Highlights
- Great coffee
- Sports
oChef » Montecristo – San Francisco
Montecristo - San Francisco
Photo from Montecristo
Montecristo at a glance
San Francisco St. Mary’s Park
- 🇸🇻 Salvadoran Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 31 of the guests
#1873 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#5 Salvadoran Restaurant out of 17 in San Francisco
Good
6.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
112
Reviews
67.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Pupusa Quality
- Service Attentiveness
Frequently criticized
- Food Inconsistency
- Owner Conduct
The restaurant Montecristo Restaurant 2 is a charming Salvadoran restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s St. Mary’s Park neighborhood. You’ll find a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a leisurely meal.
Known for its great coffee, this spot offers a welcoming vibe where you can enjoy delicious Salvadoran cuisine. Whether you’re starting your day with breakfast or unwinding with dinner, you’ll appreciate the friendly setting.
Overview: Introducting Montecristo
Montecristo offers a taste of Salvadoran cuisine that often hits the mark, with many praising its flavorful dishes, particularly the pupusas. Guests frequently commend the attentive service, noting staff go the extra mile to ensure a pleasant dining experience.
The overall atmosphere is often described as welcoming and clean. However, the experience isn’t entirely consistent.
While many dishes shine, some specific items have received criticism for their quality. There have also been occasional remarks about service inconsistencies and concerns regarding certain aspects of the dining environment, which can detract from an otherwise positive visit.
Good
6.7
out of 10
112
Reviews
67.9%
Satisfaction
34
negative
2
neutral
76
positive
Montecristo earns a respectable overall score of 6.7, placing it in the good category, though customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 67.9%. This indicates that while many diners have positive experiences, a notable portion finds areas for improvement.
These insights are drawn from a considerable 112 customer opinions, with 76 positive remarks balancing against 34 negative ones. Delving deeper, Service stands out with a strong (7.3) score, frequently highlighted for its attentiveness.
Value also performs well at (7). However, Food (6.4) and Ambience (6.6) hover in the average range, suggesting these areas could benefit from more consistent execution to elevate the overall dining experience.
What people like
- Delicious Pupusas
- Attentive Service
- Clean Environment
What people don't like
- Inconsistent Food Quality
- Owner's Rude Demeanor
- Unpleasant Odors
Montecristo presents a mixed but generally positive dining proposition. If you’re seeking authentic Salvadoran flavors, especially their well-regarded pupusas, and appreciate attentive service, it’s certainly worth considering.
The overall experience leans towards a positive one, making it a decent choice for a casual meal. However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies in other dishes and occasional service hiccups.
With a recommendation score of 7, Montecristo is a place that many enjoy, but it might not be for everyone. Manage your expectations, and you could find a new favorite for specific cravings.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Montecristo
Food (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 82% of the guests
When it comes to food, this spot offers a mixed bag, but many diners rave about the delicious and authentic Salvadorean food, especially the pupusas. With 39 positive remarks, guests often praise the good flavor of dishes like chicken soup, Camarones a la plancha, and even the seafood creamy soup. The overall score for food sits at an average 6.4, with customer satisfaction at a mixed 65%.
However, not all experiences are stellar. Out of 60 total comments, 21 point to some issues, including burnt fried fish, strange-tasting chicharrón in pupusas, and disappointing soups like sopa de pata or 7 Mares. Some even reported food being microwaved or frozen in the middle, suggesting inconsistency in preparation.
Food
60
Reviews
65%
Satisfaction
21
negative
0
neutral
39
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious pupusas
- Authentic Salvadorean food
- Home-cooked meals
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Burnt/strange flavors
- Microwaved/frozen food
Often praised
- foodI've eaten at many Salvadoran restaurants here in SF, but honestly, none have had food as tasty as this restaurant. The food was incredibly flavorful, making it stand out from the rest.
- pupusastheir pupusas are bomb
- Camarones a la planchaCamarones a la plancha were great
- El Monte Cristo soupEl Monte Cristo de la 3rd está sopa y es una delicia
- Foodque ricas las pupusas
- PupusaRecommended dishes:Pupusa
- PupusasLove Their Pupusas
- authentic Salvadorean foodauthentic Salvadorean food and very delicious
- carne asadacarne asada and yucca con chicharrón are delicious
- chicken soupsopa de gallina
Frequently criticized
- beansThe food was very delicious. My only suggestion would be to change the beans that come with the pupusas.
- sopa de pataLastima sopa de pata puro tomate malísima
- 7 Mares soupflavor and smell of the 7 Mares soup were fatal
- casamientocasamiento, a Salvadorian plate, it was awful
- cheeseI didn't see the cheese anywhere
- chicharrónHowever, today I was truly surprised by my pupusas. I couldn't see any cheese, and the chicharrón had a strange taste. The big question is: what happened today?
- fish flavorsabor del pescado nefasto
- foodMalísima la comida
- fried fishfried fish. It was burnt
- frozen in the middlein the middle was still frozen
If youre craving authentic Salvadorean pupusas and other classic dishes, this place might be worth a try, but be aware that consistency can be an issue. Its a mixed bag, so you might hit a delicious home run or encounter some disappointing dishes.
Service (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 64% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits a good note! With a solid score of 7.3 and a customer satisfaction rate of 73.5%, many guests walk away happy. Out of 34 total comments, 25 rave about the excellent service, attentive to detail staff, and the friendliness of the people, often highlighting little to no wait times and amazing service from individuals like Judith.
However, its not always smooth sailing. Eight negative remarks point to some significant bumps. Concerns include an owners rude demeanor and lack of professionalism, with some guests experiencing waiting time frustrations and issues with incomplete orders that received no follow-up or response.
It seems the experience can vary depending on who you encounter.
Service
34
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
8
negative
1
neutral
25
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent service
- Attentive staff
- Friendly people
What people don't like
- Rude owner
- Lack professionalism
- Incomplete orders
Often praised
- serviceI liked the place, it was very clean, with good attention. The service and its food were tasty. I always return to enjoy the delicious Salvadoran-style dishes.
- attentionI liked the place, it was very clean, with good attention. The service and its food were tasty.
- JudithJudith la mesera muy amable y siempre atenta al cliente
- amazing serviceamazing service every single time
- applicationvery excellent application 👌
- attentive to detailvery attentive to every detail that we asked for
- cookfrom the waitress, the cook, and the person who served me, everyone was great
- directionsI recommend it for all those users who travel a lot. Thank you very much for helping me in my directions.
- everybodyI had a wonderful experience walking into this place. The atmosphere was filled with beautiful women celebrating a birthday, and everybody seemed nice. Happy birthday!
- excellent serviceThank you very much, Judith, for the excellent service you provided to me and my family yesterday. We were a group of 16 people, and you took our order exactly as we requested.
Frequently criticized
- orderA couple of days ago, I ordered my food as usual from that place, and my order wasn't complete. I spoke with someone from there, and they were very kind.
- ownerowner, whose rude and dismissive demeanor
- owner drinkingincluding the owner drinking
- professionalismHowever, the owner's rude and dismissive demeanor was a significant letdown, leaving a lasting negative impression. Her lack of professionalism detracted from the team's efforts and discouraged customer return, which is a disappointing approach for a business owner.
- responseHowever, they haven't called me back yet. It's not just about the cost of my order, but the fact that I received no response at all, and that wasn't right.
- serviceme cambiaron la comida d mala gana
- waiting timewait for his check more than 10 minutes
- waitresseslas meseras andan todo el tiempo enojadas
Overall, the service here leans positive, with many guests enjoying attentive and friendly staff who get orders right. If you value excellent service, it's generally a good bet, but be aware that some experiences highlight issues with management professionalism and occasional order mishaps.
Ambience (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 36% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, many customers found the atmosphere quite inviting. With 9 positive remarks out of 14 total, guests frequently highlighted the excellent hygiene and appreciated the cozy and homey environment, with some even enjoying the outdoor parklet seating. The overall score for ambience sits at an average 6.6, and customer satisfaction is a mixed 64.3%, indicating a somewhat positive, though not universally loved, impression.
However, not everyone was thrilled, with 4 negative comments pointing to some significant issues. A major concern for some was the cleanliness, with mentions of the place reeking of urine and even urine all over the floor. Others found the space to be very small and weren't fond of the reggaeton music playing, which detracted from their experience.
Ambience
14
Reviews
64%
Satisfaction
4
negative
1
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great hygiene
- Cozy, homey feel
- Pleasant outdoor seating
What people don't like
- Unpleasant urine smell
- Very small space
- Loud reggaeton music
Often praised
- atmosphereThe service and atmosphere were also excellent
- placeThe place is clean and peacefully
- cozy and homey environmentCozy and homey environment
- hygieneloved the hygiene
- outdoor parklet seatingI enjoyed the delicious pupusas and platanos, along with other dishes. The service was lovely, and the nice outdoor parklet seating provided a pleasant atmosphere. I will definitely be returning!
- restaurantIt's my favorite restaurant, mine and my friends'. Honestly, we have nothing to complain about.
Frequently criticized
- placeThe place is very small
- place reeks of urinethe place reeks of urine
- regetton musicexcept for the regetton music
- urine all over the floornoticed urine all over the floor
So, should you go? If you're looking for a cozy spot with good hygiene and potentially nice outdoor seating, it might be worth a try. However, be prepared for a potentially small space and the possibility of an unpleasant smell or music choice that might not be to your taste.
Value (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 12% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot really hits the mark! With a good score of 7 and a strong 75% customer satisfaction, guests are generally pleased. Many found the prices affordable and reasonable, with some even exclaiming theyd give it 10 or 20 stars if they could.
This positive sentiment comes from 3 out of 4 total comments. However, theres a slight wrinkle to consider. One out of the 4 customer remarks expressed a negative sentiment about the price, hinting at a feeling of not quite getting their money's worth.
While the overwhelming majority found the value to be excellent, this lone voice suggests there might be an occasional perception of feeling overcharged.
Value
4
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
1
negative
0
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Very affordable
- Excellent value
What people don't like
- Perceived overpricing
Often praised
- affordableit’s affordable
- pricesreasonable prices
- starsHonestly, we have nothing to complain about. If we could give it 10 or 20 stars, we would.
Frequently criticized
- pricepague x que de veras pero les regalé 46$$$$
Overall, if youre looking for a place where your money goes far, this restaurant is a solid bet. Most diners find the prices very reasonable and the value excellent, so youre likely to leave feeling satisfied with what you paid.
How are the prices at Montecristo?
You’re looking at roughly 30 per person – reported by 31 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Salvadoran Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average is 30, many guests actually spend a bit less, with the most common range being $11–$20. This suggests a nice mix, where you can find both more budget-friendly options and opportunities to splurge a little.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 31 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering its a Salvadoran spot in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. You can enjoy a good meal without breaking the bank, and theres room to treat yourself too.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Montecristo
Price per Person
- $100+
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
3
Friendly Staff, Rude Owner
My experience at this restaurant was a mix of pleasant and unpleasant. The staff was friendly and welcoming, creating a positive first impression. However, the owner's rude and dismissive demeanor was a significant letdown, leaving a lasting negative impression.
Her lack of professionalism detracted from the team's efforts and discouraged customer return, which is a disappointing approach for a business owner.
- staff9
- owner2
- professionalism2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
9
Excellent Food and Service!
My experience at the restaurant was very good. The attention was excellent, and the food was very tasty. I highly recommend it!
👍
- attention9
- food9
Visit Type
- Family Dinner
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Excellent Service and Delicious Food
Thank you very much, Judith, for the excellent service you provided to me and my family yesterday. We were a group of 16 people, and you took our order exactly as we requested. You were very attentive to every detail we asked for in our dishes.
The food was very delicious. My only suggestion would be to change the beans that come with the pupusas.
- excellent service10
- order accuracy10
- attentive to detail9
- beans4
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Excellent Service and Food!
My experience at the restaurant was excellent. The chicken soup was delicious, and the micheladas were perfect. I always have a good time here.
Our server, Judith, was very friendly and consistently attentive to our needs.
- chicken soup9
- micheladas9
- service10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
- Loud
9
Delicious Salvadoran Food & Great Service
I liked the place, it was very clean, with good attention. The service and its food were tasty. I always return to enjoy the delicious Salvadoran-style dishes.
- place8
- attention8
- service8
What Montecristo offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Montecristo Restaurant 2, and what are its highlights?
Montecristo Restaurant 2 offers a cozy, casual setting for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. You can enjoy great coffee, healthy options, and quick bites, alongside wine, beer, and alcohol. Dine-in, takeout, delivery, and outdoor seating are all available for your convenience.
Is Montecristo Restaurant 2 family-friendly and accessible, and what are the parking options?
Yes, Montecristo Restaurant 2 is good for kids, offering high chairs. It also features wheelchair accessible seating. For parking, you’ll typically find free street parking, though finding a space in the St. Mary’s Park neighborhood can sometimes be a bit challenging.
What is the overall standing of Montecristo?
Montecristo holds an overall score of **6.7**, indicating a good experience for many. Its **Service** (7.3) and **Value** (7) are strong points, while **Food** (6.4) and **Ambience** (6.6) are considered average.
What are the standout dishes at Montecristo?
Many customers consistently praise Montecristo’s pupusas for their flavor and authenticity. Other popular choices include Camarones a la plancha and the carne asada.
Are there any common concerns about the dining experience?
Some patrons have noted inconsistencies in food quality for certain dishes and occasional issues with service, including incomplete orders. There have also been isolated comments regarding unpleasant odors in the environment.