First, the ambience is wonderfully warm. Very much a speak easy vibe. And we went Friday night so there was live music — a really talented, young jazz band grooving away.
Second, the service. It’s second to none. It goes without saying that the mission here is just incredible. And we were blown away by the quality and speed of service. Felt like we were in a Michelin with how quickly a server would fill our water classes the very moment we finished them! Such attention to detail.
Third, the food. Everything was divine. If I HAD to choose my favourites, I’d go with the African yam curry (which is also gluten and dairy free!), the Brussels sprouts (gf ans df too) and the short rib (gf!)
My goodness this meal was a treat. And this place really deserves your support. I love this establishment! And if you’re considering going — GO!
Christopher Chung
Dining with purpose, excellent high-brow soul food menu reflecting the diversities of local communities in Bayview-Hunters Point.
Movie-set level, speakeasy interior. Velvet curtains, chandeliers and booth seating.
Great for parties and celebrating a nice occasion with friends or colleagues.
Elle Casey
Fabulous…our son took us here for our anniversary and we just loved everything. The food was to die for…amazing shrimp, fish stew, and Brussels sprout appetizers, fried chicken dinner and delicious peanut stew. To top it all off, the jazz music and drinks were terrific and our waiter and everyone was so kind and positive. Wow, you have to try this place. Thank you to all for a great and memorable night:)
Daria Smith
First time in SF and it was a great way to end the Mother’s Day trip. I love the mission and purpose of OSC but the food and ambience made me love it even more! I had the Peanut Butter Stew and it was packed with flavor! Date cake for dessert was so delicious. I wanted to try everything on the menu!
Harvey Varga
I was very excited to eat at the old school café, where I went with six other friends and we enjoyed the atmosphere immensely. The service was excellent. The young people were trained to be waiters excellently. The only minus is that I woke up at 3 AM with an explosive case of food poisoning And I confirmed with one of the other people that ate there with us last night that she also got food poisoning. It’s depressing because as much as I liked it and supported the idea of teaching young people from hard neighborhoods how to run a restaurant and how to serve, the bottom line is the food has to be healthy. When I ate the fried chicken last night, I could immediately tell something was off and I didn’t eat all of it. I brought it home to have for the next day possibly. I think I lost 5 pounds last night. That’s really bad news. I never go back to restaurants where I got food poisoning. For me there are no second chances on that account.. Especially when it was confirmed by other people getting the same thing. Politics don’t make for healthy food. Only healthy food counts.
Nick McConnell
Great atmosphere, great food and love the jazz violin. Super cool experience - the younger staff are impressively attentive. So happy to support this - I’m a fan
S.Pierre Wilson
A true hidden gem in Bayview. Great food with an even greater mission. The porkchop with Georgia grits is my favorite
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Wings, Mac & Cheese
carmella long
Everything about this place was special! The mission, the speakeasy atmosphere, the live jazz, the food, service and drinks!! What I got:
Catfish fingers Yummy mash potatoes Vegan or vegetarian (can't remember) greens A side car Dessert (chefs special) GO! it also looks great for parties!
The meal here was amazing. Everything flavored just to oerfection, nothing overdone. Service was very good also. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mama T's Sweet Potato Tartlet, Ceviche, Jordan's Fried Chicken, Lavender Cheese, Lavender Cheesecake, Brownie, Mac & Cheese, Taumoepeau Ota
Sharon H.Stovall
Imagine a black family of four from the South wanted to taste some California soul food while vacationing in San Francisco. So, based on the reviews we choose Old Skool Cafe. First clue that we had made the wrong restaurant selection was the look a waitress gave us and the signal she gave to the maitre d related to our seating. Seating on the other side of the bar, so far away from the other patrons, any further away and we would have been seated on the next door business. Well you won’t guess with are waitress was, yep the same one who was responsible for our one star seating. One other thing, not sure why she seemed a combo of surprise and displeasure at our presence when she herself is mixed. Go figure. Any we left after approximately 15 min. I never pay for poor service and for being in a place where I am obviously not wanted. And they just let customers leave without inquiring why. Another indication of their valuing our business. Any way we went to Jan’s and had some of the best fried fish. We spent a little over $100, with fish, drinks and dessert. Can you imagine what we would have spent at Old Skool. Definitely will not recommend and will make as many of our relatives aware, some in San Diego, Sacramento, Napa Valley, etc and in GA of our experience.
Imagine a black family of four from the South wanted to taste some California soul food while vacationing in San Francisco. So, based on the reviews we choose Old Skool Cafe. First clue that we had made the wrong restaurant selection was the look a waitress gave us and the signal she gave to the maitre d related to our seating. Seating on the other side of the bar, so far away from the other patrons, any further away and we would have been seated on the next door business. Well you won’t guess with are waitress was, yep the same one who was responsible for our one star seating. One other thing, not sure why she seemed a combo of surprise and displeasure at our presence when she herself is mixed. Go figure. Any we left after approximately 15 min. I never pay for poor service and for being in a place where I am obviously not wanted. And they just let customers leave without inquiring why. Another indication of their valuing our business. Any way we went to Jan’s and had some of the best fried fish. We spent a little over $100, with fish, drinks and dessert. Can you imagine what we would have spent at Old Skool. Definitely will not recommend and will make as many of our relatives aware, some in San Diego, Sacramento, Napa Valley, etc and in GA of our experience.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Shelby Wildeman
I just went there with a friend tonight and had the very best time. The service was outstanding. Our main server Heem was so friendly. The cocktail I had called The Flapper was made to perfection. And the food was beyond great. I had the smothered pork chop and grit and I was happy from the first bite to the last. I will definitely be back and I highly recommend everyone give this place a chance. I think you will like it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lara M. Wilson
Wow. Hidden gem off 3rd Street. It's amazing. We were treated like royalty and the food was absolutely PERFECT. The drinks were on another level. It felt like we went back in time, to a place where the customer mattered and the staff (youth with a purpose!) actually seemed to be enjoying themselves as well. The band and awesome decor definitely added to the jubilant flair!!! Best dinning experience I've had in a while.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Jordan's Fried Chicken, Chicken Wings, Taumoepeau Ota
Simon Tan
Worth supporting this restaurant regardless of the reviews! The food is mostly great - peanut butter stew was the highlight, but the brussels sprouts were also surprisingly good. The live music is a fantastic touch, but the seating was all facing the wrong way so it's hard to enjoy it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Jessieq22
We’d been wanting to come here for a long time and I’m so glad we finally did. We were totally charmed by all the kids working there, from the host joking with us on our arrival, to our server telling us all about Old Skool’s mission, to the young jazz musicians setting such a nice ambiance upstairs. Everyone was super nice and professional, and you could tell they were also just having fun hanging out together in that environment. The food was really good, and we loved sitting in the big red velvet horseshoe-shaped booth. What a delightful experience overall; I look forward to coming back!
Vegetarian options: The peanut butter stew was great and as far as I know, it was actually vegan. I didn’t order the Brussels sprouts, but they sounded excellent.
My god. What a gem!
First, the ambience is wonderfully warm. Very much a speak easy vibe. And we went Friday night so there was live music — a really talented, young jazz band grooving away.
Second, the service. It’s second to none. It goes without saying that the mission here is just incredible. And we were blown away by the quality and speed of service. Felt like we were in a Michelin with how quickly a server would fill our water classes the very moment we finished them! Such attention to detail.
Third, the food. Everything was divine. If I HAD to choose my favourites, I’d go with the African yam curry (which is also gluten and dairy free!), the Brussels sprouts (gf ans df too) and the short rib (gf!)
My goodness this meal was a treat. And this place really deserves your support. I love this establishment! And if you’re considering going — GO!
Dining with purpose, excellent high-brow soul food menu reflecting the diversities of local communities in Bayview-Hunters Point.
Movie-set level, speakeasy interior. Velvet curtains, chandeliers and booth seating.
Great for parties and celebrating a nice occasion with friends or colleagues.
Fabulous…our son took us here for our anniversary and we just loved everything. The food was to die for…amazing shrimp, fish stew, and Brussels sprout appetizers, fried chicken dinner and delicious peanut stew. To top it all off, the jazz music and drinks were terrific and our waiter and everyone was so kind and positive. Wow, you have to try this place. Thank you to all for a great and memorable night:)
First time in SF and it was a great way to end the Mother’s Day trip. I love the mission and purpose of OSC but the food and ambience made me love it even more! I had the Peanut Butter Stew and it was packed with flavor! Date cake for dessert was so delicious. I wanted to try everything on the menu!
I was very excited to eat at the old school café, where I went with six other friends and we enjoyed the atmosphere immensely. The service was excellent. The young people were trained to be waiters excellently. The only minus is that I woke up at 3 AM with an explosive case of food poisoning And I confirmed with one of the other people that ate there with us last night that she also got food poisoning. It’s depressing because as much as I liked it and supported the idea of teaching young people from hard neighborhoods how to run a restaurant and how to serve, the bottom line is the food has to be healthy. When I ate the fried chicken last night, I could immediately tell something was off and I didn’t eat all of it. I brought it home to have for the next day possibly. I think I lost 5 pounds last night. That’s really bad news. I never go back to restaurants where I got food poisoning. For me there are no second chances on that account.. Especially when it was confirmed by other people getting the same thing. Politics don’t make for healthy food. Only healthy food counts.
Great atmosphere, great food and love the jazz violin. Super cool experience - the younger staff are impressively attentive. So happy to support this - I’m a fan
A true hidden gem in Bayview. Great food with an even greater mission. The porkchop with Georgia grits is my favorite
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Wings, Mac & Cheese
Everything about this place was special! The mission, the speakeasy atmosphere, the live jazz, the food, service and drinks!! What I got:
Catfish fingers
Yummy mash potatoes
Vegan or vegetarian (can't remember) greens
A side car
Dessert (chefs special)
GO! it also looks great for parties!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Catfish Fingers, Brownie, Braised Collard Greens
The meal here was amazing. Everything flavored just to oerfection, nothing overdone. Service was very good also. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mama T's Sweet Potato Tartlet, Ceviche, Jordan's Fried Chicken, Lavender Cheese, Lavender Cheesecake, Brownie, Mac & Cheese, Taumoepeau Ota
Imagine a black family of four from the South wanted to taste some California soul food while vacationing in San Francisco. So, based on the reviews we choose Old Skool Cafe. First clue that we had made the wrong restaurant selection was the look a waitress gave us and the signal she gave to the maitre d related to our seating. Seating on the other side of the bar, so far away from the other patrons, any further away and we would have been seated on the next door business. Well you won’t guess with are waitress was, yep the same one who was responsible for our one star seating. One other thing, not sure why she seemed a combo of surprise and displeasure at our presence when she herself is mixed. Go figure. Any we left after approximately 15 min. I never pay for poor service and for being in a place where I am obviously not wanted. And they just let customers leave without inquiring why. Another indication of their valuing our business. Any way we went to Jan’s and had some of the best fried fish. We spent a little over $100, with fish, drinks and dessert. Can you imagine what we would have spent at Old Skool. Definitely will not recommend and will make as many of our relatives aware, some in San Diego, Sacramento, Napa Valley, etc and in GA of our experience.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Imagine a black family of four from the South wanted to taste some California soul food while vacationing in San Francisco. So, based on the reviews we choose Old Skool Cafe. First clue that we had made the wrong restaurant selection was the look a waitress gave us and the signal she gave to the maitre d related to our seating. Seating on the other side of the bar, so far away from the other patrons, any further away and we would have been seated on the next door business. Well you won’t guess with are waitress was, yep the same one who was responsible for our one star seating. One other thing, not sure why she seemed a combo of surprise and displeasure at our presence when she herself is mixed. Go figure. Any we left after approximately 15 min. I never pay for poor service and for being in a place where I am obviously not wanted. And they just let customers leave without inquiring why. Another indication of their valuing our business. Any way we went to Jan’s and had some of the best fried fish. We spent a little over $100, with fish, drinks and dessert. Can you imagine what we would have spent at Old Skool. Definitely will not recommend and will make as many of our relatives aware, some in San Diego, Sacramento, Napa Valley, etc and in GA of our experience.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I just went there with a friend tonight and had the very best time. The service was outstanding. Our main server Heem was so friendly. The cocktail I had called The Flapper was made to perfection. And the food was beyond great. I had the smothered pork chop and grit and I was happy from the first bite to the last. I will definitely be back and I highly recommend everyone give this place a chance. I think you will like it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wow. Hidden gem off 3rd Street. It's amazing. We were treated like royalty and the food was absolutely PERFECT. The drinks were on another level. It felt like we went back in time, to a place where the customer mattered and the staff (youth with a purpose!) actually seemed to be enjoying themselves as well. The band and awesome decor definitely added to the jubilant flair!!! Best dinning experience I've had in a while.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Jordan's Fried Chicken, Chicken Wings, Taumoepeau Ota
Worth supporting this restaurant regardless of the reviews! The food is mostly great - peanut butter stew was the highlight, but the brussels sprouts were also surprisingly good. The live music is a fantastic touch, but the seating was all facing the wrong way so it's hard to enjoy it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
We’d been wanting to come here for a long time and I’m so glad we finally did. We were totally charmed by all the kids working there, from the host joking with us on our arrival, to our server telling us all about Old Skool’s mission, to the young jazz musicians setting such a nice ambiance upstairs. Everyone was super nice and professional, and you could tell they were also just having fun hanging out together in that environment. The food was really good, and we loved sitting in the big red velvet horseshoe-shaped booth. What a delightful experience overall; I look forward to coming back!
Vegetarian options: The peanut butter stew was great and as far as I know, it was actually vegan. I didn’t order the Brussels sprouts, but they sounded excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Daniel's Gumbo, Jordan's Fried Chicken, Catfish Fingers, Abu´S Peanut Butter Stew
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