To celebrate our 27th anniversary, we went to @oldskoolcafe. The greeters, cooks and servers are all young people. Mama T opened this place to help at risk youth learn work and life skills (like how to get a license, do taxes, set a bank account). Partnering with experienced chefs, this restaurant has excellent food... and live jazz!!! We ordered the Taumoepeau Ota (think ceviche) and it was a great appetizer... light and the fish was super fresh. We had the short ribs which were super tender and had a rich gravy. We didn't think we had room for dessert, but the lavender cheesecake and the Guittard chocolate brownie were fabulous! If you are in the city: GO! SUPPORT! ENJOY DELICIOUS FOOD! read more

Old Skool Cafe - Guittard brownie and Lavender cheesecake. - Soul Food Near Me - San Francisco, California

This is a five star experience for a two star price. Spectacular staff. Very attentive and polite. And the food is on par with fine dining. A hidden gem in the southeast part of San Francisco. read more

Everything about this restaurant is great! Service, food + ambiance all AAA++ Perfect for a special night out.

The concept of this restaurant alone should make you want to go and show your support. Old Skool Cafe is a non-profit violence prevention program for at-risk youth between the ages of 16-22. They provide marketable skill set in the restaurant industry. This restaurant is located in Bayview. There are plenty of street parking. I was told that this place is usually packed, however, due to the pandemic, it was not too busy the night that we went (3/13/21). Reservations are not mandatory but, highly recommended. As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by a group of staff. Very friendly and professional. One of them led us through this beautiful long hallway with paintings and pictures of the past and present staff. Inside the restaurant is dim, club like, very romantic setting. On the second floor, a band was playing some nice jazz music to add to the wonderful ambience. It almost felt like New Orleans. For starters, they gave us complimentary sweet potato biscuits. This is the first time that I have ever tried something like this. Too bad they didn't have it available on their menu, I would have definitely order some togo. Not only did they offer a complimentary starter, they also offered a complimentary drink; I believe it was the Lavender French 75, really good. We also ordered the Sazerac, great drink, but if you are a lightweight, this drink is NOT for you! For me, the best was the Daniel's Gumbo. Loads of flavor, real crab meat, perfectly grilled shrimp, perfectly cooked rice and consistency of the broth. I thought the broth was perfect, but my counter-part preferred it to be a little thicker. The Shrimp 'n grits was also very good, especially the blackened shrimp. Great services, great food, great ambience, great concept; what more of a reason do you need to try this place out! read more

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The service was amazing! Not only is the food great but what they are doing for the community is amazing. I believe in their mission and would come back again. The ambiance is a bit dim almost romantic. The staff are in uniform and look real crispy. Nice attire and genuinely really nice. God bless this place read more

Old Skool Cafe - That Part - Soul Food Near Me - San Francisco, California

Excellent food, wonderful friendly servers, great music and overall ambiance can't be beat.

I am surprised Old Skool Cafe doesn't get more recognization. Family found this while visiting another restaurant near by and we finally got to try it. The hours are limited since it is a jazz club restaurant but it is well worth it. The food is excellent, all 3 dishes we got were great. The desserts were not too sweet. The staff were at tentative and the manager even came out and spoke to each table. Since it is a jazz club, the room is dark but it is a great space that is well decorated and you can feel the vibe. This is not a great area to park your car but it is easily accessible with T and 24 bus or uber. You can tell the people that works here really care about their jobs and wanted to do good work. This is very underrated place, please spread the word to help them stay in business! read more

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I love going to Old Skool Cafe. They consistently offer a great dining experience. High quality meals, responsive service, and awesome jazz musical entertainment. This one of a kind youth run supper club never disappoints. read more

Old Skool Cafe - Youth Jazz Ensemble providing dinner entertainment. - Soul Food Near Me - San Francisco, California

Ambiance is very special, love the walk down the "speakeasy hallway", which opens up into old skool vibe and decor, which was not old at all, but very fashionable and up to date! Food was delicious. Nice happy hour prices- like they were pre-Covid. Reasonable, not overpriced and a good value for the money. Also importantly, cocktail drinks were tasty. Sampled Paco's citrus cucumber 'tini. Very refreshing! Subtle flavors, not overpowering. read more

Old Skool Cafe - Antilles wings /catfish fingers & Paco's cucumber 'tinis. Chicken sliders (2 per order). Not pictured. because. Devoured. - Soul Food Near Me - San Francisco, California

