Alon's Bakery

Pros: Perfect pastries
Cons: Not a convenient location if you're not from around there

I read Nixita's review, and saw that she wished she lived next door to Alon's. I had that pleasure for about three years, when they had a location in the Georgian Terrace. All the pastries were brought over from their original location, so the...

Pros: Pastry, chocolate, coffee
Cons: crowds, indecision factor

I wish I lived next door to Alon's. Alas, if I did, I would quickly become far too gargantuan to even waddle over there, so perhaps it's best that I save this delightful little bakery for special occasions.

Alon's serves traditional bakery...

Pros: Tasty, fresh and unique.
Cons: Okay, sometimes there is a crowd - but do you blame them?

Alon's has taken over almost the entire stretch of shops that once included a pizzeria and a convenience store. It is better than ever. My only complaint is that a lot of the items are not priced and I have a rule NEVER to buy anything for which I do not know the price. Otherwise, I have nothing but praise for the melt-in-your-mouth delicacies. My favorites are the Gruyere cheese scones and the chocolate babkas. The lamb sandwich with sweet onion chutney is fabulous. I live within walking distance, but find myself stopping off on my way home from work for a semolina loaf to go with dinner and maybe a rice pudding or a creme brulee or an opera cake more often than not. The Buche-Noel cake available only a Christmas time is also worth the wait in line, but wait - they have 3 cash registers these days.

Pros: artisan breads, gourmet soups, 5 star desserts
Cons: Chaotic, unfriendly and unhelpful staff, high prices.

There is no doubt that Alon's has some of the best fresh baked bread and desserts in Atlanta, but apparantly there is truth to the adage that there can be "too much of a good thing" at Alon's. There is no clear places for customers to cue, so people just crowd around the large counter. The staff is not very helpful if you would like to purchase different items. If I want bread I am told to go to the Bread area if I want soup I have to go to the soup area,and desserts in a seperate area. But the problem is that since there is just one large counter these various lines run all together making it impossible to to get what you want quickly. ON several occassions I have just given up in pure frustration. Take my advice, if you go to Alon's avoid Saturday's like the plague. Try going later in the afternoon on Sunday or during the week. The crowds seem to be the lightest after the lunch rush. And don't bother with their sandwiches, they're not all that good and are over priced. Stick to the breads, desserts, and soups.