The SF Challenge: Bob’s Donut and Pastry Shop

The San Francisco Treat

I’ve been to San Francisco a few times before, but I thought my recent 3-day trip would be a good time to try and find the best donut in the city. I searched around to see what people were saying about the donuts in SF and narrowed it down to 3 places: Bob’s Donut and Pastry Shop, The Jelly Donut, and Dynamo Donut. Can’t go wrong at either place…and made me a fan of SF donuts. Though, next time I get to the Bay Area, I want to head over to Oakland to try out Doughnut Dolly.

Bob’s Donut and Pastry Shop San Francisco, CA

Stop #1 was at Bob’s Donut and Pastry Shop. This Nob Hill establishment doesn’t look pretty from across the street, but get closer and you’ll begin to smell the donut air wafting in your direction. I tried the Raised Crumb Donut first. It was amazing. Chewy, pillow-y, delicious. Then I moved onto a Glazed Old Fashioned. Strong buttermilk flavor with an outer crunch that hit the spot. Classic. The fritter was what everyone raved about, but I didn’t love it. It had a strong cinnamon taste, but the apples were few and far between. I also think I didn’t get the freshest one of the bunch. I guess the tip of the day is to get whatever is fresh at the moment….as well as the Raised Crumb Donut….that’s worth the trip alone.

Also, if you’re daring enough, they have giant glazed donuts the size of your head. These may be best shared at a birthday or an office party, but if you can finish one of these, I can guarantee a sugar high greater than when you snorted pixie stix in middle school.

1621 Polk St. No website. Open 24hrs/day.

[Photo credits: The Donut Hunter]