Golden Gate Bakery
| Address: | 1029 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA |
| Phone: | +1 415-781-2627 |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 7
CA
Catherine Chang
4 stars for the egg tarts here but after trying the over-priced moon cakes here, I had to give it just 3 stars. Honestly, I don’t even know why I stood in that dreadful line at Golden Gate bakery because I absolutely hated moon cakes as a child and have stayed away from them ever since. The line was only exacerbated by the fact that Mid-Autumn Festival was coming up that weekend, and China Town was overflowing with festivities. For those not privy to Chinese holidays, Mid-Autumn Festival is a big deal. Back home in Taiwan, my parents, my little sister, and our whole extended family spend a whole weekend BBQing, eating moon cakes, peeling pomelos, and moon gazing together. Gifting beautifully designed boxes of moon cakes to friends and family was common, stealthily re-gifting these boxes was also not uncommon. Out of nostalgia, I decided to give moon cakes another try. The fact that I just happened to be a few blocks away from the ever-so-popular Golden Gate Bakery that day gave me another reason to swing by. I tried the taro, the white lotus seed, and the coconut mixed nuts moon cakes, the last being my favorite flavor out of all three. Let’s just say that the moon cakes from Golden Gate Bakery were good for what they were (I still don’t have a taste for moon cakes in general), but definitely not worth standing in line for over an hour for.
NE
Nei Ng
I guess Golden Gate Bakery doesnt really need my help in recommending them, but I have to say that their egg tarts are really good. You MUST eat them fresh to enjoy their flaky, eggy goodness. Otherwise, they get exponentially worse with every minute you wait to eat them. That said, a fresh GGB egg tart has a delicate, flaky crust. Each layer is really thin and provides a very enjoyable light crisp as your teeth sink into it. The custard is smooth with a semi-gelatinous jiggly texture, and its flavor is pleasantly eggy and sweet but not overtly buttery or rich. I like that its not too rich, buttery, or heavy as the crusts relative lightness compliments the sweet egg custard perfectly! These delectable treats are the only reasons you need to take a trip to Chinatown. Yes, reasons, because you wont just eat one. I also want to add that I only find these lighter, sweeter egg tarts around here. Whenever Ive been to Hong Kong or Macau, they tend to be richer and heavier but still very delicious. If you want to try an egg tart that resembles that kind of style, order the Portuguese Tarts (Po Tat) from Koi Palace. They have a thicker, richer crust while the egg custard is more buttery and heavier. Theyre much more decadent if thats your thing. I cant get enough of either!
BE
Benjamin Wan
Best eggtart in San Francisco hands down...if youre willing to wait. The line, on weekends, will run you about 45 minutes, but if youve never tried their eggtarts, or if youre in need for your eggtart fix, its well worth it. They have the perfect blend of flakiness in their crust and milky creaminess in their filling. How do they do it??? Ive never had another eggtart as good as GG Bakery...doesnt make sense! Well, thats why there is a line and thats why there is a wait. The server and cashier is pretty rude though, you can tell they dont want to be there. And that is true a lot of times. If youre making a trip out here specifically to get their eggtarts or other baked goods, make sure to call them, or find out someway somehow, if they are open. They tend to go on vacation PRETTY OFTEN. Not even kidding. I guess when youve made a transcending recipe like that and become rich youd take as many vacations as them as well. Egg tarts are a little on the pricey side too, of course, at just about $2/pc and $24/dozen. Their red bean sesame balls are pretty legit as well and their wifey cookies are good if they have them available.
NA
Nadia Kouchi
Five stars for the most delicious egg tarts! If you can get your hands on them that is. The bakery is famous for being on vacation so I wasnt holding my breath when we showed up at the shop on a Friday morning. Yelp listed opening at 8am, but they were still closed at 8:30am. We were trying to figure out what to do next as a lady tried getting into the bakery and then a second lady showed up to open the doors. We took the opp to ask when they would be open and she told us to come back at 12pm. We were able to come back about 4pm and got in the line that had already formed out the door. We waited about 30 minutes in anticipation. We just didnt know how many egg tarts were left. But luckily tray after tray arrived even with customers ordering dozens at a time. Once we got our mitts on them, we ate one right outside the door. They were amazing and sooooo good hot. They are also really good cold. Each tart sells for only $1.95. They also offer jin dui, rice cakes, and other Chinese pastries.
WI
Winson Wong
So I have mixed feelings about Golden Gate Bakery and their Egg Custard Tarts. I think I just have too high expectations of the place. Everyone talks about it and I had it, it was really good. The pastry was crispy and the custard was perfectly done, tender not too runny and yet not too bouncy like gelatin texture either. Eat the tart when it comes out of the oven, I was lucky to get that, its the perfect temperature and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I tried their other stuff like banana cake etc, they were decent, not spectacular but pretty good. However, what I dont like about it, which I cant really put my hands on it but the flavor is different to what a traditional Hong Kong egg custard tart should taste. I cant explain it, its just different. Theyre both very good but I think I just had an expectation that it would be more traditional.
ME
Melanie Huynh
The egg tarts are a must get!!! Whenever Im in the city, I try to make a trip to Chinatown just to get these addicting desserts. The shop is like most shops in Chinatown with an unattractive exterior to match its interior. There is only a small cramped space in front of the counter for you to place your order. The egg tarts are now $1.50 each (Cash only), which is a pricey. However, considering how Ive very had egg tarts this delicious, the price is justified. The egg tarts are larger than your average egg tart and are always hot and fresh when I have ordered them. People say that theres always a long wait, but Ive never experienced this since I probably come during off times. On the downside, Golden Gate Bakery often closes randomly for no reason, so I would suggest calling ahead of time to see if they are open.
TI
Tina Chan Ling
Local tiny mom and pop bakery shop located in Chinatown serving up what people call the best "dan tat" or egg custard tarts around town. It has definitely become a tourist attraction but youll find some locals here as well. I will say the egg tarts were pretty darn good one or two years ago but Ive noticed either the recipe or baker has changed since the crust is not as flaky and buttery as before. Its a bit overpriced at over $1 per egg tart but is still a great snack for those who have never tried one before. Be prepared for long lines and bundle up since the wait can be up to an hour long at times. There arent any tables available to sit and eat at either. Workers here arent the friendliest and they dont speak much English so if all fails just point to what you want through the glass case.
