Planning
- Accepts reservations
oChef » Yee’s – San Francisco
Yee's - San Francisco
Photo from Yee’s
Yee's at a glance
San Francisco Chinatown
- 🍽️ Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 93 of the guests
#2232 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#248 Restaurant out of 254 in San Francisco
Average
5.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
461
Reviews
48.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Generous portions
- Authentic food
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent service
- Cleanliness issues
- Payment friction
The restaurant Yee’s is a casual spot in San Francisco’s vibrant Chinatown, perfect for when you’re craving a quick bite or delicious small plates. You’ll appreciate its family-friendly atmosphere and the convenience of accepting reservations, making your visit smooth and enjoyable.
Overview: Introducting Yee's
Yee’s offers a straightforward dining experience where the focus is clearly on the plate. Many appreciate the generous portions and the generally satisfying quality of the main dishes, especially the roasted meats.
However, the overall dining environment and certain aspects of the service can be quite basic. While the food often hits the mark for many, some find the service to be inconsistent, with occasional reports of unhelpful staff.
The establishment’s approach to payment and tipping has also been a point of contention for some patrons.
Average
5.6
out of 10
461
Reviews
48.4%
Satisfaction
182
negative
56
neutral
223
positive
Yee’s holds an overall restaurant score of 5.6, placing it squarely in the average category. Customer satisfaction stands at 48.4%, indicating a mixed reception from diners.
This assessment comes from 461 customer observations, with 223 positive remarks balanced against 182 negative ones, suggesting a noticeable split in experiences. Digging deeper, Food (6) is the strongest aspect, frequently praised for its generous portions and authentic flavors.
Value (6.2) also performs adequately, with many finding the prices reasonable. However, Ambience (5.2) and particularly Service (4) pull the overall score down, with numerous comments highlighting concerns about cleanliness and staff demeanor.
What people like
- Generous food portions
- Authentic Chinese flavors
- Good value for money
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service quality
- Cleanliness concerns
- Payment issues
With a recommendation score of 5.7, Yee’s presents a mixed proposition. If your priority is substantial, flavorful Chinese food at a reasonable cost, and you’re willing to overlook some rough edges, it could be a worthwhile stop.
However, those seeking a comfortable dining environment or polished service might find it disappointing. It’s a place for a quick, no-frills meal where the food often speaks for itself, but be prepared for potential inconsistencies in other areas.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Yee's
Food (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
When it comes to the food, its a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6 (average) and 53% customer satisfaction (mixed). Based on 253 customer remarks, with 134 positive comments, many rave about the authentic Chinese food and generous portions. Highlights include delicious roast duck and overall quality dishes that often come piping hot.
However, 84 negative remarks point to issues with food taste and flavor, often described as bland or greasy food. Some found dishes cold or of poor quality, leading to disappointment and a feeling that the food lacked flavor' entirely.
Food
253
Reviews
53%
Satisfaction
84
negative
35
neutral
134
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Chinese food
- Generous portions
- Delicious roast duck
What people don't like
- Lack of flavor
- Cold, greasy food
- Poor food quality
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was largely positive, especially regarding the food portions and value. The three-item special menu for $32 was perfect for our group of 3-4, offering very large portions. Beer and soft drinks are available.
- portionsyou cannot beat the price or portions
- duckThe duck was fantastic, one of the best I ever had.
- portion sizethe bowl was big and full of noodles, wontons, and duck
- portionthe portion is so generous
- roast porkI could say this is the best roasted duck, gee, pork in SF Chinatown. I only order the duck/roast pork to take out.
- authentic Chinese foodIf you’re in San Francisco Chinatown, stop by this restaurant. They have real authentic Chinese food with an English menu and they speak some English. The food was rated 5/5, service 4/5, and atmosphere 3/5.
- food qualityfood quality and prices make up for it
- noodlesthe person I was with got some noodles for $9, and the bowl they were in was large enough to feed two people
- roastTheir roast is cheaper than 99 ranch, fresher and leaner
Frequently criticized
- foodWhat a fantastic start! When the food finally arrived, it looked and tasted like it was bought from an instant store and thrown into a bowl. Absolutely awful.
- duckduck was under cooked came with more bones than meet
- FoodMy experience at the restaurant involved ordering the soy chicken and wonton soup. Unfortunately, the food had a weird smell and tasted even worse. I do not recommend this dish.
- Peking duckWe ordered the Peking duck with white buns, which is typically enjoyed by placing a cut of duck in the bun. However, we were missing a whole duck leg, and the duck was not deboned as expected from other Chinese restaurants. This meant we had to use two spoons to pry the meat off the bone, making it difficult to eat the sandwich correctly without encountering bones.
- food qualitysont insipides et de très mauvaises qualité
- noodlesThe duck was bones and fat, and our request for white rice never came, leaving us without it for our meal. The noodles were strangely dry. Things escalated when we didn't want to pay cash, as we prefer using credit cards.
- wonton noodleThe wonton noodle is not fully cooked
- wonton soupThe wonton soup was eatable but not good
- Cantonese style BBQ standardFar below Cantonese style BBQ standard
- Cha Siew Wonton Noodle SoupCha Siew Wonton Noodle Soup, the taste wasn't good
If youre seeking authentic Chinese flavors and dont mind potentially inconsistent quality, this spot might be worth a try for its generous portions. Just be prepared that the taste can sometimes be a hit or miss, so manage your expectations.
Service (4 out of 10)
mentioned by 58% of the guests
When it comes to service, some diners have found bright spots, praising the staff for being very kind, gracious, and friendly. Many appreciated the waiters who were sweet, welcoming, and accommodating, especially with an English menu available. Positive experiences often highlighted quick and efficient service, with food served promptly, making for a smooth experience based on 28 positive observations.
However, the overall picture for service is quite mixed, with a score of 4 (average) and customer satisfaction at a poor 30.1%. A significant 57 negative comments out of 93 total mentions point to serious issues. Many encountered rude waiters and staff with a bad attitude, often involving poor communication, aggressive behavior, and and even demanding tips.
Service
93
Reviews
30%
Satisfaction
57
negative
8
neutral
28
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Demanding tips
- Poor communication
Often praised
- servicewhich was awesome because I prefer this type of service
- staffThis was one of the best experiences in SF. We enjoyed the great and tasty food, the very friendly staff, and the happy atmosphere. The portions were large and the price was fair.
- waiterWe were thrilled with the taste of the food we ordered, especially the soy sauce chicken and beef noodle soup. The waiter was patient in serving us, including adding hot water to our teapot many times. They accepted credit cards with a fee, which the waiter kindly reduced and accepted tips of less than 10%.
- English menuwith English menu
- butcher counterWalk straight to the butcher counter
- customer servicethe customer service was excellent
- employeesTheir employees are great
- englishThey speak good enough english
- experienceMy experience at this restaurant was that of an old-school, no-frills establishment that serves great food at low prices. I've been coming here for years and have never had a bad experience. Their beef stew and roast pork are superb.
- food servedfood is served very quickly
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe worst service, waiter never offered or brought any drinks
- waiterI asked the waiter if I could order a couple of egg rolls to have with the lunch combo. The waiter told me no, because the lunch combo plate was enough. I was taken aback, but was curious enough to continue.
- staffthe staff was unbelievably rude
- tipbecame even more aggressive regarding the tip (they wanted more)
- Chinese restaurantmost inflexible Chinese restaurant I've ever ordered from
- ServerServer look dead looking
- ServiceService:2
- attentionNever came back to see how we were doing once served
- attitudehad bad attitude
- bad serviceOh, such a bad service
If you prioritize speed and efficiency over warm, attentive interactions, you might find the service acceptable. However, be prepared for potentially rude staff and issues around tipping, which could significantly detract from your dining experience.
Ambience (5.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 32% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot offers a rather mixed bag, with a score of 5.2 and customer satisfaction at 43.2%. Many guests appreciate the unique charm, with 19 positive remarks highlighting elements like the old-fashioned ceiling fans , fluorescent tube lights , and overall decor that contributes to an authentic experience . The atmosphere is often described as pleasant and fun, making for a memorable visit.
