Bäckerei Klaus Gehlfuß

As a kid, I have wonderful memories of buying brötchen and other sweets at the Bäckerei in my Oma’s village. That was 35 years ago. Today, that’s almost all gone. Today, you’ve got bakery chains that offer homogenized, McDonald’s-like mediocrity. In the train station, the airport, or visiting a new town, that’s not a bad thing, for like Micky D’s, you know what to expect when you walk in, regardless of place and time. In a way, that’s Progress, modernity, and economies of scale and profit before art, the natural progression from an of an post-modern consumer society.

Yet…the art of the Bäckerei isn’t lost completely in FfM. „Bäckerei Klaus Gehlfuß” takes you back to that pre-90’s homogenization of what made my mouth water while daydreaming about Brötchen on the plane to Germany as a kid. „Bäckerei Klaus Gehlfuß” is or isn’t maybe the best in FfM, but that’s not important. It’s similar to the craft brewers in the States that’ve proliferated in direct reaction to the homogenation of the American beer world - you’ll realize the serenity or profoundness of taste of a Brötchen, or the flakiness, the lightness, the not-overwhelming sweetness, the mouth-feel and more… of let’s say the Apfeltasche. Even the Americano (the wierdest named confection, eh?), normally pasty, dry and over-sweet at the chains, is a delight, and I usually hate them. Whatever you order, take your time eating it, feel it in your mouth, let your tongue savor it. This was normal in Germany pre-chains. Sadly it’s now the exception only because they haven’t sold out or gone out of business.

Also…I love the quirkiness of „Bäckerei Klaus Gehlfuß’s” selection, especially the baked sweets. Go there any day and their selection will be different. It’s like pot-luck, opening a box of Cracker Jacks and digging for the prize - that’s what it’s like opening their door. They never have the same selection! It keeps your brain agile, develops zen-like adaptibility and you’ll be surprised what you’ll order when your favorite isn’t there. You’re at their whim, but in the hands of an artist, every time you enter the store becomes an adventure. Somehow… that’s very UN-German-like, isn’t it?
Guten Appetit.