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oChef » Tia Margarita – San Francisco
Tia Margarita - San Francisco
Photo from Tia Margarita
Tia Margarita at a glance
San Francisco Richmond District
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 73 of the guests
#2078 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#116 Mexican Restaurant out of 134 in San Francisco
Good
6.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
462
Reviews
58.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Friendly service
- Lively atmosphere
- Great margaritas
Frequently criticized
- High prices
- Inconsistent food
- Hidden charges
The restaurant Tia Margarita invites you to experience authentic Mexican flavors right in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant Richmond District. This cozy and casual Mexican restaurant is a local favorite, offering a welcoming atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy a great meal.
If you’re looking for a spot to catch a game while savoring delicious food and drinks, you’ll appreciate that this establishment also caters to sports enthusiasts.
Overview: Introducting Tia Margarita
Tia Margarita offers a lively setting with a generally positive atmosphere and vibes. Many appreciate the friendly staff and attentive service, contributing to a pleasant dining experience.
However, opinions on the food are quite varied, and the prices often raise concerns. While some find the portions generous, others feel the cost doesn’t always align with the quality or quantity.
Good
6.3
out of 10
462
Reviews
58.9%
Satisfaction
165
negative
25
neutral
272
positive
Tia Margarita earns an overall score of 6.3, placing it squarely in the average category. Customer satisfaction stands at 58.9%, indicating a mixed reception among diners.
This suggests that while many find aspects to enjoy, there are also notable areas for improvement, based on 462 customer remarks. Delving deeper, Ambience (7.4) and Service (6.9) are clear strengths, frequently praised for creating a welcoming environment.
However, the Food (6.3) receives a more balanced view, with both positive comments on items like margaritas and criticisms regarding authenticity or flavor. The Value (2.3) is a significant drawback, often cited as a concern due to pricing.
What people like
- Friendly, attentive service
- Lively, inviting atmosphere
- Delicious margaritas
What people don't like
- High prices, poor value
- Inconsistent food quality
- Automatic gratuity issues
If you prioritize a vibrant atmosphere and attentive service over culinary consistency, Tia Margarita might be worth a visit. It’s a place where the social experience often outshines the plate, reflected in its 6.3 recommendation score.
However, be prepared for a potentially mixed experience with the food and consider the value proposition carefully. It could be a good spot for drinks and a lively evening, but manage expectations regarding the overall meal cost and quality.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Tia Margarita
Food (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
When it comes to food, this spot offers a mixed bag, with an average score of 6.3. Many of the 238 customer remarks, specifically 135 positive opinions, rave about the fantastic margaritas, generous portions, and delicious guacamole. Guests often praise the authentic Mexican taste and quality, with some calling it the best Mexican food theyve had.
However, customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 56.7%, with 84 negative comments pointing to some significant issues. Concerns include bland flavor, excessive grease, and inconsistent quality, particularly with items like rice and refried beans. Some even felt the food wasnt authentic Mexican cuisine, leading to disappointment.
Food
238
Reviews
56%
Satisfaction
84
negative
19
neutral
135
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great margaritas
- Generous portions
- Delicious guacamole
What people don't like
- Bland flavor
- Inconsistent quality
- Poor rice/beans
Often praised
- foodI absolutely loved the place and vibe, and what an amazing team they have here. The food was fantastic, and the margaritas are delicious. Our server was so amazing; he kept coming and entertaining us with jokes and made my husband laugh.
- margaritasI absolutely loved the place and vibe, and what an amazing team they have here. The food was fantastic, and the margaritas are delicious. Our server was so amazing; he kept coming and entertaining us with jokes and made my husband laugh.
- drinksdrinks were flowing without needing to wait
- margaritaPedro and Mario for the best margarita
- portionsThis is a solid local spot with amazing portions and great margaritas. The staff were even better, with Rico being a wonderful server.
- FoodThe Drinks are even better than the food
- Mexican foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had the best Mexican food in the city. The margaritas were absolutely amazing, truly "the bomb.
- enchiladasHowever, the tacos were just 'meh', and the salsa was SUPER disappointing. The enchiladas were pretty good. Despite the food not being top-tier, I would still go back with a group, primarily due to the ambiance and the service.
- guacamoleMy go-to items are the guacamole
- Margaritasthe Margaritas are what they are known for
Frequently criticized
- foodI'm only giving one star because the food was completely tasteless. They lack variety in Mexican cuisine.
- Mexican foodMy experience at this restaurant was okay, but it was not authentic Mexican food. I would say this restaurant is for someone who wants to pretend to be Mexican, as real Mexican dishes don't typically include lettuce or sour cream.
- margaritasA pitcher of margaritas cost 65$ for barely 4 glasses
- refried beansthe refried beans were over seasoned with cumin
- ricethe rice is not what you would expect or want
- tacosmy tacos were bland and consisted of plain taco with the protein, no sauces or any other ingredients
- burritomy son's $18 burrito was about the size of what you get at Taco Bell
- chips and salsathe chips and salsa we were served were stale
- drinksOur drinks were laughable. So disgusting.
- entreesentrees and appitisers are a few dollars overpriced.
If youre looking for strong margaritas and generous portions, this place might hit the spot. However, be prepared for potentially inconsistent food quality and flavor that some find bland, especially if youre seeking truly authentic Mexican cuisine.
Service (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 71% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark, earning a 6.9 score which is quite good! Many of the 77 positive remarks praise the attentive staff and friendly servers like Omar, Fernando, and Luis, who are often highlighted for their efficiency and warmth. Guests frequently mention speedy service and an amazing team that goes above and beyond, making for a truly enjoyable dining experience.
However, the customer satisfaction sits at a 66.4%, indicating a mixed bag, and the 36 negative comments reveal some significant bumps. Issues range from rude staff and unaccommodating hostesses to slow service and poor management communication. Some guests experienced long waits for food and felt disrespected, suggesting inconsistency in the overall service delivery.
Service
116
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
36
negative
3
neutral
77
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Speedy service
- Knowledgeable team
What people don't like
- Rude staff/management
- Slow service
- Poor communication
Often praised
- serviceWe had the best dinner here. The service was phenomenal, and we absolutely loved the fajitas. The restaurant also had good vibes.
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was marked by a great atmosphere and friendly staff. While the place itself has a historic charm, the Mexican food was not our favorite.
- ServiceService was big
- serverThe food was fantastic, and the margaritas are delicious. Our server was so amazing; he kept coming and entertaining us with jokes and made my husband laugh. The service was fast, and the decor of the restaurant and table settings were beautiful.
- teamAna, Omar, and Antonio for being part of a great team always so gracious and with warm smiles
- FernandoThank you all for a wonderful night. Fernando was so easy to work with, made everything run so smoothly, and was extremely accommodating. 10 stars!
- Omarhad Omar for the first time and he did such a wonderful job!
- JenniferJennifer is a wonderful host
- Jennifer and her teamOmar was incredibly warm and friendly, taking great care of us. I highly recommend visiting Jennifer and her great team.
- LuisLuis is a wonderful server
Frequently criticized
- ownerHowever, she never arrived. I observed that the owner seemed despotic, seating customers without a smile. Personally, I will not return because the owner appeared to view everyone with inferiority.
- serviceReally rude inefficient service
- bartenderThe staff member was extremely rude and harassed one of our party members about not tipping enough, even after the drink was so bad they couldn't finish it. I would never go back here, unless you enjoy a drunk and violent bartender.
- host/waiterhost/waiter man had to give attitude about the stroller
- staffSome staff are insufferable snobs
- waiterThe host is friendly as ever, but the servers are very rude. In my most recent visit, the waiter dropped the dirty utensil on my niece's clothes, soiling her blouse and jeans. All we got was a superficial "sorry"; and we had to ask for a napkin to clean off the food.
- waitressAll we got was a superficial "sorry"; and we had to ask for a napkin to clean off the food. The waitress serving the dishes was blocking most of the walkway, not making room for customers to walk through. In a busy restaurant, it's natural that the staff would have their hands full.
