Sweet Crimes Gluten-Free Bakery — Restaurant in Washington

Biggest buzz kill ever.

My visit to Sweet Crimes yesterday (rode my bike from Takoma Park) May 5, 2023, and my visit was f-ing awful.

I am a health and wellness author that has done a smidge of media (Dr. Oz, People, Access Hollywood) recently got out of the hospital due to an illness, and the doctor okayed my having modest gluten-free sweets again.

Previously visited Sweet Crimes in December 2022, and it was such a heartwarming experience. A friendly young woman at the counter had good energy and gave me a free lemon bar since it was my first visit. (Also, I purchased a good amount of sweets for a dinner party I was attending.)

During yesterday’s May 5, 2023, I walked in super cheerful (remember, I haven't had any sweets in 3 months). Yet, Immediately the tall young African-American man working the counter with dreads took an aggressive stance, no smile, no hello - just as if he was ready “to act” in case I robbed the place. I started to video some items to share and recommend Sweet Crimes on my social media, and he says, “Uh, is there something I can help you with?!”

I ask if the owner is available not to complain about him but to merely share how glad I was to find Sweet Crimes with all of my recent health issues.

“Uh, she’s really busy right now,” he says. In my head, I am like, “What small business owner doesn't come out and talk to customers?!” The place is so tiny I can hear the owner, and I communicate my compliment to her anyway.

I then asked the young man working the counter if I could have a plate so that I do not have to video and take pictures of the Sweet Crimes items I planned to share on social media in the scraggly wax paper they wrapped my things - he responds “yeah we don't give out plates or allow that.”

Two white female customers walk in after me. This young man shows them bright Disneyland Bojangles smiles, and even the tone and meter in his voice are lighter and friendlier.

So in summation. If you look anything like the residents from the Potomac Gardens public housing community across the street from Sweet Crimes - anticipate cold and unfriendly customer service.

If you look like a hipster Washington Post writer like Austin Graff, a Capitol Hill red state staffer or mommy blogger or -, expect warm customer service and staff that shows you their pearly whites.

Lastly. Re: the response below. One thing I cant stand is a liar. No employee nor the owner of Sweet Crimes EVER communicated they didnt want to be filmed, nor were there any signs indicating such. Further, the female owner even recording a 1:47 video of me giving the business a shout out before the rudeness from the front facing staffer member. That you would come here and lie, and then not show empathy and sympathy first says a lot about your character and lack thereof.

Piss poor representation of the integrity of the small business community of my hometown.

Dont make me post the video with Sweet Crimes owner MORE than willingly to be videoed, or subpoena your store video and sue you for libel.

Dont write checks you cant cash puddin. And as other commenters have said here your baked goods are...

We recently visited the DC area and planned to come here. As my daughter is gluten free. We read the reviews, and still wanted to try. We got the chocolated covered doughnut, a blueberry/lemon scone, choc donut hole, pumpkin bread, cinnamon roll, and a brookie. We enjoyed all, but if we were to get another donut, we enjoyed the donut holes the most, as they taste very similar to a DD munchkin. All the goodies we got were really yummy. Now, service…..this was a hot topic in the one star review category. I’ll say this (I was also a restaurant manager and worked many customer service jobs), I really really wanted to have a great experience, but this us why I gave 4 stars. When we walked in, they did acknowledge we were there, but seemed to be finishing up a personal employee conversation in the back (its very small). That was okay, but being an ultra specialty shop, I feel like there should have been more enthusiasm. When the colorful haired lady came to help us, I ensured to be talkative and kind, even telling her how excited we were to try their food because total gluten free places are rare. It was like pulling teeth to get her to talk to me, to interact, to make suggestions (we were buying several things to try and she made no suggestions and almost wouldnt make eye contact with me, but was engaging with her coworker in the back). We were the only customer there when we walked in, and only 1 other person came in behind us, so they were not busy. I don’t want to say they were rude, but I felt like I wasnt really wanted there. I even complimented her hair, trying to engage, even asking about their stuff…..it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good. We were so taken aback how nice everyone was in DC that we encountered….then our last day we made a special stop, it was just a little off putting. We did like their sweet treats, but I highly recommend training in how to interact with...

Delivery customers beware!

First, what I like:

I like their bread a couple of their seasonal offerings like the lemon loaf and chocolate mint cookies. I also like that they've started including a side salad with their sandwiches. I'd like more of their items if they carried versions without nut and dried fruit fillings (e.g. the spicy brownie and carrot cake - it's a texture things. I just want to taste/enjoy the items and not have to pick out the other stuff). I know that's a preference thing, though.

The issue:

What I DO NOT like is how they manage their deliveries with Uber Eats (UE) and the lack of accuracy in their daily inventory on the app. It's VERY rare that I get what I ordered, as they'll omit out of stock items (that were still listed as available on the app) or provide a substitute I did not ask for (or want). UE is expensive, so I wait until I have a BIG craving for something specific. I'll also add an item or two in order to meet the cost minimum required to earn the UE $10 off. I've lost count of the amount of times I've received an order without the thing I was craving, having wasted the $10 credit and money I could spent with them when they had what I wanted in stock. Super frustrating and disappointing.

Do I get a refund for the missing items, sure. But UE will only let you process so many refunds before they flag your account and start making life difficult through no fault of the customer.

Potential solutions:

Can we just have an accurate inventory on the app and/or a place to note substitutions? Some stores have an option "if item is out of stock, refund entire order." The would be REALLY helpful.

Bottom line:

I like this place for the 3-4 items that make me happy, but I'm about to forget it entirely if this...