The Spicy Shrimp — Restaurant in San Francisco

Cheap "tea restaurant" style entrees of popular stuff, IMHO better than some of the other more expensive places just blocks away. Service is fast even if you don't order ahead. Kinda hidden on Waverly so you have to find it.

They make their own cheung fun (rice crepes) so you can custom order, but the menus are not non-Chinese friendly, so ask a LOT of questions if you don't read Chinese. There is a bit of a "secret menu" on the wall written in chalk, usually seasonal vegetables and more "home style" specials.

Worth a try for relatively cheap eats in Chinatown, but the only standout is the custom rice crepes/rolls / cheung fun.

There is one major problem: they use disposable containers and utensils for serving EVERYTHING, even eat-in orders. Yes, "paper" bowls, paper plates, plastic spoons and forks, etc. The inside is also very darkly lit, and tables can feel a bit grungy and sticky as they just "wipe down" between use (no table cloth or even those paper place mats).

Service is slightly below average as they are extremely busy on takeout orders.

This is Chinatown, so no parking to be had. However, Waverly is half-way up from Portsmouth Square garage up to Stockton, so not a bad place to stop.

Not really kid-friendly, noisy place, may have a few booster seats, but no high-chairs that I've noticed.

Wouldn't say this place is vegetarian or vegan friendly, but I'm pretty sure you can order those secret menu vegetable entrees (seasonal) and probably be more satisfied than trying to pick something out of the primary menu.

Probably a bit too tight for wheelchair or mobility scooters, but they do have a couple...

Came here for brunch and saw a long line out the door. Now, I know why.

Food: 5/5 Service: 2/5 Atmosphere: 1/5 Price: 5/5 (Inexpensive)

Personally, I'm a big fan of King Do Spareribs at most Chinese restaurants. When I'm indecisive about what to get, I go with the King Do. That being said, I've had the dish countless times and absolutely no other restaurant in the world does it right like this place. They really did their research on how to make King Do sauce; it's a perfect mixture of sweet and tangy. Also, their milk tea is really freaking good. I don't know what kind of milk they use, but it is damn tasty.

Now, the kicker. We also ordered the fried fish special (yellow croaker I believe). After we started digging in, we noticed the center of the fish wasn't fully cooked. Ended up having the server take it back and go back on the stove some more. The service was alright in terms of the servers' attitudes, but they were so busy that they rarely came over to take care of us. There weren't that many tables, so we got sat together with some strangers at a big table. If you prefer a quiet spot to enjoy lunch during rush hours, might want to pass...

The Spicy Shrimp is truly a hole-in-the-wall spot in Chinatown, and I mean that literally. Middle-aged Chinese uncles smoke less than a foot from the door, and the waitstaff aren’t shy about yelling at you to order. It’s an authentic experience, not for the faint of heart, but one that’s worth it if you’re after some real, no-frills Chinese food.

This place is well-known for its rice rolls, which are decent but not the best I’ve had. However, if you know what to order, their stir-fried dishes are where they really shine. These authentic Chinese plates are way better than the rice rolls, and honestly, why else would those middle-aged uncles hang around here, eating there almost every day? They know what’s good!

If you’re up for the adventure, The Spicy Shrimp is a hidden gem that delivers on flavor and authenticity. Just be prepared for the real Chinatown vibe—it’s all part...