Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » El Rancho Grande – San Francisco
El Rancho Grande - San Francisco
Photo from El Rancho Grande
El Rancho Grande at a glance
San Francisco Haight-Ashbury
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 64 of the guests
#2200 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#125 Mexican Restaurant out of 134 in San Francisco
Average
5.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
276
Reviews
54.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Affordable pricing
- Friendly staff
Frequently criticized
- Unclean bathrooms
- Pricing issues
- Service inconsistency
The restaurant El Rancho Grande invites you to experience authentic Mexican flavors right in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. This casual spot is perfect for a relaxed meal with friends or family, offering a welcoming atmosphere that’s good for kids.
Whether you’re craving a quick bite during the day or delicious late-night food, you’ll find satisfying options here.
Overview: Introducting El Rancho Grande
El Rancho Grande offers a mixed experience, with many patrons appreciating its delicious tacos and affordable prices. The menu provides a good selection, and the staff often receives praise for being friendly and attentive.
It seems to be a place where you can find satisfying meals without breaking the bank. However, some visits are marred by concerns regarding the dining environment, with mentions of a disgusting bathroom and general cleanliness issues.
Service can also be inconsistent, and a few customers have reported dishonest business practices related to pricing, which is certainly a point of concern.
Average
5.8
out of 10
276
Reviews
54.3%
Satisfaction
109
negative
17
neutral
150
positive
Overall, El Rancho Grande registers an average performance with a Restaurant Score of 5.8. Customer sentiment is mixed, reflected in a Customer Satisfaction of 54.3%.
This assessment is drawn from 276 customer remarks, showing a balance of 150 positive observations against 109 negative ones, indicating areas for both commendation and improvement. Looking closer at specific aspects, the Food (6.1) and Value (6.0) are the strongest points, both landing in the average range.
However, Ambience (5.2) and Service (5.1) lag slightly behind, also falling into the average category. While no single area truly shines, the consistent average across the board suggests a generally acceptable, if not outstanding, dining experience.
What people like
- Delicious Mexican food
- Affordable pricing
- Friendly staff
What people don't like
- Unclean bathrooms
- Pricing discrepancies
- Inconsistent service
With a Recommendation Score of 5.9, El Rancho Grande presents itself as a viable option for those seeking casual Mexican fare. If you prioritize Value and Food quality, particularly for items like tacos and burritos, you’ll likely find something to enjoy here.
However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in Service and Ambience, especially concerning cleanliness. It might be worth a visit if you’re in the area and looking for a quick, budget-friendly meal, but manage your expectations regarding the overall dining experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on El Rancho Grande
Food (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
When it comes to the food, many diners find plenty to love, with 103 positive remarks out of 178 total. Guests frequently rave about the delicious birria tacos, the super burritos that are often described as enormous, and the generous portions offering excellent flavor. It seems theres a lot to satisfy your appetite here!
However, the experience isnt always perfect, reflected in an average score of 6.1 and a mixed customer satisfaction of 57.9%. Some 62 negative comments point to issues like lack of flavor in certain dishes, cold burritos, and concerns about greasy food or meat quality. It suggests some inconsistency in execution.
Food
178
Reviews
57%
Satisfaction
62
negative
13
neutral
103
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Birria tacos stand out
- Generous portions
- Excellent flavor
What people don't like
- Lack of flavor
- Cold food
- Poor meat quality
Often praised
- foodHowever, recently, there's a new person at the cash register who honestly lacks customer service skills. While the food tastes good, it is a little overpriced. After a year of loyal daily patronage, I won't be returning.
- tacosall three tacos I got with different meats (al pastor, pollo, asada) were delicious
- burritoThe prices are very good, and for $17. 17, you get a standard burrito (more than enough!) and a drink. It's unbeatable for San Francisco!
- FoodFood was good
- birria tacosVery few places have defeated my appetite to the full extent that El Rancho Grande has. The birria tacos are delicious, and they have a great selection of other foods too. I dined in for lunch and the price per person was between $10–20.
