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oChef » El Castillito – San Francisco
El Castillito - San Francisco
Photo from El Castillito
El Castillito at a glance
San Francisco Duboce Triangle
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 98 of the guests
#1854 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#102 Mexican Restaurant out of 134 in San Francisco
Good
6.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
457
Reviews
63.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Generous portions
- Good value
- Tasty burritos
Frequently criticized
- Hygiene concerns
- Inconsistent food
- Rude service
The restaurant El Castillito brings the vibrant flavors of a Mexican restaurant right to the heart of San Francisco’s Duboce Triangle neighborhood. If you’re looking for an authentic taste of Mexico, this casual spot is perfect for a quick bite.
You can enjoy delicious Mexican food for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, making it a versatile choice for any time of day. It’s a great place to grab a meal with friends or family, offering a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.
Overview: Introducting El Castillito
El Castillito offers a mixed experience, often praised for its substantial portions and affordability, making it a popular choice for those seeking a hearty meal without breaking the bank. However, some diners have noted concerns regarding the overall cleanliness and occasional inconsistencies in both the food preparation and staff interactions.
While many appreciate the friendly staff and the homie feel of the place, others have encountered less welcoming service. The burritos frequently receive positive remarks for their taste and size, yet there are instances where the quality of dishes or the accuracy of orders falls short.
Good
6.7
out of 10
457
Reviews
63.7%
Satisfaction
133
negative
33
neutral
291
positive
El Castillito holds a respectable Restaurant Score of 6.7 out of 10, placing it in the good category, suggesting a generally positive experience for many. This is supported by a Customer Satisfaction rate of 63.7%, which indicates a mixed but leaning positive sentiment among its patrons.
With 291 positive remarks against 133 negative ones out of 457 total comments, there’s a clear majority of favorable experiences. Looking closer, Food (7) and Value (7) are clear strengths, with many appreciating the generous portions for the price.
Ambience (6) is average, often described as low-key, while Service (5.7) is a bit more of a mixed bag, with some finding it friendly and others reporting less positive interactions. The scores reflect a place that delivers well on its core offerings but has areas for improvement.
What people like
- Generous portions
- Good value
- Tasty burritos
What people don't like
- Hygiene concerns
- Inconsistent food quality
- Rude service
If you’re prioritizing a filling and affordable meal, El Castillito is worth considering, especially for its well-regarded burritos and generous portions. It’s a place that delivers on value, reflected in its Recommendation Score of 7, suggesting many would recommend it for its core strengths.
However, be prepared for a no-frills setting and potential inconsistencies in service or food quality. While many have positive experiences, those sensitive to cleanliness or expecting polished service might find it less appealing.
It’s a solid choice for a casual, budget-friendly bite, but manage your expectations for other aspects.
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Verdict: Our expert take on El Castillito
Food (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot offers a generally good experience, scoring a solid 7. Many customers rave about the delicious burritos, especially the Al Pastor, praising the huge portions and fresh ingredients. With 206 positive remarks out of 310 total, there's a lot to love about the flavors and generous sizing.
However, customer satisfaction is a bit more mixed at 66.5%, with 81 negative comments highlighting some concerns. Issues like dry, flavorless meat, uneven ingredient distribution, and even a risk of food poisoning have been mentioned, suggesting that consistency might be a challenge here.
Food
310
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
81
negative
23
neutral
206
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Huge portions served
- Delicious Al Pastor
- Fresh ingredients used
What people don't like
- Risk of food poisoning
- Dry, flavorless meat
- Uneven ingredient distribution
Often praised
- foodEl Castillito is my favorite Mexican place in SF! They are fast, have delicious food, and are very reasonably priced. I highly recommend the Carnitas Super Burrito!
- burritosEl Castillito is a sleeper pick for one of the best burritos in San Francisco. Real burrito lovers know that ordering the super burrito isn't the way to go, but asking for your tortilla crispy is.
- burritoMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had a gargantuan, evil-fighting burrito that lived up to its name. The pro tip is to ask for both guac and avocado slices, which they expertly handle.
- FoodFood:5
- Mexican foodMy experience at this restaurant was BY FAR the best Mexican food and BY FAR the best value in San Francisco. I was impressed with the HUGE portions, which were offered at more than fair prices, especially considering the cost of everything else in this town.
- portionsThe quality and portions of the food were excellent
- al pastorThe al pastor is incredibly delicious!!!
- portionafforded a larger portion
- salsa barMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's the best local taqueria in the area, offering amazing service and a truly tasty salsa bar. The transportation to and from the place was excellent.
- food qualityThe Super burrito is so substantial that it provides two meals for me, and I'm someone who eats a lot. The food quality is outstanding, and the portion sizes are very generous.
Frequently criticized
- burritoThe cook seemed to make every dish into a burrito, despite what we ordered – tacos al pastor, quesadilla, enchilada, etc. Despite repeated attempts to question the dish, they still charged us over $14 for a "burrito". Sad.
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was a joke. The food was barely passable as edible, and I'd say Chipotle has better Mexican food. I question if it would even be good by the standards of a dog.
- chipsThe chips that they charge extra for are not good
- meatnone of their meat has any char on it
- quesadillaThe quesadilla and the cheese and everything else were cold
- carnitascarnitas was truly horrendous
- chickenonly put about a quarter of the chicken that they should’ve put
- chorizo90% chorizo and 10% eggs, not the ratio I'm used to
- flavorlacking in flavor honestly
- Carne Asada tacosimple Carne Asada taco & was terrible and cold
If you're craving a massive, flavorful burrito, especially Al Pastor, this place could hit the spot. Just be aware that some experiences point to inconsistencies in quality and preparation, so go in with an open mind.
Service (5.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 55% of the guests
When it comes to service, it's a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.7 putting it squarely in the average range, and customer satisfaction at 53.8%, which is also mixed. Many customers, based on 42 positive remarks out of 78 total, rave about the friendly/helpful staff and great service, often highlighting quick service and an efficient process. They mention staff being amazing, very nice, and incredibly fast, making for an enjoyable visit.
However, there are 32 negative opinions that point to some significant issues. Concerns about food safety handling and staff not wearing gloves are prominent. Some experiences describe rude service and staff with a bad attitude, leading to feelings of being disrespected or ignored.
It seems there can be a real communication breakdown, and some individuals have had very unpleasant encounters.
Service
78
Reviews
53%
Satisfaction
32
negative
4
neutral
42
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Quick, efficient service
- Amazing staff
What people don't like
- Food safety concerns
- Rude staff attitude
- Staff not wearing gloves
Often praised
- serviceQuesadillas are great too. Make sure you arrive before closing, be kind and if you arrive late or at the limit of closing: just be doubly kind, like any Mexican, and smile asking for service.
- ServiceService:5
- staffFriendly staff, they show that they love their customers
- great serviceI was impressed with the HUGE portions, which were offered at more than fair prices, especially considering the cost of everything else in this town. The staff was friendly and provided great service. If you're looking for Mexican food, stop searching now.
- Friendly staffFriendly staff
- cashierThe sweet woman who was working the register
- cookThe cook happily took my order
- cooksthe cooks were very pleasant and helpful
- credit cardsThey accept credit cards now, which is also great!
- deliveryGet delivery
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe service was rude and aggressive
- cookround belly Mario looking cook with the mustache in the back started laughing
- rude servicethey were rude so I said something about it
- attitudeHe gave me attitude which I didn’t appreciate
- communication breakdownextremely frustrated when there’s a communication breakdown
- cooksCANTANKEROUS cooks!
- disrespected and ignoredI felt disrespected and ignored
- disrespectfulno need to be so disrespectful
- employeesthe employees were straight up creepy
- fixing your foodBe loud and clear and repeat yourself when fixing your food
If you're looking for quick, friendly service, you might be in luck, as many customers have had great experiences. However, be aware that some have encountered significant issues with rudeness and food safety practices, so it could be a gamble.
Ambience (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 30% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot has a lot going for it! Many customers, 24 out of 42 comments, appreciate its convenient location and describe it as a spacious sleeper spot with a homie feel, often a locals favorite. Theres a delightful hustle and bustle from the kitchen, contributing to a generally pleasant atmosphere.
