Eric's possibly has the best Chinese food in Noe Valley or the Mission. A subtle difference is the spiciness of the food. A lot of the dishes have hot peppers, so if that's a problem, let your server know before you order. The mango beef is a favorite. Other favorites: Shanghai Chicken, Eric's Cakes.

A lot of people who live in the area call in their orders for takeout, which can be useful if you don't want to wait for a table. No reservations.