Boudin Bakery Cafe

Boudin may be a nationally known brand now, available in grocery stores. Coming here, I was afraid they may have sold out or let the quality slip. But, I was pleasantly surprised. The bread was really, really good. Allegedly the sourdough starter has been kept alive for like 100 years, which is pretty amazing. The depth of flavor is so good. We just got snacks. I had a bacon grilled cheese which was satisfying. My girlfriend had New England clam chowder. She's from New England and said it was pretty spot on, which is rare on the West Coast! Big chunks of clam and everything, not just little bits. They also had tons of cute breads in all kinds of shapes. And the location on the Pier overlooking the bay is just a great place to eat some bread. In my book, absolutely worth stopping for a bite.

I am curious to find out which establishment on the Pier that is NOT a tourist trap. You see lines of people flooding in, now is the food really worth it? The 3 ⭐ was given to the bakery for the creativity. The sour dough was OK, but the crust was hard as a rock, too much hydration, it is not edible, especially the cheese version on the roast beef, can't even bite through it. The inside is good, fluffy, flavorful. The chowder was one of the worst that I have had, water down, so much creame, can't taste the seafood, bland. The chilli was a little better, but I have had better ones from Wendy's, it has no flavor, also tasted water down like a bean soup. The tuna salad and roast beef was good, but nothing special. You can find the same at Panera. Definitely over rated.

Wife and I just ate at Boudin’s for a late lunch/dinner on our last day in San Francisco. I’m so glad we finally had a chance to eat here as I love sourdough and they have the best around. My wife had the salmon sandwich, we shared the crab cakes and meatballs which were amazingly delicious as was the garlic bread with cheese, So good. I had the pepperoni pizza to go because we ate so much already. Katheryn was so sweet and I know I ran her ragged filling up my water and tea after all the running around we did today I was especially thirsty so thank you Katheryn for staying on top of that. Also don’t forget to stop downstairs at the bakery on your way out. Yum!

Probably one of the most iconic bakeries in the city! They have phenomenal sourdough that they’ve perfected, delicious clam chowder, and plenty of other options like cookies and sandwiches that looked super yummy. The prices were also super reasonable, and there was ample seating outside, even though it was extremely busy (it probably is always busy). You have to check this place out if you’re visiting the city!

Tried the cheese pizza with sourdough and absolutely loved it! The flavor was great, and the sourdough crust added a nice tangy touch that made it really unique. It is a bit pricey for the portion size, but the taste definitely made it worth it. Would love to go back and try more from their menu!

Boudin Bakery is right at Fisherman's Warf and in the middle of the tourist spot. Its a large location with different counters for treats, sandwiches, coffee and other things so there are line ups everywhere as its a very very busy place, but because its so spread out, the lines go fairly quickly. We had couple sandwiches with amazing fresh bread and then lined up for some sweet treats. Definitely a good stop if you want some food, but be patient as its busy.

Fun place to go visit. Sourdough bread is the star, but the other baked goods are delicious. Dutch crunch and desserts. So much history. They give a military and veteran discount.

What a poor experience at a place I’ve enjoyed visiting over many years. I come here instead of others because of cleanliness and consistency. My mistake to come here on a busy weekend. The chowder was about a spoonful whilst I see others overflowing. There’s no consistency when they’re busy. Literally about 4-5 spoons to finish. Have enjoyed boudin’s in other cities. I don’t think I’ll make the mistake of visiting this one, the biggest tourist trap. Would rather chance another chowder place along the wharf.

This place has been a favorite of mine for years, and it's easy to see why. Sure, it's a bit touristy, but when a bakery has been around for 175 years, you know they're doing something right. The bread bowls here are legendary--comfort food at its best. One of the coolest things is watching the bakers in action. Right in the giant front window, you can see them shaping and baking the bread that makes this place so special. It's part of what makes the experience here feel so unique. Inside, the space is cozy but roomy, with plenty of seating. You order at the counter, grab your number, and then settle in. The café side is perfect for a quick bite, while the bakery side is packed with tempting treats to take home (or snack on right away). If you go, the clam chowder and crab mac and cheese are non-negotiable--both served in those perfectly crusty, freshly baked sourdough bread bowls. They're rich, filling, and worth every calorie. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this place is a mix of history, charm, and seriously good food. It's the kind of spot you'll want to come back to again and again.

Finally wanted to do a touristy thing in SF and try the Boudin bread bowl, it was definitely not worth the hype, while the clam chowder tasted ok (it was very milky / creamy, the bread bowl was really dry, there was way too little chowder scooped into the bread bowl, and overall was just disappointing. A nice ambience though and in a great tourist spot.

Honestly average. Got in line, ordered the clam chowder in the breadbowl, and sat outside. Took like 1 minute to get the food. As far as the food goes. The sourdough was true to itself. Good, but bread can only be elevated, so little. The clam chowder was nothing amazing. Canned doesn't taste too far off to be honest, but nevertheless it was still good and hit the clam chowder itch, good to go and try once. Nothing offensive here.

Boudin Bakery Cafe at Fisherman's Wharf offers a lively ambiance with upbeat background music and attentive staff who ensure tables are kept clean. This location is a tourist hotspot, reflected in the higher prices. I tried the clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl for $15.80. While the clam chowder itself was flavorful, the portion felt small for the price. The sourdough bread was large and delicious, but the tanginess of the bread can become repetitive. The cafe has plenty of seating options, including indoor and covered outdoor areas. There are two ordering counters; one line is often shorter, so it's worth checking. Orders are called by number for pick-up. Beyond clam chowder, they sell a variety of items like pastries, sandwiches, picnic supplies, and even Boudin-branded merchandise. Bread is reasonably priced for the quality, with sandwich bread at $2.50 and a country loaf at $9.95, though not the cheapest. Overall, it's a great place to stop if you're in the area and want to experience Boudin's signature sourdough, but be prepared for tourist pricing.

I got the crab chowder in the sourdough bread. Soup was actually hot so it was perfect for the cold weather. Plentiful bread bowl. Lines can be a bit confusing. You can still technically order food from the cafe and just wiat for it on the other side. Self serve, find your own table outside or inside. Food comes out pretty fast. Overall, nice workers and would come back to try the other food items.

We stopped in at Boudin at the wharf. There was a very long line, but shortly after we joined it, a staff member called half of the line over to a new spot and we were served very quickly. Boudin knows how to manage crowds :-) We ordered a clam chowder in a bread bowl, a chili not in a bread bowl (which is my tip. It's $1 less and I don't like the bowl), and a dungenness crab sandwich. Water is free and available at Boudin. Our food order was easy to track as they had a large tv screen with order numbers on them. We knew when to pick up the food... No yelling necessary! We found a table outdoors and enjoyed our meals. All were very good. I especially like the chili at Boudin. It's always the same and it's just good. The crab sandwich was excellent, and the clam chowder is classic. It's always a fun experience at Boudin.

Happened to be in Fisherman's Wharf with friends and swung by for dinner. I haven't been to Boudin in agessss... Has a weird nostalgia factor for me, especially in the wintertime. All good things, of course! Our group of four popped by on a weekend afternoon. Ordering at the cashier was pretty quick, with dishes ready for pickup 5 mins later. Sparse seating all throughout the area-- we were able to snag half of a picnic table after looking around a bit. Dishes are to be bussed individually, like a food court. BEST OF BOUDIN (chicken pesto + clam chowder): Not bad! Chicken was decently flavorful and the soup is a standard clam chowder (no saltines tho). The sourdough is reeeeally hard and tough if you like it that way lol. Felt like my teeth were fighting it with each bite. That being said, the combo is a pretty hearty, satisfying meal. Being a tourist spot, I give it points for being not bad! And efficient.

