¡Chao Pescao!

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1. e

   esfassett

   San Francisco

   6 reviews

   4.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall4food4service3ambience4

   Very flavorful tasty Cuban influenced menu

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2. g

   ger3sf

   San Francisco

   67 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   67 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall3food3service4ambience3

   Pretheater dinner. Very good and attentive service. Latin/Caribbean menu has good variety with reasonable prices.

   Report
3. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall4food4service5ambience4

   Pre-matinee (Orpheum Theater) lunch. Wide choice of yummy sounding food. Not being super hungry, we shared the quinoa salad and plantain appetizer. Salad was delish and ample; dipping sauce for the plantains was fabulous and a new taste for my adventurous palate. I’ve been to Cuba, and this food was much more flavorful than anything I ate there. Really good coffee afterwards too. The lively music playing was too loud but when we asked for the volume to be lowered a bit, we were accommodated quickly and very pleasantly. (The restaurant could use some soft surfaces to dampen the shrillness of customer conversations bouncing off all of the hard surfaces.) Bright room, lots of natural light. Fun artwork. Bathroom door weirdly would not shut securely! (Door was too big! Had to block the door by moving the waste can in front.) I admit I should have addressed this awkward situation at the time with the management. All the staff we interacted with (greeter, server and bartender) were all very friendly and attentive. Really welcoming!! Will definitely go again to try more of the unusual delicious-looking menu.

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4. KE

   KatherineElizabeth

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   LOVE Chao Pescao - my FAVORITE restaurant in all of California!!! EVERYTHING is perfect - the ambiance, the decor, the owners and staff, the food. I asked to go here for my birthday (husband took me) then I took myself because I love it so much!! Could come here and eat here every day forever!!! Erin especially is amazing - thank you Erin for the super awesome experience!! I love you Chao Pescao!!

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5. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   The food was pretty tasty and service was very jovial and helpful! The price per plate and cocktail was a bit steep, but it’s a new restaurant near City Hall, so it’s understandable.

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6. DE

   DEEDEE

   Chicago

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on November 23, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Wonderful, friendly staff, great cocktails and yummy food. Great value and very accommodating. Loved it! Mike and BT were fantastic!

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7. CM

   CMSC

   San Francisco

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on November 23, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Colorful and tasteful experience at great price

   Report
8. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco

   1 review

   vip
   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on November 20, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Everyone was warm and helpful. We were going to a play and liked the parking validation for $5.00 right around the corner!!

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9. DF

   DianeF

   San Francisco

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on November 20, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Super fun and delicious menu, good location for pre-symphony dinner. Vegan Ropa Vieja and butternut squash empanadas were great choices for vegetarian dinner. Friendly staff to boot!

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10. C

    Chris

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 20, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Nice small plates, reasonable price. A bit noisy, even at 70% capacity. Waiter brought me the wrong check- I could have been indignant but all is forgiven.

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11. NN

    NancyN

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    First time at Chao Pescao. Empanadas were excellent appetizer ! The bistecca (steak) and fried chicken were delicious and the Cubans pork also tasty. Some of the sauces are extra spicy, so be careful. Service was attentive and responsive. Make reservations to be sure to get seating!

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12. M

    Manjushri

    San Francisco

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 17, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience3

    Excellent food and drinks. Location couldn't be more convenient to Civic Center activities and parking. Ambient noise is high, in case that bothers you. Staff is very friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable. Lots of fun - we'll go there again and again. Make sure to make reservations, it gets filled pretty quick.

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13. P

    Pinkster

    San Francisco

    25 reviews

    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on November 13, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    I always enjoy my meals, and the staff are super friendly and accomodating

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14. DG

    DGBGN

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 13, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    We've been three times now, each time trying new items, each time loved whatever we ordered. Our go-to chicken soup place closed during the pandemic peak, so we've been looking. Eureka! Amazingly good chicken soup.

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15. D

    Drew7

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Love Chao Pescao! Fab food, friendly, witty, funny folks. We are now regulars before our matinees at the Orpheum and Golden Gate -- both are a 10 minute walk from Chao Pescao!

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16. JG

    JaredG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 6, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food was fantastic and the staff was attentive. The drinks were very good, especially the Mono night cap. I'd highly recommend the brussel sprouts. They may have been the crowning moment of the meal even with great tostones and maduros on the table.

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17. JM

    JenniferM

    Minneapolis

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 6, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Such a great find! The ambience was welcoming, comfortable, and lively, and we felt immediately glad we had landed here. The food arrived hot and delicious, with spice and ingredient combinations that were unexpected and tasty. (Ex: Brussels sprouts with cojita and lime - yum!) This place had me remembering why it's so worth it to go out in the city -- the vibe and energy level left us feeling we were in on something good. Short 3-block walk to The Orpheum.

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18. EH

    ErinH

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Alessandra and the two other staff were absolutely amazing! They truly made our experience with their friendly, attentive personalities! They all were very knowledgeable about food items which we really appreciated! We LOVED every moment and will be back! Highly recommended for a great date night! Thank you!

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19. HM

    HoyaMom

    San Francisco

    15 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on November 2, 2022

    overall2food2service2ambience3

    The empanadas very good, but other dishes we had were not good. The noise level is very high and it is difficult to talk. The service was very slow.

