Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » La Alteña – San Francisco
La Alteña - San Francisco
Photo from La Alteña
La Alteña at a glance
San Francisco Bernal Heights
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 39 of the guests
#1893 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#105 Mexican Restaurant out of 134 in San Francisco
Good
6.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
191
Reviews
61.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious flavors
- Welcoming atmosphere
- Friendly staff
Frequently criticized
- Poor value
- Inconsistent food
- Service errors
Overview: Introducting La Alteña
La Alteña offers a compelling experience for those seeking satisfying Mexican fare. Many patrons praise the robust flavors of their dishes, particularly the tacos and burritos, often noting the friendly place and staff who make visits pleasant.
It’s a spot where the culinary core often shines through. However, not every visit to La Alteña is without its hitches.
Some experiences point to oily food or skimpy portions, and there are instances of rude service or issues with getting the order right. The value proposition also raises questions for some diners.
Good
6.6
out of 10
191
Reviews
61.8%
Satisfaction
64
negative
9
neutral
118
positive
Overall, La Alteña registers a 6.6, placing it in the average category, with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 61.8%. This assessment comes from 191 customer remarks, comprising 118 positive and 64 negative observations.
While the overall picture is moderate, the Ambience (8.5) stands out as a clear strength, offering a comfortable and welcoming setting for diners. Looking closer, the Food (6.7) and Service (6.9) both hover in the average range, indicating a mixed experience for many.
However, the most significant area for improvement is clearly Value (3.8), which customers frequently found lacking. This suggests that while some aspects are well-received, the pricing structure or portion sizes may not consistently meet expectations.
What people like
- Delicious flavors
- Welcoming atmosphere
- Friendly staff
What people don't like
- Poor value
- Inconsistent food quality
- Service errors
With a recommendation score of 6.5, La Alteña presents a mixed proposition. If you prioritize a pleasant atmosphere and friendly interactions, and are willing to overlook potential inconsistencies in food and value, it could be a suitable choice for a casual meal.
Their tacos and burritos often receive praise. However, for those sensitive to pricing or expecting consistently high food quality and flawless service, La Alteña might disappoint.
Be mindful of the value aspect and potential service hiccups. It’s a place that delivers well in some areas but struggles in others.
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Verdict: Our expert take on La Alteña
Food (6.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
When it comes to the food, many diners are raving! With a solid score of 6.7, the culinary offerings are generally considered good. Out of 73 positive remarks, folks frequently praise the delicious tacos, hearty burritos, and flavorful quesadillas.
The authentic taste and impressive salsa bar also get a lot of love, making for some truly satisfying meals. However, the customer satisfaction, sitting at a mixed 64%, suggests there's room for improvement. Among 38 critical comments, some found the food inconsistent, with mentions of subpar tacos and quesadillas.
Issues like dry fish, unappetizing yellow cheese sauce, and even bad salsa verde occasionally pop up, indicating that not every dish hits the mark.
Food
114
Reviews
64%
Satisfaction
38
negative
3
neutral
73
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic, flavorful food
- Delicious tacos, burritos
- Excellent salsa bar
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Subpar tacos, quesadillas
- Yellow cheese sauce
Often praised
- foodI had the best super quesadilla I have ever tasted. Every visit, I'm greeted with amazing service and even better food. The entire staff, from the chefs to the front-of-house, consistently earns 5 stars from me.
- tacosMy experience at this restaurant was delicious! I had the best tacos I’ve had in SF so far. The staff is lovely, and it's great that they are open late, which is so clutch for late-night hunger.
- burritossome of the best burritos i've ever had
- flavorsMy experience at La Altena was marked by good prices and great flavors. While not widely known, this taqueria is my go-to whenever I'm in the neighborhood.
- foodsThe staff were the most beautiful, and the spot was very clean. I enjoyed their delicious, different, and cheap foods. ♥️😋
- FoodFood:5
- Mexican foodIn my opinion, this is the best Mexican food in San Francisco. I travel more than 40 minutes just to get food from this place.
- carne asada burritocarne asada burrito and noticed that the meat was tender
- super burritoWe got a wet burrito and super burrito.
- wet burritoWe got a wet burrito and super burrito.
Frequently criticized
- tacosgot food poisoning yesterday after we ate the tacos
- chipschips that I received with it were stale
- foodfood was extremely oily and doesn't taste very good
- super burritoOrdered the super burrito but it’s hella skimpy
- Al pastorgot Al pastor and tripa
- FoodFood:1
- Super Nachosit was a horrible unedible mess of a soup
- amount of foodhow it wasnt as much foof as other places
- bag of chipsThis place is supposed to be a Latin taqueria, but they serve yellow cheese sauce with their nachos, which I found disgusting. Furthermore, they charge $15 for super nachos and don't even include a bag of chips. For just $0.
