Nopalito is our go-to spot in San Francisco, and it never disappoints. Our favorites are the Mole Poblano con Pollo and the Carnitas plate--both are consistently flavorful and beautifully prepared. The rice and beans are outstanding, and on our most recent visit we finished the meal with a silky, delicious flan. The service was excellent from start to finish, and the margaritas were fantastic. We're already looking forward to our next visit! read more

Food was super good, not cooked in same common way. Unique plates and flavors. On the expensive side. Lunch time, $30 - $50 per person. Six of us, lunch menu with carafe of wine, $250. Including tip. Service was great. Ambiance nice. Had to go out to use restroom. Parking accross from restaurant was free. Super Plus for a restaurant in San Francisco. Yes expensive and all, I hope to go again. read more

Good flavors but super pricey for what was offered! Ordered the potato taquitos which looked like 4 from the picture online but were really two taquitos cut in half covered in guacamole and cheese! Good service and the restaurant itself is nice to sit in :) read more

Nopalito - Potato taquitos - Mexican Near Me - San Francisco, California

We ordered mole enchiladas, it is sweeter than expected. I am a spicy enchiladas gal, didn't really love it. The salsas were phenomenal, however chips were indeed crunchy and big hard. You can not do any substitutions on the enchiladas atleast, since it is pre-made -- bummed a bit. We also ordered ceviche, it was so good -- wish it came with an option on a side so we can have it with chips and salsa but again no substitutions. read more

Nopalito - Ceviche - Mexican Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Had heard about this restaurant from my nephew and his girlfriend, who gave us the cookbook for Christmas, along with a meal. We finally got to go with them for a fun night out. No reservations taken, so I was worried about a Saturday night dinner, but we got there at 9pm (because we had a late lunch) and there was no wait at all! A casual atmosphere, with several tables around us having dogs, which we thought was very cool. So there is a QR code at the table, and it isn't just for looking at the menu, it is also for ordering. So we all got it, to look at the menu and one of us did the ordering. It was a little confusing and impersonal, to not have a server available to answer questions. Also, once we placed our order, the food came out super fast! We were all sharing everything we ordered, so it was a bit overwhelming but to their credit, when we asked if things could be slowed down, it happened immediately. I guess if everyone is ordering their own meal, it would make sense for everything to come out at once, but since we were sharing all the items, it was too much too fast. This is where a personal interaction would have been helpful. On to the food and drink! Everything was delicious. The ceviche tostada was spectacular. So fresh! The carnitas were delicious, but needed a little salt, which they brought. The empanadas, market salad, cauliflower Al pastor were all good too. The pork quesadilla was so filled, it looked more like a giant taco than a quesadilla! We all ate until we were stuffed, and had plenty to take home for dinner tomorrow. Really enjoyed my spicy "Sweet Heat" cocktail, with tequila, pineapple juice and habanero. A good modern-Mexican meal. read more

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I was really looking forward to coming here. I was sat right away and at 6 pm it was about half full, so not crowded or noisy . The staff are very attentive , and are quick to get the food to you. I settled on the ceviche tostada verde which was beyond a dream come true. I had a fruit horchata that was so tasty the cinnamon was so superb and creamy horchata with fruit was refreshing . We ordered one other dish that was slow cooked pork and it was beyond tasty. An incredible nice casual venue with notable food and great services. Highly recommend! read more

Nopalito - Interior - Mexican Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Came here on a Saturday night and I'm so glad I did! There was no wait for a table, and everything could be ordered through a QR code, which made the whole process super easy. For drinks, we ordered the Frozen Pineapple Margarita and the Nopalito Margarita. The frozen pineapple margarita was absolutely delicious and refreshing--one of the best I've had so far! I was a little disappointed they didn't have the Frozen Guava Margarita, but I'll definitely be back to try it out. For food, we got the Pozole Rojo, Esquite, Quesadilla Roja con Chicharron, and Totopos con Chile. The Pozole was rich and flavorful, while the Quesadilla had a perfect crispy texture with savory chicharron. The corn paired with the Totopos was a hit too, though the portion was quite large, and we couldn't finish it all. The location is perfect, with parking available--always a bonus in the city! Overall, I'd definitely recommend this spot for some small bites and drinks! read more

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Super convenient ordering system with unique QR codes at each table and online payment. The food was delicious - I had the birria and highly recommend getting the flower tortillas with it! Their margaritas were tasty too, and the flan was the perfect ending to the meal. Highly recommend checking it out! read more

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Delicious & fresh food with unique flavors. The service was great and the staff is knowledgeable about the menu. Nice decor both inside and outside. My favorite is the Trucha à la plancha. I'll be coming back the next time I'm in the area! read more

Nopalito - Trucha à la plancha & tacos de pescado - Mexican Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Came here for a quick lunch on a Saturday afternoon. There was surprisingly no wait. We sat on the patio and it was really cute. I got the quesadilla roja con chicharron. It was so pretty and delicious as well. I love the crisp of the chicharron and also the tortilla of the quesadilla. The pork belly inside was tender and flavorful and I loved the cheese that they paired with it. Overall, cute atmosphere and good food. read more

Wow, incredible food and vibe. We ordered the Romero, Tamal and Carnitas. I will be going there often! read more

Delicious food, large portions, great value, attentive friendly service, and beautiful restaurant interior, highly recommended. I saw this restaurant on a episode of Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives. It did not disappoint. read more

Nopalito - Napolito interior, 2024. - Mexican Near Me - San Francisco, California

Finally got to try this place while staying in SF. Pretty good options for Mexican food with a twist. The drinks were good and they have a variety of tequilas, if you're a fan. The service was friendly and very attentive. I had the huarache de huitlacoche and my husband had the pozole and wagyu steak taco. read more

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This place has a lively ambience and a parking garage next-door. You have a choice it seems between ordering your food per person or family style and we went with family style as were a party of five. Separate checks is also easy as they use one of these QR code online ordering systems. We had to wait outside for our table, but they have some outside seating and you can order a glass of wine from their takeout window which we did. Mexican food was quite good and I would say there are some dishes that are next level. I'm not a fan of Molé in general but this Molé sauce was really pretty good. Here is a picture of what we ordered. Nothing was left over. read more

Nopalito - The fresco over the bar - Mexican Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I'm not sure it Nopalito knows this, but they have a little cameo in one of my favorite books of all time! It was one of my dreams to visit and eat here as a birthday treat for myself, and the staff went above and beyond (I actually cried, like in the good way). The food is incredible, the ambience is so chill and gorgeous (lots of plants!), and the staff was so incredibly nice!!! I couldn't believe it. Ten thousand stars; you guys made my entire day!! Highly recommend if you want an absolutely gorgeous dining experience. read more

Nopalito - Caldo Tlapeño - Mexican Near Me - San Francisco, California

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So I did get food to go just had too long of a week so just recommended to me by an Uber driver and shout out to him!!! The menu was not too extensive so I appreciate that I decided to go with the pozole rojo boy was it tasty I'll say it's not as tasty as the pozole from the market in Mexico City but I'm not in Mexico City!!! I appreciate that they included all the proper accoutrement that is required for a proper pozole. Super great spices and flavors the cuts of meat were great I could have used a little more hominy but that's okay I also ordered a side of their homemade tortillas boy highly recommend those they were delish. Also for a later on snack I got some chips and chose two of the salsas as shown in the pictures the pinky one I'm not sure if it's the medium or hot it's a little garlicky it's an interesting flavor the red one with seeds is absolutely flavorful and fantastic. This restaurant does a great job with to go food it was packed up I have to say one of my top 5 to go packaging read more

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3 stars for outdoor dining service 3.5- 4 stars for food This Latin cuisine located by SFs DMV, offers pretty authentic food and fresh made tortillas. (Big plus!) The pulled pork was okay - perhaps the team was having an off day .. but I'd give it another chance as the rest of the foods (chicken mole in particular ) was excellent - and came served w those fresh tortillas for your own mole tacos. Whatever you order, I recommend getting an extra side of salsa and crema. Margaritas? 45$ for a pitcher serving 4. Better off ordering individual ones for variety. read more

Nopalito - The spread - Mexican Near Me - San Francisco, California

It can get pretty busy on the weekends, but the bright and casual dining room makes the wait fly by. Really fresh ingredients and just a solid, flavorful menu overall. read more

Came here with a group of 8 and we got a nice seat! Good: Awesome food - I had a quesadilla with tomato sauce in it and a lot of different ingredients - the cheese was super good too. All of it tasted fresh and wasn't dry as some other places have it. All the appetizers were quite good too - I liked the chips and guac and the chilli nachos too. I tried the tequila flight too and enjoyed the drinks. Ambiance is good for a big group - their long table sits everyone comfortably and you can still talk to each other. Bad: Kind of cold outside if you sit outside. Overall had a good time with a big group and it's cool how we got seating here without making an advanced reservation! read more

