Topic Wiki

Dan's TR: http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/87280

Summary of kosher food options in the bay area:

Restaurants:
(all under hashgacha of the Sunrise Kosher / Vaad Hakashrus of Northern California unless otherwise stated)

San Francisco
Sabra Grill (Chinatown)
L'chaim Foods (not a restaurant, take out / delivery only) currently "Under Orthodox Certification of Rabbi Joel Landau."
Frena BakeryDairy and pareve sambusak, burekas, shakshuka, savory and sweet baked goods
Limonnana Middle Eastern dishes, principally Falafel, Shawarma, and Hummus, and of course, delicious limonnanas.
Hummus Bodega Hummus, Falafel, Middle Eastern in the Richmond district

East Bay
Amba Falafel (Oakland) (Fleishig as of 4/28/14). Pas Yisroel available by request CLOSED
Oakland Kosher (Oakland) Fleishigs. Check for certs on www.restaurant.com.
Cafe 3 at UC Berkeley
Touro Kitchen in Vallejo, CA - http://dining.tu.edu/menu.html

South Bay
Izzy's Bagels (Palo Alto) Pas Yisroel. Some Items Cholov Yisroel, Check the kashrus certificate, Open on Shabbos
Kosher Food Oasis at the OFJCC (Palo Alto) Holy Sushi requires ordering in advance. Walk-in orders are accepted for Caffe Mediterraneum and for many items at Malawach Bar. Please check vendor sites for individual holiday hours. All under the Vaad.
Jerusalem Grill (Palo Alto area)  not Kosher, no Kashrus certification, not Jewish owned (as of Nov.22, 2015)
Pars Kosher Market in San Jose, certified by the Vaad, now has a small eat in section (4 tables, first come first serve) with a short meat menu and ready made hot food. Also lots of kosher groceries.
Stanford University Cafeteria weekday lunches five days a week and dinners Monday - Thurs. General public can pay at Florence Moore Dorm and enjoy the Kosher section. Fleishig (meat) for both meals each day. Flo-Mo, as it is called, is on Mayfield Ave., across from the parking lot of Tressidor.  Finding the dining hall can be a challenge for outsiders but any student will direct you.




Groceries (etc):

San Francisco
CHOUX Bakery - French cream puffs (Haight-Ashbury) Pas yisroel, cholov yisroel. No longer certified kosher / open on Shabbos.

East Bay
Oakland Kosher.
Grand Bakery (Oakland) Pas Yisroel, Dairy items are NOT cholov yisroel. Closing 12/23/16
Berkeley Bowl (Berkeley) has some kosher items.
Costco (Definitely the one in Richmond. I believe this applies to others in the Bay Area, but this is what I know firsthand.) has cholov yisroel cheese and Jack's sausages. (As of August 2014)

South Bay
I believe Mollie Stone's in Palo Alto has a big Kosher selection. there are probably other options there as well.

« Last edited by ninjaleh on January 17, 2023, 12:38:15 PM »

Author Topic: San Francisco/No Cal Master Thread  (Read 199062 times)

Offline CS1

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 3651
  • Total likes: 49
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
    • California Gourmet Premium Chocolate
  • Location: United States
  • Programs: DDSLA, DDSCLE, Bonvoy Titanium Feb 2025
Re: San Francisco/No Cal Master Thread
« Reply #600 on: May 09, 2018, 04:05:21 PM »
Gotcha, see it on their site now.

http://dining.tu.edu/kosher.html and http://dining.tu.edu/menu.html has menu and hours.

nice menu. Thinking of visiting SF area this summer. This place does not have dinner hours?
California Gourmet Belgian Nut-Free Chocolate Chips https://bit.ly/CaliforniaGourmetDirect

Offline chevron

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 2552
  • Total likes: 543
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
Re: San Francisco/No Cal Master Thread
« Reply #601 on: May 10, 2018, 12:32:15 PM »
It's just open for lunch. AFAIK.

It's great food in a region with nothing good kosher. I had 2 types of corned beef sandwich and they were awesome. Had the butternut squash soup. You can just go in, buy lunch and dinner and even lunch for next day.

