Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Mais Vietnamese Restaurant in San Francisco

4.4 (57) 316 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118, United States

Categories

Vietnamese restaurant

Location on the map

San Francisco, City and County of San Francisco, California, US

Phone: +1 415-221-3046

Opening hours

Monday:11:30 AM–2:30 PM
Tuesday:11:30 AM–2:30 PM
Wednesday:11:30 AM–2:30 PM
Thursday:11:30 AM–2:30 PM
Friday:11:30 AM–2:30 PM
Saturday:11:30 AM–2:30 PM
Sunday:11:30 AM–2:30 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.4

57 Reviews for Mais Vietnamese Restaurant 2024:

Review №1

2023-04-16 21:56:44

Came here for a nice quiet lunch despite the loudness of the farmers market outside. Street parking around this time is always difficult. We had the Vietnamese iced coffee which was strong. Lemongrass pork chop was moist and also had good char. Special pho was good. Broth still felt clean.

Review №2

2023-04-10 03:49:39

I stopped by Mais because I was craving some imperial rolls over some vermicelli noodles. From this single experience and from ordering this single dish, I have a few thoughts. Mais is a quaint and unassuming restaurant - it has a very old-school feel inside which is common amongst restaurants along Clement. The service was good and the food was prepared in a timely manner. I had the imperial roll and bbq chicken over rice noodle plate, which came with a single fried imperial roll, pickled carrot/veg and bean sprouts all over a generous serving of chicken and noodles. The imperial roll was okay. I thought it tasted good, but the meat inside felt dense and very homogeneous. The chicken tasted great, especially with the sauce that the plate comes with. I think if the imperial roll was just a bit better quality, I would have loved it. However, I was a bit underwhelmed. It seems like other people have had better experiences with other dishes here, so I am looking forward to being back at Mais to try out something different.

Review №3

2022-09-07 02:30:15

Im not sure if other reviewers have had authentic Vietnamese food because the food here seems like the quick and dirty version. The beef pho broth tasted like the pho powder you can get at the supermarket and didnt taste like a deep bone broth at all. At least the meat quality was okay. Ordered the imperial spring rolls and although it was crispy, it was also dry and again it tasted pre-made from the supermarket frozen section. Im not saying that is true but I wouldnt want my food to taste like that either. I came here to try the nem nuong rolls since it is one of the only places in the city that serves it. It was super dry and overcooked. And again again it does not taste like they made the meat mixture themselves. Overall, the ingredients like vegetables and beef tasted fresh but some parts of the dishes tasted frozen. However, I still had a great time because the lady owner was extremely caring and nice to us.

Review №4

2023-08-22 18:39:30

This is my favorite place to go for pho in SF. The food is authentic and so good - my wife says its as good as anything she had when she was in Vietnam. I always get the lemongrass beef pho and my wife gets the combo pho, but weve tried a lot on the menu and its all been great. The staff is very friendly and remembers us each time we come in. The restaurant itself is a little outdated and very quiet (no music or anything playing inside) but the food and service easily make up for it. I always recommend this place to friends looking for good pho in SF.

Review №5

2023-06-18 01:05:08

Inside smelled like a very old storage /garage 120yrs old. Nasty stains on curtains. I should’ve really left… 7spice chicken did NOT taste like one.. but tasted like a cross between Chinese chicken with little bit of Vietnamese 7spices and ton of sugar…. Ugh

Review №6

2023-08-30 20:41:37

$16 for a small plate of stir fry veggies. Underwhelming … soy sauce was the dominant flavor. Very disappointingGood service though,

Review №7

2023-05-28 19:41:32

*NOT CLOSED THEY ARE HAVING TROUBLE UPDATING*This place is basically a second home to me. Comfortable food, and even a more comfortable atmosphere created by the workers. For years I’ve been coming here and hopefully for years I will continue!

Review №8

2023-06-28 02:45:51

No frills, good prices, and the best beef brisket pho I’ve ever had. The lemongrass bbq short rib over cold rice noodles was so so so so good.

Review №9

2023-07-19 00:34:04

Pho is super authentic and fragrant. Really nice owners as well. I will come back often!

Review №10

2020-02-06 18:43:29

This was a good experience in SF. The service was so friendly I could have thought I was having lunch at Grandmas. The food itself was unmistakably fresh and cared for. I cant wait to come back here.

