Azores Cambridge Bakery — Restaurant in Cambridge

Azores Bakery A Review by Hassan Hawash

“Hey Dad, where did you get these?”

“Where are those macaroons?”

“Where did you get those little cheesy buns?”

“Those buns you got last week absorb really well.”

Now those are the kinds of questions and remarks I love to hear from my moody and sometimes hard to please teenage daughter especially with reference, I reflect, to the often quoted “there is nothing in the fridge nothing to eat” that many a parent has most certainly heard a time or two, eh? My success thus far in pulling out some winners from Azores Bakery is going pretty well.

The first question above is a reference to my daughter’s very favourable response to the shrimp puffs I brought home the other day. My ten-year-old loves this find at breakfast time or really it can be an anytime snack. The macaroons have got to be amongst the best I’ve ever tasted and were a hit with the kids. My son appreciated having a couple included in his lunch box at school. The second question makes reference to Brazilian-Style Cheese Buns. They are a big hit with my two especially at breakfast time, but again they can be anytime snack, as we like to set them off to school with something hot to warm their bellies. The small golden cheese balls with a light, fluffy centre and a slightly tart/sharp flavour has proven to be a great addition to the rotation of snacks and breakfast menu to offer the kids.

I’d say they are ready for the latest yummy success I had the pleasure of snacking on – oven roasted chicken. It really did come as advertised – tender, juicy and full of flavour. Mmmm and that hot sauce made it taste all the better leaving me with a hint of tingly feeling on my lips as a result of just the right amount of a spicy kick. I am so glad I took the young woman behind the counter’s advice to try that amazing sauce taking back to memories of St. Hubert’s chicken in Quebec. The half chicken portion was just the right amount for lunch.

As I grazed my eyes over the offerings in the bakery section, I find myself struggling to heed my doctor’s advice to reduce my sugar intake. Hmmmm, maybe just this one time – I’ll take a collection of those macaroons please on the one visit and on another visit, “yeah, I’ll try that Rocky Road Brownie. So yummy!!” I mean after all, I have to think about the children’s lunch box I kid myself.

This bakery has me coming back for more again and again and again. So much...

I was craving Napoleon pastry so I went to there. But, they don't have it this time so I ordered pudding first time. Almost half of pudding there were air bubbles in it. So, texture was not smooth I was little disappointed. But, taste was good! When I there last time I want to buy rice pudding. But, they don't have it. Because, I saw it before I went to here. Anyway, I asked them then they said "we are only carrying on Friday" but this time I went to Saturday. So, maybe change it now.

Last time I thought too. It's really dangerous. Left side cash they have exit door. Which is it's connected by parking lot. When you drive to come parking lot you didn't know that door is. Only gray door and from outside door doesn't say anything. If open the door from inside (it's only exit door) sometimes car is just in front of you. But, if put up a sign the outside door it's really helpful to drivers and going out customers too. The driver also more carefully to drive when they pass by the door. And it's kind for everyone. So, please please make a sign on the door (for the outside). If you go to first time definitely nobody knows actually people come out...

I have been a regular customer at this bakery for probably 10+ years now, and despite their change in staff quality Over the last year or so, this place is still a must visit here in Cambridge. I want to make a special shout out to the familiar faces that have stuck it out for while and truly make all of my visits phenomenal. Those girls being Miss Alice, Monika, Nelly, Jazmyn and Avery. I know if I see them when I walk in the door, that I’m going to be getting the best service (make sure to remind staff when they are doing good they are human too!). I find a lot of the newer staff can be lazy, rude to some of their fellow staff, talk in different languages amongst each other while in the middle of serving customers, and don’t seem to have that strong Portuguese work ethic that we customers love to see. But for the most part, I enjoy every visit. The food never disappoints, the kitchen ladies are always working their butts off, and you can’t beat their selection in every aspect. I visit multiple times a week, and it truly is the most fairly priced Portuguese bakery you’ll ever stumble upon. I...