Puerto Alegre

My FIL was in town and Tex Mex with a good margarita is always on his list. Turns out we’d taken him a few years ago and he still loved it. The service is great and the food is plentiful. The chips are super crispy and my burrito was awesome. Loaded with flavor, a delicious sauce, you can’t go wrong. We just had a pitcher of regular Margaritas but you could tell it wasn’t just a mix. It was cold, refreshing and bursting with Lime. All in all I highly recommend you stop by here if you have the chance!

Chips and salsa here were fantastic! The fajita plate was also delicious and flavorful. Absolutely loved the charred onions they added an extra pop to the meat.

One of my favorite places in the Mission. After the art gallery 5 of us wandered in and was welcomed with warm arms. The staff is so nice and accommodating. It took moments to seat us and then the margaritas started flowing, chips, guacamole and salsa arrived and minutes later the food. Highly recommend the chicharrones in red sauce, but you can't go wrong with any choice. Note they now close at 9pm on a Friday, but make sure you stop in alone or with a group as a good time will be had. There is a bar and TVs playing for your entertainment.

Food is so mediocre. The service is terrible. There’s no communication between the staff. Why ask me if I want another pitcher of margaritas if the other staff person already ordered it for us, BUT took 15 mins for it to come out? It wasn’t even busy for it to take that long. Even the person that brought the pitcher out apologized. The pozole was so watered down that not even the green salsa could save it. There’s better places for Mexican food. Unfortunately, my friend likes this place that I will go because of him, but I would never take out of towners.

This is by far my favorite place to eat in SF. The food is amazing. I’ve been coming for years and the quality just keeps getting better. Highly recommend ordering a pitcher of Margaritas. They are too good to have just one. Everything on the menu is a winner. I just had the fried chicken taco for the first time and YUM. You must order the Churros. They come out hot, ready to eat and with a chocolate dipping sauce. Probably the best churros I’ve ever had. Can’t say enough great things. Thanks to everyone that works here. Truly appreciate you.

Oh my goodness this place was amazing!! And I ordered take-out. I live in the area and thought that’d be easy but it’s in a very busy part of town so parking is REALLY HARD- be sure to factor that in if you’re getting take-out. This is the first place I’ve found locally that actually adds flavor to their fajitas, they don’t just throw veggies in a greasy pan. The shrimp tasted fresh too! They also respected my allergy completely. They did goof a little on my order- forgot the rice, gave me corn tortillas, not flour- but it was fast and such high quality. Look forward to ordering here again.

Liked it more years ago than the way it is setup today, but, still a fun place for margaritas.

This place is always on point and totally amazing! Great food, service, drinks, and location. Thank you and I will be back again soon!

Best Pozole Verde ever! I have been going there for 15 years and the Pozole Verde recipe has not changed. Hearty and rich in flavor! Also love their chimichangas and margarita's!

The Valencia strip has no shortage of dining options, but this spot checks all the boxes--great food, solid drinks, a lively bar scene, surprise mariachi performances, and friendly service. It's a fun and flavorful place for dinner. That said, the kitchen can be a bit slow, and the fajitas, while served sizzling, were unfortunately charred and the veggies came out dry and bitter. They don't serve with spoons or forks so ask if you don't want to use your hands to put the veggies on the tortillas. On the flip side, the chicken taco plate was absolutely delicious and stood out as a highlight. All in all, a safe bet in the Mission with a local family owned comfort.

I'm not sure why this place is always so packed whenever I walk by because the food is mediocre and overpriced. My partner and I ended up spending over $130+ for some chips and guac, our entrees, and drinks. I ordered the enchilada and chile rellano combo, which was just okay. I wish this dish was more flavorful. My partner ordered a quesadilla, which he said tasted decent but was twice as expensive as the quesadillas he typically gets from taquerias nearby. The margaritas were pretty good though (except for the missing lime). I can see this being a good spot to grab some chips and margaritas, but I wouldn't recommend getting a full dinner here. There are plenty of way better places to get Mexican food nearby.

My FIL was in town and Tex Mex with a good margarita is always on his list. Turns out we'd taken him a few years ago and he still loved it. The service is great and the food is plentiful. The chips are super crispy and my burrito was awesome. Loaded with flavor, a delicious sauce, you can't go wrong. We just had a pitcher of regular Margaritas but you could tell it wasn't just a mix. It was cold, refreshing and bursting with Lime. All in all I highly recommend you stop by here if you have the chance!

