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Name: Puerto Alegre
Address: 546 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA, 94110
Telephone: (415) 255-8201
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.72

Puerto Alegre

546 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA, 94110

(415) 255-8201
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Puerto Alegre Menu

Appetizers

Combo Platter

Alas En Barbacoa

Quesadilla Platter

Nachos

Nachos With Meat

Bean And Cheese Dip

Guacamole

Coctel De Camaron
Combinations

3 Three Combo Items Plate

2 Two Combo

1 One Combo
Combination Items

Enchilada

Taco

Burnito

Tostada

Gordita

Sope

Flauta

Tamale

Cheese Chile Relieno

Quesadilla Flour

Quesadilla Corn

Taco De Came Asada

Taco De Camaron

Taco De Pollo Asado
Especiales

Enchiladas Poblanas Red

Enchiladas Potosinas Green

Dos Tacos Especiales

Chimichangas Ala Chicanese

Tostada Salad
Some Great Originals

Carne A La Parilla

Bistec Asado

Bistec Encebollado

Milanesa

Milanesa Especial

Bistec Ranchero

Chile Verde
Puerto Alegre Specialties

Pozole Verde

Sopa De Siete Mares

Camarones Rancheros

Caldo De Camarones

Camarones Ala Diabla Veracruzanos

Mole Poblano Red

Mole Verde Green

Albondigas De Pollo

Pollo Ala Mexicana

Caldo De Pollo

Bistec Picado

Chicharones En Salsa Roja

Menudo

Tortilla Soup
Puerto Alegre Fajitas

Fajitas Combo

Fajitas De Camarones

Fajitas De Pollo

Fajitas De Carne Asada

Fajitas Vegetariana
Big Burritos

Meat Burrito

Super Meat Burrito

Vegetarian Burrito

Super Vegetarian Burrito

Shrimp Burrito

Super Shrimp Burrito

Grilled Chicken Burrito

Super Grilled Chicken Burrito
Quesadillas Suiza

Meat Suiza

Meat And Avocado Suiza

Shrimp Suiza

Shrimp And Avocado Suiza

Grilled Chicken Suiza

Grilled Chicken And Avocado Suiza
Breakfast

Huevos Rancheros

Huevos Con Hamon

Huevos Con Tochino

Huevos Con Chorizo

Torta De Huevo Con Camarones

Huevos A Caballo

Breakfast Burrito
Margaritas

Lime

Strawberry

Peach

Puerto Alegre Classic Margarita

Margarita De Plata

Puerto Alegre Especial

Puerto Alegre Cadillac
Puerto Alegre Tequila Sampler

Tequila Sampler
Another Great Drink

El Fresquito
Beer And Wine

Imported

Domestic

Wine
Non Alcoholic Beverages

Soft Drinks Fountain

Agua Fresca

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Milk

Coffee

Tea
La Fresca

La Fresca

Healthy Meal suggestions for Puerto Alegre

Appetizers

Combo Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Alas En Barbacoa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quesadilla Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Nachos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Nachos With Meat [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bean And Cheese Dip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Guacamole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coctel De Camaron [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Combinations

3 Three Combo Items Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

2 Two Combo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

1 One Combo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Combination Items

Enchilada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Taco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Burnito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tostada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gordita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sope [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Flauta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tamale [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Chile Relieno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quesadilla Flour [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quesadilla Corn [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Taco De Came Asada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Taco De Camaron [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Taco De Pollo Asado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Especiales

Enchiladas Poblanas Red [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Enchiladas Potosinas Green [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dos Tacos Especiales [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chimichangas Ala Chicanese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tostada Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Some Great Originals

Carne A La Parilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bistec Asado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bistec Encebollado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Milanesa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Milanesa Especial [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bistec Ranchero [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chile Verde [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Puerto Alegre Specialties

Pozole Verde [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sopa De Siete Mares [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Camarones Rancheros [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caldo De Camarones [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Camarones Ala Diabla Veracruzanos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mole Poblano Red [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mole Verde Green [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Albondigas De Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Ala Mexicana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caldo De Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bistec Picado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicharones En Salsa Roja [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Menudo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tortilla Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Puerto Alegre Fajitas

Fajitas Combo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fajitas De Camarones [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fajitas De Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fajitas De Carne Asada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fajitas Vegetariana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Big Burritos

Meat Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Super Meat Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetarian Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Super Vegetarian Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Super Shrimp Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Super Grilled Chicken Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Quesadillas Suiza

Meat Suiza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meat And Avocado Suiza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Suiza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp And Avocado Suiza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken Suiza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken And Avocado Suiza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Breakfast

Huevos Rancheros [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Huevos Con Hamon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Huevos Con Tochino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Huevos Con Chorizo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Torta De Huevo Con Camarones [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Huevos A Caballo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Breakfast Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Margaritas

Lime [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Strawberry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Peach [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Puerto Alegre Classic Margarita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Margarita De Plata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Puerto Alegre Especial [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Puerto Alegre Cadillac [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Puerto Alegre Tequila Sampler

Tequila Sampler [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Another Great Drink

El Fresquito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Beer And Wine

Imported [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Domestic [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Non Alcoholic Beverages

Soft Drinks Fountain [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Agua Fresca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mexican Hot Chocolate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Milk [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coffee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
La Fresca

La Fresca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Courtney P.

Love this place! One of my favorite Mexican restaurants in sf. Nothing like a pitcher of margaritas and great food.
(5)
Nancie M.

Came here on a Saturday night was told 20 min wait which was only 5 seated at bar had house margarita and nachos service excellent owner visible at all times family run authentic and kickass margaritas!
(5)
Mark N.

THEY TRICKED ME! Be wary of the margarita menu, they leave out one ingredient, the price... I ordered a pitcher of The Classic margarita and saw on the check it was $35! The margarita was nothing special and was made with Sauza. But now that I look back my girlfriend who also partook in the margarita-drinking did get pretty drunk. Sooo maybe it was worth the $35... For these prices I recommend tacolicious across the street. On a side note, if you order the verde burrito, make sure theres a bathroom around. And if your partner orders the verde burrito, leave the window open... Sopes were good, they came with a salad that I never got...
(3)
Shannon K.

Ah, Puerto Alegre you're like home to me. Is there better Mexican food in the Mission and the Bay Area at large? Sure. But every once in a while you walk into a place and it just feels like home; this is one of those places for me. I've been going here for years and it is consistent and good every single time. I appreciate that. It's a great lunch spot - open all afternoon and if you are a sports fan like me, then you will appreciate the three large TVs behind the bar showing some sort of sporting event. It's great any time of day/night, but I prefer the afternoons because it's not as packed and less chance of coming across the LOUD Mariachi boys. I love bellying up to the bar and being greeted by warm, yummy chips and 2 bowls of salsa - one mild and chunky, the other a little hotter and less chunky. Both delicious. They will refill both as fast as you can eat them. The food is consistent, always hot, freshly made and delivered in a timely manner. I have my favorites and they include: Guacamole - yum. Chips/salsa - yum. Enchiladas - yum. Camarones A La Diabla - yum. Milanesa - yum. Mole Poblano - yum. The margaritas are ok, but I usually just opt for a good Mexican beer (they have a nice selection). Like home, I will keep coming back.
(4)
John E.

Please see my Nobel Prize winning theorem in the field of Quantum Restaurant Mechanics applied onto Puerto Alegre, with particular mention of the milanesa: Taste x [($Price/(.)(.)Portions)] ___________________________ Service x [(Ambiance x Location^)] =HR!2 {HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! SQUARED}
(4)
Jason W.

Today was my second time coming here and I gotta say the first time was better. My first experience at Puerto Alegra was with their chili verde which had nice chunks of pork and a lot of flavor. I was definitely a member of the clean plate club! Today wasn't so great.... Puerto Alegra feels like a real mom and pop type restaurant in every respect: the seating, the pictures on the wall, the simple menu and specials, etc. Right after we were seated, they plopped down some chips & salsa which were definitely the highlight of the meal for me today. The orange color salsa is definitely the winner and has a sort of Papalote orange sauce taste to it, but much thinner in consistency. I went with the grilled chicken burrito grande today. The waiter asked me if I wanted cheese and guac and I said no. When the burrito showed up, it was swimming in a very smelly red sauce which had curled up cheese bits in it everywhere. I guess I should have asked for no cheese, but the waiter had asked me no more than 10 minutes ago and I'd said no, so I consider this their bad. Anyway, I tried a bite and the sauce was an instant turn off. I couldn't even eat any more of it or scrape the sauce off because there was just too much. I would've sent it back, but I was pretty much soured on the whole experience, so I just got it to go. The wait staff are very friendly and prompt and kept our chips filled the whole time.I'm giving them 3 stars because that's an average of my first great experience there and this currently not-so-great experience. I don't think I'll come back unless it's somebody else's suggestion and then I'll just go with the chili verde.
(3)
Jose E.

Food was pretty good and the kids liked it too. House margie was cool and service was good as well.
(4)
L G.

I enjoy this place. I enjoy this place a lot. I have been coming here since pitchers were $12. I sometimes try to quit you, Puerto Alegre. But then I am always back. I like the new booths, but kinda miss the sparkle green....I like the addition of rotating art. I love everything. Advice: come here ready to unwind, to let go and laugh, and when it is loud, just be loud too. Food: solid. They do it old school. Drinks: yes please service: they want you to have a good time. The Wait: I plan around it. never arrive after 6pm unless you want to visit a bar and get a warm up. This is not a DeLuxe place, nor does it want to be. It delivers food and drinks that I have enjoyed on a monthly, sometimes, weekly basis. I would do daily, but come on... I hope the bad reviews on yelp will get me a booth faster.
(5)
Jennifer W.

Yum!!
(4)
Rachelle P.

Puerto Alegre, I love you more every time I see you. Our relationship keeps progressing to points of sheer bliss. We make beautiful memories. I eat your Chili Relleno. It's just the perfect atmosphere to kick-back and day drink with your friends. The chips and salsa flow like wine and I'm never rushed to pack up my shit and leave. Fo real do - dat Chili Relleno.
(5)
Tommy P.

A pretty typical mexican restaurant. Nothing that is going to blow you away but if you're in the mood for some mexican food, Puerto Alegre will satisfy that craving just fine. I have a buddy that lives in the area so we come here quite a bit when chilling at his place. It's inexpensive, good and gives you quite a bit of food. I tend to go with the enchiladas but their crunchy tacos are pretty tasty as well. There's just nothing like a shredded chicken enchilada smothered in cheese and whatever red sauce they use...mmmM! The servers are always very polite as well, another reason we keep coming back. When you find a place that consistently has friendly servers it makes going there often and spending money that much easier. Good food, good service and low prices.
(3)
Jennifer P.

This restaurant is pretty good. I happened in here on accident when I met up with some friends. They have margaritas by the pitcher, which I recommend if you and all your friends are up for margaritas. I had the tortilla soup and single cheese enchilada plate. Both of which were tasty.
(4)
Ann P.

We stumbled on this place while walking down Valencia. We got a strawberry margherita pitcher for 25 dollars. Came out to about 10 small glasses. 2 glasses were enough for me if you know what I mean. What a deal $25.00! No happy hour cause they don't need one. Happy all day +free chips and good salsa!! Cute family-owned restaurant. I felt like I was really in Mexico...
(4)
LOJIE W.

My first time spending time in the Mission District and of course the hubby and I had to grab some Mexican food. I was curious how the food would compare (as I'm from SoCal -where there is also awesome Mexican food) and this place did not disappoint. We arrived around early dinner hour and it was already packed. Granted the place is not super huge, but it was still packed! We waited at the door to be seated and was eventually "greeted" by the host who was very busy, hands full, serving multiple tables. He wasn't particularly friendly, but not completely cold. There were two small tables open and we were told we could sit wherever we'd like. We chose a booth seat next to another couple, towards the front of the restaurant so that we could get close to the natural light. Shortly after seating ourselves, another server quickly stocked us with a basket of chips and two house salsas. One was a mild pico de gallo and the other was a hotter red sauce. Being of sensitive mouth when it comes to all things spicy, I preferred the flavor and heat of the pico de gallo, but both salsas were flavorful. It was a tad bit of a wait before our waitress had a free moment to address us for drinks (because it was so busy) and in the meantime, they re-stocked our chips for us without us having to ask! The waitress was really nice, once she finally arrived, and I opted to try their peach margarita and bistek. My hubby got their Pozole Verde and a beer. The peach margarita was tasty! I'd never had a peach flavored one before, and I'd definitely try it again. The bistek was also very tasty and came with grilled onions, rice, beans and a tiny side salad. Being a SF native, my hubby already knew this place and had had their Pozole Verde many times before. I had never seen or tasted a Pozole Verde but I am a fan! Their version had pork, chicken and bacon in it. I probably could have done without the bacon addition, but the pork chunks were super tender as were the beans. The food was all very filling, full of flavor and thankfully, not super greasy. All in all, it's a place I'd definitely stop by again if I'm ever back in the area!
(4)
Natalie L.

I've patronized this restaurant for a long time. The location can't be beat, and the margaritas are delicious - and come by the pitcher! the food is above average, and consistent. my biggest gripe is with the lengthy waits recently, that sometimes don't justify the meal. but, good for them for achieving such popularity.
(4)
Jordan S.

Perfect for a quick bite and some authentic mexican cuisine, though some of it was a little bland. The margs were on point! The salsa and chips to start out were yummy and two types of salsa is always nice. We ended up getting (many) pitchers of Marg's that were definitely not weak. After a few glasses I was completely toasted, but the food kept me sober. The enchiladas were good, and the rice on the side was normal, but the beans were a very strange consistency. Almost like peanut butter. PB beans. Not expensive, good atmosphere, not too crowded, and quick. I'll definitely be returning someday, though there's nothing that makes this place stand out against some of the other mexican joints in this area. I'll have to give them all a try before I come back.
(3)
David R.

So many people have said how I feel about this place. Nothing more to add. Go, have fun and have a Margarita. Amazing!
(5)
Rebeka L.

Very delicious! Yelp says Vegetarians go nuts over this place, and it's true :) I've been dying for some good mexican vegetarian as down south we've got a ton of great places, but so far up here I've just run across 'bean and burrito' as the solo veg option - without any veg, even onions! So I was very happy to see vegetarian fajitas as an option on the menu. I don't know how they make the stuff, but the juices were absolutely amazing, and the black beans were incredibly flavorful, honestly the best I've ever had. The staff was fantastic, very friendly and timely and no mess ups on the order even though I changed up some things. My mother really enjoyed her carna asada burrito, we both walked out with leftovers. Yum~!
(5)
Clare D.

Very okay Mexican. I had the burrito (shrimp), hubs had the pozole soup. His soup was a lot better than my burrito. Margs were not that great, but chips and salsa were very tasty along with the nachos. The mariachi was a nice touch. We were seated right away, which was a plus. Would not hurry back here.
(2)
Who-lee A.

My girlfriend and I came here on a Wednesday night. The server was nice and we witnessed a proposal! It's not the best burrito in town, but the atmosphere and margaritas are just right.
(4)
Zack B.

I love reading the complaints in the reviews for this restaurant about how long the wait is. You know why there's a long wait? Because this is a frickin' fabulous restaurant. Good food, great drinks, reasonable prices, endless chips and salsa, and a boisterous atmosphere. What more could you want? I've been several times and have brought several out-of-towners here and have never been disappointed - everyone I've been with here gives it rave reviews. All of the dishes I've tried on their menu (and I've tried a lot) have been fantastic. But I always seem to keep coming back to the enchiladas with the red mole sauce for some reason, so give them a try. And if the wait times are still a problem for you, here are two solutions: 1) Call ahead and make reservations, or 2) Put your name on the list and head to Blondie's next door for massive martinis and cocktail concoctions - whoever put these two places next to each other is a frickin' genius.
(5)
Kevin B.

I love this place. Unbeatable atmosphere and tasty food. I wish they had beer on tap, but you can't have it all.
(5)
Danielle L.

Overall I believe a large portion (close to 85%) of a dining experience is based on the customer service you receive. My boyfriend and I dropped in one evening wanting a margarita. The servers/barteder's attitude was discouraging from the beginning, if they obviously don't want to be there then why should we? The margarita was petty good but we didn't stay long enough to find out what the food was like.
(2)
Gowri R.

Came here with a group of friends before a girl's night out and was pretty pleased. The food was pretty good - plenty of options, even for a vegetarians (of which there were a few in our group!) and the nachos they brought out were delicious and tided us over well until the food arrived. I had a strawberry smoothie like drink of some sort that was absolutely divine. I forget what it was called, but it can't be hard to find on the menu - try it! You wont regret it. I didn't have a margarita, but I hear they were equally delicious. The main problem with this place was the noise level. It was so ridiculously loud that I could barely hear what the girl sitting next to me was saying, let alone people across the table. I lost my voice from trying to be heard.. this before we even made it to the club! Maybe that was just a one off though - or because it was Saturday night.
(4)
Jessy F.

From out of town and was told about this place by a co-worker. Best meal we have had in SF and the best Mexican food I have ever had. I had a soft taco and enchilada. So good and the beans were amazing! We got there at 5pm and were seated right away but it quickly got busy so arrive early or most likely will have a short wait.
(5)
Shira O.

SPICY and FLAVOR-RIFIC! I had the shrimp with onions and tomatoes ($11). It came with beans, rice and a small salad. The flavor of the shrimp was bursting in my mouth. Yummmmmmmmmmmm. The margaritas looked good but I didn't have one this time. Until next time Puerto Alegre! ***Extra points for being able to bring my to go order into Blondies next door!***
(4)
Brian S.

I have no idea what the business name means but I LOVE this place. Truly authentic food and ummmmm.....EXTREMELY STRONG DRINKS!!!!! I have enjoyed the Milanese and the chicken quesadilla and I always share a pitcher of margaritas with a friend or two. The servers and staff greet you like friends and family. They truly make you feel like part of their world. Love that. The staff is attentive too. You won't have to ask for refills etc. They are all over that kind of stuff. If you want a GREAT meal then go to Puerto Alegre! It will soon be on my list on Yelp! Tip: Parking SUCKS! My new strategy is too park out of the area a little bit and take a taxi in. It costs me $6 to do this and worth every penny!
(5)
Natasha B.

I've never really has a terrible experience here but the food could be more memorable. Their Margaritas are amazing! Service is quite good and I love the ambience-especially when they have a Mexican serenader and some Mexico-inspired art displays. I'm not sure what I had but I've been here at least three times. The food isn't bad but I feel it's slightly Americanized, thus forgettable. I remember tiny authentic Mexican joint food before I think of here. The two salsas they bring with your chips are yummy! The Flan not so good. I usually only suggest this place for their Margaritas, but really not a bad experience. Just not as authentic as I was looking for.
(3)
Andrew T.

To me, it's a loud mexican bar. Margaritas are probably one of the best things here, simply because you can get a pitcher and be good for the rest of the night. Service is difficult here, but I assume it always is because it's always packed. Seating is a bit weird, since the booths are sort of connected in this odd way. It seems like a mix of a brightly lit bar and a small mexican restaurant. The food was good, flavorful, and tasty, but nothing too life changing. They didn't have something I wanted on the menu, which really sucked, but they offered to switch it out with another item. All in all, I'd come here to get drunk and eat some quick food if I was hungry. I would suggest the same thing for all of you!
(3)
Laura L.

I've come here twice, and both times it's been a five-star experience because: -Their margaritas are frickin' AMAZING - they have seriously perfected the classic margarita -The food plates are sooooooooo good! The mole chicken is my fave so far - the chicken is tender and the sauce is incredible. Rice and beans are good, but not anything to write home about -Service is always really friendly -They have deep fried tacos!!! I haven't tried them yet but I'm pretty sure they're amazing because, well, they're deep fried tacos! A couple slightly less flattering notes: -I don't get the hype about the chips and salsa? They don't taste any better than normal chips and salsa to me -The mariachi singers can be annoying. Not just because of the singing, but because of the way they hustle you for tips afterwards. Not quite annoying enough to deduct a star though Final note: GET THE MOLE CHICKEN! And for god's sake, this is not the place to be sober. Try at least one margarita - that's what this place is famous for!
(5)
Joe F.

Love it. Good service, good food, good drinks, good prices. A solid choice to satisfy my Mexican cravings.
(4)
Babs N.

Great atmosphere, tacos(soft shell is my fave)... With great friendly, attentive and entertaining mixologist perfecting the Margaritas.... I will return and spread the word... The Mango Margarita with the chili rim is DIVINE!
(5)
Erica W.

Honestly, this place is the bomb. First of all, their chips and salsa are awesome-- they just keep bringing me more and more which gets dangerous, real fast. The margaritas are great, I think they're almost everything they're cracked up to be! I typically order the steak fajitas or a steak quesadilla, and it's always really good. They even have a mariachi band playing sometimes! The service is good, if a little slow, but overall this place is fun, delicious, and definitely worth the trek out to the mission. Probably my favorite, sit-down Mexican place in the city.
(4)
Kevin F.

I'm stuck between 3 and 4 stars on this one... but I think I have to go 4. For a neighborhood as heavy with Mexican flavor as the Mission, there are precious few places to sit down with anything heavier than beer or sangria with your Mexican specialties. For Mexican fare and margaritas your choices consist of Puerto Alegre and Velvet Cantina (way down on 23rd). Due to the margarita famine, the waits here can be epic (I've waited almost two hours for a table), but thankfully Casanova is right across the street to soothe the soul. I'd say a wait of 1 hour is worth it... much more than that and I think you should give up your margarita dreams and head elsewhere. Once you make it inside, the decor is nothing special, the service is sufficient but not overly friendly, and the food is ranges from a B+ to a A-. At the end of the day you're not paying much for a dinner with cocktails, so keeping things in perspective this is one of my favorite neighborhood stops. Bonus points for: - Attentive refills to the (complimentary) chips and delicious salsas - the "Especial" margaritas (well worth the upgrade from the "house") - Psychic sense of wait-times by the host staff - if they tell you 30 minutes it won't be more than 35
(4)
Bunny R.

Worst service ever! I went to the bar with a friend who was visiting from out of town and the old round Mexican lady bartender refused to serve my guest because she said "you need to have an ID from California" how does that make any sense? San Francisco is frequently visited by people from all over the world and this bartender is refusing to accept an out of state ID. Then as we tried to explain how this didn't make any sense the manager approached us and proceeded to ask us to leave, without understanding any amount of the situation. Then, while attempting to explain, he placed his hands on my guest!!!! It was not in a friendly manor. If I could leave a negative star, this would be the first time I'd have to. I left with my mind blown!
(1)
Caitlin S.

I had a really bad experience here about a year ago where I felt my friend was discriminated against and I wrote a very angry review. However the owner contacted me personally about the situation and had taken steps to address this. I really appreciate the above and beyond customer service. I shall return.
(5)
Todd S.

One star because we didn't have to wait. Basically, food was meh, we ordered a pitcher of the Classic Margarita, after 10 minutes we were brought 2 individual margaritas. And the story begins... I brought up the mistake and the waitress gave us a stupid look and then came back with a pitcher. She did not collect the 2 individual margaritas that were brought by mistake. Check comes and of course we were charged for both the pitcher we ordered, and the 2 additional drinks we did not. We again brought up the mistake, and the waitress now tells me that we ordered both the 2 drinks and the pitcher. Yes this was happening. She eventually had to bring the manager to assist in this brain buster. The manager actually has the nerve to say to us "after the drinks are made, thats it." We actually had to argue this with the manager in order to have them removed from the check. Also, the dang pitcher was $35. Made with Sauza. For $35. No wonder they don't put the price on the menu.
(1)
Sophie W.

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!
(2)
Ashley M.

Really great salsas, fast service. The corn chips were not the best in the mission, but they were pretty tasty. I got Huevos Rancheros for dinner (they serve breakfast menu items all day), and it was damn good. Perfectly cooked eggs (all runny yolk, no runny whites), excellent sauce. Was probably a 6 or 7 on the spiciness scale when i prefer a 5 or 6, but hey, it was still excellent. Had a sip of my friend's peach margherita, was a little lackluster.
(4)
Aaron I.

I don't even like margaritas, but even they get an mmmmmm! Solid mexican food, breatkfast, lunch and dinner, great service. Sometimes the wait is a little long, no mmmmm!
(4)
Dawn J.

Got here at 6pm on a Friday night. No wait. No one else waiting after we were seated. Still, it took about 15 minutes for the server to acknowledge us and take our margarita order. I wasn't happy at that point, but then the margaritas came and everything was alllllll better!!! Food was okay. Chips, salsa, and guac were decent...definitely not the best or worst I've had. I ordered a chicken burrito (which, much to the disbelief of my friends, I finished and then proudly licked any remnants off my plate to solidify my membership in the Clean Plate Club), one of my friends had a quesadilla, and the other had a chicken chimichanga. My burrito was okay, nothing special, but clearly not terrible or there's no way I would have inhaled it. My friends liked their food, too, but didn't seem to be overwhelmed. Chimichanga girl mentioned that she had never had a chimichange prepared that way before, but I'm not really sure what that means seeing I'm not a chimichanga girl myself. But really, it's all about the 'ritas. I'll come back just for those!!
(3)
Scott L.

I can't believe that I have never written a review for this place. I lived in SF for 6 years and stumbled upon this place while my mom was in town and craving a good margarita. Figured the crowd outside would be an indication. Have been here too many times to count since. It gets crowded so arrive early or avoid weekends. They do take reservations for parties larger than 6, but call cause you will have to leave a message. Get margarita is my only tip for this place. Food is a nice change from all the taquerias in the area.
(5)
M R.

I know there are 300+ reviews already, but I have to give a review to local restaurants! Been going here for almost 4 years! always good food no matter what I order or when I come to eat! Great for lunch, dinner and late night! Very Kid friendly, too!!!!!! Just had lunch there today! yummy strawberry margarita-just what the doctor ordered!!!
(5)
Amien P.

Been putting off on going here bc i thought it was too hipster or w/e. yeah i agree the little host guy can have quite an attitude there can be a wait but it goes by quickly and is worth it, i mean just walk around but when you sit down and enjoy the amazing chips and salsas all the worries are gone. literally their chips and salsa are really good the tacos are really good , but ordered the chicken fajita plate and got literally 3 strips of chicken and all onions, and green peppers. so i say stay away from that. but the tacos are really good. service is also very good dessert is also very delish: the dulce de leche in the cinnamon shell is soo goood. and so are the churros with chocolate and sauce and dont forget the mexican hot chocolate!!!
(4)
N D.

I go for the mole. I think it's pretty close to perfect. Not too thick, not too thin and seasoned just right.
(4)
Daniel P.

Awesome! I love this place. Simple, traditional mexican restaurant - great food all around, friendly service, TV's at the bar, and family owned. Highly recommend :)
(5)
Jeff L.

Absolute favorite Mexican restaurant in the city. My partner and I come here all the time for the fajitas, quesadillas, and margaritas! So good!
(5)
Em L.

1. The atmosphere is inviting, relaxed & energized. 2. The food is damn good 3. The Mexican Bloody Mary - beer + tomato juice + tabasco is the perfect complement to a long/hot/weekend day. 4. The staff is incredibly easy going & attentive 5. No wait on a Sunday at 3:30. Have fun!
(5)
Bri R.

I could live on there chips and salsa. Everything I have had here is awesome. I personally like the shrimp fajitas, tortilla soup and their guac. The fiancee is a huge fan of their wet burritos. We probably are here once a week. The place has a old divey mexican feel. There is the occasional mariachi player who makes an appearance. If you don't have a reservation be prepared to wait. Did I mention they have margs by the pitcher? Rad!
(4)
R. J.

Good Mexican food here. The burritos are top notch with a light smothering of tomato sauce. The cheese enchiladas are good. The chile relleno is decent. The margaritas are perfect. Puerto Alegre can be pretty packed at times but there is plenty of seating so the wait is usually never too long & they have nice booths and will seat just two people at them if it isn't too crowded. I really like this place. It's totally solid - good food, drinks, service, & atmosphere. Sometimes a band walks in and plays music which adds to the experience.
(4)
Laura K.

Food is decent and is worth returning for if you're in the area. I have a feeling the people who are bowled over by this place haven't had much experience with authentic Mexican food. This is a step above Chi-Chi's. Margaritas are great on a warm day, but how could you screw that up? Where Puerto Alegre really misses the mark is with the incessant mariachi band that waltzes in and wails out songs, violently playing their guitars, creating such a cacophony of noise that all hope of hearing your dining companions is lost. This occurs every single time I come here for lunch, and is SO ANNOYING. If I wanted to go to a mariachi restaurant, I would! Were it not for that, they'd get 4 stars.
(3)
Monica G.

Do not order the tortilla soup, its just broth with tortilla strips. It is blah beyond belief and lacks any significant taste. Service was slow and it took a while for the waitress to approach our table even though the place was slow. When I complained about the soup, she said "yeah, its plain but thats just how it is"
(2)
Daniel K.

The weekend brunch special was very reasonable. Got the chorizo with eggs and golden potatoes for $6-7. Very tasty, very filling. But the pricing on the rest of the menu seemed a bit hiked up. Wouldn't have been worth it if not for the brunch special. The other guys were enjoying their meals as well and chugging the margaritas by the pitcher, which seems to be one of the things this place is known for.
(3)
Hema K.

Margarita on the rocks! Great place to crash in during non-lunch hours when most of the restos/bars are closed. Got on the bar seats and orders were placed quickly. Got their Puerto Especial margarita on the rocks, some coconut/strawberry cocktail splashed with rum .. it looked more like jamba jucie with alcohol =D Like their salsa.. they offer spicy and medium base salsa and non-oily tacos.. service is fast, nice neighborhood [next to blondies] ;)
(4)
Michael H.

I haven't been here for six years and the food is still really good! I love the chips and salsa. The price is right, the service even better and the food delicious!
(5)
Oliver B.

Don't believe any of the bad reviews. Puerto Allegre is a great restaurant with good food, drinks, service and prices. If you go on a Saturday night don't expect the host to get into a conversation with you...they are BUSY, but they are still friendly and doing the best they can. Definitely worth going to, you won't regret it.
(5)
Jamie B.

Even late on a Monday night, this place was packed. My friends and I liked the margaritas so much, we ordered a second pitcher! I opted for their pick 2 combo with a shredded beef enchilada and a chile relleno. Both were yummy. The rest of the crew went for varying fajita plates-- they were sizzling and amazing by all accounts. It's hard to decide on my favorite part of dinner, but the live mariachi band that stopped in was definitely high on the list.
(4)
Sun T.

The original plan was to have dinner at Luna Park but the wait time was "20 minutes" . We looked around and knew that was a load of crap so we headed to Puerto Alegre. It was a great decision. 10 minute wait and friendly staff. WoW! The BEST chips and salsa I've ever had. Their margaritas could use more booze for the price they were charging but I'm not a big fan of that sugary drink. Chevy's makes a stronger margarita. That's right I said it! Food: Chimichangas: Oh WTF! It was so f*cking good. Two deep fried burritos. DEEP FRIED! That's a winner. I asked if I could substitue the chicken for carnitas but our lovely server told us they dont serve it??? Nachos: Heavy. It was a dumb order. Dont get me wrong it was good but their chips and salsa is good enough. Save room for desert. Rice, Beans, salad: It came with my entree. Nothing to write home about. Rice was ok, beans were pretty good, the salad was mostly iceberg with slices of tomatoes and the cotija cheese sprinkled on top added nothing to it. The mariachi singers can be a bit annoying if you're trying to have a conversation but we were seated towards the back so the folks at the front and bar area suffered more than anyone else. I would come back even if its a bit of work. Parking is horrible after 7pm so give yourself at least 20 minutes lead time. Total1 app, 2 entree, 1 pitcher of margarita with tax and tip for 2 people $61.
(4)
Stephanie Q.

BEST chips and salsa in town! Food is always good (everything!) and the margaritas can't be beat. I do have a soft spot for the crispy chicken tacos though. You have to eat here and then you can send me a note to thank me after =) Yes, the mariachis can get annoying after a while but we all have to make a living somehow. Don't hate on them my friends :)
(4)
Napoleon R.

The food is good enough and the drinks are great. Great, fun divey atmosphere, too. This is where we frequently take guests from out of town. I do wish they would get rid of the TVs. I'm there to talk to my friends, drink and eat, not catch up on the latest in motocross.
(4)
Eric M.

The Green Posole is transformational. I was literally elated for an hour afterward - as if some Aztec deity had found a primal part of me to tickle lightly with it's cloven hoof. Yeah it was that good. Oh yeah - and the margaritas rock.
(5)
Justin M.

This place rocks my socks. Seriously, best mexican food in the city. I promise. Guacamole is the best!
(5)
Anthony Xavier S.

I've been here a few times, so I guess its safe to say that this place has good food. Their Carne Asada is pretty tasty, some of the combination plates look awful, kind of reminds me of the stuff you can get at Acapulco's. I appreciated the chips and salsa and the friendly service. The Pozole I have to admit deserves 5 stars. Pozole is probably one of my favorite dishes and the taste of Puerto Allegre's Pozole is on par to the Pozole my family in Mexico makes. Get the Pozole!
(4)
Caroline N.

Tasty margaritas and the green pozole was delicious. Was very crowded with cramped tables which looses it a star. The live musicians were a nice touch.
(4)
Cooper J.

I gotta say... I wasn't very impressed by this place. My gf and I were looking for a good place to grab some margaritas and chips after work this week and turned to a trusty source to find it (theeeeeeeeeeeee........ yelp). Anyway, we hopped on bart and headed to the mission post-work for a very easy ride to get to this place. We walked in and it wasn't too crowded. They even had the US v Guatemala game on (soccer!). We grabbed a marg pitcher and started destroying the basket of chips. That was when things went downhill... We were waiting for two other buddies of ours and admittedly were sitting in one both for a little while, but excuse me if I didn't notice a fucking timer over our head on when we needed to leave... we were asked nearly ten to twelve times if we needed anything with a subtle (get the fuck out) tone to it more so each time. And sadly, that was not even the worst part. I'm quite used to restaurants trying to shuffle people in and out quickly. More customers = more business, I get it. But when our friends finally showed up and we ordered food? Oh god... This had to be some of the worst food I've tasted from a Mexican restaurant.... it literally tasted like I was eating chalk. Maybe I just happened to get the chef's worst meal of the day? Maybe it was what I ordered? (cheese enchiladas). Either way I made it through a quarter of it before I tapped out. No thank you sir.. The ONLY redeeming quality was the guacamole we ordered. Very fresh, very delicious. I loved the guac. Saved the experience from being a 1/5 experience. And one more thing, not sure why everyone talks up the margs here so much... I found them to be quite dull. I don't know how much marg experience everyone has here but it certainly wasn't my first margarita rodeo (omg do those exist?). These were bland, not very alcoholic, and didn't even use fresh ingredients... Can't say I'm going to be coming back here... maybe I'll check it out to see if this time was a fluke.
(2)
Meghan L.

Stopped in for dinner before a fun evening with some new friends. It was pretty busy and we had wait around 45 minutes for a table, but it was well worth it. Staff was wonderful, food was divine. No complaints. We sat and chatted for a while after dinner as well and the waiter did not hoover at all like they often do.
(5)
Chloe B.

Great margaritas, awesome nachos, excellent service! Love this place!
(5)
Christine R.

Yummy margaritas. Since I never drink, it doesn't take much, and since these tasted like they had tequila in them, I had several and got pretty drunk :). Decent Mexican food, their chips were my favorite, though I've had better salsas at my neighborhood joint. The food is cheap, but the pitcher of maragaritas topped our bill off to over 50 bucks. Great ambiance and service too. Expect a wait; we got there and there were several groups waiting, but I overheard one of the servers saying that the manager didn't realize that there were people waiting, and then we all got seated at the same time.
(3)
Chad S.

Puerto Alegre almost always has a crazy wait because it is probably the best and one of the most authentic Mexican restaurants in San Francisco. If you can get past the short, snippy, and rude hostess, I mean host, then you will enjoy magnificent Mexican food, awesome margaritas, and dang good chips and salsa. Hit up some great mole, pozole, and other classics.
(5)
Kristin G.

I went here with a friend last night for dinner. The food was awesome. I had chicken in mole sauce and a margarita. He got chicken quesadillas and they were flipping huge. It was super busy and we had to put our names down. There is no where to wait inside so consider yourself warned. We went across the street and had a drink at that bar before dinner so we wouldn't freeze our asses off. :)
(4)
Lauren R.

Came here with a group of six for brunch on a Saturday and the place was empty, which should have been a sign of the mediocre experience to come. The chips, salsa and guacamole that came out first were not memorable. I ordered the huevos a la mexicana, which were pretty good. I wasn't repulsed but I've had much better brunch and Mexican at several places within a 1 block radius. The service was meh as well. Our waitress was inattentive, despite the fact that we were one of the only parties in the restaurant. Maybe brunch isn't their strong point. I will have to try again for dinner.
(3)
Jade W.

Went with some gf's for a late lunch. We got smashed on the margaritas and sangria and ate like it was our last day on earth (even the vegetarian). I had the diablo shrimp and it was very generous, enough to take home and still feel stuffed. We all had a blast and the staff indulged us in our drinking and loud antics.
(4)
Megan S.

I go for the daiquiris and have never been disappointed. I've also had a variety of menu items, which have all been very good as well. Don't be surprised if you have to wait a bit (or a while) - this place is always busy!
(5)
leahnora r.

Being from San Diego, I have finely tuned my palate to anything/everything Mexican. I love margaritas, chips, salsa, guacamole, nachos, tacos, basically anything with Tequila or Tortillas and I'm content. Wait Wait Wait!! Did I say that? Well I thought that was the case til I moved up to the Bay Area and found a lackluster taste in my mouth after several disappointing sweet n sour intensive margs and store bought chips and Costco avocado paste of a crap. Anyway, I love this place! The staff is very gracious and friendly, the pitchers of skinny girl margaritas are STRONG. The chips and salsa/gauc reminded me of home (SD) and I happen to quite enjoy the tacos and the sloppy plate where the beans and rice and combo items all blend together. I'm not saying they have the most stellar Mexican in all of SF/Bay but from what I've seen I think overall this is a fun place to go have some drinks, decent food and good vibes.
(4)
Michael B.

I love this place .. we like to go there Sunday afternoon and sit at the bar .. the margaritas are great ... the food is very authentic & tasty .. the people are very friendly and helpful.
(5)
Inigo M.

Unremarkable food; otherwise cozy.
(3)
Briceyda L.

I love this place. Their shrimp cocktails and micheladas are amazing! :)
(5)
Vivek N.

What all the ha ha hoo hoo about? This is the Mission, a hood where all the food is pretty darn good. The food here is not bad at all, but nothing to write home about (I'm Indian, not even Mexican mind you). I can rattle off at least a half dozen other places in the Mission where the food is better, and in some cases even cheaper. Not a bad place by any means, but not sure Ill be back any time soon. p.s. I hear the margaritas are awesome but I didn't try them...just making sure my review remains objective.
(3)
heather c.

My favourite place for Mexican in SF. Chiles Relleno and a couple of blended strawberry margaritas will always cure whatever ails me.
(5)
Jennifer L.

I was in the neighborhood waiting for a used book store to open. (It has a store closing sign, but the mailman told me that it usually opens around noon...) I figured it was 11:30 and I had some time to kill, so I came to Puerto Alegre. It was just me so I asked to sit at the bar. I got chips and salsa right away. The bartender asked for my drink order a couple of minutes later. I got a virgin strawberry daiquiri (I was driving and I didn't know how many I would knock back during lunch) and ordered nachos. My waitress/bartender was REALLY nice and the food was really good, but I had to knock a star off because of how long it took to get my food. The restaurant wasn't packed ... there were no lines, and the guy who sat down and ordered a more complicated menu item 5 minutes after me got his food first. In fact, I had completely finished my first drink, started on my second, while the guy next to me finished eating his lunch before I even got my nachos. The waitress was really apologetic and super attentive for the rest of my meal. The food was really good, and if I'm back in the area I would definitely come again :)
(4)
Eddie L.

Seriously, what is it about this place that people love? Food = 1. They use mediocre ingredients and that results in mediocre food. The store-bought chips and watery salsa are below par. Yea, this place is cheap but so is every other place in the Mission. Service = 2. The wait here is long. The staff rushes you out. Long waits plus bad food equals no likey. Atmosphere = 2. The place is dingy and cleanliness is not high on their list. If you have to use the bathroom, hold it until you find a Starbucks.
(2)
Jon V.

I love this place! Great Margaritas (get the pitcher!). the service is always really good and the portions are pretty generous. Salsa is top notch (complementary chips and salsa)! Sometimes there is a wait, but I would say it is definitely worth it! very fun atmosphere.
(4)
Dan E.

I used to like to come here for the margaritas because the food was always so-so. Today I realized they make their margaritas with corn-syrup Mr. T's mix. Come on. You're a Mexican restaurant and you can't make your mix from scratch? Now I wonder if the rest of their food is processes, canned. Now that I think about it, their salsa looks like Pace picante sauce.
(2)
Cynthia G.

Great margaritas and the best art of any Mexican restaurant around. Always interesting crowd.
(4)
Amy B.

If greasy, oily, heavy, nasty Americanized Mexican food is your idea of a good time, then you will definitely love this place! Frankly, I'm surprised that places with such bad food last in SF neighborhoods--particularly a Mexican place in the Mission! I ordered the enchiladas poblanos: one chicken and one cheese. The mole was just OK--you'll be incredibly disappointed if you've ever had real mole, particularly in Mexico--but the enchiladas were sitting in a pool of grease and oil. They were so heavy and gross that now, 5 hours later, they are still sitting in the pit of my stomach. The rice was also undercooked--actually hard. I thought some sour cream would help the dish out a bit so I asked for some. As an FYI to the restaurant, sour cream isn't supposed to be watery! I'm afraid to think about what kind of commercial, mass-produced can it came out of in the back. My boyfriend had a shrimp burrito, which also came drenched in a sauce (not mentioned on the menu). Really, I should have had a clue when the only people in the place were white. But if we don't try new places, we just don't know. Next time I want to experiment, I'll check my yelp app first.
(2)
Chris S.

You can't find a better margarita anywhere. I'm sure some will disagree but margaritas are like pizza, everyone has their preference. They are made here with quality ingredients with a blend of liquor that gives it a great flavor. The salsa is fantastic and I can easily go through 3 bowls of it just by myself. The food is good and better than most Mexican restaurants but it's not high end or fancy. I have to deduct one star for the loud mariachi bands that come through every night. I hate loud places and the bands ruin any conversation you were trying to have. Then they come looking for handouts.
(4)
Tracy B.

Order a runny egg on your enchiladas for the perfect way to absorb your margaritas. Again, nothing but great things to say about this place. It is the perfect place to gather with friends before a night on the town.
(5)
Heidi M.

So overrated... why people will line up and wait 30 minutes or more for a table is beyond my comprehension. Food is not good - the servings are on the large side, but the food just just bland. The burritos, especially, always seem really soggy to me. Practically every taqueria in the Mission serves better food than this! The drinks are tiny and pretty weak - my friends and I have to spend a fortune on margaritas here just to feel like we've each had one proper drink. It's always so loud, so crowded... I feel like people in this neighborhood are willing to sacrifice ambiance altogether, just to go someplace that they feel is popular. How is this place still full every night year after year?
(1)
Peter S.

Inexpensive Mexican food and really good too!
(4)
S V.

Probably the busiest Taqueria I have ever been to. Seriously, I came to this place at 9 on a Thursday night and was asked to wait for about 45 mins before I could get seated. Crazy, huh? Good thing the place is located near bars so the wait wasn't that bad. As for the restaurant... I really liked the place. the service was super friendly. Even though it is such a busy place, everyone seemed to be working with a smiling face. The food was good. I got a burrito and a mixed drink called the El Fresquito I think? I just remember it was one of their special drinks. It was good and it was good to have it with the burrito. Oh yeah the place gives you bottomless chips and salsa for free.In the end the food and drink cost about 18 dollars. I will prob come back to this place again one day... I just now need to research the good bars in the area to go to while I wait.
(4)
Carly P.

Now if you want some kick-ass Mexican food in SF - come here! The line out the door says it all but it's worth the 1 hour wait, just get a drink at Blondie's next door and the host/ess will come get you when your table is ready. I always take family and friends to Pueto Alegre when they come to visit. Their chips and salsa are great, with two different salsas. Margaritas are super yummy from the basic pitcher all the way up to the cadillac and beyond. Even the strawberry blended ones are good (I'm a classic marg gal but friends order strawberry). The food is all delicious ( I grew up in SoCal so have been eating Mexican all my life). I love their special Tacos that they roll up and deep fry with the meat in them (heart attack but worth it!). They also make good nachos, enchiladas, tamales, etc. I've never had a burrito though, guess I would just go to a tacqueria if that's all I wanted. Peurto Alegre has never disappointed me and I will continue to go back again and again and again!
(5)
Alyse S.

I have been here multiple times. This place has decent food and $20 pitchers of margaritas. Good luck on a Friday an a Saturday. They tell you 45 minutes, then another 25, then another 10. Good effing luck on a weekend. The waitress told us to go wait out in the cold with the other people that were even more pissed off than we were. Awesome.
(2)
Angela A.

I'm always a little hesitant to try Mexican food in the Bay - being from LA, but I had Papalote and that was exquisite! The best thing about this place is the margarita menu! I like cadillac margaritas but they don't offer that in a pitcher so my buddy and I shared a pitcher of something else just as good.
(4)
David S.

Hands down, that was the worse cheese enchilada in a verde sauce I have ever had.
(1)
Amy J.

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.
(3)
Ashley J.

I came here on a Friday night around 9:30 and had a 15 minute wait. Not bad considering this place apparently has a much longer wait than that. Didn't order drinks, although the pitchers of frozen red slush looked extremely delicious. I'll have to come back to try it. The waitress placed 2 salsas and a bowl of chips in front of us, as per usual at any Mexican place. The chips were very good. I ordered the 2 item combo ($8.95) and chose a crispy chicken taco and a chile relleno. The plate came with rice and beans. The taco was great, and I loved the taco shell. It was definitely made that night, not like some places who use their stale leftovers from a few nights before. The chile relleno was also right on par... one of the better ones I've had in a while. What made this experience even better was the random mariachi band that came in and played a song or two. They were pretty awesome. Cons: -Beans were a bit too runny for my liking, but I still think they tasted good... when they stayed on my fork. I guess I should have asked for a spoon? -The green salsa they put out was WAY too spicy, and I didn't really like the flavor of it. [Pro]: The red salsa is pretty dang amazing though.
(4)
J. W.

I have been a fan of this restaurant for years. The poloze and combos are on point. The fajitas are disappointing. The salsa is good. Margharitas are awesome. The service is always good. I like this place but I wouldn't say it stands above and beyond the other Mexican joints in the neighborhood.
(4)
Emily B.

I came here with a group of 5 friends the second time I visited and they were so accomodating despite us not having a reservation. We were originally told that there would be a 30 minute wait for a table, and we were all starving so we decided to leave. As we were walking away, the host scrambled to grab us a table in the busy restaurant so we stayed. They have really great carne asada burritos. They are huge, but so good that I always manage to finish mine because I don't want to waste one bite! The 5 of us ordered three pitchers of house margaritas and they were delicious. For being a large pitcher, it didn't taste watered down. The wait service is pretty good. Our waitress came by to check on us a couple times, and didn't seem bothered when we wanted to split the check multiple ways. Never a disappointment; I'd return again.
(4)
Christy L.

I ate at Puerto Alegre for the second time tonight and I am a fan. I loved the enchiladas (both chicken and cheese) with the red mole sauce. The guacamole is very good. The margaritas are yummy. They have free refills on diet coke- which is always appreciated by a soda addict like me. The restaurant is packed most of the time and is rather loud (especially when the mariachi band is there)- so not great for intimate conversations.
(4)
Mark F.

This is my favorite Mexican restaurant in San Francisco. The food is very good. Staff is friendly, helpful and patient. The margaritas and sangria are very good too. I visit Puerto Alegre about twice a month and I always enjoy it. My only complaint is the loud and off key Mariachi bands that show up every now and then.
(4)
Danielle B.

Cons, let's start out negatively today, mmmkay?: Not very good Mexican food (soggy chiles rellenos and flavorless rice and beans always piss me off) Not very friendly or efficient service Annoying wannabe-filled crowd Expensive margaritas, and they use SAUZA HORNITOS, WTF?! I'm still mystified at such a gringo choice, though they do use freshly-squeezed lime juice on the positive side Dirty-ass vibe all around It took forever to get the damn bill paid Pros, since there weren't a ton: Good salsa (the red one, I think the green one is made with bad weed cuz it's so herbal and was way too spicy...and I like my salsa HOT) They let us camp out long enough for three drinks without any rush We got right in In reality, it was 2.5 stars, but I would not go back. Skip over to La Cumbre across the street and you will not be disappointed :)
(2)
Reggie A.

