Quick Summary One of the best bakeries I've tried. Definitely worth the visit during your Solvang run Food- 5 stars We came a bit late for lunch so not all options were available Croque Madame- this was so savory without being overbearing. Not overly greasy and salty; it was done perfectly. I would definitely order again Gravlax platter- I was impressed by the pickled lemons, homemade cream cheese and creamy bagel. Enjoyed every bite of this Canale- this was such a balanced pastry. Loved the unique crust that formed on the bottom of the pastry. not overly sweet; enjoyed every bite Chocolate crossiant- similar trend as above. not overly sweet and heavy, pastry was moist and flaky Service- 5 stars They were pretty organized with their takeout orders. Was able to get our entire order in less than 15 minutes. Tables were cleaned and cleared relatively quickly as well Parking There's plenty of lot and street parking Bottom Line Fantastic food and service. Will be visiting again! read more

This location is just as good as the original location. We got avocado toast, egg in a jar, a whole loaf of chocolate cherry brioche for later, a Kouign amann, a cinnamon roll, an everything cookie, a few flat whites and hot cocoa. We probably got a few other things, but I'm forgetting because that brioche was just insane. Everything was spectacular, as usual. I'm just going to come out and say it, I've been through probably 40 countries and most of the continents, this is the best bakery on earth. It beats Paris, Vienna, Stockholm, even Copenhagen, mostly because everything is perfect. Many of these places you may get one amazing item, but for everything to be this good, it's just the only place on earth. Bow down to Bob. His bread and pastries have no rival. See photo tour of what we got below. read more

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I just tried this place for the first time yesterday and cannot believe I haven't been there before. It is insanely good! The creative thinking behind their creations is so impressive. We had a ham and cheese sandwich and a salami sandwich. Both came with a side salad. The bread is so fresh. We also ordered the olive fougasse Saturday bread. It comes with sea salt on top- so delicious. For dessert we got almond chocolate croissants and coconut macaroons. Everything was so good. I will definitely be back and can't wait to try more goodies! read more

Bob's Well Bread Bakery - Almond chocolate croissants and coconut macaroons - Bakeries Near Me - Ballard, California

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When in Solvang, try this cool place in the nearby town of Ballard, which in itself is such a cool residential town. You'll be glad you did. They specialize in bread and pastries, as the name implies, but their breakfast and lunch menu is awesome too! A warning, though. This place is pretty popular. We got there a few minutes before opening and there were already 10 people in line. We stayed in Ballard for 4 nights and each morning we passed by there were a steady stream of people coming here. That says it all! read more

Bob's Well Bread Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Ballard, California

The food food was great , the store was cute, very friends staff and was easy to find -will visit again next time I'm up in the area

It's a good thing the food is good because the owner of this place literally acts as though you are inconveniencing him with your business. The rest of the staff seems nice enough however, the owner works the register most times and every time I come in here (as a local), I swear it's going to be the last time. Cookies keep me comin' back, I suppose. read more

The biscuit and English muffin were so tough that you couldn't cut them with a knife. The turkey sausage was horrible. Bob is so unfriendly. read more

Cute place, great aesthetics, love the outside tables and picnic benches, looks clean and I love the smoking pot out front - don't know what's in it but wish I had one. We ordered two eggs Benedicts and 2 chai. Like other reviews state - the English muffins were so tough you couldn't cut them you had to pick it up and eat it which did work because the eggs were so hard poached they were dry, the ham/turkey/bacon meat stuff was like beef jerky but not as good, topped with 1 tablespoon of hollandaise and about 10 small potatoes. Why not fix this Bob? There are clearly reviews that say the same thing - which we did not read before we went - why don't you make this a better Benedict?? The Chai was ok I did like that they use a chai tea bag instead of the boxed chai that's loaded with sugar. I was going to take a loaf of bread home and a pretzel but after the English muffins were so horrible I passed on it. Oh and the service was interesting - I can't really say it was bad, I'm not sure why our server was wearing a mask outside and brought me a straw for a hot drink but she wasn't really rude. The gentleman who took our order at the counter was at best aloof and you could tell he was trying to not be rude but it was challenging. I want this to be another off day for Bobs because the place is really cute. read more

If I lived close I would return again and again until I tried everything on the menu. Alas it was my first visit so I can not review all the options. So just a few observations. - Bob is a creative genius but short tempered yet he loves dogs. - the spot is not a secret and the line swells and abates with time. What is the right time for short line? Don't know. There is no separate line for those just getting a coffee and pastry. - super COVID safe with a bit of fear attached. - any option with baked goods is a bonus. For example the avocado toast , recommended by local, is made with Bob's bread. - egg in a jar is a fan favorite with a poached egg perched atop greens in a jar. Cute and delicious way to serve it. - cheesy croissant sticks are a great savory treat. - the coffee is well balanced and would draw a crowd just for that! - seating outside is fun and festive with balance of locals and weekenders and bicyclists and runners. Enjoy. I can't wait to try something new next visit. read more

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"Bob", or whoever the eff was that grumpy old wannabe hipster working the counter, is a completely arrogant, classless douche. After his rude behavior we walked out before ordering, and I can now tell from the other reviews that his obnoxious demeanor doesn't actually play as well as he thinks it does. So many other great breakfast spots around the area to give your business to--avoid this one at all costs. And as a side note, at first glance, the food didn't look that special anyway. Captive audience I guess. read more

Simply the best!! Had the best iced dirty chai latte with soy, various pastries (lemon blueberry scone, toasted biscuit with jam, and chocolate chunk cookie). Not a fan of the ham and cheese croissant (slimy strange cheese), sausage roll, or English muffin that was tough and hard to eat when toasted. read more

Everything they make is amazing! I usually get the eggs Benedict and an iced coffee. Would totally recommend both of those. Staff is friendly, just busy. I love the feel they created with their French aesthetics. Plan on waiting in line on a weekend, it's popular! read more

Don't get the gravlax for $16 it came with barely any salmon! So disappointing especially when breakfast for two costs $50. read more

Bob's Well Bread Bakery - Gravlax - Bakeries Near Me - Ballard, California

Rude service Waited in line for 20 minutes, then told cash only due to internet issues. No big deal but front staff was not accommodating at all we were a dollar short cash of a scone and staff was just rude. The work hours of this place are never accurate and online is never updated read more

So my aunt and cousin raved about this place and we were in the area so we stopped by. I wish we hadn't. The place is small and you aren't sure where to walk in so that is confusing initially. We get inside and this is around 1:55 on a Saturday and they are out of about 3 sandwiches one of which was a turkey. We ordered the Quiche and Grilled Cheese and also got a chocolate croissant. Thankfully they gave us the croissant after we ordered. It took 34 mins to get the grilled cheese and the quiche. Like how is that possible?? The quiche should have been made already and the grilled cheese I mean it's cheese melted on a bread!! I finally went in after 34 mins and was told they were swamped and just waiting on the grilled cheese. I was not alone. The guy next to us ordered a Cobb salad and grilled cheese and he too got his mins before mine. I think I'm all it took 40mins. The owner came out and asked the table in front of us how everything was but never asked us. I hear him say his chef quit a few weeks ago they had to get someone else blah blah blah. Then limit your menu or tell people the issue I would never have ordered had I know it would have take over 34 mins for such simple food. I would say there are better options in downtown Los Olivos that sell sandwiches to go to. read more

Food was okay. But I had a very unpleasant experience with one of their employees. I think his name was Bob. He was rude and disrespectful towards us and other customers. While dining in, I had to listen to him frequently yelling at other customers in line to back off near the counter. I don't see myself coming back to this restaurant in the future. read more

The best breakfast! We had vanilla lattes which were so good and I had the egg in a frame #1 while my husband had the egg in a jar. I highly recommend stopping by bob's! read more

Bob's Well Bread Bakery - Egg in a frame #1 and egg in a jar - Bakeries Near Me - Ballard, California

Although the line was long it moved quickly. The gentlemen taking the order was rude. He told our friend as she was ordering that he had a chest infection and then put his mask on. Very bizarre. I got the sourdough bread and it's fine. Not sour enough in my opinion. read more

YUMMMM I crave Bobs Well Bread and go out of my way from SB to get it. I still dream about the sticky bun- it was soft on the inside, crispy with sugar on the outside, lick-your-fingers icing. Avocado toast is of course, also delicious, when made on Bobs Well Bread. We've also met Bob himself and feel 100% great about supporting this guys vision. Make the trip, it's worth it! read more

MY FAVORITE BFAST PLACE!! Whenever I am here in the town it is my go- to spot! Can be busy on weekends so try to get there at a reasonable time. Outstanding dishes I always get: -egg in a frame 2 : pan de mie bread aka the softest bread you have ever had. with egg in the center and thick cut bacon lardons - best bacon i've ever had too! -beans on toast -egg in a jar - purple potato with creamy cheese,with egg on top and toast sticks Pastries also top notch. Baguette sandwiches are great for grab and go... but be aware that they sell out fast in the morning! read more

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Bitter Bob bakes boujee bread, but belittles blameless buyers. We visited Bob's Well Bread for breakfast, and I have to say, we won't be returning. The space is beautiful, inside and out, and is exactly what you hope to find on a weekend getaway. Sadly, Bob himself, was running the counter, and he was less than welcoming--despite the fact that there were no other customers at the time. He never said hello, and began by gruffly correcting my wife on the pronunciation of her coffee order. It was then served in the wrong cup. When I asked whether I could get sausage on the side of my egg frame, he impatiently quipped that he doesn't do sides (think Soup Nazi from Seinfeld). My wife's $13+ egg frame, that listed dry aged goat cheese among the ingredients, came without any. My egg sandwich had no flavor. The younger hipsters who arrived after we were seated, were greeted in a friendly manner, as were a couple of locals. We were well-dressed (not that that should matter), quiet and respectful. Next time I want to drop $40+ on two coffees and two egg sandwiches, I'll find a place that wants our business. It's too bad--we planned Bob's as part of our trip, and wanted to buy bread to take home. That changed once we met Bob. read more

I met my mother here for breakfast. I enjoyed a chocolate croissant from the bakery case while I waited for my EGG-IN-A-FRAME #2 which was amazing! Perfect over easy egg in toast. With a great béchamel sauce & bacon lardons!!! I absolutely will be back for this again. I also had the hot chocolate and it had a homemade marshmallow that was super delicious! I highly recommend bobs well bread, and they have 2 locations. :-) read more

Bob's Well Bread Bakery - Hot Chocolate with House-made Ganache & Marshmallow - Bakeries Near Me - Ballard, California

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Everything here is top quality, including the dog treats and dog toys... avocado toast? c'mon!! Loved the lavender latte too! read more

Yummy yummy for a latte and peach pistachio pastry...quaint adorable little cafe....you have to visit. Look at their breads! read more

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Really enjoyed my experience here. Food was amazing and so were the drinks. And as for other reviews mentioning the owner being rude to be honest I think he is just trying to prevent people crowding the register and preventing chaos. He is not rude at all and asks people of all colors and backgrounds to stand to the side in the same manor. To be honest as someone who sat and ate inside I appreciated that there wasn't a crowd of people around me while I ate! read more

Yup, got "Bob'ed" on my last visit with less than warm customer service. The man just lacks that human interaction that you experience with many small business owners and it mars the experience. Ordered two items (egg in a jar and London fog latte) that came out to $24 which seemed high. Pretty sure he added his own tip to the total which isn't cool since I didn't authorize that. As for food, the egg in the jar is tasty but on the super salty side that day and the tea latte was basic. I don't recommend eating pastries like the chocolate croissant or sticky bun on site because they won't warm it up. Eating rock hard chocolate batons in a croissant is the worst. :( read more

I've had the pleasure of being greeted by bob for the past few years I've been going to bob's well bread. Bob always welcomes me with a smile, is attentive to questions, and has the patience of a saint, my experience at bob's well bread is unequivocal...NOT. Bob's attitude is more stale than the bread he serves. read more

