In the heart of San Francisco’s Bayview neighborhood, Old Skool Cafe beckons patrons with heartwarming soul food, a speakeasy-style interior, and live jazz from local youth musicians. The restaurant is also a nonprofit that works to provide services for the area.
The cafe itself has been crafted into a veritable time machine. Upon entering, the cafe transports customers into the 1930s with its red curtains, booths, glass chandeliers, and live jazz, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
The Bayview neighborhood, also known as Hunters Point, was first developed in 1870 as a commercial shipyard. After the US Navy purchased the land in 1941, many Black and Latino families, pushed out of other neighborhoods by redlining, moved to the area for work. The Navy used the shipyard to clean radioactive ships and cargo and to research the impact of radiation on living organisms.
When the Navy closed the shipyard in 1971, they left behind a vulnerable neighborhood suffering from both criminal activity and the health impacts of nuclear radiation.
Environmental problems persist in the form of asthma, cancer, and other health problems caused by the lingering radioactivity, and given the area’s violent history, many are unsure of traveling to Hunters Point. CrimeGrade, a crime tracking website, shows that a crime occurs about every five hours in the Bayview.
In response, the Old Skool Cafe provides counseling and job training to local youth. Life skills coaches like Serena Campbell help teens set and reach goals, while restaurant staff like Eddy Blyden teach them the essentials of hospitality through the 100s program. They can also receive help through therapists working with the organization.
“Most people coming in here don’t have any experience of working in a restaurant,” Program Manager Jeff Bostic said.
Usually, young adults ages 16 to 24 participate in the program for two years. After that, Old Skool Cafe helps them find new jobs and provides career advising services.
Charie Klein, who recently graduated from the 100s program—is now learning front of house management and serving customers, worked other jobs before coming to the Old Skool Cafe. Klein has worked at the cafe since April, and appreciates the flexible schedule and learning important life skills.
She and her coworkers go on team-bonding trips to San Francisco Giants games and Great America—opportunities they couldn’t afford without the cafe’s assistance. In addition to teaching their curriculum, coaches also do fun activities with their mentees during their one-on-one sessions. Life skills coach Serena Campbell was able to help Klein take a passport photo to help fulfill her dream of visiting her family in Thailand.
The work of youth coaches like Campbell is often challenging. “We work pretty hands-on with trauma, and sometimes that could really take a toll,” Bostic said.
“The challenge is kind of being in a situation where maybe you want to help somebody but they’re not ready to help themselves,” Campbell said.
Many teens come from foster homes or the justice system, so coaches are left in a difficult position where they are limited in what they can do.
The Old Skool Cafe also has difficulty attracting patrons. “People don’t always want to come to the Bayview,” Bostic said. “It can be dangerous in certain areas at times, but I love working in the Bayview.”
Community members are already trying to improve the area as Hunters Point has recently undergone major changes. There are murals on nearly all of the buildings, even one declaring reparations for Black Americans. “People that live here are getting pushed further south,” Bostic said, “but also there’s a rebuild of restaurants and people that are trying to invest to keep the community here and keep the families here.”
“There’s always been talks of having major development come through here; it just hasn’t happened the way that City Planning has always thought of it to be,” Jeff said. “I definitely saw neighborhood folks come in here but we also have people coming through the Bay [who] come and eat in here.” While Old School Cafe attracts some tourists, it is mainly locals who keep the business running.
Old Skool Cafe is a source of pride for San Franciscans. Many city officials, including Mayor London Breed, have visited. The cafe hosts fundraising galas that have been attended by the likes of Vice President Kamala Harris; their next will be at the Bayview Opera House. Although it might seem daunting to host hundreds of powerful figures while trying to make a good first impression, they have successfully accomplished this many times in the past. The Old Skool Cafe also has rooms for private events.
Not only is the atmosphere of the restaurant immaculate, but Chef Eddy Blyden and the youth working in the kitchen craft delicious and comforting dishes, most of which are popular in New Orleans style fare, or are from the cultural backgrounds of the employees.
All of the entrees are reasonably priced and delicious. One of their starters is a honey-infused jalapeno biscuit served with whipped butter as well as a BBQ Jerk Shrimp, which had the perfect amount of spice. Momo, a 19-year-old barback who has worked at the Old Skool Cafe for almost two years, prepares the cafe’s large selection of mocktails and helps the bartender serve alcoholic beverages. The menu boasts a large selection of mocktails and non-alcoholic drinks catering to non-drinkers along with an assortment of beers, wine, and cocktails.
The dessert menu is just as expansive as the regular one, with weekly specials. The Lavender Cheesecake—served with fresh berries and mint—is a fan favorite and the day we visited, the weekly dessert was a date cake served with french vanilla ice cream.
The restaurant was recently nominated for Chick-Fil-A’s True Inspiration Award, putting it in the running to win $350,000 to expand their youth programs.
