5 stars for ambiance and deliciousness but only 3 for service, sadly. Generally slow and sometime even forgotten / incorrect orders. The cookies, ice tea, pastries, and sandwiches are all worth the calories. Also- fantastic pre-made pizza dough and soups in the refrigerated case.
(3)
Sara P.
Love the open space. We come here often for breakfast. Used to live in the neighborhood, moved away and still drive across the cities for their delicious pancakes, eggs and bacon! Love that the breakfast meals come with an option of a salad. Very casual and great for family.
(4)
Sun Yung S.
Amazing bread. Good vegetarian and vegan options for soup. Good side salad. However, the people who work here often seem indifferent, impatient with you, or hostile. The Chicago Avenue spot is VERY LOUD. The Nokomis spot is much better (although ditto on the customer service).
(3)
Jeri A.
I really, really want to like this place. Cute, neighborhood-y, lots of character. And if I close my eyes, i do love the food. But the cleanliness and friendliness are practically non-existent. I brought a friend there recently and she out-and-out refused to eat there. Seeing it through fresh eyes, there was clearly a lack of detail and focus on CLEAN. The coolers are dirty, the window sills are dusty, the tables stay unbussed, the baked goods just sort of hang out there for all to brush up against and sneeze on. Would love to see things improve, as the location and ambiance are very nice.
(2)
LB L.
The salads are good, the soups a great, but let's face it, here it is all about the BREAD!!! This place knows how to make bread the way the French intended... Crispy, crunchy crusty goodness, with soft and chewy insides in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Add a generous pat of butter and you have a type of heaven I reserve for my rare days of Glutopia (the feast of gluten that will inevitably make me feel like garbage, but I enjoy thoroughly while I'm indulging.). If you are in need of a Glutopia release or just a good hunk of bread, come here.
(4)
Sally A.
I woke up early excited for breakfast at a new place with a friend. We typically go to The Hot Plate, Butter, Our Kitchen or GiGi's so we thought we would add another spot to the list. I was underwhelmed by my eggs, sausage and potato breakfast. I was also surprised that the coffee mugs were only 4 oz. If you are like me, I gotta have my coffee and lots of it so making lots of trips for a re-fill wasn't convenient, I realize this comment makes me lazy but hey, it's Sunday morning! But at least I was getting my steps in. My potatoes were cold and under seasoned, I got the heel of the baguette which was stale. I didn't even finish my plate. On the bright side, I did get a almond croissant which was delicious. I will go back for the pastries but not for breakfast.
(3)
Tara H.
During apple season, my mother used to bake 4-5 "fresh from scratch", butter apple pies a week. I am a VERY serious lover of pastry. The new baker Jessica is rare and outstanding. I feel Turtle Bread on Chicago Ave has earned my number one baker rating for the Twin Cities, Rochester, Duluth, Two Harbors, and towns down the Mississippi. They use excellent top quality chemical free ingredients. Pure butter, wonderous plump raisins, heavenly real whipped cream, and have the best bread (Strata bread) in the state -- amazing flavor. The staff are all great, portions generous, soups outstanding, quiche out of this world, brownies and key lime pie to truly die for. The best bran muffin I have ever found. I prefer this Turtle Bread to their other location in Edina.
(5)
Mark D.
Before getting into my review, I just want to say that if Aaron H's review is true, this place should be shut down. That said, I'm going to hope they're not actually reusing uneaten soup and give Turtle Bread two stars based upon our experience across multiple visits. I really wanted to like this place. I really wanted a good, locally-owned artisan bakery near our home, a low-key place we can take our kid or friends for a good, reliable meal. At some point, though, returning to a place we've had multiple bad experiences at and hoping for something better is about as smart as punching oneself in the face, and today I think we crossed that threshold. The only reason Turtle Bread gets two stars rather than one is the food, if it arrives, is often pretty good. While there have been a few misses, the soups, bread and fixed sandwiches are typically fresh and tasty. That's the good. The rest is bad. I said the food is pretty good, and it is. But it's not great. We're talking slightly-better-than-Panera quality here at best, and considering the price and Turtle Bread's "artisan" positioning, that doesn't cut it. We really want to support local businesses, but being local in and of itself doesn't differentiate Turtle Bread enough for us to support it. While as said the food is competent, there's nothing that really stands out. Regarding the cleanliness of the place, I have to echo other reviews. It's dining area isn't very clean--today we ended up using the clean end of a half-dirty table, and no one cleaned the other side of the table during the 45 minutes of our stay--and the apparent lack of any effort to keep it tidy makes me wonder what the kitchen looks like. And then there's the service. There's a distinct lack of process at Turtle Bread, and while I will give the staff the benefit of the doubt and assume they care about what they're doing, from a customer standpoint the service often feels like indifference elevated to an art form. The first thing you need to know is if you order a sandwich that isn't pre-made you're going to wait a while. We've experienced this a few times, but today's example was extreme: The two of us who ordered soup were given it at the counter, while the person who ordered a sandwich was told that they'd bring it out to her. We found our seats and waited. And waited. Eventually, the two of us with soup ate it so it wouldn't get cold. After 20 minutes I went up to the counter to see what was up, and was told "we're kind of busy today." (It looked like every other day we've been there.) The staff seems to be confused as to how they're supposed to get food to customers. Really. Both our group and the person in front of us ordered the grilled veggie sandwich, to eat in. The person in front of us was told to wait by the counter, while we were told that they'd bring the sandwich to us. When I went up to see what was taking so long, the other guy was still standing there holding his number, fidgeting. After the staff person told me they'd be starting on our sandwich soon, she asked what he was waiting for, and when he answered the same thing she told him he could sit down and they'd bring it out to him. (I'm not blaming the staff on this--it doesn't seem they've gotten consistent direction. Or any direction.) Since it's not clear why some are told to sit and other are asked to stay close, it can result in questions like the ones we started asking at our table, especially after sitting around for a while: Are we supposed to be waiting by the counter? Did we misunderstand something? 20 minutes after two of us finished our soup, and nearly a full half hour after we ordered, the third person in our party finally got her sandwich--with a different side than what she ordered. Sorry, for a soup-and-sandwich meal for three approaching $40, it shouldn't be much to ask that everyone in the group can eat at approximately the same time. A five minute delay? OK, that's understandable. So is 10 if we're given a warning about it in advance. A half hour difference is nuts. If there was going to be a delay, the person taking our order could have at least told us about it so we could make a different decision. We really wanted to like Turtle Bread but overall have had too many visits like today's. In some cases good food can compensate for a bad experience, but Turtle Bread manages to keep things chaotic and confusing enough to prevent that from happening.
(2)
Todd S.
A go to spot for breakfast and lunch. Of course their bread is very good. But I came here last week for a Denver omelette, and it was very tasty , made to perfection. also came with a nice sized salad. For lunch a few weeks ago I had a chicken florentine soup that was fantastic and filling which came with a soft roll. At one point I came here for a pastry, which ended up being a blueberry muffin and that was very good as well, I believe all the ingrerdients here are locally made. Red velvet cupcake was good but not great, kinda dry, looked better then it tasted. The inside is quite large with plenty of seating. The prices are about average for a casual spot like this, only reason I can't give it a 5 is because the service can be sketchy at times, and the kids working there don't really seem to care, or even know what they have on their menu, speaking of which there is not a physical menu, you have to read it off of chalkboards, and the chalkboards are scattered around the place, most likely the reason for this though is because the menu probably changes day to day. Good food and pastries, average prices and service will have me going back to Turtle Bread for breakfast and lunch. I believe free wi-fi is available as i do see people on laptops all the time, and it's generally a pretty quiet place to chill.
(4)
Dawn F.
Love the open, airy atmosphere. Easy to meet people or groups - and the self-service option for food and coffee is lovely. Granted I did find the prices a little exorbitant, but at least the company was nice. And I'm equally frightened by the review by Aaron H. I'm thinking that it's a good idea I don't witness that, or let alone learn after the fact that happened with my food.
(2)
Sassy A.
UNDERWHELMING, upon walking in I expected delicious treats, what I got was lazy service and tasteless food. If you are on a low salt diet this is the place for you, if you like a little herb in your egg salad steer clear.
(2)
Natalie R.
Stopped in today to get some yummy sourdough bread, a wonderful ginger molasses cookie, and orange juice. Fast, friendly service. I wish I could have stayed longer.
(4)
Kit B.
I'll be honest, I just don't get why people love this place so much. The decor is boring - huge wooden tables, wooden floors, long counter containing pastries. Nope, it's not the atmosphere. Every pastry I've tried here - from the Mexican brownie to the pumpkin bars - are always way too dry, feel like they've been sitting out too long, and always taste like they're missing something. The soup - I had one decent soup here which was a carrot ginger soup. It was bland, but it wasn't terrible. I've sampled many of their other soups, and I can honestly say that there's nothing memorable going on here, either. (And after reading Aaron H's review about the soup getting re-served, it's sufficient to say I will NEVER eat soup from this place again.) Sandwiches? Nope. I had a salmon sandwich of some kind, and the fish smelled SO fishy that I barely wanted to eat it at all. Fish shouldn't smell THAT fishy. Not if it's stored correctly. So nope, it's not the food either that keeps folks so excited about this place. At least not me. Service - anyone who reads my reviews will see that I always give a star for service. I'm a chipper guy, and honestly, most of the time if you're nice to your server, they're really nice back to you. No matter how hard I've tried, I've never had consistently good service here. Sometimes it's okay. Sometimes its abysmal. So nope, it's not good service, either. And I'm sorry, but the prices? Seriously? I've had better food for less at Panera Bread, and that is not really a compliment for Panera. And when I'm paying that kind of cash for mediocre food, do not, I repeat, DO NOT try to rush me through that line. I appreciate expediency, and am well aware that others are likely waiting behind me; I'll be conscious of that on my own without you prodding me. So nope, it's not the prices. I feel that people "love" this place because it's local. And while I firmly believe in supporting local businesses, I do not agree with supporting a local business if it's a bad one. Step it up, Turtle Bread. You're not going to be able to ride on the "I love supporting local businesses" crowd for long - something better will come along. It always does.
(1)
Kristi C.
Initially we just popped in to check this place out for future visits to this lovely neighborhood. Ended up taking a Peanut Butter Bar home. The staff behind the counter couldn't have been more friendly & helpful. They took time to answer questions about their gluten free options. BTW, the Peanut Butter Bar wasn't much to write home about. But I'd stop back again and try something from their breakfast or lunch menu.
(3)
Phyllis M.
I like this place. I really do. Their food is fantastic and the atmosphere is fun, especially with an open baking area. Their bread and desserts are so yummy! So why only four stars? First, their internet is so unreliable that is frustrates anyone who comes here to work. When it does work it's fantastic. When it doesn't, the employees are ambivalent and shrug their shoulders, not really sure how to help. My advice: get better internet. Second... Their employees can sometimes appear rude. A good number of them are cheerful and helpful while some still look like they'd rather be doing something else... smile smile smile! it can help! Give it a try! The food is worth it and maybe I just pick the wrong days to come in!
(4)
Kelly O.
Second time here. Still a cute place with ample seating. Went here for a late lunch and it definitely wasn't too busy. Great bean soup and bread. Husband got the pot pie which was delicious as well. (I don't know if there's a pot pie he hasn't liked though, tbh.) My only complaint--the Greek salad was completely average. A giant plate of oil and vinegar on lettuce with a little feta cheese, 2 cucumber slices, and 2 cherry tomatoes. $9 for a salad I would expect some sort of protein or unique vegetable. Next time I'll just stick to the desserts I think :)
(4)
Andrea R.
The food is average, price is too high, service too slow, but the place is DIRTY. I'm surprised I didn't see a mouse in there.
(1)
Ian W.
Great bread and food, particularly their soups. I love going there because of the atmosphere but their coffee is pretty bad so not great for a coffee break.
(3)
Madge M.
I really like to support local business instead of the franchise places -- so I gave Turtle Bread a try. I've never ordered and eaten in, so this review is based on carry out. Atmosphere or ambiance: I don't get the funky, "hey, we're a bakery and we have piles of flour bags, and all our shelves are open." The place is just messy and cluttered. I don't need to see the inner workings of your business. Handmade signs? I guess nothing says, "we're casual, funky and arty. But, to me, it says, "we just don't care. Can't find the plastic silverware, here's a sign with a big arrow pointing to it." And the stuffed animals behind the cashier -- seriously? They look dirty. Clean it up. Place seems a little run-down. I stopped in early one morning to grab something on my way to work -- sure, it's winter and you need floor mats, but geez, have your cleaning crew vacuum them sometime. Especially the one in front of the bakery case. It's not too appetizing to have a dirty, icky floor. Cleanliness is pretty important in the food service biz. Service: nice kids, but kind of sloooooow. In the morning, it's important to get people on their way quickly. Lackluster, at best. Prices: For self-service, I'd expect lower prices. Their rolls, danish {these are HUGE and serve two handily}, croissants are delish, but oy vey, pretty pricey. And if you're getting a dozen to treat everyone, better bring a credit card. How about slightly smaller Danish at a lower price. I will say that the whole apple pie that I purchased one weekend was really the best I've ever had. Almost as good as homemade.
(2)
Veronica K.
My husband and I were visiting from out of town and were doing some shopping in this neighborhood when we got hungry. An employee of one of the shops we were in recommended this place for their soups. We almost left when we saw how high the prices were. We couldn't believe how expensive everything was. But we were starving, so we decided to split a sandwich and each get our own soup. We paid around $18 for a sandwich and two cups of soup! The soups were delicious, but still not worth what we paid for them. The reuben sandwich was good, too, and came with a salad with a yummy dressing, but we still thought the price was too high for it. We also thought the two teenage boys who took our orders were kind of rude and lacking any sort of social skills required of someone working with the public. They obviously have not had any customer service training or simply don't care. They didn't seem to enjoy their jobs very much, either. They seemed very put out about having to take our order. At first, we thought that we might come back again because the soups were so good, but after reading the reviews by C. O. and Aaron H., I don't think we'll be back. That's just gross and horrible restaurant management!
(3)
Megan B.
I've been here many times and tend to really enjoy it. Their salmon eggs benedict are outstanding. I always took visitors here and met friends for lunch. But then yesterday I got food poisoning, which am certain came from eating one of their deli cooler tuna fish sandwiches. I am talking food poisoning where you vomit for 7 hours. I called to let them know, and the woman I spoke with sounded surprised and let me know she hadn't heard from anyone else that it had happened. And that was it. I would expect a little more response after what I went through all night from eating the food. I don't think I'll be going back.
(2)
Amber K.
I really love the food here at Turtle bread but I have to say that the drip coffee they serve is bad - not even okay, it is bad. Don't wait in line for it.
(3)
Sarah B.
Turtle Bread, my love affair with you is over. My last few visits were enough to say, "no more." Today it was the odd tasting almond croissant that had no almond paste in the middle, just more almond slices. That's a new one. My son's "breakfast" pretzel was dry, bland and likely sitting in those open air baskets for 3 days. Our hot breakfast there last week was skimpy. My son thought the tiny pieces of asparagus in my frittata were actually peas!?!? A few months ago I stopped in for my favorite sandwich, the tomato mozzarella. It was seriously half the size of what I've had in the past (and I've had this one many times). I almost brought it back thinking it was a mistake, but the service always borders on indifferent and sometimes surly, so I ate it and left. Plus, I had just wanted to get out of there. Couldn't stand to look at all the dirty tables that still hadn't been bused since the lunch crowd cleared nearly two hours earlier. Disgusting. Clean it up...until then there are too many other good places to frequent. Not to mention, my two items today were over $6! Seems a tad pricey.
(1)
Katherine B.
Mmm...soup. Are you in the neighborhood at lunchtime with a hankering for soup? Stop here. Sample every one before deciding. Yes, the people behind you in line will give you passive aggressive looks, but they're going to do the same thing. If you have a small child with you, add on more bread for just 25 cents per huge hunk. That's a deal. My kid liked the bread better than the cupcake which is weird, but the bread is really that good and the pastries are just fine. I feel like if they took the food up just a notch, TBC could be a destination spot, but really it is just a true neighborhood gem. I imagine the closer one lives to this place, the more they would adore it.
(3)
Karen S.
I hate giving a great neighborhood spot a "demotion" like this, but lately a few things have really started to annoy me about this place. I say this as a regular customer - I'm in there weekly for a loaf of bread or treat. A few things bump this down to a 3. First, service: folks are generally nice, but routinely I will see more than one person behind the counter chatting or doing some other work, while one person works the register, takes orders, and grabs soup/salad/drinks/pastries. It's annoying and slows things down considerably. They also switched their tea selection, and now have loose teabags (not individually wrapped) in glass jars. Rather than have some tongs out for folks to grab tea bags, they expect us to reach in with our hands, which just grosses me out. I would prefer to get tea, because their coffee is terrible, which is unfortunate for a bakery with such tasty treats. Also,they rely very heavily on styrofoam and plastics, which seem really unnecessary. They are always great about putting items in carboard boxes when I ask, but the default is large plastic containers for just about everything.
(3)
Sarah S.
Turtle Bread gets five stars for being a good place to catch up with a friend... Unfortunately, I am a student so I don't really go to cafes to chat with friends. I go to get out of the house and do homework while eating/drinking delicious things. Every time I've come to Turtle Bread, their internet has not been working properly, which was incredibly inconvenient. I've asked their staff to re-set the router, reported the problem, etc - sadly, still not resolved after a few months! I've chatted with several other patrons who were unable to access Turtle Bread's internet as well. Seems like this would be an easy fix! Other reviews mentioned that the prices were high at Turtle Bread - those people must have been from out of town! The prices are typical and reasonable for Minneapolis - not a great deal, but not overpriced either. The soup is consistently delicious. The front counter staff sometimes take a few minutes to acknowledge customers, but several times the very gracious manager has noticed myself (or someone in line in front of me) waiting, and came over to help out immediately, which was nice. Overall, a great place to take out-of-town guests for a cute lunch or breakfast. Their patio is pup-friendly, which is wonderful. Sadly, not a great place to study.
(4)
Rae Jo K.
I've been to this place a couple times and they've always been pretty good. Their eggs benedict was amazing and would have gotten them at least a 4th star except there were shells in it. Their sandwiches and other menu items I've tried are always pretty good but nothing over the top. I don't know what kind of coffee they use but it was flat and just not satisfying. The bread is where it's at and I'd give them 5 stars on that. Great selection, always fresh and delicious. The location and atmosphere is also great. They are right on the corner so it's a fun spot to just relax and enjoy the scenery. They are totally worth checking out and I'll be back to give their eggs benedict another shot and will be more than happy to revisit this review after that time.
(3)
Marina M.
It was ok. Small menu, nothing special. Pastries are ok.
(2)
Aaron H.
I have been going to Turtle Bread once a week for 2 years now. Up until this weekend the only bad things I would have to say about them would be the inexperienced and uncaring staff and the high prices for small portions. Still, it didn't stop me from going in once a week for their yummy soup. Until 2 days ago. It was a busy Saturday and i was waiting in line watching everyone. I watched as a woman cleared a table and brought the food back behind the counter. She then proceeded to pour the bowl of eaten soup BACK INTO THE POT OF FRESH SOUP. She even used the customers spoon to scrape the bowl clean. After she cleared the bowl she then proceeded to take the bread that was on the dirty plate and put it back into the tub they have of cu- up bread for soup. This is cross-contamination and it is just plain disgusting. I cannot believe they are so cheap that they feel the need to reuse soup and bread that clearly somebody had eaten part of. Did they think I wouldn't notice!?! This isn't the first time I have experienced less-than-stellar practices at Turtle Bread. A few months ago we had ordered a BLT and after three bites realized it came without the "T". For a $9.00 sandwich I am going to tell someone about this. Instead of making us a new sandwich, or bringing us a plate of sliced tomatoes, they took the eaten sandwich back into the kitchen (which is CROSS-CONTAMINATION) and added the tomatoes. This place is gross. The 15 year-olds who bus tables here clearly haven't been told the laws regarding food safety. Or maybe they have and the owner is just too cheap to care.
(1)
Kamala J.
Cute place, great pastries and bread. Small portions but tasty food. You order at the counter and food comes out relatively fast. Also neat to see the employees working in the bakery next to the dining area.
(4)
Charlotte H.
Let me start by saying that I REALLY want to like this place. It's within walking distance of my house, they have a wonderful breakfast and lunch menu and they serve their breakfast items until 2:00. But, their service is just horrible. Of the dozen or so times that my husband and I have been here, they have gotten our orders wrong more times then they have gotten it right. And I'm not talking about difficult orders, I'm talking about 1 substitution per order (like taking the slice of cheddar cheese off of the Eggs Benedict, or substituting mushrooms in an omelet instead of green peppers). The staff is more rude, disconnected and uncaring then not, with the exception of a couple of people who actually know something about customer service, and will look you in the eye. The only reason we keep giving this place a second, third and fourth chance, is because the food is SUPER good. But, we always have to give ourselves time to recuperate from the terrible service before we can go back again! I just don't think that the good outweighs the bad on this restaurant. I don't want to have to prepare myself mentally to go grab a bite to eat in my own neighborhood. I think we will switch over to Sun Street Breads and call it a day.
(2)
Annie D.
I think a few more visits to Turtle Bread would be required to give it a fairer rating, but I just had to let the world know about their tomato basil soup. It's that yummy, including the fresh slice of bread that comes with it. On the not-so-delicious side, the atmosphere is much more austere than I expected. It still seems like a great neighborhood cafe, but not necessarily cozy. It could be a totally different feel when full of people weekending on Saturday morning, but I was there late afternoon. They serve meal-meals only until mid-afternoon, and after that it's just baked goods, soup and quiche. Additionally, they serve Pizza Biga take-and-bake pizzas and frozen pizza crust.
(4)
Sarah L.
