Welcome to Boudin Bakery Cafe
At Boudin Bakery Cafe, the essence of San Francisco's culinary heritage comes alive. Established in 1849, this beloved bakery is renowned for its iconic sourdough bread, a staple that captures the region's unique flavors. Located at Stonestown in San Francisco, the cafe offers a delightful array of crispy salads, hearty melts, and comforting mac & cheese, each expertly crafted to satisfy. Highlights include the exquisite clam chowder served in a warm sourdough bowl and the savory Short Rib Melt, combining tender meat with rich cheeses. The lively atmosphere, complemented by friendly service, makes every visit memorable.
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3251 20th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94132 Hotline: (415) 564-1849
Welcome to Boudin Bakery Cafe, a cherished gem located in the bustling heart of San Francisco at 3251 20th Ave. Renowned for its delicious bakery items, crisp salads, and comforting sandwiches, Boudin embodies the spirit of San Francisco's dining culture. With a phone line ready to assist at (415) 564-1849, this cafe is both accessible and committed to serving their patrons delectable meals that stay true to their roots.
Boudin Bakery Cafe is famous for its iconic sourdough bread, a staple that perfectly represents the city. Customers rave about the rich textures that their bread offers—from the hearty crust to the delightfully soft interior. Many have pointed out how its sourdough elevates every dish it accompanies, particularly in favorites like the clam chowder. Michael Y. noted how the chowder, with its East Coast flair, complements the rustic loaf beautifully, making for an unforgettable bowl.
The menu doesn't stop at bread and chowder. The array of salads is impressive, with offerings like the Asian Citrus Chicken Salad and the Power Grain Bowl. Each dish is a vibrant blend of flavors and textures, designed carefully to maintain a balance between healthy eating and satisfying cravings. For instance, the Little Gem Cobb, with its rich blue cheese and crispy bacon, presents a hearty option that never compromises on taste.
- Melts: Indulge in the Open Faced Crab Dungeness Melt, expertly crafted on garlic buttered sourdough toast, or enjoy the Short Rib Melt for a filling and flavorsome experience.
- Mac & Cheese: Try the comforting Homestyle Mac & Cheese, and for seafood lovers, the Dungeness Crab Mac & Cheese is a must-try.
The ambiance of Boudin Bakery Cafe is casual yet inviting, making it an ideal spot for everything from quick bites to leisurely lunches. Customers appreciate the friendly service, which shines even during busy hours—something noted by many, including the positive feedback on the staff's willingness to assist. So whether you're there to grab a quick meal or to savor the communal atmosphere, the welcoming vibe does add to the overall experience.
Boudin Bakery Cafe also promotes local appreciation with a rewards program offering a free loaf of sourdough each month—a generous treat for returning patrons. This, combined with the affordable pricing and the delicious food, establishes a strong connection with the community, making locals feel right at home.
Overall, Boudin Bakery Cafe is more than just a restaurant; it's a culinary experience intertwined with the rich history of San Francisco. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, stopping by for a warm soup in a sourdough bowl or a refreshing salad is an opportunity to indulge in the flavors of the Bay. Join the growing list of fans who celebrate the simple yet profound joy of good food at Boudin!
Wow, that clam chowder And the bread were the stars of the show. The bread was scrumptious with all the textures you want - a solid shell on the outside with soft, fresh fluffiness on the inside. It was baked to perfection. The clam chowder harkens back to the East coast clam chowder as well! The short rib melt was super cheesy and super good too! There was enough short rib - just the right proportions. This location was very busy and packed with people. Everyone working there was super nice, so I appreciate that despite how busy they were. It has been very popular. I can see that the prices are lower on average too - not bad. And you can get the classic, traditional SF treat right here at Stonestown. It did feel a bit cramped, as when considering how busy it got.
I thought I'd update my review, reflecting improvements in the service and food. They've added an additional kiosk to help reduce the line (although too few people use it). Today I had the turkey and havarti cheese sandwich on sliced sourdough bread. It was very good and fresh. The side salad was excellent and had just the right amount of dressing. Overall, a good experience today.
Boudin's sourdough is a San Francisco staple! Yes Boudin is a tourist stop for many, but it's also a place that makes repeat customers out of locals like me for their bread and clam chowder. Pro tip: join their rewards program to get a FREE loaf of sourdough bread with your purchase EVERY month so you can keep the sourdough party going at home too!
I tried calling several boudins. No one answered their phones. I want to purchase 12 clam chowder can soup. Out of state family request for them. Shipping fee was over $100. I took a chance and hope they had it at the Stonestown store. The guy at counter said we just got the shipment in today. Lucky me. Brought a luggage to smoothly carry them to the car. Busy store but organized and helpful staff. Clean with plenty seating inside.
It's been a long time since I ate at Boudin, and their sourdough bread still remains top tier! For 2 people, we shared the French Dip Deluxe sandwich and the Clam Chowder soup in a bread bowl. The French dip sandwich was delicious!! It was cheesy since it included provolone cheese and the au jus for dipping was so good! I wished it had more meat in the sandwich. Their clam chowder is pretty standard, you can't go wrong with it. The chowder pairs well with their fresh sourdough bread. This Boudin is located in the mall, so it has good amount of seating to dine in. You can order your food on their kiosks and pick up a number to dine-in. This is a casual spot to grab some lunch or get some delicious sourdough bread.
If you want San Francsico captured in a Sandwich this is your best bet. Although its a chain quality has remained and value as well. So I said 'quality' - what does that mean? Good quality? Bad Quality? Mediocre quality? Quality really doesn't mean anything. There I schooled you. The quality was good and the value was even better than good. The service, ambiance, food and price were all good or better than good. Service was friendly. All the people working there were five stars. Very helpful and quick and hardworking. Ambiance was great too. Casual spot - no fuss - not stuffy. Get your own drink from the soda fountain kind of place. And I like that. Crab sandwich was the only thing that could get a little better attention. It for whatever reason was soggy. When I picked it up it dripped. Also a bit on the salty side - not sure if anything can be done about that - as crab meat is salty. But if any of the toppings have lots of additional salt maybe cut back a bit on them. The cheese I think was a bit too much. Overpowered the crab. Only other nitpicky thing I could say as constructive criticism would be to touch up the wood trim on the baseboards and around the restaurant. Things were clean but knicks and chips could have benefited from a little touch up color pen. It hides imprefectons and wear in wood that has been damaged. WOuld make the place look like new. I loved the pictures of the Golden Gate bridge and for such a small space it does the name boudin justice as I'm familiar with the flagship store in Fisherman's wharf.