Maybe I am not sourdough expert, but I feel the bread does not taste as good as I would like. The bread was hard.. and the bread bowl chowder def was missing some flavors. Service was fast as you line up and order at the cashier and picked up your food later. The ambiance was nice they have a nice patio and indoor seating up stairs. Would I come back? Probably would prefer another location for some chowder soup!

Awesome place. Very spacious and a lot to look at. You can see them making the sourdough. A lot of merchandise around. Nice conveyor belt decorations. Good history throughout the place too. The service is great. The food tasty. I went here twice for breakfast during my vacation. Tried the first time the breakfast sandwich and the other time the French toast with bacon. Good meals. Good portions.

Animal bread!!!! I was so excited to hear about the existence of this type of item. I was overwhelmed when I entered the shop. Rows upon rows of delicious looking and phenomenally styled bread. It was beautiful. The service was moderately timely considering the throng of people. The turtle bread I bought was adorable, almost too cute to eat. Almost. The bread was crispy and chewy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a nice savory taste. Really glad I visited!

I've been to this location before, and it's a bustling yet spacious eatery with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Even though lines were long on the Saturday during Fleet Week, the employees were efficient in ringing people up and making the orders. Our order: Clam Chowder in a Sourdough Bread Bowl: $13.99 +Sourdough Bread Bowl was soft and fluffy on the inside and not too tangy: We ate the whole thing because the bread was so good! +New England-Style clam chowder was creamy. -Not a lot of clams or potatoes present. Busca Italian: $18.99 +The sandwich was split in 1/2, which made it perfect for sharing. +Toasted Roma Italian flat bread the perfect vessel for the fillings: Not too thick and not too thin. -Wish there was more arugula or other vegetables to balance the salt from the prosciutto and mortadella. Sourdough French Dip: $15.79 +The sandwich was split in 1/2, which made it perfect for sharing. +Side of au jus was rich in beef flavor. -There was a generous amount of the thinly sliced roast beef, but it was bland. -Sourdough baguette was too tangy: I prefer the bread from the bowl more. Side notes: 1.) 4% SF Employee Mandate 2.) Utensils and water cups were self-serve, but napkins needed to be requested from employees. *Verdict: I prefer the Crab Chowder in a Sourdough Bread Bowl more. Family friendly spot for a quick comforting lunch in Fisherman's Wharf. It's also a great spot for people watching and we were able to watch some jets performing in the sky while eating!

Great customer service! Met the head bread maker who has been there 45 years! The crab bisque is a must - so creamy, and lots of crab meat. Beautiful bay views.

Spending the day at the Aquaruim with my granddaughter when trying to grab a bite afterwards I noticed how high the prices were in the area. My granddaughter is a super selective eater so I did not want to waste money. Then I spotted Boudin! We ordered and ate downstairs and my granddaughter chose a table at the window so she could people watch. She had a half grilled cheese & I had the tomato soup bread bowl- you can't go wrong with these & we were not disappointed. The only issue was how confusing it was to pick up our order. Coffee at one location & lemonade at another. The staff were quite busy yet friendly.

One of my favorites places to return to for the fresh sourdough clam chowder bread bowl when I'm in town. There may be better places but this is the one I choose every time I visit SF. The store and deli on the ground floor is always bustling with visitors but if you want a peaceful meal, head upstairs to the restaurant. First time I tried the crab chowder and that may be my new favorite! Who needs crackers when there is soft and delicious sour dough to dip in the chowder! The Mac was tasty as well ... would like it to be a bit more saucy but the overall flavor was good. Make sure you visit the store and pick up some bread on your way out.

8/18/24 Best eaten FRESH-sourdough bread, with a heaping full of clam chowder. We drove from Montclair to Napa, Napa to San Francisco just to have their famous clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl.... That's dedication. Sadly the clam chowder was underwhelming because it lacked that oomph or the taste of the ocean (not tasting the clams here). The sourdough though? Wowzah! Could've used some buttah! Sunday in August, middle of summer---Normally this place is jam packed & I remember pre pandemic, it's elbow to elbow, in your face crowded!! I was in line to order and it only took about 10 minutes or less to place it, then after I paid, lined up to buy some more bread from the bakery section. Got a couple of round asiago cheese sourdough, 2 small chocolate sourdough breads, cinnamon scone & a breakfast bun. When that was done, my order is ready. The salad with chicken was tasty & the clam chowder portion was small-very skimpy. I only ordered one to share with Hubby because I thought it was gonna be too big of a portion to eat by myself, I was wrong. But the salad helped, shared it with Hubby as well. After lunch, went back to see the merch, got some gifts to go: garlic infused olive oil, spinach dip to pair with the sourdough chips, and an implement to dispense the olive oil. Very pricey, it's a tourist trap after all. Parking was not as packed either. You can pay cashless w/o having to leave your car, just scan the QR code.

Overall disappointment I came in to order their turkey and cranberry sandwich, which is advertised on their website and lo and behold no turkey and cranberry available! I also ordered their clam chowder which was mediocre at best. ‍

The bread is definitely delicious!!! We tried the clam chowder in a bread bowl and the Ceasars salad. The chchowder was meh, but the bread was awesome. As for the salad, it was refreshing and the breadcrumbs were amazing. They have water fountains which are nice. No restrooms. No longer a museum or tour despite what google calls it.

SF staple for great sourdough. Many locations throughout town. Very sweet bread designs

There is nothing like fresh baked bread! Come early in the morning if you want to get it right out of the oven, but just having a chunk of baguette with butter all at room temperature was still heavenly! When you walk in, it can be disorienting because there are different counters each with their own lines. So decide if you just want bread, if you want a sandwich, if you just want coffee and a little sweet thing, or if you want a bowl of chowder in a boule. Then get in line ~ it moves fast. While you are in line, there are so many things to see~ like the baskets overhead delivering bread. Once you get your order, you can sit at any of the tables all around. If you don't want to deal with the bazaar like feel of the first floor, there is a sit down restaurant upstairs. You get a good view too! This is definitely touristy, but it's a great attraction, and offers a welcome respite while still being energetic. You can't come to San Fran and not have sourdough!

San Francisco is sour bread and sour bread is boudin. Visited the flagship near the piers and it was constantly busy. Lines are long but move fairly efficiently. I would recommend taking a look at the bakery items and menu before getting in line because when it's your turn, they expect you to order right away. We order the clam chowder bread bowl, crab chowder, 1/2 sandwich and pizzas. The pizzas were a disappointment so would skip those entirely. The bread bowls and sandwiches were as expected. Not amazing but not bad. Seating is largely available but during busy times it fills up quick so people are sort of milling around waiting for a spot. It's possible you might not find one. You are prob visiting here because it's one of the "things" to do. If you're hungry, grab a snack to try vs a whole meal, or just watch the fresh bread being made in the window from the street.

Sourdough heaven! This place was super busy during my summer visit but I was serviced quickly through the line. I came here for one thing and that was bread so I did not get to try any of their delicious pastries and cookies unfortunately. I grabbed a "baby turtle" small loaf, yes it was shaped like a turtle! So cute and delicious. These breads are top notch coming from someone who also bakes sourdough. The bread is hard on the outside with a soft tear apart middle. Enjoy your loaf with butter. I do wish my loaf could've been warmed up though. They were too busy so I didn't bother to ask. Great place that is found all over San Francisco. I loved stopping here during my trip!

GrandMaster Bakery of Sourdough... Legendary Boudin... Chowder Here is Amazing New England Style... in Da Bread Bowl! Whaaat... Bread is Sooo Fresh moist inside but outside Has a nice crispiness and texture... Lots of Character shaped Bread... Teddy bears and Turtles... super Fun and cute! The ceiling has a conveyor belt that delivers the Fresh Bread downstairs... If you Need a pick me up... Second Floor Has A Full Bar... And More seating as well... we opted to eat in The outdoor patio courtyard.... Modern glass Barriers, but Hold on to your Napkins bcuz it does get Windy! Service is quick... Cookies and Brownies available in Wait tooo! Come out to The San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf enjoy A Bowl... it's A Must go to spot and Foodie Destination... Till NeXT Tyme!

We came here to see the museum and get some bread and was only able to do one of those things. They closed the museum earlier in the day for arbitrary reasons, so don't trust the hours they advertise. It was crowded and they have what I would call three distinct sections. One is the full service sit down restaurant, the other is a quick serve order at the counter line and the third is a bread/pastry only line. Our party split up and got a soup in a bread bowl from the counter line and some bread and salami from the bread/pastry line. these seemed much faster and even the lines are long, they move quickly. I loved the decor inside with the bread factory vibe and the animal shaped bread that you could buy. We had a asiago cheese loaf and the cheese was ll in the middle, so there were chunks with no cheese. We tried a chocolate bread that was awesome with lots of chocolate chips nestled throughout. We found a table outside on the sidewalk to enjoy these and the people watching on the main strip in this tourist area was unmatched! The street is closed to car traffic so it was great being outside on the sidewalk.

The ambiance at this location was bustling. It's in Fisherman's Wharf. The place is huge. There's outdoor/indoor & upstairs dining. A man stood at the entrance welcoming everyone. You can seat wherever you want but to order you have to go up to the counter. I believe they wait on you if you eat upstairs. The clam chowder is always delicious.

Big location in fisherman's wharf with some indoor seating & lots of patio seating. Menu offers sandwiches, soups, salads, half/half combos, and their famous sourdough bread bowls with your choice of soup. We got the clam chowder and rustic tomato soup bread bowls. Both were delicious! Bread was pillowy and distinct sourdough flavor.

We went here because someone saw famous clam chowder in a bread bowl. What a gimmick, but ok. At the time we didn't know there were two locations in the area. This one was located on the main street and there is full service dining upstairs or casual cafeteria style downstairs. We opted for downstairs because we were just sharing a few items rather than having a full meal. The ambiance was very busy, fast paced and loud. Being right on the strip there were just too many loud bikes/cars revving their engine. Too many people rushing in and out. They also had photo with Santa so maybe that's why it felt so cramped. The food itself was good. Thick, creamy warm soup. Bread bowl was soft inside and the outside crispy. Not the best food but it hit the spot because I was not expecting the weather to be that cold. This is the important part here. Bathrooms. If you eat downstairs they direct you to a bathroom outside near a parking lot that is just straight up dirty. Smells, toilets don't flush, sinks spray water and wet everywhere. (I just want to wash my hands after the meal...) kinda irks me because i paid to dine at the establishment and they don't have their own restroom... if you dine upstairs there is a bathroom designated to use. This irked me. Take the 15 min (probably less but I walk slow and stopped to look at everything) walk down towards the other Boudon location located at the Pier. Restrooms here was crowded but much much cleaner. Good info to know.

I love Boudin sourdough bread. I wanted to love their clam chowder and crab sandwich, but unfortunately, I did not. Both are just ok. Nothing to write home about. The chocolate chip cookie was good and worth getting again. It's mainly a tourist trap and amazing bread. Back to searching for my favorite clam chowder since Fishermans Grotto #9 closed. I'll be back for the bread and cookies, but that's it. It is worth stopping by for the bread anytime.

We came here for lunch and the place was hopping! We got sandwiches that were decent. Not the best...but far from the worst. It does have a cute little shop area.

