Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Francisco Bay Area
  4. San Francisco
  5. Richmond District
Hard Knox Cafe on Clement Street, San Francisco, CA

Hard Knox Cafe on Clement Street

4.8
4.8
100 Reviews
$30 and under
Southern
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.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 4 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Cuisines
    Southern, Comfort Food, Soul food
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 11:00 am–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (415) 752-3770
  • Payment options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    We Do Catering! Contact us for more information.
  • Neighborhood
    Richmond District
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Beer, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 100 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Francisco Bay Area

    Great for brunch

  • San Francisco

    Best Value

  • San Francisco

    Great for brunch

  • San Francisco

    Kid-friendly

100 Reviews
  1. kvsf

    San Francisco

    122 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    122 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Excellent service from Susanne at hard Knox place at Clement street

    Is this helpful?

  2. bdhny

    San Francisco

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on August 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    I went there many times. Good food and excellent service.

    Is this helpful?

  3. JohnO

    San Francisco

    60 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    60 reviews

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    This place is great. You have to be in the mood for old fashioned southern cuisine, but they sure do it right. GREAT corn muffins, yummy red beans and rice and top notch fried chicken! Also, important to note that the service was EXCELLENT, something more rare these days. Enjoy!

    Is this helpful?

  4. DDot

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Hard Knox is a neighbor gem at a time now when a friendly place with high quality good food and reasonable prices is really needed by everyone. Greeting at the door was so pleasant and seating with a reservation efficiently handled. Chicken sandwiches were generous size and scrumptious. Fried chicken was the best and the waiter threw in extra corn muffins to be nice because it was a birthday. Great varied menu with sweet potato fries, omelets, seafood and lots in between. Our group had a gourmet lunch a king would enjoy. Just go there asap......

    Is this helpful?

  5. monicaj

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience3
    I had a party of 20 this past Sunday and I chose this place because we wanted soul food. The service was excellent. We were seated expeditiously. The food was ok. Potions were good. The seasonings were light and not to our liking. Beverages were great.

    Is this helpful?

  6. SoCoWino

    San Francisco

    30 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    30 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience3
    We found Hard Knox Cafe on Open Table and the menu looked good, but we didn't know what to expect. We were greeted warmly and seated immediately. Our server was a very nice gentleman who was patient as we asked questions about the menu, brought us a sample of their unique potato salad to make sure we would enjoy it and made sure we had extra plates for sharing, honey and butter for the delicious corn muffins and a to go box for all of the leftover food we had. We enjoyed the fried pork chops, chicken and waffles, spicy fired chicken and the oxtails. Sides were mac/cheese, coleslaw, red beans & rice and collard greens - all were delicious. We will def. be back !!

    Is this helpful?

  7. sffoodie

    San Francisco

    27 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    This is one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants in the Outer Richmond. The food is good and the service is excellent. I usually have the pear salad with shrimp added, which is excellent. It's hard to find good southern/New Orleans restaurants in San Francisco, but this one comes close to what we experienced when we lived in the South.

    Is this helpful?

  8. LizzieL

    San Francisco

    38 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Received grrrrreat happy service from Tito and Sue. They are the main reason for returning to Hard Knox.

    Is this helpful?

  9. CarolB

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Delicious high quality Southern cooking in a friendly setting. We usually sit outdoors at the heated parklet. They have an extensive menu of authentic cuisine in generous proportions. We always leave here happy.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Anon

    San Francisco

    86 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    86 reviews

    Dined on July 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Omg, the best table service I've had at an SF restaurant since before the pandemic. Delicious beignets, eggs cooked hard like rubber the way I asked, coffee refreshed, and no bother at all about us hanging eating slowly and enjoying our meal. These folks care about what they are dishing out, and it's GREAT!!

    Is this helpful?

  11. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 23, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    🤙🏼👍🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼 The staff are warm, welcoming, and exude a genuine passion for providing a memorable dining experience. They are well-versed in the menu and eagerly provide recommendations tailored to your preferences.

    Is this helpful?

  12. DesM1

    San Francisco

    36 reviews

    5.0

    36 reviews

    Dined on July 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A great neighborhood gem. Excellent food and wonderful service. Good for friends and or family get together. I highly recommend it!

    Is this helpful?

  13. Stephen

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Perfect city menu...NOLA/SF mix. No deserts because you'll bee too full to have any.

    Is this helpful?

  14. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on June 11, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    Great comfort food and service was great. No complaints!

    Is this helpful?

  15. LawrenceR

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on June 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food as always. Hard working and friendly staff!

    Is this helpful?

  16. Gem2

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on June 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Consistently excellent soul food @ reasonable prices given the quality & amount. Non greasy; succulent meats. Great side dishes: best collard greens, braised cabbage, corn bread, rice w/ black eye peas, etc. Loved the kooky things hung on the walls: old-fashion typewriter & small stove; Radio Flyer kiddie car; gigantic baseball bat, etc. HIGHLY RECOMMEND this place.

    Is this helpful?

  17. Reggie

    San Francisco

    24 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on May 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Amazing value for the fried chicken, and two generous sides (not to mention two corn muffins). Lots of things on the menu to explore during future visits.

    Is this helpful?

  18. StephanieS

    Atlanta Metro

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Amazing food and service , I can’t wait to visit again

    Is this helpful?

  19. DESITEA

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I absolutely love this place!! The food is delicious.

    Is this helpful?

  20. cyssf

    San Francisco

    168 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    168 reviews

    Dined on May 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Really superb server at this visit. Anticipated needs, gave good advice, friendly but professional.

    Is this helpful?

  21. StanfordFan

    London

    198 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    198 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The beignets are fabulous! It was a sunny day so we sat outside on the patio to enjoy brunch. We had trouble deciding what to order so did the crab benedict and a scrambled egg combo - both delicious! And we ordered the chicken dinner to take home with us and enjoyed that later in the day. We will definitely return.

    Is this helpful?

  22. Thuy

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I usually go to the Dogpatch location, but wanted to take my cousin and her sons here, who were visiting the city for the day. It was easy to find parking, and we were seated right away. As always, the fried chicken and corn muffins are my favorite and so good! Absolutely delicious! We had just walked 7 miles around GG Park, and we ate so happily. They absolutely LOVED everything we ordered. It was a joy to watch them eat and enjoy themselves. "Mmm MM mm, yummm yum," was the talk of the table. BEST FRIED CHICKEN, they are looking forward to coming back. The staff were so super sweet and thoughtful, awesome job!

    Is this helpful?

  23. MichelleC

    San Francisco

    38 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food, generous portions amiable service

    Is this helpful?

  24. buzzy

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious food, great staff, terrific, eclectic decor very reasonably priced

    Is this helpful?

  25. Drhook1

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 21, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience4
    Very nice small neighborhood restaurant with good service and good food. I suggest brunch and breakfast the fried chicken and waffles are very good.

    Is this helpful?

  26. kvsf

    San Francisco

    122 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    122 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I could have checked every square above. Whether for a family outing, a date for brunch, a comfort food dinner, a slice of bygone days, this is a never disappointing favorite! We love the pancakes, waffles, fruit salads, corn muffins, pear salad, ribs, Cole slaw, sandwiches that are anything but run of the mill, and especially Lady Susan's exceptional customer service.

    Is this helpful?

  27. RonM

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is a solid bbq spot out in the Richmond. The staff is super friendly and the food is plentiful. Beer and wine only, but Beer and BBQ go together well.

    1 person found this helpful

  28. dine4fun

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We were a party of 8 for our monthly book club. Our server was fantastic!! He made sure each of us had everything we needed all throughout the meal. He even brought us extra corn muffins, which made everyone happy :) Cannot say enough about the excellent service we received! We are looking forward to returning soon!

    Is this helpful?

  29. CraigG

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Food was great. The service was very good and personable.

    Is this helpful?

  30. ccdine

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on March 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great service allow us to eat outside inspite of drizzling day. All food delicious

    Is this helpful?

  31. Kat28

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My hai and and I went to the city for a day trip/date and this was something we always had passed by. Check it out because we had a fabulous time with our service and food. We are excited to come back when we make another trip

    Is this helpful?

  32. OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 5, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    Able to make an 11am reservation for Sunday brunch in the morning after a few error messages saying nothing available. Had to be persistent.

    Is this helpful?

  33. seahawkdan

    San Francisco

    19 reviews

    4.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience3
    We were not greeted upon arrival at the restaurant. After a period of about twn minutes, I made my presence known and was subsequently directed to our reserved table.

    Is this helpful?

  34. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food3service5ambience4
    Trinity the server was very helpful & nice. The corn muffins were delicious & the food came out quickly; will dine there again soon

    Is this helpful?

  35. JeffK

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    I'm a writer by profession, but I don't recall having pulled the word 'scrumptious' out of my kit bag until embarking on this review. Hard Knox's menu offers delightful changeups to familiar breakfast and lunch fare, and everything, including the standard stuff, is generously portioned and tastefully prepared. Your servers also transcend the polite and smiley as flesh-and-blood folk enjoying what they do and caring about their customers, among which I'll now be a repeat visitor, inviting relatives, friends, and visitors to our fair city, for a special San Francisco treat.

    Is this helpful?

  36. MarkM

    San Francisco

    32 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on February 8, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Nora was great server! First time here, good food and freshly made.

    Is this helpful?

  37. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 15, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Friends and family from Houston, Seattle , Northern California and SF gathered for brunch. Neat place , great food (fried chicken ) and good service. We will be back

    Is this helpful?

  38. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A amazing food and service

    Is this helpful?

  39. HungrySF

    Orange County

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 2, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience2
    I can only speculate because OpenTable allowed me to book a reservation when the restaurant was closed. I searched a little on social media to see if the restaurant was open and couldn't find anything that definitely told me it was closed. So I booked and showed up and it was closed. I would like to eat there sometime.

    Is this helpful?

  40. ColleenTaylor1

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 28, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    The website should’ve been updated if the restaurant was closed during this time

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Hard Knox Cafe on Clement Street does offer delivery in partnership with Chow Now. Hard Knox Cafe on Clement Street also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (415) 752-3770.

Hard Knox Cafe on Clement Street is rated 4.8 stars by 100 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 4 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Hard Knox Cafe on Clement Street

2448 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Richmond District
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 11:00 am–9:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    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, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Businesses
  • Restaurant reservation software
  • Industry insights
  • Hospitality resources
  • Marketing resources
  • Operation resources
  • How to open a restaurant
  • For restaurants
  • For restaurant groups
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2023 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
Rentalcars Logo
OpenTable Logo