Iconic croissants & sandwiches draw crowds; expect lines but find delights from plain to seasonal.
Willa Moore reviews Radio Bakery's second location in Prospect Heights, highlighting its popular pastries and suitability for picnics in nearby Prospect Park.
This Brooklyn bakery is a popular spot, with patrons often discussing its acclaimed pastries and sandwiches. While many items receive high praise, the croissants, in particular, are a frequent topic of conversation, with some finding them to be among the best, while others feel they don't always justify the often lengthy wait times. The bakery also offers a variety of other baked goods, including focaccia and morning buns, with specific recommendations varying among visitors.
The bakery is known for its wide array of baked goods, with croissants and sandwiches being particularly popular. While many customers rave about items like the plain croissant, rhubarb and custard croissant, and various focaccia sandwiches (especially the smoked salmon and turkey), others find some pastries, like the pistachio croissant, to be merely average or not worth the wait. The brown butter corn cake and matcha mango morning bun also receive specific mentions as standout items.
"The smoked salmon focaccia, turkey sandwich, and brown butter corn cake are frequently recommended. Other popular items include the plain croissant, matcha mango morning bun, and seasonal croissants."
Customers generally have a positive sentiment towards the bakery, often highlighting specific pastries and sandwiches as exceptional. However, a recurring theme is the long wait times, with some feeling the hype and queues don't always match the quality of certain items.
Important Note
Many customers note that long wait times are common, especially on weekends, and that popular items can sell out early. Some feel that certain pastries do not justify the extensive queuing.
"This commenter had the best Prosciutto Burrata Foccacio sandwich and almond croissant, describing the flavors as new and exciting. They also noted that wait times are about 30 minutes unless it's a weekday, which can be as short as 10 minutes."
Positive"This commenter criticized the establishment, comparing it to 'Cronut theory crowdsourced bullshit' that hypes up products, prices them high, and makes people wait in long lines, only to 'run out' of items."
Negative"This commenter expressed that these places and their products are overhyped 'bullshit' and overpriced, criticizing the long lines and the tactic of running out of popular items."
Negative"Weekends are particularly busy, with the best times to visit being random weekday mornings or during inclement weather."
Neutral"This commenter visited on a Saturday morning around 10:30 am, experienced a 40-minute wait, and was able to purchase all items available at 11 am."
Neutral"The commenter suggested visiting on a rainy weekday for a potentially less crowded experience."
Neutral"This commenter humorously mentioned realizing that even successful places may close within a year, implying a detachment from the hype around new establishments."
Neutral"This commenter also made a similar remark about planning to visit in a couple of years."
Neutral"The lunch sandwiches are available starting at 11 am."
Neutral"This commenter stated that lunch sandwiches are available starting at 11 am."
Neutral"This commenter stated that they try to arrive between 7:00 and 7:15 am to avoid long waits."
Neutral"This commenter stated that they have seen the corn cake available at opening time."
Positive"Weekends are difficult due to consistent crowds and long lines. Recommended items include the smoked salmon, tofu lunch sandwich, and any sweet croissant."
Neutral"This commenter recommended trying the garlic knots if available, describing them as a laminated pastry with garlic and garlic butter."
Positive"The wait was approximately 30 minutes, which felt quick, but the salmon focaccia was not available, suggesting an earlier visit for that item."
Neutral"This commenter suggested 8 am as a good time to visit."
Neutral"This commenter asked about the wait time after their previous visit and was told it was about 30 minutes, but the salmon focaccia was already sold out."
Neutral"This commenter stated that Saturdays are consistently busy throughout the day until all items are sold out."
Neutral"This commenter was able to get corn custard, corn cake, and a few sandwiches by visiting at 12:30 pm on a Saturday, although the salmon focaccia was unavailable."
Positive"This commenter made a joke about planning to go in a couple of years, to which another user responded similarly."
Neutral