Overall, the ambience scores an average 6, with customer satisfaction at a mixed 57.1%. However, not all experiences are glowing. 14 comments raise significant concerns, particularly around hygiene standpoint and sanitary concerns. Mentions of a dirty rag being used, a cockroach crawling, and a gross salsa bar are definitely off-putting.
Some also noted limited seating and issues with wheelchair accessibility, suggesting the place might not be for everyone.
Ambience
42
Reviews
57%
Satisfaction
14
negative
4
neutral
24
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Convenient location
- Spacious spot
- Homie, local feel
What people don't like
- Hygiene concerns
- Cockroach sighting
- Limited seating
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- atmosphereHowever, the Horchata was phenomenal, truly some of the best I've ever had – definitely recommend it! The place has a great atmosphere and the waiters were very nice. I might come back for a second chance and try a margarita, which I've heard a lot about.
- holy missionquietly continues their holy mission
- homie feelthis one has a very homie feel to it
- hustle and bustleThe smells and the hustle and bustle from the kitchen is delightful
- localSencillo pero bonito el local
- locals' favoriteThis place seems to be the locals' favorite
- locationconvenient location near Church & Market MUNI
- low-key placelow key place
- neighborhoodSolid neighborhood burritos option
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereAtmosphere is bare bones
- cockroach crawlingsee a cockroach crawling aside the wall
- coughing and sneezingsomeone else was... so0 serious coughing and sneezing
- dirty ragI don’t care how good the food is. But when the guy who preps your food doesn’t wear gloves, uses his bare hand to grab shredded cheese, vegetables, and handles the tortillas, then wipes his hands with a dirty rag which he uses to wipe the counter, that is so nasty. It is against health codes, unsanitary, and spreading germs, especially after the pandemic, we are very vulnerable to diseases.
- food safety concernsfood safety concerns scare me
- health codesabide by the health codes
- hygiene standpointThey use the same utensils for fish and meat, which is a serious lapse in safety standards. It was really disappointing from a hygiene standpoint, despite the good taste of the food.
- placeThe place didn’t seem clean at all
- safety standardspoor safety standards
- salsa barthe salsa bar felt gross
If youre looking for a local spot with a cozy, bustling vibe and dont mind potentially overlooking some cleanliness issues, this place might be for you. However, if hygiene is a top priority or you need ample seating and accessibility, you might want to consider other options.
Value (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 23% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines, boasting a good score of 7 and a strong customer satisfaction of 70.4%. Many diners rave about the reasonably priced items, calling them a bargain and a good deal for the generous portions. With 19 positive remarks out of 27 total, its clear guests feel they get a lot for their money, often mentioning fair prices for delicious food.
However, not everyone agrees, as 6 negative comments point to some concerns. A few guests felt certain items were a rip off or pricey, especially when online prices didnt match. Theres also a recurring mention of an extra fee for card payments', which can be a bit of a surprise for some patrons.
Value
27
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
6
negative
2
neutral
19
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great price for portions
- Reasonably priced food
- Excellent overall value
What people don't like
- Outdated online prices
- Unexpected card fees
- Some items pricey
Often praised
- priceIf you're passing through SF, come eat the best burritos. They are very generous and the price is affordable.
- pricesamazing prices for the portions you get
- bargainthey're a bargain on top of being delicious
- cheaphuge burritos that were cheap
- dealsuch a good deal $8.75
- fair pricesMy experience at this restaurant was BY FAR the best Mexican food and BY FAR the best value in San Francisco. I was impressed with the HUGE portions, which were offered at more than fair prices, especially considering the cost of everything else in this town. The staff was friendly and provided great service.
- pricedvery reasonably priced
- pricingThe pricing is reasonable
- reasonably pricedso reasonably priced
- valueMy experience at this restaurant was BY FAR the best Mexican food and BY FAR the best value in San Francisco. I was impressed with the HUGE portions, which were offered at more than fair prices, especially considering the cost of everything else in this town.
Frequently criticized
- Price per person$5 bucks to be Sickk af and disgusted
- card paymentsCards have a 4% fee
- priceThe cook seemed to make every dish into a burrito, despite what we ordered – tacos al pastor, quesadilla, enchilada, etc. Despite repeated attempts to question the dish, they still charged us over $14 for a "burrito". Sad.
- pricesThe prices on the online menu are outdated and lower than actuality and they won’t honor it.
