Il Pollaio

Love this place, the chicken is great. My family and I go there whenever we’re in San Francisco.

Food is simple and tasteful. Unlike other Italian restaurants which fill their food with cheese and refined flour, this restaurant is a breath of fresh air. My order included the soup of the day (minestrone soup), a green salad, and some grilled chicken. All of the dishes were excellent.

Been here a couple times and will keep coming, great grilled chicken and the pork chops are great too, friendly staff, great portions and overall value for a San Francisco restaurant.

Excellent food for a pretty good price. The chicken, eggplant, peppers and onions were all fantastic - really hits the spot if you're hungry and need a good quantity and quality of food.

Wow! What a great place! Paula was wonderful, chicken was great! Had the lamb second time in. Nice. Portions are large, and price is certainly better that most these days. Causal, fun place for eats on the main Columbus drag in North Beach. We will be going again.

Visiting from out of town and a coworker suggested eating here after she stumbled upon the place. Excellent option for take out or dine in. I ordered the half chicken with fries and was not disappointed. The spicy salsa really amplified the chicken, but even without was delicious. The fries were nice and crispy as well which was appreciated. The service was attentive and fast too. Would recommend as an great/easy dining option during your next visit or if you are looking to explore your neighborhood.

Such a great little place with a nice variety on the menu. We went for dinner before a show and it was delicious and very reasonably priced. He went with a bowl of Lentil soup and a half chicken. And I had a caprese salad with grilled Italian sausage. They grill the food to perfection. Food was fresh and service was great. You can tell they are a hard working business that puts love in their food. I'd definitely go back the next time we visit.

We are visiting from New Mexico and our SF cousins Greg and Amy ( long time patrons) chose this amazing restaurant above all others for us! The food was so delicious and we highly recommend it! Tom and Joyce

Wonderful roast chicken. Home style Italian trattoria.

Can't think of a better chicken sandwich I've ever had anywhere, first went in 2002, come back when I'm in SF for business or fun. Great chicken sandwich and salad, over the years, like everything else in America I've seen the price go up, and of course it is more of a locals type place and they do prefer their regular customer they know, but it's a great no frills solid square meal in a fantastic location.

I absolutely love the food in this place. Look no frills and no BS. Simply wonderful meats cooked to perfection. Simple fare that couldn't be cooked any better. Green salad with split pea soup and the pork chops grilled with onions and potatos. Every bit of it was perfect. Only gripe was our waitress which I have never seen before. She clearly didn't want to be there and it was a dark spot on the perfect dinner but even that couldn't take a star away from the 5 the food earned. I hope that someone can make sure the service reflects that amazing job the cooks do but either way I will recommend this to anyone who wants an amazing chicken, steak, pork chop, lamb or rabbit.

Highly recommended spot for eating in San Francisco. It is like walking into some ones home and eating in their kitchen. Be prepared to wait a little bit and enjoy the atmosphere. Be prepared to order a little bit of everything from the menu. Be prepared to have an amazing meal.

I had the most amazing dinner here. The half rabbit rabbit with potatoes tasted like fried chicken though it was a little tougher than chicken. The service was very nice and the ambiance was very nice too . I highly recommend this place for lunch or dinner. I give them 5 stars ⭐️

What a gem of a restaurant! Small but mighty! Came here on a whim & ordered the half rabbit. To my delight it was juicy, the marinade was delicious & couldn’t believe I finished the whole thing. Was greeted so kindly upon walking in & look forward to returning!

Cozy and warm place with simple yet perfectly executed food. The chicken and lamb were amazing—I’m not sure how they achieved that level of crispiness while keeping the meat so juicy, but they nailed it. Be sure to try the grilled onions and squash—they elevate the main dish to the next level. The owner often serves customers herself and is a very friendly and pleasant person. :)

We was at China town and crave for some steak. Normally we would eat at Tad's but we wanted to try somewhere new, and we were not disappointed. The restaurant was not big, but cozy. The waitress was super friendly and professional. We ordered more than we could eat but the food was really good. 2 soups, 1 salad, 1 fried, 1 medium rare steak, half of grilled chicken. They were served along with some bread and salted butter. I'm glad we found out about this place. They have rabbit and lamb, maybe we would try them the next time we go there. Overal, cozy, good services, good food, price is quite fair for everything. Definitely would come back for more. Also I learned Italian during covid, so sitting in a Italian restaurant in Italian town hearing Italian was a very nice experience for me.

It's such an amazing restaurant. The food is always delicious and fresh. The prices are very reasonable. Every dish is a winner.

Several lunch items interested me, but since their specialty was char-broiled chicken I went with the chicken sandwich. Huge sandwich, on a big roll, plus plenty of pesto and sun-dried tomatoes. The 3-Bean salad and steamed potatoes yummy as well

The best of the best. The chicken, the spilt pea soup, the pan fried zucchini…. Il Pollaio never disappoints. Been coming here for 10+ years and looking forward to 10 more. Shout out to Paula who’s beyond awesome.

Simple wins in most cases - and the sts the case with this gem. I ordered a half chicken and fries, and it didn’t disappoint. Also, for SF a good value at $20. 5 Stars.

Il Pollaio in North Beach is a culinary gem! Their grilled chicken steals the show—juicy and flavorful. The bean salad and marinated eggplant elevate the experience with a burst of freshness and delightful textures. The simplicity of the menu lets the quality of ingredients shine, offering a wholesome and indulgent dining adventure. Whether you're a local or visitor, Il Pollaio is a must-visit for those craving delicious, healthy fare in the heart of North Beach.

Owning a second store in SF Mission, you know they haven’t expand too much yet so family style expected. Kind worker expected. Come here before they went global. They have a special $13 meal now. Yum. Sausage with pesto with fries 🍟 or salad 🥗

Nice place, great half chicken, great burger, great combination salad, friendly service, great prices for here in North Beach.

I'm on Columbus street because my old Army pal Joe Schlong needed some help installing a Crystatillian Retarder on a Beachfrat Balifoon he picked up from the Philharmonic, so I offered my help. It required the precision of a surgeon with skinny fingers and the ability to work between heartbeats, and that left me out so I enlisted the help of Mary-Joe Chipinski the retired Bomb Deactivater for the NYPD Bomb Squad who just happened to be in town for this weekend's Large Munitions Trade Show at the Cow Palace.. What luck! The Schlong was so happy he walked the half block over to Il Pillaio Restaurant and brought back some pretty amazing chicken dinners! 5 ☆☆☆☆☆

Food was great. The whole chicken was so delicious.

Really nice, relatively affordable and comfortable place for roast chicken. The chicken was a bit overcooked for my tastes.

Elle

What a gem of a restaurant! Small but mighty! Came here on a whim & ordered the half rabbit. To my delight it was juicy, the marinade was delicious & couldn’t believe I finished the whole thing. Was greeted so kindly upon walking in & look forward to returning!

Gleb Radchenko

Cozy and warm place with simple yet perfectly executed food. The chicken and lamb were amazing—I’m not sure how they achieved that level of crispiness while keeping the meat so juicy, but they nailed it. Be sure to try the grilled onions and squash—they elevate the main dish to the next level. The owner often serves customers herself and is a very friendly and pleasant person. :)

Sô Cô La

We was at China town and crave for some steak. Normally we would eat at Tad's but we wanted to try somewhere new, and we were not disappointed. The restaurant was not big, but cozy. The waitress was super friendly and professional. We ordered more than we could eat but the food was really good. 2 soups, 1 salad, 1 fried, 1 medium rare steak, half of grilled chicken. They were served along with some bread and salted butter. I'm glad we found out about this place. They have rabbit and lamb, maybe we would try them the next time we go there. Overal, cozy, good services, good food, price is quite fair for everything. Definitely would come back for more. Also I learned Italian during covid, so sitting in a Italian restaurant in Italian town hearing Italian was a very nice experience for me.

Leftover Treasures

It's such an amazing restaurant. The food is always delicious and fresh. The prices are very reasonable. Every dish is a winner.

