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Franco American Bakery

4.7 (59 reviews)
InexpensiveBakeries
Closed 8:30 am - 2:30 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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I was already gonna give 5 stars but I'd give more if I could fit the bonus of the cute kitty neighborhood mascot.
Shannen R.

Since the day I went was the day before thanksgiving it was a whole holiday vibe there. Seriously reminded me of one of those holiday Hallmark movies. The bakery was bustling, there was a line of customers coming in to get bread for tomorrow. All customers were in a great mood and very chatty, some had been coming to this bakery for 20+ years, some it was there first time there. The workers all seemed happy and energetic, even with the line everyone was in and out fast and efficiently. A nice lady even offered to help me with my bread to my car bc I had two huge turkeys and a bag full of loaves and was struggling a bit. lol! I was already gonna give 5 stars for the amazing fresh bread, great service and even more amazing low prices but then as I was leaving the neighborhood cat came to greet me. I love a kitty mascot I always forget about this place until I need speciality bread or a fancy bread bowl and they never disappoint. This is the first year I ordered a Turkey bread bowl for thanksgiving and I'm obsessed with it! I cannot wait to show up to dinner tomorrow with this fancy bread bowl.

Cut end of bastoni loaf
April K.

I like this shop :-) Nestled as it is in this old residential neighbor, it's saturated with tradition and small town pride. The petiteness of its front end attached to its large workshop shouts that this is a local institution whose business it is to feed the community and provide honest work for its residents. The young woman who waited on me was friendly and efficient, and asked one of her colleagues when she didn't know the answer to my question: "Is the sweet bread actually sweet?" (The answer, by the way, is no. It's regular bread that isn't "sour", as it appears their sourdough is their primary offering). The bread itself is standard American fare. I bought the Bastoni, the crustiest of their loaves from what I could surmise after squeezing every single one, rolls included ;-P Toasted and slathered with the best butter my money can buy, it is merely adequate, if what you're looking for is a bread experience. I'd put it in the acceptable sandwich bread category. The $1 price tag (no tax, of course) surprised me pleasantly, though. If I had a factory or a school to feed, I'd be seriously considering placing a large order with these folks.

Large sliced sour dough loaf.
Dana H.

Stopped in on a Saturday to get my favorite sliced sourdough. They were out of the smaller "normal" sandwich sized loaf, so I bought this large loaf. I can make supersized sandwiches or slice them in half for smaller sandwiches. $3.20 for this large loaf. Nice crust on the outside, soft on the inside. I've had their swirled rye bread and it's excellent. Highly recommend this wholesale/retail bread bakery.

Franco American Bakery, Santa Rosa
Wulfstan C.

I wrote my first review 10 years ago and wanted to update, adding that this is still a wonderful bakery and our go-to place for most breads. It's a great old institution of a type that is rare these days: a local, family-run general bakery selling wholesale to stores and restaurants throughout the area but also selling directly to customers at the store at the bakery. They make outstanding traditional sourdough and make great regular breads, sliced and unsliced, including the best plain old white bread around, whole wheat, rye, rolls, hamburger buns, etc. In this area, we have difficulty bothering to eat any regular sliced white, while wheat, or rye bread from anywhere else. Their breads are far superior to most of the more mass-produced stuff in stores. There are other places which make great breads of various types, but there's no competition for the more basic breads they produce, too.

Sourdough

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11 months ago

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1 year ago

Great bread, loved this place all my life. The smell of the bread when you walk in , makes you want to get everything in the store.

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

Fresh bread, there's nothing better, I buy their bread at the store and it's great but going to the source is so much better

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4 years ago

My go to when I want great fresh bread. Love it when I get home and it's still warm in the middle!

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7 years ago

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5 years ago

Oh my! The best! Sourdough is unbelievable. Aren't we lucky to have this bakery in Sonoma County?

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6 years ago

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5 years ago

Its awsome. Otiswas really nice. Yall shoould go there on fridays when he's there. he's also a really nice math tuter.

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Ask the Community - Franco American Bakery

Review Highlights - Franco American Bakery

My earliest memories include chowing down on their sourdough with my grandparents, slathered with butter.

Mentioned in 12 reviews

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Sarmentine - Organic French Bakery - A perfectly flaky chocolate almond croissant with lots of almond taste to it.

Sarmentine - Organic French Bakery

4.3(198 reviews)
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Recently, my son and I checked out this adorable bakery, and I have to say, we were really…read moreimpressed. We shared a flan pâtissier, a Saint-Honoré, and a passion fruit tart--all of which were absolutely delicious. The great part was that the service was top-notch too. We found a table right away, and the woman who took our order even helped us carry our pastries to the table, which was really nice of her. The pastries had just the right level of sweetness, making them a real treat without being overwhelming. I loved the cozy, homey vibe of the place; it felt welcoming and relaxed. Now I totally understand why it's such a popular spot--there's usually a long line on weekends! We had such a great experience that I know we'll be back soon.

Came to Sarmentine and really enjoyed the pastries! The cafe drinks were just okay in my opinion…read more I had the apple tart which featured a nice crispy sugar crust and some soft baked apple slices in the center. It reminded me of an apple pie through and through! I wish the apples had a little more bite to them though because it was hard to get a clean bite. By the end, I was really eating apple flavored pastry because I had accidentally pulled all the slices out already! The briochette was fluffy and I was ally enjoyed the candied orange peel on it. It imparted a nice fragrance with no bitter notes. We also shared a canelé which featured that delectable caramel crust with the perfect custardy center, it's so hard to make and yet Sarmentine just kept them coming! The only part of our meal that was a bit meh were the drinks. My mocha was certain milk forward which probably ended up masking the espresso and chocolate. The matcha latte boyfriend had was generous on matcha powder but it didn't quite have the same body as others tried lately. Still, when you're on your way to the vineyards from Santa Rosa, this is a great little stop to pick up some food to go!

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Sarmentine - Organic French Bakery - Mocha eclair

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Red Bird Bakery - Caramel cream filled morning bun

Red Bird Bakery

4.4(69 reviews)
0.7 mi

Finding a neighborhood gem like Red Bird Bakery is exactly why we support local artisans. This spot…read morehas mastered the balance of traditional technique and a welcoming, community-focused atmosphere that makes it a standout in the North Bay. The craftsmanship here is evident in every loaf and pastry. Their sourdough is a masterclass in texture, boasting that perfect, resilient crust and a complex, airy crumb that captures the essence of classic fermentation. The sweet and savory options are equally impressive, delivered with a warmth that feels authentically local. * **Pastry Excellence:** The ham and cheese croissants are expertly laminated, providing a shatteringly crisp exterior that gives way to a rich, savory center. For those with a sweet tooth, the berry scones are consistently packed with fresh fruit and have a tender, buttery finish. * **Signature Granola:** Beyond the fresh bakes, their granola is a hidden star--perfectly toasted, balanced in sweetness, and ideal for a high-energy morning. * **The Vibe:** Whether you're visiting the Sebastopol Avenue location or catching them at the farmer's market, the service is genuinely personal. The brick-and-mortar space has a cool, industrial-meets-inviting aesthetic that makes it a great destination, even if you're used to grabbing your favorites at Oliver's. Have you had a chance to try any of their seasonal special loaves, or do you tend to stick to the classic sourdough?

I was lucky enough to have a friend bring me treats from this little spot. I completely forgot to…read moretake pictures, unfortunately. She brought me a pain au chocolate and a plain croissant. I was intrigued by the texture as they were not exactly what I would expect. While they were not terribly flaky. the pastry was still excellent. My husband absolutely adored a croissant and said that he felt like while they didn't have the same layers, they were not greasy and quite delicious. Will definitely go and try something in the future.

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Red Bird Bakery - Italian cold sandwich

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Criminal Baking & Catering Company

Criminal Baking & Catering Company

4.2(546 reviews)
0.2 mi
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I stop in here fairly often, but just realized I had forgotten to show some love for this local…read morebakery. I stop in for the savory pastries as snacks often, but most recently I dropped in for a couple of sweet treats to take to a friend's house for dinner. We had Strawberry and Rhubarb tart and a couple of mini-bundt chocolate cakes. Both were a hit! Great bakery! Give them a shot!

I have been a big fan of Criminal Baking for several years now. They have stayed very consistent in…read moremaking great food and supporting the community in Santa Rosa. It has a kind of odd location in a warehouse building north of Railroad Square. I actually miss their old location near Julliard Park, but this location probably works better for their business. One of the main reasons I come here is their abundance of gluten free pastries. I try to avoid eating a lot of gluten as I don't feel great after eating it. They even make a few vegan gluten free options if you can't have dairy as well. They also have great savory bowls and breakfast burritos. On my most recent visit we ordered a breakfast veggie burrito and it was delicious! Lots of fresh cooked veggies! I recommend grabbing a packet of cholula hot sauce and putting it on the burrito! I also want to add a shout out to the Warrior Bowl! Delicious and healthy, although I don't get it at this last visit. I typically grab a gluten free muffin or scone. It's really hard to fine good gluten free pastries, but these are really good. On my last visit, I got a non-gluten free pastry and tried their cinnamon roll and an Ube Kite, which was a limited time special. The cinnamon roll was a bit dry, but these Ube kite was very good! Another thing I really like to get at Criminal is their pie. You can order whole ones or just get slices. They are excellent! The service is typically really great here! The only thing I don't love is the indoor dining area, which just feels a bit weird. Get a table outside or walk to a bench in the nearby park.

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Criminal Baking & Catering Company - Cafe Space

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Criminal Baking & Catering Company - Hard banana bread

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Criminal Baking & Catering Company - Seating area

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Red Bird Bakery - Blueberry Bar

Red Bird Bakery

4.4(288 reviews)
7.7 mi
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Red Bird helped make Christmas 2025 bright. I placed a pre-order for cinnamon rolls, holiday…read morecookies, dinner rolls, and a yule log. Pickup was easy. Everything tasted great and looked wonderful. I mean, check out that adorably decorated Buche de Noel! This business continued to be a family go-to for excellent pastries as well as celebratory cakes and desserts.

Red Bird is our neighborhood bakery. We frequent this popular spot at least once a week. One thing…read moreto know about me is I am supposed to stay away from gluten whenever possible, so I try to find places with good gluten free pastries. Red Bird happens to have an excellent gluten free muffin, as well as a to-die-for gluten free brownie. This morning, I had the cranberry orange GF muffin and it was so good. The flavors felt very holiday and the muffin was the perfect texture. My wife loves their breakfast sandwiches, but she is not a huge fan of their English muffins so she gets them on sourdough bread. Red Bird makes all their breads and they are really great quality. If you ever come in for lunchtime then their artisan pizza is the main attraction. They make some really wonderful, unique pizzas that you can get a slice or two and enjoy! Red Bird also offers good coffee here (Retrograde!) and other hot drinks. Plus, they do cakes and desserts to order. We have ordered their Yule Log for several Christmas's in the past, and we order cakes here for birthdays. The service here is always friendly and helpful, and we love sitting at their long, wooden tables when there is time to eat at the cafe. I like their dining area, which feels very communal and fun. If you haven't been here before then come and check it out!

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Blondie's Bakery Boutique

Blondie's Bakery Boutique

4.8(52 reviews)
0.7 mi

Pros: The staff is extremely friendly and the interior of the shop is heavily decorated so much…read morepink! The decorations are adorable and make the place look livelier. I usually buy the raspberry cake slice, the macarons, and Whoopie Cookies. I've purchased the cruffles and the macarons as gifts for my friends, and they're always adorned in a cute box with a ribbon bow. There are also gluten-free cupcakes available. They've never disappointed me and I often walk out of the store with a smile and my sweet tooth satisfied. Cons: Street parking can be tricky during busier times. However, it's about a 5 minute walk away from the Santa Rosa Plaza Mall. The cake slices and cupcakes lay on the buttercream pretty thick, which can get overly sweet. Overall: I had been going to Sift Dessert Bar since 2015, and when it closed in 2024, I was surprised to find that the location for the original Santa Rosa store is now owned by a former manager of Sift Dessert Bar! If you missed Sift Dessert Bar, you'll definitely love Blondie's Bakery Boutique. The colorful interior and sweet treats make this shop a must-visit. While I have ordered a cake from Sift Dessert Bar, I have not done so for Blondie's Bakery Boutique.

It was a pleasure and delightful to meet the owner, the baker and a beautiful, strong and confident…read morewoman who is beautiful inside and out. It was a pleasure to enjoy your delicious cupcakes, your cake, and all your hard work and joy! You have made me realize it was worth taking and being spontaneous to enjoy sweets whole heartedly! Snickerdoodle Cupcake Granny's, Apple Pie Cupcake, Cookies & Cream/Dairy Free* Cupcake, Red Velvet Cupcake, Chocolate Delight Cupcake, and Lemon Cupcake Must try!

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Blondie's Bakery Boutique
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Franco American Bakery - bakeries - Updated May 2026

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