The Helms Bakery, Culver City, with Restaurateur Sang Yoon & Executive Chef Nanor Harboyan Part 1

SoCal Restaurant Show

“The Helms Bakery, a modern interpretation of the original (closed in 1969) including a multi-space layout with a (soon-to-open) full-service restaurant, Dinette, for breakfast and lunch (to open at a later date), a dedicated bakery with takeaway counter for prepared foods, as well as a retail section of specialty products, is now open in the soft open phase.” Hours are limited from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. from Thursday to Sunday.

This 14,000 square foot upscale food emporium is the 12-year dream of Chef Sang Yoon (Father’s Office) and is easily the most ambitious food venture to launch in the Southland in 2024. No one is talking but the project cost is in the multiple millions. In the original Helms Bakery days this space was the loading area for the distinctive yellow Helms Bakery delivery trucks. The floors needed to be leveled and a second level dough kitchen was created and added to the space.

In addition to the Bakery Counter (cookies, cales, pies, pastries) there is a Coffee & Beverage Counter where the coffee beans are roasted and ground right there. You can even get the famous Dole Whip (of Disneyland fame) here. At the Deli Counter at Lunch there are a wide variety of sandwiches available on Helms fresh-baked breads. In the a.m. adjacent to the Deli Counter is a grab-and-go case with hot breakfast sandwiches. Everything is replenished and rotated during the day as appropriate.

Chef Sang Yoon takes a break from packaging the fresh Tuna Sandwiches to join us.