Holy crap I love the spice buns, can't get enough of them. The rest of the bread and baked items are yummy as well. I've had a few of the soups, which were pleasing, but haven't yet ventured to the sandwich arena. The frozen pizzas from Pizza Biga next door are delicious! I'd highly recommend them. This is a good place for groups, and it can get a little loud during meal times. I like the wide open, working dining area, but it may be chaotic for some people. I work across the street, so I come here on a regular basis and I'm glad it's available to me! So, prices are a little spendy and the coffee isn't good at all, but you gotta stop in and at least get a treat once if you live in the neighborhood.
(4)
Alyssa N.
I am surprised by the low reviews here! This place is huge compared to other local bakeries/cafes that have a snaking line through the five existing tables. I am guessing that's why some people find it a little loud, but I find it sort of refreshing for a group brunch. It's nice to not be able to make out the full details of a neighbor's previous night out! I live down the block, so I stop by often. As the restaurant's name suggests, the bread is amazing, as are the quiches, muffins, dessert bars, and any kind of pie. The potato rolls, blueberry rhubarb pie, and banana walnut muffins are repeat offenders in my book. Turtle bread always has a large selection of soups available, many vegan and/or gluten-free, which is nice for a restricted eater. The vegan soups are also constantly changing, which is great. I'm used to the "minestrone option," which gets pretty old. I strongly recommend the garbanzo spinach soup! I take any visitor to eat here, and I always grab a bag of muffins and bread before I head out of town for the weekend. Do not miss their to-go and freezer cases by the cash register, where you can pick up pints of their soups and frozen pizzas and pizza dough.
(5)
j s.
Just so dirty! I am not a clean freak, but I have worked in restaurants and have some bqckground in proper food handling. I've also dealt with serious food poisoning and it changed my life...not for the better! So I'm pretty unhappy because I had a chicken sandwich and salad here and it left me ill. I should have known better because when I looked around it was obvious the place isnt maintained very well...dirty tables, dirty floors, very dirty bathrooms. But I was with friends and you know how that is....didnt want to seem rude. Ironically, I should have said something because they have the trots now too... I guess to be thorough I should comment on the whole experience, not just the aftereffects Service was inefficient but reasonably friendly. Staff seems disinterested, and Im sure that means they are disinterested in keeping clean too. Sandwich was actually pretty good. A little bland but tasty. Oatmeal cookie was delish... But the manager wont call me back or any of us, and all signs (timing, shared food, consistency) all point to Turtle. Mistakes happen, but I can tell it's a way of business at this place. For the price, you'd think they could be more careful. I gotta say, where are you Minneapolis restaurant inspections? Howcome I cant get reports on this place from you? How come you wont return my calls? Why cant I just look online for reports? What a medieval (corrupt?) system you have that keeps the public in the dark about their very safety? Lessons learned: you are on your own in Minneapolis when it comes to food safety....
(1)
Dunn Y.
I had an interesting experience recently at the Chicago Ave Turtle Bread. To preface this, I've been a fan of both locations...nice casual atmosphere, very good bread and baked goods, decent kitchen prepared meals. But my last visit to the Chicago Ave location, I witnessed some guy completely bullying the staff there, barking orders in a raised voice, saying "hey you" to staff (they have names dude), even getting in the face of some staff members...all this in front of several patrons who were obviously as surprised and turned off as I was. It was a busy lunch time, so everyone was having a hard time keeping up with food and coffee orders, along with bussing the tables. But as with most SW and S Mpls Sunday morning eatery patrons, everyone was being nice, patient, and understanding about it...no lost business or anything because the tables had crumbs. However, business DOES get lost when the environment seems oppressive, and staff members look like they're in fear. I learned later from a staff member that this bully was the owner! I don't know how accurate that is, but it was what I was told. So let me be clear...it doesn't matter how good your food is. If you present an atmosphere where employees are treated in such a manner where they are obviously afraid of the person assigning the work (who, by the way, did not lift a finger to help clean tables...I've seen James Beard winning chef/owners come and clean tables!), it is not a place worthy of patronizing. I will not be returning to either Turtle Bread location. And I hope others who care about food service staff will think twice about going there. I would add that the staff there has always seemed very nice and helpful to the extent they could be, while they ran around trying to get all the work done. My order have usually come quickly and accurately, and the kitchen staff have done a good job with the food. So I would agree that the customer service is indeed lacking. But I don't think it's because of indifference. I think it's due to a bad work culture.
(1)
Kaonou T.
Great place for family and elders and kids for all ages and also very Good!! Soups and sandwhich. amazing food their with great Service!
(5)
Elyse A.
Oh, Turtle Bread Company...what happened to you? I was once wooed by your quaint mismatched chairs, hearty soups and quirky cast of characters reading their NYTimes...but my latest experience this past weekend left me feeling dissatisfied. And also. broke. My husband and I wanted to grab a quick brunch before a day of errands, and were too impatient to wait the 40 minutes at Victor's 1959 Cafe, so we headed to Turtle Bread since it was on the way. The food was completely disappointing, dull and unseasoned. I ordered an asparagus and goat cheese frittata which was cold and completely forgettable. My husband ordered a breakfast sandwich that was literally buttered white bread cut diagonally with a sad egg inside it. We also each ordered a latte, which took forever to make, and tasted watery. So, two crappy breakfasts, two lattes and one loaf of bread that we took home (which was the star of the whole experience) set us back $30. I left feeling disappointed and annoyed, but mostly at myself. We should have known better. We should have waited the 40 minutes at Victor's. I guess it's a great place to pick up literal loaves of bread, do some people watching and find flyers for local yoga classes and nanny's...but the food itself? Save your calories for one of the dozens of better brunch/breakfast places at the Twin Cities.
(2)
Sarah M.
The most quaint, sunny shop. Its walking distance from me, and I love to come over for a pastry, a coffee, and read a good book in the sun. They do pastries well. I've sampled practically all of them. They do not do coffee well. But...free refills...of bad coffee. Is that a silver lining? I'm not even sure. I haven't had actual food items, so I can't judge on that. But I do LOVE that they have a few prepared items for a picnic. Cheeses, ready-made sandwiches, hummus, spreads, honey, cream. Sort of those last minute items. Love it. I have learned the hard way that they alternate the days they make certain things- so if you expect that one, purely magical loaf of Cardamom Bread to be there *get the Cardamom Bread*, it might not be its "Day". So check the schedule! Also, the workers there are...not the most courteous, in my experience. Not rude, just lacking in solid customer service skills. Looks like a lot of high schoolers. But, its a great shop to meet a friend at or stop in for that loaf of french bread...or *Cardamom Bread*. OMG.
(4)
Justine S.
I use to LOVE having lunch/breakfast at Turtle Bread, and do not get me wrong, their soups/food are still pretty awesome! However, as of late, the service is in need of some dire help and this has left a pretty bad taste in my mouth. I work in a very customer serviced orientated industry, so I expect nothing but great service, especially from local joints, as this is what keeps people coming back. The Turtle on Chicago Ave, multiple times now, has given me a very lackluster experience. You have people standing up front behind the counter talking and not paying attention to the line that is forming, you have orders never making it to their tables (Yes, this did happen to us as we waited over 45mins for our breakfast one morning and when we asked, they had lost our order - we promptly asked for a refund), not to mention at first sight it would appear this place is run by 16yr olds (nothing against hard working teenagers, but really?) I think its time Turtle Bread peeks its head out of its shell, and takes a look around at the deteriorating service.
(2)
B G.
Great pumpkin bars. Reasons why I don't care much for Turtle Bread Co: -Consistently crabby and rude staff (not all, but most) -Weak breakfast menu -Self-serve, single-serve coffee I want to like this place... @brody_612
(2)
Muna A.
Let's see if I have it in me to keep things short in written prose. - After moving here because Sovereign Grounds closed at 5, it was a harsh re-introduction to the reign of the impersonal and human islands. - Server barely looked at me and I think she gave me soup someone else just rejected or she's a magician and pulled it out of her sleeve 3 seconds after I ordered it. - Pretty sure potato cheese soup was the source of my all night nauseousness. - Wi-fi is turtle slow
(2)
Lily K.
The name had me curious and really drew me to the place. I love soup and sandwich shops, but it didn't blow me away as a place to return to regularly. Prices were definitely high. The gift selection is fun. We arrived about an hour or two before closing and there was a very limited selection available for us, which made it disappointing as I'd went for lunch and found something that I really liked, but it wasn't available for dinner. I wasn't impressed, but things may have changed since I was there a couple years back. I recommend going for lunch when there is a greater selection.
(2)
Izabela R.
I've wanted to come for a while. When I fnally did... eh, not super impressed. The atmosphere is cool. I like the openness of the actual bakery and the cool big wood tables, but I did come for the food. I had the potato soup (ultra bland) and the smoked salmon sandwich, which was meek and slightly pathetic. One of those, all-bread-and-no- meat kinda deals. Def wasn't delicious. Coffee and the Mexican brownie were pretty yummy though... will give them that. Don't think I'll be rushing back too soon.
(2)
Nick G.
I've been to Turtle Bread for breakfast, lunch dinner and dessert...and just about everything else in between. They're usually packed, and often you'll have to share a table with another group of people. The breads, pastries and cookies are great. I have a sweet tooth, and Turtle Bread always fills my need. The meals are good, although not large in portion. The coffee is strong, and I love the treat of a fresh squeezed juice. There are plenty of coffee shops in South Minneapolis. Somehow I always end up at this one.
(4)
Tom L.
Second time I've been disappointed here. This time I ordered a ham and cheese sandwich and cup of mushroom soup. After waiting half an hour trying to stretch out my bland soup I went to the counter to check on my sandwich. I was then informed the the cooks had left and there was to be no sandwich for me. I then had to ask for my money back like I was bothering them. I will not be returning here for a long time.
(1)
Jennifer K.
Well, yeah, not bad. Wanted to go to Zumbro Cafe, but they are closed on Mondays....booo....had a sub for the day cuz of a doctor's appointment in the morning, and was with Timothy...so had a nice day away by the lakes... SO Turtle bread it was....we shared a chicken florentine soup with bread, and I got some pate. We got some baguettes to go because I have a breakfast potluck later in the week.. It was a great day outside...except for listening to the annoying stay- at-home mom's complain about their kid's teachers ad naseum....yeah...well-they should try teaching...kids are seriously crazy. Anyway. It was Ok. Yeah. Ok.
(3)
Ashley F.
Mmmmm.. the joy of the $4 Cupcake. I love Turtle Bread food the same way I love Russell + Hazel stationary. It's so delicious, but the atmosphere, and prices, kind of make me feel a little more Edina than I am ever personally comfortable feeling. That is partially why I'd much rather go to the one on Chicago than the one in Southwest. Also, it's right next to the Pumphouse Creamery, so you can follow up with more calories. My favorite are the soups and the chicken pasta salad with tons of crap in it. The normal bread isn't my favorite in the city, but the chocolate bread is a-mazing.
(4)
Todd P.
