Golden Gate Bakery

05/04/08

worth the wait

by Tanglewood at Citysearch

As my hubby and I were walking down Grant Street, I saw a line out this bakery. I figured it had to be good if locals were waiting in line, so I got to the back and peered through the window trying to decide what I was going to sample. The small store is run like an assembly line. There are 3 Chinese women behind the counter all taking orders, packaging delicacies and taking money. I am a bit familiar with Chinese pastries, but not proficient. The women were curt, but helpful when I questioned a few of the items. I finally decided on 2 pastries, 1 rice dessert and 4 cookies. I was surprised when she told me the price of $6. I'm from Miami and an order like this would have been over $10. I will definitely be back but better prepared and with a bigger order.

• Pros: fresh goods
• Cons: small store

06/21/07

Busy

by victorpf at Citysearch

This bakery is alway busy but it's worth the wait. The prices are a little higher than other bakeries but again it's worth it. They have a lot of items so it may be hard to choose. Easy to find location on Grant Ave near Jackson.

• Pros: Lots to choose from
• Cons: Busy all the time

06/08/07

Delicious Egg Tarts!

by jennnings at Citysearch

This is THE bakery to go to if you like egg tarts! I?ve heard of this place mentioned on several occasions, but not being a huge egg tart, it took a while till I finally passed by one day and decided to try it and it was love at first bite! I?ve been there numerous times since, and have tried a few other items there. The buns are pretty good as well, although I would say the sugar cake, the mochi, and mooncake is average ? not bad, but no where as impressive as the egg tarts. If you?re going on a weekend, be prepared for a 15~30 minute wait ? but it?ll be worth it!

• Pros: Great Egg Tarts, inexpensive pricing
• Cons: Long lines

04/24/07

Fantastic egg tarts

by danlewis at Citysearch

This shop has the best egg tarts I've ever had. Expect to wait in a long line extending outside the tiny shop onto the street. While waiting you can look through the window into the display cases. You should have a good idea what you want before getting to the front of the line. Be patient and enjoy the experience.

• Pros: atmosphere, family owned, high quality
• Cons: parking, long line, wait

12/28/06

Go for the Egg Tarts

by crazylegs1868 at Citysearch

This bakery has got the best egg tarts. I don't like egg tarts and I have been converted after trying theirs. The pineapple buns are pretty good too, can't comment on anything else since I didn't try the other goodies. The 'restaurant' is not really meant for dining in and the wait can be long, but factoring those in, the egg tarts are still worth it.

• Pros: Egg tarts, buns
• Cons: Line, Parking

11/15/06

best bakery in town * rude service

by Ailin419 at Citysearch

This is the best bakery that I have been too. Its kind of a hole in the wall, authentic and yummy all at the same time. Be prepared to wait in line. Prices are not cheap but it is so worth it. We dont even live in SF and yet still drive all the way to get their bakery. Our favorites are the egg custard, cocktail bun, banana paste sticks and coconut tart.

• Pros: Best bakery in town
• Cons: lousy service, long waits

07/19/06

Rude Service!

by cuisinenoi at Citysearch

I've been patronizing this bakery for awhile and been able to withstand their rush-rush service but after today, I will not patronize this bakery. I usually order their melon cake (which is the best in town) and was gonna order some. I asked the lady nicely to not give me the one that looked imperfect. I guess she was a little offended by my comment but she has no right to yell at me. Disgruntlely, she asked me which one I prefer so I pointed out the ones I wanted. When she got me the one I didn't ask for and I informed her, she started yelling at me. I told her that you asked which one I wanted so I told you. I also told her to learn to be polite as I am a customer! That naturally shut her up. Although this place has good pastries (pricey too), rude service will only ruin the taste!

• Pros: SOME good pastries
• Cons: RUDE service, pricey

11/26/05

Authentic, Delicious, Cheap!

by bagawk at Citysearch

I was recommended to try this place by a friend and I have been a regular ever since. This is truly a gem. Try fresh egg custard deserts (Don-Tots); they are the star of the show. The sponge cakes are dangerously light; you may find your self eating the third one before you know it. This place is known for its quality so you will always have a bit of a line, but it moves quickly and the short wait is most definitely worth it!

• Pros: taste, value
• Cons: parking, line

10/07/05

Excellent Little Bakery

by luluintan at Citysearch

This is definitely on my top 5 best Chinese bakery in the US. You might have difficulty communicating if you don't speak Mandarin (which I don't) but the ladies are willing to work with you. Their egg tarts (which they keep in the back oven) are heavenly. The crust is baked to perfection and they put just enough egg custard (not too little and not too much). They make great little assortment cakes too. I highly recommend this place!!!

• Pros: Fresh, Good Value, Excellent Quality
• Cons: Hidden

A mostly Chinese-speaking clientele and foodies with a sweet tooth flock to this bare bones bakery for moon cakes and more pastries.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
Tucked away among the tchochke shops and dim sum palaces of Grant Avenue, this tiny storefront offers an impressive array of Chinese sweets. Glass cases are stocked with sugary vanilla cakes, warm egg custard tarts, flaky pastries filled with curried chicken, and savory barbecue pork buns. But the real specialty here is moon cakes -- these small, traditional desserts come with a variety of fillings, like lotus bean paste, wintermelon or sweet black beans.