Papito Hayes

Great location in the Hayes District of SF. Enjoyed the ambience, and selection of food. This is not just a burrito stop but so much more!!! In the last four days during my visit, today will be my third time we're stopping. Why look around for good eats when you've found one. Service is fun and on it! I would highly recommend this place for authentic Mexican food!!!

January 2025: Came here for an early dinner and tried the steak 🥩 burrito and chips and guacamole 🥑. Both were okay. Guacamole had a lot of lime 🍋‍🟩 juice that resulted in a little sourness. November 2025: Stopped by for brunch and tried a kale Caesar salad with grilled chicken and the carnitas enchiladas. Both were excellent 👍. We were asked if we wanted jalapenos and we were charged an extra $1 per dish. Didn't know they would charge us extra and would have passed on the jalapenos. Wish they would have been more upfront and transparent that it was an extra charge. We actually didn't eat them because the dishes didn't need it.

The empty plate photo was my plate after that amazing Asada Quesadilla I just ate omg it was so good. The sauce that the meat was cooked with was really good and complex. Portions are big. Decent prices. Rich Mexican flavors

food came very quickly and was extremely tasty. had the pollo con mole enchiladas and ate them in about 4 minutes. would definitely come back if im in the area again

The mole tamales special was delicious and the service was great! My friends got the fajitas, which I think were a bit average and on the salty side. I'd gladly eat here again

Photos looked good and then i remembered why i dont eat mexican in neighbourhoods that arent known for that cuisine Duck taco is drenched in cheap barbecue sauce it was so sad Chorizo taco was good Also very skimpy with filling Salsa roja was disgusting, straight up oil

We were walking by and saw a guy eating a massive juicy burrito. So we stopped in for dinner. My partner ordered the Burrito Mojado spanish rice, black beans, pico de gallo, jack cheese, guacamole, sour cream. topped with red or green salsa, melted cheese, sour cream, carnitas. He loved it. I got the Ceviche and it was also great. Service great, the vibe is great too. We will be back.

I understand that location is a factor, but I personally believe that the food is overpriced. More importantly, there’s no alcohol in my margarita.

There are several places in Hayes Valley that visit pretty regularly. This has become one of my favorites over the last several years. They have been consistently good for quite a long time now, and I am here for it. First, I love their chips and salsa trio. The mango salsa is my favorite, but all three are good. I also love the queso fundido with chorizo as an appetizer and their guacamole is great too. I love their margaritas, but every time I go in I've been asking them to bring back the blood orange margarita. That was my favorite for a long time! For entrees, I typically order their Duck Confit (Pata) Fajitas. I don't know of any other Mexican restaurant around here that does duck confit fajitas. I love the way they cook the duck. It's shredded and tossed in a delicious sauce that is both sweet and a little spicy. My other favorite dish is the mole enchiladas. Their mole sauce is really wonderful here. I also like to get their quesabirria tacos when they have them. The service is great most of the time here, and I like the ambiance although it can be loud when it's busy. Outdoor seating is nice on a warm day. Overall, this place is solid and has been a go to for me for years.

Walked in before a show at the Symphony Hall and sat quickly, but space is pretty tight. Cheek to jowl with neighboring table, as my grandma used to say. Food also came out lightening fast, funded was tasty, salsa trio a bit odd, and I didn't much care for the salty tomatillo, sweet and syrupy one, or the spicier but single note pepper. I had a tostada, which was soggy and instantly fell apart in my hands. Wife and daughters fared better with their enchiladas, but I thought the mole poblano was too sweet and lacked depth. Maragaritas were solid. Not the worst option to be sure, but I'll be checking out some other Hayes spots next time.

Really enjoyed Papito, the food was delicious and the service was great. We were greeted and sat right away. There are tables inside and some outside, in a small patio. We ordered the Trio of Salsa and barbacoa tacos, and I had a strawberry margarita which was great. The barbacoa tacos were delicious, definitely a must try. This was featured on their specials menu. The trio of salsa was a good starter for two people. The ambiance is very nice, and the restaurant was very clean. Service was quick and the staff were very friendly. This is a good spot for groups of 2-4. Will definitely be coming back!

Surprisingly delicious Mexican spot in the heart of Hayes! I love the esquite corn dish here -- it comes out in a skillet and is just oozing with flavor. It's a casual spot, but the quality is good. You get some free chips and salsa for the table (and the salsa is actually pretty sharp and tangy) and I like the tacos here too (although they can't compare to a Mission taco of course - this one's more dry). Service is friendly and I like coming here when I'm in the area!

This is one of my go-to spots in Hayes! I really like the chicken fajitas - the meat is tender and it comes with lots of bell peppers and onions. If I'm not as hungry, I usually order the tacos - I've tried both the chicken and shrimp tacos, but the chicken tacos are my favorite! The staff is friendly and the ambience/decor is nice - will definitely be back soon!

My friend & I came here for an early dinner and we were greeted right away. We sat inside and ordered: -chips and trio salsa. All 3 salsas were good, but the green/guagilla was our favorite. The red/tomatilla was a bit spicy and the orange/mango salsa was a bit thicker and sweeter. -There was a special on the QR code and we ordered the barbacoa tacos (it came in 3s) and it was DELICIOUS. Absolutely flavorful and the jalapeños was spicy. The brown sauce was really good too -1 pastor taco -1 carne asada taco -Strawberry margarita -Strawberry horchata (it was a bit sweet but still good) The tacos were filling and the meat was flavorful too. There is indoor and outdoor seating. Street parking. It is about a 15 minute walk from Civic Center Bart station. Service was good and I would come back here again!

Papito in Hayes Valley has that easy neighborhood vibe. The service was amazing, everyone was warm and quick, and the food came out fast. We tried the shrimp fajitas, veggie tacos, chorizo tacos, and al pastor tacos. The tacos were okay, nothing I'd go back for, and they came out a little colder than I like. The guacamole and salsas were solid though. Overall, good spot for friendly service, just not the most memorable food.

Papito Hayes was ok for before a concert at Davies but I was a little perplexed - is it strange to wonder where the cheese at in my quesadilla? Tasted fine so maybe it was just subtle or a conservative portion- or maybe it was magic disappearing cheese. Maybe when it was melted it sublimed straight to a gas and skipped the liquid melt. The dish was ok but I missed the thick layer of cheese you might expect in a quesadilla. My son enjoyed his super burrito. Also the big mural inside was pretty cool, but that ambiance was lost for us because we sat outside along the sidewalk. Service was ok but unremarkable. I'd go back but may order differently when I do.

Esquite , fresh tortillas and burrito. Pom royal and sangria awesome. Service is quick. Ambiance is beautiful with peppy uptrend music.

Chips did not taste fresh a big disappointment, queso fondido was just ok didnt seem to have that much cheese.

Well, SF has so many good Mexican restaurants so the bar can be high. We enjoyed the food here in the good walkable neighborhood. Parking as easy on the street but you do need to pay for parking (1 hour parking costs around $7). Service was fast. It wasn't very busy on a Thursday early afternoon but a few customers enjoy a quick bite with drinks. It's a good place to chill!

Really nice food, good beer. Interesting flavors. Flirty waitress, effervescent. Wait staff was somewhat discombobulated, as we had to move tables - very awkward, they barely helped. All cuz of a large party they were expecting that didn't show up. But it was fine.

I originally went here on a first date because it was one of the few places open the latest in the neighborhood. Let me tell you, I'm glad that was the case! We sat outside under the heat lamps in a corner table that was perfect to get to know someone. We decided to split the steak fajitas. One, they were delicious! Two, it was the perfect amount of food for two people to share! Warning, their spicy salsa that comes in what looks like a huge salt shaker- is extremely spicy! One drop almost took me out. Haha

What restaurant charges for chips? They do. SMH. Ambiance is nice. But food is only decent and overpriced. Best thing is the drinks, but they'll definitely skimped you and put a whole lot of ice. Service is average at best. If you're looking for good vibes and drinks, but not worried about the food quality and rising tab, this is the place to be. Otherwise, there's many other options where you'll still get good vibes and drinks but better food and value.

Outstanding experience start to finish! We loved the corn with taquitos, chips and guac, and chicken tacos. Tasty crunchy delights! And the charred jalapeño margaritas were outrageous! Loved it.

Really good and affordable. It was walking distance to the symphony, and worked out perfectly for a simple easy meal pre-show. The margarita was very light on the tequila. I don't even know if there was any. It was good but I thought I had maybe ordered the virgin cocktail by accident.

Lowkey mid and lacked flavor. Also took a long time form when we were seated to when we got to order and to actually getting out food

It's hard to enjoy Papito Hayes sometimes. Their tables are very close to each other in this restaurant, one can feel a bit self conscious when eating by themselves. Especially so when they are eating a steak by themselves during lunch. I wonder who does that? Hmm. I also like eating here with coworker friends. Food is pretty good. Enjoy it. And I love that beautiful mural of La Catrina. I believe they are in the same restaurant group as Chez Maman. While CM serves bistro French food, PH serves Mexican. Located on Hayes and Gough.

