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oChef » Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks – San Francisco
Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks - San Francisco
Photo from Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks
Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks at a glance
San Francisco Stonestown
- 🍜 Taiwanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 31 of the guests
#2278 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#13 Taiwanese Restaurant out of 14 in San Francisco
Average
5.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
238
Reviews
40.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Crispy chicken
- Generous portions
- Spice customization
Frequently criticized
- Poor service
- Long waits
- Oyster mee sua
The snack bar Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks brings an authentic taste of Taiwan to San Francisco. Located conveniently in the vibrant Stonestown neighborhood, this Taiwanese restaurant is your go-to spot for a casual and quick bite.
You’ll find a welcoming atmosphere perfect for enjoying delicious small plates. Whether you’re grabbing lunch or dinner, this spot offers a relaxed setting where you can savor flavorful dishes without a fuss.
Overview: Introducting Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks
Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks offers a quick bite experience, often praised for its crispy chicken and generous portions. Many find certain items to be good value, making it a popular spot for a casual snack.
However, the experience can be a mixed bag, with some guests noting challenges with customer service and extended waiting time. The overall atmosphere, typical of a food court, also receives varied feedback.
Average
5.2
out of 10
238
Reviews
40.8%
Satisfaction
104
negative
37
neutral
97
positive
The overall sentiment for this eatery lands at an average 5.2 out of 10, with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 40.8%. This indicates that while some aspects resonate well, there’s a notable portion of guests who leave less impressed.
This feedback comes from a substantial 238 opinions, with 97 positive and 104 negative comments. Delving deeper, the Food (5.7) is generally seen as its strongest point, offering a decent experience.
Value (5.3) also holds its own, though some items are perceived as overpriced. However, Ambience (4.2) and especially Service (3.5) fall into the lower range, suggesting these areas frequently detract from the overall visit.
What people like
- Crispy chicken quality
- Generous portion sizes
- Customizable spice level
What people don't like
- Inconsistent customer service
- Long waiting times
- Disappointing oyster mee sua
With a recommendation score of 5.4, Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks presents itself as a place worth considering if you’re in the mood for its signature fried chicken and don’t mind a casual, bustling environment. It’s a spot that delivers on specific cravings rather than a consistently polished dining experience.
If you prioritize quick, flavorful street snacks and are prepared for potential service hiccups or a wait, you might find it hits the spot. However, if a smooth, attentive service or a quiet atmosphere is crucial for your outing, you might want to adjust your expectations or explore other options.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks
Food (5.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
When it comes to the food, its a bit of a mixed bag, with an average score of 5.7 and customer satisfaction hovering at a mixed 48.9%. Based on 176 customer comments, with 86 positive remarks, many rave about the authentic Taiwanese popcorn chicken, delicious sweet potato fries, and the flavorful XXL chicken. You can often customize the spice level, making for a truly enjoyable and filling treat.
However, with 63 negative comments, some diners found issues with the oyster mee sua, describing it as too peppery or lacking ingredients. Other concerns included food being too oily, a general lack of flavor in certain dishes, and inconsistent portion sizes. Some felt the quality wasnt always there, leading to disappointment.
Food
176
Reviews
48%
Satisfaction
63
negative
27
neutral
86
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Crispy popcorn chicken
- Generous portions
- Customizable spice level
What people don't like
- Oily fried food
- Inconsistent oyster mee sua
- Lack of flavor
Often praised
- popcorn chickenBoth were good, I myself liked the crispy chicken better but other friends liked the popcorn chicken better
- foodthank god the food is good tho
- portionsI consider it the best I've had among other places. On my visit on 10/31/21, I got another snack fix with Shinlin, and it was still as good as it gets, with handsome portions. As you can see, it pairs perfectly with a lemon tea, which is available on the ground floor below.
- chickenThe chicken was hot and fresh, very good
- XXL crispy chickenBoth were good, I myself liked the crispy chicken better
- bobathe boba is cooked perfectly
- fried chickenThe fried chicken is pretty good here.
- spice levelI love that you can customize the spice level and seasoning.
- sweet potato friessweet potato fries... Everything is really good
- Braised meat over riceBraised meat over rice 4/5 stars
Frequently criticized
- oyster mee suaoyster mee sua was very disappointing, mostly soup and with a less than generous amount of small oysters
- flavorthe flavor was probably adjusted to tailor the American taste buds
- oystersoysters were really not fresh; they had a very strong fishy smell
- popcorn chickenlack of flavor. The spice level was there but I didn't even taste the taiwanese salt and pepper.
- Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea FreshNo boba, AND no ice.
- FoodFood:2
- Grandma's Braised Meatespecially the Grandma's Braised Meat
- Oyster Mee-Sua85% soup with “3”oysters
- Taiwanese style chickenNothing like Taiwanese style chicken, I thought it might be good but totally different
- XXL Chicken Legs and ThighOrdered using their self service kiosk for a XXL Chicken Legs and Thigh
If youre craving crispy Taiwanese popcorn chicken or XXL chicken with customizable spice, this spot might hit the mark. However, be aware that some dishes, like the oyster mee sua, can be inconsistent, and some items might be on the oilier side or lack flavor. Its worth a try for the fried snacks, but manage your expectations for other menu items.
Service (3.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 45% of the guests
When it comes to service, the picture is quite mixed, leaning heavily towards needing improvement. With a score of just 3.5 and customer satisfaction at a low 16.7%, it's clear there are significant challenges. However, out of 42 total remarks, 7 positive comments highlight bright spots like genuinely friendly customer interaction from specific staff members, an efficient self-service station for customization, and even surprisingly quick-moving long line queues at times.
Despite these few positives, the overwhelming sentiment from 32 negative comments points to consistent issues. Many guests experienced long wait times for both ordering and food, often coupled with generally bad service or unhelpful staff. Recurring problems with the credit card reader and confusing ordering machine wording also caused frustration, sometimes leading to wrong order deliveries.
It seems understaffing in the kitchen might be a contributing factor to these delays.
Service
42
Reviews
16%
Satisfaction
32
negative
3
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff interactions
- Efficient self-service
- Quick line movement
What people don't like
- Excessive wait times
- Unfriendly staff
- Incorrect orders
Often praised
- serviceI'd come back for the service alone
- IsraelIsrael, was slinging chicken at high speed. Great smile and exceptionally friendly
- better customer serviceexpected to receive better customer service
- customer interactionseems to enjoy interacting with customers, and it really does make for a better experience
- long linelong line on average, it goes by quickly
- self-service stationordering through a self-service station at the counter, which allows a good amount of customization
Frequently criticized
- customer serviceHer customer service was really poor
- serviceThis is absurd! Listen the food is good, but service at the time wasn’t as well as the usual service. Still tasted good though!
- waiting timeWaited about 30 mins in line and about 30 mins for food
- workersMy experience at the restaurant was marred by terrible customer service. The workers treated me very poorly, despite the fact that they were the ones who gave me a wrong order number. It was a terrible customer service experience.
- announcement of closurehired someone just to say it's closed
- bad serviceexperienced bad service from the server
- canceling the ordernever even gave me the option of canceling the order
- cashierthere's no longer a cashier.
- closing timeonly restaurant that closes before the other ones
- credit card readercredit card reader almost always seems to be broken
If youre considering a visit, be prepared for a potentially frustrating service experience, as many customers report long waits and inconsistent staff interactions. While some find the self-service convenient, dont expect a seamless process; patience is definitely a virtue here.
Ambience (4.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 16% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, theres a notable highlight: customer satisfaction for the ambience is excellent at 9.1, suggesting that for many, the overall atmosphere is quite appealing. However, the topics score is an average 4.2, indicating a more moderate overall performance. This positive sentiment, though, comes from just 1 positive comment out of 11 total.
However, there are quite a few areas for improvement, with 6 negative comments out of 11 total. Patrons noted the noisy food court, challenges with finding available tables, and inconvenient restrooms located behind the food court. Other concerns include a lack of clear closing information and, notably, uncleaned spice trays, which were described as quite unhygienic.
Ambience
11
Reviews
9%
Satisfaction
6
negative
4
neutral
1
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Customers love atmosphere
What people don't like
- Noisy food court
- Hard to find tables
- Unclean spice trays
Often praised
- atmosphereAtmosphere:4
Frequently criticized
- spice trayworkers that work there don't clean the spice tray
- food courtFood court can be noisy
- restroomsRestrooms behind food court may require waiting
- sign of closenot even a sign of close
- tablesTables can be a bit difficult to find
If you're looking for a place where customer satisfaction for the overall feel is high, despite some practical drawbacks, you might enjoy the atmosphere. However, if issues like noise, table availability, or cleanliness are dealbreakers for you, it might be best to manage your expectations.
Value (5.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 18% of the guests
Regarding value, some customers are quite pleased, mentioning the price and good value for certain items, like the popcorn chicken. They feel you get more for your money than at comparable spots. While the overall score for value is an average 5.3, these positive remarks, making up 3 out of 9 comments, show where they hit the mark.
However, the picture isnt entirely rosy. Many feel the price for snacks can be quite steep, with some finding street food options way too pricey. Theres also a specific gripe about extra charges for things like cilantro and garlic.
This contributes to a rather poor customer satisfaction of just 33.3%, showing significant room for improvement, even with 3 negative comments balancing the positives.
Value
9
Reviews
33%
Satisfaction
3
negative
3
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good value items
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Overpriced snacks
- Extra charges
Often praised
- good valuePopcorn chicken was good value
- priceFor $10.50 you get more than you would at Quickly's
- valueOverall is good value
Frequently criticized
- price$10 for this street snack with barely any oysters in it was just way too pricey
- cilantro and garliccharge extra for cilantro and garlic!!
If you're looking for specific items that offer good value, you might be pleasantly surprised. However, be prepared for potentially higher prices on other snacks and watch out for extra charges, as this is where many customers feel disappointed.
How are the prices at Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks?
You’re looking at roughly 20 per person – reported by 31 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Taiwanese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests find themselves in this $11–$20 sweet spot, though a few explore options both a little cheaper and more premium.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 31 most recent reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels quite fair for a Taiwanese spot in San Francisco. It offers good value without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Disappointing Oyster Mee Sua Experience
I ordered a bowl of oyster mee sua last night. Unfortunately, there was barely any mee sua, mostly just soup. The main issue was that the oysters were really not fresh; they had a very strong fishy smell.
I ended up with a stomachache today, which I am quite confident is from this meal, as I've only eaten fresh, simple food I cook myself for my other meals the last few days.
- oyster mee sua2
- oysters1
- stomachache1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Disappointing Experience, Won't Return
My experience at this restaurant was my first and likely only one. I ordered the Chia-Yi chicken rice via a screen, which displayed an outdated Covid sign. I was told I'd be texted when my order was ready, and 15 minutes later, I received a text.
Upon reaching the counter, I was informed that my order was out of stock and offered a substitute with a completely different flavor profile. I declined and suggested another item, which I didn't particularly want but considered the least bad option. The employee grumbled about the price difference, which I pointed out was negligible and inherent to the menu.
I questioned why I wasn't informed about the stock issue 15 minutes earlier. The employee claimed they called my number, but I couldn't hear them as I was instructed to wait for a text. The ordering experience was poor, the desired food was unavailable, the substitute wasn't good (leading to an upset stomach), and I wasn't notified promptly.
The option to cancel was never offered, and I had already wasted 15 minutes. I don't blame the employee but the owners for not having staff to greet customers, take orders, and provide timely updates on item availability, especially when out-of-stock items still appear on the ordering screen. My nostalgia for Taiwan led me to want to love this place, but it missed the mark significantly, and I do not plan on returning.
- nostalgia5
- ordering screen2
- text notification3
- out of stock1
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
8
Classic Popcorn Chicken Snack
My experience was centered around a classic snack: the popcorn chicken. It was well-seasoned, juicy, and had a pleasant kick without being overly spicy. While most of the basil was too small or brittle to eat easily, it was still tasty.
This dish is perfect for an after-school snack.
- popcorn chicken9
- basil6
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
7
Good food, problematic receipt
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. While the food was undeniably good, scoring a perfect 5, the service aspect was problematic. I never received a text receipt, which made it difficult to track down my order.
Thankfully, the quality of the food made up for the initial hassle.
- food10
- receipt2
- order3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Disappointing Taiwanese Flavors
As a Taiwanese reviewer, my experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The oyster mee sua had a color that looked too dark, suggesting it was overly seasoned. I also found the spoon provided for eating mee sua to be too tiny; a deeper soup spoon would be more appropriate 🤌.
Furthermore, both the fried chicken and the oysters were excessively seasoned, and I did not order spicy. Having recently returned from Taiwan, I can confidently say that these dishes did not meet the standard I expect.
- oyster mee sua2
- spoon for eating mee sua3
- fried chicken3
What Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks?
At Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks, you can enjoy a casual dining experience perfect for a quick bite. They offer small plates for both lunch and dinner. Whether you prefer to dine-in, grab takeout, or have your meal delivered, you have flexible service options available.
Does Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks offer accessibility and accept reservations?
Yes, Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks is committed to accessibility, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance and seating. For your convenience, they also accept reservations, making it easier to plan your visit, especially during busy times.
How does Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks generally perform?
Overall, the restaurant scores an average **5.2** out of 10, with customer satisfaction at a mixed **40.8%**. While **Food** (5.7) is a highlight, **Service** (3.5) and **Ambience** (4.2) are areas that often receive criticism.
What are the standout food items at Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks?
Customers frequently praise the **crispy chicken** and **popcorn chicken** for their flavor and generous **portions**. The ability to customize **spice level** is also a positive, though some find the **oyster mee sua** disappointing.
What should I expect regarding service and the dining environment?
Service can be inconsistent, with some experiencing **long waiting times** and issues with **customer service**. The **ambience** is typical of a food court, which can be noisy, and finding **tables** might sometimes be a challenge.