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Chisme Cantina
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Chisme Cantina
8.0
Lower Nob Hill cantina serving a focused taco lineup with pescatarian and vegan options. Earlier hours skew family-friendly, with quick counter ordering and a relaxed dining room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy fish tacos, Chicken tinga tacos, Veggie taco bowl
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Balanced menu with pescatarian and vegan tacos alongside classics.
Who should go: Mixed-diet families who love tacos
When to visit: Early evening before bar crowd arrives
What to order: Crispy fish tacos; chicken tinga tacos; queso & chips
Insider tip: Weeknight specials often rotate—ask at the counter before ordering.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Sutter and Polk; can be tight after 6pm—look for spots on side streets or use nearby garages like California Parking at 1000 Sutter St.
Dress code: Casual and relaxed; jeans and tees fine, though many diners lean trendy on weekends.
Noise level: Moderate—easy conversation early evening, louder after 8pm when bar crowd grows.
Weekend wait: 20–30 minutes during peak hours; bar seats often available faster.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; fast counter ordering.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – several tacos and sides can be made vegetarian by swapping proteins.
Vegan options: Yes – 2–3 options including plant-based tacos and salads.
Gluten-free options: Yes – corn tortillas available; cross-contact possible in shared kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Best for casual first dates—fun atmosphere, shareable tacos, and solid cocktails without formal pressure.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-ins welcome; most diners order at the counter and seat themselves. Busy weekend evenings may require a short wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—earlier hours (before 7pm) suit families well, with mild menu options and quick service. No dedicated kids menu but easy to share plates.
Best For
Better for: Quick, high-quality tacos and fresh pescatarian or vegan options in a lively space.
Skip if: You’re seeking a sit-down, full-service Mexican dinner or a quiet meal away from the bar energy.
Chisme Cantina
7.9
Lower Nob Hill cantina serving tacos with pescatarian and vegan options alongside horchata and sweets. Fast counter flow and friendly staff make it handy before shows on Polk or the Masonic.
Must-Try Dishes:
Jackfruit tacos, Mahi mahi tacos, Eggplant tacos
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.1
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Taco lineup with standout vegan options like jackfruit and eggplant.
Who should go: Taco fans including vegan diners
When to visit: Pre-show early evening for swift counter service
What to order: Jackfruit tacos, mahi tacos, coconut horchata
Insider tip: Vegan tacos are clearly labeled—mix and match for variety.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Lower Nob Hill, especially after 6pm. Paid garages are available a few blocks away near Polk Street and the Masonic.
Dress code: Casual and relaxed—jeans, sneakers, and casual tops are fine. Many guests stop in pre-show or after work.
Noise level: Moderate to lively—conversations are possible but expect background buzz from music and groups.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during peak pre-show hours, but usually moves quickly due to counter service.
Weekday lunch: Rarely a wait—fast counter flow keeps service moving.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple vegetarian taco fillings and sides are available.
Vegan options: Yes—dedicated vegan options like jackfruit and eggplant tacos are clearly labeled.
Gluten-free options: Yes—many tacos can be prepared with corn tortillas; staff can advise on gluten-sensitive choices.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? It works best for casual dates with a laid-back vibe. Expect counter service and a lively room rather than an intimate setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—this is counter service only. Tables are first-come, first-served and usually turn over quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes, for older kids who enjoy tacos and a bustling atmosphere. There aren’t specific kid amenities like high chairs or kids’ menus.
Best For
Better for: Faster service and broader vegan-friendly taco options than many nearby cantinas.
Skip if: You want a quiet sit-down dinner or a full-service dining experience.
Chisme Cantina
7.9
Lower Nob Hill spot slinging creative tacos (from skirt steak to mahi mahi and jackfruit) with bright salsas and quick counter service. Locals use it for casual weeknight tacos and efficient takeout.
Must-Try Dishes:
Skirt Steak Tacos, Mahi Mahi Tacos, Jackfruit Tacos
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Inventive taco builds spanning steak, seafood, and plant-based options.
Who should go: Taco fans who want variety fast
When to visit: Weeknights 5–7 pm for minimal wait
What to order: Skirt steak; mahi mahi; jackfruit tacos
Insider tip: Order online for pickup—counter moves quickly at dinner.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking—can be tight after 6pm; no valet or dedicated lot.
Dress code: Casual—jeans, tees, and sneakers are all fine.
Noise level: Moderate—buzzing counter service but you can hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 15–25 minutes for counter ordering; seating may require sharing tables.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; quick in-and-out.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—jackfruit tacos and sides are popular picks.
Vegan options: Yes—jackfruit and veggie tacos can be made vegan; salsas are plant-based.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some tacos can be served on corn tortillas; no dedicated gluten-free prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? More casual than romantic—better for a laid-back, low-pressure meet-up over tacos.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it’s counter service with walk-in seating; no reservations needed.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—families stop in often; quick service and mild taco options work well for kids 6+.
Best For
Better for: Creative taco builds and fast, affordable weeknight meals compared to sit-down Mexican spots nearby.
Skip if: Skip if you want a long, sit-down dinner with table service or a full bar program.
Chisme Cantina
8.1
Lower Nob Hill counter spot from owner Ray Shlimon serving contemporary tacos with plenty of veg options. Clean flavors, quick ticket times, and casual seating make it an easy pre-show stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Jackfruit tacos, Pescado taco, Carne asada taco
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 7.1
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Modern taco board with strong vegan choices.
Who should go: Veg-friendly taco seekers
When to visit: Pre-show 5–7pm to beat the rush
What to order: Jackfruit tacos, pescado taco, carne asada
Insider tip: Order at the counter and grab window seats for faster service.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Lower Nob Hill, especially after 6pm. Paid garages are within a few blocks on Sutter and Bush streets.
Dress code: Casual—jeans and sneakers are fine. Most guests come pre-show or post-work.
Noise level: Moderate—conversation-friendly with some background music.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during peak 6–8pm hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; quick counter service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple vegetarian taco and bowl options.
Vegan options: Yes—several vegan choices including jackfruit tacos and veggie bowls.
Gluten-free options: Yes—corn tortillas and bowls are available; cross-contact possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual meetups than romantic dates. It’s laid-back and conversation-friendly but more counter-service than candlelight.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-in only with counter ordering. Small tables and window seats turn quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy tacos, but limited seating and no high chairs make it less ideal for toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Quick, clean tacos with standout vegetarian and vegan options compared to nearby heavier taquerias.
Skip if: You want a full-service dining experience or late-night hours—it’s more of a pre-show or early evening stop.
Chisme Cantina
8.1
Lower Nob Hill counter spot serving contemporary tacos with strong vegan and pescetarian options. Ticket times are quick and flavors skew bright and clean.
Must-Try Dishes:
Jackfruit tacos, Pescado taco, Carne asada taco
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Modern taco board with well-executed vegan choices.
Who should go: Veg-friendly taco seekers
When to visit: Pre-show 5–7pm to beat the rush
What to order: Jackfruit, pescado, carne asada
Insider tip: Grab window seats for faster counter-to-table turnover.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking; metered spots can be tight after 6pm, so plan a few minutes to circle nearby blocks.
Dress code: Casual — jeans and sneakers are fine; no need to dress up.
Noise level: Moderate — lively counter energy but you can hold a conversation without shouting.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during peak 7–9pm hours
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, even at midday rush
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple taco fillings and sides are vegetarian-friendly.
Vegan options: Yes — jackfruit and mushroom tacos plus sides make it easy for vegans.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are gluten-free, but cross-contact in the small kitchen is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want a casual, low-pressure spot — clean flavors, quick service, and a relaxed vibe make it easy to focus on conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is first-come, first-served; arriving before 7pm on weekends makes it easiest.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat — the casual counter style works for older kids, but limited space and no high chairs means it’s not ideal for toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Strong vegan and pescetarian taco options with lighter, fresher flavor profiles than many Polk Street taquerias.
Skip if: You want a big group table, late-night hours, or heavy, traditional taco plates — other Polk spots fit those needs better.