Fragale’s Bakery

This place has the best bread around and that we are aware of! It is truly our favorite and never fails to impress us! Delicious and hot bread! They are practically open all the time! The girl at the counter is very nice and friendly.

This place is awesome! Open all the time, warm fresh bread ALL THE TIME! I dare you to buy a loaf of Italian and not sink your teeth in it on your way home!

I grew up on Fragale’s bread and go back to when Mr. Fragale welcomed you as you entered. I’ve visited several times and could not believe what i saw! Canollis on the counter next to warm bread? I politely commented that canollis should be refrigerated at all times. The girl behind the counter shrugged her shoulders, gave me a blank stare and said «that’s where the guy put them». Good answer to give. Been back several times and the same thing. I’ve been told one of the sons took over. What can I say, not the same and the quality, not the same. The ride to Calandra’s in Newark is worth it.

I used to love this place and still do for the most part. I was very disappointed with this place for the first time in my life. The bread was dry. I hope it was just a fluke.

I’ve been coming here for bread since I was a kid, not much as changed since other than some refrigerators/​cases inside when you walk in. Great French bread and semolina, nothing better than a hot loaf when it just comes out of the oven. I literally stopped here and bought a loaf of French bread for 1.50, price hasn’t fluctuated much since I was a kid which is great.
If you don’t know where it is, it may be a little tricky to find the first time, it’s in the middle of the block and and enclosed inside an exterior wall and has a small parking lot, I don’t even know if there’s any signage but the bread speaks for itself.

As a Chef and global food author/​writer that studied at Le Notre (culinary school) in Lyon, France amongst many things bread and other fine patisserie, I know good bread.
In fact, Jersey still has some of the best food places in the world, especially when it comes to authentic Italian and other ethnic cuisines.
As a kid we used to find out from our mothers what was for dinner before we left in the morning for school. When you live in a neighborhood that borders on several ethnic communities, this becomes a culinary experience.
One day it might be Italian, the next fresh Polish pierogi, German Wurstsala, Jewish Kosher, French, etc.
The mother’s knew if they were making a favorite to make extra, because half of the neighborhood would be coming to dinner.
This food was made with love… the best kind of food.
Probably one of the motivating factors for my love of food was growing up hanging out in Garfield with the Fragala boys and other kids from the neighborhood and John, Vincent (last names withheld to protect the innocent ;) and a few others used to go to the bakery and get some fresh rolls or a baguette hot from the ovens.
Of all the amazing things I eaten and created over the years, including my favorite dessert ‘Grand Marnier Soufflé’, none come close to the ‘soul satisfying’ experience of a warm Fragale’s bread with fresh butter.
Only those that have experienced this can truly understand this amazing bread steeped in what is now a long family tradition.
Even compared to some of the great breads of France and Italy, and there are some amazing ones, Fragale’s bread has a uniquely perfected mix of that slightly crispy crust with the ‘to die for’ moist soft inside.
I have been away from the neighborhood for decades, but have had colleagues and friends make the journey when in the area and fly this bread back to me.
Friends would think I was crazy, until they got their hands on a few warm loaves, then half of my order would never make it to the UK, Japan, Thailand, California, etc. because it would be eaten inflight.
Growing up, Sunday dinners were amazing when Fragale’s bread, homemade marinara and Vitamia Ravioli (the creamiest fresh ricotta filled ones only) were the main attractions. Fragale’s bread being dipped in the fresh gravy or just with the butter was nothing short of PERFECTION!
In fact the bread is so perfectly delicate, crispy and moist that most things you eat with bread take away from this bread’s essence.
This is one of those food experiences you have in life where you eat WAY PAST being full, just to have one more mouthful of this heaven. Only the pain and threat of exploding from overeating eventually stopped me.
Gluttony has never been so heavenly.
The Fragale family has always kept true to their tradition, and was truly one of the motivations and inspirations of my life that helped me create and define my philosophy of «Always be True to the Cuisine».
It is what memories and the experiences of life should be.
I need to take some time and go back to the old neighborhood, see John and who is left from my childhood ‘Rat Pack’ and grab one straight from the oven myself.
«Always be True to the Cuisine» — Chef Dom

Amazing bread! Semolina is ridiculously good! Open 24÷7÷365 and a loaf is cheaper than a garbage loaf that you buy at the store.

Best bread I have ever had. I use to go buy an Italian and a French loaf, the French loaf would loose and end by the time we got back to the house.
Very fresh and you can smell them as soon as you turn on Gaston Ave! Great place, check them out, you won’t be disappointed.

Best semolina bread ever. Stick to the bread since they constantly cook it and it’s fresh. Never had the cookies. Since the place is very garage-​like, I’ve seen roaches walking by the cookies before. The bread is so good though, I don’t care! lol

My Best of the Best (list) pick: Bread
Edit: I have been back a few times now, and tried even more things. Have to give them that 5^th star. Simply the best of the best.
Needed to get bread and cookies on a Sunday, and this place was right down the street & well reviewed. Once again, I was not led astray.
Semolina loaf was superb, and the Italian cookies were very good, and very fresh.
They provide bread to restaurants and stores, and are open all day, all night, every day of the year.
Cash only, and the location is through an industrial-​type parking lot, which is kinda ick.

I was turned onto this Italian Bread bakery by an old friend. He is a great cook and we were putting on a fund raiser for a family in town. I was helping him with the affair and he told me to pick up french bread from Fragale’s Bakery in Lodi. Just finding it was a little bit of an adventure. After tasting the bread, I knew why he had me come to Fragale’s. They have the best bread in North Jersey. I was told they are open 24×7, 365. I have come here very early in the morning and walked in and sure enough, they had bread to sell.
My favorites are all of them. The ones we have tried are the French, Italian & Semolina. They occasionally make a sausage bread which I buy for breakfast. If your lucky, the bread is warm when you pick it up. All of their breads are out of this world.
I used to go to tailgates for Jet’s games and once brought their club roles for sausage sandwiches to the party. It was suggested that I bring the rolls to all the future tailgates which I gladly obliged.
Check out Fragales when you’re in the area… They are the best…