Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » El Metate – San Francisco
El Metate - San Francisco
Photo from El Metate
El Metate at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 79 of the guests
#478 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#23 Mexican Restaurant out of 134 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
347
Reviews
84.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Flavorful Food
- Salsa Bar
- Good Service
Frequently criticized
- Parking Issues
- Dish Inconsistency
- Service Lapses
The restaurant El Metate is a charming Mexican Restaurant located in the vibrant Mission District of San Francisco. You’ll discover a cozy and casual atmosphere, perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
This spot is known for its authentic flavors and welcoming vibe, making it a local favorite for delicious Mexican cuisine. Whether you’re craving classic dishes or looking for excellent vegetarian options, you’re in for a treat.
Overview: Introducting El Metate
El Metate offers a generally positive dining experience, with many patrons praising the food, especially the well-seasoned chicken and the diverse salsa bar. However, some experiences point to inconsistencies, with concerns about certain dishes like fish tacos and the freshness of some meat.
The service here often receives commendation for its efficiency and friendly staff, contributing to a pleasant visit. The vibrant ambience, adorned with Mexican art, also adds to the appeal.
Yet, practical issues like parking can be a minor hurdle for some visitors.
Excellent
8.2
out of 10
347
Reviews
84.4%
Satisfaction
45
negative
9
neutral
293
positive
El Metate generally leaves a good impression, reflected in its overall 8.2 score and a solid 84.4% customer satisfaction. This positive sentiment is drawn from 293 positive remarks against 45 negative ones, indicating a largely favorable experience for many diners.
The feedback suggests a place that consistently meets expectations for a significant portion of its patrons. Delving into specifics, the Food (8.3) stands out as a primary strength, frequently highlighted by guests.
Service (8.2) also performs well, with staff often noted for their efficiency. The restaurant’s Ambience (8.1) contributes positively to the dining experience, while Value (7) is considered good, offering reasonable prices for the portions received.
What people like
- Flavorful Mexican Food
- Excellent Salsa Bar
- Friendly, Quick Service
What people don't like
- Parking Challenges
- Inconsistent Dish Quality
- Occasional Service Lapses
El Metate presents a compelling option for those seeking a vibrant Mexican dining experience with generally well-regarded food and attentive service. While some minor inconsistencies exist, particularly with specific dishes or parking, the overall positive feedback suggests a worthwhile visit.
With a strong recommendation score of 8.4, El Metate is certainly worth considering if you’re in the mood for satisfying Mexican fare and a lively atmosphere. It’s a place that often hits the mark, though it’s wise to be aware of potential parking challenges.
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Verdict: Our expert take on El Metate
Food (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 8.3 and a customer satisfaction rate of 87.1%, many folks rave about the delicious and authentic Mexican food. Positive comments, accounting for 175 out of 201 total opinions, frequently highlight the incredible mole, tasty tacos, and fantastic salsa bar, often noting the huge portions and fresh ingredients.
However, not every dish is a winner. About 25 opinions mentioned some downsides, with concerns about dry or bland meat in burritos and tacos, soggy tacos, and watery sauces. Some found the pozole lacking in meat or the fish tacos a bit bland, suggesting there might be some inconsistency in certain menu items.
Food
201
Reviews
87%
Satisfaction
25
negative
1
neutral
175
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Mexican flavors
- Delicious mole and tacos
- Excellent salsa bar
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Dry or bland meat
- Soggy tacos
- Watery sauces
Often praised
- foodI also tried the special, which included carnitas and chicharones, along with two carne asada tacos and a chicken quesadilla. Everything was very good, and I was particularly impressed with how well the chicken was seasoned, as this isn't the standard experience. The food quality was a perfect 5 out of 5, and the service and atmosphere were both rated a 4.
- salsa bardelicious salsa bar where, no matter which one you pick, you cannot go wrong!
- FoodFood:5
- Mexican foodAs a San Francisco native, I’d like to think that I have a great idea of good Mexican food. The spot is absolutely fantastic, with big portions, and it just hits the spot every time.
