Robaire’s Bakery

Robaire’s Bakery

1903 S. Mission St., Mount Pleasant, MI / 989-772-3516

http://www.robairesbakery.com/

This will probably read like a love note. Because I love, love, love this bakery.

Robaire’s has been in business since 1963 (come to think of it, so have I!) and has built up a faithful following in Mount Pleasant. They do it all — wedding and graduation cakes, pies, donuts, cookies, breads, cinnamon rolls, and soups and sandwiches for lunch.

The owner of Robaire’s is a lovely French woman who employs a staff of nice people who are quick and helpful. In the morning, there are always a couple of tables full of regulars — retirees who hang out and shoot the bull and enjoy the amazing sweets and the very good coffee.

The French influence is probably the key to the products. The taste of the cinnamon rolls and sticky buns and other personal favorites is . . .  just . . . hard to describe, except to say they’re exquisite. Well-balanced might be a good word, too; things are dense and gooey when they need to be, and also light in all the right places.

My favorite thing, a cinnamon roll filled with raisins, runs $1.95, and the other products are similarly value-priced. They also wrap yesterday’s goods and sell them for half price, so you can find wonderful products at pretty much any price. Robaire’s bakes magnificent French bread (well, duh!) and in addition to selling it to lucky customers, also supplies it to local restaurants.

To me, Robaire’s is the best bakery in the state — though I’m happy to crown someone else if they similarly knock my socks off. There isn’t much flashy about Robaire’s (beyond the gorgeous wedding cakes); it features simple tables and chairs and is located in an average-looking strip mall across from the CMU campus. But the food itself immediately tells you that great care and quality have been baked into everything.

While CMU’s middling football team might not be enough of a reason to visit Mount Pleasant just yet, this bakery should. And since Robaire’s is open seven days a week, you really have no excuse not to make the trip.