Charlie's Best Bread Cafe

I stopped by last week and they were closed!! Even though it was prime mid morning and they are normally open each day of week! I cannot speak enough good things about this little community coffee/bread place and they even survived the pandemic!! The Challah bread made here and their huge cinnamon rolls and grilled croissant sandwiches that I normally get for my kids for an after school snack are sooo delicious! When I came last week a security guard told me you had been closed for two weeks already… To the owners what’s happening ?!! Please DON’T close for good! Your raisin challah bread is why I’m here all the time! We miss you!

Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars) Oh, Charlie's Best Bread, you cheeky little bakery, you had me at 'Hello, would you like a baguette or croissant with that?' I have seen the promised land, dear reader, and it's located on a charming street in Pacific Beach. Charlie's Best Bread is not just a bakery; it's a symphony of dough, yeast, and a whole lot of baking love. Now, let's talk about the pièce de résistance – their Sourdough Whole Wheat Loaf. This thing is so dense and hearty it could have its own gravitational field. Eating it is like shaking hands with Mother Earth herself, with the wholesome flavor of whole wheat playing a concerto on my taste buds. The balance of sourdough tang and the comforting, earthy aroma of whole wheat? Perfection. And croissants – oh, the croissants! They're so flaky, I swear you could tell them a secret and they'd never keep it. I once heard a whisper from the golden layers, "Just surrender to the buttery goodness." So, I did, with each bite a silent oath to my undying love for their crescent-shaped delights. And the sesame baguette? I've had dreams about this baguette. Each bite gives a satisfying crunch, followed by the comforting hug of fresh, warm bread. The sesame seeds add a final touch, like a well-chosen accessory, elevating the entire ensemble to the runway of gastronomy. The only problem? Well, Charlie's Best Bread may have ruined all other bread for me forever. Every time I walk by, I hear the soft whispering of the sourdough loaf, the enticing call of the croissants, and the siren song of the sesame baguette. Dear reader, I tell you this – Charlie's Best Bread isn't just a bakery. It's a breadtopia, a croissant castle, a baguette bonanza! So, go forth and make your day a bit more dough-lightful at this Pacific Beach gem. You won't regret it. Until the next loaf, Your fellow Carb Connoisseur

My goodness. I stumbled upon Charlie’s after stopping by the UPS store (next door). I walked into carb heaven. I was warmly greeted by Milan and let her know it was my first time in. I asked her for her recommendations on sandwiches. She shared a few options but said, “The Tuna Melt is my favorite.” We’ve known each other for at least 30 seconds, so we’ve built a great level of trust. I went with her recommendation and as she prepared the sandwich, my mouth was watering as I was surrounded by mountains of sourdough and amazing jam. Milan handed me the sandwich and salad. We thanked each other and I headed to my truck. I sat in the parking lot and decided to eat my sandwich there… OH MY GOSH!!! As a carb and sandwich connoisseur, I do not take what I am about to say lightly. This was the best damn sandwich I’ve ever had!!! The thick-toasted sourdough had the perfect crunch factor while still being soft. The combination of quality tuna and melted Swiss was perfection. The chipotle mayo complimented the sandwich so well adding gentle spice and flavor. I believe a tear of joy fell out of my eye while enjoying the work of art in my truck. After I finished, I paused for a moment and thought about sharing this experience with my grandkids one day (my kids are still in middle school). I got out of my truck and walked back in to Charlie’s to share my experience with Milan and the staff. I felt like Buddy the Elf when he congratulated the coffee shop in New York for having the worlds best cup of coffee, (I did see Cafe Moto in Charlie’s which is always awesome). This was seriously the best sandwich I’ve ever had. I am forever grateful that Charlie’s Best Bread exists. I am thankful for Milan-the artist and the rest of the team for the wonderful service and experience. I will surely be back so you can feed my soul and my stomach. Keep up the amazing work. Forever grateful, Jesse V.

I orginally came to Charlie's Best Bread for my never ending search for the best cinnamon rolls. I had heard many people rave about them. I will say their cinnamon roll is amazing but I don't love their icing. I wish they would make a cream cheese icing option! I've been back to try other baked goods. Muffins and cookies. All good but yet to have tried something that I just can't wait to back for. It is always busy and the staff is super friendly! Overall a great bakery just waiting patiently for cream cheese icing 😉