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Thorough Bread & Pastry
Categories: Food Bakeries Restaurants Sandwiches Food Coffee & Tea Bakeries, Sandwiches, Coffee & Tea [Edit]
248 Church St(between Market St & 15th St)
San Francisco, CA 94114
Neighborhood: Castro
(415) 558-0690
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 7 am - 7 pm
Sun 8 am - 6 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dessert, Lunch, Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
Surge C. said: "I am so glad Chantal Guillon took over Paulette's. Chantal's macaroons exceeded my expectations and left me wanting more. I ordered over $40 worth of macaroons (not just for myself, I swear!). For myself, I decided on the almond…" read more »
291 reviews for Thorough Bread & Pastry
Review Highlights
"The almond croissant is amazing here."
(in 49 reviews)
"The Vol au Vent is a flaky pastry filled with creamy..."
(in 6 reviews)
"Awesome baked goods and pasteries."
(in 21 reviews)
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290 reviews in English
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Review from doris c.
1/28/2012
damn you, thorough bread, for being on my walk to work. damn you, nose for sniffing out butter and sugar anywhere. damn you, sweet tooth, for having no self control.
their scones must be topped with crack!
thorough bread serves pastries and dessert just like those at the cafes i love, while having a selection and array like that of other bread/pastry chains (arizmendi, la farine, etc). they make chocolate chip cookies just the way i like it, have puff pastries and scones sweet and savory, rich little cakes (yes i got all of the above on a single trip...for me...) and breads (haven't tried yet). this is good news for most people...bad news for me. -
Review from Janice C.
The woman behind the counter was friendly and patient with my ordering since I just stood there in front of the cashier STARING at the pastries on display for the looongest time.
Some of the staff at this bakery are students from the San Francisco Baking Institute. They have classic pastries and bread options as well as delicate looking miniature cake slices. I had the sun dried tomato and goat cheese scone which had a nice texture and good balance of flavors.Their gougeres are great too, but not cheesy enough for me. (the best ones I've had in SF is at La Folie Lounge) But the obvious standout here is their almond croissant: a light croissant that's big enough to satisfy your craving; topped with powdered sugar and sliced almonds. The generous layer of marzipan inside is a nice surprise! I wish it was more flakier, more butter next time please! I also tried their coffee which is served in a huge cup, full bodied and gave me the added caffeine jolt that I needed.
I'd been here twice already and can't wait to come back to hang out in their back patio. However, don't EVER ask me to do the Paleo diet with you. I'll fail in an hour. -
Review from Sophia D.
San Francisco, CA
1/31/2012
I have had very good visits to this bakery and very not good visits (not bad, but definitely not good). I love, love, LOVE their delicious cookies and cakes but despise their dry scones and croissants (especially the ham and cheese, which seems to be made with some sort of bechamel-ish cheese sauce. Not a fan). The service is great when you're the only customer but chaotic when there are more than 2 people in line.
As much as I appreciate Thorough Bread's large daily selection of pastries I feel that they have sacrificed quantity for quality. Some things are great, like their double chocolate cookies, which are super decadent and ridiculously cheap ($0.75), while other things just don't live up to expectation.
Yelp describes it's three-star rating as "A-OK" so I will describe Thorough Bread & Pastry the same. A-OK. -
Review from Christina Y.
Santa Monica, CA
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
One day i decided to take a different route to work and stumbled across this charming little spot. I was impressed by the spread of pastries, displayed in the most beautiful way. As a savory food lover, I was also happy to see that they had a few non-sugary pastry options. I went with the potato bacon turnover and a cup of tea. Although they strangely didn't have ice to put in my scalding hot water, they kindly half-filled it so I could fill the rest with the cold water they had out for the customers.
I think it's a very cute and delicious way to start the day, though I found the prices to be quite high. Visiting this spot every day on my way to work would add a lot to my waistline and take a lot out of my wallet!
Definitely a good option in a convenient area though! -
Review from Cathy L.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 2/9/2012
Hands down, best macarons anywhere.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/5/2011
This place may be the death of me. The food is fantastic. I had the turkey sandwich (delicious… Read more »
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Review from Colleen W.
Decatur, GA
1/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
Thorough B&P has the BEST Almond Croissants in the Bay Area, no doubt about it!
Pure paradise to your taste buds:
Fresh sliced almonds and powdered sugar dusted on top of the beautiful golden brown, buttery crust... crisp, flaky sheets of heaven leading to a sweet and delicate center bursting with flavor... it scream ALMONDS, ALMONDS, ALMONDS! *Foodgasm* Perfection. It's so good, I can't even write in full sentences.
Their other baked goods are great as well. Among the ones I've tried include the bostock (heavenly), gougeres,financiers, choquettes, and macarons. I've yet to devour their sticky buns, but I'm quite confident they'll be good.
Minus one star for the extremely bitter brewed coffee, but add a pinch of salt and you're good to go. On the other hand, their lattes and other espresso drinks are superb. Always go for the latter. -
Review from Gloria H.
12/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Found a space outside but have no coins for meter! Went in to get change and were captured by all the tasty treats.
We ended up with the financier - $1.95 - lighter and less dense than a pound cake with nice flavors of almond and a bit of honey. With it, a decaf Americano.
The young lady behind the counter was very friendly.
Will have to return to try other treats. -
Review from dan s.
San Francisco, CA
1/3/2012
It does not look like much from the outside. The bakery is almost hidden on this busy section of Church street near The Muni stop on Market street. (The same space that was once a nice vegetarian restaurant whose name escapes me.)
Once inside the door all the character of this bakery comes into focus... a much larger selection of baked goods than Tartine, and on a similar level of quality.
Worth knowing about and using when in this part of the city! -
Review from Sung C.
San Francisco, CA
1/13/2012
I don't know what to complain about this place.
their products are delicious, inexpensive and always fresh. It has a very nice back patio where you can enjoy some serenity especially in the morning.
Their almond croissant is something else, it's probably one of the best almond croissants i've ever had. perfectly balanced and delicious. -
Review from Mailani w.
Seattle, WA
12/22/2011
For me, nothing is more evocative than a spread of spectacular pastries. I suppose it's akin to a pair of breathy ladies gazing at diamonds while passing a Tiffany and Co... Except diamonds taste like glass.
Their almond croissant demands a plate, fork, knife, and a generous bib, the cape you don at a hair salon would work too (it's that assertive). It's flaky, but not the least bit greasy. Oh so light, but has enough chew towards the center. The almond paste shell is smooth, mild, and delicate with almond slivers that graze on top. THIS IS IT! The coffee served in-store comes piping hot in saucer-sized mugs which I adore.
If you see the delicate profiteroles (aka mini cream puffs) with chantily cream BUY AT LEAST 4, hell, a dozen. Their dessert case alone is like an art gallery. Yes, gaze at it, and sigh heavily like a Southern Belle. The French own patisseries, and dammit, they know it too.
The sandwiches on their flawless baguette is ridiculously simple and delicious. No sloppy globs of mayo, or excess cold cuts, European style. Skip the soup, I agree with S.M., you're there for items that contain butter and flour. -
Review from Too M.
San Francisco, CA
12/24/2011
unfortunately their service is the worst you can experience in the bay area. I used to always call in the morning make my orders, so I don't come there and find out they have nothing left. They also made the charge over the phone - so there was no risk of no pick up. This morning when I called to make my order - middle into taking my order the lady on the other side announced they don't take phone orders anymore.
REALLY???
YOU DON'T???
You just changed the policy in the middle of my order after I used to do it every week? -
Review from Pammy S.
San Francisco, CA
1/26/2012
amazing if you order correctly! here is my professional recommendations:
Almond Croissants
Muffins
Ham and Cheese Croissants
Don't order the following (not bad but not the best):
Coffee Cake
Danish Pastries
Scones
xo-P -
Review from Justin P.
San Francisco, CA
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Review from Grace C.
11/28/2011
- Vol au vent: pretty good, flaky crust with creamy mushroom filling
- Almond croissant: delicious
- Pumpkin spice loaf: great if you like pumpkin; topped with nice crunchy pumpkin seeds
- Purple wheat baguette: it's slightly sourdough-tasting -
Review from Rho T.
3 days until the Nike Women's Half Marathon and I'm at Thorough Bread & Pastry. I don't think this place will help me w/the hills.
But I was invited to a small dinner party and thought that bringing desserts would earn me cool points. I'm currently at 475 points and if I get 25 more I could get a Chinese finger trap!
