The most quaint, sunny shop. Its walking distance from me, and I love to come over for a pastry, a coffee, and read a good book in the sun. They do pastries well. I've sampled practically all of them. They do not do coffee well. But...free refills...of bad coffee. Is that a silver lining? I'm not even sure. I haven't had actual food items, so I can't judge on that. But I do LOVE that they have a few prepared items for a picnic. Cheeses, ready-made sandwiches, hummus, spreads, honey, cream. Sort of those last minute items. Love it. I have learned the hard way that they alternate the days they make certain things- so if you expect that one, purely magical loaf of Cardamom Bread to be there *get the Cardamom Bread*, it might not be its "Day". So check the schedule! Also, the workers there are...not the most courteous, in my experience. Not rude, just lacking in solid customer service skills. Looks like a lot of high schoolers. But, its a great shop to meet a friend at or stop in for that loaf of french bread...or *Cardamom Bread*. OMG. read more

Turtle Bread - Scone and a coffee for some sunny days. Great scone, tolerable coffee. - Bakeries Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

My husband and I were visiting from out of town and were doing some shopping in this neighborhood when we got hungry. An employee of one of the shops we were in recommended this place for their soups. We almost left when we saw how high the prices were. We couldn't believe how expensive everything was. But we were starving, so we decided to split a sandwich and each get our own soup. We paid around $18 for a sandwich and two cups of soup! The soups were delicious, but still not worth what we paid for them. The reuben sandwich was good, too, and came with a salad with a yummy dressing, but we still thought the price was too high for it. We also thought the two teenage boys who took our orders were kind of rude and lacking any sort of social skills required of someone working with the public. They obviously have not had any customer service training or simply don't care. They didn't seem to enjoy their jobs very much, either. They seemed very put out about having to take our order. At first, we thought that we might come back again because the soups were so good, but after reading the reviews by C. O. and Aaron H., I don't think we'll be back. That's just gross and horrible restaurant management! read more

During apple season, my mother used to bake 4-5 "fresh from scratch", butter apple pies a week. I am a VERY serious lover of pastry. The new baker Jessica is rare and outstanding. I feel Turtle Bread on Chicago Ave has earned my number one baker rating for the Twin Cities, Rochester, Duluth, Two Harbors, and towns down the Mississippi. They use excellent top quality chemical free ingredients. Pure butter, wonderous plump raisins, heavenly real whipped cream, and have the best bread (Strata bread) in the state -- amazing flavor. The staff are all great, portions generous, soups outstanding, quiche out of this world, brownies and key lime pie to truly die for. The best bran muffin I have ever found. I prefer this Turtle Bread to their other location in Edina. read more

Mediocre food and inexplicably slow service. While some of the soups can be okay, most of the rest of the food is disappointing, especially their very dry breads, cookies, and croissants. Come prepared for an extended wait if you make the mistake of ordering something coming out of the kitchen. They will take a while and time will slow down. All around, the place maxes out at *it's fine*, where I feel it's stayed for at least the last 10 years. It's convenient having a bakery in the neighborhood, but maybe a different one. read more

I actually ended up going here three times in two days because of a plant event happening at a neighboring business. We stopped in so I could grab a coffee before the event and used their restroom. Then after, we went back for lunch. I didn't eat then but the people I was with had the tomato soup and raved about it. The next day I went back to the same planting event cause I just couldn't get enough. Then went to turtle bread for some coffee and breakfast. I had one if the omelettes and it was awesome. I got breakfast potatoes on the side and shared the dish with my mom. There was plenty of food for both of us. You go to the counter, order and then they bring the food to you. Wait at the counter for specialty coffee. A regular cup of coffee is serve yourself at their station by where you pay :) read more

It's a bit expensive for a neighborhood cafe, but the food is fresh and good. I like coming here for midday meetings or talks with friends. The soups are exceptionally good, homemade and have large serving sizes. Their homemade bread is awesome. Its tempting to take a load home every few days. read more

Turtle Bread - Chicken and mushroom soup - Bakeries Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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The food is 5 star, but I get irritated that this place has been around long enough that they really need to do better with the recycling and organics (there is none even though they use compostable plates), and they can dress up their outside seating (it's just plain black outdoor tables with no flowers, etc.). The inside is cute--kind of a market atmosphere. The staff is very matter-a-fact, and I really think they could do better making you feel like you were in a neighborhood bakery. I will go for the food, but I think they could do a little more for the environment--both the earth and the surroundings. read more

Yeah, no. We ordered a oatmeal raisin cookie and some sort of croissant pretzel. They were both inedible and we threw them away. This is our second time at this establishment. The first time was 5 years ago. Clearly, there won't be a 3rd visit. read more

This used to be a great place. However the service and the quality of food has dwindled significantly over the last year. The front staff also have difficulty taking orders adequately and have messed up my order several times to the point that I've had to return. I returned today to get my order redone for an order that they had previously not done correctly. When I arrived my food was not ready but when they retrieved it it was something that I did not even order and the person at the desk kept stating will this is what you ordered I told them know this was incorrect and then they finally agreed to fix the order of which was wrong again there were no managers available and just three young people Milling around the counter not really paying attention. It's sad how far this place has fallen read more

Came here for lunch - my two friends ordered food right before me but I got a call so I stepped away for about 2 minutes. I got up to the register after my call and ordered a caesar salad. I was told they were not serving food anymore because they stop at 2:30....it was 2:28 and my friends ordered food mere minutes before. I almost thought it was a joke but they were serious. My friends didn't even have their food yet so clearly someone was still working in the kitchen. I ended up ordering a piece of chocolate cake which was dry and not good. Wouldn't recommend. read more

I have been going to Turtle Bread once a week for 2 years now. Up until this weekend the only bad things I would have to say about them would be the inexperienced and uncaring staff and the high prices for small portions. Still, it didn't stop me from going in once a week for their yummy soup. Until 2 days ago. It was a busy Saturday and i was waiting in line watching everyone. I watched as a woman cleared a table and brought the food back behind the counter. She then proceeded to pour the bowl of eaten soup BACK INTO THE POT OF FRESH SOUP. She even used the customers spoon to scrape the bowl clean. After she cleared the bowl she then proceeded to take the bread that was on the dirty plate and put it back into the tub they have of cu- up bread for soup. This is cross-contamination and it is just plain disgusting. I cannot believe they are so cheap that they feel the need to reuse soup and bread that clearly somebody had eaten part of. Did they think I wouldn't notice!?! This isn't the first time I have experienced less-than-stellar practices at Turtle Bread. A few months ago we had ordered a BLT and after three bites realized it came without the "T". For a $9.00 sandwich I am going to tell someone about this. Instead of making us a new sandwich, or bringing us a plate of sliced tomatoes, they took the eaten sandwich back into the kitchen (which is CROSS-CONTAMINATION) and added the tomatoes. This place is gross. The 15 year-olds who bus tables here clearly haven't been told the laws regarding food safety. Or maybe they have and the owner is just too cheap to care. read more

I live nearby and wanted to love this place, but after visiting the establishment a few times the service has always been horrendous - and the staff look as if they wore their pajamas to work. The place needs a thorough cleaning. Yuck. So many other options available in the neighborhood. read more

I think a few more visits to Turtle Bread would be required to give it a fairer rating, but I just had to let the world know about their tomato basil soup. It's that yummy, including the fresh slice of bread that comes with it. On the not-so-delicious side, the atmosphere is much more austere than I expected. It still seems like a great neighborhood cafe, but not necessarily cozy. It could be a totally different feel when full of people weekending on Saturday morning, but I was there late afternoon. They serve meal-meals only until mid-afternoon, and after that it's just baked goods, soup and quiche. Additionally, they serve Pizza Biga take-and-bake pizzas and frozen pizza crust. read more

