Are you traveling to the Oregon Coast? Going to or passing through Astoria?
Let me share one of my favorite places in Astoria: the Blue Scorcher Bakery Cafe. If the parking lot for Pig ‘N Pancake is full and there is a line out the door, consider going down just 5 minutes further to this gem. You can gaze at all the goodness of the menu on the chalkboards and the baked goodies lined up like treasures in the L shaped case as you approach the register, where you will order, pay, and get a number to get your food and drinks delivered and then bus your own table. Here’s what we had on our Saturday morning visit (same morning as the Fort George Festival of the Dark Arts, but that’s a future post).
Yes, the banners do say Pastries to Die For and Bread to Live For. We had 3 different pastries while we were there in Astoria for Valentine’s Day weekend/FODA and they were all moist, flavorful, and could easily use the adjective “to live for”. Let’s take a look at what’s behind the case. Is that a Savory Croissant that includes pesto, caramelized onions, cheddar cheese, asiago cheese, and egg? Did that not even last 24 hours in my possession? Yes.
What, Cubes of Deliciousness (gluten-free, it uses tapioca starch and potato starch, but contains hazelnuts)? F and I agreed after devouring one that the name is completely correct. And holy moly look at the size of the scones and rolls (ranging from mini to regular size Cinnamon Walnut to Cardamon Almond) and Almond Bear Claws…
Don’t worry, they have plenty of beverages for you to enjoy with your food, including various caffeines from $2-6 or smoothies, various lemonades and ice tea, kombucha, even beer or wine by the glass. Seating includes tables as well as a children’s play area with little couches and toys, and also some seats at a counter by the window to gaze out at the sea just a couple blocks downhill.
Our breakfast included Almond Milk Mocha, fresh rosemary lemonade, and OMG this super moist merely $3 Chocolate Chip Applesauce Cake, SO good. So DELICIOUS.
And oh, just this lil plate of French toast with brioche, homemade whipped cream, and local boysenberry and a dusting of powdered sugar served with maple syrup.
We’ve only been to Astoria twice, but both times we stopped at Blue Scorcher Bakery Cafe, and I’m pretty sure every future trip, we will also be stopping in. Blue Scorcher is open every day, 7 AM – 3 PM. To give you fair warning, this is a worker owned co-op so the people who serve you may vary on the knowledge of what’s in any of the food item if they were not involved in making it.
Everything here is sourced to be organic and mostly local. Everything is also vegetarian, so even on their pizza of the day or reuben, there will be no meat (the reuben is made of tempeh). If you are looking for big portions at a good value, you should go back to wait in line at Pig ‘N Pancake. It is a cafe so it might be hard to accommodate big groups, and there are times, just like any cafe, that you may be sitting at a 4-top and share the space communally (it’s seat yourself).
If you are in Astoria, definitely consider stopping in!
Ahh that’s on my list for our next Astoria trip and I can’t wait! That chocolate chip applesauce cake looks ridiculously good, as does the French Toast. Looks like a fun place!
That sounds like a fair trade since I have several things on my list for Lincoln City thanks to you!
I love this place! I walked by the last time I was in Astoria and I was utterly charmed. That French Toast though!
I admit I did not expect that tablecloth restaurant quality French Toast when it came out, we were blown away!
This all looks so delicious and thoughtfully prepared! Love that you are always sharing such detailed reviews!
Thanks, I love sharing the good stuff so that others can visit and help support the store, and also enjoy deliciousness too!
This looks like a perfect little spot in Astoria. It’s such a cute town! I wish I got up there more to visit. We just don’t think of it when we are in the mood to go to the coast.
It’s weird that everyone gets on their certain habitual OR Coast drives – I’ve only gone as far north as Astoria and south to Newport, and need to get myself down to Lincoln City instead of always visiting the same coastal haunts, as much as I love them
We pass through Astoria on our way to Long Beach so next time we go, we’ll be sure to stop here! Love finding new local places to enjoy, and the almond milk mocha and chocolate cake are calling my name!
Both were great, as were all the baked good treats we also took with us for breakfast the next day
This obviously is right up my alley. That French Toast looks amazing! I love getting new places to visit on the coast too. I feel like there are good places but they are all hidden gems! Thanks for the post!
It’s true there are so many hidden gems along the Coast, it makes for a road trip goal to always make sure to see if you can uncover a local treasure in any coastal town
Yum! We have yet to make it to Astoria (still!!!) but keep getting closer and closer in our coastal explorations. I bet Astoria will be next, and we’ll have to check out Scorcher while we’re there!
I hope you do – it’s also literally next door to Fort George Brewing so you can visit 2 places at one stop
That chocolate chip applesauce cake looks like something I would enjoy very much. Looks like my husband and I need to plan a trip to Astoria now! Thanks for sharing, cheers!
That chocolate chip applesauce cake was so moist and delicious it was melt in your mouth!
I was *just* in Astoria! How did I miss this place?! We will definitely have to put it on our list the next time we go up – I’ll go for a Caramom-Almond anything!
Darn, sorry to give you an excuse to go back to Astoria… 🙂
I’m definitely a pastry lover so I will have to remember this place!