Turtle Bread Company makes wonderful artisan breads and pastries. This one (Chicago Ave) is located on the corner in a large, open storefront. The kitchen is open to the seating area which is filled with an assortment of old tables with deep patinas. If you order a muffin at most chains, you won't get a muffin. You'll get a cross between a cupcake and a muffin. At Turtle Bread, the muffins are more dense, less like dessert, and more like breakfast. They are baked in such a way as to maximize the size of the muffin top, which has a nice crust. Turtle Bread isn't just a bakery or coffee shop. This is a restaurant with a full compliment of menu items. If you order an entree, I recommend splitting it with a friend as the portions sizes are quite generous. We often see families with children here, as well as the usual assortment of yuppies and morning walkers typical of the average neighborhood coffee shop.
(4)
Dan D.
I work from home so I am always looking for a place to get out of the house to be around other people. My priorities are as follows so take my review with a grain of salt. 1.) Nice spacious table tops and comfortable chairs 2.) Reasonably fast internet (3Mbs min) 3.) Good Coffee 4.) Food The food is great. Love the soup and sandwiches. The coffee is fair. The tables are awesome for spreading you stuff out to get things done. However, The internet speeds are unbelievably slow. Less than 0.5 Mbps slow. You can ask them to reboot their router but that never helps. This place could be the place for me and others like me to hang out in the mornings get coffee, breakfast, while getting work done but the only thing keeping me and others from going there is internet speed. I tried the other location in Linden Hills by they had the exact same issue. Tables and chairs were perfect but the internet connection was unreliable. I do enjoy taking my family to turtle bread for lunch on the weekends and the food is great.
(3)
Brendon C.
Great place to wake up to after a night shift.....that awesome bakery scent, chewy bread for a sandwich later in the day. And chocolate bread. Who'd of thunk? But it's delicious......the breakfast (an italian omelet) was good not great, and I'd say the same for the coffee. But it is a bakery, after all, and the bread is just fabulous.
(4)
Maria M.
I really enjoyed the french toast, and the strawberry dipping sauce that came with it was even better. I normally don't like fruit with my breakfast food, but it was sooo good. I only gave 3 stars though because the food was good, but nothing to spectacular!! It is a really nice spot though!!! I highly recommend.
(3)
Britt B.
The breads and baked goods are amazing!!! I ate a giant raspberry danish in about 45 seconds this morning. I love the space; sunny, warm and cozy. The only non-bakery thing I've had here is the asparagus frittata and that was very good...But those baked goods....It's the main reason I love Sunday mornings.
(5)
Steph F.
This review is about the Edina location (there doesn't seem to be a Yelp page for that). The prices are absolutely pretentious (the most expensive croissant and danish I've ever seen in the cities) and are not at all justified. The chocolate croissant is boring, nothing to rave home about. Before I asked them to please re-warm them, it was just a piece of cardboard with rock-hard chocolate inside. The danish was humongous (as was the price - both are totally uncalled for, in my humble opinion). The berries on top were the ugliest, saddest, more withered and unappetizing berries I've ever seen. The part of the dough with the berries on was so soggy, that it actually fell away from the outer circle of crust on my first bite. Very, very sad and disappointing. For the first time in my life, the egg wash on these items reeked horribly, so much so that it made it hard to eat them. Both items also tasted as though they were a day old, on a Sunday morning at 10 am. What a disappointment. I mean, if you know anything about fresh croissants, if you've ever made bread, or if you've had these delicacies enough times, you KNOW when they're fresh, and when they are not. Sadly, these were not. Also, all the croissants are displayed (with no labels nearby, so that it's near impossible to find what you want) on a cart in the middle of the shop. It's all self-serve, and extremely confusing unless you go for something that looks obvious (like a chocolate croissant). Seriously? Anybody could have touched my croissant with their hands? Blah. Oh, and don't forget your $8.99 box of tea to take home! What is it, gold? Come on people. The frilly, pretty decor of the place certainly does fool a lot of people, but I am going back to the unbeatable Bread and Chocolate for my croissants.
(2)
Theresa L.
I had to get a quick cake for a party I was hosting and found this place to be the closest to me. The server was very accommodating and helpful and after numerous answered questions, I settled on the Triple Chocolate cake, which ended up being a hit with the guests. So hooray for Turtle Bread Co for helping me keep my new-found friends.
(4)
Guya I.
I am giving TB 5 stars on bakery items I purchased. The most delightful Thumprint cookie, the most delightful pumpkin bar. Perfectly baked, and obvious quality ingredients. Nice selection of baked items.
(5)
Amy S.
I was just at Turtle Bread Co. this past Saturday with my family. I used to really like this place, but don't think I'll be returning. I've always thought the food was delicious, but the portions are small and overpriced. This last time though my issue was wtih the cleanliness of the restaurant, or actually the lack of it. The floors were covered in dirt and dust. It wasn't just the normal dirt you get tracked into a place from it being winter. The piles of dirt, crumbs, etc under the display cases and tables had obviously been there for a while. Our table must have been wobbly at one point, as a wadded up filthy napkin was placed under the legs to make it sturdier. The tables were being cleared pretty quickly, but I never once saw a table be wiped off. The service leaves a lot to be desired as well. The majority of the staff is unfriendly and seems irritated by your presence. It's very rare to receive a smile or even acknowledgement from the staff. My daughter also had ordered the mac & cheese for her lunch. It arrived about 5 minutes after the rest of our food and was ice cold in the center. They obviously just threw it in the microwave and then didn't stir it. The rest of our food was delcious, but I'm concerned that if the public areas are that dirty, what does the kitchen look like? I'm going to steer clear of Turtle Bread.
(1)
Ryan P.
Solid bakery. Really yummy cookies. Not "OMG THIS IS THE BEST COOKIES EVAR" good, but solid. Like you can't go wrong with ordering anything but you won't order a cookie, take a bite and then go into convulsions and hit your head on the sidewalk and wake up a week later with a smile on your face because of how good that cookie was.
(3)
Wade O.
Great breakfast! I highly recommend their Egg Benedict!
(4)
Andrew F.
I live about a block away from Turtle Bread and work from home. It's one of my staple lunch places, mostly because it's convenient. The lunch food is good but on the expensive side. A sandwich or bowl of soup and something to drink will run about $10. Generally good soups, with vegan and vegetarian (I'm neither) options daily and they actually make vegan/vegetarian food that tastes good. That said, the soups aren't always out of this world as many seem to think (and can be a bit bland to my taste), but you can taste anything beforehand and they constantly change based on what's available or fresh. Pastries are very good but ($3-4/each) expensive so be sure you know what you're getting into if you think about picking up a box of them to take to someone's house for weekend breakfast. Breakfast foods are ok, but not stellar, and the omelets are a bit oily. Seriously, use a non-stick pan and cut down on the oil/butter. Our hearts will thank you. The coffee is ok and the place is next to 2 bus stops in case you need a quick cup. They'll do all the fancy coffee drinks you may want. I stick with the standard 'cuppa coffee.' Bread is the strong suit here and when I need a good loaf of real bread--not that junk in the grocery-- I run over to Turtle to get a baguette or whatever. Pizza Biga is hit-or-miss depending on who makes it. The first time I had one, it had so much flour on the bottom of the crust, it was literally inedible. It took me a long time to order pizza again and in talking with friends, they've had similar inconsistency in quality. Free wifi, the place is generally buzzing and the bakery itself is completely open to the restaurant. Where else can you see someone lop off gigantic chunks from a 25lb block of butter? All in all, Turtle Bread is a solid choice if you're not ultra budget-minded and try it a few times so you know what's good and what's not. The one thing that's always consistent is the bread.
(2)
Steve W.
I had a quick lunch here and it was phenomenal! I'm vegetarian and it's a rare occurrence when I have too many options to chose from....this place almost sent me into sensory overload. Even though I didn't get soup, I was amazed to see that 6 of the 7 soups on the board were vegetarian (3 were even vegan). The menu had both hot and cold sandwiches that were vegetarian (multiple options for each) and I settled on the Margarita Sandwich, which is basically a capresi salad on bread, which came with a fresh side salad. The sandwich was incredible and the salad, with it's simplicity, was great as well. I can't wait to go back again to try some new things!
(5)
Jamie R.
I love Turtle Bread. I love the soups, I love the desserts, I love the bread. Most of all I love the big community tables that people share on the weekends. Yes, I said community tables. For those a little less adventurous there are plenty of small tables for two. But if you are feeling friendly and want to meet the locals, Turtle Bread is the place to be. Its a place to laugh and get to know your neighbors. Its a place to pour over the Sunday Paper, The Onion, or the City Pages. It is also a great place to be if you are having a meeting or need a place to study or work with free wireless. Bottom Line: The atmosphere alone is enough to get people to want to come back, but the food really is amazing. Go for breakfast, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
P X.
I can't exactly put my finger on it...but every time I go to Turtle Bread Co. there is just a little something missing and a few great things that keep me coming back. Which, for this brunch, meant a killer glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and the mushroom frittata (with a side salad). Both were delicious, but I wish that they would have cut the mushrooms into smaller bites (there were basically entire mushrooms cooked into eggs...just a lot to chew)-however the flavor was great. My dining partner ordered up the Benedict, which was also very good and came with a side of roasted potatoes. Only downside was that the bread that hosted the egg and sauce goodness was super thick...so again, you had to chew through a ton of stuff to get to the flavor. Overall a decent brekky.
(3)
Jeanine K.
Turtle Bread is within walking distance of my house and I have been going there for years. In recent months, my experience was less than great. It has been 3 months since I have had breakfast from the menu, as the food has been inconsistent and in some cases, down right off. The first sign of trouble was when they put my eggs on top of my salad, so my salad was warm and wilted. I forget what my boyfriend ordered, but he returned it not once, but twice because it was down right wrong - twice! He spoke to the manager and we found out that in the time frame we started to experience issues, they had hired a new chef. Turtle bread - I'm not impressed with your new chef! In recent months, I have been there for simple things - soup, muffins, coffee - and I have not had issues until today. I stopped by on my way into work and got a lemon poppy seed muffin. The muffin was full of large pieces of lemon peel that made the muffin taste bitter. It was down right inedible. Sadly, I'm not sure I will be returning soon, other to maybe get a cup of coffee or soup, which they have still not managed to mess up.
(2)
Chris H.
I can't think of a better way to spend a lazy weekend morning. From a hearty, hot breakfast that is made-to-order or grabbing an item from their selection of pastries - Turtle Bread is where it's at. Grab a seat on their patio in this super-cute, quaint neighborhood and watch the traffic go by. Top it off with a great cup o' joe, and you have yourself one hella good morning.
(5)
Clint C.
Hell yeah. Went here this morning. Great selection of breakfast items. The quiche was excellent. I was hesitant paying $4 for it not really knowing what I would get but it was awesome. The espresso was just alright. It tasted like they were using a french roast for their espresso shots. This isn't uncommon, I just don't prefer it. The best espresso I've had in the last few weeks was at Common Roots. Very bold. Very smooth. That's how I like it. This place is definitely worth checking out. Excellent selection of condiments as well as gift ideas too.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast, Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Emily T.
