Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » El Pollo Supremo – San Francisco
El Pollo Supremo - San Francisco
Photo from El Pollo Supremo
El Pollo Supremo at a glance
San Francisco Outer Mission
- 🍗 Chicken Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 62 of the guests
#2213 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#18 Chicken Restaurant out of 31 in San Francisco
Average
5.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
288
Reviews
51%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious chicken
- Family value
- Great flan
Frequently criticized
- Poor service
- Unpleasant ambience
- Food inconsistency
The restaurant El Pollo Supremo in San Francisco’s Outer Mission neighborhood offers a delightful experience for those seeking a quick and satisfying meal. This casual chicken restaurant is well-regarded for its healthy options, providing a fresh take on classic favorites.
Whether you are looking for a convenient lunch, a relaxed dinner, or even catering services, the welcoming atmosphere makes it an ideal spot. It’s a place where quality chicken meets everyday convenience, perfect for a quick bite.
Overview: Introducting El Pollo Supremo
El Pollo Supremo offers a satisfying experience, particularly for those seeking good chicken and a Family Pack that provides excellent value. Many appreciate the generous portions and delicious sides, making it a go-to for casual meals.
The flan also receives notable praise. However, some concerns arise regarding the overall atmosphere, with mentions of an unappealing bathroom location and crowded tables.
There are also reports of inconsistent service and occasional issues with food flavor or even burnt chicken, suggesting a mixed experience for some patrons.
Average
5.7
out of 10
288
Reviews
51%
Satisfaction
125
negative
16
neutral
147
positive
El Pollo Supremo registers an overall Restaurant Score of 5.7, placing it in the average category. Customer feedback indicates a Customer Satisfaction of 51%, suggesting a mixed reception among diners.
This assessment is drawn from a substantial pool of 288 customer observations, providing a solid foundation for understanding the dining experience here. Digging deeper, Food scores an average 6.4, with many positive comments about the chicken and sides, though some note inconsistencies.
Value stands out slightly better at 6.9, often praised for family-sized options. However, Service (4.0) and Ambience (4.7) fall into the lower range, with numerous negative remarks about staff interactions and the dining environment.
There are 147 positive and 125 negative remarks across all topics.
What people like
- Delicious chicken and sides
- Excellent family value
- Standout flan dessert
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service quality
- Unappealing dining environment
- Occasional food issues
If you’re primarily seeking a good meal with solid Value and don’t mind a no-frills setting, El Pollo Supremo might be worth a visit. The Food can be quite satisfying, especially the chicken and sides, making it a decent option for a casual, budget-conscious meal.
However, with a Recommendation Score of 5.9, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in Service and a less-than-ideal Ambience. It’s a place that delivers on its core offerings but may fall short on overall comfort and customer interaction.
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Verdict: Our expert take on El Pollo Supremo
Food (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this place presents a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.4 and customer satisfaction hovering around 61.1%. Based on 175 customer comments, many of the 107 positive remarks celebrate the delicious charbroiled and fried chicken, often praised for its flavor and moistness. Guests frequently enjoy the generous portions, tasty tortillas, and excellent sides like plantains and flan, making for a satisfying meal.
However, the 58 negative comments highlight some significant concerns. Diners have reported issues such as burnt or dry chicken, reheated food, and even serious worries about food poisoning. There are also mentions of bland sides, overly salty sauce, and a perceived decline in overall food quality or flavor, suggesting inconsistency.
Food
175
Reviews
61%
Satisfaction
58
negative
10
neutral
107
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Flavorful charbroiled chicken
- Delicious sides
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Dry/burnt chicken
- Inconsistent food quality
- Food safety concerns
Often praised
- chickenThis place is very popular and for good reason. I had the Fish and Chix which came with two pieces of chicken, a large piece of fish (with malt vinegar and sauce), fresh hot fries, and hot tortillas. My partner had the four piece chicken combo with rice and beans, which also came with tortillas.
- foodAlthough the restaurant itself has a not so appealing look, that aspect doesn't detract from the experience because the food is simply to die for. My family enjoys getting the Super Especial every couple of months, and it's completely worth it.
- FoodFood:5
- ChickenChicken is wonderful
- fish and chipsthe fish and chips for the first time after all these years, and yes, it's good
- flanEverything was delicious and the portions were huge. We also split a flan which was the best flan I have ever eaten. Definitely coming back!
- rice and beansI had the Fish and Chix which came with two pieces of chicken, a large piece of fish (with malt vinegar and sauce), fresh hot fries, and hot tortillas. My partner had the four piece chicken combo with rice and beans, which also came with tortillas. Everything was delicious and the portions were huge.
- tortillasThis place is very popular and for good reason. I had the Fish and Chix which came with two pieces of chicken, a large piece of fish (with malt vinegar and sauce), fresh hot fries, and hot tortillas. My partner had the four piece chicken combo with rice and beans, which also came with tortillas.
- Beansas well as the beans!
- Black BeansBlack Beans are delicious
Frequently criticized
- chickenIt used to be the best, but my Mother's Day visit was totally different. The food tasted different, the tomato sauce wasn't the same as many times before, and the chicken was also different. The only other detail is that there are no restrooms 🚻.
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was incredibly frustrating. I didn’t even get my food and ended up leaving. They called out an order, but then stated it wasn't mine but for a couple who ordered after me.
- sauceI ordered 30 minutes before arriving, and my order was not ready when I got there. To make matters worse, I found hairs in the food, and the sauce was of very poor quality. I absolutely do not recommend this place.
- flavorIn those days, it was delicious; you could taste every ingredient. Now, some pieces are burnt when you order a lot of chicken, or it doesn't have as rich of flavor.
- salsathe salsa man put a little bit of salt on that thing all I could taste was tomatoes
- tortillasthey need to get better quality tortillas
- 12 pieces orderde 12 piezas que es la orden dan 5 repetidas alas
- breastsome portions of the breast were a bit red inside
- burnedbut burned
- burnt chickenrisk getting burnt chicken!
So, is the food worth it? This spot offers a gamble; if youre lucky, youll get flavorful, charbroiled chicken and great sides. But be prepared for potential inconsistencies, as some experiences point to dry chicken or even food safety concerns.
Service (4 out of 10)
mentioned by 59% of the guests
When it comes to service, there are definitely some bright spots! Out of 68 customer remarks, 19 highlighted positive experiences. Guests often praised the good staff and their friendliness, noting instances of rapid and efficient service and excellent counter service.
Some even called the staff local heroes for their kind and respectful approach. However, the overall picture is a bit mixed, with a score of 4 (average) and customer satisfaction sitting at a rather low 27.9%. A significant 47 comments pointed to issues like long wait times, rude staff, and a general lack of customer care.
Many felt the customer service needs serious improvement, with complaints about incomplete orders and unpleasant interactions.
Service
68
Reviews
27%
Satisfaction
47
negative
2
neutral
19
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Efficient service
- Polite representatives
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Rude staff
- Poor customer care
Often praised
- serviceI've been coming here my entire life, and it never disappoints. Even though I live in Sacramento, I'll make the drive just for them!
- ServiceService:5
- Mr. SantiagoMr. Santiago treated me politely and respectful
- counter serviceCounter service was excellent.
- deliveryOrdered for delivery
- friendlinesscon mucha amabilidad
- good staffThe chicken was so good it made me want to slap my mama. I also enjoyed the good food and the good staff. I had no complaints whatsoever.
- local heroesfolks are local heroes for upholding their community
- no-frill serviceI like the no-frill service
- representativesall the representatives from this restaurant are very friendly
Frequently criticized
- serviceI had already been waiting 10 minutes for my single item. I decided to cut my losses and leave due to the awful service.
- customer serviceThis was my first time visiting the place, and despite its questionable appearance, I decided to give it a try. The customer service needs improvement; the cashier was somewhat rude and not very helpful in suggesting menu options. The food left much to be desired.
- workerslas trabajadoras no tienen educación y no saben tener trato con el cliente
- staffel personal no tiene educación ni modos para atender al cliente
- bad servicedespués me contesta que no pueden hacerme la orden que están muy ocupados mal servicio
- cashierThis was my first time visiting the place, and despite its questionable appearance, I decided to give it a try. The customer service needs improvement; the cashier was somewhat rude and not very helpful in suggesting menu options. The food left much to be desired.
- cooksEverything was charged as extra, and a small drink, mostly ice, cost almost $4 and wasn't refillable because they didn't have or sell bottled drinks. To make matters worse, to wash my hands, I had to go to the back kitchen and noticed the cooks weren't wearing gloves. The bathroom was right in front of the kitchen.
- customer careLack of customer care and food not being as good as I used to.
- cutleryni cubiertos ni tortillas y de mala gana te sirven
- disappointedThey completely disappointed my entire family
If you're considering a visit, be prepared for a potentially mixed bag on the service front. While some find the staff friendly and efficient, many others report significant issues with wait times and overall customer care. It might be a gamble, so manage your expectations.
Ambience (4.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 34% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, there are some definite upsides! Many guests appreciate the no-frill feel and find the restaurant a good choice for large groups, noting its wheelchair accessibility. Plus, the parking lot often gets a shout-out for being free and plentiful, which is always a win.
With 12 positive remarks out of 32 total opinions, it seems some folks really connect with the place's straightforward charm. However, the overall atmosphere has its challenges, reflected in an average score of 4.7 and a rather poor customer satisfaction of 37.5%. Many concerns revolve around cleanliness, with mentions of dirty tables, full trash cans, and issues with restrooms.
The parking situation also drew criticism for being tiny or difficult, and some found the general look of the place unappealing, contributing to 17 negative remarks.
Ambience
32
Reviews
37%
Satisfaction
17
negative
3
neutral
12
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good for large groups
- Ample free parking
- No-frills atmosphere
What people don't like
- Dirty tables
- Unclean restrooms
- Unpleasant atmosphere
Often praised
- atmosphereI've been coming here my entire life, and it never disappoints. Even though I live in Sacramento, I'll make the drive just for them!
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- Free parking lotParking options:Free parking lot
- Plenty of parkingParking space:Plenty of parking
- large groupsEl Pollo Supremo is a good choice for large groups because of the variety of items on their menu.
- no-frill feelI really liked the no-frill feel
- wheelchair accessibilityAll one story building with doors that open wide 2 entrances
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereThe atmosphere in this restaurant was very unpleasant
- parkingThe flavor itself was tasty, not bad. Keep in mind that parking is a bit difficult to find. Food: The chicken was dry and tough, with some portions of the breast being red inside.
- placeThe bathroom was right in front of the kitchen. It's an ugly, expensive, and unhygienic place. I would never go back; it was a fatal experience.
- tablesthe tables are very crowded
- bad timeWe had a bad time
- bathroomTo make matters worse, to wash my hands, I had to go to the back kitchen and noticed the cooks weren't wearing gloves. The bathroom was right in front of the kitchen. It's an ugly, expensive, and unhygienic place.
- not so appealing lookrestaurant itself has a not so appealing look
- parking lotcouldn't be waiting there in the parking lot
- restroomsthere are no restrooms
- spacenot much space to put chairs
If you're looking for a no-frills spot for a large group and value easy parking, this place might work for you. However, be prepared for potential cleanliness issues and a less-than-pleasant overall ambiance, especially concerning restrooms and general upkeep.
Value (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 19% of the guests
Many diners feel theyre getting a good deal on value here, with a score of 6.9 (good) and customer satisfaction at 69.2% (mixed). Despite this, 9 positive remarks out of 13 total highlight "excellent value" and food thats completely worth it. Guests frequently praise the reasonable price and the Family Pack, appreciating that the tip is truly optional.
However, not everyone agrees on the value proposition. With 3 negative remarks, some customers felt it was expensive and even a waste of money. One particularly strong opinion described the place as ugly, expensive, and unhygienic, suggesting that the price didn't justify the overall experience for them.
Value
13
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
3
negative
1
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent food value
- Family Pack offers value
- Tip truly optional
What people don't like
- Can be expensive
- Perceived as waste
Often praised
- priceI typically spend 65-75 dollars every time I visit and I don't mind paying toll
- Family PackFamily Pack is a true value
- excellent valueMy experience at this restaurant was incredibly satisfying, especially for my chicken cravings. These folks are truly local heroes for their commitment to community and culture, offering excellent value and quality of food. Beyond just chicken, they serve fun and exciting Mexican/Cuban cuisine.
- tiptip is truly optional
- tip amountdon't have the stupid tip amount
- valueoffered great value
- worth itAlthough the restaurant itself has a not so appealing look, that aspect doesn't detract from the experience because the food is simply to die for. My family enjoys getting the Super Especial every couple of months, and it's completely worth it.
