Planning
- Accepts reservations
oChef » Beijing 49er – San Francisco
Beijing 49er - San Francisco
Photo from Beijing 49er
Beijing 49er at a glance
San Francisco Chinatown
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 26 of the guests
#2369 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#275 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Average
4.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
294
Reviews
33%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Friendly staff
- Unique ambience
Frequently criticized
- Billing issues
- Poor value
The Chinese restaurant Beijing 49er invites you to a delightful culinary journey right in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant Chinatown. You’ll discover a casual atmosphere perfect for enjoying authentic flavors.
Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, a relaxed dinner, or just some small plates to share, this spot offers a welcoming setting. It’s a great choice for families too, as it’s good for kids.
Overview: Introducting Beijing 49er
Beijing 49er presents a mixed experience, with many guests appreciating the friendly staff and accommodating service, especially for larger groups. The atmosphere also stands out, offering an amazing atmosphere with historic decor and a notable balcony overlooking the park.
However, some visits are marred by significant issues, including reports of dreadful service and concerns over billing practices. While the food receives praise for its taste and variety, there are also strong criticisms regarding its quality and value, suggesting an inconsistent offering.
Average
4.1
out of 10
294
Reviews
33%
Satisfaction
187
negative
10
neutral
97
positive
Beijing 49er holds a Restaurant Score of 4.1 out of 10, placing it in the average category, and a Customer Satisfaction of 33%, which is considered poor. This divergence indicates that while some aspects might be acceptable, a significant portion of patrons leave dissatisfied.
This assessment is drawn from 294 customer remarks, with 97 positive and 187 negative observations. Delving deeper, Food (4.8) is seen as average, despite being the most discussed topic.
Service (4.9) also falls into the average range, though it garners a high volume of comments. The Ambience (5.8) is perceived as slightly better, leaning towards average, while Value (2.1) is notably low, indicating a major area for improvement.
What people like
- Friendly, accommodating staff
- Historic, storied decor
- Balcony overlooking park
What people don't like
- Inconsistent, dreadful service
- Questionable billing practices
- Poor value for money
With a Recommendation Score of 4.2, Beijing 49er is a place that might appeal if you prioritize a unique atmosphere and accommodating service for groups. The positive feedback on the traditional Chinese music and balcony seating suggests it could be a pleasant spot for drinks or a casual gathering.
However, potential visitors should be aware of the significant concerns regarding value and service consistency. If you’re seeking a reliable dining experience with transparent pricing, you might find Beijing 49er disappointing.
It’s a venue with potential, but also notable drawbacks.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Beijing 49er
Food (4.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 93% of the guests
It seems the food here is a bit of a mixed bag, with some real highs and noticeable lows. Many customers raved about the deliciousness of specific items like steamed dumplings, Chef’s choice Chow Mein, and braised eggplant, often praising the overall quality and quantity of the dishes. There were 45 positive remarks, highlighting that when the food hits, it truly shines.
However, the dining experience can be inconsistent, with 57 negative comments pointing to issues like cold, tasteless food, low quality ingredients, and surprisingly small portion sizes in some instances. The overall score for food stands at an average 4.8, with customer satisfaction at a mixed 42.1%, indicating that while some meals are fantastic, others leave much to be desired across the 107 total opinions.
Food
107
Reviews
42%
Satisfaction
57
negative
5
neutral
45
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious specific dishes
- Generous food portions
- Good vegetarian options
What people don't like
- Cold, tasteless food
- Inconsistent food quality
- Small portion sizes
Often praised
- foodHe enjoys sharing the story of the Chinese restaurant with customers and offers free gifts, always appearing happy. The restaurant, Beijing 49er, is affordable and the food is beautifully colored. I strongly encourage everyone to visit our Chinese restaurant in Chinatown to support us.
- Beijing fooddid Beijing food correctly
- Chef’s choice Chow Meinit was awesome
- Guangdong fooddid Guangdong food correctly
- San Francisco specialWe had the San Francisco special which was $25.00 per person
- appetizersMy experience at this restaurant was positive overall. We enjoyed all of our appetizers. The lunch was good.
- braised eggplantbraised egg plant
- chocolatesThey also gave us a box of chocolates
- complimentary pot stickersLike the complimentary pot stickers
- dim sumordered dim sum and traditional Beijing cuisine. The taste of food are very good.
