Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Olivos – San Francisco
Olivos - San Francisco
Photo from Olivos
Olivos at a glance
San Francisco Lower Nob Hill
- 🍽️ Restaurant
€€
Price per Person 11 – 20 €
mentioned by 16 of the guests
#1344 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#154 Restaurant out of 254 in San Francisco
Good
7.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
212
Reviews
70.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Tasty food
- Good value
- Friendly staff
Frequently criticized
- Poor service
- Basic ambience
- Unreliable hours
The restaurant Olivos, nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Lower Nob Hill, offers a delightful dining experience. You’ll find a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for any meal, whether you’re stopping by for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner.
With a focus on healthy options and an enticing selection of small plates, it’s an ideal spot for a quick bite or a relaxed evening. Plus, you have the convenience of dine-in, takeout, and delivery services.
Overview: Introducting Olivos
Olivos offers a straightforward dining experience where the focus is clearly on the plate. Many appreciate the friendly staff and the authentic flavors, making it a reliable choice for those seeking a hearty meal.
It’s a place where the food often speaks for itself, drawing a consistent crowd. However, the setting itself is quite modest, and some visitors have noted inconsistencies with the customer service and operational hours.
While the culinary offerings are generally well-received, managing expectations regarding the overall environment and service flow is advisable.
Good
7.3
out of 10
212
Reviews
70.3%
Satisfaction
43
negative
20
neutral
149
positive
Olivos earns a solid 7.3 out of 10 for its overall performance, with customer satisfaction sitting at a respectable 70.3%. This indicates a generally positive reception from diners, suggesting that most leave content with their experience.
These figures are drawn from a substantial pool of 212 customer comments, with 149 positive remarks outweighing 43 negative ones. The Food (8) stands out as a clear strength, consistently praised for its quality and taste.
The Value (7.1) also scores well, with many finding the offerings quite reasonable. However, Service (6.2) and Ambience (6) are more in the average range, reflecting a mixed bag of experiences in these areas.
While the food and pricing are highlights, the service and atmosphere might not always impress.
What people like
- Tasty, authentic food
- Excellent value
- Friendly, polite staff
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Uninviting decor
- Inaccurate operating hours
If you’re prioritizing flavorful, authentic food at a fair price over a polished dining room or consistently seamless service, Olivos is certainly worth considering. Its 7.7 recommendation score suggests a good chance you’ll enjoy the culinary offerings, especially if you appreciate a no-frills approach.
However, be prepared for a casual setting and potential variations in service. It’s a spot that delivers on its core promise of good food and value, but it might not be the ideal choice for those seeking a refined atmosphere or guaranteed top-tier hospitality.
Similar Restaurants in San Francisco
- Restaurant
9.4
out of 10
out of 10
283
98.6%
- $$
- Lower Nob Hill
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Restaurant
9.4
out of 10
out of 10
307
100%
- $$
- Saint Francis Wood
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Restaurant
9.3
out of 10
out of 10
533
98.1%
- $$
- Marina District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Restaurant
9.3
out of 10
out of 10
97
99%
- $$
- Telegraph Hill
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Restaurant
9.3
out of 10
out of 10
182
96.2%
- $$
- Mission District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Restaurant
9.3
out of 10
out of 10
249
98.4%
- $$
- Cow Hollow
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Olivos
Food (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 88% of the guests
Based on 125 total opinions, with a strong lean towards the positive (99 positive remarks versus 15 negative), the food here generally leaves diners quite pleased. With a good score of 8 and a good customer satisfaction of 79.2%, many rave about the delicious and authentic pupusas, often highlighting their quality and flavor. The burritos, especially the Super Burritos and Carne Asada fries, also receive high praise for being hearty and satisfying, with many appreciating the homemade feel and great salsas.
However, despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, not every dish hits the mark for everyone. Some found the pupusas a bit too salty, and there were occasional complaints about the salsa being bland or too spicy. Issues like dry carnitas, unappetizing guacamole, or forgotten ingredients like tortillas were also mentioned, suggesting some inconsistencies in execution.
Food
125
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
15
negative
11
neutral
99
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious, authentic pupusas
- Hearty, flavorful burritos
- Great salsas, fresh chips
What people don't like
- Inconsistent salsa quality
- Dry meat, bad cheese
- Forgotten ingredients
Often praised
- foodThe burrito was quite large and tasty, and the price was quite affordable, even for guests from another continent. The decor might be a bit uninviting, but the food really stands its ground and is worth trying.
- pupusasI ordered 2 cheese, 2 revueltas, and cheese with beans. They were so good! Beware, the salsa is super spicy, but in a good way 😊.
- papusasLately, I've been craving papusas, and there's nothing better than a fluffy papusa with crispy edges. I enjoyed the papusas here; however, I found them to be a little too salty for my taste, possibly due to the cheese used. Otherwise, they are delicious.
- salsaThe accompanying salsa were also incredibly tasty
- Mexican foodSo far, the best Mexican food I've tried. The burrito was quite large and tasty, and the price was quite affordable, even for guests from another continent.
- fried plantainsThey have also yummy fried plantains
- good foodThe service was the best I have ever had. We were looking for a unique place with good food, and this was the most fantastic place we ate at during our entire trip to San Francisco.
- great foodI've always been served great food here.
- menu99) is essentially the same as Vigaron, just without the Platanos Frito, though you can order them on the side. I believe you can explore the rest of the menu and likely find other "Nica-like" combos.
- super burritoHad the super burrito. Excellent!
Frequently criticized
- onionalways order everything without onion and I repeat twice to be sure they don't put it, but they always put it
- salsaSalsa was runny and a bit spicy for me
- bread with breakfastThey don't serve bread with breakfast
- carnitasCarnitas were dry and over cooked
- cheesethe cheese tasted bad
- chipsthe chips had almost no flavor
- curtidoel curtido no estaba tan bueno
- foodthe food was horrible
- guacamoleguacamole wasn't very good
- meatmeat is small
If you're looking for flavorful and authentic Salvadoran and Mexican dishes, especially pupusas and hearty burritos, this spot is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that some minor inconsistencies in certain items or ingredients might pop up, but the overall experience is positive.
Service (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 53% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot lands squarely in the average zone with a score of 6.2, and customer satisfaction is a bit of a mixed bag at 57.8%. Based on 45 customer comments, theres a definite appreciation for the friendly people, staff, and owner, with many praising the polite and attentive approach. Guests frequently mention "very friendly service, " "Genial staff, " and "fast service, " often describing it as "1st class, attentive & professional.
" However, not all experiences are sunshine and rainbows. With 16 negative comments, some patrons encountered issues with customer service, specifically mentioning a "rude" lady at the register and "ill-mannered" or "discourteous service. " Opinions like "the service is lousy" and "terrible attitude" suggest theres room for improvement in consistency, especially regarding stated hours.
Service
45
Reviews
57%
Satisfaction
16
negative
3
neutral
26
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast service
- Attentive service
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Lousy service
- Incorrect hours
Often praised
- serviceThe service was 1st class, attentive & professional.
- staffstaff are very friendly
- ownerTheir owner seems pleasant, humble, hard working and appreciative of business
- peopleThey are very pleasant people, without a doubt a good place with good food and very clean. 💯 recommended!
- approach to servethey approach to serve great food
- customer serviceGreat customer service.
- family-runIt's a family-run establishment where the staff are very polite.
- friendly peopleGreat people ,Rene the owner is so friendly
- gentlemanel señor es muy amable
- good personRene the owner is so friendly ,good person
Frequently criticized
- customer serviceI literally came and went. Your crummy customer service just lost you a potential good customer 👎🏽.
- serviceservice was not friendly at all
- cashierthe attitude of the cashier ., a NO WELCOME ANYMORE .Rude
- daughter of the ownersnos atendió la hija De los señores y nos trato tan mal tan repugnante
- discourteous servicethe lady behind the counter is particularly discourteous
- hoursPlease change your hours on here to coordinate when you are actually open.
- ill-manneredno entiendo como puede ver jente tan tan mal educada
- lady at the registerthe lady at the register was so rude
- openSays til 9 and you are literally never open.
- ownerMy experience at this restaurant was mixed. While I consistently frequent this place, the owner is not a kind person, even to her own Latin race. It's unfair because Latinos pay the same dollar as North Americans, and we are the ones who promote the restaurant.
If you're looking for a place with potentially friendly and fast service, it might be worth a try. However, be aware that some customers have reported encountering rude staff and inconsistent customer service, which could impact your visit.
Ambience (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 35% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot offers a bit of a mixed bag, with a 6 on our score and a 52% customer satisfaction rating. Based on 25 customer opinions, with 13 positive and 10 negative remarks, some folks really enjoy the cozy family and homestyle feel, finding it a unique place with a friendly environment. However, not everyone is charmed.
Many described a dimly lit restaurant with uninviting decor. The sketchy area and a terrible smell were also noted as significant drawbacks, suggesting the overall environment needs some work.
Ambience
25
Reviews
52%
Satisfaction
10
negative
2
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy, friendly atmosphere
- Unique dining experience
- Homestyle, familiar feel
What people don't like
- No indoor dining
- Sketchy surrounding area
- Unpleasant smell present
Often praised
- atmosphereservice and atmosphere that are both top-notch
- busymedieval busy so you know they are popular
- cozy familycozy family food
- environmentIt's a quiet, friendly environment
- familiar restaurantvery familiar restaurant
- family-ownedthey are family owned
- fantastic placeThe service was the best I have ever had. We were looking for a unique place with good food, and this was the most fantastic place we ate at during our entire trip to San Francisco.
- good placeThey are very pleasant people, without a doubt a good place with good food and very clean. 💯 recommended!
- homestylehomestyle, like I grew up with
- pretenseI found the food to be very good. The environment was quiet and friendly, with not much pretense. Additionally, it was inexpensive.
Frequently criticized
- ambienceThe ambience is lacking
- decorThe burrito was quite large and tasty, and the price was quite affordable, even for guests from another continent. The decor might be a bit uninviting, but the food really stands its ground and is worth trying.
- dimly lit restaurantDon't be discouraged by the dimly lit restaurant and the graffiti tarnishing the exterior of this place; Olivo's is Tenderloin's local taste of delicious Mexican cuisine. Having lived in the Loin for nearly a year, I was surprised that despite the bevy of restaurants catering to nearly every different type of cuisine, good Mexican food was nowhere to be found.
- graffiti tarnishing exteriorDon't be discouraged by the dimly lit restaurant and the graffiti tarnishing the exterior of this place; Olivo's is Tenderloin's local taste of delicious Mexican cuisine. Having lived in the Loin for nearly a year, I was surprised that despite the bevy of restaurants catering to nearly every different type of cuisine, good Mexican food was nowhere to be found.
- indoor diningno longer offer indoor dining
- mobility challengesComo persona con retos de movilidad, no fue tan fácil
- restaurantthe restaurant needs work
- sketchy areaThis is an authentic Salvadoran/Mexican spot offering tasty, affordable food and some beverages. It's a bare bones establishment in the Tendernob area, which is a sketchy area but has some of the best food in the city. It seems most people order takeover or delivery, as there are no apparent dine-in options with a sign outside saying "para llevar" (to-go).
- surrounding environmentEl ambiente alrededor es otro factor de riesgo
- terrible smellthere was a terrible smell while i was eating
If youre seeking a "cozy family" vibe and dont mind a no-frills setting, this place might be a hidden gem. However, be prepared for a potentially dimly lit space in a sketchy area with uninviting decor, and possibly even an unpleasant smell. It's worth trying if food is your priority over atmosphere.
Value (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 31% of the guests
When it comes to value, this place generally earns a solid 7.1, which is a good score, and customer satisfaction sits at a respectable 64.7%, suggesting a mixed but largely positive reception. Many diners rave about finding an affordable and cheap spot where the prices are truly inexpensive, often calling it a fair price for the quality. With 11 positive remarks out of 17 total, its clear many feel theyre getting a great deal.
However, its not entirely without its hiccups. A couple of customers, specifically 2 out of 17, have noted concerns about being overcharged or feeling the overall cost was higher than expected. While these instances are few, its something to keep in mind when you visit.
Value
17
Reviews
64%
Satisfaction
2
negative
4
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable meals
- Great value
- Inexpensive spot
What people don't like
- Overcharging concerns
- Unexpected high cost
Often praised
- priceTake everything that's great about a burrito bowl and lay it over fries instead, and you'll have some idea. But I want to emphasize that this place feels like the real deal; it's authentic and flavorful, and the price is completely reasonable, which is why the locals are here just as much as the tourists. The wait staff is incredibly friendly, and it's easy to make small talk while you wait.
- inexpensivePretty inexpensive as San Francisco eateries go
- affordableMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's the greatest and best affordable Latin food spot I've found, especially being the only one above Geary on Larkin. It's conveniently located near my SRO, and I truly hope they stay open for many more years.
- affordable foodMy experience at Olivio's was that of discovering an underrated hidden gem in SF. This is an authentic Salvadoran/Mexican spot offering tasty, affordable food and some beverages. It's a bare bones establishment in the Tendernob area, which is a sketchy area but has some of the best food in the city.
- cheap spotCheap spot you can get 2 papusas and rice for under $10
- fair priceGreat food at a fair price
- pricesreasonable prices
- ten dollarsOnly ten dollars too
Frequently criticized
- costCost almost $15
- waitress overchargesthe waitress always overcharges
If you're looking for a place that offers good portions at a genuinely affordable price, this spot is definitely worth checking out. Just be mindful of your bill, as a few experiences suggest occasional discrepancies in pricing.
How are the prices at Olivos?
On average, you’ll spend around 15 per person – based on 16 guests. That places this spot in the 11 – 20 € category. For a Restaurant in San Francisco, thats a solid mid-range price point.
Most of the prices weve seen cluster right around this average, indicating a pretty consistent experience.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 16 most recent reviews.
Heres how this restaurants value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Restaurant in San Francisco. Its a good spot if youre looking for quality without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Olivos
Price per Person
- 11 - 20 €
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Visit Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
7
Delicious Papusas with a Salty Twist
Lately, I've been craving papusas, and there's nothing better than a fluffy papusa with crispy edges. I enjoyed the papusas here; however, I found them to be a little too salty for my taste, possibly due to the cheese used. Otherwise, they are delicious.
I ordered two cheese and two mixed papusas. The mixed ones had not a ton of meat and a very light stuffing. The sauce provided was not spicy at all.
- papusas7
- cheese6
- mixed papusas5
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
10
Favorite Spot for Burritos!
My favorite spot in SF! Their fish and chile verde burrito is to die for. The food is excellent, with a service and atmosphere that are both top-notch.
- fish and chile verde burrito10
- food10
- service10
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
1
Rude Service, Didn't Even Order
I did not even order from there. The lady at the register was so rude 👎🏽. I literally came and went.
Your crummy customer service just lost you a potential good customer 👎🏽.
- lady at the register1
- customer service1
Price per Person
- 1 - 10 €
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Blown Away by Vegetarian Burrito!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I ordered the vegetarian burrito and it was truly one of the best I've ever had. I went in with no expectations, but I was completely blown away!
Wow! The fact that it was only ten dollars made it even better.
- vegetarian burrito10
- expectations9
- ten dollars9
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Delivery
9
Authentic Salvadoran Gem in Tenderloin
My experience at Olivio's was that of discovering an underrated hidden gem in SF. This is an authentic Salvadoran/Mexican spot offering tasty, affordable food and some beverages. It's a bare bones establishment in the Tendernob area, which is a sketchy area but has some of the best food in the city.
It seems most people order takeover or delivery, as there are no apparent dine-in options with a sign outside saying "para llevar" (to-go). I'm a fan of their bean & rice pupusas and the complementary fermented cabbage salad, curtido. They also have yummy fried plantains.
I also recommend their Salvadoran style Horchata. I look forward to trying their beef soup next time. The owner seems pleasant, humble, hard-working, and appreciative of business.
If you don't want to venture into the Tenderloin area, don't let that stop you from trying Olivio's, as they are available for delivery on DoorDash. Highly recommended.
- bean & rice pupusas9
- fermented cabbage salad8
- fried plantains8
- sketchy area3
What Olivos offers
Crowd
- 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
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options are available at Olivos?
At Olivos, you can enjoy a full range of dining experiences. They serve breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, all with convenient table service. Whether you’re starting your day or winding down, there’s a mealtime for you.
Does Olivos offer convenient service and accessibility?
Absolutely! Olivos offers flexible service options including dine-in, takeout, and delivery. For accessibility, you’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable experience for all guests.
What kind of food can I expect at Olivos?
Olivos is known for its tasty and authentic Salvadoran/Mexican cuisine, with many customers praising dishes like burritos and pupusas. While some specific items like carnitas or guacamole have received mixed feedback, the overall food quality is a significant draw.
How is Olivos rated overall by customers?
Olivos holds a good overall Restaurant Score of **7.3** out of 10, with customer satisfaction at **70.3%**. The **Food** scores highly at (8), and **Value** is also good at (7.1). However, **Service** (6.2) and **Ambience** (6) are considered more average.
What should I know about the service and atmosphere at Olivos?
Service at Olivos can be a mixed experience; while many describe the staff as friendly and attentive, others have encountered rude or discourteous interactions. The ambience is generally described as modest, with some finding the decor uninviting or the area sketchy, though it’s often seen as a cozy, family-run spot.