Grand Central Baking Company
1616 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA, 98102
Grand Central Baking Company Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Seattle for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
1616 Eastlake Ave E
Seattle, WA, 98102 - Phone (206) 957-9505
- Website https://grandcentralbakery.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 6:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast
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 : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Trevor O.
Being an infrequent visitor to The Grand Bakery Cafe, I recommend it as a nice pit stop. They serve lots of pastries, breads, sandwiches, in addition to daily specials on soups, salads, etc... I've never been blown away on the quality of food here but the outdoor seating offsets it for me. The workers seem like everyday ordinary people and typically have a gregarious charm.
(5)Trina J.
Idk. I am not feeling this place. It was very basic. It was a free breakfast sandwich for me because I was taken to breakfast, but it was a total waste of calories. I did not like the chai tea and I was not a fan of the rolo bread. I ordered a bacon rolo and without the bread, there was nothing special about the egg or bacon. Given the price, it should have been memorable for something other than the price. Absent the Yelp check in offer for a free drip coffee, I see little reason to give this place a try.
(2)Alisha W.
Really yummy pastries. I especially recommend the tomato relish with biscuit. Surprisingly delicious - although I was skeptical about the name "relish." Also their jam that they leave at the pick up counter, free of charge(!!), is super delicious. I really like the convenience of this place and I'm sooooo glad they finally got wifi. Service is great, people are really nice and do their best for you. Great neighborhood bakery where I like to pick up loaves each week!
(5)Bryce G.
Well the seasonal BLT returned, and I was greatly disappointed again. Two small sad pieces of bacon that looked like Oscar Meyer made them and a sliver of tomato all for $9. Guess it's all over with them now. If you want a great sandwich and soup for less money. Than walk over to great northwest soup company nearby.
(2)Julie G.
Still loving Grand Central. Two of the most unassuming pastries have become my favorites. Typically I'm seduced by the siren song of the chocolate croissant with its buttery, flaky layers and dark chocolate insides. But I recently tried a sampling when purchasing pastries for a family gathering, and grabbed a jammer and a latte dunker. The jammer is a bit homely, like a lumpy scone with jam on top - but it's delicious! Fruity jam, not too dry and not weirdly moist. The dunker is a real treat - crispy and covered in caramelized sugar glaze!
(5)Dae Y.
the cafe is set up very nicely. everything looks pretty much new. I had a pecan sticky bun and all i can say is: it was really, really, really sticky. and sort of hard. i am not a pecan sticky bun aficionado, so i can't tell you if it is supposed to be the way they have them. but it tasted good to me. i do question the refrigeration style of the low, open cooler that has all the cans of drinks and sodas at the front where people line up to order. I got one of the sodas and it wasn't very cold. seems like a cover should be put on it to keep the cold items cold. bathroom was nice and clean too. i didn't use the provided parking, but i think they provide some. i got very lucky with free street parking right in front for a 9am meeting. i did see one of my companions get a coffee beverage that had a leaf design put into it. it looked nice... it looks like they serve cafe vita. i know i have had and liked cafe vita coffee.
(4)Doug L.
Won't go back. Got a turkey sandwich there today. Was 1/2 way through it and noticed the lettuce was REALLY slimey and gross. When I called, the manager's response was "Oh, and we just talked about this yesterday. I guess I had better go out and sort through the lettuce myself." No I'm sorry or any sort of offer to make it right. From the often surley counter service - especially if you dont give what they feel is enough of a tip, long waits due to slow employees, high prices, and now this it's just not worth it. I'd rather go to Pete's down the street any day.
(1)Erica T.
I used to hate this place, but now I am starting to come around. Let's start with the cons: 1. They are quite slow. Even when the there is no one else in front of you and there are two people making sandwiches or working the espresso machine, they often seem more involved in talking to each other than getting your food/drink ready for you. Forget about it or call ahead if it's during lunch. 2. They are mostly locally sourced and organic, but some of the things they abstain from are just weird. They do not have a microwave to warm up ANYTHING, so if you order the quiche or like your hand pie warm, you better show up when they come out of the oven. Also, if you get a large carafe of coffee to go, they do not have individual packets of sweetener, sugar, or cream, so you will have to hope they decide to give you enough empty coffee cups to fill up from their pourers. The pros: 1. Their food is decent to exceptional, and this includes the baked goods and sandwiches. Their sas-squash sandwich is to die for, and I am not even a vegetarian, and their lamb chimichurri is worth the visit alone. Sadly, these were both seasonal sandwiches (gone now) at the same time, so deciding between the two was pure torture. 2. Make sure to check out their twitter feed. For the last several months they have had a 'tweet treat' almost every other day that could include a free loaf of bread, a cookie, a coffee drink, or a cinnamon roll. Overall, I would recommend this place if you are either not in a hurry or just want to pick up something from their baked goods case. Just watch out for the cold quiche!
(3)Lisa B.
I think this place is a bit underrated. The space is good for working or for chatting, or catching some sun on the patio. The sandwich I had (turkey chutney) was very good and I like their bread. I think the pastries are also good (not great, but good). I don't really care about service as much, but the folks at the counter could use some prozac in their cookies!
(4)Larissa B.
I spent the day at this place. The food was very good, but the price was a little high. Was a little disappointed that they didn't have lemonade. Also they had a sign that said free wifi but the wifi was locked. Over all the time was very quiet and the food was good!
(4)Ryan N.
Food: 5 stars...fresh food, made and baked daily. Just ask for mayo on the side cuz they get pretty crazy with it. Service: Don't go during peak-hours..it takes longer than it should to get your food once you order. I went in to catch-up on some work only to find out they no longer had wi-fi. It's a good thing I love pastries.
(3)Neha M.
Meh! I had heard of their breads that are served at many restaurants across Seattle. So I was super-pumped to be eating there. I found the sandwiches to be ok. Coffee was really bad which is so atypical of Seattle. There were a ton of baked goods available too but huge portions. It's located in a quite neighborhood and gets it's fair share of locals. Huge space so not hard to find a table.
(3)Mona C.
I've had their pastries here many times but because I'm trying to be more health-conscious I chose the Harissa roasted vegetable salad. It did take a while to prepare but it was during the lunch rush. The place was busy and loud and I couldn't hear my name when it was called. However, I have to give it up to the woman ringing up the orders because she was very polite even though I saw how people in line were on their phones or busy talking and weren't acknowledging the person taking their orders. I would. lose. it. The salad was very good, flavorful and spicy and it didn't need much of the lemony yogurt dressing that it came with. I did pick up my favorite pastry on the way out--the jammer. A thick biscuit with jam baked in the center. I fall for it every time.
(3)Marie B.
Being missing Grand Central Baking Company-Eastlake since I no longer work in the biotech neighborhood, so stopped in today on a nice Sunday early afternoon with the family. Much easier than trying to get to the Pioneer Square site. I usually get my sliced Como artisan loaf from Central Market, but it's not the same versus stopping in to one of their bakery/cafes. Easy peasy free street parking out front and clearly a leisurely spot for folks in the 'hood, not the usual crazy weekday work crowd lunch line. The counter person was very pleasant and friendly (contrary to other reviews I saw posted). She wasn't fazed by either us and the line of a dozen or so after us. I liked her weekend attitude of just being mellow. Her fellow barista did a fine job with our beverages too. So what did we order: 2 - 16 ounce mochas ($4.75 each) - nice and strong 1 - 12 ounce sweet chai ($3.65) - can be ordered spicy also 1 - Latte Dunker ($1.50) 2 - giant Ginger Molasses cookies ($1.95 each) yummy! 1 - Campanolo bread loaf ($4.95 - but got for free with a Chinook coupon) Very nice touch to get the artisan bread loaf also sliced upon request. With tax and tip, it was under $25 Also really cool to see a refrigerated case to buy ready to bake cookie dough, puff pastry, pie shells, whole pies, and pizza dough with helpful recipe cards/baking tips above. All I can say is that Grand Central Baking Company has been an established go-to for decent quality baked goods and bread, hearty lunch fare, and beverages (2 in Seattle, 1 in Burien, and 7 other locations in Portland, OR). The family business was at the forefront of the artisan bread baking movement in the late 1980s, which I count among the many local businesses I gladly support as a former assistant pastry chef. Yes, I am that picky about my coffee and baked goods - especially when it comes to artisan bread, pastries, and cookies. Thankfully, I've never experienced any rude service that warranted a negative Yelp review. But I also remember that I'm paying for better quality - note, this isn't a fast food sandwich joint (think Subway, Jimmy John's, Quiznos, Jersey Mike's and that ilk). One can either pack their patience or take your business elsewhere. I remain a Grand Central fan!
