Duke's Bakery and Cafe — Restaurant in Fall River

In the red brick bones of an 1868 cotton mill overlooking the Taunton River, Duke's Bakery occupies space where industrial history meets culinary necessity. This isn't trendy gluten-free dining—it's Fall River's only 100% dedicated gluten-free establishment, born from Christine Holden's determination to feed her partner's autistic nephew safely.

Holden's journey from caregiver to restaurateur shows in every detail. Edison bulbs cast warm light across exposed brick walls and soaring wood-beam ceilings, while black iron columns punctuate a dining room that feels simultaneously historic and welcoming. Through floor-to-ceiling windows, the river sparkles beyond a patio that fills when weather permits.

The menu reads like comfort food reimagined. A three-egg omelet arrives generously stuffed with peppers, accompanied by Duke's signature dedicated potato cubes—small-diced pebbles achieving perfect contrast of golden exterior and dry rock interior. Frank's RedHot and maple syrup wait tableside, acknowledgments that flavor enhancement should be the diner's choice.

The Build A Bowl ($12.50) transforms rice bowls into something substantial, while Duke's Famous Cold Joe—48-hour cold-brewed espresso served with coffee ice cubes—deserves its reputation. House-made flaxseed bread appears throughout the menu, testament to creating rather than substituting.

Service moves at neighborhood cafe pace, meaning unhurried. Wait times stretch beyond 35 minutes during peak hours—a reminder that everything here is made from scratch in a gluten-contamination-free kitchen. For families navigating autism or celiac disease, that assurance is worth any delay.

The $5 muffins demonstrate how gluten-free baking has evolved beyond dense disappointments. These actually taste like treats rather than medical necessities.

Duke's cultural significance extends beyond its menu. "The Big Gay Tree," decorated year-round with rotating themes, serves as both memorial to founder Dorry "Mama Dukes" Silvia and gentle community education.

Recent expansion plans with Shark Tank's Kevin Harrington suggest bigger ambitions, but Duke's strength lies in specificity—serving a particular community exceptionally well. In an era of fast-casual everything, that singular focus feels revolutionary.

The gluten-free market may be booming, but Duke's success isn't built on trend-chasing. It's rooted in recognition that everyone deserves a place to eat without fear. In Fall River's historic waterfront, that philosophy has created something rare: a restaurant serving grub...

If you are considering trying Duke's Bakery, let me save you some time and tell you that you absolutely should. This place is right near my house and I only regret not trying it sooner. We ordered the Belgian Waffles with Chocolate Sauce, a Side of Home Fries, a Side of Bacon, and a bunch of different Cookies, and the Famous Cold Joe. I was a little worried that the waffle might be weird since it's Dairy Free, and I'm kind of glad I was worried because it only made me that much more pleasantly surprised. Literally, the best Waffle I've had in my entire life. Duke's waffles are sooo soft and have the perfect flavor, and look adorable. Absolute 10/10 Waffle, makes all other waffles look bad. The Chocolate Sauce with it was great as well, it wasnt overly sweet at all. The Home Fries were simple, but perfectly cooked also were literally the best home fries I've ever had in this. Bacon was good as well (although it's just bacon lol). Everything was fresh & hot. We tried 6 different cookies (made with dairy), and they were all kickass! Our favs were the Peanut Butter Blossom & Oatmeal Butterscotch (which I thought was such a unique idea). We also tried the Famous Cold Joe, which was strong, but still very smooth, and I absolutely LOVED THAT THEY USE COFFEE ICE CUBES!! That alone immediately makes the coffee a 10/10 for me. So original and cool, and I haven't ever been to another coffee shop / bakery that offered this option. All in all one of the best breakfasts we've had in a while, and I think it's great that they offer Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free and other options for dietary restrictions, without sacrificing taste or texture. There is a reason, that this place has rave reviews. Definitely a gem of Fall River, and has become one of my new favorite places for breakfast/brunch and sweets. If you haven't already, run- don't walk- to try Duke's Bakery. It's great to see a small business that clearly has so much pride and what they do, and I hope they'll have a long, successful future ahead...

Not a bad place. I went here as a "plan B" choice, but I enjoyed it. I'm a vegan, so I was a little underwhelmed with some of the labeling and wording on the menu; it could have been clearer. Even though their target clientele are people who are avoiding gluten for whatever reason, there were a fair number of vegan baked goods, too, albeit also gluten free. I had a donut, which was clyingly sweet to me, but I suspect most people would be happy with it. I wished the pricing on the "build your own bowl" was a little more progressive (why offer "no egg" as an option that costs as much as choosing to add egg, why not let you replace egg with and extra of another item, etc.). The place didn't look too busy, and there seemed to be adequate staff, but service felt a little clunky and slow. One of our dishes was delivered to wrong people, another member of the wait staff came to take our order almost a full 5 minutes after someone else had already taken our order. Mayne they were just having a bad day? Anyway. Overall, I liked the place. While it's not the at the top of my list, I'll likely be back, and definitely if I have someone with me with...