Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » Little Szechuan – San Francisco
Little Szechuan - San Francisco
Photo from Little Szechuan
Little Szechuan at a glance
San Francisco Telegraph Hill
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 64 of the guests
#2121 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#242 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
6.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
500
Reviews
57.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
Frequently criticized
The restaurant Little Szechuan, a vibrant Chinese restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s Telegraph Hill neighborhood, invites you to experience authentic flavors. You’ll discover a casual and quiet atmosphere perfect for a relaxing meal, complemented by a great tea selection that truly stands out.
Whether you’re seeking a quick bite or a full dinner, this spot offers a delightful culinary journey.
Overview: Introducting Little Szechuan
Good
6.1
out of 10
500
Reviews
57.8%
Satisfaction
188
negative
23
neutral
289
positive
What people like
What people don't like
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Verdict: Our expert take on Little Szechuan
Food (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot offers a mixed bag, but leans positive! With an average score of 6.3 and 59.5% customer satisfaction, its clear theres potential. Out of 328 total opinions, 195 were positive, praising the authentic Sichuan flavor, generous portions, and bold flavors that truly stand out.
However, 115 negative comments point to areas for improvement. Some found tiny portion sizes and felt the food wasnt authentic, while others noted issues with dishes being too salty or oily. ' It seems consistency might be a challenge, contributing to the mixed satisfaction.
Food
328
Reviews
59%
Satisfaction
115
negative
18
neutral
195
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Sichuan flavors
- Generous portions
- Fresh ingredients
What people don't like
- Tiny portions
- Not authentic
- Salty, oily food
Often praised
- foodI particularly enjoyed the satisfying numbing heat that transported me right to Sichuan. The atmosphere was casual and unpretentious, and the food was reliably delicious. It's the kind of place that makes you want to come back for more.
- portionsEvery dish was bursting with flavor and spice. The portions were generous, and the seasoning was just perfect. It's definitely one of my favorite spots for real Sichuan cuisine in town!
- FoodEverything was absolutely delicious.
- dishesMy experience at Little Szechuan was fantastic! I enjoyed their authentic and flavorful dishes, which offered a perfect balance of spice and freshness. The friendly service and cozy atmosphere made the dining experience even more enjoyable.
- mapo tofuTheir 'mapo tofu' is a flavor bomb—spicy, numbing
- Chinese foodThe Chinese food is authentic
- Mapo TofuThe Mapo Tofu at this restaurant is truly amazing.
- Mongolian beefMongolian beef. Everything was absolutely delicious.
- green beansI also love the green beans! So many restaurants here don’t make their green beans well and I feel like these are salty and yummy and good.
- portionMy experience was with a very fast delivery via Uber Eats. I ordered the General Tso's, which was a large portion and good tasting. It's a great late night option for traditional Chinese food.
Frequently criticized
- foodMy experience at the restaurant was disappointing. While everything came out quickly, the food was extremely salty. I was craving something spicy and Szechuan, but I ended up getting meat smothered in salt and oil.
- meatThere were only a few pieces of meat, and what was included were less desirable parts like the duck butt and duck throat. The couple's lung slices also had very little meat. Overall, the portion sizes were quite disappointing for the takeout order.
- chickenThe chicken was nasty and it tasted like it was cooked a day before
- riceonly give you rice if you ask and it's an additional $5
- Chinese sausagewhat this restaurant calls Chinese sausage is just ham
- Chinese sausage fried riceChinese sausage fried rice is not Chinese sausage, pretty sure it was hot dogs
- Szechuan foodBut this store simply doesn’t know how to make them correctly.
- authentictaste is thousands miles away from authentic
- authenticityI was craving something spicy and Szechuan, but I ended up getting meat smothered in salt and oil. I wouldn’t say this is authentic at all.
- portionsThe Kung Pao had hardly any chicken in it. The prices have become outrageous for bad food and tiny portions. I suggest you buy elsewhere, people.
If youre seeking bold, authentic Sichuan flavors and generous portions, this place could be a hit. However, be mindful that some experiences mention inconsistent authenticity and portion sizes. Its worth a try if you're willing to overlook potential inconsistencies for those standout dishes.
Service (5.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 59% of the guests
When it comes to service, there are definitely some bright spots! Many folks rave about the quick delivery and how friendly and attentive the staff can be, especially with takeout orders arriving packaged well. With 51 positive remarks out of 101 total, it shows they get things right for a good number of customers.
However, the service isn't always smooth sailing, with a score of 5.4 putting it in the average range. There are 46 negative comments highlighting issues like bad customer service, long wait times, and problems with order cancellation or accuracy. It seems some experiences can be quite frustrating, leading to a mixed 50.5% customer satisfaction.
Service
101
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
46
negative
4
neutral
51
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Quick delivery
- Friendly staff
- Packaged well
What people don't like
- Poor customer service
- Long wait times
- Order issues
Often praised
- serviceThe food is excellent, and the restaurant offers great vegetarian options. The atmosphere is wonderful, with a spacious and airy feel, complemented by friendly service. It's also home to the unique Fortune Cabbage, adding a fun element to the dining experience.
- staffstaff are consistently friendly and attentive
- ServiceService is quick and friendly
- deliveryTheir delivery is also extremely fire.
- UBER EATS menuUBER EATS menu was easy to navigate
- amazing staffThey even provide a full bottle (6 FL OZ) of beer for $7. The restaurant is open late, is kid-friendly, and has amazing staff. I highly recommend coming in and ordering the Lamb Boiled with Chili Oil and the Chicken Chow Mein!
- attentive to food allergyAttentive to food allergy requests
- delivery serviceMy experience at Little Szechuan was that of a solid authentic Chinese delivery place. They have always been consistently good in their delivery service. The food arrives hot, well packed, and tasty.
- delivery speedthey delivered fast!
- getting your foodfast with getting your food to you
Frequently criticized
- serviceservice, ambiance, and environment brought it down
- customer serviceMy experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing due to very very poor customer service. I have never experienced such bad service.
- attitudehad an awful attitude
- serverRice was not included and cost an additional $5, which I found ridiculous. The server was also very rude when I inquired about the rice. I've had better quality from a microwave meal.
- PostmatesI haven’t receive any respond from Postmates.
- QR codeQR code! It did not work
- ServiceService:2
- attentionthey still never checked up on us
- bad servicesuch bad service
- beverageshad to ask for beverages
If youre looking for quick delivery and well-packaged food, youll likely be happy. However, be prepared for potentially mixed experiences with in-person customer service and occasional order hiccups.
Ambience (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 26% of the guests
When it comes to the overall vibe, this spot generally hits the mark with a 7.3 score, indicating a good experience, and customer satisfaction sitting at a solid 78.4%. Many guests loved the environment and atmosphere, often describing it as casual but cozy with modern decor. With 29 positive remarks out of 37, people frequently praised the cleanliness and kid-friendliness, making it a welcoming dining experience for many.
However, not everyone had a glowing review. There were 8 negative comments, with some serious concerns about hygiene standards. A few patrons mentioned a peculiar smell and even alarming reports of roaches and rats, which significantly brought down the overall condition and ambiance for those affected.
These issues certainly cast a shadow on an otherwise pleasant setting.
Ambience
37
Reviews
78%
Satisfaction
8
negative
0
neutral
29
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy, modern atmosphere
- Clean and kid-friendly
- Lively, inviting vibe
What people don't like
- Low hygiene standards
- Peculiar smell
- Pest issues
Often praised
- AtmosphereThe vibe is lively and casual
- atmosphereI enjoyed their authentic and flavorful dishes, which offered a perfect balance of spice and freshness. The friendly service and cozy atmosphere made the dining experience even more enjoyable.
- Dine inDine in is never crowded
- ambiancethe ambiance of the restaurant is refreshingly modern
- casual but cozyatmosphere feels casual but cozy
- cleanlinessHowever, after trying various dishes during my travels, I can confidently say that this place truly stands out in terms of quality. The food is not only delicious but also impeccably clean and thoughtfully presented. Additionally, the ambiance of the restaurant is refreshingly modern, creating a pleasant dining experience that feels more upscale than typical establishments.
- covid friendlyits time and covid friendly
- decorthe decor is very cool
- dining experienceThe food is not only delicious but also impeccably clean and thoughtfully presented. Additionally, the ambiance of the restaurant is refreshingly modern, creating a pleasant dining experience that feels more upscale than typical establishments. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time here and would certainly recommend it to others.
- environment5 star for their environment
Frequently criticized
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:1
- ambianceambiance, and environment brought it down
- customersThey had no customers
- environmentenvironment brought it down a ⭐️
- hygiene standardssuch low hygiene standards in their food prep
- overall conditionThe overall condition of this restaurant leaves much to be desired
- peculiar smella peculiar smell permeates the restaurant
- roaches and ratstold to close for roaches and rats 🤢🤢🤢
If youre looking for a generally cozy and modern spot thats often clean and kid-friendly, it could be a good fit. However, be aware that some serious hygiene concerns have been raised, which might make you think twice before visiting.
Value (4.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 26% of the guests
When it comes to value, there's a definite upside for many diners. Based on 14 positive opinions, guests frequently praise the reasonable prices and great deals, especially considering the generous portions. Many felt the prices were fair and appreciated the lunch special, finding it well worth the cost.
However, the overall value score of 4.5, which is average, and a customer satisfaction of 41.2%, indicating a mixed experience, reveal some significant downsides. With 19 negative opinions, several found the place overpriced and expensive, feeling overcharged for items. The automatic 20% tip also frequently led to frustration and a sense of poor value.
Value
34
Reviews
41%
Satisfaction
19
negative
1
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable pricing
- Good portion value
- Lunch specials
What people don't like
- Often overpriced
- Mandatory service charge
- Poor overall value
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was excellent. I found the food to be delicious, the service to be top-notch, and the price to be very reasonable. I can definitely recommend them.
