Sweet T's Bakery & Snack Shop

Welcome to the heart of Philadelphia, where culinary history is made and delicious traditions are savored. Located inside the iconic Reading Terminal Market, Sweet T's Bakery & Snack Shop is a true destination for every Pennsylvanian with a sweet tooth. This is more than just a bakery; it is a celebration of heritage, persistence, and, most importantly, the incredible versatility of the sweet potato. Owners Tia and Mark El have brought their cherished family recipes, passed down from Tia's grandmother, Delores Truitt, into one of the city's most beloved and bustling food halls. Their journey from a South Philly shop to a food truck, and eventually to a permanent, historic stall in the Market, is a testament to the quality and passion baked into every treat they offer.

Sweet T's Bakery & Snack Shop holds a special place in the fabric of Philadelphia’s food scene, making history as the first Black-owned bakery in the nearly 130-year history of Reading Terminal Market. This unique establishment specializes in a focused and perfected menu built around the comforting flavor of sweet potato, transforming a holiday staple into a year-round indulgence. From pies and cheesecakes to pound cake and cupcakes, every item showcases the bakery’s commitment to real, high-quality ingredients like butter and eggs, ensuring a truly authentic and decadent experience for every customer who stops by for a quick, satisfying visit.

Location and Accessibility

Sweet T's Bakery & Snack Shop is conveniently situated in one of the most central and accessible locations in Philadelphia: the historic Reading Terminal Market. For locals and visitors alike, the Market itself is a central transportation hub, making a trip to Sweet T's an easy addition to a day in Center City.

The precise address for Sweet T's Bakery & Snack Shop within the larger Market complex is:

51 North 12th, 1136 Arch St

Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA

The location is designed for a quick and satisfying visit, perfect for grabbing a delightful snack while exploring the rest of the Market's diverse offerings. The venue is accessible for individuals with disabilities, ensuring a comfortable experience for all guests traveling to this historic spot. As part of a major food market, the bakery offers an easy takeaway service, allowing customers to quickly secure their favorite sweet potato treats and signature drinks for enjoyment on the go or back at home.

Services Offered

As a combination Bakery, Coffee Shop, Dessert Restaurant, and Snack Bar, Sweet T's offers a variety of products and convenient services focused primarily on takeout. Their carefully curated menu highlights their specialty—the sweet potato—in numerous delightful forms. A quick visit to their stall will offer you the chance to pick up a treat for immediate satisfaction or larger items to share for a special gathering.

• Specialty Dessert Offerings: A focused menu revolving around sweet potato, including pies, cheesecakes, cupcakes, and pound cakes.
• Pies and Cheesecake Options: Customers can choose between different crusts for their signature sweet potato pie, including a traditional butter crust or the famous graham cracker crust, which is a unique family twist.
• Mini-Pies and Slices: Perfect for a snack or an on-the-go treat, the menu includes 3-inch mini sweet potato pies and cheesecake slices.
• Cakes and Cupcakes: Available items include Sweet Potato Pound Cake, 7 UP Pound Cake, and sweet potato cupcakes, some of which are available with pecan nuts.
• Beverages: They offer a selection of signature drinks designed by Tia El, such as Strawberry Iced Tea, Strawberry Lemonade, classic Lemonade, and Iced Tea, which pair wonderfully with their desserts.
• Specialty Bagels: The shop offers bagels that can be served with sweet potato butter.
• Dietary Options: Sugar-free sweet potato pie options are available, catering to customers with certain dietary restrictions.
• Payments: The shop accepts Debit Cards, and for convenience, also accepts SNAP/EBT payments.
• Takeaway Service: The bakery focuses on takeout, ensuring a quick and efficient experience for customers in the busy Market environment.
• Advanced Ordering: Customers can place orders for larger desserts, like 9-inch pies and whole pound cakes, by contacting the venue directly, making it an excellent option for special occasions and holidays.

Features / Highlights

Sweet T's Bakery & Snack Shop is recognized throughout Pennsylvania not just for its delicious products but also for its cultural significance and dedication to quality. The friendly and professional service from owners Tia and Mark El, who are known to share the history of the bakery, only enhances the overall experience. Their commitment to fresh, quality ingredients truly makes a difference in the taste and texture of every item.

• Historic Status in Reading Terminal Market: Sweet T's is the first Black-owned bakery to secure a permanent stall in the history of the nearly 130-year-old Reading Terminal Market, a significant cultural and business milestone for Philadelphia.
• Sweet Potato Specialization: The bakery is uniquely dedicated to creating a full line of sweet potato-based desserts, a unique and perfected concept in the Market.
• Signature Sweet Potato Pie with Graham Cracker Crust: This is the star of the menu. Tia El's grandmother taught her the original sweet potato pie recipe, and Tia added her now-famous twist: a graham cracker crust that customers rave about for elevating the classic flavor.
• Commitment to Quality Ingredients: Customers frequently praise the bakery for using real, wholesome ingredients like butter and eggs in their recipes, ensuring a rich, authentic flavor in their baked goods and desserts.
• Variety of Forms: Beyond the pie, the sweet potato is featured in a range of desserts, including moist pound cake, luscious cheesecake, and individual cupcakes, offering numerous ways to enjoy their signature flavor.
• Friendly, Informative Owners: The owners, Mark and Tia El, are frequently noted in reviews for their friendly customer service and willingness to share the inspiring story and history of the bakery with patrons.
• Accessibility and Convenience: Located in a prime spot in the Reading Terminal Market, the bakery is easily accessible, designed for a quick visit, and offers options like sugar-free pies and mini-pies for on-the-go snacking.

Contact Information

For any Pennsylvanian planning a trip to the city or looking to place a large order, here is the essential contact and location information for Sweet T's Bakery & Snack Shop. They are perfectly located to be part of your Philadelphia culinary exploration.

Address:

Sweet T's Bakery & Snack Shop

51 North 12th, 1136 Arch St

Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA

Please note that the phone number for the business is not consistently available in public records, and the best way to interact with the business is through a quick visit to their location inside the Reading Terminal Market or by checking their official website for updated hours and contact information for large orders.

Operating Hours (General Market Hours, check official site for daily changes):

Monday - Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

What is Worth Choosing

When stepping into Sweet T's Bakery & Snack Shop, customers are often struck by the inviting aroma of cinnamon and sweet potato, an immediate sign of the goodness to come. For any first-time visitor or long-time fan, there is one non-negotiable must-try: the Sweet Potato Pie with the graham cracker crust. This is the item that launched Tia El's professional baking career and has become the signature dish. It is a brilliant twist on a classic, comforting flavor—the creamy, perfectly spiced sweet potato filling sits in a crumbly, flavorful graham cracker base that adds a unique texture and sweetness, as noted by enthusiastic customers.

Beyond the pie, the bakery offers other worthy indulgences. The Sweet Potato Cheesecake, also made with a graham cracker crust and praised for its use of real, high-quality ingredients, is an excellent choice for those who enjoy a richer dessert. For a delightful pairing, be sure to grab one of their signature, house-made beverages. The Strawberry Iced Tea and Strawberry Lemonade are fan favorites that provide a refreshing, sweet counterpoint to the warm, spiced flavors of the baked goods.

Sweet T's is a true Philadelphia gem. It represents not only a delicious culinary experience but also a significant, history-making local business that every resident of Pennsylvania should feel proud to support. Whether you're in the Market for a quick snack, a take-home dessert for your family, or seeking the very best sweet potato pie, Sweet T's Bakery & Snack Shop delivers exceptional quality, heartwarming tradition, and an unparalleled sweet potato experience.

Sweet T's Bakery & Snack Shop

51 North 12th, 1136 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA