Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Papa’s kitchen – San Francisco
Papa’s kitchen - San Francisco
Photo from Papa’s kitchen
Papa’s kitchen at a glance
San Francisco Haight-Ashbury
- 🍜 Asian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 82 of the guests
#1213 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#9 Asian Restaurant out of 22 in San Francisco
Good
7.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
423
Reviews
75.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Good ambiance
Frequently criticized
- Poor service
- Hidden charges
The Asian restaurant Papa’s kitchen invites you to experience a casual dining spot in San Francisco’s vibrant Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. You can enjoy a variety of delicious Asian dishes, perfect for lunch or dinner.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a relaxed meal with friends, this welcoming eatery offers a comfortable atmosphere. They also provide convenient options like takeout and delivery, ensuring you can savor their flavors wherever you are.
Overview: Introducting Papa’s kitchen
Papa’s kitchen offers a generally pleasant dining experience, particularly shining with its culinary offerings. Many patrons rave about the flavorful dishes and generous portions, often highlighting the food as a standout.
The restaurant also provides a clean and inviting atmosphere, making it a comfortable spot for a meal. However, the experience isn’t without its inconsistencies.
While some praise the friendly staff and attentive service, others report significant issues with rudeness and a lack of accountability. Additionally, while prices are often considered reasonable, there have been concerns regarding transparency in billing and unexpected charges.
Good
7.5
out of 10
423
Reviews
75.2%
Satisfaction
85
negative
20
neutral
318
positive
Papa’s kitchen holds a respectable overall score of 7.5, with customer satisfaction sitting at 75.2%. This indicates a generally positive reception among diners.
The culinary aspect truly stands out, with Food scoring an excellent (8), reflecting strong positive feedback from 62.2% of all comments. The Ambience also contributes positively, earning a good (7.9) for its clean and pleasant setting.
However, the experience is a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to other areas. Service, despite many positive remarks about friendly staff, averages an average (6.3), indicating some notable inconsistencies in customer interactions.
Similarly, Value, while often praised for reasonable prices, scores an average (6.2), dragged down by concerns over billing practices. These scores are based on a total of 423 customer comments, with 318 positive and 85 negative observations.
What people like
- Flavorful food
- Clean, inviting atmosphere
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Billing issues
- MSG concerns
With a recommendation score of 7.6, Papa’s kitchen is worth considering if you prioritize flavorful food and a clean setting. You’ll likely find the portions satisfying and the overall dining environment agreeable.
It’s a solid choice for a casual meal where the culinary experience takes center stage. However, be prepared for potential variability in service and keep an eye on your bill for any unexpected charges.
If you’re seeking consistently top-tier service or absolute transparency in pricing, you might find aspects of Papa’s kitchen less than ideal. For good food at a generally fair price, it’s a decent option.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Papa’s kitchen
Food (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
Diners are generally thrilled with the food here, with a good score of 8 and a good customer satisfaction of 80.6%. Based on 212 positive opinions out of 263, many rave about the quality, delicious and yummy food, often highlighting generous portions and excellent flavors that leave them full and satisfied. However, not every dish hits the mark.
Some of the 37 negative comments mention food being oily or salty, and a few found certain items not authentic or containing too much MSG. There were also isolated complaints about dry chicken or dishes tasting the same.
Food
263
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
37
negative
14
neutral
212
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious, fresh food
- Generous portions
- Excellent flavors
What people don't like
- Food can be oily
- Dishes too salty
- MSG concerns
Often praised
- foodIt's an underrated gem in SF. I had some of the best Chow Mein and Chow Fun I’ve ever tasted. The food was a perfect 5/5, and the atmosphere was equally impressive at 5/5.
- portionsIt's one of my very favorite neighborhood spots. The food is delicious with big portions, and the staff is friendly. I especially want to give a special shout out to the mapo tofu, which is truly next level.
- Chinese foodSolid and authentic Chinese food
- dishesGranted, the products are fresh, but the sauces taste like they are commercially bought and not from scratch. We ordered several dishes, and the dishes were plentiful, and the prices were a good value. Just so much MSG in everything!
- garlic noodlesMy experience at the restaurant involved trying the lemongrass chicken with garlic noodles and combo chow mein. I found the overall quality to be good, though I did take off one star because the dishes were a little oily.
- green beansThe eggplant, green beans and vegetable chow mein are some of our favorites
- hot and sour souphot and sour soup... really delicious
- Chow FunMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! We loved every dish we had, including the Chow Main, Chow Fun, Mango chicken, and spring rolls. All were delicious and the prices were very good.
- Fried RiceI really couldn't enjoy them. The only thing we liked was the Fried Rice. I feel bad for leaving such a review, but honestly, we would appreciate the Thai dishes coming back with way less salt.
- Mongolian beefMongolian beef: wayyyy better than Venus
Frequently criticized
- orange chickenThe orange chicken, which I foolishly ordered, was a friggin’ horror show.
- Chinese dishesShe then asked about her service passive aggressively. While the food isn't authentic Chinese/Vietnamese, it tasted okay, but I wouldn't advise ordering Chinese dishes. The boss's attitude needs to change.
- FoodFood:2
- MSGWe ordered several dishes, and the dishes were plentiful, and the prices were a good value. Just so much MSG in everything! The atmosphere is stark and kind of cold.
- PhoThe Pho is nothing special
- Thai teaThai tea didn’t even taste like Thai tea
- authentic Chinese/Vietnamese foodFood isn't authentic Chinese/Vietnamese food
- basil shrimpThe prices are reasonable. The basil shrimp was extremely flavorful, though a bit oily.
- bonethey no longer include the bone in their combo pho
- breaded shrimpthe shrimp are breaded
If you're looking for a place with generally delicious food and generous portions, this spot is worth a try. Just be mindful that some dishes might be a bit oily or salty for your taste, so choose wisely.
Service (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 65% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot seems to be a bit of a mixed bag, landing an average score of 6.3 and a customer satisfaction of 60.4%. Many guests, accounting for 58 positive remarks out of 96 total, rave about the friendly staff and fast service. Patrons often highlight the kind family or owners and appreciate allergy accommodation, making for a pleasant experience.
However, 36 negative observations point to some significant issues. Some visitors encountered rude staff behavior and a noticeable lack of kindness, leading to customer service issues. The attitude of the boss was also a concern for a few, with instances of dismissive treatment and a perceived lack of accountability for mistakes.
Service
96
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
36
negative
2
neutral
58
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast service
- Kind owners
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Poor customer service
- Lack of accountability
Often praised
- serviceThe place is very beautiful, well-maintained, and clean. The service from the young lady was phenomenal. The food is reasonably priced, but its dishes are worth it; the flavor of these is too delicious.
- staffthe staff are super friendly
- ServiceThe atmosphere is stark and kind of cold. Service was good and attentive. The place was clean and well kept.
- ownersThe owners were very nice as well
- Fiona and RobertFiona and Robert made this dining experience even more rewarding
- Great serviceGreat service
- allergy accommodationthe restaurant was fully accommodating.
- bossboss who cannot be nicer
- boss ladyThe boss lady is super nice too
- cookhave the cook cut our meat since we were gonna share
Frequently criticized
- serviceAnd just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, the service pulled the rug out: I’ve seen warmer receptions at DMV offices.
- serverUnfortunately, we were met with the most disappointing experience we've ever had at a restaurant. Upon arriving, the server, an older woman, refused to seat us, simply saying "no" without offering any explanation. My husband politely explained that we only needed a large table since our kids are small and could easily fit.
- staffthe staff was rude
- mistakeAfter further waiting, I offered to pay again to resolve the issue, which finally prompted her to prepare the correct dish. Consequently, I paid twice for their mistake. This entire situation could have been avoided with a simple apology and prompt correction.
- accountabilityNo apology. No accountability.
- apologyexpecting at least a basic apology
- attitude of the bossThe attitude of the boss needs to change.
- correct orderit would take another 15 minutes to make the correct order
- customer serviceWorst Customer Service Ever
- experiencemost disappointing experience we've ever had
If youre considering this place for its service, know its a bit of a mixed bag. While many praise the friendly staff and fast service, a significant number of experiences point to rudeness and poor customer service, so be prepared for either outcome.
Ambience (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 37% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this place generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.9 and customer satisfaction at 82.1%, its clear most folks enjoy the atmosphere. Many rave about the clean environment, lovely decoration, and great location, often describing it as a cozy, well-lit gem.
These positive feelings come from 32 out of 39 total opinions, highlighting terms like "atmosphere, " "clean, " "decoration, " and "location. "However, not everyone is completely charmed. A few customers (4 out of 39 opinions) found the atmosphere a bit stark or cold, and some mentioned issues with parking or uncomfortable benches.
While these are minor points compared to the overall positive feedback, its worth noting terms like atmosphere, parking, and benches popped up in negative comments.
Ambience
39
Reviews
82%
Satisfaction
4
negative
3
neutral
32
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean environment
- Cozy atmosphere
- Great location
What people don't like
- Limited parking
- Uncomfortable seating
- Cold atmosphere
Often praised
- atmosphereCute clean friendly atmosphere here.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- cleanlinessThe service was also great, and the location was very nice. Furthermore, the restaurant was very clean. I highly recommend this place!
- environmentthe environment is neat
- locationvery nice location
- placeThe place is very beautiful, well-maintained, and clean. The service from the young lady was phenomenal.
- cleanPlace is new, clean
- decorModern, clean, inviting decor
- decorationThe place has a clean decoration
- fancy placefeels like a really fancy place
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereJust so much MSG in everything! The atmosphere is stark and kind of cold. Service was good and attentive.
- benchesDie Bänke waren hart und umbequem
- parkingMust walk, no parking
- toiletthe toilet was closed in front of me
If youre looking for a spot with a generally pleasant and clean environment, youll likely be happy here. Just be aware that parking might be a bit tricky, and the seating might not be the coziest for everyone. Overall, it's a good bet for a nice ambiance.
Value (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 23% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot presents a somewhat positive picture, with a score of 6.2 and a 64% customer satisfaction rating, suggesting a mixed experience overall. Many diners, accounting for 16 positive remarks out of 25 total, found the pricing quite appealing. They often highlighted the low cost, good price, and affordable prices, feeling they received amazing value for their money with delicious food.
However, its not entirely smooth sailing, as 8 negative comments out of 25 total highlight some areas for improvement. A few customers felt their wallet was lighter than expected due to unexpected price issues, including concerns about the check and a service fee. ' There were instances of being charged more than anticipated or for specific items that seemed overpriced.
Value
25
Reviews
64%
Satisfaction
8
negative
1
neutral
16
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Good value food
What people don't like
- Unexpected charges
- Billing discrepancies
- Overpriced items
Often praised
- pricesGranted, the products are fresh, but the sauces taste like they are commercially bought and not from scratch. We ordered several dishes, and the dishes were plentiful, and the prices were a good value. Just so much MSG in everything!
- good pricedelicious food, at a good price
- $15BBQ Lovers Chicken Rice Plate for $15
- PricesPreise sind fĂĽr die Gegend voll in Ordnung
- affordable pricesaffordable prices
- amazing valueI rarely leave reviews, but this restaurant is truly fabulous. The food is fascinating, offering amazing value. Furthermore, the boss is incredibly nice.
- low costgreat food at low cost
- moneyI was seated right away and the food was fast, fresh, and delicious. It was definitely worth the money. The service was friendly and attentive.
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I was genuinely surprised by the high quality food served at a very reasonable price. Both their Chinese and Vietnamese menu items were equally good, even better than many dedicated Vietnamese restaurants in the city.
- price is reasonablePrice is reasonable
Frequently criticized
- billingmussten wir pro Gericht 1$ mehr zahlen, warum wissen wir nicht
- checkbe careful with the check
- fake itemlisted it as a fake item such that it would blend in
- priceand around $16 to boot. I’d have been mad paying half that for something less atrocious  .
- service feescummy way that they charged a service fee
- side of white ricecharged us $17 for one side of white rice
- tipping processbe careful with the tipping. We tipped the lady cash and zeroed the tip on the receipt. And today we got charged a tip for no reason.
- walletmy wallet lighter and my stomach morally scarred.
If you're looking for generally affordable meals and are mindful of potential extra charges, this place could be a good fit. Just be sure to double-check your bill, especially regarding any service fees or specific item pricing, to avoid surprises.
How are the prices at Papa’s kitchen?
You’re looking at roughly 19 per person – reported by 82 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For an Asian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests tend to spend within that $11–$20 sweet spot, with 57 prices falling there. However, a good number of diners (20) also venture into the $21–$30 range, and a few even go up to $31–$40, suggesting there are options for both a quick bite and a more indulgent meal.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 82 most recent reviews.
Heres how this restaurants value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for an Asian Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers good value for that mid-range experience, with options for different budgets.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Papa’s kitchen
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Fantastic Neighborhood Gem!
My experience at Papa's was fantastic! It's one of my very favorite neighborhood spots. The food is delicious with big portions, and the staff is friendly.
I especially want to give a special shout out to the mapo tofu, which is truly next level.
