Highlights
- Great beer selection
oChef » Garaje – San Francisco
Garaje - San Francisco
Photo from Garaje
Garaje at a glance
San Francisco South Beach
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 116 of the guests
#806 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#35 Mexican Restaurant out of 134 in San Francisco
Good
7.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
522
Reviews
77.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Great food
- Good beer
- Friendly service
Frequently criticized
- Unreliable hours
- Soggy fries
- High cost
The restaurant Garaje in San Francisco’s vibrant South Beach neighborhood offers you an authentic Mexican dining experience. You’ll discover a casual and trendy spot perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed dinner.
This cozy establishment is particularly known for its great beer selection, making it an ideal destination if you appreciate a well-curated drink menu alongside your meal. Whether you’re looking for lunch or dinner, Garaje provides a welcoming atmosphere.
Overview: Introducting Garaje
Garaje offers a lively spot where the culinary offerings generally hit the mark, especially for those seeking satisfying tacos and burritos. The atmosphere often contributes positively to the experience, making it a comfortable place to unwind and enjoy a casual meal.
However, some guests have noted inconsistencies with the overall value, finding certain items a bit pricey. While the staff is often praised for being friendly, there are occasional concerns regarding operational hours and service consistency, which can impact the visit.
Good
7.8
out of 10
522
Reviews
77.2%
Satisfaction
87
negative
32
neutral
403
positive
Garaje maintains a solid overall standing with a 7.8 score, reflecting a generally positive experience for many. Customer satisfaction also aligns well, sitting at 77.2%, indicating that most visitors leave content.
This assessment is drawn from a substantial 522 customer observations, with 403 positive remarks outweighing 87 negative ones. The Food (8.3) stands out as a clear strength, frequently highlighted for its quality and variety.
The Ambience (7.9) also contributes positively to the dining experience, offering good vibes. However, Service (6.6) is more of a mixed bag, and the Value (5.9) proposition appears to be the weakest link, with some guests finding certain items a bit expensive.
What people like
- Delicious Tacos/Burritos
- Good Beer Selection
- Friendly Staff
What people don't like
- Inconsistent Hours
- Soggy Fries
- High Prices
If you’re seeking a casual spot with generally satisfying food, particularly their zapatos and tacos, Garaje is worth considering. The lively atmosphere and often friendly service contribute to a pleasant visit, making it a good choice for a relaxed meal.
However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies in service hours and the pricing, which some find a bit steep. With a solid 8.1 recommendation score, it’s a place many enjoy, but managing expectations regarding value and operational consistency will enhance your experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Garaje
Food (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
The food here generally hits the mark, boasting a good score of 8.3 and a strong 84.3% customer satisfaction. Out of 300 opinions, 253 rave about delicious offerings like the fried chicken sandwich, unique Zapatos (burritos), and a fantastic beer selection, with many also praising the excellent burgers. It sounds like a flavorful experience awaits!
However, not every bite is perfect, with 27 negative comments. Some customers noted issues like soggy fries, bland fish tacos, or overdone steak. A few also felt the food could be expensive when no sides were included, suggesting some minor inconsistencies to be aware of.
Food
300
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
27
negative
20
neutral
253
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious Zapatos
- Amazing chicken sandwich
- Great burgers
What people don't like
- Soggy fries
- Bland fish tacos
- Overdone steak
Often praised
- foodThis place carries an interesting atmosphere, but if you're the free spirit type who just wants a good beer and good food, you're in for a treat here. Try the zapatos.
- tacosThe food is amazing, and the staff is super friendly, especially Victor at the front. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy some tacos and a cold beer.
- beer selectionGreat beer selection as well.
- burgersI had a very good experience with their tacos, which were excellent. They also serve good burgers and a selection of good beers. The overall vibe of the restaurant was fantastic, a solid 👌🏽.
- burritosthe burritos are tasty, savoury and muy caliente
- zapatosThey are well known for their zapatos
- beerIt's a great little spot conveniently located on the way to Oracle Stadium. I enjoyed a huge beer and a delicious burrito thing. The prices were fair, and the overall atmosphere had good vibes.
- Carne Asada FriesCarne asada fries and los picantes(vegerarian) a must
- OG zapatoGet the OG zapato and a Mexican lager. It’ll probably change your life.
- ZapatosZapatos (their version of burritos) were great
Frequently criticized
- friesthe fries were really bad. Soggy and tasted like fish
- French friesThey need to fry them longer so they come out crispy and not soggy
- foodI found the crab sandwich to be terrible and the fries were so greasy. For the price of $42, I expected much better quality, and unfortunately, the food was garbage. It was a very disappointing meal.
- BBQ sauceBBQ sauce was excessively sweet, which I felt detracted
- FriesFries weren't great
- O.G. ZapatoO.G. Zapato is now $24
- beef tacobeef taco seem very small
- bugs in foodfound bugs in my food
- burgersMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The food was awful, with dry burgers and an inedible taco. Even the fries weren't great.
- chimichurrithey put way too much chimichurri on it and it was dripping oil
If you're craving flavorful, unique Mexican-inspired fare and killer burgers, this spot is definitely worth a visit. Focus on their highly praised specialties like Zapatos and chicken sandwiches for a delicious meal, but be aware that some side dishes might not always hit the mark.
Service (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 54% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot has some real bright spots! Many customers rave about the friendly service and the staff being super nice and helpful. Youll often find comments praising the quick service and attentive servers, making for a pleasant dining experience.
Overall, the service scores a decent 6.6, with a 60% customer satisfaction rate, indicating a generally positive, though somewhat mixed, experience. However, its not all smooth sailing. Based on 90 customer remarks, with 54 positive and 31 negative, some common frustrations pop up.
Guests have mentioned issues with long lines and inconsistent closing hours, sometimes leading to disappointment. There are also a few reports of unprofessional attitude or a rude manner from some staff members, which can definitely sour the experience.
Service
90
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
31
negative
5
neutral
54
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Quick service
- Attentive servers
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Inconsistent hours
- Rude staff
Often praised
- servicethis time it was excellent so happy to make a note of it
- staffI highly recommend this place. The food is amazing, and the staff is super friendly, especially Victor at the front. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy some tacos and a cold beer.
- ServiceService is fast and friendly
- VictorI highly recommend this place. The food is amazing, and the staff is super friendly, especially Victor at the front. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy some tacos and a cold beer.
- customer serviceReally excellent customer service
- great servicesmall places with great service
- cashierthe cashier was super friendly and helpful
- credit cardsNow accepts credit cards post pandemic
- drink decisionthat your drink decision was on point
- driving thereMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially the food. While the music was a little loud, the food itself was so good that it was well worth actually driving there for lunch. On my first visit, I came for burgers, but after trying the carne asada fries, I knew I had to return.
Frequently criticized
- servicerefused to serve me and my friend stating that I was rude
- lineThe riceless burritos are great; I recommend adding cabbage for an extra crunch. Be prepared to arrive early, as there is always a line.
- Google hoursupdate your Google hours
- Lunch dine-inLunch dine-in ends at 2pm
- advertised open hoursduring advertised open hours but they randomly decided to close
- business of localsthey don’t need the business of locals
- closedThe food is some of the best grub I've had in SF, truly a hidden gem. However, the biggest downside is how often they are closed, which is quite frustrating. Additionally, the prices keep climbing, making it less affordable than it used to be.
- closing earlyHowever, the service was disappointing, rated at 2 out of 4. Despite having a group of 10, the restaurant decided to close a half hour early and asked us to leave at 8: 30 p. M.
- closing hoursthey close before their stated hours
- closing timestart passively asking people to leave an hour+ before closing time
If youre looking for generally friendly and quick service, especially during regular hours, its worth a try. Just be prepared for potential lines and double-check their operating times to avoid disappointment, as consistency can be an issue.
