Everyone’s Talking About This Northern California Bakery Hidden Behind A Gas Station
I never thought I would find one of Northern California’s most talked-about bakeries tucked inside a gas station, but here we are. Ellis Creamery sits behind a convenience store curtain in Tracy, California, serving up Filipino treats that have people lining up past the motor oil and candy bars.
What started as a pandemic hobby has turned into a regional sensation, and I had to see what all the fuss was about.
Finding It Feels Like A Secret
Pulling into the National gas station on W. Grant Line Road in Tracy, I expected to fill my tank and grab a coffee. What I did not expect was the smell of warm butter and caramelized sugar cutting through the usual scent of gasoline and packaged snacks.
A small crowd snaked past the gum display and energy drinks, all waiting patiently for their turn at a bakery counter I could barely see from the entrance. The signage was modest, almost shy, but the line told me everything I needed to know. People do not queue up next to motor oil for mediocre pastries.
Walking closer, I spotted trays of golden pastries glistening under the lights, and suddenly the oddness of the location made perfect sense.
A NorCal Sensation
Marie Rabut started baking at home during the pandemic, like so many of us who suddenly had time and nowhere to go. Her ensaymadas and silvanas were not just good; they were the kind of treats that made friends beg her to sell them.
When she and her husband Khristian took over a pre-existing shop inside the gas station in 2021, they had no idea what would happen next. Late nights testing recipes became the norm. Flour dusted every surface, and the kitchen smelled perpetually of butter and vanilla.
Friends kept urging them to go bigger, to share these flavors with more people, and slowly the word spread beyond their immediate circle. What began as a humble side project blossomed into something much larger.
The Menu
The ensaymada at Ellis Creamery is a soft, brioche-like spiral brushed with so much butter it practically glows, then topped with a generous layer of sweet-salty cheese that melts into every crevice. One bite and I understood why people make the pilgrimage from Sacramento and beyond.
The silvanas are next-level: crispy cashew-meringue wafers sandwiching a layer of buttercream that somehow manages to be rich without feeling heavy. Then there is the ice cream. Ube Cookies and Cream hits you with that signature violet lightning, earthy and sweet at once.
Black sesame brings a nutty depth I did not expect, and the boozy flavors add a grown-up twist to the lineup. Every item felt intentional, crafted with care and authenticity that you simply cannot fake.
Behind The Counter
Watching Marie and Khristian Rabut work behind the counter is like witnessing a well-rehearsed dance. The clack of ice cream scoops against metal, the rhythmic piping of buttercream onto silvanas, the careful brushing of melted butter over each ensaymada-it all happens with precision and speed.
There is no wasted movement, no hesitation, just the quiet confidence of people who know their craft inside and out. The family vibe is unmistakable. You can hear them calling out orders to each other, laughing between rushes, checking in with regulars by name.
It is clear this is not just a business; it is a labor of love that involves everyone. Even during the busiest moments, they take time to answer questions and make recommendations.
Everyone Is Talking About Ellis Creamery
First, the location itself is pure novelty-a full bakery and ice cream operation hidden inside a gas station hooks people instantly. Second, the authentic Filipino flavors bring nostalgia and tradition to every bite, with classic items like ensaymada, silvanas, and halo-halo made from scratch the way they should be.
Third, those wild, Instagram-friendly flavors like Ube Cookies and Cream and durian ice cream taste as bold as they photograph. Fourth, viral word-of-mouth turned Ellis Creamery into a must-visit destination, with KQED even documenting the fan pilgrimage and weekend lineups.
Fifth, the underdog story resonates deeply: a pandemic hobby that grew into a gas-station counter and eventually led to crowdfunding for a dedicated storefront.
How The Move Changed The Scene
When I first visited Ellis Creamery, I felt a bittersweet energy in the air. The owners had just learned that a dispensary was moving into the gas station, which meant their quirky, beloved location had to go.
Leaving behind the spot that made them famous was not easy, but it also opened the door to something bigger and better. The new standalone space means more room for an expanded menu, potential seating, and a proper bakery atmosphere.
No more competing with the hum of refrigerators and the smell of hot dogs from the roller grill. The charm of the gas-station setup will always be part of their origin story, but this new chapter feels like the natural next step.
Local Tips
Timing is everything when visiting Ellis Creamery. I learned the hard way that arriving early means you get the freshest baked goods, still warm and impossibly soft. My go-to combo is an ensaymada paired with a scoop of ube ice cream-the buttery richness of the pastry balanced perfectly by the cool, earthy sweetness of the ice cream.
If you are planning to order cakes or large batches, call ahead to make sure they have what you need. Parking can be tight during peak hours, so patience is key.
Once you have your treats, find a sunny bench nearby or turn your car into a mini picnic spot. The experience is as much about the journey as the destination, so embrace the quirky charm of it all.
Why This Little Gas-Station Bakery Feels Like A Gift To The Region
There is something profoundly generous about Ellis Creamery. The smell of warm bread and the bold purple of ube ice cream felt like an invitation to know this community better, to understand the flavors and traditions that shape it.
Food has a way of telling stories that words sometimes cannot, and every pastry here carries a piece of heritage and heart. Marie and Khristian could have kept their baking as a private hobby, shared only among friends and family.
Instead, they chose to open their kitchen to strangers, to take a risk in the most unlikely of places. That courage and generosity have created something beautiful and lasting.