This wasn't the review I expected to write when I arrived to see the updated store but I have to be honest about my experience. I'm 44 and have been coming here since I was 3 years old. The sign may say 'est.1971' and that was true of Charlie's Bakery... unfortunately this is now 'Charlie's Bakery & Creamery'. What was once a flourishing local bakery is now a cookie cutter boutique sweets shop I can find at any airport or trendy town square. Except it's not in either of those locations, rather nestled next to a tattoo parlor, smoke shop, discount produce, and comic book shop in a small strip mall. There are no more pastries, tarts, or gingerbread men. There are no more pound cakes or breads, most by-the-pound items are reduced to single packaged clamshell bites.Immediately I noticed there was no line, my mother and I were the only people in the shop. For every visit during my life I remember there have always been a line of happy patrons waiting for their speciality cakes or to pick up pounds of specialty cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and tarts. Some people like me travel from many states away to bring home the classic menu items Charlie's has offered since 1971. Those are now gone.The shop was updated with a modern monochromatic look with some gold splashed in. It's clean and reminds you of a restaurant bathroom. There is now an ice cream counter where the majority of bakery goods once were. And that's all I can really say about the store. There's nothing else unique or friendly about it. I asked the woman behind the counter if they still had business, as the entire time we were inside nobody else came in. She informed me they had lost old customers but gained some new ones.What a terrible business decision.When you renovate or update an establishment you don't change your entire menu, your entire way of production, because you lose your original customer base. Even if you're forced to downsize you want to attract more customers, not less. Apparently the new owners made these decisions. It's the worst kind of bait and switch, but in this case it wasn't even switched to anything interesting. My mother made a purchase but none of the four items that I had been purchasing for decades were offered so I left empty handed. Nothing I saw looked appetizing because I didn't come there for an ice cream cone or eclair. I came for Charlie's Bakery which is no longer present.I'm sorry Orlando, you've lost one of the last great bakeries in Florida. Once you damage an iconic establishment in this way, even if you want to there's no going back. If you want to see what Charlie's once offered scroll through the Google review photos until you find ones with items on yellow trays. There you will see the real variety and classic treats people once came here for.
My family has been coming to Charlie’s for generations after living in walking distance for decades. Every year for my birthday and my husband and I commute over an hour to go pick out a cake from Charlie’s. I was apprehensive how it would be under new ownership and was very pleasantly surprised this Saturday. The new interior looks fantastic and the staff was extremely helpful. One of the young ladies there helped recommend a cake that could withstand the hour-long car ride without compromising the quality of the ingredients. And I love that there’s a little hat symbol on the recipes that are original, which I also think my parents and uncles will appreciate. I was happy to report back to them their favorite (German chocolate) is still the original recipe. All in all, great job! I wish we had remembered to bring a cooler but hopefully next time.
I no longer can support this bakery. The new owners don't care about the loyal customers that have appreciated what Charlie and Gary created. The product is not the same no matter what the new owners claim. One can no longer order items they have purchased. If I want ice cream, I'll go to Cold Stone.
Let me tell you all about this place! So, my husband and I recently relocated back to central Florida, and one day of checking out the local area and doing some shopping, we ran upon Charlie’s.Oh. My. God. I love it. He loves it. We even made my brother love it.We’re ice cream people. We love a good and cold sweet treat. The banana pudding ice cream is heavenly. It almost feels like a sin to eat it, it’s so good. The chunks of nilla wafers are my favorite part. It’s so soft and creamy it feels less like ice cream and more like banana pudding. So good. Would sell a kidney for it.The butter pecan? Oh heck is it tasty. The pecans taste like they’ve been candied before getting added to the mix. I’m unsure if that’s the case, but it tastes like it. Each bite was full of flavor and nuts. It was creamy and delicious and just the right amount of sweet.The key lime pie flavor??? Not only is it lactose free, it’s full of flavor. It doesn’t lack the creaminess everyone likes in ice cream. It’s tart and sweet and has the best little chunks of pie in it.Admittedly, I don’t remember the name of the fruity one that we had, but it was another lactose free option (I can’t remember if these were vegan or not, that’s why I’m describing them this way), but oh my goodness it was delightful! It tasted like a fruity cocktail without the alcohol. Seriously, just add rum for an instant drink. It was so good and soft and complimented the key lime pie we got with it perfectly.Seriously check em out, they do great things here. We’re about ready to go get some more ice cream and treats!
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Easy parking and friendly workers. Not impressed by the cookies at all. I'm not sure what type of sugar is used, but the cookies were not sweet or what they were supposed to taste like. The sugar cookie didnt taste like sugar, the macadamia didnt taste sweet, the oatmeal's raisins were salty, and the short dough was plain. The only one my family liked was the linzer tart and the mousse tulip. I had a cookie craving and ended up going to insomnia cookies right after.
In a strip mall.Newly remodeled added a creamery.Pistachio muffin moist flavorfulPecan creole was like a mini pecan pie but better, not as sweet, flavor like a pecan log roll or divinities. Definitely good.German chocolate cake, moist chocolate cake icing and coconut.Peanut butter cheesecake was divine the topping was awesome a peanut butter chocolate caramel I think, over the new york cheesecake.While everything I had was great tasting and I enjoyed them, I did feel that there was nothing special, and the prices felt high for value. Wish there had been bread I would have bought a loaf. Saw a lady come in after me mentioning "what happened to all the good things", I couldn't believe it, but did notice her later in the parking lot and she had made no purchase. Wonder what was missing or had changed.
What a beautiful clean and well lit bakery. We visited when they opened at 10 am. We questioned as to why they were not open earlier for breakfast pastries and coffee and were told that the new owner will not be serving breads, pastries or breakfast items. This was disheartening as we love fresh pastries and bread. Everything in the cases looked amazing and were priced a smidge high. We understand the cost of operating a small business but question the selection being offered. Growing up in Europe we often grab a pastry and a cup of tea with a loaf of bread or brioche. The pistachio muffin was over powered with almond flavoring so much so it started to burn my throat and sinuses. The cookies I picked were delicious and spot on. The pecan pastry was scrumptious and so amazing. It reminded me of a divinity log without all the sugar. I do hope you consider baking fresh breads and pastries. I much rather have that than ice cream. Catering to your community is always a wise decision.
Found this gem when we moved close by a little over a year ago. Have been around for both sets of owners and love what they are doing with the place. Love the renovations, upgrades and ice cream! They went above and beyond for my husbands ice cream pie for his birthday and it was to die for. We will definitely be returning for all holidays to pick up some goodies. ?
I can only comment on what I have tried but I can tell you the ice cream is the best I’ve ever had. The cookies are really good and the cheesecake is amazing. The staff was friendly and helpful. We’ve been there several times always trying something different and we have never been disappointed. I highly recommend to anyone that they should go and try some of the desserts.