The Baklava Lady — Restaurant in Englishtown

I've been coming here almost weekly after I learned about it on a local facebook group. The service is the best, I literally walk in there and am greeted by name, and they somehow seem to be on a first name basis with every other person that comes in. And it's wayyy past names at this point- they know where my kids go to school, I know who just graduated from high school and which university they're going to, it's a pretty great community where everyone cares about each other. Some moron below left a review that said they must have a lot of friends, and yeah, they sure do.

I got the last piece of Resistance Cookie Pie yesterday. The baklava lady thought it was going to lead to a bunch of negative reviews, but laughed it off and made it anyway, so I thought I'd stop in here to see and it looks like she was right. Ignore the keyboard cowards, here are the straight facts about this place: I've been coming here for months and they are now busier than I've ever seen, so there can be a little bit of a wait to get a table. No reservations. Some things start selling out by early afternoon. They get a lot of hate because they aren't afraid to speak up about anything. The parking has only gotten worse because it's so much busier now. I had to park across the street in the lot by the police station yesterday. Only open 3 days a week. And finally - their air conditioner sucks.

While that sounds like a lot of potential negativity, I would never stop coming here, because the food and pastries are amazing, and made fresh daily. The pastries are literally made by one person- the baklava lady. And the entire staff cares about their work, and the world, more than anywhere I've ever been.

I personally love that baklava lady doesn't care about reviews. She said good people will always find the good places, and it looks like she's right. I just wish they wouldn't find them on Sunday when I'm trying to get a kofte sandwich...

Lovely vegan cafe. Delicious food and drink. Warm, cozy atmosphere.

Update IV - My daughter wanted to try the chocolate mousse again, and she loved it. It had a wonderfully smooth rich texture this time. Completely different from the first time I ordered it, and I'm so glad about that. I've recently also tried the kofte wrap, which was fresh, delicious, and flavorful. The sweeter favorites in our household are usually the donuts. The strawberry flavor is our favorite, but blueberry and apple cider flavors were also well received. We're always sad if they run out later in the day.

Update III - I had the breakfast board for the first time! It was amazing. Everything was fresh and delicious. I can honestly say that I enjoyed every last bite of this dish. (As an omnivore, I do notice the lack of meat usually in the more traditional Turkish breakfast, but the meal itself lacked nothing. I was thoroughly satisfied.) Thank you so much. I will definitely be back to keep sampling whatever you have to offer.

Update II -- their lentil soup is amazing! So full of flavor. Their breads are so fresh and wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed their blueberry cake, and my kids loved their strawberry cream cake. The staff is kind. What a wonderful experience.

Update -- Their baklava continues to be tasty! I'd say beware of their choco mousse though. The one I got recently was as hard as refrigerated cake icing. (I'm not sure how else to explain it. If that's your thing, then more power to you! It was unexpected for me.) I'll continue to be a patron, but beware...

Here’s a list celebrating the many reasons why the Baklava Lady is amazing:

Delicious Vegan Offerings: Her baklava and other desserts are not only vegan but crafted with such care and quality that they delight everyone, vegan or not.

Ethical Choices: Supporting a business that chooses vegan ingredients means supporting animal welfare. Each purchase helps promote a cruelty-free approach to food.

Empowering Female Entrepreneurship: It's empowering and inspiring to support a business led by a strong female entrepreneur. It highlights the importance of diversity and representation in the business world.

Human Rights Advocacy: By advocating for human rights, she shows a commitment to making the world a better place, not just through her business practices but also through her active voice in social issues.

Transparency and Trust: Knowing exactly where your money is going—towards ethical, thoughtful business practices—adds a layer of trust and satisfaction to every purchase.

Community and Connection: There’s a sense of community and shared values when supporting a business like this. It’s about more than just food; it’s about supporting a collective vision for a better world.

Innovative and Creative: Her ability to transform traditional desserts into vegan masterpieces without compromising on taste is a testament to her creativity and innovation in the kitchen.

Every bite not only satisfies the sweet tooth but also nourishes the soul—because you’re supporting a business that shares your values, one heavenly piece of...