Every dish and drink I've ever had here has been fantastic - not an exaggeration. This weekend, we had a refreshing beet salad, juicy and crispy fried chicken, and tender beef ribs. The live jazz set the mood and ambiance reminded us just of New Orleans - where my husband is from! All in all Old Skool is the kind of rare experience you have where there's great food, service and time well spent. Not to mention they play a critical role in supporting the local community and youth!! read more

Old Skool Cafe - Jordan's Fried Chicken & Short Ribs - Soul Food Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This establishment is definitely a diamond in the rough, an amazing find for our large group! From the staff, the food, the live music, the ambiance, this was hands down one of the greatest experiences I've had in a long while! The chef came out to the table, we enjoyed every bit of the Old Skool Cafe! Thank you guys! Keep doing such a great thing! read more

Old Skool Cafe - Our group enjoying a great dinner! - Soul Food Near Me - San Francisco, California

The restaurant is very hard to locate and parking is confusing. It's a small parking lot right in front. There was a food cart and cones blocking the entrance so it appeared we could not enter but go in anyway. They open right at 500pm it's great to get there early then what your reservation are to take in all The articles and pictures In the hallway. Swanky atmosphere , red Velvet was the theme. We were heading to see Moulin Rouge so it was a perfect Segway. Our Booth was a bit cramped so We asked to sit at a table. We were a four top, The restaurant was Empty our Reservations were 515pm. This worked out well as we had time to Learn about the restaurant and staff. They accommodated us at a table Right next to the bar. Although we loved talking with the bartender it was not A good spot as Employees were back and forth walking by our table Going to And from The bar. I don't recommend this table. Our server was personable and had good recommendations. We had cocktails to start. Old fashioned was on the sweet side the Flapper was a popular drink at our table. Very diverse and represented menu. I ordered cat fish and grits which was excellent. The ribs were really rich and two of our party could not finish them. I think they would be best as a share plate. Gumbo was outstanding. Chicken wings were undercooked but were very flavorful unfortunately we could Not Eat Them All. The food was prepared and presented well. The big misstep was our empty drinks and plates Were never cleared and the waiter did not check back with us. We had to request our table be cleared of the finished plates. All in all it was a pleasant experience. It's a learning environment and they provide great opportunities to at risk youth to train, learn and better themselves. They have music and halfway through our meal a Guitarist played it Was very soothing Bravo we will be back and thank you for Doing what you do. read more

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Wow we loved it. We had the short rib . It was tender and flavorful and delicious. They gave a large portion as well. The mission and service was stellar too. The young people that greeted us served and and checked on us throughout were a delight. We even went on a night where there was live music. The price point was well worth it. It should have been packed but they seated us right away. Try this place out! read more

My friend and I had dinner there on June 12. The food was delicious, the prices were reasonable, the band was hot, and best of all, the service was friendly and efficient. A wonderful experience. read more

Had dinner, food was delicious, the venue is wonderful along with excellent service. Bonus, it's for a great cause...win, win, win and win.

This spot in bay shore is a youth run jazz themed restaurant With live jazz music and creole food. Parking is available right outside the restaurant. They have a limited but good selection of creole appetizers, main dishes and drinks. The best part is the live jazz music by a youth band. Entrance is unassuming and speakeasy style. Good spot and good cause to support. read more

Eating for a cause--I'll drink to that. Located on a quirky alley in Bayview, Old Skool serves excellent food while training at-risk youth for careers that will lead to a brighter future. The restaurant feels like a speakeasy from another era. There is an intimate seating area and bar, and an upstairs for enjoying a drink and conversation. In addition, a two-piece combo of young musicians played jazz standards. Everyone is lovely and just being here makes you feel good. To top it off, the food is outstanding from creamy, smoky mac and cheese to collard greens and fried chicken to delicious gumbo--you will leave satisfied. You owe yourself a trip to Old Skool. read more

Old Skool Cafe - Gumbo, rich and spicy - Soul Food Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Excellent service, great food, live music excellent drinks, the waiters are very professional, one of my favorite places

I heard about this restaurant Through a friend. Wow it was even more amazing than I expected the food was inventive and delicious the service kind and attentive the ambiance fun and lively. We had a great night. read more

I'm giving this 5 stars because it scored high on everything: - Food - Service - Ambiance Parking wasn't bad either but Maps takes you to Oakdale and address is around the corner on Mansell. Not hard - you can drop off people on the corner and look for a parking space. It's a large intersection. We started with cocktails: Sazerac, Lavendar French 75, Bee's Knees. All were reported good. Four of us shared sides of roasted Brussel Sprouts with Pecans and Mac & Cheese. Had a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc to go with the Fried Chicken - we all ordered it! They're known for it and couldn't pass it up. So tasty - I cleaned my plate! Very retro '20s decor with a live jazz band performed by high school students. They were excellent! The evening was a perfect celebration for a birthday but I'd go back anytime. Best of all, it is a youth-run, jazz-themed supper club. read more

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I was already excited to return halfway through my meal. Firstly, the service is absolutely phenomenal and everyone was so attentive. The ambiance is perfection, you feel like you've been transported somewhere else with the gorgeous decor and beautiful live jazz playing in the background. The food was very tasty. We started out with the Taumoepeau Ota - very flavorful with a little kick. The macaroni and cheese stole my heart completely. The fried chicken was delicious and such a large portion. My friend got the peanut butter stew which was also so flavorful and a very generous portion. We were too full to make it to dessert but definitely will try next time. I highly recommend coming for dinner and listening to the jazz - you will not be disappointed! read more

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The vibe is really nice. The food I had was really good! We had the catfish appetizer, braised beef with a wine sauce, smothered pork chops on mushroom gravy, a side of macaroni and cheese, a side of brussel sprouts. We finished with the sweet potato dessert. I cannot complain about one dish! I polled my husband and he agreed! Everything was cooked well and seasoned well! This is definitely comforting food. We enjoyed the band and it was good to see so many young members of the community using their skills. The decor is very plus and takes you back in time. Our server was a little green but he got our order right and was overall positive even though he wasn't at his usual post. We will definitely be returning on our own and with friends. read more

We got take-out here when we were in the neighborhood and the food was delicious! The service was great, and my kids were entranced by the live music and cool vibe. read more

Delicious food (definitely try the peanut butter stew), great service, and I really like the speakeasy vibes. I've been here twice and I would definitely go back. read more

Old Skool Cafe - Abu's Peanut Butter Stew Cup - Soul Food Near Me - San Francisco, California

Once we got inside the restaurant... the place was amazing! We happened upon this wonderful gem while looking for a restaurant in the San Francisco area. Low and behold, this place was very inspirational. It's ran by at risk youth and the experience was unbelievable. The experience started off with the manager, Matthew, explaining how the restaurant came into fruition. He saw us looking at the pictures aligned down the hallway and told us the vision that the founder Teresa had for at risk youth she has encountered. The restaurant in itself has a nice calm ambiance. Matthew seated us and our waitress Aalayah 'Lay' came right over and took our order. She was kind, friendly, attentive and patient with our wants... all with a smile and pleasantries. We ordered drinks! I ordered "The Flapper". I'm not drinker, but I ended up drinking 2! It was so good. (Oh yeah, it snuck up on me) Thank you Holly the bartender! Then came the meal. We ordered the Warrior Wings...awesome! Catfish fingers... it was seasoned well. However, I personally would've like my fish fried a little longer. Abu's West African Peanut Butter Stew... it looked like gumbo, but didn't taste like gumbo, but it was was different and flavorful. Mac and Cheese... nice and creamy. Fried Chicken meal came with greens and mashed potatoes and gravy... everything was good. I enjoyed seeing everyone working together and as a team! To top it off.. we were entertained by the jazzy voice of Amelia Mae whom sang numerous songs throughout our dining experience. I enjoyed every minute from the beginning to the end... what a wonderful night! read more

I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to write this review. We came across this restaurant thanks to an article about the restaurant's backstory (Definitely take a moment and Google their story. Long story short: the staff is made up of youths that are/were considered at-risk. The restaurant is a way for them to learn skills, gain work experience, and build their self-esteem. That concept was enough for us to give them a try.) Overall we had a great experience. Our waiter was newer and you could tell that he was nervous but he was extremely sweet. This was a few months ago so I'm sure he's gotten over his nerves by now. Everyone was so friendly (seasoned restaurant staff at other establishments could learn about hospitality from these teens & young adults). The food was far better than I anticipated. And I have been thinking about the Sweet Potato Biscuits (sadly these aren't available to purchase, they're a complimentary starter) since our dinner. My only problems were that they were hard to find and we actually drove by twice without realizing it, and the dark entryway/walkway to the dining area. Other than that it's great food, a great experience, a great atmosphere, and a great cause. read more

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It's difficult not to like a place with so much heart so why try? You'd be carrying around one cold, hard ticker were you to hate on Old Skool Cafe. Founded by a Corrections Officer tired of seeing at-risk kids cycling through the system, Old Skool was envisioned as a different way to help. In a statement of vast oversimplification, Old Skool was born from that idea: Improve the lives and futures of at-risk kids by giving them a job, a place to develop their skills, and a future. With oversight from adults, it's a place that allows young adults and teens the opportunity to learn the restaurant trade and envision a better future. Not only is your server someone who was on the wrong path, but the chefs as well. Up and down the line, the entire place is staffed by otherwise at-risk kids and your visit is helping to move them forward in a positive direction. Though I knew of OSC, what finally got me through their doors was a free talk with some Lindy Hop legends. This led into happy hour then dinner, with live jazz music being performed by a talented young trio who call themselves "Strawberry Jam". Happy hour runs from 5-6 p.m. and features $4 beer, heavy pours of $7 wine, and an assortment of appetizers including Fried Dill Pickles ($6) which were excellent. Jordan's Fried Chicken ($19) - buttermilk-brined, bone-in with a cole slaw accompaniment - was 3 pieces of heaven. Fried food is executed very well here. Don't miss the chicken. Shrimp 'n Grits ($18) was mild in flavor and the shrimp weren't "blackened" despite what the menu promised. The chorizo gave the dish its only zing and minus this, this entree would've fallen squarely into the "comfort food" category. I liked it well enough, but would opt for the gumbo on a return trip. Collard Greens ($7) are a must-try in a place like this. Though different from what others had described, I liked this version which caused a debate at my table: what ingredient was lending the tangy BBQ flavor? Yelp check-ins offered free dessert with purchase of an entree and desserts here are huge and a satisfying finish to your meal. The warm Bread Pudding ($8) swimming in a caramel sauce was the perfect coda to my OSC experience. Reading about OSC in advance, I'd envisioned something entirely different from the authetically recreated San Francisco Supper Club circa 1920 that I walked into. A very special place has been created out here in the Bayview and I'm happy to support it not just as a mitzvah but also because the total experience - food, entertainment, ambiance, service, and attitude - was a win. read more

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Amazing food and great vibe. I can't believe I hadn't been here before. This will definitely be one of my new regular spots.

When you step off the bus or the train at 3rd and Palou, you may wonder if you've gone astray, but you're in the right place. Just across the little plaza from the last stop on the 24-Divisadero is Old Skool Cafe, which offers a rich experience in a low-rent neighborhood. Once you step inside, you'll discover what looks like a speakeasy from the days of Prohibition--which apparently just ended, as they are now offering spirits and signature cocktails. You'll be greeted and served by youth participating in a program that provides support and opportunity to at-risk teens and young adults. If it's your first visit, your server will offer to tell you about the program. The menu is limited, but what they offer is usually done well. My favorite things are the fried calamari, gumbo, and ribs. There is usually live music, provided by young musicians of the same age as those running the restaurant. These are youth 16-22 who are mostly in music school or studying to get in. Old Skool Cafe also does catering and hosts private events. Visit their website to learn more about the program and offerings. read more

This place was an absolute gem! Love the 1940's vibe with a live band and the staff dressed so professionally. The service was outstanding from the time me and my wife walked through the door until we left. I had the best seafood gumbo in life at this amazing restaurant! My wife had the short ribs that were flavorful and off the bone tender! Also the drinks were delicious! I had the best old fashion I ever had in life! Also the Manhattan was outstanding! I will definitely be back here. I can see myself as a regular at this place.! read more

I love the program and services this business is providing to at risk youth! In addition, the food is perfectly balanced and delicious. The service is in earnest and conscientious. The ambience is transporting. And the mixology is inspired. Can't say anything to detract from this experience! read more

