OUR PROMISE
Hot from the oven was born out of necessity. I was baking out of my home oven and it could only fit a few loaves of a sourdough or a few croissants at a time. But then it quickly became my passion to figure out how to serve everything hot from the oven - because a loaf of sourdough or a croissant just pulled from the oven is life changing.
It is because of our promise to serve you the freshest product that our inventory fluctuates throughout the day, but I think we're getting pretty good at anticipating demand and scheduling our bakes to that demand. Of course to err is human and we do certainly make our share of mistakes.
Like just yesterday when we had guests waiting far too long for their orders, or we oversold on product. We don't take our mistakes lightly and we thank each and every one of you who reach out to me personally to share your experience so that we can continue to do better. Alongside our hot-from-the-oven promise, we also have our IZOLA Almighty Guarantee - if you do not love your experience with us, please let us know and we will happily refund you and try our darndest to make it right.
IMPORTANT SERVICE CHANGES
Last week we hosted our Q3 Shareholder Meeting at IZOLA. Over 900 individuals have invested in IZOLA and without them, we would not be here today. At our meeting we shared the wins and also some of the challenges - including cost increases and more price sensitivity by consumers due to the current uncertain economic climate.
As we hunker down to prepare for what may become some challenging times ahead, we have decided to cancel IZOLA Evenings, effective immediately, and return to our previous hours of 7a-2p every day. It was not a decision made lightly, but to change behavior patterns takes time and investing in the labor costs to maintain the evenings can't be our priority right now as we look to scale to additional locations.
Thanks to those who joined us for IZOLA Evenings - I found them to be truly magical!
NEW HOURS:
Every Day from 7a-2p
HELPING OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY IN NEED
It is not only a challenging business climate right, but it is even tougher for our non-profit partners whose funding has taken a big hit.
This week, I’m hoping we can rally as a community to support one of our workforce partners, Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO).
CEO helps provide employment opportunities, job training and placement to people who have been formerly incarcerated. When it comes to successful re-entry, there are two crucial aspects that people must have: A stable job and stable housing. Both are very hard to come by, but having partnered with CEO for the past year, there is no doubt that organizations like CEO make our community stronger through the support, guidance and assistance they provide to the community.
And the proof is right inside our walls at IZOLA — our retention rate is already double the industry average, and the team members who come to us through restorative justice pathways are performing even higher. These are people who are ready to work, ready to show up, and ready to build something.
Our ask today is simple. This year San Diego's CEO team only has enough budget to provide FOUR turkeys to participants for Thanksgiving this year. But they have a need for FORTY. At $25 a turkey, it's a small lift if we do it together - $900 in donations will make sure 40 families have a Thanksgiving meal.
To help, click below. And to make sure your gift goes straight to the San Diego branch and this specific program, please paste this into the comment box:
San Diego BranchAttn: Site Director Robert SmithTurkeys for San Diego Program
Thank you, truly. Small things like this — when we do them together — make a real difference for real families.
LAST CALL!
Our Artichoke and Feta Sourdough leaves this Saturday.
Travel with us to Greece ....Handfuls of oven-roasted artichoke hearts, feta, Kalamata olives...feel the warm sun on your face as you bite into our Artichoke Heart & Feta Sourdough! We flash roast the artichoke hearts in our SALVA croissant ovens to build the Maillard and pair 'em up with French sheep's milk feta (over a quarter pound of artichokes and feta in each loaf....very tricky to shape....thank you sourdough team) ....rounded out with lemon zest, Italian parsley, Kalamata olives, fennel seeds, and a little garlic and hint of red pepper. We're going to 11.
Pro tip: Slice your loaf, then freeze the slices, and you'll always have a slice ready to toast!
WHO'S READY FOR A VACATION?
Oh boy, I know I am! We wanted to share with you a special place in Mexico. Jenny and I are planning for some R&R here in the new year, but until then felt compelled to share it with you.
Villa La Sirena is a special spot in Boca de Tomatlan Mexico, just 11 miles south of Old Town Puerto Vallarta. It's a place where you can slow down, and feel away from it all.
SATURDAY LIVE MUSIC
With our change in hours, we no longer will be hosting Friday evening live music, but our Saturday mornings are still in full force! Come enjoy our local talent every Saturday from 8a-1p.
XAVY
8-9a
Xavy is a San Diego native saxophonist with a wide range of musical interests. He is also a member of the Funk/R&B band Heaping Teaspoon.
KAHLIL NASH
9-10a
Emerging from the elite San Diego music scene in California, San Diego Music Award winner Kahlil Nash is a Funk/Rock and R&B recording artist/producer who is a multi-instrumentalist. Influenced by artists Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, and Prince, Kahlil Nash thrives to entertain his audience.
LANZA ATTISHA
10-11a
Lanza Attisha is a San Diego based songwriter with a soulful twist on classic pop and blues tunes.
JACOBY CLEVELAND
11a-12p
Music curator and lover of dope vibes.
CAITLYN LEWIS
12-1p
Hi, I’m Caitlin. I’m a singer and songwriter from San Diego. I write to reach out to others and validate shared experiences :)
EVERY BITE, A RITUAL
Our new Carnitas Croissant brings together tender, slow-braised pork carnitas with our buttery croissant — finished with crisp chicharrón, bright lime, fresh onion, and cilantro, with a side of Cholula so you can make it your own.
Here’s how I love to eat it: I cut a bite of croissant, add a little onion, a squeeze of lime, and a few drops of Cholula. Each bite bursts with richness, crunch, and just the right touch of heat — the perfect balance of buttery and bright.
And thanks to feedback from our guests, we’ve added even more carnitas to every bite.
At IZOLA, we live by the philosophy of Kaizen — the idea of continuous improvement, little by little, every day. Your feedback helps us grow and create even better experiences, one croissant (and one conversation) at a time.
NEW EXTENDED HOURS
Monday - Thursday 7a-2p
Friday - Saturday 7a-7p
Sunday 7a-5p (we are closing early at 2p, this Sunday 11/9 only)
ONE WEEK BEFORE IT'S GONE!
Our Artichoke and Feta Sourdough will only be on the menu for another week before it leaves IZOLA for good.
Travel with us to Greece ....Handfuls of oven-roasted artichoke hearts, feta, Kalamata olives...feel the warm sun on your face as you bite into our Artichoke Heart & Feta Sourdough! We flash roast the artichoke hearts in our SALVA croissant ovens to build the Maillard and pair 'em up with French sheep's milk feta (over a quarter pound of artichokes and feta in each loaf....very tricky to shape....thank you sourdough team) ....rounded out with lemon zest, Italian parsley, Kalamata olives, fennel seeds, and a little garlic and hint of red pepper. We're going to 11.
Pro tip: Slice your loaf, then freeze the slices, and you'll always have a slice ready to toast!
CLOSING EARLY THIS SUNDAY
IZOLA will be closing early at 2p this Sunday, November 9th, for a special event. We'll be back to normal hours on Monday!
This Sunday: 7a-2p
Monday back to regular hours!
NAVIGATING A CHALLENGING TIME TOGETHER
In just the past week alone, we’ve received notices of price increases from several of our key partners — Deputy, Rippling, Ecolab, and likely more still to come. And our ingredient costs have already risen 14% since Jan 1.
At IZOLA, we negotiate every contract carefully — and we push back when increases aren’t justified. We’re disciplined about value, and ferocious when it comes to protecting our guests and team: for example we recently negotiated a 21% decrease in our workers compensation insurance cost.
We haven’t raised our prices this year, but the reality is that running a small, mission-driven business right now takes constant focus. Our office team works tirelessly to buy smart — sourcing the best value without ever sacrificing quality. We’re testing alternative ingredients to ensure nothing is lost in flavor or experience. A few have passed, most have not. We’ll never compromise on what makes IZOLA special.
We continue to lean into relationships with vendors who share our commitment to value, integrity, and partnership. We reward those who bring us creative solutions and real efficiency — and we move on from those who don’t.
