Hard Knox Cafe

    Claimed
    $$ Soul Food, Southern, Sandwiches
    Closed11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

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    Inside

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    Outside

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    1857 photos

    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Location & Hours

    Map

    2526 3rd St

    San Francisco, CA 94107

    22nd St & 23rd St

    Potrero Hill, Dogpatch

    Mon

    • 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

    Tue

    • 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

    Wed

    • 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

    Thu

    • 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

    Closed now

    Fri

    • 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

    Sat

    • 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

    Sun

    • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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    Amenities and More

    Ask the Community

    • Q:

      Does this place offer delivery service?

      A:

      Yes, you can reach out to any of the food delivery services.

      Breezy O. 
       1 person found this helpful
    • Q:

      Is this business pet friendly?

      A:

      Not sure. We went late in the evening. I would suggest giving them a call to find out. The food is good though.

      Kimberley B. 

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    Start your review of Hard Knox Cafe

    Overall rating

    2461 reviews

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    • Photo of Michael N.
      Michael N.
      San Francisco, CA
      1
      17
      Aug 16, 2024

      The FOOD; San Francisco expensive.
      I had a craving for, a taste for some fried chicken. It was awful, sent it back to the kitchen. They had made some sort of breading or some kind of taste. I am disappointed, maybe you will like it.
      Now,
      the sides were very good. Side dish portions sizes from back in the 70's. Red beans and rice, collard greens. Perfect muffins.
      She asked if I was willing to try something different.
      I selected the oxtails. I had, had them here about 20 years ago. I knew they would be delicious.

      Service is good

      Ambiance is very kool; on Third Street, never been to one other.

      Wheelchair accessible

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    • Photo of Jas C.
      Jas C.
      Oakland, CA
      10
      14
      3
      Jul 23, 2024

      This place is weird. Tried to order a cheese burger for delivery they won't do it. But they have non cheese hamburgers and lots of sandwiches with cheese that they will deliver.

      I'll never go back and will gladly give my dollar to every other restaurant because they are able and willing to package a cheese burger for delivery.

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    • Photo of Isabella ..
      Isabella ..
      San Francisco, CA
      0
      2
      1
      Jul 19, 2024

      If you're on the hunt for a a meal as comforting as a warm hug, look no further than the corn bread & chicken and waffles at Hard Knox Cafe. Corn bread was golden and slightly crumbly on the outside, yet delightfully moist on the inside.

      What truly sets this place apart from the rest, is the staff. They make you feel like an old friend visiting for dinner. When in the mood for brunch done right, i'd swing by for a delicious meal here!

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    • Photo of Connie N.
      Connie N.
      San Francisco, CA
      553
      220
      662
      Jul 9, 2024

      Sometimes you just want some oxtail and in a city where there is no Caribbean oxtail, you'll settle for any oxtail and the oxtail at Hard Knox is pretty good!

      Everything had a nice flavor and the proportions were big (three oxtail with two sides). Red beans and rice were kept moist with gravy and corn is...corn lol

      We also go the spicy fried chick and it was solid, mac and cheese/mashed potatoes were standard as well. Would def recommend this place for delivery or dine-in.

      Spicy Fried Chicken  Macaroni and Cheese Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
      Oxtails Red Beans and Rice Cut Corn
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    • Photo of Madilyn C.
      Madilyn C.
      Iveywood, Oakland, CA
      0
      8
      1
      Aug 26, 2024

      Customer service was great. Although the food itself is just not great i ordered a catfish poboy with a side of yams, the yams werent fully softened. So they replaced it with a side of mac n cheese. The mac n cheese was even WORSE. You can taste the pasta water from the elbow macaroni and its not even cheesy doesnt taste like mac n cheese to me.

      Macaroni and Cheese
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    • Photo of Alisa K.
      Alisa K.
      San Francisco, CA
      125
      197
      591
      May 10, 2024

      10/12/23

      Pretty isolated restaurant but serves up really good southern food! Has the old timey diner vibe with SF sports memorabilia as decor and counter seating. Not too many tables at this location but I don't think it gets too busy during peak times. The menu is pretty classic southern food. The entrees are the best deal bc you get 2 sides and 2 corn muffins included.

      I got the fried chicken entree which with candied yams and mac and cheese for $21. Portions are huge and fed me for like 3 meals. The mac and cheese was pretty good and the candied yams were very candied lol but I liked everything.

      Overall, really good pricing for the portion and the flavor!

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    • Photo of Kendall C.
      Kendall C.
      Redwood City, CA
      6
      61
      143
      Jul 28, 2024

      Delicious southern food! The corn muffins and candied yams were standouts. And sweet tea that's actually sweet? A rare find in the Bay Area! The portion sizes are large so it was a good deal for the price. We reserved a table in advance but it really wasn't necessary, they had plenty of open tables during weeknight dinner. It's very casual, think '50s diner status.

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    • Photo of Trini S.
      Trini S.
      San Jose, CA
      4
      130
      312
      Jul 17, 2024

      Jambalaya was lacking in flavor, fried chicken was good but not the best. Sides were just ok. They lost our reservation and were still able to quickly seat us which was nice. Crowded, lively ambiance.

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    • Photo of Doug
      Doug
      Modesto, CA
      2
      29
      Aug 28, 2024

      The service was good, but the food was lukewarm. Food meant to be served hot should always be hot. They said it was a new cook. I will try again to give it a second chance

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    • Photo of Christine L.
      Christine L.
      San Francisco, CA
      127
      50
      198
      Apr 8, 2024

      LOOKING FOR AUTHENTIC SOUL FOOD?! COME HERE!! THATS IT, THATS THE REVIEW. Whether you wanna dine in, that's on you. Personally, I wouldn't, just put in a call for pick up. They take a while, due to how popular they are, but it's worth it!! Staff are always nice and actually put in the condiments that you ask for.
      *CHEFS KISS*
      My usual is oxtails, Mac & cheese, collards greens & corn bread.

      MY USUAL!!!
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    140 other reviews that are not currently recommended

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