Really liked my experience here. This place has a few vegetarian options, but I would recommend the super burrito over enchiladas. Veggie enchiladas could do with some more sauce and less they were too stuffed and feel apart easily. Our server was sweet and entertaining, will be back next time I'm in Hayes Valley.

I hate giving negative reviews, but I owe it to my fellow Yelpers who are looking for good service and good food. The food was overpriced for the quality. CARNITAS BURRITO ($15.00) I expected tender pork, but what I got was burnt, tough meat that was hard to eat. Sadly, this was below the standard you'd expect even from Chipotle. I wanted to add guacamole to my burrito, but instead, they gave me a full side order of guacamole for an additional $12.00. GUACAMOLE This tasted more like salsa than quacamole. Sadly another negative to the experience. TIME I ordered my burrito at the bar, and it took them 20 minutes to have it ready. I want to acknowledge that running a business is hard. Paying for employee healthcare and covering overhead is one of the most stressful parts of being a business owner. That said, while those factors drive food prices up, it also puts pressure on you to keep the quality as high as possible for your customers. Unfortunately the quality was not there.

I just started a new job in the neighborhood and have been looking for places to grab a quick but tasty lunch. Papito was an absolute win! They greeted me quickly and has seating options both inside and outside. The weather was beautiful and so I chose to sit outside. They seated me quickly, brought me water and took my order all within two minutes so it seems they get the lunch rush! I got a little salad with shrimp and a side asado taco. Both came out super fast and were delicious. I will definitely be back to try more from their menu. I can absolutely attest to the fact that Papito is a great place for a quick business lunch.

best thing I ordered was the question fundido! an appetizer! the tacos were expensive and regular, the mole was a little sweet for me and the margaritas weren't anything special. as far as Hispanic food goes its pretty typical for norcal. not necessarily worth the price, probably won't go back. the service was good, they stayed on top of the table which i really liked. didnt go inside the establishment, sat outside and it was a lovely day

This is a tiny, casual Mexican restaurant on a very popular street in Hayes Valley (right next to Allbirds) with super friendly servers and terrific food. I recommend the Burrito Mojado, which is a very saucy Super Burrito. You can add meat to it, but I opted not to since it already comes with black beans. I was going to give them 4+ stars, but unfortunately, taking my leftovers home, I noticed that the sauce leaked through the bag and all over my pants just a few blocks from the restaurant. Bummer. I wish it had been sealed better. There's a booth in the back, small 2-top tables, and some bar seating.

The food and service were great, and the outdoor area in front was a nice space to eat.

Bring a gas mask for the Fabuloso they seem to sprinkle all over, smelling up the whole block up like a bad gas station toilet. A restaurant should smell like good food, not toilet cleaner!!!! Wow, the pictures don't look anything like the awful enchiladas I was served, a real inconsistency in the food prep.

Found this place on a whim to grab a quick bite to eat before a concert at Bill Graham. On a Tuesday night 7pm, this place was packed which was a good sign. We sat outside with the heaters which was perfect for a cool SF night but not cold. For starters the service was awesome, our server had good vibes and that made the dinner more enjoyable. I am usually a "fast order fast eater" type which I know helps servers. We placed our orders and the food came out pretty quick after. Friend got tacos while I got the salmon entree. Let me tell you, everything was seasoned so well and the protein so tender. 10/10 would be back soon! If you're looking for a quick and fairly healthy dinner / bite before a concert at Bill Graham - this is the place to be.

Best Mexican Restaurant in Town. Very Good Service and Quality of their Menu!! Julia at the Bar is Awesome and Makes Sure that the Customer is Attended to Right Away and Recommends the Best Items they Have!! I Would Highly Recommend this Gem of an Eatery in San Francisco! I Come all the way from Walnut Creek to try their Delicious Mexican Cuisine!!

One of my all time favorite wet burritos in the city! Their red enchilada sauce is so flavorful and it's a perfect combination with the rest of the burrito. The staff is always super friendly and helpful, the Hayes location is a great spot close to other bars and things to do nearby.

Omg the food was amazing! And our waitress was a gem! The queso fundido was delicious! I loved the wet burrito and both sauces were so good! The Brussel sprouts were incredible and the churros were to die for! We even got a second order of just churros! It's a small location so we got lucky with sitting and it's just a cute spot!

