The owner is a very nice lady and we felt very welcomed there. You get a free refillable tea with your meal too which is nice. We tried the number 1 and ma po tofu - both were great! They cook the food right infront of you which we found it pretty cool. Do note that this is a small restaurant with limited seats.

Delicious food. Portions are large, and the next day leftovers taste almost better than the day-of order. Small place that can feel a tad cramped, but impressed with the way the employees run this operation. The chicken and shish kebab are unbeatable. Cash only.

Like time stood still. I had forgotten about this tiny neighborhood restaurant that makes you feel like you are home. I haven’t been here in over 10 years. The same people are there just as they were 10 years ago making the same delicious food for locals in the neighborhood. I watched as people came in and didn’t need to say what they wanted. It was remembered and offered. I’m glad I made it back for a delicious noodle salad.

The most charming neighborhood Vietnamese BBQ spot with an amazing grill master (Katie). I came with a friend and the place was packed, but it had the most amazing, authentic, old school San Francisco feel: it's just a small hole in the wall with counter only seating, but full of locals who line up for the imperial rolls, BBQ meats and skewers, and rice and noodle specials. (The pork chop over rice with salad and the imperial rolls were our favorite). The food is delicious and the servings are huge - so much bang for your buck! Cash only. Will definitely be coming back - a real gem!

Egg rolls is great. Had the rice dish #5. Next time definitely try the vermicelli noodle BBQ and egg rolls.

The tagline is that this may be the best chicken you’ll have outside of Vietnam, and it’s not a hyperbole. Came here with my friend for lunch on a Friday around noon and jabbed two seats. The restaurant is very small (it fits about about 10 people) and it’s situated around the kitchen where you can watch the lady cook. Everyone seemed to have ordered the Number 5, and so that’s what we did. It’s a huge split so we split it between the two of us. The egg roll included was the best I’ve had in a while - it came piping hot and was so delectable. The five spice chicken and the shish kabob were well-seasoned and juicy. You get rice with a gravy on the side as well as coleslaw. Cash only. There is tea available or self-service water. There seemed to be a lot of regulars and I would absolutely be one too if I lived in SF. Definitely come here for a cheap, delicious, homey meal.

The most succulent flavorful chicken ever. I've been going to this place since 1991 and it is still the same five spice chicken served with a generous helping of white rice smothered with meat sauce and a pickly plain cabbage slaw. Get a side of imperial rolls and it's just perfection. Today we got crazy and ordered the chicken salad too. Oh no! Now I am going to be confused about what to order next time! I don't know how so much yummyness can come out of this tiny teeny place.

It's like a mom & pop burger joint converted into a Vietnamese grill diner. There were 2 "aunties" working the food preparation (soup, roll frying/cutting, grilling, shredding chicken) on the grill/stove/fry area which takes up a wall of the small space. I The counter space was occupied by locals (it seemed) who placed their orders without looking at the menu and remarking to each other how the fried imperial rolls (cha gio) are the best at this establishment. The noodle salads were tasty/crispy/crunchy. The everything plate was way too much. (could feed 3 small eating adults) Remember to bring cash.

Super cozy spot with grill-facing bar seating. Greasy spoon/comfort food style. I had the #5; chicken thigh, pork, imperial rolls, slaw, and rice with "meat sauce" (reminded me of Japanese curry). Lovely and filling. The chicken was particularly was moist and tender, and all the meat had a solid char. Price per portion was good.

If you're walking past and see seating available, come in and sit at the bar of this locally beloved neighborhood spot to be transported away to an alternate reality in which you're visiting the kitchen of your Vietnamese grandmother who low-key thinks you look skinny and mustn't be eating enough. Mounds of peppery meat sauce and crispy imperial rolls are cooked before your eyes and generously dispensed alongside mapu tofu (spicy fresh chili available upon request) and sage advice (no request necessary). You might end up leaving with left-overs but your wallet will think you're on a diet.

My clothes smell like BBQ now. I kind of like it. I sat on the counter really close to their grill and had the number five, which was, five spice chicken with shish kebab over a bed of meat sauce on rice. The chicken was very flavorful and moist. The cashier/chef/waitress (it's the same person) asked if I wanted the breast or a leg. It is cool they let you chose. I prefer dark meat. The three pieces of shish kebab meat was a bit chewy. The imperial roll was huge. I did enjoy my meal very much. Great job everyone at Cordon Beu.

Got combo 5, really delicious and good value. The restaurant is small and cozy, almost felt like a campfire dinner with woks cooking right in front of us.

Katie is not only a grill master but a total sweetheart! Everything on the menu is DELICIOUS!! The flavors are even further accentuated by the immense LOVE that she pours into every dish. My go to is the #5 with a pork chop and it never disappoints. The imperial rolls are a MUST!

- 5 Spiced Roast Chicken, 1 Imperial Roll, 1 Shish Kebab, Country Salad, Meat Sauce on Rice The chicken had a wonderful smokey flavor! Meat Sauce on Rice reminded me of Mapo Tofu and had a gentle flavor. The whole set was only $15, but it was easily enough food for two ppl. The woman at the counter was really nice, and we had a great chat while waiting for our food. This made the experience really special:)

Katie is the ultimate grill master ... this place hasn’t changed in years and it was so great to be back. The food is delicious, always large portions, and it has an all around wonderful cozy atmosphere. One of the best places in SF for decades. Feels like home.

Wanted to try a hole in the wall, and this definitely fit the description. Most seating was at the counter with one table in the back. Had to awkwardly wait for people to finish before grabbing a seat. Food tasted good, especially the imperial roll. As someone else said, the meat sauce seemed out of place, but still was tasty. Food safety-wise, oof, the place left a lot to be desired. Noticed the same things that others mentioned - handing money and then food with no hand washing in between, reused wiping rag for the grill…

Overall: 5/5. If you're looking for authentic Vietnamese food with generous portions, this is the place. The space is smaller but cozy and endearing, and the staff will serve you warmly. Would come here again. Food: 5/5. We ordered the Spicy Pork Chop, Noodle Salad, Mapo Tofu, Chicken Salad, and Dragon Rolls. The chicken had an interesting smoky flavor and the mapo tofu was some of the best i've had. The Dragon Rolls are a must have - super crispy and stuffed with several kinds of meat. Value: 5/5. For just $14 per entree (as of Jan 2023), they give you an incredible amount of food. Every dish was made fresh. They don't skimp on protein, and unless you have a big appetite you'll probably be taking some food home. Vibes: 3/5. I have mixed feelings about this. The layout and decor is no frills and very practical. However, the genuineness is endearing; I did enjoy the cozier vibes, and I felt like I was having a home-cooked meal. Service: 4/5. Food came out in around 15 mins, which is very reasonable. While they didn't check in on the food / water during the meal, the space is small enough that they are always ready to listen to requests.

this place is such a hidden gem serving the most authentic Vietnamese food in the city. prices are excellent and it's BYOB. highly suggest dining in so you can chat with the ladies and watch them grill your meats. make sure you order the imperial roll and remember to bring cash. they will accept cash or venmo for payment. we will definitely be back 🥰

Amazing spot! You can get lunch for $10 (cash only). Really friendly service and tasty chicken.

Cash only and worth every bite! These delightful ladies put out a great meal. No frills just good food. I know when I meet Vietnamese people eating here that it's worth it. Otherwise, they could stay at home and eat!

Very small restaurant with very delicious food! Seated at the counter you can watch the owner make the food. Menu is simple and uncomplicated with just enough variety. I had the chicken with rice and green onion sauce. Chicken was tender, juicy, and flavorful char-grilled. Green onion sauce was fresh, with a salty sweet flavor. Food was excellent, but I’d return just to say hello to the woman that runs the place. She’s really what makes it seems like you’re having a home cooked meal at someone’s table. ❤️