably priced.
However, be prepared that some perceive the overall pricing as steep for the type of food offered.
How are the prices at El Alambre?
On average, you’ll spend around 19 per person – based on 6 guests. That places this spot in the $11–$20 category. For a Restaurant, that’s comfortably mid-range, maybe a touch above.
While most prices cluster around the $11–$20 mark, a couple of diners spent a bit more in the $21–$30 range, showing a slight spread. Since were working with 6 customer reports, its a good indication, but the data is a bit limited.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 6 most recent reviews. Since we’re working with limited data, it gives a good indication of the typical spend.
Heres how this restaurants value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Given its a Restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for what youd expect in this category. It’s a solid mid-range option.
Customer Reviews: what people think about El Alambre
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Delivery
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
10
Absolutely Delicious Mexican Food!
My experience with the food delivered from this restaurant was the bomb 💣. The rice and beans were unbelievably delicious and cooked to perfection. The Avocado 🥑 was a nice touch, and the tortillas really hit the spot.
I highly recommend this Mexican restaurant. I will love to give this restaurant 50 stars ⭐️ if that was an option. Next time, I will come here in person since it is not too far away from my residence.
- rice and beans10
- Avocado8
- tortillas9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Amazing Chicken Quesadilla!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic, especially the chicken quesadilla. It came with chips and salsa, and I can honestly say I've never had better Mexican food. The quality of the food was exceptional.
- chicken quesadilla10
- Mexican food10
- chips and salsa8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Delicious Carne Asada Quesadillas!
My experience at the restaurant yesterday during my short lunch break at Sutter Hospital was fantastic. I decided to try their Carne Asada Quesadillas, and they did not disappoint ❤️. The food was excellent, and the atmosphere was great.
- Carne Asada Quesadillas10
- food10
- atmosphere10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Amazing Food and Friendly Staff!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The staff was incredibly friendly, and the food was truly amazing. I ordered two mulitos and received a generous portion size, enough to feed a small family.
The meat was tasty, and they used what seemed like really bomb cheese, possibly Oaxaca. I highly recommend checking this place out! I hope they remain on Franklin for a few more months.
- staff10
- food10
- portion size9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
1
Expensive truck food, got food poisoning
My experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing. The food was too expensive for what I consider truck food. Unfortunately, the pastor dish made me throw up, and I suspect I got food poisoning from it.
- pastor1
- food poisoning1
- truck food1
What El Alambre offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options are available at El Alambre (Franklin St.)?
At El Alambre (Franklin St.), you can enjoy a variety of dining options. They serve both lunch and dinner, with comfortable seating available for your meal. It’s a great spot to sit down and savor your food.
Is El Alambre (Franklin St.) a good place for families with children?
Yes, El Alambre (Franklin St.) is considered good for kids. You’ll find it to be a welcoming and suitable environment for families dining out, making it an easy choice for a family meal.
How does El Alambre generally perform?
El Alambre holds a good overall Restaurant Score of 7.7, with Customer Satisfaction at 78.4%. Its Food (8.1) and Ambience (10) are strong points, while Service (5.9) and Value (5) are more average.
What do customers particularly enjoy about El Alambre?
Many appreciate the excellent food, especially dishes like Carne Asada Quesadillas and birria, noting fresh meat and a great atmosphere. The staff is also often described as friendly.
Are there any common issues at El Alambre?
Some customers have experienced long waiting times and issues with salsa availability. There have also been isolated concerns regarding food safety and the perceived value for money.