Old Skool Cafe

This place seems so small and non-descript from the outside, but inside, you're immediately greeted by some wonderful staff and, from what I've experienced, nice music in the ambience. The place itself has a distinct personality. Although, I can't quite put my finger on it, I would guess it's jazz age and it works really well.Now the food. Some of the best shrimp and grits I've had. I've gone around trying this dish in different spots in the city and I like this and Brenda's the best. The ribs are also a must. But pretty much everything my family had the couple of times we went here were delicious.

We had a lovely Valentine’s Day special dinner — special thanks to Isaac, Sky, Jonathan, and Chef Kevin for making it wonderful. Beautiful ambiance and live piano performance, perfect for a date night. We are excited to come back to try the regular menu too. Love what you all are doing!

The atmosphere is warm and cozy and food is tasty! Staff were friendly and service was fabulous. I love the concept of this restaurant and hope that not only survives, but THRIVES in this competitive scene. I know that some people don't venture to this part of the city, but in not doing so, they are missing out! I hope that people will venture down here from their usual neighborhoods because this is one of the gems to be discovered when you go outside your comfort zone.

Great place, amazing concept! Helping people and serving amazing food. The music is spot on! Thank you for changing this city one meal at the time.

Great vibe and inspiring story. Don't miss this place. Fulfilling ribs!

I will be bringing family next time. The bill was reasonable.

Hidden gem in bayview

Classy. Delicious. Professional.

My Family & I Love this Place, what they do for the Community & who they serve! The Sweet Potato Tarts are quite delicious, the Mac N Cheese, Beef Short ribs etc are the best. Oh & the Live Bands/ Musicians they have playing are equally enjoyable. Love the Throwback Feel/Vibe!🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾✊🏾✊🏾

These young people are AWESOME!!

They got young players playing live music. Great stuff

This place is cool old-school café has a good selection of homemade food always taste good service is always great would come back yet

Some good ole soul food on the menu along with listening to a live band playing is perfect for a good dinner

My girlfriend and I came here for Valentine’s Day dinner. We had a nice meal in a great ambiance of live jazz and bottomless champagne! I’ll definitely be coming back. While the food was good, it was such a joy meeting the people here. Chef Kevin individually greeted and taught us more about the organization. Skye, Jonathan, and Isaac all provided great service.

I love the program. Our group had a great time .

My surprise celebration doe my Master's was held here. The food, ambiance, live music, and the opportunity allotted to the youth is equally magnificent. 1. The Gumbo 2. The Peanut Butter Stew...OMG😋 MY new favorite restaurant in SF. Having been raised in the Bayview community...many memories and reasons to give thanks for life today.

The vibe of the place is so inviting. But you wouldn't regret stepping in because they serve great food.

The service is great the food is delicious. The shrimp and grits taste remarkable and better than the shrim and grits that i tried in Atlanta Georgia and in New Orleans. I will go there again and again. Great place for dinner for a special occasion or just going utout you will not be disappointed. The music was awesome jazz players and a singer and they were great. Love the mood

We came for the fried chicken. It was pretty decent, but the chicken at Frisco Fried, just a couple blocks away, is better and cheaper. I do like the mission of Old Skool Cafe, but I'm not sure the food is going to bring me back anytime soon.

The concept here is great. Decor is great. The servers were great. However, the food is just good, not great. Although all the food we ordered were good, there isn't much I would go back for, especially in the neighborhood that it's in. The fried chicken was very crunchy and portion was big. It lacked flavor though and the breading was sweet. The gumbo was served cold on the outside and watery, but had flavor. The best dish was the Mac and cheese. We also had the calamari, which was decent. The sweet potato fries were sweet but rolled in sugar which made it too sweet.

Great food and great environment. Plus, you know that when you eat here you are helping the community. Great place!

Lovely place with a great mission. The fried chicken is outstanding.

The Tongan Ote and beet salad appetizers were really good and the sweet potato muffins are so good you want to eat a lot more. We had short ribs, fried chicken, and gumbo and the ribs and mashed potatoes were outstanding. The shrimp and sausage were great but the gumbo was flat. The chicken was very moist but a little bland. Both the fried chicken and gumbo needed more seasoning. The service was great and the live Jazz was really good and I'd definitely go back. It's a great place and a great cause.

Great food, music, laid back jazz club feel

The area isn't the best, but the food is worth it. The prices are cheap, and I mean, who doesn't love that. I got the mac and cheese with bacon which was delicious. They had a pianist playing live music, which was really cool. I would definitely recommend the peanut butter stew and ribs. Also, it would be wise to make reservations and get there ahead of time.

Soul food, jazz band and helping the community. I'm impressed.

Ribs were perfectly moist and the meat fell from the bones.

Extremely good food! Collards were perfectly cooked and seasoned, peanut soup was really good and worth trying. Roasted cauliflower Mac and cheese- amazing. Everything was delicious, live music set the tone, and the purpose behind the entire place is commendable. Chef Kevin took the time to talk with patrons. He is passionate about the food and giving hope and teaching job skills to young people who need them.

Love the atmosphere! Bomb ass shrimp & grits. ( I opted for no green onions ). LIVE MUSIC!!! YyyYyyyyyaaaaAAAAssssssSssss! The manager was very sweet as well. Definitely will be coming back on the regular. I found my new brunch spot!

Great ambiance! The jazz band upstairs was fantastic, the food and service were excellent. We had peanut butter stew that was really good as well as cauliflower macaroni & cheese. All the food was great. Highly recommended!

the staff was very welcoming and observant.

I love their lavender drink!

Probably one of the best southern food hangouts in SF! Great gumbo, shrimp&grits, collard greens, ribs and fried chicken. Recently renovated and has a jazz bar vibe. Live music. And to top it off, you support the youth program when dining here.

Old skool serves wonderful soul food. I was with a group of six people. We ate gumbo, fried chicken, African peanut butter stew, barbecue ribs and cheese burgers. Everything we ate was totally delicious. The service was good and the restaurant was cutely decorated.We had calamari appetizers which were tasty,but a small amount. The neighborhood is urban, so dress casual and relax. My family and I will be back.

Sweet potatoe biscuits are great, as were the shrimp and corn critters. Gumbo a little too salty but fried chicken was on point

Loved the place! Such a nice atmosphere, great performances and incredible food. You'll have an amazing night, while doing good. Can't get better! Highly recommended.

Friendly staff and tasty food 🍴

And yes, the food was great! Would love to visit again and again..

Good food in a great setting. The service was outstanding.

Please go and don't be put off by the neighbourhood. We were so glad we went because food was excellent for SF pricing and the staff are incredible. They really are the show. Their stories and the entire cafe just goes to show how each of us is capable of achieving a better life with hard work, grit, some help and some love. Very family friendly.

Great food, great ambiance and awesome service!!

arrived at seven, it wasn't crowded. the staff was very sociable and kind. this place has an awesome atmosphere.

Great restaurant, amazing people. Food quality is outstanding, as well as the service. Strongly suggested!

Great hospitality you always see a smile. Food is great. Very enjoyable. Teaching are youths well. Everyone is curtious.

This place was great. The food is good and the price is really reasonable. The staff is extremely friendly and professional and I love the fact that they're helping youth in the process.

Fantastic! Well done! I will try and have my birthday there next year as well! Great music great ambience great food great purpose!

I absolutely love this place. I've been here three times and can't wait for my next time. It's set up like a speakeasy, serves southern food and has live jazz on most nights. What's not to love? Oh, and they're getting prepped for a full bar! It's great for solo night at the bar or date night at a cozy booth. Come for Happy Hour (get the wings and ask for the best hot sauce) stay for live music (performed by local youth) and dinner (served by local youth that are part of a training program).

Very happy to see this concept and run so we'll. Ribs were great :)

What a fantastic place! This place definitely leaves you feeling satisfied. The food was really great, i loved my 'grexican' sliders and the sweet potato fries were amazing. But this place also satisfies the heart and soul as it supports and develops at risk youth from the community. Seeing them shine and grow both in the way they serve and in their performances truly made it a wonderful experience!

It was so savory. Quick and friendly service.