Chao Pescao

Sky Trantham

As a gluten free girlie, I was excited to try this place I found on Find ME GF. I went here in the middle of the day, and it was fairly quiet since it was before the rush. The bartenders were very sweet, and I got to sit next to the window that looks into the secret garden. They told me that all kinds of animals visit every day. The food was excellent, specially the veggie empenadas. Such delicious filling! My only wish is that there had been more delicious salsa, but I was too shy to ask for more. Sauces were delicious too! I will definitely be back when I come visit SF again.

June Wong

Fantastic place for a pre-theater dinner. Yuca fries were great, love the sauce and the flavored oil that comes with it. The portions are good sized. The Lechon Cubano was flavorful, meat was tender. The Arepa de Cemita was also wonderful. The Dos Mariposas cocktail was tasty, with edible butterfly-shaped decorations. The Arroz con Dulce de Leche was fantastic, cinnamon forward. Charming atmosphere.

Jasmine Chung

Ambiance 5/5 - lively, bright, not super noisy even thought it was filled up for a Saturday supper Service 5/5 - they were all so nice and attentive! Food 5/5 - explanation being I'd want to come back here over and over. Some of our favorites were - empanadas (gotta try em all! Crispy but not overly greasy with well balanced filling. The sauce, too, so good), De Cemita (their version of fried chicken with rice, beans, and masa pockets. The batter was crispy with chicken so juicy on the inside. Just wow!), their shortbread cookies (highly recommend), and ALL of their cocktails! So yummy you'll WANT to be back!

Jaimie Brown

Delicious! And they were very kind about my lack of Spanish ability. I haven't ever had the dishes I ordered here before this, and I was so happy I got the chance to experience them. I was humming with pleasure over the freshness of the ingredients, colourful veggies, and lovely flavours! Ordered Ajiaco, Empanadas Vallunas (beef), and La Melipona cocktail.

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 caipirinha beso de angel: pass. tastes like straight pineapple juice. yuca fries: perfectly crispy and loved the garlic olive oil dip. wish it came with the mole dip as well mariquitas: 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

Jenny Xu

Came here on a Thursday night without reservations and we got seated right away! Good: - LOVE the pan con queso here - so tasty and chewy and I always like how these taste but the ones here definitely are memorable 5/5 - The tostadas were crispy and flakey which were great 4/5 - The ropa Vieja dish was really good - the beef + Tomato + rice combo was simple but worked great together 4/5 - Yuca fries are amazing here 5/5 - The cubano sandwich was great too - lots of flavor combined, not as good as the other dishes though 3/5 - Friendly staff who checked in a ton! Bad: - It's loud inside, very rowdy so you'll have to yell to hear your friends Overall this place was a hidden gem and I'll be coming back for the pan con queso!!

P L

I feel so lucky to work near Chao Pescao, what a treasure. Fresh delicious food, wonderful ambiance, and friendly service. Plus several vegan options!

H H

Great spot! Service and food are incredible! Tried so many things and went back for a second time. Fried chicken Cuban sandwiches Lechon Chicken soup Arepas Empanadas Full bar w an amazing mezcal and tequila selection. All were good. Their fryer game is so on point! Gotta go back and check out their happy hr. Heard it was solid.

Peggy Cleary

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.

