the most iconic donut shop in SF is about to pop off… AGAIN 🍩⚡
Void sound. Bangers and glaze. Techno + House. Daytime rave energy. Sunday, May 3 - if you missed us last time now is the chance to bite back in.
Comment DONUTS and we’ll slide you the deets 🍩
Wishing you happy holidays from Bob's donuts! Our stores will be closed on Christmas. Thanks for your support in 2025, especially after our big move from 1621 Polk to 1720 Polk. Here's to more excitement in 2026! 🎉🎄
Happy Thanksgiving from Bob’s Donuts! All stores are open till 1pm Thursday; grab some donuts to bring to your Thanksgiving gatherings! Thankful for all the community support, hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving holiday **Reminder that we have closed 1621 Polk St and are now at 1720 Polk 🙌
Join us on Saturday, November 22nd from 2-5pm as we say a bittersweet goodbye to Bob's Donuts at 1621 Polk. Grab a crumb donut on us and snap some pics with friends, family, and our team 🍩🥰
It’s never easy to say goodbye.
After 70 years at 1621 Polk St, Bob’s Donuts is closing this location and shifting operations to 1720 Polk St on November 23, 2025.
Bob’s began in the 50s when an entrepreneur named Bob opened a modest donut shop, one of several businesses he ran along Polk Street. In the 70s, Elinor purchased the shop and ran it as a single mother while raising two kids. She came to the United States from Korea with limited English but an unwavering dream shared by many immigrants: to build a better life through hard work, perseverance, and grit.
In 2001, Elinor’s sudden and unexpected passing left Bob’s to her son Don and his wife, Aya. Both in their early twenties and raising three kids under five, they found themselves managing a business they had no experience in. By most measures, Bob’s was a struggling business, but much like Elinor, continuing felt like their only option.
Aya, an immigrant from Japan, approached Bob’s with the spirit of shokunin, the devotion to one’s craft and the pursuit of excellence not for praise, but for purpose. When she took over the struggling shop, she treated every customer like a neighbor. She remembered names, shared stories, and made everyone feel seen.
Bob’s has always been more than just a donut shop. It’s a reflection of the incredible community around us. Over the years, we’ve been humbled by the kindness of our neighbors: customers who stayed late to keep Aya company during quiet overnight hours, friends who helped sweep the floor when things got busy, and Bill, who never hesitated to run across the street to grab us change when we needed it. These gestures remind us how special it is to be part of a community that looks after each other. Aya has always cared deeply for her community, but through it all, this community cared just as deeply for her and for Bob’s.
Although this is a bittersweet goodbye, we’re grateful to continue to be part of this special community at our new location at 1720 Polk St. Thank you to everyone for the continued support throughout our journey, and we’re excited to see you at our new store.
Night Looking Towards Original Bob’s Donuts (on Polk St) 🔴 @bobsdonuts
Feeling all the feels 💫
Back in 2023, Moth Belly Gallery gave me my first shot in an established gallery setting—and that moment cracked open a whole new chapter in my art journey. Their thoughtful programming, dedication to SF’s underground art scene, and support for emerging artists like me continues to be a huge source of inspiration and drive. Kudos John and Kt.
So I’m beyond grateful to return for The City at Night—a group show featuring artists I deeply admire, and a city I love painting. Special shoutout to Emily Wilson for collecting my piece before the show even opened (!!). That support means the world. 🖤 @pureewil
Come see it in person—on view all August + September at @mothbellygallery , with an opening this Thursday, Aug 7 from 6–9PM for @sffirstthursday 🌙
#TheCityAtNight #MothBellyGallery #SFArtScene #BayAreaArtists #ShreyPurohit
Bob’s Donuts for Breakfast began as a real-life sweet moment with my boys and their sticky fingers and full hearts. One day, I imagined a dog with a nose for wonder and a squirrel with a poetic soul following that curiosity through the streets of San Francisco… and like that, a story unfolded.
This week, ABC7 captured the leap from local donuts at sunrise to lyrical adventure. They even spotlighted the magical donut design contest we hosted, where kids across the Bay imagined their dream donut. The winning creation, “Taste of Clouds,” is as dreamy as it sounds and will be in the book and at the shop! This project is more than just a book. It’s a love letter to childhood, to mindfulness, to local landmarks, and to the spirit of adventure. And it’s a reminder that stories can grow from even the smallest shared rituals.
Next month, you can find Bob’s Donuts for Breakfast at Bob’s Donuts locations or order online now for pre-order (link in bio). From my family to yours—may it bring as much delight as a warm old-fashioned. 🍩
Check out our new ice cream malasadas at 1720 Polk St! 📢😎 Warm, sugar-coated donuts filled with melty chocolate or vanilla ice cream - perfect for summer! Only available at our new location at 1720 Polk!!
FEEL THAT ENERGY ⚡️🪩💛
Last Friday’s pop-up party at @bobsdonuts was unreal!
To all our funky friends & fam… We appreciate all the goodness you brought :)
I’ve had several of people tell me that this groovy sound has become your new favorite style and music and I am so so so SO stoked 🙏🏼
Cheers to the champions at @freqmusic_art for connecting the dots and making this happen 🙌🏼
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