Highlights
- Great beer selection
oChef » El Rey Taquiza Artesanal – San Francisco
El Rey Taquiza Artesanal - San Francisco
Photo from El Rey Taquiza Artesanal
El Rey Taquiza Artesanal at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🍽️ Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 87 of the guests
#774 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#99 Restaurant out of 254 in San Francisco
Good
7.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
502
Reviews
83.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Handmade Tacos
- Attentive Service
Frequently criticized
- Billing Issues
- Wait Times
The restaurant El Rey Taquiza Artesanal in San Francisco’s vibrant Mission District offers a truly authentic culinary experience. This cozy, casual, and trendy spot is renowned for its great beer selection, making it a perfect destination for a quick bite or a relaxed dinner.
You’ll find a welcoming atmosphere whether you’re stopping by for lunch or enjoying small plates with friends. It’s a fantastic choice for those seeking quality food and a lively setting.
Overview: Introducting El Rey Taquiza Artesanal
El Rey Taquiza Artesanal offers a generally positive dining experience, with many guests appreciating the quality of their offerings. The focus on `handmade tortillas` and flavorful meats, like the `al pastor`, often leaves a strong impression, complemented by a welcoming atmosphere.
However, some visitors have noted inconsistencies, particularly concerning `misleading pricing` and occasional `long waits` for food. While the `friendly staff` often receives praise, these issues can sometimes detract from an otherwise enjoyable meal.
Good
7.9
out of 10
502
Reviews
83.3%
Satisfaction
73
negative
11
neutral
418
positive
El Rey Taquiza Artesanal earns a solid restaurant score of 7.9, reflecting a generally good experience for diners. This is further supported by a strong customer satisfaction rate of 83.3%.
These positive sentiments are drawn from over 500 customer observations, with a significant majority of 418 positive remarks against 73 negative ones. Delving into specifics, the Service (8.5) and Food (8) are clear standouts, consistently receiving high marks.
The Ambience (7.9) also contributes positively to the overall experience. However, Value (5.9) registers as an average point, indicating that while many find the offerings worthwhile, some customers perceive the pricing as less competitive.
What people like
- Delicious handmade tortillas
- Attentive, friendly service
- Vibrant, clean atmosphere
What people don't like
- Inconsistent pricing/billing
- Occasional long food waits
- Small portions for price
El Rey Taquiza Artesanal presents a compelling option if you prioritize well-crafted food and a welcoming environment. With a recommendation score of 8.2, it’s generally a place that delivers on its culinary promises and provides engaging service.
While some guests have pointed out concerns regarding value and occasional service delays, the overall positive feedback suggests these are not universal. If you’re seeking authentic flavors and a pleasant dining experience, it’s a solid choice, but it’s wise to be aware of potential pricing discrepancies.
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Verdict: Our expert take on El Rey Taquiza Artesanal
Food (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, you're in for a treat! With a good score of 8 and a good customer satisfaction of 83.9% across 317 opinions, diners rave about the delicious, authentic flavors. Many highlight the amazing handmade tortillas, flavorful al pastor tacos, and the fantastic salsa bar.
However, not all 42 negative opinions were thrilled. Some found the meat dry and bland, with portions often feeling small. A few even mentioned cold food being served, which can definitely be a dealbreaker for some.
Food
317
Reviews
83%
Satisfaction
42
negative
9
neutral
266
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Handmade tortillas
- Authentic flavors
- Delicious tacos
What people don't like
- Dry, bland meat
- Small portions
- Cold food
Often praised
- tacosYou can really taste the smokiness in the red sauce and the green sauce is wonderfully tart. Most importantly, the tacos are SO DELICIOUS! They feature handmade tortillas, juicy chicken, flavorful garnish, tasty poc chuc, and pastor with pineapple chunks.
- foodYou can really taste the smokiness in the red sauce and the green sauce is wonderfully tart. Most importantly, the tacos are SO DELICIOUS! They feature handmade tortillas, juicy chicken, flavorful garnish, tasty poc chuc, and pastor with pineapple chunks.
- tortillasMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The tacos were excellent, truly a "chef's kiss" experience, and they make their tortillas by hand. They tasted similar to the tacos I had in Mexico City and were full of flavor.
- drinksgood selection of drinks at the bar
- FoodThey also have Mexican beer on tap, which was a great addition. The food, service, and atmosphere were all top-notch.
