If you’re gluten-free in Philly, you probably already know that your options have been growing in recent years. One of the newest offerings is possibly one of the best. Toté Bakery & Store set up shop in the Italian Market about 3 months ago, and it’s already a well-patronized addition to the famous Philadelphia shopping landmark. Owners Omer Taffet and Eugene Torsonov spend the day behind the counter, baking and selling a great selection of artisan breads (including the most amazing baguette for $3.50) and an array of sweet treats. Cooling racks are refilled as you shop the small and attractive shop, and they seem to have settled easily into the neighborhood along the curb market’s busy stretch of 9th Street.

Exterior

Window display

Using different mixes of gluten-free flours and grains, Toté (pronounced toe-tay) stands out because of their selection of savory fresh breads – the flaky and chewy baguette, dinner rolls, pizza crusts, focaccia, and sandwich breads that have been hard to come by for those living the gluten-free life by choice or necessity. Sweets like cookies, cakes, and cupcakes have been the usual focus at places like Sweet Freedom and in the supermarkets. Toté offers products on both ends of the sweet and savory spectrum.

A look inside. Great variety of items are offered.

Toté’s full menu and ingredients used in each offering is posted on their website and available at the store. The price points are more than fair for the quality and freshness, and makes eating gluten free (which is notoriously expensive) more reasonable than you might expect. And as if it couldn’t get even better, the baguettes are also supplied to Paesano’s for their sandwiches. Toté Bakery & Store is located at 1024 South 9th St., and is open Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 6pm.

–Lauren Summers