Being Vietnamese natives living in America, we’ve been looking for a consistently good baguette that has the power to bring back memories of the French baguettes that we grew up with on the streets of Saigon. I almost gave up on it, but today I think I’ve found several bakeries that make great baguettes:

1- Wild Wheat Bakery in Kent. I buy their baguettes from Whole Foods Market in Bellevue where I work. It’s a bit inconvenient so I only get them if I happen to go by there, or if we are craving for some pâté as well. Edited 11/18/2008: I heard that it might be available closer to home at the just-opened PCC Market in Edmonds. Will check it out.

2- A La Francaise baguettes available at our local QFC. Funny thing is I don’t remember they ever carrid this before. I read here that A la Francaise was purchased by Sara Lee Bakery in 1999. By the way, this article, though a bit dated (2005), gives a nice history of Seattle bakery tradition.

I tried Tall Grass baguettes also available at Whole Foods, but don’t like it a bit, too hard and chewy.

I heard of these great bakeries that are owned by Vietnamese folks but have yet to try them:

- La Boulangerie, 2200 N 45th St Seattle, WA 98103 (I-5 exit 169)

- Baguette Box, 1203 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101, though this place probably don’t sell baguettes on their own