The Front Porch
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Sun 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: Full Bar
252 reviews
Neighborhood: Jack London Square
"I've been wanting to try this place for some time now. And it definitely met all my expectations. Kind of pricey for fried chicken, but…" read more »
561 Reviews for The Front Porch
My husband ordered the fried chicken, as did my other friend. Our other friend ordered the fish. I ordered grits with spicy crab. My intention was to eat half of my dish then swap with my husband's, so that we try a little bit of everything, but my dish was soooo good that I polished it off by myself. The grit was creamy, a little rich but not too rich. It provided a nice balance to the spicy crab. My husband's fried chicken was good too. It was nice and crispy. Not greasy whatsoever. Afterwards we walked over to Mitchell's for ice cream. Burp.
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BUCKET O' CHICKEN! Now that's some good grubbin!
Went there for a bday din din me and two friends and it was coo. I kept thinking that we were in someone's living room, though. That was a bit interesting. Maybe that's the feel that the owner was going for. Either way, their chicken is where its at and oddly enough, their soup WAS REALLY TASTY AND FILLING. Forgot what it was but talk about SCRUMPTIOUS! Would definately go back... or at least order take out.
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Everything about this place was surprisingly great. The decor, service, food, price and music earns the 5 stars. The best fried chicken I've had in the city; only to admit that Popeye's is it's only competitor.
Will most definitely come back to this establishment again and order the crab grits for myself!
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Crispy fried chicken served in a popcorn 'bucket,' black eyed peas, and grits.
The chicken was oh my sweet jay-sus good! - Juicy, crispy, great flavor, corn meal breading, and not greasy!!! The House hot sauce is HOT!!!
If fried chicken wasn't a heart attack waiting happen I would have this all the time!
There's like 550 plus reviews, do you really need to read anymore?!!? Just freaking go already!
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OMG!!!!!!!!!
2 year birthday bash ,awesome. god the chef is hot!
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1 Previous Review:
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05/25/2007
bring back callaloo soup
I took a vegetarian friend to the Front Porch for dinner. It is one of my favorite 'special occasion' restaurants. For some reason my friend was inspired to try the ceviche I had ordered. He took a bite and then his eyes kinda rolled back in his head and his face turned red.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
He whispered back "I just got an erection!"
If that doesn't deserve 5 stars, I don't know what does.
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What a happy, happy place.
The fried chicken is some of the best in SF. The jerk chicken is even better.
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Yeah. Mmmmmm. Uh huh.
Vegan soul food. I've been waiting for that one.
Vegan CORN BREAD. I've been waiting for THAT one. I mean, GOOD vegan cornbread. Not that crap stuff that's just all gross and crumbly because it doesn't have any butter in it.
I HATE when vegan food makes me miss all the stuff that ain't in it. But I didn't miss anything in my meal here. Instead, I was busy thinking about all the good stuff that WAS in it. Like the coconut in the special vegan stew that night... That subtly rich flavor mingling with the tomatoes and the okra...
Mm mm MMM!!!
My Front Porch night was one of those rare occasions where I was a totally satisfied, 100% happy, stuffed-to-the-gills dietarily challenged girl and proud of it.
Because I had a meal as good as yours, and mine will only make me half as fat!
Score 1 for the dietarily challenged!
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My new top vote getter for best Fried Chicken in SF. The fried is mostly corn meal, which keeps it crunchy and somewhat healthy tasting (if that's possible)...not the drippy, oily mess you'd get at other places. And, there was actual real meat on dem bones!
I dock the joint a star as the sides and salads were kind of misses for me. We had the frisee salad w/ oysters, eggs and bacon bits, which sounded really tasty and indulgent, but ended up being just pungent and kind of bleh.
My southern friend enjoyed the fried okra and even took them home in a doggie bag -- so if you're into that kind of thing, definitely order those suckers.
Other items had by our table were:
-- a seafood special -- so, so.
-- tuna tartar -- yum
-- some crab and grits concoction -- also yum
-- corn bread shaped like cobs of corns -- another yum
There's also a great corner table by the bar that I would imagine being a ton of fun w/ a group of 6-8 friends....
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Unequivocally the best fried chicken i've ever had and you know I don't joke about food! I am not even a fan of fried chicken but this stuff was amazing. Crispy and not at all greasy crust with tender delicious organic chicken inside. If you are with a group deffinately order a bucket, it's a pretty good deal. The grits here may be the best i've ever had and while i'm not crazy for black eyed peas they were fantastic! I ate here once almost 2 years ago and I am still thinking about this legendary meal so you know it's good!
My only complaint and the reason i'm not giving 5 stars is that it's very loud here and so dark you can barely see your food.
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totally disappointing.
bones to pick:
1. food should not take an hour and a half to arrive. ever. especially not a hamburger. or a pulled pork (pre-cooked) sandwhich.
2. then, when it arrives, food should be hot. at least warmer than the surrounding air.
3. food, except for oatmeal should not be served in the texture known as mush.
3, waitrons should be able to accurately describe the night's special, the first time. and the second time.
4. collard greens should not be served as a soup unless they warn you off this. they can be "soupy" in delicious greasy porky goodness. they should not be served as a soup. they were.
5. Caribbean food is more than just jerk chicken and a side of coconut rice.
Cultural paradoxes abound at this trendy, upscale soul food establishment (just think about that for a second). The disparity between the prices on the menu and the decor and "funky" flourishes -- they serve King Cobra from the bar -- is not as charming as the proprietors imagine.
One of my dining companions, prone to superlatives, hyped me up as we sat down by raving that the food was among the best he had ever had.
I had a hamburger, but I tasted many other entrées and none of them really moved me. As for my hamburger, it was a pretty sad affair. $12, and it was lukewarm. There is no excuse for a cold hamburger.
Also, and this may run contrary to some tastes, I am not a fan of the flavored patty. The menu advertises "Grass-Fed Uruguayan Beef", but the taste of the meat is imperceptible underneath the overbearing litany of Italian-style spices.
On the positive tip, you would do well to request the habañero sauce, which was quite flavorful and spicy.
I'm sorry to be so down on this place -- the service was pretty friendly and they were playing early Heptones for most of our meal -- but I just have to tell it like it is.
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I cannot stop thinking about Front Porch! I have now found my favorite meal in SF!
Superb service-every single person was great, from the bartender, to the waiter, to the guy that brought out our food. Seriously best service ever!
Delectable food-my friend and I split Ellie's fried chicken which is 3 pieces (all white!) with mashed potatoes and corn on the cob. We also got the fried okra and the coleslaw (the best coleslaw that has every crossed my lips!). We were completely stuffed and even had to take a piece of chicken home. Total of the bill was around $29 with tax. They even brought out a spoonful (the wonton kind) full of gazpacho, compliments of the chef. Love it!
The only downside was-no full bar, wine and beer only. I got a cocktail made with fresh peaches and mosacto di asti. While good, not worth $7. Definitely stick to the beer. $5.50 for a Hef and the glass is HUGE!
I will definitely be back!
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5 stars despite the fact that the host asked us to abandon our table after we had already ordered drinks so a larger party could sit there. Why would I give a place 5 stars after that?? Because they handled it the way a great restaurant should...asked us politely, then gave us free apps and drinks until another table opened up.
The food here is ridiculous. I wish it weren't 12,000 calories per meal, but I'm fine being fat as long as I'm happy too...
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It seems that lately when I go out with a friend, we have a Plan B. This applies to pizza, where Little Star is our backup. Emmy's Spaghetti Shack was our Plan B to this place.
I have been here once before, and the first time, while I don't remember what I had, I DO remember it was good. I don't know what happened between now and then. You all know about the dark interior, and how loud it gets, so we'll skip all that.
The corn bread starter was very good, with chili butter. My friend does not like spicy food much, and I wanted her share of the "red stuff", but she selfishly didn't give me any! No matter ... it was still good. And possibly the second best part of the meal?
I was intrigued by the Grilled Hearts of Romaine Salad. We had the bacon on the side. The dressing was an interesting combination of Avocado and Habanero. I guess I was expecting more heat. The lettuce was more than grilled ... it was burnt and resembled burnt paper on some parts. I don't know if it actually TASTED like burnt paper, but it clearly resembled that. We should have stuck with the "Doubles" of Chickpea and Butternut Squash.
My friend had the Vegan Stew, and she says it resembled regular vegetables simmered in ketchup. She did not find it appetizing at all, and only mustered a few bites. For me, it was a toss up between the fried chicken, and the Bajan Bavette. I should have chosen the former, but didn't since they have that every day. The hanger steak, which is reported to be one of the most flavorful steak, lacked said flavor. The thyme crust ruled that out. The accompanying Onion Strings were a bit cold, and I never got to try the Broccoli Rabe before we decided to head out. We did order the Corn on the cob, and it was tasty, and makes me want to grill my own ... if only I can FIND yellow corn!
The service is good, and the waiter recommended a good bottle of red wine to compliment both my friends vegetables and my steak. We had the Sere Grenache, which was very nice ...
Like I said ... it's good to have a Plan B.
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There isn't really a whole lot to add here, since 48756347865 people have already chimed in on the Front Porch. But I WILL say this: I honestly felt like I was in a down home New Orleans joint for a few hours on Friday night (minus the dripping summer sweat & rough cajun accents).
The food was great, but the prices were adjusted for San Fran.
It is what it is, though. I don't think I'll make a special effort to eat there all the time (too far from my hood), but I'll probably be back at some point.
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D and I went here on the recommendation of one of his coworkers as our prior dinner plans got cancelled at the last minute. We took Muni from my house to the Mission, getting off a little early to walk through the Twilight Zone of Noe/Bernal/Outer Mission, walking past El Rio, Mi Lindo Peru, Good Frikkin Chicken, 26 Mix and all of my former Mission haunts, getting lost, asking for directions from a really nice man off the street and finally entering the cutest little cajun restaurant this side of the Mississippi.
The Front Porch is small, quirky, intimate and fun. We seated ourselves at the counter as there was already a small wait at 6:30pm on a Friday night, with a bartender that I've seen somewhere else (and still haven't figured out where), a mariachi player playing Spanish love songs (swoon) and a hodge-podge of old Southern knick-knacks and heirlooms that would make any granny-belle jealous.
The menu displayed all the variations of comfort only a traditional belle in the kitchen could create. Fried chicken, ribs, grits, collard greens, corn, shrimp, stews, black eyed peas, etc.
We started with some crab and corn grits. I think we almost licked the plate clean. Cornbread and pepper butter accompanied our starter; it was buttery and light and perfectly matched with the spicy butter.
Actually, everything we ordered had a little bit of kick to it. Our bucket of fried chicken came with a side of stewed black eyed peas, collard greens and pork belly, and another side of grits (this time with a smoked pepper butter). The fried chicken was the killer dish, though, with a cracker/cornmeal crust and an herbed brine, and fried to light/crispy perfection. It arrived in a popcorn bucket with bits of popped corn adorning the chicken and plate.
I wanted to stuff my face silly, but had enough self control to save some room for dessert. Blue cheese drenched in brandied cherry honey and served with little toasts.
The bartender was gracious and provided excellent suggestions. I noticed that he kept his even temper as a pompous and rude guest got unnecessarily obnoxious after he made an honest mistake in change. The bartender at the Front Porch exemplified true southern hospitality and goodwill, and never let that asswad faze him during the dinner service.
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Miss Ollie's Fried Chick'n is finger lickin'
the Spicy crab grits, kickin'
Every one tummy
Left the Porch happy
OK, the straight talk...Seriously, the food we had was stunning for comfort, quality, and flavor. The fried chicken is fresh and fried to order (there's a 20 minute wait for it). The flavor of the brine really comes through and makes every bite one to savor. Honestly the BEST damn fried fowl I've ever had.
Finally, the staff running the front of the house are just nice as can be, too. The only downside is it's loud. But the 8 of us didn't notice between the "Ummms" and "Mmmmms" that were falling out of our full mouths.
Off I go to burn 1000 calories!
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Best fried chicken in all the land. Yep.
The best part of front porch is the atmosphere. While waiting for a table, some friends and I sat in the rocking chairs outside while ordering cocktails from the bar. We didn't mind a minute of our 25 min. wait.
For dinner, I had the spicy crab and grits which was DELICIOUS!! We also had the fried okra which was pretty good. My other two friends shared the bucket of fried chicken. The chicken was more than enough for two people. They had to take leftovers home.
This place is friendly with a great atmosphere. I'm not sure that all of the food was a hit. My husband thought his steak was just above average, but, as I said earlier... the crab and grits are fantastic.
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They don't take reservations. So we waited for at least 2 hours on Friday night for a table, and finally got a seats at the bar. We put our names down around 8:30pm, and I think the three of us were the only Asians in the restaurant for the entire time that we were waiting to eat and when we were finally eating. But that's irrelevant.
I'd say the fried chicken they serve was worth the wait. Not sure I'd choose it over the fried chicken at Foreign Cinema for my last meal on Earth, but I'd venture out to Front Porch and wait an hour for it again.
Also, the crab grits were heavenly. Everything else we ordered was good as well. Better than I expected. (I didn't know what to expect since I hadn't read any reviews or heard about the restaurant prior to going.)
Oh, and we were given a free appetizer for having waited so long to get our seats at the bar. :)
There are not many restaurants that live up to the hype. And boy, is there a lot of hype with the Front Porch. But you know a place is good if there are 500+ reviews with most of them 4 stars or better.
Let me put it simply...
-9 pieces of cornmeal crusted chicken in a popcorn bucket - with popcorn to soak up the chicken juice
-jerk spiced half-chicken (yes, I said half of a chicken!)
-cornmeal crusted okra
-porkchop marinated in rum and molasses (you can cut it with a fork)
-habanero chutney (the waiter wasn't joking when he said that you only needed a drop!)
Seriously, how can you go wrong? This place rocks. I went here with a few of my friends to celebrate a birthday. I am so happy I finally got to the food here. Sure, there were a lot of wanna-be hipsters that went there. But the food makes you forget about all the bad dressers out there in the world - at least for a little while.
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The Front Porch offers up a blend of southern-inspired foods with some "caribbean" flair thrown in for good measure, all wrapped up in a cozy atmosphere that provides understated simplicity and elegance. But soul food it's not.
My friends and I arrived on a Friday evening, and took a look at their drink menu while waiting for our table. Their drink menu isn't particularly extensive, though they do offer a decent selection of wines, beers, sparkling wines, and some innovative house drinks. I ended up settling on an "Electric Marmalade," a fruity concoction of muddled peaches, muscato d'asti, and dry kumquat soda (or something like that). It was light and refreshing, certainly sweeter than I probably originally expected, but very good. Later in the evening, I opted for a Perseophone, a mix of biodynamic dry cider, pomegranate juice, apples, and lemons, which was certainly another smooth, easily drinkable hit. Unfortunately on these two cocktails, the strength was a little less than good...being blessed with the wonderful genetic mishap that causes "asian glow", I was surprised that despite two drinks, one on an empty stomach, the other mid-meal, I barely felt anything, which is odd considering that even a few sips of wine will cause the glow to arise, if even for a moment. But I digress.
The four of us opted to split a fried chicken bucket, adding on a side of mashed potatoes and corn in addition to the black eyed peas/collard greens and grits. To start us off, we partook in the Double and Ribs and Wings. The ribs, while tasty, were small, and certainly tougher than I was accustomed to in Atlanta. The meat did not immediately fall off the bone, and some inevitably clung to the bone for dear life, which in my book is the sign of a rib that hasn't been cooked well. The wings, on the other hand, were a great spicy jerk concoction that provided a fair amout of heat along with flavor. And served alongside both of these were house-made (I'm assuming) chips, which were incredbly thin and light. The Double is a mix of chick peas and squash, apparently, and served up a delightfully smooth, spicy, and creamy texture all in one.
Then arrived the main attraction - a bucket of fried chicken, served in a popcorn bucket with popcorn. While the chicken was most certainly crisp and tender, I found the fry to be a little lacking in flavor. While crunchy, nothing really jumped out at me saying "check out this flavor that is enhancing everything" or even waving meekly asking to be noticed. I wonder if it was simply a cornmeal dredge with perhaps a drizzling of salt and pepper. I was tempted to ask for ketchup, but decided to leave it as is. However, it was thankfully not overly greasy, which is an easy crime to commit.
Served alongside were black eyed peas and collard greens, cooked with pork belly as appropriate. These were tasty and thankfully did not leave any grease on the palate. The grits are creamy, perhaps a little too creamy in texture, and drizzled with some chili oil that gave it just a little kick. The mashed potatoes were my favorite of the sides, as The Front Porch mashes some additional vegetable in (I'm not sure what it is), providing an extra level of flavor before dousing it with gravy. And finally, the corn was sweet and tender, though the chili peppers they sprinkled on top left my mouth on fire for a good five minutes before consumption of mashed potatoes managed to wick away the spice.
Unfortunately, none of the desserts seemed all that appealing, with all of us opting to go somewhere else instead (Mitchell's is right around the corner), so nothing can be said about their dessert selection.
Overall, the service was friendly and attentive, and very relaxed, which is fitting for the restaurant. The portions are perhaps a little smaller than what we've become accustomed to, and perhaps split amongst four people they quickly diminish in filling power, but for an individual, two sides would be plenty. Finally, the pricing certainly isn't too bad, especially if something like the bucket of chicken is split, along with appetizers. Menu prices range from the high single-digits for an appetizer, with most sides falling in safely at $6, while entrees are a comfortable high-10s to mid-20s. What's great, though, is that by splitting, and with two drinks each, the four of us only came out to just over $30/person, including tax/tip. Not bad.
The one downside to the whole experience is the pre-spicification (chili hot) of almost everything...from the corn, to the grits, to the greens. There are certain things that can have a little spice, but some were certainly more pungent than expected, and not always expected in the right places.
In all though, The Front Porch provides a relaxed atmosphere for anything from a (small) group of friends to a date spot. However, beware for those going for a date...it can get a little loud, especially as more patrons begin to trickle in for the
The fried chicken is really good, moist, delisch. The crab grits could have used more crab. I think if you start the title of a dish off with a certain word then that word/ingredient should be prominent. The fried okra was good and should be an app not a side. I think I've had better Southern Food, hence the 3 stars, but would go back to try the jerk chicken.
Many people have written about this place, so I won't bother reiterating what they have to say. I will provide my own spin, however, to educate and illuminate.
Life is about moments, and to me, a fine moment is one where you get to stop talking, eating, and drinking for a minute and just look around. When I have a moment, it's seeing a fine dinner spread out, a friend mid-laugh, a half-full drink and a mostly empty bottle, and feeling of mirth and content.
The Front Porch for me always seems to perfectly synthesize the moment. I've been a few times now, and had good conversations with the barkeeps, servers, and patrons. I've made offbeat comments regarding their facial hair, and they throw it right back at me. They smile and chuckle when we make sexy noises with phallic cornbread and slippery honey butter. The patrons share their stories, breaking the ice with our communal love for buckets of popcorn and chicken. And no one bats an eye. The dark, low-slung interior perfectly captures an atmosphere of intimacy and mystery, sort of like a fog of war encouraging you to open up and explore.
What started as a quest for fried chicken and real grits has become a small slice of southern Xanadu (a la Kublai Khan, not a la ONJ). It feels like home. Hell, one of the owners even has some West Virginia in him.
So take friends, take your special someone, take someone from off the street . Put your name on the list, and then wander up the corner to the bar and chat over drinks (it'll be about 45 min or longer. Bring discussion topics). When your table is ready, roll back down and order half the menu. It's the perfect way to have a moment.
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See, I am a soul food eater at heart. Give me grits and corn bread and I am as happy as a pig in a poke.
Bonus points for the rum cocktails. People here just do not drink enough rum.
The crab and grits were creamy and rich. The pork chop was big enough to take home and it made a tasty leftover. The corn bread was sublime. The dessert--the beignet (get the side of ice cream) was a great end to a delicious meal.
Well, it doesn't exactly live up to its hype, but it's okay. It's funny that I'm paying twice (well, probably more like thrice or quadrice) as much for "southern food" as back home and it's nary even half as good. But beggars can't be choosers. There just ain't much good old fashioned home cooking in this town. SO said that the fried chicken was too salty and tasted overly burnt (she has to report on the fried chicken, since i don't roll that way anymore) and SO knows fried chicken from what for, having been to the pinnacle of fried chicken perfection - Cindy Dee's in Sandy Hook, Maryland. And I got the vegan one pot stew, which was okay, but not quite okay enough to bother finishing the leftovers the next day. Also, crowded and dark. Appears that the restaurant is in someone's basement.
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Ah ha! I knew it, Chef Sarah Kirnon used to work at Emmy's Spaghetti Shack. No wonder I love the atmosphere so much. It's comfortable, with black and white tiled floors, a retro feel, and booths booths and booths. I'm sure I will be even happier once I actually get to sit on the front porch (I will make a reservation).
But hey Kirnon gets credit for her own brain child here. The food ain't like Emmy's but it is just as no nonsense good and affordable. Imagine my pleasure at knowing I had found another restaurant that I wanted to go to more than once!
Our server was very patient with us. He joined me in my indecision. Yes everything was so good that I certainly wasn't crazy for not being able to decide what to eat, but after awhile we got the Bol Jol (marinated salt cod on crostini with oil cured summer peppers, oranges and sliced sicilian olives, $8.50), the Spicy Crab Grits (with english peas, scallions, and lemon butter $8), the Miss Ollie's Fried Chicken (.with warm garlic creamer potatoes and bajan style coleslaw $15), and the burger and fries ( grass fed uraguayan beef with bacon and chedder, $11).
The Spicy Crab Grits felt like they were clogging my arteries but I was quite willing to die at that point if it meant I could keep eating it. I enjoyed the Bol Jol but it was not my favorite and I think I will order something else next time. The hamburger was thick, well cooked, and quite possibly the best $11 hamburger I've ever seen in San Francisco - gotta love that thick healthy uraguayan beef!
And then the chicken. I was a bit let down by the chicken but for only one reason. Where was the dip? Here I had this wonderful perfectly cooked fried chicken with the meet almost creamy at the bone and the breaded coating so thin and flakey the crackle of it on my teeth was dreamy....but where was the dip? Am I wrong for wanting dip? Where did it go?
Then came dessert. Oh my, dessert. We had the pear which came with coconut ice cream from Mitchelle's (at least that's what I thought). I haven't had a dessert like that in forever! "How the hell did they get the pear to taste that good?" my friend kept asking.
The drinks were also good, especially the muscatto, that coupled with the dessert - BAM. The red wine was also tasty. I was pretty unimpressed with the rose sangria I had though, it just tasted like fruit juice.
Anyway, I cannot wait to go back, and back I shall go to sit on a rocking chair and drink wine and eat myself silly with this precious comfort food.
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A friend of mine who is originally from Tennessee suggested this restaurant. He said it was the closest thing to home as far as southern cooking.
I was pleasantly surprised by this place. We ordered a bucket of fried chicken, macaroni pie, and spinach. They also served us cornbread which was shaped like little corn on the cobs.
The food was really good. I like southern food a lot and will treat myself every once in a blue moon. I also have dined at Farmer Brown's, but actually prefer this place.
It's affordable and good.
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This place is fabulous. Great atmosphere and even greater food. Perfect for dates and for entertaining out of town guests with a truly unique SF experience. I've been many times and have always had a wonderful experience. Last time I had a kumquat cocktail- mmmmmm, tart and refreshing, the perfect summer drink. I always get the crab and grits- they're that good, but this time I tried something new. The Buratta salad was pretty much the best cheese experience I've ever had. For an entree I got tamarind short ribs which were tender, and insanely delicious. I ate until I could eat no more and then ate the leftovers as soon as I got home. The only bad item I've ever had is the ginger beer/bitters cocktail- don't try it, go with the kumquats!
Came here for dinner last night w/ a girlfriend of mine who swore by this place. Now, when I think "soul food" I imagine Grandma's kitchen, tightly cramped with a thick stench of friend, greasy goodness, and a very casual, yet vivacious atmosphere. The Front Porch on the other hand, seemed the opposite. The food is reminiscent of "southern cooking" (i.e. corn bread, friend chicken, etc), but with a modern twist. Kind of a hipster crowd, but not as bad as the Mission kids in the Valencia corridor.
Unfortunately, they did not have the "Plate of Meat" that my friend had been hyping up, so instead we split the Ahi Tuna Tartar (which is absolutely delicious, though I do feel that they skimp you on chips) and the daily "Porch Pork" (last nights pork dish was a pile of pork belly served with plantains.. seasoning unknown, but soooooo on point). While the flavor of the pork was bomb, I was unable to finish our meal, due to the weird texture of the belly. I wish we had stuck with our original plan (the bucket of Fried Chicken) because it looked sooooo good at the table next to us. Oh, well.. next time. I washed all that tuna and pork belly down with a few Champagne cocktails, which were on the sweet side, but still very refreshing.
I really liked the inside decor with the dark lights, artwork, and random window panels throughout. The front porch area is too cute and the rocking chairs are quite comfy (perfect for gabbing over some drinks w/ a friend). The hostess was really sweet and took care of every single guest with the utmost sincerity.. shoot, she was even taking drink orders for the people waiting for a table! Our server was really nice, gave us the low down on the daily specials, and the water glasses were never half empty.
3-stars only because the pork was kinda weird that night and some random guy at the bar ruined the vibe by trying to hit on my friend and I. I would love to come back and try out a few other dishes and maybe take my ultimate critic with me.. my boyfriend.
Delicious food, especially the crab and grits. The Burger was pretty tasty too. I tried some of their wine cocktails, but I have to say that not having a full bar cost them a star. Great atmosphere and service. No wait time each time I was here. I've been here twice now, and will probably go again.
Super-yum!!
Not many vegan/vegetarian options, but the vegan stew I had was scrumptious, coconut-curry veggies... The fried okra was awesome, too!
My boyfriend loved the famous fried chicken.
Delicious beers on tap, and I had a wonderful Malbec!
But aside from the food - we loved the atmosphere - the crowd was buzzing, humming along, in the tiny, cozy space... Music playing, the totally perfect vibrant-yet-chill, comfort zone. Plus, we can walk there (definite bonus)!
My first visit made this place instantly one of my favorite spots in the city. Loved every bit of it.
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Pork chops, okra, grits
All of it heavy goodness
Even vegan stew
I really enjoyed my dinner here, although it's kind of in a weird location, for which it gets dinged one star (inconvenient to get to on public transit).
The fried chicken was very, very good. Not too greasy but full of flavor. The crab and grits was also excellent. The grits clearly have a lot of butter, so best to go for a special occasion when you want to pig out and not feel guilty.
Service was good. I could see it getting a bit cramped in there if you went during a busy hour on a busy night, but we went early so it was very comfortable and fast.
Unfortunately we didn't have room for dessert on this trip, so I'll have to go back!
Everything we have eaten here is crazy good. My girlfriend and I just got home from a double date there and I had to rush to write a review, which I have NEVER done before. Not once.
The entire meal we spent cooing over how good our food was, how creative the flavor combinations, how unique and amazing the decor and feel of the place are, and get this... I'm a vegetarian, and this is a soul food place. But the vegan one pot stew is to DIE for, I never go there doubting that there will be something meatless and yummy for me. My girlfriend says it was the best porkchop she has ever had. (And she has eaten some pork in her life.) She is a Taurus and pretty set in her ways, but every time we go there she wants to try something new because she knows how good it will taste.
I'm bringing my mother,who is visiting from Miami here on Monday!
Crab & grits? Yum!!
Enjoyable neighborhood spot, with outdoor seating.
We ordered a bottle of wine at the bar while we waited for our table.
It wasn't cold, so the bartender offered tastes of options.
Eventually, they found a bucket, that was tucked away in storage, to ice our bottle table-side..overall, great service. Th e owner was very personable.
I'll be back to taste the rest of the menu...I saw a few things that I wanted to try.
We were destined to go to Front Porch.
And when I say destined, I mean destiny, that fickle little b****. At least it doesn't let me down when it comes to food!
Anyways, back on point.. We were destined to go to Front Porch. We had driven by it one day.. and thought, "Oh what's that? I've heard of the name somewhere..."
That very same night, we didn't mention it, but Jason from Broken Record brought it up and started RAVING about it. Well, what Jason says is golden, so, the very next evening, we make our way over to the Front Porch as early as possible.
The wait we heard so much about, decided to take a vacation, but we did arrive before the dinner rush. If you aren't as fortunate, there are rocking chairs outside, or you can wait by the bar, and have a delicious cocktail. There are a bunch of small tables in the front; in the back, you can squeeze a larger group.
Service was impeccable. We sat down, ordered, T went to the restroom, and before she got back, we already had our appetizer.
We ordered the Spicy Crab & Grits with english peas, scallions and, lemon butter as a starter. I hate peas.. and grits, well they're not a favorite, but I had heard such great things. The dish was amazing. Just enough of each ingredient for explosive flavor perfection. I could've eaten the whole thing and I did lick the bowl clean.
We shared the Fish Cutter (type of seafood changes daily), which turned out to be a fried oysters sandwich, with a side of macaroni pie and very potatoey fries. I insisted on a fried chicken dish -- Miss Ollie's Fried Chicken. The oysters were big, plump, and sweet, and the fried chicken was super crispy on the outside, tender and tasty on the inside.
Next time I'm ordering the Poor Man's dish (also changes daily) to see what type of goodies they serve.
Pricewise. Decent for the amount of food we got.
Crab and Grits... we shall meet again... :D
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sorry if this review sounds vaguely familiar.. same experience = similar review.
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