5 stars for ambiance and deliciousness but only 3 for service, sadly. Generally slow and sometime even forgotten / incorrect orders. The cookies, ice tea, pastries, and sandwiches are all worth the calories. Also- fantastic pre-made pizza dough and soups in the refrigerated case.
(3)Sara P.
Love the open space. We come here often for breakfast. Used to live in the neighborhood, moved away and still drive across the cities for their delicious pancakes, eggs and bacon! Love that the breakfast meals come with an option of a salad. Very casual and great for family.
(4)Sun Yung S.
Amazing bread. Good vegetarian and vegan options for soup. Good side salad. However, the people who work here often seem indifferent, impatient with you, or hostile. The Chicago Avenue spot is VERY LOUD. The Nokomis spot is much better (although ditto on the customer service).
(3)Jeri A.
I really, really want to like this place. Cute, neighborhood-y, lots of character. And if I close my eyes, i do love the food. But the cleanliness and friendliness are practically non-existent. I brought a friend there recently and she out-and-out refused to eat there. Seeing it through fresh eyes, there was clearly a lack of detail and focus on CLEAN. The coolers are dirty, the window sills are dusty, the tables stay unbussed, the baked goods just sort of hang out there for all to brush up against and sneeze on. Would love to see things improve, as the location and ambiance are very nice.
(2)LB L.
The salads are good, the soups a great, but let's face it, here it is all about the BREAD!!! This place knows how to make bread the way the French intended... Crispy, crunchy crusty goodness, with soft and chewy insides in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Add a generous pat of butter and you have a type of heaven I reserve for my rare days of Glutopia (the feast of gluten that will inevitably make me feel like garbage, but I enjoy thoroughly while I'm indulging.). If you are in need of a Glutopia release or just a good hunk of bread, come here.
(4)Sally A.
I woke up early excited for breakfast at a new place with a friend. We typically go to The Hot Plate, Butter, Our Kitchen or GiGi's so we thought we would add another spot to the list. I was underwhelmed by my eggs, sausage and potato breakfast. I was also surprised that the coffee mugs were only 4 oz. If you are like me, I gotta have my coffee and lots of it so making lots of trips for a re-fill wasn't convenient, I realize this comment makes me lazy but hey, it's Sunday morning! But at least I was getting my steps in. My potatoes were cold and under seasoned, I got the heel of the baguette which was stale. I didn't even finish my plate. On the bright side, I did get a almond croissant which was delicious. I will go back for the pastries but not for breakfast.
(3)Tara H.
During apple season, my mother used to bake 4-5 "fresh from scratch", butter apple pies a week. I am a VERY serious lover of pastry. The new baker Jessica is rare and outstanding. I feel Turtle Bread on Chicago Ave has earned my number one baker rating for the Twin Cities, Rochester, Duluth, Two Harbors, and towns down the Mississippi. They use excellent top quality chemical free ingredients. Pure butter, wonderous plump raisins, heavenly real whipped cream, and have the best bread (Strata bread) in the state -- amazing flavor. The staff are all great, portions generous, soups outstanding, quiche out of this world, brownies and key lime pie to truly die for. The best bran muffin I have ever found. I prefer this Turtle Bread to their other location in Edina.
(5)Mark D.
Before getting into my review, I just want to say that if Aaron H's review is true, this place should be shut down. That said, I'm going to hope they're not actually reusing uneaten soup and give Turtle Bread two stars based upon our experience across multiple visits. I really wanted to like this place. I really wanted a good, locally-owned artisan bakery near our home, a low-key place we can take our kid or friends for a good, reliable meal. At some point, though, returning to a place we've had multiple bad experiences at and hoping for something better is about as smart as punching oneself in the face, and today I think we crossed that threshold. The only reason Turtle Bread gets two stars rather than one is the food, if it arrives, is often pretty good. While there have been a few misses, the soups, bread and fixed sandwiches are typically fresh and tasty. That's the good. The rest is bad. I said the food is pretty good, and it is. But it's not great. We're talking slightly-better-than-Panera quality here at best, and considering the price and Turtle Bread's "artisan" positioning, that doesn't cut it. We really want to support local businesses, but being local in and of itself doesn't differentiate Turtle Bread enough for us to support it. While as said the food is competent, there's nothing that really stands out. Regarding the cleanliness of the place, I have to echo other reviews. It's dining area isn't very clean--today we ended up using the clean end of a half-dirty table, and no one cleaned the other side of the table during the 45 minutes of our stay--and the apparent lack of any effort to keep it tidy makes me wonder what the kitchen looks like. And then there's the service. There's a distinct lack of process at Turtle Bread, and while I will give the staff the benefit of the doubt and assume they care about what they're doing, from a customer standpoint the service often feels like indifference elevated to an art form. The first thing you need to know is if you order a sandwich that isn't pre-made you're going to wait a while. We've experienced this a few times, but today's example was extreme: The two of us who ordered soup were given it at the counter, while the person who ordered a sandwich was told that they'd bring it out to her. We found our seats and waited. And waited. Eventually, the two of us with soup ate it so it wouldn't get cold. After 20 minutes I went up to the counter to see what was up, and was told "we're kind of busy today." (It looked like every other day we've been there.) The staff seems to be confused as to how they're supposed to get food to customers. Really. Both our group and the person in front of us ordered the grilled veggie sandwich, to eat in. The person in front of us was told to wait by the counter, while we were told that they'd bring the sandwich to us. When I went up to see what was taking so long, the other guy was still standing there holding his number, fidgeting. After the staff person told me they'd be starting on our sandwich soon, she asked what he was waiting for, and when he answered the same thing she told him he could sit down and they'd bring it out to him. (I'm not blaming the staff on this--it doesn't seem they've gotten consistent direction. Or any direction.) Since it's not clear why some are told to sit and other are asked to stay close, it can result in questions like the ones we started asking at our table, especially after sitting around for a while: Are we supposed to be waiting by the counter? Did we misunderstand something? 20 minutes after two of us finished our soup, and nearly a full half hour after we ordered, the third person in our party finally got her sandwich--with a different side than what she ordered. Sorry, for a soup-and-sandwich meal for three approaching $40, it shouldn't be much to ask that everyone in the group can eat at approximately the same time. A five minute delay? OK, that's understandable. So is 10 if we're given a warning about it in advance. A half hour difference is nuts. If there was going to be a delay, the person taking our order could have at least told us about it so we could make a different decision. We really wanted to like Turtle Bread but overall have had too many visits like today's. In some cases good food can compensate for a bad experience, but Turtle Bread manages to keep things chaotic and confusing enough to prevent that from happening.
(2)Todd S.
A go to spot for breakfast and lunch. Of course their bread is very good. But I came here last week for a Denver omelette, and it was very tasty , made to perfection. also came with a nice sized salad. For lunch a few weeks ago I had a chicken florentine soup that was fantastic and filling which came with a soft roll. At one point I came here for a pastry, which ended up being a blueberry muffin and that was very good as well, I believe all the ingrerdients here are locally made. Red velvet cupcake was good but not great, kinda dry, looked better then it tasted. The inside is quite large with plenty of seating. The prices are about average for a casual spot like this, only reason I can't give it a 5 is because the service can be sketchy at times, and the kids working there don't really seem to care, or even know what they have on their menu, speaking of which there is not a physical menu, you have to read it off of chalkboards, and the chalkboards are scattered around the place, most likely the reason for this though is because the menu probably changes day to day. Good food and pastries, average prices and service will have me going back to Turtle Bread for breakfast and lunch. I believe free wi-fi is available as i do see people on laptops all the time, and it's generally a pretty quiet place to chill.
(4)Dawn F.
Love the open, airy atmosphere. Easy to meet people or groups - and the self-service option for food and coffee is lovely. Granted I did find the prices a little exorbitant, but at least the company was nice. And I'm equally frightened by the review by Aaron H. I'm thinking that it's a good idea I don't witness that, or let alone learn after the fact that happened with my food.
(2)Sassy A.
UNDERWHELMING, upon walking in I expected delicious treats, what I got was lazy service and tasteless food. If you are on a low salt diet this is the place for you, if you like a little herb in your egg salad steer clear.
(2)Natalie R.
Stopped in today to get some yummy sourdough bread, a wonderful ginger molasses cookie, and orange juice. Fast, friendly service. I wish I could have stayed longer.
(4)Kit B.
I'll be honest, I just don't get why people love this place so much. The decor is boring - huge wooden tables, wooden floors, long counter containing pastries. Nope, it's not the atmosphere. Every pastry I've tried here - from the Mexican brownie to the pumpkin bars - are always way too dry, feel like they've been sitting out too long, and always taste like they're missing something. The soup - I had one decent soup here which was a carrot ginger soup. It was bland, but it wasn't terrible. I've sampled many of their other soups, and I can honestly say that there's nothing memorable going on here, either. (And after reading Aaron H's review about the soup getting re-served, it's sufficient to say I will NEVER eat soup from this place again.) Sandwiches? Nope. I had a salmon sandwich of some kind, and the fish smelled SO fishy that I barely wanted to eat it at all. Fish shouldn't smell THAT fishy. Not if it's stored correctly. So nope, it's not the food either that keeps folks so excited about this place. At least not me. Service - anyone who reads my reviews will see that I always give a star for service. I'm a chipper guy, and honestly, most of the time if you're nice to your server, they're really nice back to you. No matter how hard I've tried, I've never had consistently good service here. Sometimes it's okay. Sometimes its abysmal. So nope, it's not good service, either. And I'm sorry, but the prices? Seriously? I've had better food for less at Panera Bread, and that is not really a compliment for Panera. And when I'm paying that kind of cash for mediocre food, do not, I repeat, DO NOT try to rush me through that line. I appreciate expediency, and am well aware that others are likely waiting behind me; I'll be conscious of that on my own without you prodding me. So nope, it's not the prices. I feel that people "love" this place because it's local. And while I firmly believe in supporting local businesses, I do not agree with supporting a local business if it's a bad one. Step it up, Turtle Bread. You're not going to be able to ride on the "I love supporting local businesses" crowd for long - something better will come along. It always does.
(1)Kristi C.
Initially we just popped in to check this place out for future visits to this lovely neighborhood. Ended up taking a Peanut Butter Bar home. The staff behind the counter couldn't have been more friendly & helpful. They took time to answer questions about their gluten free options. BTW, the Peanut Butter Bar wasn't much to write home about. But I'd stop back again and try something from their breakfast or lunch menu.
(3)Phyllis M.
I like this place. I really do. Their food is fantastic and the atmosphere is fun, especially with an open baking area. Their bread and desserts are so yummy! So why only four stars? First, their internet is so unreliable that is frustrates anyone who comes here to work. When it does work it's fantastic. When it doesn't, the employees are ambivalent and shrug their shoulders, not really sure how to help. My advice: get better internet. Second... Their employees can sometimes appear rude. A good number of them are cheerful and helpful while some still look like they'd rather be doing something else... smile smile smile! it can help! Give it a try! The food is worth it and maybe I just pick the wrong days to come in!
