Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
oChef » Clement BBQ – San Francisco
Clement BBQ - San Francisco
Photo from Clement BBQ
Clement BBQ at a glance
San Francisco Richmond District
- 🍖 Barbecue Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 14 of the guests
#607 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#7 Barbecue Restaurant out of 17 in San Francisco
Good
8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
109
Reviews
78%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Pork buns
- Great value
- Comfort food
Frequently criticized
- Parking issues
- Poor service
- Fatty dishes
The restaurant Clement BBQ in San Francisco’s vibrant Richmond District offers you a casual atmosphere where you can enjoy delicious barbecue. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a relaxed dinner, this spot provides a welcoming setting.
You’ll find it’s a perfect place to unwind and savor some flavorful dishes, including small plates.
Overview: Introducting Clement BBQ
Clement BBQ offers a compelling proposition for those seeking satisfying, authentic Chinese comfort food. Many rave about the pork buns and the generous portions, often described as PHAT meals.
However, some experiences with the food have been less stellar, noting issues like “chunks of fat” or overly “sweet gooey not sour sauce” in certain dishes. While the overall value is a clear draw, with many finding it incredibly affordable, the dining experience isn’t without its quirks.
Parking can be a hassle, and there are mixed reports on the service, particularly concerning the “afternoon service” compared to the morning.
Good
8
out of 10
109
Reviews
78%
Satisfaction
10
negative
14
neutral
85
positive
Clement BBQ earns a solid 8 out of 10, reflecting a generally positive experience for many. This aligns well with a 78% customer satisfaction rate, indicating that most patrons leave content.
With 109 customer remarks, including 85 positive and only 10 negative, there’s a clear lean towards favorable impressions. The Food (8.2) stands out as a strong point, frequently praised for its quality and consistency, especially considering the price.
The restaurant truly shines in Value (8.6), which is often highlighted as a major draw. Service (6) is rated as average, suggesting it’s functional but not exceptional, with some inconsistencies noted.
However, the Ambience (3) is a clear area for improvement, scoring poorly and receiving minimal positive attention. This suggests that while the food and value are compelling, the physical setting is not a primary attraction.
What people like
- Delicious pork buns
- Exceptional food value
- Authentic comfort food
What people don't like
- Challenging parking
- Inconsistent afternoon service
- Fatty meat dishes
With a strong 8.2 recommendation score, Clement BBQ is a solid choice if you prioritize hearty, affordable Chinese comfort food, especially their renowned pork buns. It’s particularly well-suited for a quick, satisfying meal where value is key, and you’re not overly concerned with the dining environment.
However, be prepared for potential parking challenges and manage expectations regarding service, particularly later in the day. If you’re seeking a gourmet experience or a polished setting, this might not be your ideal spot.
For a no-frills, budget-friendly meal, it delivers.
Similar Restaurants in San Francisco
- Barbecue Restaurant
9
out of 10
out of 10
150
94%
- $$
- Polk Gulch
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Barbecue Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
130
92.3%
- $$
- Visitacion Valley
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Barbecue Restaurant
8.5
out of 10
out of 10
676
88.3%
- $$
- Mission District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Barbecue Restaurant
8.3
out of 10
out of 10
173
80.9%
- $$
- Mission Bay
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Barbecue Restaurant
8.2
out of 10
out of 10
530
82.8%
- $$
- Duboce Triangle
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Barbecue Restaurant
8.1
out of 10
out of 10
337
84%
- $$
- West SoMa
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Clement BBQ
Food (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
The food here generally gets a thumbs-up, with a strong 8.2 score and 81.3% customer satisfaction. Many of the 65 positive remarks rave about the pork buns, roast pork, and dim sum, often praising the overall food quality. Guests frequently mention generous portions and delicious filling, making for a satisfying meal.
However, out of 80 total comments, a few of the 4 negative points highlight concerns about some dishes. Specifically, there were mentions of sweet gooey not sour sauce and chunks of fat in certain pork preparations, suggesting some inconsistency in execution.
Food
80
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
4
negative
11
neutral
65
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Best pork buns
- Delicious roast pork
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Overly sweet sauce
- Excessive fat chunks
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was one of great value. The food is good and cheap, not gourmet quality, but offers an excellent value for money. I was impressed that I could select two side dishes to go with rice or noodles, a beverage, and a pastry and still get change for a Hamilton.
- pork bunsMy family has been purchasing their steamed pork buns for over 20 years. We will not eat any other pork buns; they are hands down the best anywhere!
- hits the spotThe food was good and incredibly cheap. While it's not gourmet, it definitely hits the spot if you're craving something that you might feel a little guilty about later. The price per person was between $1–10.
- BBQ Pork FillingThe BBQ Pork Filling is Delish…Saucy, Not Dry
- BBQ pork bunsthis is a big one and lots of pork in the fillings
- Baked Pork BunsBest Place to buy Baked Pork Buns. They are Huge.
- Bread | DoughThe Bread | Dough is perfect…Not too Bready.
- PHAT mealsLess than 10 bucks for 2 PHAT meals
- Siu MaiLove the Siu Mai
- authentic Chinese comfort foodThis place 100% deserves a higher rating. It serves super authentic Chinese comfort food that many of us grew up eating with our families at food courts and restaurants. When everyone in line looks like a relative, that can only be a good sign of the food.
Frequently criticized
- chunks of fatmostly chunks of fat swimming in the gooey sauce
- chunks of porkchunks of pork and mostly chunks of fat swimming in the gooey sauce
- crispy chicken or porkwhat he brought me was pork sold by the pound swimming in a pool of very sweet gooey not sour sauce
- sweet gooey not sour sauceswimming in a pool of very sweet gooey not sour sauce
If youre looking for authentic Chinese comfort food with generous portions, especially their highly-praised pork buns and roast pork, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that a few dishes might lean a bit too sweet or fatty for some palates. Overall, its a solid choice for a satisfying and affordable meal.
Service (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 21% of the guests
For service, the vibe is generally average, scoring a 6 with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 60%. Many guests have had good experiences, praising the Wait time and morning service as quick and simple. Positive feedback often highlights the takeout food and take out service, with people noting they havent been disappointed, based on 6 positive comments out of 10 total.
However, theres a clear contrast, particularly with the afternoon service. Some customers felt that persons in the front by the barbecue side were terrible, and one even mentioned the guy that cut up the meat didn't seem to know what an order was. These 3 negative comments point to a noticeable dip in quality during specific times or with certain staff members.
Service
10
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
3
negative
1
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- No wait time
- Quick, simple service
- Good takeout service
What people don't like
- Poor afternoon service
- Unfriendly front staff
- Incompetent staff
Often praised
- Wait timeWait time:No wait
- morning servicealways good service
- peoplepeople a bit nicer here
- quick and simpleIt was quick and simple
- take out serviceThe take out service
- takeout foodI takeout food here and have not been disappointed
Frequently criticized
- afternoon serviceIn the afternoon tey don't care about customers
- guy that cut up the meatthe guy that cut up the meat they don't even know what an order is
- persons in the frontthe persons in the front by the barbecue side are terrible
If youre looking for quick and simple service, especially for morning takeout, youll likely be pleased. However, be aware that the afternoon service might be a bit of a gamble, so plan your visit accordingly.
Ambience (3 out of 10)
mentioned by 7% of the guests
When it comes to the ambience, there isnt much positive buzz to report from recent visitors. With 0 positive opinions out of 2 total, it seems the current atmosphere isnt winning many hearts. There are no positive terms or aspects highlighted by customers at this time.
Unfortunately, the ambience is currently struggling, reflected in a poor score of 3 and a poor customer satisfaction of 0%. Based on 2 opinions, recent changes, possibly a remodel, have left some feeling the place is declining. Additionally, parking is a significant hassle, making visits inconvenient unless you arrive very early.
Ambience
2
Reviews
0%
Satisfaction
2
negative
0
neutral
0
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
- Recent remodel
- Hassle parking
Often praised
No positive aspects so far.
Frequently criticized
- parkingI've always liked going here because the prices are good. However, parking is a hassle unless you go at 9 am or earlier. Most of the hot food is out then.
- remodelthis place is going down the s*** since they I believe remodel
If a pleasant atmosphere and easy access are high on your list, you might want to reconsider. The recent changes and parking difficulties seem to be a real drawback for many, making the overall experience less enjoyable.
Value (8.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 46% of the guests
When it comes to getting bang for your buck, this spot truly shines! With a solid score of 8.6 and customer satisfaction soaring at 82.4%, its clear guests are thrilled with the "value for money" and "affordable" prices. Many rave about the "great deal" and how "cheap" it is, especially considering the generous servings.
Out of 17 total opinions, a whopping 14 sing its praises! However, theres a tiny whisper of nostalgia, with one opinion noting it was less expensive years ago. While still a fantastic deal, it seems some remember a time when the prices were even more unbelievably low.
This isn't a complaint about current value, but rather a reflection on past pricing.
Value
17
Reviews
82%
Satisfaction
1
negative
2
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great value
- Very affordable
- Generous servings
What people don't like
Often praised
- price per personthe price per person was very affordable
- pricesI've always liked going here because the prices are good. However, parking is a hassle unless you go at 9 am or earlier.
- Great dealIt feeds two people easily. Great deal. Two meals and done.
- affordablevery affordable
- cheaphella cheap
- dealkind of deal in the city
- less than 10 bucksLess than 10 bucks for 2 PHAT meals
- plate with rice/noodles and 2 entreesget a plate with rice/noodles and 2 entrees for $6.50
- price pointWhen everyone in line looks like a relative, that can only be a good sign of the food. The price point is also so affordable.
- price ratioMy experience was centered around the food quality and its exceptional value for money. Given that you can easily spend $15-20 on very average takeout in San Francisco, this place offers a very good food to price ratio. It was a take out lunch.
Frequently criticized
- less expensivewas less expensive could ed years ago
If youre looking for a place where your dollar stretches far, this is definitely worth checking out. Youll find genuinely affordable prices and generous portions that make for a great deal. Don't expect rock-bottom prices from a decade ago, but current value is still excellent.
How are the prices at Clement BBQ?
You’re looking at roughly 15 per person – reported by 14 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Barbecue Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most folks tend to spend in the 1 – 20 $ range, but a couple of guests did splurge a bit more, showing there are options for different budgets.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 14 reviews.
How this Barbecue Restaurant stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco for value.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Barbecue Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers good value for a mid-range experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Clement BBQ
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Interesting Buffet-Style Dining Experience
My experience at the restaurant was interesting. It's kind of like a mini buffet where you get to choose what you want. You can see the food when you enter, which is a nice touch.
The food itself was all right.
- mini buffet5
- choose what you want5
- see the food5
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
7
Generous BBQ Pork Buns, Okay Cocktails
My experience at the restaurant involved trying their BBQ pork buns and cocktail buns. The BBQ pork buns were a pleasant surprise; they were large and generously filled with pork, unlike other places where you only get sweet red sauce. I'm used to paying less for a set of these, but the size and filling here justified the cost.
The cocktail buns were just okay. I detected butter, which wasn't what I expected, and I personally prefer the cocktail buns from TC Pastry in Noriega. There was no wait to be seated.
- BBQ pork buns9
- cocktail buns6
- Wait time10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Takeout
6
Disappointing Pork Dish, Will Try Again
My experience was limited to the food I ordered for takeout. I asked a friend to pick up some crispy chicken or pork for me. Unfortunately, what I received was not crispy at all.
The pork was swimming in a very sweet, gooey, not sour sauce. The only redeeming quality was the chunks of pineapple, which were quite good. The rest of the dish consisted of pork chunks and an excessive amount of fat, all coated in the same sweet sauce.
The fat was easily mistaken for pineapple due to its similar color. I plan to try them again and will order for myself next time to ensure I get what I'm expecting.
- chunks of pineapple8
- crispy chicken or pork2
- sweet gooey not sour sauce3
- chunks of pork2
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
5
Roasted Duck - Chewy Skin
My experience with the roasted duck was okay. The skin was on the chewy side, though not excessively salty. The price for the roasted duck was $33.
- roasted duck5
- skin5
- salty6
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Colleagues
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Takeout
9
Incredible Pork Buns from the Microwave!
Someone from work brought in these pork buns. I microwaved it for 30 seconds. It was 10/10 out of the microwave.
They were crazy good.
- pork buns10
- microwave10
What Clement BBQ offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options are available at Clement BBQ?
At Clement BBQ, you can enjoy a variety of dining options throughout the day. They serve lunch and dinner, making it a great spot for both midday meals and evening gatherings. You can also find dessert options to complete your experience.
Does Clement BBQ offer takeout and is it wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Clement BBQ provides convenient service options for you. You can choose to dine-in and enjoy the casual atmosphere, or opt for takeout if you’re on the go. Additionally, the restaurant features a wheelchair accessible entrance for all guests.
How is Clement BBQ generally rated by customers?
Clement BBQ receives a good overall score of **8** out of 10, with a customer satisfaction of **78%**. Customers particularly praise the **Value** (8.6) and **Food** (8.2), while **Service** (6) is average and **Ambience** (3) is a weaker point.
What are the standout food items at Clement BBQ?
Many customers consistently praise the **pork buns** and the **BBQ Pork Filling** as delicious and generously portioned. The restaurant is also noted for offering **authentic Chinese comfort food** at a very affordable price point.
Are there any common inconveniences at Clement BBQ?
Patrons frequently mention that **parking** can be a significant hassle. Some also report inconsistencies with the **afternoon service**, suggesting it might not be as attentive as the morning service.