(4)Melissa C.
Really yummy pastries! Their scones are absolutely delicious - hearty but light at the same time. It's worth ordering 6 pastry goods, you get one extra for free! Can't comment on the soup and sandwich since I haven't tried but people seem to really order it often.
(5)Natagato D.
I work in the same building that Grand Central Bakery and of course it became my to go place. Ok is not the "cheapest" but food is ALWAYS good, staff super nice and their outdoor seating so nice when the sun is out. Pastries, sandwiches, soup, salads you cannot go wrong here!
(5)Kalani F.
I agree with other reviewers. They are often out of food, and the service is slow. Unfortunately, I find that this seems to be a Seattle restaurant trait. Not sure why. Maybe it will change in the future after too many Yelp reviews say it's an issue. Anyway, the sandwiches are fabulous here. Whatever cheese they are using, which I have asked to find out, is to die for. It is delish. Nobody seems to know what brand it is. If I ever find a manager, I will beg to know. I love, and I mean LOVE their sandwiches. Just so good. I have only had nice service people here, even if they are slow. Very laid back. Oh, and the coffee? Super good. A+ for food prep training. Speed, a little slow...but maybe that's why the sandwiches are so good???
(4)Kristen T.
Overall, wonderful place! The latte my husband got was really tasty and I wish I would've gotten one instead of drip (although that was good too, but you can't beat the latte!). I had a grilled cheese that came with a pickle (a nice touch), and my husband had a roast beef sandwich that was also delicious. The only downside was that it seemed just a bit pricey.
(4)Charlie L.
This is by far the most underwhelming food experience in recent history (note: it's not the worst, just the most underwhelming). I walked in expecting to get some soup... all out. The special? All but one is out. Quiches? Out. It's only 3 pm. I look across the board... nearly everything I would remotely considered eating is out. I settled on a ham pressed sandwich... it sounded pretty delicious with honey muster and all. NOT. Wish they had been out of this too, cause it left me feeling like I got a little gipped given its minimal size to price ratio (small sandwich for 8+ bucks... really?) The only redeeming quality about this whole experience? 1/2 price baguettes at 4 pm - which I waited until... and it is relatively yummy... probably 4 start worthy.
(2)Jillian R.
Love this place. It's a local chain sourcing ingredients from the area and baking pastries and bread at their flagship in Pioneer Square, so the food you love is also great for the local economy. They have a rotating menu of fresh and local sandwiches, soups, and salads that will make you go ahhhhh... They have plenty of vegetarian options, like grilled veggie sandwiches, bean soups, and more. It's a little on the pricey side - around $12 for a sandwich, chips. But the food is really hearty. They also have spicy chai, a rarity in mainstream coffee shops! I never know what will be on the menu... But I always know that it's awesome!
(4)Rachel S.
Okay, so here is the conundrum... I really need to be able to have two separate reviews for this place. My office is very close to Grand Central, and I have eaten here countless times in the past 3 years. The problem is this: The bakery itself is probably 5-stars, the restaurant side is very hit and miss and I could probably only give it 3-stars. So I am going to break this up into two reviews and give a combined rating of 4-stars. Bakery: Stop making your own pie crusts and just buy these. As a person who has always eaten around pie crust, I cannot rate this highly enough. It is 10-stars easily. I use it for both sweet and savory pies, quiches, etc., and I eat every bite every time. Their cookies are great, and I really like their quiche. The pecan sticky buns are yummy, and the coffee cake is good. The only problem with the coffee cake is that it is topped with fruit, which changes with the season, so it is hard to rate. Whenever they put pears on top, they are never cooked through and too crunchy, but the berry toppings and especially the rhubarb are delectable. I like their bread and rolls, though my daughter thinks the rolls are too crusty. Their pre-made frozen cherry pie is fantastic, though for the most part I just buy the pie crust and fill my own, if I am in the mood for cherry pie I buy one of theirs. Restaurant: I once had a grilled cheese sandwich (The Meltdown) that, I swear to God, had no cheese on it. It was two very nicely toasted slices of olive bread with Mama Lil's peppers in the middle. No cheese. I always have to check my lunch order because almost every time they have forgotten to put something in the bag (soup or salad but no roll, sandwich but no cookie or chips, etc.). But when they are on, it is amazing. It makes it really hard to rate. Most of the complaints are honestly service based. When things are assembled the way they are supposed to be it is really good, but for some reason they just can't get it right. The only things that have never steered me wrong are the Oregon Shrimp Roll (seasonal, and delicious every time), and the Cream of Mushroom soup (every Thursday). They also have had a roasted beet and goat cheese sandwich on a seeded demi-baguette on occasion that is spectacular. I don't usually buy their green salad because I am opposed to paying that much for a mix of lettuce with no other veggies, though their dressings are really good. And it takes FOREVER to get your food, so make sure you call ahead and place your order because you can sit for 20-25 minute waiting for a sandwich during the lunch rush. Their entire menu, including daily soup and sandwich specials are online, so it is easy to do. The bakery side of Grand Central skews my review in their favor, so they end up with an overall 4-star review. If you are in the area, go buy some pie crust.
(4)Ryan L.
Hate to be brutal on the review but Ive been here twice and dont see any reason ill be back. Id suggest anyone keep heading up the road to Louisa's for a restaurant / bakery. The last time I was in I had a breakfast sandwich and a mocha, the bill was $14. While they use premium ingredients (Beechers) its still too pricey. If I had got a decent portion I would be on board, but one egg sitting in the middle of a large roll and no side, just feels cheap. There are plenty of places in Seattle that use high quality all natural ingredients,
(2)H. K.
I was in the Seattle's South Lake Union Eastlake neighborhood for a Doctor's appointment and arrived an hour and half early. Wanted to grab a quick bite to eat for lunch before my appointment and found Grand Central Baking Co. (GCBC) across the street from my Doctor's office on Yelp. My first visit and most likely my last. Food: 4.5 out of 5 - I had one the best BLT sandwich (Sack Lunch, $10.75 p/tax) in a very long time. Very much enjoyed the toasted rustic Como bread it came with. However, you only get small one and half of piece of smoke pepper bacon. I know that market prices for bacon is on the rise with today's market, however, for the price I paid for the lunch, an extra piece won't break the bank - in my opinion. Customer Service: 1 out of 5 - A heads up and a WARNING! The cashier get pretty miffed if you don't know what the breakfast times are and if you don't have your order ready. The cashier gave me a disgusting miffed look when I ordered The "Basic Plus" breakfast sandwich with Canadian bacon ($7.25 p/tax) after 11:45 am yesterday morning. Again, to be clear, this is my first visit to GCBC. On the menu board there were no notice(s) on the breakfast times anywhere. I didn't have breakfast yesterday, after reviewing the breakfast menu, I just assumed all sandwiches posted were available anytime. A simple basic customer service from the cashier letting me know the breakfast hours would have been fine, however, the cashier gave me a nasty look. (Breakfast hours: 7am - 11am.) Bottom line: Have your order ready! Don't make a mistake I made by not having a back-up order. If not, again, you'll get a disgusting miffed look with a stern tone from the cashier. Please note that if you, like me, wanting a quick bite to eat, I have noticed that the wait time is about 15 minutes. I had couple of people in front of me waiting for their lunch and six people after me. Their wait time was also about an average of 15 minutes. If you have the time, you may enjoy the BLT I had. In addition, you have to police yourself after your done eating; no table service or clean-up from the staff. According the sign on the table, it helps to keep the cost down. Will I return again?... it remains to be seen. It wouldn't be my first choice.
