Jayne Loves Adventures

Our senses are so tightly entwined with our memories. I bet that if you try, you can very quickly think of a scent that takes you right back to a time and place, deep in your past. How about sound? I would wager there’s a song that, if it comes on the radio, puts you straight back into a different time in your life. It’s no different for taste. Candyfloss can take you to the fair when you were eight years old, a stick of rock can put you on the prom at Blackpool, circa 1985. Maybe just me for that one! What you eat on a trip forms an integral part of the memories you will hold onto in years to come. With this in mind, I decided to share the things I ate in San Francisco. Well, the photos and memories anyway, the food is long gone!

French Dip Sandwich, Boudin Bakery

Boudin Bakery is said to be San Francisco’s oldest continuously operating business. It was back in 1849 that Isidore Boudin, whose family were renowned bakers in his native France, founded the bakery. It has changed premises and expanded over the years, but the loaves are still made using the original mother dough. The loaves come in all sorts of shapes, some of them far too cute to eat. There are several locations to choose from, I ended up in the one at Pier 39, having just got off the boat from Alcatraz. My children were having corn dogs (living out their Princess Diaries version of San Francisco), but there was only one thing I had in mind. The Classic French Dip Sandwich. Thinly sliced roast beef, artfully folded into a sourdough baguette, smeared with horseradish sauce, and served with a pot of beef jus for dipping, this hot sandwich is delicious. The rich jus, the heat of the horseradish, and the crunch of the crust as you bite into the baguette – perfection. My daughter thought the jus was top notch, as you can see.

The only issue with this location when you grab food to go is the seagulls. They prowl, like vultures circling a stricken beast, ready to swoop down and pinch your lunch. We’re used to this, but if you’re not keen on birds, you may prefer to eat in, or at one of the other locations.

Square Pie Guys Pizza

I first heard about this place when someone I follow on Instagram shared a post in their stories by @thesnacksensei (one of his smack or whack videos). I do love a pizza, and when I realised that we would be staying near Ghirardelli Square, Square Pie Guys immediately went on the list of places to eat.

The 8″×10″ pizzas are cooked in pans that were originally designed to carry car parts. These are liberally sprinkled with cheese before the dough is put in, meaning the entire base develops a crispy, cheesy coating. The portions are generous, and the pizza is very filling. We ordered two pizzas, a cheesy bread, fries, and a bowl of sprouts. I still dream about this meal. It was definitely smack, not whack! It’s in a great location, with views over the bay, and Ghirardelli is just upstairs if you still have room for pudding (we didn’t, we had plenty of pizza left for the next day).

There are vegan options, and they have wine on tap. What more could you need? It’s also a trendy spot, I’m sure if you check them out on Instagram, you’ll see what I mean.

It was a very satisfying meal, surpassed all expectations, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.

Breakfast at IHOP

Have you even been Stateside if you didn’t go to IHOP? It’s compulsory on a trip to the US, well it is for me anyway! Fast, tasty, and filling, it’s a great way to start the day, especially when you have jetlag and have been awake since 2.15am.

Everyone raves about the pancakes, but for me, it’s all about the French toast. I’ve been trying to perfect the art of making it at home, I’m not quite there yet, but I’m enjoying the learning process immensely.

One little thing to note – if you have ordered a cup of tea, do check what sort of creamer you’ve been given before adding it to your drink. I didn’t realise it was French vanilla flavour until I’d polluted my cuppa with it. Suboptimal.

San Francisco Brewing Co.

This place had been recommended by the lovely Jayne (@welltravelledmunchkins) as a family-friendly place to eat/drink/lurk, so when we stumbled out of the hotel on our first evening, in a travel-induced stupor, this seemed like a good option.

Situated in Ghirardelli Square, this ‘brewpub’ is home to the biggest shuffleboard I’ve ever seen. We didn’t have the energy for that. We just needed a bite to eat that didn’t come in a plastic tray. We ordered Buffalo wings, fries, mac and cheese, and tater tots, along with drinks, with the intention of sharing. Well, after my first nibble, I realised the wings weren’t going to work for the children. They were HOT. I managed three of them, Himintheshed managed four, but only to prove a point, that he is tougher than me. I’m pretty sure there was steam rising off him by the time he’d finished. Ha! I’m not sure you got the last laugh there, Stephen! The tots were incredible, though. Listed on the menu as cheddar bacon tots topped with SFBCo beer cheese, I could have eaten two portions without assistance. Amazing, and just what was needed after plane food. We said we would return but didn’t get time. It’s on the list for our next trip. I need more of those tots! Unfortunately, I didn’t take any pictures of the food. I was in too much of a hurry to devour it.

In-N-Out Burger

A California staple, this just had to be done. We were absolutely freezing after a night bus tour that took us over the Bay Bridge to Treasure Island. We called in for burgers at the In-N-Out behind our hotel and ate them in bed. The burgers were excellent. I’m not sure about the fries.

Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop

Ghirardelli Chocolate is part of San Francisco history. Founded by Italian immigrant Domenico (later Domingo) Ghirardelli, handed to his sons in 1892, and in its current location since 1893, this is a must-do if you are visiting San Francisco.

The chocolate shop is a sight to behold, I think even Willy Wonka himself would be dazzled by the shiny wrapped squares in the pick and mix, but by far the best thing about this place is the famous hot fudge sundae, and the great news is that vegan options are now available. All four of us chose something different (Gold Rush, Treasure Island, Mint Bliss, and a banana split) so we could all try a bit of each. All of them were divine. As it was so busy, we ordered them to go and took them out to the seats overlooking the bay. Perfect. I know that whenever I eat a Ghirardelli sea salt caramel square, the taste will take me right back to that moment, sat on cold concrete, the wind in my hair, eating a sundae and looking across San Francisco Bay. A core memory.

What are your ‘do not miss’ spots in San Francisco? Where should I eat next time I visit?