Chao Pescao

We have traveled to both Cuba and Colombia, both of which we loved for many reasons, including the food. So when my honey found this Cuban-Colombian restaurant, it felt like fate. We have since had dinner here three times, each time before seeing a show at the Orpheum or other local venue. Easily walkable.My biggest piece of advice is to go with people who are good at sharing because the best way to make the most of Chao Pescao is by ordering dishes to share. Everything we've eaten has been thoroughly enjoyed. My favorites have been the Empanada de Cerdo (pork), Pan de Bono (warm tapioca rolls), Ensalada Havana (sin cerdo), and Arepa de Bistec (steak).They also boast an interesting cocktail/mocktail menu and your water is unlikely to ever be empty. The welcoming and bright environment just adds to the already great experience. We'll be back!

Everything was sooo good! Drinks were awesome! We went to dinner here before we went to a concert. It was our first time trying Cuban/Caribbean food and I'm glad we decided to go to ¡Chao. Definitely coming back to this spot!

Service on point. Water never empty. Dishes taken and checked table for any other wishes.Hamburgers were very tasty! Salad on side had jicama cubes that really went well with viniera and cheese taste!Quality sandwich that had tiny crunchy rock salt crystals that added flavor and pop to the meal.

Ambiance 5/5 - lively, bright, not super noisy even thought it was filled up for a Saturday supperService 5/5 - they were all so nice and attentive! Food 5/5 - explanation being I'd want to come back here over and over. Some of our favorites were - empanadas (gotta try em all! Crispy but not overly greasy with well balanced filling. The sauce, too, so good), De Cemita (their version of fried chicken with rice, beans, and masa pockets. The batter was crispy with chicken so juicy on the inside. Just wow!), their shortbread cookies (highly recommend), and ALL of their cocktails! So yummy you'll WANT to be back!

Food: 4/5Service: 4/5Ambiance: 4/5Overall: Definitely one of the better places to eat at in the neighborhood. I'd go back if I'm in the area.The extended review...Food:Ropa Vieja - 4/5 - I've found it somewhat difficult to find this dish in the city and this is one of the few that has it. It's a very tasty dish with some good accompaniments.Service: 4/5 - Friendly and attentive service. Ambiance: 4/5 - A very festive and vibrant ambiance.

I don't know if I've ever had Caribbean food before, so when I was invited to try out Chao Pescao, I was down to go.Really good food, along with bright, welcoming decor. I really enjoy the unique wall decors with mirrors, and unexpected items such as phones and instruments.The empanadas are solid! Definitely recommend that as an appetizer. The papusas are also very good.Nice spot right in the Civic Center area, super-close walking distance from Civic Center Bart and City Hall.

Bright colors and fresh flavors sing, but slow service and food consistency leave some things to be desired. Positives: plantain chips are a MUST. Delicious tomatillo-based dipping sauce pairs perfectly with the crispy Caribbean fried fruit. Vibe in the restaurant is warm and inviting, and our server was fun and flirtatious (without crossing any lines).Negatives: food didn't arrive until an hour after reservation began. They ran out of bistec (marinated ribeye) but didn't inform us until 30 minutes after we submitted our order -- these things happen, but it was frustrating to re-order so long after we initially spoke with the waiter. What to order?: Pass on the arepa (disappointingly dry). Instead, order the GORGEOUS fried chicken sandwich ("Cemita Poblana") -- the sandwich was larger than my outstretched hand and included a mountain of fries. We almost could have shared one between two people -- generous portioning in this dish was awesome, though it was missing in the arepa and empanada dishes. We'll come back again for the great flavors, but not on a night with a timely event after dinner -- we were late for our post-dinner evening concert despite arriving nearly two hours before the event (which was two blocks away).

Good spot but I wasn't wowed by the food. The service was great, they were kind and helpful. It's beautiful inside, I love the decor and how colorful it is. This place is near the Civic Center so it closes early and is in a low key neighborhood with not a lot of other restaurants or bars in the area. I came in for a birthday dinner with a group of 8 people on a Wednesday night. I would say this spot is good for groups. Yelp said they close at 8:30pm but it seemed like they stayed open a little longer due to how many people were still there. We ordered some apps- Chicharonn, Tostones and Maduros. They were all good but I didn't love anything and thought the portions were pretty small for what you pay for. I ordered the Cubano Sandwich, it was pretty good but again didn't wow me.

We came here for my birthday dinner as I was craving Caribbean food. I started with a refreshing mint tequila cocktail and we got the Brussels sprouts and French fries with pistachio salsa (ordered on the side) to start, followed by the lechon cubano and the Cesar salad. The main items came out quickly after the appetizers and we had to hurry to eat our food to make table space.The lechon was the star of the night, with a healthy serving of tender pork dusted in chiccharron crumbles. I was less impressed that it came with two very small pieces of plantain. Otherwise the dish is great to share and the habanero salsa gave it a kick. The Cesar salad had real anchovy bits in the dressing and lightly seasoned garlic shrimps.For two people (apps and mains included and one cocktail) it came out to about $125. I would go back to try some of their other dishes. Great Caribbean food by San Francisco standards as we are really lacking in many Caribbean restaurants here. Our waitress was friendly and attentive.

Step into the vibrant world of Chao Pescao, a Latin culinary oasis nestled just around the corner from San Francisco's Civic Center. From the moment I stepped inside, I was whisked away on a sensory adventure that had me itching to explore every nook and cranny of its stylishly eclectic décor. The walls adorned with whimsical artwork and the gentle sway of oversized ceiling fans created an ambiance that was both chic and inviting.But it wasn't just the decor that had me buzzing with excitement. The air was alive with the infectious rhythms of Latin legends like Willie Rosario, Frankie Ruiz, and Hector Tricoche, setting the perfect backdrop for my culinary experience. As I settled into my seat, I couldn't help but let the music move me, my head bobbing and toes tapping in time with the beat.The staff at Chao Pescao were like a well-oiled machine, seamlessly working together to ensure every guest felt welcome and attended to. I wasted no time in ordering a refreshing Modelo Especial de barril and diving into their signature Cubano sandwich, a towering masterpiece of roasted pork, ham, gruyere, pickles, and mustard nestled between perfectly grilled Cuban bread.Each bite was a symphony of flavors, with the crispy fries adding the perfect crunch to every mouthful. And while some Cuban sandwiches can be a bit on the greasy side, Chao Pescao's version struck the perfect balance, leaving me satisfied but not weighed down.As I reluctantly bid farewell to this hidden gem, I couldn't help but smile, knowing that I had stumbled upon a culinary treasure trove that I couldn't wait to share with friends. So until next time, alligator...