Frequently criticized
- foodUnfortunately, we also fell for the advertising on the street (one should know better, good restaurants don't hand out flyers on the street!). In short, it was not only inedible, it was old and disgusting. Not to mention the plastic cutlery.
- food qualityThere was no one to greet or seat us, and despite seeing us waiting, the staff just continued with their tasks. The food was super expensive for the low quality fake Chinese food. While the balcony is nice and could be a gem, the decor is low and the place is absolutely filthy.
- Chinese foodexpecting some good Chinese food
- hot teaone hot tea which they said was $10
- plastic cutleryPlastik löffel, plastik „Gläser“ essen angebrannt
- Bad foodWe are never coming back, even if it was free. Bad food. Bad price.
- Peking Duckordered a perking duck with buns which cost us $69.95
- bananascuts up bananas and puts them on a plate
- burnt foodessen angebrannt
- chickenThe chicken was undercooked and tasted weird.
If you're willing to gamble a bit, you might discover some truly delicious dishes like their steamed dumplings or braised eggplant. However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in quality, temperature, and portion sizes, as the food can be a real hit-or-miss experience.
Service (4.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 68% of the guests
When it comes to service, many guests have had some truly heartwarming experiences! Out of 57 total remarks, 24 positive comments rave about the incredibly friendly staff and owners, noting how accommodating they are, especially for big groups. You might even get some free gifts or enjoy the owners funny stories.
While the overall customer satisfaction sits at a 42.1% mixed level, theres definitely a bright side here. However, the picture isnt entirely rosy, with 32 negative comments painting a different scene. Some diners encountered dreadful, slow, or even rude service, alongside frustratingly long waiting times.
Issues like automatic gratuity being added without consent and staff attitude have also been significant pain points for others. This contributes to an average score of 4.9, indicating theres certainly room for improvement in consistency.
Service
57
Reviews
42%
Satisfaction
32
negative
1
neutral
24
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Accommodating groups
- Engaging owner
What people don't like
- Dreadful service
- Automatic gratuity issues
- Long waiting times
Often praised
- serviceVery good service, lots of interactions with our group overall
- staffthe staff were all very friendly and courteous
- ownerlikes to tell the story of the Chinese restaurant
- accommodatingwas accomodating to our big group
- big groupsAccommodating to big groups
- customer serviceamazing customer service
- experienceGreat experience overall
- free giftsthere are free gifts
- ownersFriendly staff and owners
- welcomeMy experience at the restaurant was good overall. The food was copious, and I was well received. However, it was a bit too expensive for what it was.
Frequently criticized
- serviceAbsolutely dreadful service, no one to greet you seat you down.
- tipTIP ALERT. If you don't mention a tip in the receipt, they'll definitely fill in the blank and charge you! So make sure you mention what you wanna do about it or get surprised when you check your transaction statement.
- waiting timethe waiting time was very long
- English speakingnot speaking a word of English
- add 2 more drinkstry adding 2 more drinks to our tab
- automatic gratuitythey add automatic gratuity without letting you know
- bizarre behaviorMost bizzare behavior I ever witnessed
- card declinedsaid the card declined and it still took it
- customer servicesuch bad customer service
- dayI had a great day in the city until we ate here, totally ruined my day.
So, should you go? Its a bit of a gamble on the service front. You might encounter incredibly friendly staff and a great experience, especially if youre in a big group, but be prepared for the possibility of slow, rude service or issues with tipping.
Ambience (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 50% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, many guests really enjoy the experience, with 23 positive remarks out of 41 total. Folks frequently praise the outside dining and balcony seating, often highlighting the scenic view and the overall amazing atmosphere. The traditional background music and historic decor also contribute to a good energy, making it a fun place to be.
However, the ambience isn't without its challenges, with 16 negative comments. Some guests found the restrooms to be dirty and the interior decor dated, even describing the place as filthy. Issues like a dripping AC unit, steep stairs, and even mosquitoes were noted.
This contributes to a customer satisfaction of 56.1% and an overall score of 5.8, indicating a mixed experience.
