Puritan Bakery

Introduction / Overview

In the vast culinary landscape of Southern California, where world-famous burgers and deli sandwiches reign supreme, there is one unsung hero that has quietly provided the foundation for some of the region's most iconic meals: Puritan Bakery. Tucked away in Carson, CA, Puritan Bakery is far more than a simple local bake shop; it is a venerable institution, a family-owned business established in 1938 that has perfected the art of baking bread "the old fashioned way."

Puritan Bakery proudly carries the slogan “Best Buns in Town,” a claim substantiated by decades of service to some of the biggest names in the Southern California fast-food and restaurant industries. They are known for supplying over 300 types of exceptional quality bread and bun products, making them a foundational component of the local hospitality scene. Their commitment to quality over speed is a core principle, ensuring every product—especially their famous hamburger buns—is built to last from the grill to the final, delicious bite.

The history of Puritan Bakery is deeply interwoven with the culture of Southern California's drive-through businesses. Originally a small retail bakery in Ocean Park, the business evolved in 1965 under the leadership of John Markulis and Tom Grimes, shifting focus to become the go-to supplier for the burgeoning burger and fast-food franchises that were starting up in the area. Many of those initial customers have since grown into large, nationally recognized enterprises, a testament to the consistent quality that Puritan has provided for over 75 years. This commitment is also tied to a rich Greek heritage, as the bakery was proudly built and sustained by the Greek community.

For local Californian users, knowing the source of the foundation for their favorite burger or sandwich is a significant factor in appreciating the local food ecosystem. Puritan Bakery’s dedication to traditional baking methods and local distribution makes it a powerful, though behind-the-scenes, pillar of the Southland's dining experience.

Location and Accessibility

Puritan Bakery’s main operations are situated in the city of Carson, a vital hub in Los Angeles County's industrial and distribution network. This strategic positioning allows them to efficiently manage the distribution of their fresh products across a wide region.

The physical address is 1624 Carson St, Carson, CA 90745, USA.

Located on a major street in Carson, the facility is easily accessible. While the primary business is large-scale distribution to commercial clients, the location accommodates the logistical requirements necessary to support their extensive delivery routes.

For business partners and drivers, the facility maintains necessary accommodations and accessibility features, confirming their operational efficiency and commitment to their supply chain partners. The location is noted for its Wheelchair accessible entrance and Wheelchair accessible parking lot, indicating consideration for various visitors. Logistically, the location is set up for the easy movement of commercial vehicles, with one customer review noting the easy process for unloading and the friendly staff. Payment options for commercial transactions include Debit cards, streamlining business operations.

Services Offered

Puritan Bakery is a full-service commercial bakery that specializes in baking and distributing a massive volume of custom and standard bread and bun products. Their services are centered around being a reliable, high-quality supplier to the restaurant industry throughout the Southwest.

• Baking of Over 300 Types of Bread and Bun Products: They maintain an inventory of diverse baked goods, including their highly sought-after hamburger buns, hot dog buns, various loaf breads, and specialty rolls.
• The 'Best Buns in Town': Their flagship product is the hamburger bun, specifically designed to be robust, standing up to the heat of the grill and not falling apart when filled with meat juices, dressings, and condiments.
• Variety of Loaf Breads: The bakery produces a wide array of loaf styles and sizes every morning, including oval, pullman, and the 'stub' loaf—a short, fat bread specifically designed for restaurant-style sandwiches. Varieties include White, Wheat, Honey Wheat, Multi-grain, Yellow French Toast Bread, and Ryes.
• French Breads and Specialty Rolls: They offer French Breads with both hard and soft crusts, as well as dinner rolls and various sliders.
• Custom Product Creation: Puritan offers to customize products to the exact specifications of their customers, and will work with their bakers to create something special if a specific product is needed.
• Direct Store Delivery (DSD): They provide direct delivery of fresh products to restaurants and businesses across a wide distribution area encompassing California, Nevada, and Arizona.
• Emergency/Special Deliveries: Puritan is committed to excellent customer service and will run special deliveries to restaurants that run out of stock or need extra, regardless of the order size.
• Product Distribution Options: In addition to DSD, they also provide frozen bread and buns or warehouse delivery via semi-truck for larger chains and distant customers.

Features / Highlights

The enduring success and reputation of Puritan Bakery are founded on a set of unique features that prioritize old-fashioned quality and unparalleled customer service.

• The 'Old Fashioned Way' Commitment: Puritan is the only California bakery that maintains the traditional and labor-intensive 7-hour sponge and dough process for their products. This method, which requires more time and expense than modern alternatives, is the core secret behind the superior richness, taste, and texture of their buns.
• Supplier to SoCal Icons: The bakery is the original supplier of quality buns and breads to a multitude of restaurants that started in Southern California, including some of the state's most beloved brands, such as In-N-Out, Fatburger, and Original Tommy's. Eating at these iconic establishments means you are enjoying a Puritan bun.
• Greek Heritage and Community Foundation: The company proudly acknowledges its foundation and success is largely attributed to the Greek community, with its former partner John Markulis being a recognized figure in the trade.
• Superior Product Integrity: Their buns are engineered for maximum performance, with a commitment to quality control that ensures they do not fall apart or flake when saturated with meat juices and condiments, delivering a superior eating experience.
• Unmatched Quality Control: The quality commitment extends to their operational practices, including extensive testing of all natural ingredients and multiple quality control checkpoints—from sorting to final inspection—ensuring every product meets their high standards.
• Exceptional Customer Service: Their service model is defined as "customer service the old fashioned way," where customers are guaranteed to talk to a person—not a voicemail—and receive prompt, solution-oriented assistance for all needs, from custom orders to emergency deliveries.

Contact Information

For businesses and local inquiries, here is the official contact information for the Carson headquarters:

Address: 1624 Carson St, Carson, CA 90745, USA

Phone: (310) 830-5451

Mobile Phone: +1 310-830-5451

What is Worth Choosing

While Puritan Bakery primarily functions as a wholesale supplier to restaurants, the reason to choose a product baked on Puritan buns is clear: you are choosing a superior, time-tested ingredient. When selecting a meal at a fast-food or casual dining restaurant in Southern California, knowing that the foundation—the bread—comes from Puritan is an assurance of quality.

The Hamburger Buns are the undisputed champion product. They are not merely containers for the meat and toppings; they are integral components of the overall dining experience. The "Best Buns in Town" are worth seeking out because their construction—achieved through the meticulous seven-hour sponge and dough process—provides a richness in flavor and a sturdiness in structure that simply cannot be replicated by faster, mass-market alternatives. The commitment to a bun that is guaranteed to "stand up on the grill" and hold together is a quality feature worth prioritizing in a dining choice.

Furthermore, choosing a product linked to Puritan Bakery means supporting a local, family-owned California business with deep roots and a rich history. You are choosing a company that values hard work, traditional methods, and quality above all else. For any local restaurant operator, choosing to partner with Puritan means leveraging decades of experience and reliable, high-integrity delivery service, the kind of commitment that helps other local businesses grow into regional powerhouses. It’s a choice for reliability, quality, and a slice of Southern California culinary history.

Puritan Bakery

1624 Carson St, Carson, CA 90745, USA