Edgar’s Bakery offers more than sweet treats

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Walk into Edgar’s Bakery in the Patton Creek shopping center, and you’ll find that the word “bakery” is a limited description.

The restaurant offers breakfast entrees in addition to sandwiches, soups and salads, all with unique twists. Bottled jams, aprons, books, mugs and even scarves draw customers’ eyes to the perimeter of the store.

Terry and Dottie Smith founded Edgar’s Bakery in 1998 in Birmingham. Previously, Terry had gained 27 years of experience in the food industry working at Bruno’s Supermarkets. 

It was his wife who gave him the idea of opening a business of his own.

“Dottie told me I needed to open up my own bakery,” Terry said. “Our focus is on items made from scratch.”

The name for the bakery was chosen with care. Edgar is Terry’s father’s middle name. Both of Terry’s parents are legally deaf, and Terry said his father did no know his own name until he was 6 years old. 

“I really wanted to honor him by naming this business after him,” Terry said.

Since its inception, the business has grown significantly. The first Edgar’s Bakery opened in the Colonnade, and there are now five locations — four in the Birmingham area and one in Tuscaloosa. The couple plans to expand the bakery to downtown Birmingham and in various locations across the Southeast.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly 17 years since we started this journey,” Terry said.

The Patton Creek location, which opened in 2004, will soon undergo a kitchen remodeling. Terry hopes this transformation will allow the restaurant to better serve gourmet breakfast items such as the Challah French Toast, made with toasted sweet challah slices, cinnamon, Vermont maple syrup and vanilla cream, and the Edgar’s Quiche with the featured flavor of the day.

“We will have a re-grand opening sometime this fall,” Terry said. “This is a great shopping center to be in.”

Terry said that while his bakery does offer a variety of sugary delights, he has also made sure his restaurant offers plenty of healthy options.

“Most people think that a bakery is all about sweets,” Terry said. “We try to offer a lot of healthy options and items made with whole grain.”

Edgar’s Bakery has become a popular choice for office parties in the Birmingham area. The bakery has also gained fame for its strawberry cake and offers a variety of themed cakes for weddings, parties, holidays and more. 

One popular lunch entree is the Marilyn Monroe, a sandwich made with turkey breast, pepperoni and melted mozzarella on toasted sourdough bread and served with marinara dipping sauce. Another sandwich, the Way Down South (one of Terry’s favorites), is made with smoked ham, Swiss cheese, Applewood-smoked bacon, mayo, lettuce and tomato on challah.

“We like to travel and we like to eat,” Terry said of himself and his wife. “We find inspiration in a lot of interesting places.”

This fall, college football fans can expect to find Alabama- and Auburn-themed treats at the bakery to take with them on their tailgating adventures. Terry loves being a part of the restaurant business, where a dull moment is rare.

“My favorite part is that it is always energetic,” Terry said. “It’s been great seeing the growth in employees.”