- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
38 reviews for Grand Central Bakery
Review Highlights
"AMAZING chocolate croissant."
(in 4 reviews)
"I got the basil egg salad sandwich which was so good."
(in 3 reviews)
"Never had bread pudding before, and it was scrumptious."
(in 3 reviews)
Loading...
38 reviews in English
-
Review from Elise W.
Seattle, WA
9/9/2010
AMAZING chocolate croissant. I used to believe that Ken's Artisan bakery had the best chocolate croissants, outside of Paris, but Grand Central's croissants were equally delicious. I am eight months pregnant now and have been hitting every bakery in Ptwon for the last two and a half trimesters, and can't believe it has taken me this long to find Grand Central.
I couldn't decide between and oatmeal cookie or a chocolate croissant so I oredered both :) I paired my pastries with a decaf latte and it was all heavenly.
I can't wait to go back and try their sandwiches! -
Review from Natalie B.
Portland, OR
11/12/2011
The quality of their bread isn't even worth going into--everyone in Portland knows it's fantastic.
But c'mon. $7.50 for a sandwich? All you did was add cheese and tomato to two pieces of bread you bake in-house! And maybe it was an off day, but a "hot, pressed" sandwich is not the same thing as a lukewarm sandwich on toasted bread. Don't get me wrong: it was very tasty. I just left feeling a little ripped off. The space to give a tip on the receipt when everything there is counter service didn't help. Having worked in the service industry (and knowing how much employees at Grand Central get paid), that's some bullsh*t.
I'll come back for the bread, but everything else is a rip. -
Review from Melissa V.
Portland, OR
11/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
I stop in to this GCB whenever I have a few minutes to kill while in Sellwood, and I'm always glad I did. They pull a damn good americano here, and their cookies are always delicious and fresh. I've also grabbed loaves of bread to take home, all of which have been delicious.
It can sometimes take a little longer than strictly necessary to get your coffee, but it's quality every time.
Also, they will let you pay with plastic, even if your total is only $2 or so. Kinda refreshing after all the cash-only joints in town. -
Review from Hanna D.
10/2/2011
This place consistently has absolutely delectable items, from their baked goods to lunch items.
I particularly enjoy their soups. They always have a novel concept for their soups. The last one I had was Sri Lanken Corn which was absolutely to die for! It was a coconut curry based, Indian inspired corn chowder. They never have your typical heavy and under flavored cafe style soups that you can get at Safeway, they are always light and fresh.
Their pastry items are also great. Their breads in particular are absolutely wonderful. I'd go in and get fresh bread every day, but after a month of eating a loaf a day I'm pretty sure I would look like he Michelin Man.
And the prices! For lunch, you'll spend under $8 for a sandwich meal or $6 for a soup meal. WHAT?! I can afford that!
The service has always been impeccable in here. I have never had poor or slow service, which I greatly appreciate because I only have so much time for a lunch break.
The bakery itself has a great seating arrangement with plenty of seating an even some outdoor benches for if you bring the dog or if it's a nice, sunny day.
The location is also prime, right off of Tacoma in Sellwood. Plenty of parking. -
Review from Jasmine L.
Los Angeles, CA
12/25/2011
I wasn't really impressed by this place. The behind people the counter were a bit rude and not that helpful, and the pastries here don't even come close to the amazingness that is Nuvrei.
-
Review from Jenni D.
8/27/2011
I wasn't expecting to get a Vietnamese-inspired sandwich at a charming little neighborhood bakery... boy I was wrong!
The Bánh Mi sandwich was MMMMmm D-E-L-I-S-H... BBQ tofu is a perfect way to be full without feeling lethargic. The only caveat was the bread - it was WAY TOO HARD for that sandwich. -
Review from Joel N.
Portland, OR
5/2/2011
Friendly service, fresh coffee, great bread, tasty bran muffins and fair prices make GCB a-okay in my book.
My one complaint, do all your baked breakfast items have to be so darn sweet? Couldn't we at least put up the facade of health? -
Review from Hayden N.
Portland, OR
10/13/2011
Who doesn't like fresh baked breads?
-
Review from Bradford D.
