Stephens The Baker in Fife

Where do I start with Stephen's........ Stephen's advertises its self as traditional home baking, it tries to sell itself as something that its not. There are far better bakeries in the kingdom of Fife, people are just too drawn to the brand and make an automatic decision to buy Stephens, yeh, they are everywhere, they have the market, but people need to look beyond the millions of new shops and drive thrus that seems to pop up on every corner........ its a bit Greggs.......... there is nothing traditional and home baked about Greggs and Stephens follows that business model very closely nowadays Products - Dissect a steak pie or bridie from Stephens, wash off the thick gelatinous brown goo that they call "gravy" and you may find yourself questioning the supposed awards they boast ...... anyone with any ounce of bakery skills or food critique could not put these products as "award winning" not a chance, get a Stuarts pie, do yourself a favour and you will taste the difference. Once you defeat the challenge of swallowing the enormous stodge of pastry that coats their low quality filling...... you will need to deal with a day or overwhelming stomach ache and heartburn, similar to what you experience shortly after a Greggs binge Service - When you rock up to the Rosyth HQ branch, you would expect this to be the most well run, flagship store of all Stephens bakeries, the place where service and efficiency would ooze from the front door........... no, your met with inexperienced young staff (not their fault) but cannot service more than one customer at a time, in this day and age, we are probably spoiled by convenience and efficiency with computers doing a lot of manual work for us........... but come on, to wait in a queue for 15 mins because one staff member manages the till whilst the other aimlessly walks around behind the counter carrying out tasks that would be better prioritised to try and get the queues down. Its not understaffing that's the issue, its inexperience, lack of leadership and management behind that counter. Your soul leaves your body when one makes a visit to Stephens and you see more than 3 cars in the car park, you know your in for a 30min wait............ for one............. single............. bad............ steak pie Genuinely, I'm not a competitor, I'm just a normal person, trying to get something decent too eat, Stephens is not where you want to go, yes, you will have the staunch Stephenites, the Betty and Keith's that have used Stephens for 45 years and wont look past it.......... don't be a Betty and Keith, go to Stuarts, or Baynes even, you will be met by experience, efficiency and good quality wholesome food at reasonable costs, your purchase will feel worth it, you wont have to throw half of your purchase to the delight of the seagulls that made the car park their home, whilst you will be doing good for ecosystem of the seagulls, i guess this will be your reward and one that you can take home knowing that you have actually done a good deed for the day and provided sustenance and cater for the wildlife around the car park I think that is all........... oh in fact.......... see when you advertise well fired rolls......... it would be great if you could actually "well fire" them, light browning is not fired, you want a black roll, just turn the oven up a wee tad or let the staff member off that has likely manned that oven for the last 20 years, a roll with some sunburn is not well fired and finally............. your in for a battle if you take on the challenge of the army of "highlander" biscuits that furnish every corner of the branch, you cant move for highlanders. They certainly stand up to their name, ensure you have a gallon of tea or water available or close by, you will need this, every millilitre of saliva will be sucked from your chops as soon as one of these bad boys comes anywhere within a sniff of your face. These should carry a health warning "large quantity of fluid required to even attempt to swallow one of these Scottish warrior biscuits" Thanks

Well... idk where to start. I cannot praise this place enough. The staff and the quality of their products is absolutely fantastic!! The fudge donut is the best cake known to man

Todays rolls were fantastic. Hard to explain but so different to any other day. I bag the rolls at work i only buy them when i think they are good but lately have found them to be all different shapes and sizes, colour and texture. Today they were full with just the right amount of yeast as they were doughy 😁. A big well done to who ever baked the rolls this morning. Keep up the good work. Val Musselburgh

Have worked here in the past and a word of warning to all customers. Be weary of what your eating the factory is dirty. The machinery is dirty the meat is well not even proper meat. See if something falls on the floor the supervisors pick it up and put it right back onto a tray for it to be dispatched and sold. Staff. Like most place run by amatures. Most are ignorant and rude. Avoid any stephens bakeries. I once seen a supervisor itch himself down below and then handled food without even washing his hands.

Have used for over 50 years went in today first time after lockdown stovies now watered down and steak bakes not how I remember

could improve on quality of pastry as the sausage roll was pretty poor. Service was good but i was disappointed with the food.

Great steak bridies for sale and cakes too. When I get home I add sweet chilli sauce and it hits the spot

Having popped in recently I was struck by the lady who served me and how fantastic she was. I'm the first to complain when the opposite happens (customer facing people clearly hating their job!!) but she was so cheerful, helpful and happy to help I thought I'd mention it. Didn't get a name, sorry. And of course, Stephens bakery goods are second to none :-)

Stephens bakery have to be the best bakery going in Fife, from the delicious morning rolls to scotch pies, brides, biscuits and cakes. No matter what shop you go In you're never disappointed. Unlike some bakers their availability of product is spot on. Stephens also supply goods to the co-op which is a great idea as most co-ops are open later than the bakery shops. If you like the odd cake or pie in moderation of course Stephens bakers has to be the best around.

I used to enjoy getting lunch from Stephens but it’s just awful now, there quality has really went down hill since they opened at every street corner, don’t know how they won Bridie of year your lucky if y get any steak in them now it’s ridiculous and the prices they charge for there filled rolls esp if you ask for an extra filling it’s about £1.50 for a slice of ham

Stephens is my favourite bakers. There steak bridies excellent although I’m not so keen on them hot. There cakes excellent especially there iced fruit slices & double biscuits.

The home of the famous Steak bridie, this is one of the best snacks for lunch, like a pastie but better, also great as a main meal with chips. They also do a cream finger with coconut on it. I love these (please leave one for me). If you want something light to eat, you will find something in here.

All the Stephen Shops come with the same quality it is a pleasure to buy a hot Steak Bridie and sausage roll coffee is served for takeout and a large range of sandwiches with various fillings . A good selection of cakes and pastries . The bakers rolls are in a class of their own especially the seeded ones