Looking for a taste of nostalgia? Bakeries across the D.C. metro area are reinventing the classic pop tart by churning out freshly made versions in flavors that you’d probably never find in a boxed toaster pastry (hello, apple rosemary!). Give kiddo (and yourself) a morning pick-me-up at one of these bakeries that sell homemade pop tarts that are just as good as—if not better than—the ones from the supermarket.
Northside Social
Just a hop, skip, and jump away from the Arlington campus of George Mason University, this coffee shop is a go-to study hub for college students during the pm hours. Swing by with your bambino early, when there’s plenty of seating and the uber-popular Nutella pop tarts ($2.25) are still aplenty. Your little one can team his with hot chocolate or milk (they have whole, nonfat, and organic soy), while you nosh on yours between sips of French press coffee.
3211 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA
703-45-0145
Online: northsidesocialarlington.com
Ted’s Bulletin
Some places have pancakes. Others have cronuts. But homemade pop tarts are the breakfast (er, anytime of the day) treat du jour at this vintage-inspired restaurant. Come for a celebration breakfast (which is served all day, snatch), and substitute a pop tart—in flavors like Blueberry Cheesecake, Peanut Butter Bacon, and Toasted Coconut—for toast with any meal for $1.59. Baked fresh daily, if you come early enough kids can watch the pastry chef top still-warm tarts off with frosting and sprinkles.
505 8th St., SE, Capitol Hill
202-544-8337
1818 14th St., NW
202-265-8337
11948 Market St., Reston, VA
703-956-9510
Online: tedsbulletin.com
Sticky Fingers
This bakery specializes in vegan fare. Their cupcakes are world renowned—their vegan, but you’d never know it—and their pop tarts (they call them “Hand Tarts”)are just as delish. Their flavors—from apple cinnamon walnut to chocolate raspberry change regularly, depending on what’s in season. To keep these tarts ($3.50/each) on the vegan scale and healthy, they’re dairy, egg, and cholesterol free, and they’re made with non-hydrogenated oils and evaporated cane juice.
1370 Park Rd., NW
202-299-9700
Online: stickyfingersbakery.com
Spring Mill Bread Co.
The pop tarts are made fresh daily at this flagship bakery in Bethesda (there are also locations in Capitol Hill and Gaithersburg), and the smell alone, when they are baking, is enough to bring an ear-to-ear smile to your face. It will be hard, but try not to get distracted by all of the other breads and sweets on display. Spring Mill’s pop tarts ($2.95/each) come in traditional flavors and they’re big enough to split between two small kids.
4961 Elm St., Bethesda, MD
301-654-7970
Online: springmillbread.com
—Ayren Jackson-Cannady
Photos courtesy of Curbside Cafe via Facebook, Ted’s Bulletin via Facebook, Sticky Fingers, Spring Mill via Facebook
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