Boots Bakery & Lounge — Restaurant in Spokane

Writing this is extremely saddening, because Boots Bakery was one of my favorite vegan restaurants to go to around 2016 - 2019. I was so excited to be going again after a few years and show my boyfriend all the options and menu creativity (I'm vegan and he's vegetarian). Our experience was all negative.

We got there a little late at 3:20 with 40 minutes before closing. The server was walking over to us while texting on her phone, didn't welcome us in, and just asked if we were dining in or ordering to-go. Before we can answer she says to "spare her" and order to-go, impatiently reminding us that they close in 40 minutes. The food is all ready-made, so that felt extremely rude but oh well, we've worked in food service and get there's behind the scene stresses and some really off days.

We take awhile to order because of all the choices (I wanted to try everything!), and she's tapping her fingers in an annoyed manner. Nobody else was in line. When we order, she does not offer to warm up our food eventhough it's to-go. Maybe they changed that but in the past they always asked, whether I was dining in or to-go.

We sat at the tables outside Main Market, next to Boots Bakery, and then tried the food... the reason I'm writing this review. :(

We both order a pasta dish. Both pasta dishes had undercooked pasta, a couple bites were even CRUNCHY. I tried my tofu scramble, and the tofu was ice cold and the potatoes were so dry. I tried my buffalo cauliflower chickpeas dish and the cauliflower was undercooked. We got a rockyroad brownie, mini cupcakes, and ginger cookie which were all good though.

We considered going back to say something, at least about the pasta dishes, but with how we were treated it felt like things would be invalidated and we'd be made to feel worse than we already did. And at that point we didn't want food replacements either, since everything was bad or off.

We both said we'd give Boots Bakery another shot, but it won't be for awhile. The whole experience was very saddening, and it was supposed to be a birthday treat from my boyfriend. 🤣💔 I hope next time...

I don't go many places like this because my social anxiety gets the best of me, but one of my parents was here and lives a gluten free/vegan life like I do. I had to go for a special treat before the airport.

The staff was so sweet to me and answered all of my questions - even the ones that had the answers in front of my face. Lol. They went out of their way to make a fresh set of brownies to try .

There is an almond blueberry (?) cake type thing that you simply must try! It had the perfect blend of flavour and texture. I am so happy that we went and that this time it was for myself.

I had been in one other time very quickly to gather some treats for one of the local firehouses, but certainly wasn't there long enough to indulge myself and it was busy that day so I was relieved to be in and out. The staff was fabulous that day as well and put together an assortment of goodies without me having to guess. ❣️

The atmosphere is great - I can't believe I almost forgot this! They have a beautiful painting that was so striking that I just stood there and stared for quite some time. I'm not sure what they used on the walls... almost looks like vintage raised doors, cut and checkered. It's so pretty! For those of us that like to sit in a place where we have a back to a wall and are able to see our surroundings (because PTSD is such fun), there are perfect options close to the kitchen and low in traffic with just a light hum of happy kitchen goings on. My final observation is that any place with a kitchen patrons can view easily has great confidence and shows that they know they're "up to snuff". I'd feel comfortable eating anything coming out of there and handled by the staff. So clean!

Thanks for the great experience! I keep hoping to run into Pippo, he's my friend that told me about the joint to begin with. I have missed him on both occasions, darn it! All of the great people more than made up for...

Fantastic.

Boots Bakery is by far one of the highlights of the city. Considering the emphasis placed on independence and local culture here in Spokane, likely due to the hipster and college student scenes, just about every local business here is trying to go for a unique and low-key vibe that says "only in Spokane." Boots Bakery is one of the few places in town that authentically achieves this goal without becoming a try-hard.

Boots is a coffee shop and bakery with free Wifi (a staple that every venue looking for returning customers should have by now), in house sweets and meals to order, plenty of seating for various group sizes, and perhaps the most friendly employees I've encountered in the city. People of any age and stature can come here and find something they like and be sure that they will be welcomed in just as anyone else. This place is everyone-friendly.

Prices are great. Boots bakery does not rip you off; serving Doma and Anvil coffee on any typical day, you can get a bottomless cup of these local roasts for only 2$ on the honor system - just drop the money in the bucket, grab a mug, and you've got all the caffeine you need. It's certainly not a great cup of coffee, but it surpasses other considerations such as Starbucks in both value and quality.

I was once given a pumpkin spice waffle here at no charge because the chef overheard me talking about how I hadn't eaten all day, and apparently had accidentally made an extra. That's good business; that's why people come back. I would recommend this location to anyone looking for a spot in the city to become their café work station, or anyone looking to have hope for humanity. This...