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oChef » Tian Fu Old Town – Seattle
Tian Fu Old Town - Seattle
Photo from Tian Fu Old Town
Tian Fu Old Town at a glance
Seattle University Heights
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 9 of the guests
#822 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#52 Chinese Restaurant out of 53 in Seattle
Average
4.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
58
Reviews
43.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic cuisine
- Value for money
- Quick service
Frequently criticized
- Hygiene issues
- Poor service
- Dirty restroom
The restaurant Tian Fu Old Town brings authentic Chinese flavors to Seattle’s vibrant University Heights neighborhood. You can enjoy a delightful dine-in experience, or opt for convenient takeout and delivery services.
This spot is known for being good for kids, making it a great choice for family meals. Whether you’re planning a casual dinner or a special occasion, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere here.
Overview: Introducting Tian Fu Old Town
Tian Fu Old Town presents a mixed experience for diners. While many appreciate the focus on authentic Szechuan cuisine and find the decent portion for the price quite appealing, there are notable areas for improvement.
Patrons have highlighted concerns regarding unacceptable hygiene standards within the establishment and described the table service as bordering on non-existent service, which can certainly impact the overall dining comfort.
Average
4.7
out of 10
58
Reviews
43.1%
Satisfaction
31
negative
2
neutral
25
positive
Tian Fu Old Town currently holds an average Restaurant Score of 4.7 out of 10, with Customer Satisfaction sitting at a mixed 43.1%. This indicates that while some aspects are well-received, a significant portion of guests leave less than impressed.
Looking closer, Food scores an average (6), and Value is considered good (8). However, Service (3.8) and Ambience (2.2) both fall into the poor category.
These insights are drawn from 58 customer observations, with 25 positive remarks and 31 negative ones, suggesting a slight lean towards dissatisfaction.
What people like
- Authentic Szechuan food
- Good portion for price
- Prompt food delivery
What people don't like
- Poor hygiene standards
- Unresponsive service
- Unpleasant restroom
With a Recommendation Score of 4.9, Tian Fu Old Town might be a place to consider if you prioritize authentic Szechuan flavors and good value for money, especially for takeout. However, if a pleasant dining environment and attentive service are important to you, you might find the experience disappointing.
It’s a spot that could satisfy a specific craving but comes with significant caveats.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Tian Fu Old Town
Food (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 80% of the guests
When it comes to the food, many diners rave about the authentic Szechuan cuisine, highlighting dishes like the sweet skin duck and the make-your-own drypot. With 18 positive remarks out of 31 total, guests often praise the generous portions and excellent food quality, noting that flavors are spot-on and dishes are nicely prepared. The overall score for food sits at an average 6, suggesting a generally acceptable experience.
However, the culinary journey isnt always smooth, as reflected by a mixed 58.1% customer satisfaction. Some opinions, accounting for 11 negative remarks, point to concerns about the overall quality of food, with some even claiming its barely real Sichuan food. Issues like excessive MSG use and undercooked ingredients, such as raw-tasting gizzards or unsoftened rabbit bone, have also been noted, indicating a need for more consistency.
Food
31
Reviews
58%
Satisfaction
11
negative
2
neutral
18
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Szechuan dishes
- Generous portions
- Excellent flavors
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- MSG concerns
- Raw/bad ingredients
Often praised
- foodfood arrived really quickly and tastes pretty good
- authentic Szechuan cuisineMy experience at this restaurant was centered around its authentic Szechuan cuisine. I found the rabbit to be the best I've had in the US, and the duck was also above average.
- cold sichuan noodlescold sichuan noodles in chili oil, and they always slap
- dry potDry pot is on the point
- duckDuck is also above average
- food qualityI usually get the "make your own drypot" and "cold sichuan noodles in chili oil, " and they always "slap. " 🥰 The food quality was excellent, and the flavors were spot on. I highly recommend these dishes for a delicious meal.
- make your own drypotmake your own drypot ... they always slap
- meatA lot of meat
- menueverything I've eaten... has been amazing
- oilynot oily at all
Frequently criticized
- MSGMy experience at the restaurant involved consuming food that necessitated drinking a lot of water afterward. This is usually an indication of excessive use of MSG.
- Sichuan cuisinenever seen a sichuan cuisine worse than this one
- Sichuan foodbarely real Sichuan food on the menu
- boneThe bone hasn't been softened during cooking process with this dish
- fooddrink a lot of water after the food
- gizzardsVery few gizzards and tasted raw
- menuMenu is completely different
- pickled chiliAlmost no pickled chili
- pickled chili chicken gizzard rice noodleUpon entering, no one checked on us. I ordered the pickled chili chicken gizzard rice noodle, which looked nothing like the photo and tasted completely wrong. There was almost no pickled chili, and the gizzards were few and tasted raw.
- quality of foodquality of food here is extremely poor
If you're seeking specific authentic Szechuan dishes like the dry pot or sweet skin duck, you might find some real gems here. However, be prepared for a potentially inconsistent experience, as some dishes fall short on quality and authenticity, with concerns about MSG also surfacing.
Service (3.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 47% of the guests
While the service score sits at a low 3.8 and customer satisfaction is only 30.8%, its not all doom and gloom. A few guests (4 out of 13 comments) appreciated the smooth takeout process, complete with handy text notifications, and even praised the staff for being friendly during pickup. However, the bulk of the feedback, with 9 negative comments, paints a different picture.
Many reported service as minimal or even non-existent, with concerns about staff availability and responsiveness. Unpleasant encounters included an older lady being off-putting and an angry man scolding guests for eating too slow, ' making for a less-than-welcoming experience.
Service
13
Reviews
30%
Satisfaction
9
negative
0
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Efficient takeout
- Text notifications
- Friendly pickup staff
What people don't like
- Non-existent service
- Unresponsive staff
- Scolding staff
Often praised
- serviceAbsolutely extremely extraordinary service
- staffI received a text that my order was ready for pickup in about 10 minutes. The staff was friendly, and the food was authentic and tasty. I found the portion size to be very decent for the price.
- takeoutI had a pleasant experience with their takeout. I received a text that my order was ready for pickup in about 10 minutes.
- text notificationGot the text that it was ready for pick up
Frequently criticized
- serviceService was as close to non-existant as you can get
- ServiceNo one checked with you when entering
- angry manan angry man walking out from the kitchen and scolded us
- eating too slowscolded us for eating too slow
- older ladythe older lady that works there can be off-putting at times
- responsivenessthey wouldn’t respond to me
- staff availabilityopen restaurant with no one working
- staring us eatingstood just in front of us staring us eating
If you're just swinging by for takeout and appreciate a quick text notification, you might find the service perfectly fine. But for a sit-down meal, be prepared for potentially minimal staff availability and a lack of responsiveness, which could definitely impact your dining experience.
Ambience (2.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
While the overall ambience score is a low 2.2 and customer satisfaction sits at just 15.4%, a couple of the 13 opinions did offer a glimmer of hope. Some guests found this new eaterie to be a nice addition, describing it as a small but decent restaurant. However, the overwhelming majority of feedback, with 11 negative opinions, highlights serious concerns.
Guests frequently mentioned a severe lack of cleaning and poor hygiene standards, particularly in the restroom and on the floors. The absent decor and peeling paint also contributed to an overall impression of a poorly maintained room.
Ambience
13
Reviews
15%
Satisfaction
11
negative
0
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
- Poor cleaning standards
- Filthy restrooms, floors
- Unacceptable hygiene practices
Often praised
- eaterieThis new eaterie is a nice addition
- restaurantSmall but decent restaurant
Frequently criticized
- bare feet on the tableowner... to put their bare feet on the table
- bathroomupon going into the single room bathroom there was no soap of any sort, the trash was full, TP was being used as paper towel, the toilet was stained on the inside and had old pee running down the side, and the floors were absolutely filthy
- decorthe decor was absent
- floorsThe entire lobby appeared dirty, as if it hadn't been swept. Upon entering the single-room bathroom, there was no soap, the trash was full, toilet paper was being used as a paper towel, the toilet bowl was stained and had old urine running down the side, and the floors were absolutely filthy. This was concerning because if these visible areas are so poorly maintained, it raises questions about the condition of the areas we cannot see.
- hygiene standardsMy experience at this restaurant was extremely negative due to what I perceived as unacceptable hygiene standards. I observed the owner, or someone in a similar position, placing their bare feet on the table where customers are served.
- lack of cleaningmust address is lack of cleaning and sanitation
- lobbyThe entire lobby was dirty as if it hadn't been swept
- paintthe paint was peeling of the walls
- rat fecessaw rat feces on one table
- restroomthe single restroom appeared to have not been cleaned
If a pleasant and clean environment is high on your priority list, you might find this place to be a significant disappointment. The numerous reports of poor hygiene and lack of maintenance suggest it's best to look elsewhere for a comfortable dining experience.
Value (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 7% of the guests
When it comes to value, this place truly shines! Guests consistently praise the price, noting you get a decent portion for what you pay. With a solid score of 8, indicating a good experience, and an excellent 100% customer satisfaction, its clear people feel theyre getting their money's worth, based on the 1 positive feedback.
Interestingly, there are no negative opinions or terms to report regarding value. This suggests that customers are generally very happy with what they receive for their money, leaving no room for constructive criticism in this area.
Value
1
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
1
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good portion for price
- Fair pricing
What people don't like
Often praised
- pricedecent portion for the price
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If you're looking for a spot where your money goes far, this place is definitely worth checking out. You can expect to feel satisfied with both the portion sizes and the overall cost, making it a smart choice for your wallet.
How are the prices at Tian Fu Old Town?
You’re looking at roughly 23 $ per person – reported by 9 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Chinese Restaurant in Seattle, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what others have spent, most prices cluster around the $11–$20 and $21–$30 ranges, with one higher option in the $41–$50 bracket. This suggests a good mix of options, leaning towards a solid mid-range experience. Just a heads-up, this is based on a smaller sample of 9 reviews, but it gives us a good indication of what to expect.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 9 reviews. While the data is limited, it gives us a good indication of the typical spend.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in Seattle.
Considering its a Chinese Restaurant in Seattle, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for the quality and experience youre likely to get. Its a good spot if youre looking for a reliable mid-range meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Tian Fu Old Town
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Unacceptable Hygiene Standards
My experience at this restaurant was extremely negative due to what I perceived as unacceptable hygiene standards. I observed the owner, or someone in a similar position, placing their bare feet on the table where customers are served. This was not an isolated incident; I have seen this happening almost every single night.
Because of these observations, I would NEVER eat here again. Updated 9-16-24.
- bare feet on the table1
- hygiene standards1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
1
Restaurant with no staff
My experience at this restaurant was quite unusual. I walked in and nobody was there. I could hear someone in the back, but they wouldn’t respond to me.
It was an open restaurant with no one working.
- staff availability1
- responsiveness1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
1
Terrible Sichuan Experience
My experience at this restaurant was quite negative. The entire room felt cold and poorly maintained, and I even spotted what appeared to be rat feces on a table. Upon entering, no one checked on us.
I ordered the pickled chili chicken gizzard rice noodle, which looked nothing like the photo and tasted completely wrong. There was almost no pickled chili, and the gizzards were few and tasted raw. I've never encountered a worse Sichuan cuisine.
- room2
- rat feces1
- pickled chili chicken gizzard rice noodle2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
5
Quick Food, Neglected Atmosphere
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. While the food arrived really quickly and tasted pretty good, the overall atmosphere and service were severely lacking. The service was extremely minimal, and the decor was absent.
I noticed the paint was peeling off the walls, and the single restroom appeared to have not been cleaned, possibly since the establishment opened. Despite these significant drawbacks in ambiance and service, the food itself was a positive aspect.
- food8
- service2
- decor1
- paint1
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Sichuan Food Experience
My experience at this restaurant was truly awful. The menu was completely different from other Tian Fu restaurants in Seattle, with barely any real Sichuan food available. The quality of food here was extremely poor, and we couldn’t finish our meal.
- Sichuan food2
- quality of food1
- menu2
What Tian Fu Old Town offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Amenities
- Restroom
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
FAQs
What dining and service options are available at Tian Fu Old Town?
At Tian Fu Old Town, you have several convenient service options. You can enjoy a traditional dine-in experience, or choose takeout for a meal on the go. Delivery service is also available, bringing your favorite Chinese dishes right to your door in Seattle. They also accept reservations.
Is Tian Fu Old Town a good place for families and what payment methods do they accept?
Yes, Tian Fu Old Town is considered good for kids, making it an excellent choice for family outings in University Heights. When it comes to payment, you can easily pay with credit cards, debit cards, or NFC mobile payments for your convenience.
How does Tian Fu Old Town rate overall?
Tian Fu Old Town holds an average Restaurant Score of 4.7. While Food scores an average (6) and Value is good (8), Service (3.8) and Ambience (2.2) are rated poorly.
What can I expect from the food at Tian Fu Old Town?
Many patrons praise the authentic Szechuan cuisine, highlighting dishes like dry pot and cold Sichuan noodles. The food is often noted for its good quality, spot-on flavors, and quick arrival.
Are there any concerns about the dining environment or service?
Yes, several customers have reported significant issues with unacceptable hygiene standards, including dirty lobbies and restrooms. Service has also been described as unresponsive or nearly non-existent, impacting the overall dining experience.