akers’ Best is no secret to in-the-know party planners, who keep its corporate catering operation, hidden away in a Needham industrial park, humming. (You haven’t lived, they joke, unless Bakers’ Best caters your funeral.) But only longtime locals seem to remember that this empire began in 1984 on a foundation of one of the best turkey sandwiches you’ve ever eaten, still served at the company’s retail outlet—along with other great takeout food, bakery items, and prepared meals to bring home and make yourself. The secret of the sandwich is simple: It’s all about the quality of the all-natural, oven-roasted turkey breast, carved by hand and served on fresh bread to enjoy at one of the tables in the shop or to take away. Bakers’ Best is open for breakfast, too (and brunch on weekends), but while the food draws crowds, only regulars know the secret of requesting a half order of the challah French toast, served with Vermont maple syrup and French toast, since the full size is too big for mortals to finish. Marcus