Planning
- Accepts reservations
oChef » Emperor Palace – San Francisco
Emperor Palace - San Francisco
Photo from Emperor Palace
Emperor Palace at a glance
San Francisco Richmond District
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 22 of the guests
#2118 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#241 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
6.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
198
Reviews
59.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Budget friendly
- Good portions
Frequently criticized
- Poor ambience
- Bad service
The restaurant Emperor Palace invites you to discover authentic Chinese flavors right in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant Richmond District. As a beloved Chinese restaurant, it offers a casual and welcoming atmosphere perfect for any meal.
Whether you’re craving a quick bite or a leisurely dinner, you’ll find a diverse menu, including excellent vegetarian options, ensuring there’s something delicious for everyone to enjoy.
Overview: Introducting Emperor Palace
Emperor Palace offers a compelling proposition for those seeking substantial meals at reasonable prices. Many appreciate the generous portions and the authentic flavors, making it a go-to for satisfying Chinese cuisine.
However, the dining experience can be a mixed bag. While the food often hits the mark, some find the overall atmosphere quite dreary, and there are notable concerns regarding customer service interactions.
Good
6.1
out of 10
198
Reviews
59.6%
Satisfaction
69
negative
11
neutral
118
positive
Emperor Palace earns an overall score of 6.1, placing it in the average category, with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 59.6%. This indicates that while many patrons find aspects to enjoy, there’s also a significant portion with reservations.
This assessment is drawn from 198 customer opinions, with 118 positive remarks against 69 negative ones. Drilling down, the Food (7.2) and Value (7.8) topics clearly stand out as strong points, consistently receiving praise for quality and affordability.
However, Service (5.2) appears to be an average experience, and the Ambience (2.6) is a significant drawback, often described as uninviting and lacking in cleanliness.
What people like
- Generous food portions
- Reasonable prices
- Authentic Cantonese food
What people don't like
- Poor cleanliness
- Unpleasant atmosphere
- Inconsistent service
If you’re prioritizing hearty, affordable Chinese food, especially for takeout, Emperor Palace could be a suitable option. The focus here is clearly on the plate and the wallet, with many finding the food reminiscent of home cooking and the portions generous.
However, with a recommendation score of 6.4, it’s clear that dining in might not be for everyone. Expect a no-frills experience, and be prepared for potential inconsistencies in service and atmosphere.
It’s best suited for those who value substance over style.
Similar Restaurants in San Francisco
- Chinese Restaurant
9
out of 10
out of 10
221
94.1%
- $$
- Richmond District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Chinese Restaurant
8.9
out of 10
out of 10
285
95.4%
- $$
- Outer Richmond
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Chinese Restaurant
8.9
out of 10
out of 10
286
93.7%
- $$
- Seacliff
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Chinese Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
269
91.4%
- $$
- Jordan Park
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Chinese Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
480
91.3%
- $$
- Transbay
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Chinese Restaurant
8.7
out of 10
out of 10
77
90.9%
- $$
- Sunset District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Emperor Palace
Food (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 91% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark, boasting a solid score of 7.2 and a good customer satisfaction rate of 73.8%. Many diners, accounting for 76 positive remarks out of 103 total, rave about the generous portions and authentic Cantonese style food. They often highlight the delicious flavors, noting that dishes are frequently hot and fresh, offering great value.
However, not all experiences are glowing. A smaller group of 23 comments point to some significant issues. Concerns include food lacking flavor or being bland, with some dishes described as watery.
There were also unfortunate mentions of unhygienic conditions, such as flies and dirty plates, which certainly detract from the dining experience.
Food
103
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
23
negative
4
neutral
76
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Generous portions
- Authentic Cantonese
- Delicious flavors
What people don't like
- Lacking flavor
- Unhygienic conditions
- Watery dishes
Often praised
- foodI highly recommend this restaurant to everyone. The price is reasonable and the food is great. The customer service is great and polite.
- portionsThe prawns with broccoli and sesame chicken were both excellent. I also appreciated the very reasonable prices and the generous portions.
- Cantonese style foodMy experience at this restaurant was centered around their simply good Cantonese style food. The portions were good, and the food tasted great.
- Chinese foodsome of the best Chinese food I’ve had
- riceWe ordered rice, vegetables and salt and pepper fish. It didn’t disappoint.
- Beef Chow FunBeef Chow Fun, and both were absolutely amazing
- Cantonese Chinese foodsuper great local family owned Cantonese Chinese food
- Cantonese foodauthentic cantonese food. Reminds me of home cooking.
- General Tso's chickenGeneral Tso’s chicken and it’s an insane amount of food
- Salt and pepper pork chopsimpressed how good this place is. I ordered Salt and pepper pork chops
Frequently criticized
- foodfood is not worth the attitude, price, or the time
- fried riceI ordered fried rice a couple of times before. The last time it didn't come with green onions. I asked where's the green onions?
