Lee Lee's Baked Goods — Restaurant in New York

Stumbled across this place by happy accident bc we were lured in by a divine, fresh baked aroma in the street. I initially poked my head in to see if I could just buy a coffee (you can't) and sit outside on his patio for a minute. Mr. Lee kindly said a purchase wasn't necessary and we could sit anyway, but Lawd, the smell...I couldn't leave the store without buying something. I learned about their famous rugelach, which was amazing btw, but rugelach is not my usual, go-to dessert. Cake is my jam and babyyyy their pound cake w/ chocolate icing was a delightful showstopper. It's a dense, but simple recipe, classic old school... not too sweet and nostalgic just like his store. It almost tasted the same as my late Grandma's homemade cake - but not as tasty as Mr. Lee's. The modest packaging was a decoy bc I was not expecting such a high level of scrumptiousness, so much so that I couldn't put down my fork in between my giant bitefuls. I kept promising that "this gonna be my last bite ya'll" and failed. My husband inhaled his entire piece of cake in one sitting without shame, but I had to save some for later bc I was trying to extend my pleasure and not my waistline. What a surprise treat! Fortunately, I'm on Long Island, so I can't become obsessive and o.d. on this place. But I tell you this; I will never go into Harlem again without getting some cake from this bakery to take home. I can't fully explain it, but it felt very special eating from the master hand of an Harlem icon like Mr Lee. This bakery is a rare experience. Not just a piece of history but an entire heritage of black excellence - to be respected and cherished. Thank you Mr. Lee, for your long service to sweet...

Update: November 26 2024 I am happy to say that Lee Lee's Bakery REFUNDED my money for the purchase of the bakery pastries: Rugelach. I wish this had never happened because they make delicious product. But it shows that they care about customer satisfaction and how their is received. Thank you, very much. For this reason I am changing my review giving them 5 stars for service. / 5 stars for food. Nov. 21, Very unfortunate that I have to give Lee Lee's 2 Stars. But here's what happened. I live in Florida, Harlem Transplant. I wanted to support the Bakery because I heard wonderful things about it. Like how great the Rugelach is. I ordered 1(12) pcs/ 1(26) pcs on Nov. 9th. The website said 3 days shipping. It actually took 12 days to be delivered, It arrived on Nov. 21st .that's utterly Ridiculous and unacceptable. Using USPS - Priority Mail is NOT the way you ship a food item. FedEx or UPS or DHL 2/3 days is acceptable and normal practice. If you don't have the ability or wherewithal to ship your product out of state then don't. Many of the Rugelach were in pieces, even the ones in the tin can. Very disappointed. If anyone reading this is not in NY STATE DON'T BOTHER ORDERING YOU ARE GOING TO GET THE SAME RESULTS AS I did. It's sad because the Rugelach are good ....but Not worth the wait or...

This place is absolutely legendary! I have never had Rugelach this good, full stop. It’s flaky and flavorful and sweet but not overpowering and tasteful and just sooooo good! The other baked goods are also next level. I’ve had the pound cake and black and white cookie (which has a cake-y consistency like it should ) and wowowowow absolutely incredible! Lee Lee has been running this place for a long time, and with good reason. He’s a lot of fun to talk with too. The place of course smells incredible inside. I wish this place was more well known. A lot of tourists probably don’t make it this far north in Manhattan, but it’s well worth taking the B/C up to 116th to try some of the rugelach and other baked goods. (There are other cool Harlem places nearby too). You have not tried rugelach until you’ve...