Forget San Francisco, new restaurant chain specializing in sourdough comes to Turlock
Sourdough bread is a bit of religion in certain parts of California. Heck, maybe you even tried your hand at baking some during this pandemic.
Now a new fast-expanding Northern California-based chain is bringing the state’s signature bread to Turlock with its first restaurant in Stanislaus County. Last month, Sourdough & Co. opened its doors on Monte Vista Avenue right next to the Stanislaus State campus.
Since then the sandwich shop has been serving up its creations on its fresh baked sourdough baguettes. You can also get the tangy, chewy bread as a bowl for the restaurant’s clam chowder, another menu staple.
Turlock Sourdough & Co. owner DJ Singh previously opened a location in Manteca, in the fall before the COVID-19 pandemic started. He said he chose Turlock for his second site because of his long history with the city, where he attended Pittman High and California State University, Stanislaus.
The location is another prime spot, just across Crowell Road from his alma mater and in the same complex as the always busy Dutch Bros coffee shop. The new Warrior Crossing retail center also has a Domino’s pizza, as well as some empty space still available.
Record-setting numbers at Turlock restaurant opening
The pick of Singh’s former hometown proved to be a good one, as his shop’s mid-February opening was one of the biggest yet for the company with lines out the door. Since then, people have already become regulars, coming back to grab a sandwich, salad or soup. Sourdough & Co. has more than 30 locations across the state currently.
“The reception has been great, (Turlock) has gone over and beyond and we beat all records for a store opening,” Singh said. “Turlock has been overly gracious.”
The chain’s concept is simple. You can pick from any of the 14 regular sandwiches and some assorted daily specials. Combinations range from your classic roast beef to a pastrami reuben and garlic pesto turkey to a French dip. Sandwiches come in 4-inch, six-inch or 8-inch sizes which run $6.79 to $10.49.
If you’re avoiding carbs (but, people, sourdough is in the restaurant’s name), they also have a selection of five entree-sized salads that include popular favorites like Cobb, grilled chicken Caesar and Greek. Those leafy options run $6.45 for a small and $9.75 for a large.
More than just sandwiches, salads and soups served, too
Then there are the soups, with three kinds served daily which include cream of potato, chili, fire-roasted vegetable and more. And, because sourdough bread and clam chowder are the peanut butter and chocolate of the soup world, you can also get it or any of the other options served in a bread bowl. Prices are $5.25 for a cup, $7.25 for a bowl and $8.49 for a bread bowl.
“We brought (our clam chowder bread bowl) down to the valley. You don’t have to drive to San Francisco anymore,” Singh said.
Which brings us back to the bread. The sourdough is par-baked in San Francisco (due to its ideal sourdough-making climate) and then delivered six-days a week to the restaurant. They are then finished baking in the restaurant, so you get a crunchy, flaky crust with a soft, pillowy interior, and if you time it right it’ll still be warm to boot.
The store has about 15 employees, and once the county’s COVID-19 numbers go down enough to allow indoor dining will have capacity for about 20 to 30 inside. There is no outdoor seating currently, but if you must dine al fresco the Stan State campus is right across the street with ample picnic areas.
Finally, if by chance you are a Californian who doesn’t like sourdough bread (audible gasp) don’t worry, they have two sliced options (honey wheat and marble rye). But, again, the bread is in the name folks.
Sourdough & Co, at 1203 W. Monte Vista Ave. in Turlock, is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. For more information call 209-250-2922 or visit sourdoughandco.com.
This story was originally published March 8, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
