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oChef » New Castillito – San Francisco
New Castillito - San Francisco
Photo from New Castillito
New Castillito at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 46 of the guests
#1650 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#86 Mexican Restaurant out of 134 in San Francisco
Good
7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
205
Reviews
66.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Mexican food
- Friendly service
- Authentic vibe
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent pricing
- Uncomfortable atmosphere
- Food quality concerns
The restaurant, New Castillito, is a vibrant Mexican restaurant nestled in the heart of San Francisco’s lively Mission District. When you step inside, you’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for enjoying delicious Mexican cuisine.
This spot is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a place to catch a game, as it proudly features sports. It’s an ideal destination for a quick bite or a relaxed meal with friends and family.
Overview: Introducting New Castillito
New Castillito offers a compelling experience, primarily driven by its highly regarded Mexican fare, with many praising the burritos and carnitas. You’ll likely find the staff to be quite friendly and attentive, contributing positively to your visit.
However, while the food and service generally impress, some aspects like the overall vibe and perceived value can be a bit of a mixed bag. It’s a place that clearly excels in certain areas, but has a few points to consider.
Good
7
out of 10
205
Reviews
66.3%
Satisfaction
59
negative
10
neutral
136
positive
New Castillito earns a solid 7 out of 10 for its overall performance, indicating a generally good experience. However, customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 66.3%, suggesting that while many enjoy their visit, there’s a notable portion with reservations.
This assessment is drawn from a substantial 205 customer opinions. Delving deeper, Food (7.1) and Service (7.1) stand out as strong points, consistently receiving positive feedback.
The Ambience (6.4) and Value (5.8) are more average, with opinions varying. Out of the 205 opinions, 136 were positive, while 59 expressed negative sentiments, reflecting the nuanced customer experience.
What people like
- Exceptional Mexican food
- Friendly, attentive service
- Authentic, lively vibe
What people don't like
- Inconsistent pricing
- Uncomfortable atmosphere
- Occasional food issues
If you’re seeking a spot where the Mexican cuisine and the service are the main draw, New Castillito is certainly worth considering. It delivers on flavor and hospitality, making it a good choice for those prioritizing a tasty meal and a pleasant interaction.
With a recommendation score of 7.3, New Castillito generally earns a nod. While some aspects like pricing and atmosphere might be inconsistent, the core experience of good food and friendly staff makes it a place to try, especially if you appreciate authentic flavors.
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Verdict: Our expert take on New Castillito
Food (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
Alright, lets talk food! The culinary experience here generally hits the mark, with an overall score of 7.1, which is quite good. Customer satisfaction, while a bit more mixed at 68.3%, still leans positive.
Out of 145 total comments, a whopping 99 rave about the deliciousness, highlighting best food, carnitas burrito, fresh ingredients, and generous portions. Many found the Al pastor phenomenal and praised the authentic food made with love. However, not every dish is a winner, with 39 negative remarks pointing out some inconsistencies.
Common complaints include dry and bland food, particularly tough meat and lacked flavor in some items. A few unfortunate experiences even mentioned food poisoning, ' suggesting that while many dishes shine, there can be some significant missteps in quality.
Food
145
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
39
negative
7
neutral
99
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Best burritos
- Fresh ingredients
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Dry meat
- Lacks flavor
- Food poisoning
Often praised
- foodIn my opinion, this place has the best burritos. Since they went under new management a few months ago, the food has been fantastic. The carnitas is especially good.
- burritosMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, offering incredible value for money. I enjoyed great Mexican tacos and burritos, with the zapata burrito being a standout dish that truly needs to be studied. The food quality was rated a 5, and the service a 4, though the atmosphere was a 3.
- burritoMy experience at this restaurant was exceptional. I had the best burrito I've ever eaten in my life. I always come back because the food is so good.
- carnitasI always get the carnitas and I've yet to be disappointed
- salsathe salsa is phenomenal
- super burritorecommend their super burrito with carne asada and refried beans
- tacosWe had tacos and burritos
- authentic foodpretty authentic food
- carne asada burritoThe carne asada burrito is the best burrito I have ever tried from any taqueria. For me, it's the best.
- chickenThe chicken is soft and very well seasoned
Frequently criticized
- foodfood the new cook change the recipe no taste the same
- meatHowever, my experience today was very disappointing. The torta I received had cold and tough meat, tasting like it was old and had been sitting on the stove or cooked in rancid oil. It was the worst thing I've tried in San Francisco.
- chipsThe chips also weren't the best that I've had.
- flavorhad a flavor like it was on the stove or like rancid oil
- tacoonly one taco for the $8.00 price tag
- Carne AsadaHalf steak -Half fat??
- QuesabirriaThe Quesabirria was way too salty
- asadaThe asada was tough/overdone
- avocadothere was like half an avocado taking up most of the space, and it was HARD.
- birriaThe birria in the nachos was also dry
So, should you go? If youre craving a best burrito or authentic food and are willing to navigate some potential inconsistencies, its definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that while many find the food spectacular, some experiences have been marred by dry meat or a lack of flavor.
Service (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 41% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.1 and a customer satisfaction rate of 72.4%, its clear most folks have a good experience. Many rave about the 21 positive remarks highlighting the friendly staff, great customer service, and kind service, often noting how fast and efficient everything is.
However, its not always smooth sailing. Out of 29 total comments, 8 point to some bumps, with mentions of staff attitude, a moody cashier, or an arrogant counter person. There are also a few instances where customers had to repeat their order, and some feel the new management has made things worse.
Service
29
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
8
negative
0
neutral
21
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Great customer service
- Fast service
What people don't like
- Staff attitude
- Moody cashier
- Repeat orders
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was positive. I found the service to be friendly and the burrito was great. Although I was sad there wasn't a salsa bar, they did provide me with 2x yummy salsas to go.
- customer serviceMy experience at the restaurant was excellent. I received great attention and customer service. The food was delicious, and I particularly enjoyed the burrito bowl, which was great.
- staffThe staff is awesome
- GREAT serviceGREAT service
- ServiceService:4
- cheffing up the burritoswhoever was cheffing up the burritos should get a big high five
- friendly stafffriendly too
- galThe gal that took our order did us so right
- guysguys here are real good, happy, and friendly
- kind servicevery grateful for the kind service
Frequently criticized
- attitudenew lady at night always has an attitude
- cashierCashier is either in a good mood or seems moody
- coming backI’m never coming back
- counter personthe arrogant counter person said that "it is what it is and everyone likes it this way."
- new managementThe new management actually made the place worse.
- ownershipchanged ownership, style and taste and service
- repeat my orderhave to repeat my order more then 3 times
- servicechanged ownership, style and taste and service
Overall, the service here leans positive, especially if you catch them on a good day. Youll likely encounter friendly, efficient staff, but be prepared for the occasional attitude or a need to clarify your order. Its worth a try for the generally good experience.
Ambience (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 24% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot offers a mixed bag, with a score of 6.4 indicating an average experience. Many customers, 10 out of 18 opinions, really appreciated the overall vibe and atmosphere, with some even calling it a clean place and praising the parking availability. Theres a definite sense of a unique, authentic feel that some patrons absolutely love, especially those who enjoy a good "hole in the wall" spot.
However, customer satisfaction sits at 55.6%, which is squarely in the mixed territory. A significant number of the 6 negative opinions highlight concerns about the "place" feeling "unsafe" or "uncomfortable" due to outside factors. "Parking" also came up as a negative, with some finding it difficult, and the "atmosphere" itself didnt always hit the mark for everyone, with one person even wishing for some quiet music.
Ambience
18
Reviews
55%
Satisfaction
6
negative
2
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic vibe
- Clean place
- Open late
What people don't like
- Feels unsafe
- Uncomfortable atmosphere
- Difficult parking
Often praised
- atmosphereque te de un ambiente de paz
- best placeit is the best place that I have eaten tacos
- clean placeClean place
- disabled seatingdesignated disabled seating area
- hole in the wall placeshole in the wall places serve the best food
- open lateOpen late
- parkingparking on the side street
- vibeMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The food was pretty authentic, offering a real vibe comparable to a border city. The salsa was tasty too.
- vibesthe vibes were so awesome
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereAtmosphere:2
- musicle faltó fue una música bajita
- parkingParking space:Difficult to find parking
- placeThe new management actually made the place worse.
- uncomfortableHowever, lately, it's become unsafe to walk to grab a taco. There are too many people outside that make you feel uncomfortable, making it challenging to go to this place. In my opinion, it feels unsafe, but it's worth taking a risk and trying their delicious food 😋.
- unsafeIn my opinion unsafe
If youre looking for a place with a distinct, authentic vibe and dont mind a bit of an adventure, this spot might be for you. However, be aware that some find the surrounding area and parking challenging, so it might not be the best choice if safety and convenience are your top priorities.
Value (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 21% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot presents a bit of a mixed bag, with an overall score of an average 5.8 and customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 46.2%. Many diners appreciate the good price and excellent value for money, often highlighting generous portions like burritos or specific deals such as $2 tacos that feel like a real win. These positive sentiments come from 6 observations out of 13 total customer remarks.
However, an equal number of 6 comments express concern, with some finding certain items overpriced or feeling they paid too much money for what they received. There are also frustrating mentions of menu price discrepancies, where the actual cost was higher than expected, leading to disappointment.
Value
13
Reviews
46%
Satisfaction
6
negative
1
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good portion size
- Great value deals
- Competitive pricing
What people don't like
- Items overpriced
- Menu price discrepancies
- Small portions for price
Often praised
- priceGood size burrito for the price
- $2 tacosthey're the one that has $2 tacos
- Pricefor $22 tax and tip included
- pricesGood prices
- value for moneyMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, offering incredible value for money. I enjoyed great Mexican tacos and burritos, with the zapata burrito being a standout dish that truly needs to be studied.
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at the restaurant started off seeming good upon arrival and ordering. Although the price was steep, I decided to go for it. However, upon getting home and opening my food, I was surprised to find only one taco for the $8.
- menu pricemenu on My phone had 8.50 but they are 13.50
- moneyIs to much money
- overpricedshrimp taco, overpriced, was way too greasy.
If you're on the hunt for specific deals or generous portions, you might find some real gems here. But be prepared for potential price surprises on other items, as value can be inconsistent.
How are the prices at New Castillito?
You’re looking at roughly 14 $ per person – reported by 46 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.
Digging into the details, most folks are happily spending in that $11–$20 sweet spot, though a good number are also finding delicious options for under 10 $. This means the pricing is pretty consistent, offering a nice mix of value.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 46 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Mexican restaurant. It offers good value without breaking the bank, making it a solid choice for a tasty meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about New Castillito
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Amazing Burrito and Vibes!
I had a drunk burrito last night and it was absolutely amazing. The burrito itself was so good, and the vibes were awesome. The gal who took our order really took care of us, and the person cheffing up the burritos deserves a big high five from their boss.
I will definitely be back.
- drunk burrito10
- vibes10
- gal10
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Authentic Border City Vibe and Tasty Salsa
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The food was pretty authentic, offering a real vibe comparable to a border city. The salsa was tasty too.
Overall, it was great stuff.
- authentic food9
- vibe9
- salsa8
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Great Burrito, Dry Carne Asada
My experience at the restaurant was mostly positive, with the wet burrito looking great. However, the main complaint is that the carne asada was too dry. Otherwise, it would have been a great meal.
- wet burrito8
- carne asada3
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
8
Grateful for Kind Service
As a Japanese couple, we didn't dine at the restaurant, but we are very grateful for the kind service we received. A staff member called a taxi for us on July 22nd after 11 pm. Thank you for your help!
- kind service10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Great Taqueria with Free Chips!
My experience at this taqueria in the Mission was very positive. I enjoyed a Carnitas super burrito, a Modelo, and chips and salsa for $22, with tax and tip included. I particularly liked the free second round of chips and the chilled squeeze bottles of green and red salsa.
The restaurant is conveniently located on the corner with parking available on the side street.
- Carnitas super burrito9
- free second round of chips10
- green and red salsa9
What New Castillito offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Transgender safespace
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is New Castillito Taqueria accessible for all guests?
Yes, New Castillito Taqueria prioritizes accessibility for every guest. You will find a wheelchair accessible entrance, wheelchair accessible seating, and a wheelchair accessible restroom, ensuring a comfortable and convenient dining experience for everyone.
What dining options and special offerings are available at New Castillito Taqueria?
New Castillito Taqueria offers a wide range of dining options, including breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. You can also enjoy late-night food, quick bites, coffee, beer, and small plates, making it versatile for any time of day or night.
What is the overall customer sentiment for New Castillito?
New Castillito holds an overall score of 7 out of 10, with Food (7.1) and Service (7.1) being strong points. Ambience (6.4) and Value (5.8) are considered average.
What kind of food can I expect at New Castillito?
Customers frequently praise the authentic Mexican food, particularly the burritos, carnitas, and salsa. However, some have noted occasional issues with meat quality or seasoning.
How is the atmosphere and value at New Castillito?
The atmosphere is described as having an authentic vibe by some, but others find it uncomfortable or mention parking difficulties. Value can be inconsistent, with some finding prices good and others deeming them steep.