Ambience
41
Reviews
56%
Satisfaction
16
negative
2
neutral
23
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Scenic balcony views
- Enjoyable atmosphere
- Historic decor
What people don't like
- Poor cleanliness
- Dated interior decor
- Comfort issues
Often praised
- atmospherean amazing atmosphere. Beautiful historic and storied decor
- balconyan AWESOME balcony overlooking the park
- balcony seatingnice tiny balcony seating available
- placeit was a fun place for a family to go
- ambienceAmbience was good
- background musicbackground music is traditional Chinese music
- climbthe restaurant is worth the climb to eat
- environmentEnvironment and service are also recommended.
- experiencethe overall experience is enjoyable
- good energyThe meal was complemented by servings of fruit and green tea ice cream. The good energy of the place was also a highlight. I’ll definitely be back!
Frequently criticized
- decorThe food was super expensive for the low quality fake Chinese food. While the balcony is nice and could be a gem, the decor is low and the place is absolutely filthy. I would only recommend coming here for drinks if there is a balcony spot, but other than that, avoid the food.
- restauranttheir restaurant relly slow, non business
- AC unitgetting dripped on by the AC unit
- air conditioningAC dripping water with splashes on us
- atmosphereMy experience at this restaurant was marred by an attempt to sneak in extra charges on the bill, which they claimed were standard. While the food itself was good, the service and atmosphere were disappointing. The extra charges were a significant issue.
- cleanlinessthe place is absolutely filthy
- interiorThe interior is so dated and dirty.
- kitchenlike the kitchen
- mosquitoAmbience was good. But due to the open balconies, don't be surprised if a mosquito suddenly flies in to irritate you.
- plasticwareserved in plasticware
If you're looking for a scenic outdoor spot with a good vibe, especially on the balcony, this place might be worth a visit. However, be prepared for potentially dated interiors, cleanliness issues, and some comfort concerns like dripping AC or steep stairs.
Value (2.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 66% of the guests
Some diners found the price to be fair, noting that the quality and quantity were well worth it. A few even praised the Beijing 49er as affordable and appreciated minimal taxes or service charges when they agreed with them. However, these positive sentiments are quite rare, with only 5 positive remarks out of 89 total.
Unfortunately, the overall value experience is quite poor, reflected in a low score of 2.1 and customer satisfaction at a mere 5.6%. A staggering 82 negative comments highlight significant concerns about bills , automatic tips , hidden fees like inflation surcharges and SF taxes , and generally expensive food . Many felt overcharged due to bad business practices .
Value
89
Reviews
5%
Satisfaction
82
negative
2
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
- Hidden fees
- Automatic tips
- Overcharging
Often praised
- Beijing 49erBeijing 49er is affordable
- priceThe quality and the quantity is well worth the price
- pricesgreat prices
- service chargethe service charge was added but we more than agreed with it
- taxeswe also had some taxes added but they were minimal
Frequently criticized
- billsteal from you we went here with my family the bill came out to 900+
- priceThe food was copious, and I was well received. However, it was a bit too expensive for what it was. It was a shame that the glasses and desserts were served in plasticware.
- taxestry to add 2 different San Francisco/inflation taxes to your bill
- tipNo receipt is given. When I try to clarify he confirms food was 51, but they added „inflation surcharge”, „covid tax”, „sales tax” and 18% tip for 2 people. When I calculated gratuity it still added up to $10 less, so they gave me some cash back.
- SF taxmandatory SF tax that every restaurant charges, which is a total lie
- expensiveOnly defect is a little bit expensive.
- extra chargesMy experience at this restaurant was marred by an attempt to sneak in extra charges on the bill, which they claimed were standard. While the food itself was good, the service and atmosphere were disappointing.
- gratuityThey added a 20% gratuity and didn’t tell us
- inflation chargeThey put a "inflation charge" and a "pandemic sanitation fee"in your bill, which is completely absurd
- overchargedthey overcharger the bill go up so much
If youre considering a visit, be prepared for potential surprise charges and overpriced items. While a few found the price fair, the overwhelming sentiment points to a challenging value proposition. Its crucial to scrutinize your bill carefully before paying.
How are the prices at Beijing 49er?
