Bakery on Alice

Bakery on Alice is a neighbourhood bakery on Alice Street in Maryborough, Queensland, and it's one of those places where the counter staff are as much of the draw as the baking. People talk about being looked after here. One local turned up to collect a cake right on closing time and found the team happy to wait. Another was driving through town with two birthday cakes to sort out at short notice, and the staff offered practical advice on getting them safely off-road to Fraser Island.

The pies are what locals come for. Beef, cheese and bacon gets a nod, as does curry, and the filling and crust get plenty of praise. Sausage rolls are a regular order, described by one fan as good enough to eat without any sauce. We've also heard they'll happily cut a pie or cake for you if you ask. Everything is baked fresh, and the pastry gets its own compliments.

On the sweet side, the cabinet runs to vanilla slice, cream buns, carrot slice and a fresh cream sponge. The carrot cake is made on-site and one local reckons it's the best in Maryborough, moist and not too sweet. Red velvet and orange poppyseed cakes have found their fans too.

Custom cake orders are a real strength. One customer had just five days' notice for a grandson's birthday and came away delighted, and another found the cake bigger than expected and just as good to eat. If you need a cake made, it's worth getting in touch with the bakery early and checking timing with them.

Value comes up often, with people calling the prices fair and the portions generous. Opinion isn't unanimous, as one longtime customer had an off day with a sausage roll and a pie, though they'd rated the bakery's pies highly over the years.

Takeaway is the way most people use it, and a coffee is available from the café next door. Card and mobile payments are accepted, there's free street parking and a free car park, and the entrance and car park are wheelchair accessible. Check the hours before you head in, as weekend trading is shorter.