Frequently criticized
- expensiveThe bathroom was right in front of the kitchen. It's an ugly, expensive, and unhygienic place. I would never go back; it was a fatal experience.
- moneya waste of my money.
- pricethey charge very expensive for selling it
If you're looking for good food that feels like a solid deal, especially with family-sized options and flexible tipping, this place is worth a try. However, be mindful that a few guests found it expensive for the overall experience, so manage your expectations regarding ambiance.
How are the prices at El Pollo Supremo?
You’re looking at roughly 29 per person – reported by 62 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Chicken Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average sits here, we see a good mix of spending habits. Many guests enjoy meals in the $11–$20 range, suggesting some great value options, but there are also diners who opt for more premium experiences, spending upwards of $91–$100. It’s a place that caters to different budgets!
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 62 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Chicken Restaurant in San Francisco, especially given the variety of price points available. It seems like you can find something delicious whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a more indulgent meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about El Pollo Supremo
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Spectacular Brasa and Service!
We had a spectacular experience at this restaurant. The brasa and the quality of the meats were exceptional. This was complemented by fast and efficient service, delivered with great friendliness.
It has been a great discovery. Long live the supreme chicken! From Barcelona - Catalunya.
Josep and Anna Maria.
- brasa10
- quality of the meats10
- service10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
1
Awful Service, No Food Received
My experience at this restaurant was incredibly frustrating. I didn’t even get my food and ended up leaving. They called out an order, but then stated it wasn't mine but for a couple who ordered after me.
I had already been waiting 10 minutes for my single item. I decided to cut my losses and leave due to the awful service.
- food1
- service1
- waiting time2
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Confusing Chicken Portion Sizes
They offer 12 pieces! Meaning, they cut one chicken into 12 pieces! And another combo is 8 pieces, also from one chicken!
So, it's better to buy two whole chickens! The service, atmosphere, and food were all rated 4 out of 5.
- chicken pieces6
- combo6
- two whole chickens7
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Moderate
7
El Pollo Supremo: Tasty Chicken, But Room for Improvement
My experience at El Pollo Supremo was a trip down memory lane. I've known this place on Geneva since the late 90s but had been absent for about a decade until recently. The chicken is char-broiled de la parrilla after being marinated overnight with a secret Mexican family recipe.
While the chicken is tasty, it was noted by other reviewers and myself to be a little dry. The sauce is not bad, but I believe they could offer more variety, perhaps something like Peri-Peri. The beans and rice are decent, but the tortillas are terrible 😔.
On the positive side, the price is reasonable, which is a welcome change from fancy, pricey new joints. Overall, it's a decent option if you're looking for a familiar taste, but there are areas that could be improved.
- chicken7
- sauce6
- beans and rice6
- tortillas2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Tasty Chicken and Great Value
My experience at the restaurant was great! I ordered the 2 pieces with one side and tortillas. The chicken was really good and tasty.
The tortillas were also really good. The price is very reasonable.
- chicken9
- tortillas8
- price9
What El Pollo Supremo offers
Crowd
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Coffee
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Brunch
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is El Pollo Supremo accessible for all guests?
Yes, El Pollo Supremo ensures accessibility for everyone. The restaurant features a wheelchair accessible entrance, a dedicated wheelchair accessible parking lot, comfortable wheelchair accessible seating, and a wheelchair accessible restroom, making it a welcoming environment for every visitor.
What dining options and family-friendly amenities does El Pollo Supremo offer?
El Pollo Supremo provides a variety of dining options including lunch, dinner, and dessert, with comfortable seating available. For families, it is good for kids, offering a dedicated kids’ menu and high chairs to ensure a pleasant dining experience for younger guests.
How does El Pollo Supremo rate overall?
El Pollo Supremo has an overall Restaurant Score of 5.7. While Value (6.9) and Food (6.4) are considered average, Ambience (4.7) and Service (4.0) scores indicate areas needing improvement.
What do customers enjoy most about the food at El Pollo Supremo?
Many customers praise the chicken, sides like rice and beans, and the flan. The Family Pack is frequently highlighted for its excellent value.
Are there any common complaints about the dining experience?
Yes, some patrons have noted issues with the atmosphere, describing it as unappealing or crowded. Concerns about inconsistent service and staff interactions are also mentioned.