Ryan Byrd’s Ramblings

Kneaders. La Gourmandise Bakery. The Cobblestone Cafe. All these restaurants are for women only. Sure, they don’t have signs that say, “no men allowed”, but as a guy, you can feel the collective weight of all the disapproving lady glances as you enter. “How dare a man invade our pastel-colored safe houses”, they seem to be saying. “Quick, hide the artesian breads”, they silently yell.

In a society brimming with health-conscious people, I have no idea how these carbohydrate laden bakery-cafes stay open. Okay, I do know. The food tastes great and, believe it or not, all women secretly crave bread all the time. It’s true. It’s one of the three foods women can’t get enough of (chocolate and ice cream round out the list.)

And then there is this latest addition to the simply delectable, women-only establishments, its name even more girly than the others, “Flour Girls & Dough Boys.” It opened in American Fork earlier this year and its popularity has spread like a good case of Chicken Pox. It so popular, that if you go during the lunch rush, be prepared to get takeout (and still wait 45 minutes.)

They have breads and cookies and soups and sandwiches, just like you would expect. What they don’t have is a lot of room to sit or order. The whole public area is only slightly bigger than my Grampa’s camper.

Owner Carol Coppins clearly sold Satan her soul (and the souls of her children) in return for some fantastic cookie recipes. Was it worth it? I’ll let you be the judge. Know this, the mint brownies are to die for. Seriously, I knocked off this older gentleman for one.

Why so good? Besides said agreement with Ol’ Scratch, they get their flour fresh from Lehi Roller Mills, they use real butter and pure vanilla. Goodness in, goodness out. Go visit them. Tell Carol I sentcha.

Flour Girls & Dough Boys
35 North Barrett Avenue
American Fork UT 84003
801.763.9232

TIP: Be warned! If you ask for a pain au chocolate they will peer at you confusedly and then give you a Danish.