Arepas Latin Cuisine - San Francisco — Restaurant in San Francisco

Had hopes for this welcome addition to the growing Carribbean/South American food scene in the bay area but ultimately left very disappointed. Our server was a friendly Venezuelan guy with clear passion for arepas and its history in Colombian/Venezuelan cuisine, but the actual service and food quality came up way short. We ordered a round of drinks (sangria and tinto de verano), and Arepa Pelua and Parrilla to share. After taking our order, nothing hit our table for about 20-25 mins. Only after a few gestures to our waiter did we get the arepa delivered (before the drinks, which is suboptimal but not a dealbreaker necessarily). The arepa was very well stuffed but was pretty average flavor wise. After another gesture to our waiter for the drinks, we had to remind him of the whole remaining order. After another 15 mins the drinks came out, and the tinto de verano was basically a coke with a little bit of red wine (tinto de verano doesn't have coke, that's calimocho). We waited another half hour for the Parilla, which was tasty but seemed less so after the eternal wait to get it. Most servers at this point would recognize the (valid) dissatisfaction of their customer and maybe comp one of the poorly made drinks or similar. Instead, we got the bill with an automatic 18% gratuity already charged, for a party of two! What's more, when the credit card reader was handed to us, it had already been set to the "Additional Tip" screen. That is, it was only when I asked our server that he explained that the 18% was already included...was he hoping I would miss it and tip him 25% on a clearly subpar experience?

A few positives I feel inclined to note: when we told the bartender (not the server) about the coke-y drink, he was very responsive and added some extra red wine to make it right. The interior design was also really well done and they had Carlos Vives and other essential Colombian/Venezuelan jams playing during our time. The ambiance of the spot was very on point. Just maybe get your...

"Arepas San Francisco" is an absolute gem! From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere, complete with vibrant Latin music that sets the perfect mood. This restaurant isn't just a place to eat; it's an experience.The arepas themselves are phenomenal. The "Cochinita" arepa was incredibly moist and flavorful, and the shredded beef arepa was simply divine. The quality of the ingredients is evident in every bite. The mini arepas are perfectly crispy on the outside, and the fillings are generous and delicious. Also the Empanadas are very good, with generous filling, and great flavor. The house sauce is a must-try, and the green salsa adds a fantastic kick. The menu offers a wide variety of Latin American dishes, ensuring there's something for everyone. The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and provided excellent recommendations. They were very welcoming, and made the experience very enjoyable. The restaurant has a lively and energetic vibe, with upbeat Latin music that creates a fun and festive atmosphere. Ricard Sr and Jr were professional and provided excellent customer service. The restaurant also has a bar area, and a loft area with a wine bar, and a stage for live music. This adds to the great atmosphere. It's a great place for a casual meal with friends or family. Arepas San Francisco" delivers an authentic and delicious Venezuelan culinary experience. The combination of excellent food, friendly service, and a vibrant atmosphere makes it a must-visit restaurant in San Francisco. Ihighly recommend "Arepas San Francisco" to anyone looking for a flavorful and memorable dining experience. I can't...

I usually frequent this place with my family and we loved to come since the food and service was great. The last few times we’ve come, service has been really bad; they have changed the menu and now everything is more expensive and comes in smaller sizes… And even worse, even though they didn’t bring a good service, we had to pay an 18% tip that "IT'S MANDATORY" and they can't do nothing to not include it. We’re never coming back.

Suelo frecuentar este sitio con mi familia y nos encantaba venir, por su comida y su atención. Las últimas veces que hemos venido, nos han atendido muy mal; han cambiado el menú y ahora todo es más caro y tiene menos sabor y tamaño. Y peor aún, auqnue no nos setimos bien arendidos tuvimos que pagar una propina de 18% que según ellos, “ES OBLIGATORIA” y no pueden hacer nada para no incluirla. La verdad no pensamos volver.

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That’s a lie. They charged us with a 18% tip, when we told them we didn’t want to include it, they said tip was already included on the system and they didn’t have acces to remove it, we ask for a manager but they said they were only two people working that day… so, at the end, we didn’t have any other option than paying for a tip that they...