My place to go in the morning to have breakfast. Everything is Fresh and baked daily. It is also very affordable. I don't speak Spanish, but still get the respect and service there. I totally would recommend this place to anyone!!! Great family own place. read more

YOU DONT EVEN KNOW!!! My wife said we should try this Guatemalan food on misson st that she read about. Im always down for a new breakfast experience so i was game. We dropped our daughter off at my parents and it was go time! So much parking in the morning on mission st so we parked right in front. From the car we could see a line of people waiting to order and sitting and eating. Let me say this first, do not expect nice chairs or fancy napkins (or any napkins at all! haha...) just know that you are going to get some good food. We get in line and after the four or five people in front of us we order. I got the breakfast sandwich on a nice soft roll with soft mexican white cheese, bean gravy (just the juice from black beans), eggs, hot dogs (chorizo or some other type of meat would be better), with flavored sour cream (its GOOD!). My wife got the breakfast plate with all of the above but no meat. She also got to pick out any roll or baked good with her plate. We sat there and ate and knew we'd be back! The lady at the register was SUPER nice and friendly and handled it all with one arm. Seriously the lady has one arm and could beat Lincoln Hawk in an arm wrestling contest (for those unfamiliar with Sylvester Stallone movies this is from 'Over the Top'). Anyway, great food, good people, and a good time was had by all. read more

Love this eatery! Super tasty fresh hot food, and some oven hot tasty baked treats to go!

I am a big supportor of Universal Bakery. As a little girl, I remember walking on 24th St and Potrero and begging my mother to buy me some Guatemalen bread. I remember seeing a sweet lady behind the counter and her (equally) sweet baker. I was so bummed out when they no longer were open. Many yrs later (already an adult), I got the best news......Universal Baker IS STILL OPEN but at a new location! I made the trip to 3458 Mission St and there is was! YAY!!! As soon as I walked in, my senses went crazy. I can smell the conchas and the fresh rolls just out of the oven. To my delight, the location was more spacious and they had also added a food menu I immediately went for the egg breakfast dish. It has Eggs (obviously), refried beans, sour cream, queso fresco and a roll of bread. OMG, AMAZING! Since my reunion with Universal, I have brought many friends and visitors from all parts of the world/country here. They have been equally delighted with the food and sweets. From a 2 person run bakery to a whole team of great people, Universal has had great and well deserved success. I highly recommend this bakery and encourage all yelpers to try it out. You will TASTE what Im writing about! read more

Solo un comentario. No sabía que los Sábados cierran a las 3:00 llagué y estaba una Señora en la puerta muy mal encarada por cierto. Y le pregunté si estaban abiertos. Y con mala cara me respondió no. Me encanta el lugar pero deberían de contratar personal que tenga buena atención al cliente. read more

I was born and raised in Guatemala and moved to the bay area two years ago. I have been missing Guatemalan food like crazy and I to La Universal to find all the yummy things I used to have at home. This is traditional home cooking with amazing pan dulce (sweet bread). Eating at la Universal made me feel back at Grandma's house on a weekday at noon. Our fluffy "pan frances" dipped in black beans with cream, the chuchitos and chao mein (yes, it's different, but that's how we eat it back home!) made me feel in heaven as I closed my eyes and remembered what food tastes like at home. Even the lady at the counter and the staff in general were so nice it reminded me of my people's kindness and hospitality. This is the real deal! If you want to have a small taste of Guatemala, you need to come here. :) read more

What's not to love? In the morning the guy at the counter calls me 'El Hefe'. The abuela working at night speaks to me in Spanish despite my whiter-than-white Spanish skills. There is a magical quality to the place that keeps the conchas from ever getting dry and the rest of the panaderia fare is equally great. Sure, the coffee is mediocre doughnut shop drip, but this is the sort of place you take a box home with you every few days. I've got to try the 'real' food, but even if it is horrible, filled with hair and crawling with cockroaches, I'll still come back to Panaderia Universal because the baked goods are just that good. read more

OMG! Guatemalan food!!!!@ Guatemalan food is absolutely the best with so much flavor and detail, so when i discovered this place i was so excited!!!! the chile rellenos are to die for!! peppers stuffed with a meat mixture GUATEMALAN FOOD IS NOT THE SAME AS MEXICAN!!! for those of you wondering, it is just so much more tasty. The pan here is real authentic, its all a must try! rellenitos, chow mien, and tamales!! read more

I told them no cheese twice bc I'm allergic and being so hungry, I ate more than half and realized They put a massive piece of cheese in it. No wonder my skin started breaking out and I felt nauseous. Now I have to urgent care bc I am allergic to dairy. ... and so is my child and I'm breastfeeding. Good job guys. You seriously messed up. If you have any dietary restrictions don't go here. read more

I was born in Guatemalan but grew up here in SF eating this type of food at home. This is by far the closest I've ever had to it....and I can honestly say.... "just like momma used to make it!" I've been to few other Guatemalan places and they are good, but something about this place just hits the spot. Maybe the simplicity of it? The flavor? The staff? The prices? The smell? All of it? I'm not sure but whatever it is, its got me hooked! So if you're looking for a one time experience or your new inexpensive, delicious breakfast hot-spot read more

Awesome pastries, so cheap and fresh, on a weekend you wait for the new trays to get brought out from the back and people clear half the tray before it gets put into the racks. Warm fresh rolls! There are pumpkin baked turnovers with custard filling and then also apple and piña. The tamales are completely great. I love the homey feel of this bakery and having breakfast here. You can basically get a huge bag of freshly baked pastries for under 5 bucks. p.s. This entry should read Panaderia La Universal which is what the sign says !! Not Universal Bakery! read more

I just had plátanos con crema and cheese and they were not good. Plátanos were bitter and the beans tasteless. Coffee was really bad also. I could not drink it. Will not come back. read more

Great food and friendly service at this family-run business! The place is officially called Universal Panaderia, not Bakery. They definitely have a lot more than just baked goods. The food is delicious and very affordable. I am not an expert on Guatemalan cuisine, but do love Latin food. Seems like Guatemalan cuisine has more bread/rolls and no tortilla/chips (so don't go if that's what you want). We just had eggs with black beans and sausage and the empanadas, all excellent. The portions were sizeable so we had no room for dessert. The breads and pastries look delicious too so we will have to try them next time. The service was also great, the guy taking our orders at the counter was extra friendly and helpful. Some other reviews complained about the service, but we had no problems. We were there at noon on a weekday so maybe it is busier and slower on weekends. Other reviews also thought it is dirty, but I thought it was very clean. The owner said they have been remodeling in stages over the last couple years. The counters and glass display cabinets look new and nice to me. The nice interior was what struck us as we were walking by and stopped in. I think it has the nicest and most modern interior of any Latin restaurant in outer Mission. Give it a try! read more

Good food great value and friendly service. No wonder there is always a line here on the weekend. Their sausage is homemade and very flavourful, not the type that is full of unknown meat but one that is filled with herbs and whatever is in season. Yummy! read more

From the line of people here daily, it must be good! The breakfast combo was just OK, and they were out of chorizo. The eggs are a bit runny, but mix with rice. Other specials are available too, but I think I'll try the breakfast at Cancun as it's more familair. I usually go here for baked goods. Nothing is labeled and I don't know what it cost, but it's cheap. Being right up the hill from here, I get whiffs of them baking something, and it smells a lot like chocolate chip cookies, but I can't find any inside. If you know what you are looking for in a Guatemalan bakery no doubt you will find it here. read more

