Rigolo

415-876-7777

3465 California St San Francisco, CA 94118

www.rigolocafe.com

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Categories:

Restaurants, French Restaurants, Pizza Restaurants

Details:

$$, Breakfast, Brunch, Family-Friendly Dining, Group Dining, Lunch Spot, Outdoor Dining

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Mon-Sat 7:30am-8:30pm Sun 7:30am-4pm (7:30-8:00am --> Coffee & Pastries only)

Message from Rigolo

- Perfect for kids; intimate play area with toys, balloons, chalkboard and crayons. - All our meals are made-from-scratch using only high-quality, fresh ingredients. Rigolo Caf?, in San Francisco, is a family business that has been serving its neighborhood guests since 2004. Rigolo has become the perfect casual dining place for families who would like to enjoy a delicious, relaxing dining experience, while their kids play. The specialty pizzas include Smoked Salmon, Spicy Chicken & Chorizo. Rigolo's Seared Sirloin Steak, Seared Salmon and Roasted Chicken are all a must try. If you prefer lighter fare, the Nicoise Salad is excellent! Rigolo is a quick casual, family friendly cafe serving fresh and consistently good breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinners every day of the week.

Editorial by Citysearch

The Scene
This narrow spot with loft-like ceilings is located in a strip mall, making it feel tres L.A. However, it's the property of local restauranteur Pascal Rigo, the man responsible for Cortez and Bay Bread Boulangerie--the latter provides the cafe's pastries. A sign near the front door displays the rules: order at the counter, grab a number, then relax and wait to be served.

The Food
Fresh ingredients are used to create the delicious cafe fare. Ultra-thin, flaky pizzas made with pastry bread are works of art. For starters, order the juicy tomato pie with fontina and goat cheese; the Rigolo-signature pizza is more substantial--layered with spinach, mushrooms, pancetta and a baked, runny egg. If the kitchen is out of its popular pulled-pork sandwich, opt for an open-faced chicken offering. The melted white cheddar and thick, organic country bread does its best to cut the three-alarm spice of pickled jalapenos.

Key Points

  • The most child-friendly restaurant in SF
  • Free, Easy Parking in the Back!
  • Voted Best Casual Dining!

The Inside Scoop

  1. What to Drink - On the dinner menu, numbers following certain dishes correspond with well-paired wines (listed on the back).
  2. Parking - The lot in back offers free parking for 90-minutes.
  3. The Extras - A kids' menu features a handful of options, including a grilled cheese and burger.

Editorial and merchant content by Citysearch

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Insider Pages Reviews for Rigolo

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Great local eat!

by Jessica L. | insider_expert Insider Expert | Rank: 3,220

Rigolo is one of my favorite places to eat! Everything is fresh and delicious. I love popping in on a cold SF day and getting a bowl of french onion soup. Or a great burger to fill me up! The menu is simple but it definitely doesn't detract from the quality of the food. The staff is super friendly and the inside is clean and modestly decorated. You order and the food is brought to your table.

Posted 06/04/08 | Report Abuse

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Latest reviews from Citysearch.

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Unbelievable place to eat for any meal!!

by CVUM

I have never eaten anything at Rigolo I have not loved! From the delicious French toast to the spicy chicken sandwich to the unbelievable pizzas to the lasagna and the tuna melt, everything is fresh and amazing. The d?cor is stylish yet comfortable and the staff friendly without being overbearing. I love that you can feel at ease whether you have children with you, are meeting friends for brunch or are swinging by to grab a quick but healthy bite to eat. Additionally, the fact that there is a plethora of parking makes Rigolo hard to beat in my opinion. It?s a perfect spot for any meal and any occasion!

Pros: Everything--food, parking, ambiance, staff

Cons: I want to come back and eat their pastries all the time!

Posted 03/19/09

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I love this restaurant!

by smithy11

Rigolo has, hands down, one of the best nicoise salads I have ever had and their Mac & Cheese is out of this world. I am a huge fan of their bottomless Nutella and their champagne-it's the best. The relaxed atmosphere is perfect for an afternoon lunch or for a large, casual group for dinner. The service is great-they are very attentive even though it is basically serve yourself. You order from the counter and have a seat. The banana and blueberry pancakes are very tasty and full of fruit so basically Rigolo is great for all meals, at all times of the day.

Pros: Awesome, tasty cuisine

Cons: May have to wait for a table during lunch, brunch

Posted 02/08/09

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nice ambiance, food presentation and quality was disappointing

by zabss

I can't believe it is the same owner of La Boulangerie in Cole Valley ! even the food presentation is totally different. I order my granola yogurt with fresh fruit. Three spoon of yogurt came in a small bowl and an ugly destroyed granola came in a different small bowl, it was soggy too but the main problem was finding a piece of small chicken inside my granola ! when I complained with the staff they told me that it can happen since they are so busy ! forgot to mention that instead of having a nice fruit presentation with blueberry etc I had a small bowl of old watermelon (which doesn't go very well with yogurt and granola). My friend ordered a French Toast which was not the French Toast served at La Boulangerie but instead it was a frittata. I am so glad that I live close to La Boulangerie !

Pros: ambiance

Cons: quality and food presentation

Posted 04/14/07

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Good salads, skip the French Onion Soup

by foodielover

We stopped by for a quick lunch. Their baby spinach salad (special of the day) was good and the mixed green salad side dish was very good with fresh mixed greens & dressing. The French Onion soup was a disappointment. Rather bland and flavorless. A slice of bread with a bit of cheese topped the soup. I was expecting a thick cheese layer on top of the soup. All this for $17 already without any drinks to boot. As it was a weekend, it was crowded even at 2 pm.

Pros: Good salads, parking

Cons: Soup isn't that great

Posted 09/08/06

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Delicious

by roro02

Rigolo is one of those places you crave... the food is perfect and always satisfying. The pizza is refreshing! The risotto was amazing. Quaint setting in Laurel Village. Chef does an amazing job. There is also a parking lot in the back, very convient. If they have it, try the whoopi pie for desert, it is a must! :)

Posted 08/02/06

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Great customer service

by lev_83

From first days after they open the amazing restaurant in our neihbrhood we are visiring with friends almost everyday. The cafe Rigolo serve a great food. The breakfast croissants and all other little things makes you to fill in heart of europe. Moreover, the employes are so nice with all of us. You can always see the smile on theire faces. Eventhough they are always busy and in rush, they are trying to serve us well and nice with plesure!!!
You guys need to check this fabulous corner of our city.

Posted 07/01/06

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Great, Great,Great

by riverna

Rigolos has the nicest most considerate people.They are prompt and always pleasant espically a particular server who is usually there when I go in the mornings.
I usually get the lasagna, a pizza or a nice bowl of mac n' cheese and these are always delicous and fresh.
Whenever I ask for something special done with my order they always do it just as I like.
Its a great place to take your children as it has a play area for them and also a changing table in the restroom.

Posted 06/21/06

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Rigolo owners have recently become complacent

by sanjaybagai

Like all Pacific hights residents, when Rigolo first opened we are all thrilled, thier menu service and quality was high. Alas, sucess in new restaurant typically breeds complacency and so it has been with Rigolo, a place where we used to take friends and our kids. Now Rigolo management has been turned over to rude, inept, confrontational and 'dont care' atitude staff. This morning was the last straw when they heated the Quiche in the microwave and then when we asked to have a new one heated in the oven, they took the old one and re-heated it in the oven. When my wife queried their decision, they turned ugly and confrontational.

Posted 06/02/06

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Typical sandwich place

by clawrents

I thought it was ok, but a little expensive. Atmosphere suffered from being in a strip mall, but it had lots of people, which was lively. Food was basic and predictable, but not bad.

Posted 11/17/05

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Good Taste Pizza

by sallyvjj

I had the Rigolo pizza for brunch and it tasted good!!! The thin crust is not too crispy but it had the authentic pizza taste! Great for families, too. Food here all look pretty healthy.

Pros: Food, Good parking, Bright and clean

Posted 07/07/05

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Always great!

by tc72

As this is a rather new restaurant, I came here expecting to see only a couple of reviews. Obviously, others have enjoyed it as much as my wife and I do. We usually make it at least once a week, either for breakfast or dinner. Highly recommend the pizza and of the sandwiches, the pulled pork and spicy chicken are can't misses. For breakfast, the croissants and quiche lorraine are fabulous. Coffee is great too!

Pros: Great food, Inexpensive, Good parking

Posted 01/07/05

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Merci !!!

by crisfchagas

Finally a good place to hang out on Laurell Village. As a resident of the neigborhood I used to have no options for a nice glass of wine and food at dinner time.
Rigolo with it's simple french options offers a little bit of everything on it's menu.
The housemade lasagna is a must and the prfect match for a glass of french borgougne.
Once again, MERCI RIGOLO !!!

Posted 12/02/04

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Great Architecture

by foodguy99

Good job Rigolo! Finally a nice casual cafe with great food in the neighborhood. The place looks really nice, great decor and design. there is a huge skylight, and nice mohogany counters. They even have a nice patio with gas heaters and several tables. Oh, they also are very kid-friendly; they have a changing table in the bathroom and a kid's play area.

I have also discovered that Rigolo is a nice option for take-out. I call ahead on my way home from work, park in the back behind Rigolo (tons of parking!) and I'm in and out in 5 minutes.

Pros: Great take-out dinner, Plentyful parking, kids area

Posted 10/30/04

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I love this place

by cane4343

I went to rigolo the other day and the pizza was to die for. I went later that night and had dinner. The steak was cooked to perfection and the service by far the best i have had in a long time. The atmosphere was so nice I had to bring my wife it was very nice and casual. We also took a tart and some bread home that night. I have to say it was the best i have ever had.

Pros: great food, not to expensive, great parking

Posted 10/30/04

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Dinner Bistro

by bradfordmarks

Rigolo is bar none the best French Dinner Bistro in San Francisco. It's helpful staff, simple yet elegant ambience and excellent food make it a true delight. The pizza, croque monsieurs, and salads are delicious. Be sure to save room for a dessert pastry or tart. The pain au chocolat is to die for!

Pros: Excellent Parking, Exquisite Food, Speedy Service

Posted 10/26/04

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European charm

by buncke

Rigolo served us fresh and tastey food at a very affordable price. I would highly recommend the niciose salad. Its also nice having a bakery there. You can stop in for a quick bite for dinner, and pick up fresh pasteries for breakfast. Ther restaurant has a certain european charm.

Pros: Fresh, Inexpensive, Good parking

Cons: No Freedom Fries

Posted 10/25/04

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Great addition to the city

by dbart241

It's nice to see a quick casual offer such high quality food, and what value! I really loved the thin onion rings, and I can't seem to keep away from the almond croissants! Thanks for coming to Laurel Village and to San Francisco!

Posted 10/21/04

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Croissants To Die For

by akfrost11

I've been all over the city in search of the finest croissants but now I have to look no further. The croissants and mochas at this fine French establishment are DIVINE! I felt like I was back on the Rue de Rivoli. Merci beaucoup Rigolo!

Posted 10/21/04

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lindas

by lsegervall

Not to be missed! The great looking menu is as tasty as it looks. The spicy chicken sandwich and crusty pizza were a perfect light dinner. Add to that great ambiance (wonderful modern architecture) and helpful service. I found a new favorite!

Pros: Inexpensive, Great parking, Delicious

Posted 10/20/04

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Delicious French Bistrot

by jacktowler

There aren't many casual quick restaurants in SF offering high grade food. This restaurant is perfect if you want the kind of food you would find in any Bistrot in Paris. You can also get your daily fresh baguette which tastes like the best you would get in Paris...

Posted 10/20/04

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derigololicious

by jeffgambardella

Walking down laurel village I came across this restaraunt with a line out the door, so I had to try the food. I had a delilcious scampi salad followed by an outstanding fig and chorizo pizza. I will be back!

Pros: delicious, great parking, Inexpensive

Posted 10/06/04

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Eat Here

by loveeating345

Finally! A good solid restaurant in Laurel Village. My friend and I came in one Sunday and the place was packed and hopping - perfect for a hangover brunch... We adored the delicious gourmet pizzas and the pastries were to die for. The service was prompt and efficient, surprising for a new restaurant. Rigolo is definitely a hit and one of Pascal Rigo's best offerings. I absolutely can't wait until they start serving dinner...

Pros: Inexpensive, Parking Lot, Good service

Posted 10/04/04

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