Fabulous from start to finish. I made a reservation for 5, but miscounted and actually had 6. They made room right away. I let the server know we had a show in an hour. She made sure to take our order and bring us our drinks immediately. Delicious! We ordered different items. All delicious. The empanadas were crispy and tasty. We had the Ropa Vieja, the pork dish and the tajin chicken. All authentic and awesome!! Server kept our waters filled and had our check for us in plenty of time. Orpheum theater was less than a 5 minute walk away. Will definitely be back!
CMSC
Eclectic colourful decor, friendly staff, excellent service, very good Latin Caribbean food at excellent prices. The owner and his wife are extremely kind and go out of your way to please you.
WE all ordered the chicken sandwiches. 3 of us got fries, one side salad, plantain chips and dip for appetizer. The sandwiches lacked flavor but the fries were perfect and the side salad was superb ( great salad dressing). The plantain chips/garlic bean dip were good, but underwhelming.
The food was very good and so was the service. It was so loud that I couldn't talk to my husband sitting across the table from me. I have been there for lunch and it wasn't so noisy. I won't go there again for dinner.
John O.
Mike our server was energetic, friendly, and informative. Really excellent. The food was all delicious and the servings generous. The menu is "Latin American fusion". E.g. arepa de pollo, overflowing with fried chicken, avocado, and other goodies. One of us had the chicken ahi soup and loved it. Another was delighted with his thin sliced beef (under especiales on the menu). We had both the plantain appetizers, which were very different from each other and delicious. Tarta de Alfajores was incredible and the cheesecake also yummy. The decor was interesting and bright. Our only issues were very high noise level at times (but not the whole time) from happy customers' conversations and slightly slow service, which we attributed to the fact the place was completely full (and for which our server apologized, unprompted). We will definitely go back! It's a very small place, and we were unable to reserve online for the time we wanted, but successful in person. I wish I had taken more pictures of the food, but it looked and tasted so good I didn't think of it until dessert.
JDWilliams
One of the best restaurants in the area. It is my go-to for pre-show dinner. Throughout my 6 visits, every dish I have had is very good. The spiciness and the temperature of the food served can be a bit unpredictable. The empanadas are very good and three of those make a very filling entree.
Andrea Santos
hidden gem tucked near the edge of tenderloin. unassuming entrance and interior but everything from the food to drinks were amazing. classic latin food with some modern twists. pleasantly surprised and would come back!beware when paying through QR code, the automatic tip is over 22% ?midnight in medellin: take on espresso martini, one of the best i’ve had. not too bitter or sweet.tigre blanco: refreshing, remniscent of caipirinhamariquitas: fried plantains were great but the chile mole sauce was standout. never tried something like that before. must try.steak empanadas: good but would skip next time.pork arepa: great smoky, sweet, savory flavors. plantains inside paired well with the shredded pork and loved the smoky sauce on the side.arroz con leche: really well made rice pudding. nothing super unique but
PENCA
We were a party of 5, which had made a reservation the week prior and had confirmed it twice. We have patronized this place for YEARS, bringing family, friends, groups here many times. On the way to the restaurant, one member of our party became ill and bowed out of our evening of dinner and a concert. The remaining 4 of us arrived at the restaurant 15 minutes early. As we were led to our table, we were informed we'd be charged $20 for the no-show person. We explained the situation to deaf ears and attitude. We wanted to leave, but our reservation had been secured with our credit card--and we figured we'd be charged $100 for "no-show"! The hostess could tell we were extremely upset. She finally came to me as we were finishing up (the meal was superb, as always) and apologized--but explained she had to follow her manager's instructions. She offered to "take care of it," but we denied her offer, as she was not the problem. We considered not leaving a tip, but felt that would only punish the waiters, hostess, chefs, and not the manager. Our son paid the bill--and knowing him, he left a tip. But upon our leaving, he did go the manager and explain how upset we were by his treatment of us. He became defensive, so our son simply explained that he'd just lost some good, long-time customers. We will NEVER return to Chao Pescao. There are MANY fine restaurants in the Hayes Valley that appreciate our patronage.
