Black Jet Baking Co.

The culinary landscape of San Francisco, California, is famously rich and diverse, and at the heart of the Bernal Heights neighborhood sits a true local institution: Black Jet Baking Co. This isn't just another bakery; it's a neighborhood cornerstone, renowned for taking beloved classic American treats and elevating them with high-quality Bay Area ingredients. Founded by Gillian Shaw Lundgren, Black Jet Baking Co. is a proudly woman-owned and operated establishment that has cultivated a loyal following since its inception as a wholesale operation in 2010. By 2017, the bakery found its retail home on Cortland Avenue, becoming the charming corner cafe that locals know and love today.

Black Jet Baking Co. is more than just a place to grab a quick coffee and pastry; it's a destination for comforting, nostalgic baked goods. The offerings here specialize in classic American-style desserts, evoking the simple, wonderful flavors of childhood while utilizing the bounty of fresh, local dairy, produce, and grains available in the California region. This commitment to quality and tradition sets them apart, making every bite a delightful experience for both long-time residents and new visitors to the area. From their famous, meticulously crafted pies to their flaky morning pastries, Black Jet represents the best of local, small-batch baking in the Bay Area. Whether you’re stopping in for a daily treat or planning a special celebration, this Bernal Heights gem promises a warm welcome and irresistible flavors.

Black Jet Baking Co. is conveniently located in the vibrant and welcoming Bernal Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. The address is 833 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA, positioning it perfectly as a central spot for residents and those passing through the area.

The bakery’s location on Cortland Avenue makes it an ideal stop for a quick visit, whether you're heading out for a morning coffee run, grabbing breakfast, or picking up a treat before enjoying a walk in the sunny Bernal Heights neighborhood. Accessibility options cater to a convenient local experience, including:

• Service Options: The bakery offers convenient Takeout and In-store Pick-up, making it easy to grab your favorites and go.
• Parking: For those driving to the bakery, options include both Free street parking and Paid street parking in the surrounding area, though street parking in San Francisco can be variable.
• Payment: The business accepts modern payment methods, including NFC mobile payments, alongside traditional credit cards.
• Ambiance: As a neighborhood corner cafe, it fosters an inviting and cozy atmosphere that has garnered praise for its friendly and engaging customer service.

Black Jet Baking Co. offers a broad spectrum of services to cater to both individual cravings and larger-scale needs, evolving from its roots as a successful wholesale operation to a beloved retail spot.

• Daily Retail Bakery Sales: Offering a wide variety of cookies, bars, cakes, pies, and savory items directly to customers at their Cortland Avenue location.
• Breakfast Service: A primary dining option, featuring a selection of pastries, scones, and often including hearty items like breakfast sandwiches and coffee cake.
• Savory Lunch & Snack Offerings: Beyond sweets, the menu includes sandwiches, quiches, and the famous Chicken Pot Pie—an homage to a legendary recipe from where the founders first met.
• Specialty Pies and Cakes: The bakery specializes in whole pies (like Banana Cream, Coconut Cream, and Dark Chocolate Pecan) and layer cakes (such as Birthday Cake, Devil's Food, and Neapolitan) perfect for celebrations and holidays, available for pre-order.
• Tuesday Pizza Night: A popular weekly pivot where the bakery opens in the evening to offer thick-crust, pan pizza slices (typically cheese, pepperoni, and a seasonal special) made with their renowned sourdough bread dough, along with other savory snacks and desserts.
• Wholesale Operations: The original core of the business, supplying other local coffee shops, grocery stores, catering companies, and restaurants with their renowned products, such as cookies and handmade 'Pops' (Pop Tarts).
• Takeout and In-store Pick-up: Convenient options for ordering and retrieving goods, supporting a quick and easy visit.
• Full Coffee Service: Offering excellent coffee that customers consistently praise as the perfect pairing for their baked goods.

Black Jet Baking Co. stands out in the competitive Bay Area food scene due to its unique offerings, deep community ties, and dedication to quality. The bakery's highlights are centered around nostalgia, quality ingredients, and a diverse menu that goes beyond simple sweets.

• Woman-Owned and Operated: The bakery is proudly run by founder Gillian Shaw Lundgren, cementing its place as a supportive force in the local women-owned business community.
• The Sourdough Pizza Program: An innovative and highly popular offering, the thick, spongy, and "yummy" pan pizza is made with the same sourdough dough used for the bakery's famous bread loaves, creating a unique and celebrated texture. It is particularly highlighted for the generous $7-slice pricing during its dedicated Tuesday night hours (typically 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.).
• Nostalgic American Desserts: The bakery specializes in elevated, classic treats that spark childhood memories, including their famed scratch-made Seasonal Pop Toaster Pastries (Pop Tarts), Cosmic Brownies (an homage to a classic snack cake), and an updated take on the Oreo cookie.
• Acclaimed Pastry Selection: Customer favorites include the incredibly flaky Croissants, the savory and unique Everything Snail (a croissant spiraled with caramelized onion and everything bagel seasoning), and the buttery Morning Buns.
• The Beloved Jam Bar: Consistently cited as their most popular bar, featuring a salty oat bottom, a rotating seasonal jam layer (such as apricot, raspberry, or strawberry), and a delicious cinnamon crumb topping.
• Commitment to Local Ingredients: The bakery is dedicated to using the best dairy, produce, and grains available in the Bay Area, ensuring freshness and supporting local suppliers.
• Iconic Pies and Layer Cakes: The bakery is highly regarded for its wide selection of classic American pies (like Banana Cream Pie and Salted Honey Maple Pie—an homage to Sister Pie’s Salty Maple Pie) and colorful layer cakes (such as the Birthday Cake with old-fashioned chocolate frosting).

For those in the California area looking to visit, order, or inquire about Black Jet Baking Co.'s offerings, here is the necessary contact information:

Address: 833 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA

Phone Number: (415) 829-3905

The menu at Black Jet Baking Co. is expansive, ranging from savory meals to indulgent desserts, making it challenging to choose just one item. However, several items are consistently highlighted by both the bakery and its loyal California customer base as absolute must-tries, perfectly embodying the spirit and quality of the shop.

For a satisfying start to your day, the Morning Bun is a perennial recommendation, known for its perfect balance of flaky texture and sweet, cinnamon-infused flavor. Pair it with their consistently excellent coffee for the quintessential Bernal Heights breakfast experience. If your palate leans toward something savory, the Twice Baked Ham and Cheese Croissant offers a rich, comforting bite filled with savory ham, béchamel, and melted cheese, finished with a hint of whole grain mustard. Alternatively, the Chicken Pot Pie is a legendary menu item, perfected by the founders during their time working together at the Liberty Café just blocks away.

When it comes to sweets, you absolutely cannot miss the Jam Bar, which the bakery itself deems its "most popular bar," celebrated for its salty oat base and vibrant, rotating seasonal jam filling. Their cookies are equally celebrated, especially the Chocolate Chip and Sea Salt cookie—the very treat that helped put Black Jet on the map, loaded with high-quality Guittard chocolate. For a slice of pure Americana, the handmade Seasonal Pop Toaster Pastries (Pop Tarts) are a standout, a perfect example of how the bakery elevates nostalgic classics with fresh, local ingredients.

Finally, for a full meal and a truly unique experience, be sure to plan a visit for Tuesday Pizza Night. The bakery’s thick, pan-style sourdough pizza has garnered a dedicated following. It offers a soft, chewy crust thanks to the famed sourdough dough, and with slices available for a very reasonable price, it is one of the best local deals for a casual, delicious evening out in San Francisco. Whether you are craving the comfort of a classic cookie, the flakiness of a morning pastry, or a thick, savory slice of pizza, Black Jet Baking Co. has a signature item guaranteed to delight any California food lover.

Black Jet Baking Co.

833 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA