Location: 160 Jefferson St, Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States; List of Locations
Telephone Number: +1 415-928-1849
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 11:30am to 7:30pm
Facebook: Boudin Bakery
Twitter: @boudinbakery
Instagram: boudinbakery
BOUDIN BAKERY: The Original San Francisco Sourdough Bread Since 1849
Like Ghirardelli Square, the flagship store Boudin Bakery serves as one of the many iconic landmarks one must visit when at the Fisherman’s Wharf. Since 1849, Boudin Bakery has been serving San Franciscans with their original sourdough bread concocted by the legendary Isidore Boudin, who came at the right time during the California Gold Rush. 1849 was an important year for San Francisco, where population swelled from 1000 to 20,000 by the end of the year. Gold nuggets were abundant when they were first discovered in Coloma, California, and as miners were eager for durable food, Boudin’s sourdough bread becoming the staple for many workers.
Not even the Great Earthquake and Fire of 1906 could destroy Boudin’s legacy, the “mother dough” saved by Isidore’s wife Louise Boudin. Similar to Grimaldi’s Pizzeria in New York, bankruptcy led Boudin Bakery to be sold to the Giraudo family, who commercialized Boudin Bakery & Cafe’s as they are today. Master Baker Fernando Padilla from the Giraudo line of bakers still uses the same mother dough applied with French techniques until today to multiply the thousands of sourdough bread freshly baked daily for en masse.
The Boudin Bakery Bakers Hall at Fisherman’s Wharf allows tourists and locals to watch the making of sourdough bread, which are freshly delivered to all of their locations daily. While not the original store, the flagship store is packed almost every day, as people are eager to try out their original sourdough bread, New England clam chowder, gourmet sandwiches and pizza.
Clam Chowder in Sourdough Bread
I lost count the number of sourdough breads were lying on the ground for pigeons to peck with their beaks, but the New England Clam Chowder is indeed heartwarming for one’s stomach. You can get a combination of the chowder and their sandwiches for a fraction of the price.
I won’t lie and tell you it’s a good bread, but as sourdough bread is naturally made to be tough, this can be a workout for anyone’s jaws. I’m pretty sure I have a healthy set of teeth too so you might want to share with someone as I doubt anyone can finish a whole on his own.
At the flagship store, you can buy cookbooks, Boudin memorabilia like keychains, aprons and pan holders, but I would recommend you to take home with you their Clam Chowder in can.
While Peets Coffee & Tea also resides at Boudin Bakers Hall, bringing your own bottle of chardonnay to pair with the sourdough bread is a pretty good idea, as freshly baked bread and wine still remains a quintessential San Francisco meal.
Boudin Bakery Rating:
[usrlist “Taste and Originality: 3.5” “Customer Experience: 3” “Value for Money: 3.5” “Brick and Mortar: 2.5”]