Updates From This Business
Carnitas BBQ pulled pork sando special
Carnitas pulled pork bbq sando now at the Bistro for… read more
Salmon Special
SEARED SALMON WITH VERA CRUZ SAUCE (peppers, onions,… read more
BBQ Chicken Leg
Roasted Chicken Leg with Tamarindo| Bbq Sauce and… read more
New Item: Tostaditas de frijol
New item: Tostadas de Frijol (bean) fresh lettuce,… read more
Spring Fish Special - Limited Time
CRIOLLO SEARED TILAPIA FILET WITH PUREED ENTOMATADO… read more
Tostadas are here!!!!!
Enjoy freshly made tostadas topped with pinto beans,… read more
Pork Cubano Sando $15
It’s back for a limited time!!!! Come by and pick up… read more
Special Mexican Pasta $10 limited time
Come check out our first special pasta, roasted… read more
Closing for a week
September 26-30, 2023 We will be closing for a week… read more
Warm yourself up with hot delicious comfort food
Como in and try our version of wet burritos!!!
Closed Tuesday 4/18/23
Offsite catering request, will open Wednesday. Sorry… read more
(415)379-6250
Our telephone is working again, huge AT&T blunder!!… read more
Gambas special $18
Limited time special, shrimp sautéed and braised in… read more
You're going to love our beef perritos Caliente!!!
It’s a bacon wrapped beef frank, layered with… read more
Only fresh ingredients here at the Bistro
Our green salad with choice of hot proteins and… read more
We're open till 3:30 today
Come by for your dinner early before we close the… read more
New prices- New portions
In effort to adapt to inflation, we’re making our… read more
Gametime Special Come Join Us!!!!
During the Warriors game you can get $2 beers with… read more
Time for a night on the town!
Come visit us today!
We can hear your stomach growling from here!
Come visit us today!
We are open for dine in service!
Date night approved! Our food might not be the only… read more
Fresh & Full of Flavor!
If you want bold fresh flavors then look no… read more
Come Visit Us Today!
After a long work week you deserve a night out on… read more
Menu
Popular dishes
What's the vibe?
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Inside
16 photos
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Outside
6 photos
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All photos
452 photos
Highlights from the Business
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Takes reservations
![CASUAL_DINING](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/assets/public/40x40_casual_dining_v2@3x.yji-efd07e6d26f9e5625771.png)
Casual dining
![LOCALLY_OWNED_OPERATED](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/assets/public/40x40_locally_owned_v2@3x.yji-04e733a7f628c96a469c.png)
Locally owned & operated
![YEARS_IN_BUSINESS](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/assets/public/40x40_years_in_business_v2@3x.yji-a37bfcac9adc48b4a2c7.png)
2 years in business
![LOCALLY_SOURCED_INGREDIENTS](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/assets/public/40x40_locally_sourced_ingredients_v2@3x.yji-df50212a88f44f08206a.png)
Locally sourced ingredients
![HEALTHY_DINING](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/assets/public/40x40_healthy_dining_v2@3x.yji-06cf98e187a89a680650.png)
Healthy dining
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About the Business
Blink and you might miss it, but this little spot in the Inner Richmond is serving up some of the freshest, most flavorful Mexican food in the city. Certain recipes on the menu were highly perfected over generations. However, Chef Raul Garcia Antolin's flair for studying under his sought out masters means a host of influences. Here you can enjoy sticky, smokey tamarind ribs; "cheesy crusted" burritos, and munch on warm tortilla chips as the staff prepares your meal with love. Come on in and see for yourself why locals rave about the service, the food, and the uncompromising quality - despite the laid back, casual location.
Ask the Community
Q:
Are the tacos corn or flour?
A:
Mini yellow corn tortillas
Raul G., Business OwnerÂÂ 1 person found this helpfulQ:
Any vegan friendly options?
A:
They have a tofu street taco and a basic salad offering, but that's about it!
Tabitha C.Â
Recommended Reviews
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Overall rating
303 reviews
5 stars
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- eweezy h.Walnut Creek, CA122205Aug 25, 2024
What a hidden gem! I was walking on Geary and stumbled across this amazing Mexican restaurant.
I ordered the Al Pastor Burrito and it did not disappoint. The meat was nicely charred and really substantial piece with every bite. The bits of pineapple took it over the top and everything was seasoned very well.
The service was very quick and the waiter came back to refill waters and chips. The two salsas had great flavor and wasn't too spicy. I am a sucker for the carrots and jalapeños and they seem to make their own brine compared to some of the other restaurants that use the canned version.
I gave my kudos to the owner Raul and he mentioned they have a new meat supplier where the Carne Asada is made with Ribeye. Price point was solid for the food quality and service.
Will be back!!Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Kmaintl L.San Francisco, CA120252264Sep 1, 2024
First time here. Wanted to try as wasn't able to ever be impressed with any Mexican food in the inner Richmond area compared to what we could get in nearby South City. Wasn't disappointed.
We had carnitas super burrito, Cuban sandwich and chicken enchiladas. Very tasty, rich in flavors. Enchiladas were more like a taco as it was crispy, but still good. Service was excellent. Nice not having drive down to South City for Mexican food.Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Aug 23, 2024Updated review7 check-ins
Always a pleasure dining here! Let's keep Caliente Bistro in the neighborhood & still open for business!
Thank you to the staff for always so wonderful & welcoming!Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Sep 22, 2023Previous reviewThe best Mexican restaurant (& my go-to) in the Inner Richmond off of Geary! Glad we found this gem that has habanero sauces. WE LOVE A GOOD & SPICY sauce :)
I appreciate their quick and friendly service. Restaurant is pretty spacious to dine. A full bar if you want to have a good time!
Let's get into what I ordered for lunch:
* A coke bottle
* Carne Asada Burrito
* Fresh Ahi Tuna Ceviche
Both go very well with their habanero sauce!
Bon appetite!
5/5 recommend - Jul 23, 2024Updated review29 check-ins
Politics is polarizing, so let us all forget that for a moment and instead focus on food and your local community instead. Caliente ask for your help in making rent. Would you spare some of your time and come over to enjoy a meal here?
We recently had the Roasted Chicken Leg Meal with rice and beans for $10.00. Yes, you didn't read wrong. It's $10. We also had an Ensalada $8.00 + Carnitas $4.00 and an iced tea $4.00.
Always delicious and Amazing deal. Their menu, while not expansive, has a little bit of everything for everyone.
So while not everyone will agree on whether the Great Highway should remain open or closed, or which politico should be in office next (local, state, national), I hope we can all agree on helping your community, and enjoying some delicious food.
Located on Geary Blvd between 12th Ave and Funston. Right next door to a 7-11.Helpful 22Thanks 10Love this 23Oh no 0Aug 23, 2021Previous reviewI'm updating my review because we have been coming here a few more times since my last review and the food gets better and better.
We tried the tofu tacos and they are delicious. Maybe not as delicious as the meat tacos, but that's cuz I'm not a vegetarian. So if you are a vegetarian, go try them and write your review on what you think.
So far, I have tried two kinds of ceviche and my favorite so far is the octopus and shrimp one!!! Love it! Felt like I'm having a sashimi salad except even better! So delicious!
We also enjoyed the ensalada (fancy Spanish word for salad) and you can add different proteins. So if you want tofu on top, they can make it. We prefer chicken or Carne Asada.
And of course I have to mention the amazing chicken enchiladas because that's my favorite and we order this every time except for the last time when we ordered chicken mole!
Everything is so good!
You know it's good cuz I usually eat low carb now and I am making all kind of excuses to eat here more often and indulging in...beer to wash them all down. Yeah...Jul 17, 2021Previous reviewWe didn't realize that we were in for a treat when we stepped into this restaurant for some Mexican food tonight.
A look at their menu confused me somewhat as I see Mexican food, cheeseburger, and Cuban sandwich. I'm like...what is this place?
But I shouldn't have worried... The food is so good! In fact, this is some of the best Mexican food I have ever eaten!
First of all, the tacos. Wow, the tacos are so good! We got the roast chicken, carne asada, and the al pastor. They also offer tofu, but we didn't try them on this visit. Next time!
Normally I'm kind of lukewarm on al pastors (some places just don't do them justice), but these are so flavorful and delicious! In fact, everything is super flavorful, juicy, fresh and every bite is amazing.
Then came the Enchiladas de Pollo. I thought it was hard to top the tacos, but this was my favorite tonight! The enchiladas are both flavorful, meaty, and crunchy. You know how when you bite into something and you know right away it's special, well this is how I felt about this dish. The sauce blends so well with the pulled chicken, the cheese, and that crunchy shell. Mmmm... definitely get this and you will know what I mean.
And I got a side salad, the Chef informed us that they make their own house dressing from the guanabana fruit. Delicious.
Service was warm and hospitable. I thought we were at a five star restaurant with the attention we received. We got extra chips and they made us an almond milk latte, and a hot chocolate on the house at the end of the meal. Even without the freebies, we thought this place is super special and with them, it's just icing on the cake!
Chef Rogelio (and his assistant) asked us whether we like the food (yes we love it!) and spoke with us about his vision on what the restaurant may look like; expanded menu, coffee bar with breakfast pastry offerings (in the works, not yet available), and maybe wine pairings, etc.
I'm so excited to see an awesome Mexican restaurant in our neighborhood and while they are still fairly new (and working out their menu), don't wait around to try them. Get here ASAP and show them some love! - Aug 9, 2024Updated review4 check-ins
Very tasty and melts in your mouth! Savory cheese soft and gooeylicious! My spouse was extremely satisfied with the burger. He couldn't finish it all and had leftovers for later.
He is slowly trying an new item each time we come. Enjoys it all.Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0Jul 25, 2024Previous reviewEverything here is awesome. I love their tacos, burritos, enchiladas, etc...great service. Fast friendly and very tasty! Come!
Jun 4, 2024Previous reviewCame here with coworkers after attending a graduation for school with one of the students and family. They
accommodated my party of 11 and was easy in and out ADA accessible.
My group ordered many different items and different drinks and a bit of everything on the menu! Everyone went home with leftovers and was happily full!Jul 22, 2022Previous reviewCame here this week again with my sister in law. We Ordered the chicken enchiladas and two tacos to share between the both of us. It was nice, the chef separated it into 2 combo meals with chips. We invited more relatives to join us and had a ordered more tacos for our table. My relatives enjoyed the meaty tacos!
Jun 16, 2022Previous reviewAlways love coming here with new people. Everybody loves the food here. Really good portions and always cooked to perfection. Yummy!
Nov 18, 2021Previous reviewFast friendly and reasonable priced Mexican cuisine. The plates of food are so pretty, vibrant colors and the flavors pop in your mouth! I have ordered to go half a dozen times but wanted to go in person. It was very good as take out but awesome eating in person!!!
Sep 28, 2021Previous reviewIt was so good! Tacos and enchiladas. Authentic and full of flavor. Generous portions!
- Aug 6, 2024Updated review
Heard Caliente Bistro Kitchen was in financial trouble, so I decided to have a group dinner here to help out, both to give them more business and to introduce them to some newbies. There were six of us for dinner and I was the only one who had eaten here before. The food and service were both as I remembered from the other times I'd been here. Each of my dining companions enjoyed their choices, which were chicken mole, enchiladas, tacos, and burritos. Two of us had the jamaica aqua fresca, too, and, as usual, it was refreshing and delicious.
None of us could stop eating the complimentary chips and salsa. The chips arrived at the table hot and crispy and the two salsas were wonderful; not too spicy and just the right amount of tang.
My burrito was so big that I couldn't even finish half of it; it gave me two more meals the next day!
This is a wonderful neighborhood restaurant and I hope they stay around for a long, long time!Helpful 1Thanks 1Love this 0Oh no 0Nov 2, 2021Previous reviewAfter reading my friend Lisa X's review for this relatively new (since July of 2021) restaurant in the Richmond District of SF , I thought I'd venture over and try it for myself. I wanted to get a taste of several items, so I ordered more than I could possibly eat. Being that it's Tuesday (Taco Tuesday, y' know?) I ordered three different tacos (roasted chicken, al pastor, and carne asada) at $3 each. The tacos came with cilantro and onions, pickled veggies, limes, and two different salsas on the side. (I noticed that if you ordered online, the tacos were priced at $4 each, but ordering in person, they were only $3.) I also got the enchiladas de pollo, as recommended by Lisa, that were filled with pulled chicken and cheese and covered with a mild enchilada sauce, served with beans, rice, lettuce, sour cream, and, surprisingly, guacamole and pico de gallo. Both the tacos and the enchiladas were delicious, with the enchiladas containing both light and dark meat chicken in chunks. The meat in the tacos was diced into much smaller pieces and plenty was included on each taco; the little cubes of pineapple were abundant in the al pastor, too. Complimentary tortilla chips rounded out the meal quite nicely. I also asked for, and received with a smile, extra salsa. The friendliness and good food encourages me to return to try some other items.
- 37245492Jul 18, 2024
Came Thursday afternoon to a semi filled restaurant! Big portions worth the price and hard working staff.
Only one person in the front of the house would recommend being patient as he is helping where he can
Food was flavorful and comes with chips and salsa free first round
Would definitely recommend giving it a try !Helpful 1Thanks 1Love this 4Oh no 0 - Geri S.San Francisco, CA96370755Aug 10, 2024
Excellent friendly service for wonderful food! The chef and staff provide both hospitality and comfort foods to satisfy your appetites.
The Tamarind bbq ribs are succulent falling-off-the-bone tender meats with sweet notes (optional - order dry ribs with the sauce on the side)...plated with cilantro guanabana coleslaw, black beans and red rice, and corn salad - every bite is absolutely delicious.
The Cuban fried chicken on a bun is a sandwich with the same cilantro jalapeño guanabana coleslaw and garlic aioli and a generous side of crispy seasoned fries -
A perfect meal at Caliente Bistro Kitchen is - anything you order!Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0 - 198128281Jun 25, 2024
This place is a hidden gem in the neighborhood.
The chips are nice and thick. Seems like they are salted with a super fine salt, so it's evenly salted and so addicting. It comes with a green salsa and creamy orange salsa.
I don't normally get pork, but I tried the super burrito with carnitas and was pleasantly surprised at the texture contrast and flavor. The carnitas had charred crispy bits, and the non-crispy parts were not dry. They cook the meat to order so it's super fresh and you can taste that difference.
If you get the extra cheese crust on the burrito, it magically gets like 30% larger lol. It was comically large for only $2 more.
If you're trying to save a buck, they don't charge any SF mandate fees.Helpful 3Thanks 1Love this 5Oh no 0