{"id":303318,"date":"2026-07-22T22:32:28","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T22:32:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/303318\/"},"modified":"2026-07-22T22:32:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T22:32:28","slug":"nyc-foodie-allegedly-exposes-local-bakery-for-12-costco-hoax-literal-robbery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/303318\/","title":{"rendered":"NYC foodie allegedly exposes local bakery for $12 Costco hoax: \u2018Literal robbery\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s an unsavory truth that’s hard to swallow, but Big Apple bakery patrons may be getting conned out of their bread.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Gourmands of Gotham are virtually sharpening their pitchforks and knives in outrage as a local baked goods lover has virally accused a midtown French caf\u00e9 of hawking store-bought croissants for $12 per order, passing them off as freshly made delights.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“The croissants are from Costco,” alleged Sreenitya, digitally known as @TallBrownGirlll<\/a>, in an eye-popping expos\u00e9 on Le Parisien Bakery near Times Square.<\/p>\n

\"Sreenitya,<\/p>\n

Sreenitya, a NYC content creator, called out a Times Square cafe for allegedly misleading customers by selling croissants from Costco at $12 a serving. TikTok\/tallbrowngirlll<\/p>\n

The whistleblower captured footage of an apparent deliveryman unloading boxes of the prepackaged treats at the restaurant’s counter in full view of customers and their telltale weapons of choice: cell phone cameras.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Absolutely insane,” Sreenitya spat before deeming the ostensible swindle “literal robbery,” and dissuading her audience of over 70,000 viewers from patronizing the\u00a0p\u00e2tisserie,\u00a0saying, “Do not come here.”<\/p>\n

“I don’t recommend.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

Representatives for Le Parisien Bakery did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for a comment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The shop does, however, claim that its “skilled artisans create a symphony of flavors with our house-made pastries, crafted with the utmost care and using only the finest ingredients,”\u00a0per its site<\/a>. “From flaky croissants to delicate macarons, every bite is a testament to our commitment to fresh, exceptional quality.”<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The internet informant captured viral visuals of what seems to be a delivery person dropping off cartons of premade baked goods to the eatery, which claims to make its food in-house. TikTok\/tallbrowngirlll<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, cheesed-off chowhounds online aren’t buying it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Cancel [Le Parisien],” cried a discontented commenter, stunned by the alleged stunt.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“No f- -king way,” wrote another incensed onlooker.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Online<\/p>\n

Online audience members alleged that nearly all local eateries purchase their chow from Costco and other wholesale retailers. jetcityimage \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n

“This is right after the video of a person dumping Walmart blueberries into specialty containers at a farmers market,” said an equally annoyed viewer. “I’m so tired of everything being overpriced and scammy.”<\/p>\n

“I’ve normalized walking out on ridiculous prices and misleading business. The moment they said a croissant was $12, I would have said yeah cancel it,” added another. “It’s pushed me out of my comfort zone to find legit good places to eat that deserve my money.”<\/p>\n

\"Angered<\/p>\n

Angered tipsters calculated a 24-times markup on the price of the presumed store-bought bite. Bloomberg via Getty Images<\/p>\n

“That’s a wild profit!,” chimed a quick-thinking mathematician, noting that a 12-count pack of\u00a0Costco’s Kirkland Signature Butter Croissants\u00a0<\/a>cost just under $7. “They are 50 cents each. That’s 24x the price!.”<\/p>\n

“Everything is a scam,” a separate cynic sighed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

“NYC general rule for baked goods from most caf\u00e9s: You’re paying to eat something IN this location you’re not paying to eat FROM this location,” another groaned.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I’m more upset they did it in plain view,” teased a kidder, “at least TRY to fool me.”<\/p>\n

Tomfoolery from seemingly chic establishments has long-plagued the people of New York City and beyond.\u00a0<\/p>\n

From breakfast joints\u00a0disguising Popeyes’ poultry<\/a>\u00a0as their own chicken and waffles recipe, to hotels\u00a0dressing up microwaved slop\u00a0<\/a>as freshly-cracked scrambled eggs, companies are routinely outed for attempting to pull the wool over customers’ eyes by serving up junk and jacking up the price.\u00a0<\/p>\n