B-Side Baking Company

Sadly looks like B-​Side Baking might be closed. I bike past every day and haven’t seen it open for the past ~2 weeks, plus there’s now tape covering up the sign & hours.

Didn’t have a chance to stop and stay to enjoy the beautiful, calm café and have a coffee, but did manage to sneak away with a peanut butter sandwich cookie, and the bacon, cheddar and scallion scone. Nom nom! The scone was perfectly baked, buttery and yummy (and even more yummy with the addition of some Friends in Cheeses spicy tomato jam… feel free to give me a free scone for this tasty tip!) and the cookie was just a hairs breadth the right side of a catatonic peanut butter overload… I am planning my next, more extended visit (and bringing my tomato jam with me!)

This is a great place to do some work. A bit pricey, but nonetheless good naked good and coffee. It’s more gourmet than the typical coffee shop, a cup of coffee is $ 3. There places to sit, plug in, and there’s free WiFi. Some more food choices would be nice.

Here now! Love the baked goods, so fantastic! Brandon, the guy that works here is absolutely amazing. Been here for while cause I am waiting for my car wash across the street and I overheard him interact with quite a few customers. He’s very knowledgeable of the products he’s and just so very calm and positive. wow!

Went here during lunch to sadly realize that you really can’t get lunch there. My fault. However, we did get some tasty desserts and biscuits. Was it phenomenal? It was pretty good. About time Oakland had some good bakeries. Next time, must go earlier in the morning.

As it turns out the last time I came, the baker was home sick. This is such a small operation that they had to shut down for the day.
I finally got in. The guy behind the counter is really friendly. If you love the rich, buttery American homestyle of baked goods, you will love this place.

Amazing morning pastries! There was nothing to walk to in the way of coffee shops near our hood I was so sad to see B Side BBQ close but sooooo happy to see it was reopened with the same owner and same chefs! In heaven

Do yourself a HUGE favor and come get some of these delicious confections. I was so excited to discover this place only a few blocks from my house. I’ve had the following items, all of which have been my all-​time favorites in their respective categories:
Strawberry Lemon Scone — All other scones are belong to this. It’s big enough to share (unless you’re me), and it’s so moist and flavorful!
Ham & Gruyère Puff — Best meat puff I’ve ever had, although this was also the first one I’ve ever had. I must admit that I still don’t fully understand what it means to be a «puff», but this thing is good.
Veggie Puff — Best non-​meat puff I’ve ever had… and so on. This is one of those mind-​blowing examples of how a good veggie dish can actually edge out its meat cousin in the deliciousness category.
Coffee — I drink it so that I can feel normal. Although I’m addicted, I’m not a connoisseur. But I understand that this is considered good coffee.

My first time here. Everything looked very good. I ordered a baked tomato basil goat cheese thingy and a cinnamon bun. Very tasty. Will definite stop in whenever I’m close by.

Very good pastries. Taste like they are made with quality ingredients, freshly baked. Nice atmosphere, pleasant servers.
My only complaint — not open Sundays :(

I’m going to miss B-​side BBQ, but the new Baking Company pivot is pretty great. Serving Bicycle Coffee and serving some decadent pastries like Bacon Scallion Buttermilk Biscuits remind me that the quality and taste are still here in the neighborhood. Well worth a visit, even if they are still in the midst of reinventing the store.

Stopped in for the first and last time this morning. Ordered a bacon cheese biscuit and a large coffee to go. $ 4.50 for the biscuit and $ 4.75 for a large coffee. The biscuit was fine but on the heavy end of greasy. Coffee was fine too. The prices are far beyond justifiable.

My family and I came over here after we read in an article about how good this place was. We walked in here and saw fresh biscuits being placed in the pastry tray. We bought the classic buttermilk biscuit and I took a bite and almost burned my tongue because it was so hot. The biscuit was very dense and fluffy. At $ 4– it is expensive but worth it NOTE: on the side of the building, there is a BBQ sign

The story of this place is pretty remarkable: evening bbq joint to coffee and biscuits café (same owners, same staff, same atmosphere), but they’ve pulled it off, and perfectly. The biscuits, and I’m saying this honestly, are the best I’ve ever had. Menu is simple and straightforward. Hope to see this place succeed; it’s a bright light in a place that’s normally pretty dark.

Was getting a car wash across the street and wanted to kill some time. Wandered into B-​Side about 2pm and immediately greeted by the friendly guy behind the counter. Looked over the pastries — all looked soooo good. And the beer and drinks. I’m not into beer, so I choose a root beer and key lime pie.
Chose a table by the window so I could watch the guys across the street as it was my first time there. Dived into the root beer and pie. Was surprised the key lime slice was like a quarter of the pie and oh so good. Not to sugary, crust nice and soft. They have wireless so fired up the iPad to kill an hour or so.
At that time, only a few customers came in, so it was nice and quiet. Sat back, enjoyed my root beer, pie, wireless and view of my car getting washed.
The neighborhood can get sketchy at night with lots of street people, but B-​Side closes at 3. So, come before 3 and get your pastry on!

Stopped at B-​Side Baking Company while rippin’ and runnin’ and was pleased to see Tonya Holland in line in front of me, entertaining some guests. I told her that I missed her brisket, she implied the neighborhood wasn’t conducive to customer traffic at night. Luckily, the bakery is open while the dope fiends are still asleep, so you can get some dee-​licious sweet or savory baked goods without worrying about your car.
I picked up a lemon strawberry scone, a banana caramel walnut muffin, a veggie puff and a bacon cheddar scallion biscuit.
The lemon strawberry scone was a direct hit on the taste buds. You can tell it was made with a lot of love, and butter, and more butter. I can’t wait to stop in for breakfast next time so I can enjoy it with a cup of piping hot coffee. Seriously, this is the scone of your dreams.
B-​Side is a literal diamond in the rough. Great pastries, but hide your women, children and valuables!

B-​side Baking Compay opens till 3 daily, now just offering baked pastries and coffee of the day. next week, lunch and some entrees are due to show up
eats: sea salt caramel brownie (4.5)
–ultra sweet, caramel doesn’t quite work for brownies.
drink: ethiopian coffee (m 3)
–very smooth. organic too
–not many pastries/​cookies offered, 3+ up[.
3.5 stars

Time: 10:00 AM Weather: 55° Cloudy
The announcement of B-​Side Baking Company’s opening appeared on my Facebook newsfeed page last night, courtesy of one of my high school classmates. This venue is the former location of B-​Side BBQ, a business that I have never had the opportunity or the pleasure to try their barbecued meats.
Celeste Scott is the head of the café/​bakery. She has been in Tanya Holland’s baking program for Brown Sugar Kitchen for the last year and a half.
The baked goods that I have seen in the display cases were eye-​pleasing and truly looked delectable. All the items made me somewhat indecisive as to what I wanted to take home with me.
Ambiance: Double glass door entry. Bench seating outside of café between two planter boxes (enough to seat about 5 people). Interior has several tables and chairs (seating for 2 people at each table). Guesstimate on the maximum seating capacity is probably between 12 to 15 people. On the right of the entrance is counter space with tin containers of coffee stirrers, sugar packet, napkins, etc., jars of sweetness for coffee or tea (brown sugar, agave syrup, cinnamon, etc.), and other miscellaneous items sitting on a shelf. Two wooden high chairs with booster seats are available for the little ones. The wall on the right has plenty of framed artwork/​pictures of the black cowbodys back in the days of yesteryear. On the left of the entrance is another counter space with 4 high backless chairs and two framed photos of Native Americans on the wall. Glass displayed cases have an assortment of baked goods — cookies, muffins, scones, savory pastries, bacon scallion cheddar biscuits, etc. Behind the counter and display case is a shelf with bottles of ales, paper cups for hot beverages. Front counter has copies of Edible magazines, post card ad touting Tanya Holland’s Brown Sugar Kitchen recipe book, which I received a copy thereof as a Christmas gift from my younger sister, cash register, tip jar, lovely floral arrangement in a glass vase adorns the side of the counter.
Customer service: Male employee was friendly and helpful. He gave me time to decide what my heart desired and didn’t mind I have taken several photos of the business.
Eats/​beverages: Artisan baked goods consisting of muffins, biscuits, peanut butter sandwich cookies, salted caramel brownie, strawberry lemon scone, strawberry rhubarb pie, cinnamon rolls; assortment of hot and cold beverages (coffee, expresso, cappuccino, latte, mocha, etc.), iced tea, sodas, ginger beer, fresh squeezed orange juice, lemonade, ales, lager, cider, Ruedo Rey Santos Verdejo.
Purchased the following: 1 veggie puff, 1 peanut butter sandwich cookie and 1 salted caramel brownie. Cost: approx. $ 14.70.
Veggie puff was absolutely delish — a savory rectangular shaped pastry consisting of spinach, mushroom and strips of onion surrounded by a heavenly, flaky, buttery layer of crust. Warm the puff up and have it with a hot beverage… nom, nom, nom.
Peanut butter sandwich cookie — highly recommended, don’t pass it up. Luscious, creamy, all natural peanut butter (not from Skippy or Jif) — has to be homemade as there was no artificial taste — sandwiched between two delectable cookies. Flavorful and to the point.
Salted caramel brownie — sinfully rich chocolate brownie, topped with an equally sinfully rich salted caramel glaze. I have not eaten the brownie yet, except a small portion of the caramel glaze. I’m gonna save this dessert and top it off with some French vanilla ice cream for later.
Parking: B-​Side Baking Company is on a main thoroughfare — San Pablo Avenue. This morning my husband and I lucked out, as there was a parking space a few doors away from the business. Parking may be difficult later during the day.
Final thoughts: Woo hoo… definitely I will return to have the bacon scallion cheddar biscuit, a slice of the strawberry rhubarb pie and Bundaberg ginger beer. A few more visits to B-​Side Baking Company and I will push the rating to 5 stars! Way to go, Celeste, and congrats on all the delectable baked goods that I have consumed so far.
P. S. According to what I read on Inside Scoop SF, and for the time being, the café will be open from 7 AM to 3 PM.