- chipsget the chips for the table. Especially the homemade ones. They’re exceptionally good.
- burritosThe burritos aren't super expensive for SF
- moleReally loved their mole!
- tortaDon't expect anything fancy from this very casual neighborhood place, but the food is top notch, and there's plenty of it. On a recent visit, the huge torta came with a delicious cup of tortilla soup, and the 2 fish tacos were big enough to make four, since they are served with two tortillas. Really like the fruit salsa, and with an alfajor after for dessert it's a very filling meal.
- authentic Mexican foodThis is a beautiful place to eat, both inside and outside, with amazing food. It’s a fun place to eat and one of my favorite spots for authentic Mexican food. However, my recent visit had some issues.
- burritoMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I had the most filling and mission flavourful burrito I’ve ever encountered. The salsa bar was also a great addition, earning a plus one from me.
Frequently criticized
- fish tacosFish tacos were a fried fish which I didn’t care for
- foodOverall, the food was disappointing
- meatThe pozole had a noticeably small portion of meat, described as 'less meat than a bicycle, ' and it lacked any sense of care or love. The burritos were dry, and the meat did not taste fresh, suggesting it had been reheated or prepared a long time ago. Overall, the food was disappointing, making the family outing embarrassing.
- salsassalsas were watery and missing salt/spice
- veggie burritodon’t get the veggie burrito PLEASE
- FoodFood did not taste fresh at all
- Mexican flavorBoth the enchilada sauce and salsas were watery and missing salt/spice. They didn’t have that authentic, rich Mexican flavor. Food did not taste fresh at all.
- birria tacosdidn't have console for birria taco
- burritowithout the burrito
- burritosThe pozole had a noticeably small portion of meat, described as 'less meat than a bicycle, ' and it lacked any sense of care or love. The burritos were dry, and the meat did not taste fresh, suggesting it had been reheated or prepared a long time ago. Overall, the food was disappointing, making the family outing embarrassing.
If you're craving authentic Mexican flavors and generous portions, especially their mole and salsa bar, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that some dishes might be a hit or miss, so choose wisely to avoid disappointment.
Service (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 63% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark with a good score of 8.2 and a good customer satisfaction of 81.7%. Many guests rave about the friendly and efficient staff, often highlighting the pleasant service and how super nice the team is. With 49 positive remarks out of 60 total, its clear the team makes a great impression.
However, its not always perfect. A few experiences mention minor hiccups like a plate mix-up or occasional waiting time. While these are infrequent, with only 9 negative comments, there were also mentions of some staff having an attitude or cooks being disengaged, suggesting there's still a little room for improvement.
Service
60
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
9
negative
2
neutral
49
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, efficient staff
- Quick food arrival
- Excellent customer service
What people don't like
- Plate mix-ups
- Longer waiting times
- Staff attitude
Often praised
- serviceThat alone makes this spot a 3-star experience. On the positive side, the service was lovely and the agua frescas were delicious.
- ServiceThe recommended dish of Flour Tortilla Rice Beans Salsa with Choice of Meat was excellent. The service, atmosphere, and food all received a perfect 5/5 rating. The price per person was between $10–20, making it a good value for dinner.
- staffThe staff is very friendly and knowledgeable
- To Go serviceas well as To Go service
- cashierCashier did it great
- correctionWe visited on a very busy night, yet the food arrived quickly. Although they initially mixed up one plate, the staff corrected it right away. Even my picky quesadilla taster really enjoyed her quesadillas, which speaks volumes about the food quality.
- customer serviceExcellent customer service
- efficientservice is also friendly and efficient
- folks that work therefolks that work there are super cool and friendly
- food arrivalthe food arrived quickly
Frequently criticized
- calling in orderscall in the specifics of my order
- cookscooks were just watching football
- customer servicedo not neglect your customers
- guacamole on the sidewanting guac on the side
- online orderingnot able to order online
- ordertried to give me my order without the burrito
- plate mix-upThey mixed up one plate
- servicewith attitude she stated it was avocado
- waiting timetook over 20 mins
Overall, you can expect a largely positive service experience here, with a friendly and efficient team ready to help. While minor issues like occasional waiting or a mix-up might occur, they seem to be the exception rather than the rule. It's definitely worth a visit if good service is high on your list!
Ambience (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 69% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot truly shines! With a solid score of 8.1 and a fantastic customer satisfaction of 83.6%, its clear most folks love the atmosphere. Out of 73 comments, 61 rave about the beautiful decor, cleanliness, and inviting outdoor seating.
Many find it a calm, cozy, and authentic place, often highlighted for its kid-friendliness. However, it’s not entirely without its quirks. A few of the 73 comments, specifically 8, point out some challenges.
The most frequent concern revolves around parking, with several guests mentioning its quite difficult to find a spot. A couple also described the place as a little gritty or rundown in parts.
Ambience
73
Reviews
83%
Satisfaction
8
negative
4
neutral
61
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Beautiful decor
- Calm atmosphere
- Outdoor seating
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
- A bit gritty
Often praised
- atmosphereThe recommended dish of Flour Tortilla Rice Beans Salsa with Choice of Meat was excellent. The service, atmosphere, and food all received a perfect 5/5 rating. The price per person was between $10–20, making it a good value for dinner.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- decorThe decor of this place is beautiful.
- ambienceadds to the ambience
- noise levelNoise level:Quiet, easy to talk
- placesuch a cute place with vibrant and lively decor
- spotThe spot is absolutely fantastic
- Mexican artdecorated w/ beautiful, eclectic, psychedelic, indigenous Mexican art
- Mexican decorVery cute Mexican decor
- Mexican musicthe place is nice with Mexican music
Frequently criticized
- parkingReally like the fruit salsa, and with an alfajor after for dessert it's a very filling meal. Atmosphere is a bit rundown, and parking sucks, but it's worth a visit.
- AtmosphereReally like the fruit salsa, and with an alfajor after for dessert it's a very filling meal. Atmosphere is a bit rundown, and parking sucks, but it's worth a visit.
- grittyThis place is a little gritty
- parking lotit does not have a parking lot
- parking spaceSomewhat difficult to find parking
If youre looking for a place with a great vibe, beautiful decor, and a welcoming feel, this restaurant is definitely worth a visit. Just be prepared to put in a little extra effort to find parking, as thats the main hurdle.
Value (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 18% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7, indicating a good performance, and a customer satisfaction of 61.5%, which is a mixed but leaning positive result, many diners find the prices quite appealing. Out of 13 customer remarks, 8 were positive, highlighting an affordable price, well priced menu, and reasonable price for what you get.
However, not everyone is thrilled. There were 3 negative comments, with some folks noting that prices have been raised their prices recently, leading to misleading advertising on menus. While its not a deal-breaker for most, its something to keep in mind if you're expecting older pricing.
Value
13
Reviews
61%
Satisfaction
3
negative
2
neutral
8
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable price
- Good value
- Reasonable pricing
What people don't like
- Raised prices
- Misleading advertising
- Not competitive
Often praised
- priceAll dishes we got are under 20 dollars, which is a rare steal in SF.
- Price per personThe service, atmosphere, and food all received a perfect 5/5 rating. The price per person was between $10–20, making it a good value for dinner.
- affordable pricean affordable price
- burritosThe burritos aren't super expensive for SF
- pricesthe prices are reasonable
- reasonable priceat a reasonable price
- well pricedMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. The food is classic Mexican and well priced. I particularly enjoyed the salsa bar, which offered a great variety for everyone to try.
Frequently criticized
- competitive pricingNot exactly competitive, even after recent inflation
- parkingSomewhat difficult to find parking
- pricesthey raised their prices (again) without updating any of their menus, creating misleading advertising
If youre looking for good food without breaking the bank, this place is generally a solid choice, especially for the area. Just be aware that prices might have shifted recently, so dont be surprised if the menu doesn't perfectly match online info.
How are the prices at El Metate?
You’re looking at roughly 20 per person – reported by 79 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 stick to this sweet spot, though a few venture into higher price points, suggesting there might be some premium options available too.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 79 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 pretty fair. Its a solid choice if you’re looking for good value without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about El Metate
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Ridiculously Good Torta & Tortilla Soup!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially the Torta & tortilla soup, which was ridiculously good – the best I've ever had! I will definitely be back every week 😆. The food received a perfect score of 5, and the atmosphere was also rated a 5.
The noise level was quiet, making it easy to talk. The price per person is between $10–20, and we enjoyed indoor dining.
- Torta & tortilla soup10
- food10
- atmosphere10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Perfect Burrito Baby and Delicious Carnitas!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I started with free mixed corn and flour chips. The highlight was a beautifully stuffed and wrapped mission burrito, which I can only describe as a perfect cylindrical little burrito baby.
I also tried the special, which included carnitas and chicharones, along with two carne asada tacos and a chicken quesadilla. Everything was very good, and I was particularly impressed with how well the chicken was seasoned, as this isn't the standard experience. The food quality was a perfect 5 out of 5, and the service and atmosphere were both rated a 4.
- chips8
- mission burrito10
- burrito baby10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
A New Go-To for SF Mexican Food!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The decor is beautiful, managing to be both down-to-earth and thoughtfully colorful. I was particularly impressed with the chips; the puffy ones were amazing and beautifully colored, making me want to hunt them down.
The variety of salsa and sauce was incredible, including a warm salsa for the first time, which was a thoughtful accommodation for all tastebuds. The food itself was big and delicious. My quesadilla was packed with carnitas, and while I wished it was a bit crispier, it was very fulfilling.
My friend's seafood plate could easily feed two people. All our dishes were under $20, a rare steal in SF. This is definitely my new go-to spot for Mexican food in San Francisco!
- decor10
- chips10
- variety of salsa10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
8
Vegetarian Burrito Competes!
I saw in the reviews that they have one of the best vegetarian burritos around, and as a vegetarian, I have to say it can compete. The fresh salsa bar was solid, and I appreciated the pickles I received. We also tried the El Campo torta, and the bread was on point.
- vegetarian burritos8
- fresh salsa bar7
- pickles7
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
6
Disappointing Meat, Lovely Service
I was really hopeful to love this spot, but I was disappointed. I got 4 carne asada burritos for my friends and I, and all of them had mostly uneatable meat (grizzle, fat, etc.). That alone makes this spot a 3-star experience.
On the positive side, the service was lovely and the agua frescas were delicious.
- service5
- agua frescas8
- carne asada burritos2
- meat1
What El Metate offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Delivery
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Outdoor seating
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options are available at El Metate in San Francisco's Mission District?
At El Metate, you can enjoy a full range of dining options throughout the day. They offer delicious choices for lunch, dinner, and dessert, all with comfortable seating available. It’s a versatile spot perfect for any meal, whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a leisurely dining experience.
What kind of food and service options are available at El Metate?
El Metate, a Mexican restaurant, offers a diverse menu including delicious vegetarian options and quick bites. For your convenience, you can choose from delivery, no-contact delivery, takeout, curbside pickup, or dine-in. They also provide outdoor seating, ensuring a comfortable experience for you.
How does El Metate perform across different aspects of the dining experience?
El Metate scores well overall with an 8.2. Its Food (8.3) is highly regarded, as is its Service (8.2) and Ambience (8.1). Value (7) also receives a good rating, making it a generally satisfying choice for many.
What are the standout features of the food at El Metate?
Customers frequently praise the flavorful Mexican food, highlighting items like well-seasoned chicken, delicious mole, and the generous portions. The salsa bar is also a consistent favorite, offering a variety of options.
Are there any common issues visitors experience at El Metate?
Some visitors have noted challenges with parking, describing it as difficult to find. There have also been occasional remarks about inconsistent dish quality, such as dry burritos or watery salsas, and minor service lapses.