(415) 673-5637
1574 California St
San Francisco,
CA
94109
37.7907
-122.4201
Neighborhoods: Civic Center, Northeast
Hours:
Tuesday To Saturday From 11:30 AM To 02:30 PM Tuesday To Saturday From 05:00 PM To 10:00 PM Sunday From 04:00 PM To 10:00 PM
Price:
$
Last updated 6.23.11
Category:
What People Are Saying About Cordon Bleu Vietnamese Rstrnt
Featured Review
Chelsea Lin
Contributor
Don't go for pho--you won't find it here. This also isn't the place if you're looking for bahn mi, those delicious French-influenced sandwiches you find at many Vietnamese cafes. This shoebox-sized restaurant with seating for less than 20 serves almost exclusively meat and rice, but diners come from all over town for their signature dish: five-spiced roast chicken atop a mountain of rice covered in a meaty, gravy-like sauce, and a few bites of salad for good measure. Sure, you can order roast pork instead of chicken, and there's even a few options for vegetarians (the noodle salad with…
Editor's Tips
- Where to Sit:
- You don't have much option other than to pull up a stool to the bar that runs the length of the small space. The cooks prepare everything as you watch.
- Know Before You Go:
- Since space is limited, calling in your order to go is an option if you're in a hurry.
- What to Drink:
- Have a hot tea with your meal for the most authentic experience--the only other options are soft drinks.
Consistently great tasting food
by sf_native_since_1990 at Citysearch
Jan 2008. Over the years this local restaurant has become one of my favorites. If you are craving delicious and most filling lunch and dinner this is the place to come. The service is fantastic and I feel right at home here. I highly recommend this place and would invite Rachael Ray to come over and feature this place in SF for under $40 a day TV show. The two chicken halves with meat sauce is my favorite. - SF Native Since 1990
- Pros: Great tasting food for the money
- Cons: Often very busy place with little seating best for take out
Best little hole in the wall resturant in the city
by dixiedanger at Citysearch
I have been going here for the past 5 years and love it! The owner (I believe the name is Katie) is very nice, freindly and fun. Yes its a bit small, ok really small but there are a lot of regulars that seem like family. Wed. night is birthday night..if any of the reg. have a birthday they bring in birthday cake and sometimes share with everyone there. The number 5 is simply 2 much food to eat but you have to get it. Everything on 5 is wonderful. But then I could eat a big bowl of rice and meat sauce and be happy with that too. Very fair prices, huge portions. One of my favorite places to eat.
- Pros: good food, fair price
- Cons: sometimes very crowded
It's a Hole in the Wall, but It sure fills up the Soul seeking Comfort Food
by chocolorac at Citysearch
After passing it by many many times and reading all the raving reviews, I finally decided to give it a try myself. And Cordon Bleu did NOT disappoint! Some of the reviews have commented about the poor or slow service -- but c'mon, given that it IS a hole in the wall place with a strong following, crowds are a given. Since I went earlier in the evening, there weren't that many people and it only took about 10~15minutes to pick up my food packed to go. The ladies behind the counter were nice and friendly. As for the food, my order of #5 was lip-smakin' good and filled my stomach to its content on a cold brisk evening. Everything -- the salad, the imperial roll, the beef, the chicken, and the meat sauce over rice -- was quite satisfying.
The food isn't anything special, but the combo is perfect for anyone looking for a good hearty comfort eat. The only thing I'd change is to have the meat sauce over brown rice. But then again, Cordon Bleu never claimed to be a "healthy" eat...
- Pros: Food, Price, Value
- Cons: Ambience (nothing wrong with a hole in the wall, but it's better as a to-go)
Best hole in the wall. Ever.
by mmcclay at Citysearch
My friends and I have been going here weekly for a while now. The service isn't the most prompt but the food is unmatched. Be prepared for a little bit of a wait - but it is definitely worth it. I take everyone here.
- Pros: Imperial roll, meat sauce
- Cons: Service
Inexpensive deliciousness
by m_violet at Citysearch
Don't be afraid if you've never tried it, the food here is great and you won't even notice that you've opened your wallet. I love stepping in here and catching a film at the Lumiere.
The 5 spiced chicken or the grilled meat kabobs won't steer you wrong. The meatsauce on the rice is unexplainable and deliciously addicting. The imperial rolls can be a little chewy but I secretly love that. They ahve great vegetarian fare as well but the grilling meats might be hard for the serious veggie to take.
Friendly, smokey, hot, and perfect for fast food that isn't garbage from a chain restaurant.
- Pros: Inexpensive, tasty, fast
- Cons: smokey, not the place to take a trend-loving diner

