Once in a while, I get a craving for unpretentious bakery fare that does what it says on the box. Baker's Dozen is close to where I live when I'm in Auckland, so it's often my most convenient option.
The food is good, on the whole. It might seem 'common' of me to be discussing the quality of bakery food on a forum where most reviews are of Customs St restaurants; but a junk-food aficionado appreciates that simple items like pies or even cream buns can vary hugely in quality. Their pies are not the best I've had, the pastry isn't flaky and delicate as you'd ideally want, and the filling can be a bit 'gelatinous'. But I very much enjoy their pepper-steak pie, and also their seafood pie -- the latter especially is an item that can turn out very good or very bad, depending on the establishment. The one at Baker's Dozen is very flavoursome, the filling is of a similar consistency to say a steak and cheese pie rather than the mushy, almost styrofoamy filling I've experienced on occasion [and I've done my research :)].
They also do a fantastic ham and mayo square type thing, it's got a signature flavour to it that I can't quite place, a hint of sweetness... yum. I'm also a stickler for their coffee cream donuts, delightful.
I must say I've had awful service there in the past from the owner, and I can't omit a mention of it because it left me with a very unpleasant feeling. Lately though whenever I've visited Baker's Dozen I've been served by people other than him, and they're all friendly enough if not effervescing with joy at my custom -- though perhaps that's because they know as soon as I walk in the door that they're about to sell out of coffee cream donuts :D read more