Farmer Brown – Like a Trip Back to Chicago
Farmer Brown, in the heart of the not so nice part of San Francisco. I hit it up yesterday by high recommendations from Felix and Ed @ the restaurant and I was definitely not disappointed. Deets follow (I highlighted the good points for your reading pleasure):
farmerbrown is about supporting local and African-American farmers, using organic, biodynamic, and/or sustainably raised foods, and beverages whenever possible. Our focus is Southern food, a gift that is often mis-represented. We love our food and want you to love it, too.
Chef-owner Jay Foster (formerly of Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack and BlueJay Cafe) is the creative force behind farmerbrown’s unique take on soul food. Along with supporting partner, Deanna Sison, farmerbrown’s philosophy revolves around providing the freshest possible organic ingredients for their wholesome southern American classics.
If you can believe it, I passed by the entrance twice. From outside, it doesn’t look like much. Actually, it doesn’t looks like anything @ all. LOL. But once I walked inside, I honestly felt like asking the closest waitress where the hell I was. It was like I was back in Chicago – dimly lit ambiance, a bar with unfinished wood with bartenders rockin’ military hats with varying degrees of shaded green, a dj spinning what I *wish* was something akin to Ron Trent’s Africa Hi-Fi and… forgive the oxymoron… “unpretentious hipsters” throwing down on some fried chicken.
Yes. Fried chicken. Fried chicken in San Francisco. GOOD fried chicken @ that. When I got a seat @ the bar, I ordered their famous dish with greens and mac n’ cheese and an extra side of creamed corn. While I waited @ the bar, I slammed three peach teas – peach infused gin with tea and a sprig of mint (omg I’m gonna make that @ home) – and popped some unusually spicy and salty peanuts. MMMmmm. This place has SOUL.
I won’t write much more about the food other than it was delicious. I felt that it needed some salt in some places (creamed corn), but that’s just my personal preference. What will bring me back is the feeling that I’ve been transported 3000+ miles back home to my friends in the “not-so-downtown and not-so-suburban part” of Chicago. Jorge, if you’re reading this… this is your kind of place. Next time you’re in town (with or without me) check it out and bring Diego and the rest of the crew with. It’s worth it.
Thanks to Deanna for the quick chat! Oh yeah. $10 for fried chicken and a pint of beer after 10PM. Looks like I know what I’m doing this weekend. LOL.
w00p w00p Farmer Brown! 
~Spec
July 27th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Hey, that menu looks pretty cool! Sounds like a nice place
July 30th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Hey I know its been awhile. Southern food in San Fran! Thats Crazy! You need to check out the real thing in the derty souf : )
July 30th, 2007 at 11:40 pm
Hey, this restaurant was HOT. Loved the cucumber/rosemary vodka martinis, and the ribs, and the chocolate cake. It was like a slice of Chicago, right down to the old school hip hop DJ.