Pammagirl
We took advantage of restaurant week to try out this restaurant. Space was artfully done. Waitstaff was attentive and knowledgeable. Food was wonderful! No complaints. We would come again
Fabio B.
Step into the vibrant world of Chao Pescao, a Latin culinary oasis nestled just around the corner from San Francisco's Civic Center. From the moment I stepped inside, I was whisked away on a sensory adventure that had me itching to explore every nook and cranny of its stylishly eclectic décor. The walls adorned with whimsical artwork and the gentle sway of oversized ceiling fans created an ambiance that was both chic and inviting. But it wasn't just the decor that had me buzzing with excitement. The air was alive with the infectious rhythms of Latin legends like Willie Rosario, Frankie Ruiz, and Hector Tricoche, setting the perfect backdrop for my culinary experience. As I settled into my seat, I couldn't help but let the music move me, my head bobbing and toes tapping in time with the beat. The staff at Chao Pescao were like a well-oiled machine, seamlessly working together to ensure every guest felt welcome and attended to. I wasted no time in ordering a refreshing Modelo Especial de barril and diving into their signature Cubano sandwich, a towering masterpiece of roasted pork, ham, gruyere, pickles, and mustard nestled between perfectly grilled Cuban bread. Each bite was a symphony of flavors, with the crispy fries adding the perfect crunch to every mouthful. And while some Cuban sandwiches can be a bit on the greasy side, Chao Pescao's version struck the perfect balance, leaving me satisfied but not weighed down. As I reluctantly bid farewell to this hidden gem, I couldn't help but smile, knowing that I had stumbled upon a culinary treasure trove that I couldn't wait to share with friends. So until next time, alligator...
We had a fun dinner before a program at the Orpheum Theater. Great vibe, fantastic service and delicious food and drinks. The mojito and Tigre Blanco were great drinks to start our evening. We shared delicious chicken wings with the habanero mango sauce, a trio of varied empanadas (with both a spicy and sweet/spicy dipping sauce) and shared the delectable vieja ropa (beef, not the vegetarian options). We couldn't resist the cheesecake for dessert. Portions are very generous and sharing smaller dishes is the way to go for our next visit (and hope we can bring along a few more people to share the food). This restaurant makes you feel so welcome!
P T.
The food was delicious and I wish I had taken a photo, but I was so hungry and it was so yummy I forgot. The service was excellent. They really were so friendly and helpful. The decor was bright and fun. Interesting. I have been trying to decrease my meat intake, so I appreciated that the menu had vegan options. I would definitely eat here again.
Zoe H.
Really disappointed by tip situation. There were 5 of us, but the receipt was put at 7, because there were two folks a couple of us knew, doing their own thing at a table near us, who were lumped conceptually with us, even though our receipt clearly only has the food for us 5. Then a 20% tip was automatically added (because we supposedly had more than 6, which we didn't) - but yet the receipt paper at the bottom says suggested tip amounts. So if you don't notice that 20% has already been added, you're out of luck - so we ended up tipping more than twice the amount we should have. The whole meal ended up being significantly more expensive, and unfairly so. We were not on the bill with these other two people (I bet they didn't have to tip for our whole table of five!), and we shouldn't have needed to tip twice for our own meal. C'mon already. I won't be coming back.
Chezz M.
I'm honestly not the type to give bad reviews but this day I was very disappointed with the treatment I got from the manager a week ago. My coworkers and I were ready for a good afternoon after a long day in the office and as soon as we walked into Chao Pescao Ms. Lady/ the manager gave us the nastiest look up and down. Didn't really want to offer us seats at the bar so we had no other option then to sit at a regular table. When we asked if we could get drinks she said we'd have to stand at the bar for that. Not only that but she also was speaking rudely to my coworker. Bumped into her as she walked by. Honestly if someone is going to work in a restaurant/ bar the least you can do is have a small on your face as you greet people in. Not automatically look them up and down and assume whatever. My coworkers and I were really looking forward to a good time but the manager was oddly rude for no reason.
