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oChef » Top SF BBQ – San Francisco
Top SF BBQ - San Francisco
Photo from Top SF BBQ
Top SF BBQ at a glance
San Francisco Seacliff
- 🍖 Barbecue Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $51–$60
mentioned by 75 of the guests
#1843 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#14 Barbecue Restaurant out of 17 in San Francisco
Good
6.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
280
Reviews
63.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Flavorful skewers
- Good ambiance
Frequently criticized
- High prices
- Slow service
The restaurant, Top SF BBQ, brings the authentic taste of a barbecue restaurant to the vibrant Seacliff neighborhood in San Francisco. You’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
Whether you’re craving savory smoked meats for lunch or dinner, this spot offers a genuine barbecue experience. It’s a fantastic choice for anyone looking for delicious, no-frills BBQ in the city.
Overview: Introducting Top SF BBQ
Top SF BBQ offers a culinary experience centered around its well-prepared skewers, often enjoyed in an inviting atmosphere. Many appreciate the efforts of the friendly staff who strive to provide good service.
However, some diners have noted that the interior can be quite smoky, impacting the overall comfort. While the food generally receives praise, potential patrons should be aware of occasional challenges.
These include reports of long waiting times during busy periods and concerns regarding the overall cost, which some find to be on the higher side for the experience provided.
Good
6.7
out of 10
280
Reviews
63.9%
Satisfaction
81
negative
20
neutral
179
positive
Top SF BBQ earns a respectable 6.7 overall, indicating a generally positive experience for many. However, customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 63.9%, suggesting some diners leave less impressed than others.
This assessment is drawn from 280 customer observations, with 179 positive remarks balancing against 81 negative ones. The Food (7.2) is a clear highlight, often praised for its variety and preparation.
Conversely, Value (3.7) is a significant concern, with many finding the offerings quite expensive. The Ambience (6.9) generally contributes positively, while Service (6) hovers around average, sometimes efficient, sometimes slow.
What people like
- Flavorful skewers
- Inviting atmosphere
- Friendly staff
What people don't like
- High prices
- Slow service
- Smoky interior
With a recommendation score of 6.9, Top SF BBQ presents a mixed but generally appealing proposition. If you prioritize well-prepared food and a pleasant setting, it could be a good choice, especially if you visit during off-peak hours to avoid potential service delays.
However, be mindful of the pricing, which many consider steep for the experience. It’s a spot that delivers on taste, but you might need to weigh that against the cost and occasional operational hiccups.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Top SF BBQ
Food (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 93% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark with a solid score of 7.2. Many rave about the fantastic and authentic Chinese BBQ skewers, often highlighting the delicious lamb, chicken skin, and perfectly seasoned dishes. With 128 positive remarks, guests frequently praise the fresh ingredients and the overall authentic flavor, making for some truly delicious bites.
However, with 39 negative comments and a customer satisfaction of 69.6%, there's a bit of a mixed bag. Some diners found portions to be small, with complaints about overcooked meats and a repetitive spicy rub that made everything taste the same. A few even noted issues with grilled oysters and inconsistent seasoning, suggesting some dishes might miss the mark.
Food
184
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
39
negative
17
neutral
128
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic BBQ skewers
- Perfectly seasoned dishes
- Fresh ingredients used
What people don't like
- Small portion sizes
- Overcooked, dry meat
- Inconsistent seasoning
Often praised
- foodThe food selection is extensive, with many varieties
- skewersThe skewers and other dishes were flavored and cooked very well.
- lamblamb - so good and so gamey
- beefMy experience at the restaurant was centered around the food. I particularly enjoyed the skewers, loving the lamb, pork, beef, and oyster options. The noodle dish was also a highlight, described as both numbing and yummy.
- chicken skinthe enoki with bacon and chicken skin was the best skewers
- lamb skewersMy personal favor dishes are lamb skewers
- oysterMy experience at the restaurant was centered around the food. I particularly enjoyed the skewers, loving the lamb, pork, beef, and oyster options. The noodle dish was also a highlight, described as both numbing and yummy.
- BBQlikes BBQ
- FoodFood:5
- grilled cornMy personal favourites are the grilled corn
Frequently criticized
- foodThe food was very bad
- Chinese BBQaverage tasting Chinese BBQ
- dishesall the dishes were burned char black
- meatsThe foiled enoki and clams were scattered in a large amount of vermicelli with no flavor, and it was hard to find the clams amongst the noodles. All the meats were overcooked and dry, yet also over salted. The grilled oysters were served dirty with a lot of sand, indicating poor preparation.
- seasoningadded a lot of seasoning, which was the worst experience
- bbq restaurantsince I ate at this bbq restaurant, I have had diarrhea
- bbq squidThe liangpi was also good, though a bit sweeter than ideal. I would skip the sausage (American style), tofu skin, tofu enoki, and bbq squid.
- beefchanged to beef which is not fresh
- chickenchicken tasted kind of weird
- diarrheaI have had diarrhea for three days
If youre craving authentic Chinese BBQ skewers with amazing flavor, this place is worth a try. Just be aware that some dishes might come in smaller portions or have inconsistent seasoning. Its a good spot for flavorful bites, but manage your expectations on portion sizes.
Service (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 55% of the guests
Lets talk service! Many guests had great things to say, with 28 positive remarks praising "fast service, " "gentle waiters, " and "enthusiastic hostesses. " Reviewers frequently noted the staffs attentiveness and friendly demeanor, making for a pleasant experience.
While customer satisfaction is a mixed 59.6%, the service score is an average 6, suggesting a balanced performance. However, not everyone had a smooth experience. There were 19 negative comments, often pointing to long waiting times, slow serving speed, and disrespectful employees.
Some guests reported issues with poor management and feeling ignored, leading to frustrating delays and a less-than-ideal dining experience.
Service
47
Reviews
59%
Satisfaction
19
negative
0
neutral
28
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast service
- Attentive waiters
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Slow serving speed
- Rude employees
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The service was fast, but the food was overcooked. Every dish had a dusting of a spicy rub that made everything taste the same.
- ServiceService:5
- wait timeNo wait time
- enthusiastic hostessvery enthusiastic hostess
- gentle waiterThey have a gentle waiter
- serverimpressed by our server who was doing it all by himself while still being super nice and never losing his cool and remaining professional and collected.
- stafffriendly staff
- waitNo wait at 6:30pm
- waiterThe waiter was always making sure I had something on the table
- weekdaysBetter to go on weekdays, and you can easy enjoy your food ASAP.
Frequently criticized
- serviceThis was one of the worst dining experiences I've ever had. We were hungry and ordered immediately, but waited 40 minutes for our first plate of two skewers, followed by another 20 minutes for the next. The portions were so small and all the dishes were burned char black.
- waiting timeMy experience at this restaurant was marked by a super long waiting time. The management seemed poor, as they split tables for small parties, leading to significantly longer waits for larger groups.
- all the customersall the customers have this problem
- employeesthe employees are very disrespectful and rude
- experienceadded a lot of seasoning, which was the worst experience
- first dishThe wait time was a nightmare and super torturing. The first dish was served 30 minutes after ordering, and then every 10 minutes another dish was served, which were small enough to finish in a minute. After an hour and a half, we still hadn't received the lamb and chicken.
- managementPoor management
- prepare it very slowlythey prepare it very slowly
- service speedwe were sat down first and served last
- serving speedserving is so fxxking slow
So, should you go? If you catch them on a good day, especially during weekdays, you might enjoy quick and friendly service. However, be prepared for potentially long waits and inconsistent staff attentiveness, which could lead to a frustrating experience.
Ambience (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 37% of the guests
The ambiance here often hits the mark, with many guests praising the inviting vibe and the pleasant Chinese music that sets a great mood for gatherings. People frequently mention the atmosphere as inviting and cozy, appreciating the clean restaurant and spacious environment. With 19 positive remarks among 29 total, it’s clear many find the setting quite appealing.
However, the experience isn't universally perfect, with a mixed customer satisfaction of 65.5% and a score of 6.9, which is good but not excellent. Some guests have struggled with parking, describing it as painful and time-consuming. There are also concerns about ventilation, with several comments noting a smoky and stuffy environment, even calling it a potential health hazard.
Ambience
29
Reviews
65%
Satisfaction
9
negative
1
neutral
19
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great vibe
- Good music
- Clean environment
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
- Poor ventilation
- Smoky, stuffy air
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was inviting and cozy
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- Chinese musicThe Chinese music is good
- ambianceThe ambiance adds to the experience, creating a warm and welcoming vibe
- bathroomClean bathroom
- clean restaurantclean restaurant as well
- environmentNice environment
- great atmosphereI enjoyed their amazing authentic Chinese BBQ skewers and other delicious eats. The fresh ingredients were evident in every bite, and the great atmosphere added to the overall enjoyment. The service and food both received a perfect score of 5, and the atmosphere was also rated a 5.
- incredible spotMy experience at this restaurant was incredible. I tried about near everything on the menu and found it to be an incredible spot with a rich history. My personal favorite dish was the pork belly.
- parkingPlenty of parking
Frequently criticized
- parkingThe food was average tasting and the overall experience was overpriced. Be prepared to spend time on finding parking. I do not recommend this place.
- atmosphereAtmosphere:1
- environmentthey need to improve their environment
- health hazardKind of a health hazard
- parking spotfinding a parking spot around there takes you another 30 minutes
- smokyit’s very SMOKY and STUFFY
- stuffyit’s very SMOKY and STUFFY
- ventilationyou guys need to VENTILATE bc it’s very SMOKY and STUFFY
If a lively, cozy atmosphere with good music is your priority, youll likely enjoy it here. Just be prepared for potential challenges with parking and be aware that the ventilation might not always be ideal, especially if youre sensitive to smoky environments.
Value (3.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 32% of the guests
When it comes to value, a few diners found the price to be just right for the quality, noting that the portions offered good value for the price. Some even mentioned decent pricing for the amount of food received, suggesting that for certain items, you might feel youre getting a fair deal. However, the overall sentiment leans heavily towards disappointment, with a low score of 3.7 and only 20% customer satisfaction.
