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oChef » Hem by LeQuy – San Francisco
Hem by LeQuy - San Francisco
Photo from Hem by LeQuy
Hem by LeQuy at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🍽️ Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 22 of the guests
#1509 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#172 Restaurant out of 254 in San Francisco
Good
7.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
167
Reviews
70.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic Vietnamese
- Friendly Service
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent Dishes
- Service Lapses
The restaurant Hem by LeQuy invites you to discover a delightful dining experience right in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant Mission District. This welcoming spot offers you a chance to enjoy a meal in a relaxed setting, whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a leisurely dinner.
You’ll find it’s a perfect place to gather, offering comfortable seating and a friendly atmosphere for everyone.
Overview: Introducting Hem by LeQuy
Hem by LeQuy offers a dining experience where the focus is clearly on the plate. Many guests highlight the truly yummy food, particularly the authentic Vietnamese dishes and fresh seafood, making it a strong contender for those seeking traditional flavors.
The inviting atmosphere, described as both modern and clean, also contributes positively to the overall visit. However, the experience isn’t without its minor hitches.
While service is often praised for being quick and attentive, some diners have noted instances of staff seeming inexperienced or less attentive. Parking can also be a challenge, an external factor that might impact convenience for some visitors.
Good
7.2
out of 10
167
Reviews
70.1%
Satisfaction
34
negative
16
neutral
117
positive
Hem by LeQuy achieves a solid overall score of 7.2, reflecting a generally positive reception. Customer satisfaction stands at 70.1%, indicating that most diners leave content with their experience.
This balanced view is drawn from 167 customer observations, with a healthy majority of 117 positive remarks against 34 negative ones. Delving into specifics, Service (7.7) is a standout, frequently described as impeccable and friendly.
The Food (7.2) also earns high marks for its quality and authenticity. While the Ambience (6.9) is considered good, offering an inviting space, Value (6.3) is perceived as more average, with some finding the pricing fair and others a bit steep.
What people like
- Authentic Vietnamese dishes
- Fresh seafood and snails
- Attentive, friendly service
What people don't like
- Inconsistent dish execution
- Occasional service lapses
- Limited pho accompaniments
If you’re seeking authentic Vietnamese cuisine, especially fresh seafood and traditional dishes, Hem by LeQuy is certainly worth considering. The strong performance in food quality and attentive service, backed by a 7.5 recommendation score, suggests a generally satisfying meal awaits.
Just be prepared for potential parking challenges. While the overall experience is positive, be mindful that some dishes might have inconsistent execution, and service can occasionally falter.
It’s a place that delivers on its culinary promises, but managing expectations regarding minor operational aspects will ensure a more enjoyable visit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Hem by LeQuy
Food (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
Alright, let's talk food! Overall, the culinary experience here lands a good score of 7.2, though customer satisfaction is a bit more mixed at 67.2%. Many diners, accounting for 80 positive remarks out of 119 total, rave about the menu variety and authentic Vietnamese flavors.
Standouts like the wagyu hot stone pho and various sea snails often receive high praise for their delicious taste and unique offerings. However, not everything hits the mark, with 25 negative comments pointing out some areas for improvement. The banh mi chao sometimes disappoints with oiliness or temperature, and the baguette can be chewy.
Some also found the pho noodles stuck together or the broth lacking flavor, suggesting inconsistency in certain dishes.
Food
119
Reviews
67%
Satisfaction
25
negative
14
neutral
80
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Vietnamese food
- Diverse menu options
- Delicious seafood dishes
What people don't like
- Oily banh mi chao
- Chewy baguette texture
- Bland pho broth
Often praised
- foodreallyyyy yummy food!!
- Vietnamese foodIt’s been hard to find good Vietnamese food in SF. I’m used to the Vietnamese food in SoCal and this definitely compares. The Ốc hương here is spot on and the mì xào dòn hải sản was solid.
- grilled oystersthe grilled oysters were great
- seafoodmenu's focus on seafood and escargot
- FoodFood:5
- chicken cartilageI ordered takeout just after lunch and was incredibly impressed by the chicken cartilage, which was absolutely delicious. The house special fried rice, featuring tobiko, and the enormous spring rolls were also highlights.
- snailsthis place serves fresh snails
- Bun chaThe Bun cha medium size was really great!
- Bún Chả Hà Nộithis version delivered Bún Chả Hà Nội
- Crispy seafood noodlesmì xào giòn hải sản tươi sốt ngon
Frequently criticized
- banh mi chaothe banh mi chao (sizzling beef) had potential but was not hot enough
- Banh miThe food was okay, filling for lunch but likely not worth the price. Specifically, the Banh mi had too much pickled daikon and carrot proportionally.