I had a quick lunch here and it was phenomenal! I'm vegetarian and it's a rare occurrence when I have too many options to chose from....this place almost sent me into sensory overload. Even though I didn't get soup, I was amazed to see that 6 of the 7 soups on the board were vegetarian (3 were even vegan). The menu had both hot and cold sandwiches that were vegetarian (multiple options for each) and I settled on the Margarita Sandwich, which is basically a capresi salad on bread, which came with a fresh side salad. The sandwich was incredible and the salad, with it's simplicity, was great as well. I can't wait to go back again to try some new things! read more

Super bread choice. One of best breakfast stops. Counter staff always get it right. Try their recommendations.

Mmmmm.. the joy of the $4 Cupcake. I love Turtle Bread food the same way I love Russell + Hazel stationary. It's so delicious, but the atmosphere, and prices, kind of make me feel a little more Edina than I am ever personally comfortable feeling. That is partially why I'd much rather go to the one on Chicago than the one in Southwest. Also, it's right next to the Pumphouse Creamery, so you can follow up with more calories. My favorite are the soups and the chicken pasta salad with tons of crap in it. The normal bread isn't my favorite in the city, but the chocolate bread is a-mazing. read more

I've been coming to this Turtle Bread Co for years as a place to sit and chat with friends over a pastry and a cup of coffee, a place to brainstorm with co-workers over lunch, or a place to just bring my laptop or a book and enjoy some solitude with an iced chai before grabbing a loaf of bread and some soup to take home for dinner. The atmosphere is large and airy and very casual. As you sit among giant bags of flour with large jugs of olive oil on display, you might watch a baker pipe frosting onto some cupcakes, see a momma-baby group discuss their babies' milestones, or listen to a group of kids from Field Community School play board games. For breakfast, they have delicious omelettes (I like the Greek omelette), frittatas and quiche, as well as pancakes, chocolate french toast and plenty of pastries. Many of the breakfast items come with greens or potatoes; their potatoes are amazing! For lunch, they have a variety of soups and sandwiches, all of which feature their delicious breads! Their grilled cheese sandwich is made with the perfect crispy bread and has a great blend of melty, gooey cheeses. For dinner, you can do their Biga Pizza option (dine in or buy an uncooked pizza to go) or on a cold or lazy night, just grab a container of soup from their refrigerator case with a loaf of bread for dipping! Yum! And keep coming back! read more

Holy crap I love the spice buns, can't get enough of them. The rest of the bread and baked items are yummy as well. I've had a few of the soups, which were pleasing, but haven't yet ventured to the sandwich arena. The frozen pizzas from Pizza Biga next door are delicious! I'd highly recommend them. This is a good place for groups, and it can get a little loud during meal times. I like the wide open, working dining area, but it may be chaotic for some people. I work across the street, so I come here on a regular basis and I'm glad it's available to me! So, prices are a little spendy and the coffee isn't good at all, but you gotta stop in and at least get a treat once if you live in the neighborhood. read more

I really enjoy eating at Turtle Bread Co. I have never had a bad meal when I come here. Can I just say that I love how mostly everything, except when the food is delivered to your table, is self-service? I don't mind that at all, whereas some people do. Yay to FREE COFFEE REFILLS!! You can even take some to go. Today, I went there for Mother's Day, celebrating with my husband and his mother. Thankfully, when we arrived, it wasn't particularly crowded; however, we knew to get there early enough before the big rush started. We got into the place, found a place to sit in the smaller dining room area adjacent to the main dining room, and then went to place our order. Mother-in-law ordered a quiche with a side of chicken sausage and thoroughly enjoyed her food, especially the sausage. The hubs and I both ordered the smoked salmon Benedict, mine with salad, his with potatoes. He also ordered a side of bacon. The bacon was kinda shriveled up, but it was good enough for the Hub. It was the first time I and my husband had the salmon Benedict, and we really enjoyed it! Super delish! The salmon was interspersed with spinach, which was a pleasant surprise. The egg and salmon were not atop an English muffin, rather, a thick piece of buttery Texas toast was the base for these. I don't know if the Hollandaise sauce or toast was infused with lemon or if fresh lemon juice was squeezed over the salmon, but the hint of lemon was just the right amount of acid needed to cut through the richness of the egg and Hollandaise sauce. Everyone was full and happy by the time we were through. Their food choices are always yummy, and service has always been good when we've gone. I will be back as per usual! Gotta get something sweet next time. :) Tips: Again, best time to go is during the early morning. We got there today between 9:30 a.m. and 10 and had plenty of space to breathe. Park on the side of the restaurant or in front if you can. read more

Turtle Bread - Smoked salmon benedict with salad greens on the side. YES!!!! - Bakeries Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I am surprised by the low reviews here! This place is huge compared to other local bakeries/cafes that have a snaking line through the five existing tables. I am guessing that's why some people find it a little loud, but I find it sort of refreshing for a group brunch. It's nice to not be able to make out the full details of a neighbor's previous night out! I live down the block, so I stop by often. As the restaurant's name suggests, the bread is amazing, as are the quiches, muffins, dessert bars, and any kind of pie. The potato rolls, blueberry rhubarb pie, and banana walnut muffins are repeat offenders in my book. Turtle bread always has a large selection of soups available, many vegan and/or gluten-free, which is nice for a restricted eater. The vegan soups are also constantly changing, which is great. I'm used to the "minestrone option," which gets pretty old. I strongly recommend the garbanzo spinach soup! I take any visitor to eat here, and I always grab a bag of muffins and bread before I head out of town for the weekend. Do not miss their to-go and freezer cases by the cash register, where you can pick up pints of their soups and frozen pizzas and pizza dough. read more

Service was good and relatively quick even though it was busy when I came in. I ordered a grilled cheese. The sandwich they gave me looked like what I'd expect from a chain restaurant's kids menu, at twice the price. I'm not a germaphobe but as other reviewers have mentioned, having the bread and pastries out in baskets that anyone can put their unwashed hands all over grosses me out. I guess it's slightly more convenient than keeping them behind a counter but doesn't seem worth the health risk. read more

Awesome bread, of course. But also amazing sandwiches. The Rueben is killer. And the cookies. Almost too big. Almost! read more

Turtle Bread - Bakeries Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I've been here many times and tend to really enjoy it. Their salmon eggs benedict are outstanding. I always took visitors here and met friends for lunch. But then yesterday I got food poisoning, which am certain came from eating one of their deli cooler tuna fish sandwiches. I am talking food poisoning where you vomit for 7 hours. I called to let them know, and the woman I spoke with sounded surprised and let me know she hadn't heard from anyone else that it had happened. And that was it. I would expect a little more response after what I went through all night from eating the food. I don't think I'll be going back. read more

Great key lime cheesecake, fresh bread and a wonderful local bakery to support. The display case hosts a variety of delicious products.

I like Turtle Bread for baked goods, especially pies. But the food for dining has always been just alright for the price. It's a neat location with cool (but limited) patio seating on 48th and Chicago and a unique shared table dining room and is pretty busy, especially weekends. I guess I wish they would just step their game up with food, it doesn't meet expectations for me. I've had omelettes with little flavor, expensive mediocre coffee and a variety of just "so so" sandwiches. We do enjoy ordering a pie for thanksgiving though, they are about $20, huge size and really good! I would go a lot more if they compared to other cafe style places to eat in S Mpls. They're definitely a staple for the area but unfortunately doesn't do much for me...Classic case of the most annoying term on Yelp, "I wanted to love this place but...." read more

Good bread/baked goods to go spot. Breakfast sandwich was very good. I was a little disappointed that the lunch menu ends at 2:00pm. But overall some good gluten free options as well (good cookies). read more

Oh, Turtle Bread Company...what happened to you? I was once wooed by your quaint mismatched chairs, hearty soups and quirky cast of characters reading their NYTimes...but my latest experience this past weekend left me feeling dissatisfied. And also. broke. My husband and I wanted to grab a quick brunch before a day of errands, and were too impatient to wait the 40 minutes at Victor's 1959 Cafe, so we headed to Turtle Bread since it was on the way. The food was completely disappointing, dull and unseasoned. I ordered an asparagus and goat cheese frittata which was cold and completely forgettable. My husband ordered a breakfast sandwich that was literally buttered white bread cut diagonally with a sad egg inside it. We also each ordered a latte, which took forever to make, and tasted watery. So, two crappy breakfasts, two lattes and one loaf of bread that we took home (which was the star of the whole experience) set us back $30. I left feeling disappointed and annoyed, but mostly at myself. We should have known better. We should have waited the 40 minutes at Victor's. I guess it's a great place to pick up literal loaves of bread, do some people watching and find flyers for local yoga classes and nanny's...but the food itself? Save your calories for one of the dozens of better brunch/breakfast places at the Twin Cities. read more

I love Turtle Bread. I love the soups, I love the desserts, I love the bread. Most of all I love the big community tables that people share on the weekends. Yes, I said community tables. For those a little less adventurous there are plenty of small tables for two. But if you are feeling friendly and want to meet the locals, Turtle Bread is the place to be. Its a place to laugh and get to know your neighbors. Its a place to pour over the Sunday Paper, The Onion, or the City Pages. It is also a great place to be if you are having a meeting or need a place to study or work with free wireless. Bottom Line: The atmosphere alone is enough to get people to want to come back, but the food really is amazing. Go for breakfast, you won't be disappointed. read more

I really like to support local business instead of the franchise places -- so I gave Turtle Bread a try. I've never ordered and eaten in, so this review is based on carry out. Atmosphere or ambiance: I don't get the funky, "hey, we're a bakery and we have piles of flour bags, and all our shelves are open." The place is just messy and cluttered. I don't need to see the inner workings of your business. Handmade signs? I guess nothing says, "we're casual, funky and arty. But, to me, it says, "we just don't care. Can't find the plastic silverware, here's a sign with a big arrow pointing to it." And the stuffed animals behind the cashier -- seriously? They look dirty. Clean it up. Place seems a little run-down. I stopped in early one morning to grab something on my way to work -- sure, it's winter and you need floor mats, but geez, have your cleaning crew vacuum them sometime. Especially the one in front of the bakery case. It's not too appetizing to have a dirty, icky floor. Cleanliness is pretty important in the food service biz. Service: nice kids, but kind of sloooooow. In the morning, it's important to get people on their way quickly. Lackluster, at best. Prices: For self-service, I'd expect lower prices. Their rolls, danish {these are HUGE and serve two handily}, croissants are delish, but oy vey, pretty pricey. And if you're getting a dozen to treat everyone, better bring a credit card. How about slightly smaller Danish at a lower price. I will say that the whole apple pie that I purchased one weekend was really the best I've ever had. Almost as good as homemade. read more

In disbelief about the abysmal service my last few visits here, I came to yelp hoping that my experiences were just happenstance. Unfortunately, I echo others' comments about the poor service. Food is usually decent to good, when it arrives warm and when you get what you ordered. One of my experiences was so bad, I emailed the owner who was very understanding and sent a gift certificate and offered to refund my meal. When I returned to use the gift card (and then some), the person who served me last time, refused to serve me again! So instead of providing feedback directly, I'm here leaving a review. If you go, adjust your expectations in advance to make the experience more enjoyable. read more

I've been to Turtle Bread for breakfast, lunch dinner and dessert...and just about everything else in between. They're usually packed, and often you'll have to share a table with another group of people. The breads, pastries and cookies are great. I have a sweet tooth, and Turtle Bread always fills my need. The meals are good, although not large in portion. The coffee is strong, and I love the treat of a fresh squeezed juice. There are plenty of coffee shops in South Minneapolis. Somehow I always end up at this one. read more

