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Puerto Alegre

3.5 star rating
based on 517 reviews

Category: Mexican  [Edit]

Neighborhood: Mission
546 Valencia St
(between 16th St & 17th St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 255-8201
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Hours:

Mon. 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Tue. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Wed-Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Attire:
Casual
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Price Range:
$$
Good for Groups:
Yes
Good for Kids:
Yes
Takes Reservations:
Yes
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Good for:
Dinner
Alcohol:
Full Bar

517 reviews for Puerto Alegre

Review Highlights   

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"the margaritas are also great and the prices are extremely reasonable." (in 330 reviews)
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"Be sure to order the Super Grilled Chicken Burrito (SGCB." (in 4 reviews)
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"However, the Shrimp and Avocado Quesadilla was super fantastic." (in 5 reviews)
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One of Puerto Alegre's Favorite Reviews What's This?

Photo of Roy J.

 

11

31

Roy J.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
9/26/2008

I love Puerto Alegre!  Best damn Margaritas ever!  They are always so perfect.  Just the right amount of good Tequila.  Mmmmmmm.   And, unlike a lot of people, I actually love their burritos.  Well, since I am Vegan, I'm kind of limited to only their Veggie Burrito without cheese but, man, that burrito kicks ass!  It's a good change from all my other beloved Taqueria burritos.  Their chips and salsa kick ass too!  The place is nice and worn, lively and often entertained by mariachis.  Worth the wait.

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Photo of amy j.

Elite '09

207

717

amy j.

Pleasanton, CA

3 star rating
10/26/2009

If you're looking for a decent sit down Mexican place then you'll love Puerto Alegre. We were seated pretty quickly. I've heard good things about the margaritas here but I didn't have one this time around.

We ordered a combo plate which was definitely large enough to split. The chips and salsa are pretty tasty. The burrito, enchilada and taco combo we ordered was all right. I wasn't too keen on the salad that comes with it. The service was okay. It does get really loud in here so if you don't like loud places then I'd probably stay away from here.

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Photo of Alex D.

 

3

86

Alex D.

San Francisco, CA

2 star rating
11/4/2009

The food here is blah. The menu is pretty large and you might think there are choices to be made, but alas, it is all blah. Having sampled a range of items on the menu I was blown away by how soulless this food was; how is it possible in a neighborhood with such great Mexican food this place is full beyond capacity? Yes its cheap, yes the atmosphere is fun and lively, but that doesn't help the fact that the Mexican food served here his totally sub-par.

If you are standing in line right now or yelping around for a place to grab some Mexican food, this is NOT it. Turn around, cross your name off the list and leave, soooooo not worth the wait.

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27

72

Daniella B.

San Francisco, CA

2 star rating
10/8/2009

Tips before Entering this (translation) "Happy Haven"

1. Ignore any good reviews of this place, they are all drunk off their famous, and yes deliciously strong, yummy margaritas.  Thank God, or this place would never see another customer.
2. Food is blander than an uncooked spaghetti noodle
3. Service is pushy, then unavailable, then rude, and then just wanting  you to leave so they can get their other arm tattooed and buy a pair of levi's skinny jeans.
4. Ambiance is kind of fun because you just might be drunk.
5. Come back for a pitcher of margaritas, free chips and salsa, and then head to a cheap taqueria for that spicy, mexican food you crave.

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83

83

Jessie H.

Fremont, CA

2 star rating
9/29/2009

They seem to be known for their margarita, which is fine... but sometimes I just want food, you know?  And the food here, well, it's just ok.  Definitely not worth the hour plus we had to wait.  I've had much better Mexican food at hole in the walls where I didn't have to wait at all!

Food was nothing spectacular, quesadilla, enchilada, tacos, nothing that makes me say this is the best Mexican food I've ever had.  Granted, I am also a Mexican food snob as I lived in San Diego for 5 years - if you want good Mexican food, head to the border.  Still, an HOUR wait for meh food?? (I still can't get over the hour wait).

I also didn't like the mariachi band that Puerto Alegre allows to come in.  What?  I can't hear what you're saying, there's a trumpet blowing right in my ear.  Loud and annoying.  

Even more annoying when they would come by with their bag asking for money.  The lady seriously would not leave our table until someone handed her some bills.  Seriously.  Stood there for a couple of minutes as we all looked at each other in bewilderment.  Only left after my friend threw in a couple of dollars.  The owners of Puerto Alegre really should do something about that - it's can be an annoyance to the customers.  

I probably won't be back, especially knowing I can head to La Vics for good food, no wait, and no annoying Mariachi band.

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Elite '09

174

302

Lauren S.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
9/3/2009

I love margaritas.
I love chips and salsa.
I love small tables and good friends.
This place is great just for this!

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Photo of Justine H.

Elite '09

279

267

Justine H.

Bergen County, NJ

5 star rating
Updated - 9/2/2009

How did I once give this place 4 stars?  This is by far my favorite Mexican spot in San Francisco.  I love the margaritas.  I could drink them like water.  In fact, I've done so and gotten in trouble, but only on occasion. Like the excellent film "I Love Trouble."  

The food is great from enchiilidas to pozole to huevos rancheros.  I'm a fan, however, of the shrimp dishes.  You have everything here to choose from to appease you.  And unlike other places that give me assplosions, I never feel any after effects, but pure and utter overindulgence and lethargy.  I like!

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 4 star rating
    12/10/2008

    PUERTO! I just have to scream it. PUERTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! The margartias are off the hook and… Read more »

Photo of Anthony D.

 

5

88

Anthony D.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
9/27/2009

Good fun place for Mexican food and just digging the local vibe of the Valencia Corridor which reminds me a bit of Soho.  

Have a few pints at the bar next door before going and make sure to give Frank a good butt scratch while you're there.  He is quite a character.

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12

15

Hannah S.

San Francisco, CA

1 star rating
8/27/2009

Okay, just to be fair - Yelp reviews have said that this place gets crowded and there is a long wait. Which is why my friend made reservations in advance for her birthday dinner. When she walked in, she was told that she had to be out of there in exactly 2 hours. That's fine, I get restaurants that have table time limits. But she was told very rudely by the host, and its kind of shitty to have that be the FIRST thing someone says to you when you walk in expecting a happy celebration with margaritas on your birthday.

Yes, those famous margaritas. They were delicious, I'll admit. The food was good, albeit a little overpriced. But that's about all the redeeming qualities that this place has.

Our server was inattentive. First, we practically had to wrangle her over to our table to place our order. She kept walking by very quickly without stopping to glance at us or ask if we needed anything. Then, one of the girls in our group came a little late and she completely ignored her new presence - didn't ask her if she wanted to order. She and I ended up splitting the meal I ordered because the waitress didn't ever get around to take her order.

Finally - the kicker: the menu clearly stated that for parties of 6 or more, 18% gratuity would be added. This is normal. We expected that as a party of 8. We ask her to split the bill between a few credit cards. Having worked at many restaurants, I know that this is an easy thing to do. She practically laughed in our face and said that she could only accept 2 cards. Really? Fine. We made it work. We paid and quickly left so as not to go over our time limit.

We're standing outside the restaurant and she comes out after us. She awkwardly places the bill on one of the trash cans standing in the sidewalk and says "Umm. You don't tip me. Gratuity isn't included." We stare at her. She stares back. One of us says "The menu says..." She runs back into the restaurant. We all look at each other. WTF?

We had just been discussing the fact that if gratuity hadn't been included, we wouldn't have added tip anyway because of the horrible service. Someone points out that "Gratuity" is adding additional money for a pleasant experience, which we did not have. We all take out cash and give her a tip because we are better than that.

Never again.

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5

56

Sophie W.

Brighton

UK

2 star rating
10/26/2009

This is definitely a fun place to eat before heading out to bars in the Mission.  But be warned, that is an opinion shared by many- I have often waited in line with what feels like half of San Francisco's hipster population.  The margaritas are delicious but if you're expecting fantastic Mexican food, you will probably be disappointed.  I enjoyed my shrimp quesadilla and my friend's veggie burrito was fine, but I get pretty fanatical about Mexican food and I've definitely tasted better. In an area brimming with Mexican eateries, this place isn't winning any prizes.  Despite this, Puerto Alegre does have a lively atmosphere and, as previously mentioned, is ideally situated for after-dinner fun!

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1

18

Krist M.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
9/25/2009

Best. Margaritas. Ever.

Had my birthday here...and it was amazing...as I selfishly wanted to see everyone wasted at my birthday dinner...all I can remember is good food....yummy margarita pitchers...and accidentally tipping one of the Mariachi performers a fifty dollar bill....fun fun fun...

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Jennifer W.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
8/23/2009

Delicious way to start a night out in the Mission. It's not fine dining...but you will get awesome homemade tortilla chips and a legit quesadilla.

The restaurant was packed so it was an hour wait to be seated (we just found another watering hole to pass the time). We were still in great spirits when we got to our table.

I also want to give a shout out to the house margarita pitcher--$20 of a lot of fun. Round two was even better.

ps- bathrooms are clean!

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9

Alma C.

Redwood City, CA

4 star rating
8/26/2009

So this is the hang out spot after a night of ass kicking of judo. My friends and I always come here because they are open late. For me, it is a must to have chips and salsa served to me at a restaurant....don't ask me why I guess its just the Mexican in me. Anyway, I must say this place has the best salsa I've ever had (of course other than what mom makes.)

They have a full bar and serve some delicious margaritas....and lets not forget the wait staff is super nice. The food is fresh and although its takes a little long...I think its worth the wait.

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Elite '09

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393

Kim D.

San Jose, CA

4 star rating
8/19/2009

I would say this is some of the best Mexican food I've tasted...

We started at the Elbo Room and I declared that it's time to eat.

Food is pretty authentic... had a chimichanga that was hearty, delicious and made to perfection. The beans were really good, refried beans that were mashed well.

The margaritas?

Delicious. We got a pitcher... and it was a very bad idea. They have a good bite, so it's like getting a télenovéla backhand everytime you take a sip.

Hey, some people are into those things.

The downside? The wait... but if you are an alcoholic... there are ample bars by to grab a drink to wet your whistle before you dive into a burrito.

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4

17

Suzi G.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
9/13/2009

The food here is fairly good, most of the time, I guess. It seems to be getting worse every time I go, however... maybe you have to be really drunk to "love" it. I usually get the shimp quesadilla, which is yummy. I can make the same thing at home, though, so it's not like this place is above and beyond amazing, ya know? I love the chips and salsa. The margaritas are inconsistently good (and unfortunately HIGHLY overpriced), but Zeitgeist's margaritas are far better! I think that the atmosphere, the decor, the mariachi guitarists, the big screen tvs, and the location make this place a Mission "hotspot."

Make a reservation. I'm serious. This place gets PACKED at night. My coworkers and I waited almost 2 hours to get seated, but they kept telling us it would be "just another 15 or 20 minutes." This place is REALLY noisy, so if you're looking to have a calm conversation, good luck!

There's a place between 16th and 17th on the other side of Valencia that actually has more authentic Mexican food... and it even LOOKS like a real Mexican restaurant too. You can see it from Puerto Alegre, so if you find that the wait for a table is too long, try the other spot.

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32

mimsy m.

San Francisco, CA

2 star rating
10/16/2009

the food is decent, some things better than others.  I do like the sopes and tacos.  My finace loves the burritos.  

The service sucks.  I come here often because the food is ok (not the best) and the margaritas are the bomb.  BUT, every time I come here, even if it's not busy, I get treated like a stepchild.  

Today, I actually sat at the bar and waited with my friend for over 15 minutes for somebody to make our margaritas.   There was nobody else ordering or coming in.  I watched the bartender look at the order and walk away to do other things and then I started timing.  Slow time around 3 p.m. on a Friday.  I realize staff might be prepping for a busy Friday, but do you think they could make my drink in a timely manner?  Nope.  It's never happened.  Not once when I have been here has my beverage arrived within 10 minutes.  

15 minutes later our drinks arrived.  I felt as if I should have curtseyed or something, I mean, who do I have to kiss ass to get treated like a paying customer here?

I've been there when it's busy, been there when it's slow.  The servers are (usually) nice, but occasionally I've gotten a snippy and condescending server.   One day when I was sitting at the bar waiting (and waiting) for my drink, a server asked me how my day was.  I replied, "it's been long."  She replied, "would you like some cheese with your whine?"  funny, ha ha.  What I really wanted was my drink to arrive within 10 minutes of ordering.  I'll take cheese and wine if you bring it sometime TODAY.

My experience today was one of those days and it was the straw that broke the camels back.  I understand if your are busy and you've got a lot to do. I don't understand if you just ignore your job and let me wait.  I'm in the service industry.  I don't ask much of you, other than you wait on me in a pleasant and timely manner.  

I've given them a ton of business. In the future, I'll be going elsewhere.  The good thing about the Mission is quality Mexican food is easy to find.  Shitty service is easy to not come back to.  Sorry Puerto Alegre.  Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me 10 times, you can't fool me again.

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Liz S.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
8/24/2009

I don't think anyone has mentioned it yet, but Puerto Alegre's margaritas are really, really effing good. They can put you in a really happy state of mind.

If I could, I would give this place 4 1/2 half stars. The only reason I can't do 5 is because I am a burrito junkie and can only give their burrito 3.75 stars. Their wet super carne asada burrito is the first thing I ever ordered from this place and it was good, but too cheesy. I bet you are raising one eyebrow and pondering if this is even possible. Dude, I didn't know it was possible either. Don't get me wrong, I love cheese. I love unhealthy stuff. But the heaviness of the cheese was just too much. It overwhelmed the other ingredients. I have been back many times since then but haven't had the heart to try a burrito again. I really need to, because you never know, maybe I just got a heavy handed cheese obsessed burrito chef.

As for the rest of their food. AMAZING. 5 stars. If burritos weren't so important to me, this place would have 5 stars from me for sure. Their enchiladas are fantastic. Their refried beans are phenomenal. Their chile rellenos are great. Great sized portions. This place is great.

The wait for a seat during prime dining time is often long, but Casanova Lounge is across the street so you can sit and sip a beer there until your turn comes. The atmosphere is lively and service has always been good.

So far, Puerto Alegre is my favorite full service Mexican restaurant in SF. I think I need to give their burrito another try because I feel kind of guilty for not giving this place 5 stars.

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AP S.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
9/7/2009

Totally impressed! Despite the somewhat lackluster appearance (which actually adds to the Mission-y charm) - the food and service were fantastic... and the prices were incredibly reasonable. The chips and salsa were fresh and plentiful, good selection of Mexican beers (Bohemia!) and we didn't mind waiting 20 minutes next door for a table. The Shrimp Diablo was by far the best I've ever had. And the chicken enchiladas with green mole were outstanding.

The place is not fancy... there are definitely some 'rough edges' as you'd expect... but I can't wait to go back and take my friends.

Photo of Daven D.

 

2

54

Daven D.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
8/30/2009

Thoroughly enjoyed my huevos con nopales. Good portion, well prepared, served hot with corn tortillas. Just delicious!

Good food, nice service, chill spot, no line (we came at 11am on a Sunday). What more can you ask for?

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11

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Kim S.

San Francisco, CA

2 star rating
8/24/2009

I kind of hated the food and drinks here.  

The margarita tasted like the mix from the grocery store.  The guacamole had some black in it and tasted off - probably due to a bad avocado.  The chimichanga was unremarkable.  And our bill was way too much for what we ordered.

All this unremarkable food came after an hour wait, which I hate myself for enduring now.  Hopefully my self-loathing won't be exacerbated by a hipster running me over with their bike or throwing their bulky glasses at me for giving this bad review.

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8

Jean R.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
10/12/2009

This restaurant is great! The house margaritas are unbelievable! The Mission is often hit or miss, but this place is fantastic. It is a small place to be prepared to wait, especially on weekends. But sometimes, you get very lucky and can walk right in. The wait-staff is not very personable but the food and atmosphere make up for it. The menu does not have 1000 things on the menu but there is a great variety. As a vegetarian, I get pretty nervous when the menu is only one page long,  but they are always willing to make things so that they do not use meat and there are plenty of options.

It gets loud and crowded, but the food is great. And what is better than a locally owned restaurant? I have been here several times and I will continue to go back!

Photo of Abby Z.

 

2

57

Abby Z.

San Francisco, CA

2 star rating
8/19/2009

I like to see a restaurant with such a long line. It means 2 things to me: the turnover is high so the food is fresh, and the repeat customers must think the food is worth waiting for if they are coming back and keeping the lines this long.

After waiting an hour at the bar next door, I can safely say this food is not worth waiting for. Not an hour, maybe 10 minutes, but certainly not an hour. It is, after all, just taqueria Mexican food, nothing special, and some of the greasiest taqueria food I've seen at that. Between the 3 of us, we sampled the shrimp fajitas, a chicken quesadilla, a chicken and a cheese enchilada, the guacemole, and a pitcher of margaritas. Service was great, but the food was nothing wonderful. The guacemole and margaritas however were both good, as were the chips and salsa.

Maybe the line will be a tiny bit shorter tonight because I won't be in it!

Not bad, but not worth waiting for.

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Tiffany D.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
8/13/2009

I love this place so much it makes me want to cry. However when I cry it will be because I've been waiting outside the restaurant for so long and watching people eat their food while they are secretly mocking me and everyone else in front waiting for a table.

In all seriousness though, the camarones rancheros is the best thing ever. Its the only plate I order and it probably will never change.

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9

Brenda B.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
8/28/2009

This place is perfect for a sunday morning pitcher of Margaritas or two before the game.  Food is good enough to soak it up, but nothin' special with regards to other Mexican.

A neighborhood staple.

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Ginger K.

New York, NY

4 star rating
6/29/2009

I love Puerto.  I hate the wait to get into Puerto which is generally about 20 minutes but is oh so worth it.

This place has the best chips & salsa in town.  I wish they sold it in the grocery stores because I'd be pigging out on it everyday.

The super steak burrito is amazing.  For something like $8 I can get a burrito the size of my head that I'm barely able to finish even though I'm an exceptionally good eater.  It's oh so yummy.  The sauce reminds me of goulash.  

The margaritas - awesome.  Smooth, not overpowering.  You can order them by the pitcher either frozen or on the rocks in lime, strawberry or peach.  I usually go with 2 friends and we get 2 pitchers that we barely finish which gives us a nice buzz for the evening.  

The bathroom is kept fairly clean which is nice since there's nothing I hate more than a dirty bathroom or one that isn't stocked with soap, TP & paper towels.

The mariachis can be a bit tedious but the food & drink are so good that it's worth the minor headache.

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Calvin H.

San Francisco, CA

1 star rating
6/26/2009

It's quite telling when you're in a Mexican restaurant in San Francisco's primary Latino district at lunchtime on a Friday... and there are almost no Mexican people here. The food here was awful and reminded me very much of my high school cafeteria. I got a combo plate with a beef burrito and a chile relleno. The beef in the burrito was tough and the sauce was overly salty. The chile relleno was salty and lifeless. The beans clearly came from a can, the rice was dry and bland, and the "salad" was shredded iceberg lettuce with some creamy dressing on top. The watermelon agua fresca tasted like it was made with the most bland watermelon ever.

This place is clearly more of a bar than anything else. When we came in, the one sheet menu was flipped up to the alcohol side. I MIGHT come back for a drink sometime. Might. Only if I eat somewhere else first.

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Elite '09

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Alex H.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
6/17/2009

DO NOT EAT HERE.

The food is terrible. People actually wait over an hour just to eat it.

The service is horrible. I told a guy I'd be at a bar down the street and he actually came and found me to tell me my seat was ready. Can you believe that?

And the drinks? Disgusting. I drank two pitchers of margaritas.

I'm not even kidding. Do not eat here.

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Jared B.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
8/24/2009

You know, the atmosphere of Puerto Allegre is really cool. People are having a good time, the music is loud, pitchers of margaritas are flowing, its a good time.

Just a couple things...

The pitchers are a little weak... and the servers and host are super rude! Especially the host. If your a cute gay boy, your all good.

Other then that, its a good time

PS the food is pretty good as well! :-)

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Josh C.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
8/15/2009

#2 on my 5 Best Margaritas in SF list!

Ok the food is authentic and pretty decent especially the crispy chicken tacos and the guacamole is fantastic but the real gem is the pitchers of Margaritas which make everything just that much better!

Long lines pretty much always but a fun place to go with a group.

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Niki C.

Oakland, CA

5 star rating
8/19/2009

Hells to the yeah do I love this place!!!

The peach margaritas were excellente and  the bartender was so cute, I wanted to kiss him and I wasn't even drunk yet!

Irvine Welsh's book "Bedroom Secrets of the Master Chefs" is all about food and restaurants (and sex & drugs of course... well, he DID write Trainspotting, after all) and yet the only restaurant he mentions by name is Puerto Alegre. Why? Because it is so effing GOOD.

I don't understand food purists. Don't apologize to the Mexican people for calling this a Mexican restaurant. Apologize for foisting Brittney Spears on the rest of the world, but never apologize for playing with food. If you eat varied ethnic foods, you understand that there are lots of variations on the theme "American-style". So, of course, when you go to an American-style Mexican restaurant, that's exactly what you are going to get. That doesn't mean it's not good! Don't come here expecting fancy-pants or "authentic" Mexican food. This is a typical American-style Mexican restaurant. The margaritas are good, the crunchy sopes are oozing with beans and meat and sour cream, and the quesadillas are bloated with cheese. Um.. YUM!!

Only downside is the wait can be pretty hefty. However, there are many bars to take your leave in whilst awaiting your table. Wait, did I call this a downside? I guess, if you're starving, it ain't good.

A fab place, and one I don't get to visit often enough.

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Ken K.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
8/22/2009

Went with friends to the SF Street Food Festival on Folsom.  Crazy crowded.  We walked down Valencia to Puerto Alegre.  Had a great time!  Margaritas really hit the spot.  

I had the chili Colorado, which was excellent, and reminded me of the way my mom used to make it.

It had been a few years since I was there.  

Service was adequate.

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Taler N.

San Francisco, CA

1 star rating
8/29/2009

I can't stand this place. Why, oh why, do you people love it so?
I've been here probably 9,432 times, and that's a conservative number. I've been here for birthdays, lunches, drinks only, dates, girl's nights, and family dinner. I keep getting dragged here, each time by different people, and each time trying not to kick and scream. All I'm saying is that I have given this place a very ,very fair shot. I have been in all types of moods, with good, great and bad company with many servers, and most likely many cooks. The food is always mediocre, the lines always long, the service always terrible, and the margaritas always overrated. I can overlook one or two bad qualities in a place, but 4? I honestly can't tell you how many stories I have about  mean hostesses, wrong orders,  taking 45 minutes for a bill to come, or being totally overcharged I have. If you want sit down Mexican go to Tommy's on Geary ( slightly pricey but omg, the tequila bar?! ) or even better, Jaun's in the East Bay ( great food, great service, great drinks). Both blow this place out of the water.
Its not completely horrible.  Just bad.

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Julie T.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
6/20/2009

Meh.

Ok, a little background.  I have been a semi-regular customer here for years, but lately I've been talking myself out of going to "Puerto" which I would have thought unthinkable just mere months ago.  I guess I have become fatigued by the excessively long waits for tables, the inconsistent service, and sometimes a sense that after your food is served that you are no longer on the radar.    You know, the margaritas are decent, but they're not "all that" and neither is the food.  I do have to give them props on their chips and salsa. I think that may be the best part of the experience.

So, a quick synopsis:
f you're willing to wait up to an hour to be seated
If you're willing to have your order arrive without something you asked for--or not at all (which happened to a family member).
If you're into that over-the-top seeing and being seen scene
Then this is your place.

If, however, you're like me and you crave an excellent margarita and good Mexican food  there are better options out there within walking distance.  Them's my $.02.

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Lacy T.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
7/2/2009

I went to this place when I first moved to the city and I was unimpressed.
After being sick and tired of my co-workers and clients telling me how great it is, I decided to give it a second go.
The wait was terrible (said with a Mexican accent), but honestly we kind of expected it to be.  Our fault for showing up with 4 peeps at prime time.  
The service was great up until the end, when we had to wait for our check for an exorbitantly long period of time (thus explaining the wait).
Chips and Salsa were fresh and waiting for us when we sat down, which is pretty much my favorite, but our entrees were just okay.
I ordered the veggie burrito and it was decent-but no Pancho Villa's.  I get it that people flock here because they like the margaritas, but I don't plan on returning here anytime soon.

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Gabrielle J.

San Francisco, CA

2 star rating
5/14/2009

Our table of 3 ordered the following a la carte: chile relleno, chicken enchilada, cheese enchilada, chicken mole, carne asada, ginormous burrito with shredded chicken.  3 pitchers of margaritas...

I know it's Mexican food, but this fare was unusually  heavy- every portion had a ring of oil around the sauce/oozy cheese part.  The dishes with cheese were WAY overloaded with cheese- and I LOVE cheese.   Sauces were missing traditional flavors of great mexican food and tasted a bit bland, like tomato sauce...Not standard mexican spicey explosion I've come to adore...

Clearly the margaritas were good- a bit fake limey, but strong. oh and so was the guacamole- homemade with large chunks of fresh avocado.  I think this would make a great happy hour destination.

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Paul S.

Fitchburg, MA

4 star rating
7/16/2009 1 photo

Margaritas galore!!! Pizole rained down from heaven...the holy trinity of spicy roast pork, bacon and ham made this authentic stew a delicious hangover killer.

The bottomless chips and salsa also hit the spot quite nicely.

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Jen R.

Malibu, CA

4 star rating
6/18/2009

We were greeted by a possibly overworked not super friendly guy who didn't really have space for us 4 except at a front table that we could sit at but had to vacate in an hour when he had a party coming in.

We opted to camp out at the bar (where we were served chips, could not move a bar stool and was generally given confused looks by the staff behind the bar) At this point we considered leaving because we all felt uncomfortable.

Luckily, the table we all had our eye on (the best seat in the house; very front, against the window-good people watching) opened up without too much of an awkward delay and we pounced.

Once we were seated and saw the options of margaritas we all felt a little better. The service was very good and attentive, three different people were attuned to our needs. They weren't rude about us getting out once we finished and paused to digest, even though they had many parties waiting.  

The strawberry margarita pitcher was excellent- they say famous margaritas- I see why--non tequila fans were excited by the taste.

The food was yummy and filling (vegetarian beans, cheap sides of beans and rice, and four kinds of beans to choose from) I got nachos and was very happy (and I try a lot of nachos).

Two man band wondered in an entertained half way through the meal.

100% biodegradable take out containers make me a happy girl!

Leftovers taste yummy hours later, especially after drinks at Casanova across the street.

They lose a star for unfriendly beginning, long wait time for those who came after us, and most of the space is very dark and doesn't look comfortable.

I'll be back though- very good experience overall!

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Dan V.

San Francisco, CA

2 star rating
4/17/2009

Grab a table (if possible) and then order a pitcher or 2 of margaritas.  split a 3-item combo 3 ways (lol).  indulge on endless chips/salsa.  gtfo.

it's not great (in anyway at all) but sometimes you have to do what you gotta do.

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Flora H.

Cambridge, MA

2 star rating
5/25/2009

It is what it is... cheap (?) Mexican food.

We waited forty-five minutes for a table. The combo was great -- everyone had two items and rice, beans, & salad. Tamale is delish. But seriously -- I don't understand the hype.

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Jessica L.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
3/8/2009

yum yum yum. I had fantastic carne asada nachos here! Perfectly placed and layered on the chips - deeelish!
Also, we shared MANY marg pitchers and they were quite good. Our end bill for 7 people was only $170!

They take reservations PEOPLE - so stop waiting for so damn long!

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