Old School: Southie Bakeries
In honor of National Donut Day, we take a trip down memory lane to the old school bakeries of South Boston. There was Hayden’s (later Mother Hubbard’s) at the corner of N and Fourth. Klem’s at H and Broadway. And we can’t forget Argus’ Bakery on East Eighth Street. They had the most delicious coffee rolls and Irish Bread. My nana would go after Mass on Sundays, wait in line, and bring back a little bit of heaven! It was a good day if you had an Argus’ coffee roll!
There were many more also – Alice’s Bakery also on East Eighth. Mae’s – known for their doughnuts. Another favorite we were reminded of – Green Freedmans!
Over 50 years in business, Joseph’s Bakery at the corner of K and Fourth announced it was closing this year.
Which ones do you miss?
Maureen Dahill is the founder of Caught in Media. Once a longtime wardrobe and prop stylist for brands such as Rue La La, TJ Max & Hasbro, she is a devoted lover of vintage clothing, Martini Mondays, Castle Island, AND a 4th generation South Boston native.
Klems had the best half moons !!
Wow.. I was just talking about ARGUS’S !! THEY HAD THE BEST BUTTER COOKIES, STARS, ETC. I HAVE NOT YET HAD A BUTTER COOKIE AS GOOD AS THEIRS!
Didn’t Klem’s used to be Helen’s?
We’d get donuts at Hayden’s after Sunday mass.
I grew up in Southie in the 40s and 50s. I remember going to Alice’s to buy donuts after Mass on Sunday. Do you happen to have a photo of Alice’s? I’m writing my stories in “Storyworth” and it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Esther Trifiro Comeau
If you should ever get a picture, can you pass it on. That bakery was owed by my grandparents. My mom grew up working there. Thanks
Was it Alice’s Bakery that made the best Polish Rye Bread back in the 70’s? My dad used to buy about 8-10 loaves every Sunday morning from a German delicatessen in Hyde Square in Jamaica Plain. The loaves were fresh! Where can I find this bread today?
klemns use to be Helens till the fire. There also was green freemen’s on old colony ave were the gas station is d street and old colony. We were so lucky to have them all. Thanks Maureen. Peggy doyle
Alice bakery baked best Lithuanian rye.
In Chicagoland I just found Grandmothers bread that is similar rye!
Lets not ever forget green freedman’s best bread and Half moons 👍
Mae’s had the best Persians (cinnamon roll pastry) and Argus had fabulous hermits.😋
Green Freedman’s. They had the best bread. Every Sunday after Mass.
Mae’s had the best jelly’s and honey dipped
I lived down the lower end on West Ninth St. I remember a bakery on East 8th Street, near E St. They had the best danishes and cupcakes for 5 cents. We would wait outside with our mouths watering for them to finish baking. I don’t remember the name, but my mouth is watering right now, thinking of those delicious pastries!
the best Persians were at Mae’s and the donuts were out of this world! Argus’s had the best Irish bread that i have ever had. A friend’s husband used to go there every St. Patricks parade day and get 10 loaves to have after the parade….we were all in our glory!!!!!!!
Anyone remember the name of the bakery at H St and 7th (circa early 50’s) that sold Cat pies.?
does anyone remember the name of the bakery on “H”st that made cat pies?
Susan B – it was called (by neighborhood kids) ‘The Danish’ on West 8th. It was not a bakery per say but a place where they baked and then distributed to local bakeries and restaurants. If you stood by the back door off the loading dock and waited they would sell you a danish right out of the over for 5 cents. The delicious smell permiated the neighborhood.
I worked at Green-Freedmans when I was 15. My first job. Even got to use the bread slicer – remember that? I think I made around 50 cents an hour and all the cheesecake and freshly baked bread you could carry home.
Hi, what years did you work at Green Freedmans? My Father worked there for 20 years.
Worked there around 1968 for about a year. There were 2 brothers who owned the place and police officers sitting at the counter that looked out the large front window onto the front lot were always welcomed – coffee and a bag of pastries to go – NO Charge! (which I learned the first time I tried to)
Helen’s Bakery on East Broadway near “H” Street had good donuts but, they had the best crimp (cream) bread. It was made in a can and so good toasted. My dad owned the butcher shop next door.
Hi, what years did you work at Green Freedmans? My Father worked there for 20 years.
Mother Hubbard’s Donuts
I worked at mother Hubbards Bakery.
everyone loved his cream bread Donuts were the best and his pies sold out on holidays. on St paddy’s day he had pizza and all kinds of different stuff. I would love to find my boss the owner Steven Hubbard.
If I am remembering correctly, Cliff Robertson worked at Argus bakery in the movie Charlie from the ’60s. Or at least it was partially filmed there.
Mae’s before school at the Hart or Gatey! Always warm and fresh!
Mother Hubbard’s round bread! Literal circle slices. The best!
Chickie in Argus Bakery was one of the sweetest people in town.
Positively!
Argus brownies!!!! Wish I had the recipe ❤️
Would anyone know the name of the bakery in the 1920s on 2nd street (I think). They served brown bread along with beans and franks on a Saturday night? My great grandfather, Patrick Heirty, from Ireland owned it.
Correction to my post on Feb 27. The Bakery was located on 189 West Ninth Street.
I would love to get Argus bakery Irish bread . Everything they made was so good .
Everything Argus made was beyond anything I can find today. I think the owner and Chickie passed on around 2003.
Does anyone happen to have pictures of Mae’s?
does any bakery make the irish bread like Argus bakery on east 8th street
Argus ‘ Irish bread was unique ..more like a cake awesome icing it was nothing like Irish soda bread I’d kill for a coffee roll 😂☘️
Wasn’t Mother Hubbard s originally Hayden’s Bakery ???
OMG yes the Irish bread from Argus was soooo delicious!!
Does anyone happen to have pictures of Mae’s?