Fabulous from start to finish. I made a reservation for 5, but miscounted and actually had 6. They made room right away. I let the server know we had a show in an hour. She made sure to take our order and bring us our drinks immediately. Delicious! We ordered different items. All delicious. The empanadas were crispy and tasty. We had the Ropa Vieja, the pork dish and the tajin chicken. All authentic and awesome!! Server kept our waters filled and had our check for us in plenty of time. Orpheum theater was less than a 5 minute walk away. Will definitely be back!
Eclectic colourful decor, friendly staff, excellent service, very good Latin Caribbean food at excellent prices. The owner and his wife are extremely kind and go out of your way to please you.
WE all ordered the chicken sandwiches. 3 of us got fries, one side salad, plantain chips and dip for appetizer. The sandwiches lacked flavor but the fries were perfect and the side salad was superb ( great salad dressing). The plantain chips/garlic bean dip were good, but underwhelming.
The food was very good and so was the service. It was so loud that I couldn't talk to my husband sitting across the table from me. I have been there for lunch and it wasn't so noisy. I won't go there again for dinner.
Mike our server was energetic, friendly, and informative. Really excellent. The food was all delicious and the servings generous. The menu is "Latin American fusion". E.g. arepa de pollo, overflowing with fried chicken, avocado, and other goodies. One of us had the chicken ahi soup and loved it. Another was delighted with his thin sliced beef (under especiales on the menu). We had both the plantain appetizers, which were very different from each other and delicious. Tarta de Alfajores was incredible and the cheesecake also yummy. The decor was interesting and bright. Our only issues were very high noise level at times (but not the whole time) from happy customers' conversations and slightly slow service, which we attributed to the fact the place was completely full (and for which our server apologized, unprompted). We will definitely go back! It's a very small place, and we were unable to reserve online for the time we wanted, but successful in person. I wish I had taken more pictures of the food, but it looked and tasted so good I didn't think of it until dessert.
One of the best restaurants in the area. It is my go-to for pre-show dinner. Throughout my 6 visits, every dish I have had is very good. The spiciness and the temperature of the food served can be a bit unpredictable. The empanadas are very good and three of those make a very filling entree.
hidden gem tucked near the edge of tenderloin. unassuming entrance and interior but everything from the food to drinks were amazing. classic latin food with some modern twists. pleasantly surprised and would come back!beware when paying through QR code, the automatic tip is over 22% ?midnight in medellin: take on espresso martini, one of the best i’ve had. not too bitter or sweet.tigre blanco: refreshing, remniscent of caipirinhamariquitas: fried plantains were great but the chile mole sauce was standout. never tried something like that before. must try.steak empanadas: good but would skip next time.pork arepa: great smoky, sweet, savory flavors. plantains inside paired well with the shredded pork and loved the smoky sauce on the side.arroz con leche: really well made rice pudding. nothing super unique but
We were a party of 5, which had made a reservation the week prior and had confirmed it twice. We have patronized this place for YEARS, bringing family, friends, groups here many times. On the way to the restaurant, one member of our party became ill and bowed out of our evening of dinner and a concert. The remaining 4 of us arrived at the restaurant 15 minutes early. As we were led to our table, we were informed we'd be charged $20 for the no-show person. We explained the situation to deaf ears and attitude. We wanted to leave, but our reservation had been secured with our credit card--and we figured we'd be charged $100 for "no-show"! The hostess could tell we were extremely upset. She finally came to me as we were finishing up (the meal was superb, as always) and apologized--but explained she had to follow her manager's instructions. She offered to "take care of it," but we denied her offer, as she was not the problem. We considered not leaving a tip, but felt that would only punish the waiters, hostess, chefs, and not the manager. Our son paid the bill--and knowing him, he left a tip. But upon our leaving, he did go the manager and explain how upset we were by his treatment of us. He became defensive, so our son simply explained that he'd just lost some good, long-time customers. We will NEVER return to Chao Pescao. There are MANY fine restaurants in the Hayes Valley that appreciate our patronage.
