Planning
- Accepts reservations
oChef » Green Island – San Francisco
Green Island - San Francisco
Photo from Green Island
Green Island at a glance
San Francisco Richmond District
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 25 of the guests
#1644 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#153 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
258
Reviews
69.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Satisfying food
- Affordable portions
- Homey atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent service
- Unpleasant environment
- Cash only
The restaurant Green Island, a Chinese Restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Richmond District, offers you a casual and inviting spot for a delicious meal. You’ll find it’s a perfect choice when you’re looking for a quick bite or to share some small plates with friends.
This local gem provides a welcoming atmosphere where you can enjoy authentic flavors without fuss. Whether you’re dining in or grabbing takeout, you’re in for a treat in this bustling neighborhood.
Overview: Introducting Green Island
Green Island offers a straightforward dining experience where the focus is clearly on the plate. Many appreciate the big portions and good prices that make it a practical choice for a meal.
While the setting is unpretentious, the food often hits the mark for those seeking satisfying dishes. However, experiences with the staff can be a bit inconsistent, despite some noting quick service and a homey atmosphere.
Some diners have encountered issues, suggesting that while the food is a draw, the overall experience might vary depending on the day.
Good
7
out of 10
258
Reviews
69.4%
Satisfaction
49
negative
30
neutral
179
positive
Green Island earns a respectable overall score of 7, indicating a generally good dining experience. However, customer satisfaction sits at 69.4%, suggesting a somewhat mixed reception where not everyone leaves fully content.
This perspective is drawn from 258 customer observations, with 179 positive remarks outweighing 49 negative ones. Diving into specifics, the Food truly stands out with a strong score of (7.8), often praised for its quality and variety.
Similarly, Value is highly regarded at (8.2), with many finding the offerings quite affordable. In contrast, both Ambience (5.4) and Service (5.2) hover in the average range, indicating areas where experiences can be less consistent.
What people like
- Satisfying food quality
- Generous, affordable portions
- Simple, homey atmosphere
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service quality
- Unpleasant dining environment
- Cash-only inconvenience
If you prioritize substantial, well-priced food over a polished dining experience, Green Island is worth considering. It delivers on flavor and quantity, making it a solid option for a casual meal where the focus is squarely on what’s on your plate.
With a recommendation score of 7.5, it suggests a generally positive experience for many. However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in service and a less refined setting.
It’s a place to visit for the food and value, perhaps not for a special occasion.
Similar Restaurants in San Francisco
- Chinese Restaurant
9
out of 10
out of 10
221
94.1%
- $$
- Richmond District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Chinese Restaurant
8.9
out of 10
out of 10
285
95.4%
- $$
- Outer Richmond
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Chinese Restaurant
8.9
out of 10
out of 10
286
93.7%
- $$
- Seacliff
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Chinese Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
269
91.4%
- $$
- Jordan Park
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Chinese Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
480
91.3%
- $$
- Transbay
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Chinese Restaurant
8.7
out of 10
out of 10
77
90.9%
- $$
- Sunset District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Green Island
Food (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
When it comes to the food, youre looking at a pretty solid experience, with a 7.8 score indicating its good, and customer satisfaction sitting at a strong 82.5%. Based on 143 comments, with 118 positive remarks, diners frequently rave about the delicious and authentic taste of dishes like Beef Chow Fun and their signature claypot rice. Many appreciate the huge portions and overall great quality, making it a go-to for Cantonese comfort food.
However, it's not all perfect, as 14 negative comments point out some areas for improvement. A few found certain dishes, like the Seafood Tofu Clay Pot or mapo tofu, to be lacking in flavor or not prepared as expected. There were also mentions of some drinks tasting watered down and concerns about low quality or small pot sizes for certain items.
Food
143
Reviews
82%
Satisfaction
14
negative
11
neutral
118
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Cantonese taste
- Generous food portions
- Delicious claypot rice
What people don't like
- Inconsistent dish quality
- Some dishes lack flavor
- Small claypot portions
Often praised
- foodMy experience at the restaurant was great because I could get food that other places don't have, like yam leaves. And it's good!
- Chinese foodMy experience at Green Island was wonderful. It's one of our go-to restaurants in San Francisco for delicious Chinese food.
- big portionsMy experience at the restaurant was marked by big portions and very good food, all at a fair price. However, it was a bit noisy and finding parking was difficult.
