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oChef » Lahore Karahi – San Francisco
Lahore Karahi - San Francisco
Photo from Lahore Karahi
Lahore Karahi at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🍛 Pakistani Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 37 of the guests
#1822 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#8 Pakistani Restaurant out of 9 in San Francisco
Good
6.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
374
Reviews
66.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Poor service
- Dated decor
The restaurant Lahore Karahi is a vibrant Pakistani Restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s lively Mission District. You can catch the latest sports action here while enjoying authentic flavors.
This spot offers a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed dinner, with options for late-night cravings and small plates. It’s a fantastic choice for you if you’re seeking delicious halal food and vegetarian options in a welcoming setting.
Overview: Introducting Lahore Karahi
Lahore Karahi appears to be a place where the culinary experience takes center stage, offering genuinely delicious food that many find comforting. While the flavors are a clear draw, some aspects of the dining experience, particularly the overall atmosphere, might not be for everyone.
It seems to be a spot where the kitchen truly shines. Customers often highlight the affordable prices, making it a compelling choice for those seeking good value.
However, some experiences with the staff have been less than ideal, suggesting a mixed bag when it comes to service consistency. It’s a restaurant with clear strengths and areas for improvement.
Good
6.8
out of 10
374
Reviews
66.3%
Satisfaction
106
negative
20
neutral
248
positive
Lahore Karahi holds a respectable Restaurant Score of 6.8, indicating a generally positive reception, though not without its nuances. Customer Satisfaction stands at 66.3%, suggesting a mixed but leaning positive sentiment among patrons.
These figures are drawn from 374 customer opinions, with 248 positive and 106 negative remarks, providing a solid foundation for understanding the restaurant’s performance. The Food (7.8) is clearly the star, consistently earning high marks for its quality and taste.
However, Service (4.4) registers as a weaker point, often falling short of expectations. The Ambience (5.8) and Value (5.6) both hover around average, indicating they are generally acceptable but not standout features for most diners.
What people like
- Delicious food
- Good value
- Friendly staff
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Dated ambiance
- Hygiene concerns
If you prioritize flavorful, well-prepared food and appreciate good value, Lahore Karahi is certainly worth considering. The strong focus on the cuisine, reflected in its 7.1 Recommendation Score, suggests that the kitchen delivers where it counts most for many patrons.
It’s a place to enjoy a meal, perhaps with a focus on takeout or a casual visit. However, if a polished dining room or consistently attentive service are high on your list, you might find Lahore Karahi a bit of a compromise.
Go for the food, but manage your expectations regarding the overall dining environment and service consistency.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Lahore Karahi
Food (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 88% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this place generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.8 and a customer satisfaction of 78.3%, diners frequently rave about the delicious and authentic Indian/Pakistani fare. Out of 244 total comments, a whopping 191 were positive, highlighting favorites like the fluffy Naan, flavorful Biryani, and creamy Chicken Tikka Masala.
However, not every dish is a winner. Around 40 comments pointed out some areas for improvement. Some found the food to be bland or lacking flavor, with instances of undercooked chicken or cold and dry naan.
It seems consistency can sometimes be an issue.
Food
244
Reviews
78%
Satisfaction
40
negative
13
neutral
191
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Indian food
- Delicious Naan, Biryani
- Creamy Tikka Masala
What people don't like
- Food often bland
- Quality inconsistent
- Chicken undercooked
Often praised
- foodTheir food is so delicious and comforting
- butter chickenI had a fantastic experience with the food, which was truly delicious. The cheese garlic naan was a standout, as was the smooth and creamy butter chicken. The moist tandoori chicken leg and the prawn biryani rice were also excellent, with the rice perfectly spiced and packed with ingredients.
- naanI usually order to go and enjoy eating at my workplace or in my car. My order often is tikka masala with white rice and naan.
