Lost Bread Co.

Lost Bread Co.: Philadelphia's Pioneer in Whole Grain, Artisan Baking

For sophisticated palates across Pennsylvania who prioritize both flavor and clean ingredients, Lost Bread Co. is not just a bakery—it is a culinary movement rooted in tradition and quality. Situated in Philadelphia’s emerging Olde Kensington neighborhood, this production bakery has gained widespread acclaim for its fundamental commitment to using whole grain, organic, and locally-sourced grains which they stone-mill fresh, right in-house. This dedication to controlling the entire process, from grain to loaf, sets them apart in the region's competitive artisan food landscape.

The core philosophy of Lost Bread Co. centers on naturally leavened products, specifically its signature sourdough and an array of unusually delicious pastries. Customers consistently highlight the use of "clean ingredients" as the primary reason they choose Lost Bread Co., recognizing the superior taste and digestive benefits of their baked goods. By milling their own flour, they ensure the maximum nutritional value and a distinct depth of flavor that highlights the grain itself, often resulting in products that are "not very sweet," allowing the natural taste of the whole grain to shine.

While the business supplies its masterful products widely—including through various farmers markets and wholesale accounts—the production bakery location serves as a unique and popular retail spot, though access is deliberately limited. This arrangement underscores their focus on quality and small-batch production. Visitors can experience the results of this meticulous process firsthand, discovering everything from their famed sourdough bread to unique creations like the whole wheat croissant, described by customers as having an exceptional, unparalleled texture. This bakery is a must-visit destination for anyone in the Pennsylvania area seeking genuinely artisanal, grain-forward baked goods.

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Location and Accessibility in Olde Kensington

Lost Bread Co. is centrally located in the thriving Olde Kensington area of Philadelphia, just west of Fishtown, making it a key destination for food enthusiasts in the city and surrounding Pennsylvania suburbs.

Address: 1313 N Howard St, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA

The physical location operates primarily as a production bakery; therefore, access to the public is purposefully limited, adding to the specialized nature of the retail experience. The bakery opens its doors to the public only on weekends, specifically Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This limited window creates a highly anticipated weekend rush, which visitors should plan for, particularly if they are traveling from outside the immediate Philadelphia area.

Accessibility features are a positive highlight, as the location offers a Wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring that all members of the community can visit the production bakery. For payments, convenience is prioritized with modern options including Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, facilitating a smooth, quick visit experience.

While the limited days of operation—open only two days a week—can be inconvenient for some local patrons, as one customer noted, this schedule reflects the demanding nature of whole-grain production and their extensive commitment to serving other markets, such as the numerous farmers markets where their products are also sold.

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Services Offered

Lost Bread Co. offers a curated selection of products and services, reflecting its focus on high-quality, whole-grain artisan baking and flour production.

• In-Store Shopping: Available at the 1313 N Howard St production bakery only on Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM, providing a chance to see the products fresh from the oven.
• Takeout: Available during public hours, designed for customers making a Quick visit to pick up pre-orders or purchases.
• In-Store Pickup: Customers can utilize pre-ordering services for easy collection of their artisan breads and pastries.
• Artisan Baked Goods: A rotating menu of naturally leavened sourdough breads (like Pane da Tavola, Seedy Grains, Homadama) and specialty pastries (including Whole Grain Croissants, Pretzel Shortbread, and Hazelnut Biscotti).
• Coffee Offerings: They serve Coffee, often featuring high-quality roasters, which is highly appreciated by customers who enjoy an expertly crafted pairing with their baked goods.
• Milled Flour Sales: The bakery sells their Whole Grain Flour directly to the public, including varieties like Whole Wheat, Whole Rye, and Spelt Flour (typically 2.5lb bags, ranging from approximately $7.25 to $10.00), allowing home bakers to use the same high-quality, stone-milled ingredients.
• Pantry Items: Offering shelf-stable products like Pretzel Shortbread (e.g., 8-pack for around $14.00), Seedy Granola, Hazelnut Biscotti, and Tahini Oat Bars (e.g., 2-pack for around $5.00).

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Features / Highlights

The distinct qualities of Lost Bread Co. are what have earned it a reputation as a truly artisan, quality-focused bakery in the Pennsylvania region.

• In-House Stone Milling: They stone mill their flour fresh in-house from locally grown, organic grains. This is the central, defining feature that ensures maximum freshness, flavor, and whole-grain nutrition.
• Whole Grain Specialization: A deep commitment to using whole grain in the majority of their products, resulting in breads and pastries with superior flavor profiles, often described as having nutty or yogurty notes.
• Naturally Leavened Sourdough: All primary bread products are made using natural leavening (sourdough), ensuring superior digestibility and a rich, complex flavor that cannot be replicated with commercial yeast.
• Exceptional Whole Wheat Croissant: A specific highlight repeatedly praised by customers for its unique and exceptional texture, proving that whole grain products can achieve the flakiness and quality of traditional pastries.
• Clean Ingredients Focus: A major draw for health-conscious patrons, who appreciate the focus on simple, high-quality, and traceable components in every item.
• Curated Coffee Service: They offer high-quality Coffee and take care to ensure it pairs perfectly with their baked goods, creating a complete and satisfying culinary moment for visitors.
• Direct Flour Sales: Offering various types of self-milled whole grain and sifted flours directly to customers, fostering a connection with the home-baking community and promoting the use of local grains.

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Contact Information

For local customers in Pennsylvania, the production bakery in Olde Kensington is the primary physical address, though due to limited hours, email is often the best initial contact method.

Address: 1313 N Howard St, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA

Phone: (215) 739-2904

Mobile Phone: +1 215-739-2904

The business explicitly states that it is "always best to reach us by email as we are not always in the office," due to their focus on production and farmers market sales. However, the telephone numbers provided are the official contact lines. Visitors should remember that in-store service is strictly limited to Saturday and Sunday mornings from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

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What is Worth Choosing

Choosing Lost Bread Co. is a choice for quality, authenticity, and health-conscious baking, making it a standout destination for the discerning Pennsylvania consumer.

The number one item worth choosing is any of their naturally leavened sourdough breads. Their commitment to using stone-milled, locally grown, organic whole grains results in loaves like the Seedy Grains or Homadama that are nutritionally dense, easily digestible, and bursting with complex flavors that cannot be found in mass-produced bread. Patrons who have been buying the sourdough for months cite the clean ingredients as the biggest reason for their loyalty.

A second must-try item is the highly-praised Whole Wheat Croissant. This pastry defies expectations, providing a beautiful texture usually reserved for white-flour versions. Customers rave about its quality, which successfully highlights the superior flavor of the milled whole wheat without excessive sweetness. Pairing this pastry with their expertly prepared coffee—as one reviewer noted, perfectly customized—completes the high-end artisan experience.

Finally, for local home bakers, purchasing the in-house milled flour (Whole Wheat, Rye, or Spelt) is highly recommended. This offers a unique opportunity to bring the same standard of fresh, locally-sourced whole grain into your own kitchen. While the limited weekend hours at the production bakery require careful planning, the quality, flavor, and dedication to pure, whole ingredients make the trip to 1313 N Howard St an entirely worthwhile pilgrimage for any Pennsylvania resident serious about good food.

Lost Bread Co.

1313 N Howard St, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA