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oChef » Tai Chi – San Francisco
Tai Chi - San Francisco
Photo from Tai Chi
Tai Chi at a glance
San Francisco Polk Gulch
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 47 of the guests
#1272 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#100 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
7.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
305
Reviews
74.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Exceptional Food
- Generous Portions
- Affordable Value
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent Quality
- Lacking Ambiance
- Poor Service
The restaurant Tai Chi, a Chinese restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Polk Gulch neighborhood, invites you to a casual dining experience. You’ll find a welcoming atmosphere perfect for lunch or dinner, whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
Enjoy delicious Chinese cuisine with options for everyone, including vegetarian dishes and small plates.
Overview: Introducting Tai Chi
Tai Chi offers a strong culinary experience, with many appreciating its well-regarded dishes and generous portions. The affordably priced lunch specials are a particular draw, making it a practical choice for everyday dining.
While the food quality often shines, some experiences point to inconsistencies, and the dining environment can be quite basic. Service generally receives praise for its friendly staff, though there are notable exceptions regarding issue resolution.
Good
7.4
out of 10
305
Reviews
74.4%
Satisfaction
65
negative
13
neutral
227
positive
Tai Chi generally earns a solid reputation, reflected in its overall score of 7.4 and a good customer satisfaction rate of 74.4%. This positive sentiment is built on 227 positive remarks, outweighing the 65 negative ones, from a total of 305 customer comments.
The Food (8.0) is clearly the star, frequently described as exceptional and well-made. Service (6.7) is also rated well, often noted for its friendly approach.
While Value (6.3) is considered good, the Ambience (5.7) is perceived as average, with some finding it lacking.
What people like
- Exceptional food quality
- Generous portions
- Affordable lunch specials
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Lacking dining ambiance
- Poor complaint handling
Tai Chi presents a compelling option for those prioritizing flavor and value, especially with its well-received lunch specials. The Recommendation Score of 7.6 suggests it’s worth considering for its culinary strengths.
However, be mindful that the dining atmosphere is quite modest, and some service issues, particularly around complaint resolution, have been noted. If you’re seeking a straightforward meal with good food, Tai Chi could be a solid choice, but manage expectations for the overall experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Tai Chi
Food (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 8 and a customer satisfaction rate of 82.9%, diners are clearly enjoying their meals. Many of the 165 positive comments rave about the exquisite flavors, generous portions, and dishes like the popular Sesame Chicken, often served hot and fresh.
However, not every dish is a winner, as indicated by 30 negative remarks. Some experiences mention issues with food temperature, describing dishes as lukewarm, or a lack of flavor, with some finding items like potstickers unmemorable. There were also occasional complaints about soggy or overcooked textures.
Food
199
Reviews
82%
Satisfaction
30
negative
4
neutral
165
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious, flavorful food
- Generous portions
- Hot, fresh dishes
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food temperature
- Bland flavors
- Poor dish texture
Often praised
- foodMy experience at the restaurant was largely positive. While the table was a little sticky, the food was very good, and we were happy with the service. Overall, I would recommend this restaurant to a friend!
- Chinese foodMy experience at this restaurant was by far the best Chinese food experience in the entire city! The food was exceptional, and the service was really great.
- Sesame ChickenSesame Chicken are all good
- dishesTai Chi has become my regular spot for Chinese food in the area. I only order a few dishes here, but they're very well-made, and affordably priced. Can't go wrong!
- food qualitythe food quality was outstanding, earning a 5/5
- portionsThe portions are generous
- Shu MaiThe Asparagus Chicken and Garlic Chicken were also very good. They also serve good dim sum to order, with the standouts being the Shrimp Ha Kao, Shu Mai, and Shrimp Chive Dumpling.
- egg rollsonly thing decent was the egg rolls
- orange chickenthe orange chicken and it was amazing
- qualityQuality is always good
Frequently criticized
- dumplingsdumplings and it was still cold in the middle
- fried ricethere was a roach in the fried rice
- General Tao’sthe General Tao’s wasn’t flavorful
- General's chickenI don't know if it was just a fluke or maybe the cook tonight, but let me tell you, nothing was like it used to be when I went there all the time. The General's chicken was all dough, and that was my favorite when I used to go there all the time. Very disappointed.
- bbq pork bunsthe bbq pork buns were all bun a maybe a penny size amount of pork
- beef broccolibeef broccoli needed salt
- beef chow funbeef chow fun was plain
- broccoli chickenThe broccoli chicken was soggy and slimy
- chickenwhat's up with their chicken..... it's like fake chicken
- chicken and mushroomsThe chicken and mushrooms was odd
If youre looking for generally delicious and satisfying Chinese food with generous portions, this place is a strong contender. While some dishes might occasionally miss the mark on temperature or flavor, the high satisfaction suggests youll likely have a great meal. It's definitely worth trying for its popular offerings.
Service (6.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 57% of the guests
When it comes to service, many customers have had some truly delightful experiences! With 45 positive remarks out of 68 total, youll often find friendly staff, polite servers, and speedy delivery, with orders frequently ready on time. The overall score for service is a solid 6.7, indicating a generally good performance in this area.
However, its not all smooth sailing, as the customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 66.2%. There are 21 negative comments highlighting concerns about rude staff attitudes, nasty attitudes from some employees, and issues with delivery drivers. Some experiences even mention management being unresponsive to complaints, which is definitely something to keep in mind.
Service
68
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
21
negative
2
neutral
45
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, polite staff
- Speedy delivery
- Orders ready on time
What people don't like
- Rude staff attitude
- Problematic delivery drivers
- Management unresponsiveness
Often praised
- serviceIn terms of service, they go above and beyond.
- customer service10/10 for the customer service
- deliverythey have their own drivers for 🚚 delivery
- peopleI get food from here about once a week, and every single thing I’ve gotten is so good. The people here are friendly. Most recently, I got the orange chicken and it was amazing.
- hostesswith a big smile and thank you from the nice hostess
- lady servingI found the Kung Pao and Sesame chicken to be very tasty. The lady serving was also very kind and welcoming, contributing to a great service experience. However, the restaurant could improve its decorations.
- staffFriendly staff
- DeddyDeddy delivered our order from DoorDash and was just the sweetest
- DeliveryFor those who can’t or won’t eat super spicy hot Chinese food, this is a good option. Delivery was flawless.
- cheerful servicecheerful service
Frequently criticized
- servicethey wouldn’t remove from the bill or replace the item
- GrubhubWouldn’t recommend ordering on grub hub
- attitudeshe gave a nasty attitude the whole conversation
- businessDon’t support this racist business
- claritythey should be more clear
- complaint responsethey rely the responsibility 100% on doordash
- cops involvedI had the cops involved and everything
- cuss me outHe will cuss me out
- delivery guythe delivery guy is rude
- delivery timeshowed up an hour late
If youre looking for a place with generally friendly staff and quick service, youll likely be pleased. However, be aware that some customers have encountered rude attitudes or issues with delivery, so it might be a bit of a gamble.
Ambience (5.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 27% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, many guests appreciate the casual comforts and the feeling of a true local spot, often noting the cleanliness and a welcoming atmosphere that feels like eating at home. With 11 positive remarks out of 27 total, it seems many find it a great place to dine in. However, the ambience is a bit of a mixed bag, reflected in a customer satisfaction of just 40.7%.
While some enjoy the casual feel, others find the decorations lacking, describing the room as sparse or dated, and even mentioning the bathroom could use some attention. The overall score for ambience sits at an average 5.7, with 10 negative comments.
Ambience
27
Reviews
40%
Satisfaction
10
negative
6
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Casual comforts
- Great local spot
- Clean and tidy
What people don't like
- Lacks atmosphere
- Sparse and dated
- Bathroom needs work
Often praised
- atmospherethe atmosphere also received a perfect 5/5
- dine inThey have a huge to-go/delivery business, and at most, a half dozen tables are filled. However, it's still a great place to dine in. Their food is very fresh and served sizzling hot.
- busyHas never been busy on Friday evening
- casual comfortsThe service was cheerful, adding to the overall positive experience. While the atmosphere is no frills, it offers casual comforts, though it does come with the typical pros and cons like people talking on their phones. Overall, the value and taste of the lunch specials are unbeatable.
- cleanlinessaber dennoch sauber und ordentlich
- eating at homeFelt like eating at home
- local spotTruly a great local spot
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereWhat Tai Chi lacks in atmosphere
- Parking spaceParking space:Difficult to find parking
- ambianceDas Ambiente ist karg und in die Jahre gekommen
- ambienceThis place has been a staple in the San Francisco eatery scene for well over 20 years. While it may not be as posh as some other establishments in the city, what it lacks in ambience, the taste and flavor of their dishes more than compensate for. It's difficult for any restaurant to consistently maintain the same level and standard, but this little hole-in-the-wall place somehow manages to do it.
- bathroomI did think the bathroom was a little eh
- decorationsThe restaurant could do better with some decorations
- roomRoom is nothing to write home about
- tableMy experience at the restaurant was largely positive. While the table was a little sticky, the food was very good, and we were happy with the service. Overall, I would recommend this restaurant to a friend!
If youre looking for a fancy night out, the ambience here might not be your first choice. However, if you prioritize great food and a relaxed, no-frills local spot over lavish decor, youll likely feel right at home.
Value (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 12% of the guests
When it comes to value, many diners find some real gems here, especially with the highly praised lunch specials. Based on 6 positive remarks out of 11 overall comments, customers often highlight the great prices and how affordably priced the food can be. Opinions like can’t beat these Lunch Specials for value & taste suggest it’s a go-to for a good deal.
However, the value isnt a slam dunk for everyone, with a customer satisfaction of 54.5% indicating a mixed experience. Some guests felt they paid too much for their meal, particularly when considering the quality, and there were concerns about automatic tip amount charges. With 4 negative comments, some experiences suggest the overall price didnt always match expectations, leading to disappointment.
The overall score for value sits at an average 6.3.
Value
11
Reviews
54%
Satisfaction
4
negative
1
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great lunch specials
- Affordable prices
What people don't like
- Automatic tip charges
- Perceived poor value
Often praised
- pricesfor amazing prices
- Lunch Specialscan’t beat these Lunch Specials for value & taste
- lunch specialsPlus they have lunch special Monday-Friday
- pricedTai Chi has become my regular spot for Chinese food in the area. I only order a few dishes here, but they're very well-made, and affordably priced. Can't go wrong!
- valuecan’t beat these Lunch Specials for value & taste
Frequently criticized
- paid too muchThe General Tao’s wasn’t flavorful, and the bbq pork buns were mostly bun with a tiny amount of pork. I haven’t tried the soup yet, but I already know I paid too much.
- priceI used to love coming to this place; it had the best General's chicken and best potstickers. Tonight, we spent almost $90 and I was so disappointed with everything compared to the way it used to be. I don't know if it was just a fluke or maybe the cook tonight, but let me tell you, nothing was like it used to be when I went there all the time.
- tipNos han cobrado ellos mismo el tip del 18%
- tip amountsin poder escoger nosotros qué tip querÃamos
The value here is a bit of a mixed bag. While the lunch specials offer great deals, some diners feel the regular prices dont always align with the quality, especially with automatic tip charges. If youre looking for a budget-friendly lunch, it might be worth a try, but be mindful of the overall cost for dinner or larger orders.
How are the prices at Tai Chi?
You’re looking at roughly 23 $ per person – reported by 47 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Chinese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average is 23 $, a good chunk of guests actually spend in the $11–$20 range, showing there are plenty of affordable options alongside those who opt for a slightly higher spend.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 47 reviews.
Comparing the value for money of this restaurant against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a solid mid-range experience without breaking the bank, and there’s flexibility for those who want to spend a little more or less.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Tai Chi
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
A Lovely Local Gem
This restaurant is a true neighborhood staple. My usual order includes a mix of veggie lo mein, pork potstickers, and egg rolls. The lady behind the counter is absolutely lovely – she's prompt and warm.
It's truly a great local spot.
- veggie lo mein8
- pork potstickers8
- egg rolls8
Visit Type
- Delivery
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Takeout
2
Rude Service Ruined Takeout Experience
I visited this restaurant when it had just opened to place a takeout order. My experience with the Asian woman at the reception was extremely negative. She displayed a rude and nasty attitude throughout our entire conversation, showing clear annoyance.
When I asked questions, she not only had trouble understanding but also gave me multiple stinky eye looks. I believe she was being racist because when my boyfriend, who is white, asked the same questions, she suddenly smiled and became very warm. I sincerely hope she is no longer employed there, as this kind of front desk service will undoubtedly lead to lost customers.
- reception1
- attitude1
- stinky eye looks1
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Amazing Curry Noodles and a Sweet Treat!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! The curry been noodles were absolutely amazing. Additionally, the owner was kind enough to give me an almond cookie for the autumn festival.
The service and atmosphere were both rated a perfect 5, and the food also received a 5-star rating.
- curry been noodles10
- almond cookie9
- service10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Delicious Food, Friendly Staff!
As a long-time delivery customer, I finally had the pleasure of dining in and experiencing the restaurant firsthand. The food is consistently hot, fresh, and packed with flavor. I was also delighted to finally meet their friendly staff in person.
I can't wait for my next meal here!
- food10
- friendly staff10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
8
Tasty Chinese Food, Kind Service
My experience at this restaurant was quite positive, especially regarding the food. I found the Kung Pao and Sesame chicken to be very tasty. The lady serving was also very kind and welcoming, contributing to a great service experience.
However, the restaurant could improve its decorations. It seems to be one of those places where the best Chinese food is served in less well-looking establishments. Overall, a good meal with excellent service, despite the modest atmosphere.
- Kung Pao9
- Sesame chicken9
- lady serving10
- decorations4
What Tai Chi offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options and meal types are available at Tai Chi?
At Tai Chi, you can enjoy a casual dining experience for both lunch and dinner. Whether you prefer to dine-in, grab takeout, or have your meal delivered, you have flexible service options to suit your plans. They also accept reservations for your convenience.
Does Tai Chi cater to specific dietary needs or offer quick meals?
Yes, Tai Chi offers a variety of choices to accommodate different preferences. You’ll find excellent vegetarian options on the menu, alongside a selection of small plates perfect for sharing or a quick bite. They also serve alcohol, including beer, to complement your meal.
How is Tai Chi generally rated by customers?
Tai Chi holds a good overall score of **7.4** with **74.4%** customer satisfaction. Its **Food** (8.0) is highly praised, **Service** (6.7) and **Value** (6.3) are good, while **Ambience** (5.7) is considered average.
What do customers appreciate most about Tai Chi?
Customers frequently highlight the exceptional food quality, generous portions, and the affordably priced lunch specials. Many also commend the friendly and cheerful service.
Are there any common concerns about Tai Chi?
Some customers have noted inconsistencies in food quality, a generally lacking dining ambiance, and issues with how complaints are handled. There are also mentions of automatic tip charges.