- priceya bit pricey
- rip offa rip off
If youre looking for generous portions at prices that generally wont break the bank, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be mindful of potential discrepancies with online menus and any extra fees for card payments to avoid surprises.
How are the prices at El Castillito?
Expect to pay about 16 per person, based on 98 reviews. That places it in the $11–$20 category. For a Mexican Restaurant, it’s fair – not the cheapest, but reasonable for quick bites.
Most guests seem to agree, with the vast majority of prices clustering right in this $11–$20 sweet spot, rather than being spread across very cheap or premium options.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 98 most recent reviews.
Heres how this restaurants value for money stacks up against similar places in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Mexican spot in San Francisco. It offers good value without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about El Castillito
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
3
Service Good, Food Lacking
My experience at this restaurant was mixed. The burrito was mid and lacking flavor, which was disappointing. However, the staff and service were good.
The atmosphere was bare bones. I would not likely come back.
- staff / service5
- burrito2
- atmosphere3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
3
Carne Asada Burrito: Decent Size, Lacking Flavor
My experience at this restaurant involved ordering the carne asada burritos. While the price was good for the size, the taste was subpar. The burrito itself was dry, and the accompanying chips tasted like they were store-bought.
Additionally, I observed that the person preparing my burrito was not wearing gloves and had a ring on, which raised concerns about food safety.
- price7
- size7
- carne asada burritos3
- burrito2
- chips3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Tasty Food, Major Hygiene Concerns
My experience at this restaurant was a mix of delicious flavors and significant concerns regarding hygiene. While the food itself was tasty, I unfortunately experienced food poisoning, which I suspect was due to cross-contamination. They use the same utensils for fish and meat, which is a serious lapse in safety standards.
It was really disappointing from a hygiene standpoint, despite the good taste of the food.
- food7
- food poisoning1
- cross-contamination1
- utensils2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
10
Best Burrito in Town!
As a San Francisco native, I can confidently say this is the best burrito in town. I always order the pollo asado, with avocado (not guacamole), and their phenomenal salsa verde and pico de gallo. The chicken is truly touched by heaven.
The portions are generous and perfectly balanced, and the tortilla is grilled to perfection. My experience was fantastic, especially considering the great food and wonderful atmosphere.
- burrito10
- pollo asado9
- avocado8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
7
Great Burrito Spot with Room for Improvement
I love this place and consider it a great burrito spot, especially for being outside the Mission. The al pastor is great, and it's also a plus that they now accept credit cards. However, there are a couple of areas that could be improved to earn a perfect 5-star rating.
Firstly, the chips are terrible; they are not fresh and are a significant disappointment, especially since they aren't even free with a super burrito. Secondly, the chicken could be trimmed better. When ordering pollo asada, there's often cartilage and tendon, which detracts from the overall experience, though it's not a dealbreaker.
Tacos El Tucan is a strong competitor, giving this place a run for its money.
- al pastor9
- burrito spot8
- credit cards8
- chips2
- fresh chips3
- chicken4
What El Castillito offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Late-night food
- Beer
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Breakfast
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options are available at El Castillito?
El Castillito offers a variety of dining options to suit your needs. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner, with comfortable seating available for dine-in. They also provide convenient service options like no-contact delivery, takeout, and standard delivery.
Does El Castillito offer vegetarian options, late-night food, and accessible parking?
Yes, El Castillito caters to diverse preferences with vegetarian options and late-night food. For accessibility, you’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance. Parking can be somewhat difficult, but free and paid street parking options are usually available nearby.
How does El Castillito generally rate among diners?
El Castillito has a Restaurant Score of 6.7 out of 10, indicating a good overall experience. Customer Satisfaction stands at 63.7%, suggesting a mixed but generally positive reception.
What are the standout features of El Castillito's offerings?
Diners frequently praise El Castillito for its Food (7) and Value (7), highlighting generous portions and affordable prices, particularly for their burritos and Mexican dishes.
Are there any common concerns or areas for improvement at El Castillito?
Some patrons have raised concerns regarding hygiene and cleanliness, contributing to an average Ambience (6) score. Additionally, Service (5.7) can be inconsistent, with reports of both friendly and less welcoming interactions.