Bob's Donut & Pastry Shop — Restaurant in San Francisco

Donuts are a very special for me so finding the perfect donut is an incessant journey in my life. Texture, rise, flavor, toppings... It's a world in itself. Having said that you can imagine I've been to many donut places - I have, and this one has won a special place in the top of my list.

We ordered a variety of donuts which aren't all in the pictures: old fashioned chocolate galzed, normal chocolate glazed, an almond ring, cinnamon and sugar donut and a simple glazed donut. None left me down , all were devoured and enjoyed. The flavors were spot-on, the cooking prices and the softness of the donut was amazing.

I'll be honest with you, the place isn't pretty but the taste of the donut will make you forget everything. They have a few seats inside with a bar in which you can see the magical process of cooking and glazing by hand in which I hypnotized me for about 15 minutes.

The price is cheap for the quality of donuts and everyone is aware of that fact, so be prepared to make a line for your donut. Also, be prepared trying to decide beforehand in the window display and peeking inside to show some consideration with the rest of the customers.

I would highly recommend this place to anyone who...

I took the car for an oil change and had 35 minutes to kill, so I started walking up and down Polk Street to kill time and grab something to munch on. A couple of places I had visited over a year ago were closed, but as I was walking, I noticed a familiar face in front of Bob's Donuts & Pastry Shop. We started chatting, and he told me he was a baker at the place! I asked him what was a "not so sweet" donut he recommended, and he pointed to Cake Crumb, so I got in line for one! While in line, I started chatting with others who happened to be regulars, and they all shared what their own favorite donuts were, but I stuck to my choice, which turned out to be a winner!

I am not a big donut fan, but I must say Cake Crumb hit the spot and went well with my cup of coffee. I may even try another donut, like a Jelly Filled, next time. The Butter Croissants looked good, too, so I may get a couple of those to go.

The place is small, so when there is a line to order, it usually swings out onto the sidewalk. The staff are very friendly and answer your questions with patience. Give them a visit and ask about the Bob's...

I visited San Francisco for my birthday trip from Chicago, and one stop stood out above the rest—Bob’s Donuts on Polk Street. This legendary 24-hour shop has been serving fresh, handmade donuts since the 1960s, and it’s a true gem.

As a Chicagoan, I’ve had my fair share of great donuts (think Stan’s, Do-Rite, and Firecakes), but Bob’s has a nostalgic, no-frills vibe that makes it special. It’s the kind of place that works for both late-night cravings and early-morning sugar fixes.

The donuts are big, fresh, and packed with flavor. The classic glazed raised donut is perfect, but two of my personal favorites were the apple fritter and maple bar. And if you’re up for it, they even have the famous Texas Donut Challenge—a giant donut you try to finish in under three minutes for bragging rights.

My absolute favorite, though, was the Mango Malasada. Malasadas are Portuguese-style pastries popular in Hawaii, filled with tropical fruit flavors. I chose mango, and it was heaven—soft, fluffy, and bursting with sweetness. I honestly wish we had malasadas this good...