- al pastorMy experience at this restaurant was absolutely fantastic. I tried several of their tacos, including the suadero (brisket), al pastor, carnitas, and chorizo, and found them all to be outstanding. The service was also a highlight, being especially courteous, with the owner being very nice.
- al pastor tacosYou can truly feel the love and care they put into their food. From the salsa bar with freshly cut radishes and cucumbers to the pineapple on the al pastor tacos, this place rocks. Their peppers are oh so spicy and delicious.
- handmade tortillasIt's fantastic to see a taqueria that prepares al pastor on a trompo. For me, the essentials of a great taqueria include handmade tortillas, well-seasoned meat, and spicy, flavorful salsas. The atmosphere is also key, with a good playlist of banda, cumbia, and Mexican classics, complemented by excellent service from the staff.
- salsa barsalsa bar with freshly cut radishes and cucumbers
- brisketThe brisket is, I think, an unusual meat option and is very good.
Frequently criticized
- tacosMy experience at this restaurant was mixed. The tacos were a bit too expensive for their size, and I felt the meats weren't as fresh as they could be. The only positive aspect was the customer service, which was good.
- meatHowever, the portions have been disappointing each time and are not worth the money. On one occasion, the burrito I had barely had any meat (probably 8 bites of meat in the whole thing). Additionally, the guacamole was inedible because of how old the avocado tasted.
- meatsMy experience at this restaurant was mixed. The tacos were a bit too expensive for their size, and I felt the meats weren't as fresh as they could be. The only positive aspect was the customer service, which was good.
- portionsMy experience at this restaurant was quite dissatisfying and disappointing, primarily due to the food quality. The meat was dry, and the portions were small. Even the horchata was only mid at best.
- al pastorSu al pastor dejo mucho que desear
- al pastor chunksal pastor chunks to be very chewy
- burst on the first biteTacos burst on the first bite
- carnitas tacosThe carnitas tacos had no flavor whatsoever
- cold foodfood coming out cold
- consomméconsomme was cold
Overall, the food here seems to hit the mark for many, especially if you appreciate authentic flavors and fresh, handmade tortillas. While some experiences mention dry meat or small portions, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests it's definitely worth a try for a tasty meal.
Service (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 63% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 8.5 and a customer satisfaction rate of 88%, its clear that most diners have a good experience. Out of 75 comments, a whopping 66 were positive, frequently praising the friendly staff, attentive staff, and even the owner Pepe for their excellent customer service.
Many found the service super friendly, helpful, and often fast, making for a memorable dining experience. However, its not entirely without its hiccups. A few of the 75 comments, specifically 9, pointed to some areas for improvement.
Terms like long wait, wait time, and excuses popped up, with some guests reporting waits of up to 45 minutes for food. A couple even described the service as horrendous or struggling with efficient service, suggesting occasional inconsistencies in speed and responsiveness.
Service
75
Reviews
88%
Satisfaction
9
negative
0
neutral
66
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Owner interaction
- Quick service
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Slow food delivery
- Poor communication
Often praised
- serviceThe restaurant is clean and welcoming, and the availability of a salsa bar is a great addition. Ordering at the register makes the service simple and fast. It's a great choice for food in the Mission!
- staffI'm not sure if this is just for opening weekend or a daily occurrence, but I'll definitely be back to try them and will ask when I return. The service was fast, and the staff were all so friendly and kind! The atmosphere felt like a cute sit-down restaurant but with taqueria prices.
- ServiceThe pricing was good for this style of taqueria. Service was quick and efficient. My only point of improvement is that the music was really loud for the middle of the day.
- ownerWhenever Pepe (the owner) is in, he'll stop by our table to chat
- PepeIn addition to having great food, we had a memorable experience. Pepe encouraged us to try new things and offered samples when we couldn’t decide. Highly recommend!
- attentionthe attention is good
- attention from workersthe attention of the workers exelente
- attention to detailAttention to detail by the staff
- attentive staffattentive staff ensure a delightful time
- cooksThe cooks are amazing!
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe service is just plain horrendous
- efficient serviceused to have great, efficient service
- excusesgave ridiculous excuses for not refunding
- finding someonefinding someone was a struggle
- long waitwaited for nearly 45 min
- long waits for foodlong waits for foods
- wait timetacos, which took 45 minutes to bring out
- water availabilityDidn’t even have water available
Overall, you can expect a largely positive service experience here, with many praising the friendly and attentive team. While there are occasional reports of longer waits, especially for food, the high customer satisfaction suggests these are not the norm. It's definitely worth a visit if you value a welcoming atmosphere and helpful staff, just be prepared for a potential wait during busy times.
