Located in Boone, NC, just across the street from Appalachian State University, Stick Boy Bread Co. has been serving up fresh baked goodness for more than twenty years. Not to be confused with their dining outpost, Stick Boy Kitchen, also in Boone, this is a busy production bakery with a storefront jam-packed with all manner of sweets, treats, and baked delicacies.
When venturing out to Stick Boy Bread Co., a large sign at the edge of the parking lot lets you know you’ve arrived. At the back of a small parking lot, in a brick strip mall building, sits the bakery. An inviting and sizeable black and white sign above the door makes it easy to find the entrance.
Inside the small storefront, your senses are immediately tickled by a variety of delectable smells and sights. In addition to the bakery and coffee bar (both of which we will circle back to momentarily), there is also a grab & go market, offering a diverse selection of local products displayed on sleek wooden shelves and counters. Here you can find freezer items like breads, meats, and cheeses, pantry staples such as nut butters, coffee, honey, maple syrup, and jam, and Stick Boy Kitchen favorites including quiche, salad dressing, soups, and salads.
In the bakery, wooden shelves are lined with loaves of freshly baked bread, and glass refrigerator cases are filled to the brim with cookies, pastries, cakes, and pies. At the coffee counter, an artistically designed blackboard menu outlines the current coffee, tea, and smoothie offerings.
One of the best things about Stick Boy Bread Co., at least in our opinion, is their ever-changing menu. Although some staples, like their old-world sourdough and French baguettes are available pretty much year-round, the bulk of the bakery menu rotates on a monthly basis. Offerings always include an assortment of pastries, sweet breads, bagels, pies, cakes, cheesecakes, and tortes, but the exact flavors vary based on season and availability.
Similarly, the coffee bar offers a regular menu of drip coffee, cold brew, espresso drinks, and classics like London fog, iced tea, matcha lattes, and fresh juice. Additionally, they offer 3-6 season drink specials. The coffee bar is also home to a rotating assortment of smoothie choices, including a build-your-own option.
We had the chance to sample a few of the standard and special offerings. Here are some of our favorites:
Cinnamon Roll with Cream Cheese
They’re big, they’re moist, they’re warm, and they’re sweet. These cinnamon rolls check all of the boxes for us. Bold, melty cinnamon mixes perfectly with the comforting, expertly crafted roll, creating a flavor profile that is everything a cinnamon roll should be. Want to take it to the next level? Order yours topped with cream cheese. Can you say decadent?
Old World Sourdough Bread
Good news for bread aficionados: Stick Boy Bakery bakes fresh sourdough bread nearly every day. If you time it right, your loaf may even still be warm when you take it home. This sourdough’s crisp, golden outer crust protects an inner bread that is chewy, fragrant, and has just the right amount of that signature sourdough flavor.
Twice Baked Almond Croissant
This croissant is buttery, crisp, and impossibly flaky. The sweet almond topping blends beautifully with the richness of the croissant, making a pastry that is just the right combination of sweet and savory. Try it with a freshly brewed cappuccino and thank us later.
The bakery does offer a small rotating selection of gluten-free and vegan options as well. Check the latest menu to see what’s available.
With a constantly rotating menu, you never know what you might find at Stick Boy Bread Co. Let us know what new discoveries you find when you visit!
Insider Tips:
-Because this is a working production kitchen, certain breads are baked on certain days. If you’re looking for a specific fresh baked loaf, consult the online bread schedule to find out what days it’s baked.
-Don’t be alarmed if there is a line out the door when you arrive. With a small storefront and little to no seating, this sometimes happens. However, it usually moves quickly, so you shouldn’t be waiting for long.
-Need a delicious dessert for a special occasion? Stick Boy Bread Co. offers a special occasion cake program. Be sure to order online at least one week in advance of your event. Check the website or call the bakery for more details.
-Looking to grab a deal? The bakery sometimes sells day-old bread at a sizeable discount. If you don’t see it out in the shop, you can always ask and see if they have any available.