If there’s one thing we like more than a good helping of sweet and sour chicken, it’s got to be the fortune cookie that usually follows. We sniffed out the notorious Golden Gate Cookie Factory while meandering around San Francisco and were pleasantly surprised at what we found. We thought that “factory” implied a big, corporate building with hundreds of workers dressed in scrubs, face masks, and gloves, pulling levers that dispersed the perfectly shaped treat. What we really found was a tiny hole-in-the-wall store where a pair of older Chinese ladies patiently sat and folded every single fortune cookie by hand.
When eating a fortune cookie, there’s one rule that we always abide by: one must eat the entire cookie before they can read their fortune. Where did this tradition come from? We have no idea, but it’s something that we’ve always done. Every now and then we also classically add “in bed” to the end of every fortune. Why take everything so seriously?
… in bed.
If you find yourself in San Francisco, do yourself a favor and stop by the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. They’ll give you a free cookie once you step in the door, and also sell them by the bag full for a great price.
The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory is located at 56 Ross Alley in China town, San Francisco.
I’m guilty of reading the fortune before eating… Now I’ll know better.
Aww, I love this place! I haven’t been in years, but it was the highlight of a class field trip or two back in the day.
That’s funny! And I did not know that fortune cookie rule.
Wow, how cool! And how small the place!
I wanted to visit this place the first (and last) time I was in San Fran. Love this video, especially your pretty face.
Oh, I never knew. I love fortune cookies and hardly ever see any. I will certainly check this out next time I am in SF.
Now, I’m off to San Francisco next year, and this looks exactly like the kinda thing I want to be doing there! Well, that and gawking over musclebound men parading around in little more than their underwear (that’s a daily thing there, right? RIGHT?!)
I’m also liking your “in bed” style. I may have to start using that this week. It’ll confuse the hell out of my students.
i love 2 things about this post so much! the “in bed” at the end of reading your fortune and chris’s face when he read his second fortune. HAHAHAHA! love you guys.
definitely didn’t know about the fortune cookie rule of eating and definitely going here. who are we to turn down a free cookie?!
Wow, I cannot believe a small metal bar is the secret behind the classic fortune cookie shape. She made it look so easy folding it, but I am sure if I had my hands on one those cookies it would turn out a mess. It would be a fortune blob.
probably my favorite of your videos, well the subset I’ve watched. And yes, I might say that again… Cool spot indeed. Definitely strange to think my fortune was probably in her hands at one point. All of ours were. Powerful lady.
stay adventurous, Craig
Shame I didn’t know about this when I went to San Francisco in 2004. I would have loved to have gone here.
Pretty cool seeing how they’re made!
I’ve been here my whole life and I haven’t even been here. Lol. I’m guilty for reading the fortune and not eating the cookie. Haha.
lol..very funny…I knew about this shop right after I immigrated to the US…cus THERE”S NO fortune cookie in CHINA!! everyone of my Chinese friend said that:)….will ck this shop out when I have a chance go to San Fran:)))