San Leandro Can Live By Bread & Sweets Alone

(Each Friday Bargain Hound will look at how to save money and have fun in San Leandro and vicinity. Past columns have looked at as well as and .)

If  anybody tells you dogs don't like sweets, they're yanking your chain. And when it comes to breads, pastries and baked goods, San Leandro can play havoc with carbohydrate and sugar-free diets.

Today I'll cover breads and pastries and then run off a few pounds because this was tasty research.

is hidden away in an industrial building near the new Kaiser Hospital under construction.

Most of Bakery Street's business is wholesale but their outlet store is open to the public. After you see (and smell) their goodies this could become one of your favorite places in town.

Along with their famous cupcakes, cookies, and pops, take a look at the individual serving containers of gourmet restaurant cheese cake and mini-cakes in the refrigerator cases.

Need something for a special event or a birthday?

Prepare yourself before you take in some of the prettiest, neatest, most awesome cakes you have ever seen.

Cake prices vary since each one is customized to your specifications but if you order either the "Mad Hatter" cake (my name for it) or the one covered with toys let me know. I'll be right over.

Sample prices: 18 Madelines for $2.00; cupcake for $2.00; individual deserts for $3.50.

Grab It Deals: On Fridays and Saturdays they have several varieties of fresh-baked croissants, focaccia, 6" mini-pizzas, and garlic or cheese bread for only $1.00. That's worth jumping the fence for!

Location: 465 Factor Avenue, San Leandro, CA 94577 (510) 357-8880

Entemann's-Oroweat Outlet: Want to stock up on Entenmann's streudel, Oroweat multigrain breads, Thomas's English muffins, or a few pounds of flax seed? Hurry on down!

You can find English Muffins at $1.99/package, almost any of the Oroweat breads you want at $3.29 and a 24 ounce bag of flax seed for $3.09.

They even have Red Mill gluten-free flour, cookies, jams, and a few other unexpected items.

Grab It Deals: Check out the Managers Special for free bonus items.

Location: 14388 Washington Avenue, (between Chapman Rd & Floresta Blvd) , San Leandro, CA 94578

: Your inner junk food junkie will be just as happy as your health food side. Just don't take your kids along. At these prices you can't say no.

This is way beyond Twinkies, Crocodiles and Ding Dongs. Fresh Nature's Pride whole grain breads are two for $4.00; Colombo sourdough bread is $2.75 per loaf;  Wonder Bread white or raisin breads are two for $4.68. Plus there's a large assortment of Red Mill products, cereals, spices, honey, and more.

Just make sure you bite the Crocodiles (chocolate covered Twinkies!) and not vice versa.

Grab It Deals: The Daily Specials like Nature's Pride multigrain or oatmeal bread for $1.00

Location: 833 Montague St (between Alvarado Street & Teagarden Street), San Leandro, CA 94577 (510) 357-1918 

: Like Otis Spunkmeyer cookies and muffins? Put this place on your list. The outlet is at one corner of their factory complex so the goodies are really fresh. At these prices you can afford to keep the kids happy.

Location: 14490 Catalina Street  (between Fairway Dr & Farallon Drive), San Leandro, CA 94577 (510) 667-6103

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