However, there's also a significant downside, with 20 negative comments pointing to areas needing improvement. Concerns frequently arise around cleanliness and hygiene , particularly regarding the bathroom facilities. Issues like lack of AC and even secondhand smoke were noted, suggesting that while some find the atmosphere charmingly old, others find it simply unkempt.
Ambience
44
Reviews
43%
Satisfaction
20
negative
5
neutral
19
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic experience
- Unique decor
- Pleasant atmosphere
What people don't like
- Poor cleanliness
- Unsanitary bathrooms
- No AC
Often praised
- atmosphereThis was one of the best experiences in SF. We enjoyed the great and tasty food, the very friendly staff, and the happy atmosphere. The portions were large and the price was fair.
- ChinatownThey accepted credit cards with a fee, which the waiter kindly reduced and accepted tips of less than 10%. The canteen enhanced our general impressions towards Chinatown in San Francisco.
- authentic experiencethe top authentic experience
- catthe cat that lives upstairs came down and was being a little sweetie pie
- ceiling fansLove the old fashioned ceiling fans
- decorchintzy but they went quite well with the decor
- experiencethis place was a great experience
- fluorescent tube lightsLove the fluorescent tube lights
- localsFrequented by locals
- locationGreat location
Frequently criticized
- atmospherethe atmosphere was nothing to write home about
- cleanlinessmajor concern for cleanliness and hygiene
- restaurantthe restaurant looks like it's been around for at least half a century with not much cleaning
- AC insideNo AC inside so it could be hot
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:2
- bathroomYou go to the bathroom through dishwashing
- food scrapston of food scraps on the floor
- hygieneThe hygiene was deplorable
- kitchenqui est tout autant répugnante
- motorcyclistsloud and rowdy motorcyclists passing by
If you're seeking a truly authentic, no-frills experience and can overlook some significant cleanliness concerns, this place might charm you. However, if modern comforts and pristine hygiene are high on your list, you might find the ambience disappointing.
Value (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 53% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot presents a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.2 and customer satisfaction sitting at 59.2%. Many of the 42 positive comments highlight that you can find value for money here, with affordable dishes and reasonably priced options. Guests often praise the lunch specials and great value meals, making it a decent choice for your wallet.
However, it's not all smooth sailing. The 21 negative experiences often point to frustrations like unexpected charge card fees or strict cash only policies. Some guests also reported issues with minimum required amounts or feeling pressured regarding tips, which can definitely detract from the overall experience.
Value
71
Reviews
59%
Satisfaction
21
negative
8
neutral
42
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great value meals
- Affordable lunch specials
What people don't like
- Unexpected card fees
- Cash only policy
- Demanded tips aggressively
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was excellent. The food was both fresh and tasty, and I was pleasantly surprised by the good price. The service was also notably swift and easy.
- pricesIf you're looking for good food on Grant Avenue at decent prices, and prefer a more authentic venue over the tourist traps with queues, this place is for you. It's a no frills establishment, not much to look at, but it's a great place for a weekend lunch.
- value for moneyMy experience at this restaurant was that it offered good value for your money. It's not a fancy place, but it serves its purpose as a spot to eat at modest prices.
- $11My experience at this roast duck and rice place was a great find for just $11. I walked straight to the butcher counter.
- affordable dishesaffordable dishes
- affordable placeIt’s a relatively affordable place
- affordable pricevery affordable price
- cheaper than anywhere elsecheaper than anywhere else we've eaten
- credit card feeaccepted credit card, with a fee of $2 which the waiter kindly reduced to $1
- credit cards feeWe got out of there cheaper than anywhere else we've eaten in SF so far. They did take credit cards with a $1 fee, which I think is reasonable for small businesses to try and recoup their fees.
Frequently criticized
- tip" After we paid and left a tip, he had the audacity to say, "THAT'S IT? EVERYBODY TIPS MORE! " We reluctantly gave more just to avoid a scene, but there was no thank you or any sign of appreciation.
- CASH ONLYthe waiter demanded, "CASH ONLY!"
