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Category: Donuts
Neighborhood: Nob HillMon-Sun. 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m.
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Living where I do (two blocks from Bob's) is a blessing and a curse.
BLESSING : When my wife and I rarely allow ourselves the luxury of fried goodness we time our visit to exactly when the donuts are coming out of the fryer. The exterior is hot and crunchy the interior melt-in-your-mouth smooth and sweet.
CURSE: Walking by Bob's almost every night when I walk our dog and the smell of freshly fried donuts is wafting down Polk St. like a siren's call to a sailor...
People thought this was:
Bob's Donut & Pastry Shop offers one a-ok Apple Fritter.
My first trip to Bob's was just a few days ago & while my eyes were definitely telling me to get lots, the Apple Fritter was so big, my tummy knew that 1 would be enough
We had an all-day offsite in the area so my fritter sat around most of the day but didn't dry out. A bit crunchy on the outside & soft on the inside - glaze didn't flake all over the place but stayed on the pastry. Not a lot of apple flavor but it was sweet & flavorful nonetheless
I have a sneaking suspicion that many of these super high ratings come from the hoards of drunkards who frequent this place late at night - in combination with the freshly cooked up goodies coming out late at night.....much like how Krispy Kreme is good *only* when fresh out of the cooker but *nasty* ( not to my taste ) once it cools
Maybe one of these days, I will get over my nerdy self & make it over late, late night to try a freshly glazed goodie & then understand the huge accolades
Until then, definitely looking forward to trying more of their delish donutty offerings
People thought this was:
Sometimes food can be deceiving. For example, that cheesecake that tastes so light and creamy in your mouth is a lot heavier on your hips. That's one of the things I like about the apple bread pudding at Bob's. When Sonia hands you that bag of bread pudding, you feel like one of those actresses who's just received an Oscar and is apparently required to say "Wow, this thing is so heavy." There's no delusion at Bob's. You know when you feel that heavy bag on the counter that if you eat it, it's going to be a heavy bag on you!
Eat it anyway.
People thought this was:
I'm a donut eater. I'm not going to lie, in college I used to go to Safeway and shop for the .99 dozen specials that were going to expire the day of. I'd probably kill about 3-4 donuts in that one night. Favorite? I'm a simple person..I like regular plain donuts or powdered donuts. Nothing fancy. Definitely nothing in the middle.
Anyhow, I roll up to this place since it has some killer reviews. Yelp, you do not disappoint. This place has some of the best donuts I've ever had. I think what makes it more awesome is that fresh batches are made every 30 minutes. It's like a DONUT BAR...you grab a seat, some milk and sit there and watch them make fresh donuts straight out of the fryer! It's a beautiful thang. Trust.
I've never seen donuts literally made within 3 feet of me. Whereas a Krispy Kreme you're separated with a window..here - you're watching the donut maker (is that a word?) roll out some fresh dough and throw it in the fryer. You also watch him put the glaze on...seriously, I wanna take a shower in that glaze. Doze it ALL OVER ME!!! Bliss.
I'll take a fryer while you're at it too!
So I hear for a late night this is a good place to go to after a night of drinking. I think I will try that next!
Now..what about Bob? Who is he? Someone let me know..I want to personally shake Bob's hand.
People thought this was:
Only eat when drunk.
The donuts were small, expensive and not all that great. Decent but just that. Nothing worth making a fuss over. I live further down the hill, closer to Union so it definitely wasn't worth the trip.
Open late, so more for the late night drunchies.
Bob's has been on Polk forever!
I use to buy donuts and pastries here as a kid when I lived in the area in the 60's and still do so now after all these years. Can't imagine giving any donut shop 5 Stars, but the donuts and pastries here are fine and certainly deserve at least 3 stars.
I usually buy a custard snail. one of the combo jelly snails or a couple glazed donuts. I was not too happy when Bob's reduced the size of the snails earlier this year, but kept the price the same. Didn't notice a significant drop in size of the donuts, but it was obvious in the pastries. Should take away a star for that, but they're still tasty. So, 3 Stars it is.
A few locals have coffee w/their donuts at the counter, but makes more sense to buy your donuts to go and to eat them w/the better coffee available at Royal Ground a few doors, which also has free wireless service available, but doesn't sell any donuts.
WoW. Best donuts I've ever tasted hands down. Light, fluffy, sweet, tastes like baby angels. I can imagine how long the line gets after the bars let out in the city. I'll never eat a donut at 2 am, that should be punishable by death. I will however have one right after lunch and make myself sick. Totally worth it. I've tried the apple fritter and the plain glazed donut. Now I need to try every other donut in that goddamn place. The maple glazed filled custard will be next on my list. I wish I was skinnier so that I could get back to this weight on donuts alone. Yea that's right.
