dan hartung / April 18, 2005 2:23 AM

That's easy -- Wikstrom's in Andersonville! My family has been stopping there for years (I have a Swedish side). Though Bennison's isn't bad either, and when I lived in Evanston Judy's was handy.

Joe / April 18, 2005 6:52 AM

Wolf's Bakery, 95th & Kedzie.

I always go in there for a loaf of bread, but come out with a box of cookies.

Stephen / April 18, 2005 7:12 AM

D'Amato's bakery - thought I can't figure out if I like it so much because it's close to my apartment, or because its bread is amazing. Probably both, I guess.

Shylo / April 18, 2005 8:13 AM

Schlegel's on Foster by North Park University.

craftymonkey / April 18, 2005 8:18 AM

A little pricey at times, but well worth the fresh-baked molasses and espresso cookies, Letizia's Natural Bakery on 2144 W. Division is my fave in the city.

Alex / April 18, 2005 8:22 AM

Nuevo Leon on 18th street. Still a classic panaderia. The best Mexican coffee in the city; just the right amount of cinnamon. And don't forget to buy a marranito.

Maggie / April 18, 2005 8:38 AM

Depends on what you want... for really yummy, fun cakes, Gladstone on the far northwest side (Foster and Milwaukee, I thin), for amazing Italian bread, Scudiero's in Melrose Park.

Naz / April 18, 2005 8:56 AM

Not sure if it's overlooked but it is popular - Red Hen Bread makes some excellent breads - quite reasonable too.

I'm fortunate to get this at my Jewel (they have one in Old Town) but Breadsmith makes some really good loaves. Not too processed and a simple and short ingedient list in their breads.

Leon / April 18, 2005 8:59 AM

Bittersweet and House of Fine Chocolates for fancy things: cakes, nice cookies. Good brioche at Bittersweet, too. Neither of these places are the best for just plain ol' bread, though.

Pete / April 18, 2005 9:02 AM

The Swedish Bakery, on Clark in Andersonville. Get there early, and be prepared to wait. Worth even minute, and then some.

Thurston / April 18, 2005 9:08 AM

Alliance, AKA Sompolski, on Division and Wood is a quaint and pleasant place for a cup of coffee and a danish.

Ian / April 18, 2005 9:08 AM

Since living around the corner, I have been a patron of Greek Town's Artopolis, as my bathroom scales will confirm.

Mike / April 18, 2005 9:17 AM

Racine's
6216 S Archer Ave

kerry / April 18, 2005 9:47 AM

While not technically in the city, my vote goes to Tag's Bakery in Evanston (2010 Central St). I grew up on their cakes and cookies and made a habit of spending my bus money on rolls when I was in middle school. Mmm . . . Tag's.

cushie / April 18, 2005 9:56 AM

Second for Bennison's, especially black and white cookies. Mmmm....

Michael / April 18, 2005 10:10 AM

I'll second Bittersweet for fancy stuff, Sunflour on Southport has amazing chocolate banana bread, and Dinkl's on Lincoln Ave. is a good old school bakery.

paul / April 18, 2005 10:34 AM

Swedish Bakery gets my vote. Bennison's is my suburban pick (they show up at some city farmer's markets though) and Kaufman's, on Dempster in Skokie deserves a mention. Nothing like a warm, freshly made bagel.

RS / April 18, 2005 10:57 AM

Lutz Bakery (http://www.lutzcafe.com/) near Montrose and Western has great cookies.

libby / April 18, 2005 11:11 AM

alliance bakery on division and angel food bakery on montrose are my two favorites. three cheers for baked goods.

roderick / April 18, 2005 11:13 AM

Without a doubt, Weber's Bakery, just a block east of Harlem on Archer. I like the Swedish Bakery too, but is it just me or is it really dark in there all the time?

Tim / April 18, 2005 11:15 AM

Little Miss Muffin

eliina / April 18, 2005 12:03 PM

The Swedish Bakery in Andersonville tops my list.

Michael / April 18, 2005 12:24 PM

Dinkel's on the 3300 block of N. Lincoln Ave. is the light that shines in the darkness, which the darkness does not overwhelm.

waleeta / April 18, 2005 12:30 PM

Ditto Letezia's - good LORD is that place delicious and fattening and amazing.

Ken / April 18, 2005 2:00 PM

Medici Bakery in Hyde Park is best for stuffed croissants.

Flynn / April 18, 2005 2:12 PM

Sweet Thang!

