I went to Union Special Friday around noon. There were people at maybe two tables when I arrived, and I was first in line & helped right away. Paris was amazing, she gave me the run down of some of their most popular menu items. I ordered the Union Special Breakfast Sandwich , a Honey Lavender Latte & a Twice Baked Pecan Croissant. Everything was absolutely delicious. It's hard to find a really great lavender latter, but no longer, it was perfect. The croissant was like nothing I've ever tasted, every bite amazing. The Union Special was definitely that. It's a scrambled egg, fontina cheese, hash brown & romesco (roasted red pepper hummus) sandwiched between their spectacular freshly made brioche bun. So many people were coming in shortly after I arrived. I sat and worked there for about an hour and a half and it was pretty steady!!! There's maybe 5 tables inside, with a really long high top bar up against the window with seating for about 10 - 12 people. There's also several tables outside on their patio. I love that their bakery is visible through a window, they do some amazing work in there! I'll definitely be back. read more

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Food: Was yummy! I got the Chai Latte iced. It was perfectly spiced and not watered down. The spiced were well strained or finely ground, so there was no gritty taste or overly spices settling to the bottom. It was smooth and creamy. The Strawberry Danish was good as well. Flaky croissant twist with savory sweet cream and sweet fresh strawberries in the middle. Only con would be to have a more filling of the cream and strawberries compared to the croissant twist. But still good to have as a quick breakfast or snack for later. I also got the chicken sandwich too! Would highly recommend that. You get a fried chicken cutlet topped with melted American cheese, on a bed of shredded lettuce and cucumber. It came out piping hot. It was crispy, crunchy, savory, but with the fresh veggies it gave it a slight freshness to it as well. It was well balanced. Ambiance: it's a great brunch place and quiet for just doing some work as well. I wouldn't say it's a study place or office/bookish place as it is a bit echo-y and the seating is not soft and comfy. But for a quick bite and brunch during a work lunch break, this is your spot. Maybe a great place for first casual day date! Lol Service: everyone was friendly and service was quick. You order and the counter, they give you a number and bring your food to you. Overall no problems or concerns! Overall I would go there again if I'm in the area. The location is a bit out of my way and can be difficult to navigate if it's your first time. The roads rear off to another many times. So be sure to keep and eye on the road and the signs. The hours of operation was a bit hard for me as I tried to get there before my work at 8am but they don't open till 8am and then they close right before business hours end as well so had to get there before 3pm too. So I can see why they may be a quiet place most of the time. But if you get there and go the food and drinks are good. read more

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Great service, helpful when I asked about their food. Had an iced latte and vegetarian sandwich. Sandwich was fresh and delicious. Highly reccomend. read more

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Baby's first coffee date meet up! I got a caramel latte and ham & Swiss croissant, service was amazing and shared all his favorite menu items which helps make my decision. read more

Union Special - Ham & Swiss Croissant and Strawberry Croissant - Bakeries Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I ordered online and upon arrival, my food was ready to go. I got two items since I couldn't decide. This space was perfect and cozy for the rainy weather. The service was great, and they even made the best recommendations for drinks. I like Matcha, but I'm hesitant if I don't make it. The Matcha Lemonade she recommended was perfect. I'll be back especially for that. Great service. Great location. Great food and drinks. read more

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Tucked away bakery with varied baked goods, breakfast and lunch items as well. The pecan butter for the toast was plentuful (however I would recommend a different vessel for the to go option as the oil fron the butter seeped through the container, then the bag, to my car carpet.) The flaky cinnamon roll had great texture. read more

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First, I'm going to say that I'm a huge coffee snob so please don't let this sway you but I wasn't crazy about my lavender honey latte; however, the pecan croissant?! Oh my stars!!! I will be back for more plus seeing other sandwiches that people ordered...yep. I think I'll be back for the food and maybe try another latte the next time! I'll keep you all posted! The space was busy but not in an overwhelming way. People were in and out! I loved how you could actually see the spot where they make their bread and pastries! read more

Union Special - Pastry goodies to go! - Bakeries Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I wish I lived closer but this is a great spot to go to. I got a Cuban sandwich, vegan cookie sandwich, and a cafe au lait with honey lavender. The vegan cookie sandwich was amazing and one of the best I've had. It was a firm cookie but also chewy when you bit into it and the frosting inside was tasty. read more

Union Special - Cuban - Bakeries Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Loved this place! Coffee and chocolate croissant totally hit the spot (would have been better warmed a bit)! Tons of seating (even outside seating for people with pups)! All staff that I encountered was great! And stayed for awhile to get stuff done on my laptop with their great wifi! read more

Awesome food. Great breakfast sandwich. Love their bread, have had it at other restaurants but this was my first time at their location. One of the best breakfast sandwiches in the area. Coffee was good too! read more

Union Special - Union egg sandwich - Bakeries Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Odd, experience at best, dismissive at the worst. We arrived and received no welcome greeting from any employee, even though two were present behind the counter. We stood in line for two or three minutes while one employee had a lengthy conversation with the customer in line before us. Please note, they were not having a sandwich, bread, or breakfast conversation. Once again, without a single word or greeting being uttered to us. And that would continue as we turned and exited the establishment. After patiently waiting at the counter and being ignored. While I'm not sure if it was a lack of customer service training, some indifference, or the culture of that establishment. Either way, I am unlikely to return or recommend this place to anyone due to the poor service received. read more

I've tried this place in other restaurants as they sell their baked goods in coffee shops around Raleigh. So I wanted to stop in. I ordered the BEC (bacon egg and cheese). Their specialty is their breads especially sourdough. So I had it on sourdough. It was delicious and flavorful. The sourdough was divine and the Gouda was gooda . (You see what I did there ) . I want to return to try some of the specialty breads which they sell on specific days. They also have a seasonal pumpkin waffle which I'd like to try. Service was good and it has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Nice ambiance. I definitely have to come back to try some of the delicious breads. read more

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Love having breakfast at Union Special when we can. The coffee and pastries are always tasty; the breakfasts are wonderfully filling and delicious. The hoecakes surprised me (not hotcakes, I also did a double take at the menu) but the sausage was a little spicier than I was looking for at this visit. Service is usually fine and I hope to come back in time for a baguette next time. read more

Union Special - Salmon Benedict - Bakeries Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Everything was great - fast, clean, friendly & yummy! The union breakfast sandwich is the best!

I tried this place out for the first time today... 10/10 coffee shop and bakery!! I got the honey lavender latte with house made syrup and the pecan twist croissant. It was really good with definitely be back again. read more

I'm obsessed after my visit! They have a small, but delicious menu that I had a very difficult time choosing from. I ended up going with the union special egg sandwich (sauce on the side). This sandwich has egg, cheese, and hash brown on a deliciously toasted potato roll. The sandwich was incredible! I also had a seasonal basil green tea lemonade, which was one of the best lemonades I've ever had-- so refreshing on a hot summer day! The baked goods looked so yummy, but I just picked up a bag of homemade croutons for my husband. The service was incredibly kind and helpful and the restaurant itself is so cute! You simply must go. read more

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Tried a couple sandwiches here including the turkey melt and BLT sandwich. Both were very tasty! The shop also had some outdoor picnic tables that you can sit at and cute indoor area. read more

Union Special - BLT Sandwich - Bakeries Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I've been wanting to try Union Special for a while, so I thought it'd be the perfect place to grab lunch to-go this week. I placed the order for pickup on Doordash and it was ready right on time! Overall their baked goods are what I would come back for (bread, cookies, pastries, etc). I had a few qualms with their sandwich and home fries. We ordered the turkey melt and BLT, but we got two turkey melts instead. The sandwich was a tad soggy/greasy (sometimes hard to avoid with to-go orders), I couldn't taste any apple, and the roasted tomato aioli was a bit lacking in flavor. The home fries had a nice dark color, but they were not crispy and lacked salt. However, both cookies we ordered were phenomenal. They were perfectly circular, crisp on the outside, with a chewy interior. The chocolate chip cookie was loaded with chocolate chips, and the blue corn cookie had such an interesting sweet yet savory flavor. I also tried the Videri chocolate croissant which, note to future self, do not eat in your car because it is messy and flakes everywhere. It had a nice buttery flavor but was a little dry for my liking - the chocolate filling was rich and ample. I will definitely be back to try more baked goods and give the sandwiches another try! 6/10 s *Videri Chocolate Croissant *Blue Corn Cookie *Chocolate Chip Cookie *Turkey Melt: turkey breast, gruyere cheese, bacon, apple cabbage slaw, roasted tomato aioli *Home Fries read more

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The best croissants in the South. Loaded hash brown dish is a banger. Friendly staff and owners.