Wilsonville, OR
2/2/2011
Stopped over here after locking myself out of my house. Had the blue cheese sandwich and cookie of course to get some good brain food going.
This was good cause I thought of a way to break into my house without having to spend $70 on a locksmith.
I love having them right across the street so I can grab a baguette any time! -
Review from Anna B.
3/15/2010
There are a few bakeries that do one or two things right. Grand Central seems to do it all right. Bread? Awesome. Cookies? Awesome. Sandwiches? Christ in a sidecar they are good! They run about $7 to $8 bucks, upcharge a dollar or two to make it a box lunch. Offerings include ham and swiss, an Italian grinder, fancy tuna, fancy egg salad, veggie, and seasonal hits (right now it's a reuben or a tofu-ben), grilled cheese, turkey/chutney, and grilled pastis as well.
Coffees, salads, pastries? Yep. Some of the best croissants around, too.
I do only have one rule for this place - to go only. The wait can be lengthy, and the place is always packed. It's a bit overwhelming trying to eat in there most days. Service can be touch and go but I've found that if you start out the transaction being chipper, it will be reciprocated. Otherwise, expect counter service to be on the curt side, but I think that just comes with the volume they serve there.
And a tip on cookies - if you buy 6, you can pick out anything from the pastry case for a free 7th. I've kissed up to many a coworker bringing back a bag of Grand Central cookies, and they don't last more than five minutes on my desk. Next time you need to buy some love, pick up a half dozen and puh-leeeze get yourself a jammer (biscuit-like treat filled with jam) while you're at it. -
Review from Danielle K.
Portland, OR
11/9/2008
You know it's good stuff when you hold up the line to discuss with the dude working behind the counter (who also happens to be wearing a Japanese Rising Sun bandanna) how often you were both dropped on your heads as babies and how that just makes you happier today.
I'm not kidding.
And you also know it's good stuff when you order the gigantic fresh-fruit coffee cake, only to have said dude tell you what a marvelous choice you just made, and how it's the most pastry for your buck. SCORE.
And it might not be good stuff--the latte ART, that is--but they didn't screw up the flavor of my triple STUMPTOWN latte. That's where it's at. Okay, so the top looked like poo, and that'd never pass AT Stumptown, but considering we're NOT there, I'll let it slide.
Delish. A little on the high-end of reasonably priced, but still fair. And comfy.
Yes, I dig this place. -
Review from Z Z.
Los Angeles, CA
1/23/2008 ROTD 3/2/2008
So far my favorite meal in Portland! I got the basil egg salad sandwich which was so good! At first I wasn't sure how I felt about it, it is made with a sun dried tomato mayo which really changes the taste of it! After my first couple bites though I was in love! The calamata olive bread that it was served on was delicious, so fresh and the olive flavor was a nice addition to the egg salad.
Paul got the chicken salad sandwich and he really liked it. It was funny, I have never seen him order a chicken salad before and wasn't sure if he would like it but surprisingly he did. He mentioned that he really liked the bread, it had a bit of a sourdough taste to it but not too strong so that it overwhelmed everything else.
I really liked how they didn't stuff the sandwiches so full of the egg salad and the chicken salad. I hate when you are trying to eat a sandwich and the insides are falling all out onto you and the table.
They had a nice selection of breads but I noticed that a lot of them were sold out by lunchtime. I bet you have to get there pretty early to get the really great choices, it was so crowded in there! It did take a while for our food to come but again, it was pretty crowded so we understood.
We will totally be returning!Listed in: Why I already love Portland, Places worth waiting for!
-
Review from Tessa Y.
Gladstone, OR
11/3/2010
I have been on a perpetual search since moving to Portland a few years go for the perfect almond and chocolate croissant. I stumbled upon this place and was very happy. The chocolate croissants were very the best that I have had in Portland and the Almond croissants were up there too.
The almond ones had some kind of odd honey/almond/butter inside of them. It was very good and a good solid 4 stars and I am thinking of going back again this morning but I do actually prefer the dryer almond filling.
I will be back though! -
Review from Melissa P.
