Iron Rooster Bakery — Restaurant in Bellingham

As an out of towner, I was overjoyed to find a bakery to make a pie for my husband’s 40th birthday. I emailed the owner days in advance, called him, and secured the order with my credit card.

The day of my husband’s 40th birthday I arrive to the bakery after a very stressful drive to the location. When I explained that I was there to pick up the pie I had ordered, the owner stared blankly at me and responded that he didn’t know the order was finalized. I reminded him that I gave him my credit card over the phone and that he said it would be ready by 10 am Friday and that I could pick it up any time that day (it was already 2PM.) The owner stared blankly at me and stated that he remembered that phone call now, but did not have a pie for my husband’s birthday. I was in disbelief. He did not offer to make it right. He did not offer me anything else from the bakery. As I stood there totally overwhelmed, he dismissed me and told me that he didn’t know what I wanted him to do. He didn’t have a pie for me. I asked him if he could recommend a place where I could get a pie and he was zero help.

If you need a pie for someone special, order it from a bakery that actually wants to...

I’ve been hearing for years about how this is the best bakery in Bellingham, because of limited hours and my availability I’ve just never made it in, until today! To my sadness I was pretty let down… the apple cider Bundt cake was grainy and tasted more of clove than anything else, the hazelnut chiffon cake tasted like dry sponge sandwiched with Nutella (I mean filling is delicious, who doesn’t like Nutella but dry sponge on a chiffon cake… ugh), and the BEAUTIFUL apple turnover type pasty (called something else that I’ll butcher if I try to spell) was toasty and beautiful on top but I’m afraid that’s where it ended; with a flavor lacking mushy applesauce center, and undercooked below the decorative top and especially on the bottom. Maybe I’ll try again… I really expected this to end my search for an inspiring bakery in Bellingham that doesn’t solely rely on window appeal to satisfy my insatiable sweet...

Adding specific comments as requested by owner Food 4/5 The almond croissant was greasy to the touch but good. The lattes were okay but I wouldn't reorder a drink here the next time. Overall, the pastries are good but not good enough to justify the high pricing. It was a good stop on the long drive to Canada

Service 1/5 This was the first time in my life that I have seen a server verbally ASK customers what they would like to tip and press the tip amount in for the customer. It was awkward to listen to everyone in front verbally tip and I felt an unspoken pressure to tip the max amount (whatever it was). The whole tipping situation (though usually not a big deal in terms of the dollar amount) left a bad taste in my mouth

Extra info The bakery was not open for dine in when I was here. The server took orders by the door and there was some...