Nopalito - Nacho - Mexican Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Totopos. Number one. Get these. Get two, rather. Now on to other business. Nopalito is a destination for delicious cuisine. Their vegetarian and vegan options are second to none. The tacos dorados de camote, esquite tostado, and the vegetables a la plancha were outstanding. Their Broderick Street location has the most darling private party space; perfect for about 30 I believe. The 18th Street location has a limited menu over Broderick, but they still have their famous Totopos. Cannot wait to return! read more

Nopalito was hustling and bustling on a Friday night, but my roommates and I were still able to get a table inside after just a short wait! I loved the totopos which were tortilla chips absolutely drenched in red salsa, cotija cheese, and topped with a generous dollop of crema. I also ordered the quesadilla roja, and even though I came in starving, I was satisfied after eating half (the next day, I thanked past me profusely for providing the best leftovers). It was a little oily, but I thoroughly enjoyed the bold flavors of the pork, salsa cascabel, etc. all together in a crispy tortilla. Some small details that could be improved on - there weren't enough napkins set out for everyone, and we had to ask for waters since we weren't given any or asked if we wanted some. Other than that, servers were super friendly and attentive. read more

I ordered the Trucha, trout grilled. Comes on a bed of white beans and spinach or greens and a side of fresh made corn tortillas..Honestly the trout needs more flavor as it is generally a mild fish. The beans are bland. Add some cilantro, or oregano, a bit of salt and pepper. Or at leadt provide it on the side. For what you are paying IT NEEDS FLAVOR. I had to ask for salsa. Add a fresh picadillo to freshen the dish. The posole was very good. Flavorful and plenty of hominy. Comes with a side of topopos, chips, and oregano chili mix. The Jamaica Agua Fresca was delicious. I would come again, but would not order the trout unless they make some improvements to it. read more

Nopalito was pretty good. We came for dinner on a Saturday night and were seated right away without a reservation. You scan the QR code at your table, and you place your order on your phone. One person in the party will be responsible for placing the group's order and paying for it. I liked this concept because then you don't have to rely on waiting for a waiter, but you still get the cozy restaurant feel of sitting down, ordering, and having the food brought to your table. We got the Totopos con Chile for the appetizer. This was the real star. I really liked how this was not like your typical chips and salsa that you find at a Mexican restaurant (althought it would've been nice if this was complementary lol). Instead, it was a combination of crispy, freshly baked corn chips, with cheese, a white sauce and a spicy red sauce. Our group devoured this within minutes. I got the Quesadilla Roja for my meal. This was a unique take on a quesadilla for sure. The chile corn tortilla is tasty, and the combination of the pork belly, jack cheese and salsa cascabel was good. I wasn't wowed, but it was super filling. The photos on the menu make the dish look small, but it will fill you up. read more

Nopalito - Quesadilla Roja - Mexican Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This has a nickname- "nopa gringo" for its overpriced, white washed Mexican food. Drinks and service are good though! read more

I got the worst chicken quesadilla I've ever seen from a restaurant. Don't get me wrong, service, ambience is on point, GREAT people. But quality and price gets no stars. Tortillas, cheese and chunks of chicken. That was it!! No spice, tomato, onion, etc nothin... THANK GOD I got guacamole to the side. Anyways for $20, so not worth it! read more

Nopalito - Mexican Near Me - San Francisco, California

It's been so long since I've been to Nopalito that I completely forgot it was a spin-off of Nopa and that chef/owner Gonzalo Guzman started in the kitchen. I think Nopa's high quality eats approach crossed over seamlessly to Guzman's authentic Mexican menu, which is definitely not the standard taqueria offerings you would find in, say, the Mission. This is Nopa, baby, and it was certainly not in the same ballpark when it comes to price points. That just puts it in a different category in the restaurant rolodex part of my brain. I was strolling Golden Gate Park to the end of the panhandle and saw that Nopalito was operating a takeout window. I decided to take advantage and splurge a bit on the $26 Mole Poblano con Pollo. Even in a cardboard box, it was quite a treat with the mole lending a deep chocolate flavor and the thick handmade corn tortillas the ideal scooping vehicle (photo: https://bit.ly/3zEZEUu). The braised half-chicken was quite tender with an extra depth of flavor provided by dry chiles, plantains, sesame seeds and scallions (photo: https://bit.ly/3i32L2A). The Mexican rice was almost superfluous. Almost. Good stuff. I'd call it 'special occasion' Mexican fare. FOOD - 4 stars...really velvety mole and amazing tortillas AMBIANCE - n/a...I was just at the window SERVICE - 4 stars...they were attentive TOTAL - 4 stars...higher-end Mexican that didn't really belong on Guy Fieri's Triple-D show RELATED - Exploring NoPa? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2uMQ82p read more

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You know the food was so good that I didn't even take that many pictures because we inhaled all of it so fast. The one thing I really disliked is their new method of taking orders which is through the app Toast. It basically takes away the ability to have a conversation with their staff and ask for suggestions and you have to pay for your meal right away. If I were a brand new customer coming here and didn't know much of the food I wouldn't really know what to order. This is a big turn off but I am here for the food and I can manage. Most people forget this is meant to be family style and what their know for is their carnitas aka pork meat. Here's what we ate and yes it was a lot for 4 people (everything with a double * is a must): CHIPS & GUACAMOLE** EMPANADA CON DESHEBRADA DES RES** Fried masa pastry, grass-fed beef, tomato, jalapeño, cabbage, queso fresco and salsa frita de guajillo CARNITAS Braised pork, orange, bay leaf, milk, cinnamon and beer. Served with cabbage salad, curtidos, salsa cruda and (3) tortillas (you can ask for more tortillas and I suggest you do). MOLE POBLANO CON POLLO Braised half chicken, dry chiles, spices, plantains, nuts, chocolate, sesame seeds and onions. Served with Mexican rice and (3) tortillas BIRRIA DE RES Grass-fed beef stewed in ancho chile, roasted tomatoes, sesame seeds & spices. Served with Mexican rice, salsa de arbol and (3) tortillas As far as drinks we kept it simple and cool, straight margaritas blended and on the rocks. Unfortunately, all of these drinks are already pre-made so there's no way to ask for substitutions or make changes. Being diabetic the kind bartender came over and asked if he could make a different drink and so he did, for this they earn extra points. read more

Nopalito - Salsa roja con chips - Mexican Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Everything was good the chilaquiles and mole were especially good and the ambiance outside was chill for a sunny day read more

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Really enjoyed trying Nopalito! Huge portions and nice outdoor seating area with heat lamps. We ordered: - totopos con chile - mole poblano de pollo - pozole rojo Totopos con chile were well flavored with a bunch of toppings and not super spicy. Mole poblano de pollo and pozole rojo were both huge portions, well seasoned, and meat was tender. Overall, we enjoyed Nopalito :) read more

Nopalito - Mexican Near Me - San Francisco, California

Stopped here on a whim while in SF, and I'm so glad I did. Everything from the drinks to the flautas to the main courses were stellar. The covered patio is so nice because it blocks the wind while still getting the feeling of dining outside. Definitely will come again when I'm in the neighborhood. read more

The food was great. Would definitely come back. The only issue we ran into was at the end of our meal I needed to use the restroom...I went inside and was told that when I was done I needed to go around the outside of the restaurant and back to my seat because I was getting in the car way of the kitchen. I don't think that makes sense for me to be inconvenienced to go outside and around the corner to get back to my seat? read more

Nopalito - Cauliflower - Mexican Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Mexican food is always tough for me because my expectations are high.. but at Nopalito's price point its hard not to expect the best. Lets start with the wins: their customer service was great, food came out fast, the location is perfect, and the Guy Fiere poster in the bathroom is so fun. Where they lacked was unfortunately in the food. The tortillas were great but the chips were the texture of cheetos almost... very thick and grainy. These thick chips made a great base for chilaquiles tho! On the topic of chilaquiles, the egg was burnt. For t he pozole, the food was under-seasoned but I did appreciate the nice cuts of meat that were there! I just wished the broth was more rich and less oily? The carnitas were yummy, but at their high price point I expected a bit more food, or at least not cauliflower in the curtido... the salsa that came with the carnitas was too tart, it was like biting straight into a tomatillo. I understand, not everyone's tastebuds are the same and not everyone is looking for authenticity -- but for the price I definitely expected a lot more intent with the food. Would still recommend this restaurant because although its not my taste, I know many who love it! read more

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Food is yum but on the pricier side (e.g. chips and guac for $13). The ambiance is nice and well-decorated, so maybe that bumps up the price. The restaurant is a little weirdly laid out in that it doesn't really have a front of house with host podium, you just kind of stand at the door next to other tables eating until they seat you - which they forgot about us there, since it looks like you're just standing there. But otherwise, everything was nicely presented and yummy, just may be more of a group treat every once in a while to get to try more things more affordably. read more

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I came with a group of 3 on a Tuesday evening and waited about 45 minutes for a table. If you're coming at prime time, be prepared to stand and wait outside the restaurant! The servers are friendly, but were unfortunately not very attentive in our experience (we had to ask a few times for to-go boxes, extra utensils, etc.) The portions are large! I'd recommend getting a few plates to split if you're coming with a group. The guacamole and rice were delicious, as were the juices - but I found the tamal de ayocote to be dry. read more

