Jerry’s Famous Coffee Shop
Pecan Sticky Bun
Chocolate Chip Cookie
Strawberry Torte Cake
Boston Cream Cake
Vietnamese Coffee Cake
Pizza Donuts with Strawberry Cream
Chocolate Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream and Miso Caramel (test idea)
More than a little impressed by a first encounter with Douglas Taylor’s baked goods at Jerry’s Nugget it was alongside a local Chef currently using some of Doug’s products at his own Restaurant that a tasting of several new items took place on Saturday, the first half inside Jerry’s Famous Coffee shop and the rest at Flock & Fowl’s DTLV location on the ground floor of The Ogden.
Now in charge of the North Las Vegas Casino’s bakeshop long enough that people are starting to notice, an immense kitchen allowing for the production of everything from Cakes and Cookies to Loaves of Bread, Donuts and even Tortillas, it was around 3:30pm that a seat was taken at a rounded booth where the waitress from last time quickly offered a greeting of recognition, her memory of what was previously ordered surprisingly accurate and a her recommendations to follow fairly in-line what was planned already.
By all accounts a comfy Café despite a location that even locals may not find ideal, the surrounding area certainly not picturesque but in fact less than eight minutes from the thrills of East Fremont or The Experience by car, it was seated after perusing three cases that two slices were selected to go along with one Pastry plus a Cookie offered at a Snack Counter near the Arcade, $1.69 for a crisp rim and soft center loaded with Butter and Chocolate Chips a bonafide bargain in comparison to even places off-Strip that charge more for smaller size and inferior quality.
Trying to make sense of Keno while indulging, the yeasted Pecan Roll offering slight resistance to the tooth before giving way to soft layers fragrant with Cinnamon beneath a sticky Caramel Topping, it was from here that the decision came down to Strawberries versus Chocolate, the former going first largely to avoid beginning too rich though that was of little concern after tasting both the Torte and Boston Cream as each $5 wedge featured a light Sponge divided by three, sliced Berries and sweet Buttercream blending nicely while the Vanilla Custard and Chocolate Ganache were yin and yang with each complimenting the other in terms of taste as well as texture.
Departing for downtown at this point, a pre-ordered delivery awaiting, those who’ve visited Jenny and Sheridan lately will likely recognize Chef Taylor’s Vietnamese Coffee Cake as a replacement for the opening menu’s Guava Cheesecake, the infusion of Espresso adding a light bitterness to an otherwise excellent Chocolate Cake that may slightly disappoint those looking for more Coffee flavor while a Beta-test of Douglas’ Brownie as a possible replacement for Flock’s Skillet Cookie still needs a little work to ensure it remains moist from top to bottom.
Rounding out the tasting with a lengthy conversation, only a few guests trickling in during the off-hour, it was from an extra-large Evel Pie Box that slices of Donut “Pizza” were served via Pie Wedge, the display catching eyes of both servers and guests in “why didn’t anyone think of that before” wonder and each wedge soft and yeasty with fresh Strawberry Cream on the inside, an idea that could be even better if different Filings were offered to match the multitude of exterior Glazes and Garnishes.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS: Always testing new recipes and techniques it is likely that ordering broadly at Jerry’s Famous Coffee Shop will never yield “Perfect” results, and that is precisely why return visits remain compelling as long as Chef Taylor remains in charge of bakeshop because for every one merely “good” item tasted there are three great alternatives and more new ideas ready to come next week or even the following day.
RECOMMENDED: Chocolate Chip Cookie, Pizza Donuts, Strawberry Torte, Boston Cream Cake.
AVOID: Missing the Snack Bar near the Arcade where Donuts, Cookies, Bearclaws and Brownies are offered.
TIP: Follow @douglas.taylor4 on Instagram for daily temptation and even occasional videos on technique, or visit Jerry’s Famous Coffee Shop 24/7 to see what is new.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
www.jerrysnugget.com/dining/jerrys-famous-coffee-shop