Ambience (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 61% of the guests
The ambience here truly shines, earning a 7.9 score and a 79.6% customer satisfaction, both indicating a good experience. Guests frequently praise the atmosphere, great vibes, and casual spot feel, often highlighting the cool decor. With 82 positive remarks among 103 total comments, its clear many love the lively setting.
However, its not without its quirks, as 16 comments point out. Some find the noise level a bit high for conversations, and limited seating can be a challenge. A few also mention parking difficulties, which can impact the overall arrival experience.
Ambience
103
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
16
negative
5
neutral
82
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great vibes
- Fun atmosphere
- Cool decor
What people don't like
- Can be loud
- Limited seating
- Parking is tough
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I loved the great food options and the fun atmosphere. Specifically, the tacos 🌮, chicken sandwich 🥪, and Guava Cider were highlights of my meal.
- vibesI enjoyed a huge beer and a delicious burrito thing. The prices were fair, and the overall atmosphere had good vibes.
- placeI absolutely love this place! It was a super super awesome experience, truly the best place ever. Thank you for all that you do; keep it up!
- vibeoverall, the vibe is pretty nice here
- ambianceambiance was exactly what we wanted
- casual spotas well as a casual spot for the evening
- musicThis place is insanely good. Food, beers and music.
- seatingComfortable with plenty of seating
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- Caltrain stationPretty close to Caltrain station
Frequently criticized
- parkingSomewhat difficult to find parking
- insideBit dark and loud inside
- Parking spaceDifficult to find parking
- SeatingSeating can be tricky
- ambiancechemical cleaning ruining any ambiance
- area by the menuarea by the menu gets crowded
- area outsidearea outside can seem sketchy
- hourstheir hours are the oddest ever
- limited seatinglimited seating on the main floor
- maximum occupancy durationTables also have a max occupancy duration now
If youre looking for a lively, casual spot with great vibes and cool decor, youll likely love it here. Just be prepared for potential noise and plan your visit to avoid peak times if you're concerned about seating or parking.
Value (5.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 23% of the guests
When it comes to value, many diners found things to like, with 14 positive comments highlighting that items are often reasonably priced and offer fair prices. Guests appreciate getting a good amount of filling for the price, feeling its a good value overall. While the overall score sits at an average 5.9, theres a clear appreciation for affordability among these reviews.
However, the value isnt universally praised, with 13 negative remarks pointing out that some dishes can be a bit pricy or even expensive. Concerns were raised about price increases and specific items like the burger price being too high. This contributes to a mixed 48.3% customer satisfaction, indicating that while some find it fair, others feel its not quite worth the cost.
Value
29
Reviews
48%
Satisfaction
13
negative
2
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonably priced
- Good value
- Fair prices
What people don't like
- A bit pricy
- Expensive items
- Price increases
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was largely positive, with great food and a great music selection. The self-service model was efficient, and the price is pretty cheap for San Francisco. However, it was a bit too loud for comfortable cross-table conversations, which impacted the overall atmosphere.
- pricesvery reasonable prices.
- reasonably pricedvery reasonably priced
- cash onlyNo longer cash only
- fair pricesUnd das zu fairen Preisen!
- filling for the priceyou do get a decent amount of filling for the price
- valueJust right, value-wise!
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was positive, particularly with the food. I found the burritos to be good, though a little pricey. The fish taco was a standout, featuring a huge slab of fish, and the pineapple habanero was also delicious.
- burger priceburger was decently expensive for no sides
- cashremember to bring cash
- expensiveMy experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. While the food was good, I felt it was kinda expensive for what you get. The pictured item cost $18 before tax and tip.
- food pricesfood prices were a little high
- highly rated placeExpected more from such a highly rated place
- making moneyGuess they don't like to make money?
- price increasesSignificant price increases recently
- pricesHowever, the biggest downside is how often they are closed, which is quite frustrating. Additionally, the prices keep climbing, making it less affordable than it used to be.
- pricyIt’s a bit pricy, tacos especially
This spot offers a mixed bag when it comes to value. You'll find some dishes are quite reasonably priced and offer good bang for your buck, but be aware that other items might feel a bit expensive. If you choose wisely, you can still get a decent meal without breaking the bank.