Well, this is good bread. Or is it, this is good well bread. Well, for goodness sake, I really don't know. I do know this, I well, err I mean, will come back again for more bread. Clearly, I'm in a hammy mood and we ordered three things with pork for breakfast. The poached "egg-in-a-jar" was the best of the three with a homey combination of mashed purple potato, bacon bits, and cheese. On the downside, the sour cream needed better integration (should get mixed into the potato) and the side of bread was either burnt black or completely untoasted. The ham and cheese croissant hit the right marks with an airy dough and evenly distributed fillings. The bacon scone had appropriate textures but the bacon was undercooked. I bought a large loaf of $10 corn rye to bring on the journey home. After a series of tastings, I first used the bread to soak up the wine in my belly. Since the bread was unsliced, I used the saw blade on a Swiss Army knife to break through the crusty rustic exterior. Once home, I tried in a patty melt where the evenly textured dough kept the messy ingredients inside - unlike many rustic breads that are full of gaping holes. The bread had an excitingly intense amount of rye flavor that is likely too strong for most sandwiches but not for my potent melt. The short waiting line at the Friday 8:00A opening time was gone by 8:10A. Separate breakfast and lunch selections are offered along with goodies in the pastry case. read more

Food was great but we were assaulted by the owner as soon as we walked in. Evidently, he wanted us to not go into the main area of the shop (due to Covid issues). I get having a bad day, but this seems to be the usual approach for the owner (after talking to others in the valley). I don't care how good your food is, if I'm treated as if I'm a nuisance rather than a paying customer (which you will pay very high prices here), skip it and go to Denny's, at least you'll be treated well. read more

I should start this review that I own a culinary business/a bakery in Los Angeles. This small bakery might be able to corral 4-6 people in a quaint line. I would like to say that this establishment is one giant "missed opportunity." A bakery is almost completely successful by its smell and taste through a visual medium. Half of this place's items are in a case right by the cash register where the infamous Bob himself is steps away from a sign that clearly says to "wait here." Bob corrected me THREE times to stand behind this infamous line like I'm some child guilty for putting his hands in the cookie jar. Once to look at the pastries, once to look at the sandwiches in a separate case, and another time when I approached the register with my partner to see "if we were paying together." This guy clearly has an ego about him to the point where I am worried about what type of environment he is creating for his workers. Multiple locals have said the same thing about this guy and some of his staff after I shared my experience. These locals warned me that there are "rules" here, and if you don't follow them, prepare to be scolded. It's disappointing. I'm only giving him another star because honestly his product is so good. They did forget my friend's order as I didn't order anything because of this sour interaction. It's just a shame that a bakery has so many rules when baked goods/a local café should elicit a feeling of joy, warmth, and community when his attitude is far from it. Even though my partner's Dad lives in the area, we will never go back. I'd rather order Starbucks at this point and call it a day. read more

My mom and I had lunch here today for the first time. I ordered the Gravalax Platter. It was amazing! It was so flavorful and fresh. I can't wait to eat here again and I'm definitely ordering this. I also had the chai latte with oat milk and the black pepper Asiago loaf of bread. Definitely a 10/10 read more

Bob's Well Bread Bakery - Gravalax Plattee - Bakeries Near Me - Ballard, California

OMG if you haven't been to Bob's before with its two locations this is a do not miss spot when you are in a Santa Inez Valley! This bakery serves up some of the best breads, pastries, sandwiches and delicious breakfast and lunch items. Everything we tried was absolutely delicious. Starting with their pastries; the cinnamon morning bun, the kouign amann, the cookies, the croissants and of course the delicious ficele sandwiches ( we tried three, the salami, fresh Turkey & the ham) . I so wanted to try everything on the menu as the breakfast and lunch items especially the eggs in a jar and the eggs in a frame sounded amazing. Also, their coffee is wonderful as well. The physical space is so charming & I can't wait to go back the next time I'm in the Santa Barbara area. read more

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This is a review for the sourdough bread only. So you go there. Buy it all. Take it home and freeze it. Eat it and enjoy. You're welcome. PS it's $11 but a real treat and huge. read more

Love this place for breakfast or lunch. My wife and I had the Reuben and meat loaf sandwich for a quiet lunch and both were delicious.

