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Boudin Sourdough Bakery & Cafe
Categories: Restaurants Sandwiches Food Bakeries Sandwiches, Bakeries [Edit]
619 Market St(between Montgomery St & New Montgomery St)
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 281-8200
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
290 reviews for Boudin Sourdough Bakery & Cafe
Review Highlights
"The bread bowl was just so fresh."
(in 81 reviews)
"Clam Chowder is fresh and delicious -- not "campbells."
(in 89 reviews)
"The tomato soup is so decadent and delicious, it warms my..."
(in 31 reviews)
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290 reviews in English
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Review from Yoko K.
Oakland, CA
1/29/2012
I always avoided this place because I'm not a fan of sourdough or chowder.
It was good to discover they have different bread and soup other than chowder.
I ordered a vegetarian sandwich with a wholewheat bread and was delicious.
They have a large basement area, good for big groups. We were a group of about 12 people. One of the woman from France said boudin means 'ugly' (she said doesn't sound as bad as ugly), people wouldn't name their bakery Boudin in France.
Interesting. -
Review from j s.
Concord, CA
1/26/2012
I come here for the corn chowder (Thursdays) and grilled cheese with brie/apples/fig jam - delicious combo!
Gets busy during lunch so we normally try to go early. Staff are friendly and the place is clean.
Hmmm it's Thursday...off to boudins! -
Review from Jennifer M.
San Francisco, CA
1/19/2012
Note to self: Do not come here during lunch time, Busy Busy.
This is a review of their cookies and bread, which was just YUM! After standing in line for a bit, I wanted to make my own turkey and avocado sandwich and picked up some sandwich rolls and a cookie (chocolate chip). Bread was soft and just yum,I decided to buy one for lunch and one for my commute home. Cookie hit the spot after my huge turkey and avocado sandwich I made myself. Of course my second sandwich roll was gone before I came home too, long walk:) -
Review from Priyam D.
Fremont, CA
2/2/2012
I was in the mood for grilled cheese, so I had the Brie, Havarti, and fig jam sandwich. It was okay, but too sweet for my liking. I think the fig and brie tasted great together, but I was missing something salty to balance it out. The bread was also a bit greasy. It was nicely crisped though, which is essential for good grilled cheese. Overall it was a decent meal, but I think I might try a different sandwich next time.
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Review from Wakako U.
San Francisco, CA
1/20/2012
What I like most is the little salad in a cup with a fork comes out of the lid that comes with all sandwiches. The dressing is so good.
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Review from Greg a.
Los Angeles, CA
11/17/2011
Absolutely fabulous bread. Grabbed a couple of loaves on my way out of town, a baguette and a round loaf.
My son and I started munching on the baguette: it was delicate, soft and warm. The crust had the right amount of crunch without being too hard. The center was buttery and flavorful and the sourdough wasn't over bearing.
So well balanced and superbly made I'm thinking of driving up there again just for that.
The coffee was wonderful too.
There are numerous locations of this place so I can't speak for all of them. But this one is now on my list of "must go" every time I'm in SF. -
Review from Gorman E.
Breakfast time...is it too early for clam chowder? Boudin is so worth it!
This place gets five star because the combination of customer service and best original clam chowder I ever had including better than our Pike Place Chowder. I take it back...SF's has the best chowder hands down.
The best deal is getting Best of Boudin's sandwich + soup combo for only $6.50. The staff was so kind to give me samples of the lobster bisque soup for free in a cup which was heavenly good!
Table seating along the hallway and outside the patio.
Only one bathroom in the back which I saw many people in line with small bladders.
ORDERED:
TWO CLAM CHOWDER IN A BOWL AND OTHER IN A SOUR BREAD BOWL: New England style, served with soft sourdough bread bowl. The chowder was creamy, chunky potatoes and so so flavorful chowder that makes a cold morning tolerable in SF.
TURKEY AVOCADO: Turkey breast, havarti cheese, avocado, mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, multigrain bread - so good!
ITALIAN CLASSIC: Salami, mortadella, provolone, lettuce, dijonnaise, soudough baguette - has to be my favorite sammie out of the two.
PUMPKIN SOURDOUGH BREAD & COOKIE.
Highly Recommeded.Listed in: My San Francisco Trip
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Review from Kari H.
Cupertino, CA
10/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
OMG BBQ! Their bread is so YUMMY it should be illegal. I mean seriously. Melt in your mouth, heavenly. :)
I had the turkey avocado sandwich and it was full of turkey, avocado, breadly goodness! So tasty.