Good food, nice bar, fun vibe, authentic, clean bathrooms. More $$$ than I expected but it was fun. I think we paid $64 for 4 drinks. With two entrees it was $110.

Went for apps and drinks and wasn't impressed; the frozen margs were saltier than they were sweet, which was strange, and the house-made sangria was decent, but nothing too special. The taco platter we got was also not great- pretty bland for mexican food. The service was fantastic, but I wouldn't go back just because there's way better Mexican food in Mission.

Met up with some college friends who I haven't seen in decades. Sat out in the parklet on a nice San Francisco day and enjoyed a tasty margarita and a taco plate while catching up on what's been going on and how we each survived the pandemic. The servers were attentive and the panhandling was minimal. Hooks for coats and purses would have made the experience just a little more wonderful but it was great to hang out and enjoy the company.

I just had the best dinner ever here the ambiance of the place was awesome and the waterier was very attentive and the chilly Rolleno was like butter in my mouth. I highly recommend people try this place! I give them 5 stars

This place feels like a local staple - free chips and salsa, huge portion sizes, fantastic (strong) margaritas, and a cozy atmosphere. Came in on a Saturday and got seated immediately - the host was kind enough to move us into a booth 15 min after we sat down since that was our preferred table. My friend and I got the veggie fajitas to split since neither of us were too hungry, and it was the perfect amount of food. The veggies were seasoned really well! The rice and beans also hit the spot. The pitcher of strawberry margaritas is a great bang for buck - they say it's 4 portions but it definitely feels like more. We accidentally stayed 30 min past closing and the hosts were really kind about it! Will def be back (and earlier :)) No fuss,

This place is perfection when I'm in the mood for enchiladas, refried beans, and rice. Came on a Sunday for brunch and was seated right away, but it filled up quickly and many people were waiting to be seated by the time we left. They still have their parklet and approximately five tables for additional seating outside. The margaritas are delicious as were the chicken enchiladas. Service is friendly and efficient. We received our drinks and food shortly after ordering and the servers checked in often to make sure we were satisfied and had everything we needed. I hope unlike many restaurants in the nearby area that Puerto Allegra remains open for many years to come; it's a neighborhood staple loved by everyone.

3.5 STARS Why you should come to Puerto Alegre: (1) Full bar!!! A rarity for a non-bougie/trendy Mexican restaurants in the city. (2) Awesome service (3) Free chips + salsa When some restos in the city are charging $11 for chips + salsa...that's a win in itself! Always thought of Puerto Alegre as more of a hipster fav so it wasn't on my radar. But, convenience won this time since they're centrally located near the bars on 16th and there was no wait on Thursday evening. Puerto Alegre it is! They're open for takeout, delivery, indoor dining, and dog-friendly outdoor dining. M E N U Mexican, Tex-Mex style fare: Salads, nachos, quesadillas, burritos (and bowls), fajitas, enchiladas, etc. They're best known for their pozole verde. No offal. While affordable with everything less than $20, their prices are several dollars more than other Mexican restos in The Mission. F O O D Food spread: https://tinyurl.com/2c9jfhpn * Complimentary Chips + Salsa The chips were warm and crunchy, accompanied with a mildly spicy salsa roja. And...free refills! * Pozole Verde w/ chicken, pork, hominy, ham, and bacon ($17.95) The pozole was hot and comforting with a mild tomatillo-based broth. It was filled with tender shredded chicken (dark meat), chunks of pork (shoulder?), soft hominy, and smoky bacon. Served with a side of chopped lettuce, sliced radish, and lime. While I prefer the pozole at Gallardo's and San Jalisco, this was the best item of the bunch. * Combo - Enmolada de Pollo y Chile Relleno: Chicken Mole Enchilada & Cheese Stuffed Pepper ($19.95) The chicken mole enchilada was ok. It was filled with tender shredded chicken (dark meat) but the mole sauce lacked the complexity + rich spices that I associate with a good mole. The chile relleno was like a wet, soggy sponge. The arroz and frijoles (creamy) were fine. * Milanesa: Fried, thin cut steak ($19.95) Not my order but I did try a piece. Crispy coating but on the dry side. Plates come with your choice of flour or corn tortillas. We got one of each and they were very industrial in taste and texture. S E R V I C E 5+ star service! All the staff we encountered were warm, friendly, and very attentive. Positive vibes all around. Food service was prompt. A M B I A N C E Low-key, 70s old skool, and festive. Cozy indoor dining area with a bar. Sidewalk and parklet seating. Heat lamps available. Mariachi bands rolling through really adds to the fun, lively vibe. P A R K I N G Very challenging street parking but Bart is just down the block. Overall, great central location in The Mission but IMO, the food pales in comparison with the lesser known Mexican restos in The Mission, Bernal, and Excelsior area. But, with the free chips + salsa, full bar, and awesome service...gotta round up to 4 stars.

