Minnie Bell’s serves soul-satisfying Southern comfort with juicy rosemary fried chicken, rich mac and cheese, and buttery cornbread in a lively Emeryville food hall.
"The fried chicken at Minnie Bell’s in the Fillmore is a revelation. This former Emeryville favorite (founded by a La Cocina alum) made the jump across the Bay, and they brought their signature rosemary-spiced fried chicken with them. We’re happy to report that their Southern-style fried chicken is (still) best in class. The skin crackles with every bite, and the meat on the inside is juicy as hell. The only thing that could make it better would be some sweet heat—and luckily, they’ve got some hot honey perfect for drizzling or full-on dunking. photo credit: Melissa Zink photo credit: Melissa Zink photo credit: Melissa Zink photo credit: Melissa Zink The mac and cheese is another must-get. It’s rich and creamy, with a thin layer of caramelized cheese crust that contrasts with the gooey cheese sauce, and it keeps us coming back for more. Everything else, like the cornbread and the candied yams, is solid. But really, you’re at Minnie's to load up on as much fried chicken and mac and cheese as possible. And while you could sit at a table, a meal here is best enjoyed at the bar, chasing each bite with a sip of the specially-curated champagne while you watch the game. But if bubbles aren't your speed, beer's on tap, too—all that matters is getting this chicken in your body. photo credit: Melissa Zink photo credit: Melissa Zink Food Rundown photo credit: Melissa Zink Fried Chicken The fried chicken comes in two-piece, four-piece, or eight-piece combo sets with cornbread and your choice of sides. By default, they’ll give you a mix of dark and light meat. Ask for an extra piece on the side, you’re going to want it. And don’t skip the hot honey, it’s got that right kick of sweet and spice. photo credit: Melissa Zink Brown Butter Cornbread This comes with each combo by default. It leans on the sweet side (no issue), but it can get dry (issue). We suggest saving room for the other sides. photo credit: Melissa Zink Mac N Cheese With a gooey combination of salty parmesan, fontina, and mild cheddar all in a bechamel base, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better mac and cheese in San Francisco. Sometimes, the noodles can be overcooked, but when they’re firing on all cylinders, you may be planning your next visit just for this side. House Salad Surprisingly, this simple salad is a must. It’s just a spring mix with a balsamic dressing, but it cuts through the heaviness of all the other dishes. photo credit: Melissa Zink Candied Yams These yams are diced and cooked until soft. They’re a little too heavy on the brown sugar, so only order if you’ve got a massive sweet tooth. photo credit: Melissa Zink Banana Pudding Two thin slices of banana crown this creme brulee of a banana pudding. Break the flambéed top with the back of a spoon and dig into a creamy pudding that tastes like real roasted banana. None of that artificial Laffy Taffy flavor here." - Ricky Rodriguez
"Chef Fernay McPherson debuted the second iteration of her restaurant Minnie Bell's Soul Movement in the Fillmore District this past April, but now the original Emeryville location of the business is set to close as of Sunday, July 28. Located inside the Public Market on Shellmound Street, the soul food restaurant has called the Emeryville food hall home since 2018, first starting as a pop-up and then upgrading to a permanent kiosk. In a press release, McPherson says she decided to close the location 'to focus all her efforts on her new restaurant in San Francisco's Fillmore district, where she is a third-generation resident.'" - Dianne de Guzman
"The former soul food pop-up is a staple in the Emeryville Public Market, and for good reason: Fernay McPherson makes an excellent rosemary fried chicken that’s lightly crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Don’t be surprised when you end up Googling “Minnie Bell’s Rosemary Fried Chicken recipe” after devouring it - you won’t be the first. Get the four-piece combo (they also have two- and eight-pieces), which comes with dense cornbread and two sides - make sure the life-changing mac and cheese is one of them." - julia chen 1, lani conway
"On the one hand, it is a mall food court fried chicken kiosk. On the other hand, its humble setting notwithstanding, chef Fernay McPherson’s rosemary fried chicken is some of the Bay Area’s very best — the crunchiest crust, the juiciest and most tender meat. Standout sides include buttery cornbread and oven-baked mac ’n cheese, which has shards of its crunchy browned top mixed in." - Dianne de Guzman, Eater Staff
"The former soul food pop-up is a staple in the Emeryville Public Market, and for good reason: Fernay McPherson makes an excellent rosemary fried chicken that’s lightly crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Don’t be surprised when you end up Googling “Minnie Bell’s Rosemary Fried Chicken recipe” after devouring it - you won’t be the first. Get the four-piece combo (they also have two- and eight-pieces), which comes with dense cornbread and two sides - make sure the life-changing mac and cheese is one of them. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Team Infatuation
