By on March 4th, 2016
5 Foods to Try in San Francisco
When you are living with your host family in San Francisco, there are many great things to do around the city. One of the best things about the Bay Area is all the great food. Trying new foods and drinks is a great way to absorb the culture of a new country. You and your hosts can try these San Francisco classics together for a fun day exploring your international home. Or you can invite some of your new international friends for a night checking out the local hotspots and discovering more about American through its food and drink.
- Get Addicted to the Apple Fritters at Bob’s Donut and Pastry Shop.
The apple fritter is a fried American confection filled with sweet cooked apples. In San Francisco, the place to get them is Bob’s Donut and Pastry Shop. These fritters are available 24 hours a day. They are sweet, filled with cinnamon, and topped with a crispy glaze. Apple desserts are an American staple, often seen in pies and cakes, or even cookies. There are several American folk tales surrounding apples, and they are seen as a traditional element of an Independence Day celebration.
- Warm Up with Clam Chowder in a Bread Bowl at Boudine Bakery.
Clam chowder is usually something appreciated by the East Coast of America, but here on the West Coast, Boudin Bakery makes a great clam chowder served in a bread bowl. The use of bread as a bowl is often seen in American restaurants that focus on soups and stews. San Francisco is especially known for its great bread, so this is a good way to experience a local delicacy. Chowder is a creamy soup filled with seafood ingredients that is best eaten on a state boarding the ocean like California.
- Enjoy the Caldo Verde at Grubstake.
American food is often steeped in selections from other cultures, especially Hispanic. This Portuguese soup made with sausage, potatoes, and kale has become a favorite among the West Coast crowd of students and young business people. Grubstake is a restaurant inside a converted cable car, showing off more of San Francisco’s history. California has a large Hispanic population, and their culture and food have become part of the way of life here.
- Take High Tea at Garden Court.
One thing many Americans will never admit they love is the English tradition of High Tea. Served between lunch and dinner, this meal consists of hot English-style tea with finger sandwiches, pastries and scones. The fancy atmosphere of the Garden Court tea rooms will make you feel like a Queen. This is a great way to get a look at the historical context of American culture, and to learn about another country you may not have visited.
- Try the Egg Custard Tarts at Golden Gate Bakery.
No stay in San Francisco would be complete without seeing the Golden Gate Bridge, or the Golden Gate Bakery. Americans love their sweets, and these egg custard tarts are no exception. You can try these miniature pies to get a taste of the Southern United States. This is a very popular dessert in the South and Midwest areas. These custards are soft like pudding, and are served in miniature pie shells.
There are many other great places to check out in San Francisco for you and your host family to try together. You can also explore the great burritos, Asian fare, and authentic sushi restaurants together. But to get a real taste of the American west coast, these are some great options to check out together.