Spokane’s Fireweed Baking Company
Fireweed opens a Spokane storefront – we undertake a fact-finding mission.
I will maintain that, during our tenure in Spokane, Santé was the city’s best restaurant. Much has been said about their James Beard semifinalist chef, Jeremy Hansen – all for well-deserved reasons – but their baker, Lynette Pflueger, was an integral part of a team that elevated the spot. So much so that in 2010, we custom-ordered a cake from her while celebrating Junior Intern Jon’s and mine’s almost-shared birthday.
Fast-forward to 2026, and Santé has been tragically closed for a long time. All is not lost, though, and Pflueger has recently opened her own bakery, Fireweed Baking Company, in Rind and Wheat Bakery’s former locales. When one door closes, a window opens1 and all that.
The space has changed. Gone is the old cheese counter, replaced by a handful of tables. It feels more like a traditional bakery, where you can sit down to enjoy a pastry or a small sandwich. I don’t think it’s intentional, but it reminds me of Norwegian bakeries like Baker Hansen. Quality goods in small, unassuming spaces.
On the menu is a selection of biscuit sandwiches – a bold move, as biscuits tend to be a fickle friend. Often too dense, other times too cake-y, it’s an unforgiving bread, and if it doesn’t hit all the marks, you’ll have a bummer of a sandwich.
Which brings us to…
Fireweed Baking Company’s Ham & Swiss Biscuit Sandwich
Now, this is a proper biscuit, one that passes any reasonable litmus test – a bread that is subtly flavorful, allowing the texture to do most of the talking. Crumbly without falling apart, and a golden crust that gives way to light layers. Not too dense, not too soft. Getting that balance down isn’t easy2, which speaks to the capricious nature of the biscuit. If you get it even slightly wrong, you’re left with a mushy mess or a ham-filled hockey puck. Nobody wants that – and at Fireweed you don’t get it.
The toppings – or the in-the-middles – are of similar restraint. The ham and Swiss cheese are flavorful, but the biscuit isn’t stuffed full with them. Fittingly, the bacon onion jam is the most flavorful component. Think biscuits, and you may very well think jam. Many times in the sweeter sense – Fireweed has a biscuit and jam combo on the menu – so why not kick it up with a savory variety? It pulls the sandwich together into something that is both simple and elevated.
It’s been sixteen years since I had that aforementioned birthday cake, and it has stuck with me – so much that I still have the picture. That you can go to a dedicated bakery for a similar experience is only a good thing.
Fireweed – great stuff.
A Quick P.S. on the No-Bake Cookie
It’s practically a law that a Spokane bakery must feature no-bake cookies, which should upset no one.
Semi-recently, I posted my own recipe, one that captured the baseline cookie reasonably well. Not surprisingly, Fireweed’s stands a step or two above. Maybe even three. The differentiators? Less sugar – which I’ve already updated my recipe with – and the addition of cinnamon3. It doesn’t overpower; instead, it balances the chocolate and sugar into a sublime cookie.
The no-bake will forever be a Spokane staple, and you should unreservedly try Fireweed’s elevated take on it.
Locations: 110 Summit Ave E, Seattle • Map • Web • Instagram
More No-Bake Reads
World Cup Update
Well, I got that one wrong. Norway keeps rolling through the World Cup, handily beating Brazil and advancing to the Quarterfinals, where England awaits. The chances of reaching the Semis should be around fifty-fifty – the one caveat being a flu virus that may or may not plague Norway’s camp. I say “may or may not” as the team’s official response goes something like this…
Even so, I remain optimistic and predict a 2-1 win for Norway – betting sites seem to disagree.
Merch for the People!
Don’t just read Awesomeness – wear it! This distinguished publication proudly features two official shirts – or magnets, stickers, or whatever medium you can think of: The Hallgrrrl and Zune. Why those? For one, the Hallmark channel and Riotgrrrl are, as I’ve said before, the natural combination. And who doesn’t love the Zune?
Go shop at The Better Taster Boutique for only the finest goods.
I’m pretty sure that’s how the saying goes.
I’ve tried and failed more than once at baking a great biscuit. It might be one of those things best left to the professionals.
I’m fairly sure it’s cinnamon. Finding much information on Fireweed’s menu is easier said than done, so my apologies to cardamom or whatever if I got it wrong.