Oh Puerto Alegre! You are such a guilty pleasure! I know it's not good for me but i can't stop eating it!! That is what you will be saying... The enchiladas(in a spanish accent) are delicioso! Don't forget to get a pitcher of Margaritas!! And maybe keep it to just 1...that 2nd one could get you in trouble!
(4)
Pam S.

Post cocktail smackdown: Me: "I'm hungry" (translation: I think I drank too much- although I don't know how- and want to not be a complete boozer for the night) Blondie: "I want to drink more" Me: "Give me your iPhone, I'll find something in SOMA." *shakes phone like mad looking for something, ANYTHING that sounds good* "I got nothing" Blondie: (and I'm just guessing on what she said, as I forget things easily) "Let's go to the Mission to find some food." After scoring a pretty sweet parking spot (her car, my parking karma), we walked over here to grab some grub, which made me exceptionally happy as I could eat Mexican food every day of my life. Although it was 10 p.m., I was not expecting this place to be PACKED. We were quickly seated at a tiny table. And then we waited. Although I wasn't in the mood to mix any more alcohol, I really like margaritas, so I went with the "safe" strawberry margarita. I think Blondie got one on the rocks, with salt. Although this did not make our waiter happy (although I'm not sure why), we ordered the nachos with beef. They weren't too shabby, but I prefer more of a salad on my nachos. But that's just me. The chips and salsa flowed, as did the conversation about the respective men (or lack thereof) in our lives. I definitely want to try this place again...next time while fully sober. That way I can get a pitcher of margaritas...although I may not share.
(3)
Anthony D.

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.
(4)
Skyler W.

I really like this restaurant, especially because their is a really cool bar next door with salsa dancing. This restaurant is always crowded, i have never been able to just come in and not have to wait for a table. The food is really good, and the servings are huge. They also have really good salsa (two kinds). If you are a fan of Mexican style rice, than you will really enjoy it. I ordered the chicken enchiladas and they were yummy. The service was really good and the food came out pretty darn fast for being a Friday night. I will continue to eat here and it is now being added to my favorite Mexican places to eat list. :-)
(4)
Caitlin D.

One of the boys behind the counter at Prathers told me that if I wanted Mexican food, I should get dropped off at Valencia & 16th and poke around. Well, mom and I got into an antique store in that neighborhood, and when I told one of the employees that I wanted a really good margarita, he sent us to Puerto Alegre. Thank you!! It was noisy, but it was everything we wanted. Okay, the salsa tasted like canned tomatoes, but everything else was great. Our margaritas were made with fresh lime juice and were so very welcome. We got an order of the guacamole, which was also fresh tasting and delicious. Mom had chicken fajitas, which she loved, and I had unbelievably delicious enchiladas with red mole. The mole was well-executed, and even the beans were super flavorful. Service was nothing special, and the waitstaff didn't seem to have any special insights. The bathrooms were pretty gnarly.
(4)
Hector M.

If you're sick and need a bomb remedy, try their caldo de pollo. I was there recently after having my wisdom teeth extracted and I needed a miracle meal to heal up. It was about $13 for about a quart of it, chips, beans, rice and salsa included. I couldn't eat the chips but everything else was on point.
(5)
Judi K.

5 of us came in here for their Margaritas. I hear it's delicious and it was, we picked the most expensive one $35 for a pitcher, I think we were overly happy. Our waitress or server was so fun. She was warm and welcoming and really took good care of us. For her service it was a 5 star. Food I thought it was delicious, I had the enchiladas with green mole sauce and that was yummy, we also ordered nachos which they were known for and that was also delicious. It's about $25 per person with tax and tip if you are there eating and enjoying a pitcher with friends. I would go back just because I hear so much about their burritos, but there are so many other places to go in the mission. Enjoy and of course try it for yourself. Lots of people so you can't go wrong. Definitely a place where they get a lot of regulars.
(4)
Danny C.

Meh describes this place well. The waiters and waitresses are a little goofy and spacey, and the food is mediocre. I had the fajitas pollo for $17. It was a sizzling plate of very small, overcooked chicken pieces and heavily oiled and sauteed onions, tomatoes, and bell peppers. One the side, there were beans, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and my choice of corn or flour (I chose corn) tortillas. For $17, I expected more food and definitely less greasy fare. My colleagues got combo plates, which were definitely better priced (enchiladas, flautas, etc.). You can do much better with Mexican food.
(3)
Shelley V.

La nÃºmero uno Des de Avenida de Valencia! Okay so my Spanish translation is no bueno but the food here fricken ROCKS!! After reading numerous reviews, I decided to take my mom here for our last night in the city. We arrived about 730 and the place was packed and a wait for tables. They offered us two seats at the bar and we were on our way! I realizes once we were sitting and I got a look around that I'd been here about 5 years ago w/M when we were a'courtin! Anyways, my mom orders a margarita and after one sip, proclaims it to be "the best damn Margarita that she'd had in ages!" I order the Mexican Caesar salad and 1 chicken & 1 beef soft taco combo. My mom had the green carnitas burrito. The Salad was great, romaine was crisp and the dressing had a little Latin flair to it. The tacos, which I ordered with cheese, came and were sooo good. The carnitas burrito that arrived for Mom was a.) gigantic and b.) quite delicious looking. She absolutely loved the burrito and like any typical mother, made sure I'd tried some. Wow. Really really fabulous and tender and tasty. Basically the meal was a home run and my mom thinks I'm a genius for picking this place! Yes the place is crowded, a bit noisy and the wait for tables a bit long. Sit at the bar if you don't want to wait and dig in!! I'll definitely be coming back!
(5)
Maggie M.

This is the sit-down Mexican spot I go to in the Mission. Why? Because they have the best Margaritas (on the rocks or frozen strawberry) and they put something magical in their Veggie Fajitas. Split Margaritas and Fajitas with a friend and you won't be disappointed. Marachi bands come through on the weekends and fun to sit at the bar and watch a game. Definitely getting more and more popular so either get their early or put your name in and go grab a drink at a bar across the street while you wait. I went there for my Birthday last year and shut it down. You're welcome.
(4)
Mama V.

True Latino Heaven. I'll tell you why: Not only do they cook food like yo momma does, but their margaritas have the perfect amount of tequila and *love* poured into every glass. Don't come here if you're thinking of getting some kinda americanized latin-infused "burrito wrap-" screw that green spinach flour tortilla and get with it- we don't have any of that crap in Latin America!! Seriously, this little hole in the wall is perfect- if you wanna feel like your eating in Mexico but really only be a car/bus ride away from home, or if you're Mexican and your mom doesn't wanna cook for you today, check this place out :)
(5)
Amy H.

Very crowded and loud. Ordered the veggie burrito, which was just okay. The service was friendly, though, and the place quick.
(3)
Violet V.

Been coming here for many years, long before it was adopted by current Mission hipsters. Wonderful family-run restaurant with terrific authentic Mexican food. Great staff. Highly recommended.
(5)
Will A.

I was more impressed with the food here than I expected to be. I know it's known for being a lively place, great for groups, strong delicious margaritas, which was more or less true. But I didn't' expect the food to be anything special. And while I wouldn't go give it a michelin star anytime soon, it wasn't too bad. I ordered one of the combo plates to go with our margarita pitcher (which was good, but nothing noteworthy). It was one taco, one enchilada, and a chile relleno. I preferred them in that order, with the chile relleno straggling a bit behind. But it was reasonably priced, and a lot of food. I'd return here for a fun night out, when I'm more concerned with having a good time than eating a great meal. Also, we lucked out with only a 20 minute wait on a Saturday night. I hear that it could be much worse.
(3)
Jessica T.

Go for the margaritas - but don't expect too much from the food (or at least the vegetarian fare) I ordered the Super Vegetarian Burrito here - and it was just a bloated tortilla filled with cheese, refried beans, and weak guacamole (the fresh guacamole that my lunch partner had - looked and tasted better), and a sprinkling of rice. The wierd thing was that it didn't even necessarily taste bad. It just didn't taste. I left most of it on my plate. It was hard parting with my money - for what I felt was a very disappointing meal. Come on now Puerto Alegre! I shouldn't have to drink a tasty margarita, to begin to taste my food (it's amazing how alcohol can open up the taste buds). Eh.
(3)
Alyssa G.

The Margaritas, as everybody says, are fabulous. The strawberry margarita was strong enough to have a good time with just one, and two would have put me a little overboard. The food was good, no complaints, but definitely not the BEST. I had the quesadilla platter and my friend had the steak quesadilla suiza. The quesadilla platter was huge and decently priced, but the way it was cut (in strips) was a little inconvenient. The strips of quesadilla were limp so it was a little hard to get the toppings on it without making a mess. Then again, what's the fun in eating if you can't make a mess right? Their services was very good, and super friendly. Mariachis showed up as usual and made it a little awkward for all....gotta embrace the awkward silences.
(4)
Donna W.

BEST margaritas are here! Had the pozole & it was wonderful. Fun place, great food & friendly staff. We'll be back!
(5)
Lori C.

Yeah the margaritas and Milinesa Especial are really yummy, as well as the complimentary chips and salsa. However, the more I go to this place, the more I end up disliking it. The service is okay sometimes but can be horrible, and I feel like service plays a big part in going out to eat. I went on a weekday night a week or two ago and the waitress was slow and appeared to be oblivious to a lot of what was happening. My friend and I waited for about 5-10 minutes and I was slowly getting more and more irritated. Our waitress took the order of a table who was seated after us first, which initially irritated me. After they ordered, I assumed she would come sometime soon to take our order. It took another 5-10 minutes. I didn't mind too much, but then I saw they only ordered drinks.. so I don't know what the hell took her so long to get to us. Finally we ordered, blah blah blah. Food is good, service is lacking. My margarita was just okay that night too. A-OK.
(3)
Alana F.

We came here with a table of 8 from out of town. First of all, they can't serve you a drink while you wait for a table. Secondly, unlike other places who over estimate their wait times, this place underestimates. Get to the table and order some fajitas. There wasn't enough meat to make 2 tacos for fajitas for one. A plate full of Onions and peppers for $20. This review will go unnoticed. Why? Because everyone's too drunk with margaritas. But really, this place sucks. The food sucks. They serve margaritas by the pitcher. Great. Fine margaritas. Good even. I advise you to not come here. The food is below mediocre and you can really have more fun elsewhere. Seriously, show them that they need to make some changes.
(1)
Jason E.

TLDR; get the Pozole. It's amazing. If you're looking for an inexpensive place to grab some food and drink and have some good conversation with friends, this is a great spot. Prices are pretty reasonable as well. The Pozole is an amazing soup filled with all kinds of great things including various meats and bacon. It's massively portioned, so you will definitely be full when you're done. It's served warm and has a nice balance of spicy heat to balance it out. I highly recommend it.
(4)
Natalie M.

In my opinion this place has some of the best margaritas in the city. The food is OK; in a perfect world I'd be able to take my margarita to go and then hop on over to El Farolito or Cancun, but you know life isn't perfect so you just have to roll with it. I've ordered the shrimp cocktail and it's OK, the shrimp burrito is also just, OK. OK, so I've actually never loved anything I've ordered, but it's been decent! I prefer coming here for margaritas and going elsewhere for food, but I wish they would improve their food so that I can stop leaving this place with my head spinning after putting too much tequila in an empty stomach.
(3)
Aneliese R.

This place is very good! If you go on a weekend you can hear the live band as you eat your dinner. The food is yummy and authentic for the Mission. I came once before and it was not as good as this last time! Good job guys! This is a no frills kind of place though and it would not be good for a date since it is loud and not romantic at all. :)
(4)
Melissa K.

Reasonably priced food (for a sit-down restaurant), live music, $20 pitchers of margarita, bottomless chips and two kinds of salsa = a fun dinner with friends. Puerto Alegre is much loved by San Francisco. On a Wednesday night, it was packed and the place was jamming with music, conversation, chips, and of course margaritas! The food itself was so-so. I ordered a combo plate with a tamal and enchilada that included rice and beans. The beans were watery and the texture reminded me of an MRE. The tamal and enchilada were ok. But that's not the point. People come to Puerto Alegre to hang out, eat chips, and sip margaritas with friends. Food is a secondary concern.
(3)
Liz S.

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.
(4)
L D.

Absolute best food in the Mission. Great service and small kitchen environment. Plates are delicious and filling.
(5)
Erin K.

Had a great time here the other night. Went on a Saturday night at around 7 and there was a 40 min wait (duh! its 7 on a Saturday and 6 people) so no big deal. We had a drink next door while waiting. Anyway, they serve you chips and two kinds of salsa. I was really impressed with the salsa because a) two kinds b) both had really great flavors and c) one was spicy.. no really, i mean it! and that spicy of a table salsa NEVER happens. We got two pitchers of margs. A strawberry and a regular on the rocks. They were both decent. However, I am on a quest to find the best marg ever and their special one sounded pretty good, but since we opted for pitchers I didn't get to sample :( My boyriend and I shared the shrimp fajitas. Since we snacked on so many chips we feared fullness (and limited table space since we both wanted the fajitas ha) and decided sharing would be best. For table space, this was true. For fullness, it was not necessary. They are very heavy handed on the veggies in the fajitas but not so much with the shrimp so I wouldn't recommend splitting that one. Someone at the table ordered the chicken fajitas and it didn't seem to be quite the case for that dish. However, the dish was still a good decision. Those little fajitas de camarones were pretty tasty! And they serve them with sour cream, guacamole, and beans automatically, which is awesome. I hate having to ask for sour cream and guacamole and getting charged an extra $5 or something. The atmostphere in there was really upbeat. The place seemed bustling and everyone was happy and enjoying themselves. Great vibe. Oh and all that food and drink and fun only cost us $20/person! That makes you pretty darn good.
(3)
Laura M.

The food here is terrible. The only things this place has going for it is location, service and their margarita pitchers (I hate tequila but I know most people love it so I recognize that's why people dig this place). I know I'm white, but still I feel like this is the kind of Mexican food only white people would eat, and that's saying something. None of their grub has been memorable, but most recently I went for a birthday and ordered their Chicharrones (pork) en Salsa Roja and couldn't even finish the plate. The meat was beyond tough, the salsa roja was pure salt and only had one note. No spices, no dimension of flavor. The beans and rice were also bland. Like I was eating pellets, and tortillas are straight from the corner store. Blech!
(1)
Joel G.

Mexican food just like my grandma makes. Margaritas just like my cousin makes. I love this place. Always have. Always will. It never lets me down. Dos Tacos Especiales (one beef, one chicken) + two margaritas = heaven. Yes, please!
(5)
Ryan M.

Margs! Best Mexican in SF!
(5)
LaToya F.

I enjoyed the food here! Even got a live performance from some out of towners from Spain singing, "The Roof, the roof, the roof is on fire!" you know the rest.. LoL.. Whenever I'm back in San Fran, I'll come back to Puerto Alegre!
(5)
Caitlin F.

Great food, Good margaritas, excellent for groups, super-duper service, a never ending flow of chips and salsa and they even play the giants games. You'll wait a while on fridays and saturdays but there are plenty of places nearby to grab a drink while you wait. i little more expensive than i usually feel mexican food should be but it's a great place to hang out and pig out.
(4)
Taylor C.

Nothing to shout about. The salsas they brought out with the chips were exceptional, but besides that, nothing much to separate Puerto from most other run of the mill Mexican fare restaurants. Everything from the atmosphere to the drinks to the food just gave me the feeling of "meh, been there, done that."
(2)
Josh M.

Food's ok, great house margaritas, and always has the game on. Can't complain about that. Chips and salsa are better than average too. One complaint, (even though I understand their viewpoint), no reservations accepted. But like I said, I know there's a lot of flakes screwing that up. Go there, enjoy yourself, just don't drive home!
(4)
Pamela K.

AMAAAZINGGG food! Yum. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. Do not leave here without trying the chicken mole (red). Wish the margaritas were tastier, but they def do me the trick as I usually end up stumbling out :)
(5)
William C.

Could be the best Mexican restaurant I have ever been to! Treated me and my family like regulars even though we were on our first visit! Food was excellent; Pozole Verde was soooo good. Chips and salsa were gr8. Many Margarita options..........Cadillac margarita was awesome!
(5)
Michele G.

I've been coming here for many many years! The chip and salsa with a margarita are a staple. My favorite dishes are the crispy tacos and steak... It's a great place to come with friends or to come alone. The staff is always super friendly and makes everyone feel welcome.
(5)
Mateo G.

This place is my jam! The servers have always been the best and it keeps me coming back. Needless to say, the food is awesome. What's more awesome - the house margaritas!! Also, the red salsa rocks my socks off. I would drink it straight if that wasn't so weird. If you like mariachi music, then you've found your restaurant mecca. It can be a little hard to talk during the walk-in bands playing, but if that bothers you - perfect. Dont come then. Just means I have to wait a few less minutes to get a table! lol I love this place..
(5)
Charles P.

The margaritas are awesome, the guac is top notch, and the service is fast and on point. As always thanks for feeding my weekly cravings!
(5)
Dusty N.

Came in for some margaritas and to rest after a long day of shopping. Margaritas are really strong. I checked in on Yelp and a $5 margarita coupon appeared as a thank you but when I showed it to my waiter he said he couldn't honor it cause it was for Cinco de Mayo only. It didn't say that. I was kind of pissed that he wouldn't accept it, even though I put my phone in his face to show it to him. He told me to come in during happy hour Mon-Fri and I could get the same deal. Well, I don't live or work around here so that's never gonna happen. We only stayed for one round and then left. The chips and salsa weren't that great either. They bring out two types of salsa. One is just plain nasty and tastes like sweet and sour sauce and the other is just cheap tasting. I definitely won't ever be back.
(1)
Sarah L.

Most disappointing $46 lunch I've ever had. My brother ordered a salad bowl that was so wet he needed a straw. The chicken in my fajitas was dry but the rest of it was dripping in oil. Come here for the free chips and the strawberry margarita. Friendly service at least..
(1)
Lauren M.

We went here after going on the wild SF walking tour of the mission district. Our tour guide recommended it and we were greeted promptly and there was even live music! The chips and 2 salsas they served were excellent.:.The frozen strawberry margarita was heavenly and the burrito was probably the best burrito I have ever eaten. The service was mediocre- not bad but not great either. We will definitely be back when we are in the area!
(5)
Bianca U.

A solid choice for home style Mexican food amongst a bevy of hipster/fusion/upscale eateries that has stood the test of time. You've probably stumbled by here too, maybe after a night out at the bar with pals or shopping. Perhaps, like me, you pass it all the time and never have given it a second look. However, Puerto Alegre is worth a second glance. Sure, it might not have artesian water or fancy pants ingredients you can't pronounce (I'm assuming you know enough Spanish words to make it through the Mission and in a legit Mexican restaurant), but the food is good. It ain't fancy--in fact, it seems a little dingy amongst all these new flashy spots. But, have a seat and savor one of the places that is truly the Mission. Everything here was pretty good. Not great. Service was kind of slow for a weekday lunch lull time spot (4 pm), but the waitresses were nice. The salsa that came with the chips was excellent. My fajitas were cooked nicely and I enjoyed my meal. The flan for dessert wasn't very good, but I'm a harsh flan critic. Prices are good for the area (all things considered), portions just ok. I like this plucky, unassuming little spot and it looks like it could be a lot of fun for happy hour.
(3)
Monica M.

Slow service, mediocre food...thought it was going to be cheap because it's a dump, but it was $120 for three people (one of whom didn't drink alcohol). No Bueno.
(2)
Emily A.

Came here on a Saturday night, waited about 15-20 minutes for a table of two. Host was friendly and made sure we were taken care of even when our waiter was busy and left us stranded for a while. Our waiter voluntarily refilled our chips which I really appreciated! I had the vegetable fajitas and my sister had the chicken burrito. Both very good! We'll be back.
(4)
Mike R.

Great Service. Good food. Locally owned. Try the Margaritas. I've eaten here for years. If you like Mexican food, give this place a try. Your stomach and your wallet will thank you.
(5)
Lisa A.

When I'm in San Francisco, this is where I go for my fix. This is my happy place and I thank G. for introducing me to it. I could probably eat here every day... Yea, I can get a cheese enchilada, guacamole, chips, salsa and a margarita in NYC, but, I'm sorry to say, it just doesn't taste the same (yes, I realize there's a stereotype that one can't get good Mexican food on the East Coast and I'm playing right into that, but hey, we all know it's a little bit true, right?). Here, at Puerto Alegre, the food is superb and well, almost magical. My usual dish? Cheese enchiladas. Hands down the best green and red mole sauce and I have a tough time deciding between the two sauces. The guacamole has a slight amount of heat and no tomatoes and is the perfect accompaniment to the Classic Margarita, which is nice and strong (it's difficult to not order two margaritas). I have enjoyed stuffing my face here many times and always get giddy knowing that I can come back.
(5)
Rambo R.

Well we're group of 4 for today's lunch. I ordered prawn burrito, asked it for super spicy but it came with red sauce on top of the burrito and inside it had stiffed with jalapeÃ±o . I was expecting a spicy Mexican sauce inside . I really didn't like it with the jalapeÃ±o inside. Disappointed. My friends ordered chicken fajitas , chicken enchiladas and one ordered chicken burrito. Everyone agreed that the seasoning was way too less. Food was very average. Don't expect a good mexican food here. Their complimentary chips and salsa tasted old and they used canned tomato for salsa. No spicyness in the salsa.
(3)
Garett T.

Eating lunch alongside the many faces of Frida Kahlo, whose painted portraits appeared on the wall in our corner of the room, was how we started an easy breezy Sunday afternoon. With Cadillac Margaritas to drink, I ordered their Pozole Verde sopa, which apparently is a house specialty. With radishes, lettuces and limes all on the side to add at your heart's content, it was quite delicious. Very filling, too -- the meaty soup bowl took at least 20 minutes to consume at my leisurely pace, and I enjoyed every moment. While not a fancy-schmancy restaurant -- Giants fans watching TV kept cheering/howling in the background -- the food here was decent and service was great.
(3)
Mandy A.

The first word that comes to mind is "meh". In another city/town, I might think this place is better, but being a Mexican restaurant in the mission means you need to kick some ass... and my experience here didn't achieve that. I went with three other friends so we split a couple of margarita pitchers. The margaritas are definitely good, but I think there are much better ones in the neighborhood. I ordered the chicken enchiladas with the green mole sauce. They were pretty decent... I was satisfied but not impressed. Service was good, but not outstanding. It was really just a solid 3-star experience. I'm glad I am writing about it now because I don't think it will stand out in my mind in the future!
(3)
David R.

This place never disappoints. Great food and great drinks. However this new margarita is next level.
(5)
Noam S.

One of my favorite places in town. Great food, fun service and kicking atmosphere. Don't miss the maragaritas!
(5)
Jasmine W.

Expensive, long wait times, over rated, undelivered on taste and portions! This place is NOT what I remember it to be from years ago... There are FAR better in the Mission, and I will not be going back. Service was delightful though...
(2)
Oliver B.

Awesome food in here! I've had my best Mexican food. The Milanesa special is definitely the one you have to order. Yummy!
(5)
Gary H.

A San Francisco Staple! You can't go wrong eating or drinking at this establishment! It's the place for grub before a long night of drinking. It's the perfect recovery center. The Pozole and Menudo make for a full tummy while the Margaritas are the perfect lighter fluid. You can't go wrong here.
(4)
Simon G.

I do not know why this place gets such a poor rating. I have lived in SoCal for the last 10 yrs and this place is better than anywhere i have been down there. It is no frills and has a homey mexico feel. The guac is bomb and makes chipotle taste bland.
(5)
Gregarious B.

The best place for a fun and affordable Mexican dinner! I love the margaritas and the people and the atmosphere! We always come here before seeing a flick at The Roxie.
(5)
tinkerbell e.

I love this little gem in the mission. My partner and I come in like clockwork for their yummy chiliquiles and great service. Most Saturdays we can just walk in for brunch without a wait and grab a comfy booth. I love the family atmosphere and that they always make us feel welcome. Sometimes the coffee takes a minute to come out but that's because their brewing a fresh pot, which means you're not drinking the 3 hour old stuff. If you're looking for an old school place that's solid without crazy bells and whistles, you may have just found your new sanctuary.
(5)
Marisa T.

By far my favorite mexican restaurant of all time!! I discovered this place a couple years ago because a friend of mine used to be a server here and i have been a regular ever since. I almost always order the chicken enchiladas poblanas, wow they are AMAZING every time. I've brought lots of friends and family here and they all enjoy it!! The staff here makes the experience that much better, they always remember me and seat/serve me right away!
(5)
This Is M E.

First time here last Friday. Their happy hour is only till 6 pm which sucks. Food was mediocre. Ambiance was alright. All was ok until the guy working the front door came over to us in the middle of our meal and told us that he had a party of 7 coming in......Apparently my friend and I were sitting at the small table's area and he wanted to put all of the small tables together so he could fit this party of 7....Mind you there are no reservations required for this place. In the end, we didn't move.....We finished up our drinks and left. Our waitress was GREAT....Too bad I didn't get her name. I don't think I'll be back.
(2)
Lynne P.

Great authentic Mexican with SUPERB hand made Margies!! Lovely high energy vibe and great place to catch a game on one of many TV's. Super friendly staff that always do their BEST!!! Love it when the street players come in and do a few tunes!
(5)
S K.

I give my review for the thing I eat every time I come here: chicken quesadilla with avocado. Best one I have tried in my life (in the US) there's a reason there's always a wait for this place. The service is awesome, friendly and they give lotsa chips and salsa. Blonde haired server is especially sweet- we always get her. Their rice/bean side is good, as is their shrimp quesadilla. GO here.
(4)
Monica M.

Overpriced relative to Mexican food that isn't authentic (mother and abuela are from Mexico... can't slip one past me) and just ok. (Note: the menu prices linked to this Yelp page are out of date. It's still not expensive, but again, overpriced relative to the final product). I think I was most disappointed when my friend ordered huevos rancheros and basically got ham and eggs. It was two eggs over easy over a slice of ham with a side rice and beans. The tortillas came plain in a separate tortilla holder. It didn't even have the tomato sauce which is fundamental to the dish. I don't have a problem with Americanized Mexican food (although the ham and eggs huevos rancheros was stretching it...) and probably wouldn't take as much issue if weren't for the "Authentic Mexican Food" bit on their front sign.
(2)
Theron L.

Long ago I remember (barely) going to some place in the mission in the afternoon with friends for pitchers of margaritas and some pretty solid chips and salsa and it was cheap! I swore I'd go back but I could never remember the place. After seeing so many of my friends checking in to this place I decided to check it out for my self. Sure enough it's the same place I barely remember going to years earlier! This is a great spot for drinks and chips and salsa. The rest of the food I tried was pretty good too. I'm definitely a fan.
(4)
Sara M.

This place does well for the cost and the convenience. The food isn't terrible but it isn't the best sit-down style Mexican food I've ever had. I think I've had a better enchilada at a taqueria. To be fair, this place seems to be better equipped at their bar than in their kitchen. I'd recommend if you're in the mood for some quick melty warm food and maybe a margarita.
(3)
Daniel D.

The place isn't perfectly polished, but once you sit down you start to appreciate the vibe and character. Got a margarita within the first minute...staff is friendly, attentive and quick. Had the green chile chicken enchiladas...they were delicious with great heat. Definitely try the frozen manga margarita...sinfully good...would totally come back. Great place for a fun date or to get warmed up for a night out
(5)
Amy Y.

The food is not fantastic, but the margaritas are great. If you're just looking for a good marg, this is the place for you. But, if you're looking for good Mexican food, stop by any of the dozens of places in the area.
(2)
Mack J.

This place never fails. It's the bomb. Get a picture of margaritas and the 3 item combo. Won't be disapionted. If you like authentic. Stop by and try. I give it a 5 becsuse i'm always satisfied when i go.
(5)
Nick O.

I always love eating here. Friendly staff and killer margaritas. They will get you messed up. And they have pitchers. Not crazy about the salsa, it's a little tomatoey. You can ask for salsa verde. Also not my favorite but still good. All of their dishes are very good. Authentic and the price is right. As a gringo, I typically get fajitas at joints like this, but they do a mean Bistec (steak). It can get busy at nights, but day times or early dinner and it's perfect.
(5)
Briget P.

Prices are a bit steep but given the location, it's expected. Margaritas by the pitcher are weak, wouldn't recommend that route. I liked their crispy tacos as they were fried well and their house salsa is delicious. The enchilada not so much, kind of bland.
(3)
Susanna R.

Nice place, the staff is also nice but the service is slow. Margaritas do not have the best flavor they tasted like tequila and water. Enchiladas potosinas were good, I personally liked the cheese one better than the chicken one. It gets really busy in the weekends but the space is nice.
(3)
William V.

Just when I thought there was no good carne asada to be had in the upper mission, in comes Puerto Alegre. I've been here twice, both times I ordered the carne asada nachos. They reminded me of the kind in my hometown of San Diego. Chopped grilled steak. Guac. Sour cream. Jack cheese and pinto beans. Whole beans instead of refried but it's all good. The margaritas are decent too. I'm giving them a solid 4 stars because the lady in charge is super sweet and friendly.
(4)
Matt Y.

10/6/13. Dinner Came here on a whim, trying to avoid that drunken crowd from Castro Street Fair. We were lucky to score half the booth at 7pm. *Chicken Quesadillas ($8.75): Always good, crispy tortilla stuffed with grilled pollo and melted cheese. This is my BF's usual. *Las Gemelas ($10.75): first time having it. It's tortillas stuffed with chili verde pork stew. Pork was diced and cooked tendered, in spicy green chili sauce. Served with black beans and rice. It's another great meal from Puerto Alegre.
(4)
Jacobus B.

Tasty, classic mexican fare in a no-nonsense environment. Margaritas by the pitcher are a great option. But, for optimal bang-for-your-buck, there are other options in the Mission.
(3)
Allison P.

Let me start off with saying this place was super busy and the wait time for two was over 40mins. If I hadn't been told how great this place was I probably wouldn't have waited around. So plan ahead. The margaritas were good(not the best) but you can order some in a pitcher so that gives cool points! They have a good menu with lots of different options. I got the carne asada burrito and wow it was huge and tasty! The meat was so tender!! My personal option it needed some heat but I love heat! My husband got classic combo and loved it. The servers were helpful and you could see how crazy busy they were. One thing it gets really loud in there.
(4)
Dee D.

Why did the guy next to us order the same strawberry margarita and his was twice the size..charged us 8.15?? Wtf
(1)
Matthew S.

The food at this place is good and worth a 30-45 minute wait. Unfortunately the staff has taken a downturn over the last year and service has somewhat gone out the window. Some may argue that you don't come here for the service, which you don't, but there's at least a base level that you need to enjoy your meal. It started with the host promising to seat us in 30 minutes. 1.5 hours later, we were still waiting outside. The server practically threw our margaritas and chips on the table with no regard for our delay. Needless to say Puerto Alegre won't be seeing us again in the near future.
(3)
A D.

This is where I go if I want Mexican food in SF. Good and friendly... Full Bar, Great Tequila selection, and a band on the weekend evenings. Sometimes there is a wait because it's not that big and lots of people know how good it is. I had the Mola enchalladas... Tasty! Good Spot for sure.
(4)
Lauren M.

This place was awesome. Had dinner here on Saturday night. Food was excellent (we shared a pozole and a mixed fajita plate). The chips and salsa were free and were kept topped up all night. The pitchers of margaritas went down even better, delicious! Friendly efficient service and a live mariachi band really completed the night. Reasonable prices too. We had to wait 25 mins for a table on a Saturday evening, so best to reserve if possible.
(4)
Brittini S.

The margaritas were good and strong! This is def a place to get real Mexican food andI enjoyed it. Nothing was extra special but I was not at all disappointed. Great place to get exactly what you expect from a tiny Mexican restaurant.
(4)
Michele T.

Drinks are the Bomb and the food is so yummy. They also have "Great service ".
(5)
Eric W.

This was our go to cheap Mexican place. Get there early or put your name in and go to one of the many bars nearby for drinks. None of the dishea are outstanding but all are good.
(4)
Raquel C.

Tostada salad is delicious and the service was great!
(5)
Tamara S.

One of the better Mexican restaurant in town. The fajitas are great. For my full review please check: thewestcoastexplorer.me/â€¦
(4)
Rebecca S.

Staff and service is still great. The food however has gone downhill which is disappointing. Good for a pitcher of margaritas and snacks.
(2)
Rosa C.

Can't beat the combination of food and price; not to mention the friendly staff. Since it's no more than a 10 minute drive from home, it's a place we go to for lunch. We get there early enough so there's never a wait. The basket of chips are always fresh; better than in most Mission restaurants. The margaritas are served pretty quickly. And I have to say, their chile verde is really good; the pork is always tender. The portions are just the right size. Not to much, not too little. I also like the feel of the place--old school Mexican joint; not fancy, but the crowd always seems happy to be there.
(4)
Lis M.

Not a fancy place at all. But it was exactly the type of atmosphere I was needing for the evening. Coming from Texas, and south Texas that is, I did set my expectations quite low. Ordered the frijoles con queso. Well not to impressed. Essentially it's refried beans on a plate. Pleasantly the beans tasted good. Was expecting more queso. Then ordered the fajitas carne asada. Good but typical. Ordered the Cadillac margarita in a pint. I'm VERY picky with margaritas coming from the Margarita Capitol lol. But surprisingly....very good. But very pricy. I think it was $14. Service was fine. No complaints. Would eat there again. After I try the rest of the Mexican food restaurants in the area. Might take awhile. Three stars for being typical.
(3)
Justin S.

Drove up to here from South Bay Dia de los Muertos to eat some Mexican food and meet with a few folks doing a Mission pub crawl after. YIKES, parking was horrendous, but the entire district was popping! Anyway... onto the actual review of the restaurant... Food: I got the super carne asada burrito. Let me tell you right now, this is probably ONE OF THE BEST burritos I have had!! (Which is sort of funny, because we all went to El Farolito after drinking... haha. That was good too!) When this burrito shows up on the Yelp suggestions on mobile, definitely get it! It comes drenched in a tomato paste (i think) and is savory and succulent. Me eating this burrito sober is like eating a Golden Boy or El Farolito or Senores pizza drunk (sorry, best analogy I can come up with). I had a taste of the enchiladas and tamales; those were pretty good too. Tamales were a bit dry. The chips + the salsa dips were good too! I mixed those in with my burrito for some extra goodness. Service was good, my water was constantly refilled. Giving this 5 stars for now.
(5)
Alex R.

Amazing food! Try the pollo verde is incredible. Chicken nachos were good but the quesadilla was yummy! BuÃ±uelos with icecream was the best desert in a very long time. We had a really good experience at Puerto Alegre. Service was polite. Food was amazing and margaritas were really good as well. My favorite was the plata suprema. I will def be back to this yummy place.
(4)
Sierra W.

One of my favorite places in the city. Margaritas are good and strong. Salsas are delicious, food is great every time. Atmosphere is great. Service is friendly and quick, especially considering how hectic it can get in there. The only thing that sucks is that there is always a long wait to be seated for dinner.
(5)
Ara L.

delicious seafood soup...good service...good location...tough to find parking though...and it can be super noisy on weekends...would go back however!
(4)
Tommy P.

The cocotel de camaron was incredible and completely loaded with shrimp and fresh avocado... Real good vibe in the restaurant also.
(4)
James S.

Sharing my love of Puerto Alegre again, 7 years later!! No longer living in SF I find myself here each time I visit my love, San Francisco. If you are a regular you will see the same faces, mostly family members who have been working here for years and years. Nice people too. But perhaps a bit more jaded than 7 years ago with the influx of douchbaggery in The Mish. I still love sitting at the bar but the table service is great as well. I adore their chips and salsa, cliche, but I crave them. Be warned: they do not advertise regular margaritas on their menu. The menu lists their specialty margaritas only, tricky! But even at $9 or $10, the specialty margs are BOMB. A perfected balance of agave, fresh lime, amazing tequila too in a simple rocks glass. I could drink 10. But I only had 2. They treat you the same if you are eating or drinking but keep it moving people as this place gets packed. They are open every day for lunch and dinner, except Tuesday lunch. That day they have to close for lunch service to accept and put away deliveries. Smart operation. Gay friendly. Fun staff. BOMB margaritas.
(5)
D Z.

I didn't like Puerto Alegre at all. The food was so bad that three people in my group didn't touch their plates after the first taste. When the waiter asked if anything was wrong we politely said it was too salty to eat so they took the items off our bill (which was really nice and we didn't request.) The only reason I gave Puerto Alegre more than one star is because everyone was so nice. But I wouldn't eat there again. The Mission is FULL of really, really good Mexican places. Keep walking.
(2)
Gary B.

Good food - not spectacular. But it's an actual Mexican Restaurant - not just burrito shop. So full bar and attentive waiters. Good experience, but just average food.
(3)
Karina L.

I was initially excited to try the margaritas here tonight, but when I went to sit at the bar, I was rudely approached and asked to to get up by a male Latino server/waiter because despite there being plenty of tables, people in line wanted to sit in the bar seats. I ended up going to a different venue, but this was very disappointing. My suggestion is to get a more polite, and professional host/waiter staff.
(1)
Emily S.

We came here one evening for dinner, the reviews of Puerto Alegre looked good, and it was highly recommended by a local. There was about a 20-30 minute wait when we got here. We waited around a bit, and were seated after awhile. Once seated, I ordered their one item combo with chile relleno. The dish came with rice, beans and salad. I liked their salad, it was pretty basic with lettuce, tomatoes, and dressing. The rice and beans were average, and I have had better. I usually judge a restaurant by how good their rice and beans are. The chile relleno was decent, but I've also had better chile relleno. Overall, Puerto Alegre is a pretty safe bet for Mexican food. You probably won't order anything bad, and the dishes are pretty standard. Service was great! They even refilled our chips/salsa without us asking. Actually, I liked the salsa that came with the chips!
(3)
Noe'lle M.

My friends and I came here for our third drink stop of the Mission evening . We were told about the hush hush secret marg from a few friends.. It turned out to be the best of the three stops . A tequila infused with cucumber margarita on the rocks . Had some chips and salsa, black refried beans and rice to chase it down . I will come back for more later . A yes to here!
(4)
J R.

Sample plate was horrible! It contained Chile rellenos which was inedible, some edible but less then mediocre red rice. An enchilada (meh) and a boring taco. My friend had the Pozole verde, which was pretty good and worth purchasing again. The service was good. There was a random mariachi band that showed up halfway dinner. (Can't say it made the experience better) They get 2 stars from me thanks to their good service and the Pozole. Don't think I'll be back.
(2)
Anica S.

The food is okay, typical sit down Mexican restaurant food. Definitely not homemade or the best Mexican food in SF. A fun place to go but make sure to go early, it's become very popular and the wait times can become ridiculous later in the evening. Friends and I like to come here every once in a while to share a pitcher of strawberry margaritas. They're okay as well but it'll take more than one pitcher to get you tipsy. If you want a good margarita in a pint glass go next door to Blondie's, while you wait.
(3)
Jacob D.

I asked for something super simple. A bed of lettuce with some grilled chicken and fresh avocado; a tasty paleo meal, id say. I received a cesar salad with tons of cheese. I sent it back and repeated my order. It then came back with smooshed croutons and an angry face. I picked the chicken off and ate the avocado slices. I left hungry and 12 bucks short. Probably won't go back.
(2)
David F.

Great food wonderful margaritas fun ambience Went there today on spur of the moment for the first time I had two chimichangas with rice and beans and it was fantastic I had two strawberry margaritas with peligroso and they were smooth and refreshing on this hot sunny day We were fortunate enough to get a table outside on the sidewalk and the food was just mind blowing we will definitely go back I think it's our new favorite Mexican place it was sunny beautiful and filled with all kinds of different people and every kind of clothing you can imagine so much fun people watching
(5)
T L.

So so good. Red mole enchiladas are to die for plus definitely order the guacamole as it's the real deal; chunky and flavorful. The Gigantes margarita is a must, too, with 100% real agave and nectar agave. Mmmm I crave this place !!!!!
(5)
Tommy G.

We had a party of 7 that we made a reservation for, and our table was ready for us just a few minutes after our reservation. When we were seated we waited about 15 minutes before someone came around to ask what we wanted to drink, at which point we also ordered all of our food. The drinks were brought out a bout 10 minutes later, and then our waitress disappeared. Now we were sitting in the middle of the room, so it is kind of hard to ignore us, however our waitress was very talented and had no issue doing so. Not once did she check on us to see if we needed any sort of picture refill on our margaritas, or any of our water/soda glasses either. In fact, we didn't hear, nor see her again until she brought out our food. At this point she offered to refill drinks. After that, she was gone again. Time goes on, and it is beyond clear at this point that every single person at the table is done eating and then some. We had some people go outside for a smoke break, and come back and a good 20 minutes pass after we have all finished eating before our waitress magically appears again, and asks if we want dessert. Although, she only asks some of us at the table, not all of us. We all decline, and she leaves, and does not come back with our check. Another 20 minutes goes by..she comes back, clears off our table and takes all of our plates, still no check. Ten more minutes later, still no check and we flag her down ourselves and ask for our check. This continues, with the long waits in between, up until the time we leave. The only reason I am giving them three stars on this review, is for their food. The portions are rather large, and it tasted very good. If it wasn't for the food, I wouldn't have given them anything more than a 1 star rating. As it is, I am not convinced that I would go back since there are other Mexican places in the city that I can eat at that have even better food, and far better service.
(3)
Ron S.

Wow. Mexican food that rocks! Went here with some friends of mine who live in The City. According to them, this is the place for Mexican. Boy were they right. One of my friends got Chicharrones en Salsa Roja ("Pork Rinds in Red Sauce") because that was his favorite dish there, so I just said "I'll have what he's having." Everything was hot, spicy and wonderful. We got a pitcher of Margaritas as well, which is something I never normally do (I do not like Tequila so Margaritas are out!) but I actually drank one and it was great. If you go here are order something that requires tortillas, you'll have to ask 'em to keep bringing more, because they don't bring you very many. We asked for both corn and flour, and they were happy to oblige. Absolutely fantastic.
(4)
Athena S.

A neighborhood fave... busy for a reason. Fajitas aren't so mucken fuch. Stick to the more authentic, less Americanized fares. Margaritas, while very good, still aren't as good as Tommy's for the record.
(4)
crystala t.

Food: pretty tasty, especially like getting to sit down and have chips and salsa while you wait. Service: variable. Depends on the day and the person. Sometimes it's been really slow and a few times, borderline rude. If the service was reliably better I'd give it a solid four stars.
(3)
Phil M.

Pretty good mexican for not a lot of money.
(5)
Stephanie P.

MY FAVORITE! ...when I can get a table without waiting 2 hours.
(3)
Rebecca P.

I came for the margaritas I had heard so much about. Maybe it was the hype, but I wasn't that blown away. Off night? The prices for the pitchers were reasonable though. They're generous with the chips and salsa and it's easy to accidentally fill up before your food gets to the table. Also good: the mole sauce. I still have faith that the margaritas are amazing, so I will be back.
(3)
Sarah G.

Ate here the other night for dinner. It was very busy but we were able to find a table for two. The service was good and fast. The food was delicious- I had the combo plate of vegetarian tostada and enchilada, my husband had a burrito, and we started with an order of guacamole. We both cleaned our plates! I'd recommend the sangria too- very tasty!!
(5)
A B.

So sad this once really cool place has turned into a "you'll have to wait an hour" because our party was more 5. We waited an hour and the person at the door would not find a table for us. It's sad. We found Picaro down the street who seated us immediately and had a much better time.
(1)
Jennifer L.

I don't know what they put in their chips. Crack? MSG? Unicorn blood? I know that one regular sized and one tiny girl inhaled three bowls of the addictive little bastards. I just spent five weeks living in Mexico and I couldn't resist inhaling all the Mexican goodness here. Friendly service and a super happy and excited vibe every time I've ever eaten here. You just can't go wrong, even if you did have to wait an hour.
(4)
Taryn C.

I only came here for midday margaritas on a Sundays...OMG! I got so hammered and in a good way. Free salsa and chips at the bar (that's the right way to do things, IMO), and the wait staff and bartenders were very cool and courteous, doing what they can to make us drunk! I did not try their food but judging by the other reviews, that was certainly my loss...but I will make it a point to eat there next time I visit, that's for sure!
(4)
Chase P.

This upgrade of my review is long overdue (sorry, Puerto). After my previous review I didn't come back for at least a year, but then I finally gave them another chance and now I love the place - my go-to for Mexican food and margaritas. I'm probably there at least 2-3 times a month for the last couple years. Favorite dishes are the pozole verde & caldo de pollo, nachos (best I've ever had), carne a la parilla, the moles, and the street tacos in the botanas plate.
(5)
Kori M.

Meh. Not impressed. Waiting 1.5 hours after being quoted 30-45 minutes for a table, only to be served greasy, boring food, surrounded by music and people so loud I literally had to scream while talking to my table companions, does not set the scene for a pleasant dining experience in my opinion. All these folks who list this as their favorite Mexican joint in the Mission can have it. Next time, I'm going elsewhere.
(2)
Jasmine F.

Super delicious and really awesome service! the most delicious thin crispy chips and really tasty rice and beans! Loved it!
(5)
Melissa R.

the dessert is delicious - Mexican donuts to go please
(5)
Alex A.

I'm still in the process of eating my meal but needed to take a break because this food is so darn good and the folks that work here so lovely I needed the world to know. Highly recommended.
(5)
Charlie B.

Ive been coming here for years for the atmosphere,the house margaritas and the Shrimp Quesadilla Suiza with avocado. While there are other delicious things on the menu here, Nachos, Enchiladas with a green sauce to die for, Tortas, etc...Ive been stuck on the Shrimp Quesadilla Suiza for a while. There really is no other Quesadilla that rivals this monsters delectable presence. So much so that when I order it ...whomever I may be eating with immediately would like to have ordered what I'm having. Every time. People sitting next to me will ask "excuse me ...what is that your having" "I think Ill have that too." Its just that good. You can watch the game here, or watch the street traffic which at Valencia and 16th is always interesting. The staff is pleasant, and at times comical. Always attentive and quick to seat me...they remember what I eat and drink and it just makes the experience here worth coming back for time after time. One of my favorite SF staples for comfort food and strong drink!
(4)
Jane K.

I'm honoring the Mexican's victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla by reviewing one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in my hometown. They serve up some of the very best tasting mole enchiladas I've had this side of the border though I can't say much for their burritos. The real reason folks wait in line to eat at this trussed up taqueria? Those margaritas are simplemente perfecto and deadly strong. Great for bringing folks together, they'll actually take reservations for large parties and the price is right (it's no Tres Agaves). If it's early enough when you get out, stroll over to Bi-Rite for dessert or even hit some Mission bars for a nightcap.
(4)
Lauren F.

Went to Puerto Alegre on a Friday night with a bunch of friends -- luckily we made a reservation otherwise we would have waited forever! This place is definitely fun and great for groups. The ambiance is very lively -- they even have a mariachi band play for your table if you'd like. The food is great! I ordered a combo plate (shared with a friend) and LOVED the tostada with shredded beef. I generally don't like shredded beef as it's usually pretty dry, but this was amazing. The spices, marinade, flavor!!! YUM! Will definitely be back.
(4)
David W.

My friends and I ended up here late at night between bar hopping for a birthday. Puerto Alegre is surely delicious at all hours of the day, but it is especially delicious in the middle of the night! The fruit margaritas were great too. We got a pitcher of strawberry margarita and another of lime margarita -- everyone was definitely more a fan of the strawberry.
(4)
Jocelyn J.

I used to be a huge fan of La Rondalla (not for the food so much). Nothing compares to a 4$ margarita that has you stumbling out the door (miss you... xoxo). Puerto Alegre's are decent enough but the food here is much much better. I have been here often enough and tried a variety of dishes to say it is consistent. The carne asada soft taco is to die for and their chile relleno is always perfect. Oh, and they have refried black beans which are really good! Gets really really crowded so be prepared to wait especially Thurs-Sat.
(4)
Andrea B.

The food has gone downhill, and the service is extremely rude. I will not be returning.
(1)
Rylan C.

The service is great and the servers are cute! The food is good too! I ordered their taco plate and I have to say that it's very authentic and very delicious. Whenever I want Mexican food in San Francisco, I'll probably come here. And that's saying a lot because the Mission has many great Mexican establishments. I also like that this particular establishment is gay friendly. My only problem is their inefficiency of refilling water cups.
(4)
NICOLE F.

Definitely good food here. I'm not a big fan of Mexican food but I love me some chimichangas. This place has it all! Good food, good atmosphere and GREAT service. When we come here we usually sit outside (depending on the weather.) Although the service kinda sucks when you're outside we still enjoy the scenery outside. Had a regular glass margarita and it was just a glass, but was very good. I have the chimichangas every time I go here. The salsa and chips are great and they keep them coming as well. I see why they have regualr customers..and they have 2 more! Highly suggest this place if you are in the area. The pictures are dead on how the plates look and they are very generous in proportions.
(4)
Brenda S.

I'm not sure how many times I've been here. Probably more than I can count. Mostly for the overrated margaritas that got my friends and I easily drunk. I really never raved about their food until I tried the red mole enchiladas and the green posole. OMGGGGGGG I would only go back for their posole. I had never tried green posole before and my mind was blown. I wanted to blame my mind blowing to my hunger, but honestly I couldn't stop thinking about their posole the next day. That good. 4 stars only because of their green posole and their fairly good red mole :)
(4)
phil h.

I would officially like to apologize to our neighbors to the south. You see, despite the whole NAFTA thing I am embarrassed that someone would add the words "Mexican Food" after the words "Puerto Alegre". The food is mediocre at best and the margaritas aren't much better. Sure, this might seem like a decent pre-party spot when you're fresh out of college but when you're old and bitter like me, it's just another overrated joint serving crap food and crappy drinks.
(2)
Scott B.

Check this - 15 years in San Francisco, and this is still my favorite restaurant in the City. It's not that it's the best food in the City - it's simply more than the sum of its parts, it's the quintessential neighborhood restaurant that represents everything great about the Mission and San Francisco, and you can't go here and not have a great time. Everything hits the spot... ...especially the margaritas, which are the best in the City. Puerto isn't a restaurant, it's a piece of (@(#$*)( Heaven on Earth. Oh, get here an hour before you want to eat on Fridays and Saturdays. The people know, the people know.
(5)
Kalyn B.

This was perhaps the BEST SALSA I've ever had in my life. I've been back several times to make sure it wasn't a fluke, and I have to say this is the best red table salsa I've ever had, I've tried salsa all over Texas, California and Mexico. The food was just OK, but the portions left much to be desired (don't order the fajitas unless you want to pay 15 bucks for a few tiny pieces of meat and a bunch of veggies) If they didn't have the salsas (the other salsas were good too), I would rate this 2.5 because of how sad the food was, but if you're just going in to have drinks, go during the slower parts of the day and enjoy the excellent salsa. Also, the staff is friendly.
(4)
O. S.

Everytime, I have to wait 30-60min! The margaritas are watered down! The food is terrible! But I keep coming back three to four times a month for the last eight years...
(5)
Atif K.

Me and one of my best buds pulled a "Harold and Kumar"... and decided that we weren't really in the mood for any food in the South or East Bay. So, we drove off to The City on a Wednesday night with chips and granola bars in hand, to look for something to hit the spot. Initially, we decided on Una Pizza Napoletana, but we didn't know it was only open Wed-Sat (wtf). After looking for something good and open at 9:30 pm, we eventually ended up on Valencia, being dependent on my friend's iPhone GPS (which really sucks). Luckily enough, I convinced my friend to not fall back on all those generic pizzerias that were open. Vegetarians don't trust many restaurants, so I really had to sell the random Mexican restaurant I found on the street. So getting to it --- Nice setting walking in. Very much for groups of people, as it had a bar inside. We were given a seat quickly, as it was less than 30 minutes from closing. Obviously, our munchie level was at an all time high (no pun intended). --- Our waitress was patient, nice, and kept bringing us more chips. We just got comfortable, got ourselves a some brews (a most interesting dos equis for me), and were ready. ** The bottomless chips and salsa came in, and me and my friend scourged through that like locusts on wheat. The waiting staff immediately brought us even MORE chips with a huge scoop of guacamole to go with it. Divine stuff :) 5/5 ** Nachos (No Meat): These were as expected--which is a good thing! The tortilla chips were crisp, and they were all covered with guacamole, sour cream, cheese (I couldn't tell what cheese), and salsa. It's like Taco Bell's Nachos Bell Grande, except you know this won't make you sick hours later. I really liked it pre-meal, but it wasn't anything eye-opening. 3.5/5 ** Vegetarian Burrito: My friend got this: it was a monster sized burrito, but nothing he couldn't handle. The burrito (already wet with some sort of salsa), was filled with fajita veggies, beans, rice, guacamole, sour cream, and magic (jk). He told me it was too much for him, but he loved it. I'll give it a 5/5 from his part. ** Combination Platter (Sope with shredded beef & taco with shredded chicken) with beans and rice: I loved this meal! I do wish I could pull a reversal and put the beef on the taco and chicken on the sope, but who cares? The taco was great. The shell was really crunchy, and had its own distinctive taste, while the chicken was fresh, tender, and juicy (the sauces only complimenting it). I just wish the taco didn't fall apart on me. 4/5 OK, so the sope is like a flat taco. I was trying to figure out how to eat it, but I just ended up using my fork and hands and dove in. The beef was real tasty, and the veggies were obviously fresh. I was very happy. 5/5 ------ Overall, I enjoyed my experience, and wouldn't mind coming back at all! :) This was a straight mission.
(4)
Marianne S.

Delicious burritos. Fairly priced, usually make sure to stop here when I visit San Fran. Staff is friendly and has a good atmosphere.
(4)
Cody H.

Love this place. Popular spot for locals. It's very laid back atmosphere, but the casual is comfortable. Very friendly staff and great margaritas.
(5)
Paul S.

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.
(4)
Leonel R.

I am a fan indeed of Puerto Alegre. I have eaten here at least 3 times per month in the past year! I'd like to begin by saying that I am Mexican and have eaten Mexican food all my life; therefore, I know a little...just a little...about this category of food. What's good: Margaritas! The mole poblano chicken is delicious; I highly recommend it. The enchiladas poblanas are yummy. I also like the carne asada plate (it comes with a big ass grilled jalapeno pepper that will surely burn you if you take a huge bite), milanesa plate, enchiladas; fajitas. The green pozole is absolutely the best pozole in San Francisco. Damm, I think I like everything here. I almost forgot, the brunch menu is equally satisfying. What's not good: The wait for a table. On a busy night it can take up to 1 hour for a group of four or larger. G'luck. I always eat with my significant other, so seating is more prompt. Also, it can get rather loud. Very loud; especially when the Mariachi or Guitar Playing Man come in. Some people mid the musicians, and some people don't. I guess it depends on how many margaritas you've had! I admit, it is kinda annoying when they come around with a donation bag after they're done singing, but hey, people gotta eat right...here's a dollar. Overall: For the prices, it is a must place for Mexican food and Margaritas! Especially when you compare it to other "Mexican" restaurants like Tacolicious in the Marina, Mamacita's in the Marina, or Tropisueno in the Financial District. Almost forgot: The waiters are nice and they'll go grab you at the bar next door (Blondie's) when your table is ready. So, go have a drink to kill time. The food can be a bit heavey on the stomach; don't eat here before a night of drinking or dancing; you will regret it, lol. Don't forget to get a really good workout either before you eat here or a day after because you will need to burn all those calories!!!
(4)
Natalie O.

Decor needs updating (or not, that's totally part of the charm). Reasonable prices, delicious food, and just entering the place makes you immediately happy. Somehow the groups of people that come here just make this place friggin' FUN. Absolutely jam-packed during an off-hour (4pm, I think?), but service was still friendly and quick. Food may look like slop on a plate, but that's the beauty of it, because it is always delicious. Two words: green pozole. Get it in your tummy. Also the best margarita in the city. Love this place. A true SF gem.
(5)
gwynnie p.

I agree most of the food here is so-so, and that with enough of their trademark margays in you, it doesn't really matter. Their spin on pozole, however is a magically delicious bowl of soup, with a green broth, chicken, hominy, ham AND bacon. Perfect for one of these cold winter nights. Served with fresh tortillas. Even on Monday night this joint is jumping. Last year we took our out of town visitors to Puerto Alegre the day after Thanksgiving and it was crickets. So, go when all the weaklings have run back to their parents in the flyover states! Or go early. Or be prepared to wait a bit.
(5)
Michelle M.

On a mission...in the mission...There are so many great taquerias in the mission, but I rarely see a sit down Mexican place so I am determined to find that one great place where I can bring all my friends/family. I am always lost in the mission and I basically know how to go up and down 16th from Mission to Valencia and venture down Valencia so I may be missing a lot. I came here last night and it was really really packed. We were told that our wait would be about 30 minutes for 3 people and we put our name on a list and got a random piece of paper thing with the number 5 on it. Apparently, that meant that we were 5th on the list. The service here isn't great, I asked for a straw, but never got one. I didn't know burritos here came with enchilada sauce on them (which I don't like), so I asked for an extra plate. Then 10 minutes later, I got my plate that was really small, so I just dumped the sauce on instead of moving my burrito over. While the service wasn't great, the food was pretty good. We all got burritos and they were good except that I ordered the vegetarian burrito and instead of guac I asked if I could substitute sour cream. My cousin also got the vegetarian burrito. Hers came with guacamole inside of it and mine came with the tiniest drizzle of sour cream over the top...basically looked like a garnish or decorative feature. So, I asked for an extra side of sour cream...which of course, I never got! Don't get me wrong, the burrito was good and it definitely satisfied my Mexican need, but I will continue to try other places as this is definitely not going to be my spot of choice. They do have chips on the table before you even sit down so if you are really really hungry, this is a great place because you can eat as soon as you sit! Oh, and the worst part, which I think that happens in all the restaurants in the mission, is that there was a band there and they roam from restaurant to restaurant and while I enjoy music, they play so loud that you can't talk to the people at your table. Right before they left, they came around asking for tips and I don't mean like they walk up to the table with their brown paper lunch bag and walk away. They came up to us and said "tips?" and we said "no, sorry." and the guy continued to stand there until we said no again. I really would like to support them because I know they only get paid in tips, but at the same time, I am way too far in debt to be paying random people who played 2 really loud songs that wasn't really that enjoyable!
(3)
Megan L.

Puerto Alegre... just another fresh mex spot, yes BUT... pitchers of margaritas for $20 HELL YA. SO we came for two girls birthdays and it was great, we got a big table and were able to expand when more people came. The drink service was amazing our waitress was very nice and instead of bringing a pitcher with a stack of glasses, she actually put salt and lime on each glass... THIS NEVER HAPPENS. Also it was busy so for her to give us that attention was nice. One thing to warn people is that it does not say on their menu that they add gratuity but they did. Our bill was huge... but im sure it had to mainly do with the $5 a freekin CORONA... which honestly is soo rediculous. But thats why I stuck with the margaritas. Food was good too... we had a real gordita, not the kind from taco bell, and in fact taco bell needs to get on it because they are slacking on their authenticity!!! Fair prices, except on the CORONA....
(3)
Swetha G.

Ok, I have to preface that this place would probably get 4 or 5 stars if I got to sample the infamous margarita, but I went to Puerto Allegre on my lunch break so couldn't go back to the office drunk! With that said I only got to sample their food and this review is based on that. The service was alright. The host was good and the server was nice. The food was the deal breaker between 4 and 5 stars. I loved the salsa that came with the chips but as for what I ordered, the combination plate had the smallest quesidilla and tiniest portion of rice and beans that I've ever seen before! I was still hungry after I cleaned my plate that I ended up scarfing all the chips and salsa and deprived my friend the entire basket. Also the corn quesidalla was just ok. I've had better at El Foro, there they are not stingy and offer a good selection of tortillas. Anyways, for convenience this is a good place to go - by that I mean if you live or work near Valencia and 16th, but otherwise I can think of plenty of other great Mexican restaurants in the area.
(3)
Jay S.

Great food and good margarita's. Worth the wait if you get there late...
(5)
Sarah J.

Awesome food, awesome service, awesome environment, awesome margaritas, and all at a great price! I love this place and reccomend it to anyone looking for a good mexican meal that is not just a delicious aluminum wraped burrito!!
(5)
Penguin P.

i just waited 40 minutes for my lunch, and theres nobody here. fail.
(1)
Jared B.

I've probably owed Puerto a 5-star review for a few years now. Every single visit is consistently delicious and consistently fun. The wait staff is great and I feel like I'm at home when I eat there. I am in love with their stewed beef burrito. It's magical, somehow unique and memorable in a town full of serviceable burrito choices. They get very busy, and you'll see a crowd waiting outside. They'll give you a number, and if they tell you it will be 20 minutes, they're always right on the clock. Count on that time estimate being right, go have a drink next door at Blondies, and come back to get your table. Then order margaritas by the pitcher.
(5)
Laura P.

Margaritas anyone? Go big and get the Cadillac, it's worth it! I don't think that I have ever gone to this place and not had to wait... annoying. I have always been impressed with the food, but i don't eat mean at Mexican restaurants so it's all the same beans, rice and salsa to me. I would recommend this place, and will continue to come back!
(3)
devon m.

I'm from SoCal where we know Mexican food! This place has the best margaritas and chips and salsa! The super burrito and chimichangas hit the spot and are delicious! The lively atmosphere is great and the wait is totally worth it! If you go on a weekend, try to be there before 7:00PM.
(5)
John A.

The food's generally good but there's usually a wait, it's usually loud, and they barely put any meat in my fajitas last night (the guac. serving was weak as well)
(2)
Amy B.

I went to this restaurant on a weekday for dinner, and I have to say it was pretty good. Though my experience didn't produce an epic meal, epic time or epic anything (hence only 3 stars), I can see why other people would particularly enjoy this destination. Prices were average, and you can get the same/better Mexican food from a taqueria and not deal with waiting for your meal or leaving a tip. I had the carnitas enchiladas, and they were pretty good. Not bad, but nothing to call home about. What was the downer was waiting for a table. This wouldn't have otherwise been a problem except that it was freezing/windy out and there isn't anywhere to wait for your table inside. Parking was also hellish, but that is to be expected. We paid for a garage, which is annoying, but such is life. There were also mariachi men playing in their band in the restaurant which was really cool, though we passed on the opportunity. This place would be great to go out in the Mission for dinner before hitting the nightlife. I can't say I'd go out of my way for it again though.
(3)
VI P.

This is as good as it gets for mexican food in the City. I say this after living in socal forever! Anyway the prices are very decent, a friend and I went for lunch and the total price for 2 entrees, drinks and a tip was right around $30. expect to wait 20-30mins for a table, the server was also very rude. i had to think twice about tipping him.
(4)
Lauren G.

I would rate it higher if it weren't consistently a bitch to get into, other than that - its damn good and the wait speaks volumes for the overall delectability of their Mexican dishes. I'm originally from a town not so far away that specializes in authentic Mexican food and this passes my not to stringent but discerning taste tests :) Minus the crispy tacos, those were bland.
(3)
Skye W.

This place is WAY over-rated. Why is there always a line outside? For the margaritas maybe? I didn't have any alcohol here but I did have the chile verde for dinner. The portion was decent sized, but not very tasty. The tortillas were store bought. The service was good, but other than that the food was just plain not that good. I would not recommend this place and probably not come back- unless I want to try their margaritas.
(2)
Heather S.

Margaritas are great and the service friendly. The food is pretty good. Previously I gave this place 4 stars, but the food just makes me unable to do so. It's fresh, I just don't think it is anything special. There aren't enough star options to rate properly. I think apps and margaritas are the way to go.
(3)
Shayna C.

Wow, the wet, super grilled chicken burrito here is AMAZING. This has turned into my favorite Mexican restaurant spot. The chips and salsa are a bonus too (complementary and bottomless). The only reason why I'm not giving this one five stars is due to the fact that I've only been going here for about six months, but I've been addicted since my first time! Also, we've had some negative experiences with only some of the service staff, but the food is well worth the trouble *if* that rare occasion occurs. This place is seriously and deliciously addictive.
(4)
Brian H.

The people at this place are the salt of the earth, great food, awesome drinks, amazing service, who could ask for more,,,oh and it is nowhere near the marina :)
(5)
Natalie T.

Lived in SF for two years. Had to move back to San Diego because it was cheaper to live here. I would sell my soul to live back in SF and live right above Puerto Allegre. Their food is to die for. I have NEVER had Mexican food this amazing!!! And probably never will. And that's saying a lot considering I grew up in San Diego, 30 minutes from the border. Whenever I go I make sure to take BART and bring at least 2 other friends to share in the yummy goodness. I order a pitcher of their margartias on the rocks with salt. This is the best part of the meal. I've never had a margarita as good as theirs. In fact, I'm scared to try others because I know they will be horrible in comparasin. All of the food on their menu is delicious. I've had most of their combo plates, their deluxe quesidilla, and fajitas. Also, you HAVE TO order their guacamole. It is soooo amazing!! I can't say enough good stuff about this place. And if there is a wait to get a table, WAIT!! Wait 5 hours if you have to! It's totally worth it. I usually just skip over to Cassanova, the bar across the street and get drinks there while I wait. I've turned several people onto eating here and hope I can talk more people into becoming as addicted to Puerto Allegre as I am!!
(5)
James B.

Delicious chips and salsa. Try the quesadillas. Huge pitchers of outstanding margaritas for reasonable prices. This restaurant is popular for a reason! Be prepared to wait before being seated; there's always a crowd.
(5)
Daniella B.

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.
(2)
Justine D.

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!
(5)
Shannon A.

Love this place. The food is boring. The drinks are OK. The staff is friendly and fast. You come here because your a local in the mission. Sunday comfort spot.
(3)
Jon B.

Good food. Average pricing. Not always so great customer service. I've been here a couple times, and both times got the Milanesa Especial (grilled breaded steak topped with sauce and cheese, served with salad and refried beans). Great stuff. Simply amazing when you're drunk though. Especially when you add a fried egg on top of it. The breading has spices inside of it, and is perfectly crispy, with tender meat inside. The last time I went I also got the tequila sampler. I couldn't find a price, and the waiter told me it was $16. I was feeling adventurous, so I went with it. The selections for the day were all 1800 brand-- a blanco, reposado, and anejo. They went with the meal perfectly. The standard free chips and salsa were also good. They were both fresh and had a decent amount of heat. The first time I went, our waitress was very friendly and helpful, great customer service. The most recent time, not so much. The first guy seemed okay, but he I guess ended up leaving before I was done with my meal. Another guy and girl took over, and when I got my bill, I saw that my tequila sampler was $18. $2 difference from what I was told, no big deal, but I figured I'd mention it. The new waitress looked shocked when I did, and she went to ask the other new waiter if he told me it was $16. He looked upset and said "I didnt say that!!" and I told her it was another waiter. They both looked confused and somehow had no idea who I was talking about, but said that waiter must have gotten off work already, and pointed out on a menu where it said the price was actually $18. No apology for anything, not even on behalf of their coworker for a misquoted price, just an argument that it wasn't really $16. I wasn't gonna fight for $2 so I just paid. Not a big deal, but it kinda sucked getting treated like I was tryin to scam a measly two dollars. Because the customer service was so great the first time I went, I would still go back for another round of milanesa especial, and maybe some margaritas which were also pretty good the first time I went. Probably not for a while though.
(3)
Charlie S.

This place is always packed and I'm not sure why. I've found it to be decent but nothing to get excited about. The margaritas are good but not cheap. The food is decent but very similar to so many other places with a lot of cheese, beans and rice flooding the plate. I end up feeling a little ill after eating there. For some reason people flock there though so be ready to show up early and put your name on the list. My favorite thing is that they have a TV with basketball games and a counter to sit at. Makes a fun place to catch the game when the pantry is empty at home.
(3)
Natty C.

Oh Puerto, how I love you. Let me count the ways 1. you've been serving me cheap, hugely portioned tasty food for years (shrimp rancheros are the BEST) 2. you've been serving me delicious margaritas for years 3. your servers are always quick and friendly 4. you're conveniently located to just about everything 5. your bottomless chips and salsa 6. You're AWESOME Thank you for all the greatness over the years
(4)
Lauren S.

I love margaritas. I love chips and salsa. I love small tables and good friends. This place is great just for this!
(4)
moodyfoodie m.

The tequila's to blame! I get so tipsy from the margaritas that I forget about the hour long wait and the blah food- but I keep coming back for more. Ho hum! Actually, I like the chips and salsa and the funky space but the food could use a little something in the way of improvement. Seems to have gotten worse over the years. Thank you hostess for being so patient with all of the folks (myself included) who ask you over and over if you have called their number. You say the wait is going to be an hour and by golly it is!
(3)
Hannah L.

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.
(1)
J S.

This is good food and great drinks without restaurant district attitude. I had the steak fajitas. This classic dish was made perfectly. No muss or odd fanfare, just great meat, fresh vegetables, and was completely satisfying. Paired with the top-shelf margarita, I felt like know one could do this dish better. The ambiance is typical mom and pop style mission restaurant. It is maintained with pride. No bells or whistles to distract you. Just a great place to walk up to the bar, order a drink and meal, and be yourself. If you want casual, clean, and satisfying Mexican food, look no further.
(4)
Elisabeth K.

The boys are very sassy, especially the host. But the food is always so good.
(4)
Jessie H.

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 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.
(2)
Geno B.

The food here is good. Large portions, moderate prices, and pretty good margaritas. The quesadilla is pretty spectacular and the burrito is huge, but too good NOT to finish! The waitress that always helps us is pretty awful, though. She always forgets things, and we've suspected her to be drunk on occasion. Leave the margaritas to us, girl!
(3)
Kathleen A.

It's hard to rate Mexican food in the Mission, but Puerto Alegre definitely has the best margaritas and the food's not bad either! Their salsa is tasty! Get there early or make a reservation, because they are always busy.
(4)
Camille K.

Puerto Alegre is a Mexican cafeteria with cocktails and the occasional mariachi. Sit near the front window and you will smell the street, ie, the pot. The quesadilla I shared there once tasted nice enough. When my friend ordered it again, it came closer to a panini. My chili relleno didn't hold any spice until the very end. It was also small and surrounded by a meager helping of beans and rice. Then again, I'd asked for the "one item" combo. Where's the food?
(3)
Blondie R.

I'd been shopping at the store across the street, and now I wanted some Mexican food. The sales person recommended this restaurant. It wasn't the best Mexican food I ever had, but it was OK. The service was terrible. It's really too bad when restaurants can't nail down something as important as great customer service. I'll take my appetite and cash somewhere else. There are plenty of Mexican restaurants that know how to do it right!
(1)
Ally C.

What's great: *Margs *Guacamole *Chips and salsa *Chicken soft tacos *Service *People watching *Prices What's not so great (and no fault of their own): *Sometimes the wait can be ridiculous.
(4)
L F.

This place apparently has the best margaritas in town. I've been here a few times and I'm not sure that's the case, but I will say they have better than average drinks, decent food, and decent service. It's nothing to write home about but I will say that it is pretty good. I tend to be a pretty difficult customer and get irritated easily, and in every time I've ever been here, I've never gotten irritated so in my mind, that's a huge plus. Prices are reasonable, I've had the shrimp fajitas twice and they could use a bit more shrimp but other than that it's okay.
(4)
Caitlin B.

SO GOOD and reasonably priced. I got this and it was awesome: "Camarones Rancheros: spicy shrimp sauteed with peppers, tomatoes and onions. We also got the frozen strawberry margaritas (great choice) & guac. Not sure if the guac comes out all the time or if someone in the group ordered it, but I thought it was delish. I'd suggest a reservation if you have a large group. I see someone else here said they don't have reservations... well as of 3/24/12 they did. Maybe you just need to be over a certain number of people for them to take reservations?
(5)
Charley C.

I love this place. I try to go on weeknights because there is less of a wait. Unfortunately the past two times I have gone the Margs have been less than stellar. I used to love the Margs. I talked to the waiter, and they said they use a recipe so it should taste the same. But something is off. Has anyone else noticed this? They taste too sweet and not enough lime juice. I don't know, but it's bumming me out.
(4)
Alex H.

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.
(5)
Christina S.

Pretty good Mexican food which always yields a big wait... I suggest coming a little early if you plan on coming on a weekend. It gets a little long of a wait. Our first attempt at to coming was a 45 minute to n hour wait. We left. The second time around we came a little earlier 6ish and we were in with no wait.. We got lucky. The food though is good..
(4)
Anthony S.

Decent Place .. good food good vibe ... been here a handful of times and cant really complain ... burritos are good chips and salsa as well ... good drinks too ... gets pretty busy pretty quick but when you can walk right in and sit down all is well ..
(3)
James V.

If I want Mexican when in San Francisco this is where I go. This is the place for the margaritas or the great food and the bustling ambiance! Eat like a king and get drunk because its real affordable. But get here early as the wait can be an hour sometimes!
(5)
Bryan M.

I LOVE this restaurant! I was taken there by friends 20 years ago.....and I am still going back. It is the best Mexican food in the Mission. I judge Mexican food places by evaluating the basics. They gotta have great chips, salsa, and guacamole....also yummy beans, and killer carne asada. Puerto Alegre has ALL this and much, much more. Besides the basics, there are lots of specialties. Awesome margaritas, too. More different kinds of Taquila than you can shake a shot glass at. I love Wendy, a wonderful waitress there. Try it ......you'll go back. The food is positively craveable!
(5)
Kathryn G.

Think about the length of your arm between your elbow and shoulder - now think about the circumference. That's the size of their burritos. Pretty tasty, but could only finish half of it - and even that left me over-stuffed. The margarita pitchers are weak. Salsa's all right, but the chips are store bought and not the real deal deep-fried tortillas cut up into chips. All that being said - it's a good time if you're going with a group of friends who want to hang out and get loud over margaritas and tasty food.
(3)
Ed F.

I'm sure I'm not saying anything new when I say: You are in for a long wait on a Friday or Saturday night, but it's worth it. Watch out for the margaritas. etc.
(5)
Loni F.

Everything tasted yummy and the service was good! The place is often packed, but the host does a good job getting everyone sat as quickly as possible.
(4)
Melissa M.

This is the only place I've ever had a flying burrito launched at me in the midst of a heated argument amongst frenemies. Yes, you heard me right. A mysterious burrito came flying at me from behind, sliding down the back of my sweater, and into the seat next to me. I know, it sounds like a bad episode of 'You Can't Do that on Television' in Barth's Burgers. So why am I still giving Puerto Alegre five stars? Because after all is said and done, I still keep coming back! Besides, it's not their fault that a few 25 going on 5-year olds were sitting behind us. If you're wondering what management at Puerto Alegre did to help us with the situation, they were more than accommodating, comp'ed us some food on a future visit, and kicked the deviants out. Luckily, we were more shocked than angry at the whole situation, so we didn't make a huge stink out of it. All I wanted to do was finish my tasty margarita. By the way, this is the ONLY time I have ever seen something like this happen here. Yes, it's crowded and noisy at times, but the crowd is generally pretty happy and friendly. As for the food, I almost always order a cheese enchilada with refried black beans. I can't live without their chips and salsa. Okay, maybe I can, but I don't want to.
(5)
Harpreet H.

Have been coming here for years, absolutely love this place! I was disappointed when they were closed for renovations.The staff is so friendly and the food is always fresh and delicious. I have never ordered anything I didn't like. If you're looking for a buzz I recommend the cadillac margarita =)
(4)
Jared B.

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! :-)
(3)
Alicia M.

I discovered this place about 4 years ago.....all I can say is OMG!!!! I make pozole and I tried to duplicate this recipe mine was good but it in no way could compare to theirs. Theirs is just the right amount of spice, tons of good quality meat and hominy. I crave this every time I go to the city but I only manage to stop by there and get some once in a blue moon. I hadnt been there is about 8 months and on a recent trip to the city I was shopping in the area and had to get a to go order I had it for dinner later that night and just as good and tast as I remember it. I LOVE thier pozole!!!!!!!!
(4)
Gabrielle J.

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.
(2)
Kim D.

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 tÃ©lenovÃ©la 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.
(4)
Melanie M.

This is my hangover go to place. i am tempted to take that little bowl of salsa and just drink it, it's so damn good. The staff is great. The chips are perfection. They make a mean margarita too. I love this place.
(4)
Jessica L.

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!
(4)
Java G.

I stopped in here for lunch on Saturday. I like to sit outside sometimes, and there are two tables there, but I opted to go inside. It was not a sunny day, but still the inside of the restaurant was nice and light, due to the huge front windows. It was busy and all the tables were full, but I found a seat at the bar. A place setting was immediately put before me, and I was served a basket of good, crisp tortilla chips with two kinds of salsa. I really like Mexican restaurants that still provide chips and salsa gratis. I got my drink order very quickly, and shortly thereafter my food order, prawns quesadilla with avocado. The food was really tasty, and I ate the whole thing, which is a little unusual for me. The staff was attentive and quick, despite the restaurant being so busy. I liked it at Puerto Alegre.
(4)
Jennifer W.

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!
(4)
Sonja O.

love it. The soups are wonderful. There is a wait for the fish soup, but it's worth every minute. If I could I would go eat there every day. It can be on the loud side, but it's fine. They are welcoming to my Service Dog Jolanda as well. It's a good place to be. Parking is a pain, though ;o)
(5)
I would officially like to apologize to our neighbors to the south. You see, despite the whole NAFTA thing I am embarrassed that someone would add the words Mexican Food after the words Puerto Alegre. The food is mediocre at best and the margaritas aren't much better. Sure, this might seem like a decent pre-party spot when you're fresh out of college but when you're old and bitter like me, it's just another overrated joint serving crap food and crappy drinks. Do yourself a favor and head to Velvet Cantina instead.
(2)
Preeti M.

I love this place. I have been eat and drinking here for years and it never fails to disappoint. Highlights include the margaritas, nachos and the yummy salsa. The mole poblano enchiladas are also pretty awesome. It's the most feel good, family run all around happy environment to hang in.
(5)
Janney B.

'Margaritas at Puerto,' a Haiku for a place with 400+ reviews: Blended ones aren't as tasty, Order on the rocks, Or you might make yourself sick. Don't mess around with flavors, Regular is best. Eat chips to absorb liquor. If food is what you desire. Stick with tacos here. Some of the food is nasty.
(4)
Mal C.

Perfect brunch out with friends - we went on a surprisingly non-crowded Saturday afternoon. Settled down with some nice margaritas that had us tipsy before our food arrived. I had the supersized burrito - splurge for the works! It was delicious!
(4)
Brooke B.

I always order the same thing here: super carne burrito with sour cream. It is consistently fantastic, and I can't seem to break the cycle. With perfection, there is just no need. I come to Puerto when life is good, or bad, with resos, or without, already drunk, or planning to get there. The few times I have made resos were for larger parties, and the table is always ready on time, with their excellent chips and salsas at the ready. Bring on a pitcher of house margaritas, and this is the spot to be. Friendly, efficient staff, which is great because these folks are always packed to the brim at night. Expect a wait, but with Blondie's next door, just get on the list, and go get a monster cocktail. Check back a bit earlier than the stated time, as they are really good at turning tables, and can usually fit you in early.
(4)
Mark A.

Come for the cheap, strong margaritas. Stay for some more margaritas. And some food because you realize the margaritas are stronger than you realized. Then some more margaritas. Seriously though, this place is a nice alternative to taquerias with nice big plates and some of the best salsa I've had in a while. Also, did I mention the margaritas?
(4)
Joseph W.

This place has huge pitchers full of strong, sweet margaritas. Best in San Francisco (as some have said)? Maybe, but no matter, they get the job done. This place speaks to my wife more than me, who grew up in Orange County and loves mom and pop Mexican places like this because she ate at them a lot as a kid. I grew up in Manhattan, where we have mom and pop cheap Chinese and Italian. I think we win, but whatever. You get a hot plate full of hot white, tan, and brown stuff congealed together by cheese, and it all tastes pretty good. Portions are ridiculous, as to be expected, and the service is very pleasant and professional. Yeah I had a great time here because I was with great people, but yeah it's good, not great, and definitely for the California natives who go nuts for this stuff. Chips and salsa here are very good, too.
(3)
Scott G.

Since we've lived a few blocks away for the last 7 years, we've probably eaten her 3-4 times before and it's consistently been 3-3.5 stars. Not as good as Don Ramones, but pretty good. We're always amazed on how busy it is, but we surmised it was because of it's location. On a whim we decided to go there rather than Sunflower (our favorite Vietnamese restaurant). This time the food was outstanding, particularly the enchaladas poblanos with red sauce. The beans and rice were good as well. Not sure why it was so tasty this go around, but we were really pleased.
(4)
Ashley M.

I really like this place! They have great margaritas! There is always a line to be seated but it is worth the 15 minute wait. If you are looking for a fast to go taqueria this is no place for you. Some times you'll catch a loud mariachi band at your table...awkward... but fun! The food is amazing here. the quesadillas are the largest things on this planet filled with fresh cheese and amazing meat! (Get the grilled chicken) mmm. This is a plate you'd want to share!
(4)
Julie T.

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.
(3)
Doug M.

I love this place, always have, been here a zillion times. Is it authentic, best-Mexican-in-the-Mission and so cheap that you can dig into the sofa cushions to pay for dinner with spare change? No. But it's Puerto Alegre, a fun place to eat, drink and laugh, and I've never taken anyone there that hasn't had a good time, and as much as I'd like to think otherwise, I know it's not me that makes it fun. Sure, there is always a wait, but go next door and have some Tecate, they will come get you when you number is called. The food is decent. Won't change your life, but not bad. I've had more good than bad. I've ate my own weight in chips and I love the salsa. Probably several times my own weight, but they keep refilling the bowl and I seem to think it a personal challenge to keep eating them. I can't stop. The service is always friendly and most of the staff have been there a long time. And the pitcher of margaritas, well, that's really why I come here. Everything else is just a polite excuse for why I'm there. I'm not sure if they are the "best in SF" per se, but they are really good, don't taste like lighter fluid, and you can stumble out of there for a reasonable amount of money. I always try to drag anyone willing to go with me there at every opportunity.
(4)
Joel L.

Go here for huge happy wet burritos and affordable pitchers of margaritas. Always love to take visitors to this spot as it is great for groups and has a good dinner/sit-down environment. Long waits on Saturday Nights make for window shopping at the local furniture stores. You will go through chips and salsa by the bowl because service is just OK, but worth the wait for the food. Staff is friendly and gives the feeling of being family run.
(4)
Yvette K.

I've been eating at Puerto Alegre since the early '80s and it hasn't changed much, except that my palate has gotten more sophisticated. If I'm only giving 3 stars why do I keep going back? Because I like being there. Valencia is my favorite SF street and I think Puerto Alegre is one of the only places still left from the old days (Taqueria El Toro and a few other restaurants are still there too). They do make a strong margarita - watch out for the high pitcher prices. P.A has the standard Mexican food you'll find everywhere, at reasonable prices, completely good enough to satisfy, but nothing to write home about. But hey, I just love being on Valencia Street.
(3)
Jennifer H.

Let me preface this review by saying that I wasn't drink on any occasion while dining here. On to the review... Thank God someone introduced me to this place. I've only been a couple of times, but have enjoyed my meal and the vibe each time. I've tried a few things and have loved them all, espesh the salsa verde sopes. Yum! Sopes are my fav, and I don't see them on many menus. I can't comment on the margaritas because I always stick to the aguas frescas. Service is always pretty prompt and attentive, and I love the chips and salsa. I'll def. be back again, and again, and again...when the opportunity arises.
(4)
SLH H.

The most perfect place for nachos and margaritas!! They truly have the best nachos/salsa and guacamole that I have found in all of SF (in all 4 years) ...their margaritas are also quite yummy and super strong...The claim is that they are the best in town, but I also-as another yelper notes- would not go that far, but they are better than normal... I would say most definitely to this place- just be careful which nights you choose as Thurs-Sat evenings after 7 you are guaranteed an 1hr long wait...!
(5)
Tiffany D.

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.
(4)
Fabiola M.

In SF Mexican food is plentiful, but Puerto Alegre is a favorite of mine. The Margaritas are small but pack a punch, perfect to accompany the salty food. I love their guacamole to start, but when I am trying to be fiscally responsible, the complimentary salsas are great as starters. My usual dish is the combination platter of chicken tamale and the chicken flauta, I get hungry just talking about it. I could eat here seriously every day. The servers are nice and really attentive. The portions are big and the prices are on the cheap. The chimichanga is amazing, do try. You will leave here stuffed and happy : ) The space is long and narrow and every time I go it has been packed which makes for a lively but casual atmosphere.
(4)
Pedro U.

Food is great but not the best Mexican food. However this is a place where I can enjoy a bowl of Pozole.
(3)
Paul O.

Not good. I got a huge clump of hair in the chip bowl, and my fajitas were kind of gross and greasy as hell. Service was decent, though.
(2)
Alex E.

The food here is quite solid, tasty and decently priced - one of the better choices for Mexican food in the Mission, i.m.o. The margaritas are exquisite and god damn strong, just the way they should be! I always leave here in a jovial mood with a belly contentedly containing both aforementioned things.
(4)
Chris D.

In the past I have lived places with good mexican food, but currently I am compelled to seek it out every time I travel. Thankfully while staying with a friend in the Mission District good mexican food is easy to find! The chips and salsa were great, the guacamole was amazing (mostly because it was made with quality avocadoes... something we don't get in Wisconsin...), and the food was great. We went for lunch and didn't need to wait at all, but I would gladly come back and wait at dinner time.
(4)
Alex D.

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.
(2)
David H.

Sick MARGARITAS! Food was very good and they have some monitors over the bar for sports broadcasts. I came here this past Sunday when everything else in the Mission with a TV was totally mobbed. I was able to watch both football games (at the same time), sit at the bar, and have some great food and drinks. Also, the people who are regulars here are equally fantastic! I had an outstanding time here and can't wait to come back!
(5)
Gil S.

Dark, sane, sit-down shelter from the mad throngs. While riding it out you can enjoy a margarita or two. The fresh peach is available only frozen -- kind of backwards when you think about it? Food is basic -- I enjoyed grilled sliced steak and veggies, rice, beans, salad with tortillas. Chips homemade, sala good. The window admits views of boys stumbling up Mission's drunk zone zone, plus a strong wifi signal. The waitsaff did what they needed, friendly, no hurry, and left me alone. With the doorman you feel safe. What else does a man need?
(4)
Abby Z.

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.
(2)
Alexis B.

I have only been here once so far but it was a great experience! The food was delicious, I got the chicken fajitas and enjoyed every bite. The margaritas were also some of the best in the bay that i've had, just like how they advertised. The atmosphere is great, you can sit down and have a good time with a group of friends and don't feel rushed to leave or like you're being too loud. Definitely going to go back!
(4)
Eric G.

Cheap, sugary margaritas and huge plates of delicious Mexican food. What more can you ask for?
(4)
Anthony H.

When I lived in SF this used to be our go to hangover remedy on weekend mornings. Manchaca and pitchers of Margaritas that could cure any hangover. Since then, this place seems to have fallen off. I went last weekend and the Manchaca was super dry. The pitchers were $35 bucks a piece. I remember being able to drink 2 pitchers of margos and order 2 plates of manchaca for around ~$50. Now 2 pitchers blow the tab out the gates at $70. If they were special Margos I wouldn't flinch, but it's the same old Margos with a little Grand Marnier float that was so diluted in the pitcher we couldn't really taste it. I'm not sure the reason for the fall off...maybe they have been so popular they could lag on quality and still get packed. That's too bad, because I will be looking for another weekend hangover remedy brunch spot the next time I am visiting.
(2)
Michael M.

Best Margaritas in the city!!! Generous with the tequila, fantastic Guacamole and try the Grilled Chicken Quesadilla. I have tried a lot of other Mexican in the city and this place is by far the best especially the Margaritas. Yum!
(5)
Jackie S.

I hit up Puerto Alegre on a Friday night with some friends for my first time a few weeks ago. They all raved about the Mexican food at this unpretentious little joint in the Mission. With Mexican food, I sometimes find that the gritty, hole-in-the-wall restaurants dish the best fare. So it was no surprise that Puerto Alegre, which resembles a common dive bar inside, had delish and authentic Mexican cuisine. Great enchiladas, burritos and margaritas!
(4)
Andy S.

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.
(4)
Michael C.

This place was very good. We were actually over in the mission looking to go to El Herradero on Mission, but, it was closed. We started walking around, and we saw a large group of people standing outside Puerto Alegre. So, we figured, long wait? This place has to be good. We put our name in and the hostess said it would be about 45 minutes for 2 people. To our surprise, when she started calling out numbers, people weren't standing up and claiming their spots. It only took about 15 minutes to get a table. We sat down, chips and salsa already at the table (best greeting besides a margarita) and we were greeted by the waiter to take our drink order in a couple minutes. We got a margarita each. For people who don't drink often, one is enough, trust me. But, for those that do, a pitcher of margaritas gives you about 5 margaritas for only $20, so you basically get one for free. We ordered Plain Nachos to start, a Carne Asada Super Burrito, and a taco combo plate. We were super full by the end and to our surprise, we got out of there for less than $40 with all that food and drink. I would highly recommend this place to any couple looking for a good Mexican place to go eat in the Mission on a Saturday night. Also, after we were done, we walked around a little bit and there are lots of bars and a few dance clubs around there too.
(5)
Claudia L.

I am a fan of their burrito, their authentic margaritas, and their delicious chips. I am not a fan of the wait! The End
(4)
Annster L.

Pitchers of blended margaritas are meant to be consumed with your friends here. Food runs second here. Live Mexican music runs third here. Hangover runs fourth here.
(4)
Mi M.

I'm not really sure what the fuss is about. I mean, the mole sauce was nice 'n' all, the ingredients fresh, friendly staff, great drinks, but wait an hour for Mexican food in the Mission? Really?
(3)
Dylan H.

This was my first taste of mexican food in San Francisco after moving from Canada. We went there as a group lunch for my company. I had the chicken fajitas which were amazing! Also, the chips and salsa you get when you sit down were awesome, as was the fresh guacamole. The margaritas are sold by the pitcher, and I much preferred the blended ones vs. on the rocks. Still very delicious. The service was pretty fast and they were friendly. I will certainly be going back there in the future.
(4)
Bourbon Explorer R.

A tasty spot for when you want mexican but want something a little less typical than burritos and tacos. Nice sized portions and low prices pervade. Great spot to eat and drink margaritas.
(4)
Jen R.

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!
(4)
Jonathon C.

This is the best place in the mission to get wasted off margaritas. They pour a good amount of alcohol into the mix and serve them in large pitchers that serves over 2-3 people. I've never once left this place not feeling GREAT! I LOVE PUERTO ALEGRE and will always come back! They provide good food as well which is another reason why I come here. The burritos are delicious and the chips and salsa that come before you even order are even more wonderful. The only negative about this place is the wait. I've stood outside for almost an hour before being seated because the place was so packed. It's a good sized restaurant but because of its popularity I had to put my name down for table. This obviously happens anywhere that is busy but still its a shame I can't come here whenever to drown out my worries. Food 4 stars - burrito is good, chips and salsa better than other places Margaritas 5 stars - strong and tasty and not gonna break your bank like other places do Service 4 stars - they are fast and make sure your satisfied Ambience 5 stars - sometimes there is someone that comes in and plays music. the place is full of energy and everyone is having a great time!
(5)
Kim S.

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.
(2)
Liane V.

This review will be rather succinct. EXCELLENT margaritas... strong as fuck, and you gotta appreciate the seasonal flavors... because let's face it, sour mix gets boring (and gross) after awhile, and cutting down on it also helps minimize the heart burn that is going to incur with the consumption of so much tequila. I really like the tamales and the wet burritos here... Speaking of wet burritos... "Burrito sauce"? My last experience there our server was a bitch. Sorry, but it's true. I'm a server and I can say that she was being a bitch to us for no reason. Well maybe there was a reason, but it couldn't have possibly involved us because we had just sat down. We ordered burritos and asked if we could have that topped with enchilada sauce. A seemingly reasonable request, and we didn't mind paying extra... however much extra that may be. She then said, "Um. I don't think we can do that. But I can put burrito sauce on it maybe." Uhm. What? So I ask her what burrito sauce is... she replies with, "BURRITO sauce!" Like I'm a fucking idiot. Well sorry but I've eaten at a lot of Mexican food establishments and have never fucking heard of burrito sauce. So we just agree because apparently the subject and the whole confusion of enchilada vs. burrito sauce is starting to upset and or confuse the server. We get our burritos and the burrito sauce appears to be enchilada sauce with ground beef in it. OK. It wasn't bad by any means but I would have still preferred enchilada sauce...sans meat. Aside from that little situation I've always received good service here. Definitely can have a little bit of a wait though, but you can always go to a neighboring bar and toss one back while you wait.
(4)
Matt D.

First off - I love tacos. Any time day or night, if you say tacos - I say yes. So I come here for my favorite tacos in the city. The Two Taco Special is the way to go - and get one of each (chicken, beef). Tasty deep fried goodness. Also, their Margaritas are the best. Get a pitcher with Hornitos on the rocks and you're gunning for a great time. I will say what does suck is the wait sometimes. The dude who's in charge (looks like Sasha Baron Cohen's character Bruno) is a tool most of the time and enjoys making people wait. But alas, once you're in you can have some good drinks and good food.
(5)
Flora B.

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.
(2)
Michael P.

This might be the most questionable five-starrer I'll issue, only because I've never had the food here, only the margaritas and chips, but based on my limited basis of knowledge but personal opinion of the place I have to say Puerto Allegre is one of my favorite spots in the Mission. The bulk of my visits have been comprised of drawn out happy hour sessions of margarita consumption and drunken conversations with my friends from law school. That said, I love the locality in the Mission, the decor of the establishment, and in general the staff and the patrons. And the margaritas are as good as it gets: ice cold on the rocks and plenty of salt on the rim.
(5)
Suzi G.

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.
(3)
Andrew K.

I love it. It's kind of like an Inner Mission, more trendy Los Jarritos. I waited 35 minutes (5 min more than estimated) and boy was it worth it. The margarita and chips were so-so - but my chimichangas were just frikkin perf man. The crust was buttery and flaky. The sour cream and avocado were a great accent. The portion was spot on. If you want homestyle mex at a fair price, this is your place.
(4)
Daven D.

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?
(3)
Glen M.

Willy's hand-made OCD Margaritas Camarones a la Diabla Chilaquiles Huevos Divorciados The salsas, oh, the salsas The guacamole. I don't know where they aguacate that fresh all year round. And the friendly staff who are happy to be there and work so hard and make everything come together. Don't change a thing!
(4)
Ellis S.

Awesome ambiance! I love the food too. The burritos are huge and delicious. They have a whole bunch of different soups too.. so you can cure those hangovers here and get a margarita at the same time. I had the 7 seas soup, it takes 20 minutes to prepare, so go easy on the chips or you'll ruin your appetite for sure. On Weekends they have the brunch that goes from 11 to 2 I believe... but on Sunday it took 30 min to get a seat and by then it was passed 2. I've never had to wait that long for mexican food. if you're in a real hurry, go elsewhere. anywhere down the street there are plenty.
(3)
Kevin H.

I think the best time for Puerto Allegre is whilst nursing a hangover. You roll out of bed at 11:30 (or 2:30, depending on what kind of night it was) and schlep down to Val & 16th. It's daytime, so the wait isn't ridiculously abominable like it normally gets after dark. You sit in a soft booth--it's dark inside, extra bonus, and the music isn't on too loud, double bonus--and plow through some chips while you wait for your margarita to arrive. (All of this is assuming, of course, that said hangover being nursed is not tequila induced--in that case, stay the heck away from more!). You order some food--it doesn't really matter what, because when it comes it's greasy and hot and you're already on your second 'rita and starting to feel like a real person again. Don't get me wrong, PA is all right for birthdays and dinner parties and such, as long as you don't mind waiting an hour even if you HAVE a reservation, but having the place all to yourself for lunch on a hangover Tuesday is really where its at.
(3)
Whitney O.

The best vegetarian burrito I've ever had. Whoa.
(5)
Josh C.

#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.
(3)
Veronika O.

Saturday night....be prepared to wait, but the Margaritas were tasty and I appreciated that each chip of my nachos had all ingredients well represented...yum!!!!
(4)
Jack O.

This is for the breakfast. Absolutely the worst breakfast ever. And what tips the scale for the worse in this department, is their breakfast burrito. Seriously, I don't know how they can call themselves a mexican restaurant for serving up such a noxious dish. I am not exaggerating here, but the stuffing of this thing tastes like mildewy dishrags smell. I am not lying here. And the thing they call a tortilla looks more like human skin, ...a little pink, translucent, and strangely oily. Not good for a hangover. Just not good. GAG!
(1)
Marc D.

Very lively atmosphere, and a very popular place. A bit loud. My food was good, but overpriced. Well-sized portions. I got rice, beans, chile relleno, and cheese enchiladas. Come to think of it, it was damn good. What most disappointed me was the same thing that everyone knew about the place and thus expected to be good: the margaritas. They sucked! No salt; too weak; nothing special. Probably won't return.
(2)
Charles R.

Not bad, not bad. I went with an old classic here - a combo meal. One cheese enchilada, a tamale, beans and rice. It was good. This seemed to be a pretty happening place in the mission, the crowd was there alright. Nice interior, good service, clean place. But...the drinks are pretty weak. At least our margarita pitcher was little more than flavored water. Oh well.
(3)
Clint B.

