Chef Jia's Restaurant, San Francisco

I would go to San Francisco Just to eat here. It was fabulous! I had the Spicy Garlic Beef, and my husband got the Kung Pao Chicken. We could have easily Shared, and had some left over, but who wants to when the food is this good!

Chef Jia's is one of my favorite chinese food places to eat. On one hand, I feel it's not fair that the place next door has long lines when the food here is just as good, if not better. On the other hand, it's nice to not have to wait to get my food. Jia himself comes off as the silent cranky type, but I think that's just his personality with a little cultural misunderstanding. His wife is very friendly. I usually order the Honey Chili Chicken, but that's not the only great item on the menu.

Great Food, lots of it! Great Prices! Very nice family run business at Columbus and Kearney. If there is a line a House of Nanking move about three doors sown, better food and prices!!!! Enjoy it and take some home. Parking is the hardest part, but if you find parking you will have a great meal!

A coworker and I were in SF for a convention and wanted to try a restaurant in China Town. I read a good review about Chef Jia's and we ended up deciding to go there. It is on the edge of China Town, so you almost think you've wandered out. It is a small place with little decor or ambiance, but the food ended up being awesome. I tried the Honey-Chili Prawns (sweet but spicy tangerine sauce). My buddy had Chicken w/ Black Bean Sauce. As an appetizer we decided on the Fried Squid (comes with a peanut butter dipping sauce). All of it was fresh and fantastic. We were really pleased with lucking onto this place. The only caveat is that they only take cash. So, treat yourself by stopping by this great restaurant, but make sure to hit the ATM first. =)

it seriously is the best Chinese place to eat in SF. No doubt about it. Far better than the place next door. Plus it is so inexpensive! A must...

Chef Jia came highly recommended but did not meet expectations. The waiter, who appeared to be the owner, was so surly and argumentative I almost expected a film company to pop out and tell us this was a take off on Candid Camera or Borat. Alas it was all real. Our party of five was literally browbeaten into ordering what the server advised and within three minutes of sitting down. It seemed like they wanted our relatively large party out of their very small restaurant. Some of the dishes were quite good but most were very bland and uninspired. The egg rolls were the worst I have ever tasted and done in a very non-traditional way. The decor/ambience is poor and uncomfortable even for a Chinatown establishment. With all the possible choices, I advise avoiding this inexplicably recommended restaurant. My advice - Brandy Ho.

I read a favorable review of this restaurant and decided to give it a try since I was staying at the wonderful Park Hyatt, which is just around the corner. I was not disappointed with Chef Jia's. The service was fine; nothing spectacular, but pleasant. The hot and sour soup was about average. What really made our meal was the appetizer of fried pot stickers. They were undoubtedly the biggest and best I've ever had, stuffed with onion and pork. There is a vegetarian version, but I did not try them. They give you the necessary condiments and you get to make your own sauce based on your personal taste, which was fun. For entree I had Kung Pao Chicken and it was delicious. I enjoyed the meal and I'll definitely return there the next time I'm in San Francisco.

A real gem of a discovery. Best Chinese food I've ever had. Always try to visit when we're in San Franisco. Try the Jasmine tea.

One of my favorite places to go when I visit San Francisco. Each time I travel back to Cali (3000 miles) I make sure that I go back and visit this place. The food is memorable and cannot stand some of the Chinese food served in my region of the United States.. It was just so totally different from what I am used to and very very good.. Great staff. Makes you feel welcome when you go there. Most restaurants in SF, that is hard to find.

I have a soft spot for hole-in-the-wall looking places with great food and Chef Jia's delivers. Honey Chili Chicken, Spicy Orange Peel Beef, and Five Spices Duck all excellent. The big, juicy house-made Pot Stickers could be a meal in themselves. Everything has always been terrific. I make a better Hot & Sour Soup, but still very good. There are two wait staff (neither is the chef/owner). The man is taciturn, admittedly, but gets the job done. The woman is a solid 18%+ tip, always. Reasonable prices, especially for the quality.