- green onionsYou can't even sprinkle a few green onions on top??!
- barbecue fried ricebarbecue Fried Rice.All three dishes tasted exactly the same
- beef and broccolibeef and broccoli...tasted exactly the same
- beef with broccoliWatery beef with broccoli
- bug in sauceThe food was bland, and the overall environment was very unhygienic. I observed flies buzzing around, found a bug in the sauce, and the plates were dirty. It was not a pleasant dining experience.
- chicken chow meinchicken chow mein...tasted exactly the same
- chow meinmore chicken skin than chicken in the chow mein
- flavorLacking in flavor
If you're seeking generous portions of authentic Cantonese food and value for money, this place is often a great bet. However, be aware that some dishes might lack flavor, and there have been concerning reports about cleanliness, so manage your expectations.
Service (5.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 44% of the guests
When it comes to service, theres definitely some good stuff happening! Many customers appreciate the friendly and accommodating staff, often highlighting the great service for both dining in and takeout and catering. With 15 positive remarks out of 34 total, it seems the customer service can be quite polite and fast, making for a satisfying experience.
However, the service isnt without its challenges, contributing to an average score of 5.2 and a mixed customer satisfaction of 44.1%. With 15 negative comments, issues range from a dismissive owner and troubled waiter to a terrible attitude from staff. Some faced long waits for bills or phone answers, and even rude customer service where staff hung up on them.
Service
34
Reviews
44%
Satisfaction
15
negative
4
neutral
15
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, accommodating staff
- Fast, polite service
- Good for takeout
What people don't like
- Rude staff attitude
- Dismissive owner
- Slow phone service
Often praised
- serviceFast and friendly service.
- customer serviceThe price is reasonable and the food is great. The customer service is great and polite. I visit this place twice a week.
- delivery ladyVery nice, apologetic delivery lady
- dining inI've dined in and taken out, both are great
- family runThey are family run. Super friendly and accommodating.
- friendly and accommodatingSuper friendly and accommodating.
- order to food wait timethe order to food wait time is really fast
- staffThe shrimp fried rice and sweet n sour chicken came in wonderfully large portions, so definitely come hungry. The potstickers were flavorful, and the staff was friendly. Overall, a very satisfying meal.
- take outI ordered take out and was impressed
- taken outI've dined in and taken out, both are great
Frequently criticized
- staffsaid something hurriedly and then hung up on me
- Englishspeak very little English
- attitudeterrible attitude of the person who answers the phone
- customer serviceMy experience at this restaurant was the worst customer service ever. The staff were rude as hell.
- deliveryover 40 mins late
- drinksThe waiter never checked back in for drinks
- hung up on methey hung up on me while I was asking questions
- long time to answertook a long time to answer the phone
- ownerMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to order inaccuracies and a dismissive owner. When they get your order wrong, the owner just laughs it off. I ordered fried rice a couple of times before.
- take out ordersMany take out ordered that they had to filled before they can make and serve us
Overall, service here is a mixed bag. While you might encounter friendly and fast staff, be prepared for potential inconsistencies, especially with phone orders or if issues arise. It's worth trying if you value friendly service, but be aware that some experiences can be frustrating.
Ambience (2.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
While the overall vibe here faces some serious challenges, a small handful of guests (4 remarks) did find some redeeming qualities. A few folks enjoyed the place and atmosphere, even describing it as a top tier, low-key spot. Some appreciate finding authentic family owned restaurants, suggesting a certain charm for those who seek it.
However, the vast majority of feedback (28 remarks) paints a grim picture. Customers frequently mentioned unhygienic conditions, dirty plates, and a putrid smell. Terms like dirty surroundings, grimey interior, and not very clean are common, leading to a very poor 2.6 score and a mere 11.8% customer satisfaction.
Even parking and disorganized spaces were noted as issues.
Ambience
34
Reviews
11%
Satisfaction
28
negative
2
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
- Smell is putrid
- Surroundings are dirty
- Flies buzz around
Often praised
- atmosphereAtmosphere:5
- family owned restaurantshard to find authentic family owned restaurants
- placeI enjoy this place
- restaurantTop tier, low-key, Chinese restaurant
Frequently criticized
- atmospherethis place is dreary dreary dreary!
- cleanlinesswon’t comment on the cleanliness (not up to mark)
- parkingIt also took a long time to answer the phone. Furthermore, the parking is very limited, and the food is simply not worth the attitude, price, or the time. I suggest trying a place that actually appreciates your business and serves food that tastes good.
- NO customersfact there were NO customers
- ParkingParking can be pretty tough
- dead lobsterOne fish tank had a dead lobster in it
- dining inthat really turns people off from wanting to dine it i feel!
- dirty platesdirty plates
- dirty surroundingsnoted the dirty surroundings
- disgusting restaurantsmost disgusting restaurants I have ever visited
If youre considering dining here, be prepared for a challenging environment. While a few find it low-key, the overwhelming consensus points to significant issues with cleanliness and overall atmosphere. Its likely to disappoint if ambience is important to you.
Value (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 47% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot really hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.8 and customer satisfaction at a fantastic 85.2%, its clear most folks are thrilled with what they get for their money. Many comments, like the 23 positive ones out of 27 total, rave about the reasonable prices, great deals, and low prices, often noting the generous portions.
However, a few voices, just 3 pieces of feedback, did mention concerns about the price, specifically an extra charge for rice, and a feeling that the establishment might be trying to cut corners. While these are minor points compared to the overall positive sentiment, its something to keep in mind.
Value
27
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
3
negative
1
neutral
23
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Great deals
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Extra charge for rice
- Perceived corner cutting
Often praised
- priceinsane amount of food for the price
- pricesThe food tasted great, and the portions were huge. I was pleasantly surprised by the reasonable prices. I will definitely be back to this gem!
- Price per personI paid $10.90 for the beef with broccoli on rice.
- PricesPrices are very reasonable
- area pricesFor the area I thought it would be very expensive, but no
- cheapis cheap
- cheap take-out5 stars for cheap take-out
- costthe cost is cheaper than cook yourself at home
- dealGreat deal!
- food pricesprices for the food are reasonably low
Frequently criticized
- priceentree doesn’t come with rice and you will be charged $1.5 extra for one portion of rice
- cut cornersPretty soon they will remove eggs from the fried rice as well. Seems like they will do anything to cut corners.
If youre looking for a place where your money goes a long way, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. Youll likely be pleasantly surprised by the affordable prices and generous portions, making it a great choice for a budget-friendly meal.
How are the prices at Emperor Palace?
You’re looking at roughly 18 per person – reported by 22 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Chinese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most diners (18 out of 22) spend within this $11–$20 bracket, showing a clear focus on this price point rather than a wide spread of cheap and premium options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 22 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Chinese restaurant, especially considering it’s in San Francisco. It offers a solid mid-range experience without being overly expensive.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Emperor Palace
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Generous Portions, Fresh Ingredients
My experience at this restaurant was very positive. I paid $10. 90 for the beef with broccoli on rice, and the plate was so large it could easily feed two people.
I've dined here before and found other dishes to be just as good with similarly large portions. I could tell the broccoli was fresh when my dish was cooked. I highly recommend this place.
- beef with broccoli on rice9
- plate10
- other dishes8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
10
Great Food, Service, and Value!
I highly recommend this restaurant to everyone. The price is reasonable and the food is great. The customer service is great and polite.
I visit this place twice a week. If you try it once, you will want to continue coming back.
- price9
- food10
- customer service10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
9
Impressed with Takeout Salt and Pepper Pork Chops
I ordered take out and was impressed how good this place is. I ordered Salt and pepper pork chops and deep fried pumpkin with salty eggs. I would definitely come here again.
- Salt and pepper pork chops9
- deep fried pumpkin9
- take out8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Amazing Food, Great Value!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! We ordered rice, vegetables, and salt and pepper fish, and it truly didn't disappoint. The food was amazing, and the prices were surprisingly good, especially for the area.
I expected it to be very expensive, but it wasn't.
- rice9
- vegetables9
- salt and pepper fish10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Incredible Value and Generous Portions
My experience at this restaurant was defined by the General Tso's chicken. It was an insane amount of food for the price, easily providing enough for 2 full meals. It's a great deal!
- General Tso's chicken10
- amount of food10
- price10
What Emperor Palace offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Table service
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is Emperor Palace Restaurant accessible for all guests?
Yes, Emperor Palace ensures a comfortable experience for everyone. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restrooms, making it easy for all patrons to enjoy their meal. The restaurant is committed to providing an inclusive dining environment in the Richmond District.
What dining options are available at Emperor Palace, and is it suitable for families?
Emperor Palace offers flexible dining, including lunch and dinner with comfortable seating and table service. For families, it’s an excellent choice as it’s good for kids and provides high chairs, ensuring a pleasant experience for your little ones in San Francisco.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Emperor Palace?
Emperor Palace has an overall score of 6.1, indicating an average experience. Customer satisfaction is at 59.6%, suggesting a mixed reception. While the Food (7.2) and Value (7.8) are well-regarded, Service (5.2) is average, and Ambience (2.6) is a notable concern.
Is Emperor Palace a good choice for dining in?
Based on customer feedback, dining in at Emperor Palace might be a challenging experience. Many opinions highlight issues with cleanliness, a dreary atmosphere, and limited parking, suggesting it’s better suited for takeout.
What kind of food can I expect at Emperor Palace?
Emperor Palace is known for its Cantonese-style Chinese food, with many customers praising the authentic flavors and generous portions. Popular dishes mentioned include Beef Chow Fun and Salt and pepper pork chops, though some note inconsistencies in flavor and preparation.