This location gets extremely busy during lunchtime and you will end up waiting at least 10-15 minutes. So be prepared. But it is WORTH your precious time, believe you me!Listed in: Sandwich Time!
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Review from Aidan B.
Los Angeles, CA
11/7/2011
Came here for a lunch snack before hitting up a store my bf wanted to go shopping at.
The food was sooo good. The bread was delicious. I'm not a bread person. But i ate it all. I loved my sandwich! -
Review from Rogelio V.
Daly City, CA
10/24/2011 7 Check-ins Here
Love this boudin!
The turkey avocado sandwhich is the best! -
Review from P D.
San Francisco, CA
12/30/2011
Amazing service ! Very fresh !
I did not eat an entire meal.. I just ate bites from my husband's order !! Clam chowder , cheeese turkey sandwich , coffee.
Fabulous ! Quite heavy in grease though.
Their coffee was excellent . -
Review from Bennett W.
San Francisco, CA
12/21/2011
The Great with Bacon (Grilled Cheese Sandwich) and Chili Soup in Bread Bowl is delicious. This meal is big and it's got me stuffed until dinner, I'm so coming here again the next time I happen to be walking down Market St.
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Review from Lucia A.
Oakland, CA
11/10/2011
Their clam chowda in a sourdough bowl is the absolute best here!
You can also buy their sourdough by the loaf or even olive bread, chocolate raisin bread (great for french toast!) Their service is great at all locations. Their sandwiches and salads are very delicious as well, just not as famous. :) -
Review from randomtask ..
Walnut Creek, CA
This rating is solely for the sandwich I ordered here on one visit. I got the chicken club for 8 bucks plus a bag of chips and it was very good. The chicken breast was juicy and warm, the bacon was bacon good, the bread (sourdough) was crusty and chewy good. Chips were in a bag, water was in plastic cup.
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Review from Steven B.
San Francisco, CA
9/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Stopped here for lunch on two different occasions. One was for the calm chowder in a bread bowl and the other was for a sandwich. This place gets pretty long lines during the lunch rush, but they have an interesting counter that splits people up from a single line into 4 different cash registers. It's very efficient and quick for people in a rush.
The calm chowder wasn't really creamy and it didn't have a good calm taste to it. It's kind of bland compared to other soup places. The soup comes separate from the bread bowl when you get it for to go. It's a great thing since the bread would be all soggy by the time you get back to wherever you came from if they were together. The bread didn't taste so fresh... it doesn't seem they have a bread making oven so I'm guessing they get their bread from their Pier 39 Boudin. The bread bowl at the pier 39 location definitely tastes a lot fresher than this place.
The sandwich... they have a cold sandwich making assembly line going on here where one person puts the sauce and meat onto the bread and another puts the toppings onto it. It's pretty interesting to watch as they crank out 8 sandwiches at once at very quick speeds. The hot sandwich takes a longer time since it slowly goes through an oven. The turkey avocado sandwich I got tastes alright and it's great for a traditional sandwich. They really don't skimp on the avocado which is nice, but they dump a lot of mayo onto the bread also, which isn't so nice. A sandwich doesn't taste so great when the first thing you taste is a whole wad of mayo in your mouth.
Overall, it's an alright sandwich place that's great for a quick lunch because of their really efficient system they have going on here. I personally didn't like their calm chowder bread bowl at this location.Listed in: Bread, Meat, and Veggies
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Review from Natalia K.
Denver, CO
9/1/2011
We stopped by here for lunch during a week-long business conference, and amidst all the fancy business dinners our coworkers and I had during the week, this was actually one of everyone's favorites. (I've been here many times so I knew it would be good.)
It's a simple lunch place, but Boudin does what it does excellently. They have amazing bread, they have amazing clam chowder, they have amazing chili. So get either a clam chowder or chili bread bowl ($7-8). Delicious, cheap, and everything you want it to be.
They have plenty of seating, both on the outside patio, inside, or on the 2nd floor). And they're a short walk from all the shopping, conference centers, and other attractions in the area. -
Review from Mike C.
Sausalito, CA
12/19/2011
Took them forever to make a 1/2 turkey jelly sandwich and soup..5 other people who ordered behind me got their food...5 people before got their orders. Like the other reviewer said, after all that wait the sandwich wasn't even that good. Maybe that had to rush all the orders, but come on I had to wait all that time?
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Review from Karen L.
8/10/2011
Great place for brunch and lunch! For those who haven't been to a boudin's, they serve a great variety of soups, sandwiches,burgers, salads, and etc. The best thing about this location is that they are really friendly, efficient, and have plenty of seating!
The orders are delivered to you quickly despite the crazy havoc during San Francisco's crazy lunch hours. I usually like to order the chicken salad sandwich, pesto with roast beef, or tuna salad paired with their hot/creamy clam chowder.
Instead of heading to a fast food restaurant, drop on by! -
Review from Jackz C.
San Pablo, CA
oh.my.god!
if you are in the area, please stop and get urself a muffin! they are by far the best i ever had :d
all 4 stars are only for that reason...
oh i suppose one star for the good service... -
Review from Chelsea A.
San Francisco, CA
8/18/2011
Ahh, comfort food at its best! I'm not sure if they still have their grilled cheese and tomato soup combo, but that always hit a home run, especially when the weather was gloomy.
I don't think their clam chowder in a bread bowl is anything to write home about, but it's decent. I also love their spring salads, they are so good and filling.
Definitely come early (11ish) before the lunch crowd shows up! Or come late, after 1 pm, or else you'll be standing in a very long line. -
Review from Jamie D.
Concord, CA
11/11/2011 3 Check-ins Here
LOVE this place. The butternut squash soup is the best I have ever had... everything is super fresh and just all around delicious. I love the ambiance too - the tables in the back and upstairs remind me of a cafe you would see in Europe. Soft jazz playing and the bustle of Market Street while you eat a giant bowl of awesome soup. Pretty perfect if you ask me.
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Review from Eve O.
Oakland, CA
8/3/2011
A-OK! Considering Boudin as a lunch possibility never crossed my mind... they're just the clam chowder in a bread bowl place, my first meal in SF, (yes, at Fisherman's Wharf), and I'm fine having that be the first and last experience with them.
But I jumped in there today because it was ten feet away and I was tired of trying to figure out what to eat. Fast lines, and I got a great sandwich. Ham, Brie, Watercress, cranberrry and mayo. Yes, on sourdough. Duh.
Comes with a side of greens (nothing fancy, but a nice touch) and rang up to 7.99... pretty reasonable in terms of lunch downtown.Listed in: Lunchtime Demands Vegetables
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Review from Sopheak S.
San Jose, CA
6/24/2011
Ahhhh this place was awesome! Two things you have to eat when you are in San Francisco, their famous sourdough breads and of course clam chowder. The ocean is right there! You would be silly to not want to eat clam chowder.
I had clam chowder at this place inside of a sourdough bread bowl, a match in heaven. The clam chowder was soo delicious and so flavorful. The bread bowl was just so fresh. The flesh on the inside was soft and perfect, and the outside.. crispy and crunchy. SOOO good! -
Review from Cara D.
Soup in a sourdough breadbowl? Ain't nothin' wrong with that!
My husband and I had dinner here a few nights ago. It was our first visit to this location, and we really enjoyed it. The staff was all-around friendly. The atmosphere was great. I loved all the brick, and couldn't believe how big it was with an upstairs and downstairs -- You would never know from looking at the front.
I ordered a hot chocolate, and it was rich and creamy. My husband had the combo with the clam chowder and turkey sandwich. He said his sandwich was as good as the soup. I had the small salad and soup. My salad was fresh, and had a great combination of flavors, with cranberries and walnuts.
At the end of our meal we were presented with a free baguette to take home -- score!
The Verdict: What's not to love about this place?Listed in: Bay Area: Eats for Two Under…
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Review from José Alfredo M.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 9/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
The goat cheese sun dried tomatoe pizza is very good but the bread smells like burnt hair. just saying
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/24/2011
I always saw this place it had a french name.
I went here yesterday and they were closing all I… Read more »
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Review from patty d.
Daly City, CA
11/4/2011
This place is overpriced and the food takes forever to get to you! I ordered a regular grilled cheese and clam chowder soup combo during my lunch break. It usually costs around $8 but they said they were out of regular grilled cheese and only had ham and grilled cheese left. I placed my order and the total came out to $15!!! I said forget it i'll just get the regular grilled cheese but the cashier said they didn't have any left. Uhhhmmm... can't you just take the ham out!? Anyway, i didn't want to deal with it so i said screw it I'll take it. She was nice enough to give me a free soda. Anyway, i sat and waited on my food. It took 25 minutes to get to my table!!! I had to leave soon, so I checked up on it twice until they finally gave me my food! And to make things worse, the $15 worth of food was not even GOOD!!!! If you're gonna eat there be prepared to spend a lot of money and starve while you wait on your mediocre food. Not worth the money and time.
