New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
I’ll just be up front and state that Flour Girls Baking Co. in Fairhaven is one of my favorite spots on planet earth. No need for subterfuge or clever, creative writing that takes a convoluted path to tell you whether a place is worthy of garnering our attention or not. I love it. I love the food, staff, and ambience.
It wasn’t always so – or I should say in its previous incarnation under a completely different owner and name, it wasn’t the special place it is today. Back then I was often treated like I was bothering the staff when I walked in. Once, a barista sighed when I approached the counter and just glared at me without saying a word. Geez – she never saw a Neanderthal order an espresso before?
It was easy to let go of that place, as many people did – apparently enough people had a bad enough experience that it closed its doors. I want those of you who had a bad experience with the previous café to know: Flour Girls has absolutely no association with that place. Nothing. Nada. Nichts.
Current owner Jill Houck took over the location in December 2012 and turned that boat around with the help of effervescent, affable manager Corrie McCue. Today Flour Girls has atmosphere: “eclectic—comfortable yet with an interesting décor” as Jill would describe it. It has friendly faces that often rib you in jest and always call you by your name. While you are waiting for your coffee or meal, you are guaranteed to overhear some pretty funny banter between the staff and customers. You will be entertained or leave with a smile on your face.
It’s that kind of place. This isn’t something forced or fake: these gals all love what they are doing. You can’t fake passion.
As the name of the business suggests, you will find mind-boggingly delicious, natural baked goodies like cookies, bars, sweet treats, cakes and cupcakes. They will tempt you, call your name and tell you that they are good for your soul.
Of course, Flour Girls also offers bagels, muffins, scones (my FAVORITE), croissants, etc. I could try to utilize some fancy-schmancy adjectives to describe these mouth-watering creations and try to get you salivating – but, the pictures will be far more effective than any creative writing that I can whip up. I dare you to look at these pictures and not think to yourself “Oh, I gotta have that!”
Of course all the café standards are present: there is coffee, cappuccino, espresso, tea, latte and smoothies made from scratch, but beyond that they offer a full menu of breakfast and lunch items. This is something that many people are surprised about when I tell them. Well, “unsurprise” yourself and make haste to Flour Girl for breakfast or lunch.
One of my particular favorites is The Vermonter – smoked turkey, Vermont cheddar cheese, bacon, red onion, green apple, hot pressed to ‘gooey perfection.’ Madness.
The Grampy consists of “straight up ham ‘n cheese, hot pressed (or not) with lettuce and tomato. The popular Tammy is pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian dressing, hot pressed on wheat. If you are a “Where’s the beef?” kind of guy or gal, you’ll certainly want to have a go at the B² – roast beef, Boursin cheese, with red onion, hot pressed and delicious.
A vegetarian (or not)? No problem, dive right into the hearty Veggie Wrap with hummus, black bean salad, loaded with veggies and feta. A vegan? Order the Veggie Wrap without the feta. If you’re a meat lover, you won’t even notice the lack of the meat, and you won’t miss it. Don’t worry…they won’t tell any of your mates that you ate hummus.
Best of all, is that the menu consists of fresh ingredients which means no preservatives. Whatever your lifestyle, the Flour Girls will accommodate it gladly – without sighing! Well, maybe they’ll sigh, but they’ll do it with a smile and a poke.
Whether you are a vegan, vegetarian, have allergies, prefer gluten-free, want soy instead of dairy, simply let them know. I am there enough to overhear some insanely, convoluted requests from customers and ever single time these requests are taken gladly and nailed. I’m one of those who would never have the patience, but apparently the Flour Girls have it in spades.
When I asked Jill what her inspiration for starting a café was, without hesitation she had an answer…or rather a quip: “I had some great influences in my family growing up — both in the business and baking worlds. I have no formal training…[I’m] self-taught. Or maybe I’m just crazy?” Anyone who is a regular, can hear Jill’s voice in their heads while reading those words. That’s quintessential Jill.
It just comes down to the fact that Jill finds that cooking food with love and sharing it with people to exceedingly rewarding and it certainly comes through.
While I feel the images will serve you in far superior a fashion than my cruddy writing will, I have to mention a particular favorite of the locals: the Ginger-Molasses cookie. While she switches up the cookie flavors, this cookie is making ’em rabid. Trust me, have one or six.
To the right of the counter is a board which lists that day or week’s specials, whether it’s the aforementioned cookie flavor, the soups which are so good that she sells out of it every time, or the creative sandwich and coffee specials. Always keep an eye out. Remember it’s to the right of the counter and small enough to miss.
The Flour Girls’ offerings can also be had if you are lucky enough to track down the Flour Girls Sweet Truck – the first truck of it’s kind on the South Coast and is available for hire at private parties and events from Cape Cod to Boston to Providence. If you want to see where the sweet truck is or heading to, just follow the Flour Girls Twitter – the link is provided below. If you want the truck to stop by your place of business, you can make a request here.
If you’re wondering if you can have the Flour Girls cater that special birthday party, anniversary, reception or wedding – yes, you can! They cater. Lastly, there is a Shop & Ship section on their website where you can have select items mailed to you.
The Flour Girls is a spot I am at regularly – lest I get an ear beating. One time deservedly so, when I “chewed and screwed.” Jokes about calling SWAT or the Sheriff circulated for a while as did mention to the rest of the staff to keep an eye on me. I love the various, distinct personalities of everyone that works at Flour Girls as much as I love the breakfast, lunch in general and the specifically, the scones.
If you see a Neanderthal using his left thumb and right pointer finger to type on a laptop, that’s me. Be sure to say “Hi! or help Jill tackle me the next time I try to chew and screw.
230 Huttleston Avenue
Fairhaven, Massachusetts
Phone: (774) 202-5884
Email: Jill@flourgirlsbakingco.com
Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 7:00am-4:00pm
Sat: 8:00am-4:00pm
Sun: 8:00am-2:00pm
Facebook: facebook.com/FlourGirlsBakingCo
Twitter: twitter.com/FlourGirlsTreat
Instagram: instagram.com/flourgirlsbakingco/
Website: flourgirlsbakingco.com/
Great article! Intriguing pics! They will be my next stop! Thank you!