No cookie for you!

Several Seinfeld episodes touch on the subject of eating out and the fickle nature of obtaining food from popular restaurants and bakeries. There’s the episode about a Jewish deli that always runs out of marble rye (Jerry steals the last loaf from an old grandma); the one about a Chinese restaurant so busy that no one can seem to reserve a seat; and, of course, the one with the infamous Soup Nazi, a talented but temperamental chef who refuses to serve customers who rub him the wrong way.

Sacramento has its own quirky food experiences. Here’s a list of seven local foods that you’ll be lucky to get at all.

Queen of cookies

Often called the “queen” of Sacramento’s cookies, Goodie Tuchews owner and lone baker Terry O’Reilly makes a limited amount of cookies every day. Some flavors run out fast, and when they’re gone, you’ll have to wait for another day to get one. The place officially closes at 3:30 p.m. every day, but O’Reilly says she’ll shut it down before that if she sells out of cookies first. Then, she’ll put up a sign that says, “No more cookies today.” Goodie Tuchews, 1015 L Street; (916) 444-6048.

You’ll get served

Daniel Pont is known by some locals as Sacramento’s Soup Nazi. His former lunch-only restaurant La Bonne Soupe Cafe had notoriously long lines and prioritized quality over everything else—including service. The same philosophy applies at Chez Daniel, Pont’s newer dinner-only restaurant, which serves traditional French food paired with a side of unusual service. It’s difficult to obtain reservations, and once seated, one might get served a dish not of one’s choice—just because it’s the only dish left in the kitchen. Chez Daniel, 49 Natoma Street in Folsom; (916) 353-1938.

Prince of pizzas

Pizza Rock only sells 73 margherita pizzas per day. Why? It’s to honor the day owner Tony Gemignani won the World Pizza Champions with the aforementioned pizza: June 13, 2007, or 6/13. According to the restaurant’s website, combine the 6 and 1 to make 7, then slap the leftover 3 on the end to get 73. Yes, it’s a twisted logic, and Pizza Rock has only run out of the margherita on one occasion since the restaurant opened a few years back. Pizza Rock, 1020 K Street; (916) 737-5777; www.pizzarocksacramento.com.

Steal this bread?

Freeport Bakery is revered for its cakes, muffins, doughnuts, cookies and potato knishes. But it’s the challah, a kosher bread eaten on the Jewish Sabbath, that often runs out here. It’s chewy, eggy and semisweet. It’s like Sacramento’s marble rye: You might need to steal a loaf from someone’s bubbie to get yours. Freeport Bakery, 2966 Freeport Boulevard; (916) 442-4256; www.freeportbakery.com.

Peanut-butter mochi time

Osaka-Ya is equally famous for its sweets and shaved ice. The rarest sweet treat here is a peanut-butter-filled mochi creation, prepared only on the weekends. There are four styles to choose from and all four run out quickly. Osaka-Ya, 2215 10th Street; (916) 446-6857; www.osakaya-wagashi.com.

Pho queue

Here’s another so-called Soup Nazi: The Vietnamese mother running Pho Anh Dao has a reputation for making the best chicken pho in town. There are often long lines during lunch, and the place regularly runs out of the daily soup. Word on the street is that Anh Dao reopens for late-night eats on Friday and Saturday nights. Pho Anh Dao, 6830 Stockton Boulevard, Suite 165; (916) 428-2826.

Chairman bao

Swallow your pride and order some Chinese buns, or bao, from Lam Kwong Deli & Market. Reviewers on Yelp have long complained of a “Bao Nazi”—a certain employee who treats customers coldly, expects a quick transaction and never partakes in small talk. But who needs small talk? The buns here are reputably delicious. Lam Kwong Deli & Market, 2031 12th Street; (916) 443-8805; http://themenupage.com/lamkwongdelimarket.