Comments on: Hard Knox Cafe: Reviews

By: Amy

Amy — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 19:43:43 +0000

I'm another person who found this place from Check Please! My husband and whenever we're in SF to visit my parents, we make an effort to come here from some homestyle grub.

So far we have enjoyed the fried chicken (extremely moist and juicy and not seasoned like Popeye's or KFC), ribs (tender and meaty), collard greens (rather wet and bland), cabbage (this one had much better taste than the collards), mac n cheese (I realized this is not my fave. Too bechamel tasting and not enough cheese flavor to it. It got worst as it got colder); yams (very pleasing and not overly sweet), mash potatoes (pretty good).

Atmosphere is great, employees are very friendly-but service can be slow on a busy night, parking is so quick and easy and food for the most part is delicious.

By: Petti Wilks

Petti Wilks — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:57:21 +0000

I was introduced to Hard Knox Cafe on Check Please! I live approx. 30 miles south of S.F. and the trip was worth my time! At this time, I have made 3 trips to Hard Knox Cafe and was accompanied by a relative or friend, we all agree the cafe is TWO HIGH THUMBS UP!! At this point, I have enjoyed ordering fried chicken, ox tails and short ribs dinners. Also, side dishes of red beans and rice, collard greens and mixed vegetables. The cornbread muffins and cream sodas is also a big plus! In addition, ordering a dinner to go, is always a must!! On my next trip, I plan to vist the new location at Clement & 26th Ave. I wish the Hard Knox Cafe owners & staff continue success.

By: Evan

Evan — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 20:15:26 +0000

I have been going to the original Hard Knox for years as I used to work in the Potrero Hill neighborhood. During my first trip there, the friend I was with me to try the Country Fried Steak. I never have been a big fan of Country Fried/Chicken Fried steak, but on my friend's promise to pay for the meal if I did not like it, I ordered it. This was five years ago, and to this day I go back just for this dish. In fact, I have never tried any of the other dishes because I do not feel the need to.
I finally convinced my wife, who is not a huge fried food, southern food, fan to go with me to the Clement Street location which was our first trip. I ordered my usual with sides of mac and cheese and collard greens. The corn bread muffins came first and they were extremely good. Hot, moist, topped with the melted butter, a perfect start to the meal. My steak was cripsy enough, not over cooked, and was had just the right amount of gravy on it. Other reviewers often state their lack of satisfaction with the macaroni and cheese because it taste's like out of the box. I agree, but something about the mac and cheese reminds me of my child hood!! The collard greens did not have much flavor but I felt better eating them knowing that my arteries were clogging based on the fried steak, gravy, and mac and cheese. Dinner for two, with two beers and two sodas came to $30.00 which to me is a huge bargain in the city. On top of that, my wife and I were so full after the meal we felt we going to burst. An excellent choice for a cheap, down home good meal!!

By: James

James — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:14:44 +0000

My wife and I have wanted to try the Hard Knox Cafe for the longest time but making across town was difficult. We finally made it to the cafe. We ended up at their second location on Clement and 26th. For me, when I hear great reviews about movies or food, I always end up disappointed.
I had to try the fried chicken because of all the rave reviews. As sides I had the collard greens and red beans and rice. The chicken and the red beans and rice were good. It was fresh and well made. Collard greens is an acquired taste. My wife thought that Popeye's fried chicken was better. She ended up ordering mashed potatos, yams, and mac and cheese. She loved the mash potatos but thought the yams were too sweet because it had too much of a certain spice. I can't rave about the place but I plan on going back to try the other main dishes. I would recommend this place for anyone who wants to give this type of cuisine a try. I've been to New Orleans and Georgia for long streches at a time and loved the southern food down there. My dad's customers have cooked southern food for us to try and it was awesome. You don't find this kind of food on every corner in the Bay Area. The staff was very friendly and the decor was cool. The food is fresh and plenty and very resonably priced.

By: Dining Diva Carol

Dining Diva Carol — Fri, 16 May 2008 04:01:13 +0000

Please go by the just opened second location on Clement & 26th Ave. Bigger space, still great food and the lines are still out the door.

By: Brian Catania

Brian Catania — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 08:06:11 +0000

I tried Hard Knox today after seeing the show a while back. I had the fried chicken, mashed potatos and red beans and rice. strange combination but I had to try the red beans and rice. they were very good. as someone esle said they were bland, perhaps a bit but i always add hot sauce to mine anyway and they were great. the fried chicken was the best i've had in a restaurant. The potatos were great too. The service was excellent. Very friendly and attentive. At least while I was there it was busy and the crowd was probably 70% African American which made me feel comfortable that this was an authentic place. I'll definitely go back

By: Allen Wright

Allen Wright — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:53:34 +0000

I've gone there several times now. Each visit has been a pleasure. It satifies my craving for comfort food and good beer. It has a unique ambiance that may not appeal to all but I like it jut fine.

By: Korika Wright

Korika Wright — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 00:03:46 +0000

Every time I leave the Hard Knox, I leave Saying Yum Yum.. They are the best soul food in town…Must Try..
Thanks, Hard Knox for bringing the Authentic back in fried Chicken..(recomend everything I had it all) Love It

By: Nate

Nate — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 09:05:22 +0000

Sorry to say this, but we are not in the south, we are in Northern California. Finding soul food this good and authentic around here is pretty hard. Hard Knox makes this happen. Amazing fried chicken, authentic tasty sides, and great wine/beer selection. Cool atmosphere and really friendly service completes the soul food dining experience that I enjoy each visit. In terms of race(which shouldn't matter), the owners are I believe Korean and it is a family run joint, but of course like ALL San Francisco reasturants the cooks are from latin america, so the waiters/owners race shouldn't matter. When I go the crowd is usually mixed, not mostly white like the one reviewer above stated. I'm sure she went for lunch, when the crowd is alot of tech buisness lunch breakers, but for dinner it is a more mixed crowd. I couldn't think of a better place to hang out with some friends, get a few drinks and eat some good soul food. So If you can't all ready tell, I highly recommend The Hard Knox Cafe!

By: chris

chris — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 06:15:36 +0000

Congratulations are in order for lovers of fried chicken. Hard Knox received the SF Express vote for "best fried chicken." Well deserved.