Backhaus | San Mateo — Restaurant in San Mateo

We fell in love with the country bread back when it was sold in the test kitchen. We heard about Backhhaus opening so my partner and I were really excited to get the country bread. We also tried the croissants and pretzels.

The country bread def slid a few notches down from when we would buy it from the test kitchen. It was quite sad to discover this since our favorite bakery is back in Portland, OR where we summer.

The croissant is over flaky on the outside — everything is crumbling before my firs bite. There is something about a solid and delicious croissant — the aroma is ravishing as it is placed in the bag. The flavors compliment and accentuate your palette when you dunk a piece in a delicious frothy cappuccino or a pour over. It’s this symphony of flavors so wild and vivid all you could say is “ooooh so gooood.” Sadly, the Backhaus croissant miserably FAILED this test.

The cortado was bitter and not balanced

The salt pretzels were delicious. Right amount of softness and lye.

Not being over critical Backhaus. We had high expectations after years of buying your country bread from the test kitchen. You have to understand, we’re super spoiled and picky about bread and baked goods. We’ve eaten/purchased bread and pastries from the likes of Pony in Copenhagen, Trifecta Bakery in Portland (James Beard recipient Ken Forkish and author of Flour, Water, Salt), Braudogco in Reykjavik, Iceland) and Freyja in Budapest, Hungary — ❤️❤️❤️ them all.

I wanted to love you since I spend my winters in California. My search for a delicious bread bakery in and around the Bay Area...

There are 2 locations the San Mateo is a pick up and go place. The Burlingame location has an upstairs area with tables and chairs that you can enjoy a nice breakfast on a Sunday morning!

This morning I was there wanting to buy the croissant and ended up buying a plain sour dough, almond croissant and 2 pain croissants!

The sourdough was a good bread- crusty on the outside and soft textured on the inside! But it should be more sour- I would like them to make a batch that is extra sour.

There are also other varieties of sour dough and I tried the walnut cranberry which was good. It does not taste like a sourdough.

I think if you say you are going to make a sour dough it needs that kick, after you are paying a lot for it.

My favorite was the almond croissant and chocolate hazelnut - the surprise was they slice the half bottom and added a coconut almond paste filling which was very good!

I think the plain croissant is good but it could be a little more buttery in flavor !

May 6 2024 I was craving the almond croissant and this is the second review.

I tried the mushroom with Arugula pastry and it’s very good! $10+ . I guess you can share it with 2 comfortably. I had to get my fav again the almond croissant it’s really good!! What’s your favorite?

June 12 2024 Today there was no Almond Crossiants- they ran out. I ended up with the Chocolate Croissant which was very average. Even the small ones are nothing special and I think with the price you pay, that should not be in the menu. A cop out so just take it...

First time I came around 10:30am on a weekday. there was a short line but all special or seasonal stuff were gone. I only got the original croissant, chocolate croissant and everything croissant bowl. The second time I came at 8:30am on a weekday - also a short line and I got the pistachio raspberry croissant, banana chocolate walnut croissant and passion fruit kouign amann. But when I left the shop around 9:30 I saw the raspberry croissant was gone. So if you don't wanna miss anything or wait too long I suggest come before 9am-ish on weekdays.

Original Croissant & Chocolate Croissant - I like them! It is super crunchy outside and fluffy inside. And it smells good. Banana Chocolate Walnut Croissant - Another favorite. Yummy chocolate coating and banana and walnut fillings. Pistachio Raspberry Croissant - It looks huge and the portion and the raspberry fillings are just too much for me. Also a bit too sweet. Kouign Amann & Passion Fruit Kouign Amann - A bit disappointed. It's not special than other shops and the sugar coating became a bit hard crusted on the bottom. The shop has a small backyard for dining. I give 4 instead of 5 stars because the bakery is delicious but I just don't get the hype around it. You need to come early morning, wait in a line to buy a croissant for 6 bucks. It sounds a bit...