Firebrand

Firebrand is the answer to a quick, late morning conundrum. The island location of the Oakland-based bakery specializes in wood-fired bread and pastries that are worth crossing town for, especially if you’re with a large group. The old naval base spot is huge (it doubles as their production facility), with lots of tables, seating out front, and plenty of room for kids to run off their sugar highs and for friend gaggles to lay out their carb bounties. There’s usually a crowd, especially on weekends, but the line moves quickly. We always go for the rich biscuit breakfast sandwich filled with sausage, egg, and cheese, a gruyere-stuffed pretzel bomb, and whatever else calls to us from behind the bread counter.