From the moment I stepped into Chao Pescao, I was transported straight to Havana. The vibrant colors and rhythmic Cuban beats immediately set the stage for what turned out to be an unforgettable dining experience. The menu at Chao Pescao is a tribute to the rich culinary traditions of Cuba, and each dish we tried was a masterpiece. We started with the classic Cuban empanadas, which were perfectly crispy and bursting with flavorful fillings. The Ropa Vieja is a must-try, featuring tender shredded beef simmered to perfection in a savory tomato-based sauce, served with a generous portion of rice and beans. One of the highlights was the Lechón Asado—slow-roasted pork that was incredibly juicy and seasoned to perfection. The accompanying mojo sauce was the perfect complement, adding a zesty kick to each delectable bite. To complement the meal, their selection of rum-based cocktails is outstanding. I highly recommend the classic Mojito, which was refreshing and expertly balanced. The staff at Chao Pescao were as warm and welcoming as the Cuban sunshine. Their attentive service and genuine passion for Cuban cuisine added a personal touch to the overall dining experience. The vibrant ambiance, combined with the authentic and flavorful dishes, makes Chao Pescao a standout destination in San Francisco's diverse culinary scene. Whether you're a Cuban cuisine aficionado or experiencing it for the first time, Chao Pescao promises a delightful culinary journey you won't soon forget. Bravo to the team at Chao Pescao for bringing a piece of Cuba to San Francisco! I can't wait to return and explore more of their menu. I hope this review captures the essence and allure of Chao Pescao for potential visitors!

Bill Carter

From the moment I stepped into Chao Pescao, I was transported straight to Havana. The vibrant colors and rhythmic Cuban beats immediately set the stage for what turned out to be an unforgettable dining experience. The menu at Chao Pescao is a tribute to the rich culinary traditions of Cuba, and each dish we tried was a masterpiece. We started with the classic Cuban empanadas, which were perfectly crispy and bursting with flavorful fillings. The Ropa Vieja is a must-try, featuring tender shredded beef simmered to perfection in a savory tomato-based sauce, served with a generous portion of rice and beans. One of the highlights was the Lechón Asado—slow-roasted pork that was incredibly juicy and seasoned to perfection. The accompanying mojo sauce was the perfect complement, adding a zesty kick to each delectable bite. To complement the meal, their selection of rum-based cocktails is outstanding. I highly recommend the classic Mojito, which was refreshing and expertly balanced. The staff at Chao Pescao were as warm and welcoming as the Cuban sunshine. Their attentive service and genuine passion for Cuban cuisine added a personal touch to the overall dining experience. The vibrant ambiance, combined with the authentic and flavorful dishes, makes Chao Pescao a standout destination in San Francisco's diverse culinary scene. Whether you're a Cuban cuisine aficionado or experiencing it for the first time, Chao Pescao promises a delightful culinary journey you won't soon forget. Bravo to the team at Chao Pescao for bringing a piece of Cuba to San Francisco! I can't wait to return and explore more of their menu. I hope this review captures the essence and allure of Chao Pescao for potential visitors!

We were very excited to try this place promising the flavors of the Caribbean and South America. I have to say while the food presentation wasn't all that, the flavors were there. It was delicious. Even though we had reservations it took them a while to get us seated and our orders taken but after that the service was great. They were out of two desserts and didn't have any espresso even though it's on the menu. I think it's definitely worth checking out and we'll be back if we're in the area.

Food: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Overall: Definitely one of the better places to eat at in the neighborhood. I'd go back if I'm in the area. The extended review... Food: Ropa Vieja - 4/5 - I've found it somewhat difficult to find this dish in the city and this is one of the few that has it. It's a very tasty dish with some good accompaniments. Service: 4/5 - Friendly and attentive service. Ambiance: 4/5 - A very festive and vibrant ambiance.

Enjoyed a nice dinner here on a Friday. We made reservations, but I don't think it was necessary. The presentation is really nice, but we all agreed the food was a bit lacking in terms of flavor. The drinks were excellent, loved the Dos Mariposas. The servers are nice, but my water was empty most of the time. It was not overly packed, the decor is very trendy, but it's a bit loud if that bothers you.

Literally stumbled onto this restaurant and bar. Was pleasantly surprised. Good food. Mediocre service. Excellent drinks and dessert. Extensive menu. Highly recommend the plantain chips! Really fresh and delicious. We sat in the front window by a palm tree because we were traveling to our hotel from the airport and they had plugs to charge our phones while waiting for a long time for our meals. Nice portions. Cute atmosphere.

Simone Harms

We were very excited to try this place promising the flavors of the Caribbean and South America. I have to say while the food presentation wasn't all that, the flavors were there. It was delicious. Even though we had reservations it took them a while to get us seated and our orders taken but after that the service was great. They were out of two desserts and didn't have any espresso even though it's on the menu. I think it's definitely worth checking out and we'll be back if we're in the area.

Spencer Q

Food: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Overall: Definitely one of the better places to eat at in the neighborhood. I'd go back if I'm in the area. The extended review... Food: Ropa Vieja - 4/5 - I've found it somewhat difficult to find this dish in the city and this is one of the few that has it. It's a very tasty dish with some good accompaniments. Service: 4/5 - Friendly and attentive service. Ambiance: 4/5 - A very festive and vibrant ambiance.

Krystine L

Enjoyed a nice dinner here on a Friday. We made reservations, but I don't think it was necessary. The presentation is really nice, but we all agreed the food was a bit lacking in terms of flavor. The drinks were excellent, loved the Dos Mariposas. The servers are nice, but my water was empty most of the time. It was not overly packed, the decor is very trendy, but it's a bit loud if that bothers you.

Diana F

Literally stumbled onto this restaurant and bar. Was pleasantly surprised. Good food. Mediocre service. Excellent drinks and dessert. Extensive menu. Highly recommend the plantain chips! Really fresh and delicious. We sat in the front window by a palm tree because we were traveling to our hotel from the airport and they had plugs to charge our phones while waiting for a long time for our meals. Nice portions. Cute atmosphere.

Oscar Cwajbaum

Food was great but not exceptional. Service was fast and friendly even though they were very busy. Atmosphere was very loud.

I thought this would be a four or five star review while I was eating, until I saw the check. It’s a nice place for dinner and a show at the Orpheum, but otherwise it’s overpriced. We ordered the Camarones with black beans and plantains, the tapioca buns, brussel sprouts, a side of Maduros, and the pork empanadas.

Bright colors and fresh flavors sing, but slow service and food consistency leave some things to be desired. Positives: plantain chips are a MUST. Delicious tomatillo-based dipping sauce pairs perfectly with the crispy Caribbean fried fruit. Vibe in the restaurant is warm and inviting, and our server was fun and flirtatious (without crossing any lines). Negatives: food didn’t arrive until an hour after reservation began. They ran out of bistec (marinated ribeye) but didn’t inform us until 30 minutes after we submitted our order — these things happen, but it was frustrating to re-order so long after we initially spoke with the waiter. What to order?: Pass on the arepa (disappointingly dry). Instead, order the GORGEOUS fried chicken sandwich (“Cemita Poblana”) — the sandwich was larger than my outstretched hand and included a mountain of fries. We almost could have shared one between two people — generous portioning in this dish was awesome, though it was missing in the arepa and empanada dishes. We’ll come back again for the great flavors, but not on a night with a timely event after dinner — we were late for our post-dinner evening concert despite arriving nearly two hours before the event (which was two blocks away).

I went here after work. Was told it was a great place to eat at. I was not impressed. Service was slow, my burger was so so. I definitely won't go back. I was told it's better during Happy hour, well I don't drink. Like I said I don't need to do back. Once was enough.

Alethea D

I thought this would be a four or five star review while I was eating, until I saw the check. It’s a nice place for dinner and a show at the Orpheum, but otherwise it’s overpriced. We ordered the Camarones with black beans and plantains, the tapioca buns, brussel sprouts, a side of Maduros, and the pork empanadas.

