12:00pm | Editor’s Note: This is an expansion on our print coverage of the Best of Long Beach. Given our limited print space, we wanted to further share our experience at these amazing businesses via the many photos we took. We feel it not only allows the reader to better understand why each place was chosen, but provides the chance to spotlight local businesses visually. We will do one business every day until all 30 winners have been covered. Enjoy.
Best Place to Cure Your Sweetooth: Scratch Baked Goods
There’s something to be said for a place which shamelessly plays Gaga and Ke$ha while making one’s mouth salivate for tasty treats. And before you think you’ve accidentally picked up a copy of International Men’s Catalogue and fell upon an ad for the White Party in Palm Springs, I can assure you that the joint is a bakery.
Opening November of last year, this carb-infested hang out is gaining notoriety in its Belmont Heights neighborhood faster than expected. When they initially opened, they would have to close early because they would run out of baked goods — everything from in-house bread to cakes to cookies to root beer-flavored mallows. Owners and chefs Deborah Hirt and Roderic Reiswig were surprised to see their inspiration – which derived from the popularity of their holiday pies – grow into such a success.
“We knew there was a niche to be filled in this area,” said Roderic, “but we had no idea the response would be so overwhelming.”
It’s thoroughly Long Beach-y (even its coffee is from local beans-on-bikes Rose Park Roasters) and that’s where its appeal lies. And I will be completely honest: as a Long Beacher who has far too many times, ahem, gracefully graced the stretch of Broadway that caters to men who unconsciously mouth the words to the pop song playing in the background despite their current conversation and have an excuse to drink for anything, I felt a warm sense of comfort walking into a bakery that was blaring “Alejandro” (fun enough to say that life is too short to skip dessert but classy enough to be truly Americana).
Good job, bakers. I’ll have another cookie, please.
Scratch Baked Goods | 3950 East 4th Street | (562) 987-1500
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