Wok Wiz Daily Tour

things i didn't like: our group started out larger than 15, which was reduced when the group leader was questioned about it. standing, facing into the sun listening to information was not fun. zooming into shops where certain items were sold felt like paid advertising. snide comments made by the tour owner about comments others made in their review. i enjoyed talking to other people in our group at lunch . . . but the food was so-so and except for the company, you would be better off getting lunch on your own. things i did like: the group leader was a lovely woman who told a bit about her personal history, which was very interesting (tho i would have like to have heard more general history, too.) the visit to the tea shop was the most fun and informative. the two children with me (8 & 13) enjoyed the trip.

My husband and I took a Wok Wiz tour with Shirley in 1987. We returned to SF last week and took the tour again with our two teenage boys. We all loved it! Howard, our guide, was very knowledgeable about the history of Chinatown and kept our interest at each stop along the tour. If my teens enjoyed it, need I say more! ; ) We had the pleasure of running into Shirley during the tour. She took the time to greet each tour member. Good luck on your upcoming book, Shirley! You and Howard made for a memorable Wok Wiz day!

I would highly recommend this tour if you plan to spend some time in Chinatown. Our tour guide Alberta grew up in this area so she was very knowledgeable of the area and had a great sense of humor as well. The walking tour was very comfortable and not tiring at all. The dim sum lunch at the end was very delicious as well. We returned to the Chinatown area a day after our tour and because of the tour the previous day, I knew exactly where to go (on what street, etc.) to find the things that I was looking for.

I enjoyed experiencing the culture of Chinatown. It came alive through our guide. It made the experience of Chinatown human and not just buildings and crowds. I enjoyed learning customs both old and still evolving. My only disappointment was the meal at the end. I would have liked to have understood more about the carts and maybe have been able to choose some of the selections. There seemed to be some confusion about our arrival and again we were in a back corner. I would have liked to have been where I could have seen more of what was going on and what people were choosing. Alberta did a wonderful job of explaining the real Chinatown, it's people.

We had a wonderful time on the tour. Our tour guide, Alberta, was born and raised in Chinatown so she not only knew the area and its history but also was able to share personal stories that made the tour more meaningful. She also had a good sense of humor and was able to engage all of us, including my two grade-school aged kids. In three hours, we got a very thorough overview of the area, with recommendations of which stores to shop in later, a tour of a Taoist temple, a forturne cookie factory and a tea tasting. We loved going through the busy produce and butcher markets on Stockton Street with our guide. She explained what everything was and how it is used. We enjoyed the lunch but would have preferred a more traditional Dim Sum experience instead of a preset menu that was not all dumplings. We felt so comfortable and connected to Chinatown after our tour that we went back the next morning to buy produce!!

We thoroughly enjoyed our time on our tour. Our tour guide was the best, very knowledgeable and personable. We had folks in our tour that ranged in age from 8 years old, to 70+ years old and she worked very well to keep the children entertained as well as the keep the pace at one comfortable for the more elderly tour members. We would highly recommend the tour. If anything I would lengthen it! I am sure there is much more to China Town that we didn't see or hear about and would love to know even more about the city! Thank you very much! C

We were a family of four adults. The tour and guide gave us an interesting prospective on how Chinatown came into being and has evolved over the years. I think the "famous" narrow alley with the hanging clothes was a prop, and a bit hokey, but what the heck...we're tourists and it did prove a point... However, there was plenty of other, real clothes hanging out of windows all over Chinatown. One of the things that impressed me most was that we were never pressured into purchasing the wares from the stores we were taken into, which hastened things along ... and we also enjoyed their presentations. Overall, it was informative and enjoyable.

I took this tour in hopes that I could expose my 13 year old daughter to new customs and food while in San Francisco. Not only did she try everything that was served in the 7 course dim sum lunch, she liked it! And, listening to her tell friends about the tour was terrific! Tried a green tea, saw ducks, chickens and pigs hanging in a window, visited a fortune cookie shop (that was fun!) and exploring the Tsao temple. From start to finish, we both enjoyed the experience. She'll never forget it, and neither will I.

Tour guide was a big hit. Lots of personality and entertaining stories of growing up in Chinatown. Even made the vegetable stands interesting. Enjoyed the temple and fortune cookie factory very much. Food was a welcome sight at the end of tour. Food was plentiful, but mediocre. This would have been alright, but I I was very disappointed that the chicken dumpling dim sum was not cooked thoroughly when I cut into it, especially since my son had already devoured his. Our noodles were served cold, but were replaced promptly when this was pointed out. All in all a worthwhile experience, but do check to make sure everything is cooked thoroughly.

The Wiz Wok tour was one of our favorites. The tour guide was interesting, friendly, and informative. The food was excellent!