- bagged chipsif you take it to go they will give you bagged chips and they are nowhere near the quality
If youre looking for some potentially delicious Mexican staples like tacos and burritos, this spot could be a hit. Just be aware that while many find the food excellent, theres a chance of encountering some inconsistencies, so manage your expectations.
Service (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 52% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot has some real shining moments! With a score of 6.9, it generally lands in the good range, and many customers rave about the super friendly staff, amazing service, and the convenience of being open late. Out of 33 customer remarks, 22 were positive, often praising the efficient and kind people who work there.
However, the customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 66.7%, indicating there's room for improvement. Some experiences highlight issues like fudged orders, workers lying, and even rude interactions from staff, particularly concerning order accuracy and communication. These 9 negative comments suggest that while many have great experiences, some encounters can be quite frustrating.
Service
33
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
9
negative
2
neutral
22
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Efficient service
- Open late
What people don't like
- Order errors
- Rude staff
- Poor ethics
Often praised
- serviceservice and atmosphere were also top-notch
- ServiceService:5
- staffThe staff, chefs, and entire establishment will always get 5 stars
- English and Spanish spokenEnglish and Spanish spoken
- cashierCashier was nice
- cateringThey catered for a party I hosted in 2 days notice.
- friendliness of peopleThe friendliness of the people working there
- ladsGood LADS!
- open lateopen late too which is so clutch
- people who work hereThe people who work here are always friendly and nice!
Frequently criticized
- orderdoesn't seem to get the order right
- ServiceService:1
- cookspure lazy on the cooks part
- ethicsIf they scam every customer like this, they must be making fantastic profits with phantom charges and abuses of this kind. What poor ethics.
- hung up the phoneI specifically requested no beans in my burrito, but they were added anyway. When I called to address the issue, the worker denied my request and then hung up the phone. This was a frustrating and unacceptable experience.
- make sure order correctmake sure it’s correct
- older ladyThe older lady with glasses who took my order was pretty rude & unfriendly
- worker liedThe worker lied to me
If youre looking for a place with generally friendly and efficient staff, its worth a try, especially if you value places open late. Just be sure to double-check your order before you leave, as some customers have faced issues with accuracy and communication.
Ambience (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 35% of the guests
The vibe here is definitely a winner, with a strong 8.5 score and a fantastic 85.7% customer satisfaction. Guests frequently rave about the Atmosphere and how it's a Friendly place, often highlighting the open space inside and even wheelchair accessibility. Out of 21 comments, a whopping 18 were glowing about the overall feel.
While overwhelmingly positive, there was one comment suggesting the restaurant is a bit rundown. This single observation, however, stands in stark contrast to the many who found it a clean place and their favorite spot to enjoy.
Ambience
21
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
1
negative
2
neutral
18
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great atmosphere
- Friendly, clean spot
- Spacious, accessible layout
What people don't like
- Restaurant rundown
Often praised
- atmosphereThis is a place where you can share with family and friends. The service was very good, and the food had a great flavor.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- Friendly placeFriendly place with English and Spanish spoken
- clean placeFriendly and clean place.
- dining spaceBig dining space.
- favorite spotmy all-time favorite spot
- friendly placeFriendly and clean place.
- open space insidelots of open space inside!
- pace to eatthey have a pace to eat and enjoy the goody
- soccer gamesrandom soccer games with teams you’ve never heard of on the TV
Frequently criticized
- restaurantrestaurant is a bit rundown
If youre looking for a welcoming and spacious spot to hang out with friends and family, this place is definitely worth checking out. The positive atmosphere and high satisfaction suggest youll have a great time, despite one minor note about its upkeep.
Value (3.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 35% of the guests
While only 5 out of 23 opinions were positive, some customers did find the price point and value for money to be acceptable, noting good prices for the flavors received. They felt satisfied with the price per person, adding value to their money. However, the overall score for value sits at a low 3.8, with customer satisfaction at a mere 21.7%.
On the flip side, a significant 16 negative opinions highlight serious concerns about money and prices. Many customers felt ripped off by extra charges and discrepancies between the menu price and the final receipt due to unmentioned taxes or charge per item for card payments. This led to feelings of wasting money on expensive drinks and dishes.
