Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » Tak Kee – San Francisco
Tak Kee - San Francisco
Photo from Tak Kee
Tak Kee at a glance
San Francisco Sunset District
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 10 of the guests
#2109 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#233 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
6.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
170
Reviews
54.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Comfort food
- Good value
- Local spot
Frequently criticized
- Poor hygiene
- Service issues
- Cash only
The restaurant Tak Kee is a welcoming Chinese Restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Sunset District. You’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a leisurely meal.
This spot is particularly known for its great tea selection, offering a delightful experience for tea enthusiasts. Whether you’re stopping by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you can expect a comfortable setting and delicious offerings.
Overview: Introducting Tak Kee
Tak Kee offers a mixed experience, with many patrons appreciating the comforting food and authentic HK style beverages, finding them quite satisfying. However, some diners have noted issues with the general cleanliness of the space, which can detract from the overall visit.
While the establishment is often praised for its affordable price and being a friendly neighborhood spot, there are concerns regarding the service consistency and occasional long waits. It’s a place that balances its strengths with areas needing attention.
Good
6.2
out of 10
170
Reviews
54.7%
Satisfaction
47
negative
30
neutral
93
positive
Tak Kee holds an overall restaurant score of 6.2, placing it in the average category, with customer satisfaction at a 54.7% mixed level. This indicates a somewhat balanced experience for many patrons.
The positive feedback, accounting for 93 remarks out of 170 total, often centers on the culinary offerings and affordability. Delving deeper, the Food (6.7) and Value (7.1) topics stand out as stronger points, frequently receiving praise for their quality and affordability.
Conversely, Service (4.7) and Ambience (4.3) appear to be areas where the restaurant struggles, drawing more critical comments. This suggests that while the core offerings are appreciated, the dining environment and staff interaction could benefit from improvement.
What people like
- Comforting HK-style food
- Excellent value for money
- Friendly neighborhood spot
What people don't like
- Cleanliness concerns
- Inconsistent service
- Cash-only policy
If you prioritize comforting Hong Kong-style dishes and excellent value, Tak Kee could be a worthwhile stop. With a recommendation score of 6.7, it suggests a generally positive experience for those who know what to expect.
Be prepared for a no-frills setting and focus on the food. However, if cleanliness and attentive service are high on your list, you might find the experience less satisfying.
It’s a place that delivers on its core culinary promise, but its rougher edges in other areas mean it’s best approached with realistic expectations.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Tak Kee
Food (6.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 88% of the guests
The food here generally hits the spot, earning a solid 6.7 score and a good number of positive remarks (63 out of 105 total comments). Many rave about the authentic Hong Kong style food, praising the Hong Kong style milk tea for its rich tea flavor. Guests also appreciate the tasty cheap filling options and good portions, with specific mentions for dishes like baked pork chop and Shanghai stir fry noodles.
However, customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 60%, indicating some areas for improvement, as seen in 19 negative comments. Some found the tea strength lacking or the vegetables over-boiled. There were also mentions of tasteless food and specific dishes like stir-fried beef being greasy and salty, with a few unfortunate reports of stomachache or diarrhea.
Food
105
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
19
negative
23
neutral
63
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic HK food
- Rich HK milk tea
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Tasteless food
- Greasy, salty dishes
- Stomach issues reported
Often praised
- foodthe food here is worth it
- baked pork chopI enjoyed my won ton lo mien and iced lemon coke. We also ordered curry oxtail rice, baked oxtail over rice, and baked pork chop. There were a lot of people enjoying their lunch and watching the TV, including Sunday football 😂🤙🏽.
- milk teamilk tea... are pretty good
- Chinese comfort foodGood for Chinese comfort food
- HK Western Style French ToastHK Western Style French Toast is my favorite
- HK milk teaMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had the best HK milk tea I've ever tasted. The food was consistently solid, with several favorites including the Shanghai stir fry noodles, baked porkchop rice, and the spam and egg sandwich.
- HK styleThe HK style is homey
- HK style drink menuTheir HK style drink menu covers all the usual milk tea and Ovaltine drinks
- HK style milk teathe HK style milk tea is still good
- Hong Kong milk teaHong Kong milk tea is spot on traditional and authentic
Frequently criticized
- foodThe food sucked
- porridgeThey didn't have porridge this morning
- American eggs & baconyou’ll recv medium, over-easy, fried eggs and dry, almost charred bacon
- Hong Kong milk teathe hong kong milk tea was lacking…tasted like it was made with soy milk
- Oriental breakfastOriental and Western breakfast, neither was good
- Western breakfastOriental and Western breakfast, neither was good
- diarrheagot diarrhea after
- salt and pepper chicken wingsalt and pepper chicken wing was more on the salty side
- short-ribs in black pepper saucethe short-ribs in black pepper sauce and spaghetti just does not hit
- spaghettispaghetti just does not hit
If youre craving authentic Hong Kong style comfort food and dont mind a few hit-or-miss dishes, this spot could be worth a try for its value and popular milk tea. However, be mindful of the inconsistent quality and potential for some less-than-stellar experiences, especially with certain breakfast items.
Service (4.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 53% of the guests
Lets talk service! While the overall score sits at an average 4.7 and customer satisfaction is a mixed 41.7%, there are definitely some shining moments. Many guests rave about the Boss Big Sister Mei and her wonderful demeanor, often describing the service as good and friendly.
Plus, for those worried about queues, the turnover can be surprisingly quick, making a wait worth it for some. These 10 positive remarks out of 24 total show a decent effort. However, its not all smooth sailing.
Several customers mentioned significant waiting time for food and tables, with some even finding the waitlist sheet not honored. There are also concerns about unfriendly staff and a lack of English speaking staff, leading to communication issues. Some even noted spoons that weren't properly washed, indicating areas needing improvement.
These 13 negative remarks highlight where things can go wrong.
Service
24
Reviews
41%
Satisfaction
13
negative
1
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Boss "Big Sister Mei"
- Quick table turnover
- Friendly service
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Unfriendly staff
- Language barrier
Often praised
- serviceTheir fried chicken, milk tea, and curry ox tail were pretty good. While it's nothing fancy, their service is quick. Prices have gone up recently, but it is still reasonably cheap compared to other places.
- Boss " Big Sister Mei"The Boss " Big Sister Mei" is a nice and gooooooood lady!
- Chinese speaking demeanorwarm Chinese speaking demeanor informal relaxed setting
- staffThe space might feel cramped, and there could be a wait, but the turnover was pretty quick for us (5-minute queue). Staff wore masks, and payment can be done over Venmo if you forgot cash. Will revisit again soon~
- turn overthe turn over was pretty quick for us
- waitIt is worth you wait 15-30 mins
Frequently criticized
- serviceservice with lots if room for improvement
- staffMean & unfriendly staff . No smile, no greeting
- English speaking staffNo one speaks English, only Cantonese.
- friendly facesNo more friendly faces
- online informationOtherwise, people waste their time coming to your restaurant for nothing. Online it shows you are open. My experience was frustrating as I arrived to find the restaurant closed despite the online information indicating it was open.
- restaurant closureIf you are closed on Thursdays then put it online
- spoonsSpoons just rinsed, not properly washed
- waitthe wait is long
- wait on weekendMy experience at this busy little HK Cafe was positive overall. It's a cash-only establishment, and you should expect a wait on the weekend, but the food is definitely worth it. I enjoyed the curry noodles, though the short rib rice could have used more sauce.
- waiting timeI waited 15 minutes for the food
If you're okay with potentially long waits and a language barrier, especially on weekends, you might find the quick turnover and friendly boss a pleasant surprise. However, if you expect consistently friendly faces and spotless utensils, you might be disappointed.
Ambience (4.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 35% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot offers an average experience with a score of 4.3. Many appreciate its informal, relaxed setting, feeling like a friendly neighborhood spot where people enjoy their lunch. Plus, finding parking is often a breeze!
These positive vibes are noted in 6 of the 20 opinions. However, the customer satisfaction for ambience sits at a poor 30%, largely due to concerns about cleanliness. Several comments point to a very dirty restaurant, dusty kitchen and dining room, and even issues with hand washing.
The extremely narrow space and mandatory table sharing also detract from the overall comfort, as highlighted in 11 negative remarks.
Ambience
20
Reviews
30%
Satisfaction
11
negative
3
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Informal relaxed setting
- Friendly neighborhood spot
- Parking often available
What people don't like
- Dirty conditions
- Cramped space
- Hygiene concerns
Often praised
- cleanlinessMy experience at this restaurant was much better than the one across the street. The service was way better, the place was cleaner, and it was cheaper. It is pretty tiny, so be prepared to share a table with random strangers.
- friendlyit is very friendly
- informal relaxed settinginformal relaxed setting then go and experience
- neighborhood spotThe restaurant offers a no-frills, Hong Kong coffee shop style menu and atmosphere. The food is good, the service is good, and the comfort of being a neighborhood spot makes it worth the trek across town for my family and me.
- parkingparking often available 1 block to the north or south
- people enjoying their lunchWe also ordered curry oxtail rice, baked oxtail over rice, and baked pork chop. There were a lot of people enjoying their lunch and watching the TV, including Sunday football 😂🤙🏽. I'm Chinese, so I'd come back again.
Frequently criticized
- cleanlinessThe place seems dirty as I could see from the floor, counter, bowls, and spoons.
- dining roomdining room very dusty
- hand washingpacking to go orders right after replace trash bags without EVEN considering washing her hands
- health inspectionSaw no signs of health inspection
- kitchenKitchen and dining room very dusty
- less than spotless restaurantsless than spotless restaurants with tasty cheap
- restaurantRestaurant very dirty
- rude customerssaw some extremely rude customers
- spaceThe place is extremely narrow.
- street parkingStreet parking can be difficult
If youre seeking a casual, no-frills neighborhood spot with easy parking and dont mind a very relaxed approach to cleanliness, you might find its informal vibe appealing. However, if hygiene and spaciousness are high on your list, the dirty conditions and cramped dining room could be a significant turn-off.
Value (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 50% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark, scoring a solid 7.1. Many folks rave about it being a gem for the price and offering great bang for your buck, with 14 positive remarks out of 21 total. Youll often hear praise for the affordable price and cheap food that doesnt skimp on the amount of food you get.
However, the customer satisfaction is a bit more mixed at 66.7%, indicating some areas for improvement. A few diners, 4 to be exact, expressed frustration over the CASH ONLY policy and the minimum purchase requirement. These payment policies seem to be the main sticking point, despite the otherwise budget-friendly offerings.
Value
21
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
4
negative
3
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great bang for buck
- Affordable prices
- Generous food portions
What people don't like
- Cash only payment
- Minimum purchase required
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was much better than the one across the street. The service was way better, the place was cleaner, and it was cheaper. It is pretty tiny, so be prepared to share a table with random strangers.
- affordable priceThe service was good and friendly. They offer a wide range of food at an affordable price. I particularly enjoy their tea with condensed milk every time.
- amount of foodfairly cheap for the amount of food you get
- casual value placescasual value places you can really enjoy
- cheapit is very friendly and cheap
- cheap foodgives you a cheap and nice food
- cheapest in areacheapest in the outer sunset area
- gem for the pricestill a gem for the price it is
- great bang for your buckGreat bang for your buck
- pricesPrices here are fairly cheap
Frequently criticized
- CASH ONLYCASH ONLY !
- cash onlyThe restaurant was cash only
- minimum purchaseI don't like the whole minimum purchase thing
- payment policyThey only accept CASH or Venmo and still charge you tax.
If youre seeking a budget-friendly meal and are prepared for their payment rules, this place offers solid value. Youll get a good amount of food for your money, making it a worthwhile stop. Just remember to bring cash!
How are the prices at Tak Kee?
You’re looking at roughly 25 per person – reported by 10 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Chinese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
However, looking at what people actually spend, the prices are quite spread out. While the average is 25, most diners (8 out of 10) actually spend in the more budget-friendly $11–$20 range, with one even lower. There’s also a much higher-end option that pulls the overall average up, suggesting a diverse menu.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 10 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, for a Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. There are options for different budgets, from more casual bites to a special treat.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Tak Kee
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
1
Terrible Food and Dirty Conditions
My experience at this restaurant was extremely negative. The food sucked and was very cheap, leading to me getting diarrhea afterward. The restaurant itself was very dirty, with the kitchen and dining room being dusty despite being busy.
Spoons were only rinsed and not properly washed. I also saw no signs of a health inspection.
- food1
- diarrhea1
- restaurant1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
2
Dirty, Narrow, and Cash-Only Experience
My experience at this restaurant was quite negative. The place seemed dirty, with visible dirt on the floor, counter, bowls, and spoons. This lack of cleanliness led to me getting a stomachache during my meal.
The restaurant is also extremely narrow. They have a strict cash or Venmo only policy and still charge tax. Additionally, no one speaks English, only Cantonese.
- cleanliness1
- stomachache1
- space2
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
8
Hearty Hong Kong Breakfast, Drink Lacking
My experience at this restaurant was a hearty and nostalgic one, offering a taste of Hong Kong style breakfast. We ordered the macaroni soup and preserved veg and noodle soup. Both dishes were served in good portions and generously included a good amount of meat.
However, the Hong Kong milk tea was a letdown, tasting as if it were made with soy milk. Overall, it's a great bang for your buck. I would go again, though I might opt for a different drink next time.
- macaroni soup7
- preserved veg and noodle soup7
- good portions8
- Hong Kong milk tea3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
9
Gem for the Price, Cash Only!
I came here with the in-laws for lunch and had a good experience. The food was good, though it does get packed, so make sure to get here early. If you're ordering oven baked items, it might take a while.
It's definitely still a gem for the price it is, and it's cash only. I enjoyed my won ton lo mien and iced lemon coke. We also ordered curry oxtail rice, baked oxtail over rice, and baked pork chop.
There were a lot of people enjoying their lunch and watching the TV, including Sunday football 😂🤙🏽. I'm Chinese, so I'd come back again. 10/10.
- food9
- oven baked items6
- gem for the price10
Price per Person
- $101+
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
2
Closed on Thursdays, but online says open!
If you are closed on Thursdays, then please put it online. Otherwise, people waste their time coming to your restaurant for nothing. Online it shows you are open.
My experience was frustrating as I arrived to find the restaurant closed despite the online information indicating it was open. This led to a wasted trip.
- online information2
- restaurant closure1
What Tak Kee offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Cash-only
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Coffee
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is Tak Kee accessible for everyone?
Yes, Tak Kee prioritizes accessibility for all guests. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom facilities, ensuring a comfortable visit for every diner in San Francisco’s Sunset District.
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Tak Kee?
At Tak Kee, you can enjoy a casual dining experience perfect for any time of day. They offer breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, with options for quick bites or small plates. You can choose between dine-in, takeout, or convenient delivery services.
What is the overall dining experience like at Tak Kee?
Tak Kee offers an average dining experience with an overall score of **6.2** and mixed customer satisfaction at **54.7%**. While **Food** (6.7) and **Value** (7.1) are generally well-regarded, **Service** (4.7) and **Ambience** (4.3) often receive lower marks.
What are the main strengths of Tak Kee?
Customers frequently praise Tak Kee for its comforting Hong Kong-style food, particularly items like baked pork chop and HK milk tea. The restaurant also offers good value, with many finding it affordable for the amount of food received.
Are there any common drawbacks or issues at Tak Kee?
Some patrons have noted concerns regarding the restaurant’s cleanliness and inconsistent service. Additionally, the establishment is cash-only, which can be an inconvenience for some diners.