Delights from Delish!

By Eavin Moore

I have a sweet tooth. Not that unusual for a member of the generation raised on processed sugar and pre-packaged treats. The world is filled with Ho Ho’s and Dingdongs, Twinkies and Little Debbies. There are aisles of them at the grocery store. They’re in the vending machines where you work. If your workplace is too small for a machine, they’re probably in a cardboard tray on the honor system.

I eat it like a lot of you do, but I remember a time when it wasn’t nearly as prevalent. I remember when the neighborhood bakery was the place to go for pastry goods.

Two stand out in my mind. The Federal Bakery Downtown was fabulous. I would stop there on the way from the old YMCA to the bus stop, with a warm cherry turnover dripping gooey goodness down my arm. Yum, I can still taste it!

Bea Wayne’s Bakery on

was the place for birthday cakes. When I was six I got one from there with Beatles bobble head dolls on it. They had fabulous Danish there, but my favorite was the iced fruit bar, which was sort of like a Fig Newton but bigger and sweeter.

Both of these establishments are long gone. Maybe the convenience of grabbing a Suzy-Q off the shelf trumped the quality and freshness of a gourmet treat right out of the oven. If that’s the case, then I say we got what we deserved.

But xxxxxx George is betting St. Joe is ready for something better. After years studying to be a pastry chef, she has opened Delish at xxx Francis. She and the other two bakers are filling the display cases with the kinds of wonderful hand crafted treats that make the mouth water when you walk through the door.

Each of the ladies has a specialty, which adds to the variety. The Crème Horns are a big hit right out of the gate. Compare one of these with something pre-packaged, and see what a difference freshly made crème filling makes.

The Ruby Red Slipper and Key Lime Cupcakes have been very popular. I took a sampler box to my favorite 2 year old cupcake critic, who said, quote, “Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!”

Another of the bakers brings her family recipes for Mexican breads and pastries. I took a strawberry filled tart back to the office and am smiling as I type this. Though the computer keys are a little sticky. It was worth it.

The ladies at Delish are putting out products worthy of their name. They tell me they are encouraged by the reception so far, and are hard at work constantly re-filling the display cases. Stop by and see if XXX doesn’t invite you to “Come Look At My Stuff!” When you do please don’t forget to tell them “JOE” sent you, and save me a tart will you?