The Store — Restaurant in Anacortes

Okay...think about the best muffin you've ever had. Now, multiply it by two and add a quaint Anacortes storefront. Yep, you've pretty much got the perfect muffin. The Store - located literally a block off the main drag into downtown - is worth a quick side trip. Their muffin selection is off the charts, featuring flavor combinations rarely seen in the muffin-challenged PNW. Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake? Yes please. Several varieties of chocolate and/or fruit? Um, yeah. Not to mention, these babies are HUGE. I've never actually finished one in a single sitting. Usually I eat the tempting muffin top first, then save the rest for later.

The Store also has an incredible selection of wine (perfect spot to stop for a couple of bottles before you hit the islands), and other convenience store items plus a cute cafe in the back. They have coffee and espresso, and plenty of indoor seating if you want to enjoy your muffin on-the-spot (and avoid getting crumbs all over your car, don't ask me how I know).

Oh, and did I mention the folks who work there are super friendly...

Best muffins in the valley. Note for newcomers - these are not your typical "muffin". They are proper, large sized muffins with full sized muffin tops, and all the flavor you could desire.

The place is also a small "general" store, but most I know go for their muffins. A bit on the spendy side, but they are well worth it, and they always have a huge selection to choose from.

My only complaint about the place is that if you get there when it is busy it can be relatively uncomfortable. Many people get grouchy when you are in there way, but when there is a lineup at the counter, it is hard to get out of anyone's way. Often other customers will get surly or grouchy when we go in with the kids to let them pick out their muffins, as it sometimes takes time. The behavior of other customers is not the fault of the establishment of course, but it could be alleviated if they could reorganize the entry area in such a way to allow more room for...

The Store is a unique blend of a liquor store, convenience store, bakery, and a cozy mom-and-pop restaurant. We stopped by to pick up some muffins before starting our day. Though it's a small bakery, it offers an impressive variety of muffin flavors—Chocolate Chip Walnut, Almond Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Orange Blitz, Dutch Apple Pie, Cranberry Cream, Almond Poppy Seed, Apricot Cranberry, Butterbeer, Cranberry-Raspberry Walnut, Cinnamon Butterscotch, Chocolate-Dipped Macaroon, Cappuccino Dreams, White Chocolate Cranberry, Apple Oatmeal Spice, Crab-Peach Cobbler, and Fresh Peach. We tried six different muffin flavors, each with its own distinct taste, living up to the ingredients the muffin's named after. We had Blueberry, almond chocolate chips, Dutch apple pie, chocolate chip walnut, cinnamon butterscotch,...