Pakwan - Reviews

My experience at Pakwan was fantastic. The food was delicious and affordable. While it's challenging to rate service and atmosphere for a counter-service spot compared to fine dining, the staff I interacted with were helpful and pleasant. The casual environment was welcoming and comfortable.

My experience involved ordering the chicken seekh kebab, which unfortunately had no flavour and was described as having "just zero" taste. On a positive note, the garlic bread was good. The service received a rating of 4, atmosphere a 3, and food a 3.

I was very disappointed with my dining experience. The broken front door, which doesn't close properly, ruined the atmosphere by letting in cold air and making it uncomfortable to eat. Despite multiple customers raising this issue and the cashier informing the owner, months have passed without a fix. This isn't just inconvenient; it may violate San Francisco Building Code, ADA/Title 24 accessibility requirements, and the Accessible Business Entrance (ABE) program, all of which require self-closing, well-maintained, and accessible doors. A simple repair would significantly improve customer comfort and bring the restaurant into compliance. If the owner continues to ignore this, the city could intervene.

I had the opportunity to visit this restaurant when I was in San Francisco. It's conveniently located just a few minutes' walk from Union Square. The restaurant is halal certified, making it a great option for those with dietary restrictions. Kids are welcomed here with no issues. While they only accept walk-ins, the food received a perfect score of 5, and the service and atmosphere were also rated a 5. For vegetarians, it comes highly recommended, with a dedicated vegetarian menu or section available. The price per person ranges from $30–50. The restaurant offers plenty of parking and is wheelchair accessible. I had a wonderful dinner experience.

I got sick after eating at this restaurant and haven’t been able to use the bathroom for almost four days. The food quality was so poor that it led to severe illness. This experience was extremely negative.

My experience at this restaurant was largely positive, centered around the amazing flavor and delicious food. We tried the lamb biryani, chicken biryani, and goat kadahi, all of which were fantastic. While the neighborhood might seem a bit rough at night, I felt safe and undisturbed. It's a small place, and you do need to order on your own, but the authentic food is highly recommended. The service was excellent, rated a 5 out of 5, and the food also received a perfect 5. The atmosphere was rated a 3.

I had high hopes for this restaurant due to its decent reviews, but unfortunately, my experience was disappointing, particularly with the food. The overall atmosphere was a bit smoky, so don't expect much in terms of ambiance. Parking is also a significant headache due to its location; we ended up walking. We ordered the chicken seekh kabab wrap, the chicken biryani, and the Malai boti. The seekh kabab wrap was the most acceptable of the three, primarily because of the tamarind/soy-based chutney generously doused over the kababs. Otherwise, it was quite plain. The chicken biryani was the biggest disappointment. It appeared that white rice was mixed with separately prepped chicken, which is not the authentic way to prepare biryani. Furthermore, it lacked any discernible flavor; a biryani should be an explosion of tastes, and this was far from it. While the chicken pieces themselves were fine, as biryani enthusiasts, we were thoroughly let down. The Malai boti, touted as a special, was neither creamy nor melt-in-your-mouth. The pieces were large and a bit chewy. In summary, we were disappointed with the entire meal and will not be returning for a second visit.

My friends from the Bay wanted to experience authentic Pakistani food, and Pakwan did not disappoint. The menu, available in both English and Urdu, along with the cute historical Pakistani architecture reflected in the wall art, transported me right back home. For those unsure what to order, I highly recommend trying the Chicken Karahi and Beef Bihari Kebab. The portion sizes are incredibly generous. The final bill came down to $10-12 per head.

My experience at this restaurant was extremely negative. I discovered that it is the dirtiest restaurant in San Francisco, both in terms of the cleanliness of the place and the cleanliness of the employees. The treatment of the staff was also an issue.

My experience at this restaurant was extremely negative. I ordered the goat biryani, which was not good. To make matters worse, I suffered from food poisoning after eating it.