Scratch Baking Company

Seems like a great place, but the chocolate chip cookie was not as good as some I’ve had recently. It was good, but not awesome.

Folks from around these parts already know how amazing Scratch Baking Company is for baked goods, sweets, bread and bagels, but recently, in search of a really good salad, I gave Scratch a try. I’ve been back four times in three weeks and just have to commend Scratch for putting together such delicious, affordable, locally-​sourced healthy food for us! All of the salads they offer are BIG and really could feed two people — and at such a reasonable price. Lots of places use bagged lettuce that is not healthy, pre-​cut veggies that are subpar and ordinary dressings from food service companies — yuck! That is just not the case here. Today, the counter staff whispered «you’re gonna love this salad even more today — we have fresh, local lettuce!» as she handed our salads to us. What a delight! The veggies are amazing, fresh and healthy and the variety is off the charts — radishes, broccoli, pickled onion, thinly sliced cukes and carrots, green beans, edamame and on and on. So healthy, so vibrant, and locally sourced whenever possible. That equals heaven for me. The chef salad has big chunks of really good cheese, ham and turkey. And they make their dressings in-​house. I wish I could tell you about them all, but I’ve been stuck at my first try — green goddess — which I’ve fallen for completely. Add house-​made crunchy croutons and my day has totally been made. Thank you, once again, to Scratch Baking Company. Please don’t ever leave.

Salted bagels are awesome. But I think everyone already knows that. I went here last Saturday and it was wall to wall people. This place is packed! The good news is that is a sign of how good it is. I drove to Scratch last Saturday, I thought it was early. It opens at 7am and I left around 7:30am, thinking I’d beat the crowd. I drove down Forest Ave: nobody was there, then through downtown Portland, still nobody. Then I arrive at Scratch and the whole intersection was packed with people looking like they’ve been up for hours waiting in line; like they were middle school kids buying tickets Taylor swift.
Everything I got was absolutely delicious. I got the salted bagel and it was seriously the best bagel I’ve ever had. My sister in law comes to visit from NH just so she can get Scratch Bagels, and maybe some brownies too; but don’t tell anyone about those.

Pretty much a great hangout for clueless liberal hipsters.
A place that has popular food and then goes out of their way to make sure their isn’t enough of that popular food to feed the masses can go to hell. You read the reviews for their bagels, drive 15 minutes one way to get one at 9AM and they are out.
A line of 12 people waiting to get a bagel is ridiculous. What am I supposed to do, stand in that line and wait and pray that there are still some left when I get up there?
Besides, since I showered before I went over there, I was the black sheep.
Good blondie but I can make those at home. Mixing butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, soda, salt, flour and chocolate chips really isn’t that hard. Mine are better though. I omit the grunge.

We stayed in a vacation rental house nearby for Memorial Day weekend. So three mornings in a row, we came here to grab coffee and bagel. For bagel line, I think it’s hit or miss — they make bagels fresh in small batches, so if you missed one batch, the wait would be 20−30min. If you don’t want bagel, skip the line outside the door and they have plenty of pastries inside. People working here are very nice and helpful. Once you get bagel or anything else, the line to pay goes down quickly.
Now comes to bagels, I like it a lot, but I also don’t like conventional NY bagels. Here the bagel is a lot airier and less chewy. It tasted more like sourdough bread than a bagel. With that said, I like it. Not sure anyone who LOVES New York bagel would like it though. But you will have plenty of other options here, their cookies are really really good, and they have plenty of other pastries to choose from.
It’s too far away from where I live, but I think if I ever drive through or come back to Maine, I’d come here again and grab myself a sea salt bagel.

Oh my lord the bagels. THE best bagel in town.
The Olive Bread! Wow!
Chocolate Chip Cookies fa’ days.
Coconut Cream Cake, is divine.
A couple things were just meh-​daisy mae cake, pistachio cupcake, shortbread
(and no we didn’t eat this all at once)
But. I really really can’t think of a better bakery in Maine. It’s our favorite.

Walk into this place and I guarantee your nose will do a happy dance — the smells are insanely delightful and you just wanna eat everything right then and there! Whew! I had a razzleberry shortbread that was light and fruity and airy and tasted like what I believe Heaven will taste like and my mouth did a happy dance of its own. YUM. Also — the customer service at Scratch is top-​notch. About a month ago I ordered a gift card over the phone to be mailed to someone else. The girl who helped me not only walked me through every step, but knowing Scratch would be closed for three days for Easter she took it upon herself to pop it in the mail for me after work on her way home. You know what that is? Exemplary customer service. You know what else that is? Love. So, Scratch Baking Company not only smells like love — it is love.

if you were to start your morning with a perfect fresh bagels and bakery you must try this place
This place is a self serve for the most part. it’s devided into bagels and breads section, dessert section, cakes, coffee/​tea and sandwiches. they don’t start serving sandwiches before 11 which is a bit late for an early shiner.
whole wheat bagels were okay. poppy seed ones were amazing. and I should’ve tried the English muffins cause they looked delicious!
from the dessert section I picked a Blondie. the taste was good but it was more on the dry side. next time I’ll try the brownies
for 2 bagels, one Blondie, small cream cheese and large coffee I only paid a little over $ 8 which was very good price
only some outdoor seating is available unfortunately
overall experience was quiet positive

Scratch bagels are surpassingly the BEST bagels, at least in Maine.
Once you park and get out of your car, you can smell the freshly baked bread heaven. This place has no seats; just grab and go. There are two outside benches. As we entered, they were just adding another hot fresh batch of beautiful-​looking plump lovely bagels! Since this place is close to one of the most beautiful lighthouses in Maine, aka Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, having our breakfast there was a good idea.
Everything bagel was perfectly toasted and crunchy on the outside and wonderfully fluffy, airy and chewy on the inside. It wasn’t dense or thick as almost all of the bagels I had before. In less than a second, I said I’m not getting bagels anywhere else ever! Either Scratch bagels or none. It tasted great with scallion herbs cream cheese.
If you’re visiting Portland, Maine, here is a tip; wake up at 5 or 6 or 7 – 8 am, go to this place, get everything bagels with herb cream cheese and go enjoy your breakfast by Cape Elizabeth lighthouse if weather allows. I would say, Scratch Baking Company bagels; the way bagels should be!

AMAZING BAGELS! So, so, so good! Well worth the line. We had the plain bagels with the herb cream cheese (only plain was left when it was our turn). Hands down the best bagel we’ve had in our lives.
When we come back to Maine, we will be seeking out this bagel heaven again!

Scratch Bakery if you were a human being I would propose to you and we would spend our days in a cottage by the sea in a blissful carb coma.
There aren’t enough adjectives to express my love for this bakery. Yes they only make so many bagels a day, yes I’ve been one of those people to miss out on them for the day on numerous times and it’s a bummer. I would rather them run out then sell me a stale bagel the next day. I want them just how they are hot and fresh. Don’t change that, screw the winers. Do what you do, keep putting out great product at a capacity you can to keep that great quality consistent.
It’s our mentality as a customer that needs to change.
In world spoiled by the Starbucks/​Dunken Donuts «right now», extra large, no wait, never-​ending mass product, I want something prepared with time and care and some freaking soul. I want something that sings to my heart and stomach and that’s what you guys are all about. You are worth the wait, worth the line, and worth coming back and trying again when they are sold out. I will never be butt hurt enough to fault you for that and not keep trying. I care about what you are doing and I care about my stomach not to accept something mediocre just because I can have it immediately put into my hand.
It’s not just the bagels, cookies and cakes I am in love with. It’s the energy and atmosphere in there. Look around next time you go in, every single person working there is smiling they are positive they are HAPPY to be there. Love, just so much love and passion for what they are doing. Something you rarely see in most coffee shops and restaurants.
They are doing something right there. It’s my favorite place on Earth.
If it wasn’t clear. Scratch Bakery I love you. You are a gem. xo

Scratch and I have a love/​hate relationship. I love their bagels and coffee, I hate making valid attempts at getting there early and still having to wait around to get any. Multiple times, and I mean REGULARLY, have I set my alarm to go over the bridge from Portland to get a bagel with some of their herb cream cheese and upon arrival I end up waiting in a line with a large group of hipster parents.
«Hmmm?» I think to myself. «This place has the best bagels in the Portland area. I would think after all this time they could figure out how to create enough supply for the demand.» Maybe that’s part of their schtick? Create a crowd hungry for more. Make them wait for doughy, flaky goodness. For me, I just leave. I go over to 158 Pickett St Café and order a bagel with some delicious cream cheese and toppings. They always have a bagel ready for me upon arrival.
One of the things I like least in life are lines to buy things. I have left full shopping carts in stores, walked out of a Kohls on Christmas Eve, and have felt ok with those decisions. I will not wait around for a sea salt bagel. Sorry. I work hard, I’m busy, I’m leaving.

I went to Scratch most recently to get treats for a holiday party and it was the best decision I could have made. No one wants to eat my baked goods.
The peppermint chocolate mousse bomb (I have no idea if that’s what it was called but I think I’m close) was a huge hit with my guests and the brownies (which of course we couldn’t finish) were devoured and raved about at work the next day…
So basically, the great stuff you’re reading about Scratch is all true. Worth the trip to Willard Beach for non-​locals (but please not on the days that I’m going because you’ll probably get the last of whatever I was going to order).

What can I say that hasn’t already been said by others? Not a whole lot, but I can absolutely add my high recommendations to this place.
If you come on any weekend morning, prepare to wait in line if you are looking for bagels. These bakers know how to make awesome bagels, and the long queues are proof. I honestly don’t like to wait, so I sometimes get the reject bagels, the wheat ones I think, and just skip the line. Most are waiting for the works or whatever is the special bagel for the day.
On top of the bagels, they have great pastries. Scones, cookies, croissants, you name it, and so far, everything I have tried had been great. A highlight is the spiced cookie.
If you want a nice baked treat and are headed to the Portland Headlight, do yourself a favor and stop here.

They are out of bagles by 9am every single day it feels like and they only have 1 size for their coffees which is super lame. It’s America — gimme an XL coffee god damnit.
Not a fan, won’t be back.

On our first day in Portland we ignorantly came to Scratch Bakery later in the afternoon. Thus, all the bagels were sold out! An employee told us we should come before 9:30AM to ensure all the daily varieties are in stock. So that first day we left only with 2 very delicious shortbread cookies. The shortbread is definitely worth a try. It’s not overly sweet or buttery, but still very flaky and heavenly.
The next day, we made sure to come early and even when we got there at 8:45AM there was only one sesame bagel left. In addition to the sesame bagel, we also tried an everything, and a whole wheat. We also purchased a tub of herb cream cheese. Scratch’s bagels are good – not totally go out of the way great – but they are worth it if you’re in the mood for a bagel. The wheat bagel was still light and had a nice flavor to it. The everything was the favorite because I love all the various seeds. Coffee is self-​serve and the staff is generally friendly, but they’re busy, and might be a little brusk.

This place is heaven on earth. I live and breath for their poppy seed bagels and herbed cream cheese. I can eat these bagels not toasted! I just rip off chunks and dip them in the cream cheese. Of course they are also delicious toasted.
Oh and their desserts. Don’t even get my started on their desserts.

Where to start? The bagels: soft, chewy, flavorful, fresh. Melt-​in-​your-​mouth-​delicious when you get them hot! They keep well too. I freeze them and then pop them into the toaster for a treat when I can’t get to the bakery for a fresh one.
The baked goods: oh my, oh my! Everything I’ve had here was perfectly rich, moist and sweet, made with fresh ingredients and boasting incredible flavor. The brownies are dark and chewy, the blondies are to die for, the cookies, fruit bars, literally every sweet treat available is perfection!
You’d think that’d be enough to bring them 5-​stars, but there’s more! The sandwich selection rotates with the seasons, but there is always a yummy vegetarian option. The soups, pizzas, pasta salads, and green salads are also amazing! I am running out of words to describe just how wonderful everything is!
The staff are friendly, patient and helpful. There is generally parking available within a block. Willard beach is a short walk down the street, which makes for a perfect place to enjoy your treats! AND last but not least, the owner is VERY generous to his community and supports important local causes.
The only thing I wish I could change would be to add a little more space so I could sit and enjoy the place even more. There is no indoor seating, and only a bench outside. Not great for elderly or folks with mobility issues.

Lots of yummy desserts but often sold out and they don’t seem to worry about having enough of those treats ready for the people who want to stop by throughout any given day. Clearly one of those places where the good reviews seem to have snowballed into a cult following for some odd reason. The cakes, pies and pastries are very good, and there’s a counter for sandwich making, though the space is cramped and doesn’t welcome you to sit and eat, you’ll have to find your own space for that.
It’s good, but nothing here is going to blow you away as many of the reviews claim; many of those reviews undoubtedly posted by folks who love their cupcakes. Yep, those are good also but again, doesn’t live up to the Unilocal hype.

I listened to all the Unilocalers who said to get there early for bagels! I wondered in and saw what it appeared to be a very long line to grab bagels. One women stared at me as if to say, «Get in line, didn’t you know the rule?»
I have had my share of bagels, but this bakery makes them just right. They taste differently than bagels that I have tried in the past. They are airy, extremely doughy/​chewy, and so yummy!
I really enjoyed how the bagels stayed warm all the way from Broadway to Forest Ave/​Riverside Street :)