Peanut butter & jelly. Turkey & cranberry sauce. These things just make sense together. I  would like to propose a new addition though: red velvet cake batter and fried chicken! Trust me on this, it’s much better than it sounds. At American Cupcake, there are a bevy of delicious goodies to choose from, but their specialty RVFC (Red Velvet Fried Chicken) dishes are definitely worth trying.

Located on Union Street, this place offers two menus: a sweet menu and a savory menu. The sweet menu includes whoopee pies, cotton candy, and of course, cupcakes; while the savory menu offers comfort food such as mac’n’cheese and tomato soup. If you’re of age, there’s even a menu that suggests pairings of wine and sweets to enjoy. I would suggest buying the mini cupcakes because then you can try more flavors! The ambiance of American Cupcake is very futuristic: the inside looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie and the overhead lights are constantly changing color, so don’t be surprised if your food takes on a red, wait, green…no, blue tinge! American Cupcake is open late except on Sundays, so if you’re in the neighborhood and need to satisfy your sweet tooth, definitely seek it out! |American Cupcake|

Hours of Operation:
Tues & Wed: 11am – 10pm
Thurs, Fri & Sat: 11am – 12am
Sun: 12pm – 7pm
Mon: Closed

Perched on a corner in the Mission, no sign or awning to give away its location, one could easily drive past without noticing they’ve missed one of the best bakeries in the city. Luckily, the constant line of patrons pouring out the door of Tartine Bakery helps draw the eye, and by constant I mean, rain or shine, expect to see some sort of line. While I was waiting in line to order, I couldn’t help but appreciate the dated decor that’s changed very little since the sixties, exuding a sorta hipster charm that has come to define the Mission district for some.

This is one of my favorite places for buttery/flaky croissants, amazing morning buns, scones, and freshly baked loaves of French bread. I love their macarons, which make a nice gift if you can manage not to eat them first. The chocolate souffle cake is extremely rich and should advisably be consumed with one of their over-sized lattes, which are served in a bowl. For those looking for something savory, try one of their pressed sandwiches or the croque-monsieur. |Tartine Bakery|

Open 7 days a week:
Mon: 8am-7pm
Tues-Wed: 7:30am-7pm
Thurs-Fri: 7:30am-8pm
Sat: 8am-8pm
Sun: 9am-8pm