Papito Hayes is a vibrant gem nestled in the heart of San Francisco's bustling Hayes Valley. This Mexican eatery offers a delightful culinary experience that seamlessly blends traditional flavors with modern flair. From the moment you step inside, the lively atmosphere and friendly staff create a welcoming ambiance. The restaurant's charming decor, adorned with colorful accents, complements the vibrant spirit of the food. We sat outside because it was a beautiful day out but it was great to see both were a win/win option. Papito Hayes truly shines in its commitment to quality ingredients. Every dish is a testament to the chef's skill in crafting authentic flavors. The tacos, in particular, are a must-try, with their perfectly seasoned meats and fresh tortillas. The guacamole, made table-side with a generous helping of fresh avocados, is an absolute standout. I am still dreaming about the mole enchiladas! Beyond the incredible food, the service at Papito Hayes is exceptional. The attentive and knowledgeable staff is always ready to offer recommendations and ensure a memorable dining experience. Whether you're enjoying a leisurely lunch or a lively dinner, the service is consistently top-notch. Papito Hayes's perfect blend of delicious food, friendly service, and vibrant atmosphere make it a must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic taste of Mexico in the heart of San Francisco. Have you tried their margaritas? They're the perfect complement to the food! Food Pictured (Chips and Salsa, Chicken Mole Enchilada and Baja Tacos 10/10) Not pictured (Hibiscus margaritas and seasonal special: Tamarind margarita 10/10)

Great Vibez. Nice Ambiance and Seating. Unlimited chips and amazing flavors. Their green and mango sauce is the best. Best shrimp quesadillas. Servers sometimes take their sweet time but are nice.

Papito Hayes is an excellent place for small and large groups in a busy and lively area of central SF. We started with homemade guacamole and ceviche papito-8/10. I ordered a cheese enchiladas plate, which was a bit too salty. I give it a 6/10. My boyfriend ordered the steak torta-9/10. Service was fast, and our food was brought out quickly. The open kitchen concept allowed us to see that the cooks were working fast and hard! Shout out to Raul for caring for us and making our experience unique! It could be because I am not from SF, but parking was a pain.

Ordered the veggie quesadilla which was served with a tomato-y orange sauce and filled with cauliflower, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Was delicious and the orange sauce on top complimented the tortilla perfectly. The orange hot sauce which is habanero, was super spicy but packed a perfect punch for the quesadilla. Inside the restaurant is not too big but there is cute outdoor seating as well. They have well priced drinks and food so a really good deal for ambiance and bang for your buck with good food as well. Service was also relatively prompt and attentive. We got the food in a good amount of time and everyone was really kind.

I had previously been to the Potrero location but recently went to the Hayes one as well. There were 4 of us with 2 dogs and still got seated very quickly. Throughout the meal the service was great! The fundido was really tasty and the Guac was also top notch. For mains we had a couple things to share but the quesadillas are great with a decent selection of fillings, but the burrito I had was HUGE and very, very good. We also had a pitcher of a spicy margarita which was not sweet and had a nice kick to it. All in all, we'll be back!

Super dog friendly outdoor dining with yummy Mexican brunch foods. It's harder to find places with parklets for outdoor dining. If you're like me and looking for high protein meals, I highly recommend the brunch steak and eggs. Oysters were part of their special today and tasted fresh. The steak is flavorful. The French toast and birra tacos were mid. Gotta end on a high note to also recommend their fajitas which come out on a sizzling plate. Trust me and order a strawberry Shirley Temple or strawberry margaritas! They use fresh strawberries. Service also didn't disappoint.

I always love Papito -- good food, good service, generally spacious seating. Prices are typical for restaurants in Hayes (2-3 $). The enchiladas were great, as were the chips and guacamole.

Jorge and the team at Papito Hayes were great. The tacos were amazing. More than surprised that SF had a solid Mexican food.

Came here with friends and I enjoyed the food. We shared the guacamole, chips, and salsa. If you like spicy food, I wouldn't recommend the salsas because i preferred the complementary habanero hot sauce. The guacamole was good but not as good as my guac hehe. I ordered the vegetarian quesadilla and thought it was filling and pretty good for the value. The service was just okay. Weirdly, the server said it would be a few minutes until she could seat us at an empty table outside. She then proceeded to clean off tables that nobody was waiting for and then seated us after. Just an odd order of operations, because it seems more logical and customer service oriented to seat standing patrons before clearing off a table. The bathrooms were pretty gross and I'd recommend they clean them more often

Great vibes - great margs. Chip trio is awesome. Margs are decent price for SF. Recommend when in Hayes

I ordered the steak burrito mojado and it was way better then I expected. The filling was savory but not too salty. And the sauces paired very well (they let me order half/half for the sauces). It was also presented very aesthetically too. The stuff were super friendly and were the ones who recommended this combination, so I'm very grateful for their suggestion. The ambiance is really nice too with cozy lighting at night time. Depending on where you're seated, you an up close view of the staff preparing which is fun.

