No, we do not chow down on Rice-A-Roni here. In fact, we want nothing to do with it. Instead, we enjoy mouthwatering breads, seafood, burritos, ice cream, fries, and a few other iconic San Francisco foods — and, yes, we have no qualms about standing in line or waking up early for them.
- Sourdough Bread
Acme Bread Dating back to the Gold Rush, this has been the prime sustenance for San Franciscans. Natural yeasts and bacteria in the air are used for fermentation, and it’s been said that SF has the perfect climate for this process. Now, we have some of the most respected bakeries perfecting the sourdough formula, some turning it into yummy (yet pricey) toast.
- Irish Coffee
Yelp/Jeanie L. This nearly perfect concoction of coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar, served with a dollop of cream, was brought to the United States by a travel writer who worked with the owner of the Buena Vista Café, which started serving the drink in the early ’50s. It’s still the place to go to get your fix.
- The Mission Burrito
Yelp/Melody Y. All hail this huge, messy, handheld wonder. Other than complaining about rent prices, San Franciscans like to argue over who makes the best burrito, and whether or not it should really have rice in there (tip: go to La Taqueria if you’re rice-resistant).
- Fortune Cookies
Yelp/Grace S. Though the true origin of the fortune cookie is still a bit of a mystery, most believe the first version of the cookie to be served in the USA was at Golden Gate Park’s Japanese Tea Garden. Now, you’ll have to head to Chinatown and take a tour at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory.
- IT’S-IT Ice Cream Sandwiches
IT’S-IT Now, this is the San Francisco treat. These ice cream sandwiches have been childhood (and let’s face it, adulthood) favorites since 1928, and can be found at most major supermarkets and small markets throughout the city.
- Cioppino
Cioppino’s This seafood-tomato mélange was born right here in San Francisco by Italian immigrants in the late 1800s and continues to be a must-try dish.
- Focaccia at Liguria Bakery
Yelp/Andrea F. Another delicacy brought to us by the Italians, focaccia from North Beach’s Liguria Bakery (around since 1911) is another must-have. It’s rich, soft, and has just the right amount of crispiness. You’ll need to stop in early to get it, though: This stuff sells out quickly.
- Oysters
Swan’s Oyster Depot While not specifically a San Francisco-born treat, oysters are pretty much everywhere here, and you can slurp ’em up all around town. Watch for $1 happy hour oysters to get the best deal.
- AT&T Park’s Gilroy Garlic Fries
Yelp/Matthew G. Sure, we all love the Giants, but we all love eating while watching the Giants even more. These special fries at AT&T Park are doused with garlic from Gilroy (“the garlic capital of the world,” located a few hours south of SF) and olive oil. Bonus: they even come with a complimentary breath mint.
- Specialty Chocolate
Charles Chocolates Since Ghirardelli and Guittard began in the late 1800s, San Francisco has been a chocolate-making mecca, and is now home to bean-to-bar all-stars like Dandelion and revered chocolatiers like Charles Chocolates.
Quite a variety, right? San Francisco is by no means lacking in culinary ingenuity and deliciousness. What other San Francisco foods is the city known for? Let us know in the comments!
Acme Bread
Dating back to the Gold Rush, this has been the prime sustenance for San Franciscans. Natural yeasts and bacteria in the air are used for fermentation, and it’s been said that SF has the perfect climate for this process. Now, we have some of the most respected bakeries perfecting the sourdough formula, some turning it into yummy (yet pricey) toast.
Yelp/Jeanie L.
This nearly perfect concoction of coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar, served with a dollop of cream, was brought to the United States by a travel writer who worked with the owner of the Buena Vista Café, which started serving the drink in the early ’50s. It’s still the place to go to get your fix.
Yelp/Melody Y.
All hail this huge, messy, handheld wonder. Other than complaining about rent prices, San Franciscans like to argue over who makes the best burrito, and whether or not it should really have rice in there (tip: go to La Taqueria if you’re rice-resistant).
Yelp/Grace S.
Though the true origin of the fortune cookie is still a bit of a mystery, most believe the first version of the cookie to be served in the USA was at Golden Gate Park’s Japanese Tea Garden. Now, you’ll have to head to Chinatown and take a tour at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory.
IT’S-IT
Now, this is the San Francisco treat. These ice cream sandwiches have been childhood (and let’s face it, adulthood) favorites since 1928, and can be found at most major supermarkets and small markets throughout the city.
Cioppino’s
This seafood-tomato mélange was born right here in San Francisco by Italian immigrants in the late 1800s and continues to be a must-try dish.
Yelp/Andrea F.
Another delicacy brought to us by the Italians, focaccia from North Beach’s Liguria Bakery (around since 1911) is another must-have. It’s rich, soft, and has just the right amount of crispiness. You’ll need to stop in early to get it, though: This stuff sells out quickly.
Swan’s Oyster Depot
While not specifically a San Francisco-born treat, oysters are pretty much everywhere here, and you can slurp ’em up all around town. Watch for $1 happy hour oysters to get the best deal.
Yelp/Matthew G.
Sure, we all love the Giants, but we all love eating while watching the Giants even more. These special fries at AT&T Park are doused with garlic from Gilroy (“the garlic capital of the world,” located a few hours south of SF) and olive oil. Bonus: they even come with a complimentary breath mint.
Charles Chocolates
Since Ghirardelli and Guittard began in the late 1800s, San Francisco has been a chocolate-making mecca, and is now home to bean-to-bar all-stars like Dandelion and revered chocolatiers like Charles Chocolates.
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