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oChef » Dragon River – San Francisco
Dragon River - San Francisco
Photo from Dragon River
Dragon River at a glance
San Francisco Richmond District
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 27 of the guests
#978 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#55 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
7.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
140
Reviews
79.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Friendly Service
- Varied Menu
- Good Value
Frequently criticized
- Flavor Inconsistency
- Slow Service
- Cleanliness Issues
The restaurant Dragon River is a welcoming Chinese Restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Richmond District. When you step inside, you’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for a relaxed meal.
Whether you’re planning a dinner out with friends or a family lunch, you’ll appreciate the table service and comfortable seating. It’s also a fantastic spot if you’re dining with little ones, as it’s known to be good for kids and offers high chairs.
You can even make reservations to ensure your spot.
Overview: Introducting Dragon River
Dragon River offers a broad selection of dishes, with many patrons appreciating the huge menu and reasonable prices. The friendly and fast service often stands out, making for a welcoming experience where staff are noted for treating customers like family.
However, some find certain dishes to be bland, and there have been instances where dishes came pretty far apart, affecting the meal flow. The interior, at times, has been described as dirty and smelly, which can detract from the overall dining atmosphere.
Good
7.7
out of 10
140
Reviews
79.3%
Satisfaction
22
negative
7
neutral
111
positive
Dragon River generally earns a solid standing with a 7.7 overall score, indicating a good dining experience. Customer satisfaction also registers well at 79.3%, suggesting most diners leave content.
This assessment is drawn from 140 customer opinions, with a clear majority of 111 positive remarks outweighing 22 negative ones. Diving deeper, Service leads the way with a strong (8.4), often described as friendly and efficient.
Value (7.7) is also considered good, with many finding the offerings affordable. While Food (7.6) is generally well-received for its variety and specific dishes, Ambience (6.7) appears to be an area that could use some attention, sitting at the lower end of the good range.
What people like
- Friendly, personal service
- Broad menu selection
- Reasonable pricing
What people don't like
- Inconsistent dish flavor
- Slow dish delivery
- Cleanliness issues
Dragon River presents a generally positive dining option, reflected in its solid recommendation score of 7.9. If you appreciate a welcoming atmosphere and a diverse menu with good value, this spot could be a fitting choice for your next meal.
Consider visiting if you prioritize friendly service and affordable, traditional Chinese fare. However, be mindful that some dishes might lack punch, and service timing can vary.
It’s a place for a casual, unpretentious meal rather than a high-end experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Dragon River
Food (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, youre looking at a pretty solid experience! With a score of 7.6 and customer satisfaction at a good 80.2%, many folks rave about the "amazing food" and "generous portions. " Out of 81 opinions, a whopping 65 were positive, often highlighting "Peking Duck" and "traditional Chinese dishes" as standouts.
However, its not all perfect. A few of the 13 negative comments mentioned a lack of flavor or that dishes could be bland. There were also occasional remarks about undercooked vegetables and, in some rare instances, food causing discomfort.
So, while generally good, there might be a few bumps in the road.
Food
81
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
13
negative
3
neutral
65
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Food is delicious
- Generous portions
- Peking Duck shines
What people don't like
- Flavor can be bland
- Vegetables undercooked
- Food caused discomfort
Often praised
- foodAs visitors, we randomly chose this restaurant for our dinner, but they provided super delicious food and very good customer service. The kids loved the wonderful food, so we came back again for our lunch the next day, and the food still was very amazing.
- FoodFood:5
- Peking duckhighly recommend the Peking duck
- huge menuMy experience at this restaurant was largely positive, especially concerning the food. They offer a huge menu with big portions at reasonable prices. I was particularly impressed with their salt-and-pepper tofu, which is hard to find done well in the Bay Area.
- B.B.Q duckreally liked their B.B.Q duck
- Cantonese & Hakka foodquite good Cantonese & Hakka food
- Chinese foodGreat Chinese food
- Lotus with Fried ShrimpLotus with Fried Shrimp. So good!
