Over 30 years ago, Michael’s Sourdough Sandwiches opened two locations in Marin County, one in San Rafael and the other in Novato. Since opening, the fast-casual sandwich shop has thrived, quickly catching the attention of many in Marin. They’ve won numerous awards, including “Best Sandwiches” by Marin Magazine in their Best of the County 2019 voting and Pacific Sun’s Best of Marin award for “Best Sandwich Shop,” and are often very busy, seeing a community of loyal guests who have rallied around them for decades.
At the beginning of September, a new sandwich restaurant named Sour Kid Cafe opened its doors right next to Michael’s. Owned by Michael’s son, Chris Braun, Sour Kid Cafe combines their renowned sourdough bread from Michael’s with fresh egg sandwiches. The menu also features other breakfast delicacies including pastries from Rustic Bakery. With just five items on the menu, the options are limited, but the reasonable prices and high-quality ingredients make Sour Kid Cafe a nice partner to its sibling restaurant next door.
Looking at Sour Kid’s menu, it was clear that their specialty dish was egg sandwiches, so it seemed necessary to try. I started by ordering a bacon, egg and cheddar sandwich and then one with avocado, egg and cheddar. When I tasted the sandwiches, I quickly understood the appeal; the warm sourdough from next door, paired with perfectly cooked eggs, melty cheese and crispy bacon/sliced avocado created a quality breakfast sandwich. Additionally, the spicy mayonnaise that came with it added a much-needed kick. To top it off, the cheese melted onto the bread, leaving a stretchy pull when I took a bite.
The sandwiches tasted good and contained intense flavor, but nothing made them stand out to me compared to other restaurants. While they comprise fresh ingredients, they could alternatively be made at home, so making the trip to Sour Kid solely for their breakfast sandwiches may not be the best idea. I felt Sour Kid could have used more of each item and I wish the bread was toasted to add a crunch to the cooked egg.
As for other items on Sour Kid’s menu, I ordered the avocado toast, a dish that entails three slices of toasted sourdough topped with freshly sliced avocado and house-made seasoning. The meal also comes with chili oil on the side which many dip their toast into. Taking my first bite, I noticed the dish’s perfect portion of avocado. The house seasoning and chili oil elevated the flavor, making it more sophisticated than regular homemade avocado toast.
Although it is a bit far from campus, Sour Kid Cafe offers quality and worthy breakfast options. With a limited but tasty menu, an old-time aesthetic and inviting outdoor seating, Sour Kid Cafe is certainly a good place to grab a reasonably priced breakfast, have a coffee with a friend or simply enjoy a nice morning in Marin.
