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- Hours:
Mon 7 am - 3 pm
Tue-Sat 7 am - 7 pm
Sun 7 am - 6 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
670 reviews for Arizmendi Bakery
Review Highlights
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"their baked goods are awesome as well." In 113 reviews -
"Ohh and the cheese rolls are amazing too." In 40 reviews -
"It's also a co-op- owned by everyone who works there." In 49 reviews
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- A Yelpy Insight: Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See more places they like.
670 reviews in English
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Review from T L.
Oakland, CA
4/9/2012
If consistency and quality control were actual values of the Republican Party like they are and have been for the last 10 plus years at Arizmendi, they might even have a chance this coming election. I have been eating their exquisite cheese rolls since before the second Bush was president and they haven't changed a bit (always especially good first thing in the morning!!) The crazy thing is, that's ALL I ate there for the longest time. I never ate the pizza, tried the soup or scarfed any of the pastries. Until about a year and a half ago.
I used to live down the street many years ago and loved the idea of patronizing a Co-op. At the time, my understanding of what Arizmendi was was cursory at best. All I knew is that everyone that works there owns it and that was cool.
I moved away for a while (Florida of all places) and every so often I'd get this pang of want for one of those cheese rolls. Nothing I ever had in the Sunshine State (or anywhere else I traveled for that matter) came close to the chewy, sour-doughy goodness of those rolls.
Now I am back, living within walking distance, married with a baby, and am there, at minimum, three days a week. My wife loves the cranberry muffins, I am supremely hooked on the house-made granola and my two-year old daughter loves everything!!
A "democratically operated cooperative business" has its place in society and should be held up as a beacon of possibility to the way things should be as far as I am concerned. I am glad after all these years Arizmendi is not only still there, but thriving.
Take that Mitt. -
Review from Jay h.
San Francisco, CA
5/24/2012
I tend to stop by the Arizmendi Bakery after hitting up the farmer's market on Saturday. I love trying new things in the bakery!
I am a huge fan of the pizza here; the ingredients are healthy and a great compromise for those who watch what they eat but still want to eat foods like pizza.
This is a popular place so of course it is always busy. The line is usually pretty long but it moves quickly. I generally get everything I want in a short amount of time.
The staff here is great, too. Always friendly and ready to suggest something new and delicious for me to try! I will continue going here after shopping at the farmer's market. -
Review from Chia L.
Berkeley, CA
5/3/2012
I have to point out that my review is based solely on the pizza, which isn't their strong suit, so a bit of a misstep on my part.
The sourdough crust was just way too hard, my jaws took a beating. The pizza here is even oilier than its Cheeseboard sister, and not in the endearing kind of way. I definitely want to come back again to try its pastries, and most likely my ratings will change.
From what I've heard though, get the baked goods instead of the pizza, and you'll have a better experience than me :) -
Review from Totoro O.
Oakland, CA
5/24/2012
The only reason I haven't written a review for them is because they have so damn many. But I've finally come to the realization that there is no place I visit more frequently. I've eaten soup, salads, pastries, bread and/or pizza from here every other day for the past several years. After all this time, I still look forward to discovering what new recipe they've concocted...there's always some wonderful surprise in store for my tastebuds. Chefs of Arizmendi, I salute you!
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Review from Tom C.
Oakland, CA
5/23/2012
Not so good...
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Review from Jonathan S.
Berkeley, CA
Updated - 5/24/2012
Best cheap eats for miles. Ingredients all organic and a slice is only $2.50 including tax.
Just got a slice and it was a few minutes slow, they made it right with a bonus slice!
Ambience is no frills but there's a nice big window to look out1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/21/2011
A $1 cup of organic direct-trade coffee and a $2.50 slice of delicious, veggie, pizza!
That includes… Read more »
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Review from Richard W.
Oakland, CA
5/21/2012
This is a great local business, owned and run by lovely people. Their bread is great, and always fresh with a thick, chewy crust. But IMHO, the best things they make are their scones. Even the vegan ones are delicious.