- pricesPrices were excellent for SF prices.
- PricesPrices are fair for generous portions
- dealFood was a great deal for portion and flavor
- lunch specialOverall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time here and would certainly recommend it to others. It's worth noting that the prices are reasonable, and they even offer a lunch special.
- price per personprice per person is reasonable
Frequently criticized
- expensiveMy experience with this restaurant's delivery was terrible. I ordered the beef tendon cold appetizer, which was expensive at almost $14 and incredibly oily. The siu mian 小面 was also a disappointment; it arrived without soup and stuck together in a clump.
- priceWhile the name suggested authenticity, the dishes were typical American "Chinese" food. The food itself was good, but it lacked authenticity and was also expensive. To my surprise, rice was not included, and I couldn't find an option to order it on the third-party delivery menu.
- tiptip already comes with the bill for no service?
- $70I legit payed $70
- 20% tipA 20% tip was automatically added to the bill, without any prior notice or the option to adjust it.
- OverpricedOverpriced with cheap ingredients
- greedycustomers from thinking they are so greedy
- misleading pricesthey are misleading people with their prices
- no refundshe didnt refund me the original payment
- overchargeddefinitely overcharge
If you're seeking a good lunch special or generous portions at a fair price, you might find some decent value here. However, be wary of potentially overpriced dishes and the automatic 20% tip, which can quickly make it feel like a waste of money.
How are the prices at Little Szechuan?
You’re looking at roughly 31 per person – reported by 64 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Chinese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average hovers around 31, it’s interesting to see that a good number of diners actually spend less, with the majority of prices falling into the 11 – 30 $ ranges. This suggests a nice mix, with more budget-friendly options available alongside some higher-priced dishes that pull the overall average up.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 64 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering the mix of prices, with many options below the average and some premium choices, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Chinese restaurant, especially given the San Francisco location. It offers flexibility for different budgets.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Little Szechuan
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Authentic Szechuan Flavors Shine
My experience at Little Szechuan was fantastic! This restaurant is a true hidden gem that draws you back time and again. The dishes burst with genuine Szechuan flavors—fiery, aromatic, and impeccably balanced.
Everything feels freshly prepared, with hearty portions to match. The staff are consistently friendly and attentive, while the vibe is laid-back yet inviting—ideal for a casual lunch or leisurely dinner. Don’t miss the mapo tofu, dry-fried green beans, or spicy fish fillet—they’re absolute standouts!
If you’re craving authentic Szechuan cuisine with intense, bold tastes, this spot is a must-visit.
- Szechuan flavors10
- food preparation9
- portion size9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Authentic Szechuan Flavors and Great Atmosphere
My experience at Little Szechuan was fantastic! I enjoyed their authentic and flavorful dishes, which offered a perfect balance of spice and freshness. The friendly service and cozy atmosphere made the dining experience even more enjoyable.
- dishes9
- spice and freshness9
- service9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Authentic Sichuan Flavors I Love!
My experience at Little Szechuan was fantastic! It's my favorite spot for bold, authentic Sichuan flavors. The dishes are perfectly spicy, aromatic, and full of depth.
Every bite reminds me why I keep coming back!
- Sichuan flavors10
- dishes10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Amazing Spicy Sichuan Food!
My experience at Little Szhechuan was seriously amazing! The food is super flavorful and spicy in the best way possible. Their boiled fish is crazy good — tender, juicy, and loaded with that numbing Sichuan heat.
The portions are big, the prices are fair, and the staff are super chill and friendly. If you’re into bold, spicy food, you gotta check this place out! 🌶🔥
- food10
- boiled fish10
- portions9
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
1
Unauthentic Sichuan Food, Poorly Prepared
I ordered two basic Sichuan dishes for takeaway, but the cooking was incredibly unauthentic. As a Chinese person, I've never seen Sichuan dishes prepared so poorly. The vegetables were cut in a way that suggested machine processing, not a professional chef.
The pork was extremely dry, and the wrong cut was used for a classic dish. The food was so bad it was almost funny; an amateur could cook these dishes better at home. The reviewer rated Service: 2, Atmosphere: 1, and Food: 1.
- Sichuan dish1
- vegetable cut2
- pork1
What Little Szechuan offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid parking garage
- Free parking lot
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Quiet
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Little Szechuan?
At Little Szechuan, you can enjoy a casual and quiet atmosphere, perfect for lunch or dinner. They offer a diverse menu including small plates and vegetarian options, alongside a great tea selection, coffee, wine, beer, and cocktails. You can also find late-night food and quick bites here.
What service and accessibility options are available at Little Szechuan?
Little Szechuan provides flexible service options including dine-in, takeout, delivery, no-contact delivery, and curbside pickup. For your convenience, they accept reservations and offer wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restrooms. High chairs are available, making it good for kids too.