This place. The food is supreme. The staff today? Not at all. Ordered a sandwich directly on their website, paid for it and they were closing at the pick up time I was messaged back. Young woman was incredibly rude. The young man explained they had a crazy day and what was happening for them. He was helpful and friendly. She was talking over him, yelling in my ear and told me to leave. Over $18 and I wanted my money back. She told me I should use door dash when I suggested they update their website to not take orders when they are closed. Now I don't want to ever go there again. I will miss their good food and the previously good service. read more

I will never return. The food is starch, pastries, and potatoes. Starch is, as we all know, on the cheaper end of the food scale. Very little protein is served at this restaurant. I asked for two eggs, over easy, and bacon, a la carte. I maintain a keto diet. I received my meal (and the full invoice for) cubed potatoes/hash browns on the side, and the two eggs served over toast. I returned the entire plate to the grill staff directly, asking them to remove all starch. They were fantastic - substituted more bacon, added a salad and removed all starch. From the cashier's perspective, it seems this establishment specializes in serving cheap carbs and starch, and *by golly* (substitute your own phrase here...) this is what we do, this is what we do well, and we will not be derailed from our starch and carb mission. It gets worse: My friend paid cash - a few $5 bills, some $1's, and coins. The cashier took her money, and then immediately began taking food off the grill as it was set aside, to arrange it on some unsuspecting customer's plate. The cashier began working in the kitchen, directly with food, from the grill - after handling the money. NOT OK. Sanitary Issue. Warning, Warning. NOT OK. read more

LOVE. The service is okay. Nothing spectacular, but I waltzed in because I got to work early and had enough time for breakfast. So, when you walk in, it's set up just like a coffee shop. You line up and order at the cash register. They call you name when your drink(s) are ready and they bring your food to you. They also have the napkins, silverware, sugar, creamer and other things you need all in a self-service area. I ordered the buttermilk biscuit breakfast sandwich with sausage, a poached egg, tomatoes, and sauce. It was SOOOOOO good. The sausage tasted homemade and the biscuits were amazing! I washed it all down with a vanilla bean cold brew mixed with half & half. Loved it ALL. I must go back and try more! read more

The food is good if not a little bit pricey. The service is some of the slowest I've ever seen. Not to be mean but I think some of the employees might be high and they all seem really confused and mess up names. They only allow one or two people inside at the same time and you can't hear them say your name when you're outside so you have to keep coming in to check on your stuff or wait till some guy brings it out when it's cold and says the wrong name and takes it back inside. you guys really need to get a better system figured out, potentially a speaker outside so that people can actually hear when their orders are up instead of just letting them sit on the counter forever. 30 min wait for a coffee and sandwich to go....a little crazy read more

Baker & Commons is a lovely and cute little place in Elmwood that I love to come to start my Friday/weekend mornings occasionally. I've tried their pastries and soups of the day, which are always solid options. I've never been compelled to order from the rest of their menu though; it always just seemed overpriced for rather generic brunch/lunch options. As for their coffee, I'd say it's pretty solid, but like their main menu, there's anything special about it. I just love the vibes here and the outdoor seating area was great both pre-covid and during covid. I think the benefit of their corner location definitely plays in their favor; if any of the other local bakeries on College Ave had outdoor seating like Baker & Commons, I'd probably visit those more often too. read more

Such good food and the orange juice was amazing ! Tasted nothing like it in San Francisco, definitely was nice to get in the sun and out of the city. Beautiful fall foliage and a nice spot to sit outside. Highly recommend this spot and bites for a Saturday stroll. read more

Baker & Commons - Drank - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I popped to see what baked goods they had . I scanned the small selection and saw big ass biscuits. But not pale, emo ass , albino biscuits . These BISCUITS RIGHT HERE! Brown as ... well damn brown . Bottom line 5 stars for the biscuits But what makes em five stars I am buying two more to take home and do not plan to share So good i hate to immediately tell you all about it . Buy these biscuits read more

$15 for a cold biscuit sandwich (including microwaved "poached" egg, I mean, you have a microwave, why not microwave the biscuit for a few before putting it in the panini press) and just ok coffee. Very underwhelmed but I guess prices reflect the demographics of the neighborhood. Too many great cafes in oakland to return here read more

I came here on a Sunday for brunch and tried a few things (Pastrami Scramble, cinnamon bread, coffee, orange juice). I wasn't sure what to expect of this place given they replaced Elmwood Cafe which was a really popular brunch spot. Overall I'm not writing home about this place, but I think it's always crowded for a reason so you should try for yourself! PROS: - Pastrami Scramble was delicious with perfect pastrami/egg ratio and it even came with a small side salad - great location in the heart of Elmwood CONS: - inflexible menu (i.e. you can't get your eggs your way for most dishes) - we swooped a table by luck but otherwise it was super crowded - overpriced for quality/size - they ran out of clean silverware read more

Enjoying my mid day coffee break. Breaking Fast with warm coffee and sausage. I love walking here, so close to home. Perfect space to escape from the busy day! read more

Baker & Commons - Coffee with whipped cream hits the spot. Calm morning space! - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

I find it difficult to understand why and how a food establishment has so many flies. To get that many, some flies must have laid lots of eggs in the cafe.......the thought totally grosses me out. If an Asian or Indian restaurant has that many flies, the health department would be so on their case, and would have shut them down. It's more than not swallowing a fly, but the fact that whatever the fly touches, or lands on, is unclean. The fly could have previously landed on some excrement or decaying matter.... Why in this 21st century, and in Berkeley, are we eating at a cafe that has so many flies??? read more

Being a local, I was surprised as anyone when the Elmwood shut down. However, Bakers and Commons definitely still bears the spirit of the cafe around the corner that gives a rustic, lively, and comfortable atmosphere. I sat down and got a simple biscuit and a cup of coffee in a more-or-less full cafe and got a delicious warm biscuit. It came with a yummy cinnamon-apple jam and whipped butter. Very yummy. This cafe may be on the pricier side, but if you consider the location, I'm sure making ends meet is a part of why they may charge a little more. read more

While I was in the middle of ordering my food, the assistant manager rudely interjects and begins speaking to the cashier. I told the cashier that I was offended and she immediately apologized. However, when I spoke with the assistant manager, she became defensive, superficially apologized and immediately left. It was very dismissive and don't recommend coming to this establishment until the owner speaks with this member on their leadership team. Customer service is hard to come by but Summer kitchen down the block usually has good service. read more

They have oat-ly here! I got a cappuccino and it was great. Street parking is not bad lately, so I got to enjoy my coffee without stress. Cute place, 10/10 would return read more

Scones and biscuits quality is back now! Same goodness as Elmwood Café days. Thank you! read more

Baker & Commons - Welcome back - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

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over priced for sure but food was good. got lemon and hummus sandwich - it was pretty fresh (also bread was not toasted, which I didn't know). read more

New ownership is certainly a good thing, but this cafe still has a lot of faults. Although not every cafe should be obligated to cater to customers that work on their laptops, it is disappointing that they don't have wifi or outlets considering that's a standard for most places now (at least wifi), and there's little incentive to go here with these limitations. That being said, the coffee and food side of the business is great. Both the vanilla bean and lavender cold brews are delicious and refreshing, and the pastries are similarly satisfying. Even something simple like a biscuit is delectable. I would come here again if I needed to just relax by myself or chat with someone, but it's not ever going to be a regular spot at which I can be productive, which I would have liked it to be. read more

It was my first time visiting this place. I had to wait 15 minutes to get two simple drinks. The people who came after me got their order first. I am matcha lover so I ordered a matcha latte and it was the WORST! matcha I ever had. The taste was just horrible and the fishy smell. Even the color doesn't look good. I couldn't even drink it read more

Baker & Commons - Matcha Latte - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Elmwood cafe replacement or just chance of ownership? I honestly can't tell because most of the cafe's signature look, drinks and entrees have stayed fairly consistent in appearance and taste. I will say that the current cinnamon toast is now smaller and thinner than before! Coffee is always solid here. I usually get the cafe au lait or latte, depending on whether I feel like French or Italian. Their sandwiches and breakfast are divine. My favorite and go to is always the chicken curry sandwich. Yum. It's a solid cafe for either getting a little work done, yet also cute for a date with a SO or catch up with a friend! Drop by for a nice place to hang out! read more

The coffee is great here but the place has a strong odor since reopening. All of my clothes smell after going there. I think it might be the garlic from the new avocado toast recipe. Do people like roasted garlic in their avocado toast? I also don't understand why they bring you your food but not silverware. I don't even care if they bring me my food, but if they do, they should also bring silverware otherwise it defeats the whole point of bringing it (there is a precise 4% chance that I will remember to grab silverware after I order on my way to my seat). read more

B&C's food is tremendous. Their baked goods are particularly delicious. The staff is also incredibly friendly and always happy to help. They excel at maximizing the space they have while making wonderful food. We try to go once a week or so and are never disappointed! read more

Worst matcha latte I've ever had in my life , Ngl will probably never order a matcha from a cafe ever again because of how bad this was. I'm traumatized and down like 6 dollars not to mention my three dollar tip for Pure milk. Train your baristas to know how to make your menu items I beg Yall. Like I wish they could've tasted what they served me, hella gross and disrespectful. It's like forgetting the espresso in a latte - we ain't doin it read more

good sandwich and cold brew. comes w a side of arugula salad. fast online ordering and pick up time. nice staff. outdoor tables available read more

Baker & Commons - Grilled Turkey Sandwich - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

The biscuits and hot chocolate are phenomenal. So are all of the other baked treats. 4 starts instead of 5 because their service is a bit slow. The outdoor seating is very nice. read more

I'm not one to resort to revenge rates or align with callout culture but I thought it was important to share as a cautionary tale. IF YOU ARE A POC, AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS. With finals seasons in full swing, I decided to stop by and review some notes but was met with a string of microaggressions. First, I only ordered a cold brew and a buttermilk biscuit, a fairly quick bite that you should get as soon as you order it but it ended up being a 20+ minute wait while I saw all the other white customers who came after me get fuller plates. I only got my piece of bread after I went up politely to the counter and asked for it. Then, despite there having been other people before me who used the restroom for a longer amount of time, just so happened to have the door banged twice on me shortly after entering it. Both of these instances involved a white female staffer who served me the bread late in a rather bad mood, banged on the bathroom door, and kept looking at me intensely when I stepped out of the bathroom. Most important to note, I WAS ONE IF NOT THE ONLY PERSON OF COLOR IN THE CAFE THAT WAS NOT A WORKER AND RECEIVED PLENTY OF MAD STARES FROM BOTH WHITE STAFF AND CUSTOMERS ALIKE. At first, I thought this was all in my head and was just being paranoid but, in fact, Baker & Commons actually has a long and documented history of racist allegations that was even experienced by local Bay Area comedian Kamau Bell when the cafe still went by the name Elmwood Cafe. All of this is completely true and can be found and read in the link below. https://www.berkeleyside.com/2018/04/20/elmwood-cafe-closed-as-2015-racism-charge-gets-new-life-with-starbucks-arrest Overpriced, overhyped, and just unpleasant, save your coin and skip on this one altogether. You're not missing on anything. read more

Do yourself a favor and get their featured cream scone toasted. Jam is always good as well, but you can stick with butter to make it cheaper. Getting breakfast here has become a highlight of my week. (I've also tried their poached egg sandwich, which was delicious but a little expensive for me!) The only reason I'd have to give it 4 instead of 5 stars is because orders usually take a lil wait and I've been met by some snippy employees. Honestly I don't mind either, because I understand how busy they can get, but it's something to keep in mind! read more

It would be a nice place to study if they had Wi-Fi... Otherwise, service was stellar! The cold brew coffee was great if expensive; in a similar vein, the salty chocolate chip cookie was good, if a little overpriced. The plum muffin I also got was subpar. Ambience would be nice if there weren't flies everywhere; seriously, why are there so many? It got to the point where I was nervous that every itch I had was a fly landing. One landed on my finger as I typed this review-- I'm not kidding. 5 star service, 3 stars food/coffee for the price, 0 stars for the fly problem. read more

I am giving this place 5 stars because I have many memories of former incarnations of Ozzie's Soda Fountain going back almost 50 years. (Yes, you read that right. It's not a typo.) I remember when it was also the Elmwood Pharmacy and the counter wasn't cluttered with supplies. It was literally a soda fountain where you sat, ordered, ate, chatted with regulars, and could see the two people behind the counter working hard. The best things about Baker and Commons are: the food, the food, the ambiance, the memories. Did I mention the food? As others here have stated, the service is the worst part. It is frustrating when you see other people getting their orders served before you get yours, when you ordered your food before all of them did. The people working behind the counter are diligent and hardworking, I'm sure. (I wish Mrs. Dalloway didn't take up part of what used to be the pharmacy and the entire space was all Baker and Commons. However, they'd never be able to serve that many tables in a decent wait time.) The service is just something that goes with the territory. I love their homemade, pureed soups and those biscuits! Oh, those biscuits. The BLT with avocado is another favorite. I wish there was another B&C somewhere in Berkeley, which might make for shorter wait times at this one. As it is, B&C is a unique community treasure. read more

Exactly like the former Elmwood cafe! Always a great place on a sunny day with relaxing vibes. The blueberry peach cream cone was pretty good and the hot chocolate was rich! Just the kids hot chocolate is large enough! read more

Baker & Commons - Scone with whipped butter and the kids hot chocolate - Cafes Near Me - Berkeley, California

Good food but the service is agonizing slow and underwhelming. Our order of two biscuit sandwiches and a Caesar salad took forty-five minutes to complete. Thirty minutes in, I inquired what was going on, and they told me it was going to come out soon. Ten minutes later, I asked again and they said they were having trouble with the dressing for my salad. Why they are selling the salad without the dressing made, or why it took so long to make the dressing is almost beyond me. My best guest is the kitchen is either understaffed or disorganized [or both] and is incapable of delivering on both a breakfast and lunch menu which is a shame because the food we got was high qaulity and well made, but stone cold. You might feel the same way as I do, but cold eggs are gross. What a waste. We had better service in the past but this is a sign that the restaurant is in trouble and not likely to improve anytime soon. read more

I've purchased pastries from Baker & Commons a few times, and when I am served by a young man with dark hair in a low ponytail, he always seems very cold towards me. I'm not sure why this is, but it doesn't incentivize me to return. I've seen him with a friendlier demeanor towards other customers. For context, I wear a mask, and I know some people can be put off by that but I live with people who are immunocompromised. read more

My go to spot for picking up food while at work! I love their yogurt parfait's, biscuits, pear jam, coffee, and pretty much everything!

Friendly staff and good variety of food in menu. Some things can be pricy. If you're unsure of what to order ask for a recommendation! Also suggest trying the chocolate chip cookies! Yum! 10/10 I wish they had later hours on sundays, but overall good experience. read more

A favorite anytime I'm in the area. Top quality breakfast, brunch and lunch. Very friendly staff. I'm always a sucker for the Chicken Curry salad or quiche of the day. My husband and I always like to get two chocolate gluten-free financiers for a snack for later-- yum!!! read more

I was in the Elmwood area to have lunch at The Italian Homemade Company when I spotted the long line of customers waiting to enter Baker & Commons. After lunch, I decided to join the line and pick up dessert. The line moved ridiculously slowly. While there were about six customers ahead of me, it took over 30 minutes before I could place my order at the counter. After the long wait, I had high hopes that the wait would be worth it. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The biscuit look good, but was merely meh. The pear tart was not good at all. Definitely not a place I would go back to again. read more

Ordered online, I specficially was excited for the latte's and didn't get any of the drinks. The scone and cookie was super good. I got the poached eggs on toast -- was basically hard boiled eggs on one regular sized toast and one tiny piece. Definitely overpriced. But good pastries! read more

Cold brew with lavender is great! Also try the fresh orange juice, is super refreshing

Really good service! Happy with the apple cider and dark chocolate Mocha really delicious!!!!!

This place is wonderful, it's a great ambiance and the food is delicious! I highly recommend their biscuits with the house made jam and butter. read more

The small GF chocolate muffin was good, but the "Veggie Pozole" was a total disappointment. Had I known I was going to get a full bowl of cut boiled tomatoes and onions, I would not have ordered this soup :( -Oh and their restrooms were disgustingly dirty. I don't plan to return even though I like their location. I am better off at the Market Hall down the street. For the same $$ I can have a feast over there. read more

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