Hmm. I wonder if no one has reviewed this place because the sign on the store reads Panaderia Universal, not Universal Bakery? Though I'm much closer to a different Hispanic bakery, I go out of my way to buy the rolls at this one. The rolls are incredibly good which isn't surprising because if you are walking down Mission in the morning, you can smell them baking. I'm not talking about the sandwich rolls, I'm talking about the the rolls that come in one long chain that you can break apart. They are the perfect combination of crispy-crust on the outside and soft on the inside. Out of this world with a bit of butter. I usually get nine rolls which comes to an astonishing 90 cents. Yeah, I know. Nothing to complain about there. I love the rolls so much that the only other thing I've tried are the cupcakes. Also good, but not as good. They apparently also serve food and the place is usually bustling with regulars. Humorously, they sell alka seltzer for their customer's convenience. I've never been in there when I'm not the only female customer and only non-Hispanic customer. The other customers seem bemused by my presence. I smile and mention that I really like the rolls. It took an embarrassingly long time for me to figure out that you're supposed to put your bread on the silver tray and then hand it to the cashier who will place it in a bag for you. Just letting you know . . . read more

Fresh breads & pastries. I wanted something good to have with my office coffee. Since I'm a nice person, I figured I would get something for my co-workers also. When I tell you I made an excellent choice...I made an excellent choice. The conchita, the beso...so fresh & tasty. I didn't buy enough! Will definitely return because the service was super friendly. I want to try the hot food as well. read more

Although located in part of sketchy mission st. This bakery is pretty popular with the locals, and I've made some killer panini's with their bread loafs. The people who work here are also extremely nice and very friendly, they will be glad to explain what all the funny looking bread loafs are as well what is inside the empanadas. I personally love their Apple Empanadas but if you walking by you should go check it out, step out of you comfort zone compadres! read more

When I moved in across the street, I felt ecstatic to have a bakery across the street. I didn't expect for all of their pastries to taste dry and plain. There's hardly any distinction between the individual pastry types. Most of them resemble an old Kaiser roll with a clumsy application of sugar to it. read more

Pan con todo....YUMMMMM. This places gives me nostalgia from when my Grandma used to whip up a stable breakfast item...A french roll with black beans,eggs, cheese and sour cream. My parents come regularly, and never leave without a bag of sweet bread. I tried the empanadas for the first time and they were a HIT! read more

Honestly, the food is pretty good but overpriced for what it actually is some beans and poor quality tamales. The service sucks. The service can be rude sometimes and I get it they're pack cuz everyone loves going there but gosh they don't have to be so rude about it gsssh. I can say the Bread is nice and affordable. read more

This place is by far the best bang for your buck breakfast joint I've come across in a long time . You can't go wrong with good Central American style Breakfast that comes with fresh baked bread and Coffey all included in the price that's deff a no brainier And not to mention the friendly staff read more

Best fucking breakfast I've had in a very long time! Can't even get it this good in the country of origin...and I know, I lived there.

PSA -if you never have eaten here - I suggest you get out of bed early to go stand in line before this place opens at 7am so you get your breakfast on! All breads are made fresh every morning. We order breakfast plates and breakfast sandwiches to go, 4 choices of scramble eggs. Regular, tomato n onion, tomato union bell peppers, and tomato union jalapeño. The black beans- I don't know how to describe the delicious flavor n perfect consistency. It's just hella god! Being Nicaragua I can really appreciate the food from our neighbor county of Guatemala. My husband is Mexican and he also very much loves this place. I don't think there a person who wouldn't like this place- it's just too delicious ! read more

The best food and pan dulce baked fresh daily. Go check them out, you won't be disappointed.

I love this place. Fresh Guatemalan sweet bread made daily. The food is authentic Guatemalan just like it's made at home. The customer service is also great, they are very friendly. read more

Universal Bakery - New menus - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

One of my favorite places to eat in the city. I firmly believe any city can have great expensive food. Need fish flow in daily from Japan? Salt from the Dead Sea? Truffles sniffed out by a pig? Sure, you'll just pay for it. But for a city to be able to sustain delicious, authentic, affordable non-local cuisine you need a strong population of people from that area. That's what Universal Bakery is. Step in and you'll notice that there's usually not a lick of English being spoken. Just people chowing down on good, old-fashioned home cooking. Hipsters haven't discovered this place because, well, it's not really Instagrammable (just look at the dish I got, it looks like an art student's palette during their experimental "brown" phase). Cafe Jorge is next door, and they have avocado toast and latte art. But when you combine the fresh-baked roll, sopping up the simple but incredible ingredients whose total is greater than the sum of its parts, alternating between the rich beans, refreshing sour cream, and mild cheese, it's a great experience, and one I think you'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the country. read more

Universal Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

Best place to help with my Guatemalan cravings! Wonderful family owned place! Amazing bread and food! Taste is authentic Guatemalan food. The best in San Francisco and the Bay Area. read more

Tasty food, reasonable price. Definitely feels like getting a lunch. Could be cleaner. Breakfast is perfect for me!

Yes they do accept credit and deit cards. The best an closest to the original flavor, smell and texture of the guatemalan bread. Panaderia = Bakery. Simply delicious.!!! read more

Food here is absolutely amazing and fresh. Love coming here everytime i'm in the city. Prices are great especially for the quality of food you get. read more

I'm Guatemalan. Coming to this place reminds me of my mom's cooking when I was younger, but I'm definitely not biased ;) David who is related to the owners is phenomenal when it comes to service. He makes everyone who comes through the door feel at home. Order the breakfast, it's incredible (they serve it all day). The pastries and coffee are all delicious as well. Very busy in the morning (mostly with Guatemalans) and the weekends, but you won't wait long at all. Enjoy! read more

My favorite Guatemalan panaderia in the Bay Area. Really good bread and super friendly staff. I love this place!!

All cash transaction with the ability to charge you extra so be careful. Ordered the same dish on different occasions and the bill was way more second time. read more

Hands down the best breakfast in San Francisco. Light and fluffy and nicely crusty soft roll. Black beans which has been cooked in the kitchens of heaven. Crema and cheese. Two eggs - any way you like it. With an on-demand deliciously SPICY sauce for the kick. read more

I try and come here every weekend because the food and service here are just that good. Make sure you eventually try the arroz en leche and the pan con todo y salchicha. I've brought friends of all nationalities and they all seem to love it. mmm..craving some right now.. read more

I go out of my way to get a pan con todo from the good people here before work. SO GOOD. The fresh delicious soft roll, with black beans (some of the best in the city), super fresh cheese, and tangy crema make for a comforting tasty start to the day. read more

I'm usually not a fan of black beans, but I loved the way they were prepared here. I was with my Salvadorean boyfriend and his family and they raved about this place! From the crusty soft rolls to the fresh queso and crema, I enjoyed every bite! We ordered one of everything...The pache (potato tamale) was spicy, pork tamale had lots of meat, empanada was crispy and flavorful and the chuchito was great too! Topped off with a platano and longaniza sausage, we had a great feast! read more

The best tradicional Guatemala bakery and restaurant, its a order and sit down place. Always busy but the food is worth it, the bread is always fresh, because every time I go for my favorite bread choices I have to wait. Service could be better, but it truly is a mom and pop operation. We drive on weekends when we can all the way from Lincoln, Ca. I have tried other similar bakeries and they don't compare, worth the drive for me. I get frustrated by the service but things are run like in Latin America, kick back, no rush style. But the baked goods and food are delicious, and not to full of oil too. Highly recommend it. read more

Universal Bakery - Tamal, beans, tradicional cheese and cream, longaniza (guatemala style sausage). - Bakeries Near Me - San Francisco, California

Ordered online asked for no sour cream, and got extra on my sandwich, called grub hub costumer service and got the run around for an hour, was told that food would be re delivered, and nothing. Called back and was refused a refund and still no replacement sandwiches. Horrible service, shame cuz I eat here all the time and this was my first time ordering online, also my last. PISSED OFF!!!! read more