Hard Knox Cafe
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Sun 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - Menu: MenuPages
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Lunch
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
212 reviews
Neighborhood: Jack London Square
"Uh yeah. It's that simple. Chicken and Waffles. I remember going to Roscoe's back in the day. Now that it's gone, Home of Chicken and…" read more »
410 Reviews for Hard Knox Cafe
The best soul food I have had in SF. The best mac n cheese I've had in my life! This place is everything its supposed to be! The cornbread came out warm and delicious, the greens were perfect, and yeah.. the mac n cheese amazing! I had the ribs and the Catfish Po boy. The Po Boy was good, but the ribs were absolutely amazing! Fell right off the bone as they should.. I can't wait to try the fried chicken next time.
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i'm not from the south but that doesn't keep me from licking my fingers. you know when you're eating mashed potatoes with gravy and you have to ration how much gravy you're going to have with each bite so it's all balanced perfectly and you don't run out of gravy? well, that's not the issue here....there's gravy all over; on the potatoes, under the fried chicken, on the rim of the plate.....
the fried chicken is done just right...flakey crunchy crust and juicy tender meat....the side of corn is simple and sweet and the cornbread actually tastes like sweet corn and muffin in one...served warm with soft butter to be spread on each moist and crumbly bite!
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SOUL FOOD ANYONE?! Ate here a while ago, but I totally forgot the name of the place until recently because....they just opened another restaurant (richmond district) two blocks away from my house.
One day my friend picked me up and we drove by the newly opened hard knox cafe (Richmond district) and he asked me:
"Have you been to The Hard Knox? They have really good cornbread and really good southern style food. They have one on 3rd street."
Me: Third street...the ghetto area?! BBQ RIBS?! CHICKEN WINGS?! MASH POTATOES?!
Him: hahaha yeah its sorta near the ball park.
Me: STUPPID! you took me there!
Him: oh i did?
Me: HOW COULD YOU NOT REMEMBER?
anyways, i was digressing.....the hard knox cafe down on 3rd street was the best soul food i've ever had in my life. Place is pretty cheap and the portions are big but don't let the neighborhood and the interior design scare you away. We had the beef short rib and BBQ Spare Ribs. mmm!! comes with two sides and a corn bread. We had mash potatoes, fries and cream of something? I didn't really like the corn bread, mainly because I've never been a fan of cornbread.
I like this place a lot, though the area isn't quite the place you want to be at. If you' want to try this place out but hesitate about driving all the way to 3rd street, go to the one on Clement.
Wow. I was really impressed by Hard Knox. First of all, bottles of beer for $3.... it was like being back in Arkansas. So many beers, so cheap. Of course, one needs food to be able to enjoy lots of beer. The corn bread muffins were really good, and the beef short ribs were amazing. The sides I had [fries, rice and beans, mashed potatos] were also quite good. Sure, I have had better soul food before [slightly] but not anyone around here. Needless to say, I will be returning.
Southern soul food in Cali? Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit! I's sure excited when I heard that...
Me and Eugy got us a whole mess of food. 2 deep fried pork chops with mac & cheese and string beans and fried chicken with mac & cheese and collard greens. When I took my first bite into that fried pork chop, I was happier than a pig in slop. No lie.
The food here is real good. Tastes just like what my gramma used to make. And I grew up in southern Alabama, so you should really take my word for it. This is as close to real southern cooking as you can get without hoping a plane out to Atlanta, then changing over to a prop plane and heading on down to Columbia, Alabama (where I'm from).
Minus one star for not having Sweet Iced Tea. Hey Mr. Owner of Hard Knox, how you gone make southern food and not make the sweet tea?
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I went here just last week, and whoo-whee I thought it was good. Each plate you order comes with two sides of your choice and two bright little sunshine-sweet packages of honey, buttery joy (otherwise known as cornbread). The bread isn't grainy or dry. . .but soft, almost like an angel's food cake, and springy to the touch like a sprightly young ass.
