Rod's Bakery or simply - Rod's - as it's know to many locals, is a thriving bakery, catering, wholesale operation and coffee shop located in Lara, just outside Geelong. The bakery itself has been at 20 Patullos Road for many years, prior to Rod and Rachel Carlin taking it over in 2007. Up until that point, the establishment had never really been very successful.

Rod, who grew up in Casterton, Victoria - as fate would have it, with Lara's Quality Meats' butcher, Andrew Gunther - did his apprenticeship at Mangans Bakery and worked at various bakeries around rural Victoria. Eventually Rod decided to go and work for Woolworths, "I worked my way up there over 10 years and eventually I was a trade specialist in charge of bakeries and delicatessens".

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Reviews (17)

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Bj Gilson

Dec 06, 2021

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I come down from near Ballarat and went into Rods bakery . Best donuts, bread and cakes I’ve had . The pizza rolls, to be honest… I’ve never had better anywhere . The jam donuts… sublime !. Real jam inside . I’ve been to every bakery in Victoria and this place is the best hands down !. I got a selection of about ten different cakes . Each bite, each one, absolutely brilliant . I brought to share, I felt like Gollum and the ring . “My previous “. 10/10 for sure !. Keep up the great work .

Sasha Jones

Nov 09, 2021

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Sausage rolls were excessively oily. Looking past the oil, the flavour wasn't a saving grace either. Adequate at best.

Alvin Lee

Nov 05, 2021

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Went there after a nice morning hike to Flinders Peak. We loved the shepherds pie pie, sausage roll and the scrolls were delicious highly recommend.

Monique Elise Warren

Oct 17, 2021

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Amazingly fluffy and light cake, was not expecting it to be so delicious. It was perfect! 😋

Neil Robinson

Oct 09, 2021

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Great bakery and breads. Service from older lady could improve though!

Elena Zoppolato

Sep 24, 2021

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Good old classic bakery with friendly staff, hot coffee and great bread

Nellah Maree

Aug 29, 2021

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Very rarely do I put up negative reviews because I hate being that person but this morning we had such a bad experience for the second time in less than two weeks My dad went in to get his breakfast Asked for a ham and cheese toastie Come to find it had been literally THROWN together White as a ghost not even the slightest bit toasted That was… fine no worries THEN the blonde girl behind the counter after giving poor and rude service to my father shoves a doughnut from the shelf IN HER MOUTH WHILE SERVING
Disgusting We won’t return now We have been customers for over 2 years now Normally

Jamie Callander

Aug 15, 2021

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Staff refused to put Mayo on a roll because their salad bar closed at 2pm, tine was 2.10pm and it wasn't as if they were making anything from scratch it was to put a Mayo on a roll. customer service has gone down hill.

Jigar Shah

Jul 28, 2021

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Awesome food . Good crew who are quick and make fresh. Nice collection of sandwiches , rolls , hot food , pies , cakes. Make good coffees as well . Always crowded for lunch hours from nearby town and industrial estates . Keep it up guys .

Jerry Pernice

Jul 24, 2021

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Of the last two i have been there i haven't even been able to get a coffee as the machine was being cleaned despite the fact that they had over an hour of service left for the day. Very dissapointing, i suppose i should cut my losses and go straight to McDonald's from now on.

Mitch King

Jul 24, 2021

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Fully frothed it. Froth mode activated. The froth is unstoppable. Best salad sandwiches this side of the Mississippi. I've never met Rod himself, but I can gaurentee he is a true blue bloody Aussie legend and its an honour to call him my father. Thanks Dad, love you're favourite little party pie.

Michael William

Jul 23, 2021

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What can I say about rod's bakery? They have the best jam donuts and pastries I've ever eaten. The Shepard's pie is one of the best in the region. Even the chicken salad rolls are to die for. I really encourage going there and eating the whole menu.

Sam Reid

Jun 17, 2021

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Paid for a Chicken Caesar focaccia toasted got home 1/4 of what of a focaccia not what’s on Display

Leigh Meddings

Apr 11, 2021

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Recommend food, vast variety & very tasty. Don't recommend staff, have no concept of customer service, display the correct price for things

AussieGasser

Mar 13, 2021

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This is an ideal place to grab a good coffee, a pie a sausage roll or have a salad roll made, all of these things are tasty and fresh. Finish off with a cake, muffin or sweet pastry and you're all set. Of course there are other things available if you like, just drop in and check it out.

Michelle Ferguson

Jan 31, 2021

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Walking in to a food place and seeing people (non staff dressed people) walking around with no shoes on, feeding their faces, and not looking very clean, taking into account they were in a food prep area was rather off putting.
The staff could also smile a bit and engage with customers a heck of a lot better.

Venkat Gurram

Aug 09, 2020

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Visited on Saturday, 12 Dec 2020.
My bike group lead has highly recommended this bakery & said the bakery has
"super quick service, fresh food, wide variety, and every body does everything".
And it is exactly the way it is described.
Friendly staff, and super quick!
I really want to ride through Lara soon, Just for this bakery.

Rods Bakery