Cholo Soy

Great little place in Mission. A little hidden which is great because only the ones that know about it find it lol. One must have is the Ceviche Chalaco $ 7.50 Also ordered the chicken plate ($ 8) which also yummy. There is also a Lamb with rice plate ($ 12.50) which looks really good too. Might try that one next time I come. Btw, menu changed. Added a picture of it as an update.

So yummy and so cheap! The ceviche was super fresh and flavorful. The papa a la huancaina was perfect. The arroz con pollo was good but not amazing. The chicha morada was delish too.

Blink and you miss it, Cholo Soy is a hidden gem that is worth the pause as you’re walking along Mission and 19^th.
Located in the elevator lobby of a building, Cholo Soy offers some homey and satisfying Peruvian fare where the menu is rotated daily. I’m assuming they can’t really do a lot of actual cooking where they are but the menu isn’t skimpy. Lovely ceviche, causas, and lots of stews over rice. We had both ceviches on the menu and they were delicious. The fish was fresh and the citrus juices are bright and flavorful. Love the roasted corn for textural contrast. For $ 7.50 a plate, I think their ceviche rivals those of fancier spots in town… and we were just at La Mar the night before. Didn’t try any of the rotating menu items but they smelled really good and it seems there are regulars who walk in and know exactly what they want. Looking forward to coming back to try some of those dishes.
It’s a simple operation but you can tell it’s a labor of love. The folks here are incredibly lovely and I would love to come back just for more ceviche alone.

I’ll definitely come back for the super fresh and inexpensive ceviche. I also had a braised chicken dish, which was great, but not noteworthy.

A hidden gem in the Mission. Amazing ceviche and really cheap too. Sit at the bar and let them feed you.

I don’t know how I spent so much money here when it’s so reasonably priced. We ordered to entrees one pork and one lamb shank and a ceviche. The ceviche was about $ 7 and although better than Lolo’s I think I prefer Fresca’s (albeit theirs is more expensive) due to the topping variety and quantity. The lamb shank was probably the best dish at about $ 12.50, and was a rather large portion, however the pork was just okay (and I think a bit expensive for what it was). They speak mostly Spanish and hardly any English, and definitely a local spot.

Riquisimo!
Original North– Peruvian ceviche.
So tasty and refreshing… I recommend the yellow ají ceviche.
Gourmet delight for an unbeatable price

The Ceviche is really good, I got one order of each to try them out. The staff is really friendly and the menu is written in English and in Spanish. Definitely would recommend!
However the locations is a little hard to find, I walked by it twice by accident…

If you can’t get enough of the deliciousness Cholo Soy has to offer, they have just opened The Aji restaurant on Mission st between 26^th and Cesar Chavez. Open 11am-​4pm, then 5pm-​10pm. Enjoy!

A great spot with fast service and great food. I got the ceviche and my friend the duck with rice.
The ceviche was fresh and simple, with a good kick. Wish they added some avocado, but I guess that wouldn’t be as traditional. And for $ 7.50, a steal.
The duck was moist and tender and the leg was a beast portion. There was also a heaping plate of rice. Wish the rice was slightly less mushy and could use a bit more salt, but the overall effect was homey and delicious.
Cholo Soy is a hidden gem in the mission and I hope to come back to try their chicken and pork dishes.

Amazing food
Very clean small joint
Welcoming staff
Clean utensils
Quality food
Good price
Every day a different menu

A little cozy restaurant inside of a corner building on Mission /​19^th, serving literally «the most amazing, the BEST Ceviche in San Francisco».
Jefe and staff are very nice and friendly. After 20years in San Francisco, I’m so happy to FINALLY discover this Authentic Peruvian Restaurant and I’ll definitely be one of their loyal patrons.

A few blocks from 16^th Bart and you are in ceviche heaven. We arrived about 11 am and had the place to ourselves. The chef/​owner Yeral Caldas came over and introduced himself and was quite charming.
We ordered off the Wednesday menu and tried the escabeche pescado fish and the carapulcra chicken. I loved that lentils were served with the fish. And the chicken was so moist it just melted in your mouth, the potatoes were good too.
Everything was great, it was clean, the owner friendly. What more can you ask for in life.
What a great find. We might go back soon just for the ceviche,

It’s so easy to miss this place unless you are specifically looking for it! The menu changes daily – I tried the Arroz con Pollo this afternoon. It was a good size portion, the food is already cooked so its pretty fast, but you really aren’t sacrificing freshness or flavor. My entrée was served with a side of a homemade hot sauce that was delicious. Keep in mind they are only open till 4pm, and closed Sundays.

Came on a Saturday and we tried a variety of dishes. They change daily and on Saturday have 4 main plates. Ceviche and lamb dishes were the highlights. Ceviche was fresh and light. Lamb was flavorful and tender.
Ocopa was tasty but nothing to write home about.
Beef and pork dishes ($ 12.50 each) had good flavor but meats were dry and the sauce was the same.
We were bummed they were out of the chicken dish.
Portions were pretty good. Don’t expect atmosphere and service is still being worked out.
I’d recommend passing on the chica and passion fruit drink.

FINALLY tried this place with my beloved who has been raving about the ceviche at Cholo Soy for months.
It is a very nondescript place, you could pass by this spot a million times and never really know it is there. Sitting in the hallway of a small building, a master chef at work prepping fresh, authentic Peruvian cuisine. Only in San Francisco.
All the tables, chairs and even the bar area were full of patrons eating and chatting away. My partner ordered our plate and we waited for someone to leave. Two seats open up at the bar/​counter. YES!
I had the pleasure of watching him expertly prepare the freshest ceviche I have ever had, cutting the fish filet, letting it marinate in at least 15 limes I watched him squeeze himself plus a secret blend of spices.
Topped with cilantro, red onion and paired with a SPICY house made chili sauce and peruvian corn nuts.
We devoured the beautiful plate in front of us, my mouth watering with each bite of the tart-​lime juice. Tender fish melting on my tongue. Sharp onion crunch adding the perfect texture.
I was in ceviche heaven.
Can’t wait to come back!

Startup sensation.
Aimed at a few:
Aimed at everyone: Few places you can get authentic and delicious Peruvian food for less than $ 8/​dish. This small yet full of infectious energy hidden gem is one of them.
People say this is some of the best ceviche in the city. One bite of the slightly spicy, citrus marinated basa fish paired with crunchy nuts (Pescado) would suggest they are right.
Just don’t miss the chicken breast covered with a rich homemade pepper sauce (Aji de Gallina). Surprisingly light yet overwhelming with flavor. Easily my favorite of the two.
Staffed by two people who clearly love sharing the food and culture of their homeland. While Silicon Valley keeps focusing on the 1%, these two focus on everyone else.
Five star sensation.

They serve you up just like your mom would, so don’t come here expecting anything fancy.
That said I had the beef and my boy had the pork chops. Meat on both dishes were DRY.
Don’t think I’ll come back, but it wasn’t a terrible experience…
Have had better dishes for $ 12.50…

After 15 years in San Francisco, I can finally say I I ate the Best Peruvian Food in the Bay Area!!!
Doesn’t have to be the most expensive or the most fancy place. But, if what you mind is the food quality and taste… This is the Place… Best flavor Ever… Like back home… I was eating there with my family and we couldn’t believe how excellent the food was.
Great Service, the Owner and his Staff very, very friendly.
Way to Go Cholo Soy!!! BEST BEST PERUVIAN FOOD IN TOWN!!!

This place is a lot nicer than I was led to expect. It’s in the Plaza Adelante at 19^th and Mission where they’ve carved out a space for themselves in the downstairs lobby. Despite how that sounds it’s light, spacious and tidy. You can sit at the bar or at the 3 tables.
For such a small space they’ve done a nice job of making it feel welcome. Everyone is friendly, there are printed menus with descriptions in English and there’s even table service. It seemed pretty mellow during a weekday lunch. No problem getting a table.
The three of us ordered several dishes to share for lunch —
* ceviche ($ 7.50) — I can understand why people say this is the best ceviche ever, fresh fish, mild citrus (not too tangy or sour), utterly delicious. I would come back just to get the ceviche for myself. I loved the crunchy corn kernels and the hotsauce to jazz it up.
* escabeche de pollo (~$ 10) — stewed chicken drumstick on a bed of rice or lentils, well cooked but not that interesting
* carapulcra de chancho (~$ 12) — two hunks of pork with rice, which doesn’t do it justice because it’s super tasty and the sauce is really good.
We all got the chicha morada drink ($ 2). Not as interesting as I thought. Just tasted like a sweet soft drink.
Lunch was around $ 17 per person including tax and tip. But it was too much food. I advise sharing one appetizer and one main dish between 2 people.