Been going to Le Boulanger since I was a child and only writing a review because of my recent disappointments.
This was my favorite place for sandwiches growing up. I went weekly for almost 15 years, before I moved a way from school and later for work. Even then, every time I'd come back to the Bay Area I'd stop by.
In the past few years, the quality of the food has been noticeably decreasing despite prices going up with inflation. Notably for me:
- The sandwiches are smaller now. They are roughly 60-70% the size they were before, and less protein is used. The grilled chicken sandwich (previously called the Classico) used to be in a thick Ciabatta roll and had a thick slab of chicken inside. Now it's in a meager flat Ciabatta roll and has a thin slice of chicken inside.
- Previous sandwich offerings are no longer available. Some of my other favorites, such as the Chimichurri steak sandwich and the Salmon sandwich on a roll are no longer available.
- Other iconic baked goods offerings are no longer available, and replaced with mediocre substitutes. Their iconic chocolate crunch cookie is no longer for sale. I used to get one every time I went, and it was my first exposure to Le Boulanger as I distinctly remember a kindergarten field trip to their headquarters where they handed the cookies out. They're now replaced by generic cookies you can find in any grocery isle that are half the size. Similarly, fresh bread offerings seem way more meager, and I haven't seen my favorite cinnamon raisin loaf there in a while. Instead I just see slices of ciabatta, baguettes, and rolls. Nothing like the variety or quality of the original bread offerings that you could have sliced and take home.
Honestly it's just sad to see one of my favorite places get ruined by what I can only assume is corporate greed. It's not like this place is struggling either, it's always packed during lunch hours.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Sandy Aslanian
We happened upon this wonderful bakery in our travels, and it couldn’t have been more better. Pastries delectable and cappuccinos perfection. What made it even better was the friendly staff!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pastries
Stourley Kracklite
They sell their day old goods to Crema, apparently.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 2
Luis Estrada
The chowder is delicious.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
CR G
Waited 20 mins for a salad and sandwich. The store did not fulfill meals in the order customers came in. The only reason I even received my order is I spoke up and complained about what they were doing. They tried to deny it. Very frustrating.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Tun Tan
High price and slow service
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Elvira Yañez
It’s a good place to go with family or friends, good prices and good food.
Kid-friendliness: Yes, good food for children
Wheelchair accessibility: There is no access problem for a wheel chair
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jonathon Paul
Walmart sells better bagels than these guys. Their bakery/bread quality isn't even close to Panera bread level. Pastries are on par with what you’ll find at Costco (not bad but still…). Calling your bakery LaBoulanger doesn’t make it French or good.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Pastries
Lynne MacFarlane
This is one of my favorite places to grab lunch because their Strawberry Mango Spinach salad is fantastic! They finally fixed the booth seats and looks much better. Sadly there are less Le Bou’s around but this one on the corner of downtown Los Altos has parking in the back and always fresh coffee for a quick pick me up.
Vegetarian options: The 🥗 salads
Parking: Depending on the time of day, but at noon the parking is tough but off hours it’s not a problem.
Kid-friendliness: Seating outdoors is the perfect gathering place to meet friends.
Walmart sells better bagels than these guys. Their bakery/bread quality is or even up to Panera bread level. Pastries are on par with what you’ll find at Costco (not bad but still…).Calling your bakery LaBoulanger doesn’t make it French or good.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Pastries
J John
Walmart sells better bagels than these guys. Their bakery/bread quality is or even up to Panera bread level. Calling your bakery LaBoulanger doesn’t make it French or good.
Gee Braun
Delicious baked goods. A little dirty with minimal cleanup between the breakfast and lunch rush... Overall, I would go again. I just wouldn't eat in...
This location has really bad service. I had to wait for a soup which never be delivered and finally cancelled my order. The most amazing thing is that I was the only customer siting on the table in front of the kitchen and they never even ask what I am waiting for. Now I just realize why you are closing most location which is the result of bad customer service and management. We don’t need a bad service in Bay Area and it’s good that you are going out of business.
