The Hidden Nevada, Carson City Sandwich Spot Locals Line Up For At Lunchtime
Baklava sold at farmers market tables started this whole story. A husband and wife team turned that small stand into a busy lunch stop.
Their Nevada cafe now covers about 4,500 square feet. So what keeps locals lining up at noon?
The sandwiches do the talking. Grilled chicken meets gouda, avocado, and sun-dried tomato pesto on a ciabatta roll in one fan favorite.
Hot sandwiches, cold sandwiches, and pressed paninis share the menu with soups, salads, and burgers. Can a lunch menu really cover that much ground?
This one tries, and a long pastry case tempts you on the way out. Dessert after a sandwich is never a bad idea.
The doors open early and close by midafternoon, so timing matters. Want to know where this Nevada favorite hides?
A Baklava Stand Grew Into Something Much Bigger
L.A. Bakery Cafe started with a simple product.
Husband-and-wife team Ali Arbabha and Leila Tavakoli founded the business in 2009 and sold their signature baklava at local farmer’s markets.
The early version was called Shirini Shop. That’s a long way from the full cafe that exists today.
Growth followed, and the space now covers roughly 4500 square feet. That’s plenty of room for a bakery case, a coffee counter, and a full lunch menu.
The owners work by a philosophy of nothing but the best. It’s a bold motto, and the menu gives them plenty of chances to prove it.
The official name is L.A. Bakery Café & Eatery, though most people just say L.A.
Bakery. Either way, the story is a nice one for Nevada food fans.
A small market table turned into a place with a full kitchen and a loyal following.
Knowing the history makes each bite feel a little more personal. Baklava still shows up in the pastry lineup, a friendly nod to where everything began.
Start there if you like food with a backstory.
The Bondi Deserves Its Own Fan Club
Grilled chicken, gouda, avocado, tomato, lettuce, and sun-dried tomato pesto. All of it sits on a ciabatta roll.
That’s the Bondi, and it’s one of the most talked-about items at L.A. Bakery Cafe.
It’s listed among the hot sandwiches, so it fits right into a lunch plan.
Good sandwiches are about balance. Creamy avocado and melted cheese meet the tangy kick of pesto, while fresh vegetables add crunch.
The roll matters too, since a bakery handles the bread side of things. Ciabatta gives the filling a sturdy base.
If you want to compare, the hot list also includes a Pastrami sandwich. The cold list has the Tasty Tuna and the LA BLTA.
Picking just one is the hard part. Some diners may want a different bread choice, so ask about options when you order.
A quick question at the counter can save you from any sandwich surprises later.
Cold Sandwiches, Hot Sandwiches, and Paninis Galore
Sandwich menus can get overwhelming fast. This one splits things into cold, hot, and panini sections, which makes browsing easier.
The cold side includes the Tasty Tuna and the LA BLTA. The hot side brings the Bondi and the Pastrami.
Then come the paninis, including a Turkey Melt and a Salmon Melt. Pressed sandwiches feel like a different category altogether, and having both melts on the list gives you real range.
Not every cafe offers a salmon option between two slices of bread. That alone makes the menu worth a scan.
Lunch is available throughout business hours on weekdays. On Saturdays it runs until 2:30 PM.
That schedule gives you room to plan. Weekday visitors can choose a sandwich at almost any hour the doors are open.
Saturday crowds should aim for the earlier part of the day to be safe.
Pair a sandwich with a soup or salad if you want a fuller meal. The menu has both.
Burgers, Soups, and Salads Round Out Lunch
Sandwich lovers aren’t the only ones covered here. A Gourmet Goat Cheese Burger sits on the menu for anyone craving something hearty.
Soups are available as well. They make a cozy partner for a cooler Carson City day.
Salads get plenty of attention. The list includes a Greek salad, a Gyro salad, and one called the Ecstasy.
That variety helps when a group can’t agree on lunch. One person grabs a burger while another picks greens.
The cafe also serves breakfast until 11:00 AM on weekdays and 11:30 AM on Saturdays. After that, the lunch lineup takes over fully.
Timing matters if you’re torn between the two. Arriving close to the cutoff gives you a choice, but the clock is ticking.
Decide early and you won’t miss out.
Gluten-free and vegan choices exist across the menu too. Ask the staff which dishes fit your needs, since that’s the best way to be sure.
Breakfast Comes First, And It’s Not Small
Early birds have plenty to choose from. The breakfast list includes bagel sandwiches, specialty wraps, breakfast burritos, pancakes, and omelets.
Doors open at 7:00 AM Monday through Friday. Saturday hours start at 8:00 AM.
Plan your morning around the clock. Breakfast ends at 11:00 AM on weekdays and 11:30 AM on Saturdays.
That gives you a window, so don’t sleep through it. Once it closes, lunch takes over.
Coffee fans have options as well, since the cafe has a coffee counter. Pair a hot drink with a pastry or a full plate.
L.A. Bakery Cafe is also closed on Sundays.
Mark that on your calendar so you don’t make a wasted trip.
Breakfast and lunch overlap in spirit here. A morning visit can easily turn into a return trip for a sandwich later in the week.
Save Room For The Pastry Case
Bakery is right there in the name, so skip dessert at your own risk. The pastry list is long and tempting.
Baklava anchors the lineup, along with pies, tarts, cookies, cream puffs, scones, eclairs, cupcakes, and French macarons.
Custom cakes are part of the picture too. That makes the cafe a handy stop for birthdays and other celebrations.
Good news for special diets: the bakery offers vegan, wheat-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, and zero-trans-fat options. That’s a wide range for one case.
Not sure what to grab? Take a moment at the display and ask the staff.
Choosing a sweet after a sandwich is a smart habit. You get lunch and a treat in one stop.
Since baked goods can sell out, an earlier visit may give you a better selection. It’s a simple trick for pastry lovers.
A Cozy Room With Space For Everyone
Comfort is part of the appeal. The atmosphere is described as cozy and inviting.
Dine-in and takeout are both available. You can settle at a table or grab lunch and go.
Online ordering is an option too, along with a dedicated mobile app. That’s handy when you’re short on time.
Catering is offered for events as well. L.A.
Bakery Cafe can bring its menu beyond its own walls.
Google lists outdoor seating among the features, so a nice day might call for a patio table. Check the weather before you choose.
The location is easy to remember. You’ll find it at 1280 N Curry St, Carson City, NV 89703.
Parking can fill up at busy times, so allow a little extra time. A short walk is a small price for a good lunch.
Awards Help Tell The Story
Recognition comes in many forms. In 2015, The Nevada Appeal named L.A.
Bakery Cafe Best of Carson City.
The honors covered Best Dessert, Caterer, Lunch, Bakery, Sandwiches, and Burgers. That’s a pretty broad sweep.
Sandwiches made the list, which fits the lunchtime reputation. So did burgers, so the grill gets credit too.
Awards from years ago don’t guarantee anything today. Still, they show the cafe has been in the conversation for a long time.
Google currently shows a 4.5-star rating based on 780 reviews. That’s a solid number for a busy local spot.
The owners are also exploring franchising options. Their plans include other parts of Nevada, California, and Arizona.
It’s fun to see a Carson City original think big. For now, the original location remains the place to try it.
Plan Your Lunch Run Like A Pro
A little planning makes lunch smoother. L.A.
Bakery Cafe is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Saturday hours are 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Sunday is a rest day.
Weekday lunch is served during all open hours. On Saturdays, the lunch menu runs until 2:30 PM.
Ordering ahead is possible online or through the app. That could save you time at the counter.
Remember the address: 1280 N Curry St in Carson City, Nevada. Give yourself a few extra minutes to find parking.
Bring friends, since the menu has something for nearly every taste. One person can order a sandwich while another picks a salad.
Finish with a pastry on the way out. That’s the best way to wrap up a Carson City lunch.