DISTANCE FROM EVERETT: APPROX. 9 MILES.

If you’re gluten-sensitive please click away— fast. I’m about to talk about real bread.

Not floppy, white Wonder slices pulled from a cellophane sheath.I’m talking hearty whole grain fiber. I’m talking a dense, dippable crumb you can put some money on.

Because if there’s one place leaving North Everett for it’s the Snohomish Bakery at First & Union.

I can eat half a loaf of Snohomish Bakery bread in one sitting. For breakfast. Without trying.

Multigrain, rye, or kalamata olive. It doesn’t matter. All I need is some butter or olive oil and I have a meal. The bread is hearty enough that I can ride my bike to work, do my thing for five hours, and pedal home for lunch. And I still feel moderately full.

This is fuel for humans, dude. The staff of life.

I’ve taken several trips to Snohomish, kids in tow, only to get a decent kalamata loaf from the bakery at First & Union. Or chocolate croissants. Or a respectable doppio. The bakery offers more than this, of course— almond pear croissants, homemade soup, muffins, broccoli soup, tuna sandwiches, corn muffins, quiche.

But for me it’s the bread. I get a loaf and then everything else in Snoho is gravy. Antique shopping, a river stroll, getting frozen yogurt (#SnohoFroyoYolo) or just plain ogling classy historic brick buildings.

There’s no wrong way to experience the charming redbrick downtown of Snohomish. But lock down that bread first.

The Snohomish Bakery at First & Union has a an open air patio for dining. It shares a building with the First & Union Kitchen, which is a delicious restaurant.

So you can brunch first on mimosas and eggs benny. Then you can go next door in the same building and get a loaf on the way out.

Did I mention the bread? Oh, I did? Okay, that’s enough.

Go see for yourself.

What do you think is worth leaving town for?

Leave us a comment about your favorite local spot.

SNOHOMISH BAKERY AT FIRST & UNION

101 Union Ave, Snohomish, WA 98290

(360) 568-1682

Open daily 8am - 6pm

Richard Porter is a writer for Live in Everett.