La Baguette, a little bakery in the heart of Stanford Shopping Center, provides a little bit of French charm, with its weathered brick exterior, classy cursive outdoor signage, and a vast display of attractive treats and sandwiches presented upon entry. However, while quite serviceable for a small to mid-sized bite, La Baguette’s offerings are not anything more than a little snack.

Pastrami Parisian ($13.50): 6/10

The Pastrami Parisian sandwich works only in a specific scenario: a quick, handheld option to eat on the go. Past that, there’s not much else to it. The amount of pastrami on the sandwich is scarce, and is a bit bland. While the baguette is expectedly of great quality, and the mustard and the melted cheese provide a welcome savory, tangy flavor, they aren’t enough to warrant out-of-this-world support.

Tuscan ($14.50): 7/10

The Tuscan is where the bakery’s sandwich strength shines. Even though the chicken is somewhat tough and the portion size is smaller than what one would expect for nearly $15, the Tuscan is still delicious. The tomato and lettuce are fresh and enjoyable, as are the flaky bread and chicken, even if it’s a little tough.

Apple Danish ($6.50): 9/10

Reportedly, this is the most popular pastry in the shop. It’s easy to understand why. La Baguette’s apple danish does not disappoint in any way. Wrapped in a buttery and delicate croissant crust, the apples are light yet rich in flavor, and aided by the fluffy cream beneath. However, the sweetness of this treat is slightly overpowering at times. It is clearly La Baguette’s best pastry offering.

Fresh Fruit Tart ($9.50): 6/10

The fruit tart provides an apt case study of “do not trust a book by its cover.” Although it looks absolutely delicious, the actual tart is less than ideal. A flimsy plastic fork is not nearly enough to break through the overly hard outer crust. The fruit is mostly fresh, however, though the occasional tough chunks of mango are not enjoyable. Overall, the tart is more of an overload of sugar than the advertised tropical combination of unique flavors.

Strawberry Shortcake ($9.50): 5/10

The best way to describe La Baguette’s strawberry shortcake is conflicting. The dessert as a whole feels as though it lacks a clear vision, as the light and airy sponge cake is met with the heavy cream and frosting. The strawberries, though delicious, are unfortunately completely overshadowed by the cream and cake. Though a decent sweet treat, it falls far short of several other, and cheaper, La Baguette offerings.