(2)Nam N.
nothing against GCB at all... i can't say it was a-okay... only because i truly have experienced better. The location itself is at an odd spot unless you live right around that area as there's nothing else to partake in aside from banking if you want to do anything else. one of my favorite things about Bakeries, be it of breads and/or pastries is the aroma. I want to salivate and have to resist the urge to purchase everything in sight until my craving has been satisfied. GCB didn't do that for me... it was more like a smaller Panera Bread atmosphere. The visuals were grand but the products didn't seem to sell themselves. I tried the Shrimp Roll... the bread itself was rather tasty... however the shrimp itself was like baby bay shrimp tossed in a mayo dressing. lacked pa-zazz and umpf of flavor. it was actually a little on the "fishy" tasting side so i knew it wasn't fresh. $13 shrimp sandwiches don't have to be the best by any means but gimme something! overall - i'd say i'd stick to other bakeries, The Bread Farm, La Painier, or Bakery Nouveau... unless i'm in the area doing banking on east lake...
(2)Arthur S.
Well-made old school bakery goodies in a unique location - like a step back in time (for the taste buds too). Recommended.
(4)Anne E.
The sandwiches are to die for. I love their grinder. The coffee is great, pastries are always delicious-just sweet enough and not too overwhelming.
(5)David S.
It reminded me of the Panera of desserts. The atmosphere was sterile, and the desserts did not seem freshly made. The selection was also extremely limited well before the restaurant had closed.
(3)Joleen Z.
I seriously cannot deal with this place. If their pastries weren't so delicious, I would stay clear. Also, their sandwiches are awesome. However, their service is SO.SLOOOOWWWWW. Like, abysmally slow. They are always understaffed, a breakfast sandwich took me 10 minutes to receive in the morning, and during the morning rush, you really only have 2 people behind the counter? There is 0 sense of urgency here and only when I'm seriously craving a chocolate croissant do I even attempt to wander in. It's just not worth it to me. Also, Splenda isn't meant to be put in a large glass jar to be poured out. I get the enviro-friendly thing, but please. Lets be realistic here.
(2)Kelly H.
Oh dear LORD is this place slow!! The food, coffee, pastries and bread are all great but they make you s-u-f-f-e-r- for them!! Grand Central Bakery doesn't seem to care that they make you wait and wait and wait....you get the idea. Bring your patience if you gotta come to this place - any time of day - it does not matter - they have mastered the art of consistently slow service. Could someone please tell the management at this place to swing by any Starbucks and TAKE NOTES on efficiency and friendliness?
(2)stacey t.
Paid $12 for a sandwich, waited 20 mins and they forgot to hold the mayo. The service continues to be terrible, and now the quality of the food has gone WAY down. I actually got some kind of turkey soup that had sliced turkey deli meat in it - gross! And gummy gumbo with all rice, and tomato and bean with no beans. I've had with this place .
(2)Matthew P.
Awesome sandwiches! Friendly and fast service even right in the middle of the lunch rush! Conveniently located one block from Seattle Seaplanes! I ordered the turkey chutney and an oatmeal raisin cookie that was delicious!
(5)Srilata R.
extremely rude, i asked how long it would take to get a sandwich and the woman's response "as long as it takes an sandwich establishment to make a sandwich". She then basically threw a croissant at me. Rude. rude. rude.
(2)Kyle M.
Maybe my expectations were too great, but my experience wasn't all that pleasing. My friends and I went on a weekend morning. The place wasn't too busy. We ordered coffees and two breakfast sandwiches. The coffees came right away. The sandwiches on the other hand took what felt like a really long time. We were taking everything to go and we waited for at least 15-20 minutes. Had we known, we just would have went to the nearest Starbucks (which was further away). The biscuit was on the drier side. Probably won't go back as there are several other places that serve the same items at a better value and with better service.
(2)Yumiko K.
With 2 slices of good bread, you can make a delicious sandwich out of pretty much anything. (Well, figuratively speaking...) Unfortunately, all the quiches were out, so my boyfriend and I ordered Mediterranean Tosti and The Garibaldi instead. I love how the texture of melted Havarti cheese and sweet and fruity house-made tomato relish contrasted the crusty and slightly salty olive bread. As I took a bite out of the sandwich, it really dissolved upon my tongue. It was warm, gentle, and well-balanced. As for the Garibaldi, you do need teeth for this one. The Bolo roll (texture-wise, pretty close to ciabatta) can give your jaw a good exercise, but the more you chew, the more flavours you get. I really enjoyed all the albacore tuna, chopped black olives, hardboiled egg, and vegetables (especially sliced onion) in every bite. Their sandwiches are not cheap, but sometimes you get what you pay for. You do get what you pay for here. Happy chewing!
(4)Queen C.
This place was awful. Waited 20(!) minutes for a breakfast sandwich. It was $10. Assumed it would be worth it. It was mostly bread. One egg. Two skimpy pieces of bacon and one piece of cheese. Totally disappointing. 0 stars.
(1)T B.
I am so sad to only give 2 star. And I am torn because the sandwich I die for, the veggie grinder can be so amazing. And then sometimes its meh. If I am paying $9 for a veggie sandwich I want veggies...not brown avocado and some lettuce with a few sprinkles of peppers. I really think it comes down to who is making it. And then I went in and they are taking it off the menu due to ow sales....ya because half the time it isn't made correct!!! There is also one girl that works there that i refuse to tip due to her surly attitude.
(2)Melissa R.
Okay, so as a bakery, their baked goods are pretty fantastic. The pastries are crazy good and are priced about the same as anywhere else. However, nothing else is very remarkable. The sandwiches, for their size, are too expensive. I got the Turkey Deluxe the other day and it was swimming in mayonnaise - yuck. It was also a lot of money to add a (tiny) cup of soup. I just don't think a soup and a sandwich should run me $14 but if that's okay with you... I live in one of the apartment buildings nearby so this place is a convenient stop in the morning for a pastry and coffee - but my coffee this morning was so weak it brought me to finally write a review here. Bottom line: delicious pastries, everything else is overpriced and not that good.
(3)Marguerite R.
Honestly there are no better sandwiches anywhere. My suggestion is to order one of the seasonal specials as they take advantage of what's available right now locally, but anything on their menu is yummy. Would suggest the BLT as the bacon and tomatoes (and bread) make this sandwich to die for. The food does take a bit of a wait, but I think it is worth every second. Bring some reading and have a seat while you wait and you won't be disappointed.
(5)Opal D.
Grand Central Bakery can have a fairly long line during lunch hour. Their sandwiches and salads are made with high quality ingredients. I had the tuna sandwich (the tuna is advertised as line-caught) and it was flavourful and not too dry and not too soggy! Prices are a little higher than I expected. I will likely be back for lunch.
(4)Megan T.
Best sandwiches and pastries!! I had the turkey chutney sandwich for lunch today and it was BOMB! Their coffee is really good too. Great spot to Grab a quick lunch if you're in the Eastlake area.
(4)George C.
Good bread and cookies. The sandwiches are ok but nothing special. I ordered a turkey deluxe and it got the job done. The staff was nice. My only problem with this place is that it's OVERPRICED...big time. $9.00 for a turkey sandwich that should cost $6. I would love to add this place to my lunch rotation but it's too expensive.
(3)s z.
While the sandwiches aren't bad, but just far too expensive. My go-to sandwiches are the basil egg salad (the olive bread is amazing) and the grinder. Again, good but hardly worth how much it costs. For me at least, their sandwiches are never filling. I'm pretty sure this is just me though. I eat a lot of food on a daily basis and it's actually kind of frightening to think about. I've never dined inside, but it looks nice and is usually kept pretty orderly. The service doesn't seem to be too bad, but I don't think it would hurt if everyone would just smile a little or be a little more inviting when taking your order. They also seem to like to take their time when making your sandwich. This is both a pro and a con, I guess. I don't want anyone sloppily slapping my food together, but I don't need anyone to babysit each ingredient either. I think my main concern here is some of the facial hair that the males have. It must violate some sort of health code to not make them wear a hairnet over it. Some of the guys here have a lot of facial hair. While it's not a huge concern and I'm not that freaked out over it, what if something from their beards, or even part of their beards, fell into my food? Gross. Concerns aside, this place isn't bad. I don't visit Grand Central Bakery frequently due to the insane prices for a sandwich, but if you're just aching to spend $10 on a sandwich, this is your place.
(3)Marilee S.
This place has a reputation for tasty pastries, but I came by at lunch time to get a sandwich for my husband and I ... Please dont make this mistake for yourself! I ordered the Roast Beef but requested a substitute for the "Creamy Horseradish Sauce". When the clerk was speechless, I plainly asked "then please go Light on the Horseradish sauce", To Go. Well, the lady who made our sandwich did NOT go light on the sauce (it was smeared thick on both pieces of bread) but certainly went light on the meat instead! Only 2 small slices on the full size sandwich for $8+. A very pricey restaurant all around. Maybe the clerk did not communicate my request, even so, there would be too much for anyone to tolerate. So much strong sauce we really choked. Inedible sandwich - I only ate the one thin slice of cheese and a few bites of dry crust because I was so hungry. We were miles away when we finally ate it , so could not go back. This was my third try at this establishment, and the other 2 times were disappointing as well (lunch salad had very little meat portion, lunch soup was under-seasoned)... NOTE TO SELF and other curious patrons - "JUST. ORDER. PASTRIES." and "Three Strikes, it's out for lunch. "
(2)Diane C.
Grand Central is the spot. From fresh baked bread and sandwiches, to large orders for holidays or parties...this is your workhorse bakery. I LOOOOOVE the sourdough here, which is also potato bread. They are the heart of a good grilled cheese or my favorite food group: toast. Plus they have a killer challah. All of which they will slice for you if you prefer. These guys are friendly, helpful and have a loyalty card for loaves of bread and coffee. In addition, at the end of the day, I like to stop in for breads that they offer at a discount to clear out inventory. They have all sorts of dough so you can keep the party going at home. From pie to pizza, these guys have your bake...I mean back. ;)
(4)Laura C.
I really like stopping at this neighborhood bakery. I love that it's in my neighborhood (it earned a whole star just for that). In all seriousness, I love their Challah bread, ryes and rolls. I really haven't tried a bunch of their pastries unfortunately. My most purchased bread is their sourdough, it's my favorite choice for my grilled cheese sandwiches! No preservatives but still stays fresh for longer than I expect and for toast junkie I live with, that's great news! This is a true bakery too, they discount their prices right before close too! Plus it's cheaper than you can get from the third party vendors in town.
(4)Kristine H.
Oh savoury bread pudding, you woo me every single time I see you! My intentions are pure. I only want to grab a loaf of their delectable Kalamata olive bread with fresh rosemary and studded with plump olives. I might grab a tender Ciabatta or one of their beautifully chewy sourdoughs. And then it happens... you catch my eye, demurely peeking out from your glass case. I rescue you from your detention but you never make it home. A few minutes into my journey home, I pry the container open with my fingers and greedily break off chunks for nibbling. I know you'll forgive me because when I return, you're back in the case... beckoning me to buy you again. Ah well. Parking can be tricky if they are busy. You can park in the bank lot next door if you are swift but do not tarry, they will and have towed people. I've found the employees to be serviceable but not overly nice. Their location in Pioneer Square seems to have the monopoly on those!
(4)Annie D.
Nothing to write home about IMO. I prefer the Macrina Bakery for more exotic blends of breads. I don't care if this is a local chain. I'm tired of local businesses using that as an excuse for high prices and mediocre quality food. The soup was not high quality for the price I paid and the turkey sandwich was pretty simple. I would've expected some creative pesto blends or something if I'm paying that kinda price. This bakery is overrated.
(2)Tom T.
Grand central is a cool little spot on Eastlake with plenty of seating and a comfy upscale diner vibe. The bakery items are a little pricy but very good and they offer some great breakfast items. Coffee is good quality. Not the quickest of service...so if you would like to be a douche and complain about how you didn't get your latte in under 60 seconds, go find a Starbucks and let me eat my grand central in peace!
(4)Quinn I.
Don't get me wrong, the food here is pretty much fabulous. I've had some really awesome sandwiches here -- everything from roasted butternut squash to gorgonzola and radicchio. Lot's of unique and interesting combinations, and fresh baked bread and pastries to boot. However, the price and service are where this location falls short. Every time I've ordered a sandwich I've waited at least 25 minutes -- maybe more -- to get it. This would be fine if I wasn't in a rush to get back to work, or if it wasn't just a sandwich, or if I didn't pay around $10 for it. I don't really know what to suggest. I feel like it happens because of a bottleneck in the "sandwich making area," so some remodeling may be in order, or perhaps better prep in the morning. Whatever it is, I love the food but (this is America, after all) hate the wait. Working towards a happy medium in that respect would make me stop here for lunch more often.
(3)Satyajit M.
As good as a bakery can get. I have been here for more than 20 times and yet have to taste something that is not good. Double baked Challah, choclate crossiant, sandwiches are are excellent. At lunch hour it gets quite busy, also the wait times are long. Though it is pricy everything other store in this neighborhood is 1.5 times market price.
(5)Jack J.
It took forever to get my food. They forgot about my order...TWICE!! Not only that but when they brought me my food, It wasn't even my full order. Food was no good.
(1)Jessica B.
Slightly pricey, but high quality ingredients. I always have a nice time chatting to the staff here, and the food has reasonable portions that fill me up. A little bit pricey on some things, but the egg and toast breakfast is very very good for $5 and the coffee never tastes burned. They have very good customer service-- they were once out of 2 sandwiches I wanted so on my third try they had it and gave me a free drink to make up for the inconvenience! So nice! They offer free parking, a nice patio (little birds come up to say hello... and graciously clean up any crumbs you may or may not drop). If you're outside waiting for the bus, check one bus away before you go in for a coffee. It can take a little while for the line to move sometimes.
(4)Xav Z.
I sit down with a pastry and coffee to finish some work, they do not have WI FI any more. No notice, a waste of time.
(2)Peter B.
Three word: slow and expensive. With slow I mean sloooooooow. As in the slowest place I know of. With expensive I mean leaving the place feeling dirty and fooled. Their take-home breads and pastries are very good. But there sandwiches are mediocre at best. And by the time you finally get your food you likely wasted too much of your time and money to appreciate it anyway. If you are standing in line reading this you will likely save time stepping out and walk somewhere else, and you'll save money and get a better sandwich too.
(2)Mairead R.
You might be surprised that one of my top meals of 2011 was a muffin. I certainly was. Even though I've eaten scores of Grand Central treats (notably the crumbly soda bread with currants, divine croissant, and cocoa nib shortbread), the bran muffin stands out. Humbly presented, this plain looking muffin hides a phenomenal flavor and texture. It's not a mulchy, dry branmuffin. Not is it a bleached flor ur muffin with a token sprinkling of wheat germ. Break it open and this baby gleams with essential oils and pops with bursting-at-the-seams golden raisins. Languid carrot gratings curl around the interior, adding some actual nutrition. And, I don't know how they do it, but the top is a crisp shell that gives to the tooth in a comforting snick. Paired with a latte, this sweet muffin has gotten me through some difficult days. It isn't the flashiest but it certainly satisfies.
(5)Kim C.
Coffee is not bad but more expensive (drip is more than $2). No wifi or power outlet, plus lack of fabric to absorb noise make for a not so great place to work. I was also surprised to not find anything interesting in the baked goods case.
(2)Rik C.
I went to GCB this morning and was pleasantly surprised. The place is more inviting and cosy on the inside than the outside. The pastries were just right both in taste and price and they had a great selection. After ordering, I noticed their breakfast specials on the board that also look very reasonably priced. We saw them make some delicious looking sandwiches as well and the coffee was pretty good. We'll definitely be back.
(4)Jules P.
Fast breakdown: - It's expensive ($8-$10 for a small lunch sandwich ). - The food is not great -Customer service sucks This review is based on three times I've visited this place. First, the food is way too expensive. Paying almost $8 dollars for just a small sausage, egg, cheese biscuit sandwich or $10 for a turkey sandwich is just ridiculous. Especially considering they weren't all that tasty, filling, or special. I'm not sure if my biscuits were typically how they make them, nor am I a biscuit connoisseur, but shouldn't a biscuits be warm, soft, and flaky with a nice buttery taste. Mine was none of those. It was so burnt and hard on the outside that I could have practically chipped my tooth biting into it. The middle was cold, dense, and had chewy texture..not good. In addition to the biscuits, I found the sausage equally disappointing and disgusting. It had a stale, chewy, rubbery quality to it. Grosses me out just thinking about it. The constant bad service: I feel like I'm always getting rushed to order and constantly waiting a very long time to receive it (all three times I was there, there was no line). It also seems like ordering or asking a particular question is a great inconvenience to the staff. I asked for a plate and I actually saw the staff roll her eyes, reach back for the plate, set it down in front of me and walk away without saying anything. For me, dealing with this only once would be acceptable because everybody has bad days but dealing with bad service three separate times is unacceptable in my book. I would not recommend this place. I would rather go to Essential bakery, Nouveau baker, or Tall Grass Bakery.
(1)Connie C.
Enjoyed lunch with a friend outdoors yesterday. The mediterranean tosti is delicious, and I don't usually like olives but the olives in the bread made for a unique and tasty sandwich. We also had the french farmer's soup (great mix of meats and veggies, not too salty as most soups are at restaurants), and a side salad. Overall a good experience! It was a sunny day, and the line and wait were not long at all (about 5 mins to get our food).
(4)Maritza B.
Not my favorite place to grab a sandwich. But pretty delicious breads and treats. Cafe Vita too. Would be a great place to work if they had wifi that work. Overall it's a good place once in a while if you're in the neighborhood.
(2)Alex G.
I definitely haven't tried anywhere near all of what this place has to offer, but my experiences here have been pleasant and I like the food. Someone mentioned the atmosphere being a little sterile. Its kind of industrial and airy, but yea, not necessarily with a lot of charm. I sat on a bench and thought it was fine, but I really see myself going here on nice days to sit outside. They lose a star because they close at 5pm, but maybe once my schedule changes, I won't care. Anyway, I have had a couple sandwiches and I love the bread. The crust is a little too hard maybe, but the bread is soft and the egg salad sandwich bread is infused with kalamata olives. It tasted amazing. So good flavors in what I've tried so far, but they have all kinds of delicious looking treats behind the case. I've ran into a couple employees, who initially seemed snooty, but as soon as I mentioned something that I thought they could relate to they opened right up, so those interactions were pleasant. This is a place I'd come to frequently, but can't afford to buy the $9-10 sandwiches and salads every single time. The coffee taste good, but not as amazing as Louisa's up the road.
(4)Sabrina K.
The sandwiches are ok, but the cream of mushroom soup has been very good. A little pricey for the bowl size serving, which is really just more than a cup. I did notice it depends on the person serving you up.
(3)Erin W.
I bought a bunch of pastries here over the weekend for a brunch party. The gal helping me was incredibly helpful and polite--she offered excellent customer service. I noted that everything was a generous size (a single item could satiate two people). I cut everything into three or four peices so guests (and I!) could sample many things, and that was definitely the way to go because each item was delicious. The plain croissant was perfect ly crisp and flakey on the outside with a soft center. The donut muffin really did taste like a cinnamon sugar donut! It had a moist center and a crisp, sweet outer shell. The double-baked challah stole the show though...you just have to try it. :) Ahhhhh-mazing!
(5)jenn s.
My experience here was not a very happy one. I stopped in on my way to work for a sandwich to-go (my first sandwich at this place). It took 20 minutes for my sandwich and customers who ordered after me, got their sandwiches before me. When my sandwich was ready, it was handed to me with nothing but "do you want a pickle with that?". When I answered "no", the employee just turned and walked away. I continued on my walk to work downtown, where I planned on consuming this sandwich. Half an hour later, I sat down to enjoy my sandwich before my soon-to-be twelve hour shift and find a hair in the middle of my sandwich. Both halves. Yes, this means the hair was cut in half along with the sandwich. To say that I was upset is an understatement. I tried to call but I was put into an automated voice system. I pressed the appropriate number to leave a message for a manager and was then told by a voicemail system that I could not leave a message because the mailbox was full! I tried for the next 5 hours to leave a message or talk to a person, with no avail. I will not return here, nor do I recommend it.
(1)Jodi S.
One star for the delicious chocolate croissant and one for the soy latte. The croissant was a nice blend of crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, with those wonderful chocolate chunks inside to warm the soul! The latte was nice because it wasn't as sickeningly sweet as I have experienced them in the past. It was just... a nice soy latte! How come the low ratings, you may ask? Well, after I made the order for the afore mentioned items, I was glancing over their lunch menu and spied the Curry Chicken Salad. I just sounded SO GOOD! I ordered it to-go for lunch later. The salad itself actually was pretty damn good, and I got a lot of compliments on it at work. My problem with the salad started about 3am the next morning when I was rudely awoken with clear signs of food poisoning, which basically incapacitated me for two days. I say the salad was to blame because I did not have dinner that evening, nor did I consume any alcohol - which sucks, because if I am to feel this bad, I at least want to have the knowledge I had a kickass time the previous night! I called the store manager, who was friendly and apologetic about the situation. All she could really do was take my name and number and promise to call if anyone else called with similar complaints. And if they did then the Health Dept would be notified.
(2)Michael H.
Delicious baguettes (both rustic and semolina). My favorite place for baguettes in Seattle. Follow them on twitter as well for some freebies once in a while.
(5)Shekinah S.
3.5 Stars I probably woulda given Grand Central Bakery 2 Stars a couple years ago. For one, their bread is too hard and I rarely buy it at the grocery store. Second, my boyfriend and I ate lunch here once and it wasn't a great experience. The guy at the counter was a nonchalant stoner type who didn't seem interested in providing customer service. I believe I got some sort of grinder and the BF got something with mushrooms and cheese. I don't really remember the grinder one way or the other, but I do remember my BF thought his sandwich was way too heavy and buttery and not very good. But then... we had lunch here again last Sunday and I was way more impressed. All of the girls at the counter were incredibly friendly. They seemed happy to be doing their jobs and helping customers, even the three cops in front of us. I had a Turkey and Chutney sandwich (half $4.85, turkey, lettuce, mayo [homemade?] turkey chutney on Como bread, minus the Havarti cheese) and my BF had a Tofuben (whole only $7.95, seasoned tofu, Swiss cheese, homemade slaw, Thousand Island dressing on Sour Rye). I also took a piece of berry coffee cake to go. My sandwich was very good and was the perfect amount to eat before I went for a walk at a park and then ate a bunch of crap at a Super Bowl party. I had the coffee cake the next day. It was good but there were too many annoying berry seeds. I didn't try my BF's tofu sandwich and thought it looked super greasy, but he polished the whole thing off so I guess he enjoyed it! My main complaint would be that though my sandwich was up right away, it took almost 10 extra minutes for the tofu one even though he ordered before me. Other reviewers call GCB "sterile", but I kinda like the plain and simple industrial feel (concrete floors, mostly wood, minimal decor) and the sunlight streaming in the huge windows. I was also extremely impressed with how pleasant and clean the restroom was. We did not have trouble finding seating on either occasion, even though this is a place where people camp out with their laptops. The patio would be nice in warmer weather. I'll probably continue to skip the bread at the store, but I'd recommend Grand Central Bakery as a good spot for breakfast, brunch or lunch if you're in the Eastlake area.
(3)Elizabeth D.
Super over priced! Took them 20 minutes to grill my sandwich cause they forgot about it due to excessive gossipping by their employees. Unprofessional is the only way I can use to describe the Eastlake location. The Pioneer Square is waaay better and quicker! Don't waste your time.
(1)Cathy G.
Yum, yum, yum Goodies in the tum... Grab my purse Try not to curse! The prices are high. If you order the sky! I love the atmosphere. I find employees have time to be polite and fun or sometimes not so fun and nice. The windows and crowded atmosphere make it worth an interesting trip.
