Steveston Bakery — Restaurant in Richmond

From the outside, this bakery won't appear to anyone as anything more than the village bakery that's been around for years. While both of those points are true, it's what's inside that counts!

Having been here many times, I've always been happy with the baked goods available. The bread has always been fresh, the pastries always pleasant, and the old village chatter & gossip from the patrons soothing to my soul. Sure the coffee is just okay and the prices while reasonable, nothing to write home about, but again it's more than that.

On my recent visit, their debit machine was down & I had no cash (who carries cash anymore). While I was accepting the fact that I wasn't going to be enjoying a cinnamon bun & coffee as I usually would, the clerk behind the counter asked if I lived nearby and told me just to come back later in the week when I was able to grab some cash or possibly when their machine would be working. I was floored. In fact, I tried to turn the kind gesture down! Now how many places provide people an IOU and trust them on faith to do the right thing?

Darn straight you know I'll be back here. Not only to pay, but to continue to provide this...

I recently had the unfortunate experience of visiting a bakery that left a lasting impression on me, but for all the wrong reasons. The moment I stepped foot into the establishment, an overwhelming stench hit my nostrils, and it was immediately apparent that something was seriously amiss. Little did I know that I was about to encounter a bakery teeming with a mice infestation.

As I approached the display counter, my eyes were immediately drawn to the trays of pastries and cakes. They appeared enticing from a distance, but upon closer inspection, I couldn't help but notice the telltale signs of tiny teeth marks and droppings. It was clear that these unwelcome visitors had taken up residence in this establishment long before my arrival.

The sight of mice scurrying across the floor was both unsettling and unsanitary. Not only did it make me question the bakery's commitment to cleanliness and hygiene, but it also completely shattered any confidence I had in their ability to provide safe and quality products. It was a clear indicator of a severe lack of proper pest control measures, which is simply unacceptable for any food...

On the surface, the Steveston Bakery seems like a home run. Everything looks great, friendly staff, comfortable environment. And they're open early, which is no small benefit in an area that doesn't seem to wake up until 9.

But twice now I've gone in and picked up bakery treats and twice they've been...fine. Croissants were fairly tasty but tough and chewy, same with the roll part of the sausage rolls. The Nanaimo Bars don't use the iconic custard powder butter cream, but instead a slab of flavorless frosting. The fruit danish was beautiful, and easily the best of the lot, but still rather tough.

I have not had a chance to sit down and try their Eggs Benedict, and I am curious - it might be that the kitchen is better than the bakery, which really reads as "not good enough to be worth the calories".

It's such a shame. Steveston has so few early morning options that to find one but then decide "eh..." is really...