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Chao Pescao

4.3 (369 reviews)
Closed • 11:30 am - 8:30 pm
Updated 2 weeks ago

Order Chao Pescao Takeout or Delivery

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CHAO PESCAO ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Trendy
Moderate noise
Good for groups

Recommended Reviews - Chao Pescao

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Reviews With Photos

Menu
Annabelle R.

What a lovely spot for latin american cuisine! Made a dinner reservation here on Friday evening, before attending a musical at the Orpheum Theatre just around the corner. My friend and I were greeted with prompt and cordial service at arrival. Found parking diectly in front of the entrance too (meter is free after 6pm). The quirky decor inside the restaurant added character to the place, with each wall panel in the main dining room showcasing a unique theme of 3D artwork, like instruments, phones, and mirrors. There was also high top seating available near the bar, toward the front of the eatery. We ordered quite a few items from the menu and ended up with leftovers. The classic mojito and mango tango cocktail, the latter which came in a cute tiki glass, were both refreshing and delicious. For food, we had the arepa rellena de bistec without habanero salsa, which was stuffed with flavorful skirt steak, a bit chewy but tasty nonetheless. Got it with regular fries on the side which were surprisingly really good and quite addicting. Added an arepa with cheese and this was so buttery and cheesy. Loved it! The cubano was served with thick pieces of ham and pork, and the dijon sauce came on the side. As recommended by staff, we opted for yucca fries to go with this dish, which were thick and dense, not bad, but we liked the regular fries better. The soup special, ajiaco, was a unique concoction of chicken, corn, potatoes, and veggies, topped off with crema. It was enjoyable as well. All in all, we had a positive experience. And Chao Pescao is a convenient option for grabbing a meal if catching a show at the Orpheum nearby. After dinner, we continued our awesome evening with a tale as old as time.

Very tart
Jack R.

Restaurant Week 2026 This is what my coworker and I chose to explore Restaurant Week....so here we are. I had the beef empanada, pork salad (Havana salad), and rice pudding. Wow, the most underwhelming tasteless (as in no flavor) empanada and salsa I've ever had. My coworker said the same thing about her empanada. This was supposed to be shredded flask steak and it was like some tasteless thing I would expect from a tin can from camping minus the views and fresh air. The salad was actually decent. Notice I said salad and NOT the shredded pork on top of it. What is with the meat here? Don't get me started on the rice pudding dessert that looks like oatmeal that you'd get at a prison somewhere. Both of us disliked it. It tasted like mushy cinnamon with raisins. HARD skip on this. The normal price for their rice pudding dessert is $12 which is laughable. You'd have to pay me $12 to eat this, and I still wouldn't do it! Cubano sandwich that my coworker had was a "meh and oh" of surprise. She said it was basically unevenly seasoned where the bites of pork that were seasoned were good, but the bites that didn't had no flavor. See a pattern here? No flavor. She liked the bread and shoestring fries though. The lemonade and Arnold palmer that we both had were very tart and not worth the $8. Service was one waiter who didn't refill out water, and who was running from table to table. It started of empty but then he had like 5 tables to attend to, which included ours. For the price, quality, and taste of the food it's a hard NO for me. I couldn't imagine paying regular price for this. I felt robbed paying the restaurant week prices let alone regular prices LOL

Fried brussels sprouts were great!
Aaron Z.

I came here for a work lunch and it was decent overall with a festive vibe, but the service was a littl euneven that day. I normally cut a lot of slack when a restaurant is serving a group, but it seemed like there were problems with the kitchen. That said, the server/manager-type guy was very warm and welcoming; he checked in a few times apologizing for the delays. We received our food a bit more than 45 minutes later, so had to rush through the eating part. I got the Tajin Fried Chicken which was nicely cooked. The plantains were excellent and everything was very fresh. It was good chicken, but honestly I didn't notice Tajin in the chicken or the sauce. I almost wondered if they forgot it? The fried brussels sprouts were awesome though and I'd definitely get it again. In conclusion, I think they just had an off day, but it has all the right pieces to be a good restaurant.

Ceviche de la Casa
Michelle P.

Service was little spotty, seemed well staffed but had to keep catching different servers to get to go boxes. It was lively for happy hour. Brussels were nice and crispy and the zero proof colada was delicious! Others were mediocre. Good choice for a bite before the symphony or a show at bill graham

Happy Hour menu
Kim S.

Cute restaurant. Great Happy Hour. Plenty of choices for drinks. We shared the empanadas. Tried steak, chicken, pork and veggie. All were good, chicken was my fave. Service was slow even though there was sufficient staff.

Steak Sandwich
Christian R.

Came to Chao Pescao for a team lunch of eight people. We had a reservation, so we were seated pretty fast! Let's start with the food: I got the Pan con Bistec, a nice steak sandwich with thin cut fries ($22). The sandwich was pretty good! The steak was nice and tender, and the sauce on the sandwich was super tasty. I appreciated the fresh veggies and the crispy bread. I wish there was a bit more steak on the sandwich, but overall it was good. The fries were crispy and well salted. We also got brussels sprouts for the table. I'm not too sure what the sauce was, but it was delicious, and the sprouts themselves were very crisp. These were the best thing we ate. The service is really the only downside to this restaurant. Sure, we had eight people at the table, but it took so. long. to get our food--about 45 minutes to an hour. Many at our table were talking about the long wait. At one point a waitress spilt a bit of water on our table and did not try to clean it, or even give us anything to clean the spill. It wasn't a big deal, but just not the best experience overall. So, yeah, I think you can come here for pretty good food but this may not be your best option if you're planning on a quick bite for a lunch break.

Yuca Frita
Vivian L.

Came here for a team lunch. We made reservations for 8 people and had to wait a few minutes for the table to be set up when we got there. We enjoyed the appetizers more than the actual meal itself. We ordered the Colombian style chicharron, empanadas, yuca frita, and Maduros. They were all so delicious but I think my favorite was the chicharron with the sauce that they had. Majority of us got the sandwich and did not enjoy it too much, it was a bit dry and plain, and smaller than we thought. I got the pan con bistec (ribeye) sandwich and it was plain & dry. All of us ordered drinks and they were very strong (which is good LOL). I got the mango tango drink. Service was fine, a little bit on the slower side (and restaurant was empty). The restaurant has two restrooms and only street parking. They also have parking validation for $5 too.

Empanadas (3)
Mike P.

Ate here before watching a show at Orpheum Theater nearby. Place has a cool Latin-Caribbean vibe and lively atmosphere. Capacity was almost full but the staff was always attentive. The food was very good even though I only had appetizers. Will come back again for the full meal experience.

Delicious Caesar salad!
Sondra H.

Came here before a show at the Orpheum Theater. Shared the pork empanadas and a Caesar salad with shrimp. The pork empanadas were especially tasty and came with a hot sauce that was equally tasty, but I have to say I enjoyed the empanadas by themselves. The Caesar salad was delicious and I was disappointed that it was such a small portion. I would definitely go back and try other dishes that I saw on other tables!

Tostones with pistachio salsa verde: 4 stars Wish
Eve K.

Latin with Cuban and Colombian influences with a fun happy hour. 3.5 stars Food: 4 Service: 4 Atmosphere: 3 Cost to worth it rating: 4.5 for HH Opentableable: yes Return worthiness: sure for hh Highlights: - Happy hour: good amount of food and drink on the menu plus discounted drinks on standard menu. Appreciate timing going til 6pm - Cocolatl Maize cocktail: excellent cinnamony rich version of an old fashioned. 5 stars - Empanadas: tried one of each pork, beef, chicken, and veggie. All were great with a crispy exterior that was gluten free too. Beef and pork were the faves if we had to choose. 4 stars - Pork arepa: lots of shredded pork in between nice masa patties. 4 stars - Tostones: thicker version than the typical flat but loved the green salsa with pistachio. 4 stars - Close to war memorial or Davies for shows - Staff: super nice and helpful - Gluten free: most items which is great for us where that's friendlier to our stomachs Midlights: - Happy hour: in bar area only but didn't note that on the website - Bar area kind of dark: hard to read the menu - Atmosphere: was pretty dead on a Thursday night Lowlights: - Steak arepa: bit hard to eat even though steak was thin was hard to bite into. 3 stars - Pao de bono: usually love there but flavor was lacking and a bit tough too. 3 stars Wish the vibe was more energetic but food and drinks were fine and had a good time.

Tarta de Queso sin Azucar
Teri K.

Great spot for dinner before a show! Copa Havana cocktail= smoky pineapple sweetness, Empadanas... All good but the pork one was the best, the fried chicken = crispy goodness with super flavorful rice& beans. And surprisingly delicious low sugar cheesecake was the perfect way to end the meal. Would definitely come back! Extra perk is $5 validated parking!

Thu N.

Solid spot for Latin Caribbean cuisine in the Civic Center area, especially when it comes to happy hour deals between 3-6PM! recs: empanadas price: ~$30/person We came by for happy hour on a Friday and didn't have a problem walking in, although the space filled up super quickly closer to 6PM. Chao Pescao is located conveniently near all the bustle of Market St but has a beautiful view of the community garden and City Hall that you should totally check out. - Chicharron: For $15 at happy hour, this was unanimously agreed upon as a shockingly large portion. Paired well with the pickled veggies and red onion that came with it, but personally I thought it was a tad dry. - Tostones: Fried plantains that were sweet and savory and taken to the next level with the avocado-pistachio salsa that came with it. - Empanadas: Both the beef and vegetable empanadas were spectacular and each one came with their own sauce. The crust was perfectly thin and crispy, and the filling was plentiful and piping hot. Seriously considered getting more of these. - Pan de Bono: Got this just to try -- it was surprisingly bouncy and savory, like a dinner roll but 10x better. Service was decent despite the busy dinner crowd! So glad we got to try this spot!

Yuca Fries

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Reviews are largely positive. People enjoy the flavorful and varied food, lively and colorful ambiance, creative cocktails, and friendly staff.

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Food was delicious, the service exceptional and the place looks really nice. Great place to have drinks or dinner around Civic Center

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Chao Pescao Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Chao Pescao

When is happy hour and is there a menu published anywhere? I don't see it in the website...

They are all on their website.

What will your hours be around the upcoming holidays?

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RT Rotisserie - Fat Rice; half Rotisserie Chicken

RT Rotisserie

4.2(907 reviews)
0.5 mi•Hayes Valley
•$$

genuinely my go-to spot and i cannot express how much i love this place. they have 2 locations and…read moreit's exactly what you need when you don't know what to eat. my go-to is the salad with chicken and umami fries but if you ask me what to order for the table... we're getting the whole chicken, umami fries, rotiserrie fat rice, and brussel sprouts. and even better, their summer soft serve is absolutely worth it. all this and you will realize your tummy will be as full as your wallet because it is by far the best bang for your buck. everyone that works here is the absolute sweetest and i can guarantee that your dine-in will be worth it. super cozy spot and you can't go wrong taking it home to eat too

I don't usually venture out to pick-up lunch on weekdays but every now and then, I treat myself…read more RT Rotisserie, part of the Rich Table family, is always packed during lunchtime. The first time I picked up from there, I got the rice bowl with chicken. I wanted to try the rotisserie fat rice that came with it. That was a big mistake as the bottom portion of the box was so oily and heavy that it would've been the same if I just opened a bottle of cooking oil and just drank it. The second time, I went with the rotisserie chicken salad. My fault for assuming their house dressing wouldn't be creamy, I asked for my salad to be tossed rather than the dressing on the side. Another big miss as there was so much dressing that my salad was drowning in it. The online ordering option didn't allow me to select light or extra dressing. A decently priced lunch spot in Hayes Valley, but sadly both times have been misses for me.

Photos
RT Rotisserie - Interior facing ordering area

Interior facing ordering area

RT Rotisserie - RTR Salad $10.50 + Chicken $4.25; iced tea $4.00

RTR Salad $10.50 + Chicken $4.25; iced tea $4.00

RT Rotisserie - Roasted Cauliflower $9.50

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Roasted Cauliflower $9.50

MIXT - Sanoma Salad

MIXT

3.5(289 reviews)
1.6 mi•Mission
•$$

Second time at Mixt, first time at this location. This time I got a steak salad with potatoes,…read morecorn, butter lettuce, cauliflower, sweet potato, wonton crisps, and hot sauce. I really liked how spicy and flavorful the hot sauce was, and enjoyed this combo of toppings though I found the steak a bit chewy. I would probably stick with the blackened chicken again next time. Wifi was available but was quite slow. Typical fast casual dining experience but there were some cozy booths inside and plenty of seating space.

I came in specifically for the seasonal items and let me tell you... mission fully accomplished…read more My two picks were the Sonoma Salad and the Bangkok Bowl, and WOW -- both delivered in totally different (but equally amazing) ways. If you're craving something refreshing, light, and fruity, the Sonoma is a must. The pears take it to the next level and give it that perfect sweet, crisp bite that makes every forkful feel extra refreshing. It's the kind of bowl you order when you want to feel bright and satisfied. Now if you're in the mood for something warm, crunchy, and nutty, the Bangkok Bowl is your girl. The texture, the richness, the cozy vibes -- chef's kiss. It's hearty without being heavy and hits all the comfort-food notes. And can we talk about portions?! These bowls are NO joke. I swear I made a huge dent in mine, looked down thinking I was almost done... only to realize I basically still had a whole second meal left. Instant take-home win. On top of all that, the staff is super friendly, the space is clean, bright, and welcoming, and the whole experience just feels good from start to finish. I came for the seasonal menu but I'll definitely be back for everything else too. If you're debating what to order: Sonoma for fresh + fruity, Bangkok for warm + crunchy -- you truly can't go wrong!

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MIXT - Interior

Interior

MIXT - Bangkok Bowl

Bangkok Bowl

MIXT - ORCHARD

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ORCHARD

MIXT

MIXT

3.8(26 reviews)
2.9 mi•Inner Sunset

I'm actually giving this spot a 3.5 but rounding up to 4 because the Agua Fresca was excellent as…read morewell as portion sizes and packaging were on point for delivery. So while I can't speak to in person service or decor the delivery is on point. My peachy salad was just ok. The chicken was cold and not crunchy, and the cornbread crumbles were not crunchy at all, like kind of in between stale and crunchy... weird combo. Peaches and pickled onions were awesome though. The dressings that it came with which were a bbq sauce and some type of special ranch also were a weird combo, glad it was on the side vs in the salad itself otherwise I'm not sure I would have eaten it. Crispy cauliflower was good but definitely not crispy at all! Probably got softer on delivery but definitely not something that should be advertised as crispy when it's not... The saving item was my carrot ginger agua fresca- this was amazing! Loved it, that gets a 5/5. Food is 3/5.

My daughter compares this place to Chipotle, but MIXT's focus is on fresh salads (cold and warm)…read moreand sandwiches. She ordered Dave's Taco Bowl, which filled the bowl much lesser than my Soba salad. Service was fairly fast and it's an airy bright place, but we ordered to go. At home, we ate our bowls and with all of the promises on their bag, I'd expect it to be fresher. You know how you could take fresh vegetables' flavors that pop? They didn't have that and I hardly noticed any snow peas and pickled shimeji mushrooms in my salad. I took a bite of my daughter's taco bowl and it was ok- nothing special. Some Chipotle's bowls deliver more flavor.

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MIXT
MIXT - FALAF 2.0 SALAD (vegan)

FALAF 2.0 SALAD (vegan)

MIXT - BACHELOR SALAD

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BACHELOR SALAD

Kitava

Kitava

4.4(685 reviews)
1.1 mi•Mission
•$$

Wow! Wish I had a place back home like this. I found this as I researched the area for lunch…read moreoptions during an art gallery walk. And we hit the jackpot. Delicious, high quality food served in a timely fashion. Even though my plant burger looked dry it was refreshingly tasty and soft. My fellow diners loved their bowl choices too. This is one of those places where I could go multiple times, pick new meals each time and be completely satisfied with every one. Definitely on the list to hit again when we are back in SF.

I totally love this place, workers are always nice to me…read more Today I went in to pick up my order and encountered a white tall bald man. I'm not sure if he's the manager but he needs to do way better. I showed him my order and he had an attitude when he asked for my name. He said order just came in 4 minutes ago, I totally understand that food takes time so I asked to use restroom. When I came out I saw my order on the counter but did not grabbed it. I asked him to check if any of those were my order and he said "no" I told him I saw my order on the back counter and he rudely said "you did not" I told him to please check the orders in the front counter and he gave me my order stating he haven't realized it was a pick up... Idk if this the way you're treating everyone but I didn't find the attitude to be the correct one for a place like this. Food is great but remove this man if he's in management. Thanks!

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Kitava - Inside decor is lovely

Inside decor is lovely

Kitava - Chicken Nuggets

Chicken Nuggets

Kitava

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Blue Barn

Blue Barn

3.8(86 reviews)
2.1 mi•Cole Valley

One of my favorite sandwiches is at Blue Bar - the Rooster!…read moreI like the casual country vibe in their restaurants! The Cole Valley one has a big space. The staff are very nice. Easy to stop in to BB for picnic foods on the way to Golden Gate Park or Ocean Beach.

Been here many times and I totally regret it today. I'll never be back…read more I normally order the spicy tuna salad or the Thai inspired chicken salad. Prices are more reasonable. About $23 or so. And the portions of leaves are large but the portion of protein is borderline stingy when you're talking $23-$35+ salads Today 2/6 I decided to try something different but it was $35 and I totally regretted it when I saw the price on the screen but it's ok to try it just once. I ordered a Waldorf with rooster chicken with no raisins. I sit there for 15 minutes with my pager and nothing goes off which is fine. I stepped out for 5 minutes to go to double black. I'm just sitting there people watching. Their salads always take about 15 minutes so I don't mind. Then I hear a dark haired petite girl calling out an order repeatedly at exactly 2PM. Then I walked over and give her the pager just to make sure she's calling me. She doesn't say "hey sorry, the pager didn't ring" or "here, this is your salad" she takes the pager from my hand and storms off visibly annoyed without saying anything. why are you so annoyed? How should I know to pick up my order when the pager didn't even vibrate? Why do you need to be so rude? Are you having a bad day? That's enough to turn me off and never come back, at least for a long time. Btw don't waste your money on the Waldorf. It was nothing special. Just stick to the other ones.

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Blue Barn - The upstairs dining room - 9/10/26

The upstairs dining room - 9/10/26

Blue Barn - Thai chicken salad

Thai chicken salad

Blue Barn - View out the windows onto Carl Street - 9/10/26

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View out the windows onto Carl Street - 9/10/26

Chao Pescao - caribbean - Updated October 2026

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