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Review from Sherilyn T.
Oakland, CA
5/11/2012 6 Check-ins Here
Great pizza, great pastries, great staff, overall great place! Love that they are in the chinook book and I always get my discounts on. I love going here on the weekends and sitting outside to people watch. =)
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Review from Mollie D.
Oakland, CA
5/14/2012
I love Arizmendi for their pizza, baked goods, and community service. I teach science in Oakland, and recently my second graders made solar ovens. We needed pizza boxes as the general structure of the ovens, so I asked Arizmendi for a donation of empty boxes. Their donations people were kind enough to set me up with six pizza boxes two days after I called in my request. The students made the ovens and they look fantastic! Thank you for your help! I hope to have my class write a thank-you note after testing is done.
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Review from Angela X.
Oakland, CA
4/2/2012
In the gladiatorial arena of thin crust, vegetarian, co-op pizza, Arizmendi must ultimately concede the victor's laurel to Cheeseboard. But that doesn't mean Arizmendi gives in easily. Far from it. Arizmendi has simply developed a different flavor profile, which seems to follow a leaner aesthetic. I find their pizzas tend to use lighter ingredients, and fewer of them. For example, they'll more often have leafy greens like arugula, or onions (they use onions a lot), rather than asparagus or potatoes.
Unlike at Cheeseboard, you won't have to fight someone to the death to get a seat inside. Of course, Arizmendi doesn't host live music performances, but I'd rather have a table. Oh, and unlike Cheeseboard, Arizmendi still doesn't accept credit cards, which means their pizzas still cost exactly $20. -
Review from Mark D.
San Jose, CA
4/7/2012
I am giving this place four stars because of certain reasons explained below, but it has room for improvement. The room for improvement will not prevent me from continuing to patronize the place.
According to its signage, it is an employee owned cooperative that supports local farms and businesses. In my effort to support local small businesses this is a plus.
It has an environmental conscience. Its disposable utensils and much of what they use to serve the food is compostible (which they collect) or recyclable (which they also collect).
It has a vegetarian soup every day. This has been one of the reasons I have frequented the place so much.
I have not tried many of its baked goods, but apparently they are doing something correct, because the crowds that go in and out the door would not exist if they were not. They give some bread with each soup serving. Different breads with different soups. Each bread I received was top quality.
Service is very fast and efficient. Although there always seems to be a line. It moves fast and has never in the times I have been there extended past the door. Only once did I see them temporarily run out a product.
They also serve pizza. Not your everyday run of the mill pizza mind you; clearly artisans. Just like their soups, they have a different pizza each day with ingredients like capers and lemon grass. Again not your ordinary run of the mill pizza.
When I started to learn healthier ways to eat, pizza was one of those items that went by the wayside. Reading their ingredients each day I was inspired to try their pizza and I was not disappointed. It was not heavily laden with cheese and a thick deep red sauce. In fact it didn't appear to have a sauce at all, but it was very tasty and satisfying. I tried it a second time and was just as pleased.
For the most part though I have been getting their soup. Soup is one of my favorite ways to consume food. Theirs is vegetarian and again artisan style in that there is a different soup each day, and it is clearly not the standard combination of ingredients you find in soups.
I have simply been ordering the soup not really knowing what the soup of the day was and truly have been very pleased. Today, I got a glance at the sign before ordering and noticed it was coconut curry, my favorite soup. But alas this is one of the places they could improve.
I enjoyed the soup, but it clearly was not one of the best coconut curry soups I have had. If I had not read the sign to know it had coconut in it, the few essences of coconut that I obtained while consuming the soup would have made me wonder. To me it was simply curry soup which is fine, but it said coconut curry, again my favorite.
Their coffee is not all that great either, and on one occasions, I settled at a table long enough to set my coffee and utensils down then was called to get my order. No sooner did I turn my back when a staff member cleaning tables, cleaned my table. It was a full cup of coffee, clean napkins and utensils. Why he chose to dispose of those things was beyond me, but nevertheless it was done. I was actually able to stop him from throwing the full cup of coffee away, but had to replace my napkin and utensils.
So there you have it. The room for improvement prevents me from giving them five stars, but this is clearly a place to patronize especially if you are in the mood for some quality artisan pizza or looking for quality baked goods or vegetarian soup. -
Review from Lempi M.
3/18/2012 2 Check-ins Here
It's all about the pizza. You can't go wrong with the pies here. I can buy one and be confident that everyone in the family will like it every time. We're middle-of-the road picky.
I also love the olive bread, the cowgirl cookies, and the baguettes. With over 600 reviews and nearly 5 stars, I'm not saying anything new. It's good, like all these other people said.... -
Review from Kai C.
Alameda, CA
2/28/2012
I can't live without this place. Without them, my weekends would be incomplete, then what would be the use of slaving at work throughout the week for the weekends? Without Arizmendi, it's a bleak, drab world.
This bakery excels in all its endeavors--rolls, pizzas, coffee. I love all their baked goods---my favorite is the special cheese roll on Saturdays. They rarely ever use the same cheese roll recipe twice, so this definitely helps build my aniticipation. Everything is so fresh! Just behind the bread cases are scores of people kneading dough and flipping pizzas. The staff is so incredibly nice, and the bakery runs on an honor system--the cashier doesn't check what's in the bag, they just ask you what you got.
I grew up on this stuff, and rest assured that when I have a family of my own, they will enjoy Arizmendi's special cheese rolls as well. -
Review from Joshua B.
Lake Merritt, Oakland, CA
3/25/2012
Love this place. Their baked goods are incredible, and the daily pizza offering (only one choice, you either want it or you not) is always incredible.
Highlights...
Corn Cherry Scones
The Chocolate Thing
All muffins
Latte
Pizza
Friendly staff
Lowlights...
Long line (moves quickly though)
Not much seating space
Overall, I think they have some of the best muffins around. Highly recommended for breakfast snacks.Listed in: Breakfast, Grand-Lake
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Review from Jason L.
3/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Pizza of the day.... WOW!
Props to this bakery for making something a little different and healthier...but still BOMB! -
Review from Stacy S.
San Francisco, CA
2/7/2012
Run the lake, then get a slice of Arizmendis. ;)
Their pizza never disappoints me. They also have the BEST muffins (blueberry and cranberry apple) -
Review from Zannie S.
San Francisco, CA
3/26/2012
I usually hit this place up after I have hit up the farmers market on Saturday. The line is long but they go by fast and I have never been disappointed by the interesting pizza combinations.
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Review from Karen M.
Oakland, CA
4/4/2012
Sorry, I just don't see the big deal. My favorite pizza is a big NY slice of cheese. However, I've had my share of gourmet pizzas such as Pizzacato in Portland, yum. I didn't even finish my slice the last time I ate at Arizmendi. One offering....suckers believing the hype!
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Review from Janice C.
$2.50 for a slice of mushroom, goat and mozz cheese pizza topped with garlic and herbs.
Fulfilling lunch! -
Review from Kim A.
San Bruno, CA
1/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
Went into this location with my friend whose nickname is "Arizmendi". I can see why he loves this location so much. I felt like I was at a community gathering. The place was filled with regulars greeting each other and staying for a snack, kinda nice on a beautiful afternoon.
The breads looked amazing, nice selection of baguettes and rolls. I got cornbread dried cherry scones, my addiction, thanks to my friend who brings them to me at work. "Arizmendi "got peanut butter cookies, amazing. Chocolate chip cookies, also amazing. Brioche knot, a problem in the making. And a few other cookies I didn't get to sample. If we'd not just gone to lunch I'd have tried the pizza slices which smelled great. We watched quite a few happy patrons wander by with their warm slices out into the sunshine, not a bad way to spend the afternoon I'd say. -
Review from Charlie P.
Oakland, CA
4/9/2012
Go for the pastries, take or leave the pizza. The snails are killer (sweet or savory) but the pizza, which has to be compared to Cheeseboard and Gioa (the heavy hitters in Berkeley), doesn't add up. The pizza is good, don't get me wrong, but it does not pack the flavor like its Berkeley cousins.
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Review from christine l.
Oakland, CA
1/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
This may not be a fair review since I came for the take and bake pizza. So stop with the haterade and just read on.
I came and it seemed pretty busy. Lots of people, but upon further investigation most people were either looking at pastries while waiting for their order. I quickly get in line and order my half par bake pizza. The lady writes down my name and I step aside and look at what goodies they have for me to take home. I see people coming and going. Lots of people seem to be regulars and make small talk with the employees. 15 minutes later I see lots of people after me grab their things and leave.
I tell the guy cutting the pizza "Sorry I was admiring your pastries, did you happen to call my name yet?" He asks my name, looks at the tickets, says "Did you pay?"
"Yes."
"Who?"
I point to the lady who wrote down my order. He asks her and she assures him I paid and she wrote it down.
He looks annoyed, gives me the pizza. No apology was made. I went home and baked it. Meh. Not so good.
I'd rather go to Cheese Board anytime. They are always friendly. Pizza is always good... even the par-baked. Which makes those that love it great for you since it's just one less person in line that you have to wait for. -
Review from Foodie F.
Oakland, CA
1/10/2012
Arizmendi... My morning ritual:) 5 stars for the system, I can feel the love they put into the food and it taste good! The staff is friendly and the pastries are yummy. I'm there almost every morning for the past 3 years and I think it's a positive way to start a day, like a tummy meditation or whatever.
I know everybody loves their pizza but I'm not to crazy about it cause I miss the sauce.. call me old fashion but I'm a strong believer of that chemical reaction caused by the collision of cheese and tomato sauce.
I never get tired of the cheese rolls and sesame hoops and never therer at the right time for fuccacha, but when I am, It feels like a holiday:)
Keep it up Arizmendi People, you make me belly happy! -
Review from Ryan H.
Oakland, CA
2/8/2012
THE BEST PIZZA IN OAKLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bravo Arizmendi, and thanks for keeping it coming! -
Review from Jill T.
3/2/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Yum! The pizza is AweSome!
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Review from Elise H.
Oakland, CA
4/1/2012
I've been here several times and this place is consistently great! They have so many amazing pastries, breads, pizzas, you just have to dive in and try as many as you can on several different visits. Perfect for a lazy Sunday breakfast.
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Review from Ash E.
Oakland, CA
3/3/2012
I've stopped in Arizmendi several times to pick up breads, coffee, and pastries - all of which are amazing, for that I give them 5 stars. This was the first time I've had their pizza, and I didn't quite buy the hype. The dough was tasty, but could have used more color (oven temp too low?). The pizza was good but a bit under seasoned, and $20 each is a bit high in price. In addition you have to be a fan of whatever type of pizza they're offering that day. I think I'll keep going to boot and shoe for my pizza needs.
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Review from Nang N.
Oakland, CA
5/2/2012
I'm addicted to their brioche knot, spread with butter (available onsite). the other baked goods are great too. Not impressed by the coffee however, but if you really wanted to to, Peet's and Starbucks are right there. doesn't hurt that it's a 15 min walk along the lake from home :)
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Review from Yoko K.
Oakland, CA
10/26/2011
Walked over on a beautiful sunny Sunday and tried 3 things, current scone, blueberry coffee bread and vegan banana muffin. They are all very yummy and NOT OVERLY SWEETENED, which, most of the bakery goods are in this country.
Have to try their pizza next time!! -
Review from Veda F.
Fairfax, CA
1/31/2012
It's good but not consistent. Don't get me wrong, I go in here 3 times a week. However, the pizza/salad deal for 5 bucks is often disappointing. It's a great deal but the last 3 times I was in Arizmendi's was out of salad. The pizza is often greasy and the staff doesn't wash their hands before handling money and putting the pizza in the oven. The last 2 times I bought pizza it was cold and had to be returned. The baked goods seem a little overprices and they don't wipe the tables regularly. The floors feel dusted with flour and your shoes slip around - it's actually kind of fun. I want this place to pull in the reins and become more consistent with excellence.
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Review from Andrew S.
9/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
LOVE LOVE LOVE Arizmendi. Two words. Cheese bread! They make the best cheese bread that I've ever tasted. And if that wasn't enough their Pizza's are amazing! With unique topping combinations it's hard to just squeeze by with just one slice. It's also hard not to step out without one of their sweet baked goods. Even just a chocolate chip cookie will leave you wanting more!
Definitely one of the best bakeries around!Listed in: Taking care of my sweet tooth, Slice of Heaven
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Review from Jared M.
11/1/2011
You probably already know that Arizmendi is a worker's co-op that serves up some seriously delicious pizza, special cheese rolls, muffins and granola.
BUT did you know that they give you a 10% discount if you're wearing a bike helmet? Next time you go, strap one on and remind your cashier. -
Review from D A.
Oakland, CA
12/10/2011
The closest thing to Cheeseboard (in Berkeley) in Oakland - wonderful co-op of caring people that serve artisan, vegetarian, organic food. What is there complain about? NOTHING!
If you are looking for a delicious pizza slice, loaf of fresh bread, scone, or a friendly smile, then I would definitely recommend this place. I stop here for a snack or quick lunch all the time because it's right off lake merritt.
Just try it! -
Review from Constance C.
East Bay, CA
9/1/2011
FYI: This review is for their pizza and bottled sodas only since I didn't get to try their other baked goods/pastries.
Cola. Liked this a bit more than the ones Ike's sells. Less sweet in comparison even though they're both cane sugar.
Roma Tomato, Red Onion, Fresh Herb and Feta Cheese Pizza. So nommy! The ingredients were super fresh and the pizza was delish! I love me some good tasting pizza!
See photos of food, http://potbellypanda.t... -
Review from Kevin C.
9/22/2011 1 photo
I got a chance to check this place out last weekend after my Oakland native friend raved to me about it. This place is in a cute area in Oakland on Lakeshore Ave., adjacent to an abundant of cute little shops and grub joints.
Arizmendi bakes its bread, cookies and an assortment of items everyday. It also bakes and serves a different kind of pizza everyday! Or so my friend claims. Whether that's true or not, it doesn't matter. What mattered was that I had a relatively good slice or two of pizza. Fresh pesto with mild goat cheese, pan baked pizza. Not the deep dish pie, not the thin crust, but the hearty yet not overwhelming circular slices of delish. I have had better pizza elsewhere, but this place is pretty good. -
Review from Patrick S.
Oakland, CA
2/2/2012
I love this place and love having them in my neighborhood. Don't always love the selection of what they've made each day, but I love the potential. Good coffee too!
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Review from Andrew S.
1/31/2012
It was aiite. The pizza is more thickcrust than Cheeseboard. For me, the flavors weren't as on point but this shop has all the charm of Cheeseboard. Cool neighborhood spot that you should check out.
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Review from Naomi R.
Castro Valley, CA
3/1/2012
First visit and I'm sold! Pizza never tasted better and it was guilt free! I can't wait to go back again.
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Review from Ro R.
East Bay, CA
9/1/2011
Mmmmm pizza. As many have mentioned before, Arizmendi isn't really a pizza joint, its a bakery. But with that said, they have the best pizza in the bay.
With simple, seasonal toppings and a perfectly cooked crust Arizmendi does it right. The only negative is the limited seating, but that's just a sign of how good the pizza is. -
Review from Judie H.
Surprise pizza everyday, never fail pastries, co-op, recycle, organic...who can ask for more!