Easy point accumulators were:
White Chocolate Raspberry Mousse 5.95
White cake layered w/white chocolate Mousse, a huge slab of raspberry jelly, then more mousse, then a thin raspberry coating on top. Not recommended if ur training for a marathon. Or if u want to save ur teeth.
Caramel Chocolate Tart 5.50
Fancy tart w/a lil gold flake in the middle. Extremely sweet, only for the pros. Chocolate crust w/gooey caramel and thick chocolate filling. I scored the gold flake for my front tooth. Instant rapper points.
Carrot cake 5.50
2 layers of carrot cake divided by a layer of cream cheese. Gigantor walnuts. Very fine coconut shavings were added on to the sides of the cake, atop the cream cheese. No CA raisins in this cake. They were probably dancing round the corner down Castro.
French Macaroons 3 for 3.50
2 pistachio and 1 chocolate. Typical macs, I've had better but I've also had worse. First time I had a chocolate where the filling was overpowering.
What I didn't bring to the party but had on my way to it:
Good hand sized Snickerdoodle cookie .75
75 cents?? Mrs. Fields. You just got served.
Vol au vent 2.50
Hollow buttery pastry shell filled w/mushrooms, onions and cheese. Super mushroomy. Super good.
This place is the bees knees cuz it employs the interns and grads from it's school- The San Francisco Baking Institute. They learn how to make it, bake it, and we buy and eat it. Their products are excellent. Good job, students! -
Review from Christine B.
Berkeley, CA
11/21/2011
On our way to Church Street Cafe, my friend and I couldn't resist stopping in for some baked goods (this is after lunch and before going to a cafe for coffee). We went a little nuts. Items ordered:
1. almond croissant
2. fruit tart
3. macarons
4. forget what its called but sort of like brick toast
We were severely disappointed. Everything looked so pretty on the display but the macarons - honestly the worst macarons I've ever tried. The fruit tart was not to my liking. My friend liked the brick toast thing and I thought the almond croissant was alright but seriously those macarons. I can't even talk about it. -
Review from S. M.
San Francisco, CA
12/7/2011
Love their bread, all the baked goods are yummy.
The sandwiches are good but kind of overpriced.
The soup I had last Saturday, it was listed with some Frenchy name, but then said "veggie". Great, I was into that.
The anemic vegetables mixed with WAY TOO MUCH sluggish overcooked macaroni was awful. I left the macaroni in the bowl, and so I ended up with about 4 oz of "veggie" soup.
No flavor. It would have been perfect for an 80 year old toothless person with dead taste buds. So hey you guys, come get this soup!
However, I was disappointed.
All-in-all I like this place and the people are nice. -
Review from Emily D.
10/8/2011
This week blew. So much so, that when I woke up this morning, I was like I AM TAKING THE DAY OFF (yeah, its saturday... fml) and going to go sit at a cafe, sip coffee, eat a pastry, read the damn newspaper, and be a honey badger for awhile.
It rocked. Their almond croissant was just as good as people say and yes, I think it's better than Tartine. (Oh, and I love Tartine. I love Tartine like I love my cat. Except one doesn't swipe at my eyes while I'm asleep, so I love one of the two more right now.) And their patio was the perfect place to send a morning chatting with your friend about how much you dislike bitches, general nonsense, sandwiches, etc.
If I had a normal life and normal metabolism, I'd come here all the time. But sadly I don't have either.Listed in: Repeat Offenders, Breaking the fast and livin…
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Review from Jeremy N.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 10/27/2011
So first of all, I just want to set the record straight. Tartine has amazing croissants that are out of this world. The best in the City. What I said earlier was just a fit of post brunch elation. Just tryin to keep my Yelp street cred robust.
However, Thorough Bread is still 5-Stars. Their baguettes are still awesome, I am still looking for better ones in the city or in CA for that matter.
Some of the other stuff is amazing, it makes me feel like the luckiest guy in the whole wide world to have this a couple blocks from my joint. Stopping by just to pick up an Epi or an Olive shield thingy is my MO.
Brunch here is amazing too, they have a really nice backyard outdoor seating area. Something that most other bakeries don't have. And one of the most amazing things is they never have lines here, which I still find incredible to this day. More for me less for someone who can't find parking around here I guess.Listed in: Underrated and Best Kept…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/10/2011
Keep it simple. This place is the bomb. Baguette better than Acme. Croissant better than… Read more »
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Review from Joanna R.
10/23/2011
I think I am currently eating a pistachio french macaron. Yum.
The only macaron I've ever tried was a passionfruit one from Chantal Guillon Macarons which was ridiculously good and soft. It's a little tougher, perhaps because that may not be their specialty, but it's still good. I have two other ones left...
They only come in packs of three, pretty tiny! It costs $3.50 for those small three. Macarons are expensive anywhere you go. I've been craving some, so might as well, right? I think one I just took a bite of is an espresso or coffee one. It is softer than the previous one I had. Pretty good. The third was is (I think?) passionfruit or some sort of citrus-y fruit flavored one. It's good. That's kind of more of the taste I was looking for, but it's a little tough.
Overall, I'm not a big fan of desserts, but I think it's worth a try. Thanks for the french macarons. I may be back soon. -
Review from Sofia R.
I've been here a few times before. I decided to stop by the other day because I started to miss it.
The shop itself is standard. Cute, wooded decor. They have plenty of pastries, breads, and tarts. I chose to get 3 French macarons and one chocolate bread.
The macarons aren't the best. They refrigerate them which isn't the traditional way. They're very sweet and dense and I didn't mind it that much because they were cool and it was hot.
The chocolate bread is my favorite thus far. It's simple but has the right amount of sweetness. So awesome. Whenever I go there, I always get chocolate bread.
The only bummer about Thorough Bread & Pastry is that they're closed on Mondays. -
Review from Connie C.
What an amazing find, and in my humble opinion, better than Tartine. Plus, there's never a wait and there's a back patio to relax in. It really doesn't get better. Our go to items -
Croissants - Ham & cheese, almond, you name it, are to die for. The best croissants I've had outside of France. Melt in your mouth buttery, perfectly flakey, just incredible.
Baguettes - Crunchy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, just the way bread should be. Both rustic & traditional are delicious. -
Review from Alexandria N.
San Francisco, CA
11/1/2011
Real french accents make for real french pastry. Real. French. Crossiants.
Chocolate Sourdough.
Homemade Kiwi jam, Pineapple jam, Cucumber marmalade.
Are you drooling yet?
Two kinds of quiche every day, one meat and one veggie. Rich, flakey, herbal, vegetal, eggy heaven.
Whole wheat chocolate chip cookies: 1. they are the PERFECT size. 2. they have the most adorable teenytinyittbybitty chocolate chips. Millions of tiny chips. 3. They don't taste "healthy" like other whole wheat cookies. They don't remind you of your mother's 70's baking experiements. They just taste like chocolate chip cookies with a little more... earthly wisdom.
Are you there yet?
Go Here Now!
Now!!!
P.S. people say the expresso is the best in the neighborhood. -
Review from Nicole R.
San Francisco, CA
12/23/2011
This place deserves 6 stars! I come here every week...it's quiet and warm. Lots of indoor and outdoor seating and an array of desserts and pastries to choose from. I usually come here for their sandwiches, which are all delicious and come with a very simple side salad. The staff is friendly (my coworker thinks that they are also aesthetically pleasing :) and work so efficiently...there is barely a wait! Can't ask for better.
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Review from Orson F.
Fremont, CA
11/5/2011 2 photos
More flair than flavor.
Really nice location and atmosphere and a bit on the pricey side. -
Review from Alissa A.
During that season where Irish Soda Bread is popping its currants up at every corner bakery, I stumbled into Thorough Bread.
I inquired about the studded little fella and to this day am not sure what to make of the response I received. The guy mentions something about lots of (baking) soda, in that, if I enjoy the taste of an aluminum can, I ought to get a loaf. I opt instead for a hefty slice of banana bread and it fueled me through the morning.
Pastries and breads are well priced and for once in this city, I feel like I am not getting taken on a loaf of bread. I mean, when did flour and water become so pricey that a loaf should run 4 or 5 bucks?
From scones, bite-size gougères, mini cookies and purple wheat baguettes, I can't seem to get enough. There are always piles petite treats so when you don't want to over indulge (or are feeling cheap), you can still fulfill that buttery-chocolatey-carby-yeasty craving of yours.
As much as I can't wait for aluminum cans to get back in season, I'm still a regular here, found popping a few gougères on the run or a fruit galette on the patio out back.Listed in: Carb Happy
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Review from Kel C.
8/22/2011
Don't buy the delicious, chewy chocolate bread here, unless you want to devour an entire loaf in an hour (which I did). For just $2.50, don't do it.
Don't buy the cheesy, airy gougeres either. Unless you want to stuff your face with eight of them in matter of 30 seconds.
Or the amazing wheat chocolate chip cookies...
Don't do it, I say. Unless you want to gain 10lbs. -
Review from Allucaneat G.
San Francisco, CA
12/4/2011
Chocolate bread. First time I had it here, I wasn't impressed. Gave it another go many months later, and I was hooked.
There used to be a place in Boston, Brookline, actually, called Boston Bread Company that had chocolate bread with milk, semi-sweet and white choc. chips. It was fanfuckingtastic. I was supposed to go to Boston last year and the first thing I looked up was that bakery. Alas, it had closed. :( So imagine my excitement when i found the choc. bread here.
Not the same, no, much more sour and chewy, but still, a real yeast leavened bread (as opposed to those fake "quick breads" which are really nothing more than cake) with cocoa in the dough and choc. chips. Tasty.
But that's not all. The gougere are nice little savory bites, as are the cheese straws. I liked the sesame rolls/knots, but the last few times they were a bit too tough.
I was excited about the idea of the bacon/potato turnover and the goat cheese/sundried tomato scone, but neither were amazing. The turnover was not bacony enough and the scone was too sweet for a savory and had almost no cheese flavor.
Still, I do love that choc. bread. And those little cheezy bites are damn good.
I've noticed a significant increase in crowds here since they first opened. In my mind it correlates with the increase in variety of offerings. I like.
One negative: the fruit flies on the pastries. Wish they would do something about that. kinda grosses me out to see all those fruit flies landing on the cookies and cream puffs. -
Review from Angela S.
9/9/2011
Came here because Tartine wasn't open yet and we had to haul ourselves over to Santa Cruz for a hike. ): You don't even know how disappointed I was by the time we rolled up to Thorough Bread.
But then I had a baguette... and a vol au vent (with mushrooms) and a potato, bacon pastry andddd an almond croissant. It was all good. I even found half the baguette in my bag the next day and snacked on it while in line and it was STILL GOOD. not even stale. (uhh it was even good the second day I found it in my purse :D ) -
Review from Stu S.
San Francisco, CA
9/13/2011
I stumbled into this really happening bakery and cafe recently when I wanted to see if they'd started using the back patio, one of the secret treasures of San Francisco dining. So the patio is dusted off and better than when Just Desserts operated the space and a glorious place to spend a crisp, clear morning or warm afternoon. Thorough knows baking, considers it an artform and does it extremely well and at prices that make Tartine look like Tiffany on steroids. From cookies and cakes, croissants to panini's and other addictive, affordable delights. The staff is charming and knowledgable, enjoy talking about their amazing food, it's preparation and ideas for special events and just relaxing with a fresh snack and coffee.
Church Street has the look and feel of an urban oasis with lot's of choice for food, a bookstore, florist, boutique or two and warm, friendly locals. It doesn't draw all the tourists who flock in droves to the Castro, yet it's got the ambience and charms the Castro sacrificed for numbers. The F line and the Underground as well as the 22 Fillmore all are within a block and parking is usually somewhat easy so it's really an ideal neighborhood to visit and shop in. This is a great bakery and cafe, they do everything really well. -
Review from Jacky L.
San Francisco, CA
12/11/2011
A nice little cafe on Church Street.
The croissant is amazing there. It's very flaky, and baked to just right. A little crunchy on the outside. You definitely way better than those typical hard outside, mushy inside kind of you get at a regular cafe.
The rest of the pastries look good too, but didn't get a chance to try them.
They have a back patio which would be quite nice to chill on a warm sunny day. -
Review from robert g.
Larkspur, CA
7/14/2011
and throw in another couple of stars, simply because Thorough Bread & Pastry is a shinning star for those of us who love bread and all baked goods!
Purple Wheat bread is the best Bread in SF. Tartine's bread ties, but then you can't get T bread whenever you want it. In fact, you can't get it unless you know three, that's right three days ahead that you are going to have a "Bread Attack!"
Almond Croissant IS the BEST in San Francisco!
