Farmerbrown

September 9, 2011 @ 12:30 PM

Eating at Farmerbrown was like taking a trip to New Orleans.



Farmerbrown definitely has the Southern vibe. The place is decorated with urban arts and graffitis on the rusty corrugated walls.  It has the gritty urban look but definitely clean.   Both the ambiance and service are relaxed and friendly.  During brunch, Farmerbrown treats the brunchers to a lively jazz band. Farmerbrown's fried chicken and the works are worth trekking the dirty and coarse Tenderloin.

Live Jazz during brunch

When Enrique and I arrived at half past noon on a Saturday, the place was packed and there was a 40 minute wait for a table. We opted to sit at the comfortable long bar and got a very attentive and friendly service from the bartender.

Brunch is AYCE for $16.50 and quite a good deal! The buffet menu was short but each dish was done well. And unlike at many buffets where the food end up sitting under the heatlamp and become dry, there is high turnover of the buffet food at Farmerbrown.  The FRIED CHICKEN is the star of the show with the following:

*Stoneground grits
*Biscuits and gravy
*Pancakes and syrup
*Bacon, Scrambled eggs and Fried potatoes
*Yogurt and granola
*Melons and Banana Bread for dessert

FRIED CHICKEN:  Big chicken breast pieces along with occasional thighs and wings. They were piping hot. The skin was crispy while the meat was moist and tender without the greasiness. The best part, there was no trace of grease.  They were cooked welll and tasted really good but lacking in spices.



Enrique's "pretty" plate of biscuits and gravy, eggs and fried chicken.



My plate of fried chicken breast, pancake with syrup (lots) and a bowl of grits.

You can spice them up with Tabasco or Farmerbrown's Honey Jalapeno Sauce.

STONEGROUND GRITS: These grits at FB were creamy and so flavorful. I even tasted cheese but I was not sure.  I loved it and could eat a few bowls of these grits!

YOGURT AND GRANOLA: Served individually in mason jars. Nice healthy option.

Yogurt and granola, banana bread and another chicken wing for me!

BANANA BREAD: True to the Southern tradition,  these bread slices were  moist, full of nice spices and just tasted lovely! They were actually addicting. Enrique blurted out after our meal, "It's good! Let's go back again!" Unfortunately, I only had room for 2 mini-pancakes, yogurt-granola and banana bread after a big chicken breast and wing. I did not get to taste the biscuit and gravy and the rest of the buffet food. Enrique tried everything, except the yogurt.

Our tab was $41 including 1 non-alc drink before tip.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

*Farmerbrown is  just a block away from the Powell station. It is best to take BART than drive
* Bring plenty of change for the meter and park as close as possible to FB.
* There is a parking lot behind FB for $15 which is almost as much as the cost of brunch per person.
* FB is located in the Tenderloin which can get quite intimidating for tourists or even locals. Best to not go alone at night.

Foodie Girl's Rating: 4  Stars

Key:
0 Star:  Never again!!! These people should not be in business.
1 Star: Chalk it to  bad experience. Live and learn.
2 Stars: Some are good. Some are okay. Some  are bad.
3 Stars: Like! I will return!
4 Stars: Love! I will be dreaming  of you at night!
5 Stars: Perfection (or close to!)