Old Skool Cafe

Great place! This was first time here, no live music today unfortunately, but the food was amazing. I had the roasted cauliflower and my partner had the shrimp and grits. Service and cocktails were excellent, and our server was so nice and friendly! The atmosphere really is very old school and 1920s, the decor and atmosphere is nice, plus by dining here you support a nonprofit that helps at-rosk youth. Will definitely be visiting again!

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!!

I have wanted to check out Old Skool Cafe for several years, and it did not disappoint when I finally visited with family! First, the place is a bit non-descript outside, which is perfect for the speakeasy vibe. Once you walk in, however, you are transported to the 1920s. Everything is covered in red velvet and luxury. There is a large bar, and a balcony for the jazz band. The hosts, servers, and cook staff are at-risk, foster, and/or formerly-incarcerated youth. We received great service. The youth were polite and so attentive. Chef Kevin also came around to check in on us, which we appreciated. The drinks - Aviation, Bee's Knees, Cotton Club - were tasty, and the food was delicious! Our favorites were the free biscuit to start the meal, the Tongan appetizer dish, collard greens, and the shrimp and grits. It's definitely worth a visit for a classy time!

Worth supporting this restaurant regardless of the reviews! The food is mostly great - peanut butter stew was the highlight, but the brussels sprouts were also surprisingly good. The live music is a fantastic touch, but the seating was all facing the wrong way so it's hard to enjoy it.

Kayla Fong

Exceptional food and service. I especially enjoyed the live jazz band. I hope everyone gets to experience Old Skool Cafe. Highly recommend the Tongan Oto appetizer. Gumbo was also fire. The last time I came, I had the fried chicken. The food does not disappoint! Vibes were 10/10.

Matt Dowis

Yes. Everything about this place. The vibe. The jazz music. The incredible food. The Zoot-suited staff. The story behind it. It’s all exceptional. Do NOT sleep on this place. Seriously, do not. For drinks, I highly recommend their French 75 and the Sidecar. For starters, the flaky catfish and the brussel sprouts. For Mains, the pork chop or the fried chicken. And for dessert, either the date cake or the lavender cheesecake.

Alice Garner

Incredible experience here! The service was on point and the servers were so friendly and attentive! We ordered appetizers and listened to live jazz and it was the perfect environment with a cozy, elegant atmosphere!! we really appreciated how well cooked the shrimp was and how spicy the sauce was with abundance of flavor!! The crostinis were delicious and the server graciously offered to bring us more when she realized that we had to run out! This is more than just a restaurant. This is an entire community mutual aid fund. You are supporting to care for the broader wellness of youth and empower those to break the cycle of incarceration & poverty!!! We will definitely be coming back for more food, lovely, jazz, and the impeccable ambience !!

Sea Kelp

True gem in SF - get transported to 1920s speakeasy w live music and superb southern style menu dishes. Stunning chandeliers & decorations for a supper club experience you will not forget. Highly recommend the New Orleans style BBQ Jerk shrimp w crostini as a Starter and the fried chicken and/or short rib entrees. Staff are friendly efficient and will make you feel like part of the family. Great selection of mocktails as well as wine and cocktails menu. Will be back again soon.

Ryan Himmelsbach

Such a cool place! The food was delicious, and the staff is so friendly. It also offers job training and support for at risk youth!

Pete Jollymour

Walk through this magical hallway, back in time to enjoy a cozy jazz club, while enjoying a fantastic dinner experience, served up with the heart and soul of a beautiful family of young women and men. Amazing. ….and if that’s not enough, open up the website and read their story.

Daria Smith

First time in SF and it was a great way to end the Mother’s Day trip. I love the mission and purpose of OSC but the food and ambience made me love it even more! I had the Peanut Butter Stew and it was packed with flavor! Date cake for dessert was so delicious. I wanted to try everything on the menu!

Christopher Chung

Dining with purpose, excellent high-brow soul food menu reflecting the diversities of local communities in Bayview-Hunters Point. Movie-set level, speakeasy interior. Velvet curtains, chandeliers and booth seating. Great for parties and celebrating a nice occasion with friends or colleagues.

Tiffany Johnson

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.

Susie Penner

We had a wonderful visit! The music was fantastic, the food was super yummy & overall a great time. The youth who worked here were so professional & really hustled to make everything special from our greeting when we arrived, throughout our meal & when we departed. Will be back!!!

Daniela Avila

Great place! This was first time here, no live music today unfortunately, but the food was amazing. I had the roasted cauliflower and my partner had the shrimp and grits. Service and cocktails were excellent, and our server was so nice and friendly! The atmosphere really is very old school and 1920s, the decor and atmosphere is nice, plus by dining here you support a nonprofit that helps at-rosk youth. Will definitely be visiting again!

Angela Dao

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!!

Dyanna Volek

I have wanted to check out Old Skool Cafe for several years, and it did not disappoint when I finally visited with family! First, the place is a bit non-descript outside, which is perfect for the speakeasy vibe. Once you walk in, however, you are transported to the 1920s. Everything is covered in red velvet and luxury. There is a large bar, and a balcony for the jazz band. The hosts, servers, and cook staff are at-risk, foster, and/or formerly-incarcerated youth. We received great service. The youth were polite and so attentive. Chef Kevin also came around to check in on us, which we appreciated. The drinks - Aviation, Bee's Knees, Cotton Club - were tasty, and the food was delicious! Our favorites were the free biscuit to start the meal, the Tongan appetizer dish, collard greens, and the shrimp and grits. It's definitely worth a visit for a classy time!

Hugh R

“Jazz, justice, and Brussels sprouts, where community and soul food meet.” Stepping into Old Skool Cafe feels like sliding into a 1920s speakeasy, red curtains, beaded chandeliers, and live jazz drifting across the room. But behind the glamour is a fierce social mission: since Teresa Goines first sketched the idea in 2004 and officially opened the Bayview brick‑and‑mortar in April 2012, Old Skool has trained at‑risk youth (16–22) in cooking, serving, and performance, slashing their recidivism rate to just 10% versus 76% nationally. On my visit, I sipped a glass of California pinot while a soulful vocalist poured her heart into each note. My neighbors, Milan, Liam and I, shared New Orleans–style barbecue jerk chicken on crostini. Smoky, tangy, perfectly charred, and those pan‑roasted Brussels sprouts glazed with agave, studded with toasted hazelnuts and fresh Bay Area herbs. (Full disclosure: I think I liked the sprouts even more, Brussels are my favorite vegetable.) Old Skool’s big circular tables encourage sharing, but the real sharing is of opportunity: youth who’ve come from foster care or jail learn life and job skills, earn wages, and build community ties. Between the music, the menu, and the mission, Old Skool Cafe isn’t just a meal, it’s a chance at a new beginning, set to a swinging soundtrack.

Simon Tan

Worth supporting this restaurant regardless of the reviews! The food is mostly great - peanut butter stew was the highlight, but the brussels sprouts were also surprisingly good. The live music is a fantastic touch, but the seating was all facing the wrong way so it's hard to enjoy it.

Three of us went last night, had a great time. Atmosphere is like a smaller version of Bix. All the food was great, the mushroom soup of the day was especially good. Bar made some mean cocktails and mocktails. Staff were polite, efficient and attentive without being intrusive you can’t say that about some downtown restaurants let alone one set up as a training ground for young people. Highly recommended.

Such a vibe ! Great food ! Smooth live music ! Exceptional hospitality ! Fresh squeezed juices ! A wonderful experience ! A lot of soul in this theater themed soul food restaurant ! Not to mention it's a nonprofit which also gives hope and opportunity to at-risk teens ! Whoever is responsible for this place has things figured out

Everything was incredible. The food was insanely good. Everything we had - the shrimp, brussels sprouts, gumbo, mac and cheese, fried chicken and date cake (a must) - was perfectly cooked and had well balanced flavor. They even brought us these sweet potato biscuits that were probably the best biscuits I’ve ever had. The service was fantastic too - all of the servers were so friendly and attentive from the moment we got there to leaving. They had live music which was the cherry on top of a really nice dinner. Would highly recommend!

Robert Watson

Three of us went last night, had a great time. Atmosphere is like a smaller version of Bix. All the food was great, the mushroom soup of the day was especially good. Bar made some mean cocktails and mocktails. Staff were polite, efficient and attentive without being intrusive you can’t say that about some downtown restaurants let alone one set up as a training ground for young people. Highly recommended.

Natalia Martinez

Everything was incredible. The food was insanely good. Everything we had - the shrimp, brussels sprouts, gumbo, mac and cheese, fried chicken and date cake (a must) - was perfectly cooked and had well balanced flavor. They even brought us these sweet potato biscuits that were probably the best biscuits I’ve ever had. The service was fantastic too - all of the servers were so friendly and attentive from the moment we got there to leaving. They had live music which was the cherry on top of a really nice dinner. Would highly recommend!

Ambiance is great but the live music from the upper terrance can to be a loud contrast, a mixture of soft and upbeat music could be better. My chicken was far too salty possibly being brined then seasoned with salty spices hence the 3 stars. Rarely drinks can be off so you need the sharp senses of your palate. The young people there are wonderful, extremely well-groomed and you will find them deserving of your patronage and gratuity. Upstairs is a must see victorian parlor like begging you to step back into time. Old School is a pleasant surprise that delights the eyes, palate and hearing. It's a remarkable and beautiful reminiscent speakeasy! Visit them, you will return. Be mindful that the wonderful staff have lives and need rest but they can't leave til all diners have exited the restaurant. Ria likes this place!

Ria

Ambiance is great but the live music from the upper terrance can to be a loud contrast, a mixture of soft and upbeat music could be better. My chicken was far too salty possibly being brined then seasoned with salty spices hence the 3 stars. Rarely drinks can be off so you need the sharp senses of your palate. The young people there are wonderful, extremely well-groomed and you will find them deserving of your patronage and gratuity. Upstairs is a must see victorian parlor like begging you to step back into time. Old School is a pleasant surprise that delights the eyes, palate and hearing. It's a remarkable and beautiful reminiscent speakeasy! Visit them, you will return. Be mindful that the wonderful staff have lives and need rest but they can't leave til all diners have exited the restaurant. Ria likes this place!

Party of three showed, no reservation and they still made an effort to seat us. That was nice but then they mixed up our orders the times. Brought everyone's food out at separate times. The experience was mid at best with an automatic 20% tip added to your bill... Would not recommend. The aesthetic was dope though.

Smelly Armpit

Party of three showed, no reservation and they still made an effort to seat us. That was nice but then they mixed up our orders the times. Brought everyone's food out at separate times. The experience was mid at best with an automatic 20% tip added to your bill... Would not recommend. The aesthetic was dope though.

As a first timer , I believe the hype is overrated. I was a tad bit disappointed. The food could’ve been more flavorful. I hate when restaurants make me feel like I should’ve went to McDonalds. Try serving the cornbread sweet potato muffins warm ! That would be killer. It’ll take it up a notch. Slow cook your Mac & let it brown on top . Overall 3/10

Eternity Salcido

As a first timer , I believe the hype is overrated. I was a tad bit disappointed. The food could’ve been more flavorful. I hate when restaurants make me feel like I should’ve went to McDonalds. Try serving the cornbread sweet potato muffins warm ! That would be killer. It’ll take it up a notch. Slow cook your Mac & let it brown on top . Overall 3/10