Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
oChef » Top’s Cafe – San Francisco
Top's Cafe - San Francisco
2460 San Bruno Ave, 94134 San Francisco
6.9
von 10
von 10
Photo from Top’s Cafe
Top's Cafe at a glance
San Francisco Silver Terrace
- 🍖 Barbecue Restaurant
€€€€€
Price per Person 21 – 30 €
mentioned by 6 of the guests
#373 von 500 Lokalen in San Francisco
#6 Barbecue Restaurant von 7 in San Francisco
Good
6.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
105
Reviews
66.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic BBQ
- Great Value
- Family Spot
Frequently criticized
- Hygiene Issues
- Poor Service
- Limited Menu
The restaurant Top’s Cafe is a welcoming Barbecue Restaurant located in the vibrant Silver Terrace neighborhood of San Francisco. You’ll find a casual atmosphere here, perfect for a relaxed meal.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a full dinner, this spot offers a comfortable setting to enjoy delicious food.
Overview: Introducting Top's Cafe
Top’s Cafe offers a compelling blend of traditional flavors and affordability that keeps many customers returning. While it’s celebrated as a `family-oriented spot` with `incredible prices` for its fare, some aspects of the dining experience, particularly around `unsanitary` conditions and `no longer sit down dining`, have drawn criticism.
This establishment has a long-standing reputation for its offerings, especially its `roast duck`, which many patrons have enjoyed for years. However, recent changes and concerns about service and the overall environment suggest a mixed experience for newcomers.
Good
6.9 von 10
105
Reviews
66.7%
Satisfaction
26
negative
9
neutral
70
positive
Top’s Cafe achieves a respectable overall score of 6.9, indicating a generally good experience, though customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 66.7%. This suggests that while many are pleased, a notable portion of patrons have reservations.
These figures are drawn from 105 customer opinions, with 70 positive and 26 negative remarks. The restaurant truly shines in its Food (7.7) and Value (7.7), both earning excellent marks and frequently highlighted by customers.
However, the Service (4.8) and Ambience (4.9) scores are average, reflecting areas where the cafe could improve to enhance the overall dining experience.
What people like
- Authentic Chinese BBQ
- Exceptional value
- Family-friendly spot
What people don't like
- Hygiene concerns
- Inconsistent service
- Limited menu
If you’re seeking authentic Chinese BBQ at an unbeatable price point, Top’s Cafe is certainly worth considering. Its strong focus on quality food and affordability, reflected in a solid recommendation score of 7.3, makes it a go-to for many.
However, be prepared for a more casual, deli-style experience and potential inconsistencies in service or hygiene. It’s a place that delivers on its core strengths, but managing expectations for the overall environment and interaction is key.
Ähnliche Restaurants in San Francisco
- Barbecue Restaurant
9
von 10
von 10
150
94%
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Barbecue Restaurant
8.8
von 10
von 10
130
92.3%
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Barbecue Restaurant
8.3
von 10
von 10
173
80.9%
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Barbecue Restaurant
8.1
von 10
von 10
337
84%
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Barbecue Restaurant
7.9
von 10
von 10
205
78.5%
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Barbecue Restaurant
6.2
von 10
von 10
219
60.3%
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Top's Cafe
Food (7.7 von 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
The food here generally hits the mark, scoring a solid 7.7 and boasting a 79% customer satisfaction rate. Many of the 62 comments, with 49 being positive, highlight the delicious roast duck, BBQ stuff, and great flavors. Guests often praise the fresh ingredients and generous portion sizes, making for a satisfying meal.
However, it's not all sunshine and roses, with 11 negative comments among the 62. Some diners have noted issues like being out of BBQ pork or receiving old meat. Others felt the duck sometimes lacked its signature crispy skin and flavor, and a few found certain items, like steamed chicken, to be overpriced.
Food
62
Reviews
79%
Satisfcation
11
negative
2
neutral
49
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Best roast duck
- Spot-on BBQ items
- Good flavors, moisture
What people don't like
- Old meat served
- Duck lacks flavor
- Overpriced specific dishes
Often praised
- roast duckGrowing up around San Bruno Ave in the early 90s, my mother used to get their wonton soup when my siblings and I were sick. Growing up, I favored their roast duck and sweet and sour chicken. I love knowing that I will always have this traditional restaurant to come home to from the east coast.
- roast porkespecially the roast pork
- Chinese BBQ5 star place to get Chinese BBQ. Best in the area!
- duckthis was THE best duck ever
- flavorsGood flavors with enough moisture
- foodfood and price are still some of the best
- wonton soupGrowing up around San Bruno Ave in the early 90s, my mother used to get their wonton soup when my siblings and I were sick. Growing up, I favored their roast duck and sweet and sour chicken.
- BBQ duck w/riceBBQ duck w/rice $10
- BBQ itemsTheir BBQ items are spot on
- BBQ porkenjoyed the BBQ pork
Frequently criticized
- BBQ porkthey were out of BBQ pork
- better optionsThere are better options in the city
- cabbagecabbage is the only vegetable available
- char siuChar siu fat and lean ratio is off. More lean than fat which made the meat dry.
- duckThe duck no longer has the crispy skin and the meat isn't as flavorful
- kitchen menuNo kitchen menu
- menumenu is only BBQ
- old meatserved me old meat
- portionportion he gave me was in fact not lean
- roasted duckdid not deliver the entire duck
If you're in the mood for classic Chinese BBQ, especially their praised roast duck and other BBQ items, this place is generally a solid bet for good flavors and generous portions. Just be aware that a few specific dishes might occasionally miss the mark or seem a bit pricey.
Service (4.8 von 10)
mentioned by 52% of the guests
The service here seems to be a real mixed bag, reflected in an average score of 4.8 and a rather poor customer satisfaction rate of just 37.5%. Still, some patrons have praised the fast service and even unique aspects like machete mastery, appreciating the personal one-on-one service from staff. However, a significant number of concerns, with 7 negative remarks compared to 6 positive ones out of 16 total, point to serious issues.
Customers have reported feeling disrespected and even experiencing discrimination, citing instances of an employee yelling and a general lack of professionalism.
Service
16
Reviews
37%
Satisfcation
7
negative
3
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fast service
- Personal service
- Machete mastery
What people don't like
- Discrimination reports
- Employee yelling
- Lack of professionalism
Often praised
- serviceI arrived around three in the afternoon, and it wasn't crowded. The service treated us so nice, and the place has a nice feel to it.
- fast serviceI've been coming here for years for hamburgers and donuts LOL. It's a very family-oriented spot with fast service.
- machete masterywatch that machete mastery tho
- personal one-on-one servicestand in line for personal one on one service
Frequently criticized
- serviceI purchased a roasted duck for takeout dinner, but unfortunately, I did not receive the entire duck. I was told that I was cheated because I’m not Asian. This experience was very disappointing.
- discriminationdefinitely discriminated against me
- disrespectedfeel disrespected and discussed
- employee yellingThe employee kept yelling at my father
- professionalismThis place has no professionalism
- worker refused to sellone of the workers refused to sell him this specific duck
If you're looking for consistent, respectful service, you might want to proceed with caution here. While some find the service fast and unique, the significant reports of discrimination and unprofessional behavior suggest a potentially disappointing experience for others.
Ambience (4.9 von 10)
mentioned by 43% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, many guests appreciate the traditional restaurant feel and find it a family-oriented spot with a nice feel that truly feels like coming home. The consistent line out the door suggests a popular atmosphere, even if the overall score for ambience is an average 4.9. These positive sentiments come from 4 observations.
However, there are significant concerns, with customer satisfaction at a poor 33.3%. Several comments, totaling 5, highlight issues like the lack of sit down dining and major problems with parking, described as not great and very hard to find. More critically, some found the place unsanitary, noting staff handling money without gloves before touching food.
Ambience
12
Reviews
33%
Satisfcation
5
negative
3
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Traditional feel
- Family-oriented spot
- Always busy
What people don't like
- No sit-down dining
- Difficult parking
- Unsanitary conditions
Often praised
- family-oriented spotvery family-oriented spot
- line out the doorThere's always a line out the door
- nice feelthis place has a nice feel to it
- traditional restaurantthis traditional restaurant to come home to
Frequently criticized
- parkingvery hard to find parking
- glovesthey don’t use gloves and deal with money and then touch your food
- sit down diningno longer sit down dining
- unsanitaryThis place is also very unsanitary
If youre looking for a traditional, family-friendly vibe and dont mind a wait, you might enjoy the atmosphere. However, be prepared for potential parking hassles and significant concerns regarding hygiene and the lack of sit-down dining, which could be a dealbreaker for some.
Value (7.7 von 10)
mentioned by 48% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot really shines! With a strong score of 7.7 and customer satisfaction at 73.3%, its clear most diners are happy. Out of 15 comments, 11 rave about the fantastic price, value, and how cheep and supper affordable everything is, often calling it the best value around with unbeatable deals.
However, its not entirely without its quirks. A few of the 3 negative remarks point to minor issues like a small increase for a lunch box or the inconvenience of them not accepting credit cards. Theres also a mention of some overpriced food' for certain dishes, suggesting a bit of inconsistency in pricing.
Value
15
Reviews
73%
Satisfcation
3
negative
1
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent pricing
- Best value BBQ
- Unbeatable lunch deals
What people don't like
- No credit cards
- Some overpriced dishes
Often praised
- pricePreviously, it was a full-service restaurant, but now it operates with a deli-like service, still serving the community. The best roast duck & rice plate in SF for $11 is a must-try. Come and enjoy the flavors; you won't be disappointed.
- pricesincredible prices
- cheephow cheep they are
- lunch specialslunch includes soup has prices that no one can beat
- price rangeits low price range
- supper affordableIt's one of my favorite places to cheat on my diet and get some awesome meats. I can't believe how cheep they are; it's easier, quick, and supper affordable.
- valueHands down, this is the best value and best tasting Chinese BBQ place in the entire Bay Area, even surpassing Chinatown! I haven't found any other BBQ shop that is cheaper and tastes as good.
Frequently criticized
- credit cardsThey don't accept credit cards
- lunch boxlunch box 50 cents up
- overpriced foodoverpriced food ($24 for steamed chicken)
If you're looking for incredible bang for your buck, especially for delicious BBQ, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be mindful of the payment options and perhaps stick to their well-loved value items to avoid any surprises.
Wie sind die Preise pro Gast bei Top's Cafe?
You’re looking at roughly 23 per person – reported by 6 diners. That puts it in the 21 – 30 € category. For a Barbecue Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While most folks spend in that 21 – 30 € sweet spot, we do see a few cheaper options popping up, suggesting a bit of variety. Just a heads-up, this is based on a handful of reviews, but it gives us a good taste of what to expect!
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 6 reviews. It’s a small sample, but it gives us a good indication of typical spending.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for a Barbecue Restaurant, especially in San Francisco. It offers a good mid-range option without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Top's Cafe
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Lunch
2
Nostalgia Lost: Top's BBQ Disappoints
Returning to San Francisco in search of nostalgia, I revisited Top's, a place I frequented in the past. I was surprised to find that sit-down dining is no longer available, and the menu is now limited to BBQ with only cabbage as a vegetable option. Since I was already there and heading to a friend's for lunch, I decided to get some BBQ. I ordered duck, char siu, and roast pork. Everything was just okay, no longer spectacular. The char siu had an off fat-to-lean ratio, being too lean, which made the meat dry. The duck has lost its crispy skin, and the meat isn't as flavorful. The roast pork, however, was good with a nice crispy skin. Overall, I would not come back, as there are better options in the city.
- BBQ5
- roast pork7
- sit down dining2
- menu3
- cabbage3
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Best Roast Duck & Rice in SF!
My experience at Top's Cafe has been consistently great. I've been a patron for ages! Previously, it was a full-service restaurant, but now it operates with a deli-like service, still serving the community. The best roast duck & rice plate in SF for $11 is a must-try. Come and enjoy the flavors; you won't be disappointed.
- roast duck & rice plate10
- flavors9
- service5
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Fresh and Delicious To-Go BBQ
My experience at this restaurant was great for picking up lunch and dinner to go. I particularly enjoyed the BBQ pork, roast duck, and roast pork. The food is fresh and made to order as they sell it.
- BBQ pork9
- roast duck9
- roast pork9
Price per Person
- 21 - 30 €
Service Intent
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
1
Unprofessional Service and Unsanitary Conditions
My experience at this restaurant was quite negative. My father visited twice, and on both occasions, a worker refused to sell him a specific duck. The employee was yelling at my father, who eventually got what he wanted but returned home in a bad mood. This lack of professionalism was concerning. Furthermore, the establishment appears very unsanitary; they don't use gloves and handle money before touching food 😂. If you're looking to feel disrespected and disgusted, this is the place to come.
- worker refused to sell1
- employee yelling1
- professionalism1
Price per Person
- 1 - 10 €
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
8
Great Chinese BBQ Take-Out
My experience at this restaurant was for take-out as indoor dining is not available. There's usually a line for their BBQ take-out items. At 7 pm, they were unfortunately out of BBQ pork, so I had to resort to their BBQ duck w/rice for $10. The BBQ items themselves were spot on, with good flavors and enough moisture, not dry. It's great to see that customers from the old defunct Wing Hing are now coming here. I didn't see a line at the former Wing Hing location, Ming Hing. Overall, this is a good Chinese BBQ take-out restaurant for the San Bruno Ave. Neighborhood.
- BBQ duck w/rice8
- BBQ items9
- flavors9
- BBQ pork3
Das erwartet dich bei Top's Cafe
Loading map…
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options are available at Top's Cafe?
At Top’s Cafe, you can enjoy a variety of dining options throughout the day. They serve lunch and dinner, and you can also stop by for dessert. If you’re looking for a quick bite or small plates, they have those too.
What kind of atmosphere and service can you expect at Top's Cafe?
You’ll find a casual atmosphere at Top’s Cafe, perfect for a relaxed meal. They offer both dine-in and takeout service for your convenience. Plus, the restaurant features a wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring comfort for all guests.
How does Top's Cafe generally rate among customers?
Top’s Cafe holds a respectable overall score of 6.9. Customers particularly appreciate the Food (7.7) and Value (7.7), though Service (4.8) and Ambience (4.9) receive lower marks.
What kind of food can I expect at Top's Cafe?
Top’s Cafe is well-regarded for its traditional Chinese BBQ, including popular items like roast duck and pork. Many find the flavors authentic and the BBQ items spot on.
Are there any common concerns about dining at Top's Cafe?
Some customers have noted concerns regarding hygiene and inconsistent service. Additionally, the dining experience is now more deli-like, with limited menu options beyond BBQ.
Opening hours
Monday – Sunday
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM