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oChef » Lin’s Kitchen – San Francisco
Lin's Kitchen - San Francisco
Photo from Lin’s Kitchen
Lin's Kitchen at a glance
San Francisco South of Market
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 13 of the guests
#2234 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#259 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Average
5.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
113
Reviews
50.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious Food
- Quick Service
Frequently criticized
- Poor Hygiene
- No Seating
The restaurant Lin’s Kitchen is a welcoming Chinese Restaurant nestled in the vibrant South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco. You’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
Whether you’re craving classic Chinese dishes or looking for vegetarian options, this spot offers a diverse menu to satisfy your palate. It’s a convenient choice for both locals and visitors exploring the city.
Overview: Introducting Lin's Kitchen
Lin’s Kitchen offers a straightforward dining experience, often praised for its flavorful food and efficient service. Many appreciate the family owned atmosphere and the super quick to prepare orders, making it a convenient spot for a meal.
However, the restaurant’s physical space can be a point of contention, with some noting a lack of a proper seating area and occasional concerns about the overall environment. Value also sees mixed reactions, suggesting some items might feel less justified in price.
Average
5.6
out of 10
113
Reviews
50.4%
Satisfaction
50
negative
6
neutral
57
positive
Lin’s Kitchen holds an overall Restaurant Score of 5.6, placing it in the average category, with Customer Satisfaction at 50.4%, indicating a mixed reception. These figures are drawn from 113 customer opinions, with 57 positive observations balancing 50 negative ones.
Looking closer, Food (6) and Service (6.2) are the stronger aspects, frequently highlighted for their quality and the friendly staff. Conversely, Value (4.3) receives a more lukewarm response, and Ambience (3.8) struggles, often cited for its limited dining space and occasional hygiene concerns.
What people like
- Delicious Chinese food
- Friendly, quick service
- Good combo value
What people don't like
- Questionable hygiene
- Limited dining space
- Inconsistent pricing
Lin’s Kitchen appears to be a practical choice for those prioritizing quick, tasty Chinese takeout over a traditional dine-in experience. Its strengths lie in its consistent food quality and the efficiency of its service staff.
With a Recommendation Score of 5.6, it’s a place to consider if you’re in the mood for a no-frills meal and are prepared for a potentially modest dining environment. Manage expectations regarding the seating and some pricing, and you might find it suits your needs.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Lin's Kitchen
Food (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 89% of the guests
When it comes to the food, many diners found plenty to enjoy, with a respectable score of 6 and a customer satisfaction of 52.9% indicating a somewhat positive but mixed experience overall, based on 70 opinions. Guests frequently praised the flavor and portion size of dishes like orange chicken and beef with broccoli. Many highlighted the freshly made quality and delicious taste, especially recommending the wonton soup for a comforting meal.
However, not all experiences were stellar. Some found the food quality lacking, describing it as terrible food with no flavor. Concerns were raised about old ingredients, stringy chicken, and even sand in the rice noodles.
A few also noted issues like too much MSG and dishes arriving cold or undercooked, suggesting inconsistencies in preparation.
Food
70
Reviews
52%
Satisfaction
28
negative
5
neutral
37
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great flavor
- Big portions
- Freshly made
What people don't like
- Poor food quality
- Inconsistent taste
- Hygiene concerns
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was positive. I found it to be a decent place with yummy hot food. The staff were helpful.
- BBQ Pork Fried Ricethe BBQ Pork Fried Rice is still my TOPS
- Beef and BroccoliMy Beef and Broccoli was Excellent!
- Chinese foodBest chinese food I’ve had in a long time.
- Christmas partyordered from them for our Christmas party exelente
- beef and broccoliOrdered in beef and broccoli and the cod and onions. It was excellent.
- beef with broccolibeef with broccoli!
- chicken chow meinchicken chow mein... exactly what I wanted it to be
- chow meinorange chicken with chow mein is my favorite
- cod and onionsOrdered in beef and broccoli and the cod and onions. It was excellent.
Frequently criticized
- foodthrow food away since I wasn’t able to get it down
- chickenThe chicken was stringy
- food qualitydo you take any pride in creating even halfway decent food?
- soupsoup with seldom food at bottom but very spicy with all black peppers
- MSGMy experience with this Chinese restaurant was decent. The food was generally good, but there was too much MSG, which led to me drinking an excessive amount of water after the meal. I ordered delivery, and it came right on time.
- brown riceI ordered duck & Brown rice.
- cabbagestingy w/the cabbage in the rice
- duckI ordered duck & Brown rice.
- flavorNo flavor.
