Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » Alice’s – San Francisco
Alice's - San Francisco
Photo from Alice’s
Alice's at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 59 of the guests
#927 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#57 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
7.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
230
Reviews
76.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Food quality
- Good ambience
Frequently criticized
- Rude service
- Order errors
The restaurant Alice’s, a delightful Chinese restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Mission District, offers a truly authentic experience. You’ll find yourself immersed in a casual atmosphere, perfect for a quick bite or a leisurely dinner.
One of its standout features is the great tea selection, ensuring a perfect pairing for your meal. Whether you’re looking for healthy options or vegetarian dishes, Alice’s has you covered.
Overview: Introducting Alice's
Alice’s appears to be a local favorite, often praised for its food quality and a generally consistent and friendly service experience. Many appreciate it as a charming neighborhood spot with a pleasant atmosphere, making it a comfortable choice for a meal.
However, some diners have encountered issues, particularly with order accuracy and occasional reports of extremely rude staff. While the food generally receives high marks, there are instances where it’s been described as lacked in flavor or tired, uninspired .
Good
7.7
out of 10
230
Reviews
76.5%
Satisfaction
45
negative
9
neutral
176
positive
Alice’s generally performs well, earning a solid Restaurant Score of 7.7 and a Customer Satisfaction rate of 76.5%. This indicates a largely positive experience for many patrons.
The insights are drawn from 230 customer observations, with 176 positive remarks outweighing 45 negative ones, painting a clear picture of its overall standing. Diving deeper, the Food (8) and Ambience (8) are clear strengths, consistently receiving high marks.
Service (7) also holds up well, contributing positively to the dining experience. However, the Value (6) aspect is more of a mixed bag, suggesting that while many find it reasonable, some feel it could be improved.
What people like
- Exceptional Food Quality
- Pleasant Dining Ambience
- Consistent, Friendly Service
What people don't like
- Inconsistent Service Attitude
- Order Accuracy Problems
- Occasional Food Inconsistency
With a Recommendation Score of 7.7, Alice’s generally offers a commendable dining experience, particularly if you prioritize well-regarded food and a pleasant setting. It’s a place that many patrons return to, appreciating its overall appeal.
If you’re seeking a reliable spot with good food and atmosphere, it’s worth considering. However, be mindful of potential service hiccups or order mix-ups, which, while not universal, have been noted by some.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Alice's
Food (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% 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 79.1%, it's clear many diners are happy. Out of 148 comments, a whopping 117 were positive, praising the freshest ingredients, best wok flavors, and robust flavors across their amazing options.
However, not every dish is a home run. About 25 comments pointed out some misses, with complaints about food being bland, tasteless, or even salty and greasy. Some found certain items like the orange chicken or egg rolls to be inconsistent in quality or preparation.
Food
148
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
25
negative
6
neutral
117
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, quality ingredients
- Robust, authentic flavors
- Amazing menu options
What people don't like
- Inconsistent dish quality
- Bland or tasteless food
- Greasy items
Often praised
- foodService was a bit slow this time, which might have been due to the pandemic. But overall, still great value and amazing food. Will be back soon.
- Chinese foodbest Chinese food I’ve found in SF
- orange chickenbest dishes by far are the orange chicken
- pot stickersThe pot stickers are excellent: full of meat and browned with a slightly crisp crust
- potstickersThe service is really consistent and friendly, and they always remember you. The best dishes by far are the potstickers and the orange chicken, which over half the tables always order. The crab rangoons are also pretty good.
- food qualityMy experience at this restaurant was truly exceptional. In my 58 years of dining at some of the finest Chinese restaurants across NYC, Long Island, NC, Vancouver, BC, and San Francisco, I can confidently say this is one of the most delicious Chinese restaurants I’ve eaten at. The food quality was outstanding, and the atmosphere was rated a perfect 5.
- mango beefEvery dish is generous, cooked to perfection, with a light flavorful sauce. My favorites are asparagus salmon, mango beef, shrimp with vegetables, Alice’s chow mein, and Alice’s garlic eggplant with chicken, shrimp, and pork. The pot stickers are excellent: full of meat and browned with a slightly crisp crust.
- mealone of the best meals of my life
- sizzling rice soupsizzling rice soup? Just fantastic.
- sweet and sour porkDelicious juicy and tender sweet and sour pork
Frequently criticized
- foodThey really lacked in flavor and spice compared to what we have had at other restaurants and how other reviewer’s described. Maybe it was an off night, but the food seemed a little tired, uninspired and blah.
- Hoison String BeansMy experience with the chicken dish was confusing. I'm not sure what kind of chicken dish was delivered, but it tastes just like the Hoison String Beans. The food received a rating of 3 out of 5.
- Hunan Rock CodThe Hunan Rock Cod tasted day-old and like it had been frozen
- Mongolian beefgave us someone else’s Mongolian beef
- Szechuan sauceSzechuan sauce needed more vinegar and bean paste
- chicken dishMy experience with the chicken dish was confusing. I'm not sure what kind of chicken dish was delivered, but it tastes just like the Hoison String Beans. The food received a rating of 3 out of 5.
- chow meindid not give us the chow main
- chowmeinOur chowmein and schezuan scallops were vert tasteless
- crab RangoonThe crab Rangoon didn’t seem to actually have crab in it, just cream cheese
- egg rollthe egg roll was pretty bland and overly oily
If you're looking for a Chinese restaurant with generally fresh ingredients and flavorful dishes, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that a few items might not live up to the high standards set by their best offerings.
Service (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 61% of the guests
It seems the service here is quite a mixed bag, though leaning positive! With a good score of 7 and a mixed customer satisfaction of 68.9%, many guests have shared their experiences. Out of 45 remarks, 31 highlighted the positives, often praising the fast service, friendly & efficient staff, and even the nice touch of complimentary tea.
However, 14 remarks pointed to areas needing improvement. Some diners encountered rude service or a slow service experience, while others noted issues with order accuracy. It appears that while many enjoy a smooth visit, there's a chance for a less-than-stellar interaction.
Service
45
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
14
negative
0
neutral
31
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fast service
- Friendly staff
- Efficient service
What people don't like
- Rude service
- Slow service
- Order inaccuracy
Often praised
- serviceWhile I enjoy Panda Express and don't necessarily focus on authenticity, this place is a great little neighborhood spot. The service is really consistent and friendly, and they always remember you. The best dishes by far are the potstickers and the orange chicken, which over half the tables always order.
- staffI've been a loyal customer for 14 years and love it every time. The staff is super friendly.
- complimentary teathey give you some really nice tea along with ice cold water.
- deliveryDelivery to twin peaks was extremely fast on Saturday for dinner
- dine-in experienceDine-in is totally worth it
- employeesvery nice employees
- fast servicefast service
- food serving speedfood was served quick
- friendly & efficient staffThe fresh ingredients and fabulous flavors were outstanding. The elegant dining room provided a wonderful atmosphere, and the friendly & efficient staff made the service impeccable.
- great serviceThis is such a wonderful place to eat, with great service. It's usually busy, so it's best to get there at a good time.
Frequently criticized
- serviceI went because it was recommended, but there was a waitress who I didn't like how she attended to us. I don't know if it's just towards Latinos, but when some fair-skinned people arrived, it was different, and that's called racism.
- bad servicegive such bad service!!
- customer serviceThat's the kind of customer service we can expect these days
- extremely rudeMy husband likes going to this place, and that's the only reason I keep ordering from here. The service sucks and they are ALWAYS EXTREMELY RUDE when taking orders and when picking up. The food is NOT ALL THAT EITHER.
- itemized receiptshe said I would get it when I paid for my order
- order accuracyMy experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing. They got our order wrong, failing to provide the chow mein and instead giving us someone else’s Mongolian beef. We had to return to the restaurant to get our correct order.
- rude servermet with a very rude server
- rude servicewas rude to me
- server's attitudeThe server's attitude changed from friendly to dismissive
- waitressI went because it was recommended, but there was a waitress who I didn't like how she attended to us. I don't know if it's just towards Latinos, but when some fair-skinned people arrived, it was different, and that's called racism.
If youre looking for a place with generally quick and friendly service, its often a good bet. However, be aware that some experiences have been marred by rudeness or order mix-ups, so it might be a bit of a gamble.
Ambience (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 34% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot truly shines! With a good score of 8 and a good customer satisfaction of 81.5%, its clear guests love the vibe. Many appreciate the easy parking, calling it a Noe Valley gem with a gorgeous restaurant and a wonderful atmosphere.
The cleanliness, elegant dining room, and even the art glass display receive high praise, based on 22 positive remarks out of 27 total. However, its not entirely without its quirks. A couple of guests (2 out of 27 comments) noted issues with loud cleaning late at night, describing it as disrespectful towards neighbors.
While these instances are few, they suggest that late-night operations could be handled with more consideration for the surrounding area.
Ambience
27
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
2
negative
3
neutral
22
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Gorgeous restaurant
- Great atmosphere
- Spotless clean
What people don't like
- Loud late cleaning
Often praised
- ambienceGood ambience too
- atmospherehave a good atmosphere
- neighborhood spotThis is hands-down, my favorite Chinese restaurant in the entire city. While I enjoy Panda Express and don't necessarily focus on authenticity, this place is a great little neighborhood spot. The service is really consistent and friendly, and they always remember you.
- Noe Valley gemA real Noe Valley gem.
- art glass displaythe art glass display is museum quality
- cleanlinessMy experience at this restaurant was overwhelmingly positive. The place was very clean and well set out, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The service was friendly, and I was pleasantly surprised by complimentary items like a free pot of lemon tea and a free iced cup of water.
- close to homeThis is a go-to neighborhood spot that is "cheap and cheerful". We enjoyed the good food and good value, and it's conveniently close to home.
- dining inAlways delicious dining in
- elegant dining roomThe fresh ingredients and fabulous flavors were outstanding. The elegant dining room provided a wonderful atmosphere, and the friendly & efficient staff made the service impeccable.
- gorgeous restaurantabsolutely gorgeous restaurant south facing and west facing windows
Frequently criticized
- disrespectful towards neighborsVery disrespectful towards neighbors
- loud cleaningvery loud cleaning at 11:30pm
If you're looking for a beautiful and clean spot with a great atmosphere, this restaurant is definitely worth a visit. Just be aware that late-night noise might be an issue for neighbors, though it rarely impacts the dining experience itself.
Value (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 15% of the guests
When it comes to value, many diners find some real gems here! With 6 positive remarks out of 10, terms like lunch special, good value, and cheap and cheerful pop up frequently. Folks appreciate the reasonably priced options, suggesting you can still snag a great value meal.
The score for value is an average 6, and customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 60%, showing it hits the mark for many. However, not everyone feels theyre getting their moneys worth. Some opinions mention it felt overrated and that they wasted their hard earned money.
With 4 negative remarks, a few customers found the price to be too high, feeling it had just become too expensive for what they received.
Value
10
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
4
negative
0
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good lunch value
- Reasonably priced food
- Cheap and cheerful
What people don't like
- Can be too expensive
- Feels overrated
- Poor overall value
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this neighborhood Chinese restaurant was fantastic. I found it to be reasonably priced with great appetizers and great service. I am definitely coming back again.
- cheap and cheerfulThis is a go-to neighborhood spot that is "cheap and cheerful". We enjoyed the good food and good value, and it's conveniently close to home.
- good valueThis is a go-to neighborhood spot that is "cheap and cheerful". We enjoyed the good food and good value, and it's conveniently close to home.
- lunch specialThe Sizzling rice soup was a standout, and I'm not usually a soup person. It was perfect for a lunch special.
- valuestill great value
Frequently criticized
- priceAdditionally, the orange chicken we received had bones in it. To top it off, three items cost $50. I will not be returning to this establishment.
- hard earned moneysorry I wasted my hard earned money
- overratedit felt overrated
If youre eyeing a lunch special or cheap and cheerful meal, this spot could offer decent value. But be aware that some find the overall price can be too high, making it feel overrated for a full dining experience. Its a mixed bag, so choose wisely!
How are the prices at Alice's?
You’re looking at roughly 30 per person – reported by 59 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.
Looking at what people actually spend, most diners are comfortably in the $11–$20 and $21–$30 brackets, showing a clear sweet spot for value. While there are a few who splurge, the majority stick to these mid-range options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 59 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering the pricing, we think it feels quite fair for a Chinese restaurant. Its a solid choice if youre looking for good value without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Alice's
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Authentic Chinese Food and Great Service
My experience at this restaurant was wonderful, in the best possible way. It truly reminded me of the Chinese restaurants I grew up going to. The food was really fresh and lovely, and the service was top notch.
- food9
- service10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Delicious Food, Excellent Service
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! The food was great, and the service was very good. I particularly enjoyed the duck, hunan shrimp, and pot stickers, which were all delicious.
I would definitely enjoy dining here time and again.
- food9
- service8
- duck9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Reliable Hunan Food with Fast Service
My experience at Alice's was very positive. They serve consistent and reliable Hunan-style food with robust flavors. The service was fast, making it a great option for both takeout and dining in.
I particularly enjoyed the Hunan pork, spiced eggplant (a personal favorite), and the papaya salad. You truly can't go wrong with their offerings.
- Hunan-style food9
- robust flavors9
- fast service9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Family Dinner
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Alice's: Our Family's Favorite!
Alice’s is our family’s favorite place to eat! We consistently find fresh veggies and perfectly prepared dishes. Thank you, Alice’s!
- fresh veggies10
- prepared dishes10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Excellent Food and Service!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! The food was excellent, fresh, and tasty. I particularly enjoyed the potstickers, Alice’s fried rice, mango beef, and the hot and sour soup.
Additionally, the staff and service were great.
- food10
- potstickers10
- Alice’s fried rice10
What Alice's offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Healthy options
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options and amenities can you expect at Alice's?
At Alice’s, you can enjoy lunch, dinner, and dessert with comfortable seating and table service. For your convenience, this casual Chinese restaurant accepts reservations, making it easy to plan your visit to the Mission District.
Does Alice's cater to families and offer diverse menu choices?
Yes, Alice’s is good for kids and provides high chairs, making it a family-friendly spot. You’ll find a diverse menu with healthy, small plates, and vegetarian options. You can also enjoy wine, beer, or their great tea selection.
How does Alice's generally score with customers?
Alice’s holds a Restaurant Score of 7.7 and a Customer Satisfaction of 76.5%. Its Food (8) and Ambience (8) are highly rated, with Service (7) also performing well, though Value (6) is considered average.
What do customers particularly enjoy about Alice's?
Many customers frequently praise Alice’s for its food quality and the pleasant neighborhood spot atmosphere. The food is often described as delicious and well-prepared.
Are there any common issues reported by diners at Alice's?
Some diners have reported inconsistent service attitude and occasional order accuracy problems. While not widespread, these experiences can impact the overall visit for a few.