Portland, OR
3/9/2008
More 3.5 but I'll err on the side of 4 stars.. mostly because I luhuhv the bread pudding. I can't claim to know how bread pudding should taste/be, but I could eat that stuff all night. Day too. I often get the egg and bacon bolo, and I'll be damned if you can cut those things in half without arm wrestling it into a gooey mess. Bacon all splurted out the side and egg ooze on the plate. And I'm one of 'those' people that don't like tomatoes, and that relish stuff is kinda weird. So yeah. It's very nice that they serve Stumptown. It's very nice that they have Columbia Gorge juices.
My mom this morning: Hm, a lot of yuppies come here.
Me: Uhnono. These are what I like to call Veggy SE'stys.
Mom: Ohh.Listed in: It's a beautiful day in the…
-
Review from Arielle S.
Portland, OR
5/9/2010
The sandwiches are all very good hear mainly because the bread is sooooo good. I am so glad to have a top notch bread shop within walking distance from my house. The cinnamon raison bread is one of my favorites and the cinnamon roll bread is literally like a loaf of cinnamon rolls. Absolutely to die for with some butter on top. The first time I purchased this bread the employee helping me was describing the cinnamon roll bread "its just like a cinnamon roll you can get about 7 slices or so out of it." Perhaps some people can get 7 slices out of the loaf but mine was gone within four slices...yes I feel sort of glutenous but not enough to have made my large healthy slices of this bread any smaller.
The wheat is my go to for the regular sandwich materials. If they have the seasonal spinach bread make sure to get that, you wont regret it.
The macaroons are well priced and pretty decent but if you want your socks rocked the bread pudding is where its at. I always try and split my bread pudding into two sessions, I usually fail at this; which is more of a testament to Grand Central then to my weakness of restraint.
Above all I enjoy frequenting this Grand Central Bakery because the employees are all wonderful and friendly. So happy to have Grand Central in Sellwood!Listed in: my hood...Sellwood
-
Review from Katrina W.
Portland, OR
2/21/2008
Granted, I am judging on the bakery counter alone - and I want to give them more stars - I really do. The pastries look great, I've been told they taste great, but the experience of ordering has not been very great.
Something about the way this particular Grand Central is set up makes you feel very crowded and uncomfortable as soon as you walk through the in-swinging door. And while the counter people aren't rude or anything, they don't seem terribly happy to be there, which rubs off.
I will continue stopping in to pick up the product everyone seems to love, but the environment and service leave me a little underwhelmed.Listed in: Pastries and Fruit
-
Review from Julie M.
Multnomah, OR
3/2/2008
This is one of Portland's early Artisan Bakeries, with several locations, also Downtown and mid-Hawthorne. I give their shops 5 Stars partly for the powdery open-kitchen's abilty to launch astral travel.
My Gramma Lottie had unusual upper body strength
and was a powerful hand-kneader. (and yes, my grampa John
was a very happy man - never saw so many smiles
from a human of the Euro-male species)
Lottie gave birth to my dad in a big white house
down the street. She took NO guff
and boy was she in charge of their household.
So Lottie (Paulson Ericksen Mikalson) raised a passle of strong-minded Norwegian kids
and ran a Bakery from her home kitchen in Eureka, Montana.
The Ghost of Lottie hates my Bread Machine.
She destroys every loaf.
Dang if she doesn't cross the boundary
to re-establish a presence to bake with me
if ever I start the yeast, and prepare to double rise
and hand-knead just as she taught;
or properly roll and edge-press a crust,
as my mom Edna Wollan Mikalson taught big sis Brenda,
Jennie and me.
Now, my kitchen is as spacious as theirs combined.
Needs to be, to entertain the spirits of multiple,
invisible cooks who like to visit.
Mom is there holidays, called present by my humming,
every time I do cookies or pie.
My dead dad, Gordon who was a brilliant, fun, hearty soul and dandy breakfast Chef, and who politely claimed to love my Venison cookery,
inisisted that I acknowledge his miraculous presence in the kitchen too, for nearly a week once,
first by blowing light bulbs when I thought about him,
then dangit, by cracking the well-seasoned CAST IRON PAN
he'd left me, right down the middle.
Shoot, Gordon, find another method, can't you -
I'm open-minded already, and that Pan was a good one.
Hey, maybe he can use it now on the Other Side!
(Have you EVER heard of a seasoned Iron Pan doing this? I cook a hot breakfast nearly every mornign as he did, and now must do it on an anonymous cook's seasoned iron pan. Gordon does NOT have permission to bust this one. We Norwegians know when to set appropriate limits, dammit.)
About every time I enter one of these scenic Bakeries, I'm suddenly worthless. I go completely into space. A hazy, eerie fog takes over my consciousness. I'm in grade school again, and hovering in trance, as part of me waits for a laugh and the flash of Gramma Lottie's Polka-dot dress and flour-covered apron swooping toward me. I wait helplessly, like a Toddler, because soon, with gusto, she'll scoop me up for a big Nordic hug. Being loved by this silver-haired adonis of a woman was really an experience, so I'm in limbo here in the Bakery waiting ...
But behind the bar another part of me sees a young Bread-ista, instead, patiently waiting for my order. Working at Dough-Heaven, I know for sure they've seen that glazed over look before, as women reconnect right before their eyes with the spirits of long-passed relatives.
The experience is so intoxicating, I sometimes apologize and step outside to re-ground myself in the cool misty air of Portland. (Did I mention I am a twin and sometimes clairvoyant? I think the fog is like what migrane people feel before a Big One. Wish they simply had visions instead - maybe they could be hypnotized to shift to that outcome?) Anyway it's strange to live in the part of life where most of the people you have loved are already on the Other Side. And really weird that plain old bread has the power to bring them back.
Well, this isn't your mom's Wonder Bread, nor plain.
It's simple happiness with a crisp crust,
whose crunch reminds you that your still alive..
and really still on This Side.
Thank goodness my always grounded and really alive buddy Loyd Hubbard put up some money and won a Worthy Community Organization Raffle years ago - for a monthly loaf Olive Bread from Grand Central. I happily ate some with him all that year ( from the downtown location)
It was a good way for them to advertise.
Because Loyd is quite a socialite - and HOSTS WINE DINNERS. Loyd's A-List friends are now total addicts for The Olive Bread...
and we've purchased and shared plenty with others, too.
Get a big Whole Wheat loaf, loaded with Olives,
( then invite friends to bring wine & food to share )
and dredge hunks in extra-virgin oil.
Really, Who needs more for dinner?
Keep on Bakin (and distributing) that bread!
People: Accept No Substitutes.
This is a LOCAL Bakery, and a good one.
Feeding healthy fantasies for so many years.
The #14 Bus stops right outside,
and all Portland Buses carry Bikes. -
Review from amii c.
6/20/2010
Never had bread pudding before, and it was scrumptious! And only $1.75.
The girl behind the counter was also very cute, chatting it up with me about my blue jacket and how we both like bright colors, and giving us soup samples and sandwich recommendations. When the BF went down the hall to the restroom, he saw the sandwich dude dancing like crazy behind the counter and had a great laugh.
BF enjoyed his meaty sandwich and coffee, while I wolfed out my bread pudding. Crispy on top, soft on bottom, sweet and rich throughout, but not overly so. A lovely afternoon stop. -
Review from Joshua M.
1/16/2010
You know the sorts of day where you say to yourself, "I'm going to make a really good sandwich?" So you head out to the store and you buy a bunch of stuff specifically to make a sandwich that is a bit better than average. It's good, don't get me wrong, but you don't immediately say to yourself, "damn, I am the sandwich bomb... I ought to open up a business to sell up my skills." That was what I was thinking while eating the turkey deluxe sandwich today at Grand Central. Not bad... but I paid how much for it?
That's just the thing... maybe I'm expecting all Portland food to be cheap. But for a turkey sandwich that had homemade written all over it, a cup of broccoli cheddar soup, and a can of Pepsi I was at $12.45. And there is no tax here! That friends I think is a bit ridiculous. For the record it wasn't bad, but it's the value that doesn't add up to me. I did appreciate that their bacon was dry and not excessively fatty... that's exactly how I like it.
The soup wasn't broccoli and cheddar, it was broccoli and potato, and I wasn't too keen on it. Maybe I completely misread the sign, but I am almost positive I read cheddar and not potato... in any event, maybe it would have been better if I wasn't expecting and craving the cheddar. But I found it to be bland and I didn't eat much of it.
$1.35 for a can of soda? GTFO.
The interior of the place was busy, but it was pretty obvious that no one had been around to clean the tables or the floors in awhile. The overall feeling was budget indie Panera. Not so impressed. If you are going to charge this much, you need take heed to the words of the great philosopher Snoop Dogg, and step yo game up. -
Review from Chelsea B.
Portland, OR
3/13/2010
A good place to go in the neighborhood for fresh baked goods (breads, hand pies, cookies, etc.) and meals heavily involving said fresh baked goods. I love their breakfasts. Fast and simple, using all fresh made local sourced ingredients. It is served until noon on the weekdays and ALL DAY on weekends.
My favorite is the sausage and egg biscuit. Not the puny fast food size either. Really one of these eaten at an early enough hour keeps me full until at least 1 or 2 in the afternoon. Everything about it is perfect, the huge pork patty, the farm fresh eggs, the flaky biscuit.
Perfect for take out! Because sometimes you don't want to eat in front of other people when you are hung over.
They can be busy and the dining area is small, the only real downsides.
Bread is great too. So take a loaf home when you go! -
Review from Kathleen B.
Portland, OR
8/29/2009
Grand Central is a solid bakery; delicious breads and cookies. Their sandwiches, too, are solid, though they do leave something to be desired in the creativity and variety departments. They have your basics: turkey, tuna, egg-salad. And they do those well. But nothing real innovative. I'd especially like to see more in the hot-sandwich department.
That being said, they do the basics terrifically well. I had an egg-bacon breakfast sandwich that was fab: crisp, peppery bacon, an egg that exploded on impact and ran yellow goo all over my plate only to be sopped up by their delicious, perfectly-toasted roll. Their toasted tuna sandwich is moist and caper-y. Mr. T liked his egg-salad, which I didn't try; egg salad gives me the willies.
13th ave location is really nice; it's a beautifully painted, airy old Victorian type building that manages to be both cozy and open. -
Review from Liz S.
Cambridge, MA
2/21/2011 2 Check-ins Here
SO good! Breads and cookies are SUPER delicious. This place definitely deserves five stars!
-
Review from Sammy G.
Denver, CO
1/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Delicious tuna sandwich. That's all I had there.
-
Review from Brian P.
Portland, OR
2/16/2010
the food: EXCELLENT.
I do not drink coffee but the tea selection works. why just 4 stars?...I often come here wanting to sit down and read but the place is just too busy 50% of the time. while this is great for them and is a sign of excellence, I gotta keep on walkin and eat somewhere else if I want to relax w my breakfast. -
Review from Carter C.
Memphis, TN
7/11/2010
Awesome veggie burger freshly made. They offered to give me avocado instead of cheese when I asked for no cheese. I appreciate a place that actually offers something extra when you have something removed. I dealt with three different employees - all were great. A/C felt great on a hot day. Good atmosphere. No complaints.
-
Review from Ashley S.
8/29/2010 1 Check-in Here
Grand Central is great for picking up a loaf of bread, getting a delicious sandwich or picking up breakfast before work. Recently I went there and discovered a new favorite the Apricot raspberry tart. It is so great because it has the sweetness of the raspberry mixed with the tartness of an apricot. I highly recommend it.
-
Review from David Z.
Updated - 4/2/2009 1 Check-in Here
Just a quick update (as promised). I've since tried a few pastries and one of the sandwiches. All were very tasty. I definitely recommend "The Meltdown" - probably one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches I've had! Add some Kettle chips and a tasty cookie and it made for a great lunch at just over $6. I'll be doing lunch again here soon! Care to join me?
Listed in: The Best of Sellwood
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
1/9/2009
I went in for a simple loaf of bread, and I walked out a changed man. Ok, so it's not quite that… Read more »
-
-
Review from Kailia W.
