Published by Taylor Kohn, Gabrielle Cole, Mary Margarette Drummer, and Rishika Avvari
With the lunch rush in full swing, there is a buzz in the Bread Garden Market & Bakery. On our way in, we walk past peaceful outdoor and indoor seating areas. Inside, diners with plates of delicious-looking food line up at cash registers next to customers with baskets of groceries. The customers have an air of urgency as they move around us—everyone knows exactly what they are there for and no one is wasting any time getting it.
Originally founded in 1955 by Jim Mondanaro, the Bread Garden Market & Bakery was initially know as the Bread Garden Bakery and Cafe, an affiliate of Fresh Food Concepts. However, when store owner Mondanaro realized how well the restaurant was doing, he added to the appeal by including the market and changing locations.
A single word—“deli”, “bakery”, or “restaurant”—does not describe this multifaceted establishment in its entirety. Shelves of wine take up the front of the store, with groceries from fresh produce to packaged junk foods taking up much of the rest of it. A coffee shop sits at the entrance. Further back, there is a salad bar, a deli counter, and digital kiosks to order restaurant food. A small bar is tucked in the corner of the indoor seating area. As the store is open from 6:30 am to 10:00 pm, customers can enjoy all that the market has to offer throughout the day.
Within the grocery department, there are standard groceries, organic options, and gourmet food. The items range from basic cleaning supplies to the Bread Garden’s famous fresh bread. The market provides fresh produce, standard food staples, household supplies, health materials, sweet treats, cooking supplies, and quick meals.
Fresh-made food can be ordered from the kiosks or picked up buffet style. The kiosks give a generous selection of full, hot meals including their $5.50 burger and fries, while the buffet offers a variety of high quality fresh food with weight based pricing. The inviting coffee shop has a clear menu with customizable options. Among the items offered are coffee, espresso, smoothies, blended beverages, bakery items, and gelato.
This gem has even more to offer than its fast and fresh contents. The environment is artsy and family-friendly, located in the heart of downtown Iowa City. Painted benches surround a playground; and across the street, patrons filter in and out of the public library. The Bread Garden website advertises nights of live music and other events. Kat, who has been working at the market for a couple months, states that the nightly events often draw in large crowds. The music varies from folk to jazz and even to classic rock depending on the night.
When asked why they would recommend the Bread Garden to others, cashiers Rachel and Lily commented on the friendly environment that the market provides, and emphasized that it was “nice being able to go outside and enjoy your food and get what you want, whether it’s a bag of chips or real food”. An important thing to remember is not to get overwhelmed by the options once you enter the establishment. The market truly is for everyone, whether you’re just dashing in for a quick errand or looking for a place to relax and eat a full meal. Be sure not to miss out on all that the Bread Garden Market and Bakery can provide for you!
Primetime Iowa City Guide 
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