Value
23
Reviews
21%
Satisfaction
16
negative
2
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good price point
- Good value for money
- Satisfying prices
What people don't like
- Hidden extra charges
- Price discrepancies
- Wasted money
Often praised
- Price per personPrice per person:$10–20
- priceWe were satisfied with the price and flavors.
- price pointthe price point of the food is tough to contend with
- pricesMy experience at La Altena was marked by good prices and great flavors. While not widely known, this taqueria is my go-to whenever I'm in the neighborhood.
- value for moneythe value added to your money
Frequently criticized
- priceThe price of the tacos is $3.50 each, which seems high
- moneywasting my money on this garbage
- $61It was $61 down the toilet
- Pricealmost $15 for soup and stale chips
- charge per item03 and were listed separately. The employee then made up a story about a charge per item when paying with a card, a charge that was never mentioned anywhere, either written or verbally. This is the first and last time I will buy here.
- drinksThe drinks are expensive
- extra chargeswants to rip off its customers with extra charges they don't tell you about
- menu pricemenu are listed for $15.95 but when I got my receipt
- pricesjudging by the prices
- receiptwhen I got my receipt I ended up paying $17.63
If youre considering this spot, be prepared for potential surprises when it comes to your bill. While a few found decent value for money, the overwhelming sentiment points to high prices and unexpected extra charges. It might be worth a try if youre very careful, but don't expect great value.
How are the prices at La Alteña?
You’re looking at roughly 20 per person – reported by 39 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Mexican Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, most diners (27 out of 39) are right in that $11–$20 sweet spot, showing prices cluster nicely around the average.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 39 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for a mid-range Mexican spot. You’re getting good value for your money!
Customer Reviews: what people think about La Alteña
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Takeout
3
Inconsistent Burrito Experience
My first visit to this taqueria for a regular burrito was pretty good. However, my second visit for a super burrito to go was not great. The older lady with glasses who took my order was pretty rude & unfriendly.
The first time, I received tortilla chips with my regular burrito, but this time, they were an extra dollar. While I understand extra charges, there was no sign indicating this, making me feel the lady was being rude. The burrito itself wasn't as good as the first time, suggesting inconsistent food quality, and I thought the cheese tasted weird.
Consequently, I won't be returning.
- super burrito4
- older lady2
- tortilla chips3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Delicious Mexican-Style Cheeseburger!
My experience was incredibly positive! Everything was very tasty. The tripitas tacos were delicious, and the cheeseburger was so good, it tasted like it was made in Mexico.
The service, atmosphere, and food all received a perfect 5/5.
- tripitas tacos9
- cheeseburger9
- food10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Amazing Tacos, Friendly Staff!
My experience at this restaurant was largely positive, primarily due to the chicken super tacos. I find them to be absolutely amazing and I return again and again specifically for this item. While the tacos themselves deserve 5 stars, other items I've tried have received fewer stars.
I'm very happy this place is here! The people who work here are always friendly and nice!
- chicken super tacos10
- people who work here9
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Hidden Charges and Poor Ethics
This place wants to rip off its customers with extra charges they don't tell you about. I bought chilaquiles that were listed on the menu for $15. 95, but when I got my receipt (which I've attached so you can see), I ended up paying $17.
63. The employee told me it was because of taxes, but I pointed out that the taxes were $2. 03 and were listed separately.
The employee then made up a story about a charge per item when paying with a card, a charge that was never mentioned anywhere, either written or verbally. This is the first and last time I will buy here. If they scam every customer like this, they must be making fantastic profits with phantom charges and abuses of this kind.
What poor ethics.
- chilaquiles5
- extra charges1
- menu price2
- receipt2
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
3
Subpar Tacos, Decent Salsa Bar
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing regarding the main dishes. The tacos and quesadillas were subpar, and I believe there are much better options available in the immediate area. However, the salsa bar was pretty decent.
- salsa bar7
- tacos2
- quesadillas2
- options2
What La Alteña offers
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Late-night food
- Beer
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Quiet
FAQs
How does La Alteña generally perform?
La Alteña holds an overall score of 6.6, indicating an average experience. While Ambience (8.5) is a strong point, Food (6.7) and Service (6.9) are average, and Value (3.8) is a notable weakness.
What are the standout food items at La Alteña?
Many customers highlight the tacos and burritos for their good flavors. Specific mentions include the super quesadilla and carne asada burrito for their quality.
Is La Alteña considered good value for money?
Customer opinions on value are mixed, with a score of 3.8. While some find the prices reasonable, others express concerns about high costs for certain items and unexpected extra charges.