SF GATE
That warmth — both literally and figuratively — has been part of the city of San Francisco for more than a half century, during which time the simple little donut shop has made its way into the city's heart.
“I was having a dinner with my husband (Don) the other day, two guys were arguing about whether San Francisco or New York was better, and the one guy said ‘New York is better’ and the guy from San Francisco said ‘But New York doesn’t have Bob’s Donuts,’” Ahn says. “I almost wanted to turn around and shake his hand, but I thought that was maybe weird.”
It wouldn't have been.
And while rising rents and the ever-changing financial landscape have shuttered many institutions like Bob’s, the Ahn’s are not only surviving, they’re expanding.
SF EATER
Cue the sprinkles: Bob’s Donuts, the local deep-fried institution, will bring its legendary warm apple fritters to NoPa soon — likely in a matter of days. Hoodline originally reported that the new 601 Baker Street location would open on Thursday, November 14, but co-owner Aya Ahn told Eater SF that date is not officially confirmed. Pending final inspections, though, she hopes to open by the end of the week. The shop takes over the old Chili Pies location, just off Divisadero, which means that even though the neighborhood may have sadly lost its source of pies, but at least now it’s getting some of San Francisco’s most popular doughnuts.
EATER SAN FRANCISCO
This 24hr Polk Gulch donut mecca and San Francisco standby has been a staple of early mornings (and late nights) since 1960, firing up amazing apple fritters and old fashions. The also make quite possibly the biggest donut you've ever seen. Try the Bob's Challenge, which requires consuming it in three minutes. Or, you know, just enjoy a bunch of really tasty donuts at your own pace.
SF CHRONICLE
People line up to enter Bob's Donut & Pastry Shop on Friday, March 11, 2016 in San Francisco, Calif. The line regularly spills onto the sidewalk late night. Of the thousands of restaurant social media accounts in San Francisco, my favorite might be the one operated by Bob’s Donuts, that 24-hour Polk Street institution that has been around for generations.
EATER SAN FRANCISCO
Voted #1 San Francisco's Best Doughnut Shop. This Nob Hill spot is always open, which means you can satisfy your doughnut craving at 2 p.m. or 2 a.m. Just know there’s a good chance there will be a line no matter what. Bob’s is the place you go for a high-quality classic doughnut (and an apple fritter if you can get one before they sell out). It’s also the place you go if you want to eat a glazed doughnut the size of your head. (Which you’ll get it for free if you finish it all in under two minutes.)
SFIST
The new Bob's will feature all the deep-fried amazingness of the stalwart original, now catering to a quieter residential area not so packed with bars. And unlike a lot of SF doughnut shops, Bob's makes all its doughnuts fresh all day long, on the premises. Go-tos include the excellent old-fashioneds, traditional glazed, and the gargantuan apple fritters.
SFGATE
For the thousands who move to San Francisco every year, a new place means a whole new world of food to try. And the Bay Area doesn't mess around when it comes to giving its newcomers plenty of exceptional options.
Longtime SF residents can be quick to offer suggestions for what they should try first. But even the most diehard Bay Area natives probably haven't tried every go-to spot.
THE BOLD ITALIC
There are some parts of San Francisco that I miss. I miss fresh donuts from Bob’s, seeing a double feature at the Castro on a Friday night and the hum of street cleaners going by at 3:00 a.m. in the morning. But sometimes I wonder if that longing comes from my own nostalgia for my college days. Leaving San Francisco felt like a healthy breakup in a weird way. I’m happy where I am now, but sometimes I still look back and think, “Damn, I wish I could be at Bob’s right now.” Voodoo Donuts will never compare to the majesty of Bob’s. Just don’t tell them that.
TIMEOUT
A time warp of formica and linoleum, this mom-and-pop shop is the native San Franciscan’s go-to donut place. Open 24 hours a day (and yes, there’s regular 2am traffic), Bob’s offers its famed apple fritters, crumb rings, cinnamon rolls and buttermilk bars fresh from the fryer. There’s even a Bob’s Donuts Twitter feed (@whatsfreshest) that tells you what’s coming out of the fryer and when, so you can get ’em while they’re hot. To truly experience Bob’s though, you need to try—at least once—the Big Donut: a 3-pound raised donut the size of your face.
SF WEEKLY
You can almost hear that patented Simpsons run-out-to-the-car-and-drive-away sound effect.
On Friday, Nov. 3, at 6:30 p.m., Russian Hill neighborinos Bob’s Donuts and The Jug Shop team up for something that sounds almost incredibly obvious: a doughnuts-and-beer tasting. The Polk Street favorite that never closes will head over to the fancy liquor store to serve unlimited doughnuts along with a wide selection of craft beers. They come with recommended pairings selected by artisans who work exclusively in the medium of gummy doughnut, but you’re free to do your own thing, too. (Because, y’know: “Doughnuts. Is there anything they can’t do?”
HOODLINE
Fans of Bob's signature apple fritters and giant glazed doughnuts will be able to find all their favorites at the new location. Ahn says her baker is creative, and will probably add in a few new specialties of their own.
bob's donuts featured IN:
"Let me put you up on Bob's donuts.
Controller of the warm deep fryer that charms cobras"
