It’s mid-morning on a weekday, and the parking lot is full. This is the place to come in Holland, Michigan, for breakfast or to pick up fresh baked goods. De Boer Bakkerij has been around since 1956 when the family immigrated from Kollum, Nederland. Now in the fourth generation, the family still bakes traditional Dutch pastries, breads and cookies, like melt-in-your-mouth kraklingen.
In 2008 de Boer’s added a restaurant, open for breakfast and lunch. Restaurant favorites are marked on the extensive menu with a windmill. I chose the Blue Raspberry Bliss Cakes, mascarpone cheese filling sandwiched between two pancakes (called klompen cakes here), with blueberries, raspberries and house-made granola. The dish, which seemed more like a dessert, was so plentiful I took half to go and enjoyed it again for breakfast the next day.
Several versions of Eggs Benedict head the savory side of the breakfast menu, like Crab Cakes Benedict, Lox Benedict, and Rembrandt’s Way, a healthier version of the dish with spinach, tomato and less hollandaise sauce.
I haven’t been to de Boer’s for lunch, but a peek at the menu shows they offer a nice selection of soups, salads and sandwiches with added touches that elevate them from ordinary. For instance, a grilled cheese sandwich made with four cheeses and served on challah bread becomes the Ultimate Grilled Cheese. Chicken salad is perked up with mango chutney and toasted almonds.
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Don’t plan on ordering a lunch dish on the weekend, though. Lunch items are available Monday through Friday. Only breakfast dishes are served on Saturday and Sunday. Although under the same roof, the bakery is closed on Sunday. However, you can purchase any items left from Saturday. No matter which day of the week you dine at de Boer’s, you’ll be tempted to pick up item or two from the iconic bakery on your way out to savor later.
De Boer Bakkerij and Restaurant is located at 360 Douglas Ave., Holland, Michigan. Check the web site for hours or to browse the menu.
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