- burritosthe burritos stand out with rich and satisfying flavors
- Mexican foodbetter Mexican food in the Haight
- chips and salsaappreciated the free chips and salsa
- eloteIt's hard to find good elote in SF, but this place has one that is pretty good. They have a large menu and nice staff.
- menuThe menu delivers a delightful selection
Frequently criticized
- foodBesides, the food took too long, and I ordered a michelada, which didn't arrive until the end of the meal. Terrible service, and I want my money back because we left all the food.
- burritoAfter that, they would roll up the burrito and hand it over. To my dismay, the entire inside of the burrito was freezing cold. I will never order food from here again.
- tortillaThe overlap part of my burrito tortilla was so hard
- chimichangaCold chimichanga
- meatno flavor in the meat
- ricebeans and rice were cold
- shrimpthe shrimp was not prawn size it was just regular shrimp with no seasoning
- steakthe steak wasn't crispy or well done it was tuff and gamey had no flavor
- Torta Milanesaworst torta Milanesa I’ve ever ate
- Veggie tacoOne single Veggie taco was $7.25
If youre craving generous portions of Mexican staples like birria tacos and super burritos, this place might be worth a visit. However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in flavor and temperature. Its a mixed bag, so go in with tempered expectations.
Service (5.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 49% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot seems to be a bit of a mixed bag, with a 5.1 score putting it squarely in the average range. Many customers have praised the 22 positive remarks, highlighting the friendly staff, attentive servers, and kind and accommodating service, often noting how quickly their food arrived. It sounds like when theyre on, theyre really on!
However, with 25 negative comments, customer satisfaction sits at a rather mixed 44.9%. Some experiences point to issues with order accuracy, a new person at the cash register with a poor attitude, and frustratingly slow service or wrong orders. It seems there's definitely room for improvement in consistency, especially at the counter.
Service
49
Reviews
44%
Satisfaction
25
negative
2
neutral
22
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, kind staff
- Attentive service
- Fast food delivery
What people don't like
- Inaccurate orders
- Poor cashier attitude
- Slow service
Often praised
- servicethe service a perfect 5
- staffI used to frequent this restaurant daily for lunch because I work in the area, and the staff was always friendly. However, recently, there's a new person at the cash register who honestly lacks customer service skills.
- ServiceService:5
- attentionloved her attention
- attention and serviceIf there are tacos al pastor on the trompo, come on over, come on over. The attention and service were top-notch, and there's a great variety of Mexican dishes.
- cashierCashier was very friendly
- counter serviceand good counter service.
- friendly staffThe food was great, especially the pork nachos and the al pastor super burrito. What impressed me most were the affordable prices and the friendly staff. The service was excellent, and the atmosphere was enjoyable.
- kindShe was very kind
- kind and accommodatingstaff has always been kind and accommodating
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe service also received a low rating.
- ordergot me an inaccurate and wasteful order
- waiting timethey still took forever to make my food
- CashierCashier and the Cook didn’t even care to fix my order
- CookCashier and the Cook didn’t even care to fix my order
- attitudegave me a lot of attitude
- business practicesDishonest business practices
- cashierBut as soon as I arrived at the place, I asked the cashier if I could have a surf and turf. For this, the cashier told me that they never sold it there. Well, I ordered food and when it was time to pay, they charged me 115.
- customer servicethe customer service was very poor
- customer trustThis is not only illegal but also leaves a terrible taste in customers' mouths. I won't be returning, not because of the small amount of 74¢, but because I do not support businesses that abuse their customers' trust.
If you're looking for a quick bite and hoping for a friendly face, you might just get lucky with some great service. However, be prepared for the possibility of a less-than-stellar experience, especially regarding order accuracy or cashier interactions.
Ambience (5.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 26% of the guests
Many customers found the atmosphere and ambience to be quite pleasant, often described as welcoming and family friendly. Some appreciated the clean environment and wheelchair accessibility. With 11 positive remarks out of 22 total customer comments, there's a definite upside to the vibe.