We took advantage of restaurant week to try out this restaurant. Space was artfully done. Waitstaff was attentive and knowledgeable. Food was wonderful! No complaints. We would come again
Step into the vibrant world of Chao Pescao, a Latin culinary oasis nestled just around the corner from San Francisco's Civic Center. From the moment I stepped inside, I was whisked away on a sensory adventure that had me itching to explore every nook and cranny of its stylishly eclectic décor. The walls adorned with whimsical artwork and the gentle sway of oversized ceiling fans created an ambiance that was both chic and inviting. But it wasn't just the decor that had me buzzing with excitement. The air was alive with the infectious rhythms of Latin legends like Willie Rosario, Frankie Ruiz, and Hector Tricoche, setting the perfect backdrop for my culinary experience. As I settled into my seat, I couldn't help but let the music move me, my head bobbing and toes tapping in time with the beat. The staff at Chao Pescao were like a well-oiled machine, seamlessly working together to ensure every guest felt welcome and attended to. I wasted no time in ordering a refreshing Modelo Especial de barril and diving into their signature Cubano sandwich, a towering masterpiece of roasted pork, ham, gruyere, pickles, and mustard nestled between perfectly grilled Cuban bread. Each bite was a symphony of flavors, with the crispy fries adding the perfect crunch to every mouthful. And while some Cuban sandwiches can be a bit on the greasy side, Chao Pescao's version struck the perfect balance, leaving me satisfied but not weighed down. As I reluctantly bid farewell to this hidden gem, I couldn't help but smile, knowing that I had stumbled upon a culinary treasure trove that I couldn't wait to share with friends. So until next time, alligator...
Restaurantji Recommends
Food is very greasy and not healthy
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Una Empanada
We had a fun dinner before a program at the Orpheum Theater. Great vibe, fantastic service and delicious food and drinks. The mojito and Tigre Blanco were great drinks to start our evening. We shared delicious chicken wings with the habanero mango sauce, a trio of varied empanadas (with both a spicy and sweet/spicy dipping sauce) and shared the delectable vieja ropa (beef, not the vegetarian options). We couldn't resist the cheesecake for dessert. Portions are very generous and sharing smaller dishes is the way to go for our next visit (and hope we can bring along a few more people to share the food). This restaurant makes you feel so welcome!
The food was delicious and I wish I had taken a photo, but I was so hungry and it was so yummy I forgot. The service was excellent. They really were so friendly and helpful. The decor was bright and fun. Interesting. I have been trying to decrease my meat intake, so I appreciated that the menu had vegan options. I would definitely eat here again.
Really disappointed by tip situation. There were 5 of us, but the receipt was put at 7, because there were two folks a couple of us knew, doing their own thing at a table near us, who were lumped conceptually with us, even though our receipt clearly only has the food for us 5. Then a 20% tip was automatically added (because we supposedly had more than 6, which we didn't) - but yet the receipt paper at the bottom says suggested tip amounts. So if you don't notice that 20% has already been added, you're out of luck - so we ended up tipping more than twice the amount we should have. The whole meal ended up being significantly more expensive, and unfairly so. We were not on the bill with these other two people (I bet they didn't have to tip for our whole table of five!), and we shouldn't have needed to tip twice for our own meal. C'mon already. I won't be coming back.
I'm honestly not the type to give bad reviews but this day I was very disappointed with the treatment I got from the manager a week ago. My coworkers and I were ready for a good afternoon after a long day in the office and as soon as we walked into Chao Pescao Ms. Lady/ the manager gave us the nastiest look up and down. Didn't really want to offer us seats at the bar so we had no other option then to sit at a regular table. When we asked if we could get drinks she said we'd have to stand at the bar for that. Not only that but she also was speaking rudely to my coworker. Bumped into her as she walked by. Honestly if someone is going to work in a restaurant/ bar the least you can do is have a small on your face as you greet people in. Not automatically look them up and down and assume whatever. My coworkers and I were really looking forward to a good time but the manager was oddly rude for no reason.