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BakeryFrench viennoiserieWalk-in only
Arsicault Bakery in San Francisco is Armando Lacayo's Inner Richmond counter, named America's best croissant by Bon Appetit and still drawing a 09:30 queue.
Worth the queuePlain croissant
TipPlain butter croissant, not the almond; the lamination tells the whole story.
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BakeryWhole-grain breads and pastriesWalk-in only
Jane the Bakery in San Francisco is Amanda Michael's Lower Pac Heights flagship, with a stone-mill grain programme and the city's best whole-grain country.
Worth the queueCountry grain loaf
TipThe cardamom morning bun is the dark-horse order; ask if they have any left after 11:00.
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BakeryViennoiserie and savoury pastriesWalk-in only
Neighbor Bakehouse in San Francisco is Greg Mindel's Dogpatch counter, with the everything croissant and chocolate babka that started a small national.
Worth the queueEverything croissant
TipEverything croissant sells out by 11:30 on weekends.
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BakeryBreakfast sandwiches and pastriesWalk-in only
Devil's Teeth Baking Company in San Francisco is the Outer Sunset bakery and breakfast counter, with a buttermilk biscuit egg sandwich and the city's best.
Worth the queueBreakfast sandwich on house biscuit
TipBeignets are fried to order on weekends; ask for them with the powdered sugar on the side.
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BakeryCountry breadsWalk-in only
Acme Bread Company in San Francisco runs a Ferry Building counter for Steve Sullivan's 1983 Berkeley bakery, with a pain au levain that defined Bay Area.
Worth the queuePain au levain
TipGet there before noon on Saturday; the levain sells out by 13:00 when the market is in full swing.
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BakerySan Francisco sourdoughWalk-in only
Boudin Bakery in San Francisco is Isidore Boudin's 1849 Gold Rush bakery at Fisherman's Wharf, still running a starter through six generations of bakers.
Worth the queueClam chowder in a sourdough bowl
TipThe bakery's behind-glass museum at the Wharf is free; the clam chowder bowl is the canonical order.