Josey Baker Bread

San Francisco, a city already legendary for its sourdough tradition, is home to a modern bread-making mecca that has captured the hearts and appetites of locals and visitors alike: Josey Baker Bread. Far more than just a place to pick up a loaf, Josey Baker Bread operates within The Mill, a cherished collaboration that combines world-class artisanal baking with exceptional coffee. For Californians seeking out the very best in whole-grain, naturally fermented loaves, this spot in the vibrant NOPA (North of the Panhandle) neighborhood is an essential destination. The dedication to quality, from the grain milling process to the final, chewy crust, firmly establishes this bakery as a leader in the state’s artisan food scene.

At its core, Josey Baker Bread is committed to a deeply traditional and quality-focused approach. The bakery specializes in whole grain sourdough, which is central to its identity. This isn’t a process of simply mixing pre-bought flour; a significant point of pride and a key differentiator is that they stone-mill all of their whole grain flours fresh on-site every single day. This commitment to fresh-milled grain ensures that the bread retains the maximum flavor, aroma, and nutritional value, resulting in loaves that are notably "more alive," vibrant, and nutty than their commercial counterparts. The use of a generations-old sourdough starter connects every loaf to a rich Bay Area baking heritage.

The bakery’s unique location inside The Mill, a joint venture with Four Barrel Coffee, creates a welcoming and bustling atmosphere where the aroma of fresh coffee and baking bread mingle perfectly. This partnership ensures that patrons receive a fully curated culinary experience, pairing their phenomenal bread and toast with high-quality, perfectly brewed coffee. The business model reflects the collaborative and community-oriented spirit often found in California's independent food establishments, offering a centralized hub for two daily essentials: exceptional coffee and sublime bread.

This location is a testament to the thriving artisanal food movement in California, where transparency and ingredient quality are paramount. Josey Baker Bread sources its whole grain wheat from California farms, often just a few hours from the bakery itself, emphasizing a local, organic, and pesticide-free supply chain. This focus on local sourcing resonates deeply with California consumers who prioritize sustainability and supporting regional agriculture. Whether you’re stopping in for a daily coffee, a weekend treat, or a loaf of their famous sourdough to take home, the experience is rooted in quality and craft.

Location and Accessibility

Finding this bread haven is easy for anyone in the San Francisco Bay Area. Located centrally in the city, Josey Baker Bread is housed within The Mill cafe and bakery in the popular NOPA/Alamo Square district. The address places it right in the heart of a vibrant neighborhood known for its mix of local businesses and historic charm, making it a perfect stop before or after a visit to Alamo Square Park.

The physical address is:

736 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA

Accessibility is thoughtfully addressed, making the location welcoming to all community members:

• The facility includes a Wheelchair accessible entrance.
• It is situated on Divisadero Street, a well-trafficked corridor that is easily reachable via public transportation routes in the city.

The business is designed for a variety of quick visits, perfect for grabbing a morning coffee and toast or a loaf of bread to-go, and it accepts modern payment methods including Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments for a seamless transaction.

Services Offered

The combined Josey Baker Bread and The Mill enterprise offers a specialized menu focused on the absolute highest quality bread and coffee products.

• In-store Sourdough Loaves: A daily selection of whole grain sourdoughs, including signature loaves like Whole Grain Levain, Country Bread, Seed Feast, Dark Mountain Rye, and the renowned Wonder Bread.
• Artisanal Toast: The famous toast program, featuring thick, perfectly-toasted slices of their fresh-baked bread topped with a variety of sweet and savory accompaniments, such as Cinnamon Sugar, Avocado Mash, and Ricotta + Jam.
• Coffee Service: A full menu of coffee and espresso drinks provided by Four Barrel Coffee, including drip coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, and espresso, all served in a bright, inviting space.
• Retail Flours and Grains: Offering stone-ground, whole-grain flours for home bakers, allowing customers to bring the bakery's ingredient quality into their own kitchens.
• Breakfast/Quick Bites: Toast and coffee are the primary offerings, catering to the morning and mid-day crowds looking for a quick and high-quality breakfast or snack.
• Multiple Service Options: Customers can choose In-store shopping, Takeout for quick collection, or enjoy their meal via Dine-in service.
• Gluten-Friendly Option: The highly-praised Adventure Bread (GF) is available, offering a hearty, seed-packed, and wheat-free loaf.