- Beef noodle soupbún bò hơi nhạt và nghe có vị của phở
- Pho herbssurprised that no Pho herbs came with it
- Portionsốt ngon mà hơi ít
- baguettethe baguette was both super chewy & dense
- bean sproutsThey then had no bean sprouts for the pho
- brothbroth was not flavorful (tasted a bit diluted?)
- bun chapork patties in the bun cha was quite dry
- chicken currychicken curry was not a good choice
If you're seeking authentic Vietnamese flavors and a diverse menu beyond just pho, this spot is definitely worth a try, especially for their seafood and unique dishes. Just be mindful that some classic items like the banh mi chao or pho might be a hit or miss, so choose wisely!
Service (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 70% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.7 and customer satisfaction at a high 84.6%, most diners report a good experience. Out of 26 customer comments, a whopping 22 praised the quick, attentive, and friendly staff.
Many highlighted the nice people, servers, and hosts who ensure a great dining experience, often noting how food came fast. However, a few of the 26 customer remarks, specifically 4, pointed to some areas for improvement. Some guests felt the service wasn't always attentive or that certain staff members seemed inexperienced.
While these instances are fewer, they suggest there might be occasional inconsistencies in the overall service quality.
Service
26
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
4
negative
0
neutral
22
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, nice staff
- Quick, attentive service
- Welcoming hosts
What people don't like
- Service not attentive
- Staff inexperienced
Often praised
- serviceQuick and very attentive service
- ServiceService was impeccable
- serversThe servers were friendly
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The food is great, and the staff are incredibly friendly. They offer a wide variety of Vietnamese dishes that are hard to find in the U.
- Staffnhân viên dễ thương
- dining experienceensure you have a great dining experience
- food came fastfood came fast
- food preparationThe house special fried rice, featuring tobiko, and the enormous spring rolls were also highlights. The food was prepared within 15 minutes. I'll definitely be back when I'm on Valencia!
- hostsWelcoming hosts
- nice peoplethey're really nice people 🥹
Frequently criticized
- inexperiencedseemed inexperienced and not very attentive
- oil splatteredthe oil splattered right in my bf’s face
- serviceThe service didn't feel attentive
- staffwhen we asked the woman said that they “ran out”
Overall, you can expect a generally positive service experience here, with many guests praising the friendly and efficient staff. While there might be an occasional hiccup in attentiveness, the high satisfaction suggests it's definitely worth a visit if good service is a priority for you.
Ambience (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 27% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot generally hits the mark! Customers are quite pleased with the overall atmosphere, often describing it as inviting and modern. Theres a strong sense of cleanliness, and its great to see an elevator noted for accessibility.
With a solid 6.9 score and 75% customer satisfaction, its clear many appreciate the effort, especially with 9 positive remarks out of 12 total. However, its not all smooth sailing. The main sticking point for some, highlighted in the single negative comment, seems to be the parking situation.
While the interior atmosphere itself gets high marks, finding a spot can be a bit of a challenge. Its something to keep in mind if youre driving, but it doesn't detract from the inviting feel inside.
Ambience
12
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
1
negative
2
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Inviting atmosphere
- Good cleanliness
- Accessible elevator
What people don't like
- Hard parking
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- atmospherethe place it self is inviting while modern
- CleanlinessQuán sạch sẽ
- elevatornoticed there's an elevator for those who have mobility deficits
- potentialI see lots of potential
Frequently criticized
- parkingParking is hard, but this is definitely the place to go for authentic Vietnamese food or if you're craving snails! I was craving snails, and this place serves fresh snails with a ginger dipping sauce that is exactly how I remember them from Vietnam.
Overall, the ambience here is quite pleasant and welcoming, making it a good choice for a comfortable dining experience. Just be prepared that parking might be a bit tricky, so plan accordingly. If you can navigate that, you'll likely enjoy the modern and clean setting.
Value (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 27% of the guests
Looking at value, this place scores an 6.3, putting it in the average category, with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 60% from 10 comments. Many folks appreciate the affordable menu and decent pricing, happily noting no extra fees! Some even found it definitely worth trying and a great gastro experience and value for money, highlighting the fair price.
On the flip side, 4 comments suggest it can be a bit pricey and pricier than other pho places. Some customers cant seem to justify the price, feeling its probably not worth the price compared to alternatives.
Value
10
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
4
negative
0
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- No extra fees
- Fair pricing
- Good value
What people don't like
- A bit pricey
- Hard to justify
Often praised
- extra feesNo extra fees!
- menuWell priced, affordable menu
- pricethe price is actually really fair
- pricingDecent pricing
- value for moneyMy experience at this restaurant was a great gastro experience and value for money. It was probably the best meal I had in SF in the last couple of days.
- worth tryingdefinitely worth trying if you like pho
Frequently criticized
- pricecan't seem to justify the price of going here
- priceyA bit pricey
So, is it worth it? If youre seeking a good meal and value the experience, youll likely find the pricing fair. But if you're strictly comparing it to other similar options, you might find it a bit on the expensive side and hard to justify.
How are the prices at Hem by LeQuy?
You’re looking at roughly 28 per person – reported by 22 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, most diners find themselves in that $21–$30 sweet spot, though there’s a good mix of both slightly more budget-friendly and a few more premium experiences too.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 22 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels quite fair for a Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a solid mid-range option without breaking the bank, making it a good choice for many occasions.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Hem by LeQuy
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Moderate
8
Good Service, Potential in Food
My experience at this restaurant was marked by quick and very attentive service. While the food isn't the absolute best, I feel this place has a lot of potential, especially if they maintain their good service. The seafood crispy noodle was good, featuring crispy, fresh seafood, though it needed a tad more sauce.
My friend enjoyed the clay pot rice, but it wasn't my personal favorite due to its strong ginger flavor. The bbq pork was good. The Bun Bo Hue tasted like Pho with chili oil and was a bit bland, but could be improved with added fish sauce, hoisin sauce, and sriracha.
My star dish was the grill squid mango salad; make sure to mix it up, as the sauce was soooo good, and the squid was fresh and crunchy. The chicken cartilage was also very good, but I would skip the chicken wings next time. Although they got the flavor order wrong on our to-go order, I couldn't really be mad because they are really nice people 🥹.
- service10
- food6
- seafood crispy noodle7
- chicken wings3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Authentic Vietnamese Delights!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The food was quick and delicious. The staff was incredibly attentive, and I was promptly seated and taken care of upon walking in.
I particularly enjoyed the pho, bahn mi, and sugarcane juice, which reminded me of my childhood in Vietnam.
- food10
- staff10
- pho9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Good Service, Mixed Food Experience
My experience at the restaurant was generally positive, with good service and a lovely atmosphere. The staff were cute and friendly. The food quality varied; some dishes were delicious, while others were less impressive.
The grilled pork clay pot rice was well-marinated and flavorful. The crispy seafood noodles were fresh with a tasty sauce, though the portion was a bit small. The mango salad was also very good.
However, the beef noodle soup (bun bo) was a bit bland and tasted like pho with added lime and fish sauce, though it became acceptable after these adjustments. The place itself was clean and cute.
- Service10
- Staff10
- Grilled pork clay pot rice9
- Portion4
- Beef noodle soup4
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Better than San Jose Vietnamese!
No need to go to San Jose anymore. I tried this Vietnamese place in SF, located where Alnico used to be. Surprisingly, they have snails, bun mam, and a lotus shoot green mango goi salad that's better than what I've had in San Jose.
The servers were nice; they were younger boys from northern Vietnam. I would have given 5 stars if the sauces were better. The mam tom should always have lime and chili.
The snails would have been better if dipped in fish sauce, ginger, garlic, lemons, and sugar. The pricing is decent. Overall, I would come back!
- snails7
- bun mam7
- lotus shoot green mango goi salad8
- sauces4
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Delicious Takeout with Impressive Dishes
I ordered takeout just after lunch and was incredibly impressed by the chicken cartilage, which was absolutely delicious. The house special fried rice, featuring tobiko, and the enormous spring rolls were also highlights. The food was prepared within 15 minutes.
I'll definitely be back when I'm on Valencia!
- chicken cartilage10
- house special fried rice9
- spring rolls9
What Hem by LeQuy offers
Dining options
- Seating
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
FAQs
What service options are available at Hem by LeQuy?
At Hem by LeQuy, you have several convenient service options to choose from. You can enjoy your meal with dine-in seating, opt for easy takeout, or have your order delivered right to your door. No-contact delivery is also available for your peace of mind.
Is Hem by LeQuy suitable for families with children or guests with pets?
Yes, Hem by LeQuy is a family-friendly establishment, offering high chairs for your little ones. If you’re bringing a furry friend, you’ll be pleased to know that dogs are allowed in the outside dining areas, ensuring a pleasant experience for all.
How does Hem by LeQuy generally perform?
Hem by LeQuy holds a respectable overall score of 7.2. Its Food (7.2) and Service (7.7) are well-regarded, while Ambience (6.9) and Value (6.3) are considered good to average.
What do customers appreciate most about the food at Hem by LeQuy?
Many diners praise the authentic Vietnamese dishes, particularly the fresh seafood, snails, and specific items like the grilled oysters and Bun cha. The menu offers a variety of traditional options that are often highlighted.
Are there any common concerns regarding the dining experience?
Some guests have noted occasional inconsistencies in dish preparation, such as bland broth or dry pork patties. There have also been isolated comments about service being inattentive at times, and a lack of traditional pho herbs.