San Francisco Bread Co. Gets 3 Stars (Business Lunch)

San Francisco Bread Co.
2905 S. Walton Blvd.,Bentonville

Gov. Mike Huckabee signed The Arkansas Clean Indoor Air Act on April 7 after the state We arrived at San Francisco Bread Co. in the middle of the lunch hour on a Friday and were surprised at how easily we were able to find a table. We also liked that they offered up free soup samples when we asked about the day’s selections.

The eatery seemed to beckon business clientele. We enjoyed the CNN News playing on a flat-screen television and the two rows of computer stations equipped with free Internet for patrons.

One diner checked e-mail and the other juggled two phone calls while waiting for food.

The cell phone jockey ordered the soup and sandwich combo ($7). He decided on a cup of clam chowder and half of a turkey club panini.

He said the soup wasn’t the most flavorful chowder he’s ever had, but he really liked the big chunks of clams he found.

“If you like clam chowder, then that was some clammy clam chowder,” he said.

The sandwich came with smoked turkey, bacon, tomato, honey mustard and provolone cheese. He said it couldn’t have been better.

The other diner ordered the Mediterranean wrap ($6). The tortilla was filled with romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, tzataki sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, feta cheese and black olives.

She said she really liked that the tzataki sauce was not overpowering. The feta was better than the average grocery store fare. She opted for the fruit cup, which was well worth the extra 77 cents because the pineapple, grapes and melon tasted fresh and sweet, she said.

For dessert the two young professionals split a cinnamon roll. It was more of what we’d call a sticky bun. The treat was coated with sugar and pecans.

One diner thought it was a little dry, but all in all it was a far cry from some of lackluster commercial baking goods we’ve had lately.