However, the overall impression is a bit of a mixed bag, reflected in a customer satisfaction of 50% and an average score of 5.2. Several guests noted issues like loud music and a distracting aroma of disinfectant. More concerning were reports of unpleasant odors in the upstairs dining area and disgusting bathrooms, leading to cleanliness concerns.
Ambience
22
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
11
negative
0
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Welcoming atmosphere
- Family-friendly dining
- Wheelchair accessible
What people don't like
- Disgusting bathrooms
- Unpleasant odors
- Cleanliness issues
Often praised
- atmospherethe atmosphere was nice though
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- placethe place was not super busy at 3pm on Saturday so we had areas to sit
- Wheelchair accessibilityWheelchair accessibility:Yes
- ambienceThe ambience initially sets a welcoming tone
- cleanestá limpio
- family friendlyFamily friendly dining
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereThe atmosphere also received a low rating.
- bathroomBefore you come to eat here, GO INTO THE BATHROOM! It’s SOOOOOO DISGUSTING, you couldn’t possibly trust the workers to be sanitary. The bathroom condition made me question the overall sanitary practices of the establishment.
- aroma of disinfectantthe aroma of disinfectant a bit distracting
- loud musicThe price was also very good. However, I do struggle with loud environments, and there was a lot of loud music being played from different places, which was a personal preference issue. Overall, the incredible food and service made for a great visit.
- odorprecarious odor present in the upstairs eating area
- restaurant atmospheresome questionable Haight Ashbury characters came into the restaurant and loitered suspiciously
- restaurant cleanlinessThe restaurant is not very clean
- sanitary practicesBefore you come to eat here, GO INTO THE BATHROOM! It’s SOOOOOO DISGUSTING, you couldn’t possibly trust the workers to be sanitary. The bathroom condition made me question the overall sanitary practices of the establishment.
- upstairs dinning areaupstairs dinning area stinks badly of urine
If a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere is your priority and you dont mind a bit of noise, you might find the ambience acceptable. However, be aware that significant concerns about cleanliness, particularly in the bathrooms and upstairs dining area, could be a dealbreaker for some. Its a mixed bag, so manage your expectations regarding hygiene.
Value (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 31% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot seems to be a bit of a mixed bag, landing an average score of 6 with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 51.9%. Many folks appreciate the reasonable prices, often finding great deals like two for one taco special or 4 Tacos for $10, feeling they get a lot of food for buck and affordable prices. Out of 27 total comments, 14 lean positive, highlighting good bargains, especially for San Francisco.
However, not everyone is thrilled, with 11 negative comments pointing to some concerns. Some customers felt the place was overpriced or encountered pricing tactics where the prices charged didnt match the menu, leading to frustration about the price on register being higher than expected. It seems theres a bit of inconsistency in how value is perceived or delivered.
Value
27
Reviews
51%
Satisfaction
11
negative
2
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Great special deals
- Good food for buck
What people don't like
- Overpriced items
- Inconsistent pricing
- Billing discrepancies
Often praised
- pricesI had a really good experience eating here. The prices are very good, and for $17. 17, you get a standard burrito (more than enough!) and a drink.
- affordable pricesThe food was great, especially the pork nachos and the al pastor super burrito. What impressed me most were the affordable prices and the friendly staff. The service was excellent, and the atmosphere was enjoyable.
- priceOnly $36 for my wife and I to eat here
- 4 Tacos for $104 Tacos for $10 in San Francisco show me a better deal!
- San FranciscoFor San Francisco unschlagbar!
- cheap Mexican foodbest places to eat for cheap Mexican food
- fair pricefor the portion it was a fair price
- food for buckMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I got a lot of food for my buck, which is always a plus. It's clear why both locals and tourists love this place.
- happy houryou can get even better bargains!
- two for one taco specialTwo for one taco special is insane!
Frequently criticized
- priceif im gonna be charged for things i dont want ill save more money
- billcharged me 115..but when I took the receipt there said 110
- ice$10 for ice.
