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Mina Makram was one of the youngest-ever research and development engineers at GE Healthcare. He was also well over 400 pounds. But a series of dramatic lifestyle and dietary changes saved him — and turned him into not only a baker, but the owner of Palo Alto’s new Misfits Bakehouse, a gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and keto-friendly baking company. Makram says despite his career change, he still thinks of himself as working in health care — delivered in the form of nourishing food.
Here’s what it’s like inside the new space.
THE VIBE: The bare-bones space feels light, airy and open, with high ceilings, pendant lights, cheerful music and glossy wood floors. The friendly staff, including Makram himself, create a warm, welcoming atmosphere and they’re all very willing to answer questions from inquisitive patrons — of which there is a steady stream.
THE FOOD: All the food on the small menu is gluten-free and grain-free; it’s nut- and coconut flour-based. Many items in the bakery case are vegan, as well, with a few exceptions — cheese dinner rolls ($4), hamburger buns ($4) and cookies ($4) — made with grass-fed dairy, including butter.
The brunch menu includes three bagel preparations — cream cheese ($8), lox ($12) or a bagel BLT ($12) — on any of the six bagel varieties. The classic grilled cheese ($10) on the house sandwich loaf is made with sharp cheddar, and can be enhanced with customer-fave pastrami ($15).
In fact, everything that appears on the menu has been chosen by Makram based on customer feedback on social media. The menu will continue to rotate and feature specials, always with an Egyptian-style dish or two, inspired by Makram’s mom “Ducky” (a nod to her appears in the Misfits logo).
DON’T MISS: The chocolate chip cookies ($4) are outstanding, chewy and decadent with humongous chunks of semi-sweet chocolate. The cinnamon roll ($5) may look plain, but one bite of that tender dough reveals a rich, smooth cinnamon filling. Mina’s Favorite Breakfast ($15) is an Egyptian dish of aged, spiced and cured beef with buttery scrambled eggs served on sliced bread or a bagel with huge slabs of avocado.
GOOD TO KNOW: The bakehouse is still in soft-opening mode, as Makram gathers feedback and input from customers. He intends to expand the hours — currently limited to Fridays and weekends — and build up the menu a bit. Be aware that some things may sell out quickly. And at this point, the only beverage on offer is coffee, made from Peruvian beans sourced from Papachay in San Carlos.
PERFECT FOR: Needless to say, this is a mecca for folks on restrictive diets. But the tender, chewy, moist textures in everything we tried prove this spot will be satisfying for all the rest of us, as well.
DETAILS: Open from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday, with plans to expand those hours, at 2706 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto; https://www.facebook.com/misfitsbakehouse/.
