The Avenue Bakery
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The Avenue Bakery
It is our mission to provide unique products freshly baked here in our community on our historic Pennsylvania Avenue. It is also our mission to support the efforts of the "The Royal Theater & Community Heritage Corporation" to pass the history and legacy of this great community that contributed so much to both our city and our country.

Our lobby is dedicated to the history of our community and we sincerely thank all who are continuing to help strengthen our neighborhoods. In an effort to bring people back to Baltimore's Historic Pennsylvania Avenue he decided to open up his bakery there. He met with a lot of skepticism from those who thought the bakery was just "too risky" in this down market.
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A little slice of heaven each time you take a bite. Our homemade poppay rolls are made fresh every morning -covered with the finest grade of butter and baked to a golden brown with an airy center. Our delicious muffins and fillings are made from scratch with only the finest ingredients. Mix and match when ordering if you can't make up your mind.
There are many from our Historic Community that have dedicated their lives to "Improv- ing The Quality of Life in The African American Community". Their efforts span politics, entertainment, education, media and civil rights. They understood all of these issues impacted the bottom line, economic opportunity and inclusion.
Ask any native Baltimorean about The Royal Theater and a smaile is certain to appear on his or her face as they recollect with pride the grandeur and vibrancy of the historic venue. The Royal Theater and Pennsylvania Avenue served as Baltimore's cultural epicenter for more than five decades.

Opening in 1925 at the height of American's jazz age, The Royal Theater was a premiere venue in the region, rivaling theaters in Harlem, Philadelphia and Chicago and launching the career's of musical icons including the legendary Duke Ellington and Ethel Waters, renowned comedian Red Foxx and the emblem of Baltimore blues-Billie Holiday.
Reviews (19)
S. M.
S. M.
Jan 22, 2022
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I found this place via Google search for Black Owned bakeries. While several selections popped up, it was the picture of the sweet potatoes pie which intrigued me. I called to see how the pie was sold; portion, and to see it they were actually open. When someone answered, I was delighted. Upon my arrival the customer in front of me ordered 3 mini pies and rolls. I followed suit and added a slice of coconut cake. Well let's say, today became a cheat day. I tried all 3 and was not disappointed. I like how the cake had a thin spread of frosting between the 2 layers. The bread of the cake was
Jane C.
Jane C.
Dec 13, 2021
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Delicious. Lives up to the hype. Take out only. Courteous service. Coffee was good. Make the trip.
Bill C.
Bill C.
Dec 12, 2021
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We ordered a sweet potato pie and a mini pecan pie. The pies were great, especially the pecan pie! They were the perfect sizes.

Unfortunately, I had to drop a star because neither the young man taking our order or the woman with him seemed particularly interested in actually helping us. It was late--maybe close to closing--but they were supposed to be open still. I felt like we were a distraction and getting in the way.

Note: this review is from our experience early this year. I do intend to go back, though.
Lisa Rawlings
Lisa Rawlings
Nov 23, 2021
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This place is a Baltimore landmark. Their rolls are wonderful. This time, I tried their apple cake. So delicious and a big slice.
Patricia Branham
Patricia Branham
Nov 17, 2021
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Loved the wheat rolls,sweet potatoes
Pie,the lemon pound cake is
Delicious, fantastic array of goodies
Very friendly Staff
Darren A.
Darren A.
Oct 27, 2021
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Let's see what these cult fave 'dinner rolls' are all about.

The history behind The Avenue Bakery is quite impressive. Upon entering, you are greeted with the oat magical journey through the history of Baltimore. It is truly something to behold / experience for yourselves.

My "raison d'etre" for coming was to try these rolls everyone raves about! Okay, so here we go.
1) White Dinner Rolls - absolutely delicious!!! So happy I stopped by here to try these lil gems. I sliced a couple in half and laid them sliced side down in pan of butter to give a nice toasting.
Cheryl Crockett
Cheryl Crockett
Mar 19, 2021
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The wonderful smells coming out of this place...make me want to spend all my money there. On my first visit, I got some whole wheat dinner rolls, a couple of muffins and a serving of peach cobbler. Everything looked and smelled so good, sure enough when I got it home, it tasted even better. I will return!
Rachel McNamara
Rachel McNamara
Nov 09, 2020
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Oh my goodness. Firstly, the rolls are heavenly. The service is friendly and personable. Since I write this during 2020, the Covid sanitation is clear and effective. Highly recommend!
Jamie F.
Jamie F.
Jul 03, 2020
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My pastries wasn't fresh. They taste a day old. I got there exactly when they open up. You walk up to a service window. Maybe I should had went there later in the day when that made fresh pastries
Margie G.
Margie G.
Nov 24, 2019
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This was my 1st visit and I was pleasantly surprised! The bakery items were magnificent and well worth the price! The cinnamon raisin buns were out of this world! I will definitely be a regular customer. The coffee is great also!! You have to arrive early to get a good selection. They sell out fast.
Gretchen Brandt
Gretchen Brandt
Aug 11, 2019
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My husband located the bakery as part of our tour Baltimore's history. Magnificent.. bakery goods.. best I have had in decades(and we travel alot) . Delicious. Good coffee. And talking with the owner. Absolutely delightful. Ate Lemon x3 cake in the garden with our coffee . A wonderful experience and we will be back!
AlohaElyce
AlohaElyce
Jul 22, 2019
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Oh..my goodie ness!!
Famous rolls, pound cake, sweet potato pie, cookies. The best of Baltimore. I wish I lived close by..this would be my everyday bakery with coffee. Mrs and Son/nephew sweetest peeps. Check them out..its worth the travel:-)
Denise Oden
Denise Oden
Jul 22, 2019
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Staff is friendly and knowledgeable, Miss Brenda and Mr James are awesome. Family owned business that know how to bake. Their daughter makes brownies and pecan tarts that are like liquid crack.....truly addictive.
Monique Y.
Monique Y.
Jun 24, 2019
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So I used to stop in just to pick up a few rolls. then I walked in and smelled the scents of the most delicious sweet potato pies. I tried one and after that...needed to try EVERYTHING! To find that everything is absolutely amazing and fresh everyday. Cherry danishes, apple pies, whole pound cakes...i don't know how they do it. A beautiful family business with excellent customer service. Thanks, Avenue Bakery!
Peter B.
Peter B.
Jun 19, 2019
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You do not know Baltimore until you have been in the Avenue Bakery.

Like Ben's Chili Bowl in sister city DC, this is THE spot to visit if you want to watch history unfold and learn everything about where you are in the world.

The Avenue Bakery is one of the must see stops in African-American Baltimore just like the Great Blacks in Wax and the Reginald Lewis. The food here is the best and the man who runs it is a mensch.
Adena Magloire
Adena Magloire
Sep 01, 2018
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This is a local gem. The lemon pound cake is like my Granny used to make!. An entire pound cake is less than 10$. The snickerdoodle cookies were so wafer crisp and light , fabulous. The staff is so friendly and helpful.
Roger H.
Roger H.
Dec 10, 2016
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This place is a treasure and a strong effort of a local couple to rebuild old Historic Pennsylvania Avenue....one business at a time. I was told to go by the director of the Upton Historic District ...weeks later I go and there she is to tell me more history.

The bakery is famous for Poppay's yeast rolls. Among the best I've had in years. Soft, hot with butter. I took a dozen home. They also have pastries and coffee.

In summer they have jazz in their courtyard.

Read the history on the walls.

Nicest people ever.
Lashanda L.
Lashanda L.
Sep 24, 2016
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I'm glad I stopped in to meet Ms. Susie, who explained to me some of the history of the bakery, the menu, and gave me a delicious full sample of the poppy's roll. The parking lot is small and difficult to navigate my large SUV in and I'm glad I didn't give in to my urge to just leave. Once inside, I noticed walls adorned with history, an autograph book, and a display case with just a few of their offerings. Ms. Susie gave me a menu and explained everything on the menu and showed me the items that were still behind the counter. There were two people in the back preparing rolls
Liv B.
Liv B.
Mar 01, 2015
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I try to shop local whenever I can. Also, I like to eat. The Avenue Bakery appears to be a small, community-minded business in a part of Baltimore which could really benefit from patronage to support redevelopment. Check it out!

I had a "poppay's roll" and a cinnamon roll. Both were good! Not fancy, but solid examples of the forms. The bakery had a few chairs but no tables. Everyone while I was there was picking things up to enjoy at home.

I understand they have jazz outside sometimes in the summer. I look forward to that. Also, a wall in the bakery features info on local history