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oChef » Shanghai Cafe – San Diego
Shanghai Cafe - San Diego
Photo from Shanghai Cafe
Shanghai Cafe at a glance
San Diego La Jolla Colony
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 33 of the guests
#519 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#9 Chinese Restaurant out of 34 in San Diego
Good
6.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
228
Reviews
66.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Good value
- Friendly service
- Inviting atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent food
- Neglected dining
- Service issues
The restaurant Shanghai Cafe invites you to experience authentic Chinese cuisine right in the heart of San Diego’s vibrant La Jolla Colony. If you’re looking for a cozy and casual spot to enjoy a quick bite, this Chinese restaurant offers a welcoming atmosphere.
You’ll find it’s a great place for both lunch and dinner, perfect for a relaxed meal with friends or family.
Overview: Introducting Shanghai Cafe
Shanghai Cafe offers a comforting, almost hole in the wall feel that many find appealing, often described as a cute mom and pop style place . Guests frequently praise the hot and fresh food, noting its distinct taste compared to larger chains, and appreciate the sense of it being family owned .
However, the experience isn’t uniformly positive. Some visitors have noted the dining area can feel neglected, with observations of thick layer of grease and dust.
While the food can be a highlight, there are also reports of inconsistent quality, with some dishes described as bland or dry.
Good
6.7
out of 10
228
Reviews
66.2%
Satisfaction
64
negative
13
neutral
151
positive
Shanghai Cafe earns a Restaurant Score of 6.7 out of 10, placing it in the average to good range, while customer satisfaction sits at 66.2% , indicating a mixed reception. This suggests that while many find aspects to enjoy, there’s also a notable portion of guests who leave less impressed.
These insights are drawn from 228 customer comments, with 151 positive remarks and 64 negative ones. Delving deeper, Service stands out with a good score of (7.3), and Value also performs well at (7), suggesting guests feel they get a fair deal and are well looked after.
Food scores an average (6.6), reflecting the varied opinions on taste and quality. Ambience trails slightly with an average (6.1), aligning with comments about the restaurant’s less polished interior.
What people like
- Good value for money
- Friendly, receptive service
- Warm, inviting atmosphere
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Neglected dining area
- Occasional service issues
Shanghai Cafe appears to be a place where Value and Service often shine, making it a solid choice if you’re seeking an affordable meal with a friendly touch. It might particularly appeal to those who appreciate a no-frills, family owned establishment over a more polished dining experience.
With a Recommendation Score of 7 , it suggests a visit could be worthwhile, especially if you prioritize good value and attentive service. However, be prepared for potentially inconsistent food quality and a very casual Ambience .
It’s a spot that could hit the mark for a casual, budget-friendly meal.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Shanghai Cafe
Food (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
Lets talk about the grub! Many diners have found plenty to love, with 93 positive remarks out of 147 total. Guests often highlight delicious, freshly prepared food, generous portions, and an authentic Chinese taste that truly hits the spot.
While the food scores an average 6.6 and has a mixed 63.3% customer satisfaction, theres a clear appreciation for quality and quantity. However, it's not always a perfect plate. The 44 negative opinions point to some inconsistencies, with complaints about food lacking flavor, being bland, or occasionally too oily or salty.
Some experiences mention dishes being tasteless, dry, or even soggy, suggesting that not every item on the menu hits the mark.
Food
147
Reviews
63%
Satisfaction
44
negative
10
neutral
93
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious, fresh food
- Generous portions
- Authentic Chinese taste
What people don't like
- Lacks flavor, bland
- Oily, salty, tasteless
- Dry or soggy food
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. I really enjoyed the food, finding it to be very affordable and tasting alot better than any of the chain Chinese restaurants. It also appears to be family owned, and the food came out hot and fresh.
- egg rollthe egg roll was good
- tasteoverall taste was very good
- 10 ingredients fried rice10 ingredients fried rice is superb
- 3 combination plateMy wife loves their 3 combination plate
- Almond ChickenAlmond Chicken, which was fabulous!!
