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    Karilagan

    3.5 (691 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 2:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Karilagan Takeout or Delivery

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    Business Info

    KARILAGAN ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Karilagan

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    Reviews With Photos

    Kare Kare
    Mercedes Y.

    After we saw the Hell's Kitchen Broadway musical show in San Francisco on Wednesday, one friend suggested to eat at the Karilagan. It had been a while since my last visit at this restaurant. We drove separately and found good parking on the street. Dinner started at 5 pm so we just walked in for a party of 5. It was still quiet but shortly after people started coming. We ordered the Kare Kare, Beef Sinigang, Sizzling Sisig, Pakbet Ilocano and steamed rice. The dishes were promptly served and generous serving sizes. When we saw the food it made us more hungry as we did not have lunch as the show started at 1 pm. The beef was so tender. The veggies were fresh and tasty. Drinking the broth from the bowl was so delicious. The cooking of the kare kare was so satisfying. For dessert we ordered two Halo Halo. I liked how they served it because they had enough of sweet assortments. I took the pictures of the food and I forgot the Halo Halo. There were two servers and they were nice pleasing everyone on the table. The dining room was clean. The place was simply decorated. The automatic tip of 18% was fair for everything. Reading the reviews, I don't understand why the other diners have to be surprised about the auto tip. Whether it is on the bill or not, an 18% tip is considered a fair and standard gratuity for good table service at sit-down restaurants. Anyhow, we will return.

    Proof of the menu stating service charge is for 6 or more
    Melodie L.

    I came in expecting a meal and left feeling annoyed, overcharged, and completely unimpressed. This place managed to combine mediocre food, careless service, and shady billing practices all in one visit. Let's start with the most infuriating part: the automatic 15% service charge. The menu clearly states this applies to parties of six or more. We were a party of four--not five, not six, FOUR. Yet the charge magically appeared on our bill anyway. When I pointed this out, the server told us it now applies to everyone and that the menu just hasn't been updated yet. That's not how menus--or honesty--work. If you change your policy, update your menu. Period. Then there's the absolute audacity of charging $10 for a side of plain white rice. No toppings, no extras, no explanation--just rice. At that price, I expected something life-changing. Instead, it was bland, basic, and laughable. I actually thought it was a mistake until I was told, no, that's the price. The service was just as disappointing. After dropping off the food, the server essentially vanished. No check-ins, no follow-up, no effort whatsoever. Empty glasses sat untouched, and plates with barely eaten food went completely unnoticed. It felt like we were an inconvenience rather than paying customers. As for the food--utterly forgettable. Everything lacked flavor, seasoning, and care. It's one thing to overpay, but it's another to overpay for food that tastes like it was rushed out with zero attention or pride. By the time the bill arrived--with the surprise service charge and overpriced rice--I was done. This wasn't just a bad meal; it was a frustrating, poorly managed experience from start to finish. There are far too many good restaurants out there to waste your money here. Skip it.

    Lumpia, Kare Kare
    Heather T.

    I come here when my family wants to switch up and get Filipino food in South San Francisco. I think the only I don't like from what we ordered was the extra tripe that came with the Kare kare. The meat of the Kare kare kind of looked different from the last time I've had it a year ago and tasted more like tocino meat. I always go for the Lechon kawali. I didn't like the brown home made all purpose sauce tasted funny so I requested some home made soy sauce vinegar mix with onion, green peppers in the sauce to eat with my lechon. So crunchy and satisfying! My son loves the lumpia here. Halo halo was really good that is a must after dinner. The service was quick the vibe is more on mom and pop restaurant.

    Bicol's Express
    Thu N.

    Came here by our friend's family's recommendation and ordered all their favorites -- we left stuffed and super satisfied. We enjoyed literally everything we ate here. Portions are generous and you'll likely leave with leftovers! Casual vibe good for small and large group dine-in or takeout. Seems like they do catering, too! price: ~$25/person recs: Beef Mechado, Pancit Miki Bihon - Calamari: Generous portion, light breading, pairs perfectly with vinegar sauce - Pancit Miki Bihon: Thin flavorful noodles with plenty of mixed veggie and seafood toppings. So easy to eat and share. - Beef Mechado: Still thinking about this dish. Beef was fall-apart tender and the sauce goes so well with rice. - Bicol's Express: Veggies in a curry sauce. I normally don't love bittermelon and okra but somehow loved them in this dish.

    Service charges more than 15% WTF! Look at tip guide $10+ to $12 was charged without consent! rice $10!!! Scam!!! Beware!!!
    Jellbells S.

    BEWARE!!!!! HIDDEN CHARGES ON RECEIPT! EVERYONE CHECK FOR SERVICE CHARGES AND RICE CHARGES!!! I genuinely don't know where to begin, so let me start with this: this was hands-down one of the worst dining experiences I've ever had. Worse service, and pricing practices that feel straight-up deceptive. First, the service charge situation. The menu clearly states a 15% automatic service charge for parties of five or more. We were a party of two. Yet somehow, we were still charged the service fee. When I politely questioned it, the server casually shrugged and said it's now "automatic" and that they "just haven't updated the menu yet." Excuse me?? So I'm supposed to pay extra because the restaurant can't be bothered to update its own menu? That's not transparency--that's bait and switch. They even over charged for the 15% service fee written on the receipt! It was $10.64 but charged me $12.77! WTF! Scammers! This restaurant scams people and squeeze everything from their customers! I have never experienced such a dishonest restaurant! Now let's talk about the $10 charge for a bowl of plain white rice. TEN. DOLLARS. For white rice. In what universe does that make sense? Was this rice hand-harvested by monks under a full moon? Because it certainly didn't taste like anything special--just bland, basic rice with an absolutely absurd price tag. The service was practically nonexistent. Our server disappeared after dropping the food and gave us a pitcher of water. Never once checked on us. No attentiveness--nothing. We sat there awkwardly, plates untouched, wondering if this was some kind of social experiment on how much neglect diners will tolerate. Between the misleading charges, outrageous pricing, and inattentive service this place managed to fail on every possible level. I left feeling irritated, ripped off, and honestly baffled by how this restaurant is still operating. Save your money. Save your appetite. Save yourself the frustration. Do not come here. Beware of scammers! This is one of those restaurants that will charge you up the a$$! Hopefully it gets shut down! Fraud!

    Pancit Sotanghon
    Jinni Mabalot B.

    Ordered crispy pata , garlic rice, and pancit sotanghong delivery. Amazing meal! The noodles were for my 80th birthday and truly fit the bill in price and taste. Enough food for more than one meal. I will be repeat customer!

    Analyst C.

    Came here for dinner for the first time with friends. Ordered lumpia- I've tasted better from other restaurant. The Mechado- potatoes were not fully cooked. The Miko bihon - mixed noodles was good. The daing was good. Kare-Kare improved. The sauce tasted better and this time they have the salted fish sauce . I'll try other dishes next time

    Michelle T. M.

    We ordered $90 and some change for literally three items and rice. The Kare- Kare - was watery and lacked flavor. This used to be a favorite of ours. The bulalo- lacked seasoning, soup was quite bland and it only had cabbage in it. Veggie Lumpia- would have been good but there was so much potato in it. This spot used to be so busy and their food was really flavorful! I wonder if there was a change in chef. What happened? Also, like a few other reviewers said... what's with your crazy service charge?It was just the two of us, too.There wasn't any extra attentiveness at all. This was not printed that small parties get charged an exorbitant extra fee just to eat mediocre food. This is illegal in California as of July 2024. No wonder it was not as busy as before- quality of food has gone down and extra charges slapped on the bill. Sad that fellow Filipinos have to resort to shady practices like this. FYI KARILAGAN.... As of July 1, 2024, California's "Honest Pricing Law (SB 478)", amended by SB 1524, requires San Mateo restaurants to include all mandatory service charges and surcharges in the menu's listed price, rather than adding them to the final bill. Hidden fees or surprise,, added charges at the end of a transaction are illegal, mandating that the menu price is the full price, excluding government taxes. State of California - Department of Justice (.gov) State of California - Department of Justice (.gov) +2 Key Details on California/San Mateo Restaurant Fees: Mandatory Charges: Service charges,, large party fees, or operational surcharges must be clearly disclosed on menus or advertisements. Clear Disclosure (SB 1524): Mandatory fees must be explicitly explained and "conspicuously" displayed alongside the item price. Voluntary Tips: Optional,, voluntary gratuity does not have to be included in the advertised price. Penalties: Violations can lead to legal action, with consumers able to seek damages of at least $1,000 per violation.

    Service Charge: This is the only restaurant so far that I've been to, that service charge are still tucked into the receipt AND then, a suggestion for TIPS. Someone said it is in the menu, how many people look at the service charge before ordering? I am sure they have a choice of leaving, but when you start looking at the menu, you forget the service charge because you are hungry. BTW.. there's only two of us so the service charge should have been included as stated in the menu. FOOD: plenty of helping.. they are generous, but it's a little salty on my side of the isle. Would be nice if they have pepper and salt on the table, for the client to add if needed. Pinakbet we ordered was a little watery and what I experienced, it is not an ilocano flavor ( I am ilocano). HYGIENE/CLEALINESS: We have to ask the server to wipe the table some more as there's some crumbs on the side (ie. rice and some noodles). STAFF: Staff was not friendly at all, she asked if we are ready to order, and we just sat down. Staff didn't even over a glass of water or something to drink - we have to ask for it. Ambiance: I guess if you are hiding from someone else, its okay.. it was a little dark when we got there. I have to look for my reading glass to see the menu, which mind you, can still read 10pt fonts so, it was dark. To go container: Since there were only two of us, we asked for a to go containers, and they only gave us 2, as opposed to four. The server, saw we had plenty leftovers - we have to ask two more to go containers. I wouldn't mind paying for it, but service was really bad. Overall: I don't want to go back there again. Try it if you want, but I will not recommend this place.

    Sizzling Bulalo
    Ulyvie C.

    We've tried this place a few times! I wanted to come here specifically to try the sizzling bulalo as there is this girl that just kept popping up on FYP and she went here like 3 times in a week so I just determine to try this! I really don't know what I was expecting, but it was decent! The meat tasted like bulalo meat and I wish the gravy was more gravy like if that makes sense. I think I was heavily influenced by social media, but I don't think I'd order this again here! I'd go for their other menu items!

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    11 days ago

    Friendly staff and delicious food! We attended a birthday party and were treated to so many wonderful dishes!! Hope to be back!

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    6 months ago

    Kare-Kare for the win! I enjoy coming here. As a Filipino-American, it rocks. It seems to be a top choice.

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    Ask the Community - Karilagan

    Do they sell chicken Lumpia?

    Can anyone tell me if they're open for takeout these days?

    Yes, they are

    Are they open during stay at home for pick-up?

    Yes they are for take-out. They also close early, I think around 7:30pm so remember to call early :)

    View All 4 Questions

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