Henry's Hunan Restaurant

Henry's Hunan on Natoma St.. I was disappointed after eating at this restaurant. There is really nothing to recommend it apart from the fact that service is fast and food is relatively cheap. The food was clearly not prepared fresh and it showed in taste. The ambiance is also so-so and the staff is just barely friendly. I am not going back to this joint again.…

Hunan On Autopilot. For two years I've lived in Shanghai, China, the city that gathers the best chefs from the China's provinces at its highly competitive dining scene. I had low expectations for this restaurant. Hunanese do not emigrate; predictably, staff at Henry's spoke Cantonese and the whole venue seemed well past its prime and on autopilot.

Food was plentiful and dull. No other spice touched Henry's Special Shredded Pork except for soy sauce it was sauteed in. Spicy & Hot Cod Filet was larger than you ever get in China (but that's how you try many dishes in one meal) and devoid of any complexity. In Shanghai this would be called 'home-style' and served in street canteens at 4-5 dollars a plate. Unless San Francisco has a secret gem of authentic cooking modestly glowing somewhere in Chinatown, I'll save my appetite for Chinese food till next visit to China.…

Best Hunan Food in SF - Period!!. I am a native San Franciscan, so I don't say this lightly: Henry's is THE BEST Chinese food in the City, Hunan or otherwise. My favorite meal, that I might request on my way to the gas chamber, is Garlic Chicken over white rice. I have taken dozens of friends and colleagues to Henry's on Natoma over the years and have never heard anything other than rave reviews for every dish on the menu. The dumplings are also out of this world. Just try Henry's once and you will be hooked.

By the way, the service must have improved since these other reviews because the restaurant is family owned and run and the service has always been good for me. They have a busy lunch crowd because they have earned it with incredible food. To avoid the crowds, go for lunch or dinner on Saturday or Sunday, or order take out.…