Eat The Bowl: Best Bread Bowls In Sacramento
The unmistakable smell of the warm sourdough, that first bite of soup and bread combined and the joy of dunking pieces of bread into the bowl are just three of the many glorious things about the perfectly made sourdough bread bowl. If you have a craving for soup or chili served in a bread bowl and are wondering where to go in Sacramento, here are five spots to satiate that sourdough craving.
Hours: Mon to Sat -- 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sun -- 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
No more driving to San Francisco for the original Boudin Bakery -- say hello to the best sourdough bread right in Sacramento (and Roseville too).
If you haven't tried it yet, the legendary Boudin Bakery has "Boudin SF" locations in Sacramento and Roseville. Here you can buy all the baked goods Boudin is famous for, or stop and enjoy a variety of hearty nibbles. Boudin SF has quite an array of options available. From the expected clam chowder and beef chili to more unique offerings like butternut squash soup and chicken pot pie in a bread bowl, bread bowl lovers can revel in the wide selection and great tasting fare.
Related: Best Delis in Sacramento
Hours: Mon to Wed, Sun -- 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.; Thu to Sat 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Make no mistake, Burgers and Brew definitely focuses on a mouth-watering array of burgers, but one of the lesser known gems is the clam chowder bread bowl. As the name suggests, Burgers and Brew also offers a generous selection of beers to compliment your bread bowl or dining companions' burgers.
Located between 14th and 15th Streets on R Street, the late night hours on the weekend make this a great spot to grab a bowl of clam chowder after a long night at the bars or for those in need of post-theater grub.
Hours: Daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Situated in what used to be The Delta House, the new Railroad Fish & Chips still offers the tasty clam chowder in a bread bowl. The tiny hole-in-the-wall joint is family owned and aims to bring a taste of the San Francisco wharf area to Sacramento, minus the two-hour drive.
Railroad Fish & Chips is located in the historic Old Sacramento area with cobblestone streets and scenic views of the neighboring train station. It offers ample parking with validation ($5 fish and chips purchase), free Wi-Fi, and it's even pet friendly.
Hours: Mon to Sat -- 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tucked away on J Street in Midtown is a delightful spot called The Bread Store. The Bread Store is known for its fresh made daily breads and baked goods. It also has a selection of prepared foods you can enjoy onsite as well, including either soup or vegetarian chili in a fresh bread bowl.
Each day, The Bread Store features a different type of specialty bread. Some favorites include Monday's Sundried Tomato Basil and Garlic and Thursday's Kalamata and Thyme. On the daily offerings, most patrons will agree the Honey Wheat is worth taking home after finishing a hearty bread bowl.
Related: Best Bakeries in Sacramento
Hours: Mon to Fri -- 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sat -- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sun -- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Venture up Highway 50 into El Dorado Hills for another taste of the San Francisco wharf. The San Francisco Sourdough Eatery has a location in El Dorado Hills that serves signature bread bowls. Try the soup of the day or clam chowder, both served in a fresh San Francisco style sourdough bowl.
San Francisco Sourdough Eatery also has a number of sandwiches all served on fresh sourdough bread, combos and gourmet Greek and Italian salads—great to split with a friend when you enjoying a hearty bread bowl of soup.
Erin De Santiago is a freelance travel and food/wine writer and photographer from Sacramento, California. She is a regional membership coordinator for the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and writes for a number of publications in addition to publishing her own blogs. She has traveled to over 40 countries on five continents in search of the best food and wine around the globe. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
