Russell’s Bakery

Had been looking for a Coconut Cake, just like my Mom used to make… Well, Russell did it … It was so Good!!!

First time, tried a pastry on the recommendation of a friend. Not two bites in and I overhear the owner /​co-​owner venting to his acquaintance at the table with him. He’s in the middle of this medium sized seating area angrily complaining about everyone from his special needs employees to his coworker family members. The longer I stayed, the angrier the conversation went. After thirty minutes listening to the escalation, I chose to leave.
This was on the 27^th of January, between 9:00 — 9:30.

Been twice. First time was nice. 2^nd was very disappointing. I was sold a decorative holiday themed cupcake (for a child). It looked great but it was really stale. The cupcake was discounted (while it was being rung up I found out it was ½ price). But I thought this was because it was just after the holidays, not because it was more or less inedible. Coffee was nice. But please don’t sell rock hard cupcakes to little kids. Not cool. If the inventory is inedible just throw it out and don’t sell it to people. If I want the funky Austin bakery experience I will probably go to Quacks.

Russell’s is good. Not great, but good. I went here mainly in search of an excellent blueberry muffin, having heard that they make some of the best right there. It was satisfying, but not at all what I’d hoped for. The muffin top was like a giant square block, and didn’t have the crispy golden exterior I’m used to seeing on my favorite muffins elsewhere. It just looked unusual. Also not a fan of the crystallized sugar on top, which as I recall this place does. The blueberries were still juicy and pleasant though, and the inside was crumbly and sweet, so I was content for the moment. Also had a tuna sandwich that was unremarkable. Just a mediocre tuna sandwich really.
When I went back craving another blueberry muffin, it was very dry and didn’t taste as good. With several other excellent bakeries to choose from, I’m not sure how likely it is I’ll go back to Russell’s. Chances are they have some other baked goods that are worth trying though.

Let me stress. People talk about this being a «coffee shop», but this is a BAKERY and not a coffee shop.
The coffee is not very good. There were hints when I ordered a cappuccino, and I was asked if I wanted a 12 ounce, 16 ounce, or 20 ounce cup. The coffee comes out of an automated machine much that you might find in a Starbucks.
The bakery stuff may be excellent, but don’t go there for the coffee. Heck, go to Epic or Monkey’s Nest. Both have excellent coffee and serve Russell’s bakery

Love their banana nut bread as well as some of the other baked goods I have tried however good customer service with a smile is paramount to me and I have almost never really felt welcomed when I have gone into this establishment. I have been waited on by an older lady and then recently by a variation of some younger men. The men were somewhat more pleasant but still provided nothing close to what I consider good customer service. It has been enough of a turn off that the above average wares no longer entice me back there which is a pity because they are one of the closest eateries to where I reside.

Special ordered an 8″ carrot cake for a birthday. And although the printed decoration was in blue icing, the cake was AWESOME! Highly recommended!!!

Meh is about all I can give this place. The parking sitch is challenging, not enough spaces. Cute place, nice and clean, pretty display. I went in to pick up some sweets for me and a few friends to sample. Grabbed a key lime tart, a brownie and a couple of their iced longhorn cookies. The brownie was okay, the tart was not very flavorful and the cookies has the thinnest layer of icing I’ve ever seen on a cookie. The cookie was alright, but just wasn’t up to my standards and especially for what I paid for all of it. I don’t think I will go out of my way to go back, but it’s good to know its there.

I wish, I wish, I wish I could give half stars, but I can’t so I’m rounding down.
I would like to say that I’ve never had bad food here. I’ve tried all of the cakes, cookies, and bars and if there was something I didn’t like, it wasn’t because it wasn’t a quality good, but because I just didn’t like the flavor. I’ve also had lunch here before, Tuna on salad is my favorite. Awesome cake and cookies aside, the service is always a hit or miss and these last few times were definitely a miss.
I went to pick up a cake for my sister because like me, this is her favorite Bakery and I got there at 11ish. I wait for my turn in line and there was no smile, or greeting from the cashier. I ordered a cake from behind the counter and she acted like it was the most annoying thing anyone had ever done and I couldn’t help but think «I’m so sorry I’m buying this $ 40 impromptu dollar cake.» Then I tried to order a tuna salad but she cut me off so fast «We only serve lunch after 11.» and I look down at my watch and what do you know, it’s 10:55.
Me: «Oh I’ll just wait»
Her: «There are people behind you»
Yeah, because I’m going to stand right here for 5 mins instead of stepping to the side. So I just left with my cake and haven’t gone back. :/​
Maybe next time? Whenever that is.

Best place for morning coffee. Yeah it can get busy on sat and sun mornings, but the coffee is good and the food is too! Blueberry scone is my favorite. They have a lot of cakes and stuff, but I’ve never bought them. They are reasonably priced overall.

I haven’t been to the bistro location in many years, generally make it a point to come by when I am in town. I went today and had the usual flourless chocolate endeavor (thats what I call it) it’s great as I remember, but I walked in and the glass display case was gone. I was quite saddened that I couldn’t see the offerings because I am a visual buyer. The muffins and croissant were captive in a lucite display case that in my opinion made them look cheap. I felt a little cheap myself and that is not the feeling I recall having since you opened some 6 years ago.
The experience is why I have rated you so low. I hope you understand.

