Tandem Bakery and Cafe — Review by Food Network
Missoula, United States — Vegan, Gluten-Free, Bakery Cafe
Tandem Bakery and Cafe is a vegan and gluten-free establishment in Missoula's University District run by husband and wife team Beth Gerine and David Tyson. The reviewer was impressed by their fresh, scratch-made offerings including standout avocado toast with housemade components like chili crisp and pickled red onions. The high-quality bread and thoughtful flavor combinations demonstrate that vegan dining doesn't require sacrifice.
What was great: Fresh, delicious food with vegan and gluten-free options; perfectly executed avocado toast with crispy toasted bread, chili crisp, pickled onions, and papitas; excellent bread quality with great chew and texture
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The centerpiece of this review is the loaded avocado toast, a deceptively simple dish executed with remarkable precision. The foundation is a perfectly toasted slice of their multigrain bread, which features a complex blend of white rice flour, brown rice flour, tapioca starch, sorghum flour, cornmeal, flax meal, psyllium husk, and millet seed. This bread has an impressive chew and texture that rivals traditional wheat-based breads. The toast is topped with ripe avocado that's sliced and arranged beautifully, then garnished with pickled red onions, crispy roasted papitas, a generous amount of housemade chili crisp, sea salt, and cracked black pepper, all finished with fresh lemon. The reviewer described it as life-changing, praising how the chili crisp turbocharged the avocado with just the right balance of heat, acid, and salt.
The bakery also offers vegan versions of breakfast classics. The French toast and vegan bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich demonstrate their commitment to recreating familiar comfort foods without animal products. The pastry selection includes items like a huckleberry Danish, showing the range of their baking program.
The Experience
Located in the University District of Missoula near the University of Montana, Tandem Bakery and Cafe occupies the space that was previously home to Freddy's Feed and Read during the 70s and 80s. The atmosphere feels welcoming and approachable, catering to the college crowd and locals alike. The restaurant balances their specialty diet accommodations with genuine flavor and quality that appeals to non-vegan diners as well.
Value and Pricing
While specific prices aren't mentioned in the transcript, the emphasis on scratch-made ingredients and careful preparation suggests fair value for the quality delivered. The attention to detail in components like housemade chili crisp and pickled vegetables indicates a commitment to quality that justifies pricing in the moderate range.
Notable Moments
I love the food here. And I'm not a vegan.
The chili crisp is delicious. Just enough heat, just enough acid, just enough salt. You just turbocharged avocado toast.
It's got really good chew to it. Like it has gluten in it.
The reviewer was particularly impressed by how the housemade components elevate simple dishes and how the food appeals beyond the vegan community.
The Verdict
Tandem Bakery and Cafe proves that vegan and gluten-free dining can be delicious, fresh, and satisfying without compromise. This is the ideal spot for anyone in Missoula seeking quality breakfast and lunch options, whether vegan or not. The husband and wife team's dedication to scratch-made preparations, from their specialty breads to their carefully crafted condiments, makes this a standout destination in the University District.