The Gold Club Revives Its $5 Fried Chicken Buffet
Located in the heart of San Francisco’s SoMa district, the Gold Club has transformed from a traditional strip club into a unique culinary destination known as “Tech’s Hottest Lunch Spot.” After a hiatus due to the pandemic, the renowned $5 fried chicken buffet has made its triumphant return, much to the delight of lunch-goers in the area.
A Flavorful Tradition
First recognized by a 2015 Forbes article, the Gold Club gained notoriety for its affordable fried chicken buffet—a hit with local tech employees, particularly those from nearby companies like Yelp. According to former Yelp employees, executives would refer to the Gold Club discreetly as “Conference Room G,” a testament to its popularity for informal business meetings. This claim, however, was met with denial from Yelp, which subsequently modified training materials to discourage employees from visiting the venue during work hours.
Buffet Comeback
As the pandemic prompted many businesses to halt operations, the Gold Club also paused its beloved lunch buffet. With the resurgence of in-person dining, the club reintroduced the $5 chicken buffet last week, coinciding with the San Francisco Giants’ home opener. The buffet will now be available every Thursday from 11:30 AM to 2 PM, adapting to the shift in remote work patterns that have affected traditional Friday lunch crowds.
What’s on the Menu?
Patrons can expect not just a plateful of fried chicken but also a variety of “rice and beans” side dishes included in the buffet. The Gold Club has cleverly emphasized the value of the buffet stating, “Let’s be real—$5 doesn’t buy much in 2025 San Francisco. Coffee’s pushing $6, and a sandwich can hit $15. But here at Gold Club, we’re sticking to our guns: the buffet is $5, cover included, no gimmicks.”
Strong Turnout and Future Plans
A report by Axios highlighted that during the buffet’s reopening on April 3, the Gold Club was busy and quickly reached near capacity within an hour. Excitingly, the venue is also planning to expand its lunch service to include Fridays in the coming weeks, with goals to eventually offer the buffet five days a week, catering to a growing clientele.
For those looking for a budget-friendly lunch option in downtown San Francisco, the Gold Club’s $5 fried chicken buffet promises a unique experience that combines great food with the club’s lively atmosphere.
Conclusion
As the Gold Club reinvents itself post-pandemic, it continues to attract tech workers and locals alike, solidifying its place as a beloved lunchtime destination in San Francisco.