- food tastefood had even a remotely tasted like Chinese food
If youre looking for some classic Chinese dishes with good portions and flavor, you might find a hidden gem here. However, be aware that consistency can be an issue, with some experiences falling short on quality and taste. Its a bit of a gamble, but potentially rewarding for certain menu items.
Service (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 56% of the guests
When it comes to service, many diners have found reasons to smile! Guests frequently praised the friendly staff, noting quick wait times and super-fast order preparation. With 12 positive remarks out of 20 total comments, its clear that many appreciate the effort, contributing to a customer satisfaction rate of 60%, which is a mixed bag, but leaning towards the positive.
However, the service isnt without its bumps. Some experiences included frustratingly long delivery times and concerns about cashier people chatting and coughing without masks. Other issues like missing utensils or napkins, and even washroom refusal, popped up in the 7 negative comments, pulling the overall service score to an average 6.2.
Service
20
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
7
negative
1
neutral
12
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick order prep
- Good customer service
What people don't like
- Late delivery
- Poor hygiene
- Missing amenities
Often praised
- staffstaff was very friendly and helpful
- carry out orderstaying open a few extra minutes to prepare our carry out order
- cookThe cook is amazing and very friendly!
- customer servicecustomer service are fantastic!
- deliveryOrder delivery and came right on time
- family businessHappy to support a family business
- order preparationsuper quick to prepare my order
- service counterguy at service counter was cook and working at counter and he was friendly
- wait timewait time was very short
- young guardThe Young guard who works there is nice
Frequently criticized
- cashier peoplecashier people went to chat to chef a lot and cough without wearing mask
- chefcough without wearing mask when cooking
- cookThe rice is clumped. They need to get a new cook and use fresh pork. Too bad Chinese people can't even make pork fried rice.
- delivery timeIt came 2 hours later
- napkinno utensil or napkin
- utensilno utensil or napkin
- washroomrefused washroom
So, should you go? While the staff can be incredibly friendly and quick with your order, be prepared for a potentially mixed experience, especially if youre relying on delivery or expect full amenities. Its a bit of a gamble, but the positive interactions suggest it might be worth a try for dine-in.
Ambience (3.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 30% of the guests
Okay, lets talk about the vibe! Based on 12 customer opinions, with 4 positive and 8 negative remarks, the ambience here is a bit of a mixed bag. The overall score for ambience sits at a 3.8, which is considered poor, and customer satisfaction is also quite low at 33.3%, indicating significant room for improvement.
On the bright side, folks appreciate the "nice street" location and the "cozy Chinese food" vibe, often noting the "atmosphere" feels like a family-owned spot. Theres even praise for their social distancing setup, showing they're trying to make guests comfortable. However, the negatives really stand out, with many mentioning issues like seating or the lack thereof, parking difficulties, and the general location being less than ideal.
Some even noted tables being flipped up and staff power washing and mopping during open hours, which definitely impacts the overall atmosphere and perception of hygiene.
Ambience
12
Reviews
33%
Satisfaction
8
negative
0
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Nice street location
- Cozy family atmosphere
- Good social distancing
What people don't like
- No seating available
- Poor hygiene perception
- Difficult parking
Often praised
- atmospherefamily owned restaurant so atmosphere js family kind of restaurant. Boxes every where chairs and table every where just sit and relax and enjoy great tasting food
- cozy Chinese foodI ordered the fried rice, crab Rangoon, and salt and pepper shrimp, and every dish was sooooo delicious. It's the perfect place for some cozy Chinese food. I will definitely be coming back for more soon.
- nice streetIt's on a really nice street
- social distancing setupIt's great to support a family business during these crazy times. They were super quick to prepare my order and had a great set up for social distancing in their restaurant.
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereWas too scared to even try it
- hygieneMy experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing due to terrible hygiene. I found sand in the rice noodles, which made me question if the food had been dropped on the ground before being served.
- locationlocated in a slum basically
- parkingNo parking
- power washing and moppingI arrived for a carry-out order an hour before closing. The tables were already flipped up, and the staff was power washing and mopping on a Friday night. Despite this, they confirmed it was okay to still order takeout.
- seatingToo bad Chinese people can't even make pork fried rice. I would not recommend the restaurant with no seating to anyone, the one on Jones, between Ellis and Eddy st.
- seating areano seating area
- tablestables were flipped up
If youre looking for a quick takeout from a family-run spot on a nice street and dont mind the lack of seating or potential parking woes, you might find some cozy food here. However, be prepared for an ambience that's generally considered poor, with significant concerns about the overall environment and convenience.
