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Hard Knox Cafe

Southern Food Restaurant$$$$

Dogpatch, San Francisco

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Hard Knox Cafe

8.7^/10

357

ratings

Ranked #3 for fried chicken in San Francisco
The folks at SFGate and SFist like this place. Would you agree?
"The best collard greens I've ever had"(10 Tips)
"Corn muffin's very nice and fried chicken even better"(7 Tips)
"I'm from Alabama, and I think that's the best cornbread."(13 Tips)
"Chicken and Waffles with Macaroni and Cheese - delicious."(7 Tips)

102 Tips and reviews

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Southern food
fried chicken
soul food
cornbread
collard greens
corn muffins
oxtail
casual
spicy food
lively
sweet tea
gumbo
short ribs
great value
big portions
pork chops
fresh squeezed OJ
Southern Comfort
wifi
green chili
(15 more)

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Pei 👻 WenApril 11, 2016
If you want to try something that's not fried chicken, go with the ox tail. So damn good. And the cornbread was one of the best I've ever had! Alert: huge portions so be prepared to share or take out.
Traci WilbanksAugust 12, 2013
A little slice of the South in SF. The corn muffins ARE as good as they smell. Get some collard greens and add some Cholula hot sauce. The catfish poboy is tasty as is the roll it's on.
SFGateAugust 2, 2014
Three pieces of fat, juicy chicken ($12) - generously coated in flour and garlic salt with an undercurrent of what tastes like cayenne - come with two sides, plus excellent corn muffins. Read more
Ms HeleneMay 27, 2018
Blackened snapper with 2 sides of candied yams and collard greens and 2 cornbread muffins $15. Worth the trek!
SFistMarch 30, 2015
The chicken is cooked until its exterior is a dark golden brown, and will make you believe in fryer vat miracles. Don't expect the fastest service, but in return, you're welcome to linger. Read more
Ricky SherrillNovember 16, 2016
I am from the South and these guys serve up some of the best southern cooking I have had. Great portions, service, friendly people too.
Ian CheeAugust 7, 2023
Excellent home style Southern food. Southern fried chicken is the star; have it with waffles, delicious sides or in a sandwich.
Carla LayneAugust 7, 2014
Been here 25+ times
Our regular place to kick off the weekend. We order the same every week and wait staff knows us. Sounds boring, but the food isn't. Very good red beans and rice, and I'm from New Orleans. Thumbs up!
Clayton PetersDecember 28, 2014
Been here 5+ times
What's not to love here. Can't go wrong but I'm partial the the fried catfish with crystal sauce. Side of greens and red rice and beans. Good beer and root beer on tap.
Mark Del LimaJune 18, 2013
Fried chicken or oxtail are the clear winners. We always resolve to order something else and then we arrive and can't resist and order fried chicken and oxtail again...
Kirk HerlitzMarch 1, 2018
I'd never had oxtail before, so I figured this was a good place to try it. So good! If you like braised short ribs, give the oxtail a try!
Sydnie CollinsSeptember 13, 2011
Its a really good place to eat fried chicken. I would recommend the the 3 piece fried chicken with three different entrees. I would also recommend the chicken and waffles!! yum
Andrew SandlerFebruary 19, 2016
Muffins are great. I really like the collards. And it's hard to go wrong with spicy fried chicken.
Dan KimOctober 2, 2013
$12 for a very large platter of 3 pieces fried chicken, two sides (mac n' cheese and collard greens, mmm), and two pieces of cornbread. Wash it down with an ice cold beer.
Steven WakuuJune 11, 2018
God, this place is delicious. Still dreaming about their chicken and waffles. Not really the healthiest food, but definitely amazing comfort food.
Celine HOctober 9, 2018
Massive portions and everything I ordered was delicious! Definitely get collard greens and mac n cheese for sides.
