Dim sum is decent and service is okay. However, even for a party of 6, it's mandated an 18% service charge. Wish this was disclosed clearly beforehand.

A reasonable, priced hole in the wall family owned restaurant, but they serve a delicious variety of generous portions of dim sum and Chinese food. Fast and friendly service. We all left the restaurant stuffed with some leftovers. Although it was our first time, it won't be our last. We'll be back! If you have not been there, don't walk, run! Just to remind you, they get busy. Apparently, it's a popular pocket friendly place that serves delicious Chinese food! Cheers!

Based on the reviews, it's hard to determine if Old Mandarin is among the best or the worst restaurants in SF. So I decided to check it out for myself. From the outside, it has a simple vibe and is very up-front about being a Halal restaurant (which I appreciate as a Muslim). Stepping inside, I can admire the variety of decorations and artwork that cover the walls. My party is quickly guided to a table and provided with menus. The waiter wasn't particularly chatty, but he was friendly, professional, & prompt, which is all I look for. He collected our orders and within a few minutes, the food was ready. For entrees, I shared the Cumin Lamb Stir-Fry and the Eggplant in Spicy Garlic Sauce, both of which were recommended in . The lamb was flavorful and satisfying, while the subtle sweetness of the eggplant was beautifully complemented by the sauce. A simple side of white rice was all else that was needed to complete my meal. I will now touch on price, which seems to be a contentious point in many reviews. Firstly, a few have called out the "hidden" fees that materialized on the receipt, like the gratuity. However, the menu was pretty upfront about what they included.. (Now you may have an opinion on the existence of those fees, but that's probably outside the scope of a review..) Secondly, I am stumped as to why the prices are considered higher than expected. I have never considered SF a "cheap" place to eat, and there are far worse offenders that should be called out before Old Mandarin. My guess is that this is more expensive than other Chinese "hole-in-the-wall" restaurants, but I cannot classify this as "merely" hole-in-the-wall due to the quality and the exclusive usage of Halal ingredients. I was pretty satisfied with the portions, and the per-person cost was ~$30, hardly the worst for an occasional dine-in meal. One point I will agree with is that they should offer free water in a glass, instead of assuming "water" == $2 bottled water. I suppose Europeans would be used to this.. Overall, I was happy with my meal at Old Mandarin and look forward to future visits. Maybe I will have to revise my review but I hope not.

Everything here on menu, amazing. Pleasing to a wide-crowd, an excellent option when dining out with halal or kosher friends. A reflection of China’s rich history along the Silk Road. Cumin Lamb, a highlight. Spice-forward and dry stir-fried, water chestnuts a textural treat. Crack Fish Chef’s Special, reminiscent of a Sichuan classic — with a mildly mala, chili pepper and numbing peppercorn broth. Eggplant, excellent. Alcohol (including baijiu) available — menu perfect as drinking accompaniments.