Time: 7:17am/53°F intermittent cloud
Purpose: Since the closure of B-​Side BBQ, I waited patiently for new venue to surface. Got a call that they’re set and ready to open. Okie dokie! I’ll stop by when ever I can. Today I started work really early even drove in normally Bart on Fridays. First place to start the day was B-​Side.
Ambiance: Located on San Pablo ave not the most ideal area to call safe haven. This place is nothing new, same owner just the name change to B-​Side Baking from B-​Side BBQ. There’s no outside seating only a bench and two rolling planter box. However inside there are seating of different heights. Counter top seating starts with four highback stool/​chair combo with curving arch form. One high table for two by front window, four regular tables also set up for two sits lower than the rest. The high table and counter seating have hooks attached on bottom for ladies to hang their accessories. Polished lacquer cement floor gives it a good reflective shine. Walls painted light gray with white particle board trimmings. Pictures of early African American cowboys are hung wall to wall. Near the entrance a wall supported utensil station for the DIY, dress up your own coffee. Two 32’inch Sharp Aquos tv near the corners (turn off). Light structure made of galvanized steel piping hand crafted hanging from ceiling. Counter area sits LaMarzocco one chamber espresso machine, Mezzer grinder, water dispenser w/​tumblers, three tier pastry display case, cookie jars, cake pedestal, tip jar. End of counter displaying cookbooks/​receipe/​email/​mailing list sponsoring Brown Sugar Kitchen. Behind counter three massive mirror panels, CCTV, wooden shelves, brick design tiles with a walk in toward inner back of kitchen area. Type of music being play here, singers like Aretha Franklin etc. Loudest noise come from the coffee grinder. Everytime someone order a drink that needs grinding, just pulse/​hold off on your convo till it stops.
Staff: Guy and girl about late 20s. Girl in kitchen prepping bake goods guy doing cashier and front end service. He was informative gave me time to think it over. I ask are the bottles of beer for looks or for sale? He answer we’re selling them. Didn’t see a alcohol license so, I’m not gonna ask any further. I just went ahead with my order pay grab some water and waited.
Cleanliness: Grade A, impeccable no compliants. Might be too early to say since this is their second day of opening. We’ll give it some more time before we’ll see any changes or not.
Eat/​Drinks: Ham & Gruyère puff $ 6, coffee of day $ 3, pb sandwich cookie $ 3. Puff was light and very flaky with 3 – 4 pieces of quarter cuts of ham embedded in gruyère cheese. At $ 6 it was kinda overpriced tax is not added yet. Puff pastry sheets was too thin result in light pastry with no weight. Pb sandwich cookie was tasty but, wish center was creamier. Nothing wrong with it just basic tasting, I enjoy it more than the puff. Reminds me of Susiecakes whoopie version. Coffee was just standard drip and nothing more. I was looking for that strong dark roast similar to Peet’s aroma when walking in. Step outside pop off lid to see how dark coffee was before taking off. Not dark, more like medium mild tone.
Main Features: Pour overs, artisan pastries.
Products/​Services: Coffee by Roast Coffee Co./Tea by Mighty Tea Leaf. Bottle beer/​wine, hard liquor. Currently only 14 kinds of sweets and savory goods and one kind of granola available. Pastries-​puffs, scones, biscuits, muffins, cinnamon roll (with/​out cream cheese), bread pudding, brownies, coffee cake, quiche, granola (bulk per lb). Takes plastic no minimum.
Punch Lines: Average seating, clean, artisan pastries, alcohol, pour overs, warm service, décor leaves something to desired, no wi-​fi, pleasing flavors, no GF options, drool worthy, budget watchers, wood paneling, calm vibe, light bites, casual, a twist on traditional favorites, industrial interior, street parking, AC Transit #72 line, sketchy area, minutes on/​off 580 freeway, senior center, liquor store, hotels, service station, homeless/​panhandling, prostitutes/​hookers/​pimps, self storage.
Tradeoffs: Prices are more than nearest competitor across the board on everything. However competitor doesn’t have alcohol to serve in their facility.
Final Thoughts: Nothing out of the ordinary here, just another café with your usual baked goods and coffee. Seems to be also trend following here, as coffee prices reflects that of more well known brand. For good measures they added beer/​wine to balance out what others don’t have. As for this stretch from downtown Oakland, starting at Greyhound station to 40^th/​San Pablo theres not one place that do pour overs. B-​side is the first before hitting the 580 overpass. Nice place and great service, but there are open options around. It’s sad to see girls selling their bodies right across the street while trying to enjoy my breakfast. Then again, you’ve to do it just to survive. Let’s go with 3.5 stars!