Ryan LumJuly 17, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Delicious and friendly service! Ox tail and fried chicken are amazing! Also free wifi which is their phone number
Michael CoxMarch 2, 2016
Spicy fried chicken or country fried steak - but get the collards either way!
Daniel PlemmonsMarch 30, 2015
Used to be a regular for lunch. Mac and cheese + collard greens + the smothered pork chops are fantastic.
Charlene NaughtonSeptember 19, 2022
You should definitely go with fried chicken here. Skip the string beans and opt for the collard greens instead.
Amy LuoSeptember 8, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Don't mess around and just get the fried chicken. Also, a tip for those rare hot days in SF: there's no A/C!
Mike SmootMay 7, 2017
Great food good quality customer service.Ive almost tried everything on the menu so far it's been all good.
Patrick SAugust 28, 2015
You can't go wrong with the fried chicken, the short ribs or the blackened snapper.
Miwa Nagamitsu AhlstromJanuary 7, 2013
Been here 10+ times
Fried chicken with a buttermilk waffle. Heavenly! Collard green, cabbage, yam... all the side dishes are delish, too!!
Chad BFebruary 23, 2016
They're known for their friend chicken, so have them when you're dining here. 😄😋
Bennett W WongNovember 3, 2014
Chicken and Waffles with Macaroni and Cheese - delicious. Friendly staff and good service.
GenieFebruary 1, 2012
Do not order the green beans, nor the Cajun meatloaf. The mac & cheese is fine with a hefty shake of Crystal hot sauce. Cornbread? Delicious.
AuraFebruary 16, 2014
Come on Sunday at 11am for quick seating & great service. They do not take AMEX but Visa & MC.
Alix MorleSeptember 6, 2012
The waitress here is a sweetheart, she is super friendly and very efficient. The Hard Knox IPA is pretty decent... Try it!
Marshall St. ClairMarch 26, 2015
7x7 mag recommends for southern comfort food "exceptional waffles paired with crisp fried chicken and cornbread"
Tim BolusJune 5, 2013
Try the oxtail and some red beans and rice with a side of corn. The cornbread rocks!
Jessica BaldwinMarch 13, 2013
I'm from Alabama, and I think that's the best cornbread. Wish they'd add some fried okra ;)
Max KNovember 2, 2016
The best collard greens I've ever had
Ros HodgekissNovember 10, 2014
The original down-to-earth bar and BBQ. Treat yourself to fried chicken and all the fixins.
Rob RayNovember 22, 2011
Been here 25+ times
You're cheating yourself if you don't try the fried chicken. Also, when they have it, the gumbo is fantastic.
David HoltzJanuary 11, 2017
The fried chicken meal is an insane amount of food.
Nik AhPoDecember 12, 2010
the 3-piece fried chicken and Mac and cheese are must haves! although everything else is almost just as amazing.
Connie ChenAugust 17, 2014
Corn muffins, freshly squeezed orange juice, Mac n cheese, fried chicken — all legit.
Sergio RodriguezFebruary 10, 2015
Corn muffin's very nice and fried chicken even better
Rosemarie McKeonJanuary 13, 2013
Great spicy chicken sandwich - someone told me to remove the green chilies which kicked it down to a good hot
The Bold ItalicMarch 10, 2011
The fried chicken is crispy and moist! Read more
skyleMarch 29, 2014
Mac n cheese on a cold day, toss in some chololu to kick it up a notch.
Chris H.December 24, 2016
Fried chicken 😍
Chad BApril 26, 2014
Two eggs, potatoes, toast and 3 fried chicken.
Robin AndersenJune 5, 2010
Been here 10+ times
Try the 3 piece fried chicken with a buttermilk waffle, and sweet tea to wash it down. Good music and service, too.
Angela D'ArcyOctober 30, 2010
Been here 25+ times
1 order of fried chicken plus the sides that cone with it is more than enough for 2 people to share.
Jessica AlvarezJune 29, 2014
Food took forever to get to our table but it was tasty
Chad BFebruary 23, 2016
Fried chicken! Yum!! 😋😛
Nancy TranJuly 6, 2015
Mmmm mmm mmm! Hook me up with that fried chicken, mac n' cheese, and some greens!!
Bakh InamovApril 19, 2014
Guest WiFi password: 4156483770

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