Highlights
- Great dessert
- Great coffee
- Great tea selection
oChef » El Cafetazo – San Francisco
El Cafetazo - San Francisco
Photo from El Cafetazo
El Cafetazo at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- ☕ Café
$
Price per Person $1–$10
mentioned by 8 of the guests
#2161 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#141 Café out of 162 in San Francisco
Average
6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
149
Reviews
61.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Budget-friendly
- Varied Menu
- Relaxed Vibe
Frequently criticized
- Slow Service
- Food Inconsistency
- Maintenance Needs
The cafe El Cafetazo invites you to discover a truly delightful experience in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant Mission District. You’ll find this spot to be a cozy, casual, and trendy haven, perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
Known for its great coffee, El Cafetazo offers a welcoming atmosphere where you can unwind and enjoy delicious treats. Whether you’re starting your day with breakfast or grabbing lunch, you’ll appreciate the inviting ambiance and quality offerings.
Overview: Introducting El Cafetazo
El Cafetazo offers a straightforward experience, often praised for its friendly and fast service when it’s on point, alongside genuinely cheap prices that stand out. It’s a spot where you can grab a quick coffee or a bite without breaking the bank.
However, some visits can be marred by extended waiting time or occasional staff attitude issues. While the menu has its highlights, there are also reports of burnt bagel or other food items not quite hitting the mark, indicating some inconsistency.
Average
6
out of 10
149
Reviews
61.7%
Satisfaction
51
negative
6
neutral
92
positive
El Cafetazo receives an overall Restaurant Score of 6, placing it in the average category, with Customer Satisfaction at 61.7%, indicating a mixed reception from patrons. This assessment is drawn from 149 customer observations, with 92 positive remarks and 51 negative ones.
Delving deeper, Value (8.7) is a clear strength, consistently noted for its affordability. The Food (6.7) generally performs well, offering a variety of popular items.
However, Ambience (6.6) is average, and Service (4.4) shows room for improvement, with some experiences falling short of expectations.
What people like
- Excellent Value
- Diverse Food & Drinks
- Relaxed Atmosphere
What people don't like
- Inconsistent Service
- Food Quality Concerns
- Cleanliness Issues
With a Recommendation Score of 6.3, El Cafetazo presents itself as a practical option for those prioritizing affordability and a casual setting. It’s a place where you can find good value and a decent selection of beverages and quick bites.
If you’re seeking a no-frills spot for a budget-friendly meal or a quick coffee, it might be worth a visit. However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in service and food quality, which can sometimes impact the overall experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on El Cafetazo
Food (6.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 73% of the guests
When it comes to food, this spot generally hits the mark with a solid score of 6.7 and a good customer satisfaction rate of 72.2%. Based on 52 positive remarks out of 72 total comments, many appreciate the fresh juices, good coffee, tasty treats, and smoothies. It's often praised as a reliable place for breakfast items and a decent variety of options.
However, there are some areas for improvement, with 17 negative remarks. Some customers have encountered issues like burnt bagels, stale pastries, and concerns about food freshness. Specific items like tamales have also received mixed reviews, sometimes being described as greasy or lacking flavor.
Food
72
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
17
negative
3
neutral
52
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh juices available
- Good coffee options
- Variety of tasty treats
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food freshness
- Burnt or stale items
- Tamales can disappoint
Often praised
- coffeeThe coffee is still coffee at this establishment gave me the go I needed
- tamalesIt's a reliable place for coffee, Mexican-style juices, and a variety of tasty treats. Beyond the tempting sweets, they also offer hot dogs, tamales, and bagels.
- breakfastcheapest places in SF to grab breakfast
- ice creamsmoothies and ice cream
- mochaMy experience at the restaurant involved ordering a mocha and two tamales. The mocha was great. The tamales were quite big and stuffed with cheese, bell pepper, and small pieces of shrimp.
- smoothiescoffee or smoothies and ice cream
- Blueberry smoothieDelicious Blueberry smoothie was a hit!
- Mexican-style juicesMy experience at this Mission neighborhood spot was positive. It's a reliable place for coffee, Mexican-style juices, and a variety of tasty treats. Beyond the tempting sweets, they also offer hot dogs, tamales, and bagels.
- apple, carrot and ginger juiceloved the apple, carrot and ginger juice I order
- authentic localsearching for authentic local
Frequently criticized
- tamalesMy experience at the restaurant was centered around their chicken/beef tamales. Unfortunately, I found that there was more Masa than filling in the tamales I ordered. The filling itself was not flavorful and was instead overly spicy.
- bagelThis was my first time eating at this place, but you have to wait to be served. Then, I was surprised by my bagel; it was burnt. I think they could tell it was burnt because they wrapped it up.
- bagel with cream cheese, onion and tomatoemployee added to much and was falling all over the place 😖
- breakfast burritobreakfast burrito, and they already have it premade
- burnt bagelmy bagel; it was burnt because they wrapped it up
- cold buna cold bun
- cream cheese bagel with hamI ask for cream cheese beagle with ham. This is what I got.
- fillingwasn't flavorful at all—more spicy instead
- food freshnessthe food is not fresh
- ham & cheese sandwicha ham & cheese sandwich for lunch. What I ended up with is a cold bun with a mayo saturated mess (minus the ham & cheese)
If you're looking for a quick grab-and-go breakfast with fresh juices and coffee, this place is worth a try. Just be mindful that some food items, like bagels or tamales, might be inconsistent in quality.
Service (4.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 78% of the guests
It seems the service here can be a bit of a mixed bag, with some shining moments! Many customers have praised the friendly staff and good employees who offer fast service and a welcoming smile. With 17 positive remarks, it's clear that when things go well, patrons appreciate the nice people and good customer service, often getting their orders quickly.
However, the overall picture for service is quite challenging, reflected in an average score of 4.4 but a poor customer satisfaction of just 35.4%. Out of 48 total comments, 28 point to significant issues like long waiting times, rude attitude, and a general lack of customer service. Many describe staff being indifferent, taking forever to serve, or even having a bad attitude, leading some to walk out.
Service
48
Reviews
35%
Satisfaction
28
negative
3
neutral
17
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Welcoming smile
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Rude staff attitude
- Poor customer service
Often praised
- peopleI was amazed by the coffee and bagel. The cafe is not posh but has an adequate menu, wifi and good people. I ordered a mocha and jalapeno bagel.
- employeesThe large chalk board menus above the counter could easily display everything. Despite the menu's disorganization, the employees behind the counter are good people, and everything they make is great! I'm always happy to support small businesses like this one.
- serviceVery friendly and fast service
- stafflike the staff who work tirelessly to make sure the whole experience is good
- Latino guywhen the Latino guy works he always opens it immediately
- customer serviceGood custumer service.
- early openingOpen early, it's the first place in the neighborhood to be warm, lit and comfortable at 5 a.m.
- foodQuick to get our food
- nice peoplenice people
- ordergot my order real quick
Frequently criticized
- waiting timea long waiting time just to place an order
- customer serviceneed to teach the employees customer service
- ownerEL DUEÑO LO SABE Y NO LE IMPORTA EXPLOTAR A SUS TRABAJADORES
- staffFALTA. PERSONAL DESPUÉS DE LAS 12PM Y TAMBIÉN, POR SUPUESTO EN LAS MAÑANAS.
- staff attitudelady came out&put herself in front of the door &began to say that people like us
- 30 minutestook them 30 minutes just buzz me in
- bad attitudeHe's got a bad attitude
- cashier attitudethe lady in the cashiers is not helping with her attitude
- electronic paymentasked if I can pay electronically she said no
- employees dragIt's a good place to grab a bite. However, the employees drag to make your order, and they watch TV while preparing your food. Make sure your order is right.
If you catch them on a good day, you might experience friendly and quick service. However, be prepared for potential long waits and inconsistent staff attitudes, which could make your visit disappointing. It's a gamble, so manage your expectations.
Ambience (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 43% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot generally hits the mark, with a good customer satisfaction of 72.7% and an average score of 6.6. Many appreciate the relaxed and kids-friendly atmosphere, often highlighting the spacious indoor seating and overall cleanliness. With 16 positive remarks out of 22 total, guests frequently mention it as a nice, warm, and cozy place, especially with the added bonus of free Wi-Fi and wall outlets.
However, its not without its quirks, as indicated by the 6 negative remarks. Some guests suggest the decor could use an update, advising others to look past' it. There are also mentions of a specific bathroom door issue requiring a buzz from the cashier, and a problem with an electrical panel that left one section of the restaurant dark.
Ambience
22
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
6
negative
0
neutral
16
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Relaxed atmosphere
- Spacious seating
- Free Wi-Fi
What people don't like
- Dated decor
- Bathroom door issue
- Dark section
Often praised
- wifiMy experience at the restaurant was centered around their good strong coffee. The service was notable for a welcoming smile, and they also offer free wifi. While I didn't try anything else on this visit, I intend to return someday.
- cleanis a clean place
- cleanlinesslike the overall cleanliness too
- daytime TVdaytime tv on
- free Wi-Fiand free Wi-FI.
- kids friendlyThe atmosphere is relaxed and the people are nice, contributing to a welcoming environment. It's also kids friendly. I would recommend this place for tourists searching for an authentic local experience.
- looks goodLooks good
- nice placebut a nice place
- placegreat place to relax and enjoy
- relaxedThe prices are cheap compared to other similar places in San Francisco, making it a good value. The atmosphere is relaxed and the people are nice, contributing to a welcoming environment. It's also kids friendly.
Frequently criticized
- areahow bad that area of the mission is
- bathroom doorbathroom door needs to be buzzed by the cashier
- cleaningneed more cleaning
- decorIf you can look past the decor
- electrical panelproblem with electrical panel. Because one section of the restaurant was dark
- pretentiousnessThis little breakfast nook might not be for everyone, but it's exactly what I'm looking for. Not the slightest bit of that pretentiousness that other places use to justify their high prices. Very affordable.
If you're seeking a relaxed, unfancy, and family-friendly spot with practical amenities like Wi-Fi and spacious seating, this place is definitely worth a visit. However, if modern decor and pristine conditions are high on your priority list, you might find some aspects a bit disappointing.
