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Brenda's French Soul Food

Southern Food Restaurant and Breakfast Spot$$$$

Tenderloin, San Francisco

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8.8^/10

1,685

ratings

Ranked #4 for Southern food restaurants in San Francisco
The experts at Eater and SF Weekly recommend this place
"Try the Crawfish Beignet - Just the right amount of spice."(66 Tips)
"Shrimp and grits was my favorite along with the crawfish beignet 😋"(34 Tips)
"Beignet flight is awesome."(15 Tips)
"chocolate beignets and the scrambled eggs with bacon."(9 Tips)

494 Tips and reviews

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beignets
grits
breakfast food
lively
brunch food
biscuits
trendy
pork belly
hangtown fry
casual
soul food
gumbo
sweet potato pancakes
tea
po' boys
French toast
pancakes
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SFistAugust 3, 2014
Everything you need for a hangover-stopping weekend meal: their shrimp and grits is the stuff dreams are made of, the choice of crawfish, Granny Smith or straight-up chocolate beignets can't be beat. Read more
Beerblondie Victoria OlsonAugust 28, 2014
Food is fab! Must gets are beignet sampler (1 crawfish, 1 plain, 1 apple & 1 chocolate - do eat in that order for best results) pancake or French toast special w/ brown butter syrup & watermelon tea!
Sabina B.December 18, 2014
The crawfish beignets are everything they're hyped up to be...& more. The fried chicken is SO satisfying as well. Just keep coming back & make your way down the menu; the food is consistently amazing.
Upvoted Mar 20
NanaSeptember 5, 2016
Line is long but you gotta time it perfectly so that you can grab yourself a Philz coffee walk around a little bit and come back. Shrimp and grits was my favorite along with the crawfish beignet 😋
Hanan MalSeptember 9, 2019
The biscuit the biscuits the biscuit! Flakey and delectable! Fried chicken Eggs Benedict is unexpectedly wonderful. The beignets are beautifully fried! They have a weekly batch of lovely jams!
Brian TranNovember 12, 2014
Came here for bunch on a Sunday. It can get packed! The crawfish beignets were crispy and tasty. Their filled w crawfish, scallions and cheddar! Chicken, sausage & okra gumbo was also very good.
MouzaOctober 14, 2014
This place is so busy, but definitely worth the waiting. Good service & the breakfast menu has many options. Keep your eye on the board though for special dishes off the menu
EaterAugust 21, 2014
The addictive crawfish beignets, killer gumbo, and perfect biscuits are consistently delicious and reasonably priced. Read more
Ersin SezmisApril 20, 2019
Get ready for a long wait time. It gets packed during brunch hours. Waited more than an hour to get table. Try Fried Chicken Benedict. Taste was rich, ingredients were fresh, presentation was great.
Luke BornheimerAugust 10, 2016
With insane lines on the weekend (shorter during the week), Brenda's serves up delicious (and heavy/rich) dishes, including their popular beignets as well as pulled pork eggs benedict and french toast
Keith WilsonJanuary 17, 2015
This place is one of my favs!!! I don't mind waiting to eat here because the food is wonderful and so is the staff. Order for take out if you can't wait. Crawfish beignets and Cajun Benedict are TDF!
Megan NicoleApril 13, 2017
We came here on a Sunday morning. It was pretty packed and we had to wait a bit to get in but it was worth it! I had the French toast with the butter pecan sauce which was to die for!!
SamaherAugust 20, 2014
Great for brunch if you're around downtown. Big lines in the morning, best time around 1:30! Watermelon iced tea is very refreshing, don't forget to get your free refill
BuzzFeedAugust 23, 2016
The brunch wait is worth it for the perfectly seasoned savory beignets. If you also want to sample the sweet beignets — GRANNY SMITH APPLE! CHOCOLATE! — opt for the $10 beignet flight. Read more
Mary DawsonAugust 20, 2015
Amazing ribs, the rice and beans was great too. Charming service in a lovely setting. Doesn't look like much from the outside but just wait! Write your name on the board and settle down inside :)
Ruby KMarch 29, 2016
Aha my favorite place to eat in San francisco i love love Crawfish beignet but everything else is also ridiculously delicious. Getting hungry while writing this review, no joke! 😢 worth checking out
Yuri RamocanAugust 12, 2017
Anything is good here. I like sticking to the Louisiana classics, however: Shrimp & Grits, Beignets, Jambalaya, etc. Be sure to write your name on the chalkboard (located inside by the register)!
squeaselOctober 8, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Delicious Creole Benedicts on weekends, decent beignets, overall quite tasty. Consider ordering by phone and getting to-go food if you live nearby and don't want to deal with the crowds in peak hours.
AnissaAugust 23, 2016
Write your name on the chalkboard list and expect a wait! And of course GET the crawfish beignets! (and prepare for a food coma afterwards)
Latanya PrestonSeptember 12, 2015
Every time I'm in town I must have brunch at Brenda's. The food is consistently good. Plan to wait in line for a table but definitely worth it. Go hungry, the portions are huge.
Paul LomaxSeptember 1, 2013
Epic queues, but it's an epic brunch. Get your name on the chalkboard, stat. Definitely order the crawfish beignets. Put their homemade jam on your biscuits too.
H KApril 17, 2016
Totally worth 45-min wait (Sunday brunch)! Beignets followed by Grillades and grits with a side of sweet potato pancake was grrreeeat :)
Nadège BréantJune 1, 2014
Get the crispy pork belly and cheddar grits! It's not on the menu it's a special, and the most amazing thing you have ever put in your mouth!
Paula ZiegertOctober 11, 2016
The beignet is a must have for sure! The DYO omelette is really good - my suggestion : caramelized onions, mushrooms & spinach!
joahnnaFebruary 1, 2016
The sweet potato dumpling with smoked corn-jalapeño cream, seasonal vegetables is delicious! You can add-on shrimp+crawfish too.
Bianca H.December 29, 2014
Beignets are amazing. Crayfish are my fav ones because they are just so special. Check out their specials menu and pork belly is must!
Michal PalmonMarch 4, 2018
Everything was great. They serve brunch on Sunday night. My son had the shrimps and grit and loved it. I had the hamburger. So so good! You must order the hush puppies.
Mark SiglerJanuary 30, 2015
Beignets are very good. "Hangtown" was as advertised but I don't think I like that combo of oysters and eggs. Grits were excellent, and I usually don't go for it. Serving are extra large.
AFAR MediaAugust 12, 2014
You'll get a taste of Lousiana in Brenda's. Once in, it's all about those beignets (including a crawfish flavour!) and those shrimp and grits. Read more
7x7 MagazineNovember 30, 2012
For brunch, brave the long line at Brenda's for the traditional sautéed shrimp with cheddar grits doused with spicy tomato-bacon gravy. It's definitely worth the wait. Read more
Brian WilliamsonFebruary 27, 2013
Two words: Crawfish Beignets. These perfect pastry pillows are deliciously stuffed with a remoulade chock-full of bright red crawfish. Fortunately each order has 3 beignets so you won't leave hungry.
Antonio BurrowesOctober 25, 2017
Breakfast was amazing fluffy omelette corn grits and chicken sausage 🙌🏽 really reminded me of home (NOLA) they even had Abita beer😱
Tiffany EdwardsMarch 22, 2014
Get the flight of beignets, Oh you to the peach cobbler jam, Oh wait the sweet potato pancakes (Saturday only) which they need to add a weekday. Grits too!!!! Ok I'm done!!!!
Eduardo OVOctober 10, 2014
Shrimp n grits is amazing! Definitely worth trying it. The portions are huge so if you don't eat much it's better sharing. The people are nice and the service is fast.
Yuri RamocanAugust 12, 2017
The Shrimp & Grits are really good. Don't leave without trying the beignets. Also, taste the homemade jam—try eating it with the sweet beignets or with bread.
Jordan HollidayFebruary 26, 2017
The beignets are the best in town. As well as their grits. Make sure you arrive early so you're not left waiting too long. The sign up board is inside.
John KhuuDecember 17, 2015
Get the 'Hangtown Fry' w/ cheesy grits. My god it was delicious. Make sure you get there relatively early on the weekend, it'll get super packed FAST.
Jiexi CaoJune 19, 2015
Get here around early dinner time and you won't have to wait too long. Chicken fried steak and watermelon Ice tea mmm
Daniel PlemmonsMarch 30, 2015
For brunch, get your name on the list and then go hang out at the Philz around the corner for 30 minutes or so to pass the time. Worth the wait.
Can KagitcibasiFebruary 18, 2015
Chocolate beignets are sooo good if you are into pastry and stuff. Crispy outside, soft inside and delicious chocolate
Mariianne CraryFebruary 28, 2015
High vibe. Take no reservations. Full house from the doors open. Authentic, fast, great food. Sometimes live music. Sweet water melon tea ad libitum. Fun!
Courtney KuhlmanSeptember 4, 2013
Great shrimp and grits. Get the watermelon tea for sure! The trouble maker fried oyster po boy special is also good!
Cody HardApril 5, 2016
Beignet flight is awesome. When they have them, pumpkin pancakes are top notch. Otherwise, can't go wrong with the fried chicken Benedict
Alison Lawler-DeanMay 2, 2012
Loved this Cajun brekkie spot! The hangtown fry is a real SF classic (the dish gold miners usually splurged on). And I'm usually a sweets girl but the crawfish beignet was my fave.
QuinteinJune 30, 2017
The beignets are massive! You'll be full after just one.
Valerie WangNovember 11, 2012
Wait is long but service is fast. Portions are huge so come ready to eat... Or ready to share. Not sure if it was worth the hour plus wait, but it was definitely delicious.
Catherine M. 🍷February 26, 2013
From DailyCandy Kids "...simple, honest, and good for the whole family. The place is usually packed and loud..but it all comes in handy when you need to mask the sounds of a meltdown." Read more
Mitch GinsburgApril 29, 2013
It's a long wait, but I would go back just for a plate of their Crawfish Beignets. My dish was grits overload, leaving me with a full stomach and probably a clogged artery...a great sign in my book!
Mark DanielJanuary 11, 2015
Having grown up in the South I can approve this breakfast, per usual in SF it was overhyped but still very good.
Ashley MowreyNovember 15, 2014
Get the Benedict and beignets. Be careful if you have a small stomach, the beignets are enough to fill you up, but so t leave this place without trying them.

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