If Logan Square’s cornucopia of ice cream shops isn’t enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, check out these five deliciously diverse bakeries in the neighborhood. The sugar gods sure are smiling down on the 60647.
The Bakery at Fat Rice (2951 W. Diversey Ave.)
The team behind Fat Rice opened their hotly anticipated The Bakery at Fat Rice last month in the space that formerly served as the restaurant’s waiting room, and they did not disappoint. Not even a little bit. While Fat Rice plays off the flavors of Macau and its Portuguese influence, the bakery’s variety of treats showcases a wider range of countries and cultures – from a Filipino ube filled bun, to a whimsical spin on a Chicago style hot dog, to a Sri Lankan corned beef bun. The Cocktail Cocktail bun is always a surprise, its filling comprised of whatever might be on hand at the bakery. And die hard Fat Rice fans can also get their Pastel de Nata fix while visiting. The bakery features some seating and colorful decor (the adorable rice bag pillows are worth noting), so feel free to enjoy your Asian carbo feast at your leisure.
Panaderia La Central (2218 N. California Ave.)
Tucked under the California Blue Line stop and hidden behind the hub of the Boiler Room is Panaderia La Central. The unassuming storefront belies a treasure trove of baked goods and if you like bread, welcome to the motherload. Remember the Cave of Wonders scene from Disney’s Aladdin? It’s like that except less gold and more yeast. There are shelves and shelves of different sorts of cookies, from chocolate chip to guava filled; all kinds of stuffed, twisted, and ringed doughnuts; a variety of breads, from baguettes to bolillos; a small selection of cakes (hello, tres leches); and conchas for days. Just to note, the bakery is cash only and is self-serve, so when you visit grab a tray and some tongs from the front counter and meander your way through the aisles of this neighborhood gem.
Guatelinda Bakery (3149 W. Diversey Ave.)
When a friend who’s lived in Logan Square her entire life found out about this article, the first thing she said was, “You’d better include Guatelinda.” So…ta-da! Clearly a longtime mainstay, Guatelinda Bakery is a comforting classic amidst the neighborhood’s constant commercial development. The bakery is sparse with only a counter along the wall for seating but all its magic lies behind the display case. Like Panaderia La Central, Guatelinda offers an array of conchitas, cookies, and breads, but their most popular item is the quesadilla — a buttery, crumbly pound cake baked with cheese. That’s right. Cake and cheese. So, this is what it feels like when dreams come true. They also have savory offerings such as tamales and chile relleno which are, by all accounts, just as delicious.
La Estrella (3309 W. Armitage Ave.)
If you’re looking for the Willy Wonka Factory of local bakeries, La Estrella is the place for you. Nestled at the corner of Armitage and Kimball, La Estrella is bursting with a variety of goodies such as cookies, palmiers, meringues, pan dulces, muffins, doughnuts, cakes, danishes, and rumor has it that they also put out an exceptional brownie. Also lining the windows is a veritable trophy case of beautiful celebration cakes, some of which you can find proudly displayed on their Facebook page. So whether you’re looking to hunker down on the couch with a box of sweets or party it up with a fabulous cake, La Estrella may be the way to go.
Cellar Door Provisions (3025 W. Diversey Ave.)
Although Cellar Door Provisions is more restaurant than bakery, any place that has (and uses) its own dough sheeter ought to count. And boy, do they know how to use it. Upon entering the eatery, file past the tables to the front counter and behold the small, but mighty, pastry display. The croissants are a flaky, buttery, airy dream that everyone should experience and the much lauded canelé was absolutely delightful — sweet and chewy on the outside, surprisingly creamy on the inside. The kouign amann is another popular treat and the pastry cream filled puff pastry (say that three times fast) is another standout option. The savory menu is equally enticing and is constantly rotating so you won’t always know which fresh and creative dishes will be available…but at least you’ll always know that you’re going to get dessert.
Join The Discussion