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    Capital Restaurant

    3.9 (1k reviews)
    ModerateChinese
    Closed Closed

    Capital Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    CAPITAL RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Capital Restaurant

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    Crisy G.

    Omg coming back here after 15 years,, they changed ownership n maybe few cooks,, but food I ordered didn't taste same,,my salt n pepper fried chicken wings came out overcooked n hard batter,, wasn't thin crunch n juicy,, i asked for extra extra sliced, jalapeño peppers, ,, which came out with couple slices hmmmm ????n spicy minced meat over tofu was funky,,, pea sprouts was just little overcooked toooo... we parked 6 blocks away,,for the iconic food that remember,,,!!!!! And I was worried would it crowded ??? Got there n only 4 tables of customers,, questioning myself why there is anymore????no lines ????guess we won't be coming anymore,,,

    110. Mongolian Beef Chow Mein
    Michael L.

    Capital restaurant in Chinatown is an iconic spot to eat at in San Francisco. They serve old school Chinese American dishes in good portions. Items that aren't as common as in the old days like Egg Foo Young. But the most ordered entree is their famous wings. The wings are freshly fried and delicious. The noodles dishes are solid. Egg Foo Young surprised me and complimented my meal nicely. Service is solid. Dining area is large with plenty of seating even though it does get packed. Definitely worth checking out for some good Chinese food.

    Sherman T.

    Salt and pepper fried chicken. It's the sole reason we came and the sole reason most people come. It will be the sole reason you'll come as well but there's so much more to explore if your stomach and tastebuds can get past the crispy, flavorful and meaty chicken wings. In the heart of Chinatown, you'll find a whole lot of authentic eateries serving up locals and visitors alike, some even gaining reputations as iconic gems that cannot be missed. Capital Restaurant is one of those. Often seen with folks standing by waiting for orders and packed with patrons during peak mealtimes, Capital has become infamous for their succulent chicken wings, lightly breaded and fried, then seasoned with a salt and pepper combo that will have you smacking your lips and sucking your finger tips. They're fried so well that the cartilage can be consumed easily off the bone. Regardless of whether you dine in, order by phone for pick up, or walk in to order takeout, they are always behind on their chicken orders. Knowing that these chicken wings are flying out the door to meet the constant demand, it's no doubt they're fresh and made to order. As expected, wait times can flutter around 20-60 minutes depending on your order but oh my, is it worth it! We got one order to go that we planned to eat as we walked about town. It took about 20-30 minutes for the order as it seemed like every patron ended up getting at least one order. A dozen to each order, it was plenty for a party of us four to get a good taste while leaving room for other goodies but I can imagine if chicken wings was the meal, we could have easily downed 2-3 orders. They're delicious. They have other menu items as well that should receive just as much praise as their chicken. Fresh veggies sautéed with garlic, seafood and hearty meats, noodles and rice dishes, and other fried goodies like fish filets are all accessible from their menu and included in their meal sets. Their dining space is pretty large and includes big tables for larger parties (6-8) or for sharing among multiple parties, smaller tables for parties of four or fewer people, and booths for singles and doubles. The churn is pretty quick so you should be able to get a table and most patrons are here for takeout. The toughest part is just waiting for your food as the kitchen is extremely backlogged. The staff all speak Mandarin, Cantonese and English but I think you'll build a better rapport if you're a Cantonese speaker. They're quite curt in English as the language comprehension may be limited so don't take that bluntness as disrespect; they're simply focused on efficiency. We placed our order and paid in cash but they do accept credit card. Some folks opted to pay after their orders were ready but we wanted to get that chicken and eat it as soon it was ready! Overall, Capital Restaurant is like any other Chinese restaurant here in Chinatown but clearly stands out for one item, their chicken wings. Their specialty truly shines and they know it, thrive on it, and continues to leverage it to showcase their other strengths. I look forward to coming back to try their other items but needless to say, the chicken will always be on my tab, no matter how long the wait will be.

    Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings 3 orders
    Shirley L.

    Best salt and pepper chicken wings here! The food is delicious, service is fast. Good for quick lunch in between work and cheap pricing! The place is definitely not a fancy restaurant at all but quality of food is there. Sometimes you may be placed sitting with other people in a large place to accommodate for seating and getting everyone inside to eat. We got the dried scallops eith egg white fried ride, Fukien style egg tofu, and capitals spareribs. I forgot to take a picture because I would enjoying my food. All good choices and enjoyed it all!

    Fried Chicken Wings with Salt and Hot Pepper
    Nora W.

    Such great fried chicken wings. If you have a craving, you must find parking and order these. So delicious and fresh. We ordered the Beef Chow Fun because we were going sooo very old school. We usually do the take out because we can pay cash and just bring the food back home. It never disappoints. No-frills and very popular. The server/ order out lady was great. She ran out part of our order because we were afraid the meter maid was going to ticket us. It went into the 3:00 PM hour and it became a "No Parking" zone. Yikes! Props to the fantastic service and kind-heartedness of the server. Fantastic food as always.

    Peking spareribs
    Allena C.

    We've heard great things about Capital Restaurant, especially their fried chicken wings! So while in the area, we were able to grab a table about 45 minutes before closing. Strangely, they close at 8 pm, which is quite early, so luckily we got there in time. We weren't the only ones in line, and the place had a bunch of patrons still enjoying their meals. But they managed to squeeze us in! ***OUR PICKS*** FRIED CHICKEN WINGS WITH SALT AND HOT PEPPERS ~ We were told you get 11 large wings! They were lightly salted and fried with jalapeno peppers. And these wings maintained their crispiness throughout dinner. It seemed like every table had them! They were gooood! And the price was very reasonable too! But the funny thing is, there are no prices on the menu?! Online, I see $13.50 - 13.95. Then a reviewer said it was $13.75. In any case, it doesn't go over $14. At least not yet! It's a DEFINITE must-get item if you love wings like we do!!! 5/5 PEKING SPARERIBS ~ Deep-fried pork ribs coated in a sweet, tangy, and dark red sauce, often made from ketchup, soy sauce and vinegar. These were still crispy with the sauce! Very flavorful and yummy! 5/5 FISH FILET WITH TOFU AND BLACK MUSHROOMS IN CLAYPOT ~ Fish was tender, and the sauce was tasty. One of our friends who was dining with us really likes this dish, so we ordered it. We thought it was good too! 5/5 SAUTEED PEA SHOOTS WITH GARLIC ~ This was the only dish that could have been better. The pea sprouts were a bit old, and so they were not tender. It's quite fibrous when the stems aren't soft, so you'd have to chew a bit harder to get it down! It was garlicky as it should be, but just tough. 3/5 YANG CHOW FRIED RICE ~ char siu, shrimp, scallions, eggs, and peas. This was also another good dish. 4/5 WESTLAKE SOUP ~ Egg white drop soup with beef. The soup was lighter than gravy, so it wasn't too starchy and the beef was soft and tender. Very warm and comforting on a chilly evening. 5/5 We liked almost every dish. We would only skip the pea shoots. Otherwise, it's a solid choice to get Cantonese food in Chinatown! We will come back again when we're in the mood for chicken wings and are in the neighborhood!

    2. 6 Pot Stickers
    Chris J.

    Food was flavorful. Service was quick and easy Ambiance was old school. Not the most seats but def worth it!!

    Oxtails with Bean Curd
    Ronna I.

    I've heard so much about how good their chicken wings are. Yes, the texture is great--super crunchy, and they maintain their crunchiness after sitting out a bit. However, I didn't detect much flavor. They were pretty bland. Maybe it was an off day or a day off from the regular chef. We also ordered the oxtails with bean curd (foo jook) which was flavorful. They cut some of the larger oxtails, which results in some bone shards in the stew. The tofu with mushrooms was good. Portions were not generous but adequate. Service is pretty quick. This place is a very casual restaurant and being located in Chinatown, it has limited street parking. Portsmouth Square Garage on Kearny would be easier than searching for street parking.

    9. Fried Chicken Wings with Salt and Hot Pepper
    Lindsay C.

    The chicken wings will always been the best in SF ! Tastes better than I remember, my grandparents would always take my siblings and I when we visited the city. Not pictured, but the chow fun is also a must get!

    Fried Chicken Wings with Salt and Hot Pepper
    Sharon S.

    What a fun way to start the day off with a day trip to SF! Capital is tried and true. Even with the change in ownership quite a few years ago, this place is consistently delicious and reasonably priced. This is a no-frills, traditional Chinese restaurant with average service. 10 of us stopped here for lunch and my kids convinced me to order four orders of the salt and pepper chicken wings. Fast forward to the end of our meal, we got another order! We also got salt and pepper shrimp, dry fried beef chow fun, tomato beef HK style chow mein, Chinese broccoli chicken HK style chow mein, pork/preserved vegetable and fried tofu, and blackbean spareribs string beans rice. Everything was delicious and the tab came out to be around $226 with tax and tip. For 10 people and enough food for leftovers, this is a great deal. Kids weren't wrong, the wings served piping hot and crispy there is definitely 1000 times better than taking it to go.

    9. Fried Chicken Wings with Salt and Hot Pepper & 96. Salted Fish with Chicken Fried Rice & 93. Mustard Greens with Garlic
    Megan W.

    BEST SALT & PEPPER WINGS IN THE CITY... My partner and I have always gone here since we were children and remembering all the photos on the walls. My go-to order is always going to be the Salt & Pepper Fried Chicken ($13.75), Salted Fish & Chicken Fried Rice ($13.75), Mustard Greens with Garlic ($9.95) or Pea Shoots ($13.95). It's the perfect amount of food for two people. If you're feeling greedy, order some wings to-go but tell the waiter before paying the check. Salt & Pepper Fried Chicken ($13.75) - The chicken wings are super delicious, crispy and tender on the inside. They're always piping hot when they arrive at the table. If you're sensitive to salted foods..maybe avoid? but it's literally in the name.. Salted Fish & Chicken Fried Rice ($13.75) - It's hard to come by since salted fish alone can be expensive. A great sizeable portion with bits and pieces of salted fish and chicken. It's great to pair with the crispy chicken skin

    107. Pork with Cabbage and Shanghai Thick Noodles
    Melody L.

    Capital is a true San Francisco staple and I have been coming here since high school. It is an authentic Chinese restaurant that never misses the mark. We visited on a Friday night for dinner and it was pretty busy. However, we were seated right away and the service was still very quick and friendly. They are famous for their salt and hot pepper chicken wings, which are an absolute must. The wings were so crispy and good that we ended up ordering a second plate for the table. Since everything is served family style, it is a great place to bring a group. Even with the Friday night rush, the staff kept things moving efficiently. It remains one of my favorite spots in Chinatown for a reliable and delicious meal.

    98. Shrimp Fried Rice
    Devina D.

    Wanted to update my review to be 5 stars because I've gone back multiple times. The wings never disappoint! Always well seasoned and crispy. Haven't found anything that tops it yet. I always recommend the restaursnt

    honey walnut shrimp

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    Capital Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Capital Restaurant

    Is a restaurant close for the whole week?

    They have been closed for almost a month now. They are on vacation. Should open towards end of the month or first thing Nov. I forgot what the exact date was when I walked by.

    Do they take credit cards?

    Yes! Not all types but they do accept some.

    Are the chicken wings good?

    Capital Restaurant's salt & pepper chicken wings are wonderfully spiced, perfectly fried, and the oil is left in the pan in the kitchen where it should be.

    View All 7 Questions

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    4.2(472 reviews)
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    Heard great things about this place and came here on a Sunday with some friends. Make sure to come…read more30 mins before opening to put your name down, the wait is very long and they run out of their specials towards the end of the night. (We came 20 mins before opening and wait was already 60 mins). The restaurant was small and cozy and the staff was very friendly Clay pot rice: this was my favorite dish out of everything we tried. The rice was perfectly oiled and crispy and the sausage was delicious Mapo spaghetti: I normally don't go for fusion dishes like this but this dish was surprisingly very yummy. A little too salty though if I were to be picky XO escargot: the XO sauce was delicious with the milk bread that it comes with. Steamed cod: this was one of the specials of the day and I'm glad we ordered it! The fish was very soft and light. Overall, great experience, yummy food, but not sure if it's worth the wait!

    Instagram will send your expectations soaring to the stars, but dining here will humble those…read moreexpectations. I loved that the restaurant teleports you to 90s Hong Kong from the posters to tunes. It's not the biggest restaurant so it feels a little tight and a line forms quickly out the door. Food was consistently ok and salty. We ordered the fried squab, black bean clams, green beans, etc. Portions run on the smaller side but the price goes in the other direction. Next time I'm around, you'll find me at R&G Lounge which is the uncontested king and a much more authentic showing of Cantonese food.

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    Hon's Wun-Tun House - Hot Sour Soup

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    4.1(714 reviews)
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    Craving a comforting Chinese meal in Chinatown during your SF trip? Look no further than Hon's Wun…read moreTun House. Honestly when my fam and I visited SF we didn't have much of a food itinerary. We just stumbled upon this spot and all the pictures outside of the restaurant looked so good, so we had to go in for lunch! We tried their beef wonton noodle soup, bot and sour soup, pan fried juicy dumplings, beef cheung fun, and rice with orange chicken. Everything was super tasty and authentic. Definitely worth checking out :)

    Tastes good, but I think there's room for improvement. I will note that there is usually a long…read morewait time, but they have a tablet in the front where you can join the waitlist. The workers make the wonton at a window facing the street so you can watch them do the art of wrapping a filling. The staff is speedy with getting things done since there are a lot of customers waiting. Do not expect much pleasantries with the staff. I felt like they could add more to their signature wun-tun noodle soup, especially given the higher price. The filling has some tasty seafood in it but you only get 5 pieces along with some noodles which wasn't enough to fill me up. There's no veggie in the dish beyond the small amount in the filling. And the soup dumplings kept breaking when we tried picking them up.

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    Harborview Restaurant & Bar - Dim sum much?

    Harborview Restaurant & Bar

    4.0(2k reviews)
    0.6 miFinancial District
    $$
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

    DIM SUM! 4.8…read more An ending to our wonderful three-day weekend getaway was made even better with the discovery of Harborview for dim sum. We have our favorite dim sum spot in the South Bay, but we had yet to find a favorite in San Francisco, until now. There's a very famous one in the City where we used to dine, but our last visit left us disappointed. So, we had our fingers crossed for Harborview. Conveniently located in Embarcadero 4, Harborview is next to the Hyatt Regency, just steps from Embarcadero Plaza and directly across the street from the Ferry Building. If you're stopping by for the bar only, and yes, they have Happy Hour (Tuesday-Friday, 4:00-7:00pm), enter from the second floor. There are escalators and an elevator inside the Embarcadero 4 building, which are also convenient options if you're unable to navigate the circular staircase leading to the dining room. The main dining room entrance is on the first floor, with the courtyard facing Drumm Street. After checking in, you'll be guided upstairs to your table. We had made reservations, so our wait was minimal. When our table for two was ready, we made our way through the bustling main dining room to the outdoor patio in the back. Every table was shaded by an array of large, tan umbrellas, making the patio especially inviting on such a beautiful day. When it comes to dim sum, we tend to order the same familiar dishes. We do this intentionally, mainly so we can compare how each restaurant interprets these classic favorites. We ordered: * Baked BBQ pork buns with crunchy sugar crust ~ This is their signature dish, and it was delectable. Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient Tim Ho Wan in Hong Kong makes the benchmark version of this style of bun, but Harborview serves up a very tasty one of its own. * Shrimp har gow dumplings ~ Delicious, with that satisfying, delicate crunch of shrimp when cooked just right. * Glutinous rice and assorted meat wrapped in lotus leaf ~ Well-seasoned, fragrant and wonderfully moist. * Jellyfish cold plate ~ If a restaurant has this on the menu, I'm ordering it. Harborview prepares it beautifully, with just the right amount of spicy kick and that irresistible, crunchy texture that makes jellyfish so enjoyable, somewhat reminiscent of wood ear mushrooms. * Steamed chicken feet with black bean sauce ~ Exceptionally savory and tender. My favorite preparation includes slices of fresh green jalapeño, whereas this version came with red chili peppers. It still had plenty of flavor and heat. * Barbecued pork rice flour rolls * Black truffle & Kurobuta pork dumplings ~ Din Tai Fung still holds the title for my favorite XLBs, but these were a tasty rendition. Overall, every dish was very good. The restaurant was packed and clearly in full swing, yet the service remained attentive and efficient. Plenty of servers were circulating throughout the dining area, so whenever we needed something, it arrived almost immediately. With the gorgeous weather, dining on the patio was the perfect choice. It was noticeably quieter than the bustling interior, and the views added another layer of enjoyment to the meal. I think we may have just found our new favorite dim sum spot in San Francisco.

    Came back after a few years and the food wasn't as amazing as I had remembered, but the baked bbq…read morepork bun is still the best, along with the cod. Thin and crispy pineapple like crust with the thin breading and flavorful bbq pork filling. Buttery cod that is flaky and bursting with richness. I went on labor day to celebrate a birthday and was hoping to sit in their outdoor area for the view of the bridge , but there wasn't enough staffing so we had to dine indoors. The view wasn't as nice, and plus they built pickle ball courts in the open field.

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