I grew up in a Northern California town where local businesses used to dominate the local economy. Makes sense, right?
One of those businesses was The Redding French Bakery.
For all of my high school years and many years after, it was the go-to place for lunch. If you didn't hurry out of 4th period and get moving, you'd get there when the line was long and you'd have to rush through your sandwich and garlic rounds in order to make the 5th period bell. Wednesdays and Fridays were the busiest days--they BBQ'd tri-tip outside.
I'm not sure I can express in words how unbelievably important this place was during those years. Once I graduated and moved away, it was the first place we'd hit up on a visit home. You'd be sure to see someone you knew at every visit. I remember going the Friday after Thanksgiving and it was such a big deal because all of the kids who had gone off to college were home and you'd inevitably see some of them at the bakery on Friday. And Saturday. And the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Because you'd go all of those days--it was just that good.
The bakery started out baking bread, of course. But sometime in the 90's, Keith Berry, the owner, decided to add some tables and start making sandwiches. Genius, that guy. I always got a French Dip on sourdough--swiss cheese only. Each sandwhich came with garlic rounds (little morsels of goodness made from leftover baguettes, I assume) and a cookie. In high school, I could eat there for $2.50--a steal.
Keith Berry was a Redding celebrity of sorts. He was this big guy with a handlebar mustache. You couldn't miss him. He'd man the BBQ on tri-tip days and then cruise around to make sure everyone was happy the other days. He died a few years ago and the local paper did a huge write-up on him.
Anyway, every time I come home we lament the fact that there is no more bakery. After a decade of pleasing locals, Keith called it quits and retired to Santa Barbara. He sold the bakery to Sara Lee.
So, now we have to pick between Red Robin or Subway for lunch.
Lame.
7 comments:
Dang, I love places like that. Too bad.
Very, very lame.
You are such a good writer Jen.
I was totally thinking that next time we travel up there I wanted to make the trek to Redding just for a sandwich, you made it sound so good.
Darn Keith Barry. Redding needs a Panera.
The Bakery closed in between my sophomore and junior year or HS.
We had to switch to Subarama, or Taco Shop for lunch. Sad.
I've tried making the garlic rounds before. They aren't as good.
of, not or.
Not true. You DO NOT and should not go to Red Robin or SubWay for lunch. You could go to The Thai Cafe, Thai Bistro, Racha Noodle, Market Street Steak House, Leatherby's, The Cafe Downtown, Cheesecakes Unlimited, Senor Rosas, Kampi Sushi, Gironda's or My House for lunch next time you're in town. BTW all of the above are home grown. Miss you.
I came across this a few months ago. I realize it was written a long time ago, but I just wanted to say thank you for the kind words. I watched my dad put his heart and soul into the bakery all those years ago and it is so touching to hear someone else's fond memories of his hard work. He passed away not long after this blog was written and we miss him dearly. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. -Lisa Berry
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