San Francisco keeps its Irish heritage alive - with food

The Irish have been extremely influential to the city of San Francisco. They came, settled, became prominent politicians and businessmen, established Catholic churches and schools throughout the city, helped build the city’s transporatation system – and brought in their baked goods.

Lindsey Danis of examiner.com has asserted that San Francisco’s bakeries help to keep Irish heritage alive in the area.

Every city has their standard Irish pubs, but the Sunset, San Francisco’s largest neighborhood, and one with a traditionally hefty Irish presence, is sprinkled with authentic Irish restaurants and markets.

Danis points out that though many of the Irish have left the San Francisco neighborhood, the handful of Irish establishments stand tall in the area to remind passerbys of the Irish who contributed so much to the city.

If you find yourself in San Francisco jonesing for a nice slice of warm Irish brown bread, a meaty shepherd’s pie or even just a nice Irish point, here are eight Irish eateries that can satisfy your craving:

 

John Campbell's Irish Bakery 

5625 Geary Street

Outer Richmond

(415) 387-1536

Master baker John Campbell traveled all the way from Belfast, Northern Ireland to bring his treats to the US. His store sells classic Irish baked goods including scones, soda bread and brown bread. Meat pasties--chicken curry or ground beef--and shepherd's pies are very popular savory baked goods. The clear must-haves are the blueberry scone, soda bread and the chicken curry pastie. The scones are light, buttery and inexpensive; they rank as some of the San Francisco's best. Though technically in the Richmond, John Campbell's supplies smaller Sunset markets with scones and Irish bread, and prepares brunch goods for its neighboring bar, the Blarney Stone. If a pint and pastry isn't Irish, I don't know what is.

 

Copper Kettle 

2240 Taraval Street

Central Sunset

(415) 731-8818

The Copper Kettle Bakery and Café in Central Sunset, offers an array of Irish breakfast foods to start your day. If your stomach is up to the challenge, The Copper Kettle features a Irish breakfast complete with white and black pudding and a ton of sausage. For people who enjoy a lighter fare in the morning, the bakery has a small selection of traditional pastries, brown bread, oatmeal and doughnuts. The real favorite here is the Irish Breakfast roll, bangers (Irish sausage), rashers (Irish bacon), potatoes and eggs piled into a soft baguette roll. Jokingly referred to as the “perfect hangover cure” the breakfast rolls is a full traditional breakfast on the go. The Cooper Kettle’s lunch menu features classics like Irish stew, fish and chips, shepherd's pie and curry chips.

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Nster.com