When most people think of mall food, they picture something quick, greasy, and forgettable. But at Half Baked in Spokane’s NorthTown Mall, we set out to do something completely different: create a place where people & families could enjoy scratch-made pretzels, real fruit drinks, and baked goods made with care.

Our story starts not in a kitchen, but in a classroom. We’re Andrew and Matthew Mastronardi — two brothers, two former high school teachers, and now co-owners of Half Baked. For years, we taught side by side at the same high-school, in classrooms right across the hall from each other. Teaching gave us the chance to inspire young people every day, but it also gave us something else: the conviction that family and truth come first, even when it’s not easy.

That conviction shaped our journey here. When Matthew’s teaching contract wasn’t renewed after he read To Kill a Mockingbird in class — he was using it as a teachable moment about context and truth but the administration did not see it that way and decided to non-renew him — Andrew resigned in protest. It wasn’t an easy decision. We both have young families to care for (between us, six kids under the age of the age of five!). But we knew we couldn’t compromise on what we believed in: doing the right thing, even if it costs you.

That’s when Half Baked became our next chapter. We wanted to build something that put family first, where our kids could grow up learning the value of hard work, where Spokane families could gather for real food made from scratch, and where we could pour our passion into every pretzel, smoothie, lemonade, and treat we serve.

At Half Baked, every pretzel starts with organic flour, hand-rolled and baked fresh daily. Our smoothies and lemonades are made with real fruit — nothing artificial. And while we’re not perfect, our goal is always the same: to create food that families can feel good about sharing together.

When you visit Half Baked at the NorthTown Mall, you’re supporting a small family business and enjoying an experience that’s a step above typical mall food. From the smell of fresh-baked pretzels to the taste of a hand-pressed 32oz lemonade or real fruit smoothie, every visit is meant to be memorable. Pair it with a family shopping trip, a treat with friends, or just a moment to slow down — and you’ll see why Half Baked has quickly become a favorite stop in Spokane.

So next time you’re shopping or spending time with loved ones, come find us. Grab a warm pretzel, a real fruit smoothie or 32oz lemonade, or a sweet treat — and share a moment with your family. That’s what we’re here for.