- claypot riceVery good claypot rice, some of the best I've had
- menuway too many things on the menu!!! AND, they all look delicious
- qualitybest Chinese restaurant because of the quality
- Asian foodAsian food is always tastes good
- clay pot riceThe clay pot rice was good
- delicious foodlooking for a good place to get delicious food
- portionsReally good portions for the price
Frequently criticized
- foodworse food
- Seafood Tofu Clay PotSeafood Tofu Clay Pot again this was not prepared the way it was ordered. So did not great tasting.
- fish chow funfish chow fun, wet style and it was between snot and something not edible
- food qualityLow quality
- food tastehorribly tasting
- mango smoothieI miss the mango smoothie is gone
- mapo tofuI think the mapo Tofu could use more flavour
- milk teathe milk tea leaves a lot to be desired
- noodle plateIt was so GROSS! To make matters worse, they had the audacity to argue back and only offered to refund the noodle plate. I am NEVER COMING BACK HERE AGAIN!
- pot sizethe clay pot is EXTREMELY small, (kids size)
If youre craving authentic Cantonese comfort food with generous portions, this spot is definitely worth a visit. While some specific dishes might miss the mark on flavor or portion size, the overall consensus points to a delicious and satisfying meal that wont disappoint most diners.
Service (5.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 58% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot lands squarely in the average zone with a score of 5.2, and customer satisfaction is a bit of a mixed bag at 43.6%. Many guests have praised the lively and friendly staff, noting their efficient and caring energy. You'll often find quick service, with attentive and polite individuals ready to help, especially from the family-owned team, based on 24 positive remarks.
However, not everyone has had such a smooth experience, with 23 negative comments out of 55 total. Some diners have encountered wait staff who could use more training, leading to long waits for food and drinks. There are also mentions of staff being preoccupied with takeout orders, a lack of check-ins, and even instances of terrible customer service or bad attitudes, particularly with phone orders.
Service
55
Reviews
43%
Satisfaction
23
negative
8
neutral
24
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quick service
- Family-run atmosphere
What people don't like
- Slow food delivery
- Poor customer service
- Unresponsive wait staff
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at the restaurant was characterized by ok food for the price and quick service. The establishment offers a diverse menu, including Chinese, Vietnamese, and hot stone rice pot options.
- staffI was satisfied with the meal and understood the waiting time due to the high volume of to-go orders. The staff was pleasant and efficient, ensuring everyone received the correct order.
- Fast serviceFast service and free tea.
- customer serviceExcellent customer service!
- drinks to be refilledwait for drinks to be refilled, or you can ask them
- energyLunchtime gets busy, but this is the best Cod on rice with green onions I’ve ever had anywhere. The people who run this place are lively and friendly, with an efficient and caring energy.
- family businessThey're a family business, but can still meet the demands of high volume of orders.
- family ownedFamily owned and operated
- friendly wayserved in a friendly way
- high volume of orderscan still meet the demands of high volume of orders.
Frequently criticized
- servicewoman BARELY exerted ANY effort with service
- EnglishThey dont seem to speak English
- argue backIt was so GROSS! To make matters worse, they had the audacity to argue back and only offered to refund the noodle plate. I am NEVER COMING BACK HERE AGAIN!
- attitudeVery bad attitude when ordering takeout on the phone
- check on foodWe endured a wait of an hour for the food, and when it finally arrived, it was horrible. The staff seemed preoccupied with takeout orders and refused to check on our food. I ordered the fish chow fun, wet style, and it was an inedible, snot-like consistency.
- check-insforget about expecting her to check in with you at your table
- credit card machineThe clay pot rice was good, and I enjoyed the other dishes as well. The only issue I encountered was that it was cash only, or the credit card machine was not working.
- customer serviceterrible customer service
- hung up the phonethe person immediately hung up the phone
- lunch menudidnt want to give me lunch menu either
If youre looking for a quick bite and appreciate a friendly, family-run vibe, you might find the service perfectly fine. But be prepared for the possibility of longer waits or less attentive interactions, especially during busy times or if youre relying on phone service.
Ambience (5.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot has some charming qualities. Many guests praise the clean bathroom and the spacious interior, often calling it a hidden gem with a homey atmosphere. Its seen as a family-friendly place where you can truly relax, and the fact that its often busy speaks to its popularity, based on 12 positive remarks.