(4)Kelly O.
Second time here. Still a cute place with ample seating. Went here for a late lunch and it definitely wasn't too busy. Great bean soup and bread. Husband got the pot pie which was delicious as well. (I don't know if there's a pot pie he hasn't liked though, tbh.) My only complaint--the Greek salad was completely average. A giant plate of oil and vinegar on lettuce with a little feta cheese, 2 cucumber slices, and 2 cherry tomatoes. $9 for a salad I would expect some sort of protein or unique vegetable. Next time I'll just stick to the desserts I think :)
(4)Andrea R.
The food is average, price is too high, service too slow, but the place is DIRTY. I'm surprised I didn't see a mouse in there.
(1)Ian W.
Great bread and food, particularly their soups. I love going there because of the atmosphere but their coffee is pretty bad so not great for a coffee break.
(3)Madge M.
I really like to support local business instead of the franchise places -- so I gave Turtle Bread a try. I've never ordered and eaten in, so this review is based on carry out. Atmosphere or ambiance: I don't get the funky, "hey, we're a bakery and we have piles of flour bags, and all our shelves are open." The place is just messy and cluttered. I don't need to see the inner workings of your business. Handmade signs? I guess nothing says, "we're casual, funky and arty. But, to me, it says, "we just don't care. Can't find the plastic silverware, here's a sign with a big arrow pointing to it." And the stuffed animals behind the cashier -- seriously? They look dirty. Clean it up. Place seems a little run-down. I stopped in early one morning to grab something on my way to work -- sure, it's winter and you need floor mats, but geez, have your cleaning crew vacuum them sometime. Especially the one in front of the bakery case. It's not too appetizing to have a dirty, icky floor. Cleanliness is pretty important in the food service biz. Service: nice kids, but kind of sloooooow. In the morning, it's important to get people on their way quickly. Lackluster, at best. Prices: For self-service, I'd expect lower prices. Their rolls, danish {these are HUGE and serve two handily}, croissants are delish, but oy vey, pretty pricey. And if you're getting a dozen to treat everyone, better bring a credit card. How about slightly smaller Danish at a lower price. I will say that the whole apple pie that I purchased one weekend was really the best I've ever had. Almost as good as homemade.
(2)Veronica K.
My husband and I were visiting from out of town and were doing some shopping in this neighborhood when we got hungry. An employee of one of the shops we were in recommended this place for their soups. We almost left when we saw how high the prices were. We couldn't believe how expensive everything was. But we were starving, so we decided to split a sandwich and each get our own soup. We paid around $18 for a sandwich and two cups of soup! The soups were delicious, but still not worth what we paid for them. The reuben sandwich was good, too, and came with a salad with a yummy dressing, but we still thought the price was too high for it. We also thought the two teenage boys who took our orders were kind of rude and lacking any sort of social skills required of someone working with the public. They obviously have not had any customer service training or simply don't care. They didn't seem to enjoy their jobs very much, either. They seemed very put out about having to take our order. At first, we thought that we might come back again because the soups were so good, but after reading the reviews by C. O. and Aaron H., I don't think we'll be back. That's just gross and horrible restaurant management!
(3)Megan B.
I've been here many times and tend to really enjoy it. Their salmon eggs benedict are outstanding. I always took visitors here and met friends for lunch. But then yesterday I got food poisoning, which am certain came from eating one of their deli cooler tuna fish sandwiches. I am talking food poisoning where you vomit for 7 hours. I called to let them know, and the woman I spoke with sounded surprised and let me know she hadn't heard from anyone else that it had happened. And that was it. I would expect a little more response after what I went through all night from eating the food. I don't think I'll be going back.
(2)Amber K.
I really love the food here at Turtle bread but I have to say that the drip coffee they serve is bad - not even okay, it is bad. Don't wait in line for it.
(3)Sarah B.
Turtle Bread, my love affair with you is over. My last few visits were enough to say, "no more." Today it was the odd tasting almond croissant that had no almond paste in the middle, just more almond slices. That's a new one. My son's "breakfast" pretzel was dry, bland and likely sitting in those open air baskets for 3 days. Our hot breakfast there last week was skimpy. My son thought the tiny pieces of asparagus in my frittata were actually peas!?!? A few months ago I stopped in for my favorite sandwich, the tomato mozzarella. It was seriously half the size of what I've had in the past (and I've had this one many times). I almost brought it back thinking it was a mistake, but the service always borders on indifferent and sometimes surly, so I ate it and left. Plus, I had just wanted to get out of there. Couldn't stand to look at all the dirty tables that still hadn't been bused since the lunch crowd cleared nearly two hours earlier. Disgusting. Clean it up...until then there are too many other good places to frequent. Not to mention, my two items today were over $6! Seems a tad pricey.
(1)Katherine B.
Mmm...soup. Are you in the neighborhood at lunchtime with a hankering for soup? Stop here. Sample every one before deciding. Yes, the people behind you in line will give you passive aggressive looks, but they're going to do the same thing. If you have a small child with you, add on more bread for just 25 cents per huge hunk. That's a deal. My kid liked the bread better than the cupcake which is weird, but the bread is really that good and the pastries are just fine. I feel like if they took the food up just a notch, TBC could be a destination spot, but really it is just a true neighborhood gem. I imagine the closer one lives to this place, the more they would adore it.
(3)Karen S.
I hate giving a great neighborhood spot a "demotion" like this, but lately a few things have really started to annoy me about this place. I say this as a regular customer - I'm in there weekly for a loaf of bread or treat. A few things bump this down to a 3. First, service: folks are generally nice, but routinely I will see more than one person behind the counter chatting or doing some other work, while one person works the register, takes orders, and grabs soup/salad/drinks/pastries. It's annoying and slows things down considerably. They also switched their tea selection, and now have loose teabags (not individually wrapped) in glass jars. Rather than have some tongs out for folks to grab tea bags, they expect us to reach in with our hands, which just grosses me out. I would prefer to get tea, because their coffee is terrible, which is unfortunate for a bakery with such tasty treats. Also,they rely very heavily on styrofoam and plastics, which seem really unnecessary. They are always great about putting items in carboard boxes when I ask, but the default is large plastic containers for just about everything.
(3)Sarah S.
Turtle Bread gets five stars for being a good place to catch up with a friend... Unfortunately, I am a student so I don't really go to cafes to chat with friends. I go to get out of the house and do homework while eating/drinking delicious things. Every time I've come to Turtle Bread, their internet has not been working properly, which was incredibly inconvenient. I've asked their staff to re-set the router, reported the problem, etc - sadly, still not resolved after a few months! I've chatted with several other patrons who were unable to access Turtle Bread's internet as well. Seems like this would be an easy fix! Other reviews mentioned that the prices were high at Turtle Bread - those people must have been from out of town! The prices are typical and reasonable for Minneapolis - not a great deal, but not overpriced either. The soup is consistently delicious. The front counter staff sometimes take a few minutes to acknowledge customers, but several times the very gracious manager has noticed myself (or someone in line in front of me) waiting, and came over to help out immediately, which was nice. Overall, a great place to take out-of-town guests for a cute lunch or breakfast. Their patio is pup-friendly, which is wonderful. Sadly, not a great place to study.
(4)Rae Jo K.
I've been to this place a couple times and they've always been pretty good. Their eggs benedict was amazing and would have gotten them at least a 4th star except there were shells in it. Their sandwiches and other menu items I've tried are always pretty good but nothing over the top. I don't know what kind of coffee they use but it was flat and just not satisfying. The bread is where it's at and I'd give them 5 stars on that. Great selection, always fresh and delicious. The location and atmosphere is also great. They are right on the corner so it's a fun spot to just relax and enjoy the scenery. They are totally worth checking out and I'll be back to give their eggs benedict another shot and will be more than happy to revisit this review after that time.
(3)Marina M.
It was ok. Small menu, nothing special. Pastries are ok.
(2)Aaron H.
I have been going to Turtle Bread once a week for 2 years now. Up until this weekend the only bad things I would have to say about them would be the inexperienced and uncaring staff and the high prices for small portions. Still, it didn't stop me from going in once a week for their yummy soup. Until 2 days ago. It was a busy Saturday and i was waiting in line watching everyone. I watched as a woman cleared a table and brought the food back behind the counter. She then proceeded to pour the bowl of eaten soup BACK INTO THE POT OF FRESH SOUP. She even used the customers spoon to scrape the bowl clean. After she cleared the bowl she then proceeded to take the bread that was on the dirty plate and put it back into the tub they have of cu- up bread for soup. This is cross-contamination and it is just plain disgusting. I cannot believe they are so cheap that they feel the need to reuse soup and bread that clearly somebody had eaten part of. Did they think I wouldn't notice!?! This isn't the first time I have experienced less-than-stellar practices at Turtle Bread. A few months ago we had ordered a BLT and after three bites realized it came without the "T". For a $9.00 sandwich I am going to tell someone about this. Instead of making us a new sandwich, or bringing us a plate of sliced tomatoes, they took the eaten sandwich back into the kitchen (which is CROSS-CONTAMINATION) and added the tomatoes. This place is gross. The 15 year-olds who bus tables here clearly haven't been told the laws regarding food safety. Or maybe they have and the owner is just too cheap to care.
(1)Kamala J.
Cute place, great pastries and bread. Small portions but tasty food. You order at the counter and food comes out relatively fast. Also neat to see the employees working in the bakery next to the dining area.
(4)Charlotte H.
Let me start by saying that I REALLY want to like this place. It's within walking distance of my house, they have a wonderful breakfast and lunch menu and they serve their breakfast items until 2:00. But, their service is just horrible. Of the dozen or so times that my husband and I have been here, they have gotten our orders wrong more times then they have gotten it right. And I'm not talking about difficult orders, I'm talking about 1 substitution per order (like taking the slice of cheddar cheese off of the Eggs Benedict, or substituting mushrooms in an omelet instead of green peppers). The staff is more rude, disconnected and uncaring then not, with the exception of a couple of people who actually know something about customer service, and will look you in the eye. The only reason we keep giving this place a second, third and fourth chance, is because the food is SUPER good. But, we always have to give ourselves time to recuperate from the terrible service before we can go back again! I just don't think that the good outweighs the bad on this restaurant. I don't want to have to prepare myself mentally to go grab a bite to eat in my own neighborhood. I think we will switch over to Sun Street Breads and call it a day.
(2)Annie D.
I think a few more visits to Turtle Bread would be required to give it a fairer rating, but I just had to let the world know about their tomato basil soup. It's that yummy, including the fresh slice of bread that comes with it. On the not-so-delicious side, the atmosphere is much more austere than I expected. It still seems like a great neighborhood cafe, but not necessarily cozy. It could be a totally different feel when full of people weekending on Saturday morning, but I was there late afternoon. They serve meal-meals only until mid-afternoon, and after that it's just baked goods, soup and quiche. Additionally, they serve Pizza Biga take-and-bake pizzas and frozen pizza crust.
(4)Sarah L.
