Chinatown Restaurant — Restaurant in San Francisco

I'm someone who grew up eating all kinds of Chinese takeout since I was a baby in LA, Mexico, and now living in Vegas. It's a comfort cuisine of mine. Thus, I was looking forward to eating at one of the oldest Chinese restaurants in the area and country.

Unfortunately, I was severely disappointed by my experience. First, let's talk about the negatives, which is the taste and quality of the food. We ordered just three things which all came out to be $100+. The fried rice looked moist and clumped. Like the type of rice you get when you add too much water to rice when it's cooking. It also tasted extremely bland (they claim to not use MSG, but I quite love the stuff in my food). The chow mein was next and while the noodles had a good taste albeit a bit oily, the meat I could not eat at all because it was also too bland (it was soft however). The noodles were pretty much the only thing I ate. We also got a wonton soup, but I also was unable to eat it. I'm sure it was pork based (I don't remember if it was stated in the menu that it was pork), but it didn't taste the most appetizing at all to me since it had an off type of taste. The dumplings were at least soft enough, and my mother said the broth wasn't the worst, but it definitely didn't taste the best to her either.

The rest of my family members ate the rest of the food, but they also stated that they didn't like the flavor of the food much at all.

The biggest positive was the hospitality of the staff and the numerous amount of things they gave us for free. Free potstickers, free melon, grape, and peanuts on a paper plate while overlooking the view on the second story. Other people may say that that's a red flag to them, but I think it was quite charming. The man who gave us the check and green tea ice cream (this was very tasty) was also charming and nice in giving us (women only haha) gifts. Plus, the little take home snacks and additional knick knacks you could take was also pleasant. That's why I didn't want to straight up give this place a one star, the generosity of the people there was welcoming in an area where people were doing drugs in the open area.

Perhaps I caught them on a bad day, or maybe I didn't choose the correct restaurant to give me the authentic Chinatown experience since I had a wonderful time in a little bakery on another street (with wonderfully delicious bread). So to those wanting to eat here, it's really up to you to decide. This is just my experience as someone who loves Chinese takeout and Asian cuisine in general. Personally, it definitely was not worth $100+ for three items that were...

Please DO NOT go here & BE AWARE! Here is why... My partner and I were seated after receiving a coupon for free potstickers and green tea ice cream while walking around Chinatown. After we were seated, we asked for waters. I overheard a Spanish speaking family who was having a difficult time communicating in English ask for water, and the waiter says “sparkling-water?” The customer replies “yes.” I certainly heard him ask for water, not sparkling water. The waiter did not even mention an extra charge, which I feel is curtesy. Especially since we weren’t upsold on sparkling water. Anyways, there were primarily two things that negatively impacted my experience. This doesn’t include the TWO free potstickers we received. The potstickers were “free” so I understand. But, we received vanilla ice cream. The coupon is misinforming, stating green tea ice cream. Before we paid the bill, I totaled everything up. There was an extra $2.80 charge. I asked the waiter what it was for. He started talking really fast and all I was able to hear covid tax, which was not included in the sales tax, after asking him to repeat himself three times. I was able to understand everything throughout the course of the dining experience, but when he was explaining this covid tax, he was just talking way too fast, I couldn’t understand. So I googled it. I really didn’t see too much about this new tax. Anyways, we were stuck with a bill that came up to $48 without tip for fried rice and a measly serving of Mongolian beef. With all the great restaurants in Chinatown, do yourself, your partner, your family, everyone you know a favor and do not go here. San Francisco may be more costly, but honestly, the taste was not there. The ratio of green onion and onion was equivalent to the meat. And the stuff they keep underneath the meat took up most of the space on the plate. Just my honest review. If anyone tries to lure you in, its not for your benefit. Please do not try this place… and if you do, its at your own risk. Our food came out faster than the ice cream. Which is not a good sign in terms of freshness. If you got this far, hopefully you have not wasted your money here. $24 for fried rice and $24 for Mongolian beef. I should have left when I heard them trying to upsell a customer who was ordering to-go… When my partner went to pay, he was asked to step in the kitchen. Which I don’t feel is proper… I am very disgusted with this restaurant in how they lure people in here. One thing I am impressed with is their foul business schemes. They really...

• Tourist trap w/ some sweet and sour business practices!!! *

I typically whip out my phone before trying some place new but while exploring Chinatown in San Francisco my family and I fell for the free appetizer offer being peddled on the sidewalk in front of this place.

While entering, the place smelled a little musty...this should have been our first hint. We got to the second floor and it was completely empty...that should have been our 2nd warning and we should have left then. The service was not terrible and was better than average; however, dishes came out in no particular order, For instance, we had some entrees arrive before our appetizers. They was also a fly problem.

As far as food quality, it was hit or miss. The dumplings were underwhelming, the noodles average, the kung pao was much better than average, and the ice cream at the end was actually pretty decent. What turned this place sour for us was the bad math on the final bill, the random charges that were added, and the automatic tip that they tried to sneak in.

We were a party of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids) and our bill was well north of $130 for lunch and one kid ate only fries! There was an inflation fee that was 2% of the bill. OK, I get it. However, there was also a $4 "mandatory" fee. I asked what does that mean and was told it was a government fee. 🤔 They charged us $10 for a small kid's fries. 2 Juices, a bottle of water, tea added up to over $35! There was also a $20 entry that I later found out was the "tip."

I travel a lot and have never seen such unscrupulous behavior on a bill like that before. For what you get, this place is a rip off. The added fees are like salt smeared in a wound. Because of the hand written bill, they think most guest are not observant to realize what they are trying to do. I had to get someone to come over and explain every line though I was already on to them. I eventually paid the bill but funny enough there was a line for a tip on the card receipt. Lol. If I had missed the handwritten automatic tip, they would have gotten double tipped.

In any event, this was my first and last time eating at Chinatown Restaurant in San Francisco. I am all for helping small businesses but Chinatown has a lot of better options. I would implore you to heed the non-fake reviews here and stay away from this tourist trap. They will try to fleece you for everything you have and smile...