Capital Restaurant

What you need to know

Capital Restaurant on Clay Street is the kind of Chinatown spot that doesn’t need a website to stay busy. The menu runs deep into Cantonese cooking with no interest in trends. The salt and pepper chicken wings on the cover are the reason most tables sit down.

What to Order

Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings: The signature. Deep-fried, then wok-tossed with salt and a healthy amount of jalapeños. Light, slightly puffy skin. No sauce, just the heat and salt against the chicken.
Vinegar Sauce Spareribs: Close second. Tender ribs in a sweet-tart glaze.
Egg Tofu with Spicy Meat Sauce: A house staple. Silken tofu under a savory pork sauce.

The full menu is large enough that you could eat here a dozen times without covering the highlights. Order family-style with a group.

The Experience

Cash only. No cards. The service is fast and no-nonsense. The dining room is functional rather than designed. You come for the food, not the ambiance. Generous portions, low prices, packed during lunch and dinner.

Practical Info

Price: Most dishes under $20
Payment: Cash only
Reservations: None
Address: 839 Clay Street
Getting there: A short walk from the 1 California or 30 Stockton bus lines. Montgomery BART is about 10 minutes uphill.

📍 Location: This restaurant is in Chinatown. Explore the neighborhood →