However, the overall vibe is a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.4 and customer satisfaction at a poor 37.5%. Guests frequently mention difficult parking and a drafty front door that constantly blows open. There are also concerns about poor ventilation and the dining area needing a bit of cleaning, as noted in 11 negative comments out of 32 total opinions.
Ambience
32
Reviews
37%
Satisfaction
11
negative
9
neutral
12
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean bathrooms
- Spacious interior
- Homey atmosphere
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
- Drafty front door
- Poor ventilation
Often praised
- atmosphereAtmosphere:5
- bathroombathroom was very clean
- busyIt's the best because of the quantity and quality of the food. If you see construction workers everywhere and it's super busy, you've hit the right spot. This indicates it's a popular and well-regarded establishment.
- family friendlyI enjoyed the good Chinese food which was also offered at good prices. The menu had a wide variety, making it a great option for a family friendly outing. It's a family owned and operated establishment.
- hidden gemA true hidden gem.
- homey atmosphereOur usual spot on Clement St recently closed, so we were thrilled to discover this gem nearby. Nothing fancy here, just fresh, authentic, very tasty recipes served in a friendly way in a simple, homey atmosphere. We appreciated the big portions and the great food.
- interiorThe ladies that work here are attentive, and very nice and polite. The interior of the restaurant is quite spacious. It's not the most contemporary place, but it's a place where you can totally be yourself, kick back, and enjoy some great chinese food.
- restaurantsmall, cozy Chinese/ Cantonese restaurant
- simple atmosphereOur usual spot on Clement St recently closed, so we were thrilled to discover this gem nearby. Nothing fancy here, just fresh, authentic, very tasty recipes served in a friendly way in a simple, homey atmosphere. We appreciated the big portions and the great food.
- spaciousit’s relatively spacious
Frequently criticized
- parkingSomewhat difficult to find parking
- air qualitywish they can do something about the air quality
- dining areadining area needs a bit of cleaning
- front doordue to the front door that was constantly either being blown open
- greasyEVERYTHING is nasty greasy
- noisya bit noisy
- paper towelsThen there are no paper towels left
- toilet papertoo lazy to check for no toilet paper in the restroom
- ventilationthe ventilation in restaurant is horrible
- windHowever, the overall experience was significantly impacted by issues with the front door. It was constantly being blown open by the wind, and patrons were not following the "PULL/PUSH" signs, further exacerbating the problem. If you choose to dine here, which I highly suggest for the delicious food, I recommend visiting on a non-windy day or selecting a table away from the entrance.
If youre seeking a no-frills, homey spot for good food and dont mind potential parking challenges or a draft, this place might be worth a visit. However, be prepared for an average atmosphere with some noticeable comfort issues, especially on windy days or if you're sensitive to air quality.
Value (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 44% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines! With a strong 8.2 score and a fantastic 89.3% customer satisfaction, its clear guests feel theyre getting a great deal. Many rave about the price, affordable options, and how its truly worth it, often mentioning good portions for the cost.
Out of 28 comments, a whopping 25 praise the value! However, theres one small hiccup to be aware of. A single comment among the 28 pointed out the cash only policy as the sole issue.
While not a deal-breaker for most, its something to keep in mind before you visit, as its the only negative feedback regarding the value.
Value
28
Reviews
89%
Satisfaction
1
negative
2
neutral
25
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Good portions
- Excellent value
What people don't like
- Cash only payment
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was surprisingly good, especially considering the price. The food was good and very affordable. A unique aspect of their service is that they don't have live fish, but they will cook it for you if you bring your own, which makes it much cheaper!
- pricesMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. I enjoyed the good Chinese food which was also offered at good prices. The menu had a wide variety, making it a great option for a family friendly outing.
- 3 items for $26 menugood options for their 3 items for $26 menu
- Not expensiveNot expensive, big portions, and willing to accommodate special requests.
- cheapThis is one of the places I like to go for lunch :) It's always crowded, but the food is good and kinda cheap!
- cheap placelooking for a cheap place to eat
- cheaper sideFood on the cheaper side
- fair priceprice is fair
- good place to eatit's a good place to eat
- great pricesOh, and you get a big bowl of broth for free! So, if you're looking for a cheap place to eat with great prices, check this place out!
Frequently criticized
- cash onlyonly issue was “ cash only”
If youre looking for a place where your money goes far, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. Youll find great food at prices that won't break the bank, making it a solid choice for an affordable meal. Just remember to bring cash!
How are the prices at Green Island?
You’re looking at roughly 19 per person – reported by 25 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.
Most guests tend to spend right in this $11–$20 range, showing a pretty consistent pricing experience, with just a few venturing slightly outside.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 25 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, for a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It hits that sweet spot for a good meal without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Green Island
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Delicious Cantonese Comfort Food!
If you're craving good ole' fashion Cantonese comfort food, then this is the place to go! There are way too many things on the menu, and they all look delicious. You can't go wrong with whatever you choose.
The ladies that work here are attentive, and very nice and polite. The interior of the restaurant is quite spacious. It's not the most contemporary place, but it's a place where you can totally be yourself, kick back, and enjoy some great chinese food.
- Cantonese comfort food10
- menu9
- ladies that work here10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
8
Delicious Food, But Door Issues
My experience at this restaurant was largely positive due to the EXCELLENT food. I especially recommend the clay pot dishes. The service was attentive and prompt.
However, the overall experience was significantly impacted by issues with the front door. It was constantly being blown open by the wind, and patrons were not following the "PULL/PUSH" signs, further exacerbating the problem. If you choose to dine here, which I highly suggest for the delicious food, I recommend visiting on a non-windy day or selecting a table away from the entrance.
- food10
- clay pot dishes9
- service8
- front door3
- wind3
- patrons3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Food, Excellent Service
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The food was delicious and tasted great, especially considering it was on the cheaper side for San Francisco. The customer service was excellent, making the overall dining experience very pleasant.
- food9
- customer service10
- cheaper side8
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Terrible Service, Mediocre Food
My experience at this restaurant was overwhelmingly negative, earning a NEGATIVE ZERO. The service was exceptionally poor, with the staff member showing minimal effort. She was engrossed in her book, barely looking up even when I was at the counter to pay.
Expecting her to bring the check to the table was out of the question; I had to explicitly state my intention to pay. If you don't vocalize your presence, you'll be ignored. Asking for water resulted in a chin lift and a dismissive "water is over there.
" Checking in at the table was clearly asking "WAY TOO MUCH. " The staff's laziness extended to basic amenities; there was no toilet paper in the restroom. I had to raise my voice significantly to get her attention, and she begrudgingly provided the last roll, leaving future customers in a bind.
Similarly, there were no paper towels, and my hands were dripping. Despite my attempts to get attention, she remained focused on her book, only responding with "I'll get to it" when I informed her about the lack of paper towels. Another customer had to intervene, prompting her to provide a paper napkin with a pout.
The clay pot rice was just "ok, " with "BARELY any toppings" and an "EXTREMELY small" pot, making it appear fuller in photos than it was. I regret tipping 10%, as she certainly didn't earn it. The entire place felt "nasty greasy, " from the tables and cutlery to the walls and the touch screen.
The only photo I should have posted was her face to show everyone! Service: 1 Atmosphere: 1 Food: 1
- clay pot rice5
- service1
- staff1
- water1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Hidden Gem with Delicious Food
This restaurant is a true hidden gem, offering delicious food without the long wait times often associated with popular spots. The focus is purely on the food, with no frills. I was particularly impressed by the Peking pork chops, which I highly recommend over sweet & sour pork.
It's one of my favorite dishes!
- delicious food10
- Peking pork chops10
- wait 30-45 minutes9
What Green Island offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
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
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Table service
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What are the parking options available when you visit Green Island Restaurant?
When you plan your visit to Green Island Restaurant, you’ll find free street parking and paid street parking options. However, be aware that finding a space can often be difficult in this busy San Francisco neighborhood.
Does Green Island Restaurant offer accessible dining and options for families?
Yes, Green Island Restaurant is wheelchair accessible, featuring both an accessible entrance and seating. It’s also a great spot for families, considered good for kids, and provides high chairs to make dining comfortable for your little ones.
What is the overall assessment of Green Island?
Green Island achieves an overall score of 7, reflecting a generally good experience. Its Food (7.8) and Value (8.2) are highly rated, though Ambience (5.4) and Service (5.2) are considered average.
What do customers appreciate most about Green Island?
Customers often highlight the big portions and good prices, making it a popular choice for affordable and satisfying meals. The claypot rice also receives specific praise.
What are some potential downsides to expect at Green Island?
Some patrons have experienced inconsistent service and issues with the dining environment, including noise and ventilation concerns, which can affect comfort.