I like coming here but my one big let down is that they don't replenish the bread or anything else. I'll drive there and then they say oh we ran out of(WELL, why didn't you replenish??) Other places constantly fill in more when things run out. Another thing is we bake certain things certain days...I can't keep up with my own schedule let alone this. We only make muffins on weekends...you know? The biscuits are great with egg and bacon. The espresso is not real-it's one of those pods.. read more

The food is always good. The service is a bit up-and-down. The breakfast bowls are big and have a restaurant/gourmet field. I really like the New York style crumb cake the best the cookies seem very flat and flaccid which is strange because when the guy who started union special was at The chocolate/black and white as a pop-up shop before they got the real place. He had his cookies there and they were large plump and delicious like a Reuben painting . The coffee is pretty much consistent and on point and would be a step above a third wave coffee joint. read more

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More reconnaissance for our imminently arriving out-of-towners, I headed to Gateway Plaza inside the belt line for some breakfast & catering research. US's blue corn cookie is like a cross between Boston Market sweet cornbread and a Wegman's Snickerdoodle. Such a unique flavor, I can already imagine them on a fall-themed charcuterie board. I tried their Chai Tea Latte and it was genuinely well crafted and peppery. I'm told they make their own Chai in house and it shows. No knocking Starbucks, but this is better. A note on the Videri chocolate croissant, a large online order claimed the last one for the day right in front of me and it was barely 10am. While the cookies are made all day, they say it's best to pre-order the croissants, to be safe. It's a multi-day process to mix and proof them, they have competing wholesale orders, and they don't keep any ready-to-bake. I don't know what the solution is, but hopefully the owners can develop a better method of keeping enough baked goods inventory in stock to serve in-person customers without it leading to food waste. Friendly service, cute interior, and happy & spacious sail-shaded outdoor seating. read more

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Loved what we had and love the ambiance. Only wished there had been a few more fruit & veggie food choices.

I ordered a Cuban sandwich. I took one bite and noticed the whole sandwich tasted like garlic. I opened up the sandwich and there was a whole clove of garlic and their menu doesn't even state that it comes with garlic. What upset me most is when I brought it to the attention of one of the male employees. I ask if the sandwich is supposed to have garlic in it because they should advertise in case people are allergic. He said he didn't know. I told him what it happened and he didn't care and I could not eat the rest of the sandwich because the whole thing reeked of garlic, and so did my mouth . I just don't like the way I was treated. read more

Great bread! Also great breakfast sandwiches and grits. Usually add a fried egg to the grits and their home made hot sauce. Go check em out.

The double pecan croissant was fantastic! Highly recommend, the staff was kind and helpful!

One of the best places to get a bite in the triangle! Good chai, good food and baked goods! Quality feels healthy yet indulgent at the same time. I feel the prices are very fair. Good vibe too. Have been coming for 3 years now and never disappointed! read more

The union special egg/hash brown sandwich was decent, but a bit plain. I also recommend the hash brown at least on the side, with the option to add it yourself later. It was a bit too salty, and despite seeming to be freshly fried it lacked flavor and texture. The sauce was a bit too sweet, but the brioche was pretty standard in a good way. If you're willing to pay a few extra bucks for an elevated breakfast sandwich, this might be your place. But I thought it was decent. read more

For those who enjoy a cozy place for a quick bite, this is your place. It is easy to find, it's nice inside, staff is very friendly and there is plenty of free parking. The menu has a lot to offer, and they make all of their bread inhouse. I had the tomato soup and grilled cheese with turkey, and it was really good. 100% recommended. read more

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I was looking for a breakfast sandwich and found this place. There were some interesting options on the menu, but I was there for one thing ... The Union Egg Sandwich. I customized mine a bit by adding the bacon and asking for the hash browns on the side. The whole thing landed perfectly in my belly ... and I was quite pleased. I would definitely return. read more

Came for breakfast and had a great meal here. I tried some food and a bunch of pastries: + Union egg sandwich (amazing) and upgraded to side of potatoes (perfect) + Monkey bread + Lemon bar + Blue corn cookie + Strawberry tahini cake + Cinnamon roll + Chocolate croissant + Cold brew The best pastries were the monkey bread and lemon bar, followed by the blue corn cookie. Everything was great though! They also have indoor and outdoor seating. read more

