Vegan
Organic
Beer/Wine
Delivery
Take-out
Mexican

Vegan Mexican restaurant by the owners of Cafe Gratitude. Uses produce from the owners' farm. Makes food in-house including the salsa, tamales, corn tortillas. Concise, seasonal menu. Reported closed August 2023.


Venue map for Gracias Madre
© OpenStreetMap contributors

282 Reviews

First Review by alexkors

Desh

Points +1177

Vegan
07 Sep 2023

An Original

I came to this one after I went to the Gracias Madre in West Hollywood.

I liked the food and the vibe It was cute and Definitely different than the one in SoCal.

Updated from previous review on 2023-09-07

Michwandering

Points +13

Vegetarian
04 Aug 2023

Delicious and economical!

The selection was amazing, food was delicious and prices were very reasonable!

Pros: Delicious and creative food! , Reasonable prices, Able to accommodate my gf friend

kittenbehavior

Points +56

Vegan
21 Jul 2023

Enjoy flavor? Salt? Heat? Prepare to be bored.

Disappointing. I'd give one star but HappyCow automatically inflates the score for all-vegan restaurants.

This place was dead on a weekend evening. Had heard negative rumors ca. 2017 of this place going downhill and my suspicions were confirmed.

Mole enchiladas portion was small, plated with undercooked dino kale and bland pintos. Enchiladas themselves were edible but nothing special. Sort of like an ‘Amy's‘ frozen meal. Lacked aroma and tasted like baking soda.

No one checked on our party of four after we were served. The place was empty yet we couldn't wave anyone down.

First tried this place in 2014-2015 and made some great memories, alas the current experience is a total mismatch. The original restaurant concept offered more vegan cheeses and they definitely had a better variety of appetizers and condiments.

Worst service in recent memory at a sit-down restaurant. Felt like we were eating at an airport. Just avoid this place.

Updated from previous review on 2022-12-17

Cons: Service, Atmosphere/music, Bland

MelissaHorsefeathers

Points +1494

Vegan
15 Jul 2023

Definitely want to go back!

Really beautiful hole-in-the-wall type place SF is known for. I loved the vibe! I ordered the burrito to go, and a hibiscus drink. The flavors in the burrito were phenomenally complex and deep, however, it was not the best burrito I’ve ever had. It was really dry on the inside. It desperately needed more crema and/or mole. The chorizo was good, but it was in a lump in the middle of the burrito and packed a punch of heat that the rest of the burrito didn’t have. They need to work on the balance.

The drink was refreshing, and as someone who doesn’t drink sweet tea I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but it needed to be a bit more sweet. It was on the verge of tasting like medicine territory.

Overall I would go back here in a heartbeat to try more on their menu, and maybe be more specific with what I’m ordering.

Pros: Good vibe, beautiful mural, Delicious, authentic, complex flavors, Fresh and all vegan!

Cons: Unbalanced and dry burrito

DomiNathan

Points +84

Vegan
13 Jul 2023

Owners slaughter animals at their ranch

This restaurant cannot be considered vegan since the money earned is supporting people who actively slaughter animals at their ranch. If you’re ok with that, the food is honestly about average (I ate here a couple of times before I found out about this).
Here’s a link to a report.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/may/03/vegan-restaurant-meat-eating-owners-cafe-gratitude-california

Pros: It’s close-ish to BART

Cons: The owners aren’t vegan, The owners have a ranch where they slaughter

kindlizard

20 Jul 2023

Thanks for sharing that info, this is very disturbing and it seems as though it has gone on for a long time in many deceptive practices. Thanks for helping root it out.

TariqIbrahim

07 Aug 2023

Thank you for sharing this info. I refuse to support these animal murderers

RichWinograd

Points +63

Vegan
06 Jul 2023

Amazing Plant Based Mexican

Incredibly delicious, wholesome, homemade Mexican food. The fact that it's all plant based is amazing. My wife and I are vegan and only eat in vegan restaurants and this is now one of our favorites. We had the fajitas, the enchiladas, and a cold Modelo draft. All excellent. The location is in the Mission District which can be "interesting" for first time visitors to San Francisco but inside the restaurant the ambiance and comfort is fabulous.

AprilJoyce

Points +282

Vegan
04 Jul 2023

Gracias Madre

This was the first time eating here & probably the best meal
I’ve ever eaten…. (up to this point) San Francisco does NOT disappoint when it comes to vegan food. The homemade corn tortillas and salsas accentuated this meal perfectly. I had the fajitas with portobello mushrooms, grilled onions and red bell peppers with brown rice, black beans, corn tortillas. My bf got jackfruit tacos. Next time, I’d love to try their mole.

Updated from previous review on 2023-07-03

Pros: Size of portions, Price, Quality

Cons: I was too full for dessert , I don’t have multiple stomachs like a cow, There’s not one where I live

Gopala108

Points +2594

Vegan
27 Jun 2023

good food, poor service

I last reviewed Gracias Madre in Nov 2021. I gave it three stars. Here is recent review aka Jun 2023:

Just Because...Jane's Addiction harmony in my head

I last reviewed Gracias Madre in Nov 2021. I have been vegan 24 years before it was cool and trendy. I would like to visit here more frequently since I have lived in the Mission the last four years.

Last time me and my beloved were here the food wasn't that good, it was expensive and the service was bad.

So we returned recently. The service was rude. The live traditional Mexican music was good. The food was better than our last visit. The food was tasty and healthy yet expensive. We went with the enchiladas and fajitas.

My beloved worked for years in the front of the house in a restaurant and I have a culinary arts background in the back of the house at some vegan/vegetarian restaurants.

If I am dropping some coin for me and my beloved to enjoy a nice meal out the service should be better. Service really takes away from the experience of dining out.

3.5 to 4 stars for the food and 1.5 to 2 stars for the service. Rounded up to 4 stars "just because". We will be back again yet not as often as we like.

Better off in the Mission to go to Indochine for all vegan cuisine in a comfortable atmosphere, affordable food, and good size portions.

Yet this is comparing grapes aka wine and apples aka SF to NY so they are two different places and you can't compare the two.

Hopefully next time the service picks up it's game to match it's healthy flavorful food.

Om Shanti. Peace.

My review from Nov 2021:
I recently went to Gracias Madre with a friend. I am a longtime vegan and always like to support vegan businesses when possible. I have been to Gracias Madre yet was a longtime since I was here. I guess my expectations were too high.

I really wanted to try the chimichangas yet we came for dinner and they are only available for brunch. I thought our server was rude and impolite which was uncalled for.

I have been living in the Mission for the last few years and there are lots of good places to get veggie burritos that are filling and affordable. I found my burrito to be expense and not that filling. My server also forgot the vegan sour cream and guacamole so gave it to me on the side once I realized the hiccup.

All in all would have liked for better service. I hope to return here for brunch at some point to try the chimichangas.

Updated from previous review on 2021-10-25

Pros: all vegan, healthy food, live Mexican music

Cons: poor service, expensive

vjvjg

Points +16

Vegan
21 Jun 2023

Great food albeit a bit expensive

Loved the food but prices are kinda steep, esp given portions are somewhat small.

Pros: Tasty food, Great service

Cons: Expensive, Small Portions

VirginiaMaria

Points +69

Vegetarian
19 Jun 2023

Gracias Madre!

Only place I've seen esquites here, and they are so tasty!

Pros: portions size, taste, ambiance

Cons: price

livegreenwearblack

Points +313

Vegan
03 Jun 2023

Gorditas

Gracias Madre is a nice sit down venue with a patio on Mission Street. Possibly good for a date night but since I haven't wanted to have children, I've been single for over 15 years and haven't had a date since my late 30s😄

My number one favorite dish here are the gorditas -- other vegan Mexican places have many of the same vegan dishes, but nobody has the gorditas which are like an arepa or pupusa or even a latke - but it's like a fat griddled masa cake covered with avocado, crema and crispy lettuce.

Gracias Madre also has excellent house made tortillas and a killer chocolate mole -- don't miss the friend plantains if they are available. Very good drinks/bar as well.

Pros: Gorditas, Guacamole

kurtanderson

Points +150

Vegan
05 May 2023

Very good

Fun local place. Inventive flavors and cool space. A bit expensive for the area but worth it.

SashaPasler

Points +71

Vegan
30 Apr 2023

Superb food and atmosphere!

Not too busy, I loved the brunch option because I came on a Sunday. Can't pass up vegan chiliquiles, and with jackfruit carnitas they certainly didn't disappoint!

Pros: Savory, rich jackfruit. , Very quick and friendly service., Live mariachi trio showed up for a few songs.

Cons: Parking was a challenge. , I could only try one dish (wanted everything)

stprevic

Points +136

Vegan
28 Apr 2023

Seen Better Days

I want to love Gracias Madre as a SF establishment, and maybe it’s just tough to measure up to its [former] sister location in LA but the food is simply bland and the wait times are on the long side.

thethriftyplant

Points +106

Vegan
19 Apr 2023

Vegan Flan & Quick Service

Originally I went because I wanted to give the flan a try. And let me say that flan was delicious! It had such a nice smooth creamy taste. I wish I could've eaten more. I also got the Enchiladas and they were delicious. The restaurant is cute, especially the patio area. I didn't get to see inside, since they were only taking reservations there when I went. Speaking of, if you don't have a reservation, you may have a slightly harder time at being seated. Service was really quick. I'm pretty sure I got my food within 5 minutes of ordering.

Pros: Quick Service

Cons: Might be difficult if you don't have a reservation

joerayme

Points +146

Vegan
14 Apr 2023

The mole is to die for

I wish I could've eaten more here, but the enchiladas I ordered filled me up. I ordered them because I'd been recommended the mole and it did not disappoint. I was a bit skeptical of the potato and zucchini filling but actually the whole dish worked really well and I really liked the addition of the greens with pepitas.

The atmosphere was good and it seemed popular for a Thursday night. I'd definitely go back again.

TaylorGoVegan

Points +820

Vegan
04 Apr 2023

Great place

The food was great. Went on a date with my boyfriend here. I liked the vibe. We had to park a ways away though near a sketchy area.

LucianoLombardi

Points +18

Vegan
21 Mar 2023

So expensive! Why?

I hate these types of places that, due to being vegan, already have an extra tax

Cons: Very expensive

DomiNathan

13 Jul 2023

The restaurant is plant-based only for the money

EmmaLouise33

Points +309

Vegan
08 Mar 2023

Tasty enough

Very expensive. Tasty enough. We accidentally ordered the same thing (jackfruit) two ways, tacos and nachos. Both had good flavours. But overall we thought it was too expensive at $20, plus service charge and tips.

We went at lunchtime, ordered from what we thought was the lunchtime deal, the waiter did not tell us we were ordering the larger non lunchtime special...until we got the bill.

Pros: Vegan

Cons: Expensive , The waiter did not explain the lunchtime special

azuespindola

Points +164

Vegan
04 Mar 2023

excelent dessert

y'all should run to get the flan and the ice cream🫶🏼

Angelo23

Points +156

Vegan
02 Mar 2023

Authentic vegan Mexican cuisine

GM has been a staple in the city for many years and I've always enjoyed it. I usually order same things over and over but I've tried the entire menu. The brunch is great, very hearty and will leave fulfilled. My only request is to incorporate more of the SoCal menu here please. The locations there offer different and amazing dishes we don't get up here.

Sandyander

Points +1091

Vegan
24 Feb 2023

All vegan Mexican!!

I was just here for a long weekend and had to come twice. Great staff both times, food comes out super quick and everything we tried was delicious.

Updated from previous review on 2023-02-24

DalmatianLover

Points +41

Vegan
21 Feb 2023

Tasty

Went here twice. Super busy Saturday night the first time, but nice people (esp greeter) and food. Less busy Sunday night the second time, again nice people (esp greeter) and food. I’ve had a burrito, enchilada, quesadilla, and potatoes. There is nothing I’ve had that I wouldn’t want again. Even when it was super busy, the food came quickly. The only thing I wasn’t in love with was their chips, but they went well with the food, so I wouldn’t necessarily change them. The place is a little tight indoors so don’t come if there’s a COVID outbreak and you want to avoid COVID.

Pros: Delicious vegan food, Good atmosphere and nice greeter, Food comes out fast

Cons: Kinda expensive, Can be packed

Dariush

Points +748

Vegan
14 Jan 2023

Five for the food, three for everything else

The food is amazing. The menu is broad without being crazy, and you can find wonderful burritos, tamales, tacos, etc. The drinks are similarly great- not just interesting but well-prepared and tasty. I was less blown away with the service. The wait staff seemed under-gunned and perhaps relatedly a little unenthusiastic.

Forager

Points +325

Vegan
06 Jan 2023

Delicious Tex Mex

The food here is so delicious that I make a point to visit every time I come to San Francisco. Don't miss the flautas

Pros: So delicious and all vegan

Cons: Sometimes a wait for tables

JohnEzell

Points +115

Vegan
27 Dec 2022

All vegan Mexican food!

With the overly high prices, combined with a reasonable degree of customer service, I am not able to give this place 5 stars, although I would like to. A small glass of Horchata was $8, which was delicious by the way. I don't remember what I ordered, but as memory serves, the food was of high quality. But as we should all know by now, the high prices tend to represent the convenient location, plenty of seating due to the spacious room, cleanliness, the atmosphere provided by the Mariachi's performance, of which they have all of this covered. At any rate, I definitely recommend checking this place out, simply because of the mere scarcity of an all vegan Mexican restaurant to patronize at this time in vegan history.

Updated from previous review on 2022-11-18

AleeshaLynn

Points +927

Vegan
04 Dec 2022

Excelente

Nos encanta! All vegan, nice interior, great margaritas!

Updated from previous review on 2022-12-04




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