Ambience (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 59% of the guests
The vibe here is definitely a highlight, with customers giving the ambience a solid 7.9 score and a strong 86.1% customer satisfaction! Many of the 68 positive remarks praise the stylish and clean space, often describing it as having a warm, inviting atmosphere and a great vibe overall. It sounds like a truly pleasant place to be.
However, it's not all quiet contemplation. A few of the 10 negative comments point out that the atmosphere can get quite loud or noisy, especially when karaoke is happening. Some even found it a bit generic at times, suggesting it might not always hit the mark for everyone seeking a tranquil experience.
Ambience
79
Reviews
86%
Satisfaction
10
negative
1
neutral
68
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean, inviting space
- Stylish decor
- Great vibe
What people don't like
- Loud music
- Noisy atmosphere
- Loud karaoke
Often praised
- atmosphereI particularly loved the tamarind flavored water; it's truly one of a kind. The atmosphere was also a highlight, rated 5/5, making it a nice place to watch a game. The food and service also received perfect scores.
- AtmosphereThey also have Mexican beer on tap, which was a great addition. The food, service, and atmosphere were all top-notch.
- ambianceThe ambiance was nicely decorated and very modern
- placeThe place is brand new, very clean
- cleanMy experience at the restaurant was very positive. The place was very spacious and clean. The attention from the workers was excellent, and the tacos were very good, with a different style.
- vibethe place had a really cool vibe to it
- restaurantthe whole restaurant is bright and clean
- Mexican musicwith Mexican music
- amazing restaurantJose and his team have built an amazing restaurant
- art and decorationloved the art and decoration of this place
Frequently criticized
- karaokethe Saturday night karaoke is really throwing off the ambiance
- musicthe music was really loud for the middle of the day
- ambiancethrowing off the ambiance
- ambienceThe ambience in this place is absolutely horrific
- atmosphereatmosphere was very noisy
- generic and blanddecorated to match the food, generic and bland
- generic restaurantsone of the most generic restaurants I've ever eaten in
- loudIt's just too loud and overwhelming
If you're looking for a lively, clean, and often festive spot with a good vibe, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be aware that it can get quite loud, especially during events like karaoke, so it might not be your ideal choice for a quiet, intimate meal.
Value (5.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 24% of the guests
When it comes to getting your money's worth, this spot has some definite upsides! Many customers rave about the reasonable price and overall value, especially with tempting offers like Taco Tuesdays and other great deals. With 18 positive remarks out of 31 total, it seems many find a decent bang for their buck here.
On the flip side, the value score is an average 5.9, and customer satisfaction is a mixed 58.1%, suggesting some areas for improvement. There are concerns about portions not being worth the money, and some have encountered misleading pricing or even dishonest business practices, with 12 negative comments highlighting these issues.
Value
31
Reviews
58%
Satisfaction
12
negative
1
neutral
18
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Great deals
- Taco Tuesday value
What people don't like
- Misleading pricing
- Dishonest billing
- Poor portion value
Often praised
- priceschanged their prices so I tried it again. It was really good
- priceprice is right
- Taco TuesdayIt’s hands down tastier than El Taqueria, el farolito, nopalito, or tacolicious. Pro tip: you get your third taco free on Taco Tuesday.
- Taco Tuesday specialTaco Tuesday special was incredibly worth it
- Taco Tuesdays3 for 2 on Taco Tuesdays is also a nice bonus.
- affordable priceat an affordable price.
- decent price pointat s decent price point.
- fairly pricedhow fairly priced the food is
- great dealCharola de Tacos, great deal
- nicely pricedthe food was nicely priced
Frequently criticized
- billdiscrepancies between menu prices and bill
- deceptionIt felt like a deception
- dishonest billingDespite being a good tipper, I left no tip for the server due to the shady billing practices. Between the dishonest billing and awful food, I strongly advise staying away.
- dishonest business practicesVery dishonest business practices going on here
- menusblamed on outdated menus
- moneyI've eaten here a handful of times because the carne asada itself tastes good. However, the portions have been disappointing each time and are not worth the money. On one occasion, the burrito I had barely had any meat (probably 8 bites of meat in the whole thing).
- pricea bit excessive the price for the size
- price per tacopay nearly 4$ per taco for this
- pricescharged higher prices than what was listed
- pricingMisleading pricing and unfair excuses
If youre hunting for a good deal, especially on specials like Taco Tuesday, this place might just hit the spot. But keep an eye out for potential pricing surprises or portion sizes that might not always feel like the best value. Its a bit of a mixed bag, so proceed with a discerning eye!
How are the prices at El Rey Taquiza Artesanal?
You’re looking at roughly 20 per person – reported by 87 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, most diners cluster heavily around this $11–$20 range, with a good number also spending a bit more in the $21–$30 bracket. So, prices definitely stick to this sweet spot!
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 87 reviews.
A look at how this restaurant’s value compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a good mid-range option without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about El Rey Taquiza Artesanal
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
7
Mixed Taco Experience
My experience at the restaurant was a mix. The chicken taco tijuana style and saudero taco tijuana style were excellent, featuring juicy chicken and crisped pieces of saudero. Every piece was edible and had good flavor with the guac.
While I usually go traditional, these worked well. However, I found my al pastor chunks to be very chewy, making it impossible to finish more than a bite.
- chicken taco tijuana style9
- saudero taco tijuana style9
- guac8
- al pastor chunks2
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Loud
8
Great Food, Loud Karaoke
I'm a big fan of this place, and I have to say the food is excellent, receiving a perfect score. The service also deserves a top rating. However, the Saturday night karaoke is really throwing off the ambiance.
It's just too loud and overwhelming, impacting the overall atmosphere.
- food10
- service10
- karaoke3
- ambiance3
- loud2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Cold Tacos After Long Wait
My experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing. We endured a long wait of nearly 45 minutes for our tacos. When they finally arrived, the tacos were cold, dry, and completely lacked any condiments or even oil, making them hard to swallow.
It was a true shame to wait so long and pay nearly $4 per taco for such a poor quality meal. The food quality was a significant letdown, especially after such a considerable wait time.
- long wait2
- tacos1
- hard to swallow1
Price per Person
- $91–$100
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Long Wait, Dry and Flavorless Food
My experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing. We ordered a charro with 15 tacos, and it took 45 minutes for them to be served. When the tacos finally arrived, the meat was dry and lacked flavor.
This was a significant letdown, especially after such a long wait.
- tacos2
- wait time2
- meat1
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
5
Lamb Quesabirria: Small Portions, Cold Consommé
My experience at the restaurant involved trying the Lamb Quesabirria. While the taste was fine, I found the portion sizes to be small. A notable issue was that the consommé arrived cold.
The restaurant does offer a self-serve salsa bar. Overall, the food received a rating of 3, while service and atmosphere were rated 4.
- Lamb Quesabirria6
- self serve salsa bar5
- portion sizes3
- consommé2
What El Rey Taquiza Artesanal offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Hard liquor
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
Is El Rey Taquiza Artesanal accessible for wheelchair users?
Absolutely. El Rey Taquiza Artesanal prioritizes accessibility, offering a wheelchair accessible entrance, comfortable wheelchair accessible seating, and a dedicated wheelchair accessible restroom. This ensures that all guests can enjoy their dining experience without any concerns.
What dining options and atmosphere does El Rey Taquiza Artesanal offer?
El Rey Taquiza Artesanal provides a range of dining options including lunch, dinner, and dessert, with comfortable seating available. The atmosphere is described as cozy, casual, and trendy, making it an ideal spot for a relaxed meal or a quick bite with friends or family. They also offer catering services.
What is the overall customer sentiment for El Rey Taquiza Artesanal?
El Rey Taquiza Artesanal generally receives good feedback, with a restaurant score of 7.9 and customer satisfaction at 83.3%. Food (8) and Service (8.5) are highly rated, while Ambience (7.9) is also well-regarded. Value (5.9) is seen as more average.
What do customers particularly enjoy about the food at El Rey Taquiza Artesanal?
Many customers praise the delicious `tacos`, especially the `al pastor` with pineapple, and highlight the quality of the `handmade tortillas`. The `salsa bar` and unique `brisket` option also receive positive remarks.
Are there any common concerns or areas for improvement mentioned by diners?
Some diners have expressed concerns about `misleading pricing` or `dishonest billing` practices, as well as `small portions` relative to the cost. Occasional `long waits` for food and `loud music` in the dining area have also been noted.