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I have only begun to experience this place, but all I have to say is the expertise here is amazing! We stopped at an off hour on a Saturday afternoon. We weren't even hungry, but were passing nearby and I had read enough reviews to want to finally check the place out. At the off hour we were there it was pretty much looking like pick from the pastries that were on the shelves. Fine with us. Chose two ham and cheese, a chocolate pastry and a cinnamon bun. Paid. Boxed up and took home for dinner. Snack time came around first and we shared the sweet ones. Wow! Were we in Paris? Or that favorite bakery in Canada? Delicately layered pastry perfection! Excellent chocolate. The cinnamon "bun" was way lighter and flakier than any I had ever experienced before. And just the right amount of sweetness to them both. Later we each had our ham and cheese. Both agreed the "ham" was more like pork bbq. The cheese part had come out completely but was clinging to the sides. Only a small part of it had filling. The rest was plain good flakiness. Cannot wait to go back and try other items. I've seen on Instagram some of the amazing meals being offered. Great things are happening here for sure. The quality couldn't be better! read more

Union Special - Chocolate, Cinnamon Bun & two ham & cheese - Bakeries Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

The Union Special nails breakfast! The moment you walk in, the airy atmosphere draws the heat and humidity out of you. This isn't your typical breakfast spot; it's a little different. Count me as a fan of the counter service--I appreciate the casual vibe it brings. In terms of food, the Union Egg Sandwich was eggselent and the cold brew coffee was just as tasty as it was caffeinated. If we're splitting hairs, a smile and some friendliness from the staff could truly make this place the local go-to neighborhood breakfast spot it's so well positioned to become. read more

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Came to this location from downtown because of the reviews on Eater and Yelp. We lucked out and just beat the crowd. The lines get very long, so guessing timing is everything. Opted for the union Union Egg Sandwich. This was excellent! Must get! I added bacon to it as well. It was tasty and had everything you want in a breakfast sandwich. They give you a little side salad to make yourself feel better about indulging in such goodness. Finished it with a cinnamon bun. It was ok, looked better than it tasted. It was a bit dry and not really moist or soft. I'd opt for something different. Unless you like dry cinnamon buns. read more

Union Special - Union Egg Sandwich - Bakeries Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I've only been to this restaurant once, but I really enjoyed it! I had a BLT and it was well prepared with crispy bacon, nicely browned toast, and quality tomatoes. I also got a croissant and a piece of crumb cake for my husband (his favorite type of cake) and both pastries were delicious. The service was good and reasonably fast and the outdoor seating was great for a warm spring day. I plan to eat here again! read more

Union Special - BLT Sandwich - Bakeries Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Best bread and sandwiches. Staff and owner are amazing. Their breakfast is always good too.

Great sandwiches and the bakery items are solid. The specials always hit and are great options that I wish were permanent at times.

We love this place but today, well , idk what happened?? Got the turkey melt but there was almost no turkey and the cheese was so over done it was burned and so hard you couldn't eat it. Not sure what went wrong today but you have great food please don't let that standard go down like so many other places in the triangle read more

Union Special - Burnt cheese and turkey - Bakeries Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I'm updating my review for Union Special because I now go literally every week. This place is THE BEST! My son is obsessed with their kids waffle and I appreciate the price break they give on the kids items. My husband's go to continues to be their breakfast sandwich. He refuses to order anything else because he loves the combo of the romesco sauce, hashbrown, egg, cheese, and adds in bacon goodness. I always switch it up and have tried most of the menu. One of my favorites is when they have oatmeal on special. I hope they add it to the regular menu. I continue to enjoy the yogurt, pancakes, random tasty specials, chicken bacon ranch salad, etc etc. I want to try their new roast beef sandwich they added to the menu and need to head in later in the day when they do the burger special. We generally go Sunday mornings and if you go early it is kid city! I also will work from there and it's a great low key atmosphere to get some work done. Currently they are doing online ordering and curbside pick up. Support them! They are a true gem! read more

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Food was alright. The service is what really made this experience not so great, it did not feel very welcoming, and the staff almost appeared to annoyed by the customers and not very helpful when being asked questions. The inside and outside eating areas were clean. Pretty disappointed I didn't have a better experience. read more