Grateful Bread

Yelpers love the name, but there seems to be a Grateful Bread in every state.

This one is located on Santa Monica's Montana Ave., but Google "Grateful Bread" "Montana" and you'll discover Grateful Bread in Big Fork, MT has "walls painted a warm yellow and red with simple country decor. Our offering includes homestyle baked goods and breads, espresso, breakfast, sandwiches and burritos, quiche, homemade soups, wraps, sandwiches and salads."

That's not far from what you'll find at Grateful Bread in the 90403. It's not LaBrea Bakery. The breads and pastries are superior to anything you'd find at Gelson's, but Whole Foods gives a run for the money. A small sandwich menu favors roast beef-and-tomato rather than proscuitto-and-mozzarella.

It's not a destination bakery; it's a neighborhood bakery. And even in the deepest west side, where everyone seems to have more than enough of everything, that's something of a luxury.

Grateful Bread, 1518 Montana Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 34-7178