- Mu Shu VegetablesMu Shu Vegetables... So good!
- Peking DuckPeking Duck was excellent. The skin was very crispy
Frequently criticized
- foodthe food caused us stomachache
- chicken wingsorder chicken wings and it has no flavor
- entréesThe entrées was had were bland
- flavorI tried the bamboo skin with mustard greens and the veg fried rice. My only wish was that the curries came with rice by default, and that the items had more flavor initially. However, after adding some soy sauce and chili paste, both dishes became quite delicious.
- fried riceas well as the fried rice
- portion sizeThe quality and portion size was subpar
- qualityThe quality and portion size was subpar
- spare ribstried some of the spare ribs with duck sauce — I think if you like them fried they’d be more your style but it wasn’t for us
- three mushroom and tofu dishthe three mushroom and tofu dish was bland
- tofuThe tofu was silky but flavorless
Overall, the food here is a strong contender, especially if youre seeking delicious, traditional Chinese fare with generous portions. While some dishes might occasionally lack flavor, its definitely worth trying for the many positive culinary experiences it offers.
Service (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 66% of the guests
The service here generally hits the mark, with a score of 8.4 and a fantastic 86.2% customer satisfaction. Based on 25 positive remarks out of 29 total, guests frequently rave about the nice staff, friendly and fast service, and excellent customer service. Many specifically highlight Winnie, the owner, for her fantastic and attentive care.
However, it's not entirely without a hitch. A few of the 4 negative comments point to some wait time issues, particularly for to-go orders. There were also instances of erratic service where dishes came pretty far apart, which can be a bit frustrating when dining in.
Service
29
Reviews
86%
Satisfaction
4
negative
0
neutral
25
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Great customer service
- Owner's personal touch
What people don't like
- Longer wait times
- Erratic dish timing
Often praised
- serviceI’ve ordered our Chinese new year dinners from this restaurant for years, and our friends and family rave about the food. The restaurant is family-run and super friendly. I highly recommend the beef chow fun, whole steamed sea bass with ginger and scallion, Peking duck, dry braised string beans, and mu shu chicken.
- ownerMy wife and I visited San Francisco and had an absolutely amazing experience at this restaurant. The owner treated us very well, and the food was incredible. What made it even better was how affordable it was.
- ServiceService:5
- waitressthe waitress was nice
- WinnieWinnie is manager, waitress and server. I have seen her single handedly take care of a rush of customers
- customer serviceAs visitors, we randomly chose this restaurant for our dinner, but they provided super delicious food and very good customer service. The kids loved the wonderful food, so we came back again for our lunch the next day, and the food still was very amazing.
- familyI've been coming here for years and always enjoy the great Chinese food. The people are very nice, and they treat us like family. It's the only place my mom will go to.
- friendly and fast serviceMy experience at this restaurant was largely positive, with reasonable prices and friendly and fast service. I enjoyed some of the appetizers, as well as the chicken with broccoli and prawns with vegetables.
- hostessHostess was friendly
- nice staffnice staff
Frequently criticized
- dishes came pretty far apartthe dishes came pretty far apart time-wise
- serviceThe service was erratic
- wait timelonger wait time for my order
- waiting timethe last two came out way later
Overall, the service at this spot is a definite highlight, making it worth a visit. While you might encounter a slight wait for to-go orders or some pacing issues with dishes, the overwhelmingly positive and friendly staff experience makes up for it. Go for the great service, but be prepared for minor timing quirks.
Ambience (6.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 44% of the guests
The ambience here generally gets a decent nod, scoring 6.7, which puts it in the average-to-good range. With 11 positive remarks out of 18 total observations, many customers appreciate the vibe. They often highlight the restaurant cleanliness, praising it as a nice small family restaurant and an awesome mom and pop shop.
It truly feels like a welcoming neighborhood restaurant perfect for conversations in a not-fuss place. However, customer satisfaction for the ambience is a bit mixed at 61.1%, indicating there's room for improvement. While there are 11 positive comments, 4 negative observations point to some significant issues.
Concerns frequently arise about the inside of the restaurant, with some finding it dirty and smelly. Specific complaints include sticky tables and deplorable bathrooms, which certainly detract from the overall dinner experience.
Ambience
18
Reviews
61%
Satisfaction
4
negative
3
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Family-friendly spot
- Neighborhood vibe
- Easygoing atmosphere
What people don't like
- Dirty, smelly interior
- Sticky dining tables
- Deplorable bathrooms
Often praised
- atmosphereThe overall experience, including food, service, and atmosphere, was highly positive.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- conversationsI found a good selection of traditional Chinese dishes. My parents really enjoyed eating here, and it felt like a great neighborhood restaurant where families and neighbors were having great conversations.
- family restaurantNice small family restaurant
- mom and pop shopAwesome mom and pop shop
- neighborhood restaurantI found a good selection of traditional Chinese dishes. My parents really enjoyed eating here, and it felt like a great neighborhood restaurant where families and neighbors were having great conversations.
- not-fuss placeit's a not-fuss place.
- restaurant cleanlinessThe restaurant is clean
Frequently criticized
- bathroomsthe bathrooms were deplorable
- dinner experienceour dinner experience was not good
- insideThe inside was dirty and smelly
- tablesthe tables were sticky
If youre looking for a casual, family-friendly spot with a neighborhood feel and dont mind potentially overlooking some cleanliness issues, this place might work for you. However, if sparkling clean facilities and a pristine dining area are dealbreakers, you might want to consider other options.
Value (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 38% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot really shines! With a good score of 7.7 and a good customer satisfaction of 83.3%, its clear most diners are happy with what they pay. Based on 10 positive remarks out of 12 total, many folks rave about the reasonable prices, affordable options, and even cheap Chinese food, often noting the price per person is quite fair for the generous portions.
However, its not entirely without a whisper of concern. One comment did suggest that prices might be a bit high for what you get. But given the overwhelming positive feedback, this seems to be an outlier rather than a common sentiment, suggesting most find the cost-to-quality ratio quite favorable.
Value
12
Reviews
83%
Satisfaction
1
negative
1
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Good value
- Generous portions
What people don't like
Often praised
- reasonable pricesMy experience at this restaurant was largely positive, especially concerning the food. They offer a huge menu with big portions at reasonable prices. I was particularly impressed with their salt-and-pepper tofu, which is hard to find done well in the Bay Area.
- affordablevery affordable.
- cheap Chinese foodFor what it is, this is great cheap Chinese food. We order from here every few weeks when we need our fix of greasy chow mein and orange chicken, and it's delicious.
- menuinexpensive menu
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. I came here for dinner and found the food to be tasty and reasonably priced. The hostess was also very friendly.
- price per personThe price per person was reasonable
- pricesdecent traditional Cantonese food at good prices
Frequently criticized
- pricesthe prices are a bit high for what you get
If you're looking for a place that offers great bang for your buck, this restaurant seems like a solid bet. Most customers find the prices very reasonable for the quality and quantity of food, making it a worthwhile stop for an affordable meal.
How are the prices at Dragon River?
On average, you’ll spend around 24 per person – based on 27 guests. That places this Chinese restaurant in the $21–$30 category, which feels comfortably mid-range, perhaps a touch above. Whats neat is that while the average is 24, the biggest group of diners (15 out of 27) actually spends in the more wallet-friendly $11–$20 range.
This tells us theres a good mix of options, from quick, affordable meals to something a bit more special, with a few higher tabs pulling the average up.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 27 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we’d say the pricing feels quite fair for a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco. It seems to offer a good balance, catering to both those looking for a quick, affordable meal and those wanting to spend a bit more for a fuller experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Dragon River
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
5
Mixed Experience with Bland Tofu
My experience at the restaurant was mixed. While my friends enjoyed their general chicken and other dishes, my own meal was disappointing. I ordered the three mushroom and tofu dish, which was unfortunately bland.
The tofu itself was silky in texture, but completely flavorless. On the positive side, the service and atmosphere were excellent, both receiving a perfect score of 5. However, the recommendation for vegetarians was 'Would not recommend', and the overall food score was a 3.
- general chicken8
- service10
- atmosphere10
- three mushroom and tofu dish2
- tofu2
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Amazing food, great service, affordable!
My wife and I visited San Francisco and had an absolutely amazing experience at this restaurant. The owner treated us very well, and the food was incredible. What made it even better was how affordable it was.
I totally recommend this place!
- food10
- owner10
- affordable10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Disappointing Decline in Quality
Unfortunately, our dinner experience was not good. We have been coming here for a long time and were so looking forward to it, but they have serious issues. The service was erratic; even though the restaurant wasn't busy, it took way too long for someone to take our order.
A young male server seemed disengaged, walking around like a zombie, and an older lady, while nice, was often absent. Our dishes arrived in a random order, and several were forgotten, leading to a terrible experience. The food was also not good.
The quality and portion size were subpar for the prices, with visibly smaller portions. The entrées were bland, and the vegetables were undercooked. We were so disappointed.
This place used to be known for its Hakkian cuisine, but it has fallen off, and I can't recommend it anymore. This is one of the more painful reviews I've had to give. Hopefully, they improve, but until then, we will take our business elsewhere.
- dinner experience2
- service2
- food2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Delicious Food, Huge Menu, Great Service!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The food was delicious, and the service was great. I was amazed by the huge menu, offering plenty of choices.
The chef's ability to handle such a vast selection is truly a myth! The cuisine is close to Cantonese style, with additional dishes to diversify tastes. I will definitely come back again!
- food10
- service9
- huge menu9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
8
Great Food, Slow Service
My experience at this restaurant was largely positive, especially concerning the food. They offer a huge menu with big portions at reasonable prices. I was particularly impressed with their salt-and-pepper tofu, which is hard to find done well in the Bay Area.
The jasmine oolong tea was also a good choice. The main drawback was the service, specifically the waiting time between dishes. While the first two dishes arrived quickly, the last two came out much later, after we had finished the initial ones.
Despite this, the overall quality of the menu, portions, prices, and food warrants a high rating.
- huge menu9
- big portions9
- reasonable prices8
- dishes came pretty far apart4
- waiting time3
What Dragon River offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Wine
- Beer
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Table service
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining and service options does Dragon River Restaurant offer?
Dragon River Restaurant provides flexible service options including no-contact delivery, takeout, delivery, and dine-in. You can enjoy lunch or dinner with comfortable seating and table service. They also accept reservations for your convenience.
Is Dragon River Restaurant accessible and suitable for families?
Yes, Dragon River Restaurant is highly accessible, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom. It’s also an excellent choice for families, offering a kid-friendly environment and high chairs for younger guests.
How does Dragon River generally score with customers?
Dragon River holds a good overall score of **7.7** and a customer satisfaction of **79.3%**. Customers particularly appreciate the **Service** (8.4) and **Value** (7.7), while **Food** (7.6) is also well-regarded. **Ambience** (6.7) is considered good but has room for improvement.
What do customers like most about Dragon River?
Many customers praise the **friendly and fast service**, often noting staff treat them like family. The **huge menu** with **reasonable prices** and **big portions** also receives frequent positive remarks, offering good value.
Are there any common complaints about Dragon River?
Some diners have found certain dishes to be **bland** or lacking flavor. Additionally, there have been comments about **dishes coming pretty far apart** and concerns regarding the cleanliness of the **bathrooms** and **tables**.