Let them eat Torte: Prantl's Bakery reopens in Greensburg, Shadyside

For those craving a burnt almond torte during quarantine, Prantl’s Bakery is back.

The famous bakery’s three locations have been closed since mid-March in the coronavirus shutdown, though some products were still available for delivery via online orders.

Now customers can once again walk into the Greensburg and Shadyside locations to pick up their favorite treats — albeit with limited hours and a reduced selection.

“It’s almost back to normal, whatever that is anymore,” owner John Felice said.

The Market Square location in Downtown Pittsburgh will remain closed until further notice.

“Market Square is like a ghost town right now,” Felice said.

The Greensburg and Shadyside locations are open Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Customers are encouraged to place orders ahead of time at prantlsbakery.com or by calling 724-837-3706.

Both locations did brisk business Thursday, the first day they were reopened, according to Felice.

“There’s a lot of pent-up demand,” he said.

The stores are serving a limited menu, including Prantl’s signature burnt almond torte, which is responsible for more than 20% of the company’s sales, Felice said.

The torte consists of light yellow cake, vanilla custard, buttercream icing and a coating of toasted, sugared almonds.

In 2018, the Food Network named the signature dessert as Pennsylvania’s best in its “50 States of Cakes.” The Huffington Post in 2014 called it the “Greatest Cake America Has Ever Made.”

In 2017, Prantl’s began baking the tortes and other goods in a production facility in Greensburg. A retail location later was added.

Staff have been working during the shutdown to develop new menu items, which likely will be available soon, according to Felice.

“During the shutdown period we had some time to evaluate the entire operation,” he said.