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Puerto Alegre
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
546 Valencia St(between 16th St & 17th St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Neighborhood: Mission
(415) 255-8201
Announcement
4TH Annual Dia de los Muertos Show - Join us on Oct 18th, Tue3-5pm for our Opening Reception featuring many Mission known artist
- Hours:
Mon 11 am - 10 pm
Tue 5 pm - 10 pm
Wed-Sun 11 am - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
710 reviews for Puerto Alegre
Review Highlights
"The most perfect place for nachos and margaritas."
(in 428 reviews)
"I heart the SUPER grilled chicken burrito."
(in 4 reviews)
"if you're lucky, the mariachi band might even serenade to..."
(in 19 reviews)
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708 reviews in English
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Review from Zvezdana O.
New York, NY
Had dinner here with friends last week, its a total winner!
I had possibly one of the best mexican dinner plates I have ever had in my life -- I had the camarones la diabla. Super spicy shrimp in a chipotle sauce. DELICIOUS!
My friends really enjoyed their food too and the salsa they gave us withe the chips was great. Margaritas were great. The staff weren't that friendly though. I can't say service was bad, but both the hostess and our waiter had an impatient manner I didn't care for. However, when I am in town, that certainly will not keep me away! Haha. I would love to eat there again. -
Review from Will A.
San Francisco, CA
1/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
I was more impressed with the food here than I expected to be.
I know it's known for being a lively place, great for groups, strong delicious margaritas, which was more or less true. But I didn't' expect the food to be anything special. And while I wouldn't go give it a michelin star anytime soon, it wasn't too bad.
I ordered one of the combo plates to go with our margarita pitcher (which was good, but nothing noteworthy). It was one taco, one enchilada, and a chile relleno. I preferred them in that order, with the chile relleno straggling a bit behind.
But it was reasonably priced, and a lot of food. I'd return here for a fun night out, when I'm more concerned with having a good time than eating a great meal. Also, we lucked out with only a 20 minute wait on a Saturday night. I hear that it could be much worse. -
Review from Theresa C.
San Francisco, CA
1/9/2012
I went here with a group of people, and it was DELICIOUS!
There were 8 of us, but I think what was so wonderful was how speedy the service was. Pitchers of margaritas came out quickly (the original lime tasted better--and stronger--than the peach), and we ordered some guacamole for the table. The server kept replenishing the chips at our table because that guac was crazy good. And before we knew it, our food was out!
I ordered a quesadilla, which was only about 6 or 7 bucks but was HUGE. Seriously, it filled up a large plate, and it definitely filled me up. My friends got fajitas which looked really good, but I was totally into the tasty quesadilla I had for myself ;) The food tasted good, but I think the big plus here was the service--super fast, and incredibly friendly. Our waitress kept checking in on us, someone came by to check on our waters, and they were also able to add a to-go order to everything without any problems.
Pretty cool spot!! If I'm in the Mission again and craving some Mexican, I'll totally come here! -
Review from Mariam H.
San Francisco, CA
1/7/2012
I'm sorry zero stars.
Its rare that I have such terrible food in S.F. We walked in and the place was busy and vibrant which is always a good sign but it went downhill fast. The food was disgusting and I hardly say that rice was broken and smashed up, the beans were runny and the salsa tasted like something out of a bottle.
This place was just terrible and unappetizing. -
Review from Vicky L.
Who orders chicken soup - clear broth, chunks of carrots and zucchini, and literally half a chicken that's fall-off-the-bone tender - at a Mexican restaurant??
I do, baby, and it totally hits the G-spot (on my tongue). And at $8.95 for a huge bowl, it's cheaper AND more satisfying than, say, a "toy" of equal quality and satisfaction. -
Review from Reggie A.
San Francisco, CA
1/6/2012
Oh Puerto Alegre! You are such a guilty pleasure!
I know it's not good for me but i can't stop eating it!! That is what you will be saying...
The enchiladas(in a spanish accent) are delicioso!
Don't forget to get a pitcher of Margaritas!! And maybe keep it to just 1...that 2nd one could get you in trouble! -
Review from Alexis B.
Livermore, CA
2/3/2012
I have only been here once so far but it was a great experience! The food was delicious, I got the chicken fajitas and enjoyed every bite. The margaritas were also some of the best in the bay that i've had, just like how they advertised. The atmosphere is great, you can sit down and have a good time with a group of friends and don't feel rushed to leave or like you're being too loud. Definitely going to go back!
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Review from crystala t.
San Francisco, CA
11/27/2011
Food: pretty tasty, especially like getting to sit down and have chips and salsa while you wait.
Service: variable. Depends on the day and the person. Sometimes it's been really slow and a few times, borderline rude. If the service was reliably better I'd give it a solid four stars. -
Review from Pamela K.
San Francisco, CA
12/2/2011
AMAAAZINGGG food! Yum. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. Do not leave here without trying the chicken mole (red).
Wish the margaritas were tastier, but they def do me the trick as I usually end up stumbling out :) -
Review from Marc D.
Albany, CA
1/11/2012
Very lively atmosphere, and a very popular place. A bit loud.
My food was good, but overpriced. Well-sized portions. I got rice, beans, chile relleno, and cheese enchiladas. Come to think of it, it was damn good.
What most disappointed me was the same thing that everyone knew about the place and thus expected to be good: the margaritas. They sucked! No salt; too weak; nothing special.
Probably won't return. -
Review from David S.
12/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Hands down, that was the worse cheese enchilada in a verde sauce I have ever had.
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Review from Brian S.
San Jose, CA
11/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have no idea what the business name means but I LOVE this place.
Truly authentic food and ummmmm.....EXTREMELY STRONG DRINKS!!!!!
I have enjoyed the Milanese and the chicken quesadilla and I always share a pitcher of margaritas with a friend or two. The servers and staff greet you like friends and family. They truly make you feel like part of their world. Love that.
The staff is attentive too. You won't have to ask for refills etc. They are all over that kind of stuff. If you want a GREAT meal then go to Puerto Alegre! It will soon be on my list on Yelp!
Tip: Parking SUCKS! My new strategy is too park out of the area a little bit and take a taxi in. It costs me $6 to do this and worth every penny! -
Review from Judi K.
San Francisco, CA
11/6/2011
5 of us came in here for their Margaritas. I hear it's delicious and it was, we picked the most expensive one $35 for a pitcher, I think we were overly happy. Our waitress or server was so fun. She was warm and welcoming and really took good care of us. For her service it was a 5 star.
Food I thought it was delicious, I had the enchiladas with green mole sauce and that was yummy, we also ordered nachos which they were known for and that was also delicious. It's about $25 per person with tax and tip if you are there eating and enjoying a pitcher with friends.
I would go back just because I hear so much about their burritos, but there are so many other places to go in the mission.
Enjoy and of course try it for yourself. Lots of people so you can't go wrong. Definitely a place where they get a lot of regulars. -
Review from Heidi M.
San Francisco, CA
12/14/2011
So overrated... why people will line up and wait 30 minutes or more for a table is beyond my comprehension. Food is not good - the servings are on the large side, but the food just just bland. The burritos, especially, always seem really soggy to me. Practically every taqueria in the Mission serves better food than this! The drinks are tiny and pretty weak - my friends and I have to spend a fortune on margaritas here just to feel like we've each had one proper drink. It's always so loud, so crowded... I feel like people in this neighborhood are willing to sacrifice ambiance altogether, just to go someplace that they feel is popular. How is this place still full every night year after year?
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Review from NICOLE F.
San Francisco, CA
11/15/2011
Definitely good food here. I'm not a big fan of Mexican food but I love me some chimichangas. This place has it all! Good food, good atmosphere and GREAT service. When we come here we usually sit outside (depending on the weather.) Although the service kinda sucks when you're outside we still enjoy the scenery outside.
Had a regular glass margarita and it was just a glass, but was very good. I have the chimichangas every time I go here. The salsa and chips are great and they keep them coming as well. I see why they have regualr customers..and they have 2 more! Highly suggest this place if you are in the area. The pictures are dead on how the plates look and they are very generous in proportions. -
Review from Shira H.
San Francisco, CA
9/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
SPICY and FLAVOR-RIFIC! I had the shrimp with onions and tomatoes ($11). It came with beans, rice and a small salad. The flavor of the shrimp was bursting in my mouth. Yummmmmmmmmmmm. The margaritas looked good but I didn't have one this time. Until next time Puerto Alegre!
***Extra points for being able to bring my to go order into Blondies next door!***Listed in: La Mission
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Review from Pauliee V.
San Francisco, CA
11/5/2011
I would have given this place 5/5 only for the usual 45 minute to 1 hour wait but then, this place is popular for good reason.
The margaritas are delicious, the fajitas unrivalled. I wish I could go off piste and eat something else but I love the fajitas so much I don't ever want to miss the opportunity to eat them.
It's not a place for the conscious dieter but hey who wants to eat salad all the time?
Put your name down, grab a beer in Blondie's next door and wait to gorge yourself.
I could do without the Mexican band that wails its way around the restaurant, donation cap in hand, but like someone else said, everyone's got to eat I suppose.
Mustn't forget the staff, always friendly and speedy and for a place that does so many covers nightly, I'm amazed they can not only keep up but keep a sense of humour. -
Review from Ashley J.
7/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
I came here on a Friday night around 9:30 and had a 15 minute wait. Not bad considering this place apparently has a much longer wait than that. Didn't order drinks, although the pitchers of frozen red slush looked extremely delicious. I'll have to come back to try it. The waitress placed 2 salsas and a bowl of chips in front of us, as per usual at any Mexican place. The chips were very good.
I ordered the 2 item combo ($8.95) and chose a crispy chicken taco and a chile relleno. The plate came with rice and beans. The taco was great, and I loved the taco shell. It was definitely made that night, not like some places who use their stale leftovers from a few nights before. The chile relleno was also right on par... one of the better ones I've had in a while.
What made this experience even better was the random mariachi band that came in and played a song or two. They were pretty awesome.
Cons:
-Beans were a bit too runny for my liking, but I still think they tasted good... when they stayed on my fork. I guess I should have asked for a spoon?
-The green salsa they put out was WAY too spicy, and I didn't really like the flavor of it. [Pro]: The red salsa is pretty dang amazing though.Listed in: Favorite Dinner Places: SF
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Review from Dylan E.
Eugene, OR
12/15/2011
My favorite Mexican place in SF. The chips & salsa are fantastic, as are the margaritas, though they can get pretty pricy. I'm a big fan of the Camarones a La Diabla, as well as the standard combos. The staff is super friendly as well. It does get a bit noisy, and there's almost always a wait in the evening, but it's worth it. I try to get in there during the lunch hours if I can.
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Review from Jasmine F.
Bayview/Hunters Point, San Francisco, CA
10/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Super delicious and really awesome service! the most delicious thin crispy chips and really tasty rice and beans!
Loved it! -
Review from Danielle B.
San Francisco, CA
7/18/2011
Cons, let's start out negatively today, mmmkay?:
Not very good Mexican food (soggy chiles rellenos and flavorless rice and beans always piss me off)
Not very friendly or efficient service
Annoying wannabe-filled crowd
Expensive margaritas, and they use SAUZA HORNITOS, WTF?! I'm still mystified at such a gringo choice, though they do use freshly-squeezed lime juice on the positive side
Dirty-ass vibe all around
It took forever to get the damn bill paid
Pros, since there weren't a ton:
Good salsa (the red one, I think the green one is made with bad weed cuz it's so herbal and was way too spicy...and I like my salsa HOT)
They let us camp out long enough for three drinks without any rush
We got right in
In reality, it was 2.5 stars, but I would not go back. Skip over to La Cumbre across the street and you will not be disappointed :) -
Review from Java G.
Alameda, CA
8/8/2011 6 Check-ins Here
I stopped in here for lunch on Saturday. I like to sit outside sometimes, and there are two tables there, but I opted to go inside. It was not a sunny day, but still the inside of the restaurant was nice and light, due to the huge front windows. It was busy and all the tables were full, but I found a seat at the bar.
A place setting was immediately put before me, and I was served a basket of good, crisp tortilla chips with two kinds of salsa. I really like Mexican restaurants that still provide chips and salsa gratis.
I got my drink order very quickly, and shortly thereafter my food order, prawns quesadilla with avocado. The food was really tasty, and I ate the whole thing, which is a little unusual for me.
The staff was attentive and quick, despite the restaurant being so busy. I liked it at Puerto Alegre. -
Review from Leonel R.
San Francisco, CA
10/8/2011 5 Check-ins Here
I am a fan indeed of Puerto Alegre. I have eaten here at least 3 times per month in the past year! I'd like to begin by saying that I am Mexican and have eaten Mexican food all my life; therefore, I know a little...just a little...about this category of food.
What's good:
Margaritas! The mole poblano chicken is delicious; I highly recommend it. The enchiladas poblanas are yummy. I also like the carne asada plate (it comes with a big ass grilled jalapeno pepper that will surely burn you if you take a huge bite), milanesa plate, enchiladas; fajitas. The green pozole is absolutely the best pozole in San Francisco. Damm, I think I like everything here. I almost forgot, the brunch menu is equally satisfying.
What's not good:
The wait for a table. On a busy night it can take up to 1 hour for a group of four or larger. G'luck. I always eat with my significant other, so seating is more prompt. Also, it can get rather loud. Very loud; especially when the Mariachi or Guitar Playing Man come in. Some people mid the musicians, and some people don't. I guess it depends on how many margaritas you've had! I admit, it is kinda annoying when they come around with a donation bag after they're done singing, but hey, people gotta eat right...here's a dollar.
Overall:
For the prices, it is a must place for Mexican food and Margaritas! Especially when you compare it to other "Mexican" restaurants like Tacolicious in the Marina, Mamacita's in the Marina, or Tropisueno in the Financial District.
Almost forgot:
The waiters are nice and they'll go grab you at the bar next door (Blondie's) when your table is ready. So, go have a drink to kill time. The food can be a bit heavey on the stomach; don't eat here before a night of drinking or dancing; you will regret it, lol. Don't forget to get a really good workout either before you eat here or a day after because you will need to burn all those calories!!! -
Review from Melissa K.
Honolulu, HI
8/17/2011
Reasonably priced food (for a sit-down restaurant), live music, $20 pitchers of margarita, bottomless chips and two kinds of salsa = a fun dinner with friends.
Puerto Alegre is much loved by San Francisco. On a Wednesday night, it was packed and the place was jamming with music, conversation, chips, and of course margaritas!
The food itself was so-so. I ordered a combo plate with a tamal and enchilada that included rice and beans. The beans were watery and the texture reminded me of an MRE. The tamal and enchilada were ok.
But that's not the point. People come to Puerto Alegre to hang out, eat chips, and sip margaritas with friends. Food is a secondary concern. -
Review from Kori M.
7/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Meh. Not impressed. Waiting 1.5 hours after being quoted 30-45 minutes for a table, only to be served greasy, boring food, surrounded by music and people so loud I literally had to scream while talking to my table companions, does not set the scene for a pleasant dining experience in my opinion.
All these folks who list this as their favorite Mexican joint in the Mission can have it. Next time, I'm going elsewhere. -
Review from Aneliese R.
Santa Rosa, CA
7/26/2011
This place is very good! If you go on a weekend you can hear the live band as you eat your dinner. The food is yummy and authentic for the Mission. I came once before and it was not as good as this last time! Good job guys!
This is a no frills kind of place though and it would not be good for a date since it is loud and not romantic at all. :) -
Review from Kevin F.
Brooklyn, NY
6/19/2011 10 Check-ins Here
I'm stuck between 3 and 4 stars on this one... but I think I have to go 4.
For a neighborhood as heavy with Mexican flavor as the Mission, there are precious few places to sit down with anything heavier than beer or sangria with your Mexican specialties. For Mexican fare and margaritas your choices consist of Puerto Alegre and Velvet Cantina (way down on 23rd).
Due to the margarita famine, the waits here can be epic (I've waited almost two hours for a table), but thankfully Casanova is right across the street to soothe the soul. I'd say a wait of 1 hour is worth it... much more than that and I think you should give up your margarita dreams and head elsewhere.
Once you make it inside, the decor is nothing special, the service is sufficient but not overly friendly, and the food is ranges from a B+ to a A-. At the end of the day you're not paying much for a dinner with cocktails, so keeping things in perspective this is one of my favorite neighborhood stops.
Bonus points for:
- Attentive refills to the (complimentary) chips and delicious salsas
- the "Especial" margaritas (well worth the upgrade from the "house")
- Psychic sense of wait-times by the host staff - if they tell you 30 minutes it won't be more than 35 -
Review from Athena S.
7/12/2011
A neighborhood fave...
busy for a reason.
Fajitas aren't so mucken fuch. Stick to the more authentic, less Americanized fares.
Margaritas, while very good, still aren't as good as Tommy's for the record. -
Review from Jon L.
Puerto Alegre was my first Mission excursion when I moved to the city years ago but got turned away because it was too crowded. I never thought much more of it nor returned but I presumed the food must have been pretty darn good. Now that I've been, I can safely say it's probably the margaritas and not the food.
Not that the food is bad but it's just not memorable. They are good accompaniments to the booze but stand out little beyond that. I had the Milanesa (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) and while I wished the breading wasn't falling off the meat, it tasted alright.
But I guess the star of the show is the margarita. Pitchers and pitchers of margaritas. So drink up and be merry. While you're at it, perhaps grab a bite too I guess. -
Review from Daniel K.
7/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
The weekend brunch special was very reasonable. Got the chorizo with eggs and golden potatoes for $6-7. Very tasty, very filling. But the pricing on the rest of the menu seemed a bit hiked up. Wouldn't have been worth it if not for the brunch special.
The other guys were enjoying their meals as well and chugging the margaritas by the pitcher, which seems to be one of the things this place is known for. -
Review from Stephanie p.
San Francisco, CA
6/27/2011
MY FAVORITE!
...when I can get a table without waiting 2 hours. -
Review from Hema K.
6/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Margarita on the rocks!
Great place to crash in during non-lunch hours when most of the restos/bars are closed. Got on the bar seats and orders were placed quickly. Got their Puerto Especial margarita on the rocks, some coconut/strawberry cocktail splashed with rum .. it looked more like jamba jucie with alcohol =D
Like their salsa.. they offer spicy and medium base salsa and non-oily tacos.. service is fast, nice neighborhood [next to blondies] ;) -
Review from David H.
San Francisco, CA
11/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Sick MARGARITAS! Food was very good and they have some monitors over the bar for sports broadcasts. I came here this past Sunday when everything else in the Mission with a TV was totally mobbed. I was able to watch both football games (at the same time), sit at the bar, and have some great food and drinks. Also, the people who are regulars here are equally fantastic! I had an outstanding time here and can't wait to come back!
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Review from Caitlin F.
San Francisco, CA
8/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great food, Good margaritas, excellent for groups, super-duper service, a never ending flow of chips and salsa and they even play the giants games.
You'll wait a while on fridays and saturdays but there are plenty of places nearby to grab a drink while you wait.
i little more expensive than i usually feel mexican food should be but it's a great place to hang out and pig out. -
Review from Claudia L.
San Francisco, CA
10/31/2011
I am a fan of their burrito, their authentic margaritas, and their delicious chips. I am not a fan of the wait! The End
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Review from Alana F.
Arlington, VA
5/14/2011
We came here with a table of 8 from out of town. First of all, they can't serve you a drink while you wait for a table. Secondly, unlike other places who over estimate their wait times, this place underestimates.
Get to the table and order some fajitas. There wasn't enough meat to make 2 tacos for fajitas for one. A plate full of Onions and peppers for $20.
This review will go unnoticed. Why? Because everyone's too drunk with margaritas. But really, this place sucks. The food sucks. They serve margaritas by the pitcher. Great. Fine margaritas. Good even.
I advise you to not come here. The food is below mediocre and you can really have more fun elsewhere. Seriously, show them that they need to make some changes. -
Review from Jen R.
11/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
i like to sit at the bar to watch sports. if i was going to actually sit at a table to eat mexican food, i don't think i'd be too pleased with this place. but when you just need an appetizer and a couple of drinks to get you through the fourth quarter, it does the job for me. and they ain't stingy with the chips and salsa, which i appreciate.
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Review from Skyler W.
3/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I really like this restaurant, especially because their is a really cool bar next door with salsa dancing. This restaurant is always crowded, i have never been able to just come in and not have to wait for a table.
The food is really good, and the servings are huge. They also have really good salsa (two kinds). If you are a fan of Mexican style rice, than you will really enjoy it. I ordered the chicken enchiladas and they were yummy.
The service was really good and the food came out pretty darn fast for being a Friday night. I will continue to eat here and it is now being added to my favorite Mexican places to eat list. :-)Listed in: Best Mexican food
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Review from Mayra L.
San Francisco, CA
9/27/2011
I've been here a couple of times and honestly I would have rather spent my money somewhere else. I feel like this place has been much more hyped up then it should be. The first time I came here was for the margritas and what we got was a very watered down pitched of cheap tequila and margarita mix. Same thing the next time. The food was a more greasy version of the Mexican food. I like the decor and feel of this place/locaiton is great but it really wasn't worth the cost to me.
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Review from Christina S.
Costa Mesa, CA
9/4/2011
Pretty good Mexican food which always yields a big wait... I suggest coming a little early if you plan on coming on a weekend. It gets a little long of a wait. Our first attempt at to coming was a 45 minute to n hour wait. We left. The second time around we came a little earlier 6ish and we were in with no wait.. We got lucky. The food though is good..
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