Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement in the Fillmore has long been the neighborhood go-to for rosemary-crisp fried chicken, but lately the bird has some serious competition from the dessert case. Diners are buzzing about a bruleed banana pudding that cracks under a spoon to reveal cool, creamy custard and fresh banana, a neat little balance of sugar and brightness in every bite. With a recent nod from Michelin inspectors, the Fillmore spot is now seeing friendlier lines at the counter and fresh attention from food writers.
In a Dining Report, Dianne de Guzman singled out the banana pudding brulee as the dessert winner of her visit and noted it runs about $10. According to Eater SF, the dish’s burnished top breaks into crunchy caramel shards that mix with fresh banana and a custard that stays rich without becoming cloying.
What To Order
Start with the rosemary-infused fried chicken that made chef Fernay McPherson a local favorite. The San Francisco Chronicle has highlighted the rosemary in the marinade and even fried rosemary in the oil, a detail that helps explain the cult following. The sides hold their own: mac and cheese, candied yams, and cornbread all get plenty of praise, and reviewers call the pudding-as-creme-brulee a standout for its roasted-banana flavor, per The Infatuation. The restaurant’s site notes they operate as a walk-in spot with lunch and dinner service most days and warns that weekend evenings can mean lines, according to Minnie Bell’s.
Michelin Recognition
The restaurant got a fresh boost when inspectors added Minnie Bell’s to the Michelin Guide’s California list in May 2026, a move that quickly showed up in local coverage. As SFist reported, the addition came as part of Michelin’s "new discoveries" slate, and the resulting attention has brought more curious diners to the Fillmore location.
Practical Details
Minnie Bell’s operates as a small neighborhood counter with walk-in service only. The restaurant’s site lists lunch and dinner hours and notes it is closed Sundays and Mondays, with the phone number and up-to-date hours posted there as well. Given the recent spotlight, expect a wait on weekend evenings. If you are plotting a visit just for that bruleed banana pudding, an earlier weeknight is your best bet to skip the line and get straight to dessert.
