The Front Porch (Bernal Heights)

The Front Porch is quintessential San Francisco—imagine the quirkiness of a hipster hangout coupled with the coziness of Grandma’s kitchen. The menu, however, doesn’t blend genres. It’s stocked with simple, down-home comfort food done right. Chef Michael Law works magic on classic, cholesterolbe-damned dishes such as Mama Clara’s crispy fried chicken, chickenfried steak with chanterelle mushrooms and mill gravy, decadent mac ’n’ cheese, and collard greens with bacon. Wash it all down with Louisiana’s Abita beer, San Francisco’s own Speakeasy brew or a house cocktail (the Thunderbird, with ginger beer and bitters, is my favorite). Don’t be deterred by the prices at The Front Porch; portions are generous, and no matter what my intentions when I sit down, I always go home with leftovers. Regulars know to pop in early for the blues hour (5:30–7 p.m.) to savor great drink and appetizer specials while relaxing in rocking chairs and playing dominoes—just like at Grandma’s house.

Just For You (Dogpatch)

One of myfavorite ways to experience a city is to choose restaurants in neighborhoods I wouldn’t normally pass through. Such was the case when I visited Just For You in the up-and-coming Dogpatch neighborhood. Once gritty and industrial, the Dogpatch is now punctuated with outstanding dining options and art galleries. At first glance, owner Arienne Landry’s café looks like your typical greasy spoon, with booths lining the walls, a jukebox and kitschy décor. But at first bite it’s clear, Just for You is much more than that. Landry serves thoughtful Southern meals featuring housemade breads along with local produce, eggs and seafood. Although open for dinner a few nights a week, Just For You is the place to go for brunch. Landry has put herself on the San Francisco soul-food map with her Hatch green chili huevos rancheros and Creole crab cakes. I like to conjure up the spirit of the Big Easy by settling into one of the cozy booths on a foggy morning with a steaming cup of coffee and a plate of authentic, sweet beignets.

The Elite CafÉ (Pacific Heights)

This art-deco space opened in 1928 as the Lincoln Grill. For decades it was a Pac Heights’ hotspot known for its freeflowing drinks and succulent oysters. Since then, what is now Elite Café has evolved into a romantic venue for upscale American cuisine with distinctly Southern flavors. Much of the original design details have survived, so for the full experience, ask to sit in one of the original private mahogany booths. Can’t get a booth? Grab a seat at the bar and watch the bustle on Fillmore Street. While I could subsist for quite awhile solely on Elite Café’s buttery, flaky Meetinghouse biscuits, it would be a shame to miss out on the jambalaya, a heady concoction of shrimp, andouille sausage and duckconfit... oh, the jambalaya. One taste of the spicy, layered flavors and you’ll need a moment to collect yourself. For dessert, the Maker’s Mark pecan-pie tartlet with spiked whipped cream is the perfect little sweet to share in your candlelit booth.

Chicken ’n’ waffles: An unusual marriage How did these two items on opposite ends of the culinary spectrum end up on the same plate? According to some sources, Thomas Jefferson brought a waffle iron back from France in the 1790s; the cookbooks have been featuring the pairing ever since. In another version, Harlem’s Wells Supper Club, which used the slogan “Wells: Home of Chicken and Waffles, Since 1938,” claimed to have invented the pairing for its late-night menu simply due to timing: it was too late for dinner and too early for breakfast.

Little Skillet (SOMA )

Only in San Francisco will you find a farm-fresh, all-organic-soul-food lunch window specializing in chicken ’n’ waffles. This offshoot of Farmer Brown restaurant attracts the in-the-know lunch crowd for takeout boxes of crispy fried chicken, creamy stone-ground grits, angel biscuits and gravy, and red velvet cupcakes. And, they carry beverages you probably haven’t seen since you were a kid: Dublin Dr Pepper (the original Dr Pepper from Texas made with real cane sugar), Fitz’s cream sodas and Faygo grape soda. After ordering from the little blue-shuttered window, mosey across the street to the funky loading dock, pull up a milk crate and savor the best urban picnic this side of the Mississippi.

Mission Pie (Mission)

The reasons to visit San Francisco’s vibrant Mission District are plentiful: sprawling murals celebrating Latino heritage, eclectic ethnic eateries, a lively—albeit a little bit gritty—nightlife and a benevolent little bakery called Mission Pie. Plum frangipane, walnut, mixed berry, banana cream and apple are just a few of the delicious flavors that might appear on their seasonal menu, which always features at least six daily pies, a lovely selection of baked goods and savory delights like quiche, chicken pot pie and galettes. And thanks to Mission Pie’s altruistic efforts, you can feel good about indulging—the shop’s owners are committed to environmental sustainability and give back to the community by offering job training to struggling youth. The best part? It’s a true neighborhood gathering spot. There’s a large communal table right in the center of the room, and locals and tourists rub elbows while sharing slices of old-fashioned pie smothered in housemade whipped cream—delish!