Puerto Alegre Restaurant

Recommends

jlr_1974

Joined 8 years ago

Fun spot. The food is definitely decent, but it's the potent margaritas and strolling mariachi band makes this one of the best Mexican restaurants in the city. Always a fun time. The only downer is that you'll have to wait at least an hour for a table on weekend nights. Avoid the crush and instead come for brunch -- the huevos rancheros are yummy and so in the menudo.

Doesn't Recommend

sfeater123

Joined 8 years ago

Not worth my time!!. On a Friday night we waited over 1 hour and 45 minutes to receive a table. The restaraunt uses an archaic system to seat people. Instead of simply taking your name they gave you a weird ticket and no one ever knew when their table was ready. So it constantly led to us and others being skipped over (possibly by accident) and other customers being seated who hadn't waited as long. The place was understaffed and the host was inconsiderate and a liar. He constantly told people to wait outside and he would come out and tell them when their table was ready, which he never did. The restaraunt's awful system amounted to a frustrating wait and an unpleasant atmosphere with people clawing at each other for a table. I would never recommend this place to anyone.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Pitchers of strong margaritas and heaping combo plates of traditional Mexican lure crowds to this Mission favorite.. As well-worn as a beloved living room couch, this homey restaurant boasts a vintage pinball machine, a rock-heavy jukebox and a crowd to match--and most importantly, stellar margaritas. Despite operating in a neighbohood that's saturated with Mexican food, Puerto is slammed almost every night. Expect the usual taqueria faves--overstuffed burritos, tacos and combination plates--although this place is more like a cantina, with a young Mission crowd who endure 30 minute waits for teh fresh made and well-balanced maragritas.

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golden_tiger_

Joined 10 years ago

Great food, great prices!. The food is amazing here! You can choose from their combos or make your own and it couldn't be more afforable. Large portions of delicious food. The margaritas are tasty (you don't realize how strong they are until later). If you can find parking, it's definitely worth it! There can be a bit of a wait at dinner time so show up a little early. Best Mexican food in the city hands down.

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al4219

Joined 10 years ago

Good food, but overrun by mariachis. I like my Mexican food smothered with cheese, sauce, and other gooey accompaniments. No fresh-mex pinto beans for me. Puerto Alegre satisfies this craving. Good chips, good food, dirt cheap. Also, they have some interesting, more authentic dishes, like nopales (cactus) and an interesting dessert place with Mexican hot chocolate. The only down side is the endless succession of mariachi bands who pander incessantly at your table. They'll stick their hand right in front of your face and leave it dangling there for a few minutes, asking you if you liked their performance. Kind of awkward. If they got rid of this, it would be much better.

Doesn't Recommend

sf_diner

Joined 11 years ago

Just not good. The food isn't authentic and it isn't good. The burritos come out mojado whether you like it or not, the contents are bland, the tortillas are soggy, the salsa (all one variety) comes out tasting exactly like Pace - ketchup with a few cilantro leaves floating around - so I think the other negative reviewer is right - any hype about this place must be about the margaritas, not the food.

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will_stallard

Joined 11 years ago

Best Mole and Margaritas. Puerto Alegre is an old favourite of mine - some great, inexpensive food (Enchiladas with Green Mole Sauce is a personal favorite), and huge pitchers of delicious and strong magaritas make for a great night out. The lively atmosphere and Mariacis also help. This place is very popular, so there is often a long wait for a table (they take reservations only for large groups), and sometimes the service can be a little slow - but is always pleasant and polite. Recomended.

Doesn't Recommend

ymjymj

Joined 11 years ago

The food is horrible!!. The are about 2 dishes on the menu that are pretty good and brunch is good. The rest of the food is marginal at best. They do have good margaritas - strong and tasty (but too many with the cheap tequila they use will definitely cause a hangover) and the mariachi music is sort of cute. Besides the food, the service is consistenty terrible -- you might wait 2 days for your check. This place used to be one of my favorites in the early 90's when it was touted as Salvadoran food - not sure what happened or what the hype is all about, unless it is really about the margaritas.

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dannyneicsh611

Joined 11 years ago

good grubb!. If you want great tasting authentic Mexican food with the best margarita's at inexpensive prices, Puerto Alegre is where you want to go.

It's totally cheap! you get lots of food and drink for your money. More important though, it's good food and good service. It's family owned and operated, and that always makes a difference!

It's pretty popular and you might have to wait a while, but it's worth the wait and you can go next door to Blondie's, have a drink and work up your appetite while you wait to be seated.

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my0gre

Joined 11 years ago

good eats. Well-prepared food with flavor--not wimpy and bland. Good meat. I just wish they hadn't retired my favorite breakfast: machaca beef with scrambled eggs (best with enchilada sauce on top). Bring it back!!!!!