The rating is a compromise. The bread gets 5+ stars, the pastries get 3 stars. We’ve been buying the bead here for years and have bought hundreds of loaves of the rye, light and dark. It is the best bread in 100 miles. We often pick up bread for friends since it is a 60 mile round trip for us, but worth it. The cakes and pastries are OK, not great. Go for the bread and you won’t be sorry.
J. W.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Andover, MA
From Worcester originally. Visiting family. I decided to drive over to Water St. Ive lost count of how many years its been. Although storefronts and other establishments have also changed, this bakery is still going strong. I had a strong craving for their sour dough light rye. Also dark rye with raisins– its one if the only places to buy this bread. Both were as excellent as I remember them to be! I’ll definitely be back soon
Titi T.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Leicester, MA
Garlic Bagels… umm yum. yummy… bring it home toast it up add egg cheese and meat and wow… also love the pistachio cake. perfectly pistachio flavor, not too sweet and just yum.
Paul B.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Ladys Island, SC
The bagels are large but lack that chewy interior that the best bagel makers(e.g. Finagle a Bagel) seem to get. Are we sure that they are boiled first? Dunno. However, the dark rye bread is alone worth a trip there.
Kym M.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Auburn, MA
The first time I went to Widoff’s was last Christmas Eve. I needed fresh Italian bread for a traditional Italian Christmas Eve. I called ahead a few days before to place the order. They were very friendly on the phone. when I arrived, there were no less than 100 people in the waiting area. They worked like a well oiled machine. I was at the counter in 25 minutes. I received my order of 10 warm loaves and they offered to slice it. Of course I had to add on several boxes of Italian cookies to the order. I will be back this Christmas Eve! Street parking is a challenge.
Barbara A.
Rating des Ortes: 2 East Watertown, MA
My daughter and I got a bunch of stuff to eat at the bakery and home. I had the mini cream puff — the top was dry and cold and the cream tasted like you were eating air(no taste to it). My daughter got a cake pop and she enjoyed it. We brought home other different kind of sweets but they were all average.
Frannie Z.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Haverhill, MA
Maybe the problem was that I didn’t get the bread. Apparently, the bread is a rave. The bakery items are another story altogether. I got a mini cream puff that was bland — I mean seriously, no flavor. Fellow Unilocaler Barbara was with me and I had finished my cream puff by the time she got all her items ordered & paid for. She was asking me how it was & I didn’t want to tell her right in the quiet storefront with other customers within earshot. Once she tried hers, she agreed with my opinion. I also got a chocolate peanut butter cupcake that had to be the driest cupcake I have ever eaten in my entire life. It was even drier than the cupcakes at Sweet in Cambridge, which is saying something! My last item was a pistachio sugar cookie. It was a good size and not bad though I’ve definitely had better. I think I’d probably return if I end up back in Worcester. If only to try some of that bread that gets all the raves.
Ann P.
Rating des Ortes: 4 South Dennis, MA
I have been buying bread and bagels here since I was a kid. well back then, Mom took me out for our weekly Water Street excursion. I have such fond memories of the black and white cookies, the old ladies behind the counter and waiting in line… wow…The bagels aren’t quite the same and there is never a crowd but the thin sliced rye makes great toast. I bought Tiramisu for my pot luck dinner. It was ok, not wow. It’s an institution in Wormtown AKA Wootown. The girls working the counter are always great. A long time ago I was short changed by accident. When I realized this upon returning home(it was a 100 bill) I called and they found the error and returned the correct change. I will never forget that.
Scotty B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Southbridge, MA
I’ve been hearing about Widoff’s since I moved to the area(over ten years) and until this past march, had never visited. Now I’m hooked. We love the Challah Bread, which can be purchased as a half loaf for those that are worried about having too much. We’ve also had bagels cookies and hanantaschen(still available the end of March). Prices are reasonable and the staff in super friendly. Not only do they offer to slice your bread, they were nice enough to help us get our order out to the car. We continue to stop in when we are in the area.
Tad B.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Concord, MA
They have hamantaschen in March, which were great. Bagels, bread, cookies, and some other amazing looking desserts. I felt guilty just looking at the stuff, never mind actually eating it. Inexpensive and delicious.
Bethany B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Boston, MA
Searched for a new place to get freshly baked crusty rolls and I wind up back at Widoff’s! Half a dozen gorgeous rolls for $ 3 plus the nice counter lady gave the wee ones free cookies. Love’em!