Roosevelt Tamale Parlor

AMAZING: Chilequiles with carnitas, michelada, guacamole, service, vibe.

It’s a bummer this place closed. They had the freshest, tastiest Mexican food I’ve ever found anywhere in SF.
I hope they reopen somewhere else, or that the owners create a new equally awesome restaurant!

Not disappointed in the slightest that this place is closing. Quite frankly, if the owner was willing to pay his workers a decent wage, then maybe he’d actually have a surviving business. Oh, and if they made food that was actually good. People keep saying that this restaurant has been in business for nearly 100 years — it seems to me that since the current owners took over, it became nothing but a shell of what it once was. Good riddance.

Great vibes, service and food. I started coming here whenever there was a line outside of St. Francis’ Fountain next door, but now Roosevelt is always my destination.
Try machaca for breakfast. The namesake tamales are muy grande!
EDIT: Looks like they closed their doors as of ¹²⁄₇ —

We had both only been once before, separately, and decided we’d make a trip soon. Unfortunately, we learned that they are closing their doors permanently on 12÷6÷15. As expected, we waited for 45 minutes and had the perfect table (right by the kitchen and not bumping elbows with other diners.)
Table top chips and salsa = excellent. Piping hot, crisp chips with a smokey and spicy salsa.
World famous round tamales, pork and chicken, with rice and beans. We prefer the chicken over the pork tamale, and the house gravy is delicious. $ 14.00.
Chicken flautas with rice and beans. Moist chicken, crispy corn tortilla and great guacamole. I truly enjoyed this dish, and wish I had more room to enjoy the crispy flautas instead of taking one home! $ 13.00.
Horchata iced coffee = unique and festive. $ 4.00.
Sprite. $ 3.00 (with refills!)
Service = friendly, albeit busy.
Prices = moderate. Lunch for two came out to $ 36.98, with leftovers for another meal.
Sorry, I didn’t go here more often as it’s been around since 1919… Figured it would be here forever.

When I got in, there was a crowd standing outside the door. The inside was small and cramped, and yet somehow still airy and inviting. Good use of space as the arrangement seems to fit as many people as it reasonably can.
The wait was not bad, only about 20 min. The staff was welcoming and periodically stepped outside to assure everyone waiting they were still on the list (or add them if they weren’t.)
I looked up legit copies of their menu online and only found the specials menu, which was on the high end of average (i.e. $ 14 pozole). But once I got in I saw their actual menu is cheap (other soups $ 7 – 10, $ 4 gourmet tamales, $ 12 2-​item combo places). I like the customization that they offer (you can mix and match on the combo plates, and get sides of just about anything to make your own creation). And like, mad cheap considering the quality and especially quantity of food. The reviews that talk about the massive portions aren’t kidding.
I was craving albondigas this week, so I ordered a large bowl ($ 11). It came with 4 huge meatballs, oh so tender and savory, in a light broth with fresh, expertly cut zucchini and bell peppers. Solid, though not a standout above the many other albondigases out there. But I wasn’t going to go to a restaurant with Tamale in their name without getting a tamale, so I ordered a Chiva ($ 4), their specialty. This came stuffed with squash and flowers, and covered in goat cheese and a green (tomatillo?) sauce. Both inventive and delicious. I really wanted to try their round tamale, but didn’t want to be too stuffed… so I just got a side of the house gravy that goes on it ($ 1). Good stuff.
Oh they also served chips and salsa. The salsa is world class, perfectly roasted and tangy, and very spicy — beware. Also, bottled beer is available at $ 3 – 4 for standards and $ 5 for craft. House-​made sangria is $ 7 but I didn’t try that.
Service was very good, it was busy but they kept on checking on me and were very gracious even though I was there by myself.
In summary: everything that’s good about Mexican food (including the prices) meets everything that’s good about San Francisco neighborhood restaurants. This model is, alas, becoming less sustainable, which is part of why it’s closing. :-\

I finally made it here! I saw that they were set to close by end of the week so what better time to try this little gem than this week? Inside ambiance and décor was cozy. They don’t have a lot of tables so it’s not great for groups of more than four. Perfect for pairs of two. The food is delicious. Salsa and chips come out for you to munch on while your order is being made. The salsa is extremely spicy! We ordered the ceviche, albondigas soup, traditional tamale platter and signature round tamale platter and loved all of it. I didn’t catch the name of the guy who was helping everyone but he was extremely friendly. There was a long line waiting to get seated around 8pm and he made a point to talk with everyone and assure them they would get seated before closing. There seemed to be a lot of neighborhood regulars there because he knew many people by name. The neighborhood will definitely miss this place when it’s gone.

Great food, large portions. Tasty sangria and friendly service. Comfortable and causal. Unique salsa.

Grew up in the mission but never ate here working near there i decided to try it big mistake should have went to my regular go too spots 1^st off the tamale was smothered in mole type sauce much too sweet the masa was dry the meat was dry and tasteless the beans and rice were not bad but not good the salsa and chips wasnt all that either the chips were the best thing going 15.00 down the drain i didnt even finish it. there are much better spots just a walk away keep going!

The service was so polite and comfortable. My husband’s fajita salad, my tamale plate, and our mango Fresca were all perfect. Candy came with the check.

This place is divine! And what a find!!!
Because it was my first time, we ordered a variety of things so I could taste test:
Fish Tacos: two soft corn tacos with grilled fresh fish, topped with house slaw, taco sauce & cotija cheese
Plantain Empanadas: plantain pancake wrapped around black beans with crema and housemade hot sauce (soooo good!)
Roasted Vegetable Burrito: think fajita in a burrito, add kale.
Chips & Guacamole
Um, though I cannot eat gluten, I tasted the burrito and it was seriously to die for good. I don’t even like kale… Yeah, it was seriously that tasty!!!
I would absolutely go back here again and again and again.
They also serve the same Caesar salad as Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack (the owners were formerly from Emmy’s). While I didn’t have it here, I can only say based on my Emmy’s experience, it’s a killer Caesar worth ordering!

I’ve been going to this place since my childhood. I’m from the Mission. This place has a story in the Mission. It’s beautiful to see that the owners wanted to keep it and shift with the changing times. This place had hundreds of things on the menu. I’m surprised the owners were able to cut it down how they did. They really kept the good stuff. I remember when they reopened I specifically went in for pancakes. They were like, «oh we got rid of it». I was like, «what, Latinos don’t eat pancakes?» :D
I like to think I’m the reason why the flap jacks are on the menu. Roosevelt makes them so pretty and fluffy. My favorites are the pozole and flap jacks. GO! Keep the history alive.

Judging from the other reviews, I may have ordered the only bad dish on the menu, but all I can do is go from my own experience:
When I walked in with the Mister yesterday, I immediately loved the vibe exuded by the old-​fashioned wood paneling and gracious maitre d’. Looking at the menu, the bacalao (codfish) tamal sounded great. I was hoping it would take me back to the delicious codfish my grandmother used to make sauteed with a yummy sofrito. What I got was a tamal stuffed with maybe 2 tablespoons of utterly plain codfish. I was stunned. And on the side? A few bites of salad, by which I mean a small handful of lettuce mix dressed with vinaigrette. That’s it, no rice and beans (which other tamales come with), nada mas. It was simply not enough food for an entrée.
This was the first time in my life I’ve left a Mexican restaurant thinking about my next meal!

This place is awesome. It’s been around for almost 100 years, and has great cosy eclectic décor, super friendly staff, and delicious food. What more could you want? Oh it’s not mobbed either — so you can have a leisurely brunch on a Sunday morning. I had one of their fresh juices (tamarind!) and their butternut squash and goat cheese tamales. YUM!

The food is good, the ambiance is nice for a date with your friends or special friend, and the service was tight. My friend and I ate at Roosevelt Tamale Parlor two weekends ago. I ordered the chicken mole and asked for the rice and beans to be substituted with salad — they did it no problem. I really appreciated that this was easy.
Props to the staff –front end and back. Our waiter was polite and attentive, which is not generally the case in SF. Our food came out within 20 minutes. Often in SF you order and then 45 minutes later your food comes. By this time, you’re hangry and ready to eat the table and scream at the waiter.
No hangry-​provocations here. It was an easy, pleasant experience that made for a lovely night out.

I came here for the first time a few years ago. I don’t remember the details except for being disappointed by the round tamale — very dense corn with not enough filling or moisture.
Tonight my experience was much better! I got one fish taco and one chicken enchilada. Both were delicious! They also gave chips and salsa to start us off and the salsa was surprisingly good and spicy.
I would recommend this place but not for the tamales…

What a cute little place ! Great service. Like most trendy spots in the mission space is limited and be patient for your table. We left our phone number and they gave us about 20min wait not bad for a Sunday afternoon. I let the waiter know that we would be across the street at the park but we would come back and he politely offered to just walk across the street and get us when the table was ready. Such Ritz quality service
Food :
CHIBA TAMAL: Great blend of flavors I didn’t think this would be my favorite but it was !
CHICKEN TAMAL: Red sauce was delicious couldn’t finish it all but had it the next day for left overs and just delicious
CARNITAS: OMG such great flavors and not too fatty like most places
STEAK TACO: what is this meat made of yummy. Butternut squash

Darlings — you have to go here! So cute and so much history! Built in 1919, this place was even more homey and festive decorated for Christmas. I ordered the two tamale plate — the Chiva which is butternut squash with delicious crema and traditional pork with super rich gravy. My husband ordered the famous round tamale which was GIANT and filled with meat. The masa to meat ratio was excellent, says he.
Located on 24^th Street in the Mission, walk around and soak in the history and culture. I wish I’d spent more time here when I actually lived in SF! So many murals, so little time! I heart you, SF.

This place was solid. Good chips+salsa, good chile relleno. Didn’t try the tamales (weird, I know), because I’m not all about that tamale action.
We also had the sangria, and I was so-​so on that.
Plenty of food, good service, were seated right away (we had 7 people in our party, so kudos to you, RTP).
The good: good food for sure.
The bad: I had to salt the chips, but now I’m just being picky.

If you’re starving, hungover, and don’t want to wait in line (or if you just want good food) I highly recommend this spot for breakfast. Actually, I recommend it for dinner, too.
Tons of veggie options, not exorbitant, giant portions, plus cute 50’s music most of the time I’ve been there.