- chicken tikka masalait’s always chicken tikka masala, rice, veggies semosas, and garlic naan you can not go wrong with this
- Indian foodsome of the best Indian food in the city
- NaanThe Naan soaks up the curry
- curriesIt's one of those places we always make sure to visit whenever we're in the area. I've even driven an hour just for their curries on some occasions because they are absolutely delicious.
- garlic naanit’s always chicken tikka masala, rice, veggies semosas, and garlic naan you can not go wrong with this
- lamb vindaloohad to try the lamb vindaloo it made me cry, worth it
- mango lassithe mango lassi was as perfect
Frequently criticized
- foodThe food was very creamy and not authentic at all
- qualityquality and service of this place has completely degraded
- BiryaniNot enough spices in the Biryani and it had mushrooms
- Chicken BiryaniIt was Chicken Fried rice not the biryani.
- Chicken Fried RiceIt was Chicken Fried rice not the biryani.
- Matar paneerMatar paneer was also bland
- NaanStale Naan: smelt like of was on the verge of going bad
- Pakistani foodDoesn't look pakistani
- beefNO BEEF what the hell
- boneless butter chicken currybest described as Boneless butter chicken curry
Overall, if you're craving flavorful and authentic Indian/Pakistani cuisine, this spot is definitely worth a try. While there might be occasional inconsistencies, the majority of diners leave satisfied with their meal, especially if you stick to the popular dishes.
Service (4.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 44% of the guests
When it comes to service, it's a bit of a mixed bag here, with a score of 4.4 and customer satisfaction hovering at a poor 39.1%. However, some customers did find bright spots, praising the friendly staff, quick service, and convenient delivery or takeout options. There are mentions of accommodating owners and chefs, making for pleasant interactions.
On the flip side, based on 40 negative opinions compared to 27 positive out of 69 total remarks, there are significant concerns. Many experienced abysmal service, rude staff, and incredibly long waiting times. Issues with delivery, refunds, and even hygiene were frequently brought up, leading to frustration and bad customer service experiences.
Service
69
Reviews
39%
Satisfaction
40
negative
2
neutral
27
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Convenient delivery
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Long waits
- Order issues
Often praised
- serviceAlways great service too
- staffThe staff is kind and caring
- friendly stafffriendly staff
- ownerloved the owner shes really accommodating
- Quick serviceQuick service.
- ServiceAlso everyone was recommending the pizza here
- asking if needed anythingsomeone actually ask if I need anything
- chefThe chef was honestly interested
- customer servicethe customer service was truly amazing
- deliveryThey also do delivery, which is super good
Frequently criticized
- staffI recently had a dreadful experience at this place. The service was abysmal, and the staff seemed completely uninterested. To top it off, they don’t use gloves while handling food, which is both alarming and unacceptable.
- serviceI recently had a dreadful experience at this place. The service was abysmal, and the staff seemed completely uninterested. To top it off, they don’t use gloves while handling food, which is both alarming and unacceptable.
- waiting timepromised us to prepare the foods for 30 minutes but he just spent our time
- behaviorBad behavior no respect he need school to Learn how to be nice to the people
- answerstheir answers were unclear.
- apologizeno effort of trying to apologize
- bad customer servicebad customer service 😑 😒
- bag the foodcontinued to bag the food
- cashierthe cashier insisted that my card did not go through
- cooks wearing masks2 of the 3 cooks handing food were wearing masks
Service here can be quite inconsistent. While you might encounter friendly staff and quick service, be prepared for potential long waits, rude interactions, or issues with orders and delivery. If consistent, top-notch service is a priority, you might want to consider other options.
Ambience (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 33% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot offers some genuine charm! Many guests appreciate the Cosy atmosphere and find it quite relaxing, with some even noting a surprisingly clean bathroom or the engaging open kitchen. With 20 positive remarks, it seems theres a lot to like about the overall feel, especially if youre seeking a real experience.
Yet, the ambience isnt universally praised, with a score of 5.8 indicating an average experience and customer satisfaction at a mixed 48.8%. Several opinions, totaling 16 negative comments, point to issues like a dirty environment, unappealing decor, and a less-than-ideal neighbourhood, suggesting its not an upscale place for a romantic dinner.
Ambience
41
Reviews
48%
Satisfaction
16
negative
5
neutral
20
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy, relaxing atmosphere
- Clean bathroom
- Open kitchen view
What people don't like
- Dirty environment
- Poor decor
- Bad neighborhood
Often praised
- AtmosphereAlso everyone was recommending the pizza here
- Cosy atmosphereCosy atmosphere
- Local North Indiafelt real Local North India
- ambianceLocation and ambiance were good too
- atmosphereIt has a good atmosphere
- bathrooma surprisingly clean bathroom.
- break from the cityWhat a break from the city around
- clienteleYou can see it has a regular clientele
- empty restaurantMy experience at the restaurant was unique. The only good things were that the restaurant operates very late and it's absolutely empty. So, go there if you want to skip all the rush.
- establishmentAnything I order from here is always sure to leave me wanting more. I cannot sing enough high praise to this darling establishment.
Frequently criticized
- decorDont come here for the decor
- neighborhoodThe garlic naan was also a highlight – warm and soft. While the restaurant is situated in a really bad neighborhood, the food is absolutely worth it.
- placeplace itself is a bit of a hole in the wall
- ambienceNot a great ambience place to visit.
- atmospherethe restaurant was not kept clean on general
- decor and ambianceThe decor and ambiance are not what you go here for.
- dine inIf you want to dine in this is. Not the place
- dirtydirty & unfriendly place
- hygienelack of basic hygiene is both alarming and unacceptable
- locationI also found the mango lassi to be amazing. Unfortunately, I learned that this location is now closed. When I walked by the other day, the staff informed me it will be a Mediterranean restaurant going forward.
If youre after a casual, authentic, and potentially quiet spot where the food is the main event, this place might be worth a try. Just manage your expectations regarding the setting; its not an upscale or romantic destination, and some found the cleanliness and neighborhood to be drawbacks.
Value (5.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 17% of the guests
When it comes to value, its a bit of a mixed bag, with 10 positive remarks highlighting aspects like worth every penny and great promo deal options. While the overall score sits at an average 5.6 and customer satisfaction is a mixed 50%, theres definitely a sense that some experiences hit the mark with affordable prices and generous portions. However, its not all sunshine and savings, as an equal 10 comments expressed concerns.
Some felt things were pricey or even overcharged, especially when having to order a la carte, suggesting that the price can be crazy high' and not always justified.
Value
20
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
10
negative
0
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good deals available
- Worth the cost
- Affordable prices
What people don't like
- High prices
- Overcharging issues
- A la carte adds up
Often praised
- pricesMy experience at this restaurant was primarily focused on the food. While the decor is not great and might not be the draw for those seeking a particular atmosphere, the food itself is incredibly delicious and offered at affordable prices. This makes it the best place for a satisfying meal.
- priceThe price is a very reasonable price
- dealwhich was a pretty good deal
- promohad a promo for buy one get one free
- worth every pennyEven after moving away, I'd return to bring dishes back for family and friends. It's a very authentic, hole-in-the-wall restaurant that is worth every penny. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Frequently criticized
- priceThe price was not justified for this
- a la cartehave to order everything a la carte
- chargealmost double charged. I was charged $23 for a $20 order
- delivery pricesPrices r supposed to be lesser fr delivery
- kids' soda drinkspay for 2 kids' soda drinks
- overchargedOvercharged and almost double charged
- pricesAlthough I haven't eaten here recently, I have in the past. I found that nothing can justify these prohibitive prices. There's a Halal /Kosher Tandoor Gulch just a block away with Chutney, Pakwan, Red Chilli & Kinara, offering far more reasonably priced fare.
