Arizmendi Bakery (Lakeshore)

Matthew Diaz 2 months ago

Strolled into bakery in the early afternoon, and was happy to find so many breads and rolls still available. Tried the corn and cherry scone, and I adored it. The scone was hearty, and the texture with the added corn meal made the mildly sweet cherries even better. The volume of it was also formidable, so I loved it even more. The whole wheat savory scone was cheesy and had the same rich, hearty texture of the sweet scone, and the flavors were balanced well with the onions and herbs. Delicious in every bite. The corn muffin had corn niblets scattered throughout, and it was delicious, but it was not that different from a basic store-bought corn muffin mix to my palate. The Zampano was a lovely hybrid of hints of spice, buttery goodness, and chewy bread, so good warmed up with your beverage of choosing. The staff member at the register was incredibly kind, and he helped me get through my purchase without any hangups. I loved the overall laidback vibe of the store as well as how easy it is to grab what you’re after and get to the register. Very bohemian and welcoming. I will stop in for so many other breads that I want to sample.

Stephanie Alvarado 2 months ago

While the pizza tastes great, I feel like they don’t have enough day-to-day variety. I’ve had various of their pastries, and sometimes find them a bit dense, or they don’t feel fresh when I bite into them. However, the pastries taste great from their danishes to chocolate coconut scones (although I found the scone to have too much chocolate for my liking, but that’s just my preference). Tables inside and outside don’t seem to be cleaned very often throughout the day as every time I’ve sat at a table there are crumbs.

Fine Dining Auditor 3 months ago

Wanted to audit Arizmendi Bakery on Lakeshore Avenue as part of my ongoing evaluation of local Bay Area food spots and artisan bakeries. Instead of ordering online, I opted to place my order directly at the counter to experience their morning foot traffic flow. The location itself is highly accessible, sitting just a short distance from I-580, and I found that paid street parking was easily available right along the commercial strip. This is the first bakery I’ve audited where you select and bag your own fresh pastries and baked goods before paying at the register. The self-service procedure can get a bit hectic during busy morning hours and commuter rushes. I found myself moving out of the way a few times so more seasoned patrons could grab their items quickly. Since no tongs are provided—only small paper squares—I had to handle everything carefully to avoid damaging the delicate pastries. Personally, I would prefer tongs here; with the current setup, it is incredibly easy for someone's hand or arm to accidentally brush up against neighboring pastries while making a selection, especially if they aren't gripping the paper properly or if the paper doesn't slip easily as they reach

Carlos Nava 3 months ago

Stumbled into Arizmendi after two other businesses up the street would not take cash. So glad it worked out this way. I had their coconut pineapple pie. They call it pie but it is more of an empanada. It was delicious. The staff where wonderful too. Informing me on which days they make the pies. Glad this place is on my route

Luke Rolka Edited 3 months ago

Arizmendi gets a lot of hype but if we’re being honest this place is a treasure that I wish was commonplace. The pastries alone are delicious, especially the sourdough cinnamon swirls. The cookies are above average. In fact so far I haven’t been disappointed by anything and I have eaten at most bakeries in the bay. Their pizza is inexpensive and makes for a great lunch. I don’t mind they only have one flavor a day, it keeps me out of my rut. I usually get a slice and a small soup, which is also du jour. Their soups are all vegetarian, the same as everything else so they’re not as flavorful as I’d like but they’re satisfying and where else can you get a well rounded lunch for just over $10 anymore? Bonus points for being a worker collective. You can taste the love