Make Me Challah

- 68 Dean St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Introduction / Overview

New Yorkers are always on the hunt for the absolute best, and when it comes to bread, especially the soft, sweet, and perfectly braided delight that is challah, the standards are incredibly high. For residents of Brooklyn, the search for a truly exceptional loaf has an answer: Make Me Challah. This specialized, locally-focused bakery has carved out a unique and much-appreciated niche, aiming to fill the void for high-quality challah in the DUMBO, Red Hook, and Park Slope triangle.

Make Me Challah isn't just another mass-production bakery; it's a passion project from a dedicated Brooklyn dad, born from a desire to bake and share truly delicious challah. This artisan approach means every loaf is made with immense care and attention, often based on cherished family recipes—a background the baker attributes largely to his mother's teachings. While not a traditionally trained baker, the years of dedication and the focus on this single, beautiful bread have resulted in a product that many locals have come to depend on for their weekly Shabbat table or for an indulgent weekend treat.

The operation’s core business model is centered on ensuring maximum freshness. The main baking day is Thursday, a "long day" dedicated to getting the challahs ready for Friday. Some loaves are even baked Friday morning, ensuring that when you pick up your bread, it is as fresh as possible for Friday night's meal. The commitment to fresh ingredients is clear, as the baker notes that no preservatives are used, guaranteeing the challahs stay delicious for a good two to three days—perfect for turning any leftovers into famous challah French Toast on Saturday or Sunday morning.

Make Me Challah is a great example of a local New York small business that understands the specific needs and desires of its community. It’s more than just a place to buy bread; it’s a source of comforting, traditional, and exceptionally flavorful baked goods designed to enhance your weekly rituals and special occasions. The enthusiastic response from local customers suggests they are indeed filling that "challah-starved corner of Brooklyn" with great success.

Location and Accessibility

Make Me Challah operates out of a highly accessible location in Brooklyn, making it convenient for residents across several neighborhoods. The main point of contact and, importantly, a primary pick-up location, is situated at:

68 Dean St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA

This specific address is also the location of One Girl Cookies in Cobble Hill, which serves as a designated pick-up spot for Make Me Challah orders, typically available on Fridays in time for the Sabbath. This strategic collaboration makes the artisan challah readily available to a wide section of Brooklynites.

The location is well-served by New York City's robust subway system, ensuring easy transit for customers coming from various parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan. While a precise walking distance from a specific station can vary, the Cobble Hill/Boerum Hill area is generally accessible from several major subway lines. Potential nearby stations (with varying walking distances) could include:

• Bergen Street (F, G trains): A very close option for those using the local F or G lines, providing easy access from both Queens and other parts of Brooklyn.
• Hoyt-Schermerhorn Streets (A, C, G trains): A major hub offering connections to the A and C express and local lines.
• Nevins Street (2, 3, 4, 5 trains): A slightly further walk but offering rapid express service to and from Manhattan via the numbered lines.
• Borough Hall / Jay St-MetroTech stations (multiple lines: 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, F, R): While a bit more of a walk, these stations provide a central transit hub for nearly all major subway lines servicing Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn.

The central location and the arrangement for pickup at a familiar local spot like One Girl Cookies at 68 Dean St significantly enhances the convenience for weekly customers.

Services Offered

As a highly specialized operation, the services offered by Make Me Challah are sharply focused on providing the highest quality product, primarily targeting the weekly tradition of the Sabbath (Shabbat) meal.

• Artisan Challah Production: The central service is the creation and sale of fresh, handmade challah bread, baked weekly to ensure peak quality for the Friday and weekend market.
• Parve Baking: All current challahs are baked as 'parve,' meaning they contain no meat or dairy ingredients, making them versatile for serving with any type of meal, whether meat or dairy.
• Takeout Options: Customers can order their challah loaves and arrange for pick-up directly from the designated partner location.
• Local Pick-up Service: A highly convenient service where pre-ordered challahs can be picked up, particularly on Fridays, from the partner location at 68 Dean St in Cobble Hill.
• Community Focus: The larger dream of the business includes community storytelling and college-access non-profit programming, demonstrating a commitment beyond just baking.

Features / Highlights

What sets Make Me Challah apart in the competitive NYC bakery scene is its dedication to traditional quality combined with a contemporary, community-oriented business model. The following points highlight its distinct features:

• Hyper-Local Focus: The bakery specifically aims to serve and satisfy the need for quality challah in the local DUMBO-Red Hook-Park Slope area, cultivating a strong neighborhood connection.
• Family-Inspired Recipe: The baker's knowledge and passion for the craft are largely inherited from his mother, lending an authentic, home-baked feel to every loaf.
• Commitment to Freshness: The baking schedule is intensely focused on the final product, with most loaves prepared on Thursday and some even baked Friday morning, ensuring ultimate freshness for the weekend.
• Parve Ingredients: The loaves are made with no dairy or meat products, allowing them to be served with any meal according to traditional dietary laws (though they are not yet Kosher certified).
• Future Expansion Vision: The baker has expressed aspirations to expand the menu beyond the traditional loaf to include innovative "challah goods," such as challah garlic knots, chocolate babka challahs, and cinnamon raisin challah buns, once a larger commercial kitchen space is secured.
• Pop-Up/Partner Pick-up Model: Operating out of a partner location, specifically One Girl Cookies in Cobble Hill, allows the business to maintain a focused production schedule while offering a reliable and established pick-up point.

Contact Information

For New Yorkers looking to place an order or inquire about availability, here is the essential contact information:

Address for Pick-up (One Girl Cookies): 68 Dean St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA

Phone: (848) 994-9553

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing Make Me Challah is about more than just buying a loaf of bread; it's an investment in a local artisan's passion and a dedication to quality that is hard to find elsewhere. For those who understand and appreciate the role of exceptional challah in a weekly ritual or family meal, this bakery is truly worth seeking out.

The primary reason to choose Make Me Challah is the exceptional flavor and texture of their main product. Descriptions suggest a challah that is superior to the often "boring tasting" loaves found in larger bakeries. A fresh, properly made challah should have a soft, rich crumb, a slightly glossy crust enhanced by a careful egg wash, and a delicate sweetness. The dedication to baking immediately before the busiest buying time, Thursday and Friday, ensures that Brooklyn customers are getting a product at its absolute best.

Furthermore, the baker's commitment to eventually expanding the range of challah-based products—from savory knots to sweet, iced buns—hints at an exciting culinary creativity that will continue to evolve and delight. While currently specializing in the classic loaf, supporting Make Me Challah means supporting a neighborhood-focused business with grand ambitions to elevate the status of this traditional bread.

In a city overflowing with bakeries, the decision to specialize in one product is a statement of confidence. Make Me Challah stands by its namesake, promising a product that will not only meet but exceed the expectations of discerning Brooklyn residents. It’s the essential stop for your Friday night table or for transforming your weekend breakfast into something truly memorable.

Make Me Challah

68 Dean St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA