Best Local Eats: Amanda’s Bakery

Recently named one of Kansas Magazine Readers’ Choice Best Local Eats, Amanda’s Bakery and Cafe is a delightful breakfast and lunch eatery in Downtown Emporia. Located at 702 Commercial Street, Amanda’s serves up bread baked fresh daily and meals made with the freshest ingredients.

Owner Amanda Mallon opened her bakery and cafe in 2007, realizing a childhood dream of owning her own restaurant. She learned to bake bread from her grandmother and mother, both of whom loved to make homemade bread. Amanda worked at a local bakery, learning more about the business. When that bakery closed, her father encouraged her to take the leap and open her own place.

“I didn’t see myself doing this for a long period of time,” Amanda told The Emporia Gazette in an article celebrating her 10^th anniversary. “In the beginning, when I was thinking of opening, I always saw myself doing more sweets and bakery goods, not necessarily the deli items. When I introduced them it worked, so it was good.”

What to Eat

If you’ve ever wanted a cinnamon roll the size of your head, you’ll want to try one of Amanda’s sinfully delicious, fresh-baked rolls for a sweet start to your day.

Lunch is where Amanda’s really shines. The star of the show is the homemade sandwiches assembled from fresh ingredients between thick slices of bread baked fresh that day. Choose from French, Honey Whole Wheat, or Sunflower Wheat bread and a variety of sandwich types, like the Ranch Hand Turkey, Mambo Italiano, and Knock Out Veggie. Or try the sandwich of the day or build your own custom sandwich. (P.S. Love the bread? Buy a loaf to take home!)

If you’d prefer a hot lunch, Amanda’s offers paninis, hot off the grill, in combinations like Kickin’ Southwest Chicken or the featured panini of the month.

Sandwiches are offered in half or full sizes – they’re piled high, so if you want to sample another tasty item from the menu, like the homemade soup of the day, we recommend ordering the half size!

Amanda’s offers seasonal soups and salads, always made fresh and always with vegetarian options. Kids can order from the regular menu, or enjoy a half grilled cheese or PBJ, fruit cup, and juice.

Whatever you order, leave room for one of Amanda’s famous, decadent Ultimate Brownies. A rich brownie base is layered with cream cheese, then toasted marshmallows and finally fudge frosting. It’s big enough to share, but after one bite, you may not want to.

If brownies aren’t your speed, choose from homemade chocolate chip, peanut butter, and oatmeal raisin cookies to finish off your meal. On Fridays Amanda features a unique, specialty dessert, perfect for finishing off the week.

Where to find it

Located at 702 Commercial Street, Amanda’s shares space in the Kress Building, a renovated five-and-dime store. The bakery and cafe occupies the southwest corner of the first floor. Tables are close together and the place is usually packed at lunch time, giving the eatery a diner feeling. Soaring ceilings add a sense of spaciousness. If you choose to sit at the bar or a table by the floor-to-ceiling windows, you’ll have a prime view of what’s happening downtown on a given day. Overflow seating is available in the lobby at a table that accommodates larger parties.

Service is fast and friendly, but Amanda’s is very popular so lunch wait time can be a few minutes longer than expected. Place your order ahead of time (620-340-0620) and move to the front of the line!

Amanda’s Bakery & Cafe is open from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tuesday – Friday and from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday.

For more information, visit amandasbakeryandcafe.com or call 620-340-0620.