On the Circuit

The infamous milk bread doughnuts that provided comfort to the community during the early months of the pandemic.

Comfort Food with a Twist

milkbread all day offers curated menu of sweet and savory

by Allie Spencer | photography by Lisa Crates

The third concept from Davidson restaurateurs, Joe and Katy Kindred, opened in late January during a snowstorm. Somewhat fitting for an idea born from the Kindreds’ response to another storm of sorts, the pandemic shutdown.

When the Kindreds had to close the doors to their restaurants Kindred and Hello, Sailor in March 2020 they quickly pivoted with their staff to offer a takeout menu that would travel well— chicken sandwiches, milk bread donuts, and small production, independent wines.

The donuts that started it all

Their offering of comfort food struck the right notes with people in a time of uncertainty for many. They also partnered with Summit Coffee during the shutdown to offer milk bread donuts at Summit’s temporary Drive To location on South Main Street in Davidson, which had cars lined up before sunrise.

“Once we were able to reopen our doors to Kindred and Hello, Sailor we found time and again people mentioning how much they missed the donuts and chicken sandwiches. After continued requests, the idea for a brick and mortar reflecting that pandemic pivot came to life. We always knew we had something special with both our donut and our chicken sandwich, and milkbread felt like the perfect space to bring them together,” says Katy Kindred.

The all-day café (operating from 7 a.m.-9 p.m.), is a great spot for a morning meeting, a lunch date with a friend, or a bite to eat after karate practice. Expect fast casual counter service for dine-in, marble top tables with bistro chairs, outdoor seating, and a welcome vibe from staff. The long high top table tracing the perimeter is perfect for perching with a coffee from one of milkbread’s partnerships with HEX or Summit, or a glass of wine from the rotating selection available in the evening.

The quintessential neighborhood hangout

“For milkbread, we always wanted it to be a space that people felt like they belonged. That neighborhood spot that everyone feels like is theirs,” says Katy Kindred.

On the menu, items like the milk & honey toast with stracciatella cheese and pink peppercorn, are deliciously simple, and the sourdough from Verdant Bread (started by two former Kindred bartenders) takes it to the next level.

Milkbread offers several gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options like the Whole-ish salad with green cabbage, red onion, soft herbs, Moroccan spiced nuts, and a ginger lime vinaigrette. This salad was refreshing and light, yet packed with flavor. As an added bonus, leftovers from this dish were still great the next day.

There are several iterations of the chicken sandwich, but the milkbread donuts are the star of the show, tempting patrons from behind a glass display case on the counter as they enter the restaurant. Available in three flavors—original glaze, milk chocolate and seasonal (currently meyer lemon brown butter) they lived up to the hype.

The Kindreds had previously inquired about the space at 624 Jetton Street, knowing the sunny space could be a great location for the right concept. “When the idea for milkbread started to form we really felt like we had the right fit for the Davidson location and so we reached back out and everything came together,” says Katy Kindred.

Ironically, the day they announced milkbread Davidson, the landlord of the Dairy Queen in Plaza Midwood reached out to let them know a deal with a potential tenant fell through and the space was available. “It felt too serendipitous to pass up, and we let the pieces fall in place for milkbread Plaza Midwood,” says Katy Kindred. The second location of milkbread will open late this summer. For now, milkbread Davidson is buzzing. Katy Kindred says they were blown away by the support from the community. “Things took off so quickly that two days in we doubled our staff and brought on an overnight pastry team. Every time we set a goal for our team, they quickly surpass it and we are onto the next! We are already full of regulars, and constantly meeting new people who are excited to dine with us and learn more about what we do!”

The Original Chicken Sandwich.

milkbread

624 Jetton Street, #110, Davidson www.milkbread.com Open daily from 7 a.m.-9 p.m.