- Beef BroccoliMy wife particularly enjoyed the 3 combination plate, which featured beef, chicken, and shrimp. We also noted that their recommended dishes include Sweet and Sour Chicken and Beef Broccoli. The service was for take out, and it was a dinner meal.
- Chinese cuisinebest Chinese cuisine I've ever had
- Egg RollRecommended dishes:Egg Roll
- FoodFood:5
Frequently criticized
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was honestly disgusting. The food was beyond awful; it was dry and soggy, and just so nasty. I'm usually not that picky, but this was just so bad.
- fried ricethe fried rice is basically white rice mixed with soy sauce
- meatprecious little meat in any of their dishes
- American Chinese fooddisgusting american Chinese food! Oily, salty and tasteless.
- Kung Pao Chickenordered Kung Pao Chicken and got Green Onion and Chicken
- Rice Krispiesthey gave me Rice Krispies to add to it
- Shanghai dinnerfood was disgusting american Chinese food!
- Veg Lo Mein with TofuVeg Lo Mein with Tofu contained broc and some canned mushrooms. Tasteless.
- beef chow funI chose the beef chow fun, but I was let down
- bland foodTo make matters worse, they provided Rice Krispies to add to it, which did nothing to improve the taste. Overall, I would not recommend this place due to the bad service, bland food, and a strange approach to soup. I definitely won’t be returning.
If youre looking for potentially delicious, authentic Chinese food with generous portions, its worth a try. Just be aware that some dishes might disappoint with blandness or an oily texture, so choose wisely.
Service (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 60% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.3 and customer satisfaction at 75.6%, its clear most diners have a good experience. Many rave about the friendly owners and staff, often highlighting their willingness to alter orders and efficiently fill requests.
Out of 45 remarks, a strong 34 were positive, praising the welcoming vibe and great customer service. However, its not always perfect, as 11 negative comments point out some areas for improvement. A few experiences mention an unfriendly lady at the front or a language barrier, leading to frustration.
There were also instances of bad service, including long waits and issues with to-go orders being incorrect. It seems consistency could be a challenge for some.
Service
45
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
11
negative
0
neutral
34
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly owners/staff
- Alter orders willingly
- Efficient service
What people don't like
- Unfriendly front staff
- To-go order issues
- Occasional long waits
Often praised
- serviceService was amazing, very nice and receptive
- ownersThe owners are happy to change the dishes
- 25 min distanceI drive the 25 min distance and it’s worth it
- ServiceService:5
- alter orderswilling to alter the orders
- attitudemet with a "no problem" attitude
- cashierCute cashier :).
- cashier/waitressThe cashier/waitress was really friendly and nice
- chiefThanks chief and all stuff so much!!!
- customer serviceGood customer service though
Frequently criticized
- Englishshouldn't at least one person who works there speak some English?
- bad serviceBad service
- lady at frontThe lady at front was to say the least unfriendly
- long waitOn my first visit to the restaurant, I placed my order as soon as they opened. The staff informed me that my food would be ready in 15 minutes, but I had to wait an additional 15 minutes after 20 minutes had already passed, which was a long wait. Surprisingly, there were no other customers present.
- missing foodrefund the missing food
- price went uplady didn’t even bother telling that the price went up over the phone
- servicethe service was lacking
- slapped my handshe slapped my hand
- terrible customer serviceTerrible customer service
- to-go ordersHowever, my recent experience with their to-go orders was extremely disappointing. When they initially messed up my order, I returned to get it fixed. To my dismay, they still managed to get it wrong the second time.
Overall, if you're looking for a place with generally friendly service and owners who go the extra mile, this spot is worth a try. Just be aware that occasional inconsistencies, particularly with to-go orders or specific staff members, might pop up.
Ambience (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 22% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot is a bit of a mixed bag, landing an average score of 6.1 with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 57.1%. Many folks appreciate the family owned vibe, describing it as a warm and inviting little place with a cute mom and pop style and a nice, clean quiet place. These positive sentiments come from 8 different remarks, highlighting terms like hole in the wall feel and a good restroom.
