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Schwartz Bakery / Cafe - Pico
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Schwartz Bakery / Cafe - Pico
7.8
A long-running kosher bakery-café known for practical breakfasts, strong bread programs, and a steady rotation of Jewish-leaning baked goods. It’s a utility stop for the neighborhood, with reliable quality and a familiar deli-style pace.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bagels with lox spread, Challah, Rugelach
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Kosher neighborhood bakery with daily breads and café classics.
Who should go: Bagel loyalists and lunch-counter regulars.
When to visit: Weekday mornings for shortest lines.
What to order: Bagels, challah, pastry case picks.
Insider tip: Friday mornings have the freshest challah drops.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Pico and side streets is usually manageable, though it tightens during school drop-off and Friday mornings. No dedicated lot.
Dress code: Casual and practical—come as you are for a bakery stop.
Noise level: Low to moderate depending on the morning rush; still easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—primarily a breakfast/lunch bakery-café.
Weekday lunch: Short waits during peak lunch hours; otherwise generally immediate.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—many breakfast items, salads, pastries, and breads are naturally vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited—some breads may qualify, but pastry and breakfast items skew dairy-heavy.
Gluten-free options: Very limited—no dedicated gluten-free program and cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it’s more of a casual neighborhood bakery than a setting for a memorable first-date experience.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—seating is first-come, first-served, and turnover is fast during breakfast hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—casual seating, quick service, and plenty of simple pastries make it easy for families with younger children.
Best For
Better for: Quick, reliable kosher breads and bagels when you need an easy weekday breakfast or lunch-counter-style stop.
Skip if: You want specialty pastries, café ambiance, or a slower brunch setting—other Pico spots offer more polish and variety.
Schwartz Bakery / Cafe - Pico
7.8
A kosher bakery institution on Pico where donuts are a dependable supporting player to the broader pastry program. The donut lane trends traditional—think jelly, glazed, and seasonal sufganiyot—with a fresh-bake clarity that beats typical coffee-case standards. Best for a low-friction donut stop while you’re already in bakery mode.
Must-Try Dishes:
Jelly donut / sufganiyah, Glazed ring donut, Chocolate iced donut
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Kosher bakery with reliable classic donuts and seasonal sufganiyot.
Who should go: Families and kosher pastry seekers.
When to visit: Mid-morning for fresh case variety.
What to order: Jelly donut, glazed ring, chocolate iced.
Insider tip: Ask which donuts were baked that morning.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Pico and side streets; generally available but can tighten during school pick-up and Shabbat-adjacent hours.
Dress code: Casual—come as you are; bakery counter environment with no style expectations.
Noise level: Low to moderate; easy for normal conversation with occasional bustle during morning rush.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—bakery closes before typical dinner hours.
Weekday lunch: Minimal to no wait; brief lines form during mid-morning peak but move quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—most pastries, donuts, and baked goods qualify as vegetarian-friendly.
Vegan options: Limited—occasional vegan-friendly items but donut options are typically not vegan.
Gluten-free options: Very limited—gluten-free pastries appear seasonally but donuts are not gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only for a casual, low-pressure pastry stop; it’s more counter-service than sit-down, so not ideal for a structured date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—no reservations needed. Seating is limited and more grab-and-go oriented, but turnover is quick.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—very. Families frequent it for pastries and donuts, with easy ordering and low-stress seating that works well for kids of all ages.
Best For
Better for: Reliable kosher classic donuts and sufganiyot in a full bakery setting where you can grab pastries, breads, and baked goods beyond the donut lane.
Skip if: You want artisan or gourmet donuts with experimental flavors—this leans traditional rather than trend-driven.