Belen Artisan Bakers (Escondido)

Belen has moved to Valley Center; no more sandwiches.

Hello.  You're reading mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog.  Cathy has the reins today. Kirk and Ed(from Yuma) are merely trying to remain cool. 

There are more than 50 Farmers Markets in San Diego County. The Mister and I try to stop by at least one a week, sometimes happening upon one while visiting a new (to us) neighborhood.

A good number of the Markets have a stand selling fresh bread from Belen Artisan Bakery. (Photo above is at the Santee Certified Farmers Market). We have always thought the Belen Artisan Bread is excellent; each loaf we have purchased is a hearty, flavorful bread which is still fresh the following morning.

One morning, driving North on the 15, we took the Centre City Parkway exit and one block just past the first signal light, on the right/feeder road, The Mister noticed this storefront. Of course I stopped.

Walking inside the small store, the fresh bakery smell reminded me of walking into one of the numerous corner bakeries I grew up with in Detroit. Fresh loaves of bread were on the shelves to the left, some sweet baked goods in the glass display case and up on the wall, menus of some breakfasts, crepes and sandwich choices. There is also a chalkboard advertising fresh juices available. 

Yes, that's the oven behind the counter.

Those spray bottles are not cleaner- they are filled with water, which is sprayed onto the loaves, to give that crispy crust...that's the oven right next to the shelving and it's exactly the oven I remember from the corner bakery where I had my first job. 

Over to the right is the area where the bread is mixed, kneed-ed, risen and prepared for baking. So many memories!

You can see some of the breads and sweets as well as the breakfast menu in this photo. On our first visit here, we purchased some rolls to use for burgers and also got an orange-cranberry scone.

There are two booths and two tables inside, and tables set up outside.

On this visit, we purchased a loaf of cheese bread ($4.50) (50¢ less than the Farmers Market price, plus we got it sliced)

On this visit, The Mister and I decided to share a sandwich ($6.50). We chose to try turkey on sunflower seed and flax bread, had the choice and asked for the bread to be toasted, which meant the Swiss cheese was nice and melted. We also asked for mayonnaise as the sauce, even though some interesting choices are available (garlic, garlic-basil and Kalamata olive spread ) and all the other toppings are standard-even the avocado (lettuce, tomatoes and sprouts are the other toppings). The turkey was fresh breast (not packaged lunchmeat) and was pan-warmed.

Since we said we were sharing, the sandwich was brought out in two containers.  Nice.  This was an excellent sandwich, all fresh and plentiful ingredients. I like the bread. There has been a lot of take out business both times we have been here.  Another excellent local business. 

Belen Artisan Bakers 2250 S. Escondido Blvd Ste 112,  Escondido 92025 (760) 740-5963 Closed Sunday Open 9 am-3 pm Monday : Tues/Wed/Th 7 am-5 pm : Fri/Sat 7 am-3 pm

It turns out that friend and fellow blogger, cc visited Escondido and Belen and wrote a post about her visit today also.  

Comments

[liver]

I really like their bread but wish they didn't wrap them in plastic.

[caninecologne]

We must have been on the same wavelength!!!

[Cathy]

My *very* first job was at a corner bakery in Detroit, Liver...and putting the sliced bread onto a large piece of butcher paper, folding it and tying with cloth string is how you did it; I remember nobody liked it when we transitioned to plastic bags, but they are efficient for transportation. I have cloth bags and a breadbox at home. The bakery and bread at Belen is that good quality I've missed.
Ha- I just looked at your post, cc! Will add a link. (We were here on the first Wednesday of the month; discount day at Major Market, up the street).