Dead King Bread Introduce
For dedicated bread lovers across Philadelphia and the greater Pennsylvania region, Dead King Bread (DKB) represents a unique and highly sought-after destination. Operating from a distinct location within the Manayunk Timber sawmill in Roxborough, DKB is far more than a conventional shop; it is a dedicated Bakery and a fiercely independent Small business with a strong DIY ethos. Founders Michael Holland and Molly Flannery, who affectionately call it “the weirdest sourdough bakery in Philly,” have cultivated a devoted following, initially through a subscription service for their chewy, blistery loaves. This enterprise has since established a physical presence that is now a legitimate, licensed operation, securing its place as a valued artisan producer in the city.
The core identity of Dead King Bread is centered on sourdough—a slow bread approach that emphasizes quality, flavor, and craft. Customers who visit the premises on Umbria Street are treated to a rotation of specialty items that often sell out quickly. Confirmed customer favorites include their crusty sourdough bread, pillowy milk bread, sunflower-studded rye loaves, olive baguettes, and a unique take on a local favorite, the Philly-style tomato pie. This tomato pie is made with their signature sourdough focaccia, house-made tomato sauce, and a generous sprinkle of Maldon salt. Other praised items include vegan scones and other fresh pastries. The overwhelming consensus from patrons is the high quality of ingredients and the resultant freshness of every item. The business model is structured for efficiency, offering quick and convenient service for a Quick visit, with the main public access typically limited to a few hours on Saturdays, making a visit an anticipated weekly ritual for many local Pennsylvanians.
The experience at DKB is intentionally unique, described as cultivating a vibe that feels “more like an open house than a retail store,” embracing its unconventional location and community-supported origins. While one customer noted a negative experience with a dog kept in a neighboring, unaffiliated store, another review praised the warm, unique atmosphere, mentioning a "greeting by the cat" and the presence of an "open fire" as part of the overall, much-loved experience—a clear nod to the bakery's non-traditional, handcrafted roots that appeal to an audience seeking authenticity.
Dead King Bread has made its permanent home in a truly distinct and fitting location, deeply rooted in the Roxborough/Manayunk area of Northwest Philadelphia:
5100 Umbria St, Philadelphia, PA 19128, USA
The bakery is housed within the Manayunk Timber mill, an unconventional setting that perfectly matches the business's DIY, craft-focused ethos. While the exact location requires customers to be intentional about their visit, the destination offers a unique backdrop that is appreciated by its loyal following.
In terms of customer access, the bakery's service options are designed for efficiency and a focus on product acquisition:
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Onsite Services: This indicates that the bakery provides services directly at its Umbria Street location, allowing customers to come to the premises to purchase goods, though it is important to note that public hours are limited, often to a short window on Saturdays.LI
Takeout: The primary service for customers, allowing for the quick pickup of loaves, pastries, and specialty items like the renowned tomato pie.LI
Quick Visit Planning: The business is structured for customers who want to make a swift stop to grab their pre-ordered or spontaneously purchased goods, aligning with the limited public hours./UL
Pennsylvania patrons planning a visit should always check the bakery’s current schedule, as the limited hours make timely arrival crucial for securing their sought-after artisan products.
Dead King Bread's service offerings are centered on their unique, slow-bread philosophy, catering primarily to the Pennsylvania audience that demands high-quality, artisan baked goods:
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Artisan Sourdough and Bread Production: The main focus is the creation of a wide variety of "slow bread," including their signature sourdough loaves, milk bread, rye, and baguettes. This production forms the basis for their subscription and wholesale operations.LI
Subscription Service: DKB has a long history of weekly delivery to its subscribers in several Philadelphia neighborhoods, allowing a dedicated clientele to receive their fresh bread directly. This service continues alongside their public hours.LI
Specialty Pastries and Savories: The bakery offers a rotating selection of highly-praised items beyond bread, such as the famous sourdough focaccia tomato pie, vegan scones, and other sweets and savories noted for their quality ingredients.LI
Wholesale Operations: In addition to public sales and subscriptions, DKB supplies its artisan products to wholesale clients, extending its reach across the Philadelphia region.LI
Onsite Takeout (Limited Hours): The public is welcomed to the premises on Umbria Street, typically for a few hours on Saturdays (e.g., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.), for direct purchases./UL
The distinct features that make Dead King Bread a must-visit for Pennsylvania food enthusiasts are rooted in its craftsmanship and unique cultural identity:
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The Sourdough Specialist: The bakery's reputation is built on its exceptional sourdough—crusty, blistery loaves made using a slow, traditional process, distinguishing it from standard commercial bakeries.LI
Signature Tomato Pie: A major highlight is their sourdough focaccia tomato pie, which offers a unique, tangy, and deeply flavorful twist on a beloved Philadelphia regional staple.LI
DIY and Community Ethos: Recognized as a Small business built with a DIY approach and community support, DKB offers an experience that is authentic, transparent, and focused on quality over mass production.LI
Unconventional Charm: Located within the Manayunk Timber mill, the bakery cultivates a unique, welcoming atmosphere—one customer praised the environment which included a "greeting by the cat" and an "open fire," reflecting a truly handcrafted, unpretentious setting.LI
Commitment to Freshness and Quality: Customers consistently cite the use of "very high quality ingredients" and the fact that "everything we got was absolutely delicious," underscoring the bakery's dedication to its product./UL
For patrons in Philadelphia seeking to place pre-orders, inquire about subscription services, or check the specific public hours (which are highly limited), the following location information is provided. Note that the bakery's primary means of communication are often through their website and email list, as per their business model, so online research is advised:
Address: 5100 Umbria St, Philadelphia, PA 19128, USA
Phone: No public phone number is consistently provided, urging customers to rely on the physical address and online channels for up-to-date information.
Due to the bakery's boutique and limited-hours nature, customers are strongly encouraged to check their official channels for weekly menus, preorder cutoffs, and Saturday open times before planning a visit to the Roxborough location.
For a Pennsylvania resident, choosing Dead King Bread is an intentional decision to prioritize artisan excellence, unique local flavor, and community support over mainstream convenience. What is truly worth choosing is the superior product quality: the bread is not just baked; it is crafted slowly and with meticulous care, resulting in products that are revered by the local community. The title of "the weirdest sourdough bakery in Philly" is a badge of honor, signifying an operation that values the craft and the customer relationship over corporate efficiency.
The ability to acquire a legendary sourdough loaf or a slice of their unique sourdough tomato pie—a true Philadelphia food experience—makes the trip to the Umbria Street location a rewarding pilgrimage. By supporting this Small business, patrons are contributing to the vitality of the local food scene and ensuring the continuation of a rare, specialized baking tradition. Dead King Bread offers a culinary experience that is rich in flavor, atmosphere, and authentic Philadelphia character, making it a highly valuable and essential stop for any local food enthusiast.
Dead King Bread Details
From the business
- Small business
Service options
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Delivery
Planning
- Quick visit
Dead King Bread Photos










Dead King Bread Location
Dead King Bread
5100 Umbria St, Philadelphia, PA 19128, USA
Dead King Bread Reviews
sourdoughpizza doughfocacciadeliverybiscuitssubscriptionselectionlumberryescones
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1This place would be really great, but they keep a dog that is not well behaved and scared away customers. Admittedly, I came for the other businesses in this building but felt I had to leave this review because someone in the bakery owns this dog (but kept it in the neighboring store that is not affiliated with the bakery). It got territorial and barked a lot if you touched anything in the store, and I saw multiple people get scared away by it. I’m hoping the owner sees this review and chooses to leave the dog at home or trains it better.
August 01 · Olivia FredricksThis place was absolutely amazing! They were so friendly and everything we got was absolutely delicious. We tried the tomato pie, vegan scone, olive baguette, sourdough bread and I can't pick a favorite. They even gave us a fruit bar to try for free to top it all off. You can tell that they use very high quality ingredients and that everything is fresh. From the greeting by the cat when we walked in to the open fire when we walked out, we loved every minute and will 100% be going back!
July 18 · Sharanya ShastryMy new go-to bakery. I've always wanted to have access to a small community bakery and this has hit it at all levels. Not to mention you can get actual sourdough here. I know the difficulty of making just a couple of loaves, let alone at scale and am thankful and ecstatic I can easily get it.Just hope y'all can deliver to 19128 soon! I'm 1 mile away from the bakery but they won't deliver :(
February 04 · Rainer FloeterGet here early. There will be a line but it’s worth the wait. Wife and I got their sourdough, sunflower rye, whole orange cake slices (made with whole oranges not a whole cake of orange loaf), blueberry crumble muffin, scones, and granola. My daughter loved the granola and the orange loaf paired nicely with tea at home. The sourdough’s great with jam and the sunflower rye makes a great base for turkey sandwiches. I’ll arrive early again for more.
January 27 · Evan AntonucciFor our 24th date, my sweetheart and I returned to Dead King Bread. We attempted to meet there on our second date, but it was closed. I love the bread, I love the chocolate chip cookie, but I also adore the drive to the bakery, the anticipation while waiting in line as you progress through the lumber yard, eager to see what's still available.I especially enjoyed today's baker's note: 9-11 Jan 2025, "Winterizing," and wish I knew the name of the author. I like to use my fridge as a memory vault for my favorite experiences of the year. I have about 40 heavy duty stainless steel magnets in the shape of push pins that I use for displaying tickets to museums, concerts, etc. Today's baker's note will go on the fridge to remind me of waiting in line on a cold day for warm bread, made by a baker trying to control the temperature of the bakery in order to control the speed of the fermentation.
April 13 · Janis
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