Holy crap I love the spice buns, can't get enough of them. The rest of the bread and baked items are yummy as well. I've had a few of the soups, which were pleasing, but haven't yet ventured to the sandwich arena. The frozen pizzas from Pizza Biga next door are delicious! I'd highly recommend them. This is a good place for groups, and it can get a little loud during meal times. I like the wide open, working dining area, but it may be chaotic for some people. I work across the street, so I come here on a regular basis and I'm glad it's available to me! So, prices are a little spendy and the coffee isn't good at all, but you gotta stop in and at least get a treat once if you live in the neighborhood.
(4)Alyssa N.
I am surprised by the low reviews here! This place is huge compared to other local bakeries/cafes that have a snaking line through the five existing tables. I am guessing that's why some people find it a little loud, but I find it sort of refreshing for a group brunch. It's nice to not be able to make out the full details of a neighbor's previous night out! I live down the block, so I stop by often. As the restaurant's name suggests, the bread is amazing, as are the quiches, muffins, dessert bars, and any kind of pie. The potato rolls, blueberry rhubarb pie, and banana walnut muffins are repeat offenders in my book. Turtle bread always has a large selection of soups available, many vegan and/or gluten-free, which is nice for a restricted eater. The vegan soups are also constantly changing, which is great. I'm used to the "minestrone option," which gets pretty old. I strongly recommend the garbanzo spinach soup! I take any visitor to eat here, and I always grab a bag of muffins and bread before I head out of town for the weekend. Do not miss their to-go and freezer cases by the cash register, where you can pick up pints of their soups and frozen pizzas and pizza dough.
(5)j s.
Just so dirty! I am not a clean freak, but I have worked in restaurants and have some bqckground in proper food handling. I've also dealt with serious food poisoning and it changed my life...not for the better! So I'm pretty unhappy because I had a chicken sandwich and salad here and it left me ill. I should have known better because when I looked around it was obvious the place isnt maintained very well...dirty tables, dirty floors, very dirty bathrooms. But I was with friends and you know how that is....didnt want to seem rude. Ironically, I should have said something because they have the trots now too... I guess to be thorough I should comment on the whole experience, not just the aftereffects Service was inefficient but reasonably friendly. Staff seems disinterested, and Im sure that means they are disinterested in keeping clean too. Sandwich was actually pretty good. A little bland but tasty. Oatmeal cookie was delish... But the manager wont call me back or any of us, and all signs (timing, shared food, consistency) all point to Turtle. Mistakes happen, but I can tell it's a way of business at this place. For the price, you'd think they could be more careful. I gotta say, where are you Minneapolis restaurant inspections? Howcome I cant get reports on this place from you? How come you wont return my calls? Why cant I just look online for reports? What a medieval (corrupt?) system you have that keeps the public in the dark about their very safety? Lessons learned: you are on your own in Minneapolis when it comes to food safety....
(1)Dunn Y.
I had an interesting experience recently at the Chicago Ave Turtle Bread. To preface this, I've been a fan of both locations...nice casual atmosphere, very good bread and baked goods, decent kitchen prepared meals. But my last visit to the Chicago Ave location, I witnessed some guy completely bullying the staff there, barking orders in a raised voice, saying "hey you" to staff (they have names dude), even getting in the face of some staff members...all this in front of several patrons who were obviously as surprised and turned off as I was. It was a busy lunch time, so everyone was having a hard time keeping up with food and coffee orders, along with bussing the tables. But as with most SW and S Mpls Sunday morning eatery patrons, everyone was being nice, patient, and understanding about it...no lost business or anything because the tables had crumbs. However, business DOES get lost when the environment seems oppressive, and staff members look like they're in fear. I learned later from a staff member that this bully was the owner! I don't know how accurate that is, but it was what I was told. So let me be clear...it doesn't matter how good your food is. If you present an atmosphere where employees are treated in such a manner where they are obviously afraid of the person assigning the work (who, by the way, did not lift a finger to help clean tables...I've seen James Beard winning chef/owners come and clean tables!), it is not a place worthy of patronizing. I will not be returning to either Turtle Bread location. And I hope others who care about food service staff will think twice about going there. I would add that the staff there has always seemed very nice and helpful to the extent they could be, while they ran around trying to get all the work done. My order have usually come quickly and accurately, and the kitchen staff have done a good job with the food. So I would agree that the customer service is indeed lacking. But I don't think it's because of indifference. I think it's due to a bad work culture.
(1)Kaonou T.
Great place for family and elders and kids for all ages and also very Good!! Soups and sandwhich. amazing food their with great Service!
(5)Elyse A.
Oh, Turtle Bread Company...what happened to you? I was once wooed by your quaint mismatched chairs, hearty soups and quirky cast of characters reading their NYTimes...but my latest experience this past weekend left me feeling dissatisfied. And also. broke. My husband and I wanted to grab a quick brunch before a day of errands, and were too impatient to wait the 40 minutes at Victor's 1959 Cafe, so we headed to Turtle Bread since it was on the way. The food was completely disappointing, dull and unseasoned. I ordered an asparagus and goat cheese frittata which was cold and completely forgettable. My husband ordered a breakfast sandwich that was literally buttered white bread cut diagonally with a sad egg inside it. We also each ordered a latte, which took forever to make, and tasted watery. So, two crappy breakfasts, two lattes and one loaf of bread that we took home (which was the star of the whole experience) set us back $30. I left feeling disappointed and annoyed, but mostly at myself. We should have known better. We should have waited the 40 minutes at Victor's. I guess it's a great place to pick up literal loaves of bread, do some people watching and find flyers for local yoga classes and nanny's...but the food itself? Save your calories for one of the dozens of better brunch/breakfast places at the Twin Cities.
(2)Sarah M.
The most quaint, sunny shop. Its walking distance from me, and I love to come over for a pastry, a coffee, and read a good book in the sun. They do pastries well. I've sampled practically all of them. They do not do coffee well. But...free refills...of bad coffee. Is that a silver lining? I'm not even sure. I haven't had actual food items, so I can't judge on that. But I do LOVE that they have a few prepared items for a picnic. Cheeses, ready-made sandwiches, hummus, spreads, honey, cream. Sort of those last minute items. Love it. I have learned the hard way that they alternate the days they make certain things- so if you expect that one, purely magical loaf of Cardamom Bread to be there *get the Cardamom Bread*, it might not be its "Day". So check the schedule! Also, the workers there are...not the most courteous, in my experience. Not rude, just lacking in solid customer service skills. Looks like a lot of high schoolers. But, its a great shop to meet a friend at or stop in for that loaf of french bread...or *Cardamom Bread*. OMG.
(4)Justine S.
I use to LOVE having lunch/breakfast at Turtle Bread, and do not get me wrong, their soups/food are still pretty awesome! However, as of late, the service is in need of some dire help and this has left a pretty bad taste in my mouth. I work in a very customer serviced orientated industry, so I expect nothing but great service, especially from local joints, as this is what keeps people coming back. The Turtle on Chicago Ave, multiple times now, has given me a very lackluster experience. You have people standing up front behind the counter talking and not paying attention to the line that is forming, you have orders never making it to their tables (Yes, this did happen to us as we waited over 45mins for our breakfast one morning and when we asked, they had lost our order - we promptly asked for a refund), not to mention at first sight it would appear this place is run by 16yr olds (nothing against hard working teenagers, but really?) I think its time Turtle Bread peeks its head out of its shell, and takes a look around at the deteriorating service.
(2)B G.
Great pumpkin bars. Reasons why I don't care much for Turtle Bread Co: -Consistently crabby and rude staff (not all, but most) -Weak breakfast menu -Self-serve, single-serve coffee I want to like this place... @brody_612
(2)Muna A.
Let's see if I have it in me to keep things short in written prose. - After moving here because Sovereign Grounds closed at 5, it was a harsh re-introduction to the reign of the impersonal and human islands. - Server barely looked at me and I think she gave me soup someone else just rejected or she's a magician and pulled it out of her sleeve 3 seconds after I ordered it. - Pretty sure potato cheese soup was the source of my all night nauseousness. - Wi-fi is turtle slow
(2)Lily K.
The name had me curious and really drew me to the place. I love soup and sandwich shops, but it didn't blow me away as a place to return to regularly. Prices were definitely high. The gift selection is fun. We arrived about an hour or two before closing and there was a very limited selection available for us, which made it disappointing as I'd went for lunch and found something that I really liked, but it wasn't available for dinner. I wasn't impressed, but things may have changed since I was there a couple years back. I recommend going for lunch when there is a greater selection.
(2)Izabela R.
I've wanted to come for a while. When I fnally did... eh, not super impressed. The atmosphere is cool. I like the openness of the actual bakery and the cool big wood tables, but I did come for the food. I had the potato soup (ultra bland) and the smoked salmon sandwich, which was meek and slightly pathetic. One of those, all-bread-and-no- meat kinda deals. Def wasn't delicious. Coffee and the Mexican brownie were pretty yummy though... will give them that. Don't think I'll be rushing back too soon.
(2)Nick G.
I've been to Turtle Bread for breakfast, lunch dinner and dessert...and just about everything else in between. They're usually packed, and often you'll have to share a table with another group of people. The breads, pastries and cookies are great. I have a sweet tooth, and Turtle Bread always fills my need. The meals are good, although not large in portion. The coffee is strong, and I love the treat of a fresh squeezed juice. There are plenty of coffee shops in South Minneapolis. Somehow I always end up at this one.
(4)Tom L.
Second time I've been disappointed here. This time I ordered a ham and cheese sandwich and cup of mushroom soup. After waiting half an hour trying to stretch out my bland soup I went to the counter to check on my sandwich. I was then informed the the cooks had left and there was to be no sandwich for me. I then had to ask for my money back like I was bothering them. I will not be returning here for a long time.
(1)Jennifer K.
Well, yeah, not bad. Wanted to go to Zumbro Cafe, but they are closed on Mondays....booo....had a sub for the day cuz of a doctor's appointment in the morning, and was with Timothy...so had a nice day away by the lakes... SO Turtle bread it was....we shared a chicken florentine soup with bread, and I got some pate. We got some baguettes to go because I have a breakfast potluck later in the week.. It was a great day outside...except for listening to the annoying stay- at-home mom's complain about their kid's teachers ad naseum....yeah...well-they should try teaching...kids are seriously crazy. Anyway. It was Ok. Yeah. Ok.
(3)Ashley F.
Mmmmm.. the joy of the $4 Cupcake. I love Turtle Bread food the same way I love Russell + Hazel stationary. It's so delicious, but the atmosphere, and prices, kind of make me feel a little more Edina than I am ever personally comfortable feeling. That is partially why I'd much rather go to the one on Chicago than the one in Southwest. Also, it's right next to the Pumphouse Creamery, so you can follow up with more calories. My favorite are the soups and the chicken pasta salad with tons of crap in it. The normal bread isn't my favorite in the city, but the chocolate bread is a-mazing.
(4)Todd P.