I'll admit it - I am a true Tex-Mex aficionado and will likely always be. However! this place has such a great vibe and is so consistent that I can't help but love it and what it has to offer. The margaritas aren't too sweet or made with some lime-infused bastardization that makes you wonder if you are hazardous after drinking. Strongly recommend the Quesadilla Suiza with grilled steak and avocado. Sure, it looks like a burrito that has been violently vivisected against its will, but it is just meat, cheese and avo. What's not to like? (Go on Barefoot.) If you are an adventurous honky, go for the ChicharrÃ³n. Not your typical crispy, fried delight but awesome nonetheless. The staff can range from 'bring them home and let them use the nice towels' to 'get outta my booth because you aren't drinking enough.' Either way, just smile an ask for more chips and their amazing salsas. Spotty service is the only reason for -1 star, btw. I am a fan and based on the constant wait, many others are as well. Long live Le Mission!
(4)
moosedog i.

Good margaritas, decent but not memorable nachos. Good service. But mainly, it wasn't a very comfortable place -- dark, noisy, crowded, and (had we gotten there much later) a long line at the door for I'm not sure exactly what.
(3)
Pauliee V.

I would have given this place 5/5 only for the usual 45 minute to 1 hour wait but then, this place is popular for good reason. The margaritas are delicious, the fajitas unrivalled. I wish I could go off piste and eat something else but I love the fajitas so much I don't ever want to miss the opportunity to eat them. It's not a place for the conscious dieter but hey who wants to eat salad all the time? Put your name down, grab a beer in Blondie's next door and wait to gorge yourself. I could do without the Mexican band that wails its way around the restaurant, donation cap in hand, but like someone else said, everyone's got to eat I suppose. Mustn't forget the staff, always friendly and speedy and for a place that does so many covers nightly, I'm amazed they can not only keep up but keep a sense of humour.
(4)
rachel d.

I came here for the first time when my mom was looking for the best margarita in the city. Then I got hooked. Personally, I like being able to order a good margarita with my mexican food. Yeah, the wait usually deters me from actually frequenting this establishment, but I have yet to have a bad experience when i do go. The food is good for a sit-down restaurant and the drinks can't be beat after a day of being in the sun in the park. My recommendation is just to go early enough to beat the crowd. For somewhere so popuar, I've never gotten poor service and the food and drinks come quickly. If you can manage your time well enough to make it with no wait or if you have good patience, this place is worth it. Even if you do have to wait, they will keep your name on the list while you go next door and enjoy a drink at Blondies.
(4)
Joe K.

Five stars for alcohol, three stars for food, three stars for how they manage the crushing waitlist that you can expect seven days a week, and three stars for how slow everything comes out. The margaritas are unbelievably tasty and rival, both in taste and potency, the best you can find in san francisco, and perhaps the entire west coast. But man...something about this place...I mean I know it's trendy and it is relatively cheap, but I never leave here happy about my experience. Maybe it's that they try to cram six people to a four-top table, or that sometimes you see your server once to take a drink order and then never again, or that sometimes it's just impossible to pay your server at the end of the night because they just don't bother checking up on their tables. In all honesty the problems I have with Puerto Alegre result from it's own tremendous success at being the cool sit-down-and-booze-and-eat-Mexican-food place in the Mission. The thing is, other places like Pizzeria Delfina have found the same magic spark to lead to this kind of success, although with a different cuisine, and I don't leave there with the same frustration that I leave Puerto with. When I eat here I feel like the service is being sacrificed because they're just too popular and busy and haven't staffed appropriately, but this place is packed every day, all the time, at all hours of the evening, so I don't understand why they can't figure out how to manage that yet. It's cool - it's a solid place to go, just a little rough around the edges. But when you've had a pitcher of margaritas per person at your table, do you really care? No, not really. So I'll keep on coming back,
(3)
Jenn C.

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.
(5)
Tim C.

Best Mexican food I've had in SF. Great margaritas, killer nachos and one seriously good steak topped with grilled onions. Long wait, though.
(4)
Monica S.

The 1.5 hour wait was a bit much but thankfully it's next door to Blondie's(Who BTW didn't have margies that evening. How can a bar in the Mission not have margies.. unheard of!) The shrimp quesadilla.. friggin awesome! I've been craving it since my last visit! The margies- friggin fantastic! Also been craving since my last visit. mmm maybe I'll go again tonight!
(4)
Matt S.

Totally satisfying, cheap, and delicious. Best place to get a pitcher of margaritas and a bowl of chips. The big downside is that its not uncommon to have to wait for nearly an hour. However, if you go during the week and go around 6ish, you can usually avoid the wait. My friends always seem to complain about the food taking forever but I think they're just crazy. Pretty much every time I've gone here, I've gotten my food within 5 minutes of ordering.
(4)
BOSHIKA T.

I thought I saw Christiane Amanpour(don't really like her) and her CNN crew here couple of months ago, I think they were sitting at the table next to us, but I could be wrong, was hung over. Nothing beats getting up at 11:00am Sunday morning after a night of heavy drinking, wandering around Mission at noon for a place to eat and stumbling into Puerto Alegre...Order some house margaritas and a vegetarian burrito w/ guacamole and cheese(it's HUGE) .
(3)
Frank d.

I don't know whether this really is a fantastic place, or that I was just really hungry, but I enjoyed eating at Puerto Alegre. Only complaint was that we had to wait half an hour to get a (4 person) table, which meant we did some wandering in the windy street for some time. After we got seated we ordered some pitchers of house margarita's, which tasted great. Also the fajita's tasted delicious and together with a live performance of a guy playing some mexican tunes on his guitar made this a very nice experience.
(5)
Dylan E.

My favorite Mexican place in SF. The chips & salsa are fantastic, as are the margaritas, though they can get pretty pricy. I'm a big fan of the Camarones a La Diabla, as well as the standard combos. The staff is super friendly as well. It does get a bit noisy, and there's almost always a wait in the evening, but it's worth it. I try to get in there during the lunch hours if I can.
(5)
Lisa H.

This place was fantastic!! Went here with the 2 best friends (who are also a couple now) and my mom. I have been craving some good Mexican food and I definitely got it here!! The chips and salsa (spicy, but gooood) are great, the margarita was smooth and the guacamole was so fresh and tasty to start. I had the chile relleno and shredded beef taco 2 item combo and it was the perfect amount of food. We all shared bites around and everything I tried was great. There was a chimichanga and mole enchiladas...I could not stop eating. This is a place I will make time to go back to next time I am in SF and wanting Mexican, for sure.
(4)
monica c.

Yummy...margaritas. Even yummier...pitchers of margaritas. So, let me start off by saying I've never been to Puerto Alegre without having at least a couple margaritas, thus my review may be biased about the food. I really don't see how you could come here without ordering at least a pitcher of margaritas though. Their mole is tasty, but I wouldn't say its anything out of this world. I had the pozole on a rainy night, and it was delicious, especially with some of the spicy salsa mixed in it. There are definitely many other taquerias in the area that have tastier dishes, but the fact that I can sit here and chill out with my friends for an hour over a pitcher or two of margaritas makes it worth the wait and the price for me. If you want cheap and quick, you should definitely go elsewhere though.
(4)
Gordon E.

I'm on a bit of a chile relleno kick recently since I'm doing a year as a vegetarian, and this is clearly the best option at a Mexican restaurant. Other encounters with chile relleno have gone poorly, but this one went extremely well. Other than that, this is a pretty standard fare Mexican restaurant. I don't understand the wait times. I guess the margaritas are better than the average ones? But the check for four of us was close to $80. I associate Mexican food with a $5 bill, not a $20 bill. It just feels wrong.
(3)
Vicky V.

Overrated by inebriation or inexperience, Puerto Alegre should more appropriately be associated with watered down margaritas and mediocre bland Mexican food. Certainly not worth the one hour wait and absolutely tragic that anyone who has not had their taste buds scraped off by a rusty razor blade would laud this as the best Mexican food they've ever had! Unfortunately this was one of those anomalous times where dirty hole in the wall + Spanglish speaking staff + high post meal diarrhea potential simply did not equate with delicious authentic Mexican food. Pros: Fairly generous portions, above average chips that were light and crunchy, decent salsa, soft warm tortillas, lively ambiance, and per my friends the Mariachi players (who happened to not be present the Friday night we were there). Con: Diluted margaritas, flavorless red sauce, poorly seasoned red mole, and bland burrito. Expect the typical grease level for this type of cuisine, approximately an one hr wait (at least), crowded seating, and slow service. What we ordered if anyone cares: Grilled chicken burrito wet (red sauce), red mole, cheese enchiladas, chicken taco, and chicken tostada, shrimp dish, 2 margarita pitchers on ice
(3)
Jules M.

Only go here if you want to get sick! The bf and I finally tried this place (had to plow through hoards of hipsters waiting outside to get a table) and both of us were deathly ill all night and this morning. Seriously, it was painful. Also, it is not cheap! 2 quesadillas, side of guac, 1 pitcher of margaritas and tip came to $60. For a dive Mexican place that wreaked havoc on my stomach, this is totally unacceptable! You have been warned.
(1)
anne m.

It was a hot day today and all I could think about at work all afternoon was a nice cold margarita. I decided to take a detour home to see if there was a parking space near Puerto Alegre. I vowed if there wasn't something closeby I would just go on home. (this is my way of controlling myself) ;) The entire way there I was dreaming about the saltiness of their chips, spiciness of their salsa, and ofcourse the kick of the hornitos in my margarita on the rocks. Alas, I arrived to 16th and Valencia and there was a spot across the street. It was a Yellow zone, 20 minutes to 6:00...my rationale was 'What meter maid is out on this gorgeous evening at 5:40 looking for a red Corolla parked in a loading zone??' I proceeded to have not one, but TWO tasty margaritas and a enchilada plate. Total satisfaction and NO ticket.. :-) What can I say, it doesn't take much to satisfy me.
(5)
Eryka V.

I was brought to Puerto Alegre a month go by a very adorable lush friend of mine, and she made sure she specified to me that the drinks where extremely stiff like I like'em. So we guzzled a few pitchers and well the rest is left in those good moments I just can't remember.........so I didn't yelp. Well yesterday I was on another one man adventure of mine, and I decided to stop by and sit at the bar. I put my cigs, and crackberry down and ordered a 151 with diet coke. Okay so everyone rants including myself about how strong the margs are, well NEWSFLASH this drink was the strongest drink I have ever had that I didn't make. I think they didn't even put coke, maybe they didn't hear I wanted diet coke. This was the best start to my Sunday adventure ever. So I ordered the veggie fajitas, and mmmmmm they were the best compliment to my buzz ever. I ordered a few more 151 drinks and smoked some cigs, played some mariachi on the box, and called my adorable lush friend and let her know to come down. So while I was waiting, it just got better. My consumption changed to Modelo Especial, and I never had to wait to long for another drink. So my friend arrived I drank some more, smoked, finished and left with an amazing buzz. Sometimes life is good because Puerto Alegre. ***BY THE WAY ANYONE WHO CLAIMS A DRINK IS NOT STRONG HERE I OFFER TO GO OUT AND HAVE SOME DRINKS AND IF YOU ARE NOT BUZZED WHEN WE LEAVE, DRINKS ON ME BABE
(5)
Rich N.

Fantastic! Anytime I want Mexican food, PA is top of the list! The food is great; authentic and both reasonably priced with fast and friendly service. Their pitcher of margaritas is a natural accompaniment to any meal and while I haven't crawled the entire menu, I've done a good sampling and am always pleased - thanks Puerto Alegre!
(5)
Melissa H.

The chips are BOMB What...that doesn't do it for ya? You want a review around the MEAL...demanding you yelp consumers are. The food was really just OKAY but It's mexican in the mission so you can't stray too far from tasty. I made the mistake of ordering some sort of shrimp pot o soup - and granted the shrimp inside were 'succulent' - when in my heart of hearts I know I should have just stuck with tacos, enchiladas - you know 'white people' mexican food. service was energetic, ambiance great and around the corner from great bars - heart o nightlife. *Disclaimer - did NOT have a (famously strong) margarita which may have impacted my review for the worse; promise to update when tequila imbibed asap
(3)
Lacy T.

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.
(3)
Alexis B.

Apparently this is the place to come to get wasted. At least that was what I was promised. But sometimes promises go unfulfilled. My book club meeting was to be in the Mission. Someone wanted margaritas. Puerto Alegre was the first thing to come to mind and no one objected. In the end I was not particularly impressed with the food. I mean it tasted good but for some reason when I order fajitas I expect cheese and at least 4 tortillas. Otherwise it just ends up being a meat and onion plate. And the guac and salsa could be a bit more plentiful and not in plastic condiment cups. Hell that's half the reason I eat Mexican food! Pico de Gallo and Guac! As for the margaritas, they tasted good but clearly not enough tequilla. Wah wah....
(3)
Aspasia I.

Best margaritas in town... well if not the best close enough ;) Food was delish too, highly recommended.
(5)
DJ G.

Nice place in a busy corridor in the mission, wet burritos and great Nachos!! margaritas are the bomb with a great price.
(4)
Paul B.

A friend and I tried twice to be seated there for a dinner. The first time, the wait for 45 minutes, so we headed across the street to Yo-Yo Sushi, and had a great time. The second time, it was a 20 minute wait, which is a much more reasonable wait for this place. The service was decent if not spectacular, but the background noise made it hard for her to hear us. My companion ordered the guper grilled chicken burrito, which looked really tasty. I had the super vegetarian burrito, which I enjoyed very much. The tastes and textures were excellent. The flan was only mediocre, though, and can be skipped if one desires.
(3)
MissNance R.

So I missed a party on Saturday because I was 3 hours late -- the first 2 hours were my fault, the last being MUNI. By the time I got to the Mission I was starving and jones'in for alcohol. Mommy needed her medicine. Puerto Alegre to the rescue. Intoxicating crack chips and salsa, delicious chicken mole, and strong margaritas. Good service despite being insanely busy. Bottomless chips that are refilled before you can say "Chip Genie, please grant my first wish."
(4)
B C.

Have been here once and if I had a car and more free time, I'm sure I'd be at least a weekly customer. I went with my roommate and his ex boyfriend one rainy evening in January or February and I don't think it could have reminded me more of So Cal (where lays the best Mexican food and I happen to be from). I felt like I was in Almost Famous..."I grew up in this lampshade!" Food was delish, guac was amazing. Ah, I really miss good guac. I understand why there are sometimes lines to get in. The service was decent, she remembered the ex bf's name, guess he goes there all the time. He pretty much did all the ordering, uh, "More margaritas please!" GO! EAT! ENJOY!!
(4)
Michael G.

Puerto Alegre is a great Mexican dinner spot serving up authentic mexican dinner plates with rice & beans and a pitcher of Margarita in front of your face. Complimentary chips and salsa just to get things going, I went for 2 chicken enchiladas verde and was very pleased. I thought the food was great and the price is right. I am coming back!
(5)
michelle s.

A one and a half hour wait on a Saturday afternoon was a bit too long(thank you Blondie's for keeping the booze flowin', I mean mood goin'). However, the Shrimp and Avocado Quesadilla was super fantastic! Tasty salty shrimp with a generous amount of artery-clogging cheese was enough to feed two. Get the guac and spoon some salsa roja over it and you're golden. Others had burritos, tacos, etc but I would get the Shrimp and Avocado Quesadilla again, so good! And, OF COURSE, a few pitchers of margies and your meal is complete.
(4)
Ninette B.

I'm biased - the restaurant is owned by my mom's cousin so we come here frequently and I'm excited EVERY time. I'm super picky about my mexican food because I grew up on mom's home cooking but Puerto Alegre never fails to delight me. I love the atmosphere.. it's not stuffy and pretending to be something it's not and the margaritas are DEFINITELY something to raise my glass to. mmmmm I want some now..
(5)
Kayleen R.

I have been coming here almost ever Sunday since I've lived in SF. I have sampled across both the food and drink menu and have NEVER been even slightly dissatisfied. The margaritas are strong and easy to drink, just lime, triple sec, and tequila. Things not to miss: pizole, steak nachos, chile verde, coctel de camarones, the michiladas, a shot of corralejo reposado chilled, and of course the famous margaritas. The only draw back can be the wait. It's such a popular lunch spot that the wait and the service can kinda go down. To avoid that I always get there between 11:00 and 11:30 so I can choose the first table, usually outside. Also, its kinda silly that they don't do a la carte, or any substitutions, but it's ok since the way the menu is is delicious anyhow.
(4)
Tim G.

Since moving nearby, I have reassessed this place. Skip the burritos and get the combo plate chicken tacos -- which are coated in crack.
(5)
Val K.

My man and I have adopted this as our "date" place. The margaritas are exceptional and get you tanked pretty quickly (always a plus on date night). The food is not greasy and usually comes really quickly and piping hot! I Heart the beef rancheros plate; my man likes the chicken mole. SO GOOD! Come hungry, cause the plates are massive and you get chips/salsa with the table. Only problem: the front door guy. I really don't understand it, but even if we show up when they first open and the place is freaking empty, the door guy will always say that the wait is 20 + minutes. WTF.
(4)
Jason R.

How is that I have 400+ reviews and I've never said anything about Puerto Alegre? Seriously. I miffed. We went there for a quick lunch today, and I guess one of the reasons I'm only giving 3 stars is that it wasn't that quick. Either today was an unexpectedly busy lunch hour or the need another day time waiter. I've always enjoyed the food, and it's a nice compromise between real restaurant and taqueria. I love the 70's Idaho feel to the place. The way the vinyl booths sparkle is awesome. If you want a Mexican combo plate, and you want someone to bring it to your table, give these guys a shot.
(3)
Ken F.

This place is alright. yeah, the margartias get you drunk, but even then the food doesn't blow me away. I tend to use the the prawn as a the benchmark for mexican food. The quality of the prawn is representative of the quality of the food. The prawns are actually decent but the suiza (quesadilla) was filled with so much cheese I could barely find the shrimp. Surprisingly it also didn't have a sauce, tomatoes or salsa in the suiza. The ambiance is festive and usually includes live mariachi bands.
(3)
Wes P.

the margaritas here rock!! Great place to go with Friends for drinks before roaming around the mission. The food isn't bad either. Great to get some appetizers and share with friends
(4)
Samantha M.

Wow... I love this place! Great place to get a greasy Mexican food fix! I was in with my friend yesterday and got the cheese enchiladas with their green mole sauce. Pretty darn good, though I really prefer my enchiladas with the traditional enchilada sauce. Portion sizes were HUGE. We sat at the bar so service was pretty good as well. I had come here once before and was very happy with the food and the Sangria that I had. I'm sure there is better Mexican food in San Francisco, and especially in the Mission, but until I find it, I will be returning to this place whenever I feel like clogging up the ol' arteries with yummy food!
(4)
Mars C.

They have good margaritas, but I wouldn't come back for the food. It's not bad, just there are so many great mexican places in the area. If you really want to sit down for the Mexican food in the Mission and enjoy a yummy but pricey margarita, this is your stop!
(3)
Cellina B.

GLUTTONY- Overindulging oneself with excessive food and drink. The later it gets the longer you will have to wait for a table. So take a number and just shut your mouth and wait. You will be happy that you did. 7:00pm= 15-20 minute wait 7:30pm=30 minute wait 8:00pm= 45 minutes to an hour wait 8:30pm-9pm= Forget about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The wait isn't so bad as you have a couple of options. You can go shop at Therapy across the street or you can wait in front of the restaurant making rude comments about the people that walk by. For instance, this is the Mission....so why are there douchey ass couples from the Marina galavanting about in their disgusting Marina type way that they do. After you endure the best of what the Mission has to offer in people bashing your wait will finally be up. When I eat at Puerto Alegre I overindulge in chips, salsa, margharitas, and my grilled chicken burrito. You know when they say don't fill up on chips, well that doesn't really apply here. The point of eating at Puerto Alegre is to eat as much as possible until you reach that point of no return. I'm talking about food coma. I eat until i'm full and know it, but for some reason continue to indulge. Yes, I've reached the point of gluttony. No wonder it is one of the 7 deadly sins because it feels soo good to my tummy, but so guilty to my brain. So I really don't understand how someone could write a bad review about this place. First of all this is the Mission, so of course it is going to be busy what do you expect? Of course there are going to be hipsters here even the dirty ones. Don't expect service to be top notch as the server is doing the best he/she can. Oh right, like if the server did a good job you were going to leave such a generous tip. Yeah right, didn't think so.
(5)
jessica t.

Seeing as how this is just about the only sit down Mexican restaurant in the neighborhood, I've been here several times. The margaritas are decent, the chips and salsa are good, and the food...wellll, its pretty average. I've been much less than impressed with just about everything i've had there when you consider the amazing taquerias within spitting distance. However, two nights ago I tried the Camarones (shrimp) and avacado quesadilla...it was excellent! A real surprise. Go there for the sit down and margaritas, and try to do it on a weeknight, or risk waiting for over an hour in the cold trying to stay out of the pedestrians ways.
(3)
Luis M.

I found myself here with a few people after the Bollyhood Yelp event. We took the scenic route and even got a little rear end action right in front of an SF cop who was chatting away on his cell phone and paid the incident no mind. It's a divey Mexican joint with your standard South of the border options. I was happy to see that they served breakfast all day and got myself the chorizo con huevos with a side cup of tortilla soup. The soup was savory although not as thick as I am used to seeing. The flavor was all there so I couldn't complain though. The chorizo wasn't as flavorful as I like but it also wasn't nearly as greasy as you usually get. There was absolutely no pool of red tinged grease on the plate. I enjoyed it all with flour tortillas while chatting away with my dinner companions about the upcoming prom, lunchboxes at the Gold Club, and whether or not someone was really arrested in high school. It's a decent enough non-taqueria option in the Mission with a full bar in case you want a refreshment to along with dinner.
(3)
elana a.

I don't know what the hype is about. Margaritas are OK, if you like lots of ice in the blended stuff. I've only been here twice, both with groups of co-workers, and had really bad food each time- the first time I had a buritto that was plain gross. The beans are watery and taste like lard. The rice is plain and bland. They put some kind of mayo drizzle on iceberg lettuce and call it "salad". The second time I was there (today, actually), we ordered veggie tacos, that were only guacamole and cheese. The lady serving us was busy, it was a full restaurant with lots of people there for lunch with co-workers, and I could tell she was working hard, so for the service I give them credit. atmosphere [+] margaritas [+] food [-] prices [-]
(1)
Seong P.

things got weird after the elite event. we went to noe valley where i unexpectedly witnessed a tense argument between very old friends. no sushi for us. then we went back to the mission and while i was in a benz, stopped behind a cop car, we were rear ended. by my friends. ok, it was just a little tap. as of last night, the car looked ok and we found parking right in front of puerto alegre so we decided to eat there. i'd been there before but remembered nothing about the food or drinks. the food was mediocre, although i liked the guacamole, but my friend really loved the cadillac margaritas. too bad i hate tequila. the service was good and the food came out quickly. while we ate, we talked about prom, construction law, friends who got arrested in high school, the restaurant business and why my +1 for the evening should yelp more. drink the kool aid, jules, you'll like it. promise.
(3)
Carlos C.

My friend and I stopped in for a late lunch. My friend had the veggie fajitas which he liked and I had the chicken taco platter which was hearty. The guacamole was very tasty. The service was good and we were not rushed.
(4)
Nicholas R.

Cool spot. Nice people.
(4)
C M.

Yes have the margarita and then everything else will fall into place!
(5)
Nicole G.

I had to knock a star because the food is crap. "The food is crap," you say, and "and yet you give it 4 stars? AND you have it in your Top Restaurants list?" Why, yes I do. Only because you can find me here almost once a week. Due to the margaritas. On the rocks, extra salt please. This is THE place to get together with friends for a low key night of pre partying. Fill 'er up, knock 'er back and see what happens next.
(4)
Antoi C.

The drinks, chips, salsa and guacamole are all fine, but I reserve all my stars for the delicious pozole verde Puerto Alegre makes like no other I've found. Mind you, I am not versed in the intricacies of pozole, but this big bowl of cozy comfort is like a warm hug. Best eaten on a chilly day, with a big appetite!
(4)
Uncle Fishbits Aeneas X.

So it has finally happened. Finally. I am broken. I am a self possessed, intelligent, kind guy that really wants to live and let live.... and allow us to all live together in peace and harmony. That is... of course... until I went into the Mission for Breakfast at this joint on Sunday. Let's start about the good stuff.... Our server, a cute asian woman covered in arm sleeve tattooing. Frankly, she didn't belong in a dive like that (I say dive endearingly), and has a lot more to offer in a classier joint. I have worked F&B, and I could see her work the tables... would never bring something without leaving with a plate, or getting the start on the refill. She was awesome. Is that it? Is that all the good stuff? Well I was with my ladyfriend. We got a parking spot right out front. What else could go wrong. And now we get back to the beginning of why this is so hard for me... the restaurant, the service, the food... all acceptable. This is a Mexican dive that has margs and Mexican slop. Fine. That is lovely. But why am I so sad? The hipsters finally got to me. Broke me. Made me ashamed of our city, and made me want to run over everyone on the block with a huge 4wd. LOOK.. pop culture is hard to deny. We are all going to end up with a vaguely silly tshirt that has some goofy pun on it. We are all going to end up liking bands we think are better than others. We are all going to exhibit a style and a sense, and carry ourselves in a certain "way".... but the hipster culture of the mission disgusts me. DISGUSTS. Frankly, I know it is hard to define hipster. It is a vague, fluid, ill defined concept... until you look at them. I seriously don't want to get into an ontological argument about this, so I will keep it simple: The food was not that great, but the entire experience took a noise dive having to deal with the idiot hipsters out the front window... waiting or walking by. I don't know what it was, but this meal will forever represent 1) Why that part of the city is altering into something vapid, shallow, and completely alterior to the vibe in SF. 2) Why I finally understand all the Burning Man haters thinking these pseudo frat boy jocks 8 years after college are part of it. They aren't. They just needed to hide from themselves by altering their image. 3) Why I finally dig and respect the yuppie elite in the marina, who are trying to be or do nothing other than be or do who they are... whether it means a pretentious idiot or a misogynistic elitist. At least they know who they are, and aren't acting like Mission Hipsters that are doing everything in their ability to be someone they think is cool, rather than who they are. I am done with that. It makes me sad to see the vibrant and colourful culture of this city be co-opted by spoiled psuedo rich kids spending money to look poor, and buy into the repackaged pop culture that allows these pretentious people to think they are something special. They aren't special... they are the enemy. And they finally got to me... with their skinny pants and buttons and single tracks and all that crap.... At least I know not to hit the Mission again until a fireball cleans it out. Oh... and if you think I am being harsh, look at my other reviews. I think maybe 4 out of 5 are 5 stars, and one or two are one stars. So take this with a grain of salt, but the food wasn't good, and the experience was just awful. Did get a good spot right out front tho.
(1)
Michelle S.

Puerto is an SF gem. My dining companion, Tammi, and I used to eat here at least twice a week until my waist expanded. Yeah, the food is not stellar, the wait can be long, blah blah, but where else can you get a pitcher of good margs for under $25? The chips and salsas are good. I always eat way too many chips and drink too many margs before I order the entree. I order anyway, the chili verde quesadilla or carne asada nachos, and take half home. yummy! The next morning I regret it and feel like hell...food and marg hangover, but worth it! I love their weekend breakfasts too. I usually order the chilaquilles (migas). Scrambled eggs with corn tortilla chips, onions, cheese and jalapenos. Nice hangover food from the night before! Lorenzo, Norma, Wendy, Natalie, Liz...you all rock!
(5)
Wendy T.

I've been trying to go to Puerto Alegre for some time now, but the wait has always been way too long after I've already spent way too much time trying to park in the Mission. Last Thursday, I finally made it :) My expectations of PA's burritos were sky high since a friend had continuously raved about how PA had the best burritos EVER. I'm from San Diego and I've been searching for a good SoCal approved burrito for some time. The super shrimp burrito was AMAZING - tender, flavorful, perfectly coated in some sort of wet sauce and it was pretty cute looking. I wanted to pet it. It was also one of the largest burritos ever, but I was paying $9 for it, so at least I got quantity with my quality! The salsa & chips they serve you beforehand were yummy, too - I'm not a fan of spicy and the main salsa dish was just perfect with chucks of onion. Margaritas are so-so, but it's cheap ($20 for a pitcher) and I was wasted by the time I left.
(4)
Steven P.

My best friend introduced me to this place 9 years ago and I always eat here at least once when I visit the city!! What I order... Pitcher of margarita on the rocks Steak quesadilla suizas -- EVERYTIME! AND, their chips and salsa are the best and never ending!
(4)
Steve F.

My Enchiladas with green sauce was excellent, but the tortilla soup wasn't very exciting, just a chicken broth with some cheese and tortillas.
(3)
Brian M.

Puerto Alegre is a fantastic, very traditional, Mexican food restaurant in the mission. The decor has a very nice feel, the service was exceptional, and the food was as good as anything that I've had in Mexico itself. If you're looking for a traditional burrito, taco, or quesadilla, you can get that anywhere. But the dishes here were above and beyond the norm, and really something exceptional.
(4)
Zac H.

Margaritas = good. food = bad. Salsa=ok. Like Chico's pizza, the experience of Puerto Allegre improves with every ounce of tequila. Frankly, I don't get the hype.
(2)
D M.

This place could easily garner a full five stars if not for the service. The good news is customers don't have to pay extra for the nasty attitude, it comes free with every meal! In all honesty the servers can be tolerated due to the fact that this laid back, cantina style establishment serves up a bevy of tasty, authentic Latino staples, as well as some respectable homages to classic Tex-Mex style fare. The taste is right on, the portions generous and the alcoholic beverages are quite strong. The price is right at Puero Alegre and there are few places more adept at leaving you drunk, satisfied and happy for a reasonable price. Despite the nastiness of the serving staff, specially the hostess (an asian girl with a turban) the dishes come quick, with great presentation, indicative of the strong sense of pride that seems to permeate this establishment as it beckons Mission District locales and city tourists alike. The carne asada nachos are not to be underestimated and provide a serviceable main course to match a fun, casual atmosphere. Breakfast staples like Huevos Divorciados and the delectable Machaca and Eggs come correct and consistent. Probably my favorite place for Saturday afternoon drinks and brunch. Give this place a shot...or two or three...but watch out for the statuesque waitresses, especially the ones with spacer piercings! Hell...I would be pissed off all the time too if I was that out of style. Cheers!
(4)
Van N.

Definitely make dinner reservations because this place gets crowded. On Sunday evening, there was a line out the door. I organzied a group dinner for 8. The music was too loud and made it difficult to mingle. I could only hear the person next to me and across. I chose steak with rice, beans, and onions. The food was rather ordinary, but cheap. With so many Mexican restaurants in the Mission, it doesn't make sense why this place draws a huge crowd.
(3)
Natasha P.

We started out with the guacamole. Good size portion, very fresh, delicious. Then our entire table ordered various fajita plates. I got the veggie fajitas.... very good... carrots, onions, peppers, mushrooms, zucchini. Next time, I'm going to request more mushrooms because they were so delicious. I was hunting for more of them hiding amongst the other veggies by the end. My roommates did complain that there wasn't a great meat to vegetable ratio in their fajitas. Also, the friend who ordered carne asada fajitas mentioned he'd order the chicken ones next time.
(3)
Nick V.

Whoa!! The hostess isn't a very friendly person, but once you get passed her (think soup nazi), everything else is phenomenal. Love the chips and fresh salsa, the margaritas are great (and affordable) and the food bursts with flavor and never disappoints. It is always crowded so call ahead and expect to stand outside to wait even if you do.
(4)
Cindy H.

Good Food, Great Margaritas...and, well, what more can you really ask for?! Well...Let me tell you what you might want to ask for. You may want to ask for a place to sit, or even a reservation...but they don't take those for parties less than 6 people. You may also ask for a wait less than 1 hour long, because this place is so jammed packed. None-the-less, the Carne Asada Quesadilla is wow..um..orgasmic, and the margaritas are tasty, cheap and get the job done! Not to mention, Puerto Alegre is currently known as me and my BF's (Boyfriend not Best Friend) "Place" ...We had our first date here ..Cute.
(4)
Bryan B.

Puerto Allegre has a reputation that precedes it. The margaritas are strong and the dishes fulfilling. The waiting patrons spill out onto Valencia Street, waiting for a table. Calling ahead for big groups is definitely recommended. I was expecting great good and great drinks, but was very disappointed by our waitress. It unfortunately took forever to get our order and she had the nerve to question the number of pitchers we ordered. (A group of 8 ordered three. She recommended two, but we quickly corrected her and proved ourselved worthy by downing every single drop.) When she took our orders, she completely skipped a member of our party. When we informed her of her mistake, she took another five minutes to get back and place his order. It continues. A glass of margarita was spilled. She took our leftover food to pack-up and it didn't re-appear for a good fifteen minutes. She also over-charged us by over $80! I know that we all have bad nights, and I am hoping that our waitress was simply having one herself. The food itself was delicious. A "monster burrito" is appropriately titled: it is ginornous and smothered in a mess of sauce (red or green!) I couldn't finish it. And if it weren't for my highly suspicious mind about the whereabouts of my food as she placed it in a takeaway bag, I would have finished it later. Perhaps Puerto Allegre is one of those restaurants where you can't have both great food and great service. While that may be a truth we all have to deal with, it should be known to any potential patron.
(3)
Ryan E.

This place is the bomb. You get the real deal here (mariachias playing, great bar food - mexican slant, great place to watch the game, etc). A great place to chill on a saturday with a beer or 5. Their salsa is great. Located in sort of a shady area, so watch out.....
(4)
Mika D.

be forewarned, it gets pretty loud in there especially when there's a mariachi band! i mean, it's kind of ridiculous. you sit across from friends wanting to catch up and talk but end up screaming or yelling! LOL well then again, blame the alcohol/margaritas because people tend to talk louder when they're faded. aside from the noise level, my two girlfriends and i had a two pitchers of peach margaritas and they were so good! i had their crispy chicken tacos plate and it was your standard plate which came with rice and beans. the chips and salsa were good, too. i'd come back here again and try to skip out before the mariachi band comes in. ps. try to come early to avoid the long lines!
(3)
Lorraine B.

Came here for the first time on Sunday, Oct. 12th, 2008. Had a pitcher of Margaritas $33, very good. Nice and Strong :). The chips, salsa and guacamole were all good. They refilled our chips without having to ask (yey!) I had the camarones a la diabla, also good but made differently here. It's comes with whole chipotles en adobado sauce and bell peppers instead of a red spicy sauce. Service was good. We all fiinished our plates. I will be back.
(4)
Ken K.

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.
(4)
Wendy L.

So, so tasty! The price is right, and the ambiance is perfectly divey. Typically, I get a combo of enchiladas and tacos (my preference is for a chicken enchilada and ground beef taco). Some people don't like giant platters of cheesy, Mexican food goodness, but I adore it. Margaritas are great as are the enchiladas and tacos. The wait can be quite ridiculous - I've tried to go on a Friday night around dinner time and have encountered up to a 1.5 hour wait for a party of 4. Even on a random Tuesday night at 9:30 p.m., I've had waits as long as 20-30 minutes. It's usually a bit easier to score a seat at the bar which is a good option if you're just there with one other person.
(5)
Elizabeth B.

CRAP! I'm not kidding this food is BAAAAD. Why their is a line out the door is beyond me. We ate here for lunch today thinking, it's in the Mission, it's Mexican and they're serving icy margaritas...what could be better? Everything apparently! This is the worst Mexican food I have ever had. It's greasy, flavorless, and here's the real kicker, it's not cheap! I mean, $10 for a watery margarita....OUCH! We should have went to Pancho Villa for the same meal, half the price, and 10x better. With all the really great Mexican eats in the city, trust me, you can skip this one.
(1)
wendella a.

Aieeeeee mami! $20 house margarita pitchers and gargantuan quesadilla platters hovering around the $6 mark with sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo included. The chips are always fresh & crisp and the salsas are fabulous. Did I mention the $20 margarita pitchers? I think I did. It's hard to remember, but I do recall a good amount of spicy liquid fun. Get thee to Puerto Alegre and dive in! Edit - Uh Jazz & Blues? I don't think so. One Mariachi? Si.
(4)
Jacqueline C.

My beau and I have been constantly searching for a great sit-down Mexican restaurant and kinda stumbled across this one as we were making our way to La Cumbre. We saw the menu and thought "Wow, this looks cool inside and the dishes look pretty good". So we decided to eat there. Service was great, on point, the margaritas did their job! (lol), but unfortunately the price didn't echo the quality of food or at least the taste. I had the enchiladas plate which was ok and my beau had the chimichangas plate. Both plates were ok. Not enough flavor though. Kind of bland but good presentation nonetheless. I give it 3 stars just because the service and the staff were friendly and on-point. It's ok overall. But I still have to pick Tommy's enchiladas over them.
(3)
J.M. B.

The most authenic and yummy mexican food aside from going to Mexico yourself. The staff is incredibly well trained as they move you in quickly but don't rush you (yet are VERY attentive). The prices are completely reasonable and you might even be lucky enough to be graced by a mariachi band's presence. The ambiance is extremely casual which is just what you want for a place like this! Worth a 30 min. drive to in traffic from the other side of town because it is THAT good. Only problem? I always overeat because their free chips and salsa and food is SO good and filling...
(5)
M S.

Margaritas were good. The food was good, large portions. +1 star for bringing offering salsa verde with the chips. It was delicious. Good little place with good drinks.
(4)
Jen R.

i like to sit at the bar to watch sports. if i was going to actually sit at a table to eat mexican food, i don't think i'd be too pleased with this place. but when you just need an appetizer and a couple of drinks to get you through the fourth quarter, it does the job for me. and they ain't stingy with the chips and salsa, which i appreciate.
(3)
Emily C.

It's a cool little neighbourhood Mexican joint. Even though I'm Canadian and there are barely any taquerias up north, I spent a lot of time in Latin America ... so I can say the food is pretty authentic. Came here on cinco de mayo and got drunk off of mojito's. Cheap food, strong drinks, can't go wrong!
(4)
YearOf M.

I like to go there solo for their posole, the menudo had too much grease for my taste. I tried the combo tonight, and only one of the three items was good-the beef was in tender chunks, while the chicken was tasteless and enchilada was tepid cheese in a greasy corn tortilla. Very disappointing, since I've had very good meals here in the past. In the evenings, sitting at the bar is best--tables with bigger groups can be slow to be seated and slow to be served. A party of eight I was with split up (we went to Pancho Villas) over the wait and the smoking. At the bar you can enjoy chips and salsa galore, great guacamole, nachos, and excellent drinks. They have a wonderful selection of tequilas. Negra Modelo is always good. Just plan on cabbing it in and out of the mission, since the police station is a block away and the side streets aren't the best places to leave your car until tomorrow.
(2)
Josh C.

It's been a while since my first successful visit to Puerto Alegre, but I decided to finally write a review to kick off my The Mission's Most Overrated series - an idea that may be too ambitious to actually carry through to its end, so why not start with the top of the list? I had heard SO many people say positive things about Puerto Alegre. Enough that I actually thought that the ridiculous line/wait always found outside the establishment might have something more behind it than a culture of see-and-be-seen/group-think. Wrong. In fact, there is nothing worth waiting for here, and thankfully I never hung around for the waits of 40 min to an hour and a half that I was quoted the first FOUR times I tried to drop in. By the way, the host was also a rude asshole each and every one of those times. So I refer to my first "successful" visit as a way of saying that it was the first time I was seated and treated, relatively speaking, like a human being by the host. Suffice it to say expectations were high. Chips and salsa - well, they were there. Nothing special at all, despite what some reviewers would tell you. Well, adelante... the main menu, and... ok, nothing special here either. Oh, except the prices. I had a bland plate of enchiladas surrounded by runny, bland refried beans and flavorless rice. So then there were the margaritas.... {sigh}. I have to admit that most of the aforementioned word-of-mouth I had received about Puerto Alegre made a big deal of the margaritas. Well, I don't like to completely write a place off based on one night's poor drinks (could have been an aberration...), so that's why the two stars are up there and not just one. But it seemed that these very expensive margaritas were missing the fundamental ingredient of lime juice. Or maybe they use a cheap mix at this place; I wouldn't doubt it. Seems that the point is to get people drunk enough that they think that the bill corresponds with the quality of their meal. I did not end up that drunk by a long shot. I guess the margaritas were strong... All you Puerto Alegre fans, you can keep it. All yours.
(2)
Nicole F.

I was visiting SF from NY, where there is a huge dearth of good Mexican food. I was hoping to try a couple of the taquerias in the Mission, but was only in SF for 2 days. I was starving and went into the first Mexican restaurant I came across, which happened to be Puerto Alegre. The only reason they get 2 stars instead of 1 from me is that their staff was very helpful and friendly. But I have never had worse Mexican food in my life. I really wish I had kept walking to one of the many other great places in this area (I found out after the fact).
(2)
Alexis C.

The food isn't terrible, but I don't quite understand why this place is so popular. Is it because 16th and Mission is scary looking? Do people like to wait in lines? I don't get it. This place does allow me to watch Giants games while I'm eating some ehh Mexican food, which is nice. A lot of people I know seem to really like this place, but I'd rather go down the block to Pancho Villa any day of the week. Apparently Pancho Villa is too brightly lit for some.
(3)
Kim K.

Killer Margaritas and yummy food. Warning- the Margaritas are not for amateurs. They are STRONG and they go down smooth.
(4)
Marie S.

Go early: around 4:30 before the crowd comes. The red mole sauce on the enchiladas is the way to go. If I could buy it by the jar at the supermarket, I surely would -- on a regular basis. The margaritas are amazing, but be careful- Chantilly B. becomes Chantilly Blackouts under their spell.
(5)
Rod '.

It's official. This place has gotten too "big" for its own good. I had the worst restaurant experience last night. I'm a long time customer, and have had many a good times at this place. However, last night everything went wrong. First, the door guy was clueless, and he should really stop taking X before going to work. I was bringing over 8 people around 5:30 PM when the place was half empty. He couldn't accommodate us and kept saying that the tables were reserved which was a total lie since by 7 PM they were still not fully occupied. Second, waiter Wendy had an attitude, and ripped us off by passing off Cuervo as a top shelf tequila. The less than adequate tip reflected our attitude about her. As solace, we still had to order the pitcher of gritas which is really the only thing that this place is good for. The food is just average. We then proceeded to go across the street to Ramblas which can accommodate us at 7 PM for some excellent food. Over $250 later we left satisfied and almost forgot about the first dump that we went to. It's really too bad, but last night will be my last at Puerto.
(1)
Matt C.

This is actually 3.5 Stars but I'll error on the side of four. I went to Puerto Allegre because it was Friday and I wanted margaritas. We got there around 630pm, which turned out to be ahead of the crowd and we got seated in about 15 minutes. --Side note: Why don't they let you order drinks at the bar while you wait?-- So we avoided the long wait that usually surrounds this place like the black cloud the surrounds Courtney Love. Chips arrived at the table immediately with a choice of two salsas. The hotter tomatillo salsa was better than the mild one. Replenishment of the chips was frequent and sufficient. The Margaritas were ordered on the rocks and by the pitcher. It was good, not great (A little sweet). But also reasonably priced, and definitely strong enough to not make me care much that the cheese enchiladas where not the best thing ever plated in a Mexican restaurant. Overall, I am still in search of my mythical quality late afternoon margarita on a patio somewhere in this city, but this is a nice and reasonable indoor alternative until then.
(4)
Helen N.

I don't understand the line?! We are in the mission people, there are so so so many other Mexican restaurants... the line outside of el farrolito I understand.. this not so much. I had nachos, friends had various burritos, everything tasted great... prices were reasonable, alcohol was good (well its alcohol it cannot NOT be good) i just don't understand the line. this isn't LA!!!
(3)
daniel p.

I love this place, the food is amazing and the prices are great! Theres alot of other mexican food restaurants in the area, but this one is definitely my favorite. The full bar make it even better, they have great margaritas, my gf got a strawberry margarita last time we were there was was awesome, the chunks of strawberries in it were delicious. The place can get a little busy so during peak hours expect a short wait but its well worth it.
(5)
Carol P.

One of my favorite meals on vacation in SF, great burritos and margaritas. Reasonable and friendly waiters.
(5)
Killing Me Softly ..

My bff was flying into town and had never had Mexican food. I know, probably not the best Mexican in the city, but it was a Friday night and I wanted to show her a good time. Read: compromise. The hour-long table wait dampened things only for a minute, until we spotted Blondies next door. Once we were ushered in, we folded ourselves into a cafetria-style booth and sipped the crusty, bottomless margaritas. Yes, they do double as paint-stripper for DIY projects!!! The massive quesidillas weren't vanilla by any means, charming us with (sub)lime and prawn flavours. I was delighted with the rich, gravy beef version too, and we ploughed our way through two monster orders that looked more like burritos. My husband's burrito was "surprisingly good" - burrito snob that he is. The salsa and chips disappeared before the line at the door thinned.
(4)
Rebecca Y.

For months my best friend and I have tried to get into this place. It seems like whenever I am in town, Puerto Alegre is never open. While our luck changed as the place was open and we were able to get a table during the fouth of July weekend. The first thing that amazed me is that at 4pm the place was packed. We took the last table in the restaurant! My guy had the special, a pork filled burrito. I had the combo- carnes asade taco and an enchilda. Both were very tasty. And portions to serve an army! Staff were friendly, fast and inked with tats. Definately worth the anticipation- glad we finally got to try it out!
(4)
Jay H.

I played wing woman last night on a friend's date. Poor little me had to entertain three good looking men while the fourth guy was chatting up my girl. I felt like I was on a date with three guys!! Damn...if I would've known being a wing woman was THIS much fun I'd have done it a long time ago! Puerto Alegre is a decent Mexi-place. The salsa wasn't too spicy but it was good. The appetizer sampler was a little Chevy's-esque. The chicken enchiladas were made with green tortillas...wrong. However, the beans and rice were very traditionally made. The margaritas were good, too. That and the mariachi serenade made for a fun dinner experience....even if the food was only a bit above mediocre.
(3)
Thomas L.

I love the burritos here. There's a long line (unless you time it right), but there's a good reason for it.
(5)
Alured P.

If only I was a fan of tequila based drinks.... alas I am not a fan of margaritas. So why do I let my friends drag me here? Tasty Mexican food in decent portion sizes. Sure I may have had slightly better food a few places but the burritos and the specials are still pretty good. Plus, and something that is near to my heart, they have large portions. I do not leave here hungry. A staff that manages to refresh chips and salsa every 4 minutes or so doesn't hurt either. The prices are fairly cheap also. Waits can be a bit long with a large group, but such is the problem of eating in the Mission.
(4)
D H.

Go here and get tanked on the Margaritas. I tend to avoid the food, 'cause I don't wanna look like Mama Cass.
(4)
Sheri N.

the bf said that he wanted to have margaritas with his dinner, since the weather was fitting, and suggested puerto alegre because i was indecisive on a restaurant. he got the posole, and enjoyed the rich soup, and smokey taste. i chose the red mole enchiladas being i'd never had mole sauce before. i thought it was tasty, but have come to the conclusion that mole is not my thing -- i like my entrees more on the savory side. we also shared a margarita pitcher, which i quite enjoyed. i'm a purist when drinking my alcohol, and usually take my spirits neat. PA did not mess up the margarita w/sweet and sour mix overkill, and the tequila taste was prominent. the wait staff were all smiles, and provided the hospitality you'd find in the likes of someone's home. i appreciate how through the years the place has remained a homey and cozy eatery; even as the mission has changed through the decades. it's a great alternative and a step up from mexican taqueria food. the dishes have a home cooked taste drizzled w/TLC.
(4)
Larry J.

Viva Puerto Alegre! This is a fantastic Mexican restaurant! I've been going here for years. The staff is wonderful and very friendly. You have to be a complete a$$hole to get poor service from the waitresses at Puerto Alegre. I've seen them be very polite to some of the most obnoxious customers. The food is really good and I always walk out stuffed. I am a chips & salsa fanatic and that is something I look for in a Mexican restaurant. The margaritas are very strong as they SHOULD be. My only gripe is with the roaming mariachi bands that waltz up in to the place. First starters, they aren't even a good mariachi band. Lo Rondalla(sp) was better as they dressed the part and had a horn section. Two, no one ask or expects them to show up and are not associated with Puerto Alegre. Finally, they have the nerve to expect patrons to give them a tip! When I see those guys coming, I run to the jukebox to put more coins in so they wont play any music until I leave. I recommend others do the same. Over all, this is a great place to eat! :)
(5)
Zinna R.

"You wanna to go to Puerto Alegre?" Translation: You want to get hammered? My answer almost always is YES! Why because hands down the best margarita in town. I love this place! The food isn't the best most authentic Mexican food in the world but with a pitcher of margaritas who cares!? I like the steak quesadilla. It always hits the spot. Don't forget to tip the marichi!
(5)
Lisa R.

Good, cheap food with a super wait staff - what more could you ask for???? The margaritas are very affordable and delish! And not bad for group dinners too! This place is great!
(4)
Trevar M.

The margaritas were perfectly balanced, and made with good tequila. The shrimp fajitas were season to perfection, probably the best I've had in SF. Very flavorful, highly recommended! The cheese enchilada was mediocre, but I'll definitely come back for the tasty margaritas and incredible shrimp fajitas. The vibe is very Mission.
(4)
Adelle W.

What? This is supposed to be Mexican food? Wait, this is supposed to be GOOD Mexican food? This was THE WORST Mexican food I have ever had (even worse than El Sotano on Powell). I went here after a glowing review by my husband of the fajitas. So who knows, maybe the fajitas really are outstanding - but the tacos and burritos are NOT. We ordered chicken and beef tacos, and a beef burrito. It tasted like it had been sitting there for hours. It was dry and greasy, it had no flavor! Que asco, por Dios! Where's the cilantro and the onions?! Poor, poor excuse for Mexican food. Go across the street and there are a number of Mexican restaurants that are faaaaaar better than this place (and that's not saying much). I guess I needed to have some of their famous margaritas to make anything here palatable.
(1)
LaSha G.

So I'd like to give you the honest, non-margarita tainted critique of the food here at Puerto Alegre. Cause I couldn't manage to find it in the the other Yelp reviews. It's really bad. I ordered the shrimp fajitas because I just didn't have enough stomach room for the infant-sized shrimp burrito other Yelpers raved about and although there were a decent number of shrimp on my plate, they were lacking flavor and the veggies were bland and oily. The beans on the side somehow managed to taste like boiled cilantro. And the chips and salsa? Not a fan. The chips were too airy and light (not in a good way) and the salsa just had no personality. The margaritas were decent. Subtle on the tequila....plentiful in the pitchers. Good, but not outstanding and obviously I didn't have enough, cause I remember the food a little too well. By the way, it was really crowded. Having a going away party here is great in theory but they had to find folding chairs for our party...there was no room to move...but the servers did relatively well with our large party and all the chaos. 2 stars for the food 3 stars for the margaritas Rating rounded up for the mariachi band (loved it!) and festive atmostphere.
(3)
Stephy S.

Well, my apologies to the 225 reviewers who I am probably going to piss off by writing this and major apologies to Michael E who took me here with the best of SF pride-worthy intentions, but quite frankly, I thought it kinda sucked. *dodges tomatoes* I realize that SF isn't exactly the burrito capital of the world, and neither is LA for that matter, but I feel like we have some pretty damn good places in LA that honestly kinda trump this place. I ordered the super grilled chicken burrito here and it comes a bit wet, which I liked. It also came with sour cream and guac, which I also like, but there was just something about the sauce and chicken mash up inside that tasted, dare I say, a bit pet foodish. *dodges rocks* I know that is mean, but all I could think about while I was eating it is how closely the smell resembled the dry cat food I serve my felines and last time I checked it wasn't the Mission Burrito blend. *dodges bullets* I'm hoping that I just ordered wrong or that the hour plus wait killed my taste buds and that I was simply delirious from starvation. Either way, I would try this place again and order something else for sure. On the plus side, the margaritas rocked and the chips and two kinds of salsa was yummy and for a big party like ours and the fact that we drank and ate for $20 each was awesome. *I know I suck, but if I'm not totally honest what's the point?*
(3)
Taler N.

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.
(1)
Melanie N.

There are a bevy of choices of good Mexican food in The Mission. But most are set up in the Taqueria style (a la Pancho Villa). Puerto Alegre is a great place to go if you actually want to sit down and be served. As far as decor goes, it's pretty standard Mexican cheesiness. Colorful banners cross the ceiling, pictures of Mexican banditos and Azteca warriors adorn the walls. Probably best known for their margaritas, they do pack a punch. Chips and salsa are decent but not the best in town. Food is standard Mexican taqueria fare...good guacamole (although I found myself wanting to add a bit more salt). The crowd really varies....mostly Mission hipsters and other city dwellers, nary a sight of an actual Mexican who doesn't work there (which may something!) So overall it's definitely not the best Mexican in The Mission (I think that goes to Taqueria Cancun for me) but a good place to go to sit down and enjoy decent Mexican food.
(3)
Stephanie L.

I have never been disappointed with Puerto Alegre...except maybe by the wait time for a table...
(4)
Bip B.

Great place. Be sure to order the Super Grilled Chicken Burrito (SGCB). If this is your first SGCB, enjoy it. There is a diminishing returns effect for the SGCB. I don't know why. I just know it exists. The margaritas are good. The rest of the food is slightly above average. Don't come here for the tacos or the chile rellenos or any other non-burrito item. People outside are waiting 60-90 minutes for the SGCB and margaritas. You are just getting in the way. Best drink: pitcher of margartias Best dish: Super Grilled Chicken Burrito (SGCB)
(5)
Artina M.

We've been going here since 2002 when we moved to the city. We love the food and the classic margaritas (we order by glass, not pitcher) are stellar. Gets very crowded so the wait can be long on busy nights (Thurs-Sat), but it's worth the wait. You can get your number and go over to Blondies for pre-drinks, though if you don't like to mix your liquors the tequila drinks there aren't that fab so you may decide to just hang outside with friends until your number comes up.
(4)
Rob L.

Ok so coming from SoCal I have had an adjustment to NorCal Mexican food and I MUST admit this place is AWESOME!! Gotta love the pitchers of Margaritas, seriously why do glasses get the pitcher! On on weekends when the wait is 2 hours long and it's raining, WHO CARES!! The food, nothing spectacular yet GREAT at the same time! Service has been good every time I've gone! This is one of my FAVES!!!
(4)
A S.

Hands down, Puerto Alegre is my favorite Mexican place in the city. I know, the wait is horrendous during the dinner hour- some days the line is so long, it's painful... but I always end up waiting. My personal favorite is the wet pork burrito with green salsa, I almost never order anything else anymore! (Don't forget to order it with crema!) Their salsas are great, the mole is delicious and you just can't beat their pitchers of margaritas. I always leave this place happy and bursting with food (usually with leftovers, too).
(5)
Alexander E.

great food terrible serivce...but i dont go to mex restaurants for good service...it was terrible but food made up for it
(4)
Sarah B.

Any place that gives you unlimited chips/salsa with the meal gets an extra star in my book. The food and drinks (esp. margaritas) are excellent as well.
(4)
Suzanne A.

MARGARITAS! YUM. Good times... Update 10/21: i wrote this review when i had drunk too many margaritas (is there such a thing?). i forgot to also mention that i had shrimp fajitas. they are AMAZING, and if you're a little girl like me, good for 2 meals (lunch today...mmmmmm). however, i smell like them today, my hair, my everything. yuk. BUT they were sooooo yummy. as were the chimuchangas my friend had. i recommend if you go there on a Fri or Sat night, go on the later side - whenever we go around 9:30pm, we usually get a seat pretty much right away...if you're lucky, you'll get serenaded by the mariachis!
(4)
Joshua T.

So the only reason im not rating it five stars is because the service kind of sucks at times, but i guess you can attribute that more to the fact that this place is ALWAYS busy.So i recommend going early and scoring a table so you can enjoy your margaritas in peace. I would say its the best margarita in town but considering its the only place i have had a margarita in San Francisco i cant exactly bestow that title.They are certainly very tasty and very strong. They have a 9 dollar steak on the menu that is really good.The salsa is very good and the best i have had in a Mexican restaurant.I actually dine here more often than any other restaurant.I think its mainly just as an excuse to drink margaritas by myself. By the way i love how on the menu they have a dish that will, in their words, "open up your flavoring".I have yet to try it but i think that dish may have magical powers.
(4)
Kristin L.

The wait is usually very long, but the service and the food are incredible! The margaritas are some of the best I've had. Great atmosphere as well. Every dish I've had has been tasty and delicious!
(5)
M. B.

I am always amazed at the line that clogs up the sidewalk at this place. And umm...what's the point if the food sucks again? Would you rather "sit down and be served" and pay for bad food, or go HALF a block in EITHER direction and get GOOD Mexican food (try Pancho Villa on 16th btw Valencia and Mission, or their sister restaurant El Toro on 17th th btw Valencia and Guerrero when they re-open). This corner of the Mission is brimming with good places with good food of all types -- don't be a gringo.
(2)
Nicole F.

I have mixed feelings. Yes, huge pitchers of margaritas, but yet the food lacks on so many levels. Since when did putting cotija dry cheese on enchiladas become okay? Not sure. Also, i hate watery sauces across the board, and Mexican food is not exception. And the chips, warm and yummy, yet the salsa, knock your socks off hot, and the other bland. WFT... I thought the food was very marginal for what I had and would not go back. yes it is on Valencia, central location, but that is about it.
(2)
Troy S.

Solid mexican, great menu, serves late, very high quality... Best in the Mission...
(4)
ThirtyTwo P.

I do not come here for burritos. I've never had a burrito here. I come here when I want a delicious mexican meal and margaritas! So good and so cheap!
(4)
James R.

Margaritas...one word...YUMMERS Guacamole, probably the best I've eaten in a long time, and I'm a huge fan of Mexican cuisine. I chose the green chillaquila's for brunch and they were just the right amount of spice and crunch and egg in every bite. The service was very good. I will be back again and I hope it's soon.
(4)
Edgar G.

4 stars because the wait is ridiculously long! My co-workers and I arrived around 9PM on a Friday night and was not seated until 10ish. I had the chicken chimichanga which came with 2 of them along with beans and rice. To my surprise I actually enjoyed the beans. (I'm not too big of a bean fan.) The chicken chimichanga was cracking! It was really delicious, but I didn't get to finish it because I had the stomach flu earlier in the week. Besides finding parking and waiting to be seated Puerto Alegre is a good authentic Mexican restaurant!
(4)
E G.

Mostly mediocre food, cool, hip, edgy atmosphere. Very few actual mexicans eating the food-always a sign... Drinks? Strong.
(2)
M L.

This place is simply awesome and so refreshing compared to all the fine dining establishments in the Mission.
(5)
Katie S.

After a day of cavorting about with my girls we decided on Puerto Alegre for dinner. We were fairly ravenous from earlier rock-climbing and fabric shopping expeditions, so the chips and salsa brought out immediately upon being seated really hit the spot. Our pitcher of margaritas arrived shortly after, and while it was the overly sweet, mix stuff, it continued to hit my spot. Yum. For dinner I ordered a combo plate with enchilada and a tamale. I was annoyed that they wouldn't give me mole sauce on the ench. since they offer that sauce as an option on the enchilada plate. It was a pretty simple request and I would have paid a bit extra for it if that was the issue. But nope. Not going to happen. The food here is basic Mexican fare. I'm not so crazy about it that I'd deal with the wait (we went early). But I do like the casual atmosphere and the food was good. It just didn't blow my mind
(3)
Ava R.

Always good, never disappointing. Great chips and salsa, service, margaritas and I love chicken enchilada and chicken stew burrito. Ambiance is great and is always a memorable dining experience. I had to be on a no iodine diet for two weeks which were the hardest weeks of my life. The day before I went on the diet I ate dinner at Puerto Alegre and the day I finished the diet I came here for dinner. I had radiation for cancer and was so sick to my stomach but I still came and ate and ate and ate and puked my guts out at 4 in the morning. It was totally worth it in every way! I love you Puerto Alegre!!!!
(5)
Cammy W.

This was my first time to Puerto Alegre and we really enjoyed the fare. The best items on the menu, in my limited experience, are the chile verde and caeser special...both were yummy! I was not super excited about the tortilla soup (tomato broth with tortilla chips) but everything else was great. Also, if you are going for margaritas...get the especial...it is not that much more and super delicious!
(4)
Pink ..

Dear Puerto Alegre, You suck. Here's why: You always have a line. Your food is never good. You ask us if we will take a table and be able to leave in 45 minutes for another party. We say, "okay, sure, just make sure we get our food in enough time to eat it." You say, "okay, of course, we'll rush the order." We get the food with 3 min to spare. You move us to another table...and look put out by the fact that you move us. And you don't say thank you. You don't even give us the right kind of tortillas. This infatuation with you is over. Never again... And next time someone outside asks if people wait because of the food or the atmosphere....if I'm waiting outside as well, I'll say have an answer. PS I hate you for wasting calories. For 6 bux more I could have had Pizzeria Delfina. Now doesn't that blow?
(1)
Nikki W.

I'm pretty picky when it comes to Mexican food so take that into consideration as I write this. I moved to the city in January and I was told this was the Mexican place to go and after having crap Mexican food at two other hole's-in-the-wall I thought I'd give it a try. It is NOT all it is cracked up to be. The salsa was blah, the fajitas were blah and the beans were crap. I did like the fact that you could sit down and be served but with the "Mexican" cheesy decor it didn't really feel like I was in a restaurant. Overall I would look this place over and go elsewhere. In other words go down to 24th and Valencia and get some bomb food instead of wasting your time here. If the food is going to be bad for you it should at least taste good.
(2)
Christy T.

So I didn't actually eat any food when I was here, except if you're counting the chips and salsa on the counter (which I'm not). I did, however, have a margarita. As did my friend. And they were great. As others have mentioned, good, cheap margaritas are the way to go here and I couldn't agree more. Even if that's the only thing going for this place, I'll be back. The atmosphere is fun, the service was pretty good (we sat at the bar). They also have flavored margaritas, which are "girly" or whatever, but I think are really tasty. To each her own. I kind of want to go back and actually eat dinner. Maybe one day?
(3)
Tamara M.

Go for the margaritas only. If you must eat, wait until after you've had a pitcher of margaritas. Fun atmosphere and cheap margs! Yum.
(3)
Amanda B.

i say puerto allegre is okay. The food is standard mexican plates- no flares or bells and whistles- which keeps is fairly priced. The margaritas are cheap, cheap- but you get what you pay for as far as tequila goes. The wait can sometimes be long, so I suggest popping into one of the many nearby bars for a pre-dinner apertif. it's fun for dates, it's fun with groups. all in all, can't complain.
(4)
Bryan H.

I went to Puerto Alegre about 3 years and thought it was amazing then. 3 years later, now living in SF, I decided to give them a try again. Thinking surely maybe it was my uncultured tastebuds and that maybe since then I've learned(tasted) a thing or two which would prove me wrong about how good Puerto Alegre is. Suffice to say, 3 years have passed and the food is still amazing. Yes, the wait can be long. The margaritas are quite delicious, as are the entrees. If you're looking for something a little more formal than a taqueria, Puerto Alegre is certainly worth a shot.
(5)
Ben E.

This may not be the place to take your out-of-town guest for a classic Mission burrito, but it IS the place to take them for a taste of the Mission itself. It's in the perfect location in that regard and, unlike all the quintessential taquerias that make the neighborhood what it is, Puerto Alegre is an actual restaurant with hand-held menus, table service, and the best margaritas out of any dingy Mexi-dive in town. If going in a group, as an appetizer, please try the nachos. With all the toppings. You won't be sorry.
(3)
Kiristen R.

This place is ok. I've gone a few times - the most recent being yesterday with some girlfriends. The margaritas were ok -- ive had better at Chevy's (and I don't like Chevys). The food was -- ok. The service was ok to bad. Our bill was $152.03 with an 18% gratuity. We put down $152.05. The waitress came back to tell us that we were missing the 3 cents...guess she missed the nickel. The waitress also seemed annoyed with serving us. Granted we were loud but we didnt ask for much -- mostly pitchers of margaritas and she did get an 18% tip. I had the chicherones -- it sucked. dont order it. chips and salsa arent bad though. I'll probably end up going again but if anyone knows of another good mexican restaurant in the mission, please let me know.
(3)
Michelle B.

My ex had a secret handshake that would get us put to the front of the queue and that is the only reason I would agree to eat here, well, that and the pitchers of margaritas. Otherwise the food is just a mess of beans and rice and melted cheese topped off with some wilty iceberg lettuce. Which isn't totally bad, but not something to wait around for while others are cutting in front of you.
(3)
Mas R.

I don't eat meat, chicken, fish or dairy. So why am I even writing this? Cause my margarita told me to! This is one of the few places where you can enjoy a good margarita and good food and not pay through the nose (Try $28 a pitcher at Tommy's Mexican on Geary! Yeah Tommy's margaritas are superior but these are pretty good too.) Anyway, my friend Leah swears by the chicken enchiladas but she can never remember which sauce she likes. Probably because she downs a pitcher of blended Strawberry Margies before the food arrives. I being a loyal Vegan, think that their Veggie burrito is heavenly. It's simple, rice, beans (black all the way!) a little lettuce salsa and avocado for right around $4. This is one place where I also love to fly solo on a Sunday night. I have my usual burrito and a margarita or two plus great conversation with total strangers, William the bartender and Debbie one of the sweetest waitresses! I usually only spend about $10 when I go solo. There may be better Mexican food near by but if you want to find a place with good drinks good food and decent prices, then go here! Hey this review isn't as crazy as I thought it would be. Hey primo, traeme otra margarita por favor!
(4)
Brian J.

Tamale munchin', In a gold vinyl banquette, Always worth the wait.
(5)
Melisa B.

I have never had to queue outside a Mexican restaurant in my life and let me tell you THIS place is well worth it! :) I don't know what kind of voodoo magic they put in their quesadillas and guacamole but it's over the moon! The margaritas are crazy good and by "good" I mean you only need one to feel good. They are not to be toyed with! The place is definitely crowded so there won't be any romantic whispering or intellectual conversation going on but if you're up for rousing mariachi sing-alongs, Happy Happy Birthday claps or a generally rousing atmosphere, this is it. Everyone I've taken here has been back or vowed to go back - it's THAT good. What's cool is you put your name on a list and they give you a number and you can wander next door to a bar or across the street to window shop while you wait. Not at all boring. I love it. I want to go RIGHT NOW!
(5)
Ryan W.

I have eaten here a few times and the food is good. The margaritas are even better. The margs are not as good as Tres Agaves, but worthy of a visit nonetheless. I had enchiladas and they were tasty. The place isn't very big and you might have to wait if you go during a busy time. Parking is a challenge in this neighborhood, but you will always find something.
(4)
Richard B.

I can't believe I haven't written a review for Puerto Alegre yet! It is far and above my favorite Mexican restaurant in the city. The food is great, the margaritas and other beverages are fantastic, the ambience is relaxed and fun, but best of all the people who work and run the restaurant are the best! I've been coming here for more than 20 years and for the past 10 years have been bringing my kids and they love it too! As a matter of fact I'm headed there in an hour to soak up some Mission sunshine and cool off with a margarita....or two!!
(5)
lasok o.

FOOD: DELICIOUS MARGARITA: DELICIOUS and POTENT why not five stars? The waiting time and seating system is rather unorthodox...but SO worth it. grab a waiting number and walk around and come back!!
(4)
Diana N.

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.
(4)
nicole c.

Puerto Allegre- Los Margs, Los Chips, Los Burritos... Makes me have Los food comas & hangovers. ayiyiyiyiyiyiyiyiyiyiiyiyiyiyiyi!! Mariachis! Te Amo.
(5)
Krismet S.

Puko Allegro! Great place to get food poisoning/ alcohol poisoning/ zombie twits from boobstonia poisoning. Even those who have suckled at the teat of mall food courts can mature and aquire taste. In their mouths.
(1)
Sue K.

By far the best Mexican restaurant I've found in SF! Margaritas are ahhhhh-mazing and the guac makes me happy! Worth the wait but if you call ahead and give them you name you can save yourself 30 minutes! I heart the SUPER grilled chicken burrito....yum (I'm drooling as I type this.)
(5)
Richard S.

"Careful the plate is hot!" Another authentic SF hunger killer. Start with 2 Margaritas then proceed. Go ahead, celebrate big hot plates.
(3)
Hilary H.

I sat down here on a late Tuesday night this week -- 9 pm, no wait. good sign. My date said, "someone at work said the margaritas rock." well, they were on the rocks, that's about all i can say. they were fine, werent the worst but were semi-weak as i pounded one in about 5 minutes, all ice, no love. i had some tortilla soup that had good flavor and amazingly melty tasty cheese at the bottom, I topped it off with a carne asada taco on the side. uh, it was fine but i prefer the taco trucks over this one (needed more cilantro and flava overall. My date had the mole, which was tasty but again, not the best, not the worst. This place should be called Puerto So-So, not the Happy Puerto.
(2)
Aimee C.

The food is so-so. It is hardly veggie friendly (though they do offer both refried black beans and whole black beans...awesome!), but how can anyone resist the margaritas! The only reason I come here and wait 45 min - 1 hour to sit is the margaritas. In fact the margaritas get two stars and the proximity to my house gets the third. Don't come here thinking the food is worth eating. Do get margaritas and chips and leave happily toasted with a big group of friends.
(3)
Lea B.

Puerto Alegre is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in San Francisco! The food is great and very inexpensive. I could be content for the rest of my life having Puerto Alegre's bean & cheese dip w/chips and a pitcher of their amazing margaritas for dinner...though my arteries would be clogged and I would die young but it would be worth it! If you can get past the hour long wait (get there before 6pm) you and a small group of friends could make a night of it and hit the Mission hot spots after a great dinner at Puerto Alegre.
(4)
Caroliina F.

I didn't think the food was exceptional but it was alright. We ordered tortilla soup. That was a little bland. It was basically just broth. The chxn wings were way too saucy. The chxn enchilada and chile relleno were pretty good. The service was great though. The staff was very friendly, attentive and accommodating. Lively Mexican environment. They also had mariachi's. I'm not big on mariachi's when they come singing really loud in your ear, but they were far enough were it wasn't that annoying to me. I will give this spot another try, but I think I was just expecting a lot more
(3)
Jane P.

Strawberry margaritas at Puerto pretty much make my summer. For colder days, their pozole is heaven. It tastes just like the pozole I had on Christmas dinner in Mexico three years ago. Also, if you like prawns, try the "mar y tierra" quesadilla with prawns and carne asada. I love the front window booth for people watching. Although Puerto is kind of more expensive than the other places in the area, portions are enormous and the quality is measurably better. Try the pozole! Do it now!
(4)
Shane P.

I was excited to try this place after the BF had mentioned it so many times. We walked in for brunch on Sunday afternoon at 145p, 15min before brunch was over. After being sat quickly, we ordered a pitcher of their margaritas. Umm..HELLS YEAH! They were so tasty! Everything here is made fresh. The guacamole was superb with just the right amount of chunkiness and salt. I ordered the chorizo which came with a side of rice, beans and that small Spanish salad...yum yum yum! Service from the wait staff was prompt and friendly...I'll definitely be back again!
(4)
Mo M.

This is place is a total dive with lots of hipsters, but is a classic divey Mexican restaurant. They have good margaritas and giant plates of cheap food - yummy shrimp taco and tamale with rice, re-fried beans and salad for under $11. The wait was a bit long, but it was expected so we just went down the street for drinks. If you're looking for night life or people watching and good cheap food, this is definitely the spot. Originally from the west coast, I crave and love Mexican food, but Boston sucks for it. This place really hit the spot and I'd definitely go back!
(4)
Conster A.

The food is TERRIBLE. The fact that it's always so crowded makes me loose my faith in humanity just a little. It's basically the TGI Fridays of the Mission.
(1)
Dainzo D.

Absolutely thee crappiest Mexican food in the city, bar none.Also, the last time i went there, the host had major attitude. I'm amazed every time I walk by this place and it's packed. I'd rather eat at Taco Bell. Don't believe the hype.
(1)
Derek P.

Service was good, but the food was terrible. The quality of the ingredients was definitely lacking. The margaritas were decent. There are way to many restaurants in the area that do this style of food way better.
(2)
doug s.

So I really don't get this place. The food is okay, not great. The margaritas are pretty good. The best thing about them is that they come in a pitcher. And for some reason, there is an hour wait to get a table here every night of the week. But the most perplexing thing about this place is that, despite the wait and the mediocre food and the marginal margaritas, I love going there and don't know why. I think the main thing is that you can get food and a pitcher of margarita and it doesn't proclaim to be anything other than a Mexican food restaurant. No pretense.
(3)
An A.

Four of us were here on a Tuesday night around 8,30pm and there was a 25min wait. This place gets pretty full. The host and waitress were nice and attentive. We went to Blondies bar next door, good place btw. Food was better than average (too bad Rondalla is still closed) but the prices are HIGH. The guacamole is fresh but lacking, no tomatoes or much cilantro. More flavor here please. it's a pretty old, run down establishment which is another reason why I'm wondering why their prices are SO high. The original margarita was tasty. You'll get less expensive and delicious Mexican food at Pancho Villa Taqueria or even La Corneta.
(3)
matt c.

For $108 we were able to feed 5 of us and get us all sufficiently buzzed on decent margaritas. I watched the bartender pour a good third of a bottle of tequila into each pitcher. The food is nothing to write home about, but I always leave satisfied. Their chili rellenos are my favorite thing on the menu. I always order the 3 item combo for $10.50, allowing me to choose any 3 items. Burritos, taquitos, gorditas (which it turns out were not invented by Taco Bell), chili rellenos, tacos, tostadas, etc... Nothing is spectacular, but everything is decent.
(4)
ben r.

looks like a Mexican restaurant, feels like a quality establishment, jam-packed with customers -- usually a good sign in a neighborhood with a lot of quality food spots, but serving a shrimp burrito with refried beans, when cheaper, better taquerias are literally just down the block, this place is just not worth it.
(2)
Gabriella S.

Yum, Yum, and yum, again... Love their Milanese. The ambiance is fun, always crowded, with great margaritas. If you're there with a group of friends then order the pitcher. Sometimes you may have to wait for a table, but hanging outside is a great way for meeting new friends!
(4)
Cass H.

This place is pretty great. First time that we had been by, were seated right away... at a small table. It was pretty crowded, and you know what they say-- if it isn't busy it's bad... SO we were happy to see that lots of folks were enjoying a late lunch here on Saturday. We started with the house margarita, which was really delicious, and guacamole. The salsas that were served to us were also really yummy... not too spicy, but definitely not bland. For lunch we ordered the Chicken Enchiladas Poblanas and a ground beef taco. The sauce on the enchiladas was very tasty. This was definitely not your run of the mill tex-mex food. Would definitely go again. Thanks for the great lunch!
(4)
Josie C.

I've been coming here for years, I recently went in on my Birthday, left satisfied and happy! Total fan of endless chips + salsas, strong margaritas, everything vegetarian, and of course the churros!
(4)
Bio B.

Fantastic burritos, great wait staff and it's always busy. What're do you need. The prices seem to have slipped upwards over the years hence the four stars
(4)
Fannie S.

Food = good. Veggie fajitas for the WIN! Margaritas = strong! We had a pitcher between the 3 of us. Service = super friendly Wait = worth it!!!
(4)
Evelyn Sophia C.

Food is good I'm not here to complain about that. Food is good and the salsa they give with the chips while you wait for the food is bomb I would give them a 4/5 on food. My problem is the service we got on Saturday May 9th 2014. We got a server who didn't even tell us his name. Here's what I'll talk about: 1-Server lectures my friend with major attitude. 2- a couple inches from my face he's waving his hand on my face to "get my attention" 3-never brings us what we ask him for 4- kept asking us if we were sure we were paying the total amount (utterly disrespectful!) 5- I call manager leave a message and never get a call back! I will describe him so if u ever get him you've been warned (unless we were the only unfortunate ones). Server was about 5'6 black hair semi-beard with ear gauges and tattoos (barcode tattoo on his left arm). There were about 4 incidents where this guy was beyond rude and mean and quite frankly I felt embarrassed for bringing my friends there since I was raving about how good it is. Incident #1: my friend accidently brought an expired ID (which he hadn't even noticed until she opened her mouth and told him) and he said he would talk to the manager which is totally understandable no problem there. He takes the ID with him and brings it back like 10 min. After and tells her for this one time the manager said it's ok, great! My friend follows up saying yes sorry it was a total accident I switched purse and just saw an ID and didn't check (as she's saying that) he has the card in his hand cuts her off what she was saying and starts lecturing her in such a rude unneccesary way telling her "yea but you know what next time bring your real one" with the face and attitude and she was like it is a real ID it's just expired. He gives her back the card and leaves doesn't even take out order.... #2 we were in a booth and he takes out order and starts with another friend counter clockwise however my friend number 3 siting next to me cuts me off and proceeds her order, it was loud that night so he didn't hear her and thought I was going to make an order so I smile and point at my friend who is already telling him what she wants, I guess he doesn't understand me and proceeds to wave his nasty had at my face a couple inches away! I'm like excuse me she's ordering and rolls eyes and gets her order. More stuff happens but what really pissed is off was this... We paid with 3 different cards one of my friends even made it easy for him and wrote the last 4 numbers of our cards and the amount to put on each card, so he has the never to ask about 4 times are we sure it all adds up to the total and just kept asking and asking. Talk about rude! So to end this review we gave him $0.00 tip well deserved! After spending $75+. I still have he refernece number of the recipt in case a manager reads this and wants to get in contact with my because I called multiple times and would never get transferred to the manager. I also left a message with my info to get a call back and it's been exactly a week and have not gotten a call. Way to celebrate Mother's Day. That guy needs to get fired.
(1)
Chris S.

Perfect food before a party night in the Mission. They even take reservations. The magharita pitcher was also pretty tasty. The portions are quite big for what you pay. The waiters were super friendly.
(4)
Suzie M.

The beans here are not good. The combo items are very mediocre. Not sure why this place is always slammed. Maybe it's because there's a big draw for families who want a slightly more upscale feel than a taqueria, but not as pretentious as tacolicious. I don't know. If you are looking for GOOD MEXICAN FOOD, look away. The two stars are for the friendly service.
(2)
Ashley M.

Had the vegetarian burrito. It was delicious and they have the best house margaritas!
(5)
Shara M.

I like this place. Great brunch spot. Really diverse waitstaff. Queer friendly. I love the fajitas, comes with beans, tortillas, pico, sour cream and guacamole. I don't drink the tequila and stuff but at the bar it looks like they have 40 different kinds of it. This is a great little spot in the Mission.
(4)
Jesse A.

My fiancÃ© recently accused me of being a "closet eater". I secretly eat more than I let her be aware of. Obviously, my antics don't go unnoticed because she seems to be at least aware of the phenomena. Why do I break my vows of silence and food-coma-induced darkness for fear of retribution with the ammunition of "I knew it!" and "I told you!"? I just had one of the best Mexican meals my taste buds have remembered after two margaritas. That's right, it only took two of these Mexican truth telling serum concoctions for me to start a Yelp account and rave about the Enchiladas Poblanas ( one chicken and one cheese ) that were as much a surprise (to the palette) as me creating a yelp account. I've been a closet eater at many San Francisco restaurants that haven't motivated me - which in no way is a reflection on the spectacular selection in SF, but a testament to either the strength of their margaritas or the the fantastic flavor of their food to get me to come out of my food-induced-coma silence. Either way, if you follow my recipe for palette pleasing success, you won't be disappointed. Two margaritas, Enchiladas Poblanas, and Ice cream in a sugar shell. You will go home buzzed, full, and pleased. Hopefully that's enough to face the truth with the fiancÃ© ...
(5)
Roxanne K.

Mmmmargaritas! They were light and not too sweet or weak. Also: the food was not too garlicky. I thought the ingredients were fresh, and the beef taco in particular was yummy. The service was on the slow side, but why rush a lovely meal?
(4)
madina a.

So I visited this poor excuse of a restaurant in February. I was in a group of six, we are all younger which I assume was the reason for our horrific service. My cousins and I were sight seeing and thought this would be a good choice to stop at. Upon arrival, a very nice gentlemen sat us down and let us know a waitress would be right over and she came in a reasonable amount of time. She brought us water as we went over the menus. We ordered pretty quickly but our food took nearly 45 minutes to actually come out. While ordering, our waitress kept speaking to us in Spanish even though she spoke perfect English and not a single one of us said a word in Spanish. It got to the point where I had to tell her to speak English because she wasn't catching on. The table next to us was seated, had ordered, and started their meal before we got our food. I wish I was exaggerating. During this whole time, our waitress did not check on us a SINGLE time despite stopping at all her other tables. The food was also very dull... I had a quesadilla which was good, very stingy on condiments that you are overcharged for. I didn't like that all the condiments were on Dixie portion cups, sitting on the plate. It would look more appetizing just scooped onto the plate. This also makes me question how fresh they are if they are prescooped. Just a tacky move. I tried my brother's burrito which was smothered in a disgusting sauce, literally horrendous! My cousin said the carne asada was bad too. Granted we are tougher critics because we are San Diegans. Halfway through our meal, she offered me a refill. It never came, upon requesting our check, she TOLD me I needed a refill. I replied that she had promised one earlier, no apology. After looking at the check, which by the way is hand written... Not very reliable, we realized it was a little off. We asked about some extra charges and realized they have some added charges for condiments, which we had no problem paying. We were more upset at how poorly it was stated on the menu and lack of being mentioned when ordering. This is when it really got to us... Our waitress charged us the full amount and comes back with our cards and receipts and tells us we don't have to tip her because of the lack if communication, in the most condescending and rude tone. I happily let her know my opinion, I told her "we will not be leaving a tip but not because of the next charge, it will be because of the service." I explained to her that we felt discriminated against and profiled because we are younger than most of the other customers but that my cousin and I (who were treating the group) are more than financially stable to pay for the meals. We felt that because we look young, she was expecting a poor tip and gave us less than adequate service and that we felt racially profiled considering she felt it necessary to consistently speak in Spanish with us. She tried to claim she was very busy and I pointed out that she wasn't too busy for her other tables and if she still thought she was I would personally ask them how many times she checked on each table. I agree that this was extreme but I was beyond heated. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME, mediocre food and disgusting service. We lost almost two and a half hours that we could have used to see the city.
(1)
Connie C.

Okay I'm truly sad. I don't want or enjoy to be one of those people who are nostalgic for SF the way it used to be, before everyone & everything that made it enjoyable to live here has changed. I guess some things are better but Puerto Alegre is not. I first came here in the 1980s. Obviously it was different but most people who came here even then didn't really come for the food--mostly the comfy booths & top-notch margueritas. But tonight I tried to eat an enchilada there & couldn't. It was flavorless & had a piece of plastic in it. The hot salsa was indistinguishable from the mild taste-wise. Service-wise, we were overlooked &then given the bum's rush to leave after 45minutes. I looked up & saw the picture of the owners' parents & felt sad for them. At least they comped the enchilada with the plastic. Will never come back.
(1)
Bryanna P.

Yummy Yummy yummy!!! Came here on a Friday night, and the place was booming. We had a party of 5 and the wait was only 30 minutes, so hopped across the street for a beer while we waited. We ordered a couple of pitchers of margaritas, chowed down on some delicious chips and salsa. We all loved our food, and the Chile relleno was pretty delicious, I also opted for the non refried black beans which were killer. I would definitely come back for the good service, reasonable pricing and good food. Not the best I have had since I live in So Cal, but it was pretty darn delicious.
(4)
zach B.

I love this place. Food is exactly what you expect, nothing fancy, just GOOD. Staff: awesome Food: awesome Wait: sucks, but handled very well. They will come get you in blondes, so you have to be careful Drinks: I love there margaritas! I have to be honest though, a year ago I'd give puerto a 5 star rating, but there margs have slipped! Not as strong and way sweeter. Maybe I need to be sweeter? Who knows, but no matter what I leave satisfied!!
(4)
Britney L.

Blegh, after a long night out of drinking all I wanted was a super burrito with chips and salsa on the side! My best friend recently moved to the Mission and she swore by this place, but for me it just didn't do it! I'm a big Mexican food fan and I have tried a ton of places because my boyfriend is literally obsessed with trying taquerias (for a while he even called himself Taqueria T-Mac). Puerto Alegre was not what I expected. The food was not very authentic and it took over 30 minutes to have our food served! I got the grilled chicken burrito with guacamole and cheese, which was an extra $2. The majority of it was guacamole which got really gross after a while. Also all burritos are topped with their house sauce. I feel like my burrito was reheated because the sauce was dried on top like it had been microwaved. Overall I didn't enjoy my burrito that much, I barely could get through a third of it. My BFF got the quesadilla which looked pretty average too. It wasn't the usual flat quesadilla, but more like a grilled mini burrito. Not what we expected. The boys got the fajita dishes but the majority of it was veggies and onions. My boyfriend said he didn't like it very much. The flavors just weren't there. I would expect this Mexican restaurant to be more authentic and tasty since it's located within the Mission. I'll have to try another place.
(2)
Zvezdana O.

Had dinner here with friends last week, its a total winner! I had possibly one of the best mexican dinner plates I have ever had in my life -- I had the camarones la diabla. Super spicy shrimp in a chipotle sauce. DELICIOUS! My friends really enjoyed their food too and the salsa they gave us withe the chips was great. Margaritas were great. The staff weren't that friendly though. I can't say service was bad, but both the hostess and our waiter had an impatient manner I didn't care for. However, when I am in town, that certainly will not keep me away! Haha. I would love to eat there again.
(4)
Wing Yan S.

Puerto Alegre had me at Pozole Verde! On a cold day, or quite frankly any day of the week, a bowl of Pozole Verde is a good choice for a hearty meal! You certainly cannot go wrong with a mixture of chicken, bacon, pork, hominy. and ham! Everything from the meats to the spices created an excellent flavor. I could not put my spoon down! Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5
(5)
Borhan A.

Horrible service, waitress was very rude and food would've tasted better and 3x cheaper than a taco shack. We were also seated right next to the door on a chilly day.
(1)
Joy P.

Where do I start? The best pozole ever, been craving this for days. However, order my stuff along with two margaritas, 15 minutes in....the Waitress came back to the table to inform me that the kitchen is out...really...15 frikin minutes later, WTF, you should know this when you start you frikin shift? When she heard my beautiful partner speak Spanish I was a fly on the wall. So I ordered two enchiladas beef, no crema no guac...I got two enchiladas no sauce and no cheese, I also asked for NO beans extra rice. G...the waitress never asked me if I want ground beef or shredded beef or cat food... Because she does not CARE. I'm pissed because I'm tired of paying for service that I don't get...remember...T.I.P is a acronym for, TOO INSURE PROFESSIONAL service or PROPER SERVICE. I'm still pissed, long story, our bill was 103.00 first time I left 5.00 on a check...for your information I'm a 22-25% tipper, I'm frikin tired of it. Joy/frankie
(1)
Priscilla L.

Great food all around. Wish they would add a Monterey and chilaquiles to the menu. Minus one star because I think it's totally absurd and rude to make someone dining alone wait for a bar seat when they could easily be sat at a small two seater table. I get maximizing a small space but a paying customer is a paying customer. I HATE that, otherwise great place.
(4)
Elizabeth J.

Although, I really liked the food it was overpriced for what you get. $40 for 2 drinks and four soft tacos al a carte. Each soft taco $5.40, that's a bit much for me. You are allowed to bring your dog in.
(3)
Autumn B.

Delicious food, great house margaritas and excellent service. I've been looking for a good sit down style Mexican restaurant and I found a great one! The tortilla on the chimichangas is soaked in a sauce first... then pan-simmered, not outright fried. The tacos are so flavorful and the enchilada sauce on the enchiladas is perfect. Everything is homemade and delicious. I have not been disappointed yet and we have returned 4 times now. Yum. Yum. Yum.
(5)
Alanna R.

I ordered the Combination #1 and shared it with my amiga. We also each had a margarita, which was decent, but next time, I will opt out of the margarita so I can focus more on the food. It deserves my full attention. The combo came with rice, beans, chile relleno, beef taco, and chicken enchilada. Beef taco: Good god was that taco good. I ca't explain how much I loved it. You must try it. The meat had such good flavoring I did not want my bites to come to an end. But, they did. So I will have to go back very soon and get more tacos. Enchilada: good, yet standard. Beans and rice: standard Chile relleno: One of the best I've had. Generous with the cheese amount and seasoned and cooked well. Overall, a solid 4 stars. Service: Good. There was a little bit of side drama going on with our skinny Spaniard waiter with another waiter or another table (not really sure what it was about to be honest) but he was nice enough and kept bringing me fresh salsa to keep me happy. So he is good in my book. Seems like there may be somewhat of a dramatic staff atmosphere, but I don't care as long as it doesn't turn into a telenovela while I am trying to eat my taco! I will go back soon. Yay.
(4)
Maxine W.

Margaritas are the saving grace. The hostess was incredibly rude, and the food was expensive and flavorless. In a region that is so abundant with cheap and delicious food, why this one in particular is so popular is beyond my comprehension. 1/10 WOULD NOT BANG.
(1)
D M.

They make the kind of margaritas here that make you want to be a better man -- a good man, a gentle man. I come into this place a sober and well-adjusted human being. I leave it a smelly and drunken whore. For that, I thank you, Puerto Alegre. I thank you.
(5)
Thecitygrrls B.

Such great mole. Stewed chicken burrito was perfect. Tasty, good size, covered in yummy sauce (but not a heavy or rich sauce). Veggie fajitas were well received. Also really liked the margaritas on our previous visit.
(5)
Joy A.

Came on a Saturday and the hostess who was working was a total B. I get that your job may be tricky at given times (really busy) but it doesn't mean you have to be a cu*t about it. Don't work in the food industry if you can't handle business. Onto the food: it was solid Mexican. Tasted some of the wet burrito, crispy tacos, enchiladas and tostada salad. Everything was yummy. The margaritas were strong and the pitchers aren't all ice like some places serve. I'd come back here again for the food. The service however, is blah.
(3)
Amy C.

Highlights include the Chile Relleno, the Camarones Rancheros and the service. The staff was incredibly attentive, nice and very accommodating of a large group that didn't have a reservation. They always refilled our chips and salsa bowls and made sure our water glasses were full. Overall, fantastic food, reasonable prices and awesome service.
(4)
Tiffany N.

Wow. They weren't playing around when they said they make the best margaritas in town! I like things by the pitcher, especially frozen margaritas by the pitcher, strawberry flavor too?! I'm in heaven for $22, okay.. Not heaven but I sure am a happy, drunk camper! Got the quesadilla suiza w/ prawns for about $10! So goooood, I felt just a little less guilty than eating el farlitos haha. Live music - yup. Plenty of space and was packed on a Thursday night!
(5)
Jae K.

I'd call this place underrated, but so many people seem to love it. I had dinner there with a couple friends tonite, and we had the best time. We had killer margaritas, bottomless chips and salsa (spicy and sweet), awesome tortilla soup, and a generally great experience. BOOM.
(4)
Steven R.

It seems there's always a ton of people waiting outside here on any given night. There's a pretty good reason. This is down home Mexican food that reminds me of the places I used to go when I was a kid. it's delicious and everything is well put together. My go to is the Combo Numero Uno which gives you a nice variety (taco, enchilada, chile relleno) for when you don't feel like picking. No frills really, just great hearty food. Speaking of no frills, get the nachos. It looks like an underwhelming plate of chips but throw in some chicken and I thought this was as tasty as any of the giant food piles available at Mission taquerias. Wash the whole thing down with a pitcher of margaritas and ole what a great Friday dinner. I'm surprised I remember!
(4)
Jon L.

Puerto Alegre was my first Mission excursion when I moved to the city years ago but got turned away because it was too crowded. I never thought much more of it nor returned but I presumed the food must have been pretty darn good. Now that I've been, I can safely say it's probably the margaritas and not the food. Not that the food is bad but it's just not memorable. They are good accompaniments to the booze but stand out little beyond that. I had the Milanesa ( yelp.com/biz_photos/vp1Vâ€¦ ) and while I wished the breading wasn't falling off the meat, it tasted alright. But I guess the star of the show is the margarita. Pitchers and pitchers of margaritas. So drink up and be merry. While you're at it, perhaps grab a bite too I guess.
(3)
Liz A.

Two things: margaritas + bistec encebollado. I love coming here for the atmosphere (try to snag the front window, facing out), the great service, and the food. There's something about how yummy the food is, it's simple but so comforting - absolute soul food. I never was a huge fan of margaritas until I began dating my boyfriend. Puerto Alegre has some of my favorite margaritas, hands down. When it's warm, I love the blended strawberry margs. They're not too sweet, and have just enough edge that three would get me nice and toasty. My boyfriend prefers the classic marg. Bistec encebollado. Don't even think twice. Thinly sliced beef, marinated and flavored with salt/pepper onions - taaaasty. Really makes me feel like I'm eating a home cooked meal. What I'm looking forward to is trying out either the burrito or quesadillas with prawns... I don't doubt it wouldn't be just as yummy. PS. This place is great for brunch all the way down to HH and a dinner... Reasonably priced with good size for food. Check it out!
(5)
Ric S.

I was very skeptical due to the long-line of bridge and tunnel folks, but the leadership of my group was highly recommending we go there. We spent the 40 minute wait having drinks next door at Limon (much better than standing out on the sidewalk). Margaritas are very good. Real, like you're in Mexico. Good tequila, lime, sugar in perfectly strong proportions. Food is great. Not fancy organicized stuff - just old school good solid mexican fare. I had the chili colorado and it was perfect with extremely tasty chunks of beef (I guess I wasn't much of a vegan that night). Perfect side for the margaritas. Reasonable prices on everything. Staff is friendly, diverse and very sf. If you don't like them then please stick to eating out in Danville.
(4)
Daniel R.

Good Mexican food, hit or miss service. On a busy night the bar becomes hostess seated only, very bizarre. Expect to wait a long time either outside in the cold or when you finally get a table (even if it is at the bar). There are a few bad waitresses there, so if you're lucky it will be a good experience, but don't say you weren't warned! I am really bummed that I've gotten such bad service because the food is really quite good.
(2)
Priya G.

Affordable and authentic Mexican food in the Mission! For a party of 11, we each got an entree and about 4 pitchers of margs, and the bill came out to $200 without tip - what a steal! The margs are yummy and strong - don't miss out on those. Foodwise, my friend and I shared a Mexican caesar salad (with dressing on the side), and we got the shrimp with onions. Both are amazing and have huge portions. You can definitely share. The salad comes with black beans, guac, and cheese on top of mixed greens. Really fresh, highly recommend it, the dressing is yummy. The shrimp is awesome too- love the onions it comes with on the side, and the shrimp itself is topped with delicious seasoning/sauce. I tried a bite of a chicken enchilada which was SO yummy! Note: the green sauce has pork in it, so if you're looking for something veggie, you'll need to go to with red sauce. We were able to get a reservation for 11 of us ahead of time which was nice. We came here on a Tuesday at 7:30 pm and the place was packed, so good thing we had a res! We also were able to have cupcakes that we brought in for our friend's bday, and I'm pretty sure there was no fee to have them. Love Puerto Alegre - very trustworthy Mexian food! :)
(4)
Nick R.

The red salsa is fantastic and don't forget to add the guacamole which is light on tomatoes (just the way I like it!!!). The margaritas are strong and good, we paid the extra $1 to upgrade the tequila and were happy. Family owned, which makes me like it even more!
(4)
Raf Z.

Decent Mexican food, but the real star is the house Margaritas. Will definitely be back, been coming here for years.
(4)
Helen D.

Tasty margaritas, affordable dishes and a cozy athmosphere. Great memories, of one of my last nights in SF with one of my best friends! We both didn't eat a lot, mostly just came there to spend time together, we both ordered an appetizers and margaritas. I'd definitely be back if I'm ever back long enough to make a trip here :-)
(4)
Allison E.

Gordita means little fat girl. It also is a word for a Mexican corn cake, stuffed with things like chicken or pork, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, lettuce, onion, tomato... Whatever you mean by it, I found on Wednesday that Puerto Alegre is a gordita heaven. One margarita didn't sound like enough for the two of us, so we ordered a pitcher on the rocks. After one, I noticed that I was saying the word "gordita" like this: gorriiaa. So, I immediately played my "I haven't eaten anything all day" card (Cheerios don't count. Neither does left over stir-fry), and ordered a big lunch. A 2-item combo plate was perfect for lunch, especially because it comes with beans and rice (good for coating little fat girl stomachs), and the obligatory tortilla chips and salsa. One of the salsas was quite good- orangish yellow, and different than anything I'd ever had. I had the veggie gordita and a shredded beef enchilada. Next time, I'd order two gorditas, because, although perhaps not the easiest to eat, or the biggest portions, they were hit-the-spot tasty for this hump day meal. I wasn't hungry for the rest of the day. But, being who I am, I still ate a full dinner and dessert. Hey, I walked there and back- three miles in all. That cancels out the meal, right?
(4)
Hamilton H.

!Santa Maria! Finally found my homestyle south of the border spot in San Francisco. Wonderful lunch items on the menu, as well as daily specials. The Chile Rellano absolutely melts in your mouth, and the roasted tomato salsa poured over the top is divine. The crew was very nice and friendly. Order the chicken soup with any dish, love the chunks of zucchini floating around.... There's a bar with 5/6 seats in the back, and both walls are lined with nice-sized booths that are fun to sit down in -- give 'em a good bounce as you sit down and enjoy the chips & salsa.
(5)
Timorie B.

We came across this place while walking in the Mission District. We ordered a quesadilla with chicken that was awesome!! Also had tacos and enchiladas which were good as well. Service is fast and friendly. It's reasonably priced as well. Chips ate very fresh and great salsa!
(5)
Tom K.

Love this place. Uber casual, reasonable prices, great homemade chips and ok salsa (a little watery), bustling fun atmosphere, and great for a quick bite on a weekday or something cas with friends. My favs on the menu below: - Guac, as you might expect the guacomole is superb here, big chunks of tomatoes and onions mixed in with decent portion (not huge but not bad for under $6) - Chickem Tacos, standard sized with standard garnishings, very back to the basics delicious and pretty much the way you would expect it to taste (in a good way). As far as price goes, see my comment below about the combos. You definately want to order this in the combo to get good value. - Chicken Quesadilla, cheesy and with shell that is not too thick or doughy. Very good and value for $3.35. A word on the combos. Personally I think the best deal is 3 item combo for 10.65 if you're hungry. But if you're not, the 2 items for $8.35 is good. Combined with the chips you get free when you sit down (I wish they would improve the salsa) and the rice, beans, and salad you get with the combo, 3 items might be a push. As long as you're not avoiding carbs that is!
(5)
Roland T.

I've been coming to this place for quite sometime now, and every visit has always been a treat! Yummy, flavourful food and awesome margs! Servers are pretty friendly and attentive and they also have flat screen tvs by the bar area if u want to watch the game while enjoying brunch! I'd highly recommend this place esp if u have the cravings!
(5)
Leslie H.

I've been coming here for years so it's time to write a review. Their pozole and their cheese enchiladas with mole are the Booooomb. And I consider myself a bit of an aficionado on both dishes, as they are my jam and pretty much all I ever order at Mexican restaurants. Although I will say, the gringa in me appreciates the crispy ground beef tacos, always super crispy and delicious. I like tacos on soft tortillas too, but something about the shell fried crispy really does it for me. I wish they would switch over to tommy's style margaritas though, that's all. Otherwise, the staff is fast, efficient, and the food is great!
(4)
Lena G.

I have gone to Puerto Alegre with my family for almost 12 years now and we have loved it every time. The food is great, the waiters and owners are such nice people, there is always a full house, and you can stay in tune with the Giants game while you eat. I have always been a huge fan of the pozole verde and the super burritos, but also popular in my family are the chicharones. Overall this restaurant hits the spot every time.
(5)
Emmy M.

THE POZOLE. Do yourself a favor and get it. Worth five stars all the way, and so perfect for a chilly or overcast San Francisco day in particular. Absolutely phenomenal flavors. The best pozole I've ever had!
(4)
Michelle C.

I LOVE their steak fajitas! However.. I took off 1 star because this place got way too expensive, and 1 star because sometimes the waiters can be pretty rude. This place always always has a line out the door so I know they're busy, but if you're working for tips try to be nice and smile a little.
(3)
Vicky L.

Who orders chicken soup - clear broth, chunks of carrots and zucchini, and literally half a chicken that's fall-off-the-bone tender - at a Mexican restaurant?? I do, baby, and it totally hits the G-spot (on my tongue). And at $8.95 for a huge bowl, it's cheaper AND more satisfying than, say, a "toy" of equal quality and satisfaction.
(4)
Lisa N.

Strong (not cheap) margaritas ! :) I think it was $30 for a pitcher... But it was pretty tasty and it did the job! The food and service were pretty good. Nothing great. So I wouldn't go out of my way. I had the combo plate with 2 beef tacos. Peppers stuffed with something. And I forget what else. The bf had a wet burrito, which he seems to enjoy.
(3)
Nathan D.

Lets begin with, I HATE Mexican food... I hate beans and tortillas... But I love this place... the margaritas are to die for! It's absolutely worth the wait as it can get quite packed on the weekends... If you enjoy food, give this place a try and order any of their plates sans the beans... ask for extra jalapenos and salsa... This is a gem in the Mission!
(5)
Diane W.

This place is FUN!! Very lively place with excellent food and attentive and gracious servers. We started with yummy salsas and chips. Then moved on to very fresh, perfect guacamole. I had a dish called Las Gemellas and I can't wait to have it again. We had a large table and got pretty loud. Blended right in. I didn't understand the appeal of this particular place until we started eating. WOW! Now I get it.
(5)
G G.

I'll always love puerto! Delicious food and amazing margaritas! Went here on our first date with my husband 15 years ago, and went back tonight for our anniversary. Puerto never disappoints, and the staff are always great, even when slammed with customers.
(5)
jon y.

I came here for a friend's birthday party with 8 people in our party. My friend wanted a place that was sit-down, but not so fancy that people can't relax and enjoy conversation. Well this place was totally on point. Nicer than a taqueria, but still with a really chill atmosphere. Doesn't hurt that they have fantastic margaritas to help get the party started. As someone who does not hesitate to yell out "CHIPS AND SALSA" when asked his favorite food, I can say that the chips and salsa here get my stamp of approval. I suppose that would explain why I was full even before my entree arrived. Did it stop me from devouring my pozole anyway? NOPE. The pozole here is probably the best I have ever had. I love that it's green, as oppose to red, like the other ones from around the city. Delicious chunks of meat with lots of hominy and spices. It really is the perfect winter meal. Will I be back again? Yes, but I will be wearing my stretchy pants next time.
(4)
Urb4n M.

Went to 'Frisco for my God brother's bday celebration. Walked from Elbo Room absolutely hammered. Made it to this cool lil spot up the street [Thank God]. It took me near 48 hrs to finish my Super Burrito. Frisco knows how to keep up w/ So. Cal's Authentic Mexican Restaurants. Since it was 2;35am and the clubs shut down and people needed to soak up all that alcohol. This joint was full to the brim. Hot women everywhere. And we all had 2 things in common. We were hungry and we wanted Mexican food.
(4)
Karen F.

Note: if you are unable to finish the pitcher of margaritas you ordered, you are not allowed to take it "to go". My friend and I learned this the hard way....we ordered a big 'ole pitcher of *delicious* strawberry margarita and couldn't finish it, and then we asked them if they could put it in some sort of plastic container so we could take it with us. We wanted to take the party home, you know? The pitcher was still half-full, too. The waitress was ever-ready with her "we're-not-allowed-to-do-that-because-we-could-Âlose-our-liquor-license" schpeal (sp?). Okay, fine, but I couldn't help retort with, "But what about us? We could lose our buzz!". (I swear I wasn't trying to be bitchy, I was merely being honest). I'm pretty sure she hates me now. So one star off for that...inconvenience, but I plan on bringing my Nalgene bottle with me next time.
(4)
Adam D.

There is usually a line, but the atmosphere is fantastic. Great margaritas, and there is usually a live mariachi band
(4)
Matthew M.

Ai, este lugar es mi corazon! What can I say about Puerto Alegre? A nice September evening + the best margaritas in San Francisco = a warm fuzzy feeling (um, literally ... these drinks are strong!). This place is really an institution, it's been here for decades and has changed very little over the years (if it ain't broke ... etc.). The food, though certainly tasty, is somewhat pricey and not as good as other places in the Mission, but come on, the food here is only incidental to the tequila, so it's all good. p.s. I agree with the comments below that the wait sucks (I remember back before you ever had to wait to get a seat here... those were the days), but the bright side to that is that at least you know that they're making enough money to avoid going out of business only to be replaced by some shi-shi boutique.
(5)
gee t.

ever walk down valencia from 16th on a weekend night and wonder what that group of people are crowding around for? well, they are most likely waiting to be seated at this restaurant here. Puerto Alegre is a great place to start the night. Chips and Salsa upon being seated? Yes! Pitcher Margaritas? DOUBLE YES! A pitcher between three people is more than enough, but then again my tolerance has dwindled in the last few years. The food here isn't bad either! They have a decent selection, i personally like to get their vegetarian burrito. very yum. Puerto Alegre: Always a good time!
(4)
Janice K.

I would have given Puerto Alegre more stars, but I didn't even get to try their food! My boyfriend and I stopped in on a Tuesday night, drawn in by the crowds and fun-looking atmosphere. They were very busy and we waited at the front of the restaurant to a) be seated, or b) be given a wait time. However, in the 10 minutes we waited, none of the 10 employees did either. They could have at least nodded at us to acknowledge our presence! We left hungry, unsatisfied, and displeased. I will stop in again (their margaritas do look pretty amazing), but only if it's less busy!
(2)
Shannon R.

What ended up being one of the worst dates of my entire life started off with dinner at Puerto Alegre, and I haven't been back since. I'm not planning to go back, either. Ok, so I had a decent shrimp quesadilla, and actually got kinda buzzed from the margarita...BFD...that experience could've taken place at a myriad of other spots around here, am I right??? My date knew our waitress in that chummy, "I-know-everybody-who's-a-somebody-in-the-mission" kinda way, which was gag-inducing on its own. He was a real impatient mofo and practically had a cow when she didn't show up with the bill right at the end of the meal. At that point, the whole place was just filled with bad vibes for me, so I couldn't wait to check outta there. So I had a negative experience here on a personal level, yes...but still, why the heck is this place so popular? Hey, if you like it, that's cool, I guess...go ahead, knock yourself out waiting in line outside for hours!
(2)
Jennifer K.

The few times I have been to this place have been great. Best margaritas..not watered down like other places. I'm a big fan of good Mexican food and I highly recommend this place if you're going out!
(4)
Padre C.

The food was very good, service was cordial, the noise level was well over 90 decibels, and parking was a nightmare. A San Francisco experience, but not for me.
(3)
jen w.

I guess the major appeal of this place is the margaritas. I absolutely love having brunch there on Sundays. Dee-licious machaca. The food is not my ideal when it comes to dinner though, as it is a little too bland. And I it may be cute to out-of-towners or carpetbaggers, but I find it quite annoying that the restaurant is friendly to the mariachi bunch. I know they are trying to make a buck, but really, how many of the patrons give more than a drunk laugh? Try brunch!
(2)
David F.

I came in here with a friend while looking for quality authentic mex food. I ordered chicken soup and it was incredible. My soup had huge carrots pieces, huge breast chunks of chicken and other large cut vegetables. This is the beat chicken soup I have ever had!
(4)
Miss P.

Date night once again, and we went to this City jewel I had no idea existed. I was raised in San Francisco and just came across this place like a month ago. Anyways, we ordered the combination platter. The food was delicious. The cooks are Latino so its gonna be authentic. The pitcher of Margarita was not in any way stingy with the tequila. The service was great. Our server checked up on us but not too much where we got annoyed. Great dinner, great service, no complaints
(4)
christopher a.

THIS REVIEW IS FOR COMING TO PUERTO ALEGRE ON WEEKDAY WORK LUNCH. i find that the valencia-side mission district is often overlooked as a neighborhood for work lunch. this place is normally somewhere you can often expect to wait an hour for a booth in the evening of any day of the week for a booth to have some margaritas, but if you instead choose to come here during your lunch hour, there is always immediate seating, and always easy street parking.
(3)
Amelia M.

Who told them they were the best thing since sliced bread? This placed is incredibly overrated. There are days that you will see many empty tables, but they still make you wait an hour for their average food. If anything, the 2 stars are for the friendly people that have served us through the years and who have seen us as regulars. Why do I keep going here after giving it 2 stars... well... because my friends seem to love it. And I am all about compromising! ;-) If I had my choice... I would go to Tia Margarita's on 19th and Clement in the inner Richmond District. Much better!
(2)
Stacey W.

YUMMMY Margaritas! If you like a good margarita where you can actually taste the alcohol, you'll love this place! What you won't like is the wait and it seems to always takes longer than what you're told. Expect *at least* 1/2 hr to be seated in the evening. I'm personally picky about salsa and this place has good salsa all around. I don't know how many selections they have, but all that I've tried are good. I particularly liked the salsa verde... It was tangy and has a nice bite to it. Salsa is no good without a bite to it! If they don't have the salsa verde out as a selection, you need to ask for it and they typically have it. I guess I can't give you much of a review on food since I stick with the same plate when I go there, but I'm stuck on it because it's soo yummy. It's the *Milanesa Especial*, it's flank steak that's breaded, topped with cheese & enchilada sauce. The only other thing I've eaten there is a plain Carne Asada steak and it was good as well, but not as good as the Milanesa Especial. The area is not the greatest and parking is a pain, so expect to drive around a bit, but that's no different than other areas in SF.
(4)
Lara L.

So, again I find myself writing about a restaurant with more than 100 reviews, but after a recent Friday experience I feel compelled. The four-star rating is based strictly on the consumables. The margaritas are great, the burritos are better and the queso and bean dip makes me drool. Plus, the prices are very reasonable, especially since the burritos should count as at least two meals. (side note: i once finished an entire burrito in one sitting...I'm proud!!) However the service is deplorable. I've been here a number of times, a couple times for lunch, and service has always been bad. The hostess is rude, the waitresses take your order and bring what you ask for, but don't expect a smile or for them to offer to get you more chips or a refill. If you need anything, expect to flag down a couple waitresses before your request is met. The atmosphere is kitschy, i wouldn't want it much nicer cause I like the "authentic" feel, but an updated bathroom would be nice. And though the mariachi singers are entertaining enough as long as you table isn't right next to them, it's frustrating when someone's belting out a ballad in your ear while you're trying to have a conversation. Oh, and on a number of occasions some homeless have wandered in asking for handouts, but that's a bit par for the course in SF.
(4)
Roy J.

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.
(5)
Jessica T.

I have been here a handful of times and I never like what I order. I know that I have ordering anxiety and usually make horrible food choices, but still. This last experience was the nail in the coffin for me. I choked and at the last minute ordered the chicken vegetable soup because I have been feeling a little sick. I don't even have to talk about the flavor to tell you how gross it was. I'll just tell you what they put in front of me. A very large bowl with five or six pieces of carrot, some zucchini and celery... and one chicken leg on the bone. Not floating in the broth, but literally right in the middle of the bowl. Because the skin and everything is on, the broth has a layer of oil the moves when I stick my spoon in it. It would have been bad anyways, but since I was out with a bunch of veggie kids and a vegan to my right, everyone was dying even looking at it. In conclusion, do not NOT not even think about ordering the chicken and vegetable soup. The only reason I can give this place two stars is that the chips are good and every server has been really nice. The food though, is just simply not good... WAIT! Did I even mention that the horrible soup I describe above was NINE dollars. fml.
(2)
Rocco B.

There was this Mexican guy there playing the guitar and singing at the top of his lungs. I was about to pull a Bluto Blutowski and smash his guitar, but I gave him a dollar instead. Besides the annoying music, Puerto Alegre proves that you don't have to be a dumpy divey dirty taqueria to have good Mexican food. They have table service, and the prices are maybe a buck more than you'd find at a taco shop. Anyway the food at Puerto was some of the best Mexican I've had in the Bay area, so I'm sure to go back. I haven't eaten much Mexican in the Mission, though, so I have no basis of comparison. Oh, and there's a bar too!
(4)
Eme C.

I'm really surprised by the bad reviews. Puerto Alegre has the best vegetarian burrito I've ever had! I absolutely love them. The drinks are awesome and service is prompt. Mariachis have come in everytime.
(5)
Whitney F.

Puerto is my favorite restaurant in this city. It is my (and now my friends) go to for birthdays, graduations, celebrations of any kind. We get a group to go, order up pitchers of strawberry and mango frozen margs' (our new favorite thing is to fill our glass half with one and half with another...yum), chips and guac and 90% of us order up the super burritos (wet with sour cream of course). They are the size of my forearm, and near impossible to finish. Though we have tried on many occasions. I have to say this is the place that turned me onto my love of burritos. I've also had the quesadilla platter...very cheesy and super filling. If you go during a rush, I love waiting at Blondie's Bar No Grill next door and order up a Jackie O martini. I usually don't have any problems with the waiters, just last time when the woman helping us was rarely around and when we needed our bill we found her sitting at the counter eating! That was a first...so I won't dock them on that... yet.
(5)
Michael F.

Usually crowded. High quality, good prices. I like their margaritas. But what keeps me coming back (and the reason for my 5th star) is the Provole Verde. I never knew such a dish existed, but so good; interesting. Kind of like a pork soup/stew, savory broth, slow cooked. They bring it out with sprouts and limes, almost exactly like pho. Dump it all in with some lime squeeze, and I've got some green deliciousness. Now I'm hungry.
(5)
Veronica H.

I love this place. Great margaritas (for the price and quantity) and great, gloppy mexican food. The only complaint is there is always a line and a long wait to get in.
(4)
I Love Beef C.

Me love you long lines for long time. Even on a Wednesday that queue was increible! But once we got those pitchers of margaritas, I was going loco. Mucho grande dishes. I got the two chicken enchiladas for about $9. This dish was enough to feed dos personas. Surprisingly good service for the amount of people in the restaurant. Bueno, pero no es bueno bueno.
(3)
Simone P.

I'm writing this review from a veg perspective: The menu is not particularly veg/vegan friendly. They have the usual bean, rice, and cheese combos (yawn) and veggie fajitas that are on the greasy side. Other than that, vegs are out of luck; it's even harder for vegans. Their drinks are stiff and tasty though. I agree with other reviewers that this is great place for sharing margaritas with friends.
(2)
susan c.

This is my favourite sit down Mexican food in the Mission. The prices are good. The food is excellent (try the fijitas) and I always leave satisfied and ready for a nap!
(5)
Jennifer O.

Only ok, and to be considered if there is no line, and it's late and you're already dddrunk. The host is a hateful surly fellow, he lost his patience two years ago probably. The salsa is straight outta the can, Margaritas are better than ok and merit the third star. The one thing I do like is the Tacos Especiale, they are old-school-style crunchy tacos: Corn tortilla, meat inside, sealed then deep-fried, pried apart after and filled with cotija cheese and lettuce. If the salsa was better, I might be in taco heaven and add a star for the love of tacos alone.
(3)
City Girl J.

I love the neighborhood and the ambiance is nice. Its usually packed Thurs thru Sat but Its good. I LOVE their FISH TACOS. The drinks are great and the FLAN is to die for !
(5)
Jason W.

I honestly dont know why people wait the 45 minutes plus (on the weekends) thinking this is a great place for mexican food. Myself and a friend split the pozole stew, a carne asada taco, pollo asado taco, and a carne asada quesadilla suiza and all of the items, sad to say, where way below my expectations. Granted, the margaritas here looked pretty good (judging by the 10 person group seated next to us), but the food here was so so dissapointing. For the pozole stew, they should just be upfront and call it a soup as the bowl was mostly liquid (very watery liquid) with a few strips of shredded dried out chicken and a couple pieces of pork in it. I think there was only a couple spoonfuls of pozole in it as well! As for the tacos and quesadilla, stick with El Faralitos or La Taqueria as with the fast eating crowds they have over there, you can be guarateed freshly cooked meat. Both the grilled chicken and beef were overcooked and dried out and all served haphazardly on ungarnished plates. Not sure if I would come back again... especially for the wait.
(2)
Baby C.

Two words: Magic Margaritas! I have no idea how good the food is pre-margarita, but I know it is damn good post. Always remember this equation for a good night: number in party - 1 = amount of pitchers. Any more and someone will have to remind you of all the monkey business you got into...
(4)
Alex V.

Just so you know..I'm Mexican and I had live in Mexico City..this is the closest that it gets to a home made meal.this joint is the only good place around the Mission. I had a lot of experience eating at Mexican Joints in the mission that are bad. I love the milanesa without the tomato sauce of course and the steak with grill onions is good. The torta is great! not the only things that I will change are the shrimp cocktail not good at all..as well the Margaritas are loaded..Arriva Arriva!
(4)
Chelsea T.

Is it the margaritas that make this food so good? Or is it the cheesy greasy food that makes the margaritas so damned tasty? Or maybe it's the half hour wait that allows you to kill some time next door at Blondie's or across the street at Casanova, and guarantee that I'm already drunk when I walk in the door. Puerto Alegre is a magical combination of cheese laden tex-mex, margaritas that pack a mean punch, and the best damned guacamole and hot sauce around.
(5)
Karsten P.

I have a hard time believing anyone can honestly rate the food at Puerto Alegre. This is because the smack-yo-mama Margarita pitchers they serve in here sever your tongue (as well as your motor skills and your common sense) from your brain. Here is my last experience there: I drop my GF off while I look for parking; we're going to a birthday party and we're running a little late. This takes me about ten minutes -- I walk in and sit down and look at my girlfriend, who stares at me like a stunned animal -- I swear her pupils are different sizes. Cautiously I ask, "what's your deal?" She replies, "I'm drunk, you need to catch up," to which I blurt, "TEN MINUTES?" She pushes a rocks glass full of margarita at me, says, "fuck you, you'll see." Six inches from my mouth the smell of Tequila coming off the glass is so potent that I cough. I take a sip: imagine mixing a Margarita like you'd mix a dry martini -- just a couple of drops of triple sec instead of vermouth. This is what I drink down. This is the Trojan Horse of Margaritas. Troy will burn -- it's only a matter of time. All sixteen people at the table are housed within thirty minutes. They could have served us dish towels with salsa on them and we would have hooted in delight. Or just hooted. Before the night was out I nearly broke my ass-bone trying to imitate a velociraptor (with sound effects) and my girlfriend, who went home after dinner (but left her keys with me), turned into Wonder Woman and mounted three stories of scaffolding on the outside of our apartment building to climb onto our deck. We're on the second floor so she actually jumped down to get there. Then she drove the bus for about an hour. So yeah, right, whatever, the food is GREAT here . . .
(3)
andre s.

I know he has a lot on his plate, but host guy is sometimes less than friendly. Also, if you have a bar, it doesn't seem right to not allow people to post up while waiting for their table. INstead we had to wait outside- even though we were ordering drinks. The food is good, but the margaritas are sooo on point. Don't think you're cool to walk out of there in a straight line after drinking a pitcher.
(3)
Gregor G.

The food here is fine. Nothing to write home about, but decent. The margaritas are better than the grub -- noteworthy, even. My main issue was with the schizophrenic service. We got approached often throughout our meal by different servers and runners. And each and every time, the new person would be a polar, extreme opposite of the previous. Sweet server was followed by hateful waitress. Friendly bill-dropper guy gave way to flat-out mean money-collector gal. (Their payment rules are inane, BTW.) All in all, I give this experience a robust Mexi-meh.
(3)
Aaron L.

Best Mexican food in the City? Hardly. Totally tasty cheap eats? You bet. I went to Puerto Alegre for a birthday dinner and left pleasantly surprised. There's plenty to find on the menu and the prices are more than reasonable. The 80s-funky music they play adds to the ambiance. The place isn't that big and not really set up for groups; I wouldn't try going back there with more than four people. For those who say that there's better Mexican food in SF, let me put it another way: Puerto Alegre is probably a more "authentic" place to take the Chevy's crowd if you can ever get them out of a Chevy's.
(3)
Jennifer L.

Me and 3 of my friend show up, get our little card and wait to be seated. After about 45 minutes we finally do--immediately order a pitcher of margs and devour two bowls of chips and salsa plus the pitcher 15 minutes later. We are all now very drunk and still starving. Our food comes--huge sauce covered burritos, crispy flautas and yummy cheesy enchiladas. This is always how it goes at Puerto and I like it that way--sometimes if you get enough peeps they'll take a reservation. Great place to start out your eve in the Mission.
(4)
Michelle M.

Some friends took me here on my last night in san francisco. We waited for about 30 min. but went next door to blondie's for a drink while waiting and it was way worth it. I've never had mexican other than the taquerias around here but it was well worth trying and i will def. return here.
(4)
Andy A.

Good service, almost always crowded, and ok prices. Although I haven't tried everything on the menu, it does seem like they put their heart and soul into their food. It can get pretty insane in here, however, so be prepared to hop across the street to Casanova's for a quick drink while you wait for your table. Also, ask if you can sit at the bar... then you can watch the game whilst eating (plus you may be seated immediately) Did I mention this place gets packed? I mean, packed on a Tuesday night at 630 pm packed?
(4)
Ian H.

I'm probably not alone in that Puerto was one of my first San Francisco dining experiences. For a while, putting our name in, going next door to Blondie's for a pre-dinner martini was habit. I guess I've grown up a bit in the last 4 years, because this routine isn't as fun anymore. For one thing, PV's prices have gone up, particularly on their margaritas. It's definitely a little pricier to eat here now, especially if you're drinking. Some nights the wait can be ridiculous as well. That said, I truly believe the Super Shrimp Burrito has magical properties. By magic, I mean if you eat that whole sucker, which is approximately the size of a regulation football, you can pretty much drink all night. Super Shrimp Burrito will absorb it all. As you might imagine, the magic wears off the next morning. PV may have jumped the shark with its recent price hikes, but it's still probably worth bringing out-of-towners.
(3)
John H.

Your enjoyment of Puerto Alegre is directly proportional to the number of margaritas you drink during your stay. Less than three, you will find that the food is nice, but not worth the hour wait. Your patience will be tested by 20 minutes that go by while you stare at the menu. The deafening acoustics will make you miss half of the conversation that occurs at your table, and leave you wondering if the waitress thought you ordered a fried oxtail chimichonga. Three or more drinks, and suddenly the place becomes so much more hospitable. You find that the margaritas are going down way easier than you'd expect. The Dos Tacos Especiale is quite possibly the best plate of fried tacos you've ever had. And how exactly did they cram all of that tomato flavor in the salsa anyway? Finally, you have an inner dialog with "sober" you, asking, "how come we don't eat here more often?", to which the response is, "WHAT? You don't like to eat pollen? Huh?"
(4)
Bruna D.

I grew up in San Diego and was more than spoiled on the best Mexican food ever!!! After moving to San Francisco a couple years ago I was so sad. The mexican food here SUCKS. Where are the delicious breakfast burritos that come with potatoes?! Where are the taquitos? Everything tasted so bland and mediocre until..... Puerto Alegre. It is the closest I found to southern californian mexican food. The portions are generous, the beans and rice are amazing, and everything is just so tasty! Also, get a margarita pitcher cuz those are good too!
(4)
melody r.

I love this place.Muchos burritos deliciosos! All burritos are topped with sauce and sour cream and cheese mmmm mmmm. This is good because we all know that a dry burrito can definitely ruin a day. Everything is priced so reasonably it's outta control. $5 for this enormous sloppy mound of glory.Also, the margarita pitchers took my life by storm, and made it better. I had my birthday here. big 21. 17 people around a table and pitchers of margaritas. Food was good, service was good... I was impressed. Then again, I was drunk. I think.
(5)
K W.

Margaritas and food are just ok. Service is really unpredictable and chips are pitiful however their chunky salsa is quite delicious.
(2)
Jocie H.

Im not the biggest fan of the food here (my boyfriend loves it), don't get me wrong it's good, just not my fave. I, however, love the margaritas and the mariachi bands. I have had some great times here and keep coming back because its just fun! I think the best things are the crunchy chicken tacos, the large chicken quesadilla or the chilli relano. I have my favorite server too, who rocks!
(4)
Jessica H.

This was a great way to start a little thing my friends and I call "Funday Sunday". I am always on the hunt for chorizo and eggs, and this place didn't disappoint. There were four of us and we got there around 1pm and only had to wait 5 minutes to be seated. The service was a bit slow, but we had a pitcher of margaritas to keep us occupied so we weren't that bothered by the wait.
(4)
Natalie H.

I LOVE PUERTO. seriously, it's worth the usually long wait. excellent margaritas. i'm obsessed with the grilled chicken burrito. but people, it is ENORMOUS. you can split it. also love the grilled chicken quesadillas. i recently had brunch here and it was delicious. i had the steak machaca that was a little dry, but yummy. always a fun place to take friends. i just realized that they take reservations too so i would recommend that.
(4)
Andrew W.

The margaritas can't be beat. Try the pozole.
(4)
Adam C.

I went here to start the last night of my friend's SF trip. We ended up going with a pitcher of the house margaritas, which was delightfully strong and for only 38 dollars, filled our glasses about four and a half times each. He had some combo thing, I had the enchiladas. I found the food and sauces to be very good. I remember wishing that they served more beans and rice with the dish. In the end, I could barely finish my plate so I am not sure what I would have done with these extra beans and rice should they have provided it. I thought this place was pretty fun, I would like to go back with a group.
(4)
Godzilla T.

Once you get past the parking and the waiting outside forever to get in, the margaritas are completely worth it. Food is good too.
(4)
Lara S.

This place is great! The vibe is fun and mellow at the same time. I went late on a Saturday night, and everyone seated inside just looked like they were hanging out and having a good time. We were seated promptly and given a basket of chips and salsa. The chips tasted fresh and the salsa was good. I'm vegetarian, so it's usually hard to find things on a menu in a Mexican restaurant. I ordered some kind of combo plate that was basically tortillas, cheese, beans, and rice. The food was decent. Not spectacular, but solid. The person I was eating with is a meat eater and she really enjoyed her food. We also ordered margaritas which were very well made- a good balance of alcohol and lime taste. If I lived in SF, I would be here all the time!
(4)
Matt V.

OMG I'm wasted ...arehjjalgjnkl;dafd Great friggin Margaritas! Food pretty damn good too for SF mexican food.
(4)
Brandyn B.

The wait to get in this place is consistently really long, so I figured it must be amazing. It IS amazing. Amazingly mediocre. The sort of mexican food you might find at a New Jersey diner that specializes in burgers. I thank you for your time.
(2)
Natalie L.

Puerto Alegre is pretty much awesome. I love their combo fajitas, everything is so fresh and delicious and don't even get me started on their Margaritas! A tip, just get a pitcher of them, it's cheaper and you will not regret it! Also, get their early because I line definitely starts to form out the door!
(4)
Gladys C.

There's a really long wait because this restaurant became 'trendy' all of a sudden. There are definitely much better Mexican food down the street on Mission (try, La Quinta). We were seated at a small table in the back of the restaurant with 2 bowls of salsa (spicy and mild) and chips awaiting. I ordered a combo plate with a beef taco and a chicken flauta. They were good size portions, but not truly Mexican portions, if you know what I mean and the food was good, but not spectacular. The margarita was strong, but it came in a tiny little cup. Overall - this might have once been a fantastic restaurant, but with all the hype and it's new trendy-self, it is now just average with a lot of people hawking for a table.
(3)
Jason B.

When the urge for a margarita comes up, this is the only place to go. It makes anywhere else in the city just look stupid. I go for the frozen strawberry margaritas. You watch Patty behind the bar pour about a 1/3 of a bottle of Sauza into the blender, and miraculously when you get the frozen concoctions you can barely even taste it is there. The food complements the drinks perfectly, soaking up the booze so you don't end up puking red foam all over Valencia street after you and your friends put away a few pitchers. Try the huevos con chorizo...it's not just for breakfast anymore.
(5)
Nezza F.

Thumbs up for their Mole sauce and guacamole. Thumbs up for the pitcher of margarita that was $20. SCORE! Thumbs down for the guitar player/singer who comes on at 7pm, plays and sings, then walks around the restaurant waving his bucket soliciting money from each person. It makes me uncomfortable. I expect that from other places in the Mission but not a sit down Taqueria. Thumbs down from the wait. They need to kick out the mo fo's who are nursing their pitchers of ice with no margaritas in them. Or take over the space next door and expand.
(3)
Thomas V.

Awesome carne asada burrito, great chips n salsa and really nice staff. Even snagged an outside table for the nice weather. I shall return with reinforcements. Ole.
(5)
Jean R.

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!
(4)
Jennifer A.

I live in Boston and I crave this place. On trips to SF, I have gone two or three times in a row. They have fantastic margaritas by the pitcher and the food is sublime. I don't think I have had better Mexican in the US. I also love the atmosphere. It is a dive, but they have cheap food, great music, and even mariachi bands that wander in off the street and play for you. Whenever I travel back to SF, I always put this place on my itinerary!
(5)
Brian C.

First let me confess I eat here at least once a week- usually on Sat or Sunday lunch after a nice long run- I show up starved so i can say enough about the chips and salsa. My Latino partner is a native of LA and a pretty harsh critic when it comes to Mexican food and this is the only Mexican food place in SF he is willing to go back to. I must confess I don't care for their Margaritas, but that isn't the only to go to, the food is very good and very affordable. We both are big fans of the Caldo de Pollo- it fucking rocks, it is just a nice large bowl of very basic broth with large pieces of chicken still on the bone, large chunks of carrots and zukes, severed with rice, beans and tortilla's - can't go wrong. I also love their Chile Verde is so good, large helping so you might even want to share it with someone else ( I mean lets be real we have already eaten 3 bowl of chips. I will keep going back, i find the wait staff nice if sometimes a little slow- but we prefer to sit at the bar, where your service is top notch.
(4)
Dpb T.

food is good, not great- standard mission fare. Margaritas and the chips/salsa rock though!
(4)
Britta D.

My sister was in the city to visit and wanted some great quac and a margarita. We were in the mission, at a great little boutique, so we asked the shop owner for a recommendation who sadly recommended this place. It honestly felt like a Mexican-themed TGIF. The quac was only ok, and frankly, it killed me to pay close to 6 bucks for it during happy hour hours (we were there at 5:30). I also cringed to see the margaritas being made from a common store bought mix. Service was only ok. I definitely won't be returning. That said, I did NOT have any of their entree dishes which could be better--just giving my review on the overall feel of the place.
(2)
Divya R.

Good food: - Tried their Super Shrimp burrito, was great! Crowded: - Too bad we had to sip some cosmos in the bar next door, as we waited for our table. Margaritas are so-so: - Nothing more to add here.
(4)
Tara A.

before today, i would have rated puerto alegre at three stars, maybe three point two-five. today they moved up to four. why you may ask? well let me tell you... the vegetarian torta is delicious!! yum, yum, yum yum! i've been waiting to try this baby since i saw it as a "daily special" last time i went in. i shouldn't have waited so long! other topics to touch upon: this place has my favourite chips and salsa! very tomato-y, not so chunky. medium spicy. and they just keep on bringing you chips, it's marvelous. they also have decent to good veggie burritos, that comes "wet," which adds a nice touch. something a little different. i also like that puerto alegre is a sit down mexican place, and not a taqueria. sometimes you just need a change of pace! now for a quick short mention of what i don't like. during the evening this place has a long wait list, and the service usually leaves something to be desired. i don't find the margaritas to be so fantastical, but hey, everyone else seems to like them. oh well. the end!
(4)
Sonya G.

5-star margaritas, definitely. 4-star bang for your buck-prices. 3-star food at best, with some notable exceptions (e.g. the shrimp quesadilla). 2-star wait. It's just not worth it anymore for me to loiter for an hour to be among the young and unwashed to get my margs on. Color me old lady, that's just da way it be.
(3)
Demeeter S.

This is one of my favorite places to grab Mexican food in the Mission - so given the amount of choices I have, that should be saying a lot. I could eat an entire bowl of their guacamole and not even bat an eyelash, it is THAT GOOD. Perhaps my judgment is slightly clouded due to the countless refills of margaritas from the pitchers flowing to our table...but I digress. I had a very simple yet delicious meal of one enchilada, one taco, plus my rice and beans. I also sampled some other plates on my table (try the delicious carne asada nachos to share as an appetizer) and found that everything was simple yet satisfying. Methinks next time the chile verde or steak picado should be mine! This place is small and very popular, so it would be considered polite if you ate, enjoyed your meal, and then left so that others can do the same. If the wait for a table is longer than 20 minutes (which is a good bet), you can grab a drink at Blondie's next door or Casanova lounge across the street!
(4)
Will A.

Puerto Alegre is nothing special as far as Mexican restaurants go, but the location is convenient and the margaritas are strong. El Metate definitely makes a better carne asada, but even theirs doesn't come close to Burrito Bandito in Phoenix. Anyway, Puerto Alegre is far from bad, just a bit bland. I'm not in a hurry to go back, lots of other places to try first, but I definitely wouldn't turn down an invitation! Unless perhaps it meant a 60 minute wait...
(3)
Jerry V.

I went there b/c the gf really liked Mexican food. So I went to try it. I got the Special Steak Milanesa. I don't know if you have ever tried steak milanesa but its sort of like.... Chicken fried steak. Its pounded flat and breaded and its crispy and crunchy and has that tasty taste of oh. Maybe even a few nods while chewing and appreciating you listened to me and got this dish. I get the cheese and sauce over it. Its about $10. But you get the salad and beans and rice. All decent. Nothing super spectacular but what do you expect when you go to a Mexican food place without Horchata. And they were out of Bohemia when I went. Hence the 3 stars. The margarita was decent though and the chips were crispy. Beware there will usually be a wait!
(3)
Aunny D.

I had serious doubts about the kind of Mexican Food that San Francisco could produce. I was pleasantly surprised to know that the Bay Area knows a thing or two about the proper way of concocting that greasy, cheesy, altogether bad for you, Mexican food that I love. On top of that, the margaritas at Puerto Alegre were nothing to laugh at. This restaurant in the Mission is a great little hole in the wall with the standard outdoor Christmas lights strung along the top of the ceiling (man, do my people know how to decorate or what?), and velvet paintings of dia de los muertos-style settings, Apache warrior chiefs, and Mexican flags. Arriba! I had a large bowl of albondigas soup with a side of rice and beans. It wasn't the best soup I have ever had but it hit the spot at the time.
(3)
Lee T.

A lovely man from Madrid suggested this place. He believes that the amount of money you spend should be proportional to the amount of food on your plate. I can agree with that. I liked this place. It serves up exactly what it appears to be. The margaritas were well executed and continued to flow smoothly. The chips were crisp and the salsa was fresh. Our food was very good - chile relleno, chimichanga, mole poblano. The ingredients were quality and the plates were full. I also appreciated the laid back but extremely effecient service. I would say this is a great go to Mexican place to bring a group of friends, drink up and have a cheap meal.
(4)
Hum V.

I've been past this place on my way to work for several years and wondered if it was any good. I'm giving it 4 stars for their margaritas, otherwise I found the food to be on the expensive side and not authentic. The clientele is non Hispanic and makes you wonder why is not is being patronized by the local folks. Puerto Alegre is located on Valencia St. restaurant row and caters to mostly visitors. It has a nice ambiance but I believe that if you venture into 24th Street, one will find more places with the local Hispanic flavor. Downgrating to 3 stars, I had lunch today and was disappointed. I ordered nachos with carne asada and it was missing the salsa, within minutes the nachos were became soggy. The beef was cut in small cubes and b land. My friend ordered chicharrones en salsa roja and it hardly had any chicharrones, he said that it had a peculiar like taste (like burned coffee). I've posted pictures. It will be a while before I go back..........
(3)
Jill O.

Totally solid burritos. I love the Super Burrito with shredded chicken. If only the service didn't suck. The staff is friendly, but just so very SLOW. And the atmosphere is pretty utilitarian - nothing too fancy about it, which is fine for a dive-y Mexican restaurant in the Mission. The restaurant is usually pretty packed, so it's much better to order a couple of burritos to go. The portions are huge and always last me for two meals.
(3)
alexa c.

"Puerto Alegre is hands down one of my favorite restaurants in the city." * Update 1.29.08, now, , , not so much. Puerto Alegre is hands down one of my favorite restaurants in the city. I've been going here for years with both larger groups and smaller intimate ones. Either way, it's hip, it's got a fun atmosphere and it's reasonably priced. It's quite popular and extremely busy just about every day of the week. So be sure to give yourself time and be patient while waiting for a table. Puerto Alegre is also popular for their margaritas. Now, I have never liked tequila, so I can't vouch for them. HOWEVER, 2006 was my introductory year to fine tequila, so now I appreciate it. That being said, I will need to hit up PA soon and rate their margs. As for the food, it's quite authentic and delish. I've been told that they make vegetarian beans and rice which is nice for the veggies considering that's not part of the authentic recipe. They still have regular as well, so everyone is happy. I would recommend PA for any casual dining experience with some culture and laid back setting.
(4)
Leah B.

Fun and casual vibe with bright colors and always a good crowd. The margaritas are great but make sure you just order regular margaritas - the only choices listed on the menu are the much more expensive, top-shelf varieties. I can't taste the difference anyhow. The chips and thick and super crunchy, and I really enjoy the red salsa with big chunks of tomato and a good amount of cilantro. The tostada salad is fairly large and comes with tons of shredded chicken. The soft chicken taco with grilled or shredded chicken and side salad makes a gorgeous lighter meal. Lots of tasty fried items too of course. Perfect for brunch too with a nice egg menu as an addition. Enjoy.
(4)
Amy K.

Walking through the Mission with my boy, wondering where to eat and drink when it's not quite dinnertime but we had a late breakfast and skipped lunch... oh, where shall we go... the sun is shining and we are more than ready to get our drink on... YES! Puerto Alegre it is! The big pitchers of margaritas, the plentiful plates of food. Sure, there are places in San Francisco with slightly better Mexican fare, but this is one of the best bets in terms of the overall experience. Sitting in a corner booth with the sun shining through, sipping our drinks and scooping salsa onto nice, crispy chips, filling our bellies with large plates of food... it's a winner. Standout dishes include the shrimp and avocado quesadillas and some of the generously-portioned combo plates.
(4)
Andrea S.

Can't stay away from this place. Always worth the inevitable wait! Love their guac and margaritas. I have loved every dish I had (with one exception - the fajitas were more veg than meat) -- but my favorites are the enchiladas and all of the soups. Feeling sick? Have their chicken soup - instant wellness for me. Service is pretty much always friendly, and if you do have to wait, there are plenty of spots to wet the whistle (we prefer Casanova across the street as opposed to Blondie's next door). PA is a staple, for sure.
(4)
Lola D.

I heart this place!! Okay, so, I'm a tad bit late on writing a review but oh well...this is a good place to have a low-key birthday dinner. I love the food here and the salsa rocks my socks off! Haha! Seriously though, I'm quite critical of the mexican food here in this fine city being as I'm half-mexican myself and I have lived in the great state of Texas where mexican food rules...Puerto Alegre hasn't disappointed me at all, even with the mariachi dude singing to me for my birthday.
(4)
Gabe B.

This place is fantastic. Always busy, which means GOOD FOOD. I can't deal with people complaining about waits and lines...there's a f--king reason for them! greta margaritas, great service (wendy is the best) and the live music is awesome. I have easily been here once a week on average. the suizas are the BOMB.
(4)
David D.

old, dirty looking but not, family run like, cheap but good margaritas, consistent comida, muy bueno decor, a secret at one time...i've been going since '93ish. the only thing that's changed is the staff and the number of people they shuffle through.
(3)
Keith C.

I went here last Friday night with a group of 8 friends. Though we were a bit late and and our table had been given away, they accommodated us within 10 minutes of our arrival. The food here is nothing to write home about. It's your standard uninspired Mexican greasy spoon fare. The only items of note would be the free salsas that come with the chips. The mild variety is chunky and hearty with fresh ingredients. The spicy variety was a bit too hot for me, but I imagine those who appreciate that sort of thing would like it. The best part about this place is the pricing. The 9 of us shared several pitchers of (nicely strong) margaritas with our meals and it cost ~ $20 per person.
(3)
K F.

I quite like this place, and not just because the great Richard Buckner mentions it in one of his songs. The food is quite tasty, the service is good, the drinks are swell and it's not overpriced. It's often packed, but when you can get a table, this is a great stop.
(4)
Zoe C.

The best thing of the night were the margaritas until I saw on the bill that one mid size one was 9.50$ other then that the food was very good, not the best mexican but above average. The service was wonderful very attentive waiters but they did mess up my order. All in all it was a bit too loud and I don't like having to wait for a table for 30 min.
(4)
Antonio S.

best mexican food ever! awesome margarita's! i recommend this place to all. great service, great atmosphere!
(5)
ash c.

Let me start by saying my best friend moved to New York 2 years ago and every time she comes to visit, the first thing we have to do is go to Puerto Alegre. It's that good. Yes, there is always a wait, and sometimes they forget what order you put your name in and you end up waiting a little longer but it's all part of the charm. Besides, you can just go across the street and have a drink while you wait! Food here is cheap, good, filling and oh yeah did i mention the margaritas? This place is a good sit down alternative to a taqueria where you can enjoy the never-stale chips and salsa while you people watch and sip margaritas. Everything i've ever ordered has consistently been the same- huge portions of rice, beans, meat, and anything you could possibly want to add. Just writing about it is making me hungry... If you're not in a hurry and you want to make a night of it (trust me, the drinks are strong) hit this place up then go dance it all off somewhere up the street.
(4)
SaraMitra P.

A great place to bring friends from out of town who want cheap Mexican food with table service and margaritas. That being said, try to make it during the day so you don't have to wait forever for a table. The service can be negligible, but if you've had enough margaritas in you does it really matter?
(4)
Brian M.

Casadilla suiza y tasty margaritas! Nuff said
(4)
PAULA W.

I really like this place. I have been coming here for years and they have good food and margaritas at a great price. I recommend the top shelf margaritas and the combination platters. The only bad think I have had here our the tamales. It is always crowded so be prepared for a wait. They do take reservations for large parties
(4)
Casey D.

Average food? Barely. Service? Nearly non-existant. Yeah, I know everyone comes here for the margaritas, but I think you need to pre-drink or something to even get one of those down. Tastes like pure alcohol. I can get my strong drinks elsewhere with better food/service/no wait. Try el Toro Taqueria instead--much more bang for your buck!
(2)
Trisha W.

Well, they've certainly got a good location. Aside from that... ... ... ...Yes, it's more authentic than Chevy's or Tres Agaves, and more of a dinner destination than your average Mission taqueria, but pick a random family-run mexican restaurant in any small city in California, and it would be as good as Puerto Alegre, if not better. Yes, the margaritas are decent (which might be what endears their customers to them quite so much. There's no love like tipsy love remembered.) But you'll get a better margarita at Zeitgeist or Tommy's, and even ok margaritas can't save the fact that Puerto Alegre's food was unspectacular, and in some cases just bad. The cheese enchilada appeared to possibly be made from Velveeta, or some other cheap cheese substitute with a strange plasticky texture and a Crisco-y aftertaste (and aftertexture, if there is such a thing.) I want to brush my teeth just remembering it. I gave up on my dinner halfway through and went back to eating chips and salsa. After another few chips, I realized what they tasted like: Chex cereal. Not Chex Mix, but the slightly grainy-powdery multigrain breakfast cereal. Tommy's food is actually tasty, and their margaritas could beat up Puerto Alegre's drinks in a dark alley.
(2)
Helen T.

great option in the mission if you're looking for solid mexican food and pitchers of margaritas. love coming here with groups of friends. we come here mostly for the margaritas which are fairly decently priced, but their brunch options are pretty good--mmm chilaquiles and chorizo scrambles
(4)
Cathy T.

Came here for a catch up dinner with a friend and while the company was five stars the food was only so-so. She had the huevos rancheros which she said were mediocre. I got the two item plate with an enchilada and a tamale which were also mediorcre. Both were dry and the enchilada sauce had a weird metallic aftertaste. I quite enjoyed their beans and their salad however so I would probably give this place another try at some time but wouldn't seek it out.
(3)
A W.

Love this place! Solid food like Mama makes (I always get the veggie fajitas--can't speak to anything else), great sized portions, cheap prices, and tasty margaritas made like I weigh twice as much as I do. (Herradura Silver, rocks & extra salt please!) If you're lucky, a lovely three piece mariachi group will stroll in, sing a song or two and continue on their way down Valencia so you can proceed to talk at a normal volume.
(4)
Evelyn B.

Truly Puerto Alegre offers a much better than average Mexican food experience. It was one of the first restaurants I was brought to while visiting SF before actually making the leap and moving to the city by the bay. It left an impression upon me. The dark interior offers a welcoming atmosphere after walking about the Mission district on a bright Saturday afternoon. The food satisfied my hungry stomach and fiery soul; the enchiladas are consistent and dependably good. Seating is plentiful and efficient, making Puerto Alegre a great pick for small groups and dates.
(4)
Kenny S.

I love this place! It's a hangout of alot of bartenders and food service folks who ,I was hanging out with last tuesday. ! 10 of us had a blast , being a Plumber in SF for 15 years , i eat at alot of places and this place has the best hot salsa , the red one they give ya when you sit down in the city! Strawberry Margaritas a burito and awesome staff! Go there and have fun!
(5)
Matt O.

I really wanted to give this place 5 stars, because I really do love it... but my experience there today left me lacking a star. Boo. So here's the dilly-yo... So I talked this place up as being one of my favorites to my boyfriend. So while nursing our hangovers on a cold Saturday afternoon, we decided to hit it up. We got placed in a booth a little too close to the door, because every time someone walked in or out we froze our butts off. So we ordered our food and munched on chips, salsa and guac while we waited. And waited. And waited some more. At first it was fine... our chip bowl was constantly being refilled, so we were good. For a while. It wasn't until we noticed other tables who were sat after us getting their food that we started wonder where our food was. So we snagged another waitress to check on our food for us, as our server was always either out of sight, or wiping down menus. A few moments later we were approached by the lovely manager who politely informed us that the server inadvertently placed our order slip in his pocket instead of turning it into the kitchen! WTF!!! I mean... at what point do you realize that your table has yet to receive their order? haha So anyhow, the manager was really nice and told us he would take care of our soda's and guac for us (bonus!), yet when we got the bill we had an even better surprise! He slashed our bill in half! Yay! (I thought this was an appropriate gesture to make up for the servers inability to service! Ok... now onto the good stuff... the food. Very yummy. The chips are perfect, and the two types of salsa are equally as good... one just the right level of spiciness, and the other perfectly mild and a little chunky. The guac here is fantastic... always worth getting. The margs are awesome... be sure to get a pitcher... you'll thank me later. And the rest of the food on the menu is great... you can't go wrong! The quesadilla's are my favorite... and the crispy taco's are a close second. The one thing that is bad is the salad. I mean... you can't just put shredded lettuce on a plate and call it a salad!
(4)
jordan n.