This is the place I like to go to on a Saturday or Sunday morning sit outside- drink a margarita or a michelada. Can never go wrong especially if it's a hot day. Food is mediocre. This isn't my go to for good Mexican food but more of my margaritas, chips and guacamole and appetizers type of place. Ifyk the difference lol

This is my favorite Mexican restaurant in the city! I have been coming here for years and have always had friendly/quality service & food. The drinks are also amazing, and the restaurant is a fun place to watch a Bay Area sports game. Make sure to get a Warriors or Giants margarita when there!

Best margaritas in the city! Every sip takes me back to Mexico. Good food too but I come here for the margs. It's just lime juice, tequila, little bit of sugar but the ratios are perfect.

Had Sunday Brunch here, got a table fairly fast. Let start with staff, everyone was great, they kept checking on us and other tables. Looks like they all work together, we had a few different staff members checking on us. We had: The Margaritas and Michelada were very good and tasty. Frijoles con Queso - Refried pinto beans with Melted Monterey Jack. I added the salad they gave us for the chips to it. It was bomb!!! (5 stars) Pozole Verde made with a special blend of chicken, pork, hominy, ham and bacon in a green stew made with chiles and tomatillos. The meat was tender and juicy. (5 Stars) Tacos Especiales - (2) Deep fried chicken served with lettuce, parmesan cheese and Puerto's special taco sauce. Served with rice and beans. The meat was nice and tender juicy. Overall an awesome restaurant!!!

The food is DELICIOUS!! Can't go wrong with anything on the menu, each dish hits every time! My personal fav is the nachos always a chef kiss. Not only is the food delicious but the margaritas has a perfect balance. Order the pitcher with a side of nachos you won't regret it. Last but not least the staff is super friendly and inviting. Always a great time coming in.

Puerto Alegre is the best place for a low key friends meet-up on Friday or Saturday. Also family-friendly too. They are known for the margaritas (but not the house margaritas! pls upgrade). The chips and salsa are good also. Please bring cash for tip money, there is almost always a mariachi player or a band. The service is awesome! The Puerto Alegre's food is a divisive topic, its a 1950s California-style Mexican restaurant. This is not "authentic" Mexican cuisine, and is more similar to TexMex. This is not a good choice for vegans!

I love this place! They have played with cheese fully melted over the top which is hard to find in the city. The service is always fast and they're so nice. Food and Margaritas and the best! You won't be disappointed.

Hey everybody! We excepted the offer the owner gave us, and customer service just doesn't get better than this. We both ordered lighter fare then we had before and we're not disappointed. The nacho platter was gorgeous and equally delicious. I will have to say leaning toward gourmet! The flavors were energetic yet subtle. In 50 years I've never had nachos so well prepared, and flavors extraordinaire The soup was wonderful with smooth textures. It was my first time having such a soup and will do so again. My friend from Spain loved every drop, which speaks for itself. Honestly like so many of my Euros friends, he's not easily impressed! I love eating at there outdoor seating enjoying the weather, people watching, ( one of the best locations),and enjoying all that life has to offer!

Their chile Riano's are great, and all their food is delicious. And they made great margaritas.

Food was good and the drinks were cheap! The waitstaff was also very kind and there wasn't a long wait for the food either - will probably come back for something perfectly in between casual take out Mexican / upscale!

Been coming here since 1999. Such a historic establishment. Great food, drinks and overall vibe. Can feel the soul of San Francisco

We hit a few spots in the Mission District and we came across Puerto Allegre. Solid choice, the wait wasn't too long and the seating on the sidewalk provided a decent view of the fun. Margaritas are the way they should be, strong, and authentic. The food was great as well, perfect after any session.

