Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Little Mandarin in San Rafael

4.3 (193) 538 3rd St, San Rafael, CA 94901, United States

Categories

Chinese restaurant
Chinese takeaway

Location on the map

San Rafael, Marin County, California, US

Phone: +1 415-485-0888

Opening hours

Monday:10:30 AM–8:30 PM
Tuesday:10:30 AM–8:30 PM
Wednesday:10:30 AM–8:30 PM
Thursday:10:30 AM–8:30 PM
Friday:10:30 AM–8:30 PM
Saturday:10:30 AM–8:30 PM
Sunday:Closed

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.3

193 Reviews for Little Mandarin 2024:

Review №1

2023-11-24 07:36:25

Best won ton soup EVER! Not even kidding. Its menu isnt cheap, but the food is totally worth it. Wait staff is pleasant, respectful and attentive.

Review №2

2023-10-05 02:36:51

Over price! I used to go here since 2018 until now, I think they changed the chef 👨‍🍳 the flavor for food was totally different then 2018 until now! Now they flavor is more oily& salty.honest review.. God luck 🙏

Review №3

2023-11-21 04:16:24

The food is good but is a little expensive

Review №4

2022-12-18 06:53:13

I been ordering the same dish for 4 years. Black Bean String Bean Chicken extra spicy to go. What I appreciate is that the food here shines in quality and quantity. Parking used to be an issues but now that CVS is closed, theres no problem.

Review №5

2023-06-19 06:11:32

Best lunch special… this place is amazing and has a sneaky parking lot in the back!

Review №6

2023-01-08 04:59:06

Business is cash only. Staff handle cash while they serve food. While I was waiting for my food, the young guy swept the carpet and a second later continued serving customers carrying food and touching tableware.Prices have gone up everywhere but I don’t understand how four spring rolls and a portion of beefy vegetable over mushy chow mein to go should cost $23.50

Review №7

2023-03-08 03:31:17

I have been eating here for the past 10 years and this place is still delicious. This place is fantastic and I hope this place continues for more years.

Review №8

2022-01-31 19:53:18

I’ve been eating here since I was a little kid. Loved their egg drop soup and how welcoming staff is. They call everyone’s moms and dads momma and papa, very sweet establishment 😊 I love their Mongolian beef with fried rice, really amazing comfort food!Side note, my partner remembered a really good Chinese place where they gave you free soup (when you sit in) and to both our amazement it was little mandarin ☺️

Review №9

2023-08-01 16:32:33

Love this place. Been coming for years.

Review №10

2023-11-25 12:08:19

Been eating here since 2005

Review №11

2023-02-05 23:11:57

Average at best. Cashier super RUDE. Also why cash only its 2023 people? and still no indoor dining.? Smells fishy to me and not in the good way....

Review №12

2023-04-25 21:37:52

If youre hungry!!! And in the area you have to try there food every plate is delicious i love there Kong pow chicken and Mongolian beef 😋

Review №13

2022-04-02 09:35:44

My ordered was simple one combination fried rice which was the beginning of an extremely bad restaurant day. First the gentleman behind the counter was hostile and impatient and to add insult to injury; rude. Despite all the drama I ordered and waited 20 minutes. Then the real fun began Little Mandarin’s combination fried rice which was the absolute worst you would be much better off at he heated food aisle’s of 7-Eleven or Safeway. Do yourself a big favor save your money and love for Chinese food and go elsewhere.

Review №14

2022-02-20 21:10:48

No decent Chinese would ever eat at this place. The place is dirty, loud and no service. They do give you lots on the plate, but what is lots of bad tasting food worth? If you want Chinese food dont come here. They use to be really good back in the days and its all you can eat I miss those times.

Review №15

2021-12-01 02:36:01

Delicious and very affordable price! Great quantity as well. One dish can almost feed two people. The only thing is they only accept cash. No debit or credit card.

Review №16

2022-03-15 05:47:27

Cash-only, so heads up. Prices are fair, I guess, but felt expensive because our take-out food had that paradoxical combination of oily with limited flavor while also being too salty. Beef texture was just... off. It didnt sit right.Sadly there isnt really a solid Chinese food joint in Marin.

Review №17

2019-08-05 22:10:42

Delicious food. Great price! 😋

Review №18

2022-12-19 17:57:51

We chose this place because everyone told us great things about it, dont believe everything you hear, a little shy of mid grade.

Review №19

2015-03-20 04:21:40

We stayed in town while on vacation and decided to give this place a try. Was very happy we did. It is cash only but it says it everywhere so we knew this. The food was authentic and tasted amazing. We ordered several different items and all were great. Wish we could have ordered more!!! I would recommend this to anyone looking for a good treat.

Review №20

2019-05-31 07:06:08

Ive been wanting to try this place for awhile and I finally did. I am so glad because, they were quick, the portions were good and, the food was delicious! This will be my new spot from now on, no where else but here.

Review №21

2022-04-07 02:20:54

🤤😋🥢🍴#44 on the menu vegetable chicken with rice

Review №22

2019-05-10 17:19:23

Every time we work in San Rafael we eat here! They give good portions, the food is good and the price is right, I like to eat it there while its super hot but when its a big project I get it to go and bring it back to the job-site for the crew. The parking is limited & tough for big trucks but go at 11:00 am to 11: 30 and you might get a spot in front and if not you can park around the block.Richard-Bruce BecerraOwner @ Quality Paint Contractor

Review №23

2016-08-03 23:02:40

Little Mandarin is a small place that only takes cash very close to the Transit Center in San Rafael.Their food is GOOD! Even my nieces love them.They take orders by phone but I really wish they had a card reader. Closest ATM is one block away but it is definitely worth it.

Review №24

2015-04-26 16:14:39

Small take-out/fast-food Chinese joint with a very typical dish selection. Definitely not a place for a nicer environment or finer dining, but for a cheap, quick meal to satisfy that Mongolian beef craving, it serves its purpose nicely. The service is quick and serving portions are large, but I did not find the quality to be up-to-par with other Chinese offerings around the bay area.

Review №25

2020-12-21 08:42:35

Good hole in the wall, delicious food

Review №26

2019-09-19 06:39:15

Maybe it was a bad day but,,,, I ordered take out, but was not told about cash only payment. Second, parking is a problem, especially during high traffic times. Third, employee/owner, was pretty rude, when another employee caught that, she moved in to finished the transaction. Fourth, the food was cold, since I had to find a ATM. Fifth, returned home, took two bites, had to throw it away, the worst chicken chop shu Ive ever had and the spring rolls were so soggy.

Review №27

2020-08-18 15:55:02

The Mongolian beef and fried rice combo is the tastiest in the bay area. So good! Decent prices also. Tried the wor wonton soup, was not so good.

Review №28

2019-03-31 05:03:24

Best Chinese food all around....reasonable prices n the lady who runs the show is the nicest,kindest n hardest working lady I ever saw....I love her...friendly n always kind...but I bet she is one tough lady too....may fortune smile on this delightful place!!

Review №29

2014-11-10 01:20:42

Ive been going there since I could remember. Great food and family ran. They truly set the standard for Asian quesezen. Dont pass up if you have the chance. Cash only**

Review №30

2019-09-28 23:40:12

I love this little tucked away place. Its a little unorthodox in its systems, but the food is DELICIOUS. Mongolian Beef is a sure-fire winner!

Review №31

2017-01-04 20:47:36

This a homey restaurant. Inexpensive family ambiance. Real Chinese food no MSG all natural ingredients. Talk about comfort food. Dont expect high end anything. No delivery just pick up service.

Review №32

2021-03-02 06:34:59

The mangolin beef(spicy) from here is amazing. I fantasize about it in my dreams. I just had it today and I already want it again. The chili oil is fnn amazing.

Review №33

2019-12-28 14:27:08

Best mongolian beef and oj chicken

Review №34

2019-01-26 22:45:47

Have been going to this place for years great food mostly packed at times but worth the price and wait

Review №35

2023-08-09 17:16:16

Good food

Review №36

2019-02-20 08:07:49

It’s a small place and is usually always full but the food is amazing and worth the wait. The Mongolian beef is very tasty.

Review №37

2017-04-25 00:56:29

Large fresh portions at reasonable prices. Very delicate pancakes for Mu Su pork. Friendly efficient service.

Review №38

2017-08-30 16:05:32

Love the food here. I work down the street and its nice to have it close but hate that it is cash only

Review №39

2019-10-20 01:47:09

The food is great here.Been going there for quite some time.Mongolian Beef is the best.

Review №40

2017-02-23 16:31:42

Good tasting large portions. Youll get a lot of people that need a good fair meal. Love this place.

Review №41

2018-01-18 01:58:08

Love this place been coming here since the 80s everything is great ..live in East Bay will drive to eat here

Review №42

2020-09-18 01:24:20

Its a good place, i like to have a mongolian beef or kung pao chiken also some veggies with shrimps its great.

Review №43

2019-05-18 20:10:42

I am an African-American customer and I went into little Mandarin to place an order for lunch and they ignored me at the register. I asked three times if they had a lunch special she the owner of the restaurant did not acknowledge me at all and after waiting there and her not helping me I left out of the restaurant little Mandarin does not appreciate Black customers.

Review №44

2017-06-12 20:48:27

Old decor, a lot of deferred maintenance, very busy at lunchtime, god was okay, nothing spectacular. Parking in thus area is difficult.

Review №45

2018-05-30 18:30:03

Favorite place, I go there often and the food is really good as well as the service.

Review №46

2016-08-21 01:29:40

This is a great little hole in the wall with authentic Chinese food at reasonable prices and enormous portions. Oddly enough, its the only Chinese food restaurant where only forks were provided, no chopsticks.

Review №47

2016-09-27 20:36:49

I like the food and good service im going w 3 stars...

Review №48

2019-08-05 22:33:03

Food is good....very busy little spot....i would go back again!!!

Review №49

2018-01-16 17:56:17

I have been going there since I was 19..a student at Dominican. 25 years later raised my kids on the Rogers Special!

Review №50

2016-08-29 23:55:44

I love theyre food. i go there all the time with my friends. : ) :)

Review №51

2017-11-10 06:54:28

Definitely the best chinese to date!! The staff is friendly!! Ive only ordered to-go bit there portions and prices are perfect!!!

Review №52

2018-06-07 01:17:07

Good manager that are super nice but, there is a pushly waiter the last time i went

Review №53

2019-01-22 20:43:35

Not the greatest place. Just a basic hole in the wall food spot. Cash only no debit card or credit card allowed

Review №54

2019-03-26 05:49:38

One of my favorite places to go to in SR, love there Mongolian chicken and chicken chow mein.

Review №55

2020-12-26 08:54:16

Love the food and always get my order correct

Review №56

2021-03-08 21:49:29

Food Its pretty good. Best mongolian beef in town

Review №57

2023-04-06 23:56:21

Valid place good food

Review №58

2019-11-04 22:52:47

Great hot meals old chins crowded feel but it makes since

Review №59

2019-10-05 05:36:29

Nice food, too bad is not open on Sunday. Gets crowded sometimes, great food, and price!

Review №60

2018-02-16 20:57:06

I love ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ this place because the food is super duper delicious 😋 😋 😋

Review №61

2016-07-16 02:25:40

I like the moo Shu pork with pancakes. Great value. Very reliable. Friendly.

Review №62

2021-06-16 20:45:46

Fantastic Wantan Soup!! Really good food for years...

Review №63

2017-07-04 21:49:59

Pretty good food at this seemingly simple place. Large portion.

Review №64

2019-03-18 04:36:26

Nice place the owner are very friendly I be going here for the last 15 years 👍

Review №65

2018-11-04 04:48:02

Is a great place for food, very very delicious....

Review №66

2017-04-24 03:45:00

Mongolian bbq is all you need. Very popular, great people running it. A gem

Review №67

2018-02-21 01:31:46

Only been here once. Looks really sketchy inside, but the mongolian beef is scrumptious.

Review №68

2017-08-26 23:37:47

Great place, good food and fast ordering.

Review №69

2022-03-19 04:23:42

No dine in, but still love their food.

Review №70

2017-02-06 18:59:28

Basic simple Chinese dishes, no frills restaurant. I felt it was a little expensive for what it is, 9-11$/plate.

Review №71

2018-08-28 21:04:08

Simple, good food, reasonably priced. Large portions!

Review №72

2017-01-11 01:48:12

Subpar. My expectations for Chinese are low, but this place managed to meh me anyway. Maybe better if you eat in?

Review №73

2018-02-17 07:41:06

To much rice in the plate. Not enough help took a long time for the guy to bring his water napkins our food

Review №74

2017-06-16 02:52:11

Great food! Friendly and family owned

Review №75

2018-10-09 03:49:59

Best home town meal place and best for bucks

Review №76

2019-02-22 20:52:08

Food so good been goin for 10yrs

Review №77

2017-10-02 23:13:01

I like buying food here, is always so fresh

Review №78

2019-03-02 22:42:38

Mushy food, my hungry so wouldnt even eat his chow mein. Not particularly cheap either.

Review №79

2022-10-09 22:21:26

Best Mongolia food in the bay

Review №80

2017-05-02 03:19:06

Excellent food and quick service everytime.

Review №81

2018-08-19 20:26:10

One of the best Chinese restaurants in San rafael.

Review №82

2017-12-09 04:31:04

Great food. Made fresh.

Review №83

2019-11-06 22:43:01

I love the two sisters and all the family that work together

Review №84

2019-06-26 00:01:37

This is a very good Chinese restaurant we enjoyed the food

Review №85

2020-02-17 08:46:25

Nice Owners and staff. Always good .

Review №86

2019-06-29 20:22:26

Iss good but they be taxin on Gatorade

Review №87

2016-04-26 14:39:42

Been coming here since 91.When I call in they know my voiyand what I like after I say hello

Review №88

2017-09-08 23:31:02

Fresh hot food good prices and portions

Review №89

2018-01-31 19:48:27

Great food, nice people.

Review №90

2018-01-24 06:03:09

Great food great price

Review №91

2019-09-11 02:08:47

Theyve got NASTY TASTING FOOD!!!😠😠😭😥😥🥵🥵🥺🥺BAD EXPERIENCE!!!😠😠😠😠

Review №92

2017-09-21 05:05:18

Mi kids love this place. Thats are a good answer

Review №93

2021-12-22 21:31:59

Orange chicken was salty and Choi men is alright

Review №94

2020-01-24 07:27:59

Good food okay price

Review №95

2018-05-20 13:33:12

Good Chinese food but too small inside

Review №96

2019-03-03 16:55:37

Good size portions good food

Review №97

2019-02-18 19:52:58

Excellent service, good for families, delicious

Review №98

2018-01-14 21:47:45

Feels dirty and the food tasted stale and old.

Review №99

2018-09-12 11:33:17

Its fast Chinese at its best prices...

Review №100

2019-08-24 21:22:32

I love their food

Review №101

2018-03-09 00:51:47

Use to be really good, now not so much.

Review №102

2017-03-15 06:41:59

Like but food is so hot

Review №103

2020-07-20 20:40:25

Always a pleasure for a good meal.

Review №104

2018-08-19 03:18:27

Very good food!!!

Review №105

2018-07-10 02:59:58

Pleasantly surprised by the food! A

Review №106

2016-05-01 01:00:22

First time and service was great.

Review №107

2016-11-23 02:24:24

The best Chinese food youll ever have!!!

Review №108

2017-07-11 01:23:31

Thats amazing place to forget what was worry me

Review №109

2018-04-19 18:31:12

Family owned, always good!

Review №110

2018-01-19 22:08:44

Amazing place to eat!!!

Review №111

2020-06-02 15:37:13

The best food in San Rafael

Review №112

2016-07-08 22:33:00

Cash only, decent food

Review №113

2018-10-20 05:32:46

Delicious and wholesome family Chinese.

Review №114

2022-06-04 22:46:23

Cash only

Review №115

2019-12-21 07:52:40

Food and prizes the best

Review №116

2018-01-22 06:38:33

Love their food

Review №117

2017-07-05 01:11:59

Mongolian beef over rice. Thats it.

Review №118

2020-01-22 22:12:53

So good

Review №119

2018-02-07 20:12:59

Review №120

2017-07-24 18:53:04

Great food!!!

Review №121

2016-09-08 02:52:13

This is a good Chinese restaurant.

Review №122

2017-07-24 21:16:49

Very good food

Review №123

2017-05-24 08:54:57

Good for eat along

Review №124

2019-12-08 00:37:34

Liked your soup

Review №125

2021-03-07 01:51:08

It was just good.

Review №126

2016-12-23 04:50:16

Best Mongolian Beef

Review №127

2019-10-05 01:55:18

Excellent Food

Review №128

2019-08-31 01:59:25

Love this place!

Review №129

2018-02-28 00:25:49

Delicious food !

Review №130

2014-04-04 18:16:12

They are cash only.

Review №131

2018-10-15 14:06:20

Always great.

Review №132

2014-10-23 12:57:04

The best

Review №133

2017-08-08 04:11:27

Berry good food

Review №134

2019-11-19 00:44:39

The best in Town

Review №135

2019-09-17 23:16:57

Mmm good...

Review №136

2019-09-29 03:39:53

Best in marin

Review №137

2017-09-14 14:26:55

Basic Chinese food $$

Review №138

2019-12-28 07:54:55

Great

Review №139

2019-09-20 02:51:59

Yummy, Yummy food

Review №140

2018-04-20 17:11:54

Review №141

2019-07-06 13:08:28

Nice

Review №142

2014-06-23 15:28:31

Review №143

2015-08-18 15:32:25

Mmmmm good

Review №144

2017-12-25 08:16:43

Review №145

2020-09-17 02:10:59

Overpriced restaurant

Review №146

2019-04-27 14:11:01

Love it...

Review №147

2018-06-06 00:00:07

This place is terrible

Review №148

2020-02-10 20:21:36

Rica sazon.

Review №149

2017-05-19 05:19:05

Yummy, cheap, Chinese

Review №150

2017-06-10 05:45:48

Regular

Review №151

2018-01-24 19:06:16

Always bomb

Review №152

2016-11-29 21:23:53

Great food

Review №153

2019-10-07 15:28:54

Little terrible

Review №154

2020-01-25 19:51:00

I love this place.

Review №155

2018-02-06 04:53:48

Extent food

Review №156

2017-06-17 00:23:21

Always great!

Review №157

2017-08-12 02:23:45

Review №158

2021-02-16 07:58:09

Good food !

Review №159

2023-08-22 17:01:09

Good food, only sometimes its crowded 😁

Review №160

2021-03-28 14:51:11

George Lucas hometown of San Rafael, where he lived in 1990.When I was hungry, my friends and I would come to this restaurant for cheap, delicious, and filling food.It is a famous restaurant that symbolizes the days spent in San Francisco and San Rafael during my youth.30 years later, Little Mandarin has grown and seems to be gaining even more fame, which makes me happy 😂

Review №161

2020-08-23 00:25:11

Bad my experience my friends.The truth had a better expectation of little Mandarin .The food was totally wrong:beaten ricePoorly cooked beef (waste)Orange chicken too sweetA thousand apologies for this comment but it is my experience in little Mandarin.

Review №162

2022-06-23 20:28:49

Very good place to dine, very delicious Chinese food and good service, I recommend it💕👍

Review №163

2019-09-05 04:43:05

I love it because they roast my specials what I love like

Review №164

2016-04-20 19:50:51

The Mongolian meat bowl is okay, but the chaos is too salty, so I ordered shrimp fried rice

Review №165

2017-07-27 21:17:21

Super delicious food and soup they give...

Review №166

2017-09-06 20:52:30

Super delicious food and excellent service

Review №167

2023-03-07 06:30:01

A unique flavor

Review №168

2018-01-19 00:55:35

Terrible service from the cashier and the food is not very good

Review №169

2018-08-09 05:57:05

I loved everything, its delicious

Review №170

2021-02-06 04:20:13

A good place to buy Asian food

Review №171

2017-06-14 14:47:44

It costs a little when you place an order over the phone

Review №172

2022-04-11 00:46:38

Very good food 👌

Review №173

2018-06-29 05:06:30

Good food and very economical

Review №174

2017-12-01 22:50:55

Good food, place is born

Review №175

2022-10-03 16:21:05

The food has changed a lot

Review №176

2017-12-17 18:26:42

Very good service

Review №177

2018-01-31 01:55:32

But already very expensive

Review №178

2019-10-01 00:38:27

Very delicious food

Review №179

2018-12-05 21:40:31

I liked

Review №180

2022-04-25 13:43:50

Excellent

Review №181

2018-07-23 18:11:49

The truth is, the food is excellent.

Review №182

2019-03-20 21:23:08

Very good chinese food

Review №183

2017-04-15 00:39:47

Excellent food and kindness

Review №184

2020-09-29 23:22:01

Because its good food

Review №185

2021-02-27 03:12:36

Perfect

Review №186

2019-01-03 22:10:32

Review №187

2022-03-22 21:03:02

Ghetto manderin

Review №188

2019-09-23 01:41:25

Delicious

Review №189

2017-12-07 00:41:58

Hello

Review №190

2013-11-14 03:29:30

Telephone

Review №191

2021-02-28 04:27:48

Tasty chicken

Review №192

2019-12-18 05:16:54

Review №193

2022-11-17 01:51:14

Chinese restaurant