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oChef » Kababayan – San Francisco
Kababayan - San Francisco
Photo from Kababayan
Kababayan at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🇵🇭 Filipino Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 20 of the guests
#2103 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#13 Filipino Restaurant out of 15 in San Francisco
Good
6.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
73
Reviews
57.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic Filipino
- Friendly service
- Dish variety
Frequently criticized
- Cold food
- Meat quality
- Foreign object
The restaurant Kababayan is a Filipino Restaurant nestled in the vibrant Mission District of San Francisco, offering you a taste of authentic flavors. You can expect a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
This spot is known for its delicious small plates and vegetarian options, making it a versatile choice for your dining needs.
Overview: Introducting Kababayan
Kababayan offers a taste of authentic Filipino food, often praised for its variety and flavor. Many appreciate the sweet and friendly service from the people running the place, contributing to a welcoming, no-frills atmosphere.
It’s often seen as a spot providing good value for its offerings. However, some experiences point to inconsistencies, particularly with cold food and concerns about meat quality.
There have also been instances of feeling overly charged for certain items, and practical issues like challenging parking can arise.
Good
6.2
out of 10
73
Reviews
57.5%
Satisfaction
23
negative
8
neutral
42
positive
Kababayan holds a respectable overall score of 6.2, placing it squarely in the average range. Customer satisfaction is a mixed bag at 57.5%, indicating that while many patrons leave content, a notable portion have reservations.
These insights are drawn from 73 customer observations, with 42 positive remarks balancing against 23 negative ones. Digging deeper, Service stands out with a strong (7.7), suggesting staff are generally attentive and friendly.
The Food itself also performs well at (6.3), though some specific issues arise. However, Ambience (5.5) and Value (5.1) hover in the average territory, indicating areas where experiences can vary.
What people like
- Authentic Filipino dishes
- Friendly, welcoming service
- Good food variety
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food temperature
- Concerns about meat quality
- Foreign object in food
Kababayan presents a mixed experience, reflected in its 6.5 recommendation score. If you’re seeking genuine Filipino flavors and appreciate a warm, personal touch in service, this spot could be a worthwhile visit, especially for its diverse menu.
However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in food temperature or quality, and some practical inconveniences. It’s a place that shines for its core offerings but has areas where your experience might vary.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Kababayan
Food (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
When it comes to the food, many diners rave about the authentic Filipino food on offer. Youll find delicious items like the flavorful braised beef, tasty mini lumpias, and classic chicken adobo, often praised for its good preparation and generous portions. With 31 positive remarks out of 51 total comments, theres definitely a lot to love here.
However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows, as the overall score of 6.3 and 60.8% customer satisfaction suggest a mixed bag. Some guests felt the quality of the food could be inconsistent, wishing for more choices and expressing concerns about low quality meat or even undercooked dishes. These 16 negative comments highlight areas for improvement.
Food
51
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
16
negative
4
neutral
31
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Filipino food
- Flavorful braised beef
- Generous food portions
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Low quality meat
- Undercooked food
Often praised
- Filipino foodfavorite place for authentic Filipino food
- foodDelicious and affordable food
- varietyLots of variety every time
- Baloteven Balot
- Bistek and riceI got the Bistek and rice
- Chicken & Pork Adobo comboChicken&Pork Adobo combo with white rice
- Filipino tamalesFilipino tamales are bomb
- LaingMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I particularly loved the Laing, which is taro leaves and spices served on rice. My friends also had great chicken BBQ.
- Silogaccommodated my request to make it into a Silog
- all meat DiniguanLove that this place has an all meat Diniguan
Frequently criticized
- foodcold food. I really don’t know what i was expecting. Maybe hot temp food!
- MeatMeat was served cold, same as first visit.
- Shish kebabscharged $13.14 for four Shish kebab‘s that i thought would be at least $8.00. ( they where small portions )
- choicesMore choices
- kababskababs that are made with low quality meat
- low quality meatlow quality meat (chicken and pork)
- more choicesWish they had more choices
- porkUndercooked pork is gross.
- quality of the foodespecially the quality of the food
- steel wool spongeFound part of a steel wool sponge in my food
If youre craving authentic Filipino flavors and dont mind a bit of hit-or-miss, this spot could be worth a try for its standout dishes. Just be aware that while many find the food delicious, some experiences point to inconsistencies in quality and variety.
Service (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 33% of the guests
When it comes to service, guests often rave about the warm welcome! With 5 positive remarks out of 7 total, many found the staff to be sweet and friendly, praising the up front person and servers for being genuinely nice people. This leads to a good score of 7.7 and a strong 71.4% customer satisfaction, indicating a positive experience for most.
However, not everyone was completely won over. One opinion noted that the Service felt more like what youd expect from a "fast food place, " suggesting it wasnt up to par for a sit-down experience. While this is a single point, its worth considering if youre looking for a more attentive, full-service dining experience.
Service
7
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
1
negative
1
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Sweet, friendly staff
- Nice, welcoming people
What people don't like
- Fast-food service level
Often praised
- peopleMy experience at this neighborhood restaurant was fantastic! It's hands down my favorite place for authentic Filipino food, run by really nice people. I was impressed by the lots of variety every time I visit.
- serversThe servers were nice
- serviceThis is a no-frills grub spot where Lolo and Lola are in the back whipping up delicious and affordable food. Just wave, and they’ll greet you with a smile. If you know, you know 🤷🏾♂️.
- sweet and friendlythe person serving us was so sweet and friendly
- up front personcommend the up front person with being a decent guy
Frequently criticized
- ServiceService is what is expected from a “fast food place “ not good
Overall, if you appreciate a friendly, no-frills approach where the people are genuinely nice, youll likely enjoy the service here. Just manage your expectations; its more about a warm, casual vibe than a formal, attentive dining experience. It's definitely worth a try for that authentic, welcoming feel.
Ambience (5.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 29% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot has a certain charm, with folks loving the overall atmosphere and those sweet vibes that make it feel like a cozy hole in the wall. Based on 3 positive points out of 6 comments, it seems many appreciate its no-frills GRUB spot feel. The ambience scores an average 5.5, suggesting its not bad, but not exactly a showstopper either.
On the flip side, based on 2 negative points, some diners found the parking quite challenging, which can definitely put a damper on things before you even get inside. Theres also a wish for a better location, with one person hoping for an East Bay spot. Customer satisfaction for the ambience sits at a mixed 50%, indicating there's definitely room for improvement in these areas.
Ambience
6
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
2
negative
1
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Sweet vibes
- Hole-in-wall atmosphere
What people don't like
- Challenging parking
- Inconvenient location
Often praised
- atmosphereNo frills GRUB spot
- hole in the wallThis place is like a hole in the wall
- sweet vibesSweet vibes here as well.
Frequently criticized
- locationWish they had a location in the east bay
- parkingparking challenging
If youre looking for a casual, no-frills spot with a cozy, hole in the wall feel and dont mind a potential hunt for parking, this place could be for you. Just be prepared for a bit of a challenge getting there, especially if you're not a fan of tricky parking or wish it were in a different area.
Value (5.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 38% of the guests
When it comes to value, some diners found the pricing quite fair, noting it offered great value! and even delicious and affordable food. Based on 3 positive remarks out of 9 total, it seems a portion of customers appreciate what they get for their money, especially regarding the overall price.
However, the sentiment isnt universally positive. With a score of 5.1, placing it in the average range, and customer satisfaction at a poor 33.3%, many felt the price was an issue. There were 4 negative comments, with some customers feeling the food was overpriced or that they were overly charged' for certain items, leading to disappointment.
Value
9
Reviews
33%
Satisfaction
4
negative
2
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fair pricing
- Affordable food
What people don't like
- Overpriced food
- Unexpected charges
Often praised
- priceDelicious and affordable food
- great valuegreat value!
Frequently criticized
- pricecharged $13.14 for four Shish kebab‘s that i thought would be at least $8.00.
- credit cardstold me they weren't working today
- overly chargedOverly charge on kababs
If youre looking for a bargain, this spot might be a bit of a mixed bag. While some find the prices fair, others feel certain dishes are overpriced. Its worth checking the menu carefully before you order to avoid any surprises.
How are the prices at Kababayan?
You’re looking at roughly 17 per person – reported by 20 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Filipino Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most diners spend within this $11–$20 range, showing prices are pretty consistent around the average, though a few folks do opt for cheaper or slightly pricier options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 20 reviews.
A look at how this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering it’s a Filipino Restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers a good balance without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Kababayan
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
1
Found steel wool in my food!
My experience at this restaurant was extremely negative. I found part of a steel wool sponge in my food and am pretty sure I accidentally swallowed another piece. Pictures were attached as proof.
Due to this incident, I won't be coming back.
- steel wool sponge1
- food1
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Value and Vibes!
My first time here was a great experience. I enjoyed the chicken inasal with rice, which the photo doesn't do justice. It was very good and offered great value.
The atmosphere was also sweet. I will definitely be back. Masarap!
- chicken inasal with rice9
- great value9
- sweet vibes8
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Delicious & Affordable Filipino Grub
This is a no-frills grub spot where Lolo and Lola are in the back whipping up delicious and affordable food. Just wave, and they’ll greet you with a smile. If you know, you know 🤷🏾♂️.
I'm looking forward to coming back in March 2024 for the Chicken & Pork Adobo combo with white rice, which will be $10. 40. ALWAYS ask for extra sauce on your rice; you won’t be sorry.
Shout out.
- food9
- Chicken & Pork Adobo combo9
- extra sauce10
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Quick Filipino Lunch Spot
My experience at this restaurant was that of a rusty spoon tucked on the main road in the Mission. It offers quick Filipino food, perfect if you're ever tired or in a hurry during lunch. I tried the Bistek and rice, and it was a great meal.
- Bistek and rice10
- Filipino food9
- rusty spoon6
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
8
Delicious Authentic Flavors!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic, particularly with the food. The braised beef was incredibly flavorful, and the mini lumpias were also good. I enjoyed the authentic taste of the chicken adobo.
While I wish there were more choices, the food was delicious all the way through.
- braised beef9
- mini lumpias7
- chicken adobo8
- more choices4
What Kababayan offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Kababayan Fast Food?
At Kababayan Fast Food, you’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for various dining options. You can enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner, with comfortable seating available. They also offer catering services for your events.
Does Kababayan Fast Food offer quick meal options and vegetarian choices?
Yes, Kababayan Fast Food is an excellent spot if you’re looking for a quick bite, and they also provide a selection of small plates. For those with dietary preferences, you’ll be pleased to find vegetarian options on their menu.
How does Kababayan generally rate among customers?
Kababayan receives an overall score of **6.2** and a mixed customer satisfaction of **57.5%**. While **Service** (7.7) is highly regarded and **Food** (6.3) is appreciated, **Ambience** (5.5) and **Value** (5.1) are considered average.
What are the common opinions about the food at Kababayan?
Customers often praise the **authentic Filipino food** and variety, including dishes like Laing and Filipino tamales. However, some have noted issues with **cold food**, **low quality meat**, or even foreign objects found in meals.
Is the service friendly and is Kababayan considered good value?
The service at Kababayan is frequently described as **sweet and friendly**, with staff often making a positive impression. While many find it offers **great value**, some customers have reported feeling **overly charged** for certain items.