The Mixing Bowl Bakery — Restaurant in Sauk City

I'll preface my review by sharing that I am Catholic, and I made the 40-minute trip to Sauk to get a gift for an upcoming Confirmation. I wanted to support a Catholic business in the diocese and browse around- I hadn't been to their brick-and-mortar location before, but had been to their traveling booth at various local Catholic events. I know this business is run by a faithful family and their children are involved and homeschooled (which I support) at the business; I've heard it recommended many times by others. So I regret writing that I likely won't make a return trip. When we got there and started browsing, there was a very loud conversation between the owner and another customer about end times "prophecies." Generally unsettling for anyone to overhear (even though I know they are not actual Church teaching and historically unsupported) and would likely drive most customers away. I wouldn't mention it if there were only mature Christians around, but I had my youngest with me, and was worried about her being frightened (thankfully she was distracted by the toy selection). The owners' young children were also there, but I assume this is usual conversation for them to overhear. Besides this, the setup of the store was dense and overwhelming (floor to ceiling shelving on nearly every wall, covering up windows) with poor lighting. Too much is packed into a small space; I hardly knew where to start looking. Religious images are also put up around all the booths, but two were occupied by the family while working/homeschooling, so it was awkward to try and browse those items. It did not feel very clean. There were completely brown/near rotten bananas in the grocery corner. We tried to use the bathroom before we left (going through a dingy hallway to the back, where other baking and storage spaces do not appear well-kept) but the toilet was not flushing and the soap dispenser barely worked. The toilet, sink, and child's step-stool were not very clean. I did buy a regular brownie, but found it overly sweet, too sugary and not enough chocolate, too hard on the outside and too soft on the inside. The girl behind the counter was pleasant. I did find a few small things for the Confirmation gift, and I am happy with those. I may order other religious items through them online/shop their mobile booth in the future, but my experience in-store was a rather uncomfortable one. I really recommend an interior refresh, with better lighting and display solutions, and heightened...

First time visit. We appreciated the friendly young person helping customers BUT...has not been trained properly . Wants to be a coffee shop and bakery shop, but does not even serve good coffee. And to add insult to injury, then serves it in a styrofoam cup like at a gas station, overfilled with a flimsy lid that leaks !! Baked goods were dry and mediocre in flavor. I'm sure it is hard work. I appreciate the entrepreneurial spirit. What we don't appreciate is having little children running all over the shop while people are being served overfilled cups of hot coffee. It's very dangerous!! At the front door, at the first booth, on the floor!!!... was a newborn sitting in a sling seat ON THE FLOOR. NO WARNING, TO People walking IN, OR around with hot coffee. The Baby was close to the area where you place your dirty dishes and throw out your waste after. I request the owners to worry more about the safety of their children, and less about trying to make it seem like you're home. It is a business by the way!! There was a child crying and throwing a fit and the parent was yelling at him from across the room instead of actually maybe getting down in front of the child and speaking quietly. As for their agenda that hits you in the face, the moment you walk through the door. I have traveled the world and visited churches of all faith. I have never seen so much political & religious propaganda in one place. It's very clear, that it's either their faith and their beliefs, or they really don't want you as a customer. The coffee and baked goods ARE JUST A DECOY for their actual purpose of this business, Pushing their agenda. Serving better products and goods is important if you plan on forcing...

I've had mixed results with the baked goods at The Mixing Bowl. The scone tend to be on the dry side and not up to the standard set by Batch Bakehouse or Lazy Jane's, I was also disappointed to find that a loaf of bread I purchased had mold on it when I examined it when I returned home.

One the positive side, the shortbread cookie had an abundance of crunch and buttery richness in spades. The same superlatives van by applied to my daughter's blueberry muffin - the flavor from the home brewed vanilla elevates this muffin above many others I've recently consumed

The Mixing Bowl also has a complete array of beverages, ranging from coffee drinks to smoothies. The chai tea latte ordered by my daughter featured tull flavors and had a satisfying creamy texture. My blueberry pomegranate smoothie was just OK - the fruit flavors were muted, though I did enjoy the homemade yogurt mixed into my drink.

While the staff person who assisted us was slightly reserved, she did do a thorough job of explaining that everything is made from scratch, using as many non-GMO and organic products as possible. She also mentioned the business brews its own vanilla and makes its own homemade yogurt. During our stay, I noticed the employees had a pleasant rapport with its many repeat customers that visited the store.

The Mixing Bowl is housed in a building that has seen better days and the low ceiling, the dark brown and black tables and dark hued carpet made the interior seem darker than it actually was. The Mixing Bowl also has a dive through window for that that prefer their carbs and...