The Joy of Gluten Free (West End)

I’m not Celiac (I’m a fortunate person who has no food allergies). I discovered this bakery in 2014 after my mom died and I travelled to Ottawa often to see my dad. He didn’t have food allergies but he did have a sweet tooth and this bakery was close to his home. Our big treat were squares! I moved to Ottawa in 2019 and continue to drop by and indulge myself. I typically buy the 2 types of squares he loved and it brings back happy memories. Sometimes the owner is too busy to have more than a “business like” transaction and I understand. I mean she is running a business and not a social club… lol. But I love it when she has time for a chat; she’s smart, opinionated (I like that) and has a great sense of humour.

Visited this store for the first time yesterday. I was greeted with Laura's beautiful smile. I purchased some bread, cupcakes, cookies, chicken pot pie and focaccia. I tasted the focaccia, bread and cupcakes so far. All awesome! So happy I found this glutenfree store! Great food and great customer service. I'll surely go back!

Nicole

They definitely have an attitude when you walk in. Like we’re disturbing them! They got my cake order wrong too and the cakes are pricey. I won’t shop here again.

It was an absolute pleasure visiting your shop today! This was our first time visiting. There were so many amazing gluten-free breads and desserts for us to choose from! The brown rice bread was so fluffy, soft and fresh! An absolute favourite for us-it tastes just like white sandwich wonder bread! We loved the garlic focaccia and cinnamon muffin:) Cannot wait to go back: p Hands down the best gluten-free bakery in Ottawa)

Susan was so helpful with helping us as we have several allergies, so grateful to have found this WONDERFUL Bakery. We were like kids in a candy store, there is so many wonderful gf treats to choose from. We just tried the donut muffins and definitely know why they are such a favourite! They are our new favourite sweet treat as well. The brown rice bread is just like your childhood white sandwich fresh bread-wouldn't know its gluten free! Airy, fluffy, light and smells and tastes divine. The Garlic Focaccia is incredible as well! We will be back regularly, your bakery is the BEST gluten-free we had EVER had!:) <3<3<3

Very unpleasant owner and customer service experience. I was greeted by someone who wasn’t warm or inviting at all. I am shocked after reading the owner’s replies to the posted reviews. Instead of taking the criticism with grace and learning from their mistakes, she goes on to blame and lash out at potential repeat customers. She may be good in the kitchen, but she doesn’t really have much business sense. ‍️ The owner makes customers feel alienated and uncomfortable while in her shop, so, needless to say, I will not return.

EDIT:

I find it amazing that the owner believes that I have nothing better to do in my day than to rush home and review her shop & always seems to have an excuse for the “Joy’s” failings. It doesn’t seem to occur to her that perhaps I didn’t visit when she believes I did - That I may be remarking on a visit I made a month or even a year ago. Just accept that you’re not perfect and move on with grace.

Some of the treats are okay, however the customer service makes a trip to this store almost impossible.
It’s always good to give people the benefit of the doubt and to assume that one may be having a hard day. Several “benefits of the doubt” later, and I just feel like customer service gets worse and worse. I’ve honestly decided to not go to the store again, even though it’s the closest gluten free option to me.
Note that I’ve had only two good experiences here, and that’s when I’ve interacted with one of the staff members that seems to no longer be there (can’t remember her name).
I’ve also been to the old location that has closed down. Given the “Joy” chances for literal years.

This is a genuine review to the owner: a smile is a free. Why can we not try to better ourselves instead of being defensive.
We all understand that work is tough. Family business are tough. Migraines are tough. Long days of baking are tiring.
But certain actions just push people away. Being kind brings people closer.

The bake goods are delicious. We bought breads, buns, squares, cakes and pies. They were all good!

My mother is severely allergic to gluten and soy. She is so pleased to be able to enjoy delicious treats. My several of my family members are also diary free due to either intolerance or allergies so having somewhere to buy a TASTY cake or pie that don't have dairy, gluten and soy is rare.

I met the owner several times and she was always pleasant and her recommendations are always spotted on.

Easily 5 out 5. Baked goods and pies made with serious craft and care. Very tasty and pushes the boundaries of great taste in the realm of gluten-free cuisine.

I thought I would pop in and get my mom some treats she’s 93 and enjoys a sweet
I just ended up deleting most of this review and decided to simplify my experience
I have not felt as unwelcome in a store as I was today or treated and spoken to so poorly I left without buying a thing and will not recommend the store to anyone
Perhaps the sweet treats are delicious but I could never patronize or even enjoy
The product after being treated so poorly

Positive: cute little shop. Tasty treats.
Negative: very rude and poor customer service being a first time customer.
This person's reasoning for all bad reviews seems unreasonable.
I am super concerned about other people's
health and well being and mine too, one reason why I wear mask when I go out and also socially distance. Even though there is no mandate for mask. Did you smell any perfume?
I had no issue using gloves before using the POS machine. But this felt dumb after you touched the treats with your hands and not using gloves. Your reason may be you wash your hands frequently. I also wash my hands frequently still I hadn't any issue wearing gloves. So please don't be double standard in life. Receive back what you give. It's the way you talk to people which makes people feel you are rude to them. In all of your replies you use poetic words to explains stuffs. Please be polite in your wording to customers when talking to them.

Imagine yourself in this job? What do you think I am doing for living? I also work at a front desk job meeting and interacting with all kinds of people.
One reason how I could easily understand you are rude.
If you could simply change your attitude, your business will go miles and will have only 5 stars. As I mentioned very tasty treats.
Have a wonderful rest of the Sunday.

It's hard to find places that make Gluten Free baked goods. The breads are very tasty. Cupcakes too.

On July 14/2022 went to Joy of Gluten Free Bakery for the first time. Spent $45.00 & doubt I will ever be back. I drove from the south east end, because I had heard that they had good product. However I was met by the owners mother who never greeted me at the counter but rather from a distance complained about how much she had to do before meeting with her daughter. Then after what seemed to me excessive protocol for Covid measures (& again no politeness, was told very bluntly to deposit gloves on my way out the door as she didn’t want to touch them)
I was never thanked for my purchase, which even in a big box store I get treated with more common courtesy. I will always allow for someone having an off day but this woman truly made me feel like she just didn’t want me in the store!

The scent free bakery is very appreciated as one who is sensitive to perfumes. The area is set up quite beautifully with the bakers slightly to the right in the back. Watching the foods being prepared is a great seller. Highly recommend the chickpea bread, it is scrumptious!

Love the food, and the baker is very knowledgeable and talented. Covid protocols are being followed which is also great to see. Customer service is not fantastic, I have had rude service. It's a shame, but if you can put up with that, this place is worth a visit.