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American Bakers' Cafe
Categories: Food Bakeries Food Coffee & Tea Bakeries, Coffee & Tea [Edit]
39 1st AveNavy Yard
(between 5th St & 6th St)
Charlestown, MA 02129
Neighborhood: Charlestown
(617) 241-7999
- Nearest Transit:
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First Ave @ Eighth St (93)
First Ave @ Ninth St (93)
First Ave @ Ninth St (93)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7 am - 7 pm
- Price Range:
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$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
16 reviews for American Bakers' Cafe
16 reviews in English
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Review from amy r.
Annapolis, MD
5/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Yummy breakfast sandwiches. Early start was soo good!
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Review from Jocelyn G.
Boston, MA
Updated - 5/17/2012
They have been getting slower and slower each time I've gone in. It might help if there were more than 3 people running the line during the lunch rush. Other people got served before me, even though I ordered the same thing before them. The pizza also had a very strange taste left over from what I think was jam from another sandwich on the presser or oven and the chocolate chip cookies tasted like oatmeal.
Not going back again unless its a dire emergency because of how cheap they are.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/4/2008 First to Review
I didn't bring lunch the other day so a friend convinced me to go over to American Bakers Cafe to… Read more »
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Review from Michael W.
Charlestown, MA
12/1/2011
I must say I have only had the coffee (above average) and muffins here (average) .
The lady that serves the coffee is very nice and the prices are reasonable. The serve equal exchange coffee so I typically walk down the street past styles cafe. They also make a decent latte.
Muffins as mentioned previous are average but not terrible.
So if you are looking for cup of coffee and perhaps a simple muffin I would stop by. The seating area is not too inviting but they do have some outside which is nice when the weather is warm and the morning sun is out. -
Review from Michael G.
Charlestown, MA
5/24/2012
I live in the neighborhood and am amazed this place still exists. Every time I ever been in this place there was some issue.
I hadn't been here for over a year because of a greasy blueberry muffin that left a very memorable sick sweet taste in my mouth. I decided to go in again to give them a chance after a year of walking past to store 24/Tedescos for most of my fast food needs. I was looking for a morning coffee and muffin. I went in at at 7:15AM and the line was 3 people. After about 5 minutes I get to the front and because I didn't see any muffins I asked where they were. The lady at the register had a flat personality and was fairly indifferent to my question. She pointed to a small tray in a plastic case where three muffins resided; a poppy seed, corn and bran. Since none were to my likings I asked if there were any others. She said more were baking and that it would be 10 minutes. Now, most of us in the morning run a tight schedule. I'd already been waiting a while as she had help the people before me at her less than lightning pace. I couldn't wait and had to leave. You'd think with that they would be a little better prepared as a "bakery cafe" to have muffins for their patrons.
O.K. a few weeks go by and I've kind of erased the previous experience from my immediate memory. I happen to be at home for lunch during a work day and wanted a hot sandwich. I walked into a few of the close lunch places and thought I'd look in here too. Once I walked in and saw the lady again behind the counter it mustered the guttural memories from before. I'd seen on the outside chalkboard that they had Chicken parmisen subs but no price. I shuttered but asked "Do you sell Chicken parmisen subs?"
"Yes" she said.
"I don't see it on the menu." Looking up at the menu.
"It's on the outside chalkboard."
At this point I didn't want to ask how much it was for fear of reprisal. So I just ordered it. After five minutes it was ready and I triumphantly walked home. I sat down with a drink and napkin and opened it....At the lowest level were two slices of cold provolone cheese on the sub roll. There was shredded chicken (not the standard breaded patty) with very watery tomato sauce (not the standard thicker tomato sauce) all this made the roll soggy. To say disappointed is an understatement. Was I surprised...not at all. I should have known better from my experience, history repeats itself.
O.K. I'm done. These people are slow, poorly prepared, the service is bad, serving low quality food. I can get my heartburn for another place thank you. -
Review from Emily P.
College Station, TX
4/18/2012
I come here for lunch often since I work in the Navy Yard. The sandwiches are OK and a bit expensive. The Peanut Butter Jelly is grilled like a panini and served hot...weird! The lattes aren't that great either. However, for a local coffee shop and bakery, I think this place is pretty decent.
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Review from Russell S.
Alexandria, VA
7/30/2011 13 Check-ins Here
This is probably the most overlooked, under appreciated coffee and breakfast/lunch cafe in Charlestown.
Coffee - there are lots of chains and lots of little independents, and one look at the equipment and "baristas" will make you think this is a place you should skip - don't. Its flavorful, not burnt or bitter, smooth and hot but not burn-your-tongue Africa hot. Not a wide range of flavors, but a good espresso drink.
Breakfast sandwiches are great, and their lunch sandwiches are even better. Variety of egg & breakfast fare served all day (new!), great pressed PB&J, tuna melt and more. I stop here every time I'm in Boston, and as often as I can while I'm here; I've tried them all except the veggie special and love everything I've tried.
Chips, zero-calorie water drinks, fruit, pastries and more round out their fare. Limited seating but a big bar-table to sit around makes for a great place to sit and chat. TVs on the wall for news, etc.
It's tucked away underneath an arch, but the sign is outside. Stop in; if you're thirsty, hungry or need some coffee to start or continue your day, you will really be glad you did. -
Review from Dan C.
10/11/2010
My go to lunch place when I'm at work and intent on eating lunch. While not the greatest place in Boston, it does do the best job in the area which is good enough. The breakfast sandwiches are sold all day and are under $4, which is key since anything higher would just be criminal. Most of the sandwiches are in the $5.99-6.99 range so you're not breaking the bank and are still pretty big (not to mentioned pressed in a panini press). For the longest time I refused to go here because I found a huge piece of bread or something floating in my iced tea, but once Finagle-a-Bagel closed I had to suck it up, and nothing like that has happened since...yet.
Recommendations:
Spicy Start (on croissant): Egg, sausage, spicy mayo, American cheese.
Chicken Kabob: Grilled chicken, feta, Caesar dressing (?), lettuce, onions.
Chicken Parm: Chicken Kabob minus everything but the chicken, plus sauce, plus provolone.
Meatball Sub: Chicken Parm minus chicken, plus meatballs.Listed in: Eating around The Martinos…
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Review from Laura K.
9/14/2010
So, I won't be so bold as to take full credit for the creation of the grilled cheese, but I think, at the very least, there is something to be said for independent invention. Laura K, age five, once left a plain-old-room-temperature 'merican cheese sandwich in the way-way-back seat of the K family station wagon. Three days later, a fat five year old -- coincidentally also named Laura K -- ate that sandwich. It was August, and the giant-sunglasses window shield shader fortunately did not cast its shadow onto the way-way-back seat. Seventy-two hours of roasting had nicely staled the bread, rendered the cheese all gooey and melty and made the whole mess taste a lot like the plastic bag it was in the process of bonding with. SAMWICH HEA-BEN.
More than two decades later, fatter than ever, I continue the hunt for the perfect grilled cheese sandwich. While my tastes have been refined to a point where I would no longer find a three-day-old, BPA-infused sandwich acceptable, that's about as discerning as I get. Either it tastes good or it doesn't. Case closed.
ABC is convenient for me because it's located in Building 39 - which, if you work at/ go to school at MGH you would understand. If not, you probably won't be over here anyways, so - HEY YOU, GET OFFA MY CLOUD. Unless, of course, you live nearby or are bringing the kids to see the historical sights. **Disclaimer: watch out for the Korean War Memorial - it SPEAKS to you. Literally. Creeptastic**
Anyways, this place has good sandwiches and a smorgasbord of grilled cheese creations, along with happy helpers who, I have found, will accommodate any and all special requests with a smile. They also wrap the sandwiches in heat-trapping foil so you don't have to worry about that pesky BPA issue or dread the thought of a congealed mess upon arrival at your dining destination.
They do take cards now, which is a good thing, because when I can't decide between a grilled cheese or a smoothie and pie or a cookie, I buy all four; and, really, who carries that much cash?
Oh, and they have a salad bar. If you're into that. Pshhhh.Listed in: Cheers!, In the Navy
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Review from Clarice W.
Lawrence, KS
10/9/2011
I was not able to try any of the coffee here so this review is only for the food/service...the bottom line is, don't come here if you're expecting a satisfying sandwich. Mine tasted like one of those 5-minute meals you throw together when you realize you've forgotten to pack lunch for the day, as evidenced by the salad greens that were falling all over the place as I ate. Their carrot cake was decent, if a little weird (there was a layer of fruit compote in the middle, tasted like apple? Not sure why it was there but it wasn't bad). I wish the store would advertise how much their baked goods though, so I didn't have to keep pointing at different items and ask how much they were! I'd come back to try their coffee but if you can avoid getting lunch here, I would.
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Review from Julie R.
8/2/2009
This place is a great deal for lunch. They have lots of creative specials and offer a half sandwich/side special for $4.99. I got that on the first occasion I went in. The half southwest turkey panini was fantastic, for the side I was able to get a slice of freshly baked italian pizza. Lunch that day was $5.
I returned today for lunch again with my bf. I got the tarragon chicken salad wrap. It was very gourmet with creme fraiche and tarragon wrapped in a whole wheat wrap, then put on the panini. I loved it! Only $5.95.
My bf had the Parma panini, which was a prosciutto, mozz, tomato, basil and grilled chicken on sourdough. I tried a few bites of it. It was delicious.
On the bakery side of the place I tried a chocolate chip cookie which was pretty basic, then today I saw the fresh cupcakes in the case. I was thrilled so got one one vanilla one since that was the only kind. The cupcake was OK. It was real butter cream frosting. This one was very buttery. It's hard to find a bakery that will make real butter cream so it was a nice touch. The cake inside was not that home made tasting, from a mix obviously. But in general it wasn't that bad. I give the cupcake 3 stars. The bakery side also has cannoli's and other assorted pies and cakes.
Inside the dining area has a few tables. On the outside there are a few more.
Service was nice both times I was in. When I asked about certain flavors he checked with the baker.
This is a good place for a quality lunch or snack. The location is right near the water so take a stroll around the block if you have time.Listed in: My Cupcake Obsession!!!
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Review from Kelly O.
8/20/2009
Solid little lunch cafe. I too love the $5 half panini/side special; southwest turkey is my favorite, with a side of Cape Cod chips and a Boylan or Tommy's Naked natural soda. Delic.
Coffee is quite good as well, the espresso-based drinks are comparatively cheap, and my coworker from Rome commented "this is how you do a proper espresso" (probably the highest compliment an American place could get from an Italian). I think it's actually owned by Italians, as they always have the daily Italian newspaper available for reading, and the extremely nice server who's always there when I go during the day is Hungarian by way of Italy (I think?).
Apparently they just started doing smoothies which another coworker raved about (not on the menu yet), and all their baked goodies are tasty too. I have yet to have one of their breakfast sandwiches (why, I have no idea), but I love that they are available all day.
Best kept secret: they have 4 flavors of ice cream (also not on the menu), and $1.50 will get you a "small" which is literally the size of a large anywhere else. You can't beat the price for the portion (the ice cream is pretty tasty too). I'm sad my full-time days working in the Navy Yard are over, but at least I'll still be here once or twice a week, perfect for my ABC fix...Listed in: Al Fresco
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Review from M S.
Boston, MA
9/5/2011
Horrific establishment. Dirty (health inspection notice expired) and rude people. Oh and should I also mention that when I tried to use my gift certificate, the woman behind the counter told me that I had gone out, bought this certificate, and forged it (and it wasn't legitimate because her signature wasn't on it). Are you kidding me!! Then she took out her gift certificates to show me how they were different and the irony is, mine was exactly the same as the samples she was showing me!!
For real, you are the sole person at that establishment who has ever sold a gift certificate! Too bad, as there aren't many places to eat in Charlestown Navy Yard but I will NEVER return. The food didn't look that good anyway and the selection was pathetic. -
Review from Heather E.
Cambridge, MA
8/19/2011
The best chocolate chip muffin I have had in along time..even better when they are warm! Hidden gem in the Navy Yard.
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Review from Kelly J.
Ansonia, CT
2/10/2010
I love their iron pressed sandwiches! Its a very laid back and underrated place. I highly recommend it to anyone!
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Review from Matt J.
Boston, MA
9/17/2009
Ok first off this place put Finagle a Bagel out of business due to it's cheap prices and consistently delicious food. So you know it is good.
The coffee is fresh and the breakfast sandwiches are available on English Muffin, Bagel, Toast or Croissant! Real eggs made then and there make this a great way to start the day!
There sandwiches are the bomb as well.Listed in: Charlestown
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Review from t w.
Foster City, CA
11/14/2008
not cash only! i pay by credit card everyday.
american bakers' cafe is where i go for my daily caffeine fix. their large soy lattes are amazing and really really strong (the stronger the better!) prices are really good (only $3.15 for a large soy latte). their oven roasted veggie sandwich is really yummy too, especially on bread instead of their tortilla. probably the best espresso i've had in boston so far.