Wifi is unusable
Been going to Le Boulanger since I was a child and only writing a review because of my recent disappointments.
This was my favorite place for sandwiches growing up. I went weekly for almost 15 years, before I moved a way from school and later for work. Even then, every time I'd come back to the Bay Area I'd stop by.
In the past few years, the quality of the food has been noticeably decreasing despite prices going up with inflation. Notably for me:
- The sandwiches are smaller now. They are roughly 60-70% the size they were before, and less protein is used. The grilled chicken sandwich (previously called the Classico) used to be in a thick Ciabatta roll and had a thick slab of chicken inside. Now it's in a meager flat Ciabatta roll and has a thin slice of chicken inside.
- Previous sandwich offerings are no longer available. Some of my other favorites, such as the Chimichurri steak sandwich and the Salmon sandwich on a roll are no longer available.
- Other iconic baked goods offerings are no longer available, and replaced with mediocre substitutes. Their iconic chocolate crunch cookie is no longer for sale. I used to get one every time I went, and it was my first exposure to Le Boulanger as I distinctly remember a kindergarten field trip to their headquarters where they handed the cookies out. They're now replaced by generic cookies you can find in any grocery isle that are half the size. Similarly, fresh bread offerings seem way more meager, and I haven't seen my favorite cinnamon raisin loaf there in a while. Instead I just see slices of ciabatta, baguettes, and rolls. Nothing like the variety or quality of the original bread offerings that you could have sliced and take home.
Honestly it's just sad to see one of my favorite places get ruined by what I can only assume is corporate greed. It's not like this place is struggling either, it's always packed during lunch hours.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
We happened upon this wonderful bakery in our travels, and it couldn’t have been more better. Pastries delectable and cappuccinos perfection. What made it even better was the friendly staff!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pastries
They sell their day old goods to Crema, apparently.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 2
The chowder is delicious.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Waited 20 mins for a salad and sandwich. The store did not fulfill meals in the order customers came in. The only reason I even received my order is I spoke up and complained about what they were doing. They tried to deny it. Very frustrating.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
High price and slow service
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
It’s a good place to go with family or friends, good prices and good food.
Kid-friendliness: Yes, good food for children
Wheelchair accessibility: There is no access problem for a wheel chair
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Walmart sells better bagels than these guys. Their bakery/bread quality isn't even close to Panera bread level. Pastries are on par with what you’ll find at Costco (not bad but still…).
Calling your bakery LaBoulanger doesn’t make it French or good.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Pastries
This is one of my favorite places to grab lunch because their Strawberry Mango Spinach salad is fantastic! They finally fixed the booth seats and looks much better. Sadly there are less Le Bou’s around but this one on the corner of downtown Los Altos has parking in the back and always fresh coffee for a quick pick me up.
Vegetarian options: The 🥗 salads
Parking: Depending on the time of day, but at noon the parking is tough but off hours it’s not a problem.
Kid-friendliness: Seating outdoors is the perfect gathering place to meet friends.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Walmart sells better bagels than these guys. Their bakery/bread quality is or even up to Panera bread level. Pastries are on par with what you’ll find at Costco (not bad but still…).Calling your bakery LaBoulanger doesn’t make it French or good.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Pastries
Walmart sells better bagels than these guys. Their bakery/bread quality is or even up to Panera bread level. Calling your bakery LaBoulanger doesn’t make it French or good.
Delicious baked goods. A little dirty with minimal cleanup between the breakfast and lunch rush... Overall, I would go again. I just wouldn't eat in...
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Sourdough Baguette, Mango Strawberry Spinach Salad
This location has really bad service. I had to wait for a soup which never be delivered and finally cancelled my order. The most amazing thing is that I was the only customer siting on the table in front of the kitchen and they never even ask what I am waiting for. Now I just realize why you are closing most location which is the result of bad customer service and management. We don’t need a bad service in Bay Area and it’s good that you are going out of business.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Excellent food and coffee! Very friendlty owners.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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