The food was very good, if not a little different. The breakfast sandwich had scrambled egg and a generous slice of turkey sausage. My wife didn't care for it, but I found it delicious. I also ordered the egg in a jar and that was tasty! Mashed potatoes on the bottom, poached egg on top with bacon pieces (lardons?) mixed in. A different meal, but very good. We also got a breakfast baguette sandwich with egg and prosciutto. It was served with a mixed green salad on the side. A little different, but very delicious. I, too, noticed the man taking the orders was somewhat unfriendly, but not rude. He seemed annoyed with me for no reason. Perhaps I didn't follow the "rules " for ordering correctly, as I didn't wait outside until my turn to order. Either way, I found his imperious attitude amusing. The next time I visit Solvang I would go back because the food was good and filling. read more

Wow who is that little rude guy behind the counter. Really just wanted a baguette and got a load of attitude. Does he not know that bakers table and lucky hen both make great bread and sandwiches. Somebody should tell him that Covid restriction are over and people can stand next to each other. read more

OVERPRICED, RUDE AND TOUCHED THE BREAD WITH HIS BARE HANDS!!! The cashier is likely the owner and was taking money and touching food with his bare hands! There is no signage telling you where to order. The prices are terrible. AVOID! read more

This place was recommended to us by a friend, apparently they are known for their breads. We showed up about noon and unfortunately most of their popular breads and pastries had been sold out. My husband had the Cuban Sandwich which he said was very good. I had the Nicoise Salad, it was really good, very light and tasty. The tuna with seasonings gave the salad a great flavor. Met Bob the owner, he was working the counter and was very friendly. Picked up a few breads he recommended for the road home, can't wait to try them! read more

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Food was great but service was terrible. I believe the owner was the one who took our order and he was downright rude. Terrible to treat your customers as if they are an inconvenience, you're welcome for giving you business! I would easily have given this place 5 stars if the service was better. The food was good, the place was cute, Bob was rude. read more

I was really looking forward to eating here after reading so many great reviews but our experience was not good. After driving 3 hours from SoCal, we were more than ready for some yummy baked goods. Social distancing is observed and there was a short line formed outside. There is a good amount of seating outside. No indoor dining on the day we went. We placed our order of Egg in a Jar and their special, Short Rib Sandwich. I also got a shortbread cookie and a pear almond tart for later. After waiting 30 min, we checked on our food and were told we were next. After an additional 15 min passed, we inquired again and were told it was coming. 5 min passed and we went to check again when our food was being brought out. Why it took 50 min? I don't know. I asked what happened and was given the excuse that they were down a cook. But that doesn't explain how others that arrived after us had finished eating and left before our food arrived. The server apologized and asked if she could get us something on the house. When I said coffee we were told it could only be a baked good. That struck me as odd too but I settled for another cookie. After waiting an hour, our expectations for the food were extremely high but I was disappointed. Our food was brought to the table without any utensils. After we had food and utensils, I was ready to dig in and expected hot food and a perfectly poached egg but my potatoes were warm, toast cold and egg was not runny at all. The sandwich was also just ok. Also not that hot, it came with a side salad. It was all well seasoned but after such a long wait, not satisfying. On to our desserts. The shortbread cookie was good. It had some nuts and spices that made it different from a plain shortbread. The fruit tart was a little over baked. The pastry was flaky but it tasted a little burnt and was too dry. I also complained that we only got one complimentary cookie for the two of us so they gave us a canale (because they were now out of shortbread cookies). The canale was probably the best thing we ate. It has a crispy chewy texture and not overly sweet. Overall, the food was ok but the service wasn't. And I have to add that our order was taken by the owner,Bob, and I left a tip upon ordering so I felt even more upset that our meal was overlooked and no one ever came by to check on us during the hour that we were there. Each time, we had to go inside to check in our food and ask for the extra sweet. I'd hate to think how long we would have waited if we didn't go check ourselves. read more

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