Nopalito - Tamal de ayocote - Mexican Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Our pitcher of margaritas with mezcal was delicious. But $56 plus tip & tax came to ~$70. That is outrageous for a small pitcher of margaritas. It cost more than our food bill. Also don't like how there are several employees running around but you aren't allowed to talk to them. Anything & everything you want must be requested via their online platform. It takes away from the interaction between guests b/c everyone is on their phone, looking at the menu & trying to figure out how to order. Lacking the interaction with employees & watching them move around the restaurant left us feeling uncomfortable. So- we're expected to give 20% tip on a tab that included zero interaction with staff & servers? We couldn't ask questions about the menu, request things be added or subtracted from menu items? We tipped at the end of our meal but I wouldn't go back again. When we tip- it's for exceptional service. A server that has spent some time to explain the menu & any specials and made us feel welcome. Nopalito's way of doing service makes you feel like you don't matter & you're lucky to be dining there. Prices don't equal the service received. We would recommend Santeria in the Castro instead. Do better & stop treating your customers like they are lucky to eat there! read more

Tiny restaurant and a small but mighty menu. I took a Waymo here and we were lucky to walk in and get a seat at the bar. We ordered lots of the small plates to share. I loved the fresh veggies on everything and the clean but tasty flavors in every bite. It seemed like each dish was thought out in terms of flavor balance, nothing was overdone or too much read more

I had the potato flautas--they were amazing! Perfect amount of spice and cream on top. I wish it was a bigger portion!

It's difficult for a restaurant like Nopalito to compete with all the other local and no-frills Mexican restaurants in the area. After paying $30+ for my single dish, I would consider Nopalito more of a place for a social outing, rather than for the food. My friends and I ordered the Birria de Res and two tostadas, but neither felt authentic. The tortillas had no flavor and the rice was dry. Because the restaurant uses QR code ordering, there's hardly any interaction with the staff - in pandemic times, that can be nice, but good customer service could have made up for the food. They did have a cute outdoor parklet that we dined in, and the ambience was very comfortable. read more

Nopalito - Birria de Res - Mexican Near Me - San Francisco, California

This area used to be my stomping grounds. Every morning, I'd stroll along Divisadero for a morning bite and was a regular at the 76 dumpster, a reliable place. I always passed by Nopalito with curiosity. The food is on the pricier side but standard to those that work in tech. As a rat that doesn't have a tech job (that industry is not very fond of rats), I never imagined I'd eat here until a human friend of mine treated me to this meal for helping him find a compatible pet rat to accompany him since he works from home. We got seated and were told that the staff prefers that we use our phones to order as they get busy. My friend scanned the QR code and we went for it. Sweet Heat - I loved this cocktail. It's like heartburn but in a good way. The drink punched my senses and I liked the heat down my esophagus. Caldo Tlalpeño - This was an easy going soup with nice bites in between. The chipotle adobado is what made it come alive with its smokiness and deep flavor. It reminded me of a soup I'd have when I come over to someone's grandma's house - comforting and simple. The veggies were also not overcooked and not sadly soggy. It was a nice palate cleanser in between the rich bites. Carnitas - They did this one right with the crunchy parts and soft, braised melt-straight-in-the-mouth pork. That variation is what makes carnitas bomb. Some places fuck it up by making it so crusty that it's dry and gives you cotton mouth or too soft that it feels like you are chewing gum. The tortillas that came with it were nice as they were definitely handmade. Mole Poblano con Pollo - This rat loves mole. I'm not sure if it's good for us because of the chocolate but I can't deny the explosion of flavors in a damn good mole. This one was well done and the basmati rice was an interesting choice - it worked as the dryness of the basmati was a nice contrast to the saucy wetness of the mole and sopped it up well. I loved the raw onion bites that accompanied the deep rich mole that was smooth to the tongue. The food was well made and fresh. Definitely get some extra salsa to mix it up. I wouldn't say it's the most innovative or special but give it a try if you have some money to spend and want an upscale casual Californian take on Mexican food. read more

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Quarantine review. Lunch delivery. 3 - Chips & Salsa - Totopos hecho a mano con dos salsas (mild & caliente) 5 - Carnitas Meal Kit - Heat and Serve. 1 libra (lb) de carnitas con repollo, curtidos, salsa cruda de tomatillo y 8 tortillas 5 - Piquin Hot Sauce - Our housemade hot sauce made with piquin chiles Overall, Nopalito's carnitas are the best in SF. "As good as it gets." read more