Mark Zine

Several lunch items interested me, but since their specialty was char-broiled chicken I went with the chicken sandwich. Huge sandwich, on a big roll, plus plenty of pesto and sun-dried tomatoes. The 3-Bean salad and steamed potatoes yummy as well

Gnome Chomsky

The best of the best. The chicken, the spilt pea soup, the pan fried zucchini…. Il Pollaio never disappoints. Been coming here for 10+ years and looking forward to 10 more. Shout out to Paula who’s beyond awesome.

Cooper Sinclair

Simple wins in most cases - and the sts the case with this gem. I ordered a half chicken and fries, and it didn’t disappoint. Also, for SF a good value at $20. 5 Stars.

American Angler

I'm on Columbus street because my old Army pal Joe Schlong needed some help installing a Crystatillian Retarder on a Beachfrat Balifoon he picked up from the Philharmonic, so I offered my help. It required the precision of a surgeon with skinny fingers and the ability to work between heartbeats, and that left me out so I enlisted the help of Mary-Joe Chipinski the retired Bomb Deactivater for the NYPD Bomb Squad who just happened to be in town for this weekend's Large Munitions Trade Show at the Cow Palace.. What luck! The Schlong was so happy he walked the half block over to Il Pillaio Restaurant and brought back some pretty amazing chicken dinners! 5 ☆☆☆☆☆

Claudia K M

Il Pollaio in North Beach is a culinary gem! Their grilled chicken steals the show—juicy and flavorful. The bean salad and marinated eggplant elevate the experience with a burst of freshness and delightful textures. The simplicity of the menu lets the quality of ingredients shine, offering a wholesome and indulgent dining adventure. Whether you're a local or visitor, Il Pollaio is a must-visit for those craving delicious, healthy fare in the heart of North Beach.

Myul Lee

Food was great. The whole chicken was so delicious.

Jun Li

Owning a second store in SF Mission, you know they haven’t expand too much yet so family style expected. Kind worker expected. Come here before they went global. They have a special $13 meal now. Yum. Sausage with pesto with fries 🍟 or salad 🥗

Sam Singer

Nice place, great half chicken, great burger, great combination salad, friendly service, great prices for here in North Beach.

Deniz Satik

Really nice, relatively affordable and comfortable place for roast chicken. The chicken was a bit overcooked for my tastes.

Manish Kumar Bera

Food is simple and tasteful. Unlike other Italian restaurants which fill their food with cheese and refined flour, this restaurant is a breath of fresh air. My order included the soup of the day (minestrone soup), a green salad, and some grilled chicken. All of the dishes were excellent.

I wouldn't have considered this restaurant an Italian restaurant, but a great spot for grilled chicken! I've been here often and every time I've enjoyed the food. Its fresh, great prices and really nice staff. It can be a great spot for dining alone or with friends. Definitely would recommend this place.

Service was amazing. Ordered coleslaw but it was more shredded cabbage and Italian dressing. The chicken steamed potato were killer

Just order the combo (half grilled chicken and bean salad). You won't regret it because you will love eating the moist and juicy chicken. And it's very healthy. I can eat this every day.

Il Pollaio: 27 Years and Going Strong! I first walked into Il Pollaio 27 years ago, shortly after moving to San Francisco. Since that day, I have enjoyed their food, and my fondness for it has never waned. The standout dish here is the grilled chicken. They truly know how to do chicken right! I always recommend ordering the half-grilled chicken and salad special. It remains a fantastic deal. If grilled chicken isn't your favorite, you can't go wrong with their lamb chops or burgers, either. Their salads are simple but satisfying. My top pick is the Combination Salad, which comes with beans. When it comes to soups, my favorite is the split pea soup, though their minestrone is also excellent! The staff at Il Pollaio is wonderful. Over the years, I've seen many great people work there, but a few have been around for a long time, and they are exceptional. Il Pollaio has been a constant in my life in the North Beach food scene for over two decades, and I can't recommend it highly enough for anyone seeking delicious and reliable meals in North Beach, San Francisco.

Il Pollaio the legendary “henhouse” in North Beach [The City’s “Little Italy”] established in 1984 specializes in grilled chicken cooked with both Italian and Argentinian flavor that is moist inside with the crispy skin outside. {Hint: “El Pollo Supremo” of Cuban Mexican flavors.} However, my favorite plate is Half Coniglio (Rabbit) with lots of lemon over one Peroni. Why? ❶Rabbit meat is rare in The City where else can you find a plate?❷ Rabbit meat is heathy nutritious with a lean protein, which means that it's good for your heart eliminating high cholesterol in your body. ❸Steamed potatoes with sprinkle of parsley are delicious {reminds me of the Portuguese Club in Newark.} ❹Peroni: Nastro Azzurro. Chin! Chin! But I wish their menu would add on "coniglio alla cacciatora,” a comforting “Hunters Rabbit Stew” with onions, garlic, peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, and herbs over some white wine from the Castellucci Collections, which would be “heaven on earth!” Having said that, most importantly, the Castelluccis whose family roots are of San Sosti who are the owners have an amazing story to tell in pursuing their “American Dream” if you Google it. In a nutshell, the parents who were in the same preschool eventually miraculously ran into each other in The City and got married right across street at the Saints Peter & Paul….Bravo! Evviva! Salute! PS Muni buses line 8, 30, 30S, 39, 45 will take you right on the corner. Muni bus #12 [Broadway & Stockton] is within two and half blocks walking distance.

Little spot for a quick lunch or dinner. The food is decent - simple, fresh, and reasonably priced. It’s a good place to grab a sandwich or salad if you’re in the area and need something fast.

Got the whole grilled chicken, combination salad, and side of fries. Grilled chicken was moist and would get again! The fries and salad I could pass on, unless you’re a fan of steak fries.

Afshin Afshar-Ghasemlou

Il Pollaio: 27 Years and Going Strong! I first walked into Il Pollaio 27 years ago, shortly after moving to San Francisco. Since that day, I have enjoyed their food, and my fondness for it has never waned. The standout dish here is the grilled chicken. They truly know how to do chicken right! I always recommend ordering the half-grilled chicken and salad special. It remains a fantastic deal. If grilled chicken isn't your favorite, you can't go wrong with their lamb chops or burgers, either. Their salads are simple but satisfying. My top pick is the Combination Salad, which comes with beans. When it comes to soups, my favorite is the split pea soup, though their minestrone is also excellent! The staff at Il Pollaio is wonderful. Over the years, I've seen many great people work there, but a few have been around for a long time, and they are exceptional. Il Pollaio has been a constant in my life in the North Beach food scene for over two decades, and I can't recommend it highly enough for anyone seeking delicious and reliable meals in North Beach, San Francisco.

Mason Chen

Il Pollaio the legendary “henhouse” in North Beach [The City’s “Little Italy”] established in 1984 specializes in grilled chicken cooked with both Italian and Argentinian flavor that is moist inside with the crispy skin outside. {Hint: “El Pollo Supremo” of Cuban Mexican flavors.} However, my favorite plate is Half Coniglio (Rabbit) with lots of lemon over one Peroni. Why? ❶Rabbit meat is rare in The City where else can you find a plate?❷ Rabbit meat is heathy nutritious with a lean protein, which means that it's good for your heart eliminating high cholesterol in your body. ❸Steamed potatoes with sprinkle of parsley are delicious {reminds me of the Portuguese Club in Newark.} ❹Peroni: Nastro Azzurro. Chin! Chin! But I wish their menu would add on "coniglio alla cacciatora,” a comforting “Hunters Rabbit Stew” with onions, garlic, peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, and herbs over some white wine from the Castellucci Collections, which would be “heaven on earth!” Having said that, most importantly, the Castelluccis whose family roots are of San Sosti who are the owners have an amazing story to tell in pursuing their “American Dream” if you Google it. In a nutshell, the parents who were in the same preschool eventually miraculously ran into each other in The City and got married right across street at the Saints Peter & Paul….Bravo! Evviva! Salute! PS Muni buses line 8, 30, 30S, 39, 45 will take you right on the corner. Muni bus #12 [Broadway & Stockton] is within two and half blocks walking distance.

Alina Medvedeva

Little spot for a quick lunch or dinner. The food is decent - simple, fresh, and reasonably priced. It’s a good place to grab a sandwich or salad if you’re in the area and need something fast.

Noam Siegel

Got the whole grilled chicken, combination salad, and side of fries. Grilled chicken was moist and would get again! The fries and salad I could pass on, unless you’re a fan of steak fries.

A little shrink inflation from the last time I ate there it's still good the The chimichurri is insane it's really fresh all the food is good really tender meat

Ordered half chicken & coleslaw. Slaw come with a vinegar based Italian style dressing on the side which did not go well with it. The chicken did have some of the skin nice and crisp, so good eating. The meat, however, was somewhat dry & tasteless. Service was mediocre - no "how was your meal", no "thank you".

I came here under the impression that the roasted chicken was really good and juicy but it was just ok.

First of all the prices here are just amazing! you get super full for a low bill. The chicken is good, not great but good. It's well cooked, but I just wish it was better seasoned. It kinda taste blend. Their boiled potatoes with parsley and olive oil is delicious! Their hot sauce is great! really tasty. Not the greatest grilled chicken but a good one nonetheless.

Not a fan.... the salad that you can either order with sandwich is already on the sandwich..... more luttuce and tomatoe... cucumber etc... looked like the sandwich came apart....and there was more salad.....the chicken sandwich is okay... nothing amazing... French fries.. okay.... looks better then taste... the hot sausage was good but must have paid an arm and leg for one sausage not realizing it... the sandwiches were $11.00 a piece purchased 2... sausage...(1). $29.40.... not worth my money....friendly staff and service very helpful... precooked chicken on the grill... looks like they finish the process of browning it and fully cooking after order. As much as I liked staff and service..... I wouldn’t return. Too expensive and not the quality or taste expected!

I’ve been here a few times with my family and every time the service and atmosphere is great, but the food doesn’t match. We usually do family style with pork chops and chicken, eggplant and peppers, but I’m continually disappointed by these dishes, so I decided to get the burger instead. The patty, though I asked for medium rare, was well done, I had to pay extra for a thin slice of cheddar cheese, and the fillings left something to be desired. I kept thinking that I could have gotten a better burger at a backyard bbq, rather than this $17 one. The fries were pretty tasteless and thick. The eggplant and peppers had a lot of garlic and oil, and not much else. I’m left wanting more with this food. That said, the waitstaff are incredible at their jobs. Very nice people.

Alethea D

I’ve been here a few times with my family and every time the service and atmosphere is great, but the food doesn’t match. We usually do family style with pork chops and chicken, eggplant and peppers, but I’m continually disappointed by these dishes, so I decided to get the burger instead. The patty, though I asked for medium rare, was well done, I had to pay extra for a thin slice of cheddar cheese, and the fillings left something to be desired. I kept thinking that I could have gotten a better burger at a backyard bbq, rather than this $17 one. The fries were pretty tasteless and thick. The eggplant and peppers had a lot of garlic and oil, and not much else. I’m left wanting more with this food. That said, the waitstaff are incredible at their jobs. Very nice people.

I wish I could make this review with no stars but I can’t. This is the worst restaurant ever! Horrible service! Very rude people especially the waiter we had. No hospitality at all. I wouldn’t even take my dog to eat there. That’s how bad it is. All of our food was burnt with no flavor. My bread was black and hard. Not even putting salt helped. They served the food like if they were forced to, like they didn’t want to even serve us. My chicken was so dry and burnt I couldn’t even eat it. Never would we ever go back, or ever recommend this horrible place.

Do you like cold canned beans and dried out Safeway rotisserie chicken at 300% the cost? This was a disappointment, please treat your pallet to something else.

Mo

Do you like cold canned beans and dried out Safeway rotisserie chicken at 300% the cost? This was a disappointment, please treat your pallet to something else.