- food10
- portions9
- staff9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Loud
2
Horrible Service, Okay Food
My experience at this restaurant was absolutely one of the most horrible. The lady boss was rude and impatient, telling us not to be indecisive with our orders. She then proceeded to mess up two of our orders.
When we first confronted her about the first dish, she refused to own up her mistake. The diner has a prawn allergy, but she insisted they had ordered shrimp. We didn't bother confronting her about the second wrong dish.
She then asked about her service passive aggressively. While the food isn't authentic Chinese/Vietnamese, it tasted okay, but I wouldn't advise ordering Chinese dishes. The boss's attitude needs to change.
- taste7
- lady boss1
- orders2
- mistake1
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
A Culinary Disaster at Papa's Kitchen
My experience at Papa's Kitchen was a disaster from the moment I walked in. The only friendly moment was the initial awkward grin from the hostess. The orange chicken was a horror show, dry and smothered in huge, garlicky slabs that tasted like trash, completely discordant with its name and priced around $16.
The portions were meager, more like a train-wreck payload of mediocrity than generous. Service was worse than a DMV office, and I disagree with local reviews calling it comfort food with generous portions; those were strokes of delusion. Returning home, I felt guilt over my lighter wallet and morally scarred stomach.
This place is neither vital nor comforting. I'd rather eat cardboard in a power outage than return. Avoid this place if you're not looking for culinary trauma.
- orange chicken1
- garlicky slabs1
- portions2
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
1
Horrible Experience with Customer Service
My experience at this restaurant was absolutely horrible, marked by the worst customer service I've ever encountered. As strict vegetarians, we would never knowingly order pork. After a 15-minute wait for our food, we discovered that meat dumplings had been served, and my daughter had already taken a bite.
This was deeply upsetting due to our dietary and religious beliefs. When we calmly informed the staff, expecting an apology, the woman at the counter accused us of ordering pork, offering no apology or accountability, only blame. She then casually stated it would take another 15 minutes for the correct order, but did nothing initially.
After further waiting, I offered to pay again to resolve the issue, which finally prompted her to prepare the correct dish. Consequently, I paid twice for their mistake. This entire situation could have been avoided with a simple apology and prompt correction.
Instead, they chose to argue and delay, exacerbating a bad situation. This restaurant desperately needs a lesson in customer service and respect for dietary restrictions. Mistakes happen, but handling them is crucial, and this restaurant failed miserably.
- meat dumplings1
- customer service1
- woman at the counter1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Delivery
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Takeout
Noise Level
- Quiet
6
Great food, but beware of the bill!
My experience at this restaurant was a mix of great food and a very disappointing service issue. The food was excellent, earning a 5/5 rating. However, when we ordered takeout, there was a significant problem with the bill.
A side of white rice, which should have cost $2. 5, was charged at $17. We suspect this was an attempt to overcharge us, possibly because we were perceived as tourists.
This felt like being scammed, leading to a very disappointing experience with the service, which was rated 1/5. The atmosphere was pleasant, rated 3/5, and the noise level was quiet, making it easy to talk.
- food10
- atmosphere7
- noise level9
- check1
- side of white rice1
- service1
What Papa’s kitchen offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options and accessibility features does Papa's kitchen provide?
Papa’s kitchen offers lunch, dinner, and dessert with table service, and also provides catering. You’ll find the restaurant is wheelchair accessible, with both an accessible entrance and seating, ensuring a comfortable visit for everyone.
What kind of atmosphere and menu items can you expect at Papa's kitchen?
You can expect a casual atmosphere at Papa’s kitchen, perfect for a relaxed meal. Their menu includes small plates, vegetarian options, and quick bites. They also serve alcohol, including beer, to complement your dining experience.
How does Papa's kitchen generally rate among customers?
Papa’s kitchen receives a good overall score of 7.5, with customer satisfaction at 75.2%. Customers particularly appreciate the Food (8) and Ambience (7.9), though Service (6.3) and Value (6.2) are considered average.
What are the main strengths of Papa's kitchen?
Customers frequently praise Papa’s kitchen for its delicious and flavorful food, often highlighting generous portions. The restaurant also offers a clean, well-maintained, and inviting atmosphere.
Are there any common complaints about Papa's kitchen?
Some customers have reported inconsistent service, with instances of rude staff or issues with accountability. There are also concerns regarding billing transparency, including unexpected charges and service fees, and some mention of MSG in dishes.