The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but to make it that far you have to be disguised as baked goods. Don a few fluffy layers with today’s Groupon: for $7, you get $14 worth of bread, pastries, and coffee at Stick Boy Bread Co. in Fuquay-Varina.

Using ingredients grown and made in North Carolina, Stick Boy Bread Co. bakes a bevy of artisan breads, breakfast pastries, and desserts. Soft loaves of bread rise nightly in Stick Boy’s stone ovens, with more than 20 recipes to choose from. Sidle up to the counter and gobble up a sticky bun with walnuts and raisins ($2.40) or a handful of magic cookies, packed with chocolate chips, pecans, coconut, marshmallows, and swallowable keys ($1 each). Bathe overstimulated taste buds in a relaxing, richly brewed jacuzzi of mocha chai ($3.75 for 16 oz.). Stick Boy Bread Co. opens for business at 6 a.m. Monday–Friday and at 7 a.m. Saturday, making it an ideal stop for early risers and nocturnal crime fighters heading home for some shuteye.

Reviews

Examiner.com and the Independent Weekly positively reviewed Stick Boy Bread Co. Three Citysearchers and four Insider Pagers give it a perfect five-star average.

• Their blueberry scone is heavily speckled with blueberries. It is soft, with a light sweetness to it. Give their savory scones a try too. – Paula Quinene, Examiner.com
• Even pre-sliced, it lasted about a week without any refrigeration. Desserts are good, too, with simple, pure taste. – Independent Weekly