(4)Dusti A N.
Biscuit lovers, beware!! I paid waaay too much for a biscuit that was CRUNCHY every bite of the way. Crunchy and hard! I get that when you go to nice little places like this with compostable spoons and free range eggs that you pay more than you would for a Burger King breakfast, but 5x the price for HELL IN MY MOUTH is not cool. I ordered a vegeterian egg and cheese biscuit. For some reason there was a ham pastry on my plate. Which I enjoyed, but come ON. You can't just go around putting meat on people's plates without asking first.
(2)Chris B.
Ok, so first off, I must say I am a huge fan of their breads. I tend to prefer it over other local bakeries, because of the flavor, the length it keeps its freshness (just maybe a day longer than others), and for the tasty crust. With a larger Sourdough roll, the combo is great, but I typically stay away from the smaller rolls because the crust can make the bread too chewy, a mouth marathon if you will, which I can do without. Enter, Grand Central Bakery on Eastlake. I have gone in twice after 2 pm to pick up a sandwich, only to be greeted with amazement at the counter that I'd like to order a sandwich. "I'm sorry, we're out of that. We have the Vietnamese sandwiches left, though." Really? You're telling me you can't actually MAKE a fresh sandwich at 2pm? I guess not -- these are pre-made in the morning. Ugh. Both times, I walked out empy-handed. Third time's a charm, though. This time, I went in around 10:30 am, and lo and behold, I was actually able to leave with the Italian Grinder sack lunch, including Tim's chips and a cookie, for $8.75 -- not a bad deal. The Grinder uses Salumi salame, ham, and prosciutto, with cheese, lettuce, red onion, and tomato, and oil for dressing. The taste is very good. Even though these are pre-made, the sandwich holds up pretty well, I think due to a generous portion of oil that the bread soaks up. But it's that ROLL that makes this sandwich so difficult to eat. Chew chew chew. It's filling, and it tastes good, but jeez, my jaw is sore after one of these suckers. Many breaks are required. The other thing I dislike about this location, is that the staff seem almost annoyed to have to actually serve you. Everybody appears super busy, and I think they share duties preparing breads and baking while serving customers, or something. But on the upside, after ordering, they swiftly took my money, threw the sandwich into the bag, along with the chips and cookie, and slung it over to me in no time. Yet somehow, I, customer, almost feel like an afterthought to them, like I'm imposing on them to give them my money, even to have to choose a cookie TYPE, only to be rewarded with a bag slung at me with barely a nod of recognition, then having to put all that work into chewing their sandwich? Even my worst relationship was easier than this. While this is a very good sandwich, there are far to many other place who serve exceptional sandwiches, FRESHLY MADE TO ORDER, with friendly service, for a similar price, and with less chewy bread, for me to bother making a FOURTH trip here, in which case I'd probably only be rejected again. But I'm sorry Grand Central. It's my fault that I don't handle rejection well. I guess I can try to convince myself that it's their loss, at least, right? (Cries for days) PROS: Pretty good sandwich -- quality meats and good tasting bread. CONS: Chewy crust with smaller rolls, requiring a lot of work to eat, PRE-FAB sandwiches, not made to order. Seems like an imposition to actually want to order food here.
(2)Tim L.
Free wi-fi (unsecured), SSID is GCBEastlake. They have some pretty tasty and unique sandwich options for lunch, personal sized quiches, daily soups. They serve Cafe Vita coffee, like oh so many other establishments in Seattle. They do all your standard coffee drinks, however if this is all you are looking for and not interested in the other tasty treats, you might be better served walking up a few blocks to Voxx. But what they do really well is, well, baking! Their baked goods are very yummy: cinnamon rolls, chocolate croissants, cookies, bread pudding, take and bake pie crusts...
(4)Andrew S.
Great coffee (house drip) and tasty pastries! We had the fruit coffee cake and chocolate-filled croissant... Couldn't decide which was better. Nice ambiance too - kind of industrial but cozy.
(5)T A.
This is a review of the service, or lack there of. Showed up 15 minutes after 12:00 and was hoping to purchase an item on their breakfast menu. Was told they "called" breakfast at 12:00 so no dice. While they had all but one ingredient used in their lunch sandwich they decided they wouldn't budge. Yes, I'm venting, but really...
(1)Dan S.
Pretty sure my croissant was made last week. Really stale. It was actually difficult to pull apart.
(2)Michelle B.
I stopped in here with some friends who had a coupon and the service was pretty swell. I had the polenta burger which was yummy and a macaroon that was merely okay. I should have gone with my instincts and got a cookie...luckily I have nice friends and they shared theirs with me. Enjoyable experience overall but just not in a part of town I frequent so not sure if the experience was fantastic enough for me to make extra trips out there.
(4)Gregory L.
Place is aight. The asian gal at the counter makes a mean cup of coffee EVERY time. The soups are decent. The pies are decent. The sandwiches are pretty good. The baked sweets are rather tasty!! Croissants are also AMAZINGLY crafted. They have quite a bit of variety here. The bread is hard and boring though. This is not different from ANY other 'french' bread though. So stupid this food item. Oh well nobody's fault they're making it properly. Pricing CAN seem harsh. Overall, place is aight.
(4)Julie S.
5 - Outstanding cappuccino. Roasty and dark, not too watery/milky. Even the foam is well-flavored. 2 - Bread is so-so, sometimes has an off flavor. 3 - Pastry is okay. Nothing world-shattering. 3 - Breakfast is good, but again, nothing to write home about.
(3)Amy K.
Popped in today on a walk to grab some coffee and breakfast. We both ordered the continental (Beachers cheese and tomato jam on a bolo roll) so it was cheesy goodness in our mouths. They served a slice of orange and a small piece of pastry with it. The orange was fresh and delicious, I can't comment on the pastry bite since I handed it over to JP to eat. You can't really screw up cheese and bread, so no complaints here. It wasn't super crowded for a Sunday morning and JP liked his coffee. I agree with others it's a bit pricey for what you get, which is probably why I don't go out of my way to frequent this place.
(3)Ninja S.
One of those places where the granola munchers go to spend $12 on an ok pre-made lunch that has been sitting for an hour or two. An interesting touch here is that their wifi is disabled between 12 and 1pm. This makes sense since it is a zoo during that hour and abandoned afterward. If you live nearby, you could use this place for a coffee and bad attitude refuge. If you want lunch, there's a bunch of better choices in this price range.
(2)Charlie S.
We all have different tastes and preferences. For the prices charged here the food should be spectacular. It's not. I've visited there intermitently for five years or so; it used to be good enough to be worth the prices; but the quality now is very spotty. Another reviewer mentioned that $9 is a lot to pay for a $5 sandwich. Well said, and accurate.
(1)Julia G.
I have gone here a hundred times (I'm within walking distance...I can't help it), and while their sticky buns are awesomesauce ... the service is sometimes ... well, I dont know if slow quite captures the vortex that is Grand Central. Meaning, I only order a sticky bun and latte every single time....but I don't leave until 25 minutes later. Everything is baked fresh and smells awesome....it's the people who work there...I can't get over. Could they care any less about working there? Or do they lace that bun with such addictive icing that they know I'll come waddling back for more no matter how they treat me? I'll never know.
(3)Morgan S.
Although the people that work there have a very cold and rude demeanor, the food makes up for it. The sandwiches are always great with high quality ingredients. They also have the best challah bread ever!
(3)C W.
Most of the soups here are really good. I come for soup and no wi-fi (no distractions from working). Anything with flour is delicious (it's a bakery!). Four stars because they always seem to need two tries to make my very simple drink. But it's always excellent once it arrives (Cafe Vita espresso). Busy place at weekday lunch.
(4)Rachel S.
There are great big photos of wheat on the wall. I have grown used, more or less, to scarfing up crackers and sandwiches, muffins and pie, without thinking my mother, thousands of miles away, will email and tell me I've been blinking (BLINKING! always the most serious of accusations) and must have been eating (evil of evils) WHEAT. But there's no getting away from it at Grand Central Bakery. The glass-front display case is full of cheering sights, and what are they made of? Wheat! Every one of them! Made out of wheat! Golden hairy-headed wheat! Settled-agriculturalist wheat! Civilized wheat! Population-exploding wheat! End-of-the-world wheat! Today I just had coffee, but my mom doesn't exactly approve of that, either. I should think, though, even my mom would have to acknowledge that if you're going to bake things out of wheat, this is the way to bake them, and I think she would thoroughly approve of the potato sauerkraut soup. I like Grand Central Bakery. It has the neutral and impersonal, bright and clean surroundings of which I so approve in an eating establishment, the qualities that always draw me to chains even though I always guiltily think I should be supporting small, independent businesses. But the food tastes like it's cooked by cooks, not designed by food scientists. Also, it's ten minutes' walk from my office, and people from my office don't walk for ten minutes. Short distance, complete escape.
(4)Amanda W.
After an employee messed up my lunch order (that can happen) and delayed my lunch by 15 minutes, the same employee then went outside and watched my car get a ticket and connected to a tow truck before coming in and annoucing that someone's car was being towed. FYI, you can't park in front of the restaurant after 3 - I got my ticket at 3:05 and the tow truck charged me as well. Then followed it up by saying, "oh we usually announce at 3 that you have to move your cars." Probably won't be coming back.
(1)Kristen F.
Sometimes you really do want to go where everybody knows your name. Since I started working at my current job, Grand Central Bakery is that place. It's a quick walk, they dependably have good food for either breakfast or lunch (I'm a hungry bike commuter who often forgets to pack one or both of these essential meals), and they provide a friendly, safe haven to which I can escape when work just plain sucks. The baristas/bakers/cashiers are all super friendly and they never fail to inject a little bit of sunshine into otherwise dreary Seattle days. The food is actually quite tasty. I've never had a disappointing pastry from this bakery, although I can only claim to have been blown away by two: the twice-baked challah (OMG!), and the cardamom shortbread (which is tragically no longer offered). I am a big fan of their soups (I'll warn you that they tend to be on the salty side, but I love salt, so it's like a match made in heaven), the bread is invariably delicious, and their sandwiches rarely disappoint. For all its simplicity, the bistro ham sandwich is shockingly addictive and hands down my favorite selection from this establishment. More than anything, Grand Central Bakery baristas are experts in coffee. Decadent lattes are one of my favorite things in the world, and Grand Central Bakery has given me all the more reason to love them. So, you might be wondering why GCB receives only 2 stars from me, and to be fair, I've really been waffling between 2 and 3 stars. I wish that I could vote 2.5, because it's about halfway there. Considering the glowing review of the food, coffee, and baristas, I understand why this may not compute. I have two big problems with Grand Central Bakery. The first is price. No, one of their sandwiches will not break my bank (and if it did, I would really need to take a step back and rearrange a few aspects of my life), but I don't think I have to tell you that this economy sucks, that it's hard to make it as a twenty-something in a city where it seems that normal rent on a 1-bedroom is upwards of $800/month, and that anything is better when it feels like a great deal. For what it is, the food at Grand Central Bakery is phenomenally expensive to the point that I'm apprehensive to support it. No, I do not want to spend $10 on a sandwich that I could make (probably just as good, too!) for $5. I like that extra money for my silly indulgences like, say, decadent lattes, bourbon, and pork. My second big problem is time. I hate to whine about this because I really do enjoy all the workers there. But cripes! Just ordering a cold sandwich or a salad to go becomes a 20-minute endeavor. I'm a busy woman! Even though I enjoy a break from work, I don't have that sort of time! So, the long story made short? Decent food, friendly baristas, lengthy waits, and overpriced. What does this mean for you? Simple: order the soup. There's always a veggie option if that's how you roll, it's immediate service (no wait time!), you get a whole mess of delicious bread with it, and it's the most economically friendly choice.
(2)Amy B.
Note: The review is based off food brought to the office for a morning meeting. I did not visit the location or see their full menu. I had something like a round scone with jelly on top. It was good.. though for some reason tasted.. healthy!?! :) I think I might choose to purchase bakery items elsewhere though am intrigued by the sandwiches that others have described. I should like to try the turkey with cranberry and havarti. That sounds heavenly!
(3)Michelle M.
A cute place to grab lunch. I appreciated the simplicity of the sandwiches, but thought it was a bit too pricey considering how small the sandwiches were. Hubby and I enjoyed the turkey cranberry chutney sandwich and the Ham and Gruyere on Sourdough (instead of Rye). Both were good, but nothing spectacular. We also got the chorizo and black bean soup which was horrible. It definitely needed a kick (salt? sriracha sauce?). The pastries are where it's at. The oatmeal and chocolate chip cookie was a perfect balance of chewy and crispy. I also thought the almond paste in the croissant was custard-y delicious, but rest of it was a tad hard (maybe it had dried out from being on display).
(3)Sheryl L.
Loved a sandwich they used to have, a Portobello based vegetarian Vietnamese Bahn Mi... but now that they don't have that on the menu any longer, no reason to go. The atmosphere is cold and sterile, and the seating by the windows is uncomfortable. The food can be good, but not good enough to overcome the cold atmosphere, harried staff, and chaos around the counter. Since my fav sandwich was gone, I had one of the specials, the Pimento Cheese Melt. Wah wah. Needed bacon OR the Mama Lil's, not both, the two together were totally overwhelming and competing. Not worth it.
(2)Margaux j.
The first time I went into Grand Central Bakery, I must have killed the cat who belonged to the guy behind the counter because that would be the only reason why someone would be so rude. Shrugging it off I went back again a few weeks later. Apparently the guy got a replacement cat which I must have killed again upon entering the bakery since again that is how he treated me. It would be one thing if this place had incredible food, but honestly nothing I have had here was worth putting up with the attitude. Not going back...killing too many cats.
(1)Heather C.
I used to come here when en route to work. Great selection of items, fresh and fast at getting your order out. There can be a line so give yourself time, parking can be tricky as well. Also good for group catering and grabbing lunch to go for later in the day.
(4)Shamus O.
I like the coffee here but truth be told the coffee in Seattle is good just about anywhere. The food and pastries are all made here and that to me is s sure plus. I have spent many a rainy afternoons just sitting here and people watching. The staff is friendly and the ambiance is conducive to passing the time. The scones are a not miss too. You gotta try em!
(4)Jack P.
Chai is ok. The food is worth 4 stars, but its on the pricey side.
(3)Shannon W.
The only thing that I've gotten here are breakfast sandwiches, and they are delicious. Plus they give you a random tasty piece of baked good on the side of your plate (brownie, scone, etc). A bit pricey I guess but I live near it so it's nice for a quick weekend breakfast. Apparently their lunch items are not as good so beware.
(3)Jaime G.
Four words: Ham and Cheese croissant. Better tasting and bigger (of course it's bigger...this is America) than similar croissants I've had in Paris. Move over bacon! There's something meatier! And it is the sublime ham and cheese croissant at Grand Central.
(4)Josh B.
love the bread. came here with some chinook coupons after i checked the website ( grandcentralbakery.com/m… ) and saw the hobui flatbread listed. when i showed up, i was told they didn't make it for retail sale... what the heck?? the girl was friendly, though, so i didn't push it. the three of us got the polenta burger and it was pretty good. the oatmeal chocolate chip cookie was the best that i've ever had! got the ciabatta and como as our "free bread with $5 purchase", so all's well that ends well, i guess!
(4)Sumit B.
The soup was lukewarm (though very good, and they did give me a new cup when asked); they forgot to give my girlfriend the bread with her salad, the half-sandwich was tiny and lackluster (grinder), and the ambiance was so-so in a relatively stark neighborhood. BUT, the almond croissant (as recommended by another yelper), was indeed *amazing*! That alone gets them four stars.
(4)Anne B.
For $9 the other day, I had the privilege of choking down a pitiful "salad" consisting solely of dry, unloved mesclun greens and croutons (which, to their credit, were buttery-"homemade") and half an inimpressive turkey-havarti-cranberry-chutney sandwich. The only reason I hesitate to dock GCB too many stars is that their baked items, as their name may suggest, made me happy. My oatmeal raisin cookie was huge, chewy, and delectable, leaving me unable to resist gobbling down the whole thing as my substitute lunch. And even the "como" Italian bread upon which my thoroughly mediocre deli meat was piled had the crusty-chewy balance figured out. Since this place is walking distance from work, I'll be back, but I'm deeming it good enough only for a cookie break.
(3)Margaret H.
I'm a big fan of the food at Grand Central, but I really wish the one on Eastlake had a little more warmth to it. The high ceilings and concrete floor don't make me want to settle in with a cup of coffee and pastry. I've been a number of times and am happy with the food about 90% of the time. Once my soup was really salty (at the Pioneer Square location), but every other time it's been great. The last time I went it was a rainy August day (yes, we live in Seattle!) and I enjoyed a Mediterranean Tosti and a cup of Lentil Soup - just right. Even the cookie was good and they are known to be the most hit or miss aspect of Grand Central.
(4)Robyn H.
A little out of the way for regular visits, nevertheless, this is a nice, shiny semi-new location for Grand Central. The bread is the same fresh made, delicious loaves you can buy at the other locations. Sandwiches are made with still-warm-from-the-oven slices of yeasty goodness, soups are handmade in the mornings and there are more rolls, danishes and muffins than you could try in a week of eating there daily. I wasn't as impressed with the cinnamon rolls as I'd hoped. They look really good but due to the warming tray they are kept on, the bottoms were dried out and hard and there wasn't quite enough cinnamon-y flavor for me.
(4)sarah p.
Booo. Only two good things about this experience is how close it is to where I live and the nice server. But, those things aside, and really who cares, (there are a bunch of nice servers in nearby places), this was a huge disappointment! I had the winter salad that was so off in flavor I threw the whole thing away (and I hate wasting food!!!). I also had the hot tuna sandwich that was super greasy and heavy. I couldn't finish it all and felt sick afterwards. My boyfriend had an equally heavy and non settling sandwich. My cappuccino was burnt and required extra sugar to consume. The only ok thing was the cookie and it wasn't worth coming back for! Needless to say, don't waste your time or the calories on this spot!
(2)James J.
love the place in pioneer square. this one: bad attitude employees a 1/4 sandwich for $4.50 (grinder) their bread is not that awesome. it is like everything is all about overcharging, because their food cost is out of control for some reason.
(2)Krisha D.
The soup that I had was lukewarm and bland. But the pastries were amazing. The friend I was with had delicious bread and after having one Irish Soda Bread, I bought two more for the road. It was truly like being back in Ireland. If you get it, buy some Black Currant jam and slap some on there. Big in Dublin and delicious.
(4)Katherine S.
Having just moved from the I.D. to Eastlake, and being a regular customer of the Pioneer Square location, I was really excited that I still wouldn't be far from my favorite pastries. And the pastries are still great at the Eastlake location, so maybe it isn't fair to give them only three stars. But the difference between them and the Pioneer Square version is STARK. The morning I visited the one in Eastlake, most of the staff was dressed up as Alice in Wonderland characters (why???); it made me wince it seemed so involuntary. Didn't like the snobby girl that rang me up and made my coffee. And the interior--WTF?--is like being in a Starbucks. It's gross. I'll still probably go back though. 06/08 update: So I went back, on a much calmer afternoon, and the guy working that day was super nice and on top of things. Hoping this experience is more representative, I'll cut them some slack and bump them up a star.
(4)David S.
The food was really good. We had a meatloaf sandwich and a cubano. But when you wait 15 minutes for that sandwich, it diminishes the taste. And by no means did we go at a busy time - it was 1:45pm when we got there and we walked right up and ordered and no one else was waiting. But the few people that came in after us got their food first, which was annoying. And the sandwiches are no better than what you can get at Panera, and at least at Panera, it is cheaper and chips are included in the price - this was all a la carte. I was more dissapointed in the bread/pastry available - that's supposed to be their big "draw" yet everything did not look very good and I can't really understand what the fuss is about. I would much rather go to Macrina for my bread. Whoever was making the sandwiches was very, very slow. Not worth the wait.
(2)C F.
Grand Central Bakery (Arcade location) - If you're ever searching for the home of the BEST Almond Croissant, this is one place he lives. I admit to being a connoisseur of this much-in-demand pastry. I have methodically researched almond croissants from Seattle to San Diego, Las Vegas to San Luis Obispo, San Francisco to Santa Barbara. Even San Antonio, too. AC's from Grand Central - why so special? The size is bigger than a big man's hand, perfect balance between buttery flakiness and sweet almondness (inside and on top), special meringue-almondy topping, price hovers around a doable $2 and what else does there need to be? If you're lucky to pick one up while they're still warm, you'll smile and think of me and be happy. Trust me. (PS - they sell out before mid-afternoon, no surprise).
(5)Roxanne B.
A friend took me to try their chocolate croissant. I protested, since I don't even like chocolate croissants. I have since changed my mind. It's delicate, buttery, and just as a croissant should be, but the great part is the chocolate: not too sweet, not too bitter, and in giant chunks. The only hard part, for me, is getting in there before the chocolate croissants sell out.
(4)Ben C.
slow, confused service, good food and pastries
(3)s p.
The food was ok and was over priced. To make matters worse the service was HORRIBLE! I gave them a good tip and they were rude to me. It took them 15 minutes to make my sandwich. When I asked them how long it was going to take they were very short and they were not busy!
(1)Henry R.
I HAVE experienced better. What is this? I wait in your long ass line with people ordering overpriced sandwiches and all I want is a cup of hot coffee and a place to sit for an hour while I work. I asked the counter person if they had wireless after I ordered my coffee and she said "yes". But when I log on not two minutes later the login page says "wireless unavailable from 12 to 1pm daily, how friggin' lame is that. Why didn't the woman tell me this when I ordered my coffee? Because I certainly wasn't coming here just to enjoy their watered down Caffe Vita.
(2)Bruce M.
Recent visits to the Eastlake site have been a negative experience. Weak coffee, forgotten ingredients, poor service and the price you pay seems out of line for sandwich portions and quality. The location is very convienent so it's sad we are no longer planning on going to this bakery. Hope someone who cares and can make changes reads this. It would not take much to turn the current situation around.
(2)Laura P.
I'd give them one star for that wonderful piece of hair in my latte but their pastries are redemption worthy. Shoddy service vs bacon and egg bolo. Really, I'd give them 2.5 stars but there is 2 hour parking in the nearby garage and a BOA next door. . . I just really didn't love that piece of hair.
(3)Steve B.
One of my favorite bakeries in Seattle! Go for the whole wheat cinnamon rolls (served warm) or the bread putting. A great treat!
(5)seattle b.
Their peanut butter cookies are terrific. Their service is sloooooowww though and I'm not sure why. Even when it's not busy, they take 12 minutes to give me my pre-made sandwich. I don't get it. I still go there though, because their bread and meat is good.
(3)Navtej Kohli K.
There seems to be a 50-50 split in the attitudes of the people who work here. Half are lovely to deal with. The other half are rude, dumb and snotty. The coffee isn't so great, but the food is simply excellent. No matter what you choose to eat there, it's going to be good. I usually put up with the bad half of the staff in order to get to the awesome food.
(4)Kimberley D.
Chocolate croissant = four star worthy. Perfectly flaky, chocolate that's not too sweet but just right. Child's grilled cheese sandwich = also tasty... havarti and freshly baked bread. Worth a visit if you're in the neighborhood.
(4)jenny w.
This place makes the best challah bread in seattle. For those who don't know what it is, it is a jewish bread that comes out every friday. It is sweet with some honey and egg and is so soft it melts in your mouth. It goes great with swiss cheese. This is the only thing I have had from there and I get it at least once a month and eat the whole loaf.
(5)Michael G.
I go to the Eastlake location pretty often and have a consistently good experience. The baked goods are delicious, the lunch menu varied and tasty, and there is room for conversation or surfing the internet. Plus, there is usually parking available! The employees don't gush over you. I can deal with that. The prices are a little higher than some other cafes but within the expected range for food prepared on site (i.e., not wrapped in plastic).
(4)