704 14th Street
Delight your senses at Patty Cakes Bakery, affectionately called, Galveston’s sweet spot. Just a few blocks off Broadway on 14th street, in Galveston’s Historic East End, sits this unassuming building. But step inside to find an extraordinary bakery.
Stephen and Patty Rennick are the inspiration for Patty Cakes Bakery and Mosquito Cafe across the street.
I had the opportunity to met Stephen and sample a few of those yummy bakery items. Stephen, originally from Southern California, found his way to Galveston via wife, Patty, a fourth generation Galvestonian. He explained that he wanted to be more than just a baker…he wanted to be a great baker, like those old world bakers. He found a German baker for whom he apprenticed for a year without pay. Everything at the bakery is made from scratch with the sweetest butter, richest cream and lots of love thrown in for good measure.
Your most difficult task upon entering Patty Cakes will be…what and how many to take home! There are cinnamon rolls, filled crescents, scones (love scones) and I haven’t even started on the cupcakes, cheesecakes and sweets to treat the most persnickety sweet tooth.
Stephen and I walked across the street to Mosquito Cafe. The first thing Stephen told me was that nothing is fried. All healthy and delicious. This is a drawing card for the UTMB customers as well as us health conscious enthusiasts. Scan the cafe’s breakfast and lunch menu and before you can swat that mosquito, your mouth will be watering. Stephen told me that the Mosquito Benedict keeps customers coming back for more. On the lunch menu, how could you go wrong with the Chef’s Pick of the Week, a shrimp salad.
Water mark of Hurricane Ike
On September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike hit Galveston Island with a vengeance. Water flooded the cafe as well as Stephen and Patty’s home. Stephen showed me the plaque marking the water level. The Rennick’s took a deep breath and rebuilt as quickly as possible. That’s what the Galveston community did post Ike. They made everything better.
The outside patio, equipped with air conditioning for patrons’ comfort in this Texas heat, is a proud feature of the Mosquito Cafe. 
On your next trip to Galveston Island, stop by Patty Cakes and Mosquito Cafe for Texas friendly service and some of the best food you’ll ever eat.
Tues.-Sat.: 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Closed Monday
Tues-Sat.: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Closed Monday
Stephen Rennick and Annie Coburn
