Every village needs a good bakery.
Since opening on Front Street in 2013, Blue Duck Bakery, which also maintains its location in Southold, has become a staple for fresh breads and pastries in Greenport. Located in a historic 1800s home, the bakery is a nostalgic nod to a time when bakeries “existed on Main Street in every town,” on Long Island, according to Nancy Kouris, who owns the business with her husband, master baker Keith Kouris, and their family.
Inside, you’re greeted by a case of tempting baked goods and artisan breads arranged in a rustic wall display. There are cheery bright tables where you can enjoy a cup of coffee or lunch inside or you can sit on the front porch for a peaceful view of Mitchell Park.
Here are the most popular items, made fresh daily:
Rustique
“Our artisan bread is what we’re known for,” Kouris said, noting that the bakery wholesales more than 30 types of artisan breads to restaurants, markets and shops from Manhattan to the edge of both forks, including many local restaurants.
The rustique, a French sourdough, is a standout used in all of their sandwiches — another popular item!
Cookies
The mark of any great bakery is its chocolate chip cookie: timeless, simple and classic. Blue Duck makes a buttery, soft version. Their shortbread cookies are also equally popular, Kouris said. There are several varieties, from M&M to thumbprint and cutout cookies that change with the seasons (tulips, on a recent May visit). Year round, you can get the signature blue duck cookie.
Sandwiches
Available to-go in a self serve case, the sandwiches are not to be missed. “It sounds odd for a bakery, but we sell a lot of sandwiches,” Kouris said with a laugh. She suspects that’s because they’re all made with their bread and Boar’s Head cold cuts. “The bread really makes the sandwich,” she said. The top seller is the turkey and avocado sandwich made with havarti cheese, lettuce, tomato and homemade avocado mayonnaise.
Pastries
Anything made with their puff pastry — apple turnovers, chocolate cheese puffs and cigars — are quick to sell out. The dough is soft, light and flaky and the filling is fresh, not canned, which Kouris said makes a big difference.
Cake
No celebration is complete without a cake! This time of year, few things are more satisfying without their strawberry shortcake.
Blue Duck Bakery is located at 130 Front Street in Greenport. They also have a location at 56275 Main Road in Southold.
