Papito — Restaurant in San Francisco

Came here on a Tuesday evening with my aunt around 6:00pm. The place was empty and we were easily able to snag two seats at the bar.

The service was fantastic - we were greeted right away, and checked in on regularly, by the bartender/server. He made plenty of recommendations for us and let me try the sangria before ordering to be sure it wasn't too sweet (it wasn't). We ended up sharing a few dishes:

Ceviche: 5-stars. Super fresh with large, plump shrimp, onion, mango, cucumber, and avocado. Lots of citrus flavor and a really good kick to it. I couldn't taste any spice or pepper, so I don't know where the kick came from, but it left an awesome burn that didn't get in the way of the other flavors. Huge portion. This dish was the star of the night.

Mushroom quesadilla: 3-stars. Good but nothing adventurous or interesting. Cheesy, chunks of crunchy corn, darker, earthier flavors from the mushroom, but nothing really distinct. It was definitely a quesadilla with some mushroom and veggies, not a quesadilla that screamed mushroom or veggie first.

Hawaiano taco: 3-stars. The flavors ran together a bit, the tuna was bland and the textures made the whole taco mushy. Nothing remarkable.

Bajataco: 4-stars. The fish itself was really flavorful and well fried but not overly so. The onion on top provided a nice acidic cut to the taco but overall it could have used slightly more flavor, perhaps through chipotle aioli or something like that.

If I lived nearby, I'd stop in all the time purely for the ceviche. I'd probably come back to try other things, as I heard good things about the duck, but I wasn't blown away and I won't be going out of my way...

Papito in San Francisco is a cozy, welcoming spot with a menu that balances flavor, freshness, and creativity. The overall service was attentive and friendly, making the dining experience smooth from start to finish. The staff checked in often enough to make sure everything was good, but without being overbearing, which always makes a difference. When it comes to the food, everything we tried was impressive. I had the Vegetariano, which was hearty, flavorful, and satisfying without being too heavy — a great choice for anyone looking for a tasty meat-free option. The chicken tacos were another favorite, perfectly seasoned and well-portioned, not greasy or overloaded with toppings. Their quesadillas stood out as well: they had the right amount of cheese and filling, balanced and not overly stuffed, which kept them delicious without feeling overwhelming. The drinks complemented the food perfectly. The spicy mango drink had just the right kick of heat to balance the sweetness, making it super refreshing and unique. Along with a few beers, the overall mix kept the meal fun and flavorful. Papito does a great job of keeping things authentic yet approachable, offering a dining experience that feels both elevated and casual. Between the good service, satisfying food, and unique drink options, it’s definitely a spot worth revisiting when craving Mexican...

Papito, Elote Asado $7: I have literally had dreams about this corn before. Papitos was the first place I ever tried street corn, and I was sold. A dish with fresh and organic flavors both satisfying and comforting, this is a balanced recipe. The sweet corn is cooked perfectly, melting off into your mouth as you bite in. A rarity in my experience, this dish was able to hit all five senses. The corn itself was sweet, the Mexican mayo and cotija cheese was umami, the lime was acidic, and the home made chili salt had bitter and tangy notes. With all my love for this corn, there were two downsides to this dish. 1: the dish was served warm, and I wish it had been hot. 2: the chili salt was only on the visible portion of the corn, and I would like to have had those flavors with every bite. However the overall flavors were bright, fresh, and exactly what I wanted after a long plane ride.

Review from @therouxreview...