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oChef » City Chopsticks – San Francisco
City Chopsticks - San Francisco
Photo from City Chopsticks
City Chopsticks at a glance
San Francisco Lower Nob Hill
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 73 of the guests
#1910 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#199 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
6.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
405
Reviews
65.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Fresh food
- Quick service
- Large portions
Frequently criticized
- Shady billing
- Poor hygiene
- Refund problems
The restaurant, a charming Chinese eatery nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Lower Nob Hill neighborhood, invites you to experience its warm hospitality. At City Chopsticks, you’ll discover a cozy atmosphere perfect for a relaxed meal.
Whether you’re seeking a quick bite or a leisurely dinner, this spot offers delicious small plates and satisfying vegetarian options, making it a delightful choice for any occasion in the city.
Overview: Introducting City Chopsticks
City Chopsticks offers a straightforward dining experience where the food often hits the mark, with many appreciating its freshness and generous portions. It’s a place where you can expect a satisfying meal, often served by a friendly staff.
However, diners should be aware of some inconsistencies, particularly concerning the overall value. There have been reports of billing issues, and the dining environment itself sometimes falls short of expectations, with concerns about cleanliness.
Good
6.6
out of 10
405
Reviews
65.4%
Satisfaction
123
negative
17
neutral
265
positive
City Chopsticks holds an overall score of 6.6, placing it in the average range, with customer satisfaction at 65.4%, indicating a mixed reception. This assessment is drawn from 405 customer remarks, with 265 expressing positive sentiments and 123 highlighting areas for improvement.
Delving deeper, the Food (7.3) stands out as a strong point, generally well-received by diners. Service (6.6) is considered average, while Ambience (6.3) also falls into a similar mid-range.
However, Value (3.8) is a clear area of concern, suggesting that pricing or perceived worth often disappoints.
What people like
- Fresh, tasty food
- Quick, friendly service
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Shady billing practices
- Poor hygiene concerns
- Refund issues
City Chopsticks presents itself as a straightforward option for Chinese cuisine, particularly if you prioritize a satisfying meal and efficient service. It’s a place that delivers on taste and portion size, making it a decent choice for a casual meal.
However, be mindful of potential billing discrepancies and cleanliness issues that some patrons have reported. With a recommendation score of 6.8, it’s worth considering if you’re looking for dependable food and quick service, but approach with awareness of its drawbacks.
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Verdict: Our expert take on City Chopsticks
Food (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
When it comes to the food, guests generally find a lot to love, with a good overall score of 7.3 and customer satisfaction at a solid 73.4%. Out of 244 pieces of feedback, 179 remarks praise the freshness, portion sizes, and flavor of dishes like Walnut shrimp and crispy duck. Many found the food amazing and delicious, often highlighting the veggie options and crispy textures.
However, there are some areas where the food could improve, noted in 52 comments. Some diners found certain dishes to be bland or have a tasteless sauce, while others mentioned overcooked noodles or small portion sizes. Issues with chicken quality and rubbery breading were also occasionally raised, suggesting some inconsistency in taste.
Food
244
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
52
negative
13
neutral
179
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh ingredients
- Generous portions
- Flavorful dishes
What people don't like
- Dishes can be bland
- Quality inconsistencies
- Small side portions
Often praised
- foodThey have 2 dishes that are a complete meal on a plate/in a bowl. The food is always fresh at a fair price with very nicely sized portions. I highly recommend the Singapore Noodles (add broccoli) and when cold the Human Noodle Soup.
- Chinese foodI found the food to be very good, and the price was acceptable, making the value for money excellent. I've rarely eaten Chinese food with so much taste. Additionally, the waiting time was very short.
- chow meinEl chow mein te nia el punto exacto en la cocción
- egg rollsand egg rolls. Just what we wanted
- flavorBetter next day after the flavor absorbs.
- fried riceFried rice, chicken wings, kung pao tofu, those are my favorite
- Chicken Chow MeinThe best chicken chow mein!!! I like it so much!
- FoodFood is good with no complaints
- Hot and Sour soupHot and Sour soup... quite tasty
- chickenchicken had a good crunchy texture
Frequently criticized
- foodthe food was completely tasteless
- food qualitythe food wasn't as good as is it normally is
- fortune cookieDidn't even come with a fortune cookie
- riceSince when do chef special dinner entrees not come with rice?
- white riceThey did have chili garlic sauce, but it was in an opened container, shared by all, which is not very sanitary. Neither of our dinners included white rice, which was surprising and added an extra $4. 50 to the bill.
- Chinese foodThe food itself was very bland, lacking any significant flavor. This was easily the worst Chinese food I have ever eaten.
- Chinese restaurant foodworst Chinese restaurant food I’ve ever had
- FoodFood:1
- Kung Pao shrimpKung Pao shrimp have the same gravy
- Xiang Jiang chickenXiang Jiang chicken and Kung Pao shrimp have the same gravy
If you're looking for generally fresh, flavorful Chinese food with good portions, this spot is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that some dishes might lack the expected spice or flavor, so you might want to ask for recommendations or stick to the highly praised items.
Service (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 57% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot offers a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.6, placing it in the average range. However, customer satisfaction sits at 67.9%, indicating a mixed reception. Many appreciate the fast and friendly staff, often highlighting an efficient system and polite service.
With 53 positive remarks out of 78 total comments, theres definitely a good chunk of folks whove had pleasant experiences. On the flip side, 24 negative comments point to some areas needing improvement. Concerns include getting the wrong order, issues with no refund, and experiences described as a waste of time due to poor service.
It seems that while many enjoy quick and polite interactions, some encounters have left customers feeling quite frustrated.
Service
78
Reviews
67%
Satisfaction
24
negative
1
neutral
53
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fast service
- Friendly staff
- Efficient system
What people don't like
- Poor service
- Wrong orders
- No refunds
Often praised
- serviceThe food was great, and the Chicken Chow Mein was absolutely amazing. The service was relatively quick, and the employees were very kind. Even though it was very busy, the employees managed the rush very well.
- staffWhile the place isn't fancy, it's a nice sit-down option if you choose to dine in. The service was fast, the place was clean, and the staff was friendly. The food is good with no complaints!
- everyoneEveryone is always super friendly and accommodating
- waitMy experience at City Chopsticks was fantastic. I had a very short wait, no more than 10 minutes, for an amazing meal. I ordered rice with sweet and sour chicken mixed with vegetables.
- waiting timeThe price was also a significant plus, being very reasonable. Furthermore, there was no waiting time, as they are always fast.
- Friendly staffFriendly staff
- Kind staffKind staff 🤲🏻
- ServiceService:4
- SunnySunny (the nice man who helps me with my order), he is so sweet, smart, nice
- accommodate modificationsIt's a cheap and cheerful classic Chinese restaurant, offering a great neighborhood spot for nostalgic and comforting food at a good price. I was impressed that they can accommodate modifications, suggesting that orders are prepared from scratch. Furthermore, if you have specific classic Chinese dishes in mind that aren't on the menu, like Egg Foo Young, they may be able to cook it for you upon request.
Frequently criticized
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was terrible service and a waste of time. I would not be given a refund, and they kept hanging up the phone.
- refundrefuse to issue a refund
- ServiceService:1
- attentionNo one came to cater to us
- checkthey started giving me the check
- cookI don't know if you have a new cook or just that this is a different one
- credit cardthrow my credit card on the table
- customer servicesexpect a decent customer services
- deliveryif they got rid got rid doordash, And went back to delivering themselves!
- hanging up the phoneMy experience at this restaurant was terrible service and a waste of time. I would not be given a refund, and they kept hanging up the phone. The service was rated 1, atmosphere 1, and food 1.
If youre looking for a quick and generally friendly experience, youll likely be satisfied. However, be aware that some customers have reported issues with order accuracy and customer service, so it might be a hit-or-miss situation.
Ambience (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 21% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot gets a 6.3 score, landing it squarely in the average range, with 63% customer satisfaction showing a mixed bag of feelings. Many of the 17 positive remarks praise the atmosphere as small but cozy and quiet, often highlighting the cleanliness and family-run feel of the place. It's seen as a nice sit-down option for dining in.
However, not everyone is thrilled, with 8 negative comments pointing to significant issues. Concerns about cleanliness are prominent, with some describing the place as dirty and even mentioning a rodent infested basement with filthy floor and rodent droppings. These severe issues clearly detract from the overall experience for some patrons.
Ambience
27
Reviews
63%
Satisfaction
8
negative
2
neutral
17
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy atmosphere
- Family-run vibe
- Quiet dining
What people don't like
- Rodent infestation
- Filthy conditions
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was quiet
- cleanThe place was clean
- cleanlinessimpressively authentic, clean
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- family-runa gestione famigliare
- placeWhile the place isn't fancy, it's a nice sit-down option if you choose to dine in. The service was fast, the place was clean, and the staff was friendly. The food is good with no complaints!
- sit-down optiona nice sit-down option if you choose to dine in
- small placePosto piccolo
Frequently criticized
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:1
- cleanlinessthe place was dirty
- door handledoor handle into the room is crusty
- filthy floorsitting on a filthy floor
- placeNot a swanky place
- rodent droppingsvisible rodent droppings
- rodent infested basementI strongly advise against eating here. I am 100% sure that the SF city health inspectors are unaware of the rodent infested basement dry storage area, which is only accessible from the rear of the building. Large bags of rice and panko breadcrumbs were found sitting on a filthy floor with visible rodent droppings and chew holes.
- whole experienceit takes away from the whole experience !
If you're seeking a cozy, family-run atmosphere and are willing to overlook potential serious cleanliness issues, you might find it appealing. However, be aware that reports of rodent problems could be a major dealbreaker for many diners.
Value (3.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 39% of the guests
While the overall sentiment for value isnt great, 16 positive remarks suggest some customers appreciate the "reasonable prices" and "value for money. " Many found the food "priced reasonably, " offering a solid meal thats extremely well priced for the area, which is always a plus! However, the value aspect struggles, with a poor score of 3.8 and customer satisfaction at a low 28.6%.
A significant 39 negative comments point to issues like being expensive, pricey, and facing extra charges or shady billing. Many felt overcharged due to prices not matching the menu or forced tipping.
Value
56
Reviews
28%
Satisfaction
39
negative
1
neutral
16
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Good value
What people don't like
- Shady billing
- Overpriced food
- Forced tipping
Often praised
- priceThey have 2 dishes that are a complete meal on a plate/in a bowl. The food is always fresh at a fair price with very nicely sized portions. I highly recommend the Singapore Noodles (add broccoli) and when cold the Human Noodle Soup.
- pricesdecent prices
- food priced reasonablyfood is priced reasonably
- good priceat a good price
- valuethe value is excellent
- value for moneyvalue for money is excellent
Frequently criticized
- billBill is convoluted in Chinese and I’m pretty sure they scammed by adding tips and something else
- priceYou overcharged me $22.83. It’s always less than $20.
- expensiveFood got more expensive and less of it!
- extra chargean extra charge (that's not listed)
- pricesprice does not match the price on the menu, he will make up various names to charge you prices outside the menu
- tipThey tacked on tip .. about $8
- 20% tipp feeadd a 20% tipp fee without asking
- billingvery shady billing, where they will charge you more
- chargesTHEY CHARGE YOU MORE THAN WHAT THE MENU STATES!!
- cheatedthese guys are cheats
When considering value, be aware that many customers report issues with pricing and billing practices. While some find the prices reasonable, a significant number felt overcharged or encountered unexpected fees. Proceed with caution and double-check your bill.
How are the prices at City Chopsticks?
You’re looking at roughly 24 per person – reported by 73 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.
While the average is 24, it’s interesting to see that a good chunk of diners (42 out of 73) actually spend a bit less, typically in the $11–$20 range. This suggests a nice mix of options, from quick bites to more substantial meals.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 73 reviews.
A comparison of this restaurant’s value for money against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco. With options spanning from more budget-friendly to slightly higher, it seems like they cater to a good range of preferences without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about City Chopsticks
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Delicious Orange Chicken!
My experience at this old-world Chinese restaurant was fantastic. I ordered my favorite dish, the Orange chicken, which was perfectly crispy and packed with flavor. I highly recommend it!
- Orange chicken9
- flavor9
- crispy9
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
10
Perfect old-fashioned Chinese lunch!
I was looking for a simple, unpretentious, good old-fashioned Chinese lunch, and it was PERFECT! The food was clean, fresh, and had a nice, flavorful amount of spice. The atmosphere was great, and the service was excellent, both rated 5/5.
It's also wheelchair accessible with plenty of parking.
- food10
- spice9
- atmosphere10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Amazing Chinese Food & Fast Service!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had the Sweet and Sour Prawns, which were absolutely to die for. The food was great overall, and the service was impressively fast.
The atmosphere was also a highlight, being very quiet and enjoyable.
- Sweet and Sour Prawns10
- food9
- service9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Chopsticks: Consistently Great Chinese Food
My experience at Chopsticks has been consistently excellent. It's the best Chinese restaurant in San Francisco, offering good food that is also not too expensive. I frequently order take out, but I also enjoy dining in occasionally.
My favorite dishes include the fried rice, chicken wings, and kung pao tofu.
- food9
- price8
- take out7
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Consistently Amazing Food and Service!
I've been a loyal customer for the past 3. 5 years, and this restaurant never fails to impress. The service is consistently great, and the food is absolutely amazing.
I highly recommend you come and experience it for yourself!
- service10
- food10
What City Chopsticks offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Table service
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
Does City Chopsticks cater to specific dietary needs or offer various meal types?
Yes, City Chopsticks provides a diverse menu with excellent vegetarian options, ensuring there’s something delicious for everyone. You can also enjoy a quick bite or choose from their selection of small plates, perfect for sharing or a lighter meal.
What service options are available at City Chopsticks, and can you make a reservation?
City Chopsticks offers convenient no-contact delivery, traditional delivery, and takeout services. If you prefer to dine in, table service is available, and you can easily accept reservations to secure your spot for lunch or dinner.
What is the overall customer sentiment for City Chopsticks?
City Chopsticks has an overall score of 6.6 and a customer satisfaction of 65.4%. While Food (7.3) is generally well-regarded, Service (6.6) and Ambience (6.3) are average, and Value (3.8) is a notable concern.
What do customers appreciate most about the food and service?
Many customers praise the food for being fresh, tasty, and served in nicely sized portions. The service is often described as quick, friendly, and accommodating, with staff managing busy periods effectively.
What are some common complaints or areas for improvement?
Recurring concerns include issues with value, such as convoluted billing, unexpected charges, and perceived overcharging. Some diners have also reported issues with cleanliness and hygiene in the dining environment.