Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
oChef » Little Aloha – San Francisco
Little Aloha - San Francisco
Photo from Little Aloha
Little Aloha at a glance
San Francisco Parkside
- ☕ Café
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 15 of the guests
#564 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#59 Café out of 162 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
85
Reviews
87.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Hawaiian Food
- Fast Service
Frequently criticized
- Limited Seating
- Portion Size
The cafe Little Aloha in San Francisco’s vibrant Parkside neighborhood offers a delightful escape where you can enjoy a casual atmosphere. This welcoming spot is perfect for a quick bite or a leisurely lunch, providing a relaxed setting for you to unwind.
You’ll find it’s a great choice if you’re looking for delicious vegetarian options or a family-friendly place to dine.
Overview: Introducting Little Aloha
Little Aloha offers a taste of the islands, with many appreciating its vibrant island vibes and the convenience of its location. You’ll find the service to be fast and efficient , making for a smooth experience from start to finish.
It’s a spot that clearly prioritizes a welcoming atmosphere for its guests. However, it’s worth noting the setup is more akin to a food truck setup , meaning limited seating inside and no traditional tables for lingering.
While the shaved ice and other offerings are well-received, some guests have expressed concerns regarding the portion sizes for certain dishes.
Excellent
8.1
out of 10
85
Reviews
87.1%
Satisfaction
8
negative
3
neutral
74
positive
Overall, Little Aloha earns a solid 8.1 out of 10, reflecting a generally positive experience for most patrons. Customer satisfaction stands strong at 87.1% , indicating that the majority leave content.
This positive sentiment is built on 85 customer opinions, with 74 positive remarks outweighing the 8 negative ones. The culinary offerings are a clear highlight, with Food scoring an impressive (8.4).
The Service also shines brightly, achieving an excellent (8.9) for its efficiency and friendliness. While the Ambience (6.8) provides a pleasant, clean setting, the Value (4.8) is where opinions are more divided, suggesting some find the pricing for certain items a bit high given the portion sizes.
What people like
- Quality Hawaiian Food
- Friendly, Fast Service
- Convenient Location
- Fun Island Vibes
What people don't like
- Limited Indoor Seating
- Small Portions
- Value Perception
If you’re seeking a quick, flavorful taste of Hawaiian cuisine with genuinely friendly service, Little Aloha is certainly worth considering. The 8.6 recommendation score suggests many find it a worthwhile stop, especially for its standout dishes and efficient operation.
It’s a place that delivers on its core offerings with consistency. However, manage your expectations regarding the dining setup and portion sizes, particularly if you’re looking for a sit-down meal or a substantial plate for the price.
It’s best suited for a casual grab-and-go experience or enjoying your meal at nearby public seating.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Little Aloha
Food (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, youre in for a treat! With an impressive 8.4 score and an excellent 91.8% customer satisfaction, the culinary offerings clearly hit the mark. Out of 61 comments, 56 rave about the delicious flavors, especially the shave ice, shrimp, and sausage.
Many appreciate the half portions allowing for more sampling. However, a few diners had minor quibbles. Just 3 comments mentioned concerns, primarily regarding the sauce being too sweet for some, and a specific critique about the garlic shrimp portions being smaller than expected for the price.
While the sausage' flavor was praised, its quantity in one combo was noted.
Food
61
Reviews
91%
Satisfaction
3
negative
2
neutral
56
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious shave ice
- Flavorful shrimp/sausage
- Flexible half portions
What people don't like
- Shrimp portions small
- Sauce too sweet
Often praised
- shaved icehigh quality shaved ice - lovingly shaped and thoroughly drizzled with syrup
- foodcan’t wait to try the food
- garlic shrimpI also ordered their garlic shrimp and it was really tasty.
- half ordersall the mains could be ordered as half orders because I usually like to try more dishes but don't want to end up with high amounts of leftover food
- ice creamice cream (macadamia)
- shave iceThey have great shave ice! They got the flavors and ice just right.
- FoodFood:5
- Hawaiian platesVery tasty Hawaiian plates
- Hawaiian snacksMy experience was centered around the high quality shaved ice, which was lovingly shaped and thoroughly drizzled with syrup. I also appreciated the lots of legit Hawaiian snacks and other offerings. However, it's important to note that this is more like a food truck setup, meaning there are no tables or anything to sit for extended periods of time.
- Moco locoThe "Moco loco" gravy had the right amount of umami
Frequently criticized
- garlic shrimpI understand shrinkflation, but I recently purchased a dozen jumbo garlic shrimp from Giovanni's Shrimp and other shrimp boat captains on the islands where staples are more expensive than the mainland – you can get a dozen jumbo garlic shrimp for $15. It blows my mind that here in this little hole in the wall with no dine-in option, you barely get 4 shrimp and 5 little slices of sausage in their "full" order (which equates to maybe half a sausage) for $16. They act like they are using carabineros shrimp or something.
- sauceThe shrimp had some great flavor, but what was most impressive was the flavor on the sausage; it was juicy and tasty with a burst of flavor. The spam musubi was pretty good, but personally, I wasn’t a fan of the sauce because it was a little sweet. Other than that, everything was great, and I really liked the half portion.
- sausageI understand shrinkflation, but I recently purchased a dozen jumbo garlic shrimp from Giovanni's Shrimp and other shrimp boat captains on the islands where staples are more expensive than the mainland – you can get a dozen jumbo garlic shrimp for $15. It blows my mind that here in this little hole in the wall with no dine-in option, you barely get 4 shrimp and 5 little slices of sausage in their "full" order (which equates to maybe half a sausage) for $16. They act like they are using carabineros shrimp or something.
Overall, the food here is a definite highlight, especially if youre craving authentic Hawaiian flavors and fantastic shave ice. While a couple of dishes might have minor portion or sweetness concerns, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests youll find plenty to love. It's certainly worth a visit for a tasty culinary adventure!
Service (8.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 53% of the guests
Alright, lets talk service! From what Ive gathered, the service here is truly top-notch, scoring an impressive 8.9 and boasting an excellent 90% customer satisfaction. Folks raved about the friendly staff and efficient service, with many praising the self ordering kiosk as one of the best theyve used.
Based on 9 positive remarks out of 10 total, it seems they really nail it. Whats even more remarkable is the complete absence of negative feedback regarding service. Out of 10 customer comments, not a single one mentioned any issues, which is a rare feat!
It truly speaks volumes about the consistent quality and positive experience customers are having, leaving no room for constructive criticism in this area.
Service
10
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
0
negative
1
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Efficient service
- Self-ordering kiosk
What people don't like
Often praised
- serviceFast and efficient service
- ServiceService:5
- convenient to get toThis is very convenient to get to
- online orderGreat that they use tech to spare me the time waiting
- peoplePeople were super friendly with our family
- self ordering kioskthe self ordering kiosk was one of the better ones I've used
- stafffriendly staff
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If you value quick, friendly, and tech-savvy service, this place is definitely worth a visit. You can expect a smooth experience from start to finish, making it a solid choice for a hassle-free meal.
Ambience (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 41% of the guests
Stepping into this spot, youll find a generally positive vibe, with many appreciating the "clean and organized place" and the "fun island vibes" that create a great "atmosphere. " Customers often highlight the convenient "L stop" location and the available "seating area" or "benches at McCoppin Square" for enjoying your meal. With 7 positive remarks out of 10, the ambience scores a good 6.8, and customer satisfaction sits at a good 70%.
However, its worth noting that the setup leans more towards a food truck setup, which means there are no tables or seating inside for extended stays. While there are options like benches nearby, 3 customer comments point out this limitation, suggesting it might not be ideal if you're looking for a traditional sit-down restaurant experience.
Ambience
10
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
3
negative
0
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean and organized
- Fun island vibes
- Convenient location
What people don't like
- No indoor seating
- Food truck setup
- No tables
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- L stopI'm looking forward to returning to try the shave ice. The location is very convenient, with an L stop right outside. While there's no indoor seating, you can enjoy your food on the benches at McCoppin Square.
- atmosphereAtmosphere:5
- benches at McCoppin Squaretake your food to one of the benches at McCoppin Square
- island vibesI also tried their garlic shrimp, which was incredibly tasty. The service was friendly, the atmosphere had fun island vibes, and the food was great.
- placeClean and organized place
- seating areaThe service was fast and efficient, though ordering is done through a kiosk. There is a seating area outside.
Frequently criticized
- food truck setupthis is more like a food truck setup
- seating insideNo seating inside
- tablesI also appreciated the lots of legit Hawaiian snacks and other offerings. However, it's important to note that this is more like a food truck setup, meaning there are no tables or anything to sit for extended periods of time.
If youre looking for a quick, vibrant spot with a great atmosphere and dont mind a casual, grab-and-go experience, this place is definitely worth a try. However, if you prefer a traditional restaurant with indoor seating and tables for a leisurely meal, you might find it a bit lacking.
Value (4.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 18% of the guests
When it comes to value, its a bit of a mixed bag, with a 4.8 score indicating its average, and customer satisfaction sitting at a 50% mixed level. Some folks really appreciate the pricing, especially for smaller portions, finding them quite reasonable. For instance, two positive comments highlighted the fair cost of a half portion and how a small order felt just right for the price.
However, not everyone is thrilled, as two negative comments point to concerns about perceived price gouging and disappointment with whats considered a "full order. " It seems the value proposition for larger or full-sized dishes might not always hit the mark, leaving some customers feeling like theyre not getting enough for their money.
Value
4
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
2
negative
0
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable half-portion price
- Good small portion value
What people don't like
- Perceived price gouging
- Disappointing full order size
Often praised
- priceOther than that, everything was great, and I really liked the half portion. One spam musubi and a half portion cost $13 after tax, which is very reasonable!
- small servingGot a small for $6 and it felt the right amount
Frequently criticized
- full orderFor $16 bucks I wouldn't call that a "full" order
- price gougenot digging the price gouge here
If youre looking for a good deal on smaller portions, youll likely find the value here quite reasonable. However, be cautious if youre expecting a substantial "full order" for your money, as some customers felt it didnt quite deliver.
How are the prices at Little Aloha?
On average, you’ll spend around 14 per person – from 15 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $11–$20 category. For a Cafe, that’s comfortably mid-range.
Looking at what people actually spend, most diners keep it within the 1 – 20 $ range, with just one person venturing into the $31–$40 bracket. So, prices generally cluster around that average.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 15 reviews.
How this Cafe’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels quite fair for a Cafe, especially considering it’s in San Francisco. It offers good value for a casual meal or coffee break.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Little Aloha
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Delicious Shrimp & Shaved Ice!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had the delicious Shrimp plate, and I absolutely loved it. I opted for the half plate, which was a perfect portion for a snack before dinner.
The shaved ice was also amazing, very comparable to what I had on the island. The Snow Cap on it is a MUST! Thanks, guys.
- Shrimp plate10
- half plate9
- shaved ice9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Delicious Hawaiian Plates & Pineapple Sausage!
My experience at this little shop was very positive. I enjoyed the tasty Hawaiian plates, with the garlic shrimp being good, but the grilled pineapple sausage was truly the star of the show. I appreciated the option to get half orders, which are a great lunch size.
I'm looking forward to returning to try the shave ice. The location is very convenient, with an L stop right outside. While there's no indoor seating, you can enjoy your food on the benches at McCoppin Square.
- Hawaiian plates9
- garlic shrimp7
- grilled pineapple sausage10
- seating inside3
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Fine Shaved Ice with Great Flavor
My experience at the restaurant was legitimately good. The ice was shaved extremely fine and they didn't skimp on the flavor. I'm looking forward to going back.
I also love that they take extra care to be gluten-free, and that's prominently displayed.
- ice9
- flavor9
- gluten-free10
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Excellent Spam Musubi and Many Delicious Snacks!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I tried the Spam Musubi and it was excellent. They offer so many delicious looking snacks, I wish I could try them all.
The food, service, and atmosphere were all rated a perfect 5, making for a truly enjoyable dinner.
- Spam Musubi10
- delicious looking snacks9
- Food10
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
3
Shrimp Order Disappointing Price
I drove by and saw a long line for their shaved ice on a hot day, so I placed an order online for pickup once I parked, expecting it to be ready in 15 minutes. It's great that they use technology to save me time waiting in line. I ordered a couple of spam musubis with kimchi, loaded hurricane tots, and the "full" order of half garlic shrimp and half sausage.
For $16, I wouldn't call that a "full" order. I understand shrinkflation, but I recently purchased a dozen jumbo garlic shrimp from Giovanni's Shrimp and other shrimp boat captains on the islands where staples are more expensive than the mainland – you can get a dozen jumbo garlic shrimp for $15. It blows my mind that here in this little hole in the wall with no dine-in option, you barely get 4 shrimp and 5 little slices of sausage in their "full" order (which equates to maybe half a sausage) for $16.
They act like they are using carabineros shrimp or something. You can spare me the cheap fillers of white rice and sad cabbage that fill out the plate, but this is not a "full" size order and what I expect in a half-order amount. The flavors were decent, reminiscent of some of those aforementioned shrimp trucks, but I'm not digging the price gouge here.
The hurricane tots and musubis were nice snacks and about market price. The spam musubis reminded me of the same ones purchased at 7/11's on the islands. I'm not sure there is enough aloha in Little Aloha to draw me back for return visits.
Make sure you ask for napkins and utensils if you need them.
- spam musubis8
- hurricane tots8
- online order9
- garlic shrimp2
- sausage2
- price gouge1
What Little Aloha offers
Crowd
- Tourists
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Lunch
Offerings
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What accessibility features and parking options are available at Little Aloha?
At Little Aloha, you’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring comfort for all guests. For your convenience, both free street parking and paid street parking options are available nearby for you to utilize.
Does Little Aloha offer vegetarian options and is it suitable for families?
Yes, Little Aloha provides delicious vegetarian options for you to enjoy, making it a great choice for diverse dietary preferences. It’s also considered good for kids, making it a family-friendly cafe where you can bring your little ones.
How is Little Aloha rated overall by customers?
Little Aloha has an overall Restaurant Score of **8.1** out of 10, with customer satisfaction at **87.1%**. The **Food** scores well at (8.4), **Service** is excellent at (8.9), **Ambience** is good at (6.8), but **Value** is considered average at (4.8).
What kind of food can I expect at Little Aloha?
You can expect tasty Hawaiian plates and snacks, with highlights including high-quality shaved ice and flavorful garlic shrimp. Many appreciate the option for half orders to try more dishes.
What is the dining experience like at Little Aloha?
Little Aloha offers a clean place with fun island vibes and fast, efficient service. However, it operates more like a food truck setup with no indoor seating or tables, though there is an outside seating area and benches nearby.