Jason F.
Yelp
There is nothing more classically Oakland than ordering desserts at Gregory's Gourmet Desserts. Located near Lake Merritt off of 23rd Street in a rather innocuous space that is actually below street level, the only way to even notice that Gregory's Gourmet Desserts even exists is the fact that they have a fantastic mural outside of their brick and windowless storefront showcasing some noteworthy African American chefs throughout history in the United States. For over two decades, Gregory's Gourmet Desserts has been providing quality desserts that the community can celebrate in, in what can only be considered a true hidden gem. It was owner Gregory Williams' passion for dessert eating that inspired the establishment of Gregory's Gourmet Desserts when former bakery chain La Petite Boulangerie stopped making their apple strudel cheesecake, so he decided to make it himself. It turned out to be so successful that it inspired a love of baking inside of himself, and with only a cookbook and baking pan in hand, Gregory's Gourmet Desserts was born! With an emphasis on wholesale baking, Gregory's Gourmet Desserts is smart enough to keep a wide variety of cookies, brownies, cake slices and of course pie slices.
I have wanted to come to Gregory's Gourmet Desserts for as long as I knew they even existed and only recently got the chance when I was in the area while my car was parked in the nearby Whole Foods Market. A simple walk down Harrison Street and a right turn down 23rd Street and my view of their mural, and I knew I was there. Upon entry to Gregory's Gourmet Desserts, the first thing that visitors notice is that their storefront is very very small! So small that there is no need to walk around and gaze at what they are offering, as it is just a wall of treats behind glass doors and that's it. And that's all one really needs as I was personally here to order a few things and be on my merry way. There is literally room for one or two customers inside their store and that's it. Thankfully, Julette, their customer service representative that I encountered on this day, was super helpful in letting me know what were top sellers that they always recommended. And she said their top sellers were their single serving of Peach Cobbler and a Slice of Key Lime Pie. With this in mind, I had no hesitation in ordering both of those treats in addition to three of their cookies, one chocolate chip and walnut, one snickerdoodle, and one espresso chip. With those five items in my bag, my total bill was $22.23 with tax included, but before gratuity was added in, which I considered very reasonable.
I managed to get home with all of my loot intact, and I dove into my three cookies right away, as I usually do, and I felt although they were flavorful composed cookies, they were lacking the moisture that I am normally used to after feasting on my favorite treat. But the real stars of my dessert adventure were in fact their slice of key lime pie and their peach cobbler. The key lime pie was light and airy without being too sweet and their peach cobbler, which is served in a plastic tub that is usually reserved for salads and soups, was the perfect amount of peaches, syrupy gravy and crumble. My only regret is that I did dine on either of these desserts without a scoop of delicious store bought ice cream, which would have made my dessert meal even more perfect. I cannot wait to go back to Gregory's Gourmet Desserts and try more of their sweet treats as their slices of Chocolate Cream Pie, Red Velvet Cake, and Apple Streusel Cheesecake sound absolutely divine. Here's to hoping for Gregory's Gourmet Desserts continued success with hopefully even more locations throughout the East Bay, as they have quickly and resolutely become a local Oakland institution that any fan of desserts should visit and enjoy!