Turtle Bread Company makes wonderful artisan breads and pastries. This one (Chicago Ave) is located on the corner in a large, open storefront. The kitchen is open to the seating area which is filled with an assortment of old tables with deep patinas. If you order a muffin at most chains, you won't get a muffin. You'll get a cross between a cupcake and a muffin. At Turtle Bread, the muffins are more dense, less like dessert, and more like breakfast. They are baked in such a way as to maximize the size of the muffin top, which has a nice crust. Turtle Bread isn't just a bakery or coffee shop. This is a restaurant with a full compliment of menu items. If you order an entree, I recommend splitting it with a friend as the portions sizes are quite generous. We often see families with children here, as well as the usual assortment of yuppies and morning walkers typical of the average neighborhood coffee shop.
(4)Dan D.
I work from home so I am always looking for a place to get out of the house to be around other people. My priorities are as follows so take my review with a grain of salt. 1.) Nice spacious table tops and comfortable chairs 2.) Reasonably fast internet (3Mbs min) 3.) Good Coffee 4.) Food The food is great. Love the soup and sandwiches. The coffee is fair. The tables are awesome for spreading you stuff out to get things done. However, The internet speeds are unbelievably slow. Less than 0.5 Mbps slow. You can ask them to reboot their router but that never helps. This place could be the place for me and others like me to hang out in the mornings get coffee, breakfast, while getting work done but the only thing keeping me and others from going there is internet speed. I tried the other location in Linden Hills by they had the exact same issue. Tables and chairs were perfect but the internet connection was unreliable. I do enjoy taking my family to turtle bread for lunch on the weekends and the food is great.
(3)Brendon C.
Great place to wake up to after a night shift.....that awesome bakery scent, chewy bread for a sandwich later in the day. And chocolate bread. Who'd of thunk? But it's delicious......the breakfast (an italian omelet) was good not great, and I'd say the same for the coffee. But it is a bakery, after all, and the bread is just fabulous.
(4)Maria M.
I really enjoyed the french toast, and the strawberry dipping sauce that came with it was even better. I normally don't like fruit with my breakfast food, but it was sooo good. I only gave 3 stars though because the food was good, but nothing to spectacular!! It is a really nice spot though!!! I highly recommend.
(3)Britt B.
The breads and baked goods are amazing!!! I ate a giant raspberry danish in about 45 seconds this morning. I love the space; sunny, warm and cozy. The only non-bakery thing I've had here is the asparagus frittata and that was very good...But those baked goods....It's the main reason I love Sunday mornings.
(5)Steph F.
This review is about the Edina location (there doesn't seem to be a Yelp page for that). The prices are absolutely pretentious (the most expensive croissant and danish I've ever seen in the cities) and are not at all justified. The chocolate croissant is boring, nothing to rave home about. Before I asked them to please re-warm them, it was just a piece of cardboard with rock-hard chocolate inside. The danish was humongous (as was the price - both are totally uncalled for, in my humble opinion). The berries on top were the ugliest, saddest, more withered and unappetizing berries I've ever seen. The part of the dough with the berries on was so soggy, that it actually fell away from the outer circle of crust on my first bite. Very, very sad and disappointing. For the first time in my life, the egg wash on these items reeked horribly, so much so that it made it hard to eat them. Both items also tasted as though they were a day old, on a Sunday morning at 10 am. What a disappointment. I mean, if you know anything about fresh croissants, if you've ever made bread, or if you've had these delicacies enough times, you KNOW when they're fresh, and when they are not. Sadly, these were not. Also, all the croissants are displayed (with no labels nearby, so that it's near impossible to find what you want) on a cart in the middle of the shop. It's all self-serve, and extremely confusing unless you go for something that looks obvious (like a chocolate croissant). Seriously? Anybody could have touched my croissant with their hands? Blah. Oh, and don't forget your $8.99 box of tea to take home! What is it, gold? Come on people. The frilly, pretty decor of the place certainly does fool a lot of people, but I am going back to the unbeatable Bread and Chocolate for my croissants.
(2)Theresa L.
I had to get a quick cake for a party I was hosting and found this place to be the closest to me. The server was very accommodating and helpful and after numerous answered questions, I settled on the Triple Chocolate cake, which ended up being a hit with the guests. So hooray for Turtle Bread Co for helping me keep my new-found friends.
(4)Guya I.
I am giving TB 5 stars on bakery items I purchased. The most delightful Thumprint cookie, the most delightful pumpkin bar. Perfectly baked, and obvious quality ingredients. Nice selection of baked items.
(5)Amy S.
I was just at Turtle Bread Co. this past Saturday with my family. I used to really like this place, but don't think I'll be returning. I've always thought the food was delicious, but the portions are small and overpriced. This last time though my issue was wtih the cleanliness of the restaurant, or actually the lack of it. The floors were covered in dirt and dust. It wasn't just the normal dirt you get tracked into a place from it being winter. The piles of dirt, crumbs, etc under the display cases and tables had obviously been there for a while. Our table must have been wobbly at one point, as a wadded up filthy napkin was placed under the legs to make it sturdier. The tables were being cleared pretty quickly, but I never once saw a table be wiped off. The service leaves a lot to be desired as well. The majority of the staff is unfriendly and seems irritated by your presence. It's very rare to receive a smile or even acknowledgement from the staff. My daughter also had ordered the mac & cheese for her lunch. It arrived about 5 minutes after the rest of our food and was ice cold in the center. They obviously just threw it in the microwave and then didn't stir it. The rest of our food was delcious, but I'm concerned that if the public areas are that dirty, what does the kitchen look like? I'm going to steer clear of Turtle Bread.
(1)Ryan P.
Solid bakery. Really yummy cookies. Not "OMG THIS IS THE BEST COOKIES EVAR" good, but solid. Like you can't go wrong with ordering anything but you won't order a cookie, take a bite and then go into convulsions and hit your head on the sidewalk and wake up a week later with a smile on your face because of how good that cookie was.
(3)Wade O.
Great breakfast! I highly recommend their Egg Benedict!
(4)Andrew F.
I live about a block away from Turtle Bread and work from home. It's one of my staple lunch places, mostly because it's convenient. The lunch food is good but on the expensive side. A sandwich or bowl of soup and something to drink will run about $10. Generally good soups, with vegan and vegetarian (I'm neither) options daily and they actually make vegan/vegetarian food that tastes good. That said, the soups aren't always out of this world as many seem to think (and can be a bit bland to my taste), but you can taste anything beforehand and they constantly change based on what's available or fresh. Pastries are very good but ($3-4/each) expensive so be sure you know what you're getting into if you think about picking up a box of them to take to someone's house for weekend breakfast. Breakfast foods are ok, but not stellar, and the omelets are a bit oily. Seriously, use a non-stick pan and cut down on the oil/butter. Our hearts will thank you. The coffee is ok and the place is next to 2 bus stops in case you need a quick cup. They'll do all the fancy coffee drinks you may want. I stick with the standard 'cuppa coffee.' Bread is the strong suit here and when I need a good loaf of real bread--not that junk in the grocery-- I run over to Turtle to get a baguette or whatever. Pizza Biga is hit-or-miss depending on who makes it. The first time I had one, it had so much flour on the bottom of the crust, it was literally inedible. It took me a long time to order pizza again and in talking with friends, they've had similar inconsistency in quality. Free wifi, the place is generally buzzing and the bakery itself is completely open to the restaurant. Where else can you see someone lop off gigantic chunks from a 25lb block of butter? All in all, Turtle Bread is a solid choice if you're not ultra budget-minded and try it a few times so you know what's good and what's not. The one thing that's always consistent is the bread.
(2)Steve W.
I had a quick lunch here and it was phenomenal! I'm vegetarian and it's a rare occurrence when I have too many options to chose from....this place almost sent me into sensory overload. Even though I didn't get soup, I was amazed to see that 6 of the 7 soups on the board were vegetarian (3 were even vegan). The menu had both hot and cold sandwiches that were vegetarian (multiple options for each) and I settled on the Margarita Sandwich, which is basically a capresi salad on bread, which came with a fresh side salad. The sandwich was incredible and the salad, with it's simplicity, was great as well. I can't wait to go back again to try some new things!
(5)Jamie R.
I love Turtle Bread. I love the soups, I love the desserts, I love the bread. Most of all I love the big community tables that people share on the weekends. Yes, I said community tables. For those a little less adventurous there are plenty of small tables for two. But if you are feeling friendly and want to meet the locals, Turtle Bread is the place to be. Its a place to laugh and get to know your neighbors. Its a place to pour over the Sunday Paper, The Onion, or the City Pages. It is also a great place to be if you are having a meeting or need a place to study or work with free wireless. Bottom Line: The atmosphere alone is enough to get people to want to come back, but the food really is amazing. Go for breakfast, you won't be disappointed.
(5)P X.
I can't exactly put my finger on it...but every time I go to Turtle Bread Co. there is just a little something missing and a few great things that keep me coming back. Which, for this brunch, meant a killer glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and the mushroom frittata (with a side salad). Both were delicious, but I wish that they would have cut the mushrooms into smaller bites (there were basically entire mushrooms cooked into eggs...just a lot to chew)-however the flavor was great. My dining partner ordered up the Benedict, which was also very good and came with a side of roasted potatoes. Only downside was that the bread that hosted the egg and sauce goodness was super thick...so again, you had to chew through a ton of stuff to get to the flavor. Overall a decent brekky.
(3)Jeanine K.
Turtle Bread is within walking distance of my house and I have been going there for years. In recent months, my experience was less than great. It has been 3 months since I have had breakfast from the menu, as the food has been inconsistent and in some cases, down right off. The first sign of trouble was when they put my eggs on top of my salad, so my salad was warm and wilted. I forget what my boyfriend ordered, but he returned it not once, but twice because it was down right wrong - twice! He spoke to the manager and we found out that in the time frame we started to experience issues, they had hired a new chef. Turtle bread - I'm not impressed with your new chef! In recent months, I have been there for simple things - soup, muffins, coffee - and I have not had issues until today. I stopped by on my way into work and got a lemon poppy seed muffin. The muffin was full of large pieces of lemon peel that made the muffin taste bitter. It was down right inedible. Sadly, I'm not sure I will be returning soon, other to maybe get a cup of coffee or soup, which they have still not managed to mess up.
(2)Chris H.
I can't think of a better way to spend a lazy weekend morning. From a hearty, hot breakfast that is made-to-order or grabbing an item from their selection of pastries - Turtle Bread is where it's at. Grab a seat on their patio in this super-cute, quaint neighborhood and watch the traffic go by. Top it off with a great cup o' joe, and you have yourself one hella good morning.
(5)Clint C.
Hell yeah. Went here this morning. Great selection of breakfast items. The quiche was excellent. I was hesitant paying $4 for it not really knowing what I would get but it was awesome. The espresso was just alright. It tasted like they were using a french roast for their espresso shots. This isn't uncommon, I just don't prefer it. The best espresso I've had in the last few weeks was at Common Roots. Very bold. Very smooth. That's how I like it. This place is definitely worth checking out. Excellent selection of condiments as well as gift ideas too.
(4)