The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Best old School style SFSD?

jenmonten's picture
jenmonten

Best old School style SFSD?

My husband (the baker) and I (the eater) are in SF for a couple of days and are looking to buy a couple loaves of old style SFSD. I grew up in the area and moved away 30+ years ago so am unfamiliar with the new kids on the block.

I love the bread at Tadich Grill but know it is not available to purchase at Boudin. So what is your next best choice?

Go!!!

WatertownNewbie's picture
WatertownNewbie

Here is a link to a blog I put together after a visit in April 2019.

https://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/59969/visit-san-francisco

Have a great time exploring.

Ted

jenmonten's picture
jenmonten

Ted thank you so very much! I’d heard great things about Acme re similarities to old school SFSD. Thank you so much for your reply—I’m off to SF this morning and will head for the Ferry Building :-)

alcophile's picture
alcophile

I also haven't lived is the Bay Area for 30+ years, but I remember Acme and Semifreddi's. The latter was in the East Bay (Kensington) and also had great bread. I believe its bread is available in some grocers if you can't make it to its retail shop in Kensington.

I would also head to a Peet's shop for some great coffee (Holiday Blend now in season). I used to go to the proto-Peet's on Walnut & Vine in Berkeley to buy coffee. It was great that you used to get a free cup of coffee while waiting in line to get your beans. Best brewed cup of coffee I've ever had

jo_en's picture
jo_en

Your naming Peets and Semifreddi's brings back memories.

The Semi's that I knew of was a small store on Claremont Ave just above College Ave near the Claremont Hotel. They used to sell their biscotti (cracked pieces) at a discount and the loaves were in white paper sleeves at Costco. Of course Peet's on Northside was perfect with all the stores nearby.

 

alcophile's picture
alcophile

I should've also mentioned the Cheese Board Collective on Shattuck. So many delicious cheeses. I wonder if they still use playing cards as numbers for customers waiting in line. I always thought that was much more fun than just being "No. 8".

I believe Semifreddi's has always been in Kensington. Could that have been another bakery near the Claremont Hotel?

jo_en's picture
jo_en

Here is an article on Semi's Claremont-

https://www.berkeleyside.org/2016/09/08/berkeleys-semifreddis-bakery-to-close-sept-30

Oh, don't forget the old Warzawa (Polish restaurant) set up from the street on Shattuck!

 

Sorry that I have gotten off the track of this post's main topic.

alcophile's picture
alcophile

That's too bad about the other Semifreddi's locations closing. I didn't realize that they had opened satellite outlets.

IIRC, Warzawa  was a little too pricey on grad student wages, but I'm sure I would've loved the food.

jo_en's picture
jo_en

Hi,

Do you remember it then? I had my TA wages too and did go there once -borsch, goulash, stuffed cabbage. It did feel grand.

alcophile's picture
alcophile

I'll continue down Memory Lane…

I believe we only gazed at the menu of Warzawa. Bongo Burger, La Burrita, and Top Dog on Euclid Ave. were more within budget and were close to the Chemistry Dept. And on occasion, La Val's Pizza, also on Euclid.

Espresso Roma on Bancroft on the other side of campus was the go-to for a cappuccino and a pain au chocolat (coffee is, after all, one of the four grad student food groups).

However, I will admit that we went once to Chez Panisse with family when they were visiting from out-of-town.

jenmonten's picture
jenmonten

Go as OT as you’d like. I’m loving the walk down Memory Lane! I went to Mills College (alas no more) in the late 70’s/early eighties, so mentally revisiting the East Bay is a blast!

jo_en's picture
jo_en

Hunger Pang was a Chinese fast food restaurant tucked in behind the Post Office on Durant in Berkeley.

My friend's mom and dad owned it and I had my first lesson on BBQ Pork Bun dough there.

The buns  were light with a perfect chew and LARGE! I think this is the recipe (typed on a manual typewriter).

The first was my friend's quick home recipe and the 2nd is with yeast.  I think I will try it with "clas/flas" and reduce the dried yeast.

Top Dog -Southside;  there, we had our lunch after the dorm lunch, even now it is dinner after dinner elsewhere.

Bott's Ice Cream (late 1970s) was on College near Ashby and gave huge double scoops of vanilla; they  dipped it in chocolate and nuts to order.

Chez Panisse was $25(!!!-70s) and so the other alternative was the H Salt Fish and Chips nearby.

I know Seminary Ave well that runs alongside Mills. 

 

PS. Actually, I found 2 other scraps of paper with the likely recipe. Not sure which is it!

 

jenmonten's picture
jenmonten

You are making my mouth water as I drink my drecky Hotel coffee. The Menlo Park Peet’s was my local, however the Berkeley store had such a great vibe! I do miss living in the Bay Area, although we can get Pert’s in Spokane now. We also have a great “Ancient Grains” bakery—The Grain Shed. Sadly their SD is non existent! 

alcophile's picture
alcophile

Were you able to find/try any SFSD while you were there? I would be interested in your thoughts on the breads.

jo_en's picture
jo_en

Was this what you were looking for?

https://boudinbakery.com/boudin-at-the-wharf/#more