Best southern food in SF by a country mile. We've been for dinner several times, just tried brunch this morning. The johnny cakes were the best dish I've tasted this year; they came with 2 but we inhaled one before I had time to take a picture. Quality mimosas/bloody Marys too. At this point I feel confident saying anything on their menu is delicious. Service is excellent, atmosphere is relaxing, hard to ask for more.

In a word: incredible. My first bite of the biscuits and gravy with chicken was so good I literally started to tear up. My life is forever changed. Infinite stars out of five.

The food is extraordinary! Deep-fried squid tastes good, light, non-greasy, and the accompanying sauce is the perfect complement. Mac n cheese and fried okra are very delicious, I don't like garlic spinach (it needs more flavor, maybe a little salt)! Overall it is delicious and I will definitely come back to try something, including crayfish beignets!!

+1

Breakfast and dinner! I have had both and I am not disappointed! This place it’s amazing! Fried chicken is crispy and moist it’s like the best of both worlds! The cheese grits, I could eat everyday! Fried okra, mashed potatoes everything is really good. I can’t wait to come back!

+1

UPDATE 2025/11/24: I got a chance to visit the restaurant again after many years. This time we tried fried chicken burger and fried catfish. They are both delicious without any greasy, heavy feelings from the batter at all. I wish they can mac & cheese crispy on top a bit. The dish that stole the show is the blueberry cobbler. It is almost like a warm soup of blueberry topped with a part pillowy, part crispy biscuit dough. The vanilla ice cream just perfectly complement the dish once it melts on the cobbler once you put it in your mouth. This is how every meal should end :) Another location for Brenda's. The southern comfort food here is truly comforting. Fried chicken, mac and cheese, even the collard greens surprised me!

Best part of our weekend! It's hard to find good gravy outside of the south, but this is really good. Loved the biscuits, too. The fried chicken is awesome, too!

The food is so delicious. Best food so far in SF. The gumbo has a great umami taste, everything is perfect. I had the beans with rice and it was perfect too, just need to add a bit of salt. Staffs are nice. Will be back here again before leaving SF.

Excellent Birthday Brunch w/ our Besties - Brenda’s Meat and Three serves up a JohnnyCake that Vito would have loved! Shrimp, Bacon, Scallion and a delish 3 pepper butter to die for

Excellent Southern flavor with super friendly service. This is the sister restaurant of the famous Brenda's French Soul Food in down town SF. So it has all of our favorites (including their famous beignet) without the long lines or the busy crowd.

+3

This place was awesome. Friendly service, and thoroughly enjoyed everything I ordered (blackened catfish, mashed potatoes, red beans and rice, and Mac n cheese). I’ve eaten all over the South and Brenda’s can compete with the best of them. Bravo Brenda’s!

I had lunch with my son here and OMG the catfish was fried just right the greens was flavored the mac was okay and can't go wrong with fries. If ur ever in San Fran & looking 4 good soul food cheap priced with Great Customer service. This is the Spot 👍🏾🔥oh the shrimp hush puppies 🤤

The food here is packed with flavor. We really enjoyed the fried chicken and ribs. They also have a bunch of tasty drinks. Highly recommend the hurricane mixed drink. Biscuits were perfectly soft and fries had a good crunch. Go here when you are hungry and you will leave very happy.

The GM Alisha is warm and wonderful as are all the waitstaff. Weekdays from 8am-11sm they have a special "Breakfast Club" menu offering $5 & $6 breakfast sandwiches and special $1.99 offerings with purchase of sandwich from same club menu. The Messy Mess is delicious. Heck-ALL the breakfast club sandwiches are amazingly tasty and though small, satisfying. Order up to 5 club sandwiches per visit and get your club card stamped for a free one after purchasing 10. Even if you aren't there for the breakfast club offerings, all the other items will not disappoint! The Benedict with fried chicken is so good! Friendly service, outdoor rear patio seating, Bloody Mary's, Mimosas and house made fruit spreads for the biegnets? Yes, please!

A real Southern gem in San Francisco! Grits, Jambalaya, Okra, Shrimps, Peach Cobbler, need I say more? Very friendly service and the perfect space for friends to catch up or someone solo longing for home-style southern food. Try the Bloody Mary- Pickled Okra never tasted better.

+6

Brenda's was great. Best beignets not in New Orleans. The Veggie Pillow was a great breakfast sandwich. Highly recommend!

Came for a late lunch. Maybe early dinner. I got a few different items to try from the menu: Red Beans and Rice Thigh fried chicken Biscuit I thought there wasn't enough rice in the cup but I was wrong. It was amazing. Nice side of heat and very flavourful. Perfect starter for a meal. The fried chicken was great. I'm not sure what the batter is made out of but it's great. The shiny coating and extra crunch works great. I really enjoyed this southern style fried chicken. The biscuits was light and didn't kick in until the second bite. I feel happy and full. Glad I came here for a meal. Would comeback.

+2

This is my 2nd visit here. Food is good. I had the blackened catfish with dirty rice and cornbread. Dirty rice was so good I wanted more. I would come here again.

Five stars across the board. Excellent and exceptional service, food came out quickly and was very high-quality, the prices are unmatched. We will absolutely absolutely be back. We had: red beans and rice, coleslaw, shrimp and grits, watermelon tea, and mulled wine.

Since the long-standing Elite Cafe disappeared years ago, this is the go-to cafe for Southern cuisine. The menu is standard fare including beignets, fried chicken, omelettes, grits and corn succotash to name a few. The ambience is cute with plenty of two tops. Vegetarian dishes can be had, but unfortunately no chicory coffee. They do serve Mr. Espresso however. Meals are well prepared and plentiful. The variety of beignets offered are fluffy not stuffy. If only the served peanut butter pie! 😋

+1

Ube Beignets 🤤! 10/10 omg! Stopped in for a quick snack. Casual dining restaurant with great service. Food was super quick. Fried chicken cutlet: 5/5 crispy and great flavor. Add side of pepper jelly which is sooo good! Macaroni and cheese: 4/5 Ube beignets: cannot say enough how amazing! Warm and sweet filling.

It was my Birthday on the day of my visit. Our Wait Staff Person "Alicia" was warm & very helpful with my Sister & I. The items we ordered were GREAT! The food was phenomenal (Fresh & Flavorful) & the Staff were attentive & pleasant. I will most definitely be returning to this fantastic restaurant. Thank you ALL STAFF for making my 49th birthday memorable👏🏼🤗

The food was delicious, ambiance was lovely and very cozy, and the servers were all super friendly, checked up on us multiple times. Definitely coming back!

Most delicious breakfast we've had in a long time <3 The two plates we had were perfectly balanced and well combined. They did not only fill our bellies and warm our hearts and soul, but were also very pretty to look at! We're so sad that we don't have Brenda's Meat & Three back in Germany and we hope it won't take us another 6 years to come back!

It was my first time visiting this restaurant and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience. Everything we ordered was delectable. I had the meat with three sides, gumbo, and bananas foster. It was all incredibly delicious!

Fantastic Louisiana-inspired diner offering a wide variety of Southern comfort food for any meal of the day! This is the Bay Area's first genuine meat and three-style restaurant, one of three local restaurants owned by Brenda, a New Orleans native. It has Cajun classics like gumbo, biscuits and gravy, fried chicken, po' boys, and succotash, with sides like grits, bacon, and collard greens. Drinks include coffee, tea, wine, beer, soda, and brunch 'boozie' cocktails like mimosas. 🍹🥂 There's also a specials menu, which brings new food and drink options into the mix. The atmosphere is very authentic and made me feel like I took a short trip to Louisiana. Centered around an old wooden bar with stools, the interior is adorned with wooden tables and chairs, antique mirrors, ceiling fans, plants, and a vintage-style wooden mural. There's even a swinging wooden door and curtain separating the kitchen. There's lots of seating for groups of all sizes, including a hidden-away back patio. The bar is a nice option for those eating on their own. I tried one of the specials: Benedict Succotash, which was delicious! The biscuit, creole Hollandaise, and broader variety of vegetables bring a traditional Eggs Florentine to the next level. I also tried Grandmas Molasses-Black Walnut Iced Coffee. I'm not a coffee drinker, but this tasted more like a sweet treat topped with whipped cream. 😋 The service was terrific; a staff member greeted me seconds after I walked in and all the personnel were friendly, helpful, and efficient to everyone that came in during my visit. Brenda's Meat & Three exceeded my expectations and I look forward to trying her other restaurants!

+6

This is the best meal I've had in my life. Every single bite was filled with flavor and joy. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu but specifically the shrimp etouffee and the fried chicken were winners for us. The biscuit and cornbread were moist and full of flavor. I'd catch a flight to San Fran to specifically eat here again. Everything was amazing.

Stopped here while passing through San Francisco. It has a New Orleans vibe. I had the gumbo and it was delicious.

Great spot for southern food. Their fried chicken and Johnny cakes are bomb! Was not as much of a fan of the Mac n cheese - was a bit mustard-y. Their shrimp and grits is also tasty. Friendly staff and great service!

My boyfriend and I were visiting from Houston when a local told us to check out Brenda’s because we were in search of some good soul food. I am so glad he recommended this gem of a place. Food: We ordered a variety of items. • We started with the flight of beignets which came with a crawfish beignet, apple, chocolate, and a plain one. I was not a big fan of either of them. My boyfriend really enjoyed the chocolate one. •Shrimp hush puppies with the creole remoulade sauce were absolutely delicious. •Red Beans and rice were really good. I didn’t care for the texture of the sausage but that is just a personal preference. •Shrimp Po-Boys was sooooo good. The shrimp are a great size and perfectly fried. I love the French bread that they use and the Po-Boy is perfectly dressed with creole remoulade, lettuce, and tomatoes. You get a choice of fries, Cole slaw, or a green salad. I had the fries and my boyfriend had the sweet potato fries. They both were really good and crispy on the outside but still soft and fluffy on the inside. Service: The service was great. We were immediately greeted by the bartender. Our server was very nice and made sure to check on us periodically. Ambiance: We elected to sit outside on their patio and it was nice and quaint back there. If you are in the area you definitely have to check them out. They are doing cajun/creole food right.

Decided to try this location after going to Brenda's French Soul food years back and remember liking it. I've been to NOLA before so I have some standards for southern food. This place is pretty similar to the other location. We ordered the fried chicken drumstick and wing $3.75 each, cup of low country gumbo $10, crawfish beignet $6 each, shrimp and grits $25, and ube beignet $5.75. Fried chicken was decent, crispy and crunchy, not the typical fast food type of batter. Drumstick is much smaller than the wing though. Gumbo was ok, nothing special. Crawfish beignet was good, flavorful filling, nice crust. Shrimp and grits was our favorite dish. Lots of perfectly cooked plump juicy shrimp with very tasty grits. All the flavors complimented each other very well. Ube beignet was a special item and was pretty good. The ube flavor was definitely there and was not too sweet. Asked for no added salt and none of the food was too salty Service was good. Small cozy restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating (in the back). They also have bar seating as well. They were not too busy on a Sunday night at 7 pm. Overall, all the food was pretty good, prices and portions are reasonable. Worth visiting

Oh wow, my first thought was "please open a location in Portland!" I had tried Brenda's downtown SF location many years ago when I lived in SF so I was looking forward to trying the Meat and Three variation. It was easy to make a breakfast reservation for a Friday morning during the winter holidays; we had my dog on our trip so we sat on the Patio. On Resy it was a little confusing because there were two patio sections but we booked "Patio," which seemed to be the right one. The patio is heated and covered during the winter, and I was actually so warm that I removed my jacket. Very cozy and the tables and chairs were dry too! The food was excellent and I will definitely come back. Very tasty breakfast, and if you can go Monday through Friday you have to get the Brenda's Breakfast Club specials. So affordable, especially for a city like SF! And you can actually order a single beignet with the Breakfast Club sides (normally you have to order 3!) And seriously, you should consider doing a pop-up in Portland, I think it'd be a hit!

+1

Great place to get southern American meal. We had a great brunch at Brenda’s. They have a large choice of food on weekends because you can choose between breakfast and lunch dishes. The food was super good, flavourful. I loved the texture of the grits with the shrimps and tomato. The spicy chicken burger is also a great choice and comes with fries, coleslaw or salad. The ambiance, super comfy, as well as the staff were also great.

+2

Great, friendly service. All the food was incredibly delicious. Their Delta Scramble special was so good and still came with a biscuit and grits. Biscuits are rich and crumbly and the apple jam complements it perfectly. My friends got the biscuits and gravy with piece of fried chicken and said it was some of the best gravy they'd ever had. Also tried the beignets which were crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Very well done. Definitely coming back sometime.

Came in on Sunday morning, it looked pretty busy but the back patio was open. However, we were able to sit inside. Server took our and the food came out super fast. My kiddos had Our Egg Benedict and hubby and I share a Brenda's special fried Chicken.. I will never get over the fried chicken. BTW, we were here visiting from DFW. Can't wait to come back. Keep the great service and amazing food.

Was craving fried chicken and ordered the cutlet, drumstick, and thigh. Amazing, I did a little happy dance when I started eating the cutlet. It’s well spiced and salted, with crispy edges and juicy chicken. The others were a bit colder by the time I got back, but unlike other fried foods I’ve had before the drumstick and thigh stayed extremely crispy. It came with a cup of pepper jelly which paired well with the chicken. The crust was amazing, so flavorful and crispy.

I’ve heard of this place from many friends a lot so I was excited to try it. It was really good 😊 all staffs were really kind and nice too. Highly recommended and don’t forget to get the beignet!

One of the best brunches in Bay Area! Must try their beignets, it was delicious, the granny smith apple one was the best. Red beans and rice were tasty, not too spicy. Benedict with grits was good. Cute pigs decoration around. Patio looks nice. Cool atmosphere. Friendly service. Would definitely recommend it if you want to try something different for the brunch.

+6

I would give B’sM&T 10 stars if that were possible! What an amazing restaurant…this was our first visit to San Francisco and our meal at Brenda’s will be a fond food memory for life. We ordered the Fried Chicken (dark meat), the cheesy grits, collard greens and a Bavarian beer bottled. The fried chicken is served with the most moist, crumbly cream biscuit that along with the cheesy grits and pepper jelly is food nirvana! The fried chicken is phenomenal. I think words will not do this experience justice so I’ll stop now. Super highly recommended!

+6

Excellent atmosphere and yummy vegetarian food (tofu bbq sandwich pictured) with crispy fries. I recommend booking a table ahead of time.

The food was wonderful. The spices weren't overwhelming or overpowering the taste. I had red beans and rice, the low country gumbo, cheese grits, collard greens, chicken cutlet, garlic spinach, watermelon juice and the catfish. Also had to get the beignets. Also the staff is very patient to the less fortunate that may wander in. This place is a must.

+1

Not as much foot traffic as the other store. Great service and incredible beignets. The fried chicken was hot and juicy!

Brenda’s Meet & 3 is my breakfast go-to whenever I’m in San Francisco. And let me tell you—Brenda is definitely NOT a goldfish in a plastic bag 🐟😉 The menu has been beautifully narrowed down to the best of the best, which honestly makes it harder to choose every time. I always promise myself I’ll try something new… and yet I always end up ordering the Eggs Benedict 😅 This time though, I switched it up. I went for the crab cake special of the day—and WOW. Absolutely worth it. The mimosas taste like they were just freshly squeezed, super bright and zesty, and the whole vibe is welcoming. The people there are always friendly, attentive, and make you feel like a regular even when you’re just popping in. What more can I say? ✨ Brenda’s never disappoints. 🥂🍳🦀

Brenda’s on Divisadero Street is a true neighborhood gem in San Francisco. The food is delicious, the atmosphere warm and welcoming, and the service outstanding. The servers are always kind, attentive, and make you feel at home. A spot you’ll want to keep coming back to!

The staff was so friendly and attentive. The food + dessert was delicious!

3 words: 👏Shrimp. 👏And. 👏Grits. 🤤 The tomato-bacon gravy paired with 6+ tail-on shrimp and the cheesiest perfectly cooked grits. 👩‍🍳😙👌 The food is delicious and prices are super reasonable, especially for SF. We hadn't been back for quite some time, but upon returning to SF after living abroad, Brenda's is a staple that is good even after all these years. 💓 They have a dog-friendly back patio with heat lamps on request, though it might not be the fastest service if you sit out back. I thought there was also a fairly strong cleaning solution smell, though my hubs wasn't bothered at all by it. We'll be back!

Great spot These were really good Chicken + mash potatoes + Cole slaw Shrimp & grits

Brenda's Meat & Three was great, and I enjoyed my meal thoroughly! The setting was warm and inviting, just the right mood for a simple lunch. The focus was certainly the meat soft, tasty, and exactly the right level of cooking. The sides were tasty and filling, going very well with the main dish. The team was kind and helpful, always checking if I was okay. Its a fine spot if you want to have downright homey Southern dishes. Im sure Ill be back!

Steve T

Wonderful place for Southern comfort food. Staff is attentive and food arrives fairly shortly after ordering, unless you order something on the menu that clearly states there's a longer cook time. We come here every few weeks for lunch!

Daniel Brunker

This place is an absolute knockout! Brenda’s Meat & Three delivered one of the best comfort-food meals I’ve had in San Francisco. The fried chicken is unreal—perfectly seasoned, crispy without being greasy, and juicy all the way through. Paired with the red beans and rice, it felt like a legit Louisiana plate made with real soul. Do NOT skip the drinks and desserts. The watermelon iced tea is straight-up addictive—refreshing, not overly sweet, and the perfect balance to the richness of the meal. And the beignet flight? Incredible. Warm, fluffy, powdered-sugar perfection with different flavors that make it impossible to choose a favorite. The whole place has that welcoming, Southern comfort vibe, and the portions are generous. If you’re anywhere near SF and craving legit Southern cooking, Brenda’s Meat & Three should be at the top of your list.

Senjuti

This is such a cute Cajun joint on Divisadero. We ordered the chicken jambalaya (breakfast special) and the crawfish beignets (very large) and they didn't disappoint. Service was quick. The atmosphere is very cozy on a rainy day and this is the kind of place I'd be comfortable eating at alone, at the central bar. The music is lovely. Overall highly recommend!

Alan Dyck

Know this, they passed the Collards test. Oh everything else was on point as well. Three of us seriously enjoyed each of the meats, and sides from biscuit to fried okra. And leave room for dessert: this group agreed it’s a tie for first place between strawberry cobbler, banana foster bread pudding, AND the ube beignet. Yes a 3-way tie. Topped off with attentive yet genuine service.

Austin Fisher

Really good quality food. Beignets were unreal, get the flight to try them all, but be warned they're filling!! The po boy catfish sandwich was also excellent, such good sauce and flavor.

Jennifer Teu

Service and ambiance are warm and welcoming. Love the fried chicken (crisp, tender, juicy, and so flavorful) and variety of sides, the medley of beignets (crawfish, wow), weekend brunch, and weekday breakfast sandwiches. We went for the first time 2 months ago, and have gone back twice already.

Anna Meyer

Sunday morning. Special, pork belly and grits. Calm , friendly, and quick counter service was just what I needed. They have tables too, though.

W

Excellent variety of flood and flavor minus swatting gnats the entire time. Great staff energy and hospitality. Pictured would be the Meat & 3, Spicy Chicken Sandwich & Gumbo cup.

Rhett Burden

I recently had breakfast at Brenda’s Meat & Three in San Francisco, and it was such a delightful experience from start to finish! The moment we walked in, we were greeted by Alicia, the general manager, who made us feel completely at home. She was genuinely kind, attentive, and incredibly helpful, the type of person who makes you feel like a valued guest rather than just another customer. We ordered the two eggs your way combo, and it was exactly what a satisfying breakfast should be. What made this visit truly memorable was the care and attention we received from Alicia and the team. The atmosphere inside is casual and inviting, with a comfortable neighborhood feel that makes you want to linger over your coffee. If you’re looking for delicious comfort food served with a side of genuine hospitality, Brenda’s Meat & Three should be at the top of your list. Thank you, Alicia, for making our morning so special!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

+7

Isabella Davis

I absolutely LOVED coming to this Brenda’s! I’ve been to their other location in Oakland so I knew I was in for a treat. You can tell that the chefs cook with care, the flavor is always immaculate and the warmth could heal you from the inside out🥹 This was my first time trying their gumbo and I got a decent amount of seafood in it which I definitely appreciated. Plus the French roll was nice and crispy while soaking up the stew😍 heavenly My friend got the shrimp and grits, and I have to say, when I tried a bite of hers I knew that was what I needed to order the next time because OMG FLAVOR (I’d say if you’re deciding between the grits and the gumbo, go with the grits; Either way you’ll be satisfied so it’s really a win/win situation) The beignets came out fresh and hot (AS THEY SHOULD) Absolutely delicious and thick with no air pockets inside. Those things were huge! My friend and I had one each and took the last one to go! In terms of ambience, this place has a unique charm and I loved their bar area in the middle; It made everything feel homey and connected. A true diner experience. Plus the service was great! Kind attentive staff that represented the heart of a soul food restaurant 🥹🙂‍↕️ I’ll definitely be back to this location for some of those grits!!

James Parker

Brenda's Meat & Three is a must-visit! The beignets were incredible—especially the chocolate one—and everything else was just as tasty. I had the fried chicken eggs benedict and the special blueberry crumble pancake, both packed with flavor. The back patio is a great spot to eat, and parking was surprisingly easy. Great food, chill vibe—highly recommend!

+5

Tania Weatherington

All of the stars aligned when our group of 9 were able to grab dinner at Brenda’s (despite not having a reservation)!! We initially resigned on having to do takeaway - but magically all the seating at the bar opened up (this was also within the last hour of opening)!! The food was absolutely delicious, generously portioned, and clearly made with a lot of love and care. My sister in law absolutely LOVED the Low Country Gumbo, my husband loved the meatloaf and cheesy grits, and I really loved the Our Burger, the fried chicken which was well seasoned and crispy to perfection!!! As one would hope, the sides had us full of lots of ummms and aaaaaaas - and you would be remiss if you visit and don’t try the mac and cheese & collard greens! All of their team were super friendly, and answered all our questions. The restaurant has a super cozy and trendy vibe, and I would say this is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic soul food done right!!

+12

Michelle Grunberg

Will definitely be returning! Ordered all vegan items - the po’ boy, garlic spinach, and okra. Delicious. We also really liked the ambiance and the service.

Winston Dy

Went to this location for the first time after trying the original location near the tenderloin. Tried the $5 Messy mess chicken sandwich. Also had the crawfish beignets and one ube beignets. The sandwich was ridiculously delicious! The chicken was so flavorful and the flavor penetrated the meat deep inside. I wish I bought two because I was sharing. The crawfish beignets were just as good as the first location. So meaty and full of crawfish. The ube beignet is still my favorite and my biggest recommendation! The service was friendly and fast. Location was so clean!

Jordan Stephens-Moseley

Immediately when I walked in, I felt a warm welcome. I came solo so I sat at the dining counter which is the best seat ion the house. Everyone worked well together and my food and drinks were prepared quickly. I had the fried catfish, green salad, fries, and red beans & rice and I cleaned my plate. I also indulged in a wild berry and mango mimosa and let me just say I love their proportions for the price. Will definitely be coming back to eat more items from their menu.

Personal Peace Yoga

The service was sssssooo good! Alicia, Dev, and Jerry were so helpful and kind! They made sure that everything was brought out in a timely manner. Nothing was missing, everything was cooked to perfection, we never ran out of drinks; everything was seasoned to perfection; it was absolutely perfect! The Molasses Black Walnut Iced Coffee with whipped cream was wonderful! The sweet tea is delicious. Our food favorites in order were: the fried fish, fried chicken, and the fish and grits! The parking was affordable. We will definitely be coming back whenever we are in San Francisco!

+1

Food.... fantastic. \nSetting...charming \nBeen before, will return. \n\nTonight, food late, desert abandoned cause I couldn't wait any longer for the to go orders to be done first, even though they …

food.... fantastic. \nSetting...charming \nBeen before, will return. \n\nTonight, food late, desert abandoned cause I couldn't wait any longer for the to go orders to be done first, even though t…

Food.... fantastic. \nSetting...charming \nBeen before, will return. \n\nTonight, food late, desert abandoned cause I couldn't wait any longer for the to go orders to be done first, even though the…

Public parking, I believe\nWe got a go to order\nOrdering online was easy quick, no problem\nNo problem picking it up as well, pick up time was as expected\nTried the grandma's black walnut ice coffe…

Excellent meal choices, service, speed, and definitely local ambiance. Love it and would go again. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options despite the name !

Excellent meal choices, service, speed, and definitely local ambiance. Love it and would go again. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options despite the name !

Excellent meal choices, service, speed, and definitely local ambiance. Love it and would go again. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options despite the name !

This is some of the best food I've had in San Francisco in awhile. Everything we ordered was amazing even the Diet Coke from a can somehow tasted better than others I've had! We tried the Ube beign…

This is some of the best food I've had in San Francisco in awhile. Everything we ordered was amazing even the diet coke from a can somehow tasted better than others I've had! We tried the Ube bei…

This place was excellent! I came with a big group and they were easily able to accommodate us at a table. The waiter was very nice and the food was delicious! There aren't many restaurants with tru…

This place was excellent! I came with a big group and they were easily able to accommodate us at a table. The waiter was very nice and the food was delicious! There aren't many restaurants with tru…

Love this place, don't go super often but when I do service is always friendly and that transfers to the over all vibe of the pace just having a positive atmosphere, everyone's happy eating here. F…

Brenda's Meat and Three is the perfect low-key Friday night spot for soul food - it was easy to get a reservation and parking on a cross-street was not bad on a Friday night. The service was warm a…

Came here on a Saturday. We had made a reservation for 5:30 and they sat us right away. If a party of more than 2, then reservation can be a good idea as they have some counter seating, and a num…

Super flavorful food! From the appetizers to the brunch, everything was oh soul good. Overall the food was fresh and well prepared, not oily or overly salty. \nThis is a (mostly) vegetarian review.…

Came again for brunch, and it was fantastic like last time. The best shrimp and grits I've ever had ... eggs benedict was also awesome!

The best ! Every time we go here , it's very good! Can't wait to go back ! The fried chicken is amazing! I like it with crystal hot sauce!

The food was absolutely great. The server worked hard and was very attentive. The ambiance outside was nice & cool.

We stopped in for a late lunch with family and I felt totally at home- the food, people, and decor reminded me so much of the vibrant, authentic down-home places I've been in the South and elsewhere.…

We stopped in for a late lunch with family and I felt totally at home- the food, people, and decor reminded me so much of the vibrant, authentic down-home places I've been in the South and elsewher…

The only thing I regret from going to Brendas was leaving it for my last night in San Francisco. We really enjoyed this place from the service to the food everything was amazing. Great spot and don…

The only thing I regret from going to Brendas was leaving it for my last night in San Francisco. We really enjoyed this place from the service to the food everything was amazing. Great spot and don…

The food was great, the best fried chicken we have had in a long time. Also the salad was really good and there are plenty of vegetarian options. The service was also excellent!!!

The place is very reasonably priced with delicious food and great service. The portions are very generous and beignets are a must!

very good food! i am from the south and have louisiana roots and this place did not disappoint. definitely make a reservation, when we got there the wait to eat was 2 hours (sunday brunch). had the…

I enjoyed Brenda's. The food is done well, but it's not Southern soul food. I would say it's missing the seasoning and food made with love that comes with soul food. I had the short ribs, beets, collards w/meat and fried okra. The sweet tea had watermelon ground in it to sweeten it. It was an interesting idea but not a good one. I could see thru the tea, it could have been stronger. I think it's a great place to try once. I dont know if I'd come back and try the other options. The seafood binges were just ok, they too lacked flavor.

+1

The food was good… for sf barbecue. The meat (ribs) was a bit overcooked and dry but the flavors were good. Mac and cheese was great, except for the hard, chewy cheddar top. I wish it was melty! Portions are huge so you can split one combo with a friend.

There's few places you can get creole food outside of Louisiana and this has to be one of the few. I've been here a few times and had the whole menu at this point. the gumbo is the best but the fried chicken is to die for. The atmosphere here is great. There's been a couple times where the service isn't attentive but it's such a relaxed feel that I barely care.

Step into a feeling of roadside diner from decades past - retro counter seating, ceiling fans, chalkboard menu. The chicken, while good, had a unique crust — but a bit too thick, a touch too oily. Yummy sides: mac and cheese, collard greens and cole slaw, spot on. Outdoor seating in back patio, lovely

+4

Heard really good things about this spot so my husband and I had to come try the food. I ordered the gumbo and it was delicious! My husband got the po boy sandwich which could've had more flavor but it came with a salad and the salad dressing was to die for! Highly recommend. Will definitely go back and try other items on the menu

Been coming here on and off since they opened. Always a pretty good meal but sometimes food quality just misses the mark. I highly recommend eating in; great staff and great atmosphere! I particularly love the gumbo, crawfish beignets, and fried bologna sandwich!

As usual Brenda’s consistency will win you over every time. With the huge portions and great atmosphere you just can’t lose. -pulled Pork hash(flavorful and plentiful) -BBQ spare ribs x2(two big ribs with 3 sides yum!) -Pulled pork Benedict(the biscuit takes this to another level)

+3

I grew up near the American south, and miss the comfort foods, so decided to check out Brenda’s. It is a bustling, cute little restaurant. It has kind of an upscale diner feel. The atmosphere is lively, even in the middle of the afternoon. Don’t miss the cute outdoor courtyard. Service is attentive and friendly and they serve brunch late - so if you want pancakes, french toast or eggs and bacon late on a weekday, stop by. Servings are generous so you may want to share. The molasses black walnut iced coffee was like sweet tea, coffee style! It’s a little syrupy with a molasses tang - hard to drink a lot of if you’re not used to really sweet beverages. And very caffeinated. The shrimp and grits was unlike any I’d had before - it had a lot going on flavor wise. The base grits were kind of creamy and bland, with a layer of melted cheddar on top. Then the tomato sauce was sweet, garlicky, and spicy all at the same time. Little bits of bacon added chew and saltiness, and the chives added some acidity. It was a little too rich and sugary for me - I wish there was two versions, a simple cheese grits with shrimp and chives, and maybe a separate dish with shrimp in a tomato stew. The apple beignet was fresh out of the fryer, hot and crispy on the outside, soft and doughy with warm apple filling. I always think of beignets as delightful airy little pillows - these were definitely not that. It felt like they got the spec wrong - these were hefty, dense egg-shaped donuts. It was still satisfying in that it was fried and warm, but there was way too much bread and the texture was off compared to the expectation. While it was a fun experience - how often do you find po boys in SF? I am not sure I would go out of my way to go back. Everything was good, but nothing was a stand out. I left still hankering for some home cooking. Maybe it’s time I learned some recipes. — Update: I came back several months later, this time for dinner, and found some winners on the menu. The cream biscuit was excellent, probably the best I’ve had in California - buttery and crumbly in all the right ways and still so soft. The mashed potatoes were comforting and flavorful, and the collard greens were tasty with no bitterness. The fried chicken was also very good and super crispy. The servings were big so enough to take half home as a second meal. I would still give four stars, not for the food this time, but because the restaurant was super dark at night and extremely cold.

+2

3/5 crawfish beignets- too much paprika, not enough flavor in the filling. 5/5 shrimp and grits- super flavorful and cheesy. 5/5 ube beignet 4/5 choco beignet 3/5 apple beignet 3/5 collard greens- could use more ham flavor 4/5 corn bread- decent 5/5 bananas foster - great caramel flavor 3/5 ribs- slightly dry, not hot 4/5 fried okra 3/5 beets

It was my first time trying Southern food so I didn’t know what to expect. In the end, I left feeling very full and satisfied! Fried chicken was flavourful and I could’ve kept on eating the gumbo. My friend said the meal reminded him of his childhood, so that was a good sign. There was outdoor seating in the back, which looked really nice. Didn’t know about it until after we sat down at the table, but that was fine as the indoor decor was also very nice. For the downsides: had the beignets for dessert, but it didn’t seem fully cooked (?). Again, first time trying southern food, but the dough seemed undercooked and the chocolate chips weren’t melted. Also, there was only one washroom at the time and it wasn’t very clean.

I ordered the Catfish and Grits, crea y grits served creamy very hot with a layer of cheddar cheese, a savory and Sweet spicy tomato bacon gravy and Catfish nuggets in the middle. I Tokio a seat at the counter, the service was fast and friendly.

+4

Grits had a perfect texture and taste. Bacon was fried like Grandmother's, a little crunchy...but not overcooked. Biscuit was a devine combination of homemade, slightly crunchy on the outside; but soft, warm deliciousness (weirdly creamy) on inside.

Finally ate here for the first time last week. It was a rainy Thursday night, so plenty of seats were available. I chose to sit at the bar and was promptly given the menu, water, and roasted corn kernels that I consumed pretty quickly. I went for the fried chicken with mac and cheese, collard greens, and cornbread. The chicken was moist and easy to break down, but I didn't notice much flavor until I tried it with the jam. Unfortunately I only noticed the Crystal sauce, which I adore with chicken, much too late into the meal. Actually, I found the sides to be more satisfying. Overall, it was plenty of food for around $30, and I left pretty full. Not sure if I would try dinner again here, but supposedly the breakfast items are better.

Derrick Liang

meh. the chicken was nice crisp and sweet ketchup but the sausage rice did not look matched up to the pic, was hoping for more crispiness and flavor explosion. Felt slapped together

walked in on a Sunday for brunch and luckily someone didn't arrive for their reservation so we were seated almost immediately. the staff were friendly but didn't really pay attention to topping up …

walked in on a Sunday for brunch and luckily someone didn't arrive for their reservation so we were seated almost immediately. the staff were friendly but didn't really pay attention to topping up …

walked in on a Sunday for brunch and luckily someone didn't arrive for their reservation so we were seated almost immediately. the staff were friendly but didn't really pay attention to topping up …

I used blackbird to pay and got two sides and fried chicken, which was good. I was offered water while I waited for my food.

I used blackbird to pay and got two sides and fried chicken, which was good. I was offered water while I waited for my food.

First time here for breakfast. Didnt' have a reservation, grateful they found us a table. Great service, super fast and really nice staff. Friend ordered Chicken Fried Steak, which I think he enjoyed…

First time here for breakfast. Didnt' have a reservation, grateful they found us a table. Great service, super fast and really nice staff. Friend ordered chicken fried steak, which I think …

First time here for breakfast. Didnt' have a reservation, grateful they found us a table. Great service, super fast and really nice staff. Friend ordered Chicken Fried Steak, which I think he enj…

First time here for breakfast. Didnt' have a reservation, grateful they found us a table. Great service, super fast and really nice staff. Friend ordered Chicken Fried Steak, which I think he enjoy…

The food was some good/ some not so good. I had a to-go order so no comment on the service but the host was very nice and had a nice smile. I ordered the chicken 3 piece dark meat with sides. The chicken was a bit burnt which made it very crunchy but not in a good way. I got 1 chicken leg on the size which was almost $4 and was tiny. Maybe I’m used to seeing larger chicken legs. 3/5 The sauce that came on the size was like a spicy honey something. That was very good! Unfortunately, I was only give 1 small sauce and the cup wasn’t even full. 3.5/5* *(would be a 5/5 if they gave more than 1 or at least filled the 1) My sides: Mac and cheese 3/5 It had a nice cheese layer on top, it’s got good flavor. Mashed potatoes 2.5/5 There is no gravy!! Was it extra? Did they even have any? It was just plain mashed potatoes. Needed some pepper to jazz it up since there was no gravy. Corn bread 2.5/5 It was good, I got a good size slice. But it was corn bread that was underwhelming. I’ve had better with just a box of jiffy and some sugar baked on top. The beignets trio (1 chocolate, 1 plain, 1 apple) 0/5 This was the saddest part of the entire meal!!! I was so disappointed, it was just huge balls of dough with some filling and they tasted awful! I had to throw them all away. I tried so hard to make them taste good. I put them in my air fryer.. it was just gross. A big thick ball of fried dough Overall the food was okay, it was good enough to try once but not good enough to ever come back more than once in a lifetime.

Street parking took a long time to find, but the food made up for it—everything we ordered was fantastic! The grits, ribs, cornbread, and drinks were all amazing. Service was just okay. We sat on the patio, which was warm enough thanks to the heaters, but unfortunately we saw mice happily running up and down the pipes, which definitely took away from the experience.

It's a cute southern eatery that's missing a few notes about southern cooking. The staff was amazing and the service as well. Chill layed back atmosphere. The customers there were nice and talkative.

Stopped by for brunch at this place and it had good southern food. We had a reservation so we were promptly seated upon arrival. We ordered their Peach mimosas and Wild Berry mimosas and both tasted great. We then ordered their shrimp and grits in a spicy tomato bacon gravy (outstanding) and their fried bologna sandwich (disappointed). We also ordered their beignet flight - 2 chocolate, 1 crawfish & 1 granny smith apple flavor. The beignets are huge so I recommend you share them. We did not know about it before we ordered so carried it to go. Their beignets are good but I was not a fan. I felt they had too much of dough on them. The savory crawfish beignet was different but good if you are in the mood for a savory beignet. Service was quick. Their patio is nice and chill. Overall if I do return it will be only for the shrimp and grits nothing else.

+6

Ordered the fried fish. I was disappointed in the portion size and texture. It tasted reheated instead of hot out of the fryer. I really enjoyed the flavor and the way the spinach was made.

Visiting San Francisco, we were excited to try this spot since it came highly recommended. The restaurant is very cute, and the staff was friendly and welcoming. The food was okay overall, just a bit underwhelming for us. I ordered the meatloaf with sides. The gravy was fine, but there was an additional layer underneath (possibly tomato-based) that threw the flavor off, so I mostly ate around it. Sides ordered included collard greens, mac and cheese, and cornbread everything was average. Nothing bad, just not very memorable. The blackened catfish was more blackened than seasoned, and the fried chicken was unfortunately very dry. I also ordered an espresso martini that was made with sake. That was fine, but I wasn’t aware beforehand. I’m not sure if it’s due to the type of liquor license they have, but it felt more like a beer-and-wine-focused spot, and it would’ve been helpful to know when ordering. Overall, the atmosphere and service were pleasant, but the food didn’t quite live up to the hype for us. Everyone’s taste is different, and it’s still worth trying.

OZZBORN SECURITY LLC

I really had high hopes for this place because I’m from the south and I love southern food… the reviews were good, the food was OK… The gumbo was great! I probably should’ve ordered the crawfish beignets since that would have been freshly made, however, I ordered the ribs with macaroni, okra, and red beans and rice. The ribs were not fresh or flavorful, they are not BBQ ribs, they were dry and inedible, and I’m a meat lover. I ate half of one out of three ribs. The red beans and rice and okra were good, but the macaroni was not fresh. Not to say that I wouldn’t give them another chance, but I would stick to the stuff made fresh. That being said it was an expensive $40 lunch for one that I didn’t eat half of…

Nina V

There are not many restaurants that specialize in Southern cuisine so we were amped to come here. We debated on whether to opt in for the daily special menu but wanted to embrace the restaurant’s namesake (the concept of choosing the meat and 3 sides). We went all in across our family of 4 and we ordered the crawfish beignets to boot. The beignets way larger than we expected. We dug out the cheesy crawfish insides and left the outer crust. The ribs were the best; the catfish was okay but we expected more seasoning; the fried chicken was a disappointment. The coating felt extra hard and the meat was tough as if it was cooked before and fried again before serving? The sides that tasted best were the rice and beans and the cream biscuit. Some of the sides were lukewarm (okra & tomato, collard greens).

+2

Damion Wright

Brenda’s Meat & Three – SF Soul Food with Some Hits and Misses Stopped by Brenda’s Meat & Three on a Friday night around 7pm, and honestly, the experience was a bit of a mixed bag. Let’s start with the food: Gumbo: Meh. It looked promising, but the flavor didn’t quite show up to the party. Just kinda... there. Mac & Cheese: I really wanted to love it, but it just didn’t deliver. Ended up leaving most of it behind. Fried Okra: Now this was the MVP of the night. Perfect crunch, great seasoning, full of flavor. If you go, don’t skip it. Fried Chicken: Solid. Really solid. Not a mind-blowing 5-star moment, but a strong 4+—well-seasoned, juicy, and served hot. Rum Punch: Hard pass. Didn’t enjoy it at all—wouldn’t be mad if they quietly took it off the menu. Service: A+ The staff was wonderful—warm, welcoming, and helpful. Honestly, they made the experience feel a lot better. Atmosphere? Eh... I wanted to vibe with it, but it just didn’t click. Maybe it was an off night, but the energy felt kind of flat for a Friday evening. Final take: There are definitely some gems on the menu (hello, fried okra!), and the service is top-notch, but it wasn’t a slam dunk overall. Worth checking out—just go in with balanced expectations and maybe skip the rum punch. 3.5/5

+3

Inconsistent Food: my chicken was phenomenal. My wife's plain bad - cold, damp, tough. Felt like they left hers out for a while Service: initial server was great. Server who closed us out wasn't very interested when I tried to mention the food issue

Food was very underwhelming. The fried chicken was way over cooked, too hard and too burned. No flavor. No seasonings on the meat. Both the red beans and Mac and Cheese were very mid. The cheese was curdled and not appealing. Very basic taste, definitely NOT southern style. I would not recommend this place. It also is listed as Black owned, which looking at the owner I'd question this. The only thing I liked was the purple beignet. It's crazy that they didn't even do the traditional beignet well- way too hard and no flavor.

I went on the 12th of April at 6pm. The service was not good. Our server was a young woman who did not refill our water while refilling everyone else's. She was rude, she never took our dirty plate…

I bought a glass of wine and an oyster po boy. The wine was listed as $9 on the menu and the bill priced it at $12. I kindly pointed it out to the server and she said 'we had a price adjustment'. I…

I bought a glass of wine and an oyster po boy. The wine was listed as $9 on the menu and the bill priced it at $12. I kindly pointed it out to the server and she said 'we had a price adjustment'.…

I bought a glass of wine and an oyster po boy. The wine was listed as $9 on the menu and the bill priced it at $12. I kindly pointed it out to the server and she said 'we had a price adjustment'.…

I bought a glass of wine and an oyster po boy. The wine was listed as $9 on the menu and the bill priced it at $12. I kindly pointed it out to the server and she said 'we had a price adjustment'. I…

They gave me a dry shrimp Po boy sandwich. I asked for Mayo instead of the romalade and they gave me zero

I have had cafeteria food better than this place. I hate there are no good soul food places in the city. The okra. Trash. Mac n cheese. Clearly made in the microwave. Won’t waste my money again