Moved into the neighborhood and this place has such stupid good burritos, friendly staff, and amazing drinks. I love their agua frescas and they have a really tasty hibiscus mimosa too. My favorite foods are the shrimp tacos, steak tacos, and al pastor tacos, in that order! And my gf swears by the carnitas super burrito. Just be warned the burritos can be messy! But totally worth it.

Lively atmosphere, a nice place to spend a Friday evening. The food outdid expectations: I ate a nice dish of mole enchiladas served in a skillet, which was of a generous but not overindulgent size. There probably could've been a little bit more mole, but I was happy.

Ordered a steak super burrito here to go. Love the quality of the meats. Beans made the whole burrito soggy, otherwise stuffed to the brim with spanish rice, black beans, pico de gallo, jack cheese, guacamole, sour cream!! This is a SUPER burrito, gigantic size. Chips were overly salty. OK spot if you're looking for huge portions.

Great food, prompt and convenient online ordering. I ordered the super burrito and was surprised how amazing it was. Fresh tasting ingredients.

I went there because the menu was intriguing. It was small and cozy. I had the sangria which I enjoyed. I had the tacos which were good but small. My daughter had the pozole but did not have seasoning so ER had to add our own salt. The service was good, no delays in food. My only concern, I did see one of the cooks drop the tongs and instead of getting new ones, he picked them up and kept using them. Hopefully it was a one time incident. I don't live in the area but if I did, most likely will go back to give them a chance. I enjoy a good Mexican restaurant and they did have other items on the menu that I would like to try.

Honestly, this place is a total land mine when it comes to food. I don't usually leave negative reviews, but after giving this spot multiple chances, I feel like it's time to just be real. San Francisco has plenty of fantastic Mexican food options -- authentic, fresh, flavorful -- and this place is unfortunately nowhere close to that standard. Let's start with the tacos. Completely uninspired. Dry, bland, and seriously lacking any kind of flavor punch you'd expect from even a halfway decent taco stand. The meat was overcooked, the tortillas felt stale, and the toppings were an afterthought at best. You know it's bad when you're adding hot sauce not to enhance the flavor, but just to give it some kind of taste. Then came the enchiladas. I was actually kind of excited for these because it's usually a reliable, hard-to-mess-up dish. Nope. What arrived was a room-temperature, sad-looking rolled-up tortilla with a mystery filling that somehow managed to taste like absolutely nothing. No seasoning, no sauce to speak of -- just dry and flavorless. It felt like a microwaved attempt at an enchilada from a gas station. The fajitas? Okay, to be fair, these were decent. The veggies were cooked well, the meat wasn't dry, and it actually arrived sizzling -- one of the only highlights of the meal. But honestly, for the price and reputation they're trying to build, "not bad" isn't nearly good enough. And don't even get me started on the queso fundido. I don't know who signed off on this recipe, but it was basically a bowl of beans with the faintest suggestion of cheese. Isn't the entire point of queso fundido to have a bubbling, gooey, indulgent cheese dip? Instead, it was this sad, lumpy mixture that we ended up leaving mostly untouched. The service? It was fine. Not overly friendly, but not rude either. Just kind of going through the motions. Which, to be honest, matched the energy of the place. The vibe is tired, the decor feels dated, and it just doesn't have the welcoming atmosphere you'd hope for in a neighborhood spot. What makes it even worse is that we live nearby and have given this place multiple chances, hoping it was just an off night or a bad dish. But every single time, it's been disappointing. When a place can't consistently deliver on basic staples like tacos and enchiladas in a city full of amazing Mexican food, it's time to admit defeat. Bottom line: Save your money, skip this spot, and head somewhere else. SF has so many incredible taquerias and sit-down Mexican joints where you'll leave full, happy, and already planning your next visit. This, sadly, isn't one of them. 1/5 stars. Only because the fajitas weren't awful.

Friendly service, fun ambiance, and amazing pozole - rich, flavorful, and substantial.

Cozy little Mexican spot with great food. Stopped here after a concert at Davies Symphony Hall, within walking distance. Very small but enjoyed the ambiance food. Friendly and fast service. A little pricey for the portions but tried a little bit of a few things. Tacos were excellent and amazing esquite and queso fundido. Recommend giving this place a try for sure.

Gem in Hayes Valley! Tacos were delicious and had a lot of flavor packed inside of them. Very good value for its price considering we're in San Francisco. It was a very nice laid back vibe at the restaurant and would be a great place to grab a drink and eat some good Mexican food with friends.