Offline chevron

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 2552
  • Total likes: 543
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
Re: San Francisco/No Cal Master Thread
« Reply #602 on: May 10, 2018, 12:45:56 PM »
I haven't had food from them in a number of years. I guess it's gotten a lot better since then.
(not that it was bad, but I wouldn't have called it "frikking awesome.")

Depends, I didn't have the hot foods. I had butternut squash soup which was good.

But I had 2 types of corned beef sandwich and they were awesome. Ate one in sfo at aa lounge with free languinitas beer. Both were effing awesome.

I also had a chicken salad but it's a chicken salad, they don't become amazing and you have to try really hard to screw it up.

The island is beautiful, smells incredible. Would I drive there just for food ? I dunno. But if you are visiting Napa or Sonoma its the only kosher option and one of best Bay Area options.

Offline Yaalili

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 12764
  • Total likes: 473
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 157
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Crown Heights, NY
Re: San Francisco/No Cal Master Thread
« Reply #603 on: May 10, 2018, 11:12:46 PM »
The island is beautiful, smells incredible. Would I drive there just for food ? I dunno. But if you are visiting Napa or Sonoma its the only kosher option and one of best Bay Area options.

You have the Budweiser and Jelly Belly tour about 10-15 minute drive away in Fairfield.

Offline ungar17@yahoo.com

  • Dansdeals Bronze Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Aug 2013
  • Posts: 43
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: toronto canada
Re: San Francisco/No Cal Master Thread
« Reply #604 on: May 16, 2018, 07:28:28 PM »
Will be spending Sunday and Monday in the San Francisco area with my wife over memorial day weekend. We are landing around 1030am on Sunday and have a 1045pm flight home on Monday. Currently booked at the Ritz. Anyone have any feedback on the hotel? Suggestions for a better hotel using points? Where can I daven with a Minyan? Is it worth it to rent a car or rather use uber/public transportation? Parking at the hotel is 65 a night and it seems almost all hotels have crazy parking prices.
We will be doing Alcatraz on Monday at 11am so I have a whole Sunday and the rest of Monday open. any suggestions what to do?
BUMP

Offline shaulyaakov

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2781
  • Total likes: 326
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: San Francisco/No Cal Master Thread
« Reply #605 on: May 17, 2018, 09:48:01 AM »
BUMP

If staying relatively local in SF, no need for car. Public Transportation is good and Uber/Lyft is cheap.

Offline ungar17@yahoo.com

  • Dansdeals Bronze Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Aug 2013
  • Posts: 43
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: toronto canada
Re: San Francisco/No Cal Master Thread
« Reply #606 on: May 17, 2018, 10:20:14 AM »
Thanks. Will do that.
Any ideas what to do local besides Alcatraz which I am doing...

Offline shaulyaakov

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2781
  • Total likes: 326
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: San Francisco/No Cal Master Thread
« Reply #607 on: May 17, 2018, 11:05:01 AM »
Fisherman's Wharf, walk/bike Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, SF Giants game. Muir Woods (great hiking/redwoods) is a bit further (though there are shuttle buses from locations just outside SF).

Offline Ploni3

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 834
  • Total likes: 53
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
  • Location: North America
Re: San Francisco/No Cal Master Thread
« Reply #608 on: May 17, 2018, 01:59:43 PM »
Are there any daily mincha/maariv minyanim in San Francisco?

Offline saw50st8

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Aug 2015
  • Posts: 334
  • Total likes: 130
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: San Francisco/No Cal Master Thread
« Reply #609 on: May 17, 2018, 02:23:40 PM »
The Cable Car Museum was fun. I love the Golden Gate Bridge. 

I liked the Asian Art Museum., but it was free when I went. I'm not sure it's worth the admission price if you have to pay. The contemporary Jewish museum was odd.

Keep in mind that if you walk places, the hills are exceptionally steep.

Offline Traveler718

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 1219
  • Total likes: 693
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: San Francisco/No Cal Master Thread
« Reply #610 on: May 18, 2018, 01:00:16 AM »
Are there any daily mincha/maariv minyanim in San Francisco?

When we were there a few years ago, there was only 1. I believe it was http://godaven.com/detail.asp?Id=7634, but things change there, so definitely call to verify. There's also the mincha cable car minyan, but that won't help you for maariv.

Offline Ploni3

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 834
  • Total likes: 53
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
  • Location: North America
Re: San Francisco/No Cal Master Thread
« Reply #611 on: May 18, 2018, 06:51:16 AM »
Well, the number I found for Torah Emet is disconnect - so anyone who has current information, please share. Thnx

Offline asks

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 1050
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: San Francisco/No Cal Master Thread
« Reply #612 on: May 18, 2018, 08:47:57 AM »
Well, the number I found for Torah Emet is disconnect - so anyone who has current information, please share. Thnx
These all have daily shachris minyanim
http://godaven.com/detail.asp?Id=17088&Name=san%20francisco
http://godaven.com/detail.asp?Id=818&Name=san%20francisco
http://godaven.com/detail.asp?Id=1009&Name=san%20francisco
« Last Edit: May 18, 2018, 11:41:37 AM by asks »

Offline chevron

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 2552
  • Total likes: 543
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
Re: San Francisco/No Cal Master Thread
« Reply #613 on: May 18, 2018, 09:48:15 AM »
Legion of honor museum is great!

Offline Ploni3

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 834
  • Total likes: 53
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
  • Location: North America
Re: San Francisco/No Cal Master Thread
« Reply #614 on: May 18, 2018, 11:19:49 AM »
These all have daily minyanim
http://godaven.com/detail.asp?Id=17088&Name=san%20francisco
http://godaven.com/detail.asp?Id=818&Name=san%20francisco
http://godaven.com/detail.asp?Id=1009&Name=san%20francisco

Are you saying that from fist hand knowledge or from internet research? I can see what the websites say but I need to know if it is up to date. thnx EG Adath Israel's newletter indicates that it does not have a daily mincha/maariv...

Offline shmuels2

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 184
  • Total likes: 15
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: South Florida
Re: San Francisco/No Cal Master Thread
« Reply #615 on: May 18, 2018, 11:36:53 AM »
Any reports from Frena yet?
http://www.frenabakery.com/

I was there a few times during a 4 day SF trip last summer. Everything was absolutely top-notch. That goes for the classic western bakery stuff like doughnuts, the sweet middle eastern stuff, and most especially the savory stuff - middle eastern stuff like the sambusak (I had the Sabich and a couple others) labne wraps and bourekas; and the egg-in-a-basket offerings. Seriously, if you're there, try it. I'm still thinking about getting back there to eat some more of it all.

Offline asks

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 1050
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: San Francisco/No Cal Master Thread
« Reply #616 on: May 18, 2018, 11:41:03 AM »
Are you saying that from fist hand knowledge or from internet research? I can see what the websites say but I need to know if it is up to date. thnx EG Adath Israel's newletter indicates that it does not have a daily mincha/maariv...
From each shul website. Was referring to shachris minyanim

Offline Ploni3

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 834
  • Total likes: 53
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
  • Location: North America
Re: San Francisco/No Cal Master Thread
« Reply #617 on: May 18, 2018, 02:12:44 PM »
Yes. Thanks. Only looking for mincha maariv. Anyone from the Bay area?

Offline zow

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2014
  • Posts: 2943
  • Total likes: 135
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: LAX
Re: San Francisco/No Cal Master Thread
« Reply #618 on: May 18, 2018, 03:51:58 PM »
I was there a few times during a 4 day SF trip last summer. Everything was absolutely top-notch. That goes for the classic western bakery stuff like doughnuts, the sweet middle eastern stuff, and most especially the savory stuff - middle eastern stuff like the sambusak (I had the Sabich and a couple others) labne wraps and bourekas; and the egg-in-a-basket offerings. Seriously, if you're there, try it. I'm still thinking about getting back there to eat some more of it all.
+1 we have been there several times.
Delicious, gourmet.  Some stuff a little pricey (small box of 6 Hamentashen was about $20, IIRC). But most stuff reasonable.  Great soups.  Can do lunch for about $10-$12.  The SOMA neighborhood is a little sketchy but Fine in daytime.  Homeless, panhandlers. Enjoy!

Offline PlatinumGuy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2011
  • Posts: 14958
  • Total likes: 2421
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
    • View Profile
Re: San Francisco/No Cal Master Thread
« Reply #619 on: May 21, 2018, 02:02:23 PM »
SOMA is fine, Sixth street is homeless hq
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים