El Gusano

El Gusano reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

1. t

   tuliptori

   Phoenix5 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on October 5, 2014

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 2

   Four of us each with different selections all had the same reaction. Meat was dry, drinks were weak and the rice had an off- putting taste as if it came from a packaged product, not made on premises. The crafted trio of salsas were fabulous and the chips thin and crispy. Go for a beer and a basket of chips.
   

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2. w

   willstarr

   San Francisco146 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on September 28, 2014

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   We took a chance because I wanted a good margarita. They do not have a blender, but the margs on the rocks are excellent. The food was a real surprise, though, how good it was. Even the rice and beans were outstanding.
   

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3. t

   traveljunkee VIP

   San Francisco17 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on September 6, 2014

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   I was so diappointed! It's a beautiful restaurant and the menu looked delicious but when we received the food we were not impressed. Ordered apps and dinner and they brought everything out at the same time (hate that). The scallops were overcooked and did not taste good with the plantain hash. The enpanadas was soggy and oily and out meals had no flavor. The best thing there was the mango margarita and chips and salsa. Not sure we'll be going back there.
   

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4. C

   Cheetah

   San Francisco5 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on August 9, 2014

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Amazing complimentary trio of salsas with really fantastic tortilla chips. I highly recommend the Mirnas Salbutes and Huaraches, very tasty and nice textures. Delicious margaritas and cocktails. Cool interior design. Great service at dinner.
   

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5. V

   Visitors VIP

   San Francisco11 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on August 2, 2014

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   The service was slow & inconsistant. People were very friendly though. Food was very delicious!
   

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6. T

   Twotone

   San Francisco3 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on June 21, 2014

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   Really good food, welcoming atmosphere, and solid drinks. El Gusano makes no pretense that they are a fine dining restaurant, but they elevate the concept of a casual, comfortable, reasonably priced neighborhood Mexican restaurant. Drinks are strong and tasty. Food was more adventurous than I expected, and everything we ordered was perfectly executed. The service was not perfect, but everyone was very helpful and friendly. This was my first visit but I expect I'll be back often.
   

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7. j

   jessx333

   San Francisco8 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on June 14, 2014

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 4

   The food tasted OK. Cocktails were good. We were a party of 5 and seated promptly, but from the moment we ordered, we felt rushed. Our server even brought out our check when we hadn't even looked at the dessert menu (very rude). Not going back for lots of reasons.
   

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8. BB

   BBDiningout

   San Francisco12 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on June 8, 2014

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   We all enjoyed the meals for our party of 4. Excellent Chili Verde. Chips and Guacamole were addicting. Only downside was we ordered house Margaritas and it took a very long time to show up. One showed up as I was just finishing my meal and I ordered it before the food showed up at the table. I would go back for the food.
   

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9. YY

   YummyYummy

   San Francisco2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 30, 2014

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Food was great, service was great and the drinks were delicious!
   

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10. KS

    KStar

    San Francisco8 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on May 25, 2014

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4

    We had an inconsistent set of food. We had salad and plantains; the plantains were quite good, but the salad was under seasoned, watery and tasteless, had iceberg lettuce, and had none of the pepitas that were claimed in the menu. Margaritas have gone downhill; perhaps due to the lime shortage there were substitutes for fresh lime, but if so, that should have been clearly stated so that we could make an informed choice. Chile verde was quite good, but the chicken mole had more bones, tendons and skin than leg meat.
    

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