Old Skool Cafe – American
Step into a soulful sanctuary where the air is thick with the comforting aroma of slow-simmered gumbo and the rhythmic sizzle of golden-fried chicken. The kitchen crafts a vibrant tapestry of global comfort, pairing the zesty heat of New Orleans-style jerk shrimp with tender, fall-off-the-bone short ribs that feel like a warm culinary embrace. This lively neighborhood gem blends nostalgic charm with bold, heart-warming flavors, creating an inviting space where every plate celebrates the spirit of community and tradition.
1429, Mendell Street, 94124 https://www.oldskoolcafe.org/0Cuisine: American
Price range: $$
Dietary options: dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, high-protein, low-carb, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, atkins, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, renal, tlc, volumetrics, zone, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb, soy-free
Diet fit at Old Skool Cafe
Dairy-Free at Old Skool Cafe
Old Skool Cafe in San Francisco has 9 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Old Skool Farmers Market Salad, Braised Greens and The Student Project. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at Old Skool Cafe
Old Skool Cafe in San Francisco has 6 gluten-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Old Skool Farmers Market Salad, Braised Greens and The Student Project. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at Old Skool Cafe
Old Skool Cafe in San Francisco has 16 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Old Skool Farmers Market Salad, Anson Mill's Georgia Cheese Grits and Braised Greens. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
High-Protein at Old Skool Cafe
Old Skool Cafe in San Francisco has 2 high-protein-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Short Ribs and Daniel's Gumbo. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at Old Skool Cafe
Old Skool Cafe in San Francisco has 1 low-carb-tagged dish on its current menu, including Seasonal Vegetables. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at Old Skool Cafe
Old Skool Cafe in San Francisco has 6 vegan-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Old Skool Farmers Market Salad, The Student Project and Brussels Sprouts. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegetarian at Old Skool Cafe
Old Skool Cafe in San Francisco has 12 vegetarian-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Old Skool Farmers Market Salad, Anson Mill's Georgia Cheese Grits and The Student Project. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Heart-Healthy at Old Skool Cafe
Old Skool Cafe in San Francisco has 7 heart-healthy-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Old Skool Farmers Market Salad, The Student Project and Brussels Sprouts. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at Old Skool Cafe
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel's Gumbo | 12.4 g | 52.6 g |
| Braised Greens | 31.4 g | 20.8 g |
| Taumoepeau Ota | 54.1 g | 19.1 g |
| Catfish Fingers | 36.8 g | 15.1 g |
| Short Ribs | 3.9 g | 12 g |
| Date Cake | 119.3 g | 11 g |
| Smothered Farm Pork Chop | 63.8 g | 7.7 g |
| Mac & Cheese | 6.2 g | 2.4 g |
| Whipped Garlic Potatoes | 6.9 g | 2.3 g |
| Brussels Sprouts | 3.4 g | 1.9 g |
| Fresh Seasonal Fish | 22.9 g | 1.9 g |
| Seasonal Vegetables | 8.8 g | 0.8 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently closed
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Menu
Openers
- Taumoepeau Ota - $14: Fresh local white fish, citrus, vegetables, coconut cream & cilantro, served with tortilla chips. Dietary tags: Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Old Skool Farmers Market Salad - $11: Local organic produce. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Warrior Wings - $14: Mary’s free range crispy wings, housemade sweet & sour glaze. Available at: dinner, lunch
- New Orleans Style BBQ Jerk Shrimp - $13: Served with crostini. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Catfish Fingers - $14: Cornmeal crusted, remoulade sauce. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
- Brussels Sprouts - $14: Pan-roasted, agave, hazelnuts, & local herbs. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, TLC, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Daily Soup - $9: A rotation of global soups. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
Headliners
- Jordan's Fried Chicken - $24: Half organic chicken, whipped garlic potatoes, braised greens & housemade gravy. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Short Ribs - $26: Red wine braised, seasonal vegetables & whipped potatoes. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium, Atkins, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Daniel's Gumbo - $24: Pulled chicken, prawns, andouille, tasso ham & okra, served with jasmine rice. Dietary tags: High-Protein Available at: dinner, lunch
- Abu’s West African Peanut Butter (Groundnut) Stew - $19: Sweet potato, braised greens & vegetables in coconut milk, served with jasmine rice. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Smothered Farm Pork Chop - $26: Georgia grits, braised root vegetables & whiskey mushroom gravy. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fresh Seasonal Fish: Chef’s daily preparation. Dietary tags: Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
Supporting Acts
- Mac & Cheese - $11: A youth favorite Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Braised Greens - $8 Dietary tags: Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Whipped Garlic Potatoes - $8 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Seasonal Vegetables - $8 Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Anson Mill's Georgia Cheese Grits - $8 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory Available at: breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch
A Sweet Note to End On
- Lavender Cheesecake - $9: With a strawberries coulis Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- The Student Project - $10: Old Skool apprentice creations. Ask your server about tonight's special Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free, Soy Free
- Date Cake - $10: Toffee sauce and vanilla bean gelato Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Mama T's Sweet Potato Tartlet - $9: Classic pairing of sweet potato and warm spices served with whipped cream Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory
Beverages
- Old Skool Red (Bottle) - $40: 2012 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. Black cherry, ripe blackberry, fruit jam, créme de cassis and pipe tobacco. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Old Skool White (Bottle) - $35: 2019 Paso Robles Chardonnay. Braeburn apple, pear, lemon cream, and guava. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian
Frequently Asked Questions about Old Skool Cafe
- Is Old Skool Cafe dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. Old Skool Cafe has 9 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Old Skool Farmers Market Salad, Braised Greens and The Student Project.
- What can I eat at Old Skool Cafe on a dairy-free diet?
- Old Skool Farmers Market Salad, Braised Greens and The Student Project carry the dairy-free tag, out of 9 tagged dishes on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does Old Skool Cafe have vegan options?
- Yes. 6 dishes are tagged vegan on the current menu, including Old Skool Farmers Market Salad and The Student Project.
- Is Old Skool Cafe gluten-free?
- 6 dishes are tagged gluten-free on the current menu. Chefi never infers allergen tags from a dish name alone, but a tag is not a certification — confirm preparation with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity.
- What is the highest-protein dish at Old Skool Cafe?
- Daniel's Gumbo, at roughly 52.6g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
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