We also know these pressures aren’t ours alone. Many in our community are hurting — some in their 3rd week of furlough unsure how they will pay next month's bills, others in the nonprofit sector facing impossible choices as funding dwindles.
We wanted to share this update simply to keep you informed. Transparency and connection are at the heart of everything we do — and your continued support helps us keep baking, keep improving, and keep showing up for the community we love.
WE'RE HIRING!
Come join our team of kind, compassionate, smart, and hard working people. We have two positions open, both requiring full availability through the end of the year as we enter the holiday season. We're hiring immediately!
LIVE MUSIC AT IZOLA
Due to a special event this Friday, live music will begin at 5p and run until 7p. We will also be hosting Saturday Live Music from 8a-1p.
Come hungry, bring friends, and linger a while — there’s nothing quite like live music at IZOLA. And to celebrate we're offering $2.50 sparkling wine, the best deal in town.
Here are a few of the talented performers that will be at IZOLA this week.
KAHLIL NASH
FRI 5-6p and SAT 9-10a
Emerging from the elite San Diego music scene in California, San Diego Music Award winner Kahlil Nash is a Funk/Rock and R&B recording artist/producer who is a multi-instrumentalist. Influenced by artists Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, and Prince, Kahlil Nash thrives to entertain his audience.
ADDI ROSE
SAT 11a-12p
Addi Rose brings a deep love of classic rock ’n’ roll to every stage she steps on. Drawing inspiration from the music of the 1950s through the 1980s, her performances transport you back to the golden era of rock — when rhythm, soul, and energy ruled the airwaves. Addi’s passion for connecting through timeless music shines in every show, making each performance both nostalgic and fresh.
MADELEINE DENISON
SAT 12-1p
Madeleine Denison is a songwriter and musician currently obsessing over her debut album, Etherlines. This project takes influences from the moments in life that cause time to stop, speed, or cease to exist entirely. With a mixture of folk, indie, and alt rock genres, Madeleine’s music seeks to inspire and restore us to a more beautiful vision of life.
CALLING ALL MUSICIANS, POETS, PERFORMERS AND CREATORS
At IZOLA, we believe in sharing what we create — whether it’s a croissant hot from the oven or a song from the heart.
Our IZOLA Stage has become a space for connection — a cozy corner where neighbors, travelers, and friends gather over coffee and bread to listen, laugh, and feel inspired. Every Friday from 4-7p and Saturday from 8a–1p, we host live music at the bakeshop.
We’d love to open our doors even wider — to local musicians, poets, storytellers, and performers who want to share their talent with our community. Whether you’re looking to hone your craft, practice in front of a friendly crowd, or just bring a little more joy into the world, we’d be honored to have you on our stage.
If that sounds like you (or someone you know), reach out to Jenny — we can’t wait to hear what you’ve been creating.
A TRIBUTE
Mexico holds a special place in my heart.
It’s impossible to spend time there — to walk through its markets, to be welcomed into homes, to eat food made with such care — and not come away changed. The generosity, the quiet pride, the layers of flavor and story — they’ve shaped how I see food, and how I see community.
Here in San Diego, we’re lucky to live so close to that inspiration. You can taste it in the air, in the friendships, in the way food brings people together.
Tomorrow, we’ll start baking something that’s been a long time in the making — a small thank-you to the flavors of Mexico that continue to inspire us.
Our new Carnitas Croissant brings together tender, slow-braised pork carnitas with our buttery croissant made using Beurre d’Isigny from the hills of Normandy. It’s finished with crisp chicharrón, bright lime, fresh onion, and cilantro — and served with Cholula on the side, so you can enjoy it exactly the way you like.
It’s not a mash-up. It’s a tribute — a gesture of gratitude to the cooks, the stories, and the flavors that make this border region unlike anywhere else in the world.
Starting tomorrow morning, the Carnitas Croissant will be hot from the oven — and today, we’re opening pre-orders exclusively for our newsletter family.
Pre-ordering is the surest way to land your favorites right when you want them — a little insider tip for those in the know.
From our oven to your hands — still warm,
Jeffrey
NEW EXTENDED HOURS
Monday - Thursday 7a-2p
Friday - Saturday 7a-7p
Sunday 7a-5p
HELLO....GOODBYE....
As we say hello to the new Carnitas Croissant, we must bid adieu to our beloved Artichoke Heart & Feta Sourdough. Do not despair! We're given you advanced warning - it won't be leaving our menus for another week or so. So stock up now!
Pro tip: Slice your loaf, then freeze the slices, and you'll always have a slice ready to toast!
FRIDAY EVENINGS AT IZOLA
Thank you to Jay Walkr and Aaron Bowen for helping us kick off our Friday evening live music, and to Kahlil Nash, our musical director, for curating such a beautiful night.
Friday evenings are a special time at IZOLA — when the pace slows, the patio lights twinkle, and conversation hums softly between songs. Jenny and I shared a glass of our $2.50 sparkling wine as Aaron Bowen took the stage — his pure, lilting voice and effortless guitar work filled the space, wrapping the night in the kind of easy magic that makes time stand still.
We can’t wait to keep that energy going this week.
This Friday, we’ll welcome three more musicians to the IZOLA stage, bringing their own unique sound to the patio.
And the music continues Saturday morning, when the sun streams through the windows and the smell of croissants fills the air — featuring another talented lineup of performers.
Come hungry, bring friends, and linger a while — there’s nothing quite like live music at IZOLA.
MIRO IMANI
FRI 4-5p
Miro Imani is a guitarist, singer songwriter, and producer local to San Diego, who just likes to perform and connect with people.
SOMEGUYBRAN
FRI 5-6p
Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and Elon Musk lookalike based in San Diego. You can observe the wild Bran in the wild living by the motto: “genre: yes.”
LANZA ATTISHA
FRI 6-7p
Lanza Attisha is a San Diego based songwriter with a soulful twist on classic pop and blues tunes.
NATE LUCIER
SAT 8-9a
Nate Lucier of Nate Lucier's Rock N' Roll Orchestra. Playing original songs that have a rock n' roll vibe, but with a modern feel.
RANDALL HILD
SAT 9-10a
Randall is a talented keyboardist, singer, and songwriter. He most loves sharing his passion for music and art to the world, and with an eclectic range of influences there is something for everyone in his performances.
KAHLIL NASH
SAT 10-11a
San Diego Music Award winner Kahlil Nash is a Funk/Rock and R&B recording artist/producer who is a multi-instrumentalist. Influenced by artists Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, and Prince, Kahlil Nash thrives to entertain his audience.
CAITLIN LEWIS
SAT 11a-12p
Hi, I’m Caitlin. I’m a singer and songwriter from San Diego. I write to reach out to others and validate shared experiences :)
MADELEINE DENISON
SAT 12-1p
Madeleine Denison is a songwriter and musician currently obsessing over her debut album, Etherlines. This project takes influences from the moments in life that cause time to stop, speed, or cease to exist entirely. With a mixture of folk, indie, and alt rock genres, Madeleine’s music seeks to inspire and restore us to a more beautiful vision of life.
CALLING ALL MUSICIANS, POETS, PERFORMERS AND CREATORS
At IZOLA, we believe in sharing what we create — whether it’s a croissant hot from the oven or a song from the heart.
Our IZOLA Stage has become a space for connection — a cozy corner where neighbors, travelers, and friends gather over coffee and bread to listen, laugh, and feel inspired. Every Friday from 4-7p and Saturday from 8a–1p, we host live music at the bakeshop.
We’d love to open our doors even wider — to local musicians, poets, storytellers, and performers who want to share their talent with our community. Whether you’re looking to hone your craft, practice in front of a friendly crowd, or just bring a little more joy into the world, we’d be honored to have you on our stage.
If that sounds like you (or someone you know), reach out to Jenny — we can’t wait to hear what you’ve been creating.