Carl B.
Yelp
So, on my trip to Minneapolis, I was looking very forward to going to what I thought was my favorite bakery after seeing my grandson. I discovered the Angel Food Bakery and Coffee Bar when I was in the Minneapolis Airport Terminal 1 in the last year or so, and I sent many, many, many people to that bakery as they were flying through that terminal. I fell in love with the coconut macaroons--they were the most delicate and delicious I have ever had in my life. So naturally, I was excited to go to one of the flagship stores and experience this for myself.
A couple of days later, I decided, okay, let's go to Angel Food Bakery and Coffee Bar. I had my son-in-law and my daughter pack us all up, which was quite a little bit of a journey, and take us there. You'd think a place called Angel Food Bakery and Coffee Bar would have angels working there, right? Well, as we arrived and I stepped in, it didn't quite feel like heaven. The atmosphere was kind of still, and the staff didn't exactly radiate joy.
I noticed there were no coconut macaroons in sight, so (keep the word "so" in mind) I asked a young lady at the counter, "Do you have any coconut macaroons today?" Bursting with excitement, I couldn't help but add, "Oh, I came all the way from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina!"--you know, with that kind of Southern charm and genuine eagerness only a true macaroon lover can muster. But her response? A flat, uninterested "No." No smile, no "I'm so sorry," no "Wow, that's a long way!"--just a bland "No," as if my excitement was a minor inconvenience in her day. And then, as if to add insult to injury, she followed up with a casual, "So?" Not exactly the heavenly response I was expecting.
Still, not wanting to leave empty-handed after all that effort, I ordered a curry puff pastry. It was good, but here's the thing: she asked if I wanted it warmed, and I said yes--just for a few seconds, slightly warm. Instead, I stood there for what seemed like over a minute, and when I finally got it, the pastry was so hot I couldn't even eat it right away. Meanwhile, my son-in-law, who had ordered a strawberry crunch donut, and my daughter had finished their treats while I was still waiting for mine to cool down.
As we were eating, I noticed the same girl, Bridget, walk by and leave. It was clear she didn't want to be there, and unfortunately, that feeling carried through the rest of our visit. Even when I mentioned the poor service to another staff member, I got nothing but a dismissive "oh." Not a word from the manager or anyone else as we left--no "goodbye," "thank you," or even a simple "hope you enjoyed your visit."
Now, I know that bakeries change their goods regularly, and it's on me to call ahead and check if what I'm craving is in stock. But this wasn't about the macaroons; it was about the service. As I flew in, I saw a huge sign proclaiming "Minnesota Nice," but after my experience at Angel Food Bakery and Coffee Bar, I'm left wondering--where was the Minnesota Nice? And where was the Angel at Angel Food Bakery and Coffee Bar? I'm left sad for how many people I sent to this bakery over the years. It might have been an off day, but if you're going to work at a place called Angel Food Bakery and Coffee Bar, please, try to be more of an angel and less of a Bored Bridget.