Scratch Bakery
| Address: | 111 Orange St, Durham, NC 27701, USA |
| Phone: | +1 919-956-5200 |
| Site: | piefantasy.com |
| Rating: | 4.4 |
| Working: | 7:30AM–4PM 7:30AM–4PM 7:30AM–4PM 7:30AM–4PM 7:30AM–4PM 9AM–2PM 9AM–2PM |
Location
Photos 71
Reviews 13
BR
Brandon Baker
Made from scratch buttermilk biscuits were crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside and the best part of he meal. The bacon jam biscuit was sweet and salty, very well done, but I would have liked a little more jam to make it a little sweeter. Scratch serves bottle coke with real sugar, the best coke there is, and my wife had a standard cafe americano which in her words "wasnt bad." The atmosphere is quiet and quaint. Clientele was mostly college age folks which I attribute to the restaurants proximity to the University. Seating for about 25 folks inside and additional cafe style seating out front. As you walk into Scratch, the seasonal menu is written on the chalkboard wall to your right and an exposed brick wall on your left lend to the trendy rustic-industrial atmosphere.The honey lavender chess pie had good flavor but unfortunately it had a soggy bottom. All in all we think that Scratch deserves a second chance to impress us and we will visit again.
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Beth Mandel
Drop in during the week to try one of their amazing crostadas, whose local and quality ingredients change daily and whose flavor combinations are interesting and delicious and surrounded by one of the best pastry crusts Ive ever tased. Be sure to ask them to heat it up for you - delish! The empanadas are also a hit, as are the donut muffins (but only if youre someone who can tolerate REALLY sweet, which not everyone can). The prices are high but I believe its because of the care thats put into the ingredients and preparation. The service is friendly and quick. Parking is no problem with the Chapel Hill St garage next door. Highly recommended for lunch downtown, though be warned, there arent a lot of tables (especially when people camp with their newspaper or laptop) if you plan to stay and hang out.
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Fizz Brain
The eggs, the produce, and the bread all taste significantly better to me than eggs, produce, and bread almost anywhere else - you can really taste the care that went into finding the ingredients that the cooks wanted to use. Ive read the reviews that say its overpriced for what you get, and that would be true if all eggs tasted the same to me. But they dont. If you prefer a big bowl of Kraft macncheese over a tiny strawberry that youve just picked, then this place probably isnt going to be worth your money. Theres no reason to pay extra to eat food that doesnt taste any better to you than what you make at home. If the taste of really fresh butter makes you involuntarily close your eyes on the first bite of your morning toast, then this might turn out to be one of your favorite spots.
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Janine S. Domingues-Vasquez
I really want to love this place but I cant. I went to Scratch Bakery last week to meet up with a colleague. This is about the third time Ive visited. (I went the first time on the recommendation of my hairdresser. The coffee I ordered tasted burnt.) I ordered the tartine that tasted good but had been heated up in the microwave and was cold in the middle. I can pass on these instances but I cant pass on this: poor customer service. The last person who took my order made no eye contact and put forth very little effort to make me feel welcomed or appreciated as a customer. I get better customer service at my local coffee chain, which is not what I expected.
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A Private User
Sun. 1pm. Buttermilk pie/old-stale, complained, staff threw pie away. Replaced with rhubarb chiffon pie/much better but crust chewy.We were told local baloney had no nitrates/opps! they checked & it did & they replaced w/pickled egg salad, both tasted good ($8). Sausage biscuit first served ice cold-replaced w/2 hot ones/bland, w/chewy biscuits. Coffee bitter. Stark interior. Expensive. Yet we heard people raving to others about Scratch having the best food in Durham. People were nice but... this was a pricey brunch that left us indifferent. Pies were big letdown-crust overworked and chewy on both, I can make much better at home.
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Steve Chung
Scratch will effectively do such to your wallet and you satiety. The Coffee ad tea selection is on point, especially the new London Fog and the Goober. I also recommend the Buttermilk Donut Muffin, you wont be disappointed. However, be sure to wait in line with a horde of Durhamites that are looking for another trendy place. Average wait times are 20~ mins on a weekend morning. Skip out on the biscuits, after you craft your favorite toppings, the end result is disappointing and expensive. Overall the Coffee and Day old goods ( Half off the next day) are what draw me to this place with the hipsters.
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Johnny Clark
This place is alright. The guy behind the counter was not friendly and made it seem like we were bothering him by asking if they had non-dairy milks or even skim, which they did not. Couldnt tell you whether they dont offer it or were temporarily out. All we know is that they have 2%. The pies were good enough, though the crust on my chocolate chess pie was slightly burnt. The shaker lemon pie had a great crust and was very lemony. All told, though, they really didnt give us a reason to return and we likely will not.
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Nick McBride
Quaint breakfast spot in a rare quiet part of downtown Durham. Despite being in the middle of all of the construction going on in Durham right now, the little side street that Scratch is on provided a nice respite from the noise. On top of that, they have delicious food and baked goods. I got the Fickle Creek Duck Egg Sandwich and it was amazing! So many flavors! My wife ordered the chicken empenada and enjoyed that as well. Also, picked up some chocolate donut muffins for the road.
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Carlos Russo
Not sure why I hadnt heard of Scratch before, but I am very glad to know about it now! Their baked goods are just like home, and have the comforting powers an apple pie should have. Havent tried their actual food items, but Im sure theyre cranking out quality with those too. Will report back once I confirm, but trust, their baked items and sweets are down right amazing. They warrant a visit whenever were around.
MA
Matthew Clobridge
Their donut muffins are worth whatever amount of calories they put into your body. Ive only been into their store once for a piece of pie for desert. However, I regularly find their goodies at the Durham Farmers Market, and whenever we have a breakfast meeting at work, inevitability treats from Scratch make an appearance. They usually have a type of savory hand pie which is great for lunch.
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Logan Isaac
Definitely costly, but thats compared to places that cant commit as much to local and fairly waged produce and labor. I like that their menu changes, it shows they cook to the growing season. Mark my words, this is the direction food needs to go in order for it to be sustainable socially and politically. The price reflects their values, which you cannot put a price on...
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Holly Powell
We paid 40.00 for three sandwiches with no sides and water. It had been listed as a fantastic sandwich shop you had to try. My husband and son both got the hot corned beef. It was really salty and dry. I got the shrimp po boy. The bread was great but the sandwich was dry as was the pork. I dont mind paying for great sandwiches but these were very mediocre at best.
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Victoria Thornton
absolutely the best bakery in durham, especially their pies with flaky crusts, incorporating local and seasonal ingredients. will definitely be getting their goods to supplement our thanksgiving menu! also dont forget to pick up their pigs in a blanket (no, not filled with hot dog, but instead with quality sausage).
