While feeding and tending to sourdough starters brought a brief respite during quarantine, it might be time to leave it to the professionals (at least for a while). Visit these local bakeries found all across the metro area and into the suburbs. Let’s continue spoiling ourselves with bread when we do not have the time or energy to bake it at home.
by Alicia Banaszewski
Sun Street’s Kingfield sourdough starter is fed lactic acid instead of acetic to provide a more buttery and less “sour” taste. Other notable items to grab while ordering: artisanal animal crackers, pasties, farmstead rye bread, and challah is available on Fridays only.
French bakery Patisserie 46 offers two variants to traditional sourdough. The olive sourdough is a whole wheat loaf with kalamata olives and thyme and on Saturday. Also tempting is the walnut and black currant studded loaf.
Black Walnut’s country sourdough is offered daily, with focaccia, croissant loaves, and pan au laits offered on weekends. Be sure to snag a sweet treat and a cup of coffee on your way out.
Baker’s Field’s bread is all naturally leavened without commercial yeast. The bakery offers a variety of different types as well as freshly milled flours and grains for when the baking urge strikes again. For $6, buy a “neighbor loaf” and it will be donated to it The Food Group.
Honey & Rye has sourdough, plus quick breads, treats, pie, and more. There’s even a sourdough starter just in case yours met an untimely demise. Honey & Rye Bakhouse [Official]
In St. Louis Park, 48-hour notice is required to score Honey & Rye’s sourdough, baguette, or multigrain via special order. Pantry items like flour, yeast, butter, and $5 sourdough starter are available for purchase as well. There is a second Honey & Rye location in the North Loop’s Graze food hall with a walk-up window for street side ordering.
Dark (bauernbrot) and white sourdough are available daily at this German bakery in Northeast. It is, unsurprisingly, a crime to leave without a pretzel or two in hand.
Alma Cafe has continued to provide provisions offerings available for curbside pickup. Among 4 oz. containers of brown butter, Za’atar, and even seasoned duck fat, the house sourdough has a touch of creme fraiche for a supple tang.
For a gluten-free and vegan loaf, Sift has the goods. Available Friday through Sunday this sourdough is egg-free, soy-free, tree nut-free, and peanut-free. Pick up some frozen pizza dough for easy-to-assemble weeknight dinners.
Crusty bread with a tender chew Soloman’s Bakery/Facebook
Solomon’s Bakery is a family-owned business that specializes in African and Caribbean bread and sweet treats. Available at the Mill City Farmers Market on the weekend or for pickup at the New Brighton location.
Laune Bread is naturally leavened with sourdough culture. A pop-up bakery and subscription, Laune is also available to preorder and pick up at the Lake Nokomis Farmer’s Market.
Turtle Bread’s sourdough and sourdough rye loaves are gems in a swarm of other tempting treats: dinner rolls, pan loaves, and sweet breads abound at three locations in Longfellow, Linden Hills, and on Chicago Avenue.
Brake Bread has the Woody Guthrie’s guitar of ovens Brake Bread/Facebook
This Union Park establishment sells sourdough loaves for $5.50 on Saturday and Sunday, as well as PB & Bacon dog treats for furry friends. Have a beer to soak up the last bit of patio season and leave with a loaf.
Brake Bread in St. Paul started as a community-supported bakery in 2014. It has grown into a full time bakery on West 7th street offering a weekly or biweekly subscription available for pickup from a variety of locations or for those in the delivery zone. All deliveries by bike.
Pick up a baguette and some lunch from Trung Nam in St. Paul. Closed on Sundays and open 8-1 PM the rest of the week, the $4.50 bahn mi is more than worth the trip. Just remember to bring cash.
Focaccia is available to order online, along with cheeses, spreads, sauces, and spice mixes from this cafe in St. Paul. The bread is dimpled and salt-topped. Dué also sports a window for curbside take away.
Stillwater’s Bread Art bakes an old-world loaf that boasts a light sourdough taste made from a starter that’s over ten years old. The menu offers a wide variety of bread and on Mini Monday many are made in diminutive size, a great opportunity to try multiple flavors.
White Bear Lake’s homey Grandma’s Bakery may be known for its custom cakes and sweets, but both locations also offer seven varieties of fresh loaves in one or two pound sizes.