Ha’s Restaurant

Ha’s… One of the best Chinese restaurants in San Francisco. Garlic chicken wings, walnut prawns, sizzling rice soup, and shrimp fried rice… the best, generous portions and really big prawns.

HA’S IS NO LONGER AROUND. We called their phone # a week ago and nobody answered. We called tonight and a woman chattered loudly in another language and was clearly annoyed that we were calling (one of many calls, I’m sure). So, it’s not Ha’s. We have no idea where Ha’s is. Did they move? If they did, they didn’t take their phone # with them. It leads us to believe that they are no more. Sad. We really liked their food…

The fastest delivery I have every had. Granted we lived only a few blocks away but the first time we ordered, I swear the doorbell rang not more than 5 minutes later. Anyway, it’s ok for quick cheap take out if you live in the area. I don’t think I have ever seen anyone actually eating inside this place. It makes you wonder.

When I was going to SFSU back in the late 80’s, Ha’s was always a favorite of mine. The place was always busy. The restaurant was beautiful, the service was always great and the food was fantastic. The garlic chicken wings were especially to die for as was the bbq pork chow mein.
So yesterday a few old co-​workers and myself decided to revisit the old restaurant. I hadn’t been there in at least 10 years. I was amazed to find that there wasn’t a soul inside. What’s gone on here? Is the food bad? Could the competition in the neighborhood be driving them out of business? I dunno, but inside, the place looked exactly the same, although it was a run down. The carpets were in dire need of replacement and tables were beaten up. But the garlic chicken wings, oh those wings were still fantastic, just as good as I remembered.
It broke my heart to find out that this was the last month they would be in business. They sold the restaurant to someone else and I don’t think they will be carrying the Ha’s name anymore.
Sad to see them go, but I am grateful to have had one last chance to enjoy one more meal at my old favorite Chinese restaurant.
The legacy is over.

I give this place 4 stars for the walnut prawns alone. As others have mentioned, these are essentially deep fried prawns in mayo topped with sticky sweet walnuts. Yeah, sounds gross but I assure you, it’s oh so good (even though the walnuts can be burnt sometimes, but I’m not really interested in the ‘walnut’ part of this dish). Also, Ha’s delivers quickly even if you call at 9:50 like i did.

My housemate ordered take-​out from this place last night for him and his two kids. For whatever reason, I ended up eating the leftovers this morning. For cold chinese food, it doesn’t make too bad of a breakfast.
I finished up the combo fried rice and the cashew chicken. The chicken reminded me of that CYE where Larry complains to Shwimmer about his dad’s snack bags. It was a lot of chicken and zucchini, with maybe 5 cashews. My housemate also left me the rest of the wonton soup. I’ll probably never order it because the soup base tasted like watered down soy sauce. The wontons were okay, but the wrapping was a little too thick.
Would I order from Ha’s? Probably not. Would I eat leftovers again? Most likely.

closed

This place was a lot better many years ago, but now it’s kinda of run down and not well kept on the inside. I walk past by it once and awhile and it doesn’t seem to have many customers. I think it makes most of it’s business on take-​out and delivery service.
I came here to order some take-​out and was kind of desperate to eat something so I order the tomatoe beef chow mein. To my displeasure it was pricey and not that good. It was okay, but not that much beef or tomatoe sauce. Plus you have to pay an extra $ 2.00 for crispy noodles which is a lot more than other places. The workers seem pretty nice and seem to work hard, but they should really work on cleaning up the place and the quality of the food and price.

Cool place. Friendly staff. I guess I love it because of the good memories I have there with my uncle.
Good lunch specials. Good for families.
Good prices.

Ha’s gets one star for fast delivery. However, I chose not to eat ANY food that I ordered. I ordered the spinach and cheese buns. They were hard, and smelled bad. I also ordered Crispy Fried Ginger Chicken. Maybe I’m too picky, but I cannot eat chicken when it comes with its backbone attached. It also appeared totally greasy. If only San Tung delivered!

We got to Ha’s at 9:45. They close at 10. They still served us some pretty yummy beef chow fun and sweet sour pork. We ate and were not pressured to hurry so they could close like a lot of other restaurants tend to do.
I didn’t realize they deliver. I think I’ve found my Chinese delivery place.

I’ve been going to Ha’s ever since I was a little kid, and I stoppped when they changed management. Everytime I went into this restuarant or order out, they would be packed and the food would be yummy. Now, when I go in to the restuarant, they are always empty and the food isn’t as great as it was before. If you do go in at lunch time, they do have a chesper menu, and if you eat there, rather than order to go, they give you soup and tea.
If you do decide to go there, stay clear from any beef or pork, order just chicken, because the other 2 meats are never fully cooked and they never LOOK like beef or pork. I always used to order chicken and mixed vegetables and pistachio nut chicken… It used to be great, and it’s just okay now. If you want yummy chinese food, I would say fond another restuarant because there are tons in this area.

i’ve always wondered why this place is so deserted each time i walk by on a way to get a hair
wasn’t as bad as i thought it was gonna be, but it wasn’t great either. i won’t review their food cause most of you know how average chinese food tastes like (their potstickers are good though).
As for the restaurant, it is very spacious and tidy. The waiters are very nice and attentive — since hardly anyones in the place.
A weird thing is that when i go here, most of the customers that frequent this place are white. I’m like is there something all the asians neglected to tell me. My guess is that because maybe some of the dishes here are a dollar or two more than most chinese places — and to chinese people like my grandma those 2 dollars more are like $ 20!

Um… I will never order from here again. They left a flyer on my door so I said ok… let’s try from here. I ordered 5 various items for delivery and then I asked what the total is. The person taking my order said, «you don’t need to know the total. If you were paying cash then I would give you a total but you said you will pay by credit card. I will show you the receipt when you get there.» I cancelled the order.

I’ve gotten take out from here and have been quite pleased. The food was cheap and fast. The hunan chicken was spicy and the crispy duck was actually really good and tender and we were really happy with the food. It’s nothing fancy or special, but solid Chinese right around the corner is always a happy thing.

Ha’ted it!
Okay, hate is a strong word, I didn’t hate it really but my first experience was not very good. Any place that can mess up cha sui (very dry, not BBQy) and not use enough garlic in a garlic based dish puts me off. Everything was very oily, and the fun was meh too (how can you mess up fun?).
Next time it is drive to So or go back to May Lee’s for delivery again.

I’ve loved this place since 1990. fried wontons and that fluorescent red sauce — outstanding ! whenever I call in sick I order Ha’s delivery for lunch: salt & pepper spare ribs (divine spicy goodness) and tomato beef chow mein. the man really likes their seafood chow mein, with those oogy little squiggly squid pieces; not my cup of tea but he says they’re delicious and fresh. eating there is a good option too — there are lots of interesting stores to browse and a pub across the street. Ha’s is one of Irving St’s staples

Their braised bean curd, family style is the BEST I’ve ever had! Seriously good stuff here folks! And they’re at my door just as I’m hanging up the phone.

I’ve been here twice, and both times my party has been the only one in the place. I don’t know why; maybe because Over There is spooky and mysterious. Nearly all nearby shops close really early, so it doesn’t have the happy bustle of Ninth and Irving. In any case, I think Ha’s is worth the expedition. There are advantages to being the only people in the restaurant: you get very attentive service! And you can look out across the sea of pink tablecloths to the pink wallpaper horizon without having your view obstructed by another person. Points off for the waitress refusing to bring us an extra mushu pancake. I mean, one extra pancake, come on. We were the only people there; I can’t help but think we deserved a little somethin’ special.
The food was good, everything I need in Chinese food. We stuck with the basics: mushu pork, sauteed string beans and mongolian beef, and all were well up to par.

I think the take-​out from here is pretty good. The dining room is ALWAYS empty, though. It’s sort of weird.
Edit: Yes, it’s closed (how long does it take Unilocal to update these listings? I am sure I am not the only person to say :“this place is closed, Unilocal,fix it”). It will be interesting to see how the Cajun place does.