The Front Porch
(415) 695-7800
65A 29th St
San Francisco,
CA
94110
37.7439
-122.4223
Neighborhoods: Mission, Central East
What People Are Saying About The Front Porch
The Editor
Joanna Currier
Citysearch
The Scene
Tattooed regulars rub elbows with local sophisticates (yes, some are both) at this "Southern Mission" bastion of hipster kitsch featuring a full bar and diner-style booths. "Bevies" are served with a side of dive-bar juke. Comfort touches include a tin ceiling, rocking chairs and gliders on the front patio, grandma curtains above the kitchen's exhibition window and family portraits from yesteryear.
The Food
The better-than-decent wine list is served by the box, jug, "deuce" (carafe for two), or juice box with a bendy straw. Other options include a delectable sangria the color and flavor of young peaches and a "red-eye"--a Bud tall boy with tomato juice. The menu is California-Soul-simple and rich--shallow pools of red-bean soup, buttery grits and Dungeness lump meat, deep-fried chicken livers on brioche, buckets of fried chicken and a seviche medley in an old-fashioned glass. Avoid the dessert: it's both expensive and cheap, especially the cardboard-like yellow layer cake.
User Reviews
betsy8
December 21, 2008
Reviews were mixed, but we still tried it out. Nothing fancy, and I think the menu offerings are a bit on the pricey side for regular, average food. Had the fried chicken with mashed potatoes. Chicken was covered in thick bread crumbs - could have had the same quality from KFC - for a lesser price of course. My boyfriend had the burger priced at $11 - expected more than just regular ground beef considering the price - could probably have gotten a similar or better burger from a fast food chain. The restaurant is small, very dark (can't hardly read the menu), I think it's poorly decorated, no ambiance (that's why the purposely make it dark?). In summary, I'm not coming back - especially for those prices for regular and average food - I do not see the quality nor the value for the prices being charged. Sorry...
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jtecarro
November 26, 2008
Went to this place and the food was so good that it made me want to start a yelp account just to write it.
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cabbageflower
September 12, 2007
My husband and I had heard about this place and its down-home style menu that changes, I think, weekly, and decided to give it a try. As we usually try to get into restaurants around 6 pm in this town , we didn't have a problem being sat immediately. Friendly greetings are a great start and thank God we had one because this can make or break a place for me and my husband. Wine, yes. Sancerre by the glass, yes. Delicious beer on draft and in the bottle, check. So far so good. Fried chicken for me with collard greens and black-eyed peas, cooked in ham hocks, of course. Delicious! As good as when I lived in New Orleans and ate it almost anywhere and everyday. Hubby had surf and turf which was jerk-rubbed prawns and hangar steak. Also a winner. We had a friendly and attentive server (such a rare treat in SF), great food and an overall yum-tastic experience. Go there.
read full reviewThe Details on The Front Porch
What to Drink:
While the bar serves mainly beer and wine, the restaurant does offer sangria on Sundays and individual 250 mls of wine in a box--from Australia to US varieties--and can be a novel way to drink up.
Know Before You Go:
Be warned: The easygoing service (part of the place's laid-back charm) can be inconsistent.
The Extras:
Sauces here are house-made and pack a Southern kick--including the ketchup.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Notable Beer List, Notable Chef, Hidden Find, Date Spot, Group Dining, Dine At The Bar, Notable Wine List