Old Skool Cafe - Delectable shrimp and grits. - Soul Food Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place is so damn good. The fried chicken was crispy and seasoned super well. The chicken itself was juicy. The serving size was generous and worth the price. I was honestly surprised by how much food I got (leg, thigh, and wing) The mashed potatoes were perfect. Thick yet fluffy. Just the right amount of garlic and butter. Super happy with these. The brownie was really good. Came with a german chocolate type topping. (Maybe this has another name, but I've only had it on a german chocolate cake, so I'm sorry if that's wrong). And ice cream on top. The brownie could serve two in my opinion. Super happy over all. I'll definitely be coming back. Thanks! Sorry the photo isn't great. read more

Old Skool Cafe - Fried chicken thigh. Sooo good. - Soul Food Near Me - San Francisco, California

My friends wanted me to give this a 4 or 5 just to be nice, but I gotta be real. The food was good. and very reasonably priced. But because you are being waited on by 16 year olds, that is the service you get. Distracted, immature -- and just not great. I had the short ribs with were tasty but not inspired. It comes with polenta and a teeny amount of collard greens. We also split a mac and cheese - which was lacking in flavor, just meh. With a Yelp check-in you get a free dessert, so for sure take them up on that. We got the lavender cheesecake. I wish they had not included the balsamic vinegar sauce. Glad I went - but I won't be back. read more

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The service and food was really wonderful! I dined alone and enjoyed chatting with my server. They introduced me to the establishment and recommended the ribs, gumbo, and the peanut stew which I went with and I'm SO glad I did. I didn't add meat to it, just plain stew and I was happily surprised at the amount of veggies that were! Then the chef, who is a young person, came out and said they made it and wow that was so special and they are amazingly talented because that soup SMACK! Try it for yourself. This experience was really nice and their values are meaningful, I definitely recommend coming here if you're in the Bayview. read more

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My best friend from college treated me to dinner for an early birthday celebration! I suggested Old Skool Cafe since I've been wanting to come here since hearing about how they hire formerly incarcerated youth and has a jazz band. I was in my middle school band, and the school also had an after school jazz band which I'm not part of but attended their performance. I also started to appreciate jazz more after watching Soul and La La Land. The food was really delicious and atmosphere was perfect for a celebration. The short ribs I ordered were tender, and came with mashed potatoes and veggies. My friend ordered the African stew. They gave us a free appetizer of small sweet potato tarts. I really appreciate how they let us enjoy our conversations and music for more than 1 hour! We probably stayed for 2 hours since we shared a dessert. They have sofas on the second floor if we wanted to stay longer. I recommend going to the website and signing up for a free dessert. We shared the chocolate special which is mango ice cream with bread pudding and chocolate syrup. Thank you staff for a wonderful night! It was really cool finding out that the female youth went to the same high school as my bro. read more

Old Skool Cafe - Soul Food Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great food and great service at Old Skool, Cafe. The interior decor is gorgeous, with a huge beautiful bat straight out of the 1920's. Its obvious so much love when into curating the space. The food did not disappoint. Everything was cooked to perfection and seasoned just right. Some stand out favs were the brussel sprouts, macaroni and cheese, short ribs, and the Taumoepeau Ota ! Overall, the highlight of the night was the service and getting to know the staff's stories, which they are happy to share. read more

Old Skool Cafe - Soul Food Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place is awesome! The concept is original and they're helping at risk youth in the community by providing them with training, support, education, and employment. The throwback design is a vibe. Most importantly the food was delicious especially fried chicken. read more

Food is SO GOOD! Service is immaculate and it's all for such a great cause! I can't think of any reason not to go here

Fantastic service, ambiance and food. If you are looking for something that's a bit different and supports a great mission, I highly recommend. We'll be back. read more

My Bro ordered take out for tonight's dinner. Everything he ordered was tasty. I immediately went for the Daniel's gumbo where the shrimp and rice stood out and melted in my mouth. Shrimp and grits was next on the taste buds and the shrimp was so smooth I didn't realize I swallowed the tail too The fried chicken was tasty, not greasy but flavorful Mac n cheese was rich and filling Like the collard greens and the size of the corn bread was petite, just right though I missed the butterscotch butter my Sis pointed out I made sure to make room for the lavender cheesecake with blueberry jam which was light and the crust stood out - something I couldn't discern. If there's leftovers I'll try the ribs tomorrow! Def will try again and perhaps one day we'll get to experience outdoor dining! read more

Old Skool Cafe - Packaged and label to-go order - Soul Food Near Me - San Francisco, California

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