Boudin's 'mother dough' sourdough gag at Fisherman's Wharf

Boudin Bakery's flagship at Fisherman's Wharf displays a sourdough starter it traces to 1849 and markets the starter as a continuous 'mother dough' used in its breads. Locals and visitors often joke that the starter is effectively a very old San Francisco resident and that eating sourdough is a requirement for being local. Boudin's claim about the starter's 1849 origins is part of the bakery's historical narrative and has been discussed in food histories, with some debate over exact continuity. The Fisherman's Wharf location is a popular tourist stop for observing the bakers and the starter on display.