Old Mandarin Islamic Restaurant Review, San Francisco

Why did we dine here? – Old Mandarin Islamic Restaurant is a Chinese Mandarin cuisine restaurant located in the foggy Outer Sunset District of San Francisco. They have been serving up pretty authentic Mandarin dishes for many years. They are an Islamic restaurant that does not serve pork.
Our last visit was about seven years ago, so we were eager to rekindle our fond memories.

Insider Tip – This restaurant is tiny, so come early or late

Cuisine – Chinese Mandarin
Location – San Francisco, Outer Sunset District
Opened – 2001

Service – Old Mandarin Islamic Restaurant is a pretty small restaurant, with about 10 tables, so servers don’t have a lot of excuses not to deliver quality service. Their service was solid but not outstanding.

Verdict – Old Mandarin Islamic Restaurant is a solid bet for people seeking this type of authentic cuisine. It is worth the journey if you like Mandarin Chinese cuisine.

Signature Dishes – Hot Pot, lamb dishes, dumplings, Warm Pot.

Old Mandarin Islamic Restaurant’s Menu is pretty extensive, they include a lot of the Americanized Chinese standards, along with Beijing Style Hot Pot, dumplings, noodles, and many other Mandarin dishes. Stick to the Mandarin dishes for authenticity. If you like this restaurant also try Beijing Restaurant in San Francisco.

Picks:

Lamb with Green Onion ($10.95) or better known as Cumin Lamb in other restaurants, was extremely spicy, not too greasy, and all in all, a very good version.

Peking Beef Pancake ($8.50) is a staple at many Mandarin restaurants. This restaurant cooked a pretty authentic version of this classic dish.

West Lake Lamb Dumpling ($7.95 for 12) looked very pale, but proved to be gamey and pretty juicy.

Hot Braised Lamb Ribs ($16.95) were swimming in a brownish gravy. Abundant in quantity, the meat was long braised, making it fall off the bone.

Sauteed String Beans ($8.95) came with tofu and was slightly spicy. A recommended dish from the waitress, proved to be just okay.

OK: (Order if you like this dish)
None

Pans: (We would not reorder these dishes)
None

$25 Dining Certificate for $5

Old Mandarin Islamic Restaurant Overall Rating: (Good 2)

Come Back?

Food Rating:	(Very Good)
Service Rating:	(Good)
Atmosphere Rating:	(Good)
Value Rating:	(Good)

Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Below/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary

Alcohol:	Beer, Wine
Attire:	Casual
Parking:	Street
Reservations:	Yes