Number 23: The 2 A.M. Apple Fritter at Bob's Donuts

By Alex Hochman Thu., Apr. 12 2012 at 1:37 PM

Categories: Nob Hill & Russian Hill, SFoodie's 50

Iann Ivy

No, you're not just drunk. It really is good when it's fresh.

SFoodie's countdown of our favorite 50 things to eat and drink, 2012 edition

At 2 a.m., belly full of Jack Daniels and hair reeking of stale cigarette smoke, you're not so concerned that sustenance is organic, vegan, or pedigreed. No, at two o'clock you need a gut bomb. Something that seems delicious in the moment yet has magical medicinal qualities to help you rise the next afternoon in a slightly less muddled, less excruciating state. At 2 a.m., you need Bob's apple fritter.

To be frank, this thing will sink you. Comprised of globs of dough braided with too much, too sweet glaze and a gummy, fruity concoction, Bob's apple fritter tastes absolutely nothing like a real apple. And it shouldn't. But at 2 a.m., odds are good that your savior has been recently plucked from a vat of bubbling oil, rendering the fritter extravagantly melty and the glaze lustrous. It all goes down easier than that last shot of Cuervo you just gulped.

At a proper morning hour the apple fritter is a death wish to start your day. But at 2 a.m., under Bob's filthy fluorescent lights and paired with a noncompostable cup of Farmer Brothers coffee? It's perfect.

Bob's Donuts, 1621 Polk Street (at Clay), 776-3141.

Other favorites in this series:

24: Le Sanctuaire's vadouvan 25: Crab louis salad at Nettie's Crab Shack
26: Soy sauce chicken from Happy Bakery & Deli
27: Locanda's Jewish-style artichoke
28: Local: Mission Eatery's asparagus-egg sandwich
29: Memphis Minnie's 18-hour brisket
30: Custard buns from City View
31: Mission Chinese Food's kung pao pastrami
32: Panisse frites from Frances
33: Izakaya Yuzuki's chawanmushi
34: Fatted Calf's chorizo
35: Silvanas from House of Silvanas
36: Linden Street Brewery's black lager
37: Aged oolongs from Red Blossom Tea Company
38: Broken Record's crawfish grits
39: Cebiche mixto from La Mar

40: Nutella-hazelnut hand pie from Black Jet Baking Co.
41: Fifth Floor's burger
42: Perbacco's agnolotti dal plin
43: Iced coffee from Sightglass
44: Cypress Grove's Purple Haze Chevre
45: Lechon from Tastebuds Cuisine
46: Duck with beets from AQ
47: Tai nigiri at ICHI Sushi
48: Fish with explosive chiles from Spices!

49: Baker & Banker Bakery's blueberry cream cheese muffin
50: Kufta tajine from Cafe Zitouna

Follow Alex Hochman at @urbanstomach.
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