- avoid some taxObviously they want to avoid some tax
- billthe waiter literally hit me with the ticket
- cashONLY TAKE CASH TO HIDE FROM PAYING TAXES
- cash onlythey only accept cash and I can't pay the bill by card
- changewe don't have change
- charge card feeCharged an extra 1.00 because i used a charge card
- charged twiceshowing was charged twice
- charged usstill charged us
If you're looking for an affordable meal and are prepared for potential cash-only situations or small card fees, this place could offer good value. Just be mindful of payment methods and service charge expectations to avoid surprises.
How are the prices at Yee's?
On average, you’ll spend around 21 per person – from 93 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $21–$30 category. For a Restaurant, that’s mid-range, perhaps leaning slightly higher.
What’s interesting is that while the average is 21, a significant number of diners actually spend less, often in the $11–$20 range. This suggests a nice variety of dishes, offering choices for different budgets.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 93 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Restaurant in San Francisco. With options catering to different budgets, it seems like a good value for what you get.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Yee's
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Loud
3
Huge Portions, Unpleasant Tip Demand
My experience at this restaurant involved huge food portions, though the taste was just normal, not fantastic. I particularly didn’t like the tips being demanded as a must with a specific amount. Come at your own risk.
- food portions5
- tips2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
6
Chinatown Breakfast Spot: Fills You Up
This is one of the few places open for breakfast in Chinatown on weekends. You can choose from breakfast combos or opt for chow mein, chow fun, or congee. The amount of food is generous for the price, but the taste of the food is lacking.
It's mainly a place to grab a bite to fill yourself and/or your party early in the day before you spend hours shopping for groceries and other things around Chinatown.
- breakfast5
- breakfast combos5
- chow mein5
- taste of the food3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Moderate
2
Staff overcharged and pressured tipping
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to issues with the staff. They upcharged us, making us pay more than what we ordered. Additionally, the staff pressured tipping.
I will NOT be coming back.
- upcharged1
- pressure tipping1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Terrible Experience: Aggressive Staff and Poor Food
I basically never write any reviews, but this was such a bad experience. We were not happy with the food & service. The duck was bones and fat, and our request for white rice never came, leaving us without it for our meal.
The noodles were strangely dry. Things escalated when we didn't want to pay cash, as we prefer using credit cards. We felt increasingly uncomfortable.
They then stated we couldn't have the receipt. They didn't respect physical distance, blocking us, and became even more aggressive regarding the tip, demanding more. Subsequently, they insulted us.
We took the tip back from the table and left, and they became super aggressive and harassed us further. We were nothing but clean and respectful guests.
- food2
- service1
- duck1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Loud
6
Mixed Experience: Delicious Duck, Poor Service
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. While the roasted duck was absolutely delicious, the minced beef wasn't that great. The service was unpleasant; the communication was too fast, and the staff had high expectations.
To make matters worse, the waiter expected a tip even before we finished paying. The atmosphere was also too lively for my liking. Upon entering, a random person tried to sell me earpods, and towards the end of my meal, loud and rowdy motorcyclists passed by.
- roasted duck9
- minced beef3
- service2
- communication3
What Yee's offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is Yee's Restaurant in San Francisco's Chinatown wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Yee’s ensures a comfortable visit for everyone. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom, making it easy to enjoy your meal in San Francisco’s bustling Chinatown.
What dining options and amenities does Yee's Restaurant offer for families?
Yee’s is good for kids, providing high chairs for your little ones. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert, with options for dine-in, takeout, and even catering services available for your convenience.
How does Yee's generally rate among diners?
Yee’s holds an overall score of 5.6, indicating an average experience. While Food (6) and Value (6.2) are its stronger points, Ambience (5.2) and particularly Service (4) are areas where it receives more criticism.
Is the food at Yee's known for good portions and authenticity?
Yes, many patrons highlight the generous portions and authentic Chinese flavors, especially for dishes like roast duck and pork. It’s often seen as a place for satisfying, hearty meals.
What should I expect regarding service and atmosphere at Yee's?
Service can be inconsistent, with some reporting unhelpful staff and issues around tipping. The atmosphere is generally described as no-frills, with some concerns raised about cleanliness and the basic dining environment.