This place went down hill and sooo overpriced!! Way better choices with better prices! Never coming back!

I have ordered from Puerto Alegre many times on Uber Eats. It is my go-to for delivery when I want Mexican food as I have tried several others on the app and have been disappointed. I finally visited in person for the first time when I had family visiting and everyone enjoyed their meal. I have tried several items including: quesadilla -- large, cheesy and delicious two taco dinner -- these are tasty and just crispy enough that they are still good with delivery if they come within 20 mins or less steak and shrimp fajitas -- these are delicious and a good size that I usually have leftovers cheesy refried bean dip app -- I got this for delivery and had no idea how huge this was. It was a large round container packed with beans for days guacamole -- worth it chili relleno -- my mom orders this dish at every Mexican restaurant and she enjoyed it The service was great and the staff was friendly. Whether it is in person, or most likely on Uber Eats, I will be eating here again.

Great food, great atmosphere, and the best pitcher of house margaritas. We also really enjoy the mariachi player that comes through on the weekends. He sings the best happy birthday in town.

I honestly have no idea why I have not written a review yet for Puerto Alegre, as it is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in San Francisco. It's not like I was trying to keep it a secret, this place has been popular for over 46 years. This is where I like to come for a "sit down" meal. In a neighborhood filled with Mexican Taquerias and Restaurants, this is one that I prefer and will wait for. It gets busy at nights and especially on weekends, brunch through dinner. Be prepared to wait if you have a larger group. I love the Cadillac Margaritas, that are made with fresh squeezed lime juice and hit the spot. We never just order them by the glass, it's always better to get the pitcher and share. I love getting Pozole wherever I go, but their Pozole Verde set a standard for me. I have a hard time ordering anything else on the menu, although I often crave the enchiladas or their giant burritos covered in the red or green sauce. Who am I kidding, it's always the Pozole for me. Now that I have mentioned the Pozole, it's only a matter of time before I have to have it. I want it, I crave it, I get it, it's mine.

My favorite Mexican restaurant. I love it so much I make the drive down from Santa Rosa now that I no longer live in SF. The shrimp fajitas are my favorite; the Steak Milanese Especial is also very good.

The atmosphere, food, margaritas are superb. I've gone alone and ended up meeting fun patrons. The staff is very friendly.

The intentionally (WHY?) unsalted tasteless tortilla chips are atrocious. The guacamole while a decent sized portion is under seasoned - it's just mashed avocados. The rest of the food is way too mediocre to ever be worth it as this is a bit pricey compared to others. The salad looked like it had bagged romaine with black beans sprinkled on it and the grilled chicken burrito didn't taste like chicken or much of anything other than one singular vague thing. A burrito at Papalote is 3X better and costs less so nope, not returning. Service was OK. People seem to go here to drink and maybe the food doesn't matter for them. It doesn't seem to matter to the ownership.

It was Friday night, and once again dinner decisions were placed on me. My girlfriend normally gets Mexican on her antisocial Fridays, so I figured let's get Mexican, near her place, somewhere she hasn't tried, and her only requirement was that it have Margs. Puerto Alegre hit all those points. Located on Valencia south of 16th and just north of West of Pecos, you have most likely walked past this spot which has been there for over 50 years. From the outside, which it does have outdoor seating, it seems like the standard Mexican spot with a detailed bar and they do claim to have the best margaritas in the Bay Area. We arrived, no reservation, and immediately got a seat inside. While looking at the menu, which isn't too huge, we of course ordered margaritas - her a House Marg on the rocks, and me the same but with mezcal. We got them very quickly and I can say they were delicious. That first sip was such a treat. Their menu is pretty simple. Outside of house specials, your options are either chicken, beef, or shrimp. This goes for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, fajitas, etc. That said, I do recommend taking a look at the house specials - pozole verde sounded really tasty especially on cold nights, and I am a sucker for a milanesa with cheese and sauce. But they also have two different types of combo plates, and that is what my girlfriend and I got. She went with the tacos de carne with shrimp, and I went with the Taco Especial y Enchilada de Casa. The chicken enchilada was tasty, especially with the right amount of sauce and refried beans. I did enjoy the chicken deep fried taco, the last bite being the best. My girlfriend really enjoyed her two shrimp soft tacos. That said, I would have preferred an a la carte option to add a single taco. It was tasty, but I could have eaten one more. But we did fill ourselves with one more marg each. So if looking for a no thrills sit down Mexican spot with tasty food and great margaritas, can I highly recommend this spot. Worth giving it a shot if you are likewise doing a "try all the Mexican down Valencia" challenge. Next I really want to do is Taqueria El Buen Sabor.

Good Mexican comfort food. Good service, lots of TVs, the bar was crowded, but we got seated right away. This place used to be inexpensive, not any more (but I think all restaurants have gone up). For an appetizer, 2 entrees, 2 drinks and a desert, it was $100. I guess rent on Valencia is a lot! But the food was good. Not a fancy place, but we got a nice booth.

This is one of those fresh off the belly reviews, I've just finished eating my delivery meal through Postmates. Well my friends, Puerto Alegre pre-COVID was always the most choice spot, the most non-gentrified spot on gentri Valencia st. Bomb strong margaritas and fun atmosphere. I brought my dad here (mexicano, who owned his own Mexican restaurant at one point) when he visited and he LOVED their posole. Anyway, this review is for their delivery... I'm hella satisfied, the way you should be ready for a siesta after a spot hitting chow down. I had the combo numero uno-- Chile relleno (muy relleno), beef taco, enchilada (mi favorito), rice (ok), y frijoles refritos. The menu said black beans as the only option (not my preference) but I was so happy when it arrived with refried and I just love their refried beans, reminds me of my moms (it might be a lil better, don't tell her). My date had a quesadilla con carne asada, she says "it was yummy and grilled to perfection". We also ordered guacamole and added that we needed chips. Boiiiii did they give us chips! A whole huge bag full! And we got a friggin tub of salsa too (picante, delicious). I wanted Mexican delivery on Tuesday but Puerto Alegre is closed on that day, and I didn't wanna chance it with other spots. I'm glad I waited. Granted, Mexican food is always the best eaten fresh off the stove, so if you leave some room in your heart to accept it may be just slightly off, this place is the joint to go for Mexican delivery. PLUS their containers are the kind you'll want to reuse. Disclaimer: margaritas in photo are not included, I made those. Interesting to read some of the more recent reviews, it's like people don't realize that there's a pandemic going on and businesses are trying their best... I thought the flavor was on point, and appreciate that they're a family business. I'll support them any day.

Worst food in the mission . Lots of other choices. How can you mess up nachos?! Looked like the most unappealing plate of food in front of me all year. Highly disappointing. The jimica agua Fresca was the only thing palatable.

Had lunch on a Sunday No beer on tap Chips were just ok - salsa was quite good Margarita is above average I had the Chile relleno and taco combo - both were excellent- handmade taco and the relleno was delicious. The rice and beans were quite good too - I rarely eat much of my rice and beans at Mexican restaurants, but I was a member of the clean plate club Would recommend and would return - 4.5 stars

One of the worst Mexican meals I have ever had. I have never seen a bowl of beans that was literally pale pink colored in water like someone threw it up. Our group was astonished by how bad the food was. Even the chips were completely stale with no flavor. We ordered burritos, burrito bowls and fajitas and oh man, stay away! There are literally a million better options on Valencia and mission. Drinks are not cheap enough to justify going there. Not sure why anyone would choose to go there instead of all other Mexican restaurants around. How can you mess up such a palatable type of food?!

Love Puerto Alegre - long waits during dinner time, but well worth it! Along a strip of many great Mexican restaurants, it might be easy to get distracted by some of the more flashy looking restaurants, but this isn't one to skip out on! Their food is delicious - I first came for the enchiladas and margaritas and was not disappointed, even despite a very long wait. Come early if you're hungry - they don't have a paging system or text notification, so you will have to just stay right at the restaurant during your wait time. The atmosphere is casual and upbeat and they usually have a Mariachi band or solo performer playing (so prepare cash tips) which really lifts the mood (esp when you're drunk off their very strong margaritas). Portions are filling, so you can order more ala carte style as well. If you get their combos, comes with rice and beans (which are pretty normal) and a small side salad with it. Definitely check this place out if you're craving Mexican or really just looking for somewhere good to eat. So worth it!