Many felt the experience was expensive and overpriced, with several calling it pricey for what you get. There were even concerns about a scam advertisement' and unexpected charges, leading to a feeling of poor value for money, based on 14 negative opinions versus 4 positive ones.
Value
20
Reviews
20%
Satisfaction
14
negative
2
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fair portions
- Decent pricing
What people don't like
- Excessive pricing
- Overpriced food
- Hidden charges
Often praised
- portionsThe portions for the prices were also fair.
- pricePrice is 👌for the quality.
- pricingdecent pricing for the amount of food
- value for the pricemaking it a great value for the price
Frequently criticized
- priceFor $148 I think that dinner here at that price is excessive
- billWhile paying, we noticed staff whispering and looking at our table. They had charged us for food that never arrived, hoping we wouldn't notice. We left hungry with a bill of over $70.
- expensivefound them to be quite expensive
- overpricedoverall experience was overpriced
- pricesextremely expensive given the poor quality
- pricey for skewers and riceBoy its pricey for skewers and rice to go with it
- rare and expensiverare and expensive
- scam advertisementscam advertisement posted on social media
- skewer price3$ for 1 skewer is crazy
- tipthe tip was odd. Usually I round up so very interest to see additional $1 charged
If youre highly sensitive to pricing, this spot might leave you feeling short-changed, as many found it quite expensive for the quality and quantity. However, if youre willing to overlook the cost for specific items that some found fair, proceed with caution and double-check your bill.
How are the prices at Top SF BBQ?
On average, you’ll spend around 52 per person – from 75 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $51–$60 category. For a Barbecue Restaurant, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Interestingly, while the average hovers around 52$, the pricing shows a good spread. Many diners find options in the 30-50$ range, suggesting a mix of more affordable and premium choices available.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 75 reviews.
Comparing the value for money at this restaurant against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels fair for a Barbecue Restaurant in San Francisco, especially with the variety of price points available. It seems like you can tailor your experience to your budget.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Top SF BBQ
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Terrible Food, Lasted Three Days
My stomach has always been healthy, but since I ate at this bbq restaurant, I have had diarrhea for three days.
- bbq restaurant1
- diarrhea1
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
8
Delicious Skewers, Exceptional Service
My experience at this restaurant was pretty good overall! Some skewers were better than others, but the beef was absolutely delicious, with a hint of sweetness that paired really well. I enjoyed that they were light on the spices, as I prefer to taste the meat rather than crushed peppercorn.
I would avoid the oyster and sausages. The service was exceptional, and the pricing was decent for the amount of food. It's a good skewer spot!
- beef9
- spices7
- service10
- oyster3
- sausages3
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Amazing Food and Professional Service!
My experience at this restaurant was so good! We walked in on a Friday night and were very impressed by our server. He was handling everything by himself but remained super nice, professional, and collected – a true pro!
The food was absolutely amazing and delicious. We highly recommend the lamb skewers and green onions. We’re definitely coming back!
- server10
- food10
- lamb skewers10
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Amazing Food and Atmosphere!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I really enjoyed the food, especially the skewers which were well cooked. We also tried the cucumber salad and the spicy sour soup, which was amazing!
I highly recommend this place. For those who prefer milder flavors, you can also ask for no seasoning. The atmosphere was also a highlight, rated a 5 out of 5, and the service was equally impressive with a perfect score of 5.
The wait time was non-existent, and the price per person was between $30–50.
- food10
- skewers9
- cucumber salad9
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Authentic Chinese Skewers Delight!
I was craving Chinese skewers, and Top SF BBQ delivered all that and more! My experience was fantastic, with authentic skewers and other delicious bites. The food was rated a perfect 5, and the service and atmosphere also received a 5.
The noise level was moderate, and we experienced no wait time. The price per person was between $30–50.
- Chinese skewers10
- delicious bites9
- food10
What Top SF BBQ offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Crowd
- Family-friendly
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Late-night food
- Beer
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is parking available at Top SF BBQ in San Francisco's Seacliff neighborhood?
Yes, you’ll find convenient parking options when you visit Top SF BBQ. The restaurant offers free street parking and a free parking lot, with usually plenty of parking available. Additionally, the entrance is wheelchair accessible, ensuring ease of access for all guests.
What dining and service options does Top SF BBQ offer?
Top SF BBQ provides flexible dining and service options to suit your needs. You can enjoy dine-in for lunch or dinner, or opt for takeout and delivery, including no-contact delivery for your convenience. They also offer alcohol, beer, small plates, and late-night food.
How does Top SF BBQ generally rate?
Top SF BBQ holds a 6.7 overall score with 63.9% customer satisfaction. Its Food (7.2) is a strong point, while Value (3.7) is a notable concern. Ambience (6.9) and Service (6) fall in the middle.
What are the standout dishes at Top SF BBQ?
Customers frequently praise the skewers, particularly the lamb, pork, beef, and oyster options, noting they are well-flavored and cooked. The noodle dish also receives positive mentions.
What are common complaints about Top SF BBQ?
Many customers express concerns about the high prices and slow service. The interior can also be quite smoky and stuffy, and finding parking can be challenging.