oChef » Il Pollaio – San Francisco » Il Pollaio – San Francisco – Reviews
Il Pollaio - Reviews
555 Columbus Ave, 94133 San Francisco
All reviews at a glance
362
Reviews
84.3%
Satisfaction
38
negative
19
neutral
305
positive
What people say about Il Pollaio
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Visit Type
Service Type
Group Type
Group Size
Meal Type
Wait Time
Noise Level
Price per Person
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Excellent Food, Service, and Value!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic. The food was very good, and the price was reasonable. We also received excellent service from the staff, who were super friendly.
I would recommend this place 100%.
- food9
- price8
- service10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Excellent Food, Service, and Atmosphere!
What a delightful experience at this small, unpretentious restaurant! The food was excellent, with delicious dishes. The service was impeccable, and the atmosphere was wonderful.
What more could one ask for?
- food10
- dishes10
- service10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Authentic Home-Style Food and Warm Service
What a lovely, soulful place. The food was delicious, very much like home-style cooking, which is so hard to find in San Francisco. The owner herself provided the service, and it's clear she is passionate about her work and in the right place.
- home-style cooking9
- owner service10
- soulful place9
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
8
A Taste of Tradition and Innovation
My experience at Il Pollaio, the legendary “henhouse” in North Beach, was a delightful exploration of flavors. Established in 1984, this restaurant specializes in grilled chicken with both Italian and Argentinian influences, offering moist meat with crispy skin. While the grilled chicken is a highlight, my personal favorite was the Half Coniglio (Rabbit), generously seasoned with lemon and paired with a Peroni.
I appreciated finding this rare and healthy, nutritious rabbit meat, a lean protein good for the heart. The steamed potatoes with parsley were also delicious, reminiscent of a Portuguese Club in Newark. The owners, the Castelluccis, have an amazing story of pursuing their “American Dream, ” which is worth looking up.
I do wish their menu would include "coniglio alla cacciatora, " a comforting "Hunters Rabbit Stew. " Overall, it was a memorable dining experience, enhanced by the rich history of the establishment and the unique culinary offerings. Public transport options are also convenient, with several Muni bus lines stopping nearby.
- grilled chicken8
- Half Coniglio (Rabbit)9
- Rabbit meat9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Delicious Chicken, Easy to Digest!
My experience at this little restaurant in San Francisco was wonderful! I make a point to visit any time I'm in town. Bravo!
I have dietary restrictions and cannot eat spicy foods nor onion, but their chicken was easy to digest and delicious. The atmosphere was rated a 5, service a 5, and food a 5. The wait time was non-existent, and the noise level was quiet, making it easy to talk.
The price per person was between $10–20 for dinner.
- chicken9
- atmosphere10
- service10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Amazing Chicken Dinners from Il Pillaio!
I was on Columbus street helping my old Army pal, Joe Schlong, install a Crystatillian Retarder on a Beachfrat Balifoon he acquired from the Philharmonic. The task required the precision of a surgeon with skinny fingers and the ability to work between heartbeats, which was beyond my capabilities. Fortunately, Mary-Joe Chipinski, a retired Bomb Deactivator for the NYPD Bomb Squad, was in town for the Large Munitions Trade Show at the Cow Palace and lent her expertise.
What luck! Joe was so happy with the successful installation that he walked the half block over to Il Pillaio Restaurant and brought back some pretty amazing chicken dinners! 5 ☆☆☆☆☆
- chicken dinners10
- Service10
- Food10
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Excellent Food, Great Value
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The food was excellent, especially the chicken, eggplant, peppers, and onions. They were all fantastic and really hit the spot.
The quantity and quality of the food were impressive, making it a great choice when you're hungry. Considering the price, it was a pretty good deal.
- food10
- chicken, eggplant, peppers and onions10
- quantity and quality9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Amazing Chicken and Lamb!
My experience at this restaurant was wonderful. It's a cozy and warm place with food that is simple yet perfectly executed. I was particularly impressed with the chicken and lamb; they were amazing, achieving an incredible level of crispiness while remaining incredibly juicy.
The grilled onions and squash were also a standout, elevating the main dishes. The owner's presence, often serving customers herself, added a personal touch, and she was a very friendly and pleasant person. :)
- chicken and lamb10
- grilled onions and squash9
- food9
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
8
Good for a Quick, Reasonably Priced Bite
This is a little spot perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. The food is decent – simple, fresh, and reasonably priced. It’s a good place to grab a sandwich or salad if you’re in the area and need something fast.
The service was excellent (5/5) and the atmosphere was good (4/5).
- food7
- price8
- service10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Simple, Tasteful Italian Food - A Refreshing Experience
My experience at this restaurant was a breath of fresh air. Unlike other Italian restaurants that tend to overdo it with cheese and refined flour, the food here is simple and tasteful. I ordered the soup of the day (minestrone soup), a green salad, and some grilled chicken.
All of the dishes were excellent.
- food9
- soup of the day9
- green salad9
- Italian restaurants7
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