We had lunch in The City today at Fisherman's Wharf. The clam chowder bowl was good. I didn't eat the whole bread bowl because it was so much bread. Delicious, but a lot. We also shared a vegetable sandwich. It was good, but not great. Next time we'll get a bowl of soup served with a roll, and try the hot grilled cheese. We sat outside. It was sunny but windy, so the plastic walls helped keep us from being too cold. The lines are long, but hey, you are eating at a well known and famous market. The line moves quickly. There is a formal sit down restaurant upstairs.

I'm from SoCal and this is a must stop every time I'm in SF. There are bread bowls in SoCal, but none of them hit the way that Boudin does. During my last visit, I had the crab chowder in the bread bowl. The chowder itself was delicious and so comforting. I'm also a sucker for eating the bread that absorbed the soup--so good!! Outside of the food, I also really love the vibe here!! This place is HUGE. I came during the holidays and I loved how well decorated it was. Service here is pretty minimal as you just wait in line to order and pick up your food when it's ready. You pick your own seating here and grab all your own napkins and utensils. Although this may be a touristy spot, I recommend coming here!!

Weekday visit-- Store was organized with tons of cute items. Service was a bit slow though tit was not packed. Clam chowder was good but not much in the bread bowl. Sandwich was yummy. Matcha tea from in house Peet's was not great and service was super slow. I stood for a while to get attended to.

Always appreciate a chowder on a cold day. We tried the crab one but I think I like clam more. Not enough chunks. But service is always great! Price is reasonable.

The first stop on our San Francisco trip! It was right by our hotel at Fisherman's Wharf, so we came here for early brunch. Upstairs is the restaurant, downstairs is for quick dine-in. Boudin is known for their sourdough bread, and everything on the menu (from pizzas to sandwiches) uses it. Of course, we ordered their clam chowder in a sourdough bread, a pepperoni pizza, and a San Francisco dungeness crab sandwich. The clam chowder was good, especially when eaten together with the sourdough bread (also really good). But it doesn't come with a lot of soup, as the bread takes up most of the space. The pepperoni pizza was good but slightly hard to bite. The crab sandwich was really disappointing as there wasn't much inside, especially for the price you pay, it's not worth it!

It's definitely overrated. It's a big place I loved the decoration and setting is incredible. Looks very clean and it's full of people. Service was very fast and easy to follow. The bowls were delicious but nothing extraordinary.

While in SF and on a rainy day .. clam chowder was calling my name! This place seem good and it was! We went right before closing. Good portion and tasty !! Not busy when we went as it was right before closing . Service was good ! I got my calm chowder fix! Place is kept clean and there's plenty of seating.

a little over price being on the pier. I got soups and sandwiches all for 80 bucks. The sandwiches could have been better in terms of meat. SO little. Came here on a Sunday so there was a line out the door. Waited about 20 min to get my food. The bread soups could have been better if the bread was softer. Overall mid in everything. Nothing pops in terms of food but nothing bad say about it either

This is my favorite place in San Francisco and they have the best clam chowder soup in a big sourdough bread bowl that is amazing and the location is very nice as well and will definitely be back again soon!!! The service is also 5 stars and top notch!!! The ambiance was upbeat and lively!

On Tuesday 1/7/25 I went to the fisherman's warf boudin. I bought food for my children. I received a receipt. The cashier came up to me and asked for the receipt. She took the receipt and gave it to a manager. The manager claimed that my card didn't work. He argued with me and said I could not have my food unless I paid again. I showed him that I was charged on my bank card. He said it says it's pending and the charge would go away at midnight. He said if I wanted the food I ordered I would have to pay again. My children were hungry so I paid again. It's been several days and both charges on my two separate cards went through. I was wrongfully charged twice. I need to be reimbursed and compensated. This manager was not intelligent. He was rude and wrongfully charged me twice. I asked for his name and phone number. He said his name was Gelcy Oreta and his phone number was (650)5347613. I left him a voicemail and he has not returned my calls. Do not let them rob you.

This was another place my friend really wanted To check out. The smells alone is worth the trek to this Boudin restaurant. They have casual cafe on the main floor and more upscale restaurant with fantastic views upstairs. I really like bread but not always a fan of sour dough. This was not what i expected. The bread basket, slices of delicious crisp and slightly tart sour dough. If all sour dough tasted like this, well I'd be a fan. We had a lovey lunch. I had their hot smoked salmon which was light on flavor but again...the bread was the star of the show. On the second floor is a small tiny museum but you can also see the bakers making the bread on the main floor. We were too stuffed to get anything to go. I will see you my little sour dough in my dreams.

Chefs kiss. We came here on a cold day and walked a mile for this and it was worth it, we got a clam chowder bowl and the creamy tomato soup bowl. Super worth it and the ambiance of eating your steaming soup while overlooking the bay is unbeatable. the price is also super reasonable despite how famous and touristy it is. Would come back any day!!!

While cruising through SF for a little shelter-in-place adventure, the kids got mighty hungry! Ordered online for a quick pickup! A sourdough loaf for me and my husband to share, and 2 turtle-shaped sourdough loafs for the kids. Your jaws will be three, but happy! We also shared the pizza, which had a wonderful sourdough crust and was surprisingly good!

A must when we are in San Fransisco. Sourdough bread filled with creamy delicious clam chowder. We were met at door and given 2 dining options. Full service upstairs or service line straight ahead. It's a busy place but food comes out pretty quickly. Crab Mac And Cheese was quite good too. We bought some lemon and raspberry bars at the bakery counter before we left. Great food!

Yes it's a bit of a tourist trap but it's still a must when you visit San Francisco. The place where they invented Sourdough bread apparently, and they offer some delicious Clam Chowder soup which we had along with a Chicken Caesar Salad. A great place to stop for lunch after walking the Embarcadero.

This is a must stop when in SF. We ate lunch here as well as bought some bread to go. You stand in line to order food and then a different line for bread. The line moves quickly in both cases. For food though, you can order the same food at the "Peet's Coffee" counter right inside the double doors. It isn't clear that this is possible, but one of the employees escorted us out of the long line to the much shorter line. I had the crab chowder in a bread bowl. It was very good with just a hint of spice. My children both had pepperoni pizza. It was meh. Definitely wouldn't go there for the pizza. We say outside on the patio. It was very windy with stuff blowing all over. You had to keep a grip on anything light weight. Would have been better if we ate inside or out front.

I can't believe how much changes in a year. I used to dislike sourdough and now I'm sourdough's biggest fan. In fact, I'm going to learn how to start making sourdough at home. Visit number two meant I had to try something new and that something new was crab chowder. I can't believe how much I liked this especially since they're more known for clam chowder. The bread bowl was delicious as always and is a must if you're ordering soup. I also tried the French dip deluxe which was delicious but it could've used a little bit more horseradish mayo to add some acid to the mix. The chicken breast with honey sriracha glaze has a generous amount of chicken and the sweet and every so slightly spicy sauce that covers the chicken and bread is delicious. I don't think many people order this but this is your sign that you should if you're not in the mood for a bread bowl (that will always be choice #1 for me). Boudin Bakery is a staple when visiting the Fisherman's Wharf and it doesn't disappoint.

Visiting San Francisco is always an adventure, and for me, no trip is complete without indulging in the city's famous chowder. That's why we couldn't resist making a stop at Boudin Bakery in Fisherman's Square. From the warm welcome at the counter to the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked sourdough, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit. We decided to order two of the chowders in the sourdough bread bowls. The clam chowder, true to its New England roots, was creamy and rich, with generous chunks of tender clams swimming in a flavorful broth. Nestled in the perfectly toasted sourdough bread bowl, every bite was wonderfully flavored. As for the crab chowder, made with local Dungeness crab, it packed a punch. A hint of spice added a kick to the deliciously creamy chowder, all nestled in the soft and chewy sourdough bread bowl. We also ordered the bowl of clam chowder with Caesar salad combo. The freshness of the salad perfectly balanced the richness of the chowder, creating a perfect pairing. Despite the bustling atmosphere, our food was prepared quickly. This allowed us to snag high top seating inside and dive into our meal without delay. Whether you're a local or a tourist, this is the perfect spot for a taste of San Francisco.

Warning follows about menu prices--they add a surcharge, not for gratuity but for wages. This is insulting to customers and the staff. Know before ordering that 4% will be added to your food and drink charges for a gripe Boudin has with the city of SF. From the bottom of the receipt, set apart from all charges, this blurb. "In response to San Francisco employer mandates, a 4% surcharge has been added to all food and beverage sales." The line item, grouped with (optional) tip as "Serivce Chrg", and "Tax", is "SFEmpMnds", followed by an amount and then by the total credit card payment charged. Rather than increase their prices on the menu (up to) 4%, they choose to do so AFTER ORDERING FROM A PRICED MENU and in this case putting their costs entirely on the customer in a shady manner. SF didn't mandate that. What next? "The health department mandates that we wash the kitchen, so we're adding a surcharge to your food bill to cover the cost of soaps, mops, wipes and water." Wages are your cost of business, Boudin. This trantrum, playing a shell game so you don't have to change your menu pricing but getting all the money anyway is plain LYING, deceitful. This must be one of those 'junk fees' our President got the FTC to go after? Feels like it. If you have to charge sixty four more cents on a $16 sandwich, DO IT. Be honest that your costs went up but that you're not changing your profits. Let your customers decide in advance of ordering if that's what they want to support as consumers. Good food, well-serviced, promptly served, and the baking bread aroma, wow!! But I have a very strong complaint against how their pricing is represented and how they see their profits vs. the employees that work for them to get those profits.

My first review of the year goes to Boudin in San Francisco. My fiancé and I got a couple gift cards for Christmas and decided to check this place out because we have never been to the San Francisco location. They have a beautiful staircase that leads to the upstairs sit down area, which has an alcohol and oyster bar. We were sat instantly at a window with a view of Alcatraz and the ocean. We were greeted almost right away and knew what we wanted so we placed our orders. I ordered the crab mac & cheese, and my fiancé ordered their famous bread bowl with clam chowder. For our appetizer, we ordered the sourdough garlic bread, and calamari. For our drinks, I ordered their limited time specialty peppermint snowball cocktail and my fiancé ordered the espresso martini. Both drinks were refreshing and delicious in their own way. The food came out nice and hot in under 10 minutes. The calamari was cooked perfectly with a nice golden crisp, but I only wish they came with some type of aioli sauce. The garlic bread was soft and fluffy with the right amount of garlic. The crab Mac n cheese was made with cork screw noodles; it had a good amount of sauce as well as Dungeness crab in each bite. I didn't get to try my fiancés clam chowder but she said it was delicious and filling with the bread bowl. Overall, our bill came up to $123 which I thought was fair. The restaurant was huge and looked like it could accommodate large parties. Make sure you bring your parking ticket if you park below the restaurant as they do validate at the host stand. FYI ***BRING ALL IMPORTANT BELONGINGS WITH YOU***

Had a day date in SF and of course -- clam chowder is something one should not pass up while in the city. We stopped in on a weekday afternoon and it wasn't too packed. Ordered Clam Chowder in their infamous Sourdough Bread Bowl, and it was a splendid midday treat. The chowder was creamy, thick, and had hints of clam and potatoes. Very much a comfort meal. This location is huge and offers indoor and outdoor seating. There are merch items, pizza, sandwiches, salads, and desserts for sale. Oh, and also a dedicated coffee station (for purchase of course). Always really cool to watch the bakers handle their business behind the huge glass walls -- the machines producing mass amount of sourdough bread is impressive.