- overpricedit is a little over priced
- price on menuprice on the menu
- price on registerprice on the register rang up higher
- pricesPrices are pretty steep for old food
- prices chargedPrices charged do not match current menu prices
- pricing tacticsMy experience at this restaurant was extremely negative due to illegal pricing tactics. I was ripped off because the prices charged did not match the current menu prices.
If you're looking for a potential bargain, especially with specials, this place might be worth a shot. However, be mindful of the pricing and perhaps double-check your bill, as some customers have reported discrepancies.
How are the prices at El Rancho Grande?
You’re looking at roughly 19 per person – reported by 64 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests (42 out of 64) spend within this $11–$20 range. While there are a few cheaper and some slightly pricier options, the pricing clearly clusters around this sweet spot.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 64 reviews.
A comparison of this restaurant’s value for money against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering it’s a Mexican restaurant in San Francisco, a city known for its vibrant food scene and higher prices, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers good value for a mid-range experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about El Rancho Grande
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
7
Yummy Nachos, Slow Start
It was a great place to stop by while thrifting in the Haight. As others have mentioned, the service is a little slow; we waited about 5 minutes for our order to be taken even though we were the only ones there. However, getting our food was fast.
We had nachos with beans, and for the portion size, it was a fair price. The food was yummy, and the place wasn't too busy at 3 pm on a Saturday, so we had plenty of areas to sit!
- food5
- nachos with beans7
- fair price7
- service4
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Good Mexican Food, Not the Best
My experience at this restaurant was pretty good, though not as good as their other location. I'm not aware of any better Mexican food in the Haight, so it's a solid choice for that cuisine. The food itself was rated a 4 out of 5, and the service received a perfect 5 out of 5.
While it's a good option, it doesn't quite reach the heights of their other establishment.
- Mexican food8
- food8
- service10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Terrible Service and Burnt Food
My experience at this restaurant was quite negative. The lady at the counter acted as if everyone was inconveniencing her to place an order. The al pastor was burnt to a crisp in an awful way.
I would suggest going elsewhere.
- lady at the counter1
- al pastor1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Loud
8
Delicious Birria Tacos & Great Service!
My experience at this restaurant was largely positive, with delicious food and great, fast service. I particularly enjoyed the Birria tacos, which were absolutely delicious. The price was also very good.
However, I do struggle with loud environments, and there was a lot of loud music being played from different places, which was a personal preference issue. Overall, the incredible food and service made for a great visit.
- Birria tacos10
- food9
- price8
- loud music3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
6
Huge Burrito, Slow Service, Wrong Order
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. I had to wait an unusually long 20 minutes for my burrito, even though there were only two other people in the establishment. To make matters worse, my order was incorrect.
However, despite these service issues, the burrito itself was huge and tasty. The atmosphere was pleasant, rated a 4 out of 5.
- burrito9
- atmosphere8
- waiting time2
- order2
What El Rancho Grande offers
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Happy hour drinks
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is El Rancho Grande accessible for all guests?
Yes, El Rancho Grande ensures a comfortable experience for everyone. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, wheelchair accessible seating, and a wheelchair accessible restroom available.
What dining options and special offerings are available at El Rancho Grande?
At El Rancho Grande, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. They also offer late-night food, happy hour drinks, small plates, and a selection of wine and beer, including vegetarian options.
How does El Rancho Grande rate overall?
El Rancho Grande holds an average Restaurant Score of 5.8, with Customer Satisfaction at 54.3%. Its Food (6.1) and Value (6.0) are its stronger points, while Ambience (5.2) and Service (5.1) are slightly lower, all within the average range.
Is El Rancho Grande a good option for budget-friendly dining?
Yes, many customers praise El Rancho Grande for its affordable prices and good value, with some noting two for one taco specials and generous portions for the price.
Are there any common concerns about the dining experience at El Rancho Grande?
Some patrons have noted issues with unclean bathrooms and a general lack of cleanliness in the Ambience. There are also reports of inconsistent service and pricing discrepancies.