Brainstorm Bakery - Ely, MN

A meh bakery from the people who gave the world Crapola! . . .  

At first glance, it's hard to tell what this building is.  A dark red and black non-desript two story old west false fronted shadow in the morning sun.  A mannequin out front.  Sign board on the side advertsing live music.  From the car the only name that stands out is BRAINSTORM with a lighting bolt for the S.  Is it a bar?  A clothing store?  Computer repair shop?  Ely's the last bastion of city life up in the sticks before the BWCA, so maybe a LAN PC Gaming joint for the locals!?!

Bakery maybe woulda been my twentieth guess.  In a tourist town, I'd say it's in dire need of signage.  Maybe some plants

It IS a bright attractive shop once you get inside.  Cheeky quirks abound.  LOTS of Crapola! merchandise, yeah, but also handwritten signs with goods on offer and specials showing how current they are.  A board for smoothies, parfaits, granolas.  Beverages.  August Drink Specials.  And even their Bread Schedule

But how’re the baked goods?  Ehhh, not impressed on the first pass or the second pass.  My initial trip I bought a bunch to take back to the cabin for after dinner.  They stayed in the bag for about six hours, so were NOT served at near optimum, but the problems were with taste, not freshness . . . 

Getting the most eggregious out of the way was the blueberry scone.  The scone itself was ok, not a ton of flavor, but the blueberry filling was flat.  No tart pop, no sweet gush . . . the filling was visibly there yet somehow not there flavor-wise

The Cinnamon Brioche had an extreme lack of cinnamon and sugar. The outside was light on it; the inside fairly non-existent.  It said brioche not a cinnamon roll, and I'm not looking for Cinnabon here, but jeeze.  A disappointment

We had four of the cookies, and of the three I tried (I’m allergic to raspberries), each was dense and muted.  Kinda flavorless.  For the Crapola Cookie (Cranberry Apple Granola) and Oatmeal Chocolate Chip tasted basically the same.  The Maple Pecan unmemorable.  The ladies seemed to think the Kissypoo (Chocolate Raspberry Granola) was the best.  Stodgy is the word that comes to mind.  And did I say dense? 

There WAS one highlight:  The Savory Brioche Roll.  Visually appealing with plenty of ham hiding inside, nicely herbed, I love the green onion

All in all though, a bummer.  I'd heard their Crapola! story way back when.  You want to root for them.  I did.  I still do.  So I gave them another shot a few days later, especially to try a cookie fresh.  Went in and ate at the counter in the front window

How was the in-person experience?  I have to say, neither of the people I intereacted with on either occasion were particularily welcoming or friendly.  And when they asked if a bag was ok, I said I'm eating here can I get a plate?, the lady seemed a bit put out

The Bread Pudding was a decent specemin, and a perfect size for two to share seeing how rich it was.  Woulda been nice to have been offered it heated up, but seeing as asking for a plate was putting her out, I wasn't going to ask for it warmed

The Crapola Cookie was basically the same fresh.  Super dense fuel lacking sweetness.  Like the Lembas Samwise Gamgee would’ve packed for the road to Mordor.  Athletes should eat these before a competition

The Iced Chai Latte was I'd say "Minnesota spiced", as in severly shy on spices.  Oh well

The last thing I want to do is bag on a place, especially one with a great story.  I do this blog in large part to point out and highlight gems, especially the small local ones.  But I can't say there was much to draw me back to Brainstorm if I'm ever up in Ely.  Plenty of other places I haven't tried yet up yonder

Looks like they're adding a patio and shelter for live music?  Maybe that would get me back

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www.brainstormbakery.com

IG #brainstormbakery

Brainstorm Bakery - 402 E Sheridan St, Ely, MN 55731 

218-235-6161