- communication on the phonelousy, kinda rude communication on the phone for pickup
- customer serviceMy experience at this restaurant was the worst I've ever had with customer service. The staff member was extremely rude and harassed one of our party members about not tipping enough, even after the drink was so bad they couldn't finish it.
- food to get servedAnother 20 for food to get served
Overall, the service here can be a bit of a gamble. While many rave about the friendly and efficient staff, there are notable instances of rudeness and slow service. If you're willing to roll the dice for potentially great service, it might be worth a visit, but be prepared for possible inconsistencies.
Ambience (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 57% of the guests
The atmosphere here generally hits the mark, boasting a good score of 7.4 and a solid 77.3% customer satisfaction. Many guests, 58 out of 75 observations, rave about the vibrant atmosphere, festive vibe, and how it feels like a family-friendly spot. Youll often find great decor, murals, and even outdoor seating contributing to a fun and welcoming feel.
However, its not always perfect, with 14 observations pointing out some drawbacks. Some found the loud music and crowded rooms a bit much, and there were mentions of poor ventilation or uncomfortable seating, like being near a heat lamp. It seems the energy can sometimes tip into being a bit overwhelming for some.
Ambience
75
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
14
negative
3
neutral
58
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fun, lively atmosphere
- Family-friendly vibe
- Great decor, murals
What people don't like
- Loud, crowded rooms
- Poor ventilation
- Uncomfortable seating
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. I really loved the atmosphere and the service was great. However, the food quality was only okay, especially if you're knowledgeable about Mexican cuisine.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere was big
- ambiancebased on the ambiance
- vibesGo for the vibes
- atmosphere and decorAtmosphere and decor of the place is an easy 5/5, very cute
- barThe bar looks like a fun place for a drink
- bar areathe bar area was fun and festive
- cozy dinner atmospherelike a cozy dinner atmosphere
- decorbeautiful decor of the restaurant and table settings
- dining roomsthe various dining rooms are excellent with great atmosphere.
Frequently criticized
- Dress codeDress code: like you go running or yogin
- busyor busy?
- carousersmainly carousers
- crowded atmosphereUpon arrival, there was no one to greet us at the door, leading to an awkward wait hoping for assistance. The atmosphere felt extremely crowded and not well-ventilated. We chose to sit outside, but then faced a long wait to be noticed.
- crowded roomseated in a crowded room
- grandpa’s coming to play bingomore like gradpa’s coming to play bingo
- heat lampwould not seat a party of 2 near a heat lamp
- loud musicthe place is filled with loud music
- parkingwish we could find parking
- restaurantNot a fine or casual restaurant
If youre looking for a lively, family-friendly spot with a vibrant atmosphere and dont mind a bit of noise, this place is definitely worth checking out. But if you prefer a quiet, spacious, and well-ventilated dining experience, you might find it a bit overwhelming.
Value (2.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 21% of the guests
When it comes to value, a small handful of diners (just 2 out of 33 comments) did find some silver linings, noting generous servings and even mentioning good prices that they felt were fitting for SFO. It seems a few guests appreciated the portion sizes for what they paid. However, the vast majority of feedback, reflected in a very low score of 2.3 and customer satisfaction at just 6.1%, points to significant concerns.
Many felt the price was expensive, with overpriced food and particularly costly house margs being major sticking points. Hidden gratuity and service charge also left a sour taste.
Value
33
Reviews
6%
Satisfaction
31
negative
0
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Generous servings
What people don't like
- Overpriced food
- Expensive drinks
- Hidden charges
Often praised
- good pricesgenerous servings at good prices
- pricesThe prices are fitting for SFO
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was quite negative. I found the food to be bad, and it was incredibly overpriced. To make matters worse, the staff did not inform us that gratuity was automatically added to the bill.
- expensiveFor a side of guacamole, they charge $8. That says it all – super, super expensive for everything. This is the worst Mexican restaurant I've ever eaten at.
- billI was totally surprised with the bill.
- pricesThe worst part was the complete absence of flavor; it was totally bland. To top it off, the prices are incredibly high. For a side of guacamole, they charge $8.
- tipsuggest a minimum of 18% as a tip, but it is based on AFTER tax
- $15 well margaritacan’t support a $15 well margarita
- Carne AsadaThey charged 2 extra dollars for Carne Asada.
- costA pitcher of margaritas cost $65 for barely four glasses. The food was decent, but ultimately not worth the cost.
- gratuityautomatically add gratuity
- happy hourMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing because everything on Google said that this place has some kind of happy hour, and they don't. This was a key reason for my visit, and the lack of it was a letdown.
If you're looking for a budget-friendly meal, this might not be your spot, as many found the pricing to be a major drawback. Be prepared for potentially high costs, especially for drinks and extra charges, or you might leave feeling disappointed.
How are the prices at Tia Margarita?
You’re looking at roughly 45 per person – reported by 73 diners. That puts it in the $41–$50 category. For a Mexican Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while many guests spend in the $21–$30 range, theres also a significant number enjoying more premium options, with some spending over $100+. Its a place that caters to a nice mix of budgets!
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 73 reviews.
Comparing the value for money of this restaurant against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, for a Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers options for different budgets, which is always a plus!
Customer Reviews: what people think about Tia Margarita
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Owner's Behavior Was Disappointing
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to the owner's behavior. A great friend, who worked here for 18 years, invited me and met the owner, Yeni. My friend asked if Yeni could join us at our table, and Yeni initially agreed, saying she would be there shortly.
However, she never arrived. I observed that the owner seemed despotic, seating customers without a smile. Personally, I will not return because the owner appeared to view everyone with inferiority.
- owner's behavior2
- owner2
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Family Feel with Delicious Food and Great Service!
My experience at Tia Margarita was wonderful! The food was consistently delicious, and the staff were great. I especially want to thank Luis for his great service – he was sooo efficient, friendly, and very professional.
Fernando was always so accommodating, even with a short notice reservation. Pedro and Mario made the best margarita. Ana, Omar, and Antonio were part of a great team, always gracious with warm smiles.
Going to Tia Margarita is like visiting family : } Love this place!
- food10
- staff10
- margarita10
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Tia Margarita: Food and Service Shine
My experience at Tia Margarita was overwhelmingly positive. The food has significantly improved, evolving from good to GREAT over the years. The service is consistently great, with professional and personable staff who represent the restaurant with grace and warmth.
I particularly enjoyed the service from Luis, a wonderful server, and Jennifer, a wonderful host. The margaritas always hit the mark. I truly enjoy and look forward to visiting this treasured spot.
- food10
- service10
- people10
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Amazing Portions, Drinks, and Staff!
This is a solid local spot with amazing portions and great margaritas. The staff were even better, with Rico being a wonderful server. I will definitely be back.
- portions9
- margaritas8
- staff10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Family Dinner
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Wonderful Service from Omar at Tias!
We love this spot. Tonight we had Omar for the first time and he did such a wonderful job! He was attentive, patient, and even great with our kids.
Another great night at Tias - thanks Omar!
- Omar10
- attentive9
- patient9
What Tia Margarita offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Offerings
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Counter service
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
Do you need a reservation to dine at Tia Margarita?
Yes, dinner reservations are recommended at Tia Margarita, especially if you plan to visit during peak hours. While they do accept reservations, you can also inquire about seating upon arrival, but booking ahead ensures your spot.
What accessibility features and dining options does Tia Margarita offer?
Tia Margarita provides a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restrooms, ensuring comfort for all guests. You can enjoy various dining options including table service, counter service, and seating for dinner and dessert, alongside a full bar onsite.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Tia Margarita?
Tia Margarita has an overall score of **6.3** and a customer satisfaction of **58.9%**, indicating a mixed reception. While **Ambience** (7.4) and **Service** (6.9) are generally well-regarded, **Food** (6.3) receives varied opinions, and **Value** (2.3) is a notable concern.
Is Tia Margarita known for its drinks?
Yes, many customers frequently praise Tia Margarita for its **margaritas**, often describing them as delicious and a highlight of their visit.
Are there any common complaints about pricing at Tia Margarita?
Yes, **prices** are a frequent point of contention, with many finding items like guacamole and margaritas to be expensive. Some also express frustration over automatically added **gratuity**.