Gotta Admit,Learn Something New Everyday-Sourdough
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One of the major tragedies in sourdough history is the loss of San Francisco's Larraburu Brothers Bakery, which produced what many considered the finest sourdough breads one could buy. In 1972, one of their trucks accidentally struck and injured a child. The child's family sued and won a huge settlement, Larraburu went broke and shut down, and the starter went down with them.
Apparently, there's a documentary in the making about Larraburu Brothers, and rumors are floating around that the starter may be alive and well in Austin, TX. I'm confident the film maker will get to the bottom of it.
Apparently, there's a documentary in the making about Larraburu Brothers, and rumors are floating around that the starter may be alive and well in Austin, TX. I'm confident the film maker will get to the bottom of it.
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www.sfchronicle.com
I remember Larraburu Sourdough bread very well and fondly. If you lived in the Bay Area that was THE french bread to buy. It had a flavor that I've never tasted again since they went out of business. The crust was especially delicious. This was the only french bread (we called it french bread in the 50's and 60's, not sourdough) we ever had when I was growing up.
Once while my Mom was having her 1961 Mercury Monterey convertible washed she went next door to Spenger's Seafood Restaurant in Berkeley and bought a pound of fresh shrimp and a loaf of Larraburu and my Mom, brother, sister and myself had a tasty lunch while waiting for the car to be done.
Thanks Ralph for reminding me of this wonderful bread and memory of my family.
Eddie
Once while my Mom was having her 1961 Mercury Monterey convertible washed she went next door to Spenger's Seafood Restaurant in Berkeley and bought a pound of fresh shrimp and a loaf of Larraburu and my Mom, brother, sister and myself had a tasty lunch while waiting for the car to be done.
Thanks Ralph for reminding me of this wonderful bread and memory of my family.
Eddie
Great story, Eddie! Next to crab, your lunch is a Bay Area classic!
That area is a trendy shopping district now, but I think Spenger's has managed to survive recent ownership changes (I'm betting it still looks the same inside as it did in the '60s), along with Brennan's cafeteria across University Ave, where old school items like turkey necks can be found as you slide your tray along -- one of the reasons Jerry Brown has been known to frequent the place. I doubt Larraburu* bread was ever offered there, though.
Nice car, that '61 Merc convertible!
*Just in case this thread has legs, it's pronounced Larra-ba-ROO
That area is a trendy shopping district now, but I think Spenger's has managed to survive recent ownership changes (I'm betting it still looks the same inside as it did in the '60s), along with Brennan's cafeteria across University Ave, where old school items like turkey necks can be found as you slide your tray along -- one of the reasons Jerry Brown has been known to frequent the place. I doubt Larraburu* bread was ever offered there, though.
Nice car, that '61 Merc convertible!
*Just in case this thread has legs, it's pronounced Larra-ba-ROO
Ralph, at that time Spenger's had a fish market attached to the restaurant. Spenger's was on the corner and just down the block was the carwash. This was the kind of carwash that you left car with them. I know Mom bought the shrimp there, but she may or may not have bought the bread there too. But I know it was Larraburu, because thats all she bought in 1961. I recall we had been to the grocery store earlier, so the Larraburu could have been bought then. It was the Telephone Market on Solano Ave. kind of on the cusp between Albany and Berkeley. My Dad worked there while he attended law school at USF after he was discharged from the Navy at the end of WWII.
BTW, the Merc was Empress Blue with a white top and was beautiful, but a real dog. My parents got rid of it within 6 months.
Eddie[this post was last edited: 11/1/2016-21:07]
BTW, the Merc was Empress Blue with a white top and was beautiful, but a real dog. My parents got rid of it within 6 months.
Eddie[this post was last edited: 11/1/2016-21:07]
Eddie --
Wow -- my sister lived on Sutter Street just inside Berkeley at the other end of the old Key System tunnel for about ten years! I wonder if the Telephone Market became the Park & Shop that I believe is still there on Solano.
Coincidentally, I'm taking a friend up to Berkeley tomorrow for his initiation to Urban Ore and Ohmega Salvage.
Too bad about the Merc. I can relate. We had a '57 Lincoln Premiere that was the biggest lemon in history.
Apologies for throwing things off course. I'll forego launching a discussion about "Old Sourdough,"an all night movies host on local UHF back in the '70s and '80s.
Wow -- my sister lived on Sutter Street just inside Berkeley at the other end of the old Key System tunnel for about ten years! I wonder if the Telephone Market became the Park & Shop that I believe is still there on Solano.
Coincidentally, I'm taking a friend up to Berkeley tomorrow for his initiation to Urban Ore and Ohmega Salvage.
Too bad about the Merc. I can relate. We had a '57 Lincoln Premiere that was the biggest lemon in history.
Apologies for throwing things off course. I'll forego launching a discussion about "Old Sourdough,"an all night movies host on local UHF back in the '70s and '80s.
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King Arthur flour has a sourdough culture from the 1760s that you can purchase. I have used it and it makes great bread.
Also, Carl Griffith's 1847 Oregon Trail culture is available if you send a self addressed return envelope. Although it is not necessary, they do ask for a small donation to offset costs - I sent a $5 bill when i got mine; again it makes great bread:
Also, Carl Griffith's 1847 Oregon Trail culture is available if you send a self addressed return envelope. Although it is not necessary, they do ask for a small donation to offset costs - I sent a $5 bill when i got mine; again it makes great bread:
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carlsfriends.net
