Reliable Bakery

- 8118 18th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11214

Introduction / Overview

Nestled in the heart of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn—an area historically and affectionately known as one of New York City’s most vibrant Italian-American enclaves—stands Reliable Bakery. More than just a shop, it is an essential part of the neighborhood’s culinary landscape, specializing in the foundational elements of Italian cuisine: authentic, freshly baked breads and a captivating array of pastries. For generations of Brooklynites, local Italian bakeries have been key epicenters of the community, and Reliable Bakery continues this tradition, drawing customers from across the borough and beyond with its visual appeal and aromatic promise of quality baking.

Reliable Bakery, located on the bustling 18th Avenue, is known for its wide selection of Italian goods that reflect a deep-rooted commitment to classic baking styles. The visual appeal of the bakery is immediately evident; the counter is often laden with beautifully crafted ciabatta loaves, long, round Italian loaves, and an array of baked goods that beckon passersby to stop for a true taste of Brooklyn’s Italian heritage. The establishment offers more than just bread, serving as a convenient spot for Breakfast and a quick Coffee to start the day, catering to the quick-paced life of a New York local.

While the bakery is celebrated for its traditional presentation, it operates with the scale and efficiency necessary to serve a large, discerning New York clientele. The production scale is impressive, with a "whole bread factory dedicated to it on the red building across" the street, underscoring its role as a high-volume provider of fresh goods to the Bensonhurst area. This blend of traditional, authentic Italian products with modern, high-capacity baking is what makes Reliable Bakery a distinctive and dependable choice in the competitive Brooklyn market.

Location and Accessibility

Reliable Bakery is strategically situated at 8118 18th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11214, USA. This address places it squarely in the historic Bensonhurst neighborhood, which has long been the primary "Little Italy" of Brooklyn. The 18th Avenue corridor is a vibrant, highly trafficked area, rich with local businesses, specialty food stores, and other essential community hubs.

For New Yorkers relying on public transportation, the bakery is conveniently accessible, surrounded by the network of buses and subway lines that characterize the area. For those who prefer to drive or are making a dedicated trip, the location offers typical Brooklyn-style accessibility, though specific details on parking are not provided. However, its position in a dense commercial area suggests it is primarily a Takeout and Quick visit destination, perfect for running a fast errand to pick up fresh bread for dinner or a morning pastry.

Although no specific details on physical accommodations are provided in the available data, the very nature of a community-focused establishment in New York suggests a dedication to serving all residents. The bakery primarily focuses on fast service and product availability, allowing customers to easily grab their favorites and continue with their day. Given the concentration of Italian-American businesses in this area, visiting Reliable Bakery offers a genuine, community-centric New York experience.

Services Offered

Reliable Bakery concentrates its offerings around core customer needs: speed, quality, and a focus on essential baked goods. While its primary identity is a bakery, it provides several key services that make it a perfect local stop:

• Takeout Service: The primary service option, designed for quick and efficient purchasing of bread, rolls, and pastries to take home.
• Freshly Baked Goods: Known particularly for a wide variety of Authentic Italian Breads, including long loaves, round loaves, and specialty items like ciabatta.
• Breakfast Options: Serving as a daily destination for morning treats, offering a selection of items to kickstart the day.
• Coffee Service: Providing standard Coffee to pair with any of the freshly baked goods, ensuring a complete and satisfying morning ritual.
• Quick Visit Planning: The business model is structured to facilitate fast transactions, making it ideal for customers in a rush.
• Patisserie Items: Beyond bread, the selection is likely to include other classic Italian-American bakery staples such as various cookies, pastries, and possibly desserts, consistent with the reputation of "authentic Italian breads and pastries."

Features / Highlights

The true value of Reliable Bakery lies in its adherence to a distinct Italian baking style, though this style is not without its specific characteristics that customers should note:

• Authentic Italian Bread Selection: The bakery is renowned for its wide selection of authentic Italian breads, particularly the ciabatta loaves and other traditional loaves, which are described as being beautifully crafted and visually appealing.
• High-Volume Production: The presence of a "whole bread factory dedicated to it on the red building across" highlights its capacity to produce vast quantities of fresh bread daily, securing its position as a major local provider in Bensonhurst.
• Distinctive Bread Texture: A key characteristic noted by customers is the texture of the bread, which is often described as "really crunchy and hard". This highly crisp crust is a hallmark of some traditional Italian baking methods and is a defining feature for those who prefer an aggressively textured exterior on their bread.
• Affordable Pricing: The food is noted as being "alright an pretty cheap," suggesting Reliable Bakery offers great value, particularly for staple items like bread and simple breakfast foods, which is essential for a community-based bakery.
• Ingredient Profile: Customers should be aware that the bakery uses vegetable shortening in some of its breads, including the ciabatta. This is a traditional practice in some Italian-American bakeries, but it is a factor for health-conscious New Yorkers who prefer bread made exclusively with extra-virgin olive oil.

Contact Information

For New Yorkers looking to visit or inquire about an order at this long-standing Brooklyn institution, here is the essential contact information:

Address: 8118 18th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11214, USA

Phone: (718) 837-0709

Mobile Phone: +1 718-837-0709

Operating Hours: Monday through Sunday, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Hours may vary; a quick call is always recommended.)

What is worth choosing

Reliable Bakery remains a pillar of the Bensonhurst community and is an excellent choice for New Yorkers prioritizing tradition, volume, and value. What makes this bakery truly worth choosing is its unwavering commitment to providing authentic Italian breads in a neighborhood where this culinary heritage is highly prized. It is a no-frills, high-output operation, ensuring that the community always has access to fresh bread.

New Yorkers who specifically seek out a classic, crunchy-crusted Italian loaf will find that the distinctive texture is a perfect match for their preference. The crunchy exterior, while noted by some, is a feature that many traditionalists appreciate, offering a satisfying bite that is ideal for dipping into olive oil or using as the base for a hearty sandwich. Furthermore, the combination of cheap, reliable food and the convenience of a Quick visit makes it the ideal spot for a daily bread run, a fast breakfast, or simply a coffee break.

While the health-conscious may note the use of vegetable shortening in some recipes—a transparent detail the staff is willing to confirm—this speaks to the bakery’s consistency in using a traditional Italian-American style of baking that has defined the Bensonhurst food scene for decades. For a taste of classic Brooklyn Italian baking, where volume meets tradition and authenticity is prioritized over modern health trends, Reliable Bakery is an institution that continues to deliver a vital, cost-effective, and beloved product to the local New York community.

Reliable Bakery

8118 18th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11214, USA