However, not everyone is there for the atmosphere, as some comments suggest. Out of 3 negative observations, a few patrons noted issues like the inside feeling as if it has a thick layer of grease and thick dust accumulating everywhere. These concerns, though fewer in number, point to areas where the overall feel could definitely use some attention.
Ambience
14
Reviews
57%
Satisfaction
3
negative
3
neutral
8
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Family owned vibe
- Warm, inviting place
- Clean, quiet spot
What people don't like
- Thick layer of grease
- Dust accumulating everywhere
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- cute mom and pop style placeVery cute om and pop style place.
- dining placedining place is good
- family ownedlooks to be family owned
- hole in the wall feela nice hole in the wall feel
- nice, clean quiet placea nice, clean quiet place
- placeWarm and inviting little place
- restroomrestroom is good
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereWe don't go there for atmosphere.
- dustthere is thick dust accumulating everywhere
- insideThe inside just feel as if it has a thick layer of grease
If youre looking for a cozy, unpretentious mom and pop' spot and can overlook some cleanliness concerns, this place might be for you. But if a pristine, modern atmosphere is a must, you might find yourself a bit disappointed.
Value (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 36% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark with a good score of 7 and a good customer satisfaction of 72.7%. Many folks rave about the affordable options and great price, especially the lunch special, noting you get a lot of food for your money. With 16 positive remarks out of 22 total, it seems many find the コスパ (cost-performance) excellent.
However, not everyone agrees on the price. Some feel its very pricey and even overpriced, especially when the menu online isnt updated, leading to unexpected totals. With 6 negative comments, a few diners felt the food quality didn't justify the cost, wishing for more vegetables or better preparation for the price.
Value
22
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
6
negative
0
neutral
16
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable lunch specials
- Good cost performance
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Menu price discrepancies
- Overpriced for quality
- Portions too small
Often praised
- priceThis is a warm and inviting little place. My experience was great, especially with the great tasting and priced soups, perfect for sick days :)
- lunch specialThe lunch special is $11, good for takeout.
- Price per personPrice per person:$10–20
- affordabilityMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. I really enjoyed the food, finding it to be very affordable and tasting alot better than any of the chain Chinese restaurants. It also appears to be family owned, and the food came out hot and fresh.
- affordableMy mom has been going there for over 15 years, and the food has consistently tasted the same, with no weird ingredients and always served hot. It's both delicious and affordable. My friends and I both really like it.
- extrafor $4.95 extra you can add soup, egg roll and a fried wonton!
- food pricethe food is appropriately priced
- great pricequality food at a great price.
- moneyYou get a lot of food for the money which is priced so well.
- priced so wellwhich is priced so well.
Frequently criticized
- priceThe service was truly amazing, with the staff being very nice and receptive. However, the food was very bland and definitely not worth the price. The salads were just lettuce leaves with a quick dressing, the fried rice was essentially white rice mixed with soy sauce, and the breading on the sweet and sour pork and chicken came off easily, with the meat pieces not even fully covered in sauce.
- menu onlinedidn’t update their menu online, which shows a price of $13.95
- totaltotal came to almost $19 before tip. Really felt taken
If you're looking for an affordable meal, especially a lunch special, this place often delivers great value. However, be mindful of potential price discrepancies with the online menu, as some find it a bit pricy for what you get.
How are the prices at Shanghai Cafe?
You’re looking at roughly 20 per person – reported by 33 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 within this $11–$20 bracket, showing a clear focus on value, though there are a few who opt for a slightly more premium experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 33 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
We think the pricing feels quite fair for a Chinese Restaurant in this range. It offers good value without compromising on the experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Shanghai Cafe
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Shanghai Cafe: A Lifesaver for Crowds!
Shanghai Cafe holds a special place in my heart as it reminds my aunt of her home country. It's our go-to spot when we visit town to enjoy a meal and catch up. This simple mall shop boasts a strong take-out business, and their food is consistently good and filling, perfect for those nights when cooking isn't an option.
It's also a great place for a leisurely lunch or dinner with friends. We recently had a crisis when a pre-arranged meal for 20 fell through, leaving us without a main dish. In our panic, Shanghai Cafe came to the rescue with a "no problem" attitude, assuring us they could prepare a dinner for 20 in about an hour!
We rushed in and ordered a generous amount of food, including combination chow mein, salt and pepper chicken wings, eggplant, a seafood dish, and a veggie dish. An hour later, we were on our way with food that literally saved our meal. Shanghai Cafe cheerfully and efficiently fulfilled our large order.
The food was good, and the price offered excellent value for money. They truly saved our "bacon" by enabling us to serve a hungry crowd. Whether you need a nice, clean, quiet place for an authentic Chinese meal or need to feed a crowd in a pinch, Shanghai Cafe is the perfect fit!
- food8
- filling7
- take-out business7
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
5
Terrible Service, Great Food
I have been going to this place for almost a year and have consistently enjoyed their great food. However, my recent experience with their to-go orders was extremely disappointing. When they initially messed up my order, I returned to get it fixed.
To my dismay, they still managed to get it wrong the second time. When I called to address the issue and request a refund for the missing food, the staff was unhelpful, stating they "don't care" and abruptly hung up. I will never ever order here again due to this terrible customer service.
I advise others to double check your to-go order or you will be disappointed.
- great food10
- to-go orders1
- missing food1
- terrible customer service1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
A Gem in the Neighborhood!
Having recently moved to the area three months ago, my wife and I have made it a weekly tradition to walk over and get carryout from this restaurant. We absolutely LOVE the food, the service, and the wonderful family & people who run this gem : -)
- food10
- service10
- family & people10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
5
Great Service, Bland Food
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The service was truly amazing, with the staff being very nice and receptive. However, the food was very bland and definitely not worth the price.
The salads were just lettuce leaves with a quick dressing, the fried rice was essentially white rice mixed with soy sauce, and the breading on the sweet and sour pork and chicken came off easily, with the meat pieces not even fully covered in sauce. Despite the food issues, the good customer service was a definite plus.
- service9
- customer service9
- food2
- price2
- salad3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Moderate
1
Disgusting Food and Grimy Atmosphere
My experience at this restaurant was honestly disgusting. The food was beyond awful; it was dry and soggy, and just so nasty. I'm usually not that picky, but this was just so bad.
I can usually enjoy "hold in the wall" Chinese food, but this was something else entirely. The inside felt as if it had a thick layer of grease, and there was thick dust accumulating everywhere. To top it off, the lady at the front was, to say the least, unfriendly.
- food1
- inside1
- dust1
What Shanghai Cafe offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Table service
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What dining and service options are available at Shanghai Cafe?
At Shanghai Cafe, you can enjoy a variety of dining options. You can choose to dine-in with table service, grab a quick takeout meal, or even enjoy the outdoor seating. They are open for both lunch and dinner, making it convenient for your schedule.
Is Shanghai Cafe accessible and what are the parking options?
Yes, Shanghai Cafe is fully wheelchair accessible, including the entrance, parking lot, and seating. When it comes to parking, you’ll usually find plenty of options with free street parking and a free parking lot available for your convenience.
How does Shanghai Cafe generally score with customers?
Shanghai Cafe holds a Restaurant Score of 6.7 out of 10, with customer satisfaction at 66.2%. While Service (7.3) and Value (7) are rated well, Food (6.6) and Ambience (6.1) receive average scores, indicating a mixed but generally acceptable experience.
What do customers appreciate most about Shanghai Cafe?
Customers frequently praise Shanghai Cafe for its affordable and great price food, often highlighting specific dishes like the 10 ingredients fried rice and Almond Chicken . The service is also a strong point, described as amazing and receptive , with owners willing to alter orders .
What are the main criticisms of Shanghai Cafe?
Common criticisms of Shanghai Cafe include inconsistent food quality , with some dishes described as bland food , dry and soggy , or tasteless . The atmosphere also receives negative feedback, with mentions of dust and a thick layer of grease . Additionally, some customers have reported long wait times and unfriendly staff.