How are the prices at Garaje?
Expect to pay about 22 per person, based on 116 reviews. That places it in the $21–$30 category. For a Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s fair – not the cheapest, but reasonable for a satisfying meal.
Most guests tend to spend in the 11-30$ range, indicating a solid mid-range offering rather than a mix of super cheap or ultra-premium options.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 116 most recent reviews.
Heres how this restaurants value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Mexican restaurant in San Francisco. It hits a sweet spot for quality and value.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Garaje
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
1
Disappointing Zapatos, Okay Sandwiches and Tacos
My experience at this restaurant was largely negative, primarily due to the zapatos, which were bland beyond comprehension. I never imagined Mexican food could be so tasteless, but this place managed it. The fried chicken sandwich and veggie tacos, however, received decent reviews.
The service was below par; the waitstaff scoffed at us for trying to find a table for five and were impatient, even though there was no one waiting behind us. Overall, it was a 1/10 experience, and I will never be going back.
- fried chicken sandwich6
- veggie tacos6
- zapatos1
- service2
- waitstaff2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
7
Incredible Food, Unprofessional Service
My experience at this restaurant was a tale of two halves. The food was truly extraordinary and incredible, coming out remarkably quick. However, the experience was significantly marred by the guy at the front desk, who was unnecessarily rude and unprofessional.
He seemed to lack empathy and humanity, highlighting a distinct absence of customer service. Despite the amazing food, his unprofessional attitude made me hesitant to return.
- food10
- guy at the front desk2
- customer service3
- unprofessional attitude3
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Amazing Food and Friendly Staff!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I highly recommend this place. The food is amazing, and the staff is super friendly, especially Victor at the front.
It’s the perfect spot to enjoy some tacos and a cold beer.
- food10
- staff10
- Victor9
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Hidden Gem for Rice-less Burritos!
I tried the cali steak zapato and I love it. Initially, I doubted I would like it, but I think this is one of the best rice less burritos in town. They have a large serving portion and the price is reasonable.
I think the place is popular with employees working nearby. For us, this is a very cool place to get food after a drink. The staff are accommodating and friendly.
The vibe of the place is retro and this kind of restaurant really gives you good vibes. I will try eating here again. :)
- cali steak zapato9
- rice less burritos10
- serving portion8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Unique Mexican Food Worth the Visit
My experience at this restaurant was wonderful. I enjoyed the unique and inspired Mexican food, which is unlike anything else in the area. They also offer a good selection of beers.
The place is well worth the visit for its flavorful, unique offerings. The service was excellent (5/5) and the food was outstanding (5/5), contributing to a pleasant atmosphere.
- Mexican food10
- selection of beers8
- flavorful unique offerings10
What Garaje offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Late-night food
- Beer
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What dining and service options are available at Garaje?
Garaje offers flexible service options including takeout, delivery, and dine-in for your convenience. You can enjoy their delicious Mexican fare for both lunch and dinner, with late-night food also available for a quick bite. Onsite services are always ready to welcome you.
What is the atmosphere like at Garaje, and is it wheelchair accessible?
Garaje provides a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere for your dining pleasure. You’ll be pleased to know it’s fully wheelchair accessible, with both an accessible entrance and seating available. This ensures a comfortable experience for all guests.
What are the standout food items at Garaje?
Customers frequently praise Garaje’s **tacos**, **burritos**, and unique **zapatos**, along with their **Carne Asada Fries**. Many also appreciate the diverse **beer selection** available.
How is the overall dining experience at Garaje?
Garaje generally offers a good experience, reflected by its **7.8** overall score and **77.2%** customer satisfaction. The **Food** (8.3) and **Ambience** (7.9) are strong points, though **Service** (6.6) and **Value** (5.9) are areas with mixed feedback.
Are there any common issues to be aware of before visiting Garaje?
Some patrons have noted challenges with **parking** and occasional inconsistencies with the restaurant’s **hours**, including early closures. Additionally, certain items like **fries** have been described as soggy, and some find the overall **prices** a bit high.