Benji's Bakery & Cafe — Restaurant in Alaska

I was driving down Dimond around 6pm last evening en route to another bakery/deli (which turned out to be closed) when I saw a sign for a new "bakery and cafe" next to Phonatic Vietnamese restaurant, (also owned by Benji, the owner of the Bakery) so I pulled in and parked. There was a line that went outside the door, which to me was a very good sign, and as it turned out, it was! The bakery had re-opened after it's short 2 hour (3-5pm) closing to replenish its supply, and the items were already selling fast. It seemed most of the customers were already regulars, and they gave me information about the various menu items, which were all tantalizing beautiful and clearly very fresh. I have never seen such large, full, and gorgeous croissants, in several flavors (incl peach, orange cream, plain, chocolate); as well as pistachio and cream and chocolate chip and cream pastries, sticky buns, almond sticky buns, boba, bah mi, and more. The sandwiches are delicious: the bread is light as air inside, crispy on the outside, and so fresh. Bagels were on the menu just below the ceiling, but were not being offered last evening. For drinks I bought a pomengranate, and a peach ice tea, which were delightful. There are many different drinks which I plan to try next trip. The baked items here are in my opinion the freshest, lightest, most unique, and delicious in Anchorage. And I understand the choices will continue to expand. The staff is very friendly and personable. They smile and engage with the customers. The owner, Benji, apparently saw me struggling with a big box of food items and a carrier with the iced tea, and came out to my car to help me. We then discussed at length how he developed the bakery and cafe and his desire for high quality products. It is a happy place. There are tables and chairs for in-store eating, as well...

First time coming here. Pretty disappointed to say the least. I’ve had the pastries before, but never actually been to the cafe. Music was pretty loud which may have been part of the miscommunication. I ordered 3 of the benji’s special chowders, and one salmon chowder. Then I asked which of the pastries is recommended for chocolate lovers. She didn’t hear me, so my wife suggested I get a strawberry chocolate pastry. I have some troubles because I forgot my wallet and had to enter my card manually but that’s besides any point. We get our food, make sure we have the 4 chowders and the 2 pastries. Drive home to find all of the chowders are only the clam chowders. No toppings that make them what we ordered. I try calling to no answer so I drive back. They quickly apologize and take my chowders back to make them correct. I get in the car and just for funsies check the chowders. They did correct the 3 benji’s chowders. But my salmon one was still just the chowder. I go back in they take it and quickly throw a pinch of salmon bits on. In my head I say screw it and leave. It was such a small amount of salmon I quite literally didn’t taste it in my chowder. By the time I got home all the chowders were ice cold as they didn’t reheat nor get us new chowder. I say to myself “well at least their pastries are good” the pastry was mid. Barely any chocolate on the thing, and there was only like white cream filling in the middle. No strawberry or chocolate. Just the tiny bit of the strawberry stuff and drizzle of chocolate on top. So overall very disappointed. I am definitely willing to try them again, but might give...

I came here with my sister just to try for drinks till I saw the pastries. I bought an almond sort of bread and Tropic it like it's hot (green tea with pineapple, hibiscus flower, mango, and orange). I thought the almond bread pastry was going to be super sweet but it exceeded my expectations and it was at a perfect sweetness! The flavor combined was outstanding! Bread is cooked well too. As for my drink, I was hit with the aroma. It was super refreshing and satisfying and it's been the perfect drink I've been looking for for the past hot summer days we've been having. I tried my sister's boba milk tea and I gotta say, it does taste the same as boba tree BUT, the drink is cold because of the amount of ice they put compared to boba tree and the after taste really put me in a great mood. I almost forgot to mention but I did also order a sandwich they called, Banh Mi. This is really popular with vietnamese, thai, and Lao people. (Probably more Asian countries but I've never been to them) the bread. Exceeded my expectations once again, its crispy on the outside when you bite into it you reach the fluffiness of the bread. The flavor I tasted from the veggies in that sandwich was fresh. The sauces combined with it was spectacular, and complimented each other. It is a small shop, but I do highly recommend this place. I'm coming back with my...