Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory

While we were in San Francisco last month, we were sure to visit the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in Chinatown. You'll see this place listed in most of the guide books as a must-do (or at the very least, highly suggested) activity.



We actually visited here twice. The first time, we walked to Chinatown and back from our hotel on Market Street. We enjoyed looking at the colorful buildings, decor, shops and such. It took us a few minutes to find the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, though. It is in an alley and a bit out of the way. It's a small place, too, but neat to see--so it's worth the effort.



When we got there, this gentleman was very nice and welcoming. He offered us fortune cookie samples from a tray of broken cookie pieces. We enjoyed the samples and also bought a small bag of cookies. And that's not all we bought. The nice man let us take a photo or two--and then a few more for a small price. LOL!



See that sign? It reads: "Hello! If you take a picture please pay 50 cents. Thank you!" We gladly obliged. I hope you enjoy these photos, folks! They weren't free. ha ha ha!



Seriously, though, we didn't mind. It was neat to see how the cookies come off of the machine and how each one is folded and the fortunes are inserted. We don't believe in fortunes, of course, but it is interesting to see the process. There were two ladies--one on each machine--working at a time.



Two days later, Tanna decided that he wanted to go back to Chinatown to eat. This time, we rode a cable car there. Tanna actually ate at two Chinatown restaurants in less than an hour--no joke! (He means business when it comes to eating, people!) Anyway, while he was enjoying the Chinese cuisine, Kate and I walked around and also visited the fortune cookie place again. Why not, right? From what I gathered, it is pretty common to see groups of tourists walking around trying to find this place ... and then more at the actual shop.


After Tanna ate and we met up, we gave him a cookie--I think he liked it.

Here are just a few more photos from our time in San Francisco's Chinatown--which is, from what I read, the biggest Chinese community outside of Asia and also the oldest Chinatown in North America:




Do you see Kate and me?


Lim Family Benevolent Society