The Swiss are notoriously famous for their Pope Patrol, neutrality, and country omelettes (French for omelet). Because I couldn't convince the waitress to dress in a swiss guard outfit, and because I had no wars for them to step aside from, I had the country omelette for breakfast. Unfortunately, since it was my first time at the SPS, my knowledge of the portion sizes was limited. I ordered a pastry to go along with it and had enough food to feed the entire population of Swissies here in Texas.
When you walk into the SPS, you will instantly be taken over by the essence of baked goods. Instinctively, you will gain five pounds of anticipation weight. It's like the bars that pre-clear your credit card for $300. I heard about them from a friend.... The breakfast crowd was sparse on the day I went, so I didn't have to share the smell with many people. But I imagine there is a crowd on weekends, so plan accordingly (nostril funnels so you can bring in more scent).
The country omelette is named so, because it is the size of the country of Switzerland. Inside it are unaccounted for funds, chocolate, and great skiing. Plus some potatoes, cheese and ham. It also comes with a side of toast or biscuits. I chose toast but never made a dent in it. I'm sure it tasted toasty (this type of description is probably what has kept the Star-Telegram from asking me to take over as restaurant reviewer).
The omelette was terrific, with perfectly prepared eggs (not overcooked, no runny juices) and the chunks of inside stuff were all appropriately sized. I think the total for the omelette was less than $4. All the money you save can go into your secret account.
I also had a fruit pocket or some similarly named item which is basically a pastry with fruit in it, but in a different form than a kolache. Mine was apple and it was great. An obviously fresh pastry is such a treat and it really washed down the omelette.
So to summarize, the food was good, the smell was good, the service was great, and the prices were cheap. There were some downsides, however. Nobody dresses like the Pope Patrol. And I think Dan Brown was in the corner, writing me into his next book. Somehow I helped the Catholics hide their secrets in fruit pockets.
If you've been to the Swiss Pastry Shop and have other recommendations let me know.
The Swiss Pastry Shop is located at 3936 W. Vickery.
Coming up, I've got reviews of King Tut and my dinner at Paco and John, Mexican Diner.
23 comments:
Everything there is awesome. For breakfast I get omelettes, the raspberry horseshoes are great. For lunch the bratwurst plate is excellent, make sure to try the chocolate mousse pie or the chocolate mousse cake, and what they're really known for is the Black Forest Cake, which has no cherries. I'd describe it, but there's no point - you have to have one. Cookies are good, eclairs are good - ya know, I don't think I've had _anything_ bad there.
And the florentines, if you're lucky enough to be in on Friday afternoons after they make them, are amazing. It's sliced nuts with a glaze, dipped in chocolate, that has texture like a cookie.
They (Swiss Pastry in general, and florentines in specific) are why I'm on a diet.
I have never had anything from SPS except for the Black Forest Cake. It is the best cake in town. It is hard to describe, but totally different than any other Black Forest Cake you have ever had. By that I mean it is actually good.
Have you ever taken a road trip to at at Mary's Cafe in Strawn? It is about an hour away, but has some awesome chicken fried steak and french fries. The cfs comes in small, medium and large. Order the small or wear pants with an elastic waistband - its worth it either way.
The Swiss Pastry Shop has great sandwiches at lunchtime, to0.
Michael, thanks for all the information. I'll have to work on my waistline with some of those florentines today.
Anonymous, I meant to include Mary's in my Texas Road Trip review but since I have never been, I left it out. However, my parents have been and they speak very highly of the cfs.
Sean, lunch too? So this could be an all day affair?
Thanks for reading and commenting.
is this the one in a little strip center off vickory?
Steph, thats the place. It's on Vickery between Hulen and Montgomery.
Years ago, I used to work across the street from SPS, and my work friends and I would eat there as often as our waistlines would allow us. Their reubens are fantastic, served with the mustard potato salad that reminds me of my grandmother's. Finish it off with a piece of coconut cream pie. It's all heaven on a plate.
great pies! lemon chess is amazing and cheap!
the BFC is my annual birthday cake and it is too good. eat it at room temperature - not straight from the frig. You won't believe the difference in the taste and texture. yum.
Yeah, the Black Forest Cake is amazing. It's a baked meringue with hazelnuts, with shaved chocolate and whipped cream between layers, covered in shaved chocolate. Light, fluffy, sinful.
Damn - now I want one. A whole one.
Fort Worth Hole In The Wall - wondering if you could do a write up on my restaurant in Arlington. Will give you a free meal. Let me know. birraporettis@gmail.com
Kristina, thanks for the offer and check your email.
For the record, I don't take free meals for reviews because I don't want my opinions to be colored by the freeness of the eighteen lobsters I would order. Also, be aware that I rarely review restaurants outside of Fort Worth because the scope of DFWHITW would require me to quit my regular job.
Thanks for reading and I will definitely give your place a shot, regardless of its location.
I'm never up early enough to get any Black Forest Cake on Saturdays....*pout*
But breakfast sounds really good, I may have to try to get up before 12 this weekend...
Heather Lynn, you can't get up early enough for cake but you can for breakfast? Time to reprioritize. Cake, and especially SPS black forest cake, is the most important meal of the day.
Swiss Pastry Shop
3936 W Vickery Blvd
Fort Worth, TX 76107
(817) 732-5661
Addresses in the review somewhere would be helpful.
Thanks anonymous. I tend to forget the addresses on the more well known places. And all the rest as well.
I just wanted to comment that though the food is good--the business practices are not. On several occasions, a to go order was placed--one in particular was for pastries for a wedding--we were shorted and when we called we were told that we should have counted the petitfores before we left and they wouldn't give us a refund for the missing cake and they told us the baker had gone and they could make no more. There have been several other issues so I would urge everyone to be careful--I have made sure all of the organizations that I am a part of no longer order birthday cakes, etc... from them hoping that they will learn a lesson and change their ways.
Anonymous, I've never heard of somebody having a problem like that and my employer gets cakes from the Swiss Pastry Shop frequently. It's unfortunate that they couldn't be more accomodating. But I can understand why they might not make concessions for miscounts on the food they sell which could be easily consumed after leaving the store.
While I've never been for breakfast, I've heard and read that they have extremely bad service. I've also read and heard that they have awesome pastries. So had to try it out and sure enough I gained 5lbs. What I enjoy even more than their finger licking good pastries are their prices. They are very fair and in some instances I would even say cheap.
Sorry to bust your chops FWHITW, but yes addresses and phone numbers would be great. Links would be even better. Many a time you've given a review that piques my interest and had a hard time hunting down the place. The really sad times are when I can't find it at all.
I think you should barter pastry for service. When they're bad, tell them you wont come talk about it on this blog if they give you a free fruit pocket.
Thanks for reading and for the suggestions.
I've never been to Swiss Pastry for lunch or breakfast, but I do know they make an amazing Red Velvet cake. OMG!
All of their pastries are delicious! I've had their black forest cake for my birthday every year, for as long as I can remember. The prices are so great, I normally pick up about 3 other desserts for later. Fruit tarts, tiramisu, napoleons, etc. are ALL wonderful!
I have heard of some trouble with service, but it's TOTALLY worth the risk. I've had more good experiences than bad. They are a family owned small bakery and just can't do EVERYTHING right.
I can't believe it's taken this long to get to this classic Fort Worth Bakery! I'm glad you like it!
We love to eat here, but we just tried the "Carrot Cake Sandwich" for the first time. It was really good. I ordered it on the side of my rueben which was is always delicious. It's two pieces of carrot bread with a sweet cream cheese and pineapple filling between them. It is a really tasty treat after your lunch for just $1.30. Pretty amazing.
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