I ordered the blackened cajun catfish (three decent sized fillets of fish!!!), collard greens and the yams. The collard greens were largely tasteless, but it had this delightful smoky undertone to it. The yams were nutmegy, sweet, and brightly orange. Didn't go too well with my fish, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. My boyfriend ordered the fried chicken with mashed p'taters. . .which were okay, and the mac 'n cheese, which to me were melty globs of cheesey macaroni deliciousness. My boyfriend's friend ordered the meatloaf, which came with three-four thick slices and smothered with gravy. . .all in all, lots of food for a down home price.
Who would've known them Vietnamese raised in the south (Texas to be exact) could make such good soul food??
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I havent reviewed shit in a long time. Mostly because i only ever go to like 5 places and frankly i'm surprised i could even come up with as many reviews as i did.
however.
i cant not review Hard Knox because even though i ate there 4 hours ago, i am still immobilized. Granted, this is my fault because i ate like i was about to head to the electric chair once finished.
Point being, i was supposed to go out tonight, but im so damn saturated with soul food i cant go anywhere so i might as well write this review.
Amazing.
Great value for what you get. $20 bucks got me 2 pints of beer, 2 corn muffins, a massive plate of ribs, red beans and rice, potato salad and a BOWL of corn niblets! (told you i was NOT messing around here)
But aside from being well priced...let me just say, someone should have had a audio recording of our "Holy shits" and "Oh my gods" throughout the meal.
i spilled corn in my purse too...im sure i'll be dealing with this issue for days.
Will totally be heading back here in the future, once the shame wears off.
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This place is pretty good, you get 2 sides with your meal. The place is relatively inexpensive and the food is good. I had the potato salad with country fried steak. I have to say it was pretty good. They just opened a new location on 25th and Clement...Oh the corn bread is pretty good too....
Hellllllllllllllllo Fried Chicken! I enjoyed this place a lot, and can't wait to visit the Richmond District location when it opens! Horray!
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When my friend told me to check out Hard Knox's fried chicken pictures on Yelp, I was like, "Oh yeah babee, I miss mah sooooooooooul food!" After a great sunny and warm day, fried chicken and BBQ ribs were on my mind, and my friend had instant 6th sense of my culinary cravings. Even though my cholesterol and BP said NO, my palate screamed YES. My lips seem to talk before I can reasonably think.
I wanted the Jambalaya featured on the Yelp pictures, but that is only a special. And I received clarification that the jambalaya has shrimp instead of craw/crayfish, and I sorta pouted. Flag #1. In defense of many soul food and Cajun establishments, my friend recognizes how mud bugs are too expensive for SF restaurants. Oh welps.
I ordered the $9 plate of 3 pieces of fried chicken (leg, wing, and breast) with yam and collard greens. I skipped the beverages because even though one of the owners is from Dallas, TX, the restaurant does not serve sweet tea, which should be on a soul food menu to validate its authentic dirty 'souf. Flag #2.
Before I dug into my sides, I saw my friends pouring salt and pepper on theirs. Flag #3. I dug into my yams, and although the natural, sweet flavor was apparent it was muddled in watery moisture. The collard greens were healthy sans salt. I realize why the salt and pepper was on heavy rotation.
Flag #1 + Flag #2 + Flag #3 = Soul food attempt to cut out the marginal unhealthy items. I really wanted the food to hit a chord with my Southern upbringing, but only the sweet corn muffins and fried chicken were pretty good. Next time, I will ask for all dark meat to negate the marginal health movement at Hard Knox. When I want soul food, I want it all the waaaaaaaaaaaaaay.
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Nice, relaxed vibe. Decor is great - is the floor made from an old gym? Love the buddha behind the bar. Perfect Arnold Palmers. Chicken fried steak dripping with delicious gravy. Lots of food at very reasonable prices. Great fried chicken. Green beans are nicely spicy. Booths maybe for the big & tall crowd b/c the table was a bit far away for a shorty like me. You will need a nap afterwards, but you will be happy and full!
Aww, I really, realllly wanted to love this place. (Especially after I heard that the owners were Vietnamese and from Texas. Heck yeah! I'M Vietnamese and from Texas...holler!) Anyway, I had the three piece fried chicken meal with red beans & rice and potato salad. My boyfriend had the country fried steak with mac & cheese and yams. He's from Oklahoma and practically grew up on chicken fried steak, so he was more than a little disappointed to see that it was served with brown turkey gravy.
I wouldn't have even known the difference but then he broke it down for me...chicken fried steak is always served with a white gravy which is made from a roux (or something...at this point I just wanted to inhale my fried chicken).
Though my chicken was perfectly fried and not at all greasy, I was sad to find that it wasn't seasoned. Needed some salt and pepper. I had to douse it in some hot sauce to give it some semblance of flavor. Also, the breast was dried out though the wing and drumstick were okay. The sides were pretty good. I loved the potato salad. The cornbread muffins were huge and very sweet and cakey, almost like yellow cake. I ate the crusty parts since I found the insides to be gummy. Ick.
Our total w/o tip came to only $25. The place was packed and everyone was enjoying the game on tv. I can see why this place is so popular. However, I don't think I will trek out here again for the food.
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Every time i go to hard knox, it has to be planned- so i make sure not to eat anything throughout the day until i get to Hard Knox. I also don't go to the gym before hard knox, because then my workout will be totally negated after..
The fried chicken pieces are huge and the sides are generous portions to say the least. And you get 2 corn muffins if you order a meal.. The fried chicken is good enough to make your day a wrap.. Especially with the Louisiana Crystal hot sauce and a Corona. The collard greens and blackeyed peas & rice are ridiculous, but the rest are pretty average. The mac & cheese is good too, but that combined with the fried chicken is trouble waitin to happen.
The people are beyond friendly and their service is awesome. The only problem is that it gets (understandably) mad busy around dinner time and some people take their sweet ass time in leaving after they have already paid their bill - but that's not something Hard Knox can control.
This place fits the meaning of comfort food. Fried Chicken (3 pieces) + 2 Sides and 2 corn muffins = $9.00.. yup, $9.00.. possibly the best $9.00 you can spend on food around the city. Whatever plans you had after your meal are pretty much not happenin anymore, cuz after you leave hard knox, you're pretty much done for the day.
5 Stars for atmosphere and service.... we arrived at 8pm on a Saturday night and had to wait ~15min for a table, but were served drinks while we hung out in the foyer.
5 stars for the fried chicken
3 stars for the southern greens.... needed a little bacon
3 stars for the black eyed peas.... need a little spice
overall yum yum and fantastic prices. Dogpatch rocks
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My soul food excursions are limited to a handful of backyard BBQs, Front Porch (delicious if bougie) and various places in not-so-Cajun mid-Texas, so I might have my head up my ass on this one. Furthermore, I enjoy a good fried chicken but I've never really sought out the famed cuisine. I probably still won't regularly seek it out, but, if I was looking for a well-priced, tasty restaurant, Hard Knox would be high on the list. They've got huge portions - I had a special of Cajun shrimp with rice, which was my personal favorite. $40 for three entrees and two beers? Yes?
Dogpatch is developing as we speak, so check it out before the Muni T starts looking like the J.
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Fantastic fried chicken!! Perfectly fried and really flavorful.
3 pieces of chicken and two generous sides plus delicious corn bread muffins for only $9 - you can't really beat that. There was so much food for lunch I had to take it home (what? leave that fried chicken behind? I don't think so!). But then kept thinking about it so had cold fried chicken as my teatime snack - and it was still good.
The cafe also has great atmosphere. A little neighborhood joint, diner/cafe style. Very laid back and low key. I could totally see myself hanging out here having a beer if I lived anywhere close. Unfortunately I don't ...... but it's totally worth the trek here (even without a car) just to eat the fried chicken. This is the way home cooking is supposed to be, comforting, nothing fancy or "gourmet", instead just done right.
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Date and Time: Whenever We Crave Soul Food
Company: Michael
Crowd: Very Diverse
Decor: Small and Casual with Limited Seating Some Booths and a Counter
Service: Efficient
Imbibe: Beer and Sodas
Devour: Fried Chicken and Complimentary Cornbreads
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Good soul food is harder to find in San Francisco than I had thought. I've been fortunate enough to enjoy flavorful & authentic soul food on a number of occasions, and was glad to have finally found a place that appeared to serve the same. Hard Knox does a great job on the Fried Chicken, but it wasn't high on my list when it came to the sides. The collard greens were lacking in flavor and a bit watery, and the beans were just okay. The prices however are unbeatable for the quantity that you get, and the corn bread muffins are absolutely delicious. They also have a pretty good selection of beers, and really great lemonade. Missing two stars for the aforementioned sides and having to wait 45 minutes for a table. They definitely need more space for seating, but overall it's a good place to hit up for some decent comfort food.
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374 reviews and I'm going to say something new . . . um . . . no pressure, right? We were shopping for furniture at Sphere across the street and wife spotted it. Small and friendly, family owned, yes they are Vietnamese and the owner learned how to cook in Texas. Fried chicken is excellent. Red beans and rice were good too.
I think the food is perfect and loyal to the original, tasting as it's supposed to. DIverse clientele, meaning I saw African-americans dining happily on the soul food. So I'm talking to some of the other reviewers here -- I think you're off base. Red beans and rice: they aren't spicy in New Orleans and they aren't here. I loved the mac n cheese because it's spot-on not special. It tastes like it's supposed to. I give your reviews two stars.
Koo says they are opening soon on Clement and 25th in the old Greco - Romana site. Can't wait!
Minus one star for brunette waitress attitude whom I asked for salt. "It's in the bucket" Um do you think I'd ask you if it was in the frickin' bucket? Everyone else was cool though.
update: Amoura just sent me a pm and pwned me big time on my review. She's written one of her own and like this place a lot less than I did. So read hers as well, because she seems to know her soul food. It's her second review, but look out for her because she is taking no prisoners!
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We went there for lunch today....
Got there just in time before on lunch rush, at 11:30 a.m. on a Saturday.
It was such a charming place, and I really loved the eclectic mix of people who worked there and ate there.
We ordered the following:
Fried Chicken with
Red Beans and Rice and French Fries
and
Cajun Meat Loaf with
Green Beans and Mac & Cheese.
My friend loved his meatloaf. I wasn't thrilled with his dish because I felt that it wasn't hot enough. Mind you, I am one of those people who want to see my food piping hot. There should be steam/smoke coming up from that plate. Unfortunately his Mac & Cheese was a bit on the cold side. But he enjoyed it.
The Fried Chicken was okay too. The red beans and rice were too bland for me.
But we will be back because he really liked it and I really like the people who worked there. They also have a pretty good beer and wine selection. And did I mention that the place was really cute and charming?
FYI, they serve breakfast there and the people next to me ordered some really good French Toast and sausages. That is what I am going to get next time!
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Tried this soul food place on the suggestion of my coworker, who has been here many times.
Hard Knox has a cool, down home feeling. It's the kind of place where iced tea and sodas are served in jam jars, and there are obviously lots of regulars that stop by whom the owners know by name.
On to the food. I got the chicken fried steak, two of my coworkers both got the spare ribs. You get two side dishes with your order. I chose the black eyed peas and green beans. Our dishes were awesome. The steak was tender and smothered in gravy. The ribs were "fork tender" and were falling off the bone. All dishes come with 2 cornbread muffins, which are like crack if you eat them while they are still hot and put a little (or a lot) of butter on em. Mmmmmm.
I have heard the fried chicken is the bomb here...I will definitely have to come back and try that. The macaroni and cheese side dish looked really good too. They also had shrimp po-boys on the menu that looks great.
Only drawback to this place: parking is somewhat of a beeyatch.
I'll be back to try some other items!
I love not only just the fried Chicken, Philly Cheeses Steak, yummy corn bread. Four stars for food and service. one star for not having the Gumbo.
Some of the best soul food ive had in this city! prices are good compared to what other places charge for not-so-good soul food. I love the options you have on your side items when you order. my favorite dish from here is the fried chicken. its a throwback choice, i know, but it's damn good. fried chicken never goes out of style. oh and the blackened catfish is dope too. I love the environment of this place too. nothin too fancy.
one of my in-laws says that Hard Knox is a perfect place to take a first date because of the following reasons: 1) good prices but its not like its too cheap. because guys, i know youre going to pay for her so it feels good to not empty your account for her. i'm not cheap, im just a realist 2) good atmosphere. not too flashy, but not too grimey (grimey is a term for something that is hella dirty.) 3) bomb ass food. it's good to know that if the date doesn't go well or the first date never amounted to second/third dates, that at least you got some good as food out of it. 4) if a honey can get down on some soul food, you know she's a keeper. especially if she can finish her meal
if you haven't been here, you must go
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This is an excellent place for people who love them some real southern fried chicken and country fried steak. Without intending to offend, I happen to not be one of those people. My intestinal tract reminds of this as I type.
I grew up in a very healthy household, where fried food was a rarity and vegetables dominated the dinner table. My upbringing did not prepare my stomach for soul food. I should have reminded myself of this before ordering fried catfish.
While I truly enjoyed the flavor of the fried catfish, the effect of such fried food leaves much to be desired (i.e., I am having terrible stomach cramps right now). The black eyed peas and rice were somewhat bland and the collard greens somehow tasted like BBQ baked beans (odd). The Arnold Palmer (lemonade and tea) was the best part of the meal: refreshing and just sweet enough.
If I steer clear of the fried food, I think I could return... but isn't that why people come here?
It's a great spot for lovers of fried food. Not me, though.
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I ate here twice in one day.
Lunch and dinner!
Corn bread muffins come out so hot.
Fried chicken is crispy and delicious.
Rice and gravy are so good together.
Turkey wings and tender and tasty.
Ox tails! I thought that this was a Chinese thing, but apparently not.
Drinks come in jam jars.
Minus a star for the use of margarine and the so-so veggies.
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this hulagirl has spent enough time in the lone star state to know that most southern/soul food in SF, though nice and fried, doesn't taste like anything found in the actual south. thank god for this place, just down the lane from my work digs. owned by vietnamese texans (holla!), it's a little slice of authentic deliciousness.
i'm a whore-a-roo for chicken fried steak and so i had to order it. it was positively divine but i was a little sad i failed to notice that it didn't come with cream gravy. sniff. the heap of collards nestled next to my steak were nice and smoky, made even better by a healthy dose of crystal (which sits on the tables, natch). also delicious: the golden orbs of cornbread. holy mary mother of god were they amazing.
can't wait to go again. like maybe tomorrow.
MMMMMmmmmmmmmm. Who knew a Vietnamese family could make such good soul food??? It meets my criteria for a perfect place;
1. Mac and cheese
2. wine
3. good service
4. convenient location
5. Did it mention mac and cheese??
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Good, good, good Southern style cooking. Nice down-home atmosphere. Vietnamese & Chinese folks cooking. This combination works. Prompt service, tasty meals and some of the best lemonade in the Bay Area!!! Enjoy, well worth the trek from Palo Alto.
Hard Knox is going through hard times. There is a big difference between good southern comfort food and what they cook. I never thought I'd suggest going to Kentucky Fried Chicken, but going to this cafe gets me to thinking. The corn don't taste like corn. The mashed potatoes are cold. The collared greens are inedible. The yams are embarrasing. The only thing that you don't have to worry about is raw chicken. It's about as dry as Death Valley and tastes like what I would imagine a number 2 pencil would. If you would like to dine here I'd suggest you drink until you turn blind and your tongue disappears completely. Also I think it would be smart to bring a pack of cards for the wait if you unfortunately happen to stumble upon this spot on a Monday. One Star for being open to the public and having a bathroom.
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Great atomosphere and vibe. Love that it is in my neighborhood in Potrero Hill
We were talking to some people while we were waiting for a table and they said the fried chicken was the best. And, they also said not to order the meat loaf. We trusted them since they had frequented this place often.
We had the fried chicken and it was delicous. Not really greasy, just crispy and tendy and juicy - yum. I had the collard greens and mash potatoes as my side -- I wouldn't recommend the collard greens. My fiance had french fries and bean/rice as his side - he liked it, pretty much cleaned his plate.
Definitely a great place to go if you want some ambience, inexpensive dinner, and good ole comfort food.
Everything was great except for the collard greens which tasted like they'd been doused with liquid smoke. I couldn't even eat mine. The catfish was yummy, but I really would like it to be served with tartar sauce, because I like to add an extra 20 grams of fat to all of my food with that tasty condiment. While we ate, I watched a little girl cross off names on the wait list (this place can get busy, yo!) and then write some other names and draw all over the list while her mom ignored what she was doing... I'll tell ya, I'd be having a heart attack if I was waiting for a table while that was happening... I'm looking forward to the new location in the Richmond, but I probably shouldn't be, as it would be dangerous to the old arteries to eat there too often...
To Tony and Theresa:
I love your food. I have never been to the South. I have never had any other kind of Soul Food. But I can't ever imagine it to be better than yours. Your staff is friendly, and the worst part of the whole expereince in your wonderful slice of heaven on earth is that I sometimes have to wait soooooo long to get my food. Although I do appreciate the (best) cornbread muffins to tide me over. You guys are really amazing, and your food is from the heart. Thank you.
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Eh... it's aaiiight.
Unlike a friend who raves about this place, I actually love soul food and have enjoyed it at what I think are the best soul food restaurants from coast to coast. That is why... my friend... I think it is just so-so. Don't get me wrong - go and try it, but the ambiance, staff, and food (particularly) pale in comparison.
I had the fried catfish, greens, and black-eyed peas. I'd pass on the greens and black-eyed peas- they needed more flavor. The fried fish was decent. I must say, however, I liked the neighborhood and fact that parking was easy to find.
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Fried chicken is my weakness. I paid $175 just to go to this place once. I got a ticket making an illegal u-turn on a dark street where i "didn't see the sign". I was pretty pissed. And the fact that I had to pay up by my birthday made me even more mad. But when I finally found parking, it was all worth it. $160 and all. The menu is pretty diverse and I always say I want to try something new but I always come back to square one: Fried Chicken.
Decor is great and the metal sidings on the wall make it feel industrial. The only knock on is place is the size. But it's small location is part of its charm. So just as a warning, it's not a place for a big group so come solo or with a partner. Bring a jacket just in case you have to stand outside.
The chicken is fried and crisp to perfection. It's really good and the sides are one par. The mac and cheese rules! Red beans and rice, black eyed peas are on hit. Fresh, piping hot corn bread is to die for. They also have catfish, oxtails, pork chops on the menu. There's an open bar and good selections of beers on tap. Time to get swoasted.
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In a neighborhood I really haven't heard much about ... The Dogpatch ... you can find a soul food / comfort food restaurant owned and operated by Vietnamese. Strange, I know, but only in SF!
My friend and I went here one late afternoon for some good comfort food. Each meal comes with two warm corn bread muffins. i would have liked them better if they had a bit more grit of corn meal. Slathered with butter, they are still pretty good.
You order your entree, such as fried chicken, pork chops, and ribs comes with two sides. I chose the chicken fried steak, corn, and macaroni and cheese. My friend had fried chicken, greens and mac. It was pretty good, but the macaroni and cheese was more creamy than cheesy. I got a taste of the chicken, and it was also tasty.
All in all, it's nothing special, but it's not half bad. Hence the 3 stars. The company was the best part!
Mac and Cheese rating: 2 1/2 stars. Very average.
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$3.50 beers on tap plus ribs, yams, potato salad, and warm corn muffins. This is your meal. I'll be back to check out the links sandwich and a few others (shrimp po'boy?) before settling on its being "the meal," but I tell you, these selections are A OK. Add to that excellent service and nice people, and the Hard Knox is such a pleasant experience that there's nothing hard knocks about it. (Now bring back the desserts, and I'll be a totally happy camper.)
Tip: consider splitting a meal.
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Ok.....it IS owned and run by Asians, but nonetheless, this is some damn good soul food. The chicken is cooked to perfection, nice and juicy on the inside and very crispy on the outside with a perfect amount of batter. I tend to get the greens every time i eat at a soul food place since its one of my favorites aside from the fried chicken...and this place does them up just right. Mac n' cheese is good as well, but with the bright yellow, processed kind of cheese instead of the more "made from scratch high quality kind"....but still good though. The yams are tasty as well, but i could do with a little less sugar. All in all, an excellent place for soul food where most of the items are of very high quality and cooked perfectly.
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I was working late and my friend called and said I really needed to try this place. She had me at fried chicken. So we met and walked over to Hard Knox. Funky place, cool crowd, large serving of fried chicken, muffin style corn bread with extra butter, mash potatoes and the succulent mac and cheese. Go ahead, dip that cornbread in that mac and cheezE goodness. Plus they have beers on tap for $3.50.
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Scenario one:
You're not from around here and you've been craving something from your old stomping grounds that are well South and a ways East of here.
The siren's call comes to you like a dream and you find yourself suddenly at the corner of 3rd and 22nd, walking towards the heavenly aroma of well made soul food. The door opens and the game is on the TV, the staff smiles and welcomes you to a seat and the menu in front of you makes your stomach growl in anticipation, but you know the warm cornbread that's been slid in front of you will save you for now. Then the food arrives and you flash back and hear your family bantering at the dinner table as the troubles of your day melt away.
Your mileage may vary, but damn I love Hard Knox.
Scenario two:
It's Sunday morning and you've just stumbled out of your nearby apartment to see the line of hipsters in front of a popular cafe on 22nd.
Disgusted with the thought of waiting and listening to banal chat about fixies, you smile inwardly and decide to walk down 3rd street instead.
As soon as you walk through the door of Hard Knox, you're pleased with the decision. You know you'll get your breakfast quickly, get a seat quicker and be overjoyed knowing you just spent half of what you would have at other places for food that is incredibly good.
My niece took me here because she's sort of researching soul food for when she opens her own cajun place. It's close to one of the studios that I frequent so I'm sure I'll come back when I get off work and nothing else will still be open.
It's like down home style soul food that is really tasty and very reasonably price for all that you get. I would normally not rave about blackbeans and rice but I have to say it was nice and so was the green beans as well as the cornbread. I thought the hole in the wall, bar/diner atmosphere really works well here. I think this place was aired on a food show and I saw someone that I work with too. It was full of people and with all that, I think this place is one of those local spots, only the locals know about and tries to keep it a secret.
The owners are Vietnamese/chinese from Texas I believe, and really nice people with friendly service with a smile.
Compliments to all.
San Francisco, Bay Area Photographer
BJ Martin Photography
http://bjmartinphotogr...