Sticky Bun - The Same!
Excellent Baguette and Sour dough bread!
My first visit, so you will have to wait for the cake and pastry review. How do I already know what that is going to be like?!!
I feel like I am about to unleash the ten Plagues of Egypt. I know, so dramatic. Yet, here I am about to write the review that I never thought would be possible.
First, I am a breadie, a sub set of the foodie (I'm all that too!) and there is, was, only one bread God in San Francisco. I was, for a long time, more than willing to put up with the inconvenience of serving the God of Bread, in order to have him/her provide me with that particular slice of heaven on those occasions that I needed my fix. And yes, a "fix" it was. There were pretenders to the throne, some of which were within a crumb's width of matching the God, yet none could quite get there. Outerlands, comes so close, their bread is outstanding!
Now that is no longer true. Thorough Bread & Pastry has succeeded in creating a bread just as good as... sit down, ...Tartine's.
Don't go all Al Bundy on me, if your Great provider has been overthrown, it is, after all, the way of the world. But wait you exclaim, "You said that the bread was just as good, not better!"
Yes, and thereby lies the tale. For those who truly love food, there is this (sometimes unspoken) relationship with those who create the food we delight in. For some, it is what we live for. Part of this relationship is the mutual respect that unfolds between the maker and the consumer of extraordinary products. In many cases this mutual respect revels itself when the artist who creates, thrives in knowing how well his creation is received. This is why, so many times, the ubiquitous Hole in the Wall place is so revered. The connection is intimate, and ultimately REAL!
Thorough Bread and Pastry succeeds fully, while Tartine, well made bread not withstanding, fails.
Respect for the customer, understanding that while none of us who revel in what is made would ever, for a moment have any qualms over the producers of what we love so much, making a financial profit. It isn't ever about the cost of the product, it is always about having a mutual connection, and sadly, Tartine believes it is a one way street.
Thorough Bread and Pastry walks the walk. Their products are just as good and as noted in some areas exceed T. They also respect their customers in providing the products that they do so well, not as peasants who get whatever happens to be thrown their way.
Of course what I fear most is adding to the numbers of people who will descend upon Thorough bread and Pastry when they read the reviews, but then, as they live up to their side of the bargain, then so must I.
So, if you are a foodie or better yet a breadie, then you must go to Thorough Bread and Pastry and try the recommended items, although once inside you will almost see delights that match your own preferences and try those instead (too?). You won't go wrong no matter what you decide to try.
You will get a big smile from the cashier (another plus for TBAP they have an efficient system that helps move the line, not an outdated someone takes order another cashes you out - slower and too many times one gets another person's order)
Best of all, you don't have to call three days ahead - the ultimate slap in the face for those who truly love T bread -you can when you feel like having a really good bread, just go there and get it. For those who need to get it hot out of the oven, their Purple Wheat bread comes out by 11:30
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The cherry on top? The parking is better at Thorough Bread and Pastry. Baby cakes T, I know I hurt you with that, but then you deserve it. You broke the social contract - you believe that you don't need us. Worse, you could care less. -
Review from Justin D.
San Francisco, CA
9/26/2011
Thorough Bread has the best pastries in San Francisco. It is quickly becoming my new weekend morning routine.
Over the last few weekends, my boyfriend and I took a lovely weekend stroll to Thorough Bread, specifically to try the almond croissant. The first weekend, we just missed the delicious croissant by one customer, so we picked a few other pastries instead. Every item we have tried has been mouth-watering delicious! I have had the coffee cake (yes, I know, it is very middle-American of me), almond croissant, purple wheat baguette, and seasonal fruit tart. I have always been extremely satisfied and always ready for more!
Of course, I cannot have a morning pastry without a delicious latte. I prefer the whole milk double-shot latte. It is the perfect compliment to the sweet morning pastries.
If you want a delicious start to your morning, make a trip to Thorough Bread! -
Review from Betsy Y.
San Francisco, CA
8/24/2011
Like the name suggests, maybe I should've tried the bread or basic pastries, because I made the mistake of choosing a slice of mushroom
and red bell pepper quiche and it was tasteless. The service, however, was friendly and delightful though.
This shop is a nice and simple place to spend time in if you want to get some work done in the middle of the day. I really appreciate shops like these that not only have more than a handful of tables available, but also won't mind customers lounging around for hours and feeding off their self-serve water station. In the back, there's also a shady outdoor patio with pleasant foliage if you dig that. I enjoyed staying indoors to get some reading done when I was here recently and it was peaceful until they started playing some pop music, specifically Lady Gaga's Paper Gangster (which is one of my favorites from her first album, so it's all gooood).
Nevertheless, I'd still come back and order something different next time since I do remember there being a million other treats behind the shiny glass that looked delish. -
Review from vadim m.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 10/16/2011
I was so disappointed to see this gem getting rotten. At the beginning, it was great. coffee was superb. latte was superb. croissants were yummy. service was wonderful. yesterday i came for latte and croissants. croissants were ok, but not as good as before. my 3.50 latte was lukewarm and weak. i asked the server to get this fixed, and she reheated it in the paper cup. unbelievable. i asked the server to speak with the manager and she said she was the mgr/owner. hmm.. wow.. i asked for my money back, and the owner looked at me as if i was an evil guy. i then went to the church cafe the next door and got a superb latte. i am disappointed..
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/25/2010
I am so fortunate to live near this new bakery. It has been the best I have ever been at. Yummy… Read more »
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Review from Rina W.
San Francisco, CA
I come here at least once a week in an attempt to try all the good looking desserts and pastries they have. I don't have much of a sweet tooth, but I have a tender weakness for really good pastries and sometimes cakes. Sadly, I can't seem to get passed their perfect cream pufflets - 3 yummy nibblers for $2.50. I can feel my waistline growing. Buttery puff pastry injected with fluffy cream, drizzled with a bit of chocolate and crunchy clumps of sugar crystals. Paired with their latte, they make for a lovely downtime in your day. If you come late and they're out of cream puffs you wanted, go for the coffee eclairs instead. Coffee cream... yummm!
Really though, I don't think you can go wrong with anything at Thorough Bread. A lot of people seem to like the almond croissant, but I've yet to overcome my cream pufflet addiction to try it. I look forward to also trying their freshly baked breads that are reasonably priced someday. They also have delicious sandwiches, savory pastries & bread puddings.
Service is always fast and friendly. Its frequented by French customers, which I take as a good sign. And there's a nice little garden patio in the back.
I have been sending my friends to check out Thorough Bread as a better alternative to Tartine. -
Review from Cindy F.
San Francisco, CA
7/19/2011 1 photo
Mmmm... I only tried two things here: almond croissant and pistacio shortbread cookie. The croissant was so, so yummy. Mmm... not too sweet, flakey and it had perfect almond filling. We visited on a late Sunday afternoon and they still had a great selection of fresh baked items.
Can't wait to come back to try more of their baked goods!
Adorable patio for outdoor seating. What a nice place to enjoy some pastries and coffee! -
Review from Geno B.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 8/17/2011
After my last review, a manager emailed me and apologized for the poor service I experienced on one of my visits. I really appreciate that they care enough about the customer to go out of their way to respond to any complaints!
The other day, I was across the street from Thorough Bread and decided to take my parents in for a treat, which turned out to be a fabulous idea. This time I tried their coffee, and I must say they make a great latte. The Chocolate Chip Bread is DIVINE and might be my new favorite thing. It tastes like a chocolate bagel mixed with a muffin. Amazing.
This time, the service was great, so no complaints there. The food was just as good as ever!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/9/2011
It pains me to give this place 2 stars, but apparently I'm on a "bad customer service review" wave… Read more »
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Review from Betty and Mike C.
San Francisco, CA
8/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
My friend brought me here because he had to pick up some stuff at Crossroads on Market Street.
I ordered the almond croissant and a mushroom puff pastry. Both of the baked goods were delicious! They have a variety of baked goods including different types of quiche.
I like the communal cafe atmosphere in here as well. -
Review from Liberty C.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 8/27/2011
Originally i went here to buy bread for my boss, she loves to get the epi's and the regular baguettes. But more and more i find myself going here too. This has become one of my favorite bread places.
I love their blueberry danishes and most importantly their delicious gougeres! omggggg, so cheesy, buttery and light!
if you haven't tried their bread or their pastries, you are missing out!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/20/2011
OH BOY, let me just let you in one a little secret, if you haven't been here, YOU'RE MISSING OUT!
I… Read more »
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