05/22/09

Coffee and more nestled between the South end and Back Bay

by LorrieP

We have been to four coffeeshops closer to our place in the South end and decided to try something different. We had a chocolate croissant and pear-walnut muffin, and each a hot beverage. The muffin was fantastic; soft and delicately flavoured, but not too sweet, and croissant was flaky and buttery with just enough chocolate. However, my soymilk chai latte was just okay and not nearly hot enough, while my boyfriend's latte was too hot for him to drink. In addition, I was not pleased that the slightly stand-offish barrista did not ask us whether we wanted ours 'for here' or 'to go' and therefore we ended up wasting four disposable cups and a paper bag, since Appleton Bakery does not have recycling.

• Pros: Delicious pastry
• Cons: Slow and my beverage was lukewarm

08/16/07

Best Bakery in Boston

by mphbackbay

This is my second home! They have the best coffee I have been able to find and I am a picky espresso drinker. Their muffins, cakes and slices are delicious and their banana bread is to die for. Not only that, their sandwiches for lunch are delicious. Everything is always fresh and the bakery itself has such wonderful character. Staff are fantastic - always helpful and know the regulars' orders before they've walked in the door. Great to see a husband and wife team doing so well with such a great business.

• Pros: Reliably good food, great coffee, helpful staff, fresh.
• Cons: Baked goods go quickly - get in early.

05/03/07

Yum!

by southendres

This place is a staple of the neighborhood and it has excellent prepared foods and baked goods. I am there almost every day and they really make everyone feel welcome.

04/18/07

Neighborhood Gem!

by cbolek

My wife and I love this place. It is always fast and the pastries and sandwiches are at least as good as anywhere else that we have found in this city after three years. The service is always very friendly and prompt. There is nothing better or faster than a toasted onion bagel with veggie cream cheese and a coffee on a Sunday morning. The informal atmosphere is just very cozy. Throw on a pair of slippers, pop out the door, grab the paper and boom, the morning is set. The raspberry white chocolate muffin is quickly becoming an all time favorite. Though the ginger pear muffin is also in the running, just very creative. I love the sort of place where you can be on a first name basis with everyone there. Appleton Bakery is the epitome of a small neighborhood business where everyone really does know your name. Good people and good eats. I highly recommend it.

01/17/06

Good Lunch Spot

by sgourmandp

Decent bakery but could be better. Wish their croissants were lighty and flakier. Good sandwiches - breaded chicken cutlet/pastrami/ham/hot dogs are recommended. Good soups. Service is slow.

04/25/05

How much is coffee worth...?

by nlake

The service of the front counter at the Appleton Bakery is such a shame. Everytime I have ordered an espresso drink I have been met with a huge sigh and roll of the eyes. I know making a latte takes a little more effort, but I think it comes with the bakery/cafe territory! On top of that, on my last and final visit there, I was very rudely reprimanded for only having a twenty to pay with, despite my apology and recognition of the fact that paying with a smaller bill would have been preferable. I can honestly say that experience ruined my morning... and that's a price I am in no way willing to pay again.

12/03/04

Best in the South End

by tremntman

Delicious sandwiches, great hot soups for lunch on a cold Boston day, and the best Chocolate Chip cookie around! And I've tried all of them in the South End.

I've always found the staff, and particularly the owners to be great. Friendly and willing to go the extra step.

11/10/04

Nothing special for lunch...

by samir_sanghani

Good looking selection of sandwiches if you judge by the menu. But the baguette bread was hard... and ingredients/taste so so. Nothing special or worthy of prices. The seating is cramped and small. Probably more of a take/out or breakfast stop.

• Pros: decent menu
• Cons: , Seating space

09/13/04

I love this place!

by hesuss

Reading the previous reviews, I have to believe they were written by competitors! I have been a loyal patron for 5 years -- the coffee is always delicious, the pastries always fresh (some with gourmet twists like ginger peach, or fresh apple muffins with a cinnamon dusting). The breakfast sandwiches are fabulous and made to order (not in a microwave like DnD) -- the fresh fruit and granola is served with fat free yogurt, so it's the only healthy "coffee shop" breakfast around. Lunch has a great selection of hot or cold foods, all with gourmet ingredients, and at the price you would expect to pay at a higher-end lunch shoppe. I order all my birthday cakes and holiday pies from here, the service is great . . . need I go on? These are some of the reasons they've won Best of Boston for so many years running!

02/14/03

ho hum

by soender

Dunkin Donut quality at South End Price makes for a tough recommendation

• Pros: Location
• Cons: Store bought flavor