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Hard Knox Cafe on 3rd Street, San Francisco, CA

Hard Knox Cafe on 3rd Street

4.5
4.5
19 Reviews
$30 and under
Regional American (Southern)

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 1 time today
Hard Knox Café offers San Francisco diners the best in southern home-style cooking. It is sometimes said that someone has gotten their education from the school of “hard knocks” meaning one born from experience rather than classroom training. Southern cooking is much like that as it is most often learned from family and growing up southern rather than a culinary course.

Southern cooking also means lots of stick-to-your-ribs goodness and great hospitality. Both are in great supply at the Hard Knox Café. Great soul food like gumbo, po-boys (shrimp or catfish), pulled pork, jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, oxtails, BBQ ribs and fried chicken are good for what ails you. Catering services are also offered by the Hard Knox Café.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Regional American (Southern), Comfort Food, Soul food
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Sat 11:00–21:00 Sun 11:00–17:00
  • Phone number
    (415) 648-3770
  • Payment Options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    We Do Catering! Contact us for more information.

What 19 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 3.9Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

19 Reviews
  1. Jackie

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 28 September 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Staff were very accommodating for our large party. Brunch was delicious and reasonable by SF standards. Would recommend for an easy casual meal

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  2. Katherine

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 8 September 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was yummy and the service was fantastic. One of the guest was in a wheelchair and the staff was very accommodating.

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  3. Smiles

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 26 July 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Overall, good company and good time. Their food is always amazing. Tasteful and warm to the soul! Love their steaming hot corn muffins.

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  4. MarilynL

    San Francisco

    13 reviews

    4.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on 12 January 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Possibly my first time to a soul food restaurant and the food was delicious. They start you off with 2 cornbread muffins which were warm and so good. I had the smothered pork chops with mashed potatoes and collard greens. Everything was delicious and the portions very generous. My only small complaint was the bathroom covered in graffiti (tags really, not the artistic kind) -- but a small matter compared to the exceptional food.

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  5. joycelyno

    San Francisco

    23 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on 12 January 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Pleasant, bus boy exceptional service. Good value. Will go again

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  6. KevinE

    San Francisco

    19 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on 15 November 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Best spicy chicken and collard greens I have lately.

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  7. kellipsf

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 8 November 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    My two girlfriends and I went here before a John Mayer concert at the Chase Center. We all love southern food and a down home experience. We were not disappointed! The mains were highlights (ribs, chicken) and my friend loved her side of collards. This was an easy go-to and especially because of our server, we will be back!

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  8. LadyBee

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 October 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    great food and generous portions - always satisfying!

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  9. Meghan

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 19 August 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    The food was amazing from the crispy, spicy fried chicken over a waffle to the freshly baked cornbread muffins. Not to mention, the sweet tea! Also, I appreciated how the service staff were attentive and warm.

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  10. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 19 August 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 2
    This is an old restaurant that filled up fast. Spicy fried chicken was absolutely delicious and the staff working there were very accommodating. We will go back for sure!

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FAQs

Hard Knox Cafe on 3rd Street offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (415) 648-3770.

Hard Knox Cafe on 3rd Street is rated 4.5 stars by 19 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 1 time today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Hard Knox Cafe on 3rd Street

2526 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107-3113

Additional information

  • Area
    Potrero Hill / Dogpatch
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Sat 11:00–21:00 Sun 11:00–17:00
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Regional American (Southern), Comfort Food, Soul food
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment Options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Beer, Non-Smoking, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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