Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
oChef » V&J – San Francisco
V&J - San Francisco
Photo from V&J
V&J at a glance
San Francisco North Beach
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 10 of the guests
#1470 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#125 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
7.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
73
Reviews
68.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Great value
- Good milk tea
Frequently criticized
- Poor service
- Card surcharge
- Bad restrooms
The restaurant V&J Cafe invites you to discover authentic Chinese flavors right in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant North Beach neighborhood. This casual Chinese restaurant is your go-to spot for a delightful culinary experience.
You’ll find a welcoming atmosphere perfect for enjoying small plates or grabbing a quick bite, whether you’re dining in or taking your meal to go.
Overview: Introducting V&J
V&J offers a compelling mix for those seeking a casual meal. Many appreciate the super cheap yet satisfying dishes, often described as authentic Chinese food.
While the flavors generally hit the mark, some experiences have been marred by issues like a rude note or instances of poor service. This spot seems to prioritize hearty meals over polished interactions.
Despite occasional hiccups with staff, the overall sentiment points to a place where the food’s quality and value often outweigh other concerns, making it a noteworthy stop for specific cravings.
Good
7.2
out of 10
73
Reviews
68.5%
Satisfaction
16
negative
7
neutral
50
positive
V&J achieves a respectable overall score of 7.2, indicating a generally good experience, though customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 68.5%. This slight divergence suggests that while many find the restaurant appealing, a notable portion of diners have reservations.
This assessment is drawn from 73 customer observations, with 50 positive remarks outweighing 16 negative ones. The standout here is undoubtedly the Food (8.3), which customers frequently praise for its quality and taste.
Value (7.5) also scores well, reflecting appreciation for its reasonable pricing. However, the Ambience (6.8) is considered average, and Service (4.5) falls into the average category, often cited as a point needing significant improvement.
What people like
- Delicious, authentic food
- Excellent value
- Great HK milk teas
What people don't like
- Inconsistent, poor service
- Extra card payment charge
- Subpar restroom conditions
If you prioritize flavorful, authentic Chinese dishes at a great price, V&J is worth considering. Be prepared for a no-frills environment and potentially inconsistent service, as the focus here is clearly on the plate rather than the pampering.
With a Recommendation Score of 7.3, it suggests that for the right diner, this spot delivers. It’s a solid choice for those seeking satisfying food and good value, especially when other options might be closed, but perhaps not for a special occasion.
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Verdict: Our expert take on V&J
Food (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, things are looking pretty tasty! With a solid score of 8.3 and a customer satisfaction rate of 86.1%, its clear that most diners are leaving happy. Out of 36 comments, a whopping 31 rave about the food is great, portions, and amazingly delicious food, with many also loving the HK milk teas and authentic Chinese food.
However, its not all perfect, as a few of the 36 opinions (just 3, to be exact) did point out some areas for improvement. Concerns were raised about the quality of the meat ingredients and the chicken and beef having an unnatural texture. While these are few, they're worth noting for those particular dishes.
Food
36
Reviews
86%
Satisfaction
3
negative
2
neutral
31
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious food
- Good portions
- Authentic Chinese
What people don't like
- Unnatural meat texture
- Poor meat quality
Often praised
- foodMy experience was so so yummy! My friend ordered, so I'm not entirely sure what I ate, but it was super duper good. The food was incredibly tasty, and the atmosphere was great, both rated a 5 out of 5.
- Chinese diner foodThis place was a vibe. It's open until midnight, offering Chinese diner food in the outskirts where Chinatown meets North Beach. You don’t come here for the service.
- HK milk teasone of the best HK milk teas in the city
- Peking ribsI ordered food to go and was presented with a rude note, which really highlights how assumptions in the hospitality industry can lead to losing loyal customers. I ordered the Peking ribs, which I always do, with jalapeños, and spicy. When I received my order, I found a disappointing note from the establishment.
- amazing menuMy experience at this restaurant was wonderful! I enjoyed the good food, reasonable prices, and the amazing menu. I love this place and have been coming here for years.
- amazingly delicious foodI had one of the best HK milk teas in the city, perfectly paired with some bomb food. While the atmosphere won't win any awards, it's completely overshadowed by the amazingly delicious food and milk tea. The prices are great, especially for San Francisco standards.
- authentic Chinese foodFabulous authentic Chinese food
- bomb foodpaired with some bomb food
- complimentary soupcomplimentary soup (super tasty and comforting)
- dishesAmazing dishes.
Frequently criticized
- chicken and beefchicken and beef in the main dishes had a truly unnatural texture
- food90 minutes for our food to come
- quality of the meat ingredientsquality of the meat ingredients was disappointing
If you're looking for a place with generally delicious and authentic Chinese food, especially for the price, this spot is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that a few experiences mentioned issues with meat quality, but overall, the positives heavily outweigh the negatives.
Service (4.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 53% of the guests
While the service here averages an average 4.5 out of 10, and customer satisfaction is a rather poor 37.5%, there are still some bright spots. Out of 16 customer remarks, 6 positive comments highlight genuinely good moments. Guests have praised the owner and a lovely lady for their friendly demeanor, noting the general staff can also be quite nice.
However, the majority of feedback, with 9 negative comments, points to significant issues. Many reported worst service ever and poor service, citing long waits for food service and even water, along with instances of rude pushback from staff. This suggests a need for more consistent and attentive service.
Service
16
Reviews
37%
Satisfaction
9
negative
1
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly owner
- Nice staff
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Rude staff
- Poor service
Often praised
- ServiceService:5
- lovely ladyThe lovely lady is really nice
- ownerThe owner is friendly and hardworking woman
- serviceService:5
- staffStaff nice, too.
Frequently criticized
- serviceIt's open until midnight, offering Chinese diner food in the outskirts where Chinatown meets North Beach. You don’t come here for the service. You come here when it’s late, all other places are closed, and you just want something comforting and savory to fill your stomach.
- food serviceOurs came out piecemeal in 20 minute increments
- ignore my requestThis was a case of poor service. I like sweet and spicy, and for them to ignore my request goes to show how nasty this place can be. This isn’t the first time they have been rude.
- poor serviceThis was a case of poor service.
- rude notepresented with a rude note
- rude pushbackThis isn’t the first time they have been rude. The food is great but moving forward, I have to decide if I will get what I ask for or have to deal with rude pushback.
- terrible serviceMy experience was quite negative due to the terrible service. I went in for takeout, and the front desk lady expressed her displeasure about the order cost due to my card payment.
- waterWater took 90 minutes to arrive
If you're heading here, manage your expectations for the service. While some find the staff pleasant, be prepared for potential delays or less-than-stellar interactions. It might be a place you visit for the food when other options are closed, rather than for a top-notch dining experience.
Ambience (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 47% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot scores a pretty solid 6.8, which is generally considered good! Many folks really appreciate the overall atmosphere and the vibe of the place, with some even loving its no-nonsense style. Out of 9 total comments, 5 leaned positive, highlighting that appealing feel.
However, customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 55.6%, suggesting there's definitely room for improvement. While the general atmosphere gets praise, some found the Atmosphere lacking, and a significant concern was that the toilets were all broken, which can certainly put a damper on the overall experience. These points contribute to the mixed feelings despite the higher score.
Ambience
9
Reviews
55%
Satisfaction
2
negative
2
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good atmosphere
- No-nonsense style
- Positive vibe
What people don't like
- Broken toilets
- Lacking atmosphere
Often praised
- atmosphereAtmosphere:5
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- no-nonsense styleI like that no nonsense style
- vibeWells Fargo is across the street, there’s a Chase in the area, and if you’re walking up Grant, there is also a CitiBank. This place was a vibe. It's open until midnight, offering Chinese diner food in the outskirts where Chinatown meets North Beach.
Frequently criticized
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:2
- toiletsToilets were all broken
If youre looking for a place with a decent, straightforward vibe and dont mind potentially roughing it a bit with the facilities, it might be worth a try. However, if clean restrooms are a dealbreaker for you, you might want to consider other options until they sort things out.
Value (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 53% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark, scoring a solid 7.5, which is pretty good! While customer satisfaction is a bit more mixed at 66.7%, many still rave about the CP value dishes and often describe prices as super cheap, reasonable, and great. With 8 positive remarks out of 12 total, it seems many find the pricing unbeatable, making it a worthwhile stop for your wallet.
However, its not all smooth sailing. Out of 12 total comments, 2 highlighted a specific snag: issues with "card payment" and an "extra card charge. " Some customers have experienced staff complaining about card payments or an additional fee, which can definitely be a bit of a buzzkill when youre trying to settle up.
Value
12
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
2
negative
2
neutral
8
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- High value dishes
- Unbeatable prices
- Super cheap food
What people don't like
- Card payment issues
- Extra card charge
Often praised
- pricesat reasonable prices
- CP value dishesHigh CP value dishes they offer.
- great pricesmilk tea at great prices
- priceprice is unbeatable
- reasonable priceat a reasonable price
- super cheapDon't be alarmed by the appearance; this place is great! The food was to die for and super cheap.
Frequently criticized
- card chargedespite the extra 4% card charge
- card paymentcomplaining how much money she’s losing on the order because I’m paying with card
If youre looking for genuinely affordable eats and dont mind paying with cash, this place offers great value. Just be prepared for potential friction or an extra fee if you plan on using a card.
How are the prices at V&J?
On average, you’ll spend around 15 per person – from 10 guests. That places this Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco in the $11–$20 category, which is comfortably mid-range. Looking at what diners typically spend, most reviews cluster right around this $11–$20 sweet spot, showing a consistent mid-range experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 10 reviews.
Comparing this restaurant’s value for money against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a mid-range Chinese restaurant in San Francisco. It offers good value without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about V&J
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Watermelon Juice and Service
As a huge fan of supporting small businesses, I had a wonderful experience here. The lovely lady providing the service was really nice. I’m a sucker for watermelon juice, and I really liked it.
The atmosphere and food were also rated highly.
- lovely lady9
- watermelon juice8
- atmosphere10
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
7
Great Food, Poor Service Experience
I ordered food to go and was presented with a rude note, which really highlights how assumptions in the hospitality industry can lead to losing loyal customers. I ordered the Peking ribs, which I always do, with jalapeños, and spicy. When I received my order, I found a disappointing note from the establishment.
This was a case of poor service. I like sweet and spicy, and for them to ignore my request goes to show how nasty this place can be. This isn’t the first time they have been rude.
The food is great but moving forward, I have to decide if I will get what I ask for or have to deal with rude pushback.
- Peking ribs8
- food is great9
- rude note1
- poor service1
- ignore my request2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
3
Disappointing Meat Quality
I'm unsure about the high ratings from other reviewers. While the portions were adequate for the price, the quality of the meat ingredients was a significant letdown. Both the chicken and beef in the main dishes had an unnatural, off-putting texture, resembling a mix between gelatin and a rubber sponge.
Despite having tried numerous 'cheap' Chinese food options, this experience was far from pleasant. The green onion pancake was a redeeming factor and quite tasty, but it shouldn't have been the sole highlight. I suggest the owners consider a slight price increase to invest in better quality meat.
Had the meat not been so disappointing, I would have readily given this place at least 4 stars.
- portions7
- green onion pancake8
- quality of the meat ingredients2
- chicken and beef2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
So So Yummy Experience!
As an out-of-towner, I was taken here by a local after the PJ Harvey show. My experience was so so yummy! My friend ordered, so I'm not entirely sure what I ate, but it was super duper good.
The food was incredibly tasty, and the atmosphere was great, both rated a 5 out of 5. The service also received a perfect score of 5.
- food10
- atmosphere10
- service10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
8
Hidden Gem for Late-Night Chinese Comfort Food
A selfish part of me wants to keep this place a secret, but another part wants others to experience it. We ordered the walnut shrimp, pig stomach in XO sauce, and the salted fish & chicken dish. The walnut shrimp was a let down, not because it was bad (it was tasty), but the other two dishes were more savory/tasty in comparison.
Three dishes were priced at $33. 99, with an extra charge for the shrimp. Our meal came with tea and a complimentary soup, which was super tasty and comforting.
Altogether, the meal cost $50 with tax and tip. We paid with CASH. I don't know if they accept cards, but I’d recommend CASH for places like this.
Wells Fargo is across the street, there’s a Chase in the area, and if you’re walking up Grant, there is also a CitiBank. This place was a vibe. It's open until midnight, offering Chinese diner food in the outskirts where Chinatown meets North Beach.
You don’t come here for the service. You come here when it’s late, all other places are closed, and you just want something comforting and savory to fill your stomach.
- walnut shrimp6
- pig stomach in XO sauce8
- salted fish & chicken dish8
- service2
What V&J offers
Payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Table service
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is V&J Cafe accessible for all guests?
Yes, V&J Cafe ensures a welcoming experience for everyone. You will find a wheelchair accessible entrance, making it easy for all guests to comfortably enter and enjoy their meal. The restaurant is committed to providing convenience for every visitor.
What dining options and services does V&J Cafe offer?
V&J Cafe provides flexible dining options to suit your schedule. You can enjoy a relaxed lunch or dinner with table service. For your convenience, the restaurant also offers takeout and delivery services, perfect for enjoying their delicious Chinese cuisine at home.
What is the overall verdict for V&J?
V&J holds an overall score of 7.2, indicating a generally good experience, though customer satisfaction is mixed at 68.5%. The Food (8.3) and Value (7.5) are highly rated, while Ambience (6.8) and especially Service (4.5) are areas for improvement.
Is V&J a good option for affordable, tasty Chinese food?
Yes, V&J is frequently praised for its delicious and authentic Chinese food, often described as having excellent value. Many customers highlight the reasonable prices and high-quality dishes, making it a strong contender for budget-friendly, flavorful meals.
What should I expect regarding service and atmosphere at V&J?
Expect a casual, no-nonsense atmosphere, with some customers noting issues like broken restrooms. Service can be inconsistent, with reports ranging from friendly staff to instances of poor or rude interactions, including long wait times and card payment surcharges.