Great pumpkin bars. Reasons why I don't care much for Turtle Bread Co: -Consistently crabby and rude staff (not all, but most) -Weak breakfast menu -Self-serve, single-serve coffee I want to like this place... @brody_612 read more

Reliably delicious artisanal bread. Also good sandwiches and baked goodies. Parking on the street can be tight at times but worth the short walk. read more

Love this place! The cherry and raspberry pie slices are delicious! So are the breads including chocolate bread & striato rolls. The bug peanut butter and chocolate chunk cookie is my fav. It's not too crispy or soft, the perfect in between. The staff here are very nice and wear masks too. read more

Love the open, airy atmosphere. Easy to meet people or groups - and the self-service option for food and coffee is lovely. Granted I did find the prices a little exorbitant, but at least the company was nice. And I'm equally frightened by the review by Aaron H. I'm thinking that it's a good idea I don't witness that, or let alone learn after the fact that happened with my food. read more

Let me start by saying that I REALLY want to like this place. It's within walking distance of my house, they have a wonderful breakfast and lunch menu and they serve their breakfast items until 2:00. But, their service is just horrible. Of the dozen or so times that my husband and I have been here, they have gotten our orders wrong more times then they have gotten it right. And I'm not talking about difficult orders, I'm talking about 1 substitution per order (like taking the slice of cheddar cheese off of the Eggs Benedict, or substituting mushrooms in an omelet instead of green peppers). The staff is more rude, disconnected and uncaring then not, with the exception of a couple of people who actually know something about customer service, and will look you in the eye. The only reason we keep giving this place a second, third and fourth chance, is because the food is SUPER good. But, we always have to give ourselves time to recuperate from the terrible service before we can go back again! I just don't think that the good outweighs the bad on this restaurant. I don't want to have to prepare myself mentally to go grab a bite to eat in my own neighborhood. I think we will switch over to Sun Street Breads and call it a day. read more

I really enjoyed the french toast, and the strawberry dipping sauce that came with it was even better. I normally don't like fruit with my breakfast food, but it was sooo good. I only gave 3 stars though because the food was good, but nothing to spectacular!! It is a really nice spot though!!! I highly recommend. read more

I use to LOVE having lunch/breakfast at Turtle Bread, and do not get me wrong, their soups/food are still pretty awesome! However, as of late, the service is in need of some dire help and this has left a pretty bad taste in my mouth. I work in a very customer serviced orientated industry, so I expect nothing but great service, especially from local joints, as this is what keeps people coming back. The Turtle on Chicago Ave, multiple times now, has given me a very lackluster experience. You have people standing up front behind the counter talking and not paying attention to the line that is forming, you have orders never making it to their tables (Yes, this did happen to us as we waited over 45mins for our breakfast one morning and when we asked, they had lost our order - we promptly asked for a refund), not to mention at first sight it would appear this place is run by 16yr olds (nothing against hard working teenagers, but really?) I think its time Turtle Bread peeks its head out of its shell, and takes a look around at the deteriorating service. read more

This place was yummy. Lots to chose from and breakfast till 2:30pm daily. We had the ham & cheese Benedict and a lemon bar. The lemon bar was to cold at first, but got better as it warmed up. read more

Well, yeah, not bad. Wanted to go to Zumbro Cafe, but they are closed on Mondays....booo....had a sub for the day cuz of a doctor's appointment in the morning, and was with Timothy...so had a nice day away by the lakes... SO Turtle bread it was....we shared a chicken florentine soup with bread, and I got some pate. We got some baguettes to go because I have a breakfast potluck later in the week.. It was a great day outside...except for listening to the annoying stay- at-home mom's complain about their kid's teachers ad naseum....yeah...well-they should try teaching...kids are seriously crazy. Anyway. It was Ok. Yeah. Ok. read more