If you want authentic Mexican Food with amazing service go to Puerto Alegre. We went for lunch with my family today and we absolutely loved every bite. My dad had the shrimp fajitas, My Mom had the crispy chicken tacos, My brother had the Milanesa which was very unique and delicious, and I had the Bistec and it was cooked to perfection. I know they are famous for their Margaritas but we couldn't have them since we don't drink in front of our Dad.

Excellent margaritas! Indoor and outdoor seating. Dog friendly outside. Great for family meals, friend outing & date night. Guacamole very authentic, one of favorite spots.

Puerto Alegre is absolutely the BEST!!! The staff is warm and friendly and the food is AMAZING!!! After enjoying a fun, beautiful, sunny day in San Francisco my family and I stopped in for some Chips & Salsa to take home and it was truly the icing on the cake with the cherry on top. Just like I remembered and even better I lived in San Francisco over 25 years ago. There was no Yelp at that time. Puerto Alegre was always the go to spot. They deserve 6 out of 5 stars Their Salsa is good enough to drink Because of the the distance I am not able to patronize their business as often as I would like. Wonderful family establishment. I miss them so much. I was happy to see familiar faces still working there. I look forward to getting a "Wet Burrito" next time I am in town.

Absolutely delicious! A must must must visit here when in San Francisco! Talk about delicious horchata, yummy hibiscus drink, and then the authentic Mexican food! So so so delicious! I ate every single bite of my crunchy shredded chicken taco, the soft taco, and their salsa is so good! Fresh chips and salsa were perfect! Their mole sauce on the enchiladas were out of this world! Excellent! I need to go back to his restaurant when I visit here next time! This a definitely permanent stop for food when visiting! Can't wait to eat authentic mexican food again here!

Doesn't look like much when you walk past cause it isn't. I had a combo chili relleno and cheese enchilada which is what I usually order in a Mexican Rrestaurant. Nothing absolutely nothing to write home about no flavor hardly any cheese . They served the second worse margarita I've ever had in my life. I'm a bartender for years . If I didn't know better I would think the bartender was the same one at Maria's . Terrible can't taste any orange no distinct flavors. I say remind me never to come back but I don't think I need that

This is a very amazing restaurant. I especially like their Pozole Verde. Even salsa here is great. You should definitely give it a try if you'd like to experience the Mexican food scene in the Mission District of SF

Great place to grab a drink and enjoy some good Mexican plates. Great ambiance and service. I like their margaritas and their guacamole.This restaurant has been in the Mission District on Valencia for decades.

Don't be put off by the logo! This is a wonderfully authentic family run restaurant, where the food is truly excellent. Neighborhood relaxed vibe with local art displayed on the walls. Warm and attentive service.

I love this place and I brought a friend that was visiting from New York so they could really try Mexican food for the first time and of course the argument was that New York has better Mexican food, and they don't. We were brought our plates, there were a lot of peppers, onions and we separated the meat before we even tried anything. This is how much meat we were given and I understand it's during Covid but you're paying $18 for a plate and this is what you're getting and you're also charged for rice and beans.

My go-to Mexican place in the Mission - maybe all of SF. My favorite dish is the enchiladas - both mole and regular. The sauces are SO flavorful and you can tell they're family recipes.

Doesn't get better than this family run restaurant, over 40 years of community and good service and great food

This family owned restaurant is my favorite! Growing up in the Mission helped me engage with the local businesses and the culture. I started coming in to Puerto back in 2009 and I got hooked! I love their milanesa, tortilla soup with chicken, guacamole and many more dishes, but most of all their margaritas You can't go wrong with blended or on the rocks, when I crave a margarita it is always from here, the best in SF- trust me! The venue is small and homey. My favorite days to go would be on Thursday nights and while you are there you may also catch a good time with the mariachi! I tell you I am so happy this restaurant exists and is perfectly located- Not only that but back in 2018 Willie and Amparo helped me arrange a corporate dinner for 30 people who flew in to SF from different locations within the NW of the US and they had an amazing experience. Amparo helped me create a special menu within my budget and when I say they have the best margaritas- I was told by my peers that they were delicious and they said the food was very tasteful! I highly recommend supporting this local business, either if you are from the area or visiting SF