Value (8.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 19% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines! Guests consistently rave about the incredibly reasonable and affordable prices, with many calling it one of the cheapest places in SF. The 8.7 score for value, backed by an excellent 100% customer satisfaction, clearly shows they deliver.
Folks particularly appreciate the fair prices for drinks and the convenience of credit card payments without a minimum, based on 7 positive remarks. Whats truly remarkable is the complete absence of any complaints regarding value. Its rare to find a place where every single comment about pricing is positive, indicating that customers feel they're getting a fantastic deal without any hidden catches or disappointments.
No negative terms or opinions were noted, which is a huge win for your wallet.
Value
7
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Reasonable drink costs
- No card minimum
What people don't like
Often praised
- pricescheap prices (as compared to other similar places in SF)
- credit card paymentAccept credit card payment without minimum purchase fee
- drink pricesreasonable drink prices
- priceOne of the cheapest places in SF
- productsthe price of their products vale pena
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If youre looking for a place that wont break the bank, this is definitely it. You can expect genuinely affordable prices, especially for drinks, and hassle-free payment options. It's a clear winner for anyone prioritizing value.
How are the prices at El Cafetazo?
You’re looking at roughly 8 per person – reported by 8 diners. That puts it in the $1–$10 category. For a Cafe, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most diners (6 out of 8) spend within the $1–$10 range, with a couple venturing into the $11–$20 bracket. This suggests a good mix of budget-friendly options and perhaps a few slightly pricier choices. Keep in mind, this is based on a small sample of 8 reviews, but it gives us a good indication.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 8 most recent reviews. Data is limited, but it gives a good indication of spending habits.
Heres how this Cafes value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Cafe, especially in San Francisco. It offers good value for those looking for a comfortable, mid-range experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about El Cafetazo
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Best Early Morning Grab-and-Go
This little breakfast nook might not be for everyone, but it's exactly what I'm looking for. Not the slightest bit of that pretentiousness that other places use to justify their high prices. Very affordable.
Very simple. Open early, it's the first place in the neighborhood to be warm, lit and comfortable at 5 a. M.
Cafetazo has my vote for best grab-and-go breakfast, beating out Mellis with its spacious indoor seating. If you're in the neighborhood this is your best unfancy option. If you're halfway across town and it's 5: 00 a.
M. , make the trip (or settle for Starbucks).
- prices9
- simplicity8
- early opening10
- pretentiousness2
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Understaffed and Overlooked
My experience at the restaurant was marked by a significant lack of staff, particularly after 12 PM and in the mornings. This has been an ongoing issue for some time, and it seems the owner is aware but chooses to exploit their workers. Their sole focus appears to be on increasing their profits.
Consequently, customers often leave due to the frustration of waiting, as I have experienced myself. I would recommend the cafe around the corner, Muddy Waters, instead.
- staff2
- owner1
- waiting time2
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Delicious Juice and Traveler-Friendly!
I absolutely loved the apple, carrot and ginger juice I ordered! The restaurant accepts credit card payment without a minimum purchase fee, which is perfect for travelers.
- apple, carrot and ginger juice10
- credit card payment9
- travelers8
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Best Cream Cheese and Huge Smoothies
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's one of the cheapest places in SF to grab breakfast, and the cream cheese was some of the best I've ever had. We received our food quickly, and the smoothies were impressively huge.
- cream cheese10
- breakfast8
- food9
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great First Visit, Nice People and Yummy Muffin
As I was going to school around the block, I stopped in for my first visit. Everyone was so nice. I had an ice tea and a muffin.
It was yummy.
- people10
- muffin9
- ice tea8
What El Cafetazo offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Breakfast
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Coffee
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and amenities can you expect at El Cafetazo?
El Cafetazo offers a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere, ideal for a relaxed visit. You’ll appreciate the convenient amenities, including a clean restroom and complimentary Wi-Fi, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience. It’s a welcoming spot to unwind or grab a quick bite in the Mission District.
Does El Cafetazo cater to different dietary needs and offer accessibility options?
Yes, El Cafetazo offers healthy and vegetarian options, alongside small plates, catering to various preferences. You’ll also find excellent accessibility, including a wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, and restroom. This makes it a welcoming and convenient spot for all guests to enjoy in the Mission District.
How does El Cafetazo score overall?
El Cafetazo holds an overall **Restaurant Score** of **6**, placing it in the average range, with **Customer Satisfaction** at **61.7%**, indicating a mixed reception. Its **Value** (8.7) is a standout, and **Food** (6.7) is generally well-received. However, **Ambience** (6.6) is average, and **Service** (4.4) shows significant room for improvement.
What are the main strengths of El Cafetazo?
Customers frequently praise El Cafetazo for its cheap prices and credit card payment options, making it a great value. The coffee , tamales , and Mexican-style juices are also popular choices, often highlighted for their quality.
Are there any common issues at El Cafetazo?
Some customers have noted waiting time for orders and occasional staff attitude concerns. There have also been instances of burnt bagel or not fresh food items, suggesting some inconsistency in food preparation and quality.