Tartine Bakery

Sometimes the wind knocks off your jacket, your car window gets smashed in, and your rent triples. In other words: SF can really suck. But Tartine reminds us that we’re lucky to live here. Twenty years after opening, this small bakery in the Mission still makes the best bread in the city and, dare we say, the country. 

For more than a decade, the line at this iconic bakery would consistently stretch for blocks. But as Tartine has expanded into a mini-empire—with a manufactory, an Inner Sunset location, five locations in LA, and even six spots in Seoul—the pressure at this original location has lowered a bit, so even on Saturday morning, the wait isn’t much longer than 20 minutes.

photo credit: Erin Ng

photo credit: Erin Ng

photo credit: Erin Ng

photo credit: Erin Ng

The country loaf is the reason you're here. It’s $14.75, and it’ll last you a week. It’s golden brown on the outside, soft and gummy on the inside, falls apart in your mouth, and has that supremely yeasty flavor you can only get in San Francisco. Getting the whole loaf to take home is ideal, but if you’re here for lunch, grab a ham and gruyère sandwich to satisfy your craving. 

On the other hand, the pastries are a bit more finicky. Ask any local what their favorite croissant is and odds are they’ll mention Tartine, but their quality can depend on timing. Croissants that are fresh out of the oven are practically heavenly, but let them sit for even a little bit and prepare to be hit by a wall of staleness. But there’s one standout that’s great any time of day: the caramelized morning bun with a hint of orange zest—include it in your order.

So, is Tartine perfect? Almost, but their bread definitely is. And that’s enough for us to keep bringing visitors to this tiny corner shop on Guerrero to show them why we keep falling in love over and over again.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Erin Ng

Country Loaf

You can never go wrong with a country loaf. They’re freshly baked twice a day, but they can still run out on occasion.

photo credit: Erin Ng

Morning Bun

The best and most consistent pastry. It’s soft and flaky on the inside while the outside is caramelized to a glass-like texture with just a hint of orange zest.

photo credit: Erin Ng

Pain Au Chocolat

The quality of this depends on the time of day, but when they’re fresh, they’re crispy yet soft, and the chocolate is melty.

photo credit: Erin Ng

Eclair

It has a deep dark chocolate flavor balanced out by light cream, but just keep in mind it’s almost $8.

Ham & Gruyère Sandwich

An excellent way to get two slices of the country loaf if you’re on the run. All the sandwiches are pretty similar, but the ham and gruyère is the way to go thanks to the added kick from the dijon.