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oChef » Old Pier – San Francisco
Old Pier - San Francisco
Photo from Old Pier
Old Pier at a glance
San Francisco Sunset District
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 24 of the guests
#1562 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#132 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
7.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
147
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Great Value
- Authentic BBQ
Frequently criticized
- Food Inconsistency
- Service Issues
The restaurant Old Pier Hong Kong BBQ is a welcoming Chinese Restaurant located in San Francisco’s vibrant Sunset District. You’ll discover a casual dining experience perfect for enjoying delicious small plates.
This spot offers a genuine taste of Hong Kong BBQ, making it a local favorite for both lunch and dinner. Whether you’re dining in or grabbing takeout, you’ll appreciate the relaxed atmosphere and authentic flavors.
Overview: Introducting Old Pier
Old Pier offers a taste of what many describe as authentic Hong Kong BBQ, with many appreciating the generous portions of dishes like roast pork and BBQ pork. While the food generally receives positive remarks, some items occasionally fall short in quality or freshness.
The dining experience is often enhanced by friendly service and a clean atmosphere. However, some patrons have encountered frustrating service experiences, suggesting inconsistency in staff attentiveness.
The overall value proposition, however, remains a strong point for many.
Good
7.1
out of 10
147
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
25
negative
25
neutral
97
positive
Old Pier earns a solid 7.1 overall, reflecting a generally positive dining experience. Customer sentiment, however, sits at a 66% satisfaction rate, indicating a mixed reception where some aspects shine brighter than others.
This assessment is drawn from 147 customer opinions, with 97 positive remarks outweighing 25 negative ones, painting a picture of a place with clear strengths. Diving deeper, the Ambience (8.1) stands out as a strong point, often described as clean and pleasant.
Value (7.6) also scores well, with many finding the pricing reasonable for the portions received. While Food (7.1) is generally well-regarded, some specific dishes draw criticism.
Service (6.7) is seen as good, though it occasionally faces criticism for inconsistency.
What people like
- Excellent Value
- Authentic BBQ Dishes
- Friendly Service
What people don't like
- Inconsistent Food Quality
- Inconsistent Service
- Some Small Portions
Old Pier, with a 7.2 recommendation score, is a place worth considering, especially if you’re seeking good value and authentic Hong Kong BBQ. While some dishes and service experiences can be inconsistent, the overall offering often hits the mark for many diners.
If you prioritize affordability and classic BBQ flavors, it’s a solid choice. Just be prepared for potential variations in food quality and service, which might temper expectations for a consistently flawless experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Old Pier
Food (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
The food here often hits the mark, with many diners raving about the delicious offerings. With a solid score of 7.1, its clear theres a lot to love, especially the Peking duck, roast pork, and set meals that offer large portions. Out of 107 comments, a significant 68 were positive, highlighting the generous quantity and authentic flavors that truly satisfy.
However, it's not always a perfect plate, as customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 63.6%. Some of the 19 negative remarks point to dishes being too salty, dry BBQ pork, or greasy roast duck. There were also mentions of small portions for certain items and an overall inconsistent quality in some dishes, suggesting a bit of a hit-or-miss experience.
Food
107
Reviews
63%
Satisfaction
19
negative
20
neutral
68
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Generous portions
- Authentic Cantonese
- Great set deals
What people don't like
- Dishes too salty
- Dry/greasy meats
- Inconsistent quality
Often praised
- foodall six of us found the food to be excellent
- roast porkI ordered the $66 pick 6 items and found the portions to be very generous. I highly recommend the bbq pork, sweet sour dragonfish, and roast pork. We were a party of 4, and we ate it all!
- BBQ porkMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the good roast pork and BBQ pork (Char Siu). The service was friendly, and I was impressed by the value, with 5 dishes for under fifty bucks.
- Peking duckthe dish that I didn’t expect was the Peking duck
- authenticIt is as authentic as you can get
- chickenThe chicken is good
- duckfish, bbq pork, duck, roast pork all very tasty
- soupWe ordered a set menu for 3 people, which came out to around $70 after tax and tip. I enjoyed the soup and the fried rice, but the beef was a little tough and the chicken didn’t seem very fresh. They do provide fruit to end the dinner, and the service was fine.
- BBQ duckside order of fresh daily BBQ duck
- Hong Kong BBQGreat spot for Hong Kong BBQ!
Frequently criticized
- BBQ porkThe food quality was also disappointing. The BBQ pork was dry, and the roast duck was greasy and lacked flavor. The beef stir-fry with noodles was decent, but it wasn't enough to redeem the overall experience.
- portion sizethe amount was a little sad for 2 people
- Salt and Pepper Chicken wingsSalt and Pepper Chicken wings... so skinny
- beefWe ordered a set menu for 3 people, which came out to around $70 after tax and tip. I enjoyed the soup and the fried rice, but the beef was a little tough and the chicken didn’t seem very fresh. They do provide fruit to end the dinner, and the service was fine.
- chickenWe ordered a set menu for 3 people, which came out to around $70 after tax and tip. I enjoyed the soup and the fried rice, but the beef was a little tough and the chicken didn’t seem very fresh. They do provide fruit to end the dinner, and the service was fine.
- flavorFlavor and service mediocre
- foodthe food is generally too salty and oily
- fried wontonfried wonton... so little meat and very rubbery
- garlic noodlesThe garlic noodles were a bit underwhelming
- green beansThe only plate that was lacking were the green beans
If you're looking for authentic Cantonese food with generous portions, especially from their set menus, this spot is worth a try. Just be aware that some dishes might be a bit salty or inconsistent, so choose wisely to avoid disappointment.
Service (6.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 57% of the guests
The service here seems to be a bit of a mixed bag, scoring a 6.7, which puts it in the decent-to-good range, though not quite stellar. Many guests highlighted the wait staff for being very attentive and super friendly, with some appreciating the menu help and friendly service. Positive comments also noted efficient seating, based on 11 positive remarks out of 19 total observations.
However, customer satisfaction sits at a 57.9% mixed rating, suggesting some inconsistency. A few experiences were incredibly frustrating due to what was described as terrible service and rude staff. Some guests also noted that their concern was not addressed, based on 4 negative comments, indicating areas where the overall service could improve.
Service
19
Reviews
57%
Satisfaction
4
negative
4
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Attentive wait staff
- Friendly service
- Quick seating
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Terrible service
- Unanswered concerns
Often praised
- servicethe service was also good
- ServiceService was a solid 4
- friendly serviceFriendly service
- menu helpHowever, the green beans were very tasty. The waiter staff was super friendly, and a special shout out to Clark for helping us through the menu.
- seatingWas seated quickly
- wait staffwait staff was very attentive
- waiter staffWaiter staff was super friendly
Frequently criticized
- serviceincredibly frustrating due to the terrible service
- concernThey are not answer my concern
- staffstaff were very rude
If youre looking for attentive and friendly staff, you might find it here, but be aware that the service can be inconsistent. While many have good experiences, theres a chance you could encounter some frustration. It's a bit of a gamble, so go in with balanced expectations.
Ambience (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
Alright, lets talk about the vibe! This spot really nails the ambience, earning a solid 8.1 score. Guests are clearly enjoying their surroundings, with a fantastic 85.7% customer satisfaction rate.
Based on 7 pieces of feedback, with 6 of them glowing, folks consistently praise the atmosphere and highlight how clean the restaurant feels, often noting its hot pot style. Whats truly impressive is that out of all the feedback, there wasnt a single negative word about the ambience. It seems theyve really created a welcoming and enjoyable space without any noticeable drawbacks, which is always a great sign.
Ambience
7
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
0
negative
1
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great atmosphere
- Very clean
- Hot pot style
What people don't like
Often praised
- atmosphereatmosphere were both rated a solid 4
- cleanand clean
- restauranta full, clean, hot pot styled restaurant
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
So, if youre looking for a place with a genuinely good vibe, this restaurants ambience is definitely worth checking out. It consistently gets high marks for its clean, hot pot-style atmosphere, making it a solid choice for a pleasant dining experience.
Value (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 46% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot really shines! With a solid score of 7.6 and an impressive customer satisfaction of 85.7%, its clear most diners feel theyre getting a great bang for their buck. Many rave about the affordable prices and how its often a good deal, especially with their combo set meals.
This positive sentiment is echoed in 12 positive remarks out of 14 total. However, not everyone is completely thrilled. A couple of comments, out of 14 total, point to some minor concerns.
One diner mentioned an unexpected bag fee for takeout, while another felt the price' for traditional Cantonese fare was a bit high. These are minor points, but worth noting when considering your visit.
Value
14
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
2
negative
0
neutral
12
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great value
- Affordable prices
- Combo deals shine
What people don't like
- Bag fee surprise
- Some dishes pricey
Often praised
- pricefor the price, I can't expect too much
- dealit was such a deal ! It was only like $34!
- $20/ea with tip$20/ea with tip
- $98 dinnerhad the $98 dinner for 6
- 5 dishes for under fifty bucksWhere else can you get 5 dishes for under fifty bucks
- affordable pricesthe affordable prices make this worth a visit
- combo set mealsThe combo set meals are such a great deal
- good dealthis place is a good deal
Frequently criticized
- bag feecharge $.25 bag fee for take-out set dinner
- priceOver priced traditional Cantonese fare
If youre looking for a place where your money goes far, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out, especially for their combo deals. While a small bag fee or feeling a dish is overpriced might pop up, the overall consensus is that youll find great value here.
How are the prices at Old Pier?
On average, you’ll spend around 26 per person – based on 24 guests. That places this Chinese restaurant in the $21–$30 category. For a Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco, that’s comfortably mid-range, perhaps a touch above.
While the average is 26, it’s interesting to see that many diners (12 out of 24) actually spent less, in the $11–$20 range. This suggests a nice mix, offering options for both more budget-friendly meals and those looking for a more premium experience, with a few higher spenders pulling up the average.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 24 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels fair for a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco, especially given the range of options available. It seems like you can tailor your visit to your budget, which is always a plus!
Customer Reviews: what people think about Old Pier
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
6
Average Hot Pot Experience
My experience at this restaurant was for an average meal at a decent price. We ordered a set menu for 3 people, which came out to around $70 after tax and tip. I enjoyed the soup and the fried rice, but the beef was a little tough and the chicken didn’t seem very fresh.
They do provide fruit to end the dinner, and the service was fine. The restaurant also offers hot pot if that's something you're interested in.
- food5
- price7
- set menu5
- beef3
- chicken3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
2
Rude Staff, Dry and Greasy Food
I've been to this restaurant twice, and unfortunately, both experiences were marred by very rude staff. The food quality was also disappointing. The BBQ pork was dry, and the roast duck was greasy and lacked flavor.
The beef stir-fry with noodles was decent, but it wasn't enough to redeem the overall experience. I won't be returning.
- beef stirfry with noodles6
- staff1
- BBQ pork2
- roast duck2
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
3
Good Price, Salty Food
My experience at the restaurant was mixed. While the price was good, the food was generally too salty and oily. For example, the salty & black pepper steak was not edible as it was too salty.
- price7
- food3
- salty & black pepper steak1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Great Value Roast Pork & BBQ Pork
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the good roast pork and BBQ pork (Char Siu). The service was friendly, and I was impressed by the value, with 5 dishes for under fifty bucks.
My kids even asked to go again. I recommend trying it; you will like it👍.
- roast pork9
- BBQ pork9
- friendly service9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
10
Excellent Roasted Pork and Value!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the great food and the price was unbeatable. The roasted pork was one of the best I've ever had.
It was an incredible deal at $48 for 5 items. The service and atmosphere were also rated a perfect 5/5.
- roasted pork10
- price10
- food9
What Old Pier offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Small plates
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Table service
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Usually plenty of parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What are the parking options at Old Pier Hong Kong BBQ?
When you visit Old Pier Hong Kong BBQ, you’ll find convenient parking options. There is free street parking available, and usually, you’ll find plenty of spots. Paid street parking is also an option if needed, ensuring a hassle-free arrival for your meal.
Is Old Pier Hong Kong BBQ accessible for everyone?
Yes, Old Pier Hong Kong BBQ is designed to be accessible. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and even a wheelchair accessible restroom, ensuring a comfortable dining experience for all guests.
What is the overall dining experience like at Old Pier?
Old Pier generally offers a good dining experience with an overall score of 7.1. While Ambience (8.1) and Value (7.6) are particularly strong, Food (7.1) and Service (6.7) also contribute positively, though with some noted inconsistencies.
What are the highlights of Old Pier's menu?
Old Pier is known for its authentic Hong Kong BBQ, with many customers enjoying the roast pork and BBQ pork, often noting generous portions. However, some dishes like beef or chicken have received feedback about inconsistent freshness or texture.
How is the value and service at Old Pier?
Old Pier offers good value, with many customers appreciating the affordable prices and combo set meals. Service is generally friendly and attentive, though some experiences have been described as frustrating or inconsistent.