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oChef » Chef Li’s – San Francisco
Chef Li's - San Francisco
Photo from Chef Li’s
Chef Li's at a glance
San Francisco Silver Terrace
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 30 of the guests
#1404 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#102 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
7.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
204
Reviews
74.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Food variety
- Clean environment
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Taste inconsistency
- Parking difficulty
- Pricing errors
The Chinese restaurant Chef Li’s, also known as Chef Li’s Cafe Hk B. B.
Q, in San Francisco’s vibrant Silver Terrace neighborhood offers a cozy spot for a delightful meal. Here, you’ll discover a welcoming atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed dinner.
This establishment is known for its casual charm, making it an ideal choice when you’re seeking authentic flavors in a comfortable setting. Whether you’re dining in or grabbing takeout, you’ll find a convenient option here.
Overview: Introducting Chef Li's
Chef Li’s presents a compelling option for those seeking a diverse Chinese dining experience, particularly with its popular all you can eat hotpot and quality BBQ. Diners often appreciate the clean environment and the generally positive culinary offerings.
However, some visitors have encountered minor issues, such as occasional wrong price charges and specific dishes lacking flavor. Despite these points, the friendly staff often contributes to a pleasant overall visit.
Good
7.3
out of 10
204
Reviews
74.5%
Satisfaction
36
negative
16
neutral
152
positive
Chef Li’s maintains a solid standing with a restaurant score of 7.3, indicating a generally good experience for most patrons. Customer satisfaction also aligns well, sitting at 74.5%, suggesting that the majority of diners leave content with their visit.
Looking closer, the Food (7.6) is a clear highlight, drawing the most comments and positive feedback. Service (7.1) also performs well, with many appreciating the attentive staff.
While Ambience (6.8) and Value (6.8) are rated slightly lower, they still contribute positively to the overall impression, based on 204 customer remarks, comprising 152 positive and 36 negative observations.
What people like
- Excellent food variety
- Clean and spacious
- Great AYCE value
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food taste
- Parking challenges
- Pricing discrepancies
Chef Li’s offers a generally positive dining experience, especially if you’re looking for a good selection of Chinese BBQ and hotpot. While there are minor points to consider regarding consistency and practicalities like parking, the overall offering is quite appealing.
With a strong recommendation score of 7.6, Chef Li’s is certainly worth considering. It’s a place that delivers on its core offerings, making it a solid choice for a satisfying meal, provided you manage expectations for minor service or pricing hiccups.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Chef Li's
Food (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 98% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.6 and a customer satisfaction rate of 79.5%, it's clear that most diners are leaving happy. Out of 122 opinions, a whopping 97 were positive, highlighting the fantastic all-you-can-eat hot pot, variety of ingredients, and delicious homemade shrimp paste with an authentic flavor.
However, not every dish is a winner, as 17 negative comments point out. Some found certain duck and pork dishes to be overly fatty, while others mentioned small portions and flavorless options like Mongolian beef. It seems consistency can be a slight issue, but the positives definitely outweigh the negatives here.
Food
122
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
17
negative
8
neutral
97
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- All-you-can-eat hot pot
- Variety of ingredients
- Authentic flavor
What people don't like
- Fatty meats
- Small portions
- Flavorless dishes
Often praised
- foodEverything I’ve eaten so far from here has been excellent
- hotpotenjoyed the good hotpot
- portionthe portion was sufficient
- tasteTaste as if not better than Koi Palace
- AYCE hot potAYCE hot pot! Wide variety of meats
- BBQ foodBBQ food is good
- BBQ meatsplus BBQ meats from their front store
- Beef tomatoBeef tomato was good but missing eggs
- Chinese BBQThe Chinese BBQ was high quality.
- Chinese foodsI buy take out to enjoy at home. There are so many Chinese foods to choose from. The food is delicious 😋.
Frequently criticized
- Beef Fried RiceLack of taste.
- Mongolian beefMongolian beef flavorless
- Roasted Pork BellyTaste salty.
- beefThe shrimp tasted funny, and the Mongolian beef was flavorless with no sauce at all. I received a tray full of rice and barely any beef. It was trash, and I will not go back here.
- chicken wingschicken wings were chicken at all
- chow meinchow mien tasted fake
- chowmain noodlesWrong chowmain noodles
- duckthree pieces of duck nothing but fat
- foodfood was overpriced
- foodsThe foods are extremely salty
If youre looking for a place with a wide variety of options, especially for hot pot, this restaurant is definitely worth a try. While a few dishes might miss the mark, the overall experience suggests youll find plenty to enjoy. Just be mindful of what you order!
Service (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 57% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark, scoring a solid 7.1 and boasting a 71.4% customer satisfaction rate. Based on 35 comments, with 25 positive observations, many customers rave about the friendly staff and sweet staff, often highlighting their kindness and helpfulness. Youll likely find the "service" to be quick and consistently good, making for a pleasant experience.
However, its not always perfect, with 8 negative remarks pointing to some areas for improvement. A recurring issue seems to be a language barrier with some staff, leading to misunderstandings. A few experiences mention service being terrible or staff being too busy chatting, suggesting occasional inattentiveness.
Service
35
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
8
negative
2
neutral
25
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Quick, good service
- Consistent positive experience
What people don't like
- Language barrier issues
- Staff inattentiveness
Often praised
- serviceLove the service and their food
- staffGood job staff at Chef Li's.
- take outI buy take out to enjoy at home
- ServiceService is good
- best serviceQ on August 1st. We were happy to be served the best quality food and received best service. Highly recommend trying the roasted duck 😍.
- cashier, maybe ownerThe cashier, maybe owner was so courteous and chatty
- customer servicethere customer service is
- elevatorThank goodness they have an elevator for her
- friendliness of the staffMy experience at this restaurant has been consistently excellent. I've always been happy with the service and the friendliness of the staff. They've done an amazing job, and I'm thankful for the awesome grub!
- ladies at the counterMy experience at this restaurant has been consistently fantastic since 2018, particularly with their roast duck and yellow chicken to-go orders. The ladies at the counter are lovely, adding to the positive experience. Thank you!
Frequently criticized
- servicethe lady in front where you can get duck and rice plates if you don't watch she will give you little
- staffeveryone is too busy chatting with friends instead of helping paying customers
- carry outno dine in, carry out only
- dine inTODAY ONLY no dine in, carry out only
- language barrierwhen you try to explain she says no English
- understandingdidn't understand me 100%
Overall, you can expect a largely positive service experience here, especially if you appreciate friendly and efficient staff. While there might be occasional communication hiccups, the good outweighs the bad. It's definitely worth a visit for the generally excellent service.
Ambience (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 37% of the guests
Stepping into this place, many guests found the atmosphere quite pleasant, contributing to a respectable ambience score of 6.8. With 11 positive observations, patrons frequently highlighted the clean and comfortable & spacious environment. Many appreciated the overall atmosphere, often calling it a hidden gem and even enjoying the convenience of free wifi.
However, the experience wasn't entirely seamless for everyone, as customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 55%. Out of 20 total pieces of feedback, 6 negative comments pointed to some challenges. Guests often struggled with parking, describing it as hard to find, and a few noted the environment could be noisy, even suggesting you might need to dress warm on colder days.
Ambience
20
Reviews
55%
Satisfaction
6
negative
3
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean environment
- Comfortable seating
- Hidden gem vibe
What people don't like
- Parking challenges
- Noisy atmosphere
- Can be cold
Often praised
- cleanlinessMy experience at the restaurant was marked by EXCELLENT food that tasted great and was served in a clean environment. However, there was a slight issue with the chow mein noodles 🍜, as they were not what I ordered, and there seemed to be a misunderstanding.
- placea low key place to go
- atmosphereI liked the atmosphere very comfortable
- cleanThe restaurant is very clean 5 stars for cleasiness and detail
- clean dining tablesclean dining tables
- clean placevery clean place
- comfortable & spaciousstill comfortable & spacious
- free wifiFree wifi
- hidden gemHidden gem in the city
Frequently criticized
- parkingtrying to look for parking
- dress warmNeed to dress warm in cold days
- environmentthe environment was noisy
If youre looking for a clean, comfortable spot with a hidden gem vibe, this place is worth checking out, especially if you value a pleasant atmosphere. Just be prepared for potential parking challenges and perhaps a bit of noise, and consider dressing warmly if its chilly outside.
Value (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 54% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark, with a solid, if not spectacular, score of 6.8 and a good 70.4% customer satisfaction. Many diners rave about the all you can eat hotpot being a good price , often described as fair and even unbelievable. The portion sizes are also frequently praised for their value , making it feel like a great deal.
However, not everyone leaves completely satisfied. Out of 27 total opinions, 5 point to some price discrepancies, like being charged the wrong price or finding certain items overpriced . A few also mentioned unexpected parking costs, which can add an unforeseen expense to your meal.
Value
27
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
5
negative
3
neutral
19
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable all-you-can-eat
- Great value for money
- Generous portion sizes
What people don't like
- Wrong price charged
- Overpriced food items
- Unexpected parking costs
Often praised
- priceThe price is comparable to other Chinese restaurants
- pricesthe prices were very affordable
- valuelots of variety and value
- all you can eatit is all you can eat
- all you can eat hotpot$26 all you can eat hotpot with a huge menu!
- credit cardThey take credit card
- good pricegood price
- much cheaperand much cheaper
- portion sizesportion sizes are good for the price
- price for all you can eatprice for all you can eat is unbelievable
Frequently criticized
- priceadjusted the price of my food accordingly
- parkingpaid $5 in parking after spending time looking for a spot
- wrong priceMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to issues with both pricing and food quality. They charged the wrong price; it was supposed to be $11 per lb but they charged me $14. I advise checking your price tag before paying.
If you're looking for a great deal on an all-you-can-eat hotpot, this place is definitely worth checking out for its generally fair pricing. Just be sure to double-check your bill for any wrong price charges and factor in potential parking fees.
How are the prices at Chef Li's?
You’re looking at roughly 23 per person – reported by 30 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.
While many diners in the market spend less, often in the $11–$20 range, this restaurant offers a slightly more elevated experience, sitting above the most common budget-friendly options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 30 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels fair for a Chinese Restaurant offering a slightly more premium experience. Its a good spot if youre looking for quality without breaking the bank completely.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Chef Li's
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Duck and Pork - All Fat!
My experience at the restaurant was quite disappointing. The lady at the counter, where you can get duck and rice plates, seemed to give smaller portions if you weren't paying close attention. I received three pieces of duck that were nothing but fat, and four pieces of pork that were also entirely fat.
I was charged $13 for this. When I tried to explain the issue, she stated she didn't speak English. The place frankly sucks.
- duck2
- pork2
- price2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
6
Big Portions, Salty Pork, Good Soup
My experience at this restaurant involved trying their Beef Fried Rice, which came in a big portion that could be shared by two people. However, it lacked taste. The Roasted Pork Belly was also a big portion, but it was salty, and the skin wasn't crispy.
Overall, it was just okay. The Seaweed Soup was really good with a good taste, and it was free. The service was just normal, and the atmosphere was also just normal.
- Beef Fried Rice5
- Roasted Pork Belly5
- Seaweed Soup9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
10
Excellent Food and Friendly Service!
My experience at this restaurant has been consistently excellent. I've always been happy with the service and the friendliness of the staff. They've done an amazing job, and I'm thankful for the awesome grub!
- food10
- service10
- friendliness of the staff10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
7
Good Value, Mixed Food Quality
My experience at this restaurant offered good value for money, with decent portion sizes relative to the price. The free soup was okay, though it had a slightly unusual smell. While the roasted pork was tender and the Fujian fried rice was great, the sesame chicken was disappointingly rubbery and I would not recommend it.
The beef tomato dish was good but was missing eggs. Overall, it seems you get what you pay for.
- portion sizes7
- Free soup5
- roasted pork8
- sesame chicken2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Delicious Cantonese Roast, Great Value!
I loved my experience at this Cantonese roast restaurant! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The service was friendly, the food was delicious, and the prices were very affordable. Highly recommend!
- service10
- food10
- prices10
What Chef Li's offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Table service
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What dining and service options are available at Chef Li's?
At Chef Li’s, you can enjoy various service options including dine-in, takeout, and delivery. For dining, they offer lunch and dinner with comfortable seating and table service.
Is Chef Li's a family-friendly restaurant with accessible features?
Yes, Chef Li’s is good for kids, offering a children’s menu and high chairs. The restaurant also provides wheelchair accessible entrance and seating for your convenience.
What's the overall verdict on Chef Li's?
Chef Li’s holds a 7.3 restaurant score, with Food leading at (7.6), followed by Service (7.1), and both Ambience (6.8) and Value (6.8).
What kind of food can I expect at Chef Li's?
Chef Li’s offers a wide selection, including highly praised all you can eat hotpot and quality Chinese BBQ. While many dishes are well-received, some diners have noted occasional issues with taste consistency.
Is Chef Li's a good value, and what about the atmosphere?
Many find Chef Li’s to offer good value, especially for its all you can eat options. The restaurant is generally described as a clean environment with a comfortable atmosphere, though parking can sometimes be a challenge.