Not coming back here. FAIL. -
Review from Meghana D.
San Francisco, CA
6/23/2011
YUM!
Best sandwiches in town. Perfect for lunch; healthy, affordable, and delicious!
Highly recommend the turkey avocado sandwich on sliced sourdough; I haven't gotten sick of it yet, and I'm here at least 2X a week! All sandwiches come with mixed greens or chips, for ~$8.
Also highly recommend the clam chowder bread bowl (duh!), probably the best CC i've had (other than the dirty stalls in Fisherman's Wharf...those never disappoint..)!
Seating is limited, so get there early to beat the lunch crowd, or call in and get it to go! -
Review from Laura T.
Fremont, CA
7/27/2011
I love the food here. It's reasonably priced for it being in the city and especially in a tourist spot. I'm just not a fan of their service. Everytime I've gone here, the waiter always gets something wrong. Some of them include but not limited to, forgetting our drinks and then not refilling them at all throughout the whole meal, forgetting a meal in its entirety, handing out dirty silverware, and the grossest one of all, serving a dessert with a hair on it.
Great food though. Just make sure all your silverware and food are clean before eating it :P -
Review from Chantel L.
Orlando, FL
4/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
I don't care which location, Boudin is a must-stop for me when I'm in San Francisco. Everything on their menu is good - including the clam chowder and the turkey and havarti. If you go around lunch time it can get really crowded, but the food is worth it.
I love this place so much I joined their bread club a few years ago. I really missed living in San Francisco and being able to get REAL sourdough whenever I wanted. Boudin is great because I can get the OG (original gangster) sourdough delivered right to my front door.
I heart you, Boudin! -
Review from Jonathan G.
Walnut Creek, CA
10/29/2011
Always good service can be a bit slow don't order online it never saves you time
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Review from Shirley P.
San Francisco, CA
Even tho I was trying to do my HI reviews in order, I need to interrupt with this...
Dear Boudin staff,
I am sooo sorry about today's incident! My coworker demanded a refund for our food, the food to be remade and packaged to go all cause our food was not served in a timely manner!
I completely understand you had to let go of a staff member mid-shift AND that our server was new- his first day too. I completely appreciate your willingness to make it right, and I absolutely appreciated the two free oatmeal cookies you gave to each of us- they were scrumptious! Your Caesar salad has redeemed itself to me after a bad experience at your Stonestown location and my half sandwich also exceeded my expectations...
I have to commend the speediness of your cashiers, my cashier was Elizabeth. The busboy was quick to clean each table after customers left, our server (the new guy) was very apologetic and again, I completely understand. Lastly, I appreciate the manager being genuine and generous with the cookies and refund!
P.S. - My coworker just emailed me this message:
"That sandwich was good.... I think i would like to go back next week."
Please, consider yourself warned!
Regards,
Shirley P. -
Review from Jen P.
Livermore, CA
7/12/2011
We visited this location at 10:45am. The manager didn't listen to my complete order, walked off before handing me my credit card receipt and was no around when looking for staff to fill the coffee urn. It was bad service and manners by the entire staff.
I love the Walnut Creek location and San Jose. I won't be returning to this location. -
Review from Jenny T.
3/16/2011 1 photo
Four words: CLAM CHOWDER BREAD BOWL!
Never knew this location had multiple levels AND a dining area in the back. All this time, I had always dined in the outdoor patio area freezing my butt off! Great soups, always consistent, but the long wait is a killer :( -
Review from Mark D.
4/1/2011 1 photo
1. This is a bit of a tourist place with tourist prices.
2. It was relatively fast. It took less that fifteen minutes to order and get the food. Note - This was at slow time of day (3pm on a Friday).
3. The service was friendly but not detail oriented. I had to check my order. They had not put the bread bowl in the bag for the chowder. They also had not provided a spoon or napkins.
4. Grilled Cheese Sandwich - This was a very basic grilled cheese sandwich. There was nothing that made it stand out. Well, except for how small of a sandwich it was for $6. Shame on you Boudin!
5. Clam Chowder in Bread Bowl - Once again, this was a basic chowder. Good enough to do the trick but nothing great about it. Once again, the portion was small.
http://tinyurl.com/3l3...
6. Quality of Food - Average
7. Service - Average
8. Portions - Small
9. Price - High (considering the small portions)
10. Not likely to return until its been so long that I, once again, forget its their to sell clam chowder in a sourdough bowl to tourist. -
Review from Andrew S.
3/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Within a 2 block radius of this Market Street Boudin, you'll find 2 other bakeries that serve similar food. Out of the three, Boudin is definitely the best for the following reasons:
1. Big dining room: Talk about plenty of seats--inside, outside and even downstairs. Dinner time on weekdays are quiet enough for you to grab a meal in less than 30 minutes. Good for the guy on the run like myself.
2. Portions baby portions: I ordered a soup bread bowl with a salad and got more than I expected...and you can't come to Boudin without ordering their Clam Chowder (encased in a rather large sourdough bread bowl). For their salad, I chose their thai chicken salad served with a fresh assortment of mixed greens, peppers and oranges. In all it definitely satisfied my appetite.
3. Strike a Deal: The bread bowl and salad combo came to less than 10 bucks. That's what I call more bang for your buck, especially in SF, where you can definitely spend money on a meal.
So if you want a seat for dinner, with big portions for a good deal, the Boudin is the bakery for you. -
Review from maria K.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 1/14/2011
Boudin-
I think it's time we have "the talk." I'm sorry. I don't know how to say this- so I just will. I'm breaking up with you. This relationship clearly isn't going anywhere. I've been honest with you, and told you what I need to be happy together. Yet you've still fallen far short of my needs. I appreciate your attempt to buy me lunch the last time I bought it up to you.. (thank you sweet little manager) but Ive been back trying to work out our differences about 6-7 more times- with NO CROISSANTS!!???!!! Am I bitter yes. I'll admit it. I just don't understand how you can call yourself a bakery with such meek offerings after lunch? who do you think you are? Tartine?? lol... Hardly.
I've got a new sandwich shop in my life. His name is Andersen. And he treats me so good with fresh flaky croissants every time. I promise to still remain cordial with you- I'll smile and wave as I pass you to go see ANDERSEN instead!
Your ex,
Maria1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/8/2010
Dear Boudin,
I love your yummy yummy soup. and your sammies and salads too while Im at it. It makes… Read more »
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Review from David H.
San Francisco, CA
3/6/2011
For a San Francisco chain, this place is exactly as my 3 star review states: A-ok.
It's not the best you can find in the area, but it's not the worst either. Let's face it, in the city of San Francisco your expectations are inflated. Anywhere else you'd be more than upset to pay over ten dollars for a sandwich and a bowl of soup, but here in SF, it seems perfectly acceptable to do so, for a mediocre soup and sandwich lunch combo.
There isn't a whole lot to say, the soup is just so-so, not exactly true San Francisco New England clam chowder, it sort of feels like it might be from the can even! But that said, it came to my table warm (not hot mind you which sort of makes me sad), super thick, and more potato in taste than clam. As for the sandwich itself, I went for the Chicken club, which felt sadly like something I myself could make from home. The bread was a little hard and chewy, more "toothsome" than I wanted, and the chicken was on the dry side.
Pros: Cheaper than some places in the area (not by much though), solid soup, but don't kid yourself and think that this is THE place to go for chowder and sammies.
Cons: Dry chicken, less than stellar bread, warm soup that I wish was a little hotter on a cold day with more clams and clam flavor than potatoes. -
Review from Lindsey R.
Upland, CA
3/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
I ducked into Boudin to kill time before an interview. I came at the perfect time after the breakfast rush hour and before the lunch rush hour. I ordered a coffee and the steel cut oatmeal. The coffee started my morning off right, the oatmeal was alright. A little plain, but not terrible.
I took my sister here again when I returned for another interview and we shared the tomato soup. It tasted sort of like the sauce from "Spaghettios" with tomato chunks in it, so not very impressive. I hear their sandwiches are really good so I'll have to try that next time, but so far Boudin was just OK. -
Review from Debbie Chiou S.
Los Angeles, CA
6/25/2011
The bread is crisp, but not hard even after taking home and rebaking. So good. Just make sure not to have breakfast here. Ran out of yogurt parfait at 730 in the morning. Didn't have olives for their Greek scramble, and the oatmeal was too mealy. Only came because Specialty's had no seating, but totally regretted it.
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Review from Y. Abigail H.
East Bay, CA
3/26/2011
I am so addicted!! I interned in SF last summer (and will also be returning this summer)...I found every excuse to come to Boudin! I love love love the sour dough bread! I always got the turkey and avocado sandwich (ask for sour dough bread!) Or the New England clam chowder in sour dough bread bowl, sometimes even for breakfast..have I mentioned that I love their sour dough!?! :-D
I never leave this restaurant without a choc chip cookie in one and a cup of cold soy milk in the other..
