Could be. I find the food here terrific. The Rachel is one of my all time favorite sandwiches in Seattle. Turkey Ruben. Genius. That said, every time I go here, I always get a fresh serving of... More

Could be. I find the food here terrific. The Rachel is one of my all time favorite sandwiches in Seattle. Turkey Ruben. Genius. That said, every time I go here, I always get a fresh serving of attitude on the side. Not sure if it's just me or if others have had similar experiences here. Anyway, the food's good and the location is super convenient if you live in Fremont, Wallingford, or the UD.
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I spose it's a good thing that the bakery is counteracting the transfer station smell. I hadn't thought of that til now. Essential does great organic bread and if you don't buy it here, you can... More

I spose it's a good thing that the bakery is counteracting the transfer station smell. I hadn't thought of that til now. Essential does great organic bread and if you don't buy it here, you can buy it pretty much everywhere else. This place is usually pretty busy, but the line goes quick. It's a great place to stop if you're on a bike ride (the Burke Gilman is paces away) or if you want to have lunch at Gasworks Park.
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The Essential Bakery Cafe is almost perfect. They have awesome cafe food (the tomato and cheese sandwich is just amazing; the desserts are exquisite; the drinks are well-made) as well as a full... More

The Essential Bakery Cafe is almost perfect. They have awesome cafe food (the tomato and cheese sandwich is just amazing; the desserts are exquisite; the drinks are well-made) as well as a full selection of Essential Bakery breads. My only quarrel is with the price of the sandwiches (almost $7 for a whole one) - but it's worth indulging now and then! Make sure you get some bread to take home; they make some of the best bread I've ever eaten (especially the challah and olive breads).
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I bike past Essential every day and smell that good bready scent wafting out. It's all I can do not to stop in every day for a brioche, a croissant, or just a loaf of their yummy bread. They take... More

I bike past Essential every day and smell that good bready scent wafting out. It's all I can do not to stop in every day for a brioche, a croissant, or just a loaf of their yummy bread. They take baking very seriously, and it shines through in their great breads (ranging from crusty baguettes to solid, tangy desem and sourdough to ciabatta), fantastic pastries and beautiful desserts. Good coffee and espresso, sandwiches and breakfast items such as oatmeal are also available. They're open in the evenings and serve beer as well. The branch in Fremont/Wallingford has an airy brick-walled dining room with good music and newspapers on a rack. A good place to hole up for an hour while drinking coffee and eating a cinnamon roll.
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I love Essensh. Delicious sandwiches, great salads and soups, great sweets, incredible chocolates, yummy coffee - they really know how to do food right. Open till 10 most nights - a great spot for... More

I love Essensh. Delicious sandwiches, great salads and soups, great sweets, incredible chocolates, yummy coffee - they really know how to do food right. Open till 10 most nights - a great spot for a quick bite on your way to the movies.
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Wow, the Essential Baking Co has an incredible selection of sweet baked goods. Their sandwiches are good and reasonably creative. Can get very crowded around lunch time. As an east-coaster, I... More

Wow, the Essential Baking Co has an incredible selection of sweet baked goods. Their sandwiches are good and reasonably creative. Can get very crowded around lunch time. As an east-coaster, I found their prices to be very much in line with what I would expect at a bakery and sandwich shop.
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Great place the food is really good but the baked goods are a little pricy! But they taste good!

Great place the food is really good but the baked goods are a little pricy! But they taste good!
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There are few places that I feel truly content and satisfied with each visit besides my mom's kitchen. I am so happy about this business. They just know how to do it right- all of it. Their daily... More

There are few places that I feel truly content and satisfied with each visit besides my mom's kitchen. I am so happy about this business. They just know how to do it right- all of it. Their daily soups are usually the bomb- pureed sweet pea soup, carrot ginger, etc. The sandwiches- a Rachel (turkey ruben) or summer vegetable and lately they have a bbq chicken with a corn jicama relish that may be an all time fave. Don't miss it.
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This is really a review of the Essential Bakery store at Madison and MLK. The coffee is great, the baked goods are very good, the noise is loud, and the coffee service when crowded is slow.

This is really a review of the Essential Bakery store at Madison and MLK. The coffee is great, the baked goods are very good, the noise is loud, and the coffee service when crowded is slow.
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