There's something about winter that makes you want to ditch the tofu and other soy products for some real southern cooking. I don't know if it's the cold weather, the holidays or what, but for some reason, a big plate of mac and cheese (I'm not talkin Kraft, but real home baked mac and cheese) sounds pretty damn good. And if you didn't know it already, San Francisco is home to some of the best soul food restaurants this side of the Mississippi. So grab yourself a tall glass of sweet tea and read on for the best places to let out your inner southerner and get your Comfort Food fix.

Hard Knox Cafe
2526 3rd Street
Hard Knox Cafe is family owned and will make you feel like you're eating with your family - if you grew up in an aluminum sided trailer. Even for those of us who had, shall we say, a "classier" upbringing, the decor, food and flare can still be appreciated. It boasts the typical diner atmosphere - cozy booths and 50's-style bar stool dining. Even southerners have been known to give rave reviews about the authentic meatloaf, cornbread, yams and the like.

Angelina's Louisiana Kitchen
2261 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley
An authentic southern soul food establishment seems a bit out of place in tofu-loving, tree-hugging Berkeley. But maybe not though - since Berkeley prides themselves in embracing any and all cultures. Angelina's offers up some slightly different cuisine - in keeping with it's L'siana roots. Catfish, creole, hush puppies, fried grits and the like make for a bit of a different take than you might find at a "traditional" soul food restaurant. (Mac and cheese isn't on the menu - opting instead for those yummy N'Orleans faves, the Po' Boy.)

J's Pots of Soul
203 Octavia Street
Satisfying, warm food that'll put you straight into a food coma is best late at night (or in the wee early morning hours) and you gotta love J's for staying open until 2:30 am - or as long as their latest customers are there. Yummy soul breakfasts are offered up on huge plates - everything from eggs and home fries to sausage and pancakes. The pumpkin pancake offering makes for a slightly gourmet touch - as does the salmon croquettes. Before you think they've gone too gourmet on soul food, don't forget the yams, chicken wings, cabbage, and cornbread. This soul food is sure to still be with ya when you wake up.

Mama Lucy's Soulful Comfort Cuisine
1 Gilbert Street
I have to admit I was a bit weary of the possibility that there might be a straight up, old school, down home cookin' establishment in the heart of SOMA - one of the city's trendiest spots. But, then again, soul food is becoming kind of trendy so I guess it makes sense. With typical dishes like cornmeal catfish, red beans and rice, pinto beans and collard greens, sweet tea and peach cobbler, how could it not be a winner?

Farmer Brown's
25 Mason Street
Farmer Brown's is more the venue I imagine true soul food coming from. Call me biased but it's in the gritty Tenderloin, which in my mind fits with the grit and no-frills cooking and serving that I would expect from a truly home cooked, southern meal. It spite of it's somewhat seedy location, it seems to be a pretty popular hotspot. The menu seems a bit soul food/New Orleans style fusion - from ribs and greens to cornbread and gumbo (and yes, really, really good mac and cheese) this food's got the bite to back up its locale.

Front Porch
65 29th Street
Deep in the Mission lies The Front Porch. A tiny place that serves up soul food in a homey, down home environment. The wait can be atrociously long, but in true southern style you can sit out on the front porch and patiently wait for the amazing food being prepared inside. Definitely a must for soul food lovers.