Matty Easton

Bright colors and fresh flavors sing, but slow service and food consistency leave some things to be desired. Positives: plantain chips are a MUST. Delicious tomatillo-based dipping sauce pairs perfectly with the crispy Caribbean fried fruit. Vibe in the restaurant is warm and inviting, and our server was fun and flirtatious (without crossing any lines). Negatives: food didn’t arrive until an hour after reservation began. They ran out of bistec (marinated ribeye) but didn’t inform us until 30 minutes after we submitted our order — these things happen, but it was frustrating to re-order so long after we initially spoke with the waiter. What to order?: Pass on the arepa (disappointingly dry). Instead, order the GORGEOUS fried chicken sandwich (“Cemita Poblana”) — the sandwich was larger than my outstretched hand and included a mountain of fries. We almost could have shared one between two people — generous portioning in this dish was awesome, though it was missing in the arepa and empanada dishes. We’ll come back again for the great flavors, but not on a night with a timely event after dinner — we were late for our post-dinner evening concert despite arriving nearly two hours before the event (which was two blocks away).

Chef Tony

I went here after work. Was told it was a great place to eat at. I was not impressed. Service was slow, my burger was so so. I definitely won't go back. I was told it's better during Happy hour, well I don't drink. Like I said I don't need to do back. Once was enough.

Unfortunately, I think to go orders get the worst quality (and service). I ate here, in-person, once for a work sponsored event, service and food was good. However, today I returned because I was craving the beef soup I had before, but what a mistake, I paid $20 for gristle and fat.

Eve

Unfortunately, I think to go orders get the worst quality (and service). I ate here, in-person, once for a work sponsored event, service and food was good. However, today I returned because I was craving the beef soup I had before, but what a mistake, I paid $20 for gristle and fat.

My husband and I had a show at the Bill Graham on a Wednesday night and decided to make a date night out of it with dinner beforehand. After reading reviews about good food but slow service, I opted to place a pick-up order directly through Chao Pescao’s website at 6:20 PM, with a pick-up time of 6:49. We arrived at 6:55. From the moment we walked in, it was chaos. A sign told us to “please wait for the host,” but several servers passed by without even acknowledging us. After five minutes, someone came out, and when I told her I was picking up a to-go order, she went to the kitchen—returning to tell me they did not have my order. I showed her the receipt, she went back, and then came back again—after nearly 10 minutes—saying they missed it and it would take 20 more minutes to make. The manager apologized and offered a free beverage while promising to refund the $100+ meal. We sat at the bar, waiting, watching couples who arrived after us get their food first. Nearly 50 minutes after we arrived, the manager informed us that they were out of 2 of the 5 items I ordered—something I was never told before waiting nearly an hour. In the end, they handed us one tiny to-go container with three small bites of food. We left quickly to make our show, furious and starving. A refund is not enough—this was a complete waste of our time, with terrible management, zero communication, and no customer service. If you value your time or plan to eat before a show, do not waste it here. This place does not deserve your money, and their so-called “solutions” are insulting.

Zoe Gigas

My husband and I had a show at the Bill Graham on a Wednesday night and decided to make a date night out of it with dinner beforehand. After reading reviews about good food but slow service, I opted to place a pick-up order directly through Chao Pescao’s website at 6:20 PM, with a pick-up time of 6:49. We arrived at 6:55. From the moment we walked in, it was chaos. A sign told us to “please wait for the host,” but several servers passed by without even acknowledging us. After five minutes, someone came out, and when I told her I was picking up a to-go order, she went to the kitchen—returning to tell me they did not have my order. I showed her the receipt, she went back, and then came back again—after nearly 10 minutes—saying they missed it and it would take 20 more minutes to make. The manager apologized and offered a free beverage while promising to refund the $100+ meal. We sat at the bar, waiting, watching couples who arrived after us get their food first. Nearly 50 minutes after we arrived, the manager informed us that they were out of 2 of the 5 items I ordered—something I was never told before waiting nearly an hour. In the end, they handed us one tiny to-go container with three small bites of food. We left quickly to make our show, furious and starving. A refund is not enough—this was a complete waste of our time, with terrible management, zero communication, and no customer service. If you value your time or plan to eat before a show, do not waste it here. This place does not deserve your money, and their so-called “solutions” are insulting.