Exciting Chinese Dessert Delicacies in this cramped Bakery.
Reviewer: Jason
Total Reviews: 1040
Reviewed: 6/9/2006
Rating: 8
My photo gallery
This is my 2nd time trying to visit Golden Gate Bakery and we finally visited when a long line wasn't present. This is one of the many bakeries in Chinatown but for some reason, Golden Gate Bakery is known for their egg tarts. I don't know why it slipped my mind but I ordered the vanilla cake and cream puff.
Who know's why I thought the vanilla cake (picture #4) was a cream puff? Another mistake and I ran back inside to get the cream puff (picture #5 and 6). At $1.50 each, it was 50 cents cheaper than Beard Papa. I actually would have paid the exra 50 cents for friendlier service, no smiles, no change in hand, just order and walk out.
In almost 700 restaurants, this is the 3rd time I getting caught for taking pictures. I'm normally a ninja when it comes to photos but maybe the lady was a master ninjette and just too quick for me (picture #2). She called me out and I immediately put my camera away and had my tail between my legs. Word to the wise, don't test your sly camera moves in here.
The cream puffs weren't warm and a bit larger than the norm. Presentation is just ok as the cream puff is sliced towards the bottom where a pastry person can wipe a layer of cream. The cream was more of a custard and sweetness was just right. it was much better than Beard Papa.
Other than getting my ass handed to me and apathetic service, the pastries were good. I doubt this review does justice to their specialy, the egg tarts. I guess I'll just have to come back and hope for small lines.
RETURN VISIT for Jason!1/11/2007 - 9 Rating: How about this for service? My friends waited in line, picked up 2 egg tarts, drove by, did the hand off in the street, and drove off. The tarts were right out of the oven and custard hot as lava. The crust was flaky and pieces flew everywhere. The portion size is unreal and 4x the size you'd pickup during dim sum. These are some of the best egg tarts I've ever had.
Reviewer: Terry
Total Reviews: 739
Reviewed: 6/9/2006
Rating: 8
My photo gallery
We just tried Beard Papa cream puffs, when Jason suggested we should do a shoot-off against Golden Gate Bakery. Granted GGB is known for their Egg Custard Tarts (which you should order when you go here) we wanted to keep the shoot-off as close as possible to Beard Papa. So, I didn't try the Egg Tart. Yeah, a pretty big omission on my part, but Jatbar is about keeping the playing field level.
Jason ran in and picked up a bag of the cream puffs for us to sample. We brought them back to the car where we devoured them. These things not only were cheaper, but were significantly larger. The first bite instantly told us that they were more flavorful. A lighter, airier, design that melted in your mouth. They could have slathered a LOT more cream in there and made it positively over-the-top, but as it is they were a bit meager with the cream but it worked. These puffs didn't look as pretty as Beard Papa, but to me that doesn't matter much. The puff was sliced with a knife rather brutally and the big slice down the middle was opened up and the cream dolloped on. No matter. I ate this thing at light speed. It was also cold and not out of the oven - and I didn't care one bit. This is what a puff should taste like, and cost like.
I am anxious to return for the Egg Tart and will update my review at that time.
RETURN VISIT for Terry!1/11/2007 - 9 Rating: Can't believe I visited this place and didn't try the egg tart. This time we did it right though and sampled an egg tart. OMG. First let me say that you SHOULD NOT attempt to eat this thing while driving. Even if it has been sitting for 5 minutes. You gotta give this thing at least a 15 minute cooldown. The top will be cool, but the inside will be pure lava. And once its in your mouth (and you taste how damn good it is) you cannot spit it out. And no amount of saliva layer between the food and your tongue will hold out. It melts through everything, leaving you with blisters. Not a good thing when you are driving. But given the legal cooling period, you are going to eat the best egg tart you have ever tried. Those things on dim sum carts? Too small. Cold. Crap. (and I do mean crap). This stuff is flaky, large, bursting with flavor, richness, heaven. If you are in SF chinatown and do not make a quick stop, you are doing your taste buds a disservice.
Reviewer: Lainie
Total Reviews: 41
Reviewed: 6/15/2006
Rating: 9
My photo gallery
There's a reason why this place is such an institution. Aside from the egg tarts you've gotta try their coconut buns! When they're warm out of the oven they're heaven! Sweet coconut on the inside surrounded by a slightly sweet egg bun. It's the best!!! You've gotta try 'em.
Every single freakin' time I go here, there's a line coming out the door onto the sidewalk! As if Chinatown isn't crowded enough!
Whenever I do come here, I buy their egg tarts (that's what they're known for) and cow ears chips (not really cow ears. It's shaped like one, but it's like a sweet chip. MY FAVORITE CHIPS IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD!)
Egg tarts: a dozen will cost you about 11-12 dollars. Basically under a dollar for each tart. These are so gooood. Flaky dough and a light custard that breaks like jello. Usually you'll get them hot and fresh.
Cow ears: I'm pretty sure they don't make them, but I'm glad Golden Gate Bakery sells them because I have no idea where to find these chips in San Jose. Thin, crispy chips with swirls on it. It's hard to describe the flavor, but it's definitely not potato chips. Not greasy, not salty, but sweet. If you look outside of the bakery through the window, it's usually on the right bottom corner in a clear bag. These will cost you about 2.60 a bag.
I would have rated this place an 8.5, but the last time I was here, I had an unusual experience with a homeless man who was sitting against the wall of the bakery. It's really hard expecially when you're in line for one spot and you have to deal with that. Other than that, I truly recommend the egg tarts and cow ears.
“What did you think? There is no better Chinese bakery in the world. I was lucky enough to work with a son-in-law who used to bring boxes of pastries to the office. Sheer heaven. Run, don't walk. Don't miss the cocktail buns or pork buns. To die for”