Fun Place, good Mexican, food long wait but tons of nearby bars to keep you busy, Favorite is the chicken avacado Squiza, Chicken Mole also good if you like mole - Great margaritas but be careful.
(3)
Dana L.

Tasty mexican food. Nothing fancy, but its pretty good, nonetheless. The chips they serve are pretty good, and the dipping sauces are excellent. I ordered the chicken and avocado quesadilla, which I would recommend. My only suggestion is that you don't eat all your food, because you will likely make yourself sick. Our bill came to about $13 per person for an entree and a coke (including tax/tip). There are definitely cheaper taquerias in the mission, but this isn't a bad value.
(3)
Stephanie D.

I've eaten here twice and both experiences have been really really good. The last time was on a Saturday where we did have an hour wait, so we sat in casanova across the street and had a drink while we waited, which only took about 35-40 minutes. The food here is great, and I haven't had them, but some in our group got the refried black beans (only by request) and they're evidently kickass. I'm a sucker for the regular refried beans and got those, and they were great. Ps, I am a rice connoisseur and let me tell you their rice is AWESOME. No carrot chunks here folks, just baby-kissed rice. I also have to mention the margaritas, which are amazing. We got a pitcher for our table. I would have gotten a pitcher for myself had I not spent the entire day perfecting my form in delores park. Hands down a great place to eat and drink. Check it out.
(5)
Kathleen D.

Pretty run-of-the-mill Mexican food. Good location. Kind of weird about not having people seat themselves - I was told by the bartender to ask the hostess if I could sit at a table near where I was perched at the bar. So I had to go back up front, and ask for a table only to be sent back to where I was. Kind of a process. Once I got seated everything was good. I had shrimp quesadillas and a margarita. The margarita wasn't very big, but it packed a punch. My friend got one enchilada that was gigantic. I think if I go back I'll just stay at the bar. It had a fun feel.
(4)
M. B.

I love this place! Yes, the food is not the best but it is good and it's super cheap; plus, they have awesome margarita's and salsa. Yes, the wait can be extremely long at times but there are so many bars in that neighborhood to sit at while you wait for your table. The jukebox is great, the crowd is cute and it's super cheap (again)....in short, it's a great San Francisco institution.
(5)
Gina R.

Good guac and margaritas. Just ok mexican food that is really overpriced for what it is. But it's fun to go with large groups and split the margaritas. For reals!
(3)
Irma E.

YUM!!!! The wait sucked!!! Although it was worth it!!! Our first night that we arrived to San Francisco we had this spot for dinner. As soon as we sat we had constant attention from a pitcher of Margarita to our entrees BUT THEN...our waitress disappeared! She got a buck knocked off her tip for that...LOL The food was GREAT!...I love food so I consider myself a GREAT food critic! LOL I had the Chile Relleno with a Chicken Sope, rice and Beans...man was it good! The Beans had a taste of chorizo. (mouth watering) ...man I will hit this place up when I go back!
(4)
Abby W.

I don't know, maybe more like 3.5 stars. I love the margaritas. The crowds have gotten to me. Is it REALLY worth the wait? I'm not sure. Knowing that a friend of mine swears by their sopes, I ordered one and wasn't too impressed. The corn-based dough may have been stale. The veggie burrito once made me quite ill. I'm sort of over it. But, then again, those margaritas are "wicked" good (sorry, but I've been in NH for a few days).
(3)
johnny r.

sweet sweet puerto alegre. how do i love thee? ok, so you have to wait for awhile. but, patience is a virtue. relax. it will be worth it. herradura silver margaritas by the pitcher. yum shrimp fajitas. double yum. an amazingly overstuffed burrito as big as my head (and honey, my head is BIG). more yum than anyone should take on by themselves. te amo, puerto alegre... te amo.
(4)
Andy P.

fresh salsa, good margaritas, decent prices, and probably my favorite mexican joint in san francisco. born and raised in texas, i'm pretty picky when it comes to mexican, but puerto alegre satisfied my palate. come early or call ahead for reservations on the weekends, or be ready for a wait.
(4)
Jay S.

My favorite is the Milanesa Especial (breaded steak)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG it's mouth watering. PLEASE try it and you will fall in love. The margaritas are delicious also.
(5)
Leah M.

Great place to enjoy a variety of Mexican dishes, from red mole to giant burritos. My brother threw a bachelor party dinner here and it was a big hit. And I concur with the other reviews - you can't go wrong with the margaritas. As for the dive decor, who doesn't enjoy funky gold-glitter cushioned booths?
(4)
Jennifer C.

I can't believe anyone likes the food at this place. All I can figure is they're too tanked on the margaritas to notice the bland salsa, scary meat product (looked like boiled ground beef in my taco) and piles of shredded iceberg lettuce. And people line up outside to wait for a table. Weird. Maybe living in Arizona for all those years has jaded me but c'mon, it's the Mission and there are better choices. One star for the margaritas which are pretty tasty. If you're just looking for a crowd and a few drinks this is your place.
(1)
Desiree A.

Service= 0 Ambiance=2 Food=4 Did I mention horrible service. We waited an hour for a table of four which we agreed to and that's ok because we agreed. However, the hostess, rude. The waiter, did not greet us for five minutes. We did not get our drinks for ten. When the waiter finally greeted us, no personality. He never returned to refill our water and drinks and refill our chips. Our food was good, but never returned to see if we needed anything until we had our dirty plates sitting there for 15 minutes again with no waiter. I had to walk to the bar to ask for a bill. There are so many great places in the mission that I really think its not worthit.
(3)
Christina S.

I was told to steer clear of the pozole....that it could possibly be unedible and force me to go to McDonalds. So I chose the shrimp and avocado quesadilla. A quesadilla is a quesadilla, can't really go wrong. Reason I'm giving Puerto Alegre 4 stars is for the tequila sampler. It was cheap!!! And good tequila!!! Basically a double shot of one anejo, one reposado and one blanco for $16.50. I was like "whoa" when I got the bill. "WHOA!!!!!!!"
(4)
Josh M.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I kinda expect that any sit-down Mexican restaurant (where I'm spending $10+ a plate) in the Mission should at least be on par with most of the other taquerias (non sit-down) in the area. Puerto Alegre was not even close - I'd much rather walk to any of the other less expensive taquerias in the area, if given the choice again. My food was bland and not worth the price at all. Wish I could compare it to some other sit-down mexican places in the city, but to be honest, I usually just prefer the cheaper taquerias - you just can't go wrong.
(3)
Victoria G.

There's a lack of good Mexican sit-down places in the city and Puerto definitely doesn't help the situation. The food is weak and totally bland if you're vegetarian. Maybe the beef is awesome. I don't know. People rave about the cheap margaritas, but a place has to serve me a lot more than sour mix and bottom shelf tequila to keep me stoked.
(2)
Lauren J.

Great place in the mission for good, authentic, reasonably priced food. I loved the chicken meatball soup, and the enchiladas are great. Perfect, creamy refried beans. Friendly waitstaff. Love it!
(4)
Laura C.

I love Puerto Alegre! the old-fashion ambiance and the hip, but not too much costumers, but most of all I like the food and the drinks. The margarita is awesome, the quesidilla big and juicy, the churros and chocolate sauce delicious. Two thumbs up!
(5)
Seth L.

The burritos and drinks are excellent! The tacos were ok. After eating there for the first time last night, it has become my new favorite place for Mexican food.
(5)
Touche C.

As authentic as Mexican gets! Live Mariachi's or Noreteneo Songs from the juke you remember you grandma playing in the housewhen you were young...Super tastey and strong margarita's..Fresh Chips and Salsa..Super Hip and Cool staff!! Great for Groups!! Great for the game!! Great ANYTIME!! VIVA PUERTO ALEGRE!!
(5)
Violet S.

ummmm....YUM! What else can I say? Everything I have ordered, from the enchiladas to the nachos to the tamales to the tacos etc. have been great. What makes this place special is their beans and rice are delicious; most places the rice and beans feel like a sloppy side dish, but here they are a great part of the entree. The margaritas are hella good, especially on the rocks :)
(4)
B P.

Pretty good food but I've had better...usually at a taco truck on the street. The wet buritto is pretty nummy and the margaritas are awesome! Totally not worth an hour wait when they won't let you make reservations and there are other restaurants in the area. The best luck I've had is lunch on a Saturday avo.........but even then it's hit or miss!
(3)
Maria D.

I do not fucking care what you think about Puerto. I love this place. I have had some extremely memorable evenings and lunches here. The burritos are good and very cheap, their chips & salsa are totally addictive and their margaritas are not nearly as coma inducing as La Rondalla's. Yes, the line sucks, but you have a variety of places to entertain yourself while you wait.
(5)
James S.

Meh. Always a wait, but not sure if it's really worth it. The food is average and the margaritas need more tequila! El farolito, here I come!
(2)
Mimi T.

This is my favorite sit down Mexican joint in the Mission. The food is excellent and authentic...$8 for a two-item combo plate--totally reasonable. They have a wide variety of choices on their menu...but I'd stick to the basic tacos and burritos..etc. I've had their Carne Asada steak and it wasn't the best. They also make killer Margaritas, too. There is usually a long wait..but you can hang out next door at Blondie's while you wait.
(4)
Chris C.

You know that really cool friend you have. You know the one. The guy with the liberal arts degree, and all those friends named Jose. Remember, he met them during his semester in Costa Rica. Yeah, this dude (your friend) is not eating at Puerto Alegre. He's too busy eating "authentic Mexican." So, don't invite him because he's not coming. If you need him he'll be at 22nd and Mission eating shrimp that was cooked in a shopping cart by a dude who probably hasn't had a chance to catch up on the latest health board rules and regulations. At about this time you'll be somewhere into your second pitcher of margaritas, enjoying the chips and salsa and having a laugh.
(4)
Lisa T.

Okay, the food's really not THAT good. I mean, it's okay, but it's not GREAT. But I keep going there again and again because it's actually one of only a few places at the north end of the Mission where you can get a cheap Mexican meal with table service. Really -- it's true. Unless you're happy with a taqueria, it's hard to sit down and ORDER Mexican food in that part of the Mission. And, when you have your little sister in town from Detroit, and she's having her "Mission Day," and she's all touristified, and she's just been to Mission Dolores and shopping on 16th and she's loving the sunshine and the palm trees because they don't have shit like that in the D, in fact the sun NEVER shines there because it's inside the first circle of hell and there are no trees except for the trees that grow out of the tops of the abandoned skyscrapers and in the vacant lots where there USED to be houses until they all burned down in the race riots and now they're overrun by crack whores and wild pheasants and YES those two species are frequently seen together in the wilds of Detroit nesting in metal stripped from the window frames of all the abandoned auto factories left to rot when the f'ing Big Three abandoned the city and gave the proverbial middle finger to the working class and, and... Where am I? Oh yeah -- JUST KIDDING! I love Detroit! I just tattooed the "D" on my shoulder! Go Tigers! So if all that, then this is a good place to go for Mexican in the Mission and complete your Mission experience. Not TOO crowded, decent enough eats, hoppin' vibe, looks like a diner but they have margaritas, too (yay!), and the little Mexican guitarist man is ALWAYS in here. That just made my little sister's day (who, by the way, now also wants to move to San Francisco). We don't have street musicians in Detroit, either. In Detroit, someone would cap the little Mexican guitarist man and use his guitar to start a fire in an oil barrel and keep warm...
(4)
Bert T.

I like the margaritas and the hole in the wall style decor. Food wise, I think it's ok. I mean, considering the supreme standards- San Diego and Mexico I think it's fine. I've had the "Quesadilla" which is actually a big burrito wrapped up in cheese and meat. It's NOT the the standard kind (pizza wedges) that many are used to. The burritos were good but it wasn't like anything I haven't had before. It's a pretty small place so expect a LONG wait for a group of 6 or more.
(3)
Stephanie M.

YUMMM! If I could eat Mexican food for the rest of my life, I would! This place has great margaritas, not too sweet and definitely get the job done. However, it is unfortunate that they don't have a happy hour, but the bottomless chips and salsa, and live mariachi entertainment make up for the extra bucks. I'm a huge fan of the fajitas, they are cooked to perfection and loaded with delicious meat and veggies, so much in-fact, that I always have lunch for the next day. I would recommend this place to anyone, it's got a lot of personality and delicious food and drinks. SALDUD!
(4)
Nicole S.

Oh my god. Best guac EVER. $5 for a huge heaping bowl of fresh, creamy guac. Great margaritas. Really mediocre everything else. Fun for a friday happy hour.
(3)
liesl k.

$23.11 for one tamale, one budweiser, one glass of house red and two of the worst tacos i've had anywhere. ever. billed as "grilled" and charged an extra dollar a piece, these excuses for mexican food consisted of a stingy portion of SAUTEED chicken on store bought tortillas adorned with a tiny smear of la victoria refried beans. our server told us they "came with" cilantro and onions but i swear i have more cilantro and onions stuck to the sides of the dirty dishes in my sink. i fully intended to ask for more but after we were served somehow we turned invisible. huh. this is the last time i get lured in to a taqueria by the words "full bar".
(1)
Kristin W.

Good mexican food, great margaritas (I usually go through at least one full pitcher with a friend when I go there). Usually a VERY long wait though, so show up before 8 or plan on waiting at least an hour (the wait around 6pm has usually been about 15 min).
(3)
Robert G.

I've brought every out of town visitor to this place for a very good Mexican sit down meal. Food is out of this world. Chips and salsa are amazing. Prices are reasonable. Beer selection is kind of lacking. All in all, a great place.
(5)
Beach L.

love the soups!
(5)
doug d.

I like their salty chips and salsa. I don't like margaritas much, but everyone else says their's rocks. I had a visitor in town once and we got to see a mariachi band, and naked dikes on bikes all during one meal. Food is fine. The staff is nice.
(4)
Beth T.

Tasty food and excellent salsa, but bad service. Waited forever for a host to even put our name on the list, and when we finally got seated, our server was less than interested in filling our drinks or checking to see if we needed anything else.
(3)
Maggie Baggie H.

the easiest way to forget about the wait to get into Puerto Alegre, which is typically absurd, is to order youself a pitcher of lime margaritas. which means you might end up having one more pitcher (please see pitcher math below) because forgetting has never been so sweet. in fact, the easiest way to forget about many of your problems, as one often needs to do early Friday evening, is to sit down at a booth, splurge on the pitchers and guac, and have a gay old time in the Mission. two people of average height/weight equals two pitchers two people ending horrid week equals two pitchers, two shots premium tequilla *add on shots as needed *add pitchers with caution
(4)
Sara H.

Try the mole enchiladas. They are to die for!! A little on the pricer side compared to some of the other options in the area but I think Puerto Alegre has better food.
(4)
Jackie B.

That is a damn good chile relleno. Yum. Pretty much on average with any above average mexican joint located in the Mission.
(4)
Jamie K.

My favorite place for a great mole sauce and a marg!
(4)
David S.

I'm not a huge fan of Mexican food, so I was dragging my feet when my friends took me to Puerto Alegre for dinner. But, as is often the case, I did enjoy it after all. The place is nothing fancy, but the selection and quality of the food were both very good. We ordered some margaritas (pretty damn good ones for that matter!) and pigged out on chips and salsa (also pretty damn good!). I then ordered a shrimp dish (the name of which I can't remember) since I get tired of the more typical Mexican dishes. It was actually very good (shrimp sauteed with onions and peppers in a spicy sauce, that came with rice and beans), and I would order it again. I wouldn't say the service was particularly good (the waitress mixed up several dishes that my friends ordered), but kudos for letting us hang around for a while after we finished our meal, even though the place was relatively busy.
(4)
Kapiolani M.

This is my all time favorite place for chorizo con huevos!! Also, talk about some of the best margarita pitchers in town!! The wait is sometimes long, but totally worth it!!
(5)
Trevor D.

$35 for each pitcher of margaritas? Swindling jerks like this should be shutdown. Never going back to this place.
(1)
Tomas V.

The food is so-so. u can get better food for cheaper not far from here. The price winner here are their margaritas. Lime ones, on the rocks, by the pitcher. You'll forget about what your food tasted like after the second pitcher. Seriously good stuff! i actually added a 4th star because I've met some rather cute men while happy hour'ing here. totally took me by surprise to notice a beautifully husky man staring my way from the bar. few margaritas down, he came up to say hi while my friend was having a smoke break. sexyness.
(4)
Michelle K.

As a true honest-to-goodness Mexican who thankfully has her mami's and her tia's cooking to rely on, I say shame, Puerto Alegre! No self-respecting Mexican puts parmesan cheese on Mexican food!! WTF!?!?! And the wait is RIDONKULOUS!!! Yes, the margaritas are good but the food is just okay, occasionally pleasantly surprising--I do love their cheese inside enchiladas--but it often borders on insulting my Mexicanness (as above with the parmesan incident). And yet I keep coming back because it is actually the best sit-down Mexican place, as opposed to a taqueria, I've found in my neighborhood (Mission/Castro). Which begs the obvious question: Why, in a state chock-full of Mexicans, can I not find a decent authentic sit-down Mexican restaurant that even comes close to reminding me of my mami's or my tia's delicious cooking? Is SF in the Bermuda Triangle of Mexican cooking? What gives, SF? It's enough to bring me to tears... *update: After almost a year of trying to go here, I've realized that every time I go there it puts me in a hella furious mood. They always ignore your ass for way too long when you go up there to even put your name on a wait list--so you can have the privilege of waiting for 30 min. to an hour and a half!!! You'd think their food was gourmet and came with a side of gold, with that kind of wait. THE FOOD IS NOT EVEN THAT GOOD!! IT'S JUST THE ONLY MEXICAN SIT DOWN PLACE AROUND!!! IN THE MISSION!!! WTF? And it just infuriates me no end how the person working the hostess/seating stand is always doing something else. Just tell me how long the wait is already, don't make me wait for that too!
(3)
Susanne T.

Welcoming service. Great food and perfect environment. On another note we are looking for Irish Sean who joined us for our film premiere. Sean please contact Dame Ginger. Thanks for everything Puerto Alegre!
(5)
Suzanne V.

I liked this place! I do recommend making a reservation if you can, though be warned that if you do, you may still have to wait a bit. Luckily you'll be near a bunch of mission bars like Blondies where you can stop in and have a drink before you get into your delicious margaritas at Puerto Alegre. I ordered the camarones diabla... and they were not kidding, it was very spicy. They were delicious but I think I preferred my friends order of camarones rancheros which were more flavorful and not so spicy. I also ordered a shredded beef taco bc I just had to try it and while nothing will probably ever live up to the shredded beef tacos at Garcia JoJo's in Modesto, CA... these were pretty damn good! Everything that everyone else ordered was delicious and I liked the salsa and guacamole at this place a lot. I want to go back and try their mole - a friend ordered it and loved it and it looked really delicious. The one thing I did not enjoy was the mariachi band who stood literally right next to our table and played and it was impossible to have a conversation while they were playing. On top of that, they come right up to your table and are not shy about requesting tips. Now I'm happy to give tips... however, I did not request for them to play and I didn't like them interrupting our meal or the assumption I should have to tip them. The service here is also a bit haphazard and slow but in their defense, this place was packed. All that aside, I definitely recommend this place, it has a unique flavor and is genuinely delicious as well as generous with the portions. I can't wait to come back!
(4)
H H.

Effing awesome. First, I wanted to put my face in the salsa. Really. The five of us ate at least five bowls of chips with the insanely good salsa. Second, I ordered the stewed chicken and avocado quesadilla. It was so insanely good I almost passed out. It was more like a grilled burrito, so it wasn't flat, but honestly, it was insane. Third, the check came and MY WHOLE DINNER WAS LESS THAN $8. We'll be back.
(5)
Jenz y.

i had a chicken quesadilla after i got a tattoo around the corner at black & blue - nothing like dripping cheese and grilled chicken to get you through some pain, and, it was enough for me to eat half for lunch and the other for dinner! the breakfast is pretty good (chorizo for the win), but the dinner can be a little pricey for what else the neighborhood offers. like evryone says, though - they do make a mighty margarita. i split a strawberry daquiri pitcher with a friend the last time i was here and was good for the rest of the night. the wait staff is pretty good but i always seem to have trouble with the hosts - is it that hard to sit me down or tell me how long when i am standing three feet from you??
(4)
Aaron M.

I agree that the food is great and it continues to be. However, I think a major part of the rating needs to be for the atmosphere. This place hasn't been updated since the 1970s. It would be great if these owners would see the value of modernizing it into the 21st century. It makes for a less than pleasant dining experience, which can be somewhat overlooked by the great food and margaritas. So, 5-stars for the food, 4-stars for the service, 1-star for the atmosphere.
(3)
Sage R.

I'm old and stuff, so I remember Puerto Alegre circa 1997: divier, dirtier, drunker and delicious. Like so many things (myself included) age has not improved Puerto Alegre. The seedy and wonderful taqueria with the hyper-crazy-killer margaritas has been replaced with a ghetto-tastic version of Chevy's (credit to Veronica Y. for "ghetto-tastic"). But at Chevy's the chips are better. We were there most recently with a large-ish group for a birthday party. Our single waitress deftly handled us and kept the margaritas rolling in. She was great. The guac was nice and chunky and good. The salsa was bland, as if they've had too many gringos bitching about the spiciness so now they're serving glorified ketchup instead of salsa. The BF and I shared a whopper super burrito, a chicken tamale and a cheese enchilada. The tamale and the enchilada were barely warm, the burrito consisted of 90% dry, tasteless rice, with a splash of meat and a soupy dollop of sour cream. The beans that came on the side of the combination plate were watery and bland, and, hooray! yet more dry, tasteless rice! The margaritas, once limey, tequila-y goodness were overly sweet and chalky with sweet and sour mix that contributed, I'm sure, to the crazy indigestion that ensued later in the evening (that was also not helped by the meal itself.) Every time I go to Puerto Alegre, I stay up half the night, my stomach burning and gurgling, wondering if I'm going to have to make a dash for the bathroom, and every time I vow never to return. But somehow I do. And somehow, it's always a good time... It's truly a mystery to me... I guess the trick is to make sure you choose your company for the outting wisely.
(2)
Kit V.

Great mellow Mexican joint- all about the carne asada suiza and a pitcher of margs. No resies though so chill back at the bar next door with a beer while you wait! Solid place, worth a visit.
(4)
C.Edward K.

one of my favorite spots in the missh. I'ts moderately priced and a happy medium between a sit down restaurant and a taqueria.
(5)
Kristin S.

Why can you not find a decent margarita in Seattle? This was hands-down the best margarita I have had since I lived in Houston. Everything about it was memorable, yummy and delicious. I want another. NOW. Our nachos also left me craving MORE. The cheese enchilada however was somewhat forgettable. I saw the burritos and wanted one of those instead. This place had horrible lines and we had to sit at the bar. Next time we'll bring more friends and get a *pitcher* of margaritas (and probably more nachos, I am a nacho fiend). I am giving this joint five stars for giving me memories of college and yummy margaritas. I don't care if my "real food" was sub-par. Who needs "real food" anyway?
(5)
Joe R.

In 20+ visits to Puerto I've only ever had the Super Grilled Chicken Burrito. I'm not planning to switch. Be prepared to wait 1-1.5 hours for a table - use this time to put back a few at one of the neighboring establishments (Blondie's, Cassanova, Kilowatt, Elixir, etc.).
(5)
Rachel R.

I'm so full I can't walk straight Things I've eaten from this lovely place are as follows: Steak burritos- yum yum and can never finish in one sitting Chicken quesadillas - lots of cheesey goodness Enchilladas- filled with all kinds of meat and not drowning in sauce Chicken Soup- broth only, but very light and tasty Carnitas- so tender and juicy Fajitas- steak or chicken and steaming fresh Flan - thick and creamy with lots of caramel sauce just the way i like it there's tons more on that menu that i will try, but anytime i've gone it's always a fun time, and i suggest off hours so you don't have to wait around. The mariachi band is entertaining, and just adds to the place. The bar is great with tons of room, and you don't feel overly crowded anywhere you sit.
(5)
SF U.

This is really hard to rate. The food is completely average, however the pitchers of margaritas are such good deals. The music is always rockin, and it is a great place to hang out and drink with friends. We go here all the time, so it would be nice to give it more stars. We go for the vibe, pitchers, booths good times and chips and salsa. i do really love this place.
(3)
e w.

If you live in SF or visit semi-frequently you will eventually find yourself at this establishment. Good margs and chips/salsa, but my chicken enchiladas were lacking last night. I will def be back, as there is that magnetic force that pulls you in at some point, but i will devert myself from this classic dish that was subpar.
(3)
Amber R.

The food is pretty tasty but there is nothing better than splitting a pitcher of their delicious Margarita's with a friend on a lazy afternoon.
(4)
Jeannie C.

Frozen. Strawberry. Margarita. Long, long, long wait. Try to get there at around 7pm like our senior friends and your wait won't last longer than 10 minutes. Any later than 7:30, you'll be hurting for a table for about an hour. Not so fun. And try it out on a weekday--no need to torture yourself for a table on a Sat night. The mole enchiladas are superb (either red or green) and like I said before: frozen. strawberry. margarita. Que bueno!
(4)
Scott M.

I am going to have to agree with Stephy S. on this one. The food here isn't all that great. I have 1/2 dozen places around my new house that blow this place away. But, it does have something most LA restaurants lack..a social ambiance and fun vibe about the place. I have been drunk here off of their margaritas many times over the years.
(3)
Diana M.

I threw a surprise birthday dinner here a few weeks ago. They were really awesome and seated everyone before we got there. The margaritas were pretty standard and boring, but they came in large pitchers and kept the group happy. I was drunk after one, so be careful. I got the shrimp fajitas. They were super tasty! Portions are large and to-go containers are the super flimsy compostable kind. Mine started leaking. I suggest if you're not that hungry sharing something or not taking your leftovers unless you live nearby.
(4)
Jason A.

I finally got to try a dish from Puerto Alegre after years of seeing people leaking out the front door in hopes of a table. I took the sauteed prawn and vegetable plate to go. It was pretty steep after adding on guacamole and sour cream on the side. When I got home and finally tried the food, I was impressed. The food was unusually not oil for Mexican food (especially under the rice and in the sauteed section) and nothing was lacking in flavor. Even the salad has a dash of dressing. Most of the folks eating there were throwing down pitchers of their margarita.
(4)
david s.

just went back for a second time not as drunk. and it reminded me that the food is ok, but not amazing. if you want better food head up to 24th and the taquerira. now that is the bomb. a must do in the city if you're lucky you get serenaded by a dude covering contemporary rock (think guns and roses) in a mexican style-e. oh yes margareitas are legendary - tasty and fricken strong. i wet myself and wanted my mummy. great place
(3)
Russell R.

Stellar service. Awesome mild salsa. Terrific guacamole. I am in love with the chicken chimichangas. There is usually a long wait in the evenings (up to 1.5 hours), but there is a very effective system put in place where they give you a number and a time to check back to the restaurant. Since the place is right by a couple bars the wait is very easy. I drink my margaritas martini style, so I find the ones they have a little bit too sweet and lacking the wonderful flavor of tequila.
(5)
Glenn T.

I walk past this place and its always packed on the weekends and fairly busy all week long. I never had a good meal at this place. every other year or so I think that I should try it again as its always so busy. I think maybe it was me or they were having an off night. the food is down right not very good and disappointing. the food prices are cheap. do your-self a favor and go else where for Mexican food. the drinks are petty good. The mission has incredible Mexican food. go elsewhere
(1)
roger b.

really good pozole, the rest is ordinary at best. i come here for one reason and that would be the pozole. and it has bacon in it! nice size bowl to make a full meal. i always leave full. well that could be eating the chips and salsa brought to the table while i wait for my soup. never a wait at lunch or early dinner. not sure i would wait in a long line to eat here though. even for the pozole. the only con with the pozole is it is around $10 a bowl. seems high but this is san francisco.
(3)
Scott F.

Worth it for the margaritas.
(3)
Carrie O.

I used to love this place, until last Saturday. We had waited outside for an hour for a table. The hostess called a number, the people weren't there, so she sat the next party. Our number was next, but right before she called us, the other people came back, so she seated them first! When my boyfriend complained, she told us that if she calls a number and they're not there, she leaves them on the list for awhile. What kind of a system is that? Reward the people who were late spending money getting drunk across the street. So we went to the Vietnamese place down the street, and had a great dinner!
(1)
J J.

I love this place on a Sunday for brunch. Yummy food and great strawberry margaritas. Service is not the best in town!
(4)
Jennifer L.

Mmm mmm good. I've been going to Puerto for years, and it's one of the Mex places in the Mission that I miss dearly , now that I live in NY. So I was excited to go back last weekend after a few drinks in the hood. I ordered the chicken enchiladas with red mole, which were rich and delicious. Served with rice and beans, it's more than enough food for me. Also had a strawberry margarita, and we shared chips, salsa and guac. I probably wouldn't say the food is amazing, but it's a fun atmosphere, even when it's packed, and I've always had a good time and a tasty meal. For me, Puerto is an old stand-by, and I'll keep coming back!
(4)
James T.

If you want huge portions and all you can eat chips and salsa for a cheap price, this is the place to go. Not to mention its really good food. The waiters and waitresses are good, I don't have any complaints however if you want to go there for brunch on the weekend I suggest going about a half hour before you want to eat and put your name in because it gets busy.
(4)
Andrew D.

for sure goes down in my top 3 margaritas of all time. the portions are also very filling and the food is REALLY good. i love going to this place.
(5)
Collin S.

Love. This. Place. Yeah, it's impossible to get in quickly unless you go at 2 in the afternoon (and even then it can be crowded), but this is easily remedied by stumbling over to Casanova to temper the inevitable wait with some drinkies. The pozole verde here is a beautiful creation, loaded with hominy, pork, chicken and perfect spice. Pair that with the tortillas and the mountain of salad that accompanies it and you've got the makings of a "loosen the belt, I'm going to burst" experience. Spent a couple of cold rainy days here with the pozole and it warmed my soul (then again, that may have been the tequila). The shrimp/avocado quesadilla suiza is another favorite: cheesy, camarone-rific yumminess. The margaritas never disappoint here, and they're the perfect complement to the food. Pitchers tend to go down a bit too easily, but they're clearly worth the nagging hangover. The wait staff are super-friendly here, despite the non-stop crowds pouring in and out. The map of Mexico in back by the bathrooms is also a nice touch---a certifiable geek, I like learning the geography of Mexico whilst waiting in line for the banos (c'mon, who doesn't?). Muchas gracias, Puerto Alegre, my old reliable friend.
(5)
EM F.

i love this place. amazing margarita pitchers and reallllly good food. fun atmosphere... and the staff are incredible tolerant... we had a birthday party there for like 10 people and my stupid awesome friends proceeded to have a food fight that included salsa, cake and margaritas. i cant believe we werent kicked out and obviously they were given an awwwesome tip. i dont recommend doing stupid things like that, but really everyone there is really nice and its pretty easy to get drunk off their cheap strawberry margaritas. big groups are a major bummer to get all in there, as this place is small and always has a wait at night so prepare to wait.
(5)
Jenny W.

Never had a bad experience at Puerto Alegre, EVER (well maybe except the fact that you have to wait for an hour to get in, but there are PLENTY of bars across the street to go while you wait). Food is great, I usually get amazing as well. The margaritas are strong and easy to get down and the salsa is simply to die for! Fun atmosphere and quick turnover.
(5)
Elizabeth H.

The chicken enchiladas with red mole sauce KICKED ASS, my dining companions' choices (chicken fajitas and an enchilada/chile relleno combo plate) were tasty enough, the food came out at rocket speed, and the margaritas were TASTY! It was a solid four-star experience, particularly since when we stumbled out we realized that we'd been sitting there drinking pitchers of $33 margaritas for three hours and nobody made us feel like we were hogging the table. (But we did feel appropriately guilty when we saw a dozen or so people outside still waiting for their tables. Sorry for being such bad team players guys!)
(4)
Amber L.

Please keep in mind that I'm a big lush and I will give copious amounts of stars for a good margarita especially a pitcher full. The food is average at best but the Margaritas rock big time. I prefer to sit at the bar so I can get my drink on quicker.
(4)
Brian P.

This is probably my favorite burrito in town; it has everything I like and nothing I don't. The burritos are huge, but if you pace yourself you can polish one off in a single sitting. The salsas are yummy, the margaritas are delicious (better individually than in a pitcher, but that probably goes for most places), and when the place isn't packed the service is very fast. I don't care for the guacamole, so I say, "No Guac," and I get no guac. Isn't that fantastic?
(4)
Ella G.

love the margarita's. food is good, but not the best mexican in the city. biggest complaint, the musicians who come in to perform are too loud.
(4)
Thadd L.

The margaritas will put you out cold. No joke. Do not kick off the night with a pitcher here, never goes well. Usually you can get across to Casanova and then pass out in a sofa.... That being said, I think that the food is pretty good. Burritos are served 'wet' with the sause on top. I like them that way. If anything the food is a bit salty. The margaritas are good if you are out on a weeknight or early weekend. (see above)
(4)
Roddster V.

STRONG margaritas!!! The food is great and the wait staff very friendly. I've eaten here 4 times and have not had a bad experience either time. Go check it out and the you be the judge
(5)
Kenneth K.

I think puerto alegre means "upset stomach" in Spanish bc everyone I was with (5 others) felt sick the day after. Ok not all of us, but most (3). Anyhow, the salsa is indeed bland and I think they use stewed tomatoes from a can. The margaritas are good and strong but they also cost 30 bucks for a pitcher so they should be; because we are in the mission and competition is a factor. 1 star for the line of whitee's eager for fried cheese and bland salsa. I might be back for the margaritas but honestly, I think I'd choose the christmas bar on valencia and 20th.
(1)
Pamela F.

best mexican food ever! burrito quesadilla tacos everything is delicious here! and they serve great margaritas too!!! the staff there is very nice so 5 stars
(5)
Carl C.

You have to love a Mexican food restaurant that has seating, chips and good food. Don't get me wrong, I'm all over the taquerias but, sometimes you want to sit down and just let them bring everything to you you. Here's the deal... I get in the door and start with the Margarita's and chips. I then hit the combo plate with whatever 2 choices I would like with my rice and beans and just relax. The menu has all the classic Mexican food you would wish for. The combo plates come with 1 item to 3 and a nice list of options to choose from. Any Mexican food restaurant that lets you build your own platter gets high marks from me. Go ahead and get the pitcher of margaritas because you are going to have more than one.
(4)
Jessica R.

Ohhh Puerto Alegre, I appreciate you and your cheap well margaritas. I've spent many a night in you, getting tossed on pitchers with comrades and chowing down on cheese enchiladas. Sometimes there can be a bitch of a wait but the staff is generally pretty attentive and awesome. Mmm I've got a craving only cheap booze and cheese can cure.
(4)
Diana M.

This place is like a disco taqueria - and I'm not talking Donna Summer circa 1973 disco, more like a nightclub meets a taqueria. The lights are low and hip melodic music is playing, but you realize you're sitting on brown pleather chairs. Weird, but enough about the decor. A fellow yelper and friend Jen O. suggested Puerto Alegre as a place that might satisfy my longing for Tito's Tacos. Tito's is in a LA and I live in they Bay. That rhymed....haaaaaaaaaay. I digress. I sat down with a friend at the bar and we ordered a pitcher of margaritas (I guess that was the wine we had talking - a pitcher for 2 of us?!?!?!?). I ordered tacos that seemed to be prepared in the same manner as Tito's and they were good, but not Tito's good. It would help if the salsa were better. They will do when I get my next Tito's craving.
(4)
Chris S.

I picked this place to eat in a hurry, as I was only my way back to the Bart Station on 16th. The staff was friendly, although we did have to seat ourselves, then were moved after we sat down. The salsa was pretty darn tasty, and the veggie burrito was very good. I was surprised at the quality of the food, seeing as how we picked this place simply for convenience. Not too shabby.
(4)
Joseph C.

The food here is terrific, and in huge portions. The prices have gone up a little, but it's a great meal, and FANTASTIC margaritas! Sometimes the mariachi bands get a little loud, and that can be annoying, but you can't take the fact away, it's great food...and that's all that matters.
(4)
christina d.

Puerto Alegre = love.
(5)
margot b.

I can't vouch for anything here except a really good bowl of pozole. As to the rest of the menu, well, I'm just not sure I understand why this place packs in the crowds like it does. But the pozole does indeed hit the spot.
(4)
Devin D.

You can NOT, repeat NOT go wrong with this joint. The food is amazing. The guacamole is the best I've found in SF and if you don't order it you've made a tactical error. The margaritas are awesome. Order a pitcher for two and you won't remember your own name. However, be sure to rquest whatever tequila you want, because I'm pretty sure when they say 'top shelf' they mean cuervo.
(5)
Katie M.

Having come here for a happy hour, I can only speak to two things -- margaritas and guacamole. Both very good. The margaritas are strong and if you are not careful will knock you off your ass. Lucky for me work was slow the next day and I got to work from bed (zzzzzzzz) -- I mean home.
(4)
Danielle G.

Find a free afternoon. Order the combination plate. One crispy chicken taco and one cheese enchilada with rice and beans. Eat this with a friend on the same side of the window booth facing Valencia street. Watch the wankers walk by. Talk about shoes and the meaning of life. Draw connections, patterns, and reverberations between these two subjects. Life will seem beautiful for an hour or two.
(5)
Sammy S.

The rice: flavorful and fluffy The beans: sparse...which is the main reason for the lack of stars here. But I'm a girl about beans. I mean it. I eat about two cans of black beans a week. So when I come across a burrito lacking in bean-age, I turn my nose up a bit. The cheese: fabulous and melty. I often find I can hardly notice the presence of cheese in burritos stuffed to the gils with other tasty ingredients, but Puerto Alegre has the cheese part right! Use lots! The chicken: shredded (I don't like grilled chicken in burritos and had to overcome my fear that shredded chicken was really some sort of dog chow), tender and savory. The burrito: Giant, just like a small child that I couldn't help eating half of and saving half for later. I'm a lot nicer than the witch in Hansel and Gretel though....I treat my pray with R E S P E C T. The burritos are smoothed in sauce, which is yummy and all, but I really like picking up my conquest with both hands and the sauce just wouldn't allow that without making me look like I just killed something. I like to hold my burritos like I hold a lover. Ya, creepy...that's just how I treat my Mexican food, like it's a nice piece of juicy man meat. The burritos are good, not spectacular, but I will definitely consider coming back. I just can't be tied down when their are so many other places calling my name. p.s. Try the shrimp and avocado quesadilla. My friend ordered it and I eyed it the entire meal, waiting for my moment when she was too full to eat more so I could dive into the cheesy goodness without judgment.
(3)
James S.

Really not sure why this place often has a line. Seriously there is WAY better out there, and near by also. Have never really enjoyed the big greasy portions of food I have had there and the setting feels really cheap, like I am sitting in plastic lawn chairs in a back yard or something. But the margaritas seemed good, but really it seems kind of hard to mess up a margarita. edit: hah! after browsing some of the other reviews i guess it is obvious why this place gets a few high marks...people get drunk off the margaritas! take that away and you have a two star at best. why not go get some really good food and then go to a bar for some good drinks! you would spend less time, have better food and end up in the same place...drunk and full...but maybe minus a late night stomach ache.
(2)
Jamie H.

Kitchy, or delapidated? I may never know. For me, this place is the epitomy of my San Francisco experience: it was the first place I ate when I came here and, because it's the only Mexican restaurant my Mexican boyfriend will go to to re-charge his burrito battery, it will probably be the last. In comparison to places in LA, the food is hum-drum and the chips are not worth being eaten, but, we come weekly, and the chips ARE eaten, the bathrooms are tolerated and, I must say, the enchiladas are pretty good. Puerto Alegre is the relationship that is so solid, you can be critical, because you know it's not going anywhere (except for that weird month when they close completely?!?! What is that?) I might get bored, but every week I come back, brave the lines (and sometimes even sit at the bar--that's a special relationship) and, lucky for Casanova (since the hour wait requires I down at least two cocktails across the street), I'll always come back.
(3)
Jeni D.

this place is mmmm delicious. i only wish it was by my house, had wifi, and they let dogs in. i'd probably never leave, except of course to get my daily source of sunshine. the body needs it, you know. if i were there that much, i'd have to limit myself on their fabulous margaritas. oh, and if you're allergic to peaches, watch out for their peach margarita. my face was numb after a few sips. good for most, it means the peaches are super fresh, bad for me. :(
(4)
Joe O.

awesome place, good food, even better margarita's (WARNING: pitcher #2 will kill you!). fun place overall
(4)
HaikuReview X.

Sign the waiting list Get plowed at Casanova Return and lick plate
(5)
melissa o.

Salsa is very good. Tacos are ok and the enchilada are ok. The margaritas are strong and yummy. Overall, nothing like good mexican food in Los Angeles. Very standard.
(3)
Pele N.

The wait on a weekend night is a little long, but you can't knock any points off for a place being popular! Go put your name in, wait next door at Blondie's and come back from some great Margaritas and excellent Enchiladas in a very, very casual and fun atmosphere. Great place to go with 4 or more people.
(4)
Nancy M.

The atmosphere is low key and unpretentious. I heard Cafe Tacuba, Michael Buble, and 50's sock hop music playing on their sound system all within the hour and a half that we were there. Kinda random, but cool. The chips and salsa here are top notch and the straweberry margaritas are delightful! Make sure you order by the pitcher. Oh, and sometimes a roving musician comes in to play for tips. The food here is bland. I had the tacos especiales, and there was nothing special about them. But then again I'm spoiled by great Mexican food at home.
(3)
dannebrog ..

seriously overrated. makes a killing because of hipster cred, limited seating and admittedly good margaritas. i think the lack of cheap tex-mex style places also has something to do with it. yeah, there are 8 million taquerias in and around the mission, but how many cheapo tex-mex places are there? quick, name them. riiiight, that's why this place does good business. with competition i'm not so sure. what makes it worse is having to put up with that haughty host who acts like he's doing you a favor by taking your name for the absurdly long wait list. all that for food that's ok, but no great shakes as tex-mex goes. pretty much the only thing that would drag me back is if i didn't have to wait more that a minute to be seated. gimme an al pastor taco from el toro instead.
(2)
Gracie M.

Being a native of Phoenix, I've had my fair share of Mexican food. In fact, not having been to the Mission yet in the 2 months I've lived here, I've missed it. There is no food I love more then crispy shredded beef tacos. And not the ones with the pre-made shell with the meat thrown in, but the ones that fry the taco with the meat inside. Mmmm. So I met up with a friend of mine who lives in the Mission and of course we had to get Mexican food. The place was packed, and we had to wait a good 1/2 hour to get in, but once we were in we were golden. The chips were so tasty, they stood up on their own in the flavor department even without salsa. Only complaint here is that they brought a tiny bowl. The waiter gave me a dirty look when I asked for another bowl right away, but come on! No one can eat just one! The margaritas were good and I was actually feeling a nice little buzz from one. And then-the piece de resistance-the shredded beef crispy tacos. Fried in shell. The meat was very flavorful and juicy(or is that greasy from being fried? Hey, whatever it takes...) I was in heaven, and oddly comforted by such a trivial thing. The portions were just perfect too; it brought me just to the brink of being fully satisfied without the feeling I usually get when I leave a Mexican restaurant of wanting to induce vomiting or take a really big s**t. Only complaints I would have is in the service department. Definitely not service with a smile. And there was a strolling guitar player screaming-err, singing- at the top of his lungs. I HATE being bothered when I'm trying to enjoy my tacos. And he actually went around the restaurant when he was done with a tip jar! Note to management: you're customers don't want to be panhandled while enjoying their meals. They get plenty of that when they leave and walk down the street.
(4)
Tina S.

So having lived in San Diego for 10 years before coming to SF I like to think of myself as a Mexican food connoisseur....this place has the best I've found in the city, but still doesn't hold a candle to what you can get in the little town close to the border. It's always packed and the margaritas are very good.
(3)
Bucky K.

They do everything good here. Food's good, drinks are good, atmosphere is good. Nothing spectacular or noteworthy. Nothing great (except the tasty margaritas). So, you can always get a strong south of the border meal . Yet, I am still mystified by the wait here. There is always an obnoxiously long line that is frankly not worth it....
(4)
Tanu R.

While the food here is just average, their margaritas are amazing. I especially love the peach ones, and a pitcher of all that goodness for only $20? Can't go wrong. The only bad thing is that they gave us a two hour time limit on our table and counted the time we had to wait for the party before us to leave against our two hours. We ended up being ok on time but it would be nice to not have to wait when you made a reservation beforehand.
(3)
Melissa M.

Pretty mediocre Mexican food. It's good if you want to hang around and drink for awhile. There aren't enough places that let you loiter, eat and drink.
(3)
Joyhan S.

A wait, usually half an hour. Good greasy Mexican. Skip the margaritas. Too sweet. Oh, and apparently it's hipster central.
(3)
James J.

i seriously don't understand all the bad reviews i've been reading on here about puerto alegre. one word of advice, don't take this place too seriously ... it ain't gourmet food for crying out loud. for all the people who complain about all the hipsters ... give it a rest, PLEASE! i'm sick of people complaining about too many hipsters - and especially in a restaurant. umm, hello, most artists, musicians, trust fund hipsters, etc live in los mission ... so if you cannot stand them, don't go out in the mission. as for the food, it doesn't warrant any horrible reviews. it ain't close to being amazing, but there are some okay dishes on the menu. try the beef burritto with green pork sauce on top (thanks to my friend, mark c., for introducing me to this artery clogging dish). the main reason i like this place is definatly not for the food, but it is a fun place to have a group of friends gather and get smashed on strong margs and be VERY loud and obnoxiously drunk. really, what more could you ask for? hell, a friend of mine was there once a while ago with a bunch of friends and they all stayed a while after the place closed and they cleared a bunch of the tables and he was breakdancing. crazy. so please, don't take your snobby culinary attitudes too seriously when it comes to judging this place. it's ok in my opinion.
(4)
Rey L.

This is bargain food with a veneer of hipster cool. The margaritas are not that spectacular, the food is not any better than the taco trucks. So why the long line? Admit it, you like it cuz it's cheap, plus you get to feel like you are hanging out with the goateed intelligentsia of Valencia Street - and maybe the occasional MTV Real World E-lister who just happens to be in town.
(2)
Todd A.

I ate there today, and had a very good wettish super buritto ($7.35) and the green enchiladas mole (~$10). The mole sauce is different than many I've had - not very chocolatey, with a lot of tang.
(5)
Marcus C.

It's a good thing the yummy dos tacos especiales arrived quickly because otherwise I probably wouldn't have remembered how tasty my dinner was, thanks to all the delicious margaritas we had!
(4)
Coco D.

Puerto made me so happy. I generally hate margaritas, but theirs truly are delicious. And to think I used to generally refuse to eat anything but chips and salsa here, insisting that I dislike Mexican food! I was just being vain, thinking it not terribly sexy to eat refried beans while getting drunk and sloppy. I guess I did have a point that sour cream always does make me vomit, though. But goddamn, I really do miss going here. Why don't I know anyone who wants to go here? What is WRONG with me? Sorry bout that little tantrum. Anyway, this place is awesome and you all should go here. Actually, you probably all already do, which would explain the monstrous wait times.
(4)
Zoe K.

What can I say... this place has a great location but that's pretty much it. The food here isn't very good, so really, just forget eating here. The only reason i've ever really wanted to go here is for margaritas with friends. Anyhow, I went there tonight for just one drink while I was waiting for my husband to pick me up. I ordered a margarita with Sauza and Grand Marnier on the rocks (On the menu.) They used Rose's Lime and charged me $9.50... and BTW, they don't have any prices on the menu, so when you get your tab and you realize that you've had halfway decent tequila and high fructose corn syrup for almost $10, it's REALLY annoying. I've worked in bars and restaurants for over 10 years and I know how to make a good margarita and it includes FRESH lime juice, not some crap in a bottle. Here's the deal: If I'm going to spend almost $10 on a margarita with pretty good liquor, I want some care put into it... like spend 15 minutes in the afternoon prepping fresh lime juice. Seriously. I won't go back here until I can can get a drink that's worth what I'm paying for and for now, this isn't the spot. The only reason this place hasn't shut down is because of it's location.
(2)
oliver w.

What is with this place? People seem to love it. I have seen three star reviews from people who say that they got sick off of the burritos. Ask yourself, is it worth it? Sloppy Mexican food, similar to Tommy's or La Rondalla. Want a better place? Go to Los Jarritos on South Van ness.
(2)
David F.

the beans were good, the guac was fair to moderate and who knows how good the food was after drinking mass pitchers of margaritas. we went out after wards and i have vague recollections of how i got home that night and why my back still hurts after a week.
(2)
Ken G.

Came here for our office party last night with a party of ten. Steak fajitas were decent, but not exceptional; I was wondering why they were cheaper than the chicken fajitas and the quality of the meat is apparently the reason. Margaritas were good. Service was inattentive, but maybe that's because they included the 18% gratuity in the bill.
(3)
eliza darling d.

puerto gets minus one star because it sucks to wait in the damn cold or rain for a table. and trust me theres a wait unless it's a weekday lunch time. but.. if you're a regular and you get in good with the host he will seat you ahead of everyone. at one point i started daing a guy that was obviously gay to everyone else but me. being lonely puts blinders on you i guess. one of the first times he introduced me to his friends was here. eventually we went back so many times they begun to seat us as soon as a table opened up no matter who was ahead of us. now that was many years ago and i'm back in the valley. i'm a mom and rarely want to take my kid who can be annoying to other patrons (yes i like to respect that other people don't want to deal with kids when they are out) so when i do get to puerto they dont remember me. the food is amazing the salsa is amazing. the chips whadaya know AMAZING. my favorite choice is the 3 shrimp tacos and a blended margarita. when i was pregnant it was just the three shrimp tacos but it was a weekly meal. i hobled my fat ass down mission and into the cozy warm booths.
(4)
Benji T.

This is the place. The food here is fantastic. I mean, really fantastic food. There is usually a line but that is because the food is good and this is a popular place with great service and prices. The drinks sneak up on you in regards to how strong they are but they are delicious as well. I can't recomend this place highly enough. It's wonderful and you really don't have to wait all that long. Lighten up and enjoy this great, affordable cusine. You'll like it, I promise!
(5)
Hella M.

the food is decent, but really this is the spot to hit if you're looking for an informal but FUn place to meet up with friends. every time i go i end up staying for a couple of hours..may have something to do with the margarita pitchers and endless bowls of chips n salsa... did i mention the margarita pitchers...good times. steer clear if you can't handle lotsa hipsters at one time
(4)
Bumble B.

If you want some decent cheap Mexican food this is the place! The margaritas are good but would be better if they used fresh squeezed lime juice instead of a generic mix and had a better selection of tequila. It can be annoying with the mariachi bands that allways come through but hey, thats part of the Mission! Allways crowded at night so get there early or be prepaired for a wait. You can allways order food at the bar if you can't get a table.
(4)
Lawrence K.

i'm old & bitter too - but I like this joint. good cheap food - good drink & nice waitstaff. that will work. usually a looooooooooooong wait on weekends. so go to blondie's while you wait! problem solved.
(4)
Todd H.

PA doesn't have the best food in the city or the best margaritas in the city but it's the only place in the city that has pretty good mexican food combined with pretty good margaritas. I'd like to give them 4 stars but until someone else comes along and offers a better food/drink/price combo they are my favorite place!
(5)
Darryl D.

On an early evening while walking by wanting to get a good drink and some mexican food I stopped by. I've been before, so I wasn't expecting much other than a strong drink. The food was adequate (guacomole and chips/salsa was good), but the margarita was $9 for a cocktail sized glass. Definitely this place is more about the drinks than the food. But the drink was watered down and expensive. Beer was cheap, though. The service, however was very good. Probably more of a place to go with a group and grab a pitcher of margaritas than have a great meal.
(3)
tricia r.

beware: i got food poisoning from eating a shrimp burrito from here this weekend! not sure if it's just some bad seafood and a fluke, or if there are deeper issues with this Puerto Allegre. i have eaten there several times before, with no problems. also, this is the first time in my 31 years i've had food poisoning, and i know it was directly related to that dish/this resturant. i just wanted other people to know about this...just in case it might have happened to them as well...and to warn other people, so that it doesn't happen to anyone else. i wouldn't wish how i felt the past couple of days on my worst enemy. be well.
(2)
Kerry L.

I sure do like their shrimp burrito. And their chips 'n salsa. Oh, and of course the margaritas. Man, I'm hungry.
(4)
Raymond K.

Unless your a hot chick, you won't get in the door easy. The guy who works it has his own system somehow that people keep getting lost in the shuffle. We waited an hour and finally just said screw it.
(1)
Gretchen T.

I ditto Amme H.'s review. In my opinion, it is one of those places that got a good reputation (for the margaritas, in this case) and it is sustained completely on the momentum of that reputation. The food is less than nothing special--pools of grease, iceburg lettuce, low grade ingredients, but like La Rondalla, it gets by on its usually fun atmosphere, it's location, and of course, the margaritas.
(2)
suckafree c.

havn't been there in a year ... mainly cuz theres a line of 10 people outside on a monday. but it was a very average place that you went to when you didn't want to think to hard. now somehow it's HOT and the COOL place to be... i don't get it. yes, go to the 'mission' district full of great mexican/latin american food and sit around a bunch of scenesters drinking margaritas eatting taco bell.
(2)
Teddy d.

I have had the food hear many times. I even got invited to stay after hours because my company was a good catch and got served the best tequila in town. But I don't get it... why anyone would wait 30 to 45 minutes to eat food that could be found just as good if not better in the Mission. All said Puerto Alegre still gets 4 stars for excellent food and yes the margaritas are really good.
(4)
Rae H.

I really enjoy their margaritas but I always regret eating their food or at least their chips. I think they cook them in 1000 year old Crisco because they make me nauseous every time I eat there.
(3)
Rachel N.

Really only a 2 star place but those margaritas bump it up to 3. The wait is usually awful and the food is just okay but those margaritas...
(3)
Cake M.

This place isn't about the food (which is fine, standard Mexican fare, though there are some standouts - bistec encebollado and the vegetarian fajitas). It's about the drinks (I always get a pitcher of strawberry daiquiris) and the ambiance - loud, jolly, chaotic, ding ding. I generally meet up with my girlfriends here every couple of months and we get drunk on girlie drinks, scarf, and catch up on eachother's lives. Only took away one star because the wait can be RIDICULOUS!
(4)
Joshua S.

The menu is lacking in terms of information and sometimes prices which are in hot debate as to expensive vs inexpensive ($17 pitcher of margaritas, $10-15 fajitas, $6 nachos). The guacamole here is top quality, and I was not disapointed with a dairy free order of nachos. I doubted the validity of a peach margarita but was proved wrong. Kind of a wait to get in.
(4)
Melissa Y.

margaritas are amazing here. i have long suspected that they are actually made with gasoline because of how unbelievably strong they taste. the mole is really good. don't come at night, lunch is a lot more fun. there should never be a bouncer at a mexican restaurant in the mission. there's just something fundamentally wrong with that.
(4)
armando z.

i can't believe that guy never wrote a review for this place! great margaritas, good food, an awesome guitarista that you get to shoo away during your meal... what more can i say? never had a bad time at this place. plenty of places nearby to go for a drink after if you're not too sauced or full.
(5)
Casey G.

Pretty good margaritas. Other people I know love the chips and Salsa. The food is usually really good. I just always have a good time here. And I love the Mariachi bands that stop by. Be ready to wait for a seat.
(5)
Aamir V.

Puerto Alegre is low-key. You can go in rags or ready for a night on the town and you'll be fine. The food is reasonable - not great, not bad. The salsa is some weird Pace mix that is surprisingly awesome and seems to go well on everything. The service is pretty poor. No matter where you sit or how big/small your party, it seems like you'll be forgotten and your drink will empty and you will be sad.
(3)
Andrew C.

I'm not sure what the fuss is all about. The wait was a long and the food was average. I measure the quality of many mexican restaurants by their salsa and their salsa has a lot to be desired. My chinese ass makes better homemade salsa! The margaritas were okay, but nothing to write home about. I would come back for lunch maybe but there's many other spots I'll try in the Mission first before I come back for dinner.
(3)
H. G.

it's about time i review this spot. i think the number one reason i'm a fan of this place is because of the micheladas. mmmmm. so good. especially with modelo especial. love it. i'm also a fan of the mole, tacos and burritos. super super delicious. the bf loves posole so we always come here when he's in the mood. the environment is super chill. not bad for small groups. even brought a friend here for her b-day once and the mariachi band played for her. she loved it. good spot to catch some games every once in a while. the margaritas are also great and the prices are extremely reasonable. one thing on the menu that wasn't so great though was their chilaquiles. made a bit different from what i'm used to so maybe that's why. but def worth a stop for the micheladas, margaritas and burritos.
(4)
vlad k.

on the way over, my friend told me that this place was famous for having mediocre food, bomb margaritas, and a long-ass wait. she was right about all 3.
(3)
Goober U.

margaritas. nuff said. PS veggie burrito not super = fantastic
(5)
Bridget W.

I'm not a margarita fan, but at Puerto Alegre I order a pitcher.
(4)
Jachyn D.

This is great Mexican food at good prices. The environment isn't spectacular, but if you are looking for a low key place to Brunch on Sunday then this place is definitely it! Oddly enough they have several big screen TVs and they show 49ers games on Sunday. So if you need both, definately drop by.
(3)
Christina N.

The best Mexican food in the city! I've been going here for years, and have never been let down. The Hornitos margaritas are simply the best margaritas I've ever had. The quesadillas are so fresh and delicious! It's worth the wait.
(5)
Kristi B.

The margaritas are GREAT!, but the food is just ok. I think it is a bit of a trap for passer-bys. It is always busy, but I would hope for the drinks before the food. I like going because I can talk with the bartenders about the tequila and try some for free and have random conversations with strangers about tattoos.
(3)
mimsy b.

Yay! Puerto makes single top shelf margs with fresh squeezed lime and agave and OJ! I don't know how long this has been a-happenin' but I have returned to the arms of PA having ranged a bit far from this bastion over the past few months in search of a natural honest non-rose's lime, non sweet n sour mix of my favorite cocktail. I don't mind if the food isn't top shelf....but in a way it is, because house favs like the quesadilla platter with a side of great guac followed a few drinks later by grilled chicken suizas perfectly suit me....i want to stress that the pitchers at PA are still, as far as I know, too difficult to make with fresh squeezed lime.....yes, i know odwalla etc might make big old half gallons of fresh lime juice, but the $$arm and a leg$$$ for that kind of juice is daunting to an individual in this economy, let alone a business, i would imagine. Everyone at Puerto is your friend, if you visit enough. My dear gf met her fiance there, hooked up by yours truly via a happy margarita-fueled invite to join our table that I passed along to him as he sat at the bar last winter....they are gonna get hitched in hawaii this xmas! warm fuzzies to the family: Lorenzo, Patty and ALL the gang at PA!
(5)
Marcia F.

I think I go to this place mostly out of familiarity rather than quality. There's a Mexican place directly north of this joint whose food is tastier and served quicker. I guess the draw with Puerto Alegre is that you can have a pitcher of margaritas and bring cards to play while you wait for your food.
(2)
Jennifer E.

GREAT Margaritas. Food is generally good...nothing terrible, nothing great. I had a carne asada burrito and Margs. Theyre the (second) best in town, only to Tommys, of course!
(4)
lisa g.

Great for a sit down mexican meal. You've gotta be craving enchiladas, or fajitas, or their amazing meat slathered in cheese and sauce dish (the Milanese Espescial i think?). Or their quesadilla suiza. Either way this really isnt a burrito/taco place. Get some guac and definitely some margaritas and be happy you are finally sitting at a table.
(4)
Erin O.

I dream about their shrimp burritto. The best part next to the food and the knock you on your ass margaritas is that you get a number go to the bar and check back in a half hour and get a table. It just makes me so happy.
(5)
Kristen R.

YUMMMMMMMMM! I am so picky about the Mexican food I eat having lived in SD and I must say this places knows its Mexican and its Margarita's... I always meet my friends there once a week, they all love it too!
(5)
Katie K.

Vegetarian fajitas were fresh-tasting and the veggies offered more variety than at most mexican restaurants (i.e., not just peppers and onions soaked in oil). The chicken quesadilla was tasty, too - much thicker than most quesadillas & also tasted fresh. Margaritas are pretty good, but I recommend spending the extra dollar to bypass the house margarita and go for the top-shelf. Negatives : The wait is always really long and the chips and salsa aren't that great (but they're ok).
(4)
Luke P.

This is my favorite restaurant for a large group of people in the city. Notice that the people who are giving Puerto Alegre less than four stars aren't talking about the Quesadilla Suizas with Avocado! All of the meat options for the Quesadilla Suizas are great, but I strongly encourage you to get the shrimp. The margarita pitchers are perfect and the complementary chips & salsa are second to none. I could drink the house salsa. My friends and I always pour the house salsa over the top of the Quesadilla Suiza, which is a great touch. Yes, the wait is long, but the wait goes by quickly if you go grab a drink at Casanova across the street.
(5)
R G.

I've been here before...many times. I don't know why, but I get dragged here by my gringo friends who think it's amazing. Let me tell you....the Mission is full of great taquerias, but there are no sit down Mexican restaurants. So, this is what you get. The food is so weak, bland and it's what Mexicans think white people will want to eat. It's not for real Mexican foodies. They do not make any accomodations....even if they are not busy. You eat what they have and they make no acceptions for allergies. I have no idea why it's still in business. I guess when there's nowhere else to go, you learn to lower your standards. I wouldn't even give this place 1 star.
(1)
Meghan B.

Please don't go here, I don't want to wait an hour to get my burrito and margaritas. This is the best and cheapest mexican place in the city. I wish i could eat here every day!!!
(5)
Skeptical Spee ..

This place doesn't really deserve only one star, I just can't stand to see it have four, so I wanted to knock it down a bit. Everyone loves Puerto Alegre. They love waiting at least an hour for some of the worst service of ANY restaurant in the city. The food is pretty good--like any taqueria in the mission, only served on a plate and topped with sauce. Wait about 10 minutes after sitting for your chips and salsa to arrive, 15 for the waitress to take your drink order, another 20 for the drinks to come and to order food, you won't see or hear from her again for another couple of hours when she asks if you need anything and you wake up your pals to pay the check. I've been here many times and never got speedy service. They're nice and all, but they so slowwwww. Plus the crowd is annoying.
(1)
Chard M.

As if I needed to slur more after spending the afternoon at Zeitgeist, we went here for some din din and drinks. The margaritas freakin' ruled! I was 3 sheets to Sunday after waking up 5 sheets deep from Saturday...huh? yeah.
(5)
A S.

good: free chips/salsa & the margaritas do their job bad: it's expensive to have said job done. ($20/pitcher)
(4)
Zannie S.

I went here on Monday and it was "cracking" as my friend who met me there said. We haven't seen each other for awhile so we wanted to catch up.I have always wanted to try this place because I have heard so many great things about it and there is always a huge line no matter what day it is. So as soon as we got there, I thought we scored because there was no one in line but little did we know there were about several people ahead of us- they just were next door grabbing a drink. So we waited about 20 minutes before we were seated. We were starving so we ordered a bowl of guac and polished that one off right away along with the salsa. I ordered the 2 items combo plate. I had the cheese gordita and cheese enchilada. Both were fairly good although I like the gordita much more than the enchilada. The rice was yummy but the beans were so so. It was pretty loud so we could not hear ourselves talking but the margaritas made up for it. I first had the regular flavor on the rocks then I had the strawberry frozen one. The strawberry iwas fantastic. It tastes like it was made with fresh strawberries. I would come back again!
(4)
ZÃ© M.

yummy yummy yummy i got margarita in my tummy
(4)
Noelle M.

5 stars for the margaritas! Man up and drink on them rocks and order them by the pitcher!
(5)
Kevin M.

It's a pain to get in. And they blithely tell you it'll be a 45 minute wait as though they're dishing out the best food on the block. But they aren't. It's good for margaritas, if you're a drinker, but the food is not even interesting and is bested, for the price point, by La Rondalla ... where you always get some guaranteed tinsel-strewn ambiance and genuinely disinterested been-around-forever waitresses instead of the randomly entertaining tipsy hipster talking too loud about something inconsequential at the next table.
(2)
Chadwick D.

Ok, everyone knows the Margaritas kick yo mofo ass and after 2 pitchers they could serve you leftover horsemeat with artificial grill marks that were actually caused by a jockey hitting your future food and you would still eat it like there is no tomorrow.....but it's cool to check out the hipsters and their yesterday's fashions and I truly love the servers.
(5)
Joy C.

Margaritas almost make me as happy as coffee... almost... and Puerto Alegre is the place to have a pitcher of Maragritas and a bowl of guacamole with friends... becareful of the wait, it can take an hour to get it but with reservations and large groups it's so fun!
(4)
Tom Y.

I love this place. I go there every Friday for lunch and always get the same thing. Chorizo and eggs. MMMMM my favorite.
(4)
Monica P.

Never expect much culinary wise form a restaurant that is famous for their margaritas. The service made me want to pull my hair out and there is tastier Mexican in the city for 1/2 the price.
(2)
Noelle Q.

Last time I was here, I started off with a margarita, didn't really taste the tequila, so I ordered another. And another. And another. To make a long story short, while I finally stood up, I almost fell down. The mark of a truly great Mexican restaurant.
(4)
Sheila B.

I always bring visitors here- this place is an institution and I love it. Plus then you can stroll up to Dog Eared books to browse.
(5)
Fiuwriter C.

So today my friend and I are yearning for some latin soup along with cold drinks and we decide to go to Puerto Alegre in the heart of hipsterville, 16th and Valencia. We were promptly seated and got the chips with the awesome salsa. The Margarita pitcher was awesome. Pretty soon we were sloshed and ordered Menudo and a Shrimp soup dish. The good was that although it took forever for the food to come, it was made fresh. the bad was that from my previous visit to Puerto Alegre, my Menudo was not as great tasting...even when I was really buzzed from the Margaritas! My friend loved his shrimp soup, but I was a little disappointed. Oh well, I will give this place another try soon. Was gonna give it 2 stars, but the sexy latina waitress upped it to 3.
(3)
Carlos F.

This is my second favorite mexican resturant in SF (BTW: why is good mexican food so hard to find in this city?) the first one being La Rondalla. Actually apples to apples on food alone it's a pretty close race in my book....but the "host-bitch" (that is what I like to call him) is so rude sometimes it just really turns me off. I mean come on - its not like I am asking him to validate my parking or something. Worth a visit - but not a 2 hours attitude filled wait...but its a good back up to La Rondalla.
(4)
Rak P.

This place has to be the top when it comes to Mexican food and service!! It's VERY popular and always packed, but they always fit you in. Their wet buritto is OUT OF THIS PLANET i swear!! (Can you tell i really dig this place?).. Foodiliscious!!
(5)
Dana K.

I love the margaritas, and the tacos are divine. Nights are way to crazy (they don't take reservations for small parties), so I recommend going for lunch. Same food, much shorter wait.
(4)
Katie D.

I absolutely Love this place. Yes, the margaritas are phenomenal, and the food is pretty good too. I mean honestly people it's tacos - what do you expect?!?!?! They're not supposed to be gourmet... but yet, everything I've ever had there has been tasty. Maybe it's that magical margarita/Mexican food combination but it keeps me comin back and I deal with the wait. - Why only 4 stars you say??? Please see the aforementioned wait :o)
(4)
brenda b.

Margaritas! When I was in college, we would always go to this place after finals. The burritos always taste better after the Margaritas, so I'm not quite sure if they are still yummy when one is sober. Whatever. The Margaritas are not watered down, and the chips taste really good with them too.
(4)
Paul W.

Don't kid yourself, people don't come here for the food. It's all about the $16 pitchers of margaritas. Just one pitcher will get two people very buzzed. The veggie fajitas are great and there is enough to share. If you order a burrito, ask for it without the red sauce. It is awful. Just top the burrito yourself with their verde or salsa.
(3)
Susan S.

Recently went here for a dinner with a group. It was a weeknight, and no one in our party had made a reservation prior to arriving. We were given a table to accommodate us right away, but were told that we had to be done in two hours. The food was very tasty and reasonably priced (inexpensive), the strolling mariachi band was a lot of fun, and the pitchers of margaritas were delicious. My only complaint is that the margarita prices weren't listed on the menu, and although we COULD'VE asked the cost, we didn't, and were pretty surprised when we got the bill. The staff made sure to "remind" us when our two hours were up, which was a bit of a drag, but they didn't push us out the door. We were finished anyway, so no big deal, and people were waiting for the table. I would definitely go back, but lesson learned: don't order things without knowing the price.
(4)
Amy S.

This place is always packed, you will even be lucky to sit at the bar right away! However once your in, your in to stay starting off with excellent margarita's and chips and salsa. The food is really good to, everything made fresh. I particularily like their enchiladas poblanas with the red sauce, mmm! The only downside is that because I was unfortunately next to the live mariachi band last night I can't hear my boss as well, oh wait maybe thats not such a bad thing after all.
(4)
Evan R.

I'm giving this place 4 stars for atmosphere, NOT for service (which at best has been mediocre the 30 or 40 times I've been there and at worst is almost insulting). I always get the Huevos Rancheros no matter what time of day I go there. And they arguably DO have the best salsa in San Francisco-- I think I ate about 5 bowls of chips once while waiting an eternity for my food (and it wasn't that busy). Margaritas are ok, nothing special-- Tommy's blows them out of the water. It's definitely all about the atmosphere here.
(4)
charlotte s.

had a good lunch there after helping my friend move... filling and delicious!
(4)
Andrew L.

The food here is actually pretty good, but you'll never know it after the margaritas. Holy crap! I can hold my booze and I've rarely been as full on as I usually am stumbling out of this joint.
(4)
Billy A.

Full service cheap Mexican with a full bar. Go early, before the crowds. Next door to Blondie's.
(4)
V M.

It's not TexMex, get over it. I'm really tired of everyone dumping on Mexican food from a region they aren't familiar with. I grew up in Texas and I love TexMex. This isn't TexMex and that's ok. Food --- Try the green mole enchiladas. They are really awesome. As are the Camarones ala Diabla. The chips and salsa are just plain addictive. I try not to fill up on them, but can't help myself. Drink --- In general I avoid ordering margaritas out. Getting a really good one is next to impossible and most are way too sweet. The margaritas here are consistently good, not great. In fact, they keep us coming back. Setting --- Ok, this part looks like a TexMex dive. We don't go for the decor. Service --- It's about family. Once they know you, they take care of you. Strangers, not so much. Conclusion --- If there was a good TexMex place right next store, I'd go. But, there isn't, so this other style of Mexican food is the old fall back. Sit down Mexican food is an oddly rare occurrence in the Mission, so there really aren't many other options. Explore the menu and you'll find some stand out dishes. Otherwise, we won't miss you in the line for a table.
(4)
Alyssa C.

Mmmmmm.....deelish!! Always a long wait but always worth it! Love the margaritas! I like to get the combo plates, and usually get the shrimp taco. I also like the shrimp/avocado quasidilla a lot too. Be careful not to fill up on the great chips and salsa after your long wait!
(5)
Jude F.

I always go for lunch mid-week and Puerto Alegre, known for its long waits, is so empty it has tumbleweeds blowing through. Exactly the way to eat there. I always go through several bowls of their chips without even noticing.
(4)
Melissa M.

The place has gone downhill in the last year. Margaritas are getting more and more syrupy. My big beef is with the service. The last two times I've been there, they've miscalculated the bill by QUITE a bit (in their favor, of course). This time, in addition to padding the bill, they didn't bring drinks we ordered either. There were absolutely NO apologies for the mistakes or the extremely long wait. They have long lines of people waiting to get in so they just don't care anymore. I won't ever be going back; I've had it.
(1)
Bad Ass Chic K.

me: maybe someone will take our order sometime. cristina r: you'd think. 20 mins later....and two bowls of chips the busboy has brought us... waitress: ------- me: whuh? cristina r: can you repeat that? waitress: can i -----? me: our order? waitress: (nods) me: (yelling) chicken soup please. but can i not get all the gizzerdy bits in it? last time i was in i got broth and innards. cristina r: ah-haha! your a pain in the ass! waitress: so maybe-----would be---? me: what? waitress: so more broth? me: yeah, i guess (confused look on my face). waitress: so no chicken? me: no--i want chicken, i want CHICKEN SOUP but can you leave out the massive chucks of bone and gizzard? all the rest of the stuff is good. cristina r. mouthing the words: oh my cristina r. above her breath: i'll have the chicken soup too. waitress: -------? both of us: WHAT? waitress: ok...(walks away) cristina r and i look at each other: can you hear anything she is saying? no. can she hear us? dosn't seem like it. does she care?probably not. waitress returns: the soup has feet in it. me (giving up): ok, i'll take what you have. waitress looking at cristina: -------- cristina r.: huh? can you repeat that? waitress; AND WE ONLY HAVE ONE BOWL OF CHICKEN SOUP LEFT! cristina r.: seriously? mariachi band: LA LA LALA!!!!!!! cristina r. yelling: ok, i'll have the pasole. waitress: ---------!...(walks away). cristina r. and i look at each other: is it loud in here or are we deaf?
(3)
Seiji C.

i guess i was too sober.
(3)
Whitney C.

Fantastico! Puerto Alegre is, in my opinion, the best "sit down" Mexican food in the city. Yes, the wait is atrocious, and at times hard to take. Fortunately, though, if you head down to Puerto Alegre, and you've really been craving great Mexican food, you're also in close proximity to several watering holes where you can enjoy a drink before you have dinner (avoid Blondies if you don't like douche bags, I prefer Dalva or Casanova--but that's a whole different review). Now on to food. I'm always torn between the Avocado & Shrimp Quesadilla and the Albondigas de Pollo. Puerto Alegre definitely wins when it comes to the large selection of delicious Mexican soup. Having lived in Colonial Mexico for a few months, I happen to know that Mexican soups (plural) are a main staple of Mexican cuisine, something you cannot find in your local taqueria. The Caldo de Camarones (albeit spicy) is also another favorite. Down to the salsa...Wow. I wish they would bottle and sell their spicy salsa. The best combination of tang and spice. Lastly, I was lucky enough to spend my 25th birthday at Puerto Alegre. Having called ahead a few days, we were able to reserve a table for 10. Something many do not know you can do.
(5)
Jennifer B.

Ohhh. The best sit down Mexican food in the city. Huge portions (don't eat lunch) and very inexpensive. I think I'll go tonight!
(5)
Philip M.

Locals think it's el gato's meow, I, well, disagree. Maybe it's because I grew up in Arizona, where great Mexcian food is often the norm.
(2)
Joanna S.

The chips here were kind of bad - a bit stale. The salsa tasted like ketchup. I had the tostada salad though - it made for a great meal.
(3)
Hannah J.

Puerto Alegre isn't necessarily going to take home any awards for Best Mexican Food, but from the crowd it draws you might guess it would. I've been three or four times, and always for some sort of a celebration (birthday parties, my going-away dinner (sorry, kids---I came back)). With good friends and enough pitchers of their margaritas, you'll very quickly forget that the meal isn't mucho gusto; plus, Puerto Alegre isn't so much a destination as it is a first (or second) stop on a Valencia Street journey--it serves the purpose of being a good jumping-off point.
(4)
Andrea T.

so, the food is just ok. sometimes kinda bland, but when you're starving and getting more and more drunk on margaritas, the food is divine! you can get food just as good at taqueria cancun for much cheaper, but i like to go to puerto b/c you can sit down in comfy booths without being under the harsh florescent lights and deafening mariachi music and get margaritas by the pitcher. there is always a wait, but whenever i go with a certain friend of mine, the wait is short b/c the short little dude taking names has a crush on her, or at least, that is our theory.
(3)
Tres S.

I have a story I always like to tell about the most magical night I had sitting at the bar in front of the margarita blender. The stars were definitely in my favor that night, my friends! Each time someone would order a single margarita, whatever was left in the bartender's pitcher went into my pitcher! For hours! I think I also ate my weight in chips that night too. The next morning was a different story all together. Urp!
(3)
jennifer y.

goddamn, this place was awful! after waiting for what felt like forever, we were crestfallen to find ourselves with a terrible meal. for good food, i won't ever bitch about a wait, but this was a joke. the service was appalling and the food was crap. i love mexican food; i may not know what constitutes "authentic," but i don't think this was necessarily it. i'll never go back.
(1)
Bobbi C.

Food is mediocre at best. Drinks are tiny. Noise level is incredibly high. Could not wait to get out of there. Contrary to what most people experience we did not wait - maybe waiting to eat when you are starving and already hammered is the key to enduring this place.
(1)
A D.

The taco salad is to die for and the ambiance is great. Nothing better than Mexican food, some 80's music and a few songs by a mariachi band! The wait can be long so be prepared.
(4)
Xiu L.

get there a little bit early...even on a weekday...we had to wait like twenty minutes on a tuesday....it was worth it tough....their margaritas was good...the steaks where they cover with like bread and fried was goooooood...everything i've tried was good...definitely be going back.....
(4)
Lauren V.

really really good, really really crowded. i prefer this for daytime eating and drunking due to the less crowded nature of that time.
(3)
Elysha K.

Horrible horrible service. Have always passed by and have always wanted to try this restaurant as it seems like the spot to be! Bad decision. Got in line for a table for a friend and I, after being seated at a two person table we got a call from four other friends and realized we needed a bigger table. Asked the waitress to be moved. She said it was not possible as we would have to wait until the line outside let up, this was fine as they weren't coming for another half an hour. Half and hour rolls by, our friends are parking, and we ask again to be moved since we have been waiting for a table all this time. (Longer than we had waited outside ourselves) She says she must speak to the host to see what is available, the host himself comes to say we have to put our names down...again? to wait in line for a table...even though we have already waited half an hour? I don't know if it was miscommunication between the two, but this did not seem right, but to no avail we had to wait again. Our friends arrived and we decided it was not worth the wait, which would probably be another 30. We are clearly done with our dinner at this point and keep trying to catch the waitress's eye for a mind boggling 20 minutes. Why she does not look our direction or think to check on us is over my head. Finally catch her attention and ask for the bill and a couple boxes, boxes come ten minutes later without the bill, and bill comes fifteen minutes later to be picked up another twenty minutes after. Really? Never going back. To top it off the food was not that great either! Done and done, unless you have oodles of patience and time for mediocre food, do not come here. There are plenty of taquerias in the mission that would suffice.
(1)
Rachel B.

These margaritas are definitely big bang for your buck in terms of alcohol percentage per drink. And tasty. The food is pretty good- good enough so that if you get the margaritas it is a trip well worth making. I like the green mole enchiladas and I've heard the shrimp tacos are yummy. Has a slightly seedy yet cozy feeling to it; avoid on Cinco de Mayo! Crazy lines...
(3)
H. Joseph E.

Such a versatile place. THe food is not spectacular, but it's good enough. I'll go there by myself for a great bowl of chicken soup at the bar while watching a game on the TVs, which makes it like a local pub with bar food. Then I'll come back another night with a rowdy group of 10 and be able to get seated(after a considerable wait). And then there is the great weekend brunch menu.
(4)
Candy Z.

It's all about the margaritas--just avoid the crowds with this one and you'll be very happy!
(4)
p. L.

our rude waitress forgot to inform us that those tiny pitchers of margarita cost 33.00 each!
(1)
Burleigh Girl G.

Food is greasy as all hell. Margaritas are the BEST. Except this one time I went in and they were awful... I'm guessing a bad day though. Been in there a bunch and I love it. The wait sucks, but heck it's worth it to relax and have a pitcher...
(4)
Travis B.

Margaritas are amazing!
(5)
susan x.

Ok. Mexican food is not San Francisco's strength. Puerto's Food is good, not great. The better stuff is the different stuff, the Pozole, Mole, and chicken soup. These are the highlights but lots of things are very tasty. PA has a lively atmosphere, & lots of fun.
(4)
Thom Y.

coming from a guy that doesn't really like mexican food, 4 stars is pretty awesome. i really enjoyed this place. the food was great (i had an egg scramble with shredded ben and jalepenos but i also tried other people's dishes) and the chips were yummy. the service could've been better but it was alright.
(4)
Ryan L.

best food and margaritas in the Mission.
(5)
Oleya P.

always a wait...except for this one time when my pal and i came in at ten and they gave us a seat right away. we were lucky. i don't really like wet burritos, but i don't mind them at this place. i always get the veggie burrito and it is bigger than my head. but somehow i manage to eat it all. don't get me started on the margaritas. i always seem to leave here wasted.
(4)
eve l.

i realize this place has great margaritas....but the idea of having a door-guy is a bit pretentious, non?
(3)
a g.

so this place is just ok. the margaritas are pretty good and the food is mediocre. but there really aren't too many places to get good "sit down" mexican food here in SF. i've been spoiled since i used to live in LA. it's just so different. used to get hooked up with the line here but my favorite host is there no longer. so prob. won't be coming here too much because it's really not worth the long wait.
(2)
Dhoris P.

definately the best place to go for margaritas!! ...make sure you have a designated driver... if not then WALK home!!
(5)
Mary F.

Margeritta's are so good!! Food was really good too! Hard to find parking but worth the wait. Recommended.
(5)
Mary Beth D.

this is my favorite mexican place in the city. it doesn't even matter to me that sometimes the hosts act a little snobby, or that the service can be a little flaky. it doesn't matter that i usually have to wait 45 minutes just to get a table, because blondie's is right next door. this place has great chips and salsa, and the margaritas are potent. split a pitcher and you will walk out stumbling. the rest of the food's not too shabby either.
(4)
julia r.

eating here was like a dream. i could have at least 5 terrible experiences here in a row before eliminating any of the above stars based on the awesomeness of my one meal alone. the host was so accommodating and gracious. he really made us feel welcome when we arrived and even brought out a flashlight to look under our table for something we had left behind. and the salsa. oh the salsa. there before you even had the chance to think about asking for it. and so, so good. there must be a secret recipe involved. or at least saffron. double yum. margaritas were strong and good and my burrito was bigger than paris hilton's dog.
(5)
nose c.

Im from Texas. My favorite food is Mexican food. I was raised by an old mexican cook. Ive been to Mexico dozens of times. My girlfriend is Mexican. She damn near only eats Mexican food. We decided to try this lace on our date night. I had been here once for drinks with someone. The drinks suck. They should be stripped of their right to serve what they call Margaritas, which are totally void of alcohol. Real Mexicans serve real margaritas which allways seemed to be prepared by someone who has no care for conserving the amount of alcohol they give out, and this place sems like it must be run by some damn penny pinchers. The hot sauce is not even remotely mild. The most mexican thing in the joint was my beautiful girlfirend who was born in LA. We both thought the place was a disgrace to all thing Mexican. The sign shouldnt read mexican food it should read, "American food for Yuppies, served under the guise of the claim of a Mexican genre." This place sucks. I dont have a suggestion as to where to go, just dont go to this place... Also, its filled with yuppies.
(1)
Angie c.

so superly satisfied. the guy at the door was our first clue that it would be a great evening. so accomodating! if there is no room for you to sit, you are welcome to go close by for a drink until the guy comes to find you. margs were amazing as usual. food was fantastic, even got some unexpected guac. on my tostada. music was great. and to top it all off, it all climaxed with a mexican madeleine pinada.
(5)
Teresa H.

good...down home cookin...like grandma made (well...almost). my particular favorite is the sopes with a extra tall margarita...worth the line...staff is awesome...know my name...love this place
(4)
Aaron M.

The first time I visited San Francisco, my then pregnant friend took me here. When I actually moved to SF, I wanted to go back, but had totally forgotten the name and the location. Eventually I stumbled upon it while exploring the mission and after an afternoon drink in delores park with friends, we walked over to Puetro Alegre and stuffed our faces on their huge burritos covered in tomato sauce. Soooooo good.
(4)
Jeff L.

Great margaritas!!!!
(4)
Michelle B.

LOVE this place for Mexican. The Quesadilla with shrimp and avocado is to die for. Only downside is the wait, but you know what you're getting into!!
(4)
Amme P.

For some reason I really do not like this place. The margaritas are good but, I usually call the rest dog food. Except the guacamole. I'm still giving it three stars because I somehow end up having a good time anyway. Like I said the margaritas are good. Get a pitcher. Or two. Or three.
(3)
James D.

My fav place for tacos and knock out blows called margaritas. Very tasty all around. Soup is a bit too brothy. Gets very crowded so go early. The crispy tacos are a classic.
(3)
Jennylee P.

I cant get enough of this place. I moved just a few blocks away just to be be able to eat there more often!
(5)
Rebecca G.

Great, authentic Mexican food. LOVED the chicken burrito, and heard great things about their margaritas.
(5)
Aaron P.

What can be said about this place that hasn't already been said? Obviously a mission staple. Long waits, pretty good food and a fun, cool atmosphere. The service has always been good for me...the lights went out a couple of weeks ago and they still served food!
(4)
Netty L.

Cheap, Strong, Kickin' Margaritas + Shrimp and Avocado Quesadilla = Perfect Saturday night. Get a pitcher with friends, and dig on the yummy food together. The hours will fly by, and it will be worth the wait.
(4)
Walrus C.

3 stars for the awesome-ness of their "classic" top shelf margarita. there - get warm and fuzzy and not feel bad about the $7 price tag. they are quite simply that lip smacking punch you off your stool good. the food - please, throw your friend off the stool before they besmirch their tongue with sad-mexy-imitation. not horrific, but not great either. and it is what knocks this place back a star. also what doesn't help is the slow some what tainted-bitchy-i'm hip- SERVICE, un provoked (really! i was a waitress, i understand the madness of it all) and it was just uncalled for. it was 6 ish - not busy, no crazy line outside - and still it took a noticably long time to even put our orders in. and when we finally asked someone kindly that we were ready to order after 15 minutes - he told us he wasn't our waitress. she'd be over in a minute. boo! and i've been wanting to go for awhile, raves about the margaritas and all - so a friend and i finally went early. before the crowd. but i wouldn't wait two hours for this. go early, get trashed, stumble home with a tequilla glow and make your own nachos. then wake having well rested and go skipping off to work.
(2)
Dora A.

I wanted to hate this place. I would walk by it often, see the huge crowd outside, a combo of hungry patrons mixed with musicians hoping to serenade drunken tipping margarita drinkers. I'd sneer at the crowd secretly thinking, "losers, I bet you wouldn't know good Mexican food if it bit ya." I tried it on Monday. Had to go back today. First indication of good things to come: tangy salsa verde with a kick. Good rice and beans--like an aunt's homecooking. Tried the chile relleno (I like 'em sans the salsa), beef sope, milanesa...all great. Again, my motto: Go early. Another positive: they don't rush you and stare you down and shove the check in your face just to clear your table. Try a margarita with Tesoro tequila...you won't be able to slum it afterwards.
(4)
Katie V.

We waited 45 minutes last night to have a party of seven crammed into one booth. The Margarita on the rocks was pretty delish but the food was mediocre. Maybe I didn't order the right thing? I think I'd only eat here again if the wait was 10 minutes or less.
(2)
Michele G.

I love this place, I've been eating here for years. The staff is always nice and the margaritas are good too. If you haven't tried breakfast then you should now, they make an awsome breakfast. This is definetly a gem for us SF locals.
(5)
Adrian N.

I give this place three stars because me gusta las margaritas and I always walk out feeling good, real pretty, however, after a ridiculous wait. The margaritas could be it bit more authentic if they added real lime juice, but using lots of cheap tequila makes up for it when i'm done with the pitcher. if they did use limes, I would have given this place a four. i've watched those suckers get made and they don't go near any real limes. the wait is too too too long, although the servers are always good with us. In terms of the food, it's ok, not outstanding. It is one of the rare places that serves chicken albondigas. It also has some pretty delicious chimichangas which aren't really mexican (u don't find chimichangas in mexico). For me, the margaritas make the place more than anything else. Lastly, their brunch menu is worth visiting as well.
(3)
Corie W.

This place is turning so f**king hipster I can't even tell you. Unless you're lucky, you will be waiting for 90 minutes holding a piece of paper with a number on it while a host ignores you and keeps taking down more names. If you haven't heard of it you live under a rock. If you haven't tried their margaritas or their shrimp burrito, you must. That is, if you like shrimp and tequila. Mmmm, I'm hungry.
(4)
Joseph A.

There is not much more that needs to be said for this classic Mish Mexi Joint....great food, good Margs (they do use mix) and smelly bathrooms. Everything you would want in such an establishment. However, I went last Friday with about 10 work mates for lunch. Everything was on par, until we went to pay our bill and were told that they only accept 2 credit cards per table. A fine policy for a busy restaurant, but there was almost no one else in there at the time, and we had spent quite a bit of money on our bar bill. So all I am saying is work with us a little?? We just spent 3 bills on booze, right? So be prepared with large groups.
(4)
Andahs A.

Long wait, but I always have a good time here. I just put my name on the list and explore the nearby shops while waiting for a table. The margaritas, chips and salsa are great--food isn't the best but still tasty.
(3)
Alec D.

Excellent food, great atmosphere but the best is the 8 pitchers of margaritas! There are better margaritas but these are pretty kick ass and only for 8 dollars you and 3 friends can enjoy lime and tequila! I've had the tacos, burritos and fajitas all were tastier and a good size! Afterwards you can head across the street to Casanova's with the extra money in your pocket!
(4)
Michael E.

Holy crap the best grilled chicken burritos ever made! Excellent margarittas, chips & salsa and really great waitstaff. Long wait most days, but totally worth it (have a martini at Blondie's next door while you wait). And if you're fortunate enough to see the mariachi band, you'll want to go back all the time.
(5)
Catherine B.

My girlfriend wanted to go here for a small b-day dinner (6-8 people). After reading what a scene this place could be, I was dreaded arranging the whole thing. I have to say it was a pleasure. We wound up with only 5 (1 short of reservation) and they still honored our rez. When I made the rez I think they said I had 2 hours. They let us sit for almost 3 before they politely asked us if they could have the table. The food wasn't bad, the margarita's were awesome, and the service was pretty darn good. I am still shocked that everything was so easy!!!
(4)
Megan P.

Go early in the evening to avoid the crowds (I had no trouble around 5pm). The margaritas are tasty and reasonably sized and priced-- I hate it when those drinks are the size of a boat... they melt too fast! But the food was massive, cheap and delicious... Consider splitting a burrito, and if you're hungry also an appetizer with someone... The burrito was the size of an infant and when it arrived at my table I almost called child services. But damn tasty. The quesadilla was excellent as well. If you like HOT food, ask for a bottle of sauce.
(5)
frisco j.

if this review is sloppy, i apologize in advance. i'm pretty sure that i'm drunk right now from all the delicious puerto alegre margaritas. this is the home to one of the best margaritas in the city. throw in unlimited chips and salsas, you have a making of a truly great party. if you're lucky, the mariachi band might even serenade to you. make sure you tip them generously. anyhow, this is where i want to be for cinco de mayo. well, actually every day is cinco de mayo at puerto alegre. ahhh, mexico. how i miss thee... i'm pretty sure that i'm going to throw my birthday party here. it's true. the waiting can be agonizing here.
(4)
Neal W.

I've been eating here for 8 years... sometimes once a week, sometimes thrice weekly. I have my birthday parties here every year. I get the 2-Vegetarian Tostadas Combo plate. If I finish the whole plate, I'm a bit too full. Hmmm... I think I'll head over there right now!
(5)
Eric M.

Puerto Allegre--I absolutely love this place. Consistent, cheap, great margs (Herradura Silver, rocks, salt). Lines are long but take a number and head over to Casavova for a couple drinks. Check back. Go back across the street for a couple more. Grilled chicken quesadilla is tops. Despite the temptation, don't park in the median. Actually, don't drive at all because parking is terrible.
(5)
Adrienne G.

we come here in a fairly regular basis. strong margs and pretty good food. i have never had anything that has blown me away...but have never left disappointed.....living in the mission there is tons of taquerias but few full service joints like this and it does the job. Plus the hot salsa they give you is two thumbs up.
(4)
Anika K.

It's all about the margaritas. Also - they have fajitas!! It's a California miracle! For ONCE, it isn't about the 'big burrito'. You non-Californians know what I'm talkin' about...
(4)
Kane N.

The wait can be an issue, but if you sit at the bar, have a few margaritas and become friendly with the staff, you'd be amazed at how much more rapidly you get seated. :) The food is great, the atmosphere is very diner, but with the authentic guitarristas rotating throughout the evening, it feels much more like Tijuana than SF... in a good way. :)
(5)
Jenniflava R.

I am a Chillaquiles with the green sauce fan for life! Too bad it's only available during the weekends. I agree with coming at the right time before the madness begins. If you must have it during prime dinner time: please be prepared to wait 60-90 minutes to eat: so don't be mean and bring friends who have not eaten anything all day to wait in that line, the milanesa especial and shrimp burrito is also yummy, and be prepared to be motionless after eating the food, top shelf margaritas are good, the staff can get overwhelmed but they are all wonderful folks
(5)
C. W.

My favorite Mexican food in SF. Period. I could eat Puerto Alegre for breakfast, lunch and dinner and never tire of it.
(5)
Sarah T.

This place is sweet. The food is the best bad-for-you mexican around. Even after waiting an hour for a table I am always happy to be there. I highly recommed as a good party atmosphere or just for really great margaritas.
(4)
patrick g.

Good to great pitchers of Margaritas. The food I wouldn't shout about and I'm not sure if waiting in line is warranted in either case.
(3)
Colleen B.

Puerto doesn't really need any more rave reviews. It's a good standard for the Mission, good for groups when you get in early. The service is always good, but maybe it's because we've been going there so long. The margaritas will knock you on your ass. I recommend the mole poblano.
(3)
Pam D.

I've had a million burritos in this town and my hands down favorite is the super vegetarian (or beef if I'm feeling meatnormous)...love the lettuce on the inside and the red sauce overtop. Cutting into it with a steak knife is oddly satisfying. When the mariachi guys come in I just feel so LUCKY that I got OUT of the midwest, to a city that has burritos wherever one looks. Burritos in the sky, at the bus stop, in the bay, on the bridge, everywhere....we live in a burrito dreamland. Go at off times to avoid what can be at times a REALLY long wait.
(5)
Jean W.

They've definitely tried to upsell due to their popularity, but if it wasn't for them, I don't think I would have been so driven to go out my first year in San Francisco (1999). Nor would I have been so friendly to strangers, or so willing to do things that would be fun, "in theory"
(4)
MScott S.

Puerto Alegre ranks high in several essentials: cheap and lip-smackin' good food, festive ambiance, and hit-the-spot pitchers of margaritas. Unfortunately, a place of this popularity brings negatives as well. The pre-dinner wait and during- service rush can be a bit much. And a savage population of rude hipsters outside--willing to jump in line or, simply, complain too loudy too much--can set a poor tone for an evening. But perhaps, all the more reason to split a second pitcher inside.
(4)
Veronica B.

My favorite margaritas in the city, so far. And the food ain't shabby either! They have the best salsa to go with their chips. Always a nice place to relax after you've been shopping in the hot sun on Valencia St. all afternoon.
(4)
JP Z.

I've walk right by here so many times, i have no idea why i had never been. In the end it's typical/good sit down Mexican food, which makes it a steal, but the VERY good margarita (Es Special) pitchers is what makes you want to come back. Could do without the wait / crazies on Valencia, but what's new.
(3)
Nicholas M.

Ah Puerto...how your fiery orange salsa in the white cup makes my mouth water. I love the way you turn me en fuego by innocently clinging to each chip, only to cool me off on the rocks with salt. Te amo.
(4)

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Address : 546 Valencia St
San Francisco, CA, 94110
Phone (415) 255-8201
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 10

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

Claim Restaurant

Mexican Cuisine

If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.

Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.

Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.

WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES

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Puerto Alegre

546 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA, 94110

Puerto Alegre Menu

Appetizers

Combinations

Combination Items

Especiales

Some Great Originals

Puerto Alegre Specialties

Puerto Alegre Fajitas

Big Burritos

Quesadillas Suiza

Breakfast

Margaritas

Puerto Alegre Tequila Sampler

Another Great Drink

Beer And Wine

Non Alcoholic Beverages

La Fresca

Healthy Meal suggestions for Puerto Alegre

Appetizers

Combinations

Combination Items

Especiales

Some Great Originals

Puerto Alegre Specialties

Puerto Alegre Fajitas

Big Burritos

Quesadillas Suiza

Breakfast

Margaritas

Puerto Alegre Tequila Sampler

Another Great Drink

Beer And Wine

Non Alcoholic Beverages

La Fresca

Courtney P.

Nancie M.

Mark N.

Shannon K.

John E.

Jason W.

Jose E.

L G.

Jennifer W.

Rachelle P.

Tommy P.

Jennifer P.

Ann P.

LOJIE W.

Natalie L.

Jordan S.

David R.

Rebeka L.

Clare D.

Who-lee A.

Zack B.

Kevin B.

Danielle L.

Gowri R.

Jessy F.

Shira O.

Brian S.

Natasha B.

Andrew T.

Laura L.

Joe F.

Babs N.

Erica W.

Kevin F.

Bunny R.

Caitlin S.

Todd S.

Sophie W.

Ashley M.

Aaron I.

Dawn J.

Scott L.

M R.