Review №11

2022-04-07 20:03:03

I cannot give this restaurant a high enough review, 5 is an understatement!The pho is one of the best in the cities (check out the curry noodle soup). Even after moving two hours away I will frequently stop in and buy mass quantities of pho to bring home and eat for the week. On top of amazing food the people here are divine and are some of the sweetest individuals I’ve met in my years of living in San Francisco. This place feels like home after awhile!

Review №12

2022-10-02 01:12:24

I really like the pho here (esp the chicken pho). The portion is huge even for a small bowl and they give you breast meat. The people who run the restaurant are extremely friendly. Parking though can be a little painful especially on the weekends but so worth it.

Review №13

2018-01-28 21:28:47

Family run authentic Vietnamese cuisine, small cozy place where you will be treated with so much kindness and great food :)Only thing, you have to clearly mention them your allergies before ordering!

Review №14

2020-01-12 01:26:25

It’s a good place. It’s really clean. Food is amazing! 10/10 reccomend.

Review №15

2022-04-19 03:28:46

The food is absolutely delicious and the owners are lovely caring people. Great vibes, I felt like i had a home cooked meal. Highly recommend and we will go back here as often as we can!

Review №16

2023-01-12 01:05:40

Mais is a friendly, delicious spot for pho and other Vietnamese food classics. The broth of the pho was some of the best I had and the service was incredible! Very friendly and hospitable 😃

Review №17

2021-06-18 16:23:50

Just came in here for my first dining-in experience since the pandemic started, and it was excellent!! The food was delicious and the service was wonderful, the waitress was very eager to help out and make sure we had everything we needed. I don’t live in San Francisco, but my family has eaten here before and we still love it!

Review №18

2019-07-21 23:43:20

The best in town! Ive been going to Mais for over 15 years and have always had a great experience. The food is consistently delicious; the couple who own and work there are warm, friendly, and attentive.So happy to have Mais in SF!

Review №19

2020-09-19 02:32:52

A neighborhood mainstay that has been serving some of the best Vietnamese food in the city for decades. Definitely a comfort food spot.

Review №20

2016-08-13 22:43:37

The best Ive ever had. I bring friends there just for that soup. Ive heard slurps, moans of joy, seen eyes roll back. This soup is amazing. If you like ginger, you cannot miss this.Mais would get a 5 if not for the interesting hospitality. Its a mom and pop shop and the owners are fabulous. Always smiling, taking care of you, but there are just some odd things about them. Maybe one of them is that she smiles all the time.They kick me and a friend out at closing time and we were just finishing up our meal. We had to slurp it all down pretty quick. If you go, go well before closing. Youll have a wonderful time.

Review №21

2020-03-11 05:10:16

We discovered Mai’s back in the 1980s when it was in an upscale part of Union St. in Cow Hollow. Fell in love with their Hot & Sour Soup. Tried, unsuccessfully, to find a similar soup near our home in South Orange County, CA, but no luck. Returned years later to find Mai’s out of business, but tracked them down at their original location on Clement Street in a more budget-friendly part of town. Same awesome flavors, same crazy-good Hot & Sour Soup! (Would give anything to find out their recipe. I know there’s pineapple in the broth. Delicious!!)Can’t wait to return!

Review №22

2019-02-17 19:56:11

Pho is straight outta moms kitchen! So delicious and more authentic than any restaurant in the city. My review speaks to the atmosphere- its a small place with no music and very dark and upholstered. A think some music could really put this place together.

Review №23

2023-03-05 03:49:24

The food, ambience and service was absolutely fantastic!! Highly recommend this place if you’re craving some homemade food Vietnamese food.

Review №24

2022-06-28 16:00:54

Had a delicious bowl of soup. All the veggies were fresh and the broth was very tasty. Good service. Very clean my

Review №25

2016-07-17 17:11:14

I have been eating here for over 10 yrs. Food is always great. Taste never changes. Service is excellent. Imperial rolls and BBQ pork over rice is my favorite. Best imperial rolls around!

Review №26

2014-09-27 23:30:15

I love this place! Its one of my favorite Vietnamese places in the Inner Richmond area. I like that they have a variety of dishes - from claypots to pho to curry to rice plates to rolls..... etc. Its also nice that this is a friendly mom & pop shop - support local!Ive tried quite a few things and theyre all delicious. I cant see their menu online, but my favorite is actually the rolls (where you build your own rolls by dipping the rice paper in the water and then making your own wrap with your filling of choice + basil + mint + carrots, etc) I remember its about $15 but it can definitely feed 2-3 people! I usually get it with the sugarcane shrimp.Ill update the review once I can find the name of what it is.. lol.

Review №27

2015-08-04 22:37:57

I am usual at Mais because I love the low-key vibe, excellent customer service (the waitress/owner always has a huge smile on her face) and delicious food. If you are ever craving an authentic bowl of pho, imperial rolls, or combo of both plus a very chill setting (hard to find on Clement sometimes) I would ABSOLUTELY recommend Mai to anyone local or new to the area :) I

Review №28

2019-08-15 20:22:59

The lemongrass barbecue beef pho - WOW. Usually I prefer the traditional stuff and I’ve rarely been so amazed by trying something unorthodox. A+ service too. Pour over iced coffee was delicious :)

Review №29

2017-04-17 19:55:23

HORRIBLE. This used to be one of my favorites but going WAY DOWN HILL. Do yourself a favor and go to a more popular Thai or Vietnamese on 9th and Clement.After ordering and spending about $35 on a meal, the portions were small. The food looked old, and I didnt feel well afterwards. This never happens to me. The dishware was old and glasses from 1980.We ate our meal nicely and was told at 8 PM to pay our bill and LEAVE because they were closing. Really? This is San Francisco. The rest of the street was hopping.We left and will not return.

Review №30

2015-12-31 02:29:24

Customer service was very bad. We have about 12 people and the lady was like these large tables are reserved. Then we ask how long is the wait. She goes, we dont serve group of 12. I was like you just say those tables were reserve for a group, how are you not going to serve us?. the lady just ignore us and left inside to the cooking area. We then left. Give this place a -100 for poor service.

Review №31

2016-04-26 02:45:01

Weekdays parking isnt too bad this restaurant is in the popular San Francisco restaurant area. Good Pho, good service, great prices, clean and not too busy during the week days after the lunch rush, 2PM was the time I was there.

Review №32

2022-06-14 01:58:34

A humble spot but probably one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in town, super juicy chicken & beef. Try their ice coffee too!

Review №33

2021-11-19 23:22:26

Wonderful staff amazing food!! I’ve tried many different menu items over the years and all were consistently delicious!! Highly recommend!!

Review №34

2019-12-11 22:08:29

The Food is absolutely delicious! The Owners are such Great people.I have been eating at Mais since the 80s.

Review №35

2016-02-10 18:29:14

Wife and I popped in once and had an excellent meal there. My wife is very picky with her viet food, so this is about as much of a ringing endorsement as you can get.

Review №36

2018-02-05 22:09:18

Cheapo service...Lady will charge me $3 for clear soup, their BBQ pork is sooooo salty but I still refuse to get rip for soup! Will never come back here again!!!

Review №37

2023-11-26 21:42:58

Not vegan options 💀

Review №38

2022-07-11 07:22:50

Great service and wonderful mom and pop owner. They’re absolutely lovely

Review №39

2022-04-18 02:50:25

Visited this little gem with my family. Great service, clean, kind and the food is delicious.

Review №40

2023-10-26 12:59:55

Just short of perfect,

Review №41

2021-09-14 19:39:14

Reasonable price, clean place, good taste and good service 😊

Review №42

2022-05-16 22:32:47

Friendly hosts, food was good and inexpensive

Review №43

2022-02-03 03:53:27

The owner/host could not have been kinder.

Review №44

2016-09-26 00:34:13

Best fresh, family-run hole in the wall in SF.

Review №45

2021-12-29 20:23:07

Solid imperial roll and beef pho!

Review №46

2020-02-04 01:03:08

Delicious food, warm and friendly service.

Review №47

2019-09-16 19:09:26

Great authentic Vietnamese food!

Review №48

2015-11-18 04:20:41

Your average hole in the wall Vietnamese with excellent service

Review №49

2019-07-23 23:07:17

Good but $12 lunch

Review №50

2018-09-06 14:44:32

Love the Lemon Grass Chicken!

Review №51

2019-05-22 02:57:03

Enjoy Vietnamese cuisine beyond pho

Review №52

2017-03-30 21:07:24

Amazing service & food.

Review №53

2021-12-22 10:35:34

We miss you!

Review №54

2018-07-03 22:50:58

Tasty. Funky service.

Review №55

2021-08-17 20:21:32

Delicious!

Review №56

2019-03-21 03:11:16

I ate BBQ pork rice noodle and it was delicious~

Review №57

2018-12-11 07:23:14

Fresh, good service