Destination: Ninth Street Bakery in Durham

It's likely you've eaten something from Ninth Street Bakery even if you have never stepped foot in its restaurant in downtown Durham.

The long-time business, which opened in 1981, provides all manner of baked goods and pastries to local cafes and restaurants across the Triangle. Give me a line up of muffins and scones, and I'm pretty sure I could pick out the ones from Ninth Street.

And while many, especially those who frequent downtown Durham, know all about the wonder that is Ninth Street Bakery's physical location, this post is for those who haven't made it down there yet.

It's fantastic.

The cafe at 136 E. Chapel Hill St. offers big, thick sandwiches (which remind me of the deli sandwiches I grew up eating in New York state), savory hand pies, curry bowls, salad and soups. In other words, lots of kid-friendly options. The sandwiches, of course, are made with Ninth Street's delicious breads. And they are huge. A single sandwich, which costs about $7.50, is more than enough for me and my second grader to share.

Check these out ...

And the butternut squash soup I had recently was delicious ...

But, of course, this is Ninth Street Bakery - and it's not just about the meal options. You'll want to save room for some cookies (like a double chocolate chip cookie or five) or its famous Southern coconut cake bars.

And you'll definitely want to take home some muffins, scones, fresh-baked breads or pastries for a snack or meal later. I personally like raiding the day-old rack to pick up bread, perfect for toast, rolls and pastries at reduced prices.

Ninth Street Bakery has some indoor seating and, on those warm spring days ahead of us, lots of outdoor seating.