Just Desserts

248 Church Street (favorite location)

Tel: 415-626-5774

Just Desserts is the granddaddy of upscale bakeries hereabouts. They've been sticking mountains of flour and sugar into ovens for better than three decades, and have countless loyalists still hanging on waiting for something new to come along. That, unfortunately, hasn't happened in a long time, but what Just Desserts does offer are very good, simple, high quality baked goods, maybe a little sweeter than current tastes dictate. But the best ingredients and consistent preparation produce award-winning results.

This location on Church near Market is the best to my way of thinking, just because of the back garden which reminds me of the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park without the exasperating 'Kodak' moments. It's a pie-shaped, true back yard with old fashioned wood picnic tables about six inches too low for comfort, mature trees, well tended flower boxes, and no cover or minimum. Good coffee with unlimited re-fills is a buck, they have fresh ice cold lemonade, a good selection of teas and soft drinks. The desserts are truly affordable, and they have a rack featuring 1/2 off stuff left over from the day before. This rack is worth a routine stop, you can get cranberry/walnut bread for $2.75 a loaf, great cookies for $1.35 for two, luxurious cakes for as low as $4.75. At that price this is the best deal in town. Just Desserts is funky and the Church Street location draws an eclectic mix of gay/straight Upper Market habitues all of whom appear to grow roots as you grab a quick caffeine and sugar fix. A great place.

Stu Smith

Comments and suggestions to Stusmith97@aol.com

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