27th Street Bakery

Discovering true local culinary gems in Southern California can be a deeply rewarding experience, and few places hold as much history and community significance as the 27th Street Bakery in Los Angeles. This cherished pastry shop is not just a place to buy a dessert; it’s a living piece of Los Angeles history, particularly the cultural heritage of the historic Central Avenue corridor. For residents across the region, from Pasadena to Long Beach, this establishment offers a taste of authentic Southern-style baking that has stood the test of time, becoming a true LA landmark.

The bakery's journey began in the 1930s when Harry and Sadie Patterson first opened a restaurant on Central Avenue. This vibrant street was the epicenter of African American social and cultural life in Los Angeles, and the Pattersons brought with them generations of family recipes from Shreveport, Louisiana. In 1956, their focus shifted, converting part of the restaurant into a specialty pie shop called Mrs. Harry’s Pies and Cakes, which eventually became the iconic 27th Street Bakery. Their success was built on one star item: the incomparable Sweet Potato Pie, a family heirloom recipe featuring a secret blend of spices and a commitment to quality ingredients, including only using sweet potatoes grown in Louisiana, as the founder stressed.

Now a third-generation, family-owned legacy business, 27th Street Bakery remains deeply committed to its roots while continuing to serve the wider California community. It’s an institution recognized for its resilience and for preserving a distinct, homemade Southern flavor that resonates with a wide audience. Whether you're a long-time resident or just looking for the very best Southern-style sweets in the state, making a trip to this celebrated South Los Angeles bakery is a pilgrimage for any dessert lover.

The dedication to their craft is clear in every flaky crust and rich filling. The current stewards, who took over in the 1980s, continue to honor the original baking traditions. Their commitment to consistency and quality, even down to sourcing specific Louisiana sweet potatoes, is what sets their products apart. This deep-seated tradition means that when you purchase a pie or cake from 27th Street Bakery, you are enjoying a classic, time-honored recipe that reminds many customers of their grandmother's or mother's cooking. The warm, comforting, and not-overly-sweet profile of their signature pie has cemented its status as one of the best desserts in Los Angeles, a highlight for any local or visitor searching for an authentic California culinary experience rooted in Southern heritage.

The menu extends beyond their world-famous pie, offering a full range of whole cakes, cobblers, and smaller single-serving delights, perfect for any occasion from a simple weekend treat to a major holiday gathering. For those seeking a taste of authentic Southern baking right here in California, 27th Street Bakery is an essential destination.

Location and Accessibility

27th Street Bakery is a well-known neighborhood landmark situated in the Historic South Central area of Los Angeles, California. Its long-standing presence at the intersection of 27th Street and Central Avenue makes it easily recognizable and a central point for the local community and patrons traveling from across Southern California. For customers driving to the location, ample street parking is generally available. The establishment strives to be inclusive and accessible to all members of the community. In line with this commitment, the physical location has been designed with accessibility in mind.

The location is:

2700 S Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90011, USA

For those planning a visit, the bakery's historical importance and location within a culturally significant corridor add an extra layer of meaning to the experience. It’s a place that invites you to step inside and be part of a decades-long Los Angeles tradition.

Services Offered

The 27th Street Bakery offers a range of convenient services to ensure all customers in the California area can enjoy their acclaimed baked goods. Whether you're grabbing a slice on the go or ordering a dozen small pies for a gathering, they have a service option tailored to your needs. The pastry shop is dedicated to delivering a seamless experience for every purchase.

• In-Store Shopping: Patrons are welcome to visit the shop to browse the selection and purchase items directly.
• In-Store Pickup: Customers can place an order ahead of time and pick up their freshly baked items at the store, ideal for saving time.
• Delivery: The bakery provides delivery services for local customers in the Los Angeles area, bringing their famous desserts right to your door.
• Takeout: Quick and easy service for those who wish to purchase items and enjoy them at another location.
• Onsite Services: Catering to larger, pre-arranged orders or special requests.
• Credit Card and NFC Payments: Accepting major credit cards, debit cards, and modern NFC mobile payments for a convenient transaction process.

Features / Highlights

What truly makes 27th Street Bakery a distinguished spot in the California culinary scene is its rich heritage, dedication to quality, and renowned product line. These features have helped it maintain its status as an iconic Los Angeles dessert destination.

• Legacy Family Business: Operating since 1956 and currently run by the third generation of the Patterson family, preserving original, time-tested recipes.
• Famous Sweet Potato Pie: The signature dessert, known for its phenomenal, not-overly-sweet filling, flaky, light crust, and secret family spice blend. It's truly an LA institution.
• Wide Variety of Southern Desserts: Beyond the pies, the bakery offers a robust selection of Southern-style cakes, cobblers, and cheesecakes, including Red Velvet Cake, German Chocolate Cake, and Uncle Calvin's Peach Cobbler.
• Wheelchair Accessible: The premises include a wheelchair-accessible entrance, ensuring that the bakery is welcoming to all members of the community.
• Great Dessert Offerings: A reputation for consistently delivering high-quality, homemade-tasting desserts, making it a reliable choice for any sweet craving.
• Bulk and Variety Options: Offering both large pies and small personal pies by the dozen, such as Sweet Potato Pies and Alberta's Old Fashion Pecan Pie, perfect for parties or wholesale clients.
• Specialty Ingredients: A continued dedication to using specific ingredients, such as sweet potatoes flown in from Louisiana, to maintain the authentic flavor profile of their original recipes.

Contact Information

To experience the renowned taste of 27th Street Bakery or inquire about placing an order, the contact details are as follows:

Address: 2700 S Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90011, USA

Phone: (323) 233-3469

What is Worth Choosing

The 27th Street Bakery provides a memorable experience for anyone seeking high-quality, authentic desserts with a rich cultural background. While their entire menu is crafted with care, there are specific items that California locals consistently flock to. The undisputed must-try is the Sweet Potato Pie. Many customers have praised its "phenomenal" quality, noting that it is "not overly sweet" with a "crust flaky and light." This is the pie that earned the bakery its iconic status and continues to be the foundation of its legacy. Purchasing this pie is more than buying a dessert; it's buying into a Southern tradition brought to life in Los Angeles.

Additionally, for those looking to sample more of the bakery's Southern flair, the various whole cakes and cobblers are highly recommended. The cakes—such as the Red Velvet, German Chocolate, and Carrot Cake—are celebrated for their moistness and quality frosting, often tasting distinctively homemade. The unique Sweet Potato Creamy Cheesecake is also a standout, merging the bakery’s famous filling with a classic dessert structure for an unforgettable blend of flavors. The smaller, single-serving pies and cobblers, like Uncle Calvin’s Peach Cobbler, are perfect for an individual treat or for easy transport across the city.

Choosing 27th Street Bakery means choosing a dessert backed by three generations of family tradition, a secret recipe, and an unwavering commitment to quality that is rare to find. It’s an opportunity to support a culturally significant, Black-owned, and family-owned legacy business right here in Los Angeles, ensuring that this treasured piece of California's culinary and cultural landscape continues to thrive for years to come. For any special occasion or just a moment of personal indulgence, the comforting, homemade goodness of 27th Street Bakery’s offerings is an unmatched choice.