I’m allotting two stars instead of one because the apology I received just now seemed heartfelt. This bakery needs a customer service system overhaul to keep customers from falling through the cracks.
I went here in late July on a Sunday morning, waited in a ten minute line, and then put in a special order birthday cake for August. Shop local and all that jazz. I was told I would receive a return call the following day, since the type of cake I wanted, a saccre tort, isn’t common. I received no return call nor email. A week went by without any contact. When I finally was able to get someone on the phone this afternoon to confirm that it would be ready tomorrow, I was told that she remembered by order being discussed, but no, that the order had not been accepted. The woman I spoke to, Amber, did apologize and stated that she would have called me to let me know if she had known that no one else had. That’s something, I guess.

Hello,
I love this bakery and every time I drive by it I look for it. I really love their sugar cookies. The problem for me I do not make a lot of money and I can never buy them. I know for some people they are at a good price but I am not a rich person. Don’t get me wrong I am by no way saying they are doing anything bad, I just personally myself can not afford it sometimes. Like now, I am really craving a couple of cookies but can’t get them because I can’t buy them. Thanks
P. S. everything is good here!

Banana bread is incredible here.
Service was a bit slow (waited a while for croissants, which were equally delicious), and employees seemed that they didn’t want to be there.
Also didn’t receive a receipt, and noticed a Danish I got to-​go was not in the bag. Would have loved a receipt in that case.
Overall, bread is so good I’ll be back. Maybe a weekend not slammed because of Mothers Day will be better to do so.

Great coffee and cream sodas! I could have done without the key lime tart due to it having somewhat of a refrigerator taste. Didn’t enjoy the dessert. The apple fritter was good though.
I’ll be back for coffee and fun drinks for sure!

The croissants were okay. They were a lot more dense than what I’m used to and they weren’t very flaky. I had a ham and cheese croissant and couldn’t finish it. The cookies are pretty standard. Nothing to write home (or a review) about.

Starting with the bakery section: it always looks good, and tastes below mediocre. Bordering on bad. The items that have food coloring have SO much food coloring that you can taste it. The rolls are consistently dense. The croissants are decent enough, but still have room for improvement. Come on. There is nothing worse than someone who thinks they know what they’re doing but clearly don’t. I’ve never once had someone ask if I would like a bun or roll warmed. Even Starbucks asks.
The sandwiches are okay. Not great, but not as disappointing as their baking. They don’t make them in the evening though, so no, you can’t pick one up for dinner.
Drinks are decent. I like their Italian cream soda with blackberry syrup. I haven’t had a chance to try their coffee, but you can grind your own to buy by the bag.
Service has always been good and friendly. No wifi during lunch hours because they don’t want you to stick around and take up their tables, I assume.
I don’t know why this place has so many good reviews. I’m going to assume it’s because so many people don’t know what made-​from-​scratch baked goods are supposed to taste like. This place is truly nothing special and their mediocre baking borders on offensive for the price.

I rather enjoyed my visit here today, coming in with a seasoned guest, a friend that recommended we meet here. I chose a honey-​cinnamon-​almond croissant and a mocha, while she chose a cookie and some tea.
The ordering process was warm and welcoming — a very nice man chatted with us about our day and other pleasantries. We sat down at a nice table in the middle of the bakery. It’s quaint with interesting photography for sale, lining the room. My croissant was very good, although slightly dry. My mocha was also very good. My friend has said on several occasions that they have the best cookies.
Parking seemed a little bit limited, although I did find a spot right up front right before the lunch rush. All in all, I can definitely say I’d like to come back to Russell’s and try some of their sandwiches, soups and other pastries. Four stars!

Not a bad stop for a quick lunch! Their sandwiches are healthy and delicious, and I like that you can sub half for a soup. Get the tomato bisque– its awesome!
When you enter you order at the counter, and you have all those delicious pastries staring back at you. Their cinnamon rolls looked different. I’m no pastry genius but it was all flaky and awesome looking, so I got it, and it blew my mind.

Down the street from where I was working, this is a quick and easy place for lunch. Be forewarned it is a bit popular though. The number of tables available definitely is more than the number of cars the parking lot can hold.
For the tortilla chips and tomato soup alone, I give four stars. The chips are the BEST I’ve ever had. They’re fresh and light, better than any Mexican restaurant I’ve been to. I love eating the torilla chips and using the tomato soup as a dip. I am not a huge tomato soup fan, but it’s creamy and not acidic here. It’s probably the best tomato soup I’ve tasted.
The sandwiches and salads could be better. When you get a chicken caesar salad, you actually receive slices of chicken instead of shredded/​diced/​cubed, which I found very strange. The tuna sandwich is very plain and doesn’t have much in it. I wasn’t impressed. I like sweet relish and celery in my tuna fish sandwich, but maybe that’s just me. My coworker’s on a gluten free diet, and the gluten free bread is terrible. It’s really gummy and tasteless.
I’d give two stars for the sandwiches and salads, while giving four stars for the chips and tomato soup for an average of three stars. You can easily get a soup, salad, and dessert at lunchtime for less than $ 15 (including tax and tip), which isn’t too bad. The food is pretty quick, so it’s not a bad lunch option!

Best cinnamon almonds croissants!