Tip: The lady who owns this shop is suppperrrr sweet! She always offers me milk like a good mother.
People thought this was:
Is the reason this place is rated so high because its open late and all the reviewers were drunk when they ate here? I came here after a night of Kozy Car and hookah lounge next door and I was a little disapointed. I wasnt super drunk and I could tell right away that the chocolate old fashion that I got tasted pretty stale. Even my friends jelly donut tasted old.
Maybe I need to come here in the early morning when the donuts are fresh or when I am sh!t faced and ready to eat.
People thought this was:
After a fun night of booze and great food at mazu (http://www.yelp.com/bi...), a group of 4 macho male friends and I headed to Bob's donut. Bob's donuts hit the legendary status among the group, so I was especially ecstatic to have a freshly made chocolate glaze....
Man friend JunPower! asked if I wanted a regular or the original, and I chose the FLUFFY one (I think that's regular.) While I'm used to the regular donut shops' donuts, Bob's donuts was fresh and fluffy, deliciously glazed with chocolate. Oh happy me! A group of 4 macho dudes and I were packed inside my tiny jetta, happily munching Bob's while enjoying the view of the chaotic late nightlife of Polk St. The perfect thing to do to end the night.
Thanks Bob!
People thought this was:
Very, very few things in life live up to their hype. A few that come to mind:
1. Good things come in small packages.
2. Blondes have more fun (save it).
3. Bob's is all that.
Yes. Bob's is all that. It lives up to its rep. Yes, it's worth it. Yes, you will love it. If you don't like it, you're either in a bad mood or your pants are too tight.
If your pants are too tight when you leave, you did it right. Everything you order will be perfect. The service will be stellar. It's all good. In the true meaning of the phrase. All of it is good. More than good. Epically great. You cannot go wrong.
Bob you are the stuff of legends. Yet you're true. That's the best. You, the Northern Lights, the green flash and the softness of a baby's bottom. Believe the hype.
Got em fresh out of the fryer. I am in love with the donut crumb covered donut. It's like delish covered with more delish. We tried the maple glazed custard filled, the choco glazed, the cinnamon sugar, and the aforesaid crumb covered donut. Fabulous! Plus they had orange glazed ones special for halloween. Cute!
I have tried a lot of apple fritters in my life, but Bob's Donut & Pastry Shop is as good as it gets!
Especially with a nice box of moo-juice, this hangover helper is so good you will be happy to express the joy it brings people.
Yeah, I hate to sugar coat this -pun intended- but this place has been around before I even knew what an apple fritter was!?
+4 For the Awesome Donut(s)!
+1 Star for the crazy sights and sounds of Polk St. at Night.
Nothing more entertaining then watching bum fights... no wait, women with ridiculously sized adam's apple's and calves more buff than I can imagine drunk at 1am, shouting obscenities at people shouting at... Them. I guess it all reciprocates?
Nevertheless, they are freaking harmless, so just leave em alone and enjoy your donut!!!
By the way I have been going to this place before I even got to know the owner(s). They are hella cool, and I am glad I can give a non-bias opinion to one of SF's Donut Havens!
God Bless you Bob's Donut, and everyone who goes there, yeah you too Drunken Jamie in the 5-inch Heels, you too.
People thought this was:
There are many reasons to eat: hunger, boredom, trying to become the world's fattest man. But never for revenge. Bob's pretty much taps all of these desires in my soul, then deep-fries them and serves them to me on a paper plate.
People thought this was:
no WONDER Homer Simpson is so round. Until Bob's I really strayed from the donuts and glazed fatty goodies of the world. Now that I have had an apple fritter from Bob's...the donut world seems so much more appealing. To top that, their coffee is actually really delicious and those two together: fresh melty apple fritter and creamy coffee on a rainy morning=nothing to complain about.
Won't make this a habit but it has definitely become one of my San Francisco guilty pleasures....
24 hours is definitely a bonus, but I have been to Bob's donuts a few times now and have not been wowed. Perhaps there was too much hype and I just didn't feel like it lived up to it. Bob's is certainly not bad but my yelp rating says it all: "meh. I've experienced better."
Best Damn donut's in SF!!!
The later in the night the more fresh- so go late! No matter what time it is, the service comes with a smile( Ms. Dough). Maple is my flavor and she always double dip's for me!!! Yes I'm a fat ass!!! If It's jelly filled, I'm a fan!
Love this place
Check it out if you haven't yet!!!
LOVE Bob's. LOVE it. I used to live only a few blocks away and it somehow manage to be (un?)fortunately on my way home almost every drinking night. I remember never being able to decide if I wanted maple, chocolate or regular old-fashioned donuts, so I usually got all three. oops. It is also true that they have the most amazing apple fritters I've ever had-they just never have them at 2am :/ but thats ok because it allows me to try other things!
Go Bob's!
SO FUCKING GOOD. THIS PLACE WILL TURN ME INTO A WHALE.
I've had the regular maple glazed donut several times and each time is as orgasmic as the last. Also had the maple glazed filled with custard which was mind bogglingly good as well. i cannot wait to get drunk this weekend and buy one of the HUGE donuts they make.
I ate one last week and threw up an hour later from something completely unrelated (I was helping my drunk friend who was throwing up and my weak gag reflex kicked in, leading to my throw up) but it was the best vomit of my life because it tasted like maple glaze.
People thought this was:
I probably haven't had a donut since 98'...back in the day when I worked for a family owned - to die for - donut shop. Nothing was the same after good ol' Ma's Donuts :)
So...after plenty of Polk Street shennanigans, I had the infamous honey glazed donut and my oh my was I impressed. After already making plenty of bad decisions that night, what a perfect way to top it off with a boat load of calories :)
Delightful. Delicious...and worth it!
People thought this was:
This is the best donut shop ever. And I know my donuts. I have eaten donuts every day for my whole life, and Bob's are the best.
Go at 10pm when they are fresh out of the oven if you want to know what heaven tastes like.
It is open 24hrs, so you can go any time.
The staff are super friendly and helpful.
Finally, you can call ahead and get huge over-sized donuts as big as a plate! What more could you want?
People thought this was:
Their donuts used to be the best in town. Lately their "glazed" donut has taken a dive in size and taste. It has more of that hardened,oily gristle taste from the fryer taste. They don't stay fresh as long the next day either.
Oh well once a 5 star, now down to a typical 2 star donut shop.
People thought this was:
The first time, we stopped by Bob's at 7:30 am to get the famous fritters people raved about. It was to say the least, a let down. Fritters looked and tasted like apple fritters I could purchase at any donut store, definitely not worth my time and effort to traverse across town.
Last night the boy said he wanted to wait for fresh donuts from Bob's, which were usually made past 1am, so we waited til 1am past and drove over to Polk Street. Seriously, donut stores are usually dead quite at that time, but not Bob's. 1am Sunday night, there was a group of people waiting to buy donuts! Why.. Must be good!? We waited a bit, gawked at freshly fried donuts awaiting their sweet and holy baptisglazation. We finally ordered and took home with us two fritters, a regular chocolate, and a raspberry filled one. Half were devoured by the time we got home, leaving only the fritters. Eyes on the prize, we dug into paper bags and savagely killed them fritters and the consensus was that they were "GOOD"! Gooey, sweet, maybe too sweet, cinnamony, warm, and very fresh!
Thumbs up, donuts were really fresh, light texture (not in calories), cheap ($1.25 for the fritter, $1 for the regular glazed ones). Thumbs down for making fresh donuts waaay past my bedtime, which means I can't patronize too often.
This place is way better than Dynamo's in the mission, which has really fancy flavors that I can barely decipher and cost three times more as well. I prefer my poor man's donuts, just glaze them. No need for bacon or lavender scented vanilla.
People thought this was:
If ever a friend suggests taking a stroll down Polk St to go for some donuts, don't question or complain, no matter how lazy you feel, how full you already are, or how cold and windy it is outside late at night. Just do it. Because when you sink your teeth into a buttermilk donut fresh out of the fryer, you'll never deny yourself another trip to Bob's ever again.
Suggestion: Go late at night and get whatever's on the cooling rack--the donut will be crispy with glaze on the outside and hot and fluffy on the inside. Great mouthfeel. The donuts stay fresh in the fridge until the morning, so take some to go and save for breakfast!
People thought this was:
One very early morning, my girlfriend surprised me with a giant bag of delicious goodness. I could tell what they were, from the small grease stains forming on the outside of the bag. Lo and behold, a chocolate glazed old fashion, a maple syrupy donut, an apple fritter and one of those donuts shaped like a tiny loaf of bread - you know what I'm talkin' about. They were really good. I loved the variety and, of course, they were donuts, so it's hard not to go wrong. Lookin' forward to another scandalous rendezvous with Bob...Bob's donuts.
People thought this was:
HOLY FUCKING SHIT!
(no joke)
Please come here at like midnight and on to get the best, freshest donuts ever!!!! Just get whatever they are making at that second and its guaranteed to be a straight up orgasm in your mouth!!!
I waited an extra 30 minutes just to try the fresh apple fritters and trust me it was worth every second! Best apple fritters I have ever tasted, hands down.
PLUS the staff is so friendly, will totally talk up a storm with you, plays some awesome music and sometimes you get a random neighborhood prophet that stops by and yells his wisdom at you, isn't that just perfect?!
People thought this was:
From their most loyal customer, Janice C. I was tempted to try this place. It sits at #80 on the top 100 of 7 by 7's SF places to try for their apple fritter as the lady behind the counter explained with a smile.
SOLD OUT!
Are you kidding me? Apparently not, its that popular at 11 at night:) My money told me that Hazel G. and her apple fritter posse had been lurking just outside to await the bakers dozen fresh from the oven:)
So, we went with the other interesting find in the store window. Rasberry and Almond Donut. Encrusted with the crunchy thin sliced almonds and a nice layer of fresh rasberry over a cake donut. It wasn't mine but I wanted a bite of it immediately!
Also got for the next morning a french crueller (my favorite) and a plain cake donut. The donut maker was in full steam and baking these up as we ordered them so they were fresh out of the oven! So, if you want fresh donuts...come late at night!
People thought this was:
Sort of shocked to see this spot open at 11:30pm on a Monday. I got a cinnamon roll for $1.35. It was ok, but not very fresh or big. Compared to Happy Donuts, this paled, but it was still enjoyable and the selection looked good for another try. They should be commended to for just existing. Possible upgrade on another visit should I ever make one.
Apple fritter: $1.65. What a steal!
Being one of two customers in the store: weird.
The lady behind the counter was having a conversation with the other patron while looking at my direction (we were on separate ends of the store). She was nagging about turning on the TV to a sports channel. Go figure. I just wanted my food.
Another item off my 7x7 list!
People thought this was:
I never liked donuts as a kid. They were my least favorite treat. Dense, cold mounds of solidified lard - that's what I thought of them. But my first krispy kreme fresh off a conveyor belt converted me to the cult of light, fluffy fried fat. I became eager to try donuts of all shapes and sizes and began to crave donuts at the most inopportune moments (business meetings, yoga class...). I tried the flavors of the uber-gourmet donut and discovered the joys of the late night cold fritter. But Bob's, my friends, is the real deal. Watch your circle of raw dough float in a pool of oil and then be deftly flipped by two chopsticks. Then the golden dough is hand drenched in glaze, instantly melting on the scalding surface. A minute later it's in your hand. Perfection. In donut form. For a mere 80 cents. Go for the simple glazed. Less is more. And, as I was warned by a fellow patron before I ordered, you will never be able to eat Krispy Kreme again.
People thought this was:
'Welcome to Bob's!" was the unbelievably cheerful greeting that came from the Chinese guy behind the counter.
He's probably on a sugar rush at 2am.
Our friend who's slightly inebriated (ok, drunk) needed to sober up. I order a coffee for her. 3 apple fritters and 2 glazed crullers for the group.
I eat my fresh off the fryer sugary apple fritter and lick the leftover glaze from my fingers. Bob's Donuts is my savior.
Our shoeless drunk girl yelled a question to the Chinese guy:
"hey, are you Bob?"
Chinese guy: "Yeah. My name is Bahb. As in B-A-H-B"
SDG: "Noooo. Really? that is how you spell it? you're really Bahb?"
She continues on and tells him his sign is spelled wrong. I just shake my head.
Drunks. Love 'em. They're an endless source of entertainment.
People thought this was:
oh God.
Please.
I hope all that cholesterol and sugar in this apple fritter, freshly fried in lard at…
Read more »
Just got some inside info on this place last night, went at 2AM. Okay when I say amazing.... I mean getting hit by the flavor train!!!! This place is an oasis of pastries. By far the apple fritter and honey glazed are the best you have ever had!!!! There donuts are like 3 1/2". Its like a double donut !!!!! I have to say being new to this city (from Orlando, FL) This is the ultimate donut shop. If they would serve beer I would move closer to it!
Not 5 stars.... 100 stars!!
was dragged here once at 5 in the morning by a drag queen after consuming a mediocre mess of fried food at Sparky's.
My friend was still wasted and we though a donut (or two) would sober her up.
She and I ended up ordering 4 donuts and a bearclaw and eating ALL of them. Mind you, this was after a meal at Sparky's.
I somehow found my way into a cab and home into bed. Woke up with the taste of sugar in my mouth, guilt in my gut, and thanks to 4 donuts at Bob's, no hangover.
I honestly couldn't tell you if the donuts were that great because anything fried and coated in sugar is THE BEST THING EVER when you're drunk.
I'm too ashamed to return.
People thought this was:
Open 24/7... need I say more
okay,, just imagine you leaving the bar as they start to kick you out for last call, your plastered and need a little something something to sober you up before you stumble home. May be something small, sweet, warm, yet light!!! How about fresh baked donuts baked at midnight ... Oh so yummy, fluffy, soft, and chewy!!! Apple fritters right out of the fryer, perfectly glazed twist, butter scotch glazed twists filled with smooth creamy custard. And as you sober up with your one donut or two for there, you shamelessly order a dozen to go for your coworkers tm in hopes they don't notice how really hung-over you really are at work! I know great idea huh, just thank me with a dozen!
People thought this was:
I'm a big donut whore, so I have pretty high standards when it comes to evaluating donut shops.
However, Bob's Donut & Pastry Shop is my hands-down favorite donut shop in the city. I will take a donut from Bob's over a $3 donut from the over-rated, pretentious Dynamo Donuts any day.
That's because the donuts at Bob's are simply amazing. They're fluffy, tasty, not too greasy, and always fresh. They're especially mouth-watering when they're fresh out of the fryer (mmm...), at which point they practically melt in your mouth. My favorites are the chocolate glazed and apple fritters, although just about everything here is great.
Bonus points for friendly servers, extensive selection, and being open 24 hours (yes, this is a popular perfect post-Polk St. bar crawl destination).
Overall, this place definitely deserves a "Woohoo! As good as it gets!" rating.
People thought this was:
Bob's is one of the treasures of Polk street. Full of perfect, fresh donuts, late-night characters striaght out of a Tom Waits number, and some of the kindest, most patient counter attendants on the planet, Bob's is one spot I pray will never disappear. If you stay up late enough, a fresh apple fritter is a serious treat. Whatever's fresh and hot, though, is the thing to get.
Grab a stool, watch some fuzzy TV alongside a priest and a comic-book dude drawing vampires, and enjoy your donut.
I've been here late at night post-drinking, early morning on a weekday, and early evening on a weekend. I've tasted the chocolate crueller, apple fritter, and the crumb cake donut. I still can't seem to figure out why this place is considered so great.
I wish I could transport myself back in time to my childhood. I miss Winchell's. Now those were some great donuts!
#80 on the 7x7 List: Apple Fritter
-Tasty? Yes - imagine an apple pie and a donut having children. These tastes like that.
-Service: Very prompt. You stand in line, you pick out your pastries, you pay and you walk out!
-Ambiance: Old school bakery with limited seating (check out pics)
-Worth the trip/try? After a night of drinking or a quick breakfast? Yes. Coming all the way to cross off an item on the 7x7 list? Then share one fritter with the three friends accompanying you - it's big enough.
People thought this was:
One of these days, when I'm feeling particularly brave or insane, I'm going to tackle that huge five pound glazed donut in the window. For now, I'm going to stick to the apple fritters and regular sized glazed donuts at midnight.
The funnest part of going to Bob's is seeing the seedy ass characters sitting in the corner stool (sometimes they're funny, sometimes they're scary and sometimes they're smoking a cigarette!) The nice Chinese lady behind the counter is always very nice to them & seems unfazed by their lack of showering skills.
Prices can't be beat- i never spend more than $2 or $3 bucks here. My BFF loves this place & insists we stop by whenever we are in the area (like after having dinner at Shalimar.) It doesn't take much to convince me to go. And I love how late at night, there is always parking right in front.
People thought this was:
Bob's knows that after a night on Polk street, the best way to end the evening is with a hot fresh donut. OPEN 24 HOURS!! Can you believe it? You don't need to know what's what, just ask for their freshest donut and you will surely be satisfied with the hot pastry that enters your mouth. The Apple fritters here are to die for, and I am not usually a fan (often too dry and crusty, but the moistness of this one, my god!). I've had guests from other countries spend all their food money at Bob's. It truly is the American dream.
Ummmm cholesterol...
BOB'S Chocolate French Twists will be the death of me!
I cant not go past w/out munching 3 or 4 of them and as I live just
up the hill and park in the garage around the corner I go by a lot.
Even have three of their tshirts. Smoking good donuts! If you
know what I mean....
The lady who runs the place is an real angel.
It just dosnt get better than BOB'S DONUTS.
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