Features / Highlights

Josey Baker Bread stands out in the crowded California bakery landscape due to several unique features that elevate its offerings and experience:

• Fresh, Daily Stone-Milling: All whole grain flours, including White Wheat, Red Wheat, and Rye, are stone-milled on the premises every day, a process that preserves flavor and nutrients and is rare in commercial bakeries. This dedication to milling is a hallmark of the business, even lending its name to the collective space, The Mill.
• Renowned Sourdough: Customer feedback consistently praises the exceptional quality of the sourdough, described as having the "best sourdough" with a perfect "fresh and chewy" texture. The bread has a loyal following who consider it their "go-to bread place in the city."
• The Famous Toast Program: The bakery’s 'toast' menu is a celebrated, simple expression of their outstanding bread quality, drawing long lines of patrons. The Avocado Mash on Country Bread and the Wonder Bread loaf are particular favorites among regulars.
• Josey Baker/Four Barrel Coffee Collaboration: Operating as two businesses under one roof provides a harmonious pairing of world-class bread and high-quality specialty coffee, creating a complete and satisfying food experience for breakfast.
• Commitment to Local, Organic Grains: The use of organic, free-of-pesticides, and locally sourced California whole-grain wheat reflects a deep commitment to sustainable practices and ingredient integrity, aligning with contemporary California food values.
• Sourdough Starter Heritage: All loaves are made from the same, original sourdough starter, giving every bread a consistent and traceable connection to the bakery's foundation.

Contact Information

For those planning a visit to Josey Baker Bread, the location and contact details are as follows. It is always a good idea to check for the current operating hours of The Mill before visiting, especially for specific seasonal items or holiday schedules.

Address: 736 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA

Phone: (415) 345-1953 (The Mill)

Hours of Operation: Generally, the business is open seven days a week from morning until late afternoon, catering perfectly to the breakfast and quick visit crowd. (Typically 7am to 5pm, though subject to change).

What is Worth Choosing

For a first-time visitor or a long-time California resident looking for an unparalleled bread experience, a few items stand out as essential choices at Josey Baker Bread.

Without a doubt, the centerpiece of the bakery is its sourdough. You can’t go wrong with purchasing a whole loaf of the Country Bread or the Wonder Bread to take home. The Country Bread is a perfect showcase of their technique, offering a desirable chewy texture and rich sourdough tang. The Wonder Bread, a favorite among customers, demonstrates how whole-grain baking can be complex and delicious, far surpassing the common notions of its namesake. Customers frequently rave about the fresh, chewy texture that sets it apart from competitors across the state.

For an immediate, quintessential experience, indulging in a slice of the Artisanal Toast is a must. While a customer review mentioned the Egg-in-a-Hole was merely "okay," the simple excellence of the bread shines through best with the classic spreads. The Avocado Mash Toast is highly praised by regulars, offering a pure and hearty taste of San Francisco food culture. The combination of the freshly-milled, toasted sourdough with simple, high-quality toppings is the ultimate expression of the baker’s craft.

Finally, for those who seek to avoid wheat or are simply looking for a nutrient-dense option, the Adventure Bread (GF) is a remarkably satisfying and unique product. Packed with seeds, nuts, and grains, and made without wheat, it is praised for standing on its own as a hearty, delicious loaf rather than a poor imitation of traditional bread. To complete the experience, pairing your chosen toast or pastry with a Four Barrel Coffee latte or drip coffee is highly recommended, as the coffee and bakery were specifically designed to complement each other perfectly. Though prices for the prepared toast items and coffee may be higher than average, reflecting the premium, stone-milled, and artisanal nature of the ingredients, the consensus from the local community is that the quality of the base ingredient—the bread itself—is truly world-class and well worth the premium.

Josey Baker Bread

736 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA