The Little Chef Pastry Shop — Restaurant in Princeton

If you're wondering about the hot and cold reviews here on this little pastry shop tucked away on a side street in Princeton, here's the deal with Little Chef: These are some of the best pastries, and certainly croissants, you will have in the area. Yes, the NY Times said they were some of the best in the country.

The owner's passion is baking fantastic pastries. They are buttery and delicious. That said, his passion is not hospitality. He is a very nice gentleman who happens to always be courteous to me. But you can tell he's there to bake, not entertain or make friends. That's the truth.

As for reviews mentioning odd hours, that can also be true. The shop opens at 9:30am... Most days. Sometimes, if he thinks he needs more time to make the morning pastries properly, it'll be 9:35am. Maybe 9:40. You will wait outside while he preps and that's the way it is here. Additionally, he may close early when he's out of items. I've seen him close when he needs to leave the shop for something (he's a one-man show). It's not consistent with the posted hours, but it's the way he does it. He makes a set number of things per day. If you come at noon and there's one croissant left, that's what you get... He has already started prepping for the next day. He may even have the door locked and the "closed" sign up, even though it's before posted closing time, because he's on to his work for tomorrow. If you want the best of this shop, it's best to join the line with others at 9:30am to get the freshest items, or come soon after, but don't be surprised if the selection is limited.

This is all to say, sure there are quirks about this place and the owner / baker will never wow you with his hospitality, but if you are looking for pastries and can pick them up around 9:30am in Princeton, you won't...

Little Chef is an amazing pastry shop! Get there early before before all the warm from the oven goodness is gone. Some of the best buttery croissants I have ever had from anywhere around the world. There are no dough improvers used here, or things such as are done in France....pre-made and baked on the spot dough? No way.

When a bakery sells out of their items because they are so tasty and popular, that is a really good sign. The gentleman that does the baking and I imagine owns the shop, cares very much about his process, the product, and the results. The proof is there. The croissants are amazing, properly buttery, crunchy, and airy. The other baked goods such as almond or fruit filled pastries are equally amazing! There are rules when you go here, and one should follow them. He cares about his product and doesn't want someone to make a silly mistake by pulling the basket out of the display case too far and spilling the tasty treats. Follow the rules, no pastries get hurt, everyone is happy!

Drive very far out of your way to visit this shop. Every town should have a wonderful bakery...

What a huge disappointment. Decided to sample the store's products based upon all the feedback stating that the bread was great . Mediocre to say the least and if anyone claims they think this place is great you basically have not experienced a quality product. The after-taste from eating the bread indicates the use of an alternative to butter, the kind of after-taste that you get at a discount bread place, not what you would expect from a premier baker. If anyone thinks these croissants are great I am happy to introduce you to real croissants, layers of flaky bread that melts in your mouth, not the doughy consistency of this store's croissants. Not blaming the baker. Each person will produce to the best of their ability and obviously this is a case of mediocrity. I take my food very seriously :-) and so I have no patience for a poor product that is touted as...