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20. c

    charlesf

    San Francisco

    32 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on November 2, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Nice place . Walking distance to the Orpheum theater . We enjoyed the plantains, pork belly and empanadas. If your going to the theater be sure to make EARLY reservations. It was very busy

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21. E

    Evie

    San Francisco

    18 reviews

    3.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on November 2, 2022

    overall3food4service4ambience3

    Waiter was very good with his recommendations. Water glasses were kept full. What fell short was my dining partner had to refuse the sandwich twice as order was to exclude cheese - “no dairy.” Cuban pork shoulder was tasty especially with the habanero salsa to give it a kick. There was quite a good amount of meat. Did not have dessert but the drip coffee was good.

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22. JS

    JoyS

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Venue is awesome and food is great! the service is awesome as well.

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23. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great lunch specials

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24. RG

    RaemiG

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 29, 2022

    overall3food4service1ambience3

    We arrived at 6pm for our reservation. We had show tickets 5 minutes away at 7:30pm. We told our waitress that we needed to leave at 7:10pm. While friendly and trying, we had to run out to make our show (at 7:25pm), were barely able to pay, and paid for a dessert we didn't get (we asked for it to go, but they weren't able to get to us in time). This is clearly a theatre crowd, but the restaurant's service nearly made us miss our show. This said, the drinks, food and atmosphere (while loud) were very good.

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25. TT

    TTew

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on October 29, 2022

    overall4food5service3ambience3

    Servers were very nice. But understaffed. After 1.5 hours we barely got out in time paying our bill to make a play. And we skipped dessert. Food was very good. It is not a quiet place so don’t expect much of a conversation while you eat.

    Report
26. a

    anonymousdiner

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2022

    overall2food1service4ambience3

    My dinner date and I had been to the previous iteration as Sol Luna about 6-7 years ago. I was happy to see the owners put some $ and effort into the new space which is nice, very loud (some acoustic tiles, fabrics on walls or upholstery to dampen the sounds) and new energy. Prices were lower than other restaurants in the area. The staff was personable and glad to help. We ordered a fried chicken and thin rib eye steak. However, both meals arrived and while they looked nice, both were overcooked-dry. We asked for a slightly different meals, and it was better although the kitchen seems to need more experience on cooking meats. The manager was kind to take off half of the price of the entrees.

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27. PS

    PaulS

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    1.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2022

    overall1food1service2ambience2

    Food was truly awful. Fried, dry and flavorless. Noise level was so loud they we could barely hear across a small table. Unpleasant meal.

    Report
28. CB

    ChowBellaSF

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2022

    overall3food4service4ambience3

    The food was very good and the servers were outstanding.

    Report
29. CN

    CarlN

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience4

    What we ordered was rather bland. Service a little slow. Doubt if we’d eat here again

    Report
30. E

    Eric

    San Francisco

    227 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    227 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    We had a great experience at Chao Pescao! Service was friendly and food delicious! Make sure you get the french fries! Two of us are gluten sensitive and they are responsive to that as well - having a separate fryer so as not to cross contaminate. VERY appreciated. Big portions too. You'll probably need a to-go box. Close-ish to the Orpheum and Golden Gate Theaters too.

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31. G

    Gary

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 26, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Overall, again, excellent food. Delicious flavors and generous portions. There is a lot of value here. My only issue is the noise. The walls really need artwork or fabric, something, to absorb the sound. The crew is polite,helpful and attentive but servixe/kitchen is slow. This is the 2nd time it took 2 of us 1 hr and 45 minutes from seating to payment. No issue if not going anywhere but we had to be at the theater so plan on an early reservation!

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32. B

    Beachboots

    Manitoba

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on October 25, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Excellent selection, great value, and extremely nummy!

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33. BT

    BillT

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 24, 2022

    overall3food4service3ambience5

    Convenient location and great ambiance. Food is good.

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34. CS

    CindyS

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on October 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    What a find! Delicious food-we were fortunate enough to find it during restaurant week so we opted for the Prix Fixe menu - a tapioca bread which was lovely, followed by empanadas made with corn flour--fantastic texture. And the main courses were fabulous as well. Wonderful welcoming staff--we will be back!

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35. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    219 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    219 reviews

    Dined on October 23, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    We really like Chao Pescao. Lovely staff and service. Delicious food. Really convenient if going to Orpheum Theatre afterwards.

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36. RR

    RRankin

    San Francisco

    23 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on October 22, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience3

    Good was cold when served. Not a good thing with fried chicken. Beans and plantains felt heated up but not cooked. Disappointing. Service was friendly but inconsistent (many different servers). Very slow service in the beginning.

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37. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on October 22, 2022

    overall5food5service3ambience4

    Loved the decor and the food. Tonight was a prix fixe as part of SF restaurant week. The restaurant was definitely busy. Loved the Caribbean style decor. Very good good. Empanadas are standout as are the sweet plantains and the rice pudding. We will be back!!

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38. YA

    YazA

    San Francisco

    23 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on October 21, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    We were on vacation and ended up coming here twice. I have diet restrictions and the kitchen accommodated my needs! Also great service! Great food! Thank you Chao Pescao!

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39. ST

    SusanTheEpicurian

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 20, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Service was excellent! food was very tasty.. would not recommend the plantains however, very dry. Everyone loves the food and the friendly and prompt service : )

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40. j

    jaimev

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 16, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Enjoyable evening at Chao. The service was super friendly and responsive. Really enjoyed the menu from appetizers to the specials. Look forward to going back to try some of the other menu items that look appetizing.

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