San Francisco Soul Institution

Hard Knox Cafe

So your looking for that dwindling San Francisco commodity "Soul Food"  Look no further than the corner of Third Avenue and 22nd Street near the Bayview District.  Hard Knox serves up fresh, hot, generous platters of delicious Fried Chicken with a choice of two sides (Collard Greens, Yams, Mac n Cheese, Mashed Potatoes ad Gravy, Red beans and Rice, to name a few) of your choice. The Greens are fresh and smokey without a hint of pork or meat so it's a vegetarians delight.  The yams were so yummy they wanted to make you smack your momma.

There is Fried or Blackened Catfish that's so fresh you'd think it was just pulled from the water to your plate.  A number of Cajun specialties are found of the menu; Cajun Shrimp was the special the day we visited last.  Cajun Meatloaf was dense and meaty with lots of fresh real gravy.

The atmosphere is real country with corrugated metal on the wall and recycled bowling alley maple floors.  The service was prompt and courteous and you can tell how proud they are of their restaurant and it's food.  Lunchtime can be real busy so plan on getting in early to get a seat or call in and pick up.

Hard Knox has been serving this consistently wonderful food for eight years now and it doesn't look like they are going anywhere soon. In fact the owner tells us he is opening a second location in the near future at the corner of Clement and 25th Street.

If you've got an aching for the real deal, this place will fill you up and leave you satisfied.  Prices are reasonable with entrees ranging from $6 to $13.

Hard Knox Cafe

2526 3rd Street at 22nd

San Francisco, CA 94107

(415) 648-3770

Hours

Monday through Saturday 11AM to 9PM

Sunday 11AM to 5PM

Dottie's True Blue Cafe in San Francisco

Breakfasts Extraordinaire

After numerous early morning pilgrimages to Dottie's True Blue Cafe, I can safely attest to the consistency and utter deliciousness of this cozy haven in the midst of the Tenderloin neighborhood in San Francisco.

Dottie's has a regular fixed menu (Eggs, Oatmeal, Bacon, Sausage that is found on every table next to the myriad hot sauces for those of us fire eaters.  In addition, you'll find two menu boards on the wall listing all of the scrumptious Baked Goods (Coffee Cakes, Scones, Tarts, Rolls & Muffins) made fresh daily along with the Breakfast Specials of the day (Scrambles, Omelette's, Pancakes, French Toasts, Bean Cakes & Stratas.

I never get over the attention to detail at Dottie's.  The fresh fruit accompaniment to breakfast platters are lovingly assembled just before being delivered to your table.  All the baked goods are made from scratch every morning in that cozy kitchen.

Make sure to get in line early at Dottie's as it has a serious following including all the foreign tourists that learn about it's abundant, lovingly prepared breakfasts and lunches in the tourist guidebooks.

Dottie's True Blue Cafe

522 Jones Street

San Francisco, CA 94102

Phone: (415) 885-2767

Hours:

Wednesday through Monday

7:30AM to 3PM