HI-Rise Bread Company
| Address: | 208 Concord Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA |
| Phone: | +1 617-876-8766 |
| Site: | hi-risebread.com |
| Rating: | 3.9 |
| Working: | 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–5PM 8AM–3PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 12
AL
Alyssa Hale
The food is really good - a little pricey - but totally delicious. I just get incredibly frustrated with the strange rules they make up when I call in orders - as it feels like they intentionally dont want to convenience the customers. It feels like they are setting up artificial barriers that dont need to be there and it always feels like they are trying to "put me in my place" and make sure I play by whatever rules the person on the phone sets up that day. And I dont consider myself very uptight, Ive worked in restaurants for years. This place is just such a strange experience for me as I rarely leave feeling really good about the money I spent. Examples: One day I can order salads via phone - the next day I cant - he wants to make it when I get there One day I cant order soup via phone - but today I can One day I can order a bread / pastry with my order - but today he wants to make it when I get there Its just all over the map. I want to call in a lunch order so I dont have to wait for you when I get there. I dont have a long lunch break and I want to give my business to high rise - I just wish they would meet me halfway and help me get it quickly. Really its that simple.
MA
Master Steven Silz-Carson
In truth, this place bakes good (though overpriced) bread, Perhaps great bread. But honesty also demands I ding them hard for the, insolent, unaccommodating -- and not particularly hygienic-looking workers who bake and serve food here. Today, I asked the register clerk if she would kindly slice my baguette in two. Unreasonable request, I guess. $4 bucks for a loaf of flour, yeast and H20, but one simple slice of a blade was apparently too much effort for the uninterested slacker. "We dont slice bread here," she sniffed. Stunned, I managed, "Actually you must ...in order to make sandwiches," she just stared as if I was speaking Greek, so asked "why not?" "Its against our owners philosophy?" This place is the bakers analogy to Seinfelds "Soup Nazi." Stay away unless you enjoy insolence with your loaf. Owners bread "philosophy," indeed. The whole crew needs manners training; its a service-oriented business.
A
A Private User
I am ready to pay for quality at a neighborhood bakery, but their staff is not helpful and quite rude -- and agreed, service you as if theyre doing you a favor. And having been in line several times, Ive actually seen them be nice to selective customers. Yes several times, because i keep hoping things would change, but suffice to say, havent seen it over the last several months. Their breads are outstanding, as are some of their pastries, but it is not worth paying the price to be insulted and walk out of an establishment feeling so disappointed. The European bakeries I;ve frequented are actually nicer compared to this place. I guess I am going to boycott for now.
A
A Private User
I live right by Hi Rise, and although the food is good, I have to say that the staff is terrible. They are unfailingly rude, acting like they are doing you a favor by serving you a $15 salad. The girl with those stupid pigtails is the worst. I asked her if they have a bread slicer and she looked at me like I had five heads and actually laughed at me. FYI lady, you work at a BAKERY. Are these people all rejects from Abercrombie or something? Or is this like Dicks Last Resort? In any case, Im on strike. Go to Sarahs. The pigtails are reserved for children there.
MI
Michael Fournier
I have only been there 3-4 times and I walk past it every day for going on 2 years. The food is good, not great, but paying over $20 for a sandwich and a drink before tip is a bit much for a sandwich you dont remember. The system of serving people breaks down when its busy and it takes over 30 minutes to get something on a weekend sometimes. The staff is about as rude as most of the clientele is pretentious. Hearing someone complain about terrible homemade almond milk instead of having soy about sums up what it is like to go to this place.
GL
Gloria Mylyk
Firstly, I am on old Cambridgeite and I like "eccentric", but this is the most snobby group of people trying to look down-home and organic. They can barely even look you in the eye ! I dont think they like their jobs OR their customers (only their money). And the sandwiches are $11.95 ----please----why not charge $20 or $25, while youre on a roll. Pembertons, a gourmet grocer a mile away on Mass. Ave Porter Square has much better more reasonably priced sandwiches and they treat everybody very nicely.
A
A Private User
Do yourself a favor and skip this place! The bread and pastries are decent but are waaaaayyyyy overpriced. They really should rename the place Hi Price Bakery. That would still be tolerable if the staff would be polite but I have rarely encountered a more arrogant, stuck-up and down right rude group of people. It seems to be a requirement for employment at Hi Rise to loath customers. For a much more enjoyable experience head to Harvard Square instead or to Whole Foods at Fresh Ponds.
CH
Christina Smith
The food is amazing, and if you get a meal its huge, totally worth the $10 or so dollars it cost. Unfortunately their service is hit or miss. There are many friend and great employees, but one or two who are totally ruining it. I dont care if you are artsy or hippy-ish. If I come in with a 2 year old, I except you to be nice to them. As I fit into both, and can still maintain customer service, I think those one or two people can. The rest of the employees are great! Super friendly!
A
A Private User
We have been frequenting hi-rise for 3 years and just love the food. Though a bit pricey, their sandwiches are simply the best ever. The Loretta Come Back is my favorite and their almond macaroons are top notch. The staff is wonderful. They are always friendly and often engage my children if it is slow, inviting them back to watch the people in the kitchen and maybe sneaking them a chocolate chip or a berry while theyre back there.
OL
Oliver Ames
Came here for breakfast on a Saturday morning and had a quiche. It was incredible! Probably my favorite place in the area. The thing that is so remarkable about it is the community feel. Going in the morning on a Saturday is like being a part of a nice big family. Employees are friendly and helpful, the food is delicious, and the patrons are kind and friendly. I cannot recommend this place more
A
A Private User
The staff is unfailingly rude. Its really quite amusing to be treated so unhospitably when over-paying for wine, cookies and bread. So fine, it took me several months and probably around a thousand dollars to get it but lesson learned -- my money now goes to Whole Foods with superior products and service. Hi Rise takes the joy away from supporting small local businesses. Sad...
AL
Ali G
The food is amazing and the staff and other customers are really friendly which is refreshing as I have not found that to be true in other similar places around Cambridge. I cant wait to start trying their wine selection. My hope is that its well currated so I can rely on them and do less work myself to get great wine. Ill update whether that works out!