You’re looking at roughly 49 per person – reported by 26 diners. That puts it in the $41–$50 category. For a Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
What’s interesting is that while the average sits here, the actual spending is quite varied. We see a good number of diners enjoying meals in the more accessible $21–$30 range, but also a significant group opting for more premium experiences, spending $101+.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 26 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco. It seems they offer a good range of options, catering to different budgets while still providing a quality experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Beijing 49er
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Terrible Dining Experience, Avoid This Place
I wish negative stars were a feature, because that’s what I would give. My dining experience was terrible. They gave us everything we didn’t want and nothing we actually wanted.
The food was bizarre; who cuts up bananas and puts them on a plate with 2 fried dumplings and oily fried nuts? I make better girl dinners 5 cocktails in.
- food1
- bananas1
- fried dumplings1
Price per Person
- $51–$60
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Disappointing Chinatown Experience
We visited this restaurant on a Saturday evening with a small group, hoping to find quality Chinese food for a family-style meal. We were initially drawn in by a deal for potstickers. The restaurant offered a warm towel to clean our hands, which was a nice touch, and the staff was fairly friendly, even providing an extra appetizer for our group.
However, the food itself was mediocre and lacked good quality. The hot and sour soup had large globs of gel and was not flavorful. While the steamed dumplings were the best dish – warm and delicious – the main courses like Szechwan beef, kung pao, and General Tso's chicken lacked flavor and seemed off.
The portion sizes were smaller than expected for our group of five, leaving us still hungry by the end of the meal. The price of a small Tsing Tao beer at $9 felt excessive for the restaurant's atmosphere. We were told Sapporo might offer a discount, but only on the first round, and our waitress ignored our inquiry about still getting it.
Two rounds of beer for our group cost $100. To top it off, a 20% gratuity was added without notification. Overall, there are much better options in Chinatown, and I would not recommend this restaurant.
- steamed dumplings8
- staff7
- atmosphere2
- food quality2
- hot and sour soup2
- main courses3
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Awful Food and Experience
Unfortunately, we also fell for the advertising on the street (one should know better, good restaurants don't hand out flyers on the street!). In short, it was not only inedible, it was old and disgusting. Not to mention the plastic cutlery.
Something like this should be closed, shame on you!
- food1
- plastic cutlery1
Price per Person
- $101+
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Disappointing Chinese Food Experience
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. While the staff were overly nice, the reality of the meal did not match expectations. We ordered family portions, but were given normal portions instead.
The plates provided were small, akin to teacups. Unfortunately, the food was not good, which was especially surprising given the expectation of good Chinese cuisine in Chinatown. I can confidently say I will never eat there again.
- staff7
- family portions3
- plates3
- food2
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
2
Extremely Disappointed Dim Sum Experience
We were expecting authentic dim sum dishes but we were extremely disappointed! The flavor of the food was not tasty, some dishes were cold and had an old food taste to it. The food bill was written in Chinese so we had no idea what we were being charged.
We had 5 people and the 25% tip was automatically added to the bill without letting us know. We had to verify about the charges before paying the bill. They gave us cheap junk gifts at the end of our meal.
DO NOT eat here!
- flavor of the food2
- cold dishes2
- old food taste1
What Beijing 49er offers
Payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Small plates
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Beijing 49er?
At Beijing 49er, you can look forward to a casual atmosphere perfect for any meal. They offer table service for lunch and dinner, and you can also enjoy small plates. It’s a welcoming spot that’s good for kids, making it ideal for family outings.
Does Beijing 49er offer flexible service and planning options?
Yes, Beijing 49er provides several convenient service options. You can enjoy your meal with outdoor seating or dine-in, and delivery is also available. For planning your visit, they accept reservations, ensuring you can secure your spot for lunch or dinner.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Beijing 49er?
Customer sentiment for Beijing 49er is quite mixed, with a 33% customer satisfaction rate. While some aspects like the atmosphere and staff are appreciated, there are significant concerns regarding service consistency and value.
How does Beijing 49er score across different aspects of the dining experience?
Beijing 49er has an overall Restaurant Score of 4.1 out of 10. Individually, Food scores 4.8, Service scores 4.9, Ambience scores 5.8, and Value scores 2.1. This indicates that while ambience is a relative strength, value is a significant weakness.
Are there any common issues customers report at Beijing 49er?
Yes, customers frequently report issues with service, including long waiting times and concerns about staff behavior. There are also recurring complaints about billing, such as unexpected extra charges and automatic gratuity.