Blue Heron Bakery

"My partner and I are visiting Olympia for a few days and we’re considering moving out here. We went to the Blue Heron Bakery today (for the first time) because of their gluten free options. The front counter associates were very friendly and polite, but the person working in the kitchen was incredibly rude. I asked the front counter associate what sandwich was popular (because it was our first time), and what kind of bread people usually get the sandwich made with. I took her suggestions, and while she was writing down my order, the cook (tall, thin, erratic) saw the order and immediately started showing signs of irritation and rage while the other bakers in the back were looking at him and me while laughing and smiling. He threw his gloves in the trash and hastily put a new pair on while exclaiming to his front counter associate that “It’s just gonna fall out!” I suppose referring to the inside of the sandwich? He was slamming his hands on the cooking station and slamming open and close different food compartments at the station. At this point I realized all this commotion was about me, and the way I ordered our lunch (as suggested by the employee). I told the front counter associate that I’ll take whatever is “easiest to make” because I didn’t want to further irritate this very erratic man. His front counter associates seemed so uncomfortable while this was going on, but also as if it was a normal occurrence. We asked for our food to go because we felt very uncomfortable, and when the cook brought out one of the to go meals, he said “I wasn’t trying to be a bit**” and then tried explaining to me which bread is easiest to make the sandwich on. Sir, I don’t care?! I didn’t come for a bread lesson. If you don’t want to make it that way, then don’t offer it that way. He offered to remake it on the “proper” bread but I declined. We waited for my partner’s food and left. When he brought out the second meal, he unapologetically and nervously said “sorry” as he was walking away. We ended up throwing our food away because we didn’t feel comfortable eating it. I understand that customers are irritating as hell, I truly get it. But he could’ve at least talked his smack when I left the counter instead of doing it in front of me (while not addressing me). Such a bummer, because their mission is great. Won’t be back."

"First time experience, lovely spot to enjoy some yummy baked products. We thoroughly enjoyed our break- fast ! If interested in ordering a Thanksgiving pie, please call. Their baker was so gracious and came out to offer suggestions !"

"I'm giving 3 stars, because I'd actually like this place to succeed even with pretty bad service and multiple orders of compromised quality. I appreciate them trying to do a co-op, and the food could be good if they honed in their quality and consistency. They also get slammed when there's more than one order at a time. See attached photos for the "side of chips" and a pickle. That makes no sense at all...it's just corn chips and pickles, you guys won't lose that much money giving people a decent amount and/or pitching items of questionable quality. Some of the staff also has a militant stance against you asking to hold the vegenaise--they may even purposefully not note it so that you still get it on your sandwich. Weirdest customer service experience I've had in years...and my partner and I have 15+ combined years in food service, so not sure why we were treated like enemies instead of comrades. But, oh well, we won't be back, however we still hope Blue Heron can get their stuff together and successfully run this cafe (and bakery). The baked goods seem very honed in, but the cafe space seems on the edge of unravelling."

"Truly excellent breakfast sandwich. Kind of greasy, tho, so grab some extra napkins. The iced latte was also very good, they didn't use a ton of sugar and the taste of the coffee itself really shined through."