Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Montecristo – San Francisco
Montecristo - San Francisco
Photo from Montecristo
Montecristo at a glance
San Francisco Bret Harte
- 🇸🇻 Salvadoran Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 13 of the guests
#2282 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#14 Salvadoran Restaurant out of 17 in San Francisco
Average
5.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
113
Reviews
48.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic cuisine
- Tasty pupusas
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Poor hygiene
- Loud environment
- Rude staff
The restaurant Montecristo is a charming Salvadoran Restaurant located in the vibrant Bret Harte neighborhood of San Francisco. When you step inside, you’ll immediately notice the cozy and casual atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed meal.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a leisurely dinner, Montecristo offers a delightful experience with its authentic flavors and welcoming vibe. You can enjoy everything from breakfast to dessert here.
Overview: Introducting Montecristo
Montecristo offers a mixed experience, with many finding the food to be a highlight, particularly the authentic Salvadoran options like pupusas. Guests appreciate the generous portions and the overall taste, suggesting it can be a satisfying stop for a meal.
However, the dining environment at Montecristo can be challenging, with concerns raised about the ambience and occasional issues with cleanliness. While some service interactions are positive, there are instances where the staff’s attentiveness or approach could improve.
Average
5.2
out of 10
113
Reviews
48.7%
Satisfaction
56
negative
2
neutral
55
positive
Looking at the numbers, Montecristo holds an overall Restaurant Score of 5.2, placing it squarely in the average range. Customer feedback indicates a Customer Satisfaction of 48.7%, suggesting a mixed reception among diners.
This assessment is drawn from a total of 113 customer remarks, with a fairly even split of 55 positive and 56 negative comments. Digging deeper, Food stands out as the strongest aspect (6.4), often praised for its authentic flavors.
Value (5.7) is seen as average, offering decent pricing. However, Service (4.4) and especially Ambience (3.9) fall into the lower end, indicating areas where the experience could be significantly improved for a more consistent visit.
What people like
- Authentic Salvadoran food
- Delicious pupusas
- Affordable pricing
What people don't like
- Questionable cleanliness
- Disruptive noise levels
- Inconsistent service
With a Recommendation Score of 5.3, Montecristo presents a mixed proposition. If you’re seeking authentic Salvadoran flavors, particularly their well-regarded pupusas, and appreciate an affordable meal, it might be worth a visit for the food alone.
However, be prepared for a potentially lively, and at times chaotic, atmosphere and service that can be hit or miss. It’s a place that delivers on certain culinary strengths but may disappoint those prioritizing a comfortable and consistently smooth dining experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Montecristo
Food (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 75% of the guests
The food here gets an average score of 6.4, with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 65.3%. However, many of the 32 positive remarks praise the authentic Salvadoran food, especially the hen soup and thick delicious tortillas. Folks also rave about the pupusas and generous portions, making for some truly satisfying meals.
On the flip side, 15 negative comments point to some inconsistencies. Issues like sopa de res with bad meat, oily pupusas, and disgusting coctel de camarones were noted. Some even found the food lacking taste or flavor, suggesting that while there are hits, there can be misses too.
Food
49
Reviews
65%
Satisfaction
15
negative
2
neutral
32
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Salvadoran food
- Delicious thick tortillas
- Best pupusas
What people don't like
- Bad meat quality
- Oily pupusas
- Disgusting coctel
Often praised
- foodWe could have gotten up and left, but it was very difficult to find a place to eat with the children, and we had already ordered our food. The waitress's treatment was good, and the food was very tasty, but it felt like a tavern. We will not return.
- pupusasMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a true hole in the wall place that serves the best pupusas I've ever had. I highly recommend trying a Famosa Beer.
- papusaswant some papusas or nachos this is the place!
- Famosa BeerHave a Famosa Beer
- MariscosThey have a good selection of beers and food. I was also pleased to see they offer Mariscos and pupusas. It's a nice place to just kick it.
- authentic Salvadoran foodVery authentic Salvadoran food
- beertheir respective beer
- beerstheres beers
- best foodbest of the best food in the San Francisco Bay area
- chicken kebabMi friend liked the chicken kebab
Frequently criticized
- foodordene mi comida por teléfono al llegar no estaba lista
- coctel de camaronesHowever, I found the coctel de camarones to be disgusting 🤮. If I wanted ketchup with shrimp, I would have ordered that. It was a complete letdown, especially since I was craving it so much and the picture made it look good.
- casamientocasamiento viejo como reconsider de 4 a 6 dias duro
- churrascochurrasco sin sabor
- cravingI was craving it so much, make it look good on the picture
- food qualityfood 4 points out of 10. No good.
- meatMy experience at this restaurant was terrible. My mum ordered the sopa de res, but the meat was very bad. When we informed the waitress, she dismissively replied, "I don't know what happened, it's well cooked.
- oilyPapusas were good though too oily
- papusasgot rum with cockroaches, disgusting food
- pupusasPupusas son or no flavor at all
If you're craving authentic Salvadoran staples like pupusas or hen soup, this spot might hit the mark. Just be aware that some dishes can be inconsistent, so go in with an open mind and perhaps stick to the highly praised items.
Service (4.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 61% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot presents a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 4.4 landing it in the average category, and customer satisfaction at a poor 37%. Based on 27 customer opinions, 10 of which were positive, many guests highlighted the friendly staff and attentive waiters, praising the good customer service and even mentioning staff speaking Español. However, a larger number of comments (17) point to significant issues.
Recurring complaints include an unfriendly waitress, slow service, and considerable waiting time. There are also concerns about the treatment of people and a general lack of respect for customers, indicating areas where improvement is definitely needed.
Service
27
Reviews
37%
Satisfaction
17
negative
0
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Good customer service
- Timely service
What people don't like
- Unfriendly staff
- Slow service
- Lack of customer respect
Often praised
- servicecouldn’t be more satisfied with the service
- staffThe guy behind the counter came out and brought him some amazing looking rice and beans.
- EspañolThey spoke Español
- making themThey finished making them at a timely manner
- peopleIt has to do with the people.
- servicioservicio bueno. Good customer service
- waitersvery friendly waiters are always aware
- waitress's treatmentWe could have gotten up and left, but it was very difficult to find a place to eat with the children, and we had already ordered our food. The waitress's treatment was good, and the food was very tasty, but it felt like a tavern. We will not return.
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe waitress was not nice 😠. I stopped going there because of the bad service. While the food was ok, to me, service and cleanliness are important.
- waitresswhen we tell the waitress about it she just said "I don't know what happened, it's well cooked"
- closing timeThe place is small but very nice. A minor point is that they sometimes close an hour earlier than expected.
- friendliness of staffla amabilidad la tienen que mejorar mucho
- ownerThe owner of this restaurant is a serious discriminator. He slammed the door on my friend and told her he doesn't serve 'marimachas' (a derogatory term for lesbians) in his restaurant, then shut the door.
- respect for customersWe will not return. Please have respect for the customers too.
- restaurant doorle serro la puerta muy mal
- slow serviceExtremely loud and slow.
- treatment of peopleasí no se tratan a las personas hay que respetar a las personas
- waiting timedespués de estar 20 minutos esperando
If youre looking for a place with consistently great service, this might not be your top pick, as the experience seems quite hit-or-miss. While some find the staff friendly, be prepared for potential delays and inconsistent treatment. Its a gamble, so weigh your priorities before visiting.
Ambience (3.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 64% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, some folks really appreciate this spot, calling it a special place with cool vibes and relaxing music. Many enjoy the sense of community and find it a convenient hole in the wall place to just kick it. These 10 positive remarks highlight a certain charm, even though the overall score for ambience sits at a rather low 3.9, indicating a poor experience for many.
However, the ambience clearly has significant room for improvement, with a customer satisfaction of only 32.3%, which is quite poor. There are 21 negative comments pointing to serious concerns like cleanliness, loud music, and drunk people shouting. Patrons also mentioned roaches, uncomfortable chairs, and the smell of cigarettes, making conversation difficult and the atmosphere less than ideal.
Ambience
31
Reviews
32%
Satisfaction
21
negative
0
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Special place
- Relaxing music
- Community vibes
What people don't like
- Poor cleanliness
- Loud music
- Roaches present
Often praised
- placeThe waiters are very friendly and always attentive to our needs. The place is small but very nice. A minor point is that they sometimes close an hour earlier than expected.
- ambienceThe ambience was great
- communityIt seems they often help those in need, and it's inspiring to support businesses that contribute positively to the community. Let's support businesses that are making a difference in the community.
- convenientThe prices are also excellent, making it a great option for trying something tasty at an affordable price. Its proximity to my house is very convenient, especially when I'm hungry or want to hang out with friends.
- hole in the wall placeHole in the wall place
- kick itjust to kick it
- musicI highly recommend it, especially if you are hungry! The staff were very friendly, and the relaxing music made the atmosphere even better. The portions were very generous, and the prices were on the lower side.
- special placeThis is a special place for special people. I'll recommend it 100%.
- vibesCool vibes
Frequently criticized
- musicmusic from the jukebox is too loud
- cleanlinessThe cleanliness of the establishment left much to be desired
- cockroachesMy experience at this restaurant was extremely negative. I placed an order for papusas and received rum with cockroaches. The food was disgusting, and I would never recommend this place.
- noise level' But the table next to us, who seemed to be relatives of the owner, were drunk, shouting, and with very loud music. We asked them if they could lower the volume a bit for the children, as we couldn't even converse due to how loud it was. The people started shouting more and turned the TV volume back up.
- ambienceEl anbiente no es familiar
- atmosphereWe could have gotten up and left, but it was very difficult to find a place to eat with the children, and we had already ordered our food. The waitress's treatment was good, and the food was very tasty, but it felt like a tavern. We will not return.
- chairsuncomfortable chairs
- conversationImposible to keep a conversation
- drunk people shoutingThe cleanliness of the establishment left much to be desired. The music was excessively loud, and there were drunk people shouting, making it a truly disgusting place. Honestly, 1 star is too generous for this establishment.
- gambling machineVery loud gambling machine
If youre looking for a quiet, clean, and comfortable spot, this might not be your best bet. However, if you appreciate a lively, no-frills "hole in the wall" with a strong community feel and dont mind some noise, you might find its unique charm appealing.
Value (5.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 14% of the guests
When it comes to value, theres definitely some positive buzz! Customers have praised excellent prices and found dishes tasty at an affordable price, often noting that prices are on the lower side. These positive sentiments, highlighted by terms like prices and affordable price, come from 3 positive remarks.
However, its not all sunshine and rainbows. Others have felt it was expensive, with some claiming they were charged $1 to $2 more each time and felt the restaurant would over charge your customers lol. These concerns, revolving around prices, charged, and overcharging customers, are reflected in 3 negative remarks, leading to an average score of 5.7 and a mixed customer satisfaction of 50%.
Value
6
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
3
negative
0
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent prices
- Affordable tasty food
What people don't like
- Too expensive
- Frequent overcharging
Often praised
- pricesprices are on the lower side
- affordable pricetasty at an affordable price
Frequently criticized
- chargedcharged $1 to $2 more each time
- overcharging customersover charge your customers lol
- pricesI caro expensive
Overall, value here is a bit of a mixed bag. While some find the prices excellent and affordable, an equal number feel theyre being overcharged. If youre looking for a guaranteed bargain, you might want to manage your expectations, as it seems to hit differently for everyone.
How are the prices at Montecristo?
You’re looking at roughly 37 per person – reported by 13 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Salvadoran Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, what people actually spend is quite spread out. While some guests enjoy more budget-friendly options, others opt for a more premium experience, with a few even spending over 101 $.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 13 reviews.
How this Salvadoran spot in San Francisco stacks up against similar restaurants in terms of value for money.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Salvadoran restaurant in San Francisco. The range of spending options means theres likely something for everyone, whether youre looking for a quick bite or a more substantial meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Montecristo
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Good Food, Poor Service
My experience at the restaurant was a mixed bag. The food was good, but the service was not so good. La comida estaba buena, pero el servicio no estaba tan bueno.
- food8
- service3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Best Pupusas, Hole in the Wall Gem
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a true hole in the wall place that serves the best pupusas I've ever had. I highly recommend trying a Famosa Beer.
I'll definitely be back until next time.
- pupusas10
- Famosa Beer9
- hole in the wall place8
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Best Food in the Bay Area!
This is a special place for special people. I'll recommend it 100%. Cheers!
It offers the best of the best food in the San Francisco Bay area. The montecristo at 3rd ST is a must-try.
- special place10
- best food10
- montecristo10
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Loud
2
Loud and Uncomfortable Experience
My experience at this restaurant was overwhelmingly negative due to the atmosphere. The gambling machine was incredibly loud, and the chairs were uncomfortable. To make matters worse, the place smelled like cigarettes.
I had to leave before I got a migraine.
- gambling machine2
- chairs2
- smells like cigarettes1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
7
Local Salvadorian Gem with a Few Flaws
My experience at this nice small local Salvadorian restaurant was generally positive. The papusas were good, although they were a bit too oily. I also enjoyed the creamy pollo, which was tasty.
One significant drawback was the no parking situation, which made arrival difficult. Overall, it's a decent spot for Salvadorian food if you can overlook the parking issue.
- papusas7
- creamy pollo8
- oily4
- no parking3
What Montecristo offers
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options and meal times does Montecristo offer?
At Montecristo, you can enjoy a wide range of dining options throughout the day. You’ll find delicious choices for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. They also offer dessert, and table service is available for your convenience.
Does Montecristo provide accessible options and service choices?
Yes, Montecristo is committed to accessibility, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance and seating. For your convenience, you can choose between dine-in service to enjoy the cozy atmosphere or takeout if you’re on the go.
How does Montecristo rate overall, and what are its strongest and weakest points?
Montecristo has an overall Restaurant Score of 5.2 and a Customer Satisfaction of 48.7%. Its Food (6.4) is generally well-received, while Value (5.7) is average. However, Service (4.4) and Ambience (3.9) are areas that often fall short.
What kind of food can I expect at Montecristo, and is it good?
Montecristo is known for its authentic Salvadoran cuisine, with many customers specifically praising the pupusas. While some dishes receive criticism, the food generally scores well.
What are the common complaints about Montecristo's dining experience?
Common complaints include issues with cleanliness, a loud and sometimes disruptive ambience due to music or other patrons, and inconsistent service, with some experiences being less than satisfactory.