Paula / April 18, 2005 2:35 PM

I love Sweet Thang for regular bakery things and excellent croissants, but for something out of the ordinary I head to Paris Baguette at 5800 N Lincoln in Chicago for fantastic Korean sweet breads filled with chocolate cream, vanilla cream custard, or mung bean or a yummy sweet bread rolled with a thin layer of creamy frosting. They also have a jar up near the front with mung bean balls covered in a light dusting of cakey stuff that are heavenly. Oh, their regular cakes look good too - I've just never made it past the Korean delicasies!

Nellie / April 18, 2005 3:23 PM

For cakes and tarts it's gotta be BomBon in Pilsen. For bread I have to go with Red Hen.I do like Bennison's in Evanston, but does anyone remember Maier's Bakery (the predecessor to Judy's) on Main St? They had the best Raspberry Napoleons known to man.

Otherwise, Bitterweet, Taste of Heaven, and Chicago Diner offer excellent eats.

Lacey / April 18, 2005 5:01 PM

In Evanston I like Great Harvest Bread Co. on Central. Their cinnamon scones are deeeelish. I vote for the swedes in Chicago, as well.

j3s / April 18, 2005 5:49 PM

Nellie - I grew up literally right behind (across the alley) from Maier's (and later Judy's)! I spent so many allowances on their smiley face cookies, saved the eyes to eat last. Yum.

erin / April 18, 2005 6:19 PM

where are the vegan bakeries in this town? i guess there's the chicago diner...

who wants to float a gal a loan so she can open a vegan bakery?

Veronica / April 18, 2005 7:14 PM

Haven't been there in ages, but I'm with Ken...the Med has wonderful croissants. I miss walking past there every morning.

paul / April 19, 2005 9:21 AM

Blind Faith Cafe in Evanston is a vegan bakery.

Therese / April 19, 2005 10:05 AM

Does anyone know where to get a great black and white cookie in the city? I vote for Swedish Bakery. The cakes are good and cheaper than at most places and if you get your wedding cake there they give you a free tasting and gave us a free cake on our way home AND a free cake on our 1st anniversary. Sorry but free cake=my loyalty forever.

Therese / April 19, 2005 10:06 AM

I vote for Swedish Bakery. The cakes are good and cheaper than at most places and if you get your wedding cake there they give you a free tasting and gave us a free cake on our way home AND a free cake on our 1st anniversary. Sorry but free cake=my loyalty forever.

On an unrelated note: where are black and white cookies available in the city?

jason / April 19, 2005 1:03 PM

Dinkel's Bakery

Mark / April 21, 2005 11:13 PM

Heinemann's Bakeries on the South Side (Pulaski and 43rd) is great! You may have seen some of their stuff at Dominick's and The Danish Bakery.

margie / December 2, 2005 1:06 PM

the bleeding heart bakery on chicago near damen serves vegan products

betty / April 21, 2006 12:32 AM

Lutz Bakery on Montrose, from chocolate cake to chocolate candies, hearts,bunny's lambs, and fresh bread, as well as teir fresh hot, and very delious coffee. It's the best hands down.

betty / April 21, 2006 12:34 AM

Lutz Bakery on Montrose, from chocolate cake to chocolate candies, hearts,bunny's lambs, and fresh bread, as well as teir fresh hot, and very delious coffee. It's the best hands down.I love Lutz Bakery.

betty / April 21, 2006 12:38 AM

Lutz Bakery on Montrose, from chocolate cake to chocolate candies, hearts,bunny's lambs, and fresh bread, as well as their fresh hot, and very delious coffee. It's the best hands down.I love Lutz Bakery.

enortel / June 5, 2006 8:10 AM

Not in the city but best black & whites by mail is Joey's Fine Foods http://joeys-fine-foods.stores.yahoo.net/
I send to my sister in Champaign all the time. They freeze nice, too.

Harish Thakrar / June 23, 2006 7:12 PM

The best Croissants in the City of Chicago:
Vanille Pattiseri on 2229 N clybourn

Antony / February 4, 2007 3:32 PM

Scudiero's Bakery in Melrose Park is the Best. They have not only the best tasting bread but also some of the best tasting italian subs around! you have to try it.

hockeywill / May 26, 2007 11:09 AM

Gladstone's on Milwakee Ave. on the NW side (i think the area's called Edgebrook?) is the best! I live in FL and every time any of my family are in town, we make the trip to my dad's old 'hood just for their danishes. That and the polish deli next door. Their bread are great too.

ktylo / January 28, 2009 6:42 AM

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