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    Chalos

    4.5 (506 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Chalos Takeout or Delivery

    Chalos Photos

    Business Info

    CHALOS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Chalos

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    Reviews With Photos

    Shirley N.

    I've been doing walks in the neighborhood as part of my rehab from a recent medical procedure. On the daily walk I'll slow down and look at posted restaurants menus of the small businesses along the Taraval St corridor. I'm a huge fan of empanadas, and ate them daily on a South America trip a year ago. Today I dropped in to order 1/2 dozen empanadas- choice of baked or fried. Who can resist fried food? Ordered all fried - * two spicy beef * two beef * two chicken It was a brief wait as they're fried when order is placed. Each empanada had an alpha letter stamped on it. And my takeout box has a legend sticker. Look at the legend; then you'll know which one is which. So clever. Got home with my freshly fried empanadas. Still warm. Each one was nicely stuffed and great umami. Had them for a late breakfast. #11 on my eat local in the 'hood 2026.

    Menu
    Nora C.

    I went to Chalos because I was craving something sweet and ordered the Churros with Dulce De Leche. One order comes with three Churros, and they were piping hot, crispy, and delicious. You can order either from a staff member at the counter or via a self-service kiosk, which is very convenient. It has a cozy layout, with mostly two-seater tables and one larger table for groups, creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. Chalos maintains a strict no-laptop, no-iPad, or similar device policy, encouraging guests to focus on eating, drinking, reading, daydreaming, or chatting. The ambiance is lovely, with mellow music and a relaxed neighborhood cafe vibe. Annie, the co-owner, came by to chat and shared that cinnamon was added to the churros menu only based on customer requests -- in Argentina, churros aren't served with cinnamon. It was great to hear the story directly from the owner. A great neighborhood spot at 32nd & Taraval, perfect if you're near Ocean Beach. It is closed on Sunday.

    Provolone cheese fried empanada
    Vi T.

    Cozy and sweet coffee-shop style venue serving up tasty empanadas, churros and other items. This is a strictly no laptop spot, as they try to encourage a wifi-free and more of a casual community/conversation environment. Ordered 3 empanadas: Provolone with italian herbs, corn and cheese, and beef. You can get it either baked or fried. Definitely recommend getting them fried - Loved the crispy crunchy empanada wrapper and biting into a warm, freshly fried savory hand pie. They're about $5-6 each. It took about 5 minutes for them to fry. The churros looked good too and will be something to try next time I'm back in the area.

    Traditional Sweet Churros
    Seth M.

    This place was pretty good! They have lots of options for empanadas in which I got the jamon y queso and the carne caliente! I personally liked the jamon y queso the best but both were really good! I got them baked but there is an option to get them fried as well! They have a nice seating area and quick service! I would recommend if you are looking for empanadas or some breakfast options!

    Empanadas
    Linda K.

    Food: - Empanadas baked good but fried preferred - Breakfast burrito was filling Drink: - Chai with oat milk. Hot. Sweet. Easy to drink Service: - Nice Ambiance - Chill - No laptops allowed Neighborhood - On the street of the train - Street parking is decent

    CHALOS Empanada
    Catalina L.

    I got two empanadas and they're just a snack size. Overall experience was mid. Carne Picante Empanada is the spicy beef and I was recommended to try it baked. It didn't taste particularly spicy to me and it also didn't have much filling. Carne Dulce is sweet beef and got in fried format. This tasted pretty good. I thought the sweet beef was more flavorful and had more juices (you can also tell this was more filled than the other). There were no accompaniment salsa or dips. The vibe did not feel particularly welcoming for me on a weekday afternoon, with staff not checking on me at all or offer any water. But if you come hang out note it's a laptop free zone. There was no one else in the cafe and I wanted to check in some work while I waited for food but the manager quickly came over holding a no laptop table sign. I think $12 could be spent on a more filling lunch elsewhere

    Order here or at kiosk
    Blair P.

    Step in and order at the counter with a person or the kiosk for quick computer ordering and payment. Once you order and pay, they'll call you up for your food if you order to go. I got the churros with cinnamon, and if you want a good carb load then this is the perfect pick... not too sweet, crispy outside with soft interior. This place fills with sun if the sun is out, leading into noon, so it gets warm inside. There are also some small seats outside. Remember -- no laptops, tablets etc. and no outside food. They have clear signs stating this.

    Fried #12. Espinaca con Crema Empanada (top) + baked #2. Carne Dulce Empanada (bottom)
    Faith C.

    Super cute and friendly neighborhood coffee & empanada spot! Popped in here for a quick morning coffee and snack. We ordered by ourselves on the kiosk at the front (they also offer standard ordering at the cash register) after deciding what we wanted outside by looking at the menu at the window. We went with a large hot dulce de leche latte, a baked sweet beef empanada, a fried spinach & cream empanada, and an order of churros for the two of us ('; The latte came out first, super hot and looking cute! It was DELICIOUS!! So milky and lightly sweetened--truly the perfect latte. My sister, who doesn't do coffee, loved it as well. The rest of the food came out shortly after, everything hot and fresh. The baked sweet beef empanada was definitely sweet. It reminded me of Jollibee spaghetti lol. It was a unique flavor and I quite enjoyed it. The fried spinach & cream empanada wasn't as much my cup of tea--the fry was nice, but the spinach filling was pretty much just spinach and some interesting spices. Didn't get much cream either. Both the empanada crusts were delicious. Churros were amazinggg. Perfectly fried with the crispiest and most delicate bite!! And lightly sweetened with sugar as well--no cinnamon at all and I loved it (I realized after that cinnamon sugar is actually an add-on). The lovely staff member working (owner, perhaps?) brought us a dulce de leche dipping sauce to try with the churros (she noticed it was our first time!) and it made a wonderful creamy addition to the crisp. Such a kind gesture--thank you!! Overall, we had the loveliest experience here. Also loved hearing all the regulars be greeted warmly by the staff--they're obviously very attentive and friendly here. FYI, they are a laptop free zone and encourage intentional eating, drinking, and socializing. Stop by for delicious coffees, empanadas, and churros!! Would love to come back for a brekkie burrito at some point.

    My choice was the "fan favorite" empanada (sweet ground beef) and a cup of delicious bombón cafesito!
    Sol P.

    This establishment is amazing, full of lively upbeat spirited energy! Great location since it's right off the Muni Taraval line. Love supporting our local businesses. Highly recommend visiting and grabbing a quick bite and enjoy the vibe!

    Sara T.

    Yummy breakfast burritos and empanadas!! All breakfast burritos should have tater tots like this one, it was soo good! I think this place is known for their empanadas, so I had to get a few empanadas to go. Although I didn't eat the empanadas fresh, they were just perfect after air frying it for a few mins the next day. The carne empanada was my fav one! Very friendly staff and lots of seating inside with lots of natural lighting. There's also a restroom all the way in the back too. Definitely recommend stopping by for some empanadas or breakfast burritos!

    Yoko K.

    Churros were nice and fresh. The staff was very nice and my son got a lollipop when we were leaving.

    outside
    Ryan T.

    If you're on the hunt for a true hidden gem in the Sunset, Chalos is the spot. The empanadas are hands down the highlight here--authentic, flavorful, and made with a lot of love. The experience started off on such a warm note. We were greeted by two people (later found out they're the owners) as soon as we walked in. They were super welcoming and friendly, and the guy took the time to educate us about the empanadas and the culture they come from. It's always cool to see people so passionate about what they do--it made us appreciate the food even more. And now we can pass that knowledge on to whomever. We basically followed what they used to do in his home country, where you get a variety of empanadas and you just pick at each and share amongst your tribe holding with a napkin. We tried a variety of empanadas, and honestly, you can't go wrong with any of them. But let me tell you--the Carne Dulce? Addicting AF. It's the perfect mix of savory and sweet that keeps you coming back for more. We started with one, and by the time we finished, we knew we needed more for the road. Yes, we ordered extras to-go, and no, we don't regret it. Now, about the empanada crispiness--man, these things are on another level. The outer crust has that perfect balance of golden, flaky crispness that holds together just right with every bite. It's not too thick, but it's sturdy enough to keep the filling in without falling apart. The moment you bite into it, the crunch hits, and you get that satisfying contrast to the tender, flavorful filling. It's a textural masterpiece. The vibe here is super chill too. They've got a nice indoor seating area and a cozy outdoor space with window seating where you can soak up that vitamin D while you snack. Perfect for a sunny SF day. 5/5 stars--Chalos is a must-visit if you're in the Sunset and for empanadas.

    Cappuccino
    Irene L.

    We came here because we heard about their churros so we decided to give it a try. The ambiance of the place is modern. The person who took our order was nice enough to explain what was in the empanadas. We ordered the Cappuccino, Churros, and Carne Empanada. The Cappuccino, I was told wasn't made well and didn't taste good. The Churros were good, it came out hot with a dusting of powdered sugar. The Carne Empanada was tasty with our option of being fried which made the skin more crunchy and I think it is better than the baked option. They had a sign about preferring a no electronics environment which gave a feeling of hesitation to go in. I may come back to get take out.

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    Page 1 of 13

    Chalos Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Chalos

    Do the empanadas come with some kind of sauce(s)? Thanks in advance.

    No. Argentinian empanadas are never served with sauce. Also the empanadas here are super flavorful so you won't need any sauce.

    Are the plain churros without sugar come with a sauce or we have to pay separately ? Do you take…

    Plain is with sugar, but you can request without. If you want sauce they have it on the menu with and without sauce. You can also order extra sauce on the side. They take credit cards and apple pay, not sure if they accept cash.

    Are employees required to be vaccinated and wear masks?

    Are they open with seating indoors or outdoor? Or is it now only to-go?

    Closed inside seating. Open outside small area, two benches & some chairs. Orders packed to go.

    Are there WiFi and outlets?

    If you have Xfinity there is a hotspot very close by. Depending on where you are you get 2 to 3 bars. There are plugs along the wall.

    View All 7 Questions

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    4.3(248 reviews)
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    This is my favorite dessert house, which I recommend to all my friends who need a good date spot, a…read moreplace to meet up with friends, or to friends who are visiting the city and have never had bingsoo or dessert style toasts. I absolutely love everything mango from here and their affogato is to die for! The best affogato I've ever had. Definitely try this place!

    Although they don't serve variations of buttercups, A Buttercup is one of the few dessert houses…read moreoffering Taiwanese-style treats like Bingsoo, Milk Bread Toast, and other Asian fusion creations. I'm always hunting for spots like this because I have a weakness for those over-the-top, Instagram-worthy desserts that look like diabetes in a dish. Like most places in this genre, A Buttercup is small, modern, and minimalist with limited seating. If you plan to go, aim for off-hours unless you enjoy waiting in line for sugar. The decor is cute and trendy, perfect for photos if that's part of your dessert ritual. As they say, "you eat with your eyes first," and when it comes to presentation, this place definitely gets an A+. The desserts look stunning and set high expectations. Unfortunately, that's where things started to crumble. It's like going to see your favorite artist live. You've watched the videos, memorized the songs, and paid for the experience. But instead of the electric performance you imagined, you get someone lip-syncing and barely connecting with the crowd. That was this place in dessert form. We ordered the Mango Bingsoo on our first visit, and when it arrived, we were surprised by how small the portion was. The guy next to us even looked over and said, "Whatever that is, I'm getting that next time." He shouldn't have. The Bingsoo looked great but was bland, and the "snow" was more chunky ice than soft shave. The Thai Tea Roti was also not what I expected. It came with Thai tea ice cream and sauce alongside a roti that was fried to a crunch. Interesting idea, just not the best execution. The sauce and ice cream needed a stronger Thai tea flavor to balance the crispy roti, and the flavors never quite came together. Overall, A Buttercup nails the aesthetics but misses the flavor. If you're here for the photos, you'll be happy. If you're here for the taste, you'll leave with a full camera roll and an unsatisfied sweet tooth.

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    A Buttercup Dessert House - Menu 1 of 2

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    NaYa Dessert Cafe

    NaYa Dessert Cafe

    4.1(780 reviews)
    4.3 miHayes Valley
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    Vegetarian friendly
    Vegan friendly

    The best way to cool off on a warm day! We visited NaYa for dessert after brunch at aMano. It's not…read morea big space & was pretty full but the host/server had a 2 top table available. It was kinda hot & stuffy inside even with the door open because it was a warm day. We were told in advance that orders would take approximately 20-30 minutes to arrive because they were short staffed at the time (additional staff arrived after an hour). My friend had to Thai tea crepe cake & I had the mango tango (because I looooove mangoes). The Thai tea crepe was pretty good, lots of Thai tea flavor, and not too sweet. The Thai tea custard sauce added a bit of sweetness to it. The mango tango was sooo good! I loved the coconut ice cream (it's a shaved from a block of ice cream so it's really fluffy). The fresh mango was served on the side in addition to a small bowl of coconut, sticky rice and additional mango sauce. Service was as efficient as possible. Server was helpful too.

    Felt like dessert after a day in the city, thought we'd try NaYa in Hayes Valley. Local hangout…read more Young crowd and good vibes. Our eyes were bigger than our stomachs - but what a great surprise. We started our evening with the Mango Tango. That Sticky Rice was the Main Wow! Not to take anything away from the coconut & mango, just that rice. I could have had that on its own. We then ended the night with the Toasted Kaya. Warm Bread with the right crunchiness. Another fun & tasty surprise. All in all - we will probably share just one dish next time - but definitely coming back

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    Chocolate Toasted cr. foodswithyu

    NaYa Dessert Cafe - Mango Tango  Cr. mitzifood

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    Maruwu Seicha - mango matcha latte (10/2024)

    Maruwu Seicha

    4.3(700 reviews)
    4.4 miJapantown, Lower Pacific Heights
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    Wow this place is good. I stopped by during the first weekend of the Cherry Blossom festival and…read morethe line was long as usual. Surprisingly, I only waited about 10mins to order and another 5-10mins to get my drink. I ordered a Hojicha Latte + Snow Top for myself and Hokkaido Milk Soft Serve for my hubby and baby to share. The Hojicha Latte was delicious, I finished it all in one sitting (which is rare for me). The soft serve was creamy and delicious. Worth the hype IMO,, I'll be stopping by every time we go to Japantown from now on.

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    Hōjicha Latte Cheese Foam, 1/2 sweet ($6.30)

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    Powder - regular Strawberry with passionfruit glaze and condensed milk (09/2024)

    Powder

    4.4(835 reviews)
    3.5 miLower Haight
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    Stopped by on a Saturday evening and it wasn't busy. I got a regular size of the Cereal Killer…read morewhich was cereal snow topped with sweet milk glaze and fruity pebbles. I loved this so much, it had such a fantastic texture of being creamy but also light and fluffy. Probably one of the best shaved snow texture I've had. Tried some of the matcha snow and earl grey snow as well, and both of them were solid too. My favorite was still the cereal snow because I have more of a sweet tooth and the matcha and earl grey were less sweet. I would absolutely return to try more snow flavors! Service was really friendly and our 3 bowls were ready within a few minutes. Only one small bench inside and some outdoor seating.

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    Matcha Green Tea w/ mochi

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