Portland, OR
11/17/2010
When still green to this town, my ex and I found a Grand Central Bakery and wandered in and bought, among other things, an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. Oh My Gaaawd! I devoured it and bought another one. Then I age that one and bought some cookie dough to take home. Needless to say, that didn't last very long either. I was officially obsessed with these cookies. I can honestly say they are the best Chocolate Chip Cookies I've ever had. I won't even tell you how excited I got when I found the recipe in their awesome cookbook.
For the record, they also make awesome breads, pies, and various pastries. Plus the hot drinks ain't half bad either. -
Review from Beth B.
Portland, OR
8/3/2008
While always crowded, if you really have a hankering for buttery croissant, and crunchy bagette filled with beef and peppers, or just need to pick up a great loaf of Como...this is the place for you. They have a little kid's play area in the back, but it is usually always taken. Their coffee is great (Stumptown, I think...???).
-
Review from Lisa S.
10/9/2007
Included in my Last Meal on Earth. The savory: Grand Central Bakery ham-and-cheese croissant. Have you ever tasted this masterpiece? It's a work of art. The sweet: Grand Central Bakery jammer. A biscuit with jam, that's all, but it's the flakiest, yummiest biscuit you will ever have - not too salty, not too buttery, and NOT a gut bomb. Damn it, I wish they were open. right. now.
Listed in: breakfast....
-
Review from Nick M.
2/17/2009
This place has great baked good, and plenty of them Their food is top notch, and the coffee is not bad at all - my only complaint is that this location is really busy - it's a place to stop and get your loaf of bread or grab a snack or lunch, not a place to linger. It's usually packed.
-
Review from bobby d.
Gales Creek, OR
5/25/2009
Walking around sellwood is like being in a museum. Antique shops on every corner and vintage looking buildings. All that walking built up an appetite for a snack which brought me to the bakery. Seems like a really awesome place to hang out for awhile even all day. They sell baked goods and sandwiches all look very tasty. I went for the baked good which turned out to be very good. They had so many choices i liked that it took me a while to choose. The prices were very reasonable which means another trip back or to one of their other locations.
-
Review from Angela B.
San Diego, CA
7/21/2007
After having Grand Central's yummy breads, cookies and sandwiches I have decided that I want to be a baker. I want one of those tall hats and a white uniform and a dust of flour on my cheeks and nose so I can declare I am a baker. And I will only bake for Grand Central...because their stuff is Holy Shit good...and who doesn't love the baker who makes that kind of stuff!
-
Review from Kelly A.
7/11/2009
I love me a good bakery! We stopped here for a mid-afternoon snack and rest on a hot afternoon, and it hit the spot. They made me a lovely iced americano to go along with my chocolate croissant. The boy ordered an almond croissant, which I stole a bite of and which was quite delicious. I love that they have pies, including the famed marionberry, that customers can take home to bake themselves. And they have sandwiches and lunch sack deals. A lovely little spot indeed.
-
Review from E W.
San Diego, CA
7/13/2009
As for lunch, ... Meh. Too chain-ish. Boring sandwiches. Across the street is Petisco- go there for a sando or salad.
-
Review from Linda Z.
West Linn, OR
4/28/2009
This Grand Central deserves 5 stars for a bakery. If you are in the mood for a sandwich or a treat this is the place to go - always delicious and a huge selection. They have seasonal menus, great salads, and can even accommodate little special requests despite being busy. They appear to use the highest quality ingredients and the presentation is attractive. You can watch them make your sandwich, very clean! Vegetarian friendly. The treats and breads are outstanding. Good coffee too. The service is wonderful, the employees friendly no matter how crazy the place gets. I would wish for more seating and shorter waits - won't work if you are in a hurry for a sandwich, only because this place is so popular. I easily got my mother in here in a wheelchair. Stay out of here if you are dieting.
-
Review from Rob P.
Portland, OR
1/28/2011
The almond croissant is just about the best thing I've ever had - and they use their day old croissants to make them. I dare not even try a chocolate croissant. Baguettes are very good, sandwiches are good but not earth-shakingly so.
-
Review from Brandi M.
Portland, OR
11/12/2008
Amazing pastry, breads and breakfast sandwiches. Great service. If only there was a bit more dining space.