Value (4.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 26% of the guests
When it comes to value, some diners have found a silver lining, with 4 positive remarks highlighting that the price and prices for combos were often great and affordable . Many appreciated that it was reasonably priced , especially noting the BOGO deals for rolls, which seemed to offer a good bang for your buck. However, the value proposition seems to be a bit of a struggle for many.
With a score of 4.3, which is average, and customer satisfaction sitting at a poor 36.4%, there's definitely room for improvement. Out of 11 total comments, 7 were negative, with many feeling charged excessively, finding the food expensive , or even overcharged . Extra charges for things like small bags or a higher tax rate also popped up as concerns.
Value
11
Reviews
36%
Satisfaction
7
negative
0
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable combo prices
- Good BOGO rolls
What people don't like
- Food is expensive
- Often feel overcharged
- Extra charges surprise
Often praised
- pricecombo and price was great
- BOGOGood rolls esp @ BOGO
- pricesprices were affordable
Frequently criticized
- chargedcharged 34.00
- expensiveFood are very expensive is $28
- overchargedOvercharged for sloppy, nasty food
- priceNot worth the price
- side of fried ricecharged me for a full side of fried rice instead of it as my side
- small bagscharged small bags for wrapping soup too
- tax rateThe tax rate is more than regular
If youre looking for a great deal, you might find some gems with combo offers or BOGO rolls. However, be cautious, as many customers felt the overall pricing was high and experienced unexpected extra charges. Its a bit of a gamble on whether youll feel you got your moneys worth.
How are the prices at Lin's Kitchen?
You’re looking at roughly 19 per person – reported by 13 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.
Looking at what people actually spend, most diners are indeed in that $11–$20 sweet spot, though there are a few who opt for slightly cheaper bites and some who go for a bit more premium experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 13 reviews.
How does this restaurant stack up against similar spots in San Francisco when it comes to value for money?
Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for a Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a good balance, allowing diners to enjoy a solid meal without breaking the bank, while also having options for those who want to spend a little more.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Lin's Kitchen
1
Scared to eat here
I didn't eat here because it's located in what felt like a slum. I was too scared to even try it.
- location1
- atmosphere1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Amazing Curry Chicken at Lins Kitchen
My experience at Lins Kitchen was amazing. I ordered the curry chicken, medium spicy, and they nailed it to perfection with great flavor and great tastes. The guy at the service counter, who was also the cook, was friendly.
I opted for a combo, and the price was great. The atmosphere is that of a family-owned restaurant, with boxes, chairs, and tables everywhere, creating a relaxed vibe to sit and relax and enjoy great tasting food. That’s all that matters!
- curry chicken10
- flavor10
- tastes10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Terrible hygiene, sand in noodles
My experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing due to terrible hygiene. I found sand in the rice noodles, which made me question if the food had been dropped on the ground before being served. This was a significant issue that ruined the meal.
- hygiene1
- sand in rice noodles1
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Fantastic Food and Service!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The food and customer service were both exceptional. I highly recommend trying the vegetarian soup and the beef with broccoli.
To finish the meal, the Thai ice tea was perfect. I highly recommend this place!
- food10
- customer service10
- vegetarian soup10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
5
Okay for a quick stop on foot
If you're passing through the neighborhood and need a quick drink, this spot is acceptable. However, it's not ideal due to a lack of parking and seating. If you're on foot, it should be fine.
The young guard working there is nice and friendly. The location is on a nice street, near the police station and across from a liquor store.
- young guard9
- nice street8
- parking2
- seating area2
What Lin's Kitchen offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Catering
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining and service options are available at Lin's Kitchen?
At Lin’s Kitchen, you can enjoy a variety of service options including no-contact delivery, takeout, and dine-in. For dining, you’ll find seating available for both lunch and dinner, and they also offer catering services for your events.
Is Lin's Kitchen accessible and suitable for families with children?
Yes, Lin’s Kitchen is designed to be accessible, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance and seating. It’s also very family-friendly, offering a dedicated kids’ menu, high chairs, and is generally considered a good place for children.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Lin's Kitchen?
Lin’s Kitchen has an average overall Restaurant Score of 5.6 and a mixed Customer Satisfaction of 50.4%. While Food (6) and Service (6.2) are generally well-regarded, Value (4.3) and Ambience (3.8) receive lower marks.
What are some popular food items at Lin's Kitchen?
Customers frequently praise dishes like the BBQ Pork Fried Rice, Beef and Broccoli, and chicken chow mein for their taste and quality.
What should I expect regarding the dining environment at Lin's Kitchen?
Lin’s Kitchen is often described as having limited or no seating, with some customers noting concerns about hygiene and the general atmosphere. It appears to be more suited for takeout orders.