- priceyit gets pricey
- spending $50spending $50 on indian food
Value here seems to be a bit of a gamble, so you might find some great deals, but also some surprisingly high costs. If you catch a promo or are looking for generous portions, you could be pleasantly surprised, but be mindful of potential pricey items or a la carte ordering that can add up.
How are the prices at Lahore Karahi?
You’re looking at roughly 27 per person – reported by 37 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Pakistani Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Whats cool is that while the average is 27, a good chunk of guests actually spend less, often in the $11–$20 range. Then you have some who go for a more premium experience, which balances out the average. It shows theres a nice spread of options for different budgets!
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 37 most recent reviews.
Heres how this restaurants value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering the variety in spending and the average price point, we feel the pricing is quite fair for a Pakistani Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers options for different budgets while maintaining a mid-range average.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Lahore Karahi
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
7
Decent Halal Option, Not Super Authentic
My experience at this restaurant was with their halal food. While it's a decent option, I'm unsure if it's the best choice for Desi individuals seeking a truly authentic and "chutputta" (spicy/tangy) flavor profile. However, if butter chicken is your go-to dish, you'll likely find it satisfactory.
The atmosphere, service, and food were rated a 3 out of 5, indicating a generally average experience across these aspects. The noise level was quiet, making conversation easy during our lunch meal. The price range per person was between $20–30.
- halal food7
- Desi folks5
- food6
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
1
Extremely Disrespectful and Dirty Staff
My experience at this restaurant was extremely negative due to the disrespectful and dirty staff. They avoided eye contact, provided unclear answers, and did not properly address our questions. I witnessed staff members secretly picking their nose and then continuing to handle food and plates without washing their hands.
This lack of hygiene and disrespect for customers is unacceptable. I am giving them one star across the board and strongly advise against ordering from or dining at this establishment.
- staff1
- answers1
- questions1
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Excellent Curries and Tandouri Chicken
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had some of the best curries I've ever tasted in San Francisco. The Tandouri chicken was particularly excellent.
The food quality was top-notch, and the overall experience was very positive.
- curries10
- Tandouri chicken10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Quality and Service Degraded After Move
After moving to 16th St. from their O’Farrell location, the quality and service of this place has completely degraded. I would not recommend coming here ever again.
- quality2
- service2
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
9
Delicious CTM Burrito and Naan
My experience was really good. The CTM burrito was particularly delicious. The Naan was perfect for soaking up the curry, and the onion added a nice contrast that cut through all the flavors.
- CTM burrito9
- Naan8
- curry8
What Lahore Karahi offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Checks
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Beer
- Small plates
- Halal food
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of authentic Pakistani cuisine can you enjoy at Lahore Karahi by Alhamra?
At Lahore Karahi by Alhamra, you can savor delicious Pakistani dishes, including a variety of small plates. They proudly offer halal food and cater to diverse dietary needs with excellent vegetarian options. You can also pair your meal with beer or other alcoholic beverages.
What are the dining and service options available at Lahore Karahi by Alhamra?
You can enjoy a casual dining experience for lunch or dinner with comfortable seating. Lahore Karahi by Alhamra also provides convenient takeout and delivery services. For your convenience, they accept reservations and are good for kids, with wheelchair accessible entrance and seating.
What are the main strengths of Lahore Karahi?
Lahore Karahi is highly praised for its delicious and comforting food, with many customers highlighting dishes like butter chicken and curries. Patrons also frequently mention the affordable prices, offering good value for the quality of the cuisine.
What aspects of Lahore Karahi could be improved?
Areas for improvement at Lahore Karahi include service, which some describe as inconsistent or uninterested, and the ambiance, which is often noted as not being a draw for decor or cleanliness. Some customers also raised concerns about hygiene practices.
How does Lahore Karahi generally score with customers?
Lahore Karahi has an overall Restaurant Score of 6.8 and a Customer Satisfaction of 66.3%. The Food scores well at 7.8, while Service is lower at 4.4. Ambience and Value both sit around the average mark at 5.8 and 5.6 respectively.