Since moving to Hayes Valley, I’ve been here at Papito Hayes about six or seven times for lunch, so I think I’m ready to share some thoughts about this place.

Walking in, you’re greeted with a friendly atmosphere and a beautiful mural. The service is polite and chill, and they usually invite me to sit wherever I’d like at the small open tables inside. There’s also a small outdoor area if you’d rather sit outside.

The staff always have a friendly buzz about them and seem to all be friends, which I like to see. It gives the place a welcoming feeling.

Compared to some of the other places nearby, this spot has slightly cheaper options, but expect to spend close to $30 per person.

By far my favorite things to order are the chicken soup and the asada enchiladas.

The way the enchiladas are served is unique and adds to the flavor of the dish. The rice and beans are placed beneath the enchiladas in a small skillet, so all the juices and sauce drip into them, which makes it a pleasure to tuck into. The asada enchiladas also come with a tasty red sauce, and the smoky bites of steak inside each enchilada make me devour them every time.

I’ve also tried the pork enchiladas, which are pretty good for similar reasons. The chicken enchiladas weren’t for me—but that might just be because I don’t really like the taste of mole.

For $9, you’re served a surprisingly filling bowl of chicken soup with rice. The rice is never mushy, and the broth is really savory and moreish, probably because it’s made with bone broth. It also comes with plenty of chicken and vegetables, plus a big pile of cilantro, which I really like.

I’ve also tried a bunch of their tacos. I wouldn’t recommend the duck confit tacos, as they’re a little too sweet in my opinion. However, the Baja-style fish tacos are really nice, as are the fried chicken tacos. They’re not super traditional, but they’re tasty and balanced with a little cilantro and salad in each.

If you ask, they’ll also give you a small bottle of what seems to be homemade habanero sauce. I consider myself pretty good with spicy food, but this stuff is actually pretty hot, so be careful with it.

There was one time when they didn’t really hit the mark. I ordered the chicken soup, as I always do, and it came out tasting much blander than usual, with much drier chicken. I let the staff know, and they gave me a discount, which was nice.

Overall, I really like the vibe of this place and the bright flavors they offer. Compared to Souvla nearby which I’d put in a similar bracket, I prefer to come here. I’ll definitely be coming back for lunch again.

Papito Hayes is a good Mexican spot in Hayes Valley for lunch or brunch with great vibes. The food quality is solid, but honestly it lacked flavor overall. Even the habanero salsa wasn’t spicy, which was surprising. Didn’t get a chance to try their drinks, but would come back for the ambiance and give it another shot.