Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
oChef » El Jalapeno Taqueria – San Francisco
El Jalapeno Taqueria - San Francisco
Photo from El Jalapeno Taqueria
El Jalapeno Taqueria at a glance
San Francisco Ingleside
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 20 of the guests
#2043 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#114 Mexican Restaurant out of 134 in San Francisco
Good
6.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
173
Reviews
60.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic Food
- Good Value
Frequently criticized
- Poor Service
- Dirty Environment
The restaurant El Jalapeno Taqueria invites you to experience authentic Mexican flavors right in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant Ingleside neighborhood. As a casual Mexican restaurant, it’s the perfect spot whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
You can enjoy delicious lunch or dinner options, with convenient dine-in and takeout service available. This welcoming spot is known for its friendly atmosphere, making it a great choice for families and anyone craving a taste of Mexico.
Overview: Introducting El Jalapeno Taqueria
El Jalapeno Taqueria offers a mixed experience, often praised for its generous portions and reasonable pricing, making it a popular spot for a satisfying meal. However, some visits are marred by concerns over cleanliness, with reports of sticky surfaces.
While many appreciate the authentic flavors and quick preparation, others have encountered less positive interactions, pointing to instances of unfriendly customer service. This suggests that your experience here might vary, balancing hearty food with potential operational quirks.
Good
6.4
out of 10
173
Reviews
60.7%
Satisfaction
56
negative
12
neutral
105
positive
El Jalapeno Taqueria earns an overall restaurant score of 6.4, placing it in the average category. Customer satisfaction stands at 60.7%, indicating a mixed reception among diners.
This assessment is drawn from 173 customer observations, comprising 105 positive remarks and 56 negative ones, providing a substantial basis for evaluation. Looking closer at specific aspects, the Food receives a good score of (7.6), frequently highlighted for its quality and consistency.
However, other areas are more moderate: Value comes in at (6), Ambience at (5.4), and Service lags behind at (4.2). This suggests that while the culinary offerings are a strong point, other elements of the dining experience could see improvement.
What people like
- Authentic, flavorful food
- Generous food portions
- Reasonable, fair pricing
What people don't like
- Unfriendly, slow service
- Questionable cleanliness
- Pricing discrepancies
If you prioritize hearty, flavorful Mexican cuisine and appreciate a good deal, El Jalapeno Taqueria could be a worthwhile stop. The food often receives praise for its authenticity and generous servings, making it a satisfying choice for those focused on the plate.
However, be prepared for a potentially uneven experience regarding service and atmosphere. With a recommendation score of 6.6, it suggests a place that delivers on its core offering but might not impress on all fronts.
It’s a spot to consider if you’re willing to overlook some rough edges for the sake of the food.
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Verdict: Our expert take on El Jalapeno Taqueria
Food (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 93% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, diners generally have a lot to rave about! With a solid score of 7.6 and a customer satisfaction rate of 78%, it's clear that many are enjoying their meals. Out of 100 remarks, 78 were positive, highlighting delicious, fresh food, some of the tastiest burritos around, authentic flavors, and generous portions.
However, not every bite is perfect, as 17 negative comments point out. Some found issues with greasy food, disappointing guacamole, or occasionally overcooked meat and dry tacos. While these are certainly things to consider, they represent a smaller portion of the overall feedback.
Food
100
Reviews
78%
Satisfaction
17
negative
5
neutral
78
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious burritos
- Authentic, fresh food
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Bad guacamole
- Greasy food
- Overcooked meat
Often praised
- foodthe food is still consistent and is still very good!
- Mexican foodThe atmosphere is nice as well. I've visited this place many times and consider it the best Mexican food in all of San Francisco for me. I highly recommend this place to friends and family.
- burritosThis was my favorite place to get burritos. Friends and I used to come down here after classes for lunch and would always come out satisfied!
- meatdoes not hold back on the meat, gives lots of it
- portionsMy experience at this restaurant was positive. The place is very reasonably priced and offers generous portions. While the service may take a while, patience is a good thing and the overall experience was worthwhile.
- tacosForget those overpriced, flavorless tacos elsewhere; this spot is the real deal. Even my boyfriend, a 10-year SF resident, agrees these are the best tacos he's had in the city.
- Al PastorAl Pastor is very unique with layers of heavy flavor
- Al Pastor burritosbest Carnitas and Al Pastor burritos in the city
- CarnitasCarnitas is juicy and slightly seared
- Carnitas burritosbest Carnitas and Al Pastor burritos in the city
Frequently criticized
- foodThe food made me sick instantly
- MeatMeat was overcooked
- Mexican foodWorst Mexican food i had
- Sour Creamskipped the Sour Cream
- amount of foodamount of food your getting by the dollar
- burritoShe remade my burrito and messed it up AGAIN
- burrito bowlcouldn't eat the rest of my burrito bowl due to the smell
- extra itemsby putting extra items in it.
- greasy foodHe made a joke in Spanish about not waiting in a line full of gringos and placed his order. If you're looking for greasy food made by racists in a dingy atmosphere, this is the place for you.
- guacamoleguacamole tasted like play-dough and smelt horrendous
If you're looking for a spot with generally delicious and authentic Mexican food, especially burritos, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that while most experiences are great, there are occasional reports of minor quality issues.
Service (4.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 61% of the guests
The service here can be quite charming! Many customers rave about the friendly owners and wonderful staff, often highlighting the sweet Mexican mama cooking vibe. Youll find that food is often "prepared fast" for a "quick bite, " and some even say the "service is always great.
" These positive experiences come from 13 favorable opinions. However, the service is a bit of a mixed bag, with a 4.2 score indicating its average, and customer satisfaction sitting at a poor 28.9%. Out of 45 total opinions, 28 point to issues like staff being rude, ignoring customers, or the place being slow.
There are also concerns about hygiene and order accuracy, suggesting some significant areas for improvement.
Service
45
Reviews
28%
Satisfaction
28
negative
4
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly owners
- Quick food prep
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Slow service
- Hygiene concerns
Often praised
- ownerI loved the owner she's so cute
- servicethe service was quick
- waitThe price was great for what you get, and the food was super tasty and always fills me up. There was sometimes a wait, but it was always well worth it.
- Chef/OwnersChef/Owners are very friendly!!
- customer serviceGreat customer service!!
- ownersFriends and I used to come down here after classes for lunch and would always come out satisfied! The owners were always super nice and friendly too!
- prepared fastI ordered the pastor reg burrito, and it was fantastic with a fresh taste. The food was prepared fast, and I enjoyed the fresh air while eating inside. The prices were also great.
- quick biteRecommend this place for a quick bite
- staffstaff is wonderful
- sweet Mexican mama cookingsupport the sweet Mexican mama cooking
Frequently criticized
- cookthe cook didn’t wear gloves and didn’t have clean nails
- customer serviceVery unfriendly customer service
- orderMy experience at the restaurant was quite negative. They completely screwed up my and my Dad's order, mixing up the meat types and skipping the sour cream. The meat was also overcooked, and there was too much spicy stuff.
- serviceI agree with some other reviewers that the service is not fast, but it is SO worth the wait. This was one of the tastiest burritos I have ever had (the super carne asada), and my dining partner was equally enthusiastic about his taco and enchilada.
- argumentwhich started an argument.
- credit card exchangethe credit card needs to exchange hands
- explicit requestExplicitly asked for a certain item
- guy at the registerThe guy at the register is very unfriendly and impolite
- guy cuts to the frontsome guy cuts to the front of the line
- handled the moneyhandled the money and started to cook without washing her hands
If you're willing to overlook potential rudeness, slow service, or occasional order mix-ups, some find the food worth the wait. However, with a low customer satisfaction, be prepared for a potentially frustrating experience.
Ambience (5.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 34% of the guests
The ambience here seems to be a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.4, landing it squarely in the average range. Still, some customers absolutely loved the vibe, calling it a hidden gem or a true hole in the wall. They found the spot quite quaint and appreciated the fresh air inside, based on 7 positive remarks.
On the flip side, customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 41.2%, as an equal number of 7 comments painted a less flattering picture. Many described it as a filthy place with a dingy atmosphere, noting sticky tables and a generally dirty place. If you're looking for a romantic spot, you might be disappointed.
Ambience
17
Reviews
41%
Satisfaction
7
negative
3
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Hidden gem
- Quaint spot
- Fresh air
What people don't like
- Filthy place
- Dingy atmosphere
- Sticky tables
Often praised
- atmospherethe atmosphere is nice
- fresh airfresh air as you eat inside
- hidden gemThis place is a hidden gem
- hole in the walltrue hole in the wall gem
- placeGood place
- quaintVery quaint
Frequently criticized
- placeThe place is kinda sticky and not the cleanest
- atmosphereIf your looking for atmosphere and a romantic spot you won't find it here
- counter and tablesThe counter and tables felt real sticky
- dingy atmospherea dingy atmosphere
- eateryMy experience at this restaurant was centered around its authentic Mexican food. It's a very small eatery that has been around for over 10 years, run by a very nice lady who is the sole owner. All the food is cooked to order, and I found everything, especially the burritos, to be wonderful.
- filthy placethis filthy place
If youre someone who values a charming, unpretentious "hole in the wall" and can overlook some cleanliness issues, you might find this place endearing. However, if a clean, polished, and romantic atmosphere is a must, youll likely be disappointed by the dingy atmosphere and sticky tables.
Value (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 23% of the guests
When it comes to value, many diners found this spot to be quite a pleasant surprise! With 7 positive remarks out of 11 total, guests often highlighted the inexpensive and reasonable pricing, noting it offered great prices for the quality. It seems a good number of people felt they got a solid bang for their buck, contributing to a customer satisfaction of 63.6%.
However, the value isn't universally praised, as 4 negative comments indicate some bumps. A few guests felt it was a bit pricey or even most expensive in certain aspects, with concerns about being charged more than expected, particularly for drinks. This mixed feedback contributes to an overall score of 6, placing it squarely in the average range.
Value
11
Reviews
63%
Satisfaction
4
negative
0
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Inexpensive food
- Reasonable pricing
- Great value
What people don't like
- Unexpected price changes
- Overcharged on bill
- Perceived as pricey
Often praised
- pricethe price came in just over $11 with tax
- inexpensiveInexpensive
- pricesGreat prices too!
- reasonable pricingMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a true hole in the wall gem that offers authentic and delicious food at reasonable pricing. The Grilled Chicken burrito is a standout dish, truly top notch.
Frequently criticized
- charged morecharged me more than on the menu
- most expensiveMost expensive and slow place
- price of the drinkchanged the price of the drink for almost $4
- pricey spotsDon't waste your time at those pricey spots in the city
Looking for a deal? This spot offers generally reasonable pricing that many appreciate, making it a good value. However, be aware that some guests felt it was pricey or experienced billing issues, so keep an eye on your tab.
How are the prices at El Jalapeno Taqueria?
You’re looking at roughly 17 per person – reported by 20 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Mexican Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most diners spend within this sweet spot, with very few venturing into cheaper or pricier options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 20 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Mexican spot in San Francisco. It hits that sweet spot of good value without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about El Jalapeno Taqueria
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Delicious Pastor Burrito & Great Value!
My experience at this restaurant was great! I ordered the pastor reg burrito, and it was fantastic with a fresh taste. The food was prepared fast, and I enjoyed the fresh air while eating inside.
The prices were also great. I'm looking forward to trying the linguA super burrito next time, as I believe the sour cream, cheese, and guac would make it even more delicious. I recommend this place for a quick bite.
- pastor reg burrito9
- fresh taste9
- prepared fast9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
8
Worth the Wait for Tasty Burritos
I agree with some other reviewers that the service is not fast, but it is SO worth the wait. This was one of the tastiest burritos I have ever had (the super carne asada), and my dining partner was equally enthusiastic about his taco and enchilada. It's a hole in the wall but very, very good.
- tastiest burritos10
- super carne asada10
- taco and enchilada9
- service4
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Takeout
10
Yummy Tacos and a Must-Visit!
This was my 3rd time ordering platters from them, and the quality tacos were everything I expected and more! Everything there is yummy. It's a must go when in the city.
- quality tacos10
- everything10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
1
Disappointing First Visit, Food Made Me Sick
I decided to try this place after hearing about it, but my first experience was not what I expected at all. The food made me sick instantly. I also observed that the cook did not wear gloves and had visibly unclean nails.
I would definitely think twice before eating here again.
- food1
- cook1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
10
Excellent Service and Amazing Burritos!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The customer service was great, and the food was even better. I was particularly impressed with the burritos, which are an absolute steal for what you pay.
The atmosphere was also a highlight, rated a 5 out of 5.
- customer service10
- food10
- burritos10
What El Jalapeno Taqueria offers
Crowd
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at El Jalapeno Taqueria?
At El Jalapeno Taqueria, you can look forward to a casual and welcoming atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a leisurely meal. They offer both lunch and dinner, with convenient dine-in and takeout options. You’ll find a variety of small plates, along with refreshing beer and cocktails to complement your Mexican meal.
Is El Jalapeno Taqueria accessible and suitable for families?
Yes, El Jalapeno Taqueria is designed to be welcoming for everyone. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring ease of access. It’s also considered good for kids, making it an excellent choice for families looking to enjoy a delicious Mexican meal together in a comfortable setting.
How does El Jalapeno Taqueria generally rate among customers?
El Jalapeno Taqueria holds an overall score of 6.4, indicating an average experience. While Food scores well at (7.6), Value (6), Ambience (5.4), and especially Service (4.2) are more moderate.
What are the standout food items at El Jalapeno Taqueria?
Many patrons appreciate the Al Pastor and Carnitas burritos and tacos for their unique, heavy flavors and juicy, seared qualities. The restaurant is also noted for its generous portions.
What should I expect regarding service and atmosphere at El Jalapeno Taqueria?
Service can be a mixed bag, with some finding it unfriendly or slow, while others praise the friendly owners. The atmosphere is often described as a hole in the wall or quaint, though some note issues with cleanliness.