Kneads & Wants Artisan Bakery and Cafe - Skokie, Illinois

Julia P.

I come here EVERY time my job sends me to skokie. The pastries are insane, the bacon is thick and delightfully smoky, fun coffee, and all ingredients are so fresh and yummy. You just can't get this kind of quality from a chain. And to top it all off, it's located in this cute little downtown area in skokie. Last trip, me and my buddy got a spinach and feta pastry, an awesome cookie- brownie hybrid, a "madison" sammich 😛 and a maple latte. So much joy. GET THAT BACON!!!

John H.

This has quickly become one of my go-to spots for blended coffees and for WFH lunches!

The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming, creating a genuinely inviting environment. I always feel like a valued customer, which makes the whole experience even more enjoyable.

Jayesh S.

You KNEAD to visit this place!! It's awesome, Staff is very friendly and welcoming. Their Breakfast sandwiches are huge. I got their What the Cluck and it was delicious 😋 I couldn't eat it all and took the rest to go. The pastries looked so good so I got a box of cookies on the way out!! Very fresh! I think they make them daily! Would highly recommend 👌

Alpha N.

First the good - service was efficient. It was not warm and friendly for a neighborhood bakery but I'll take efficiency anytime, especially on a weekend morning with people wanting to get their caffeine and sugar fix. I was there at around 9:15 and most of the tables were occupied and a short line of people was ahead of me. The gentleman at the counter took my order and promptly gave me my pastries in two boxes for me to take out while the barista made my drink order.

I eagerly awaited my oatmeal cookie latte (chai with oatmilk). I took a sip as I headed out the door and was immediately disappointed because the supposedly hot latte was not hot. It was not even warm, tepid or lukewarm. It was closer to room temperature than anything else. I was tempted to go back and ask them to warm it up but there was a line of people behind me when I was served so I just decided to go home and heat my drink in the microwave. The chai flavor was mild and could have been stronger but it is okay. It's the temperature that was really bad.

The croissants were alright - a little bready and not as flaky as a good croissant ought to be. The lemon blueberry scone was good - just the right balance of sweet and tart. The crumb was tender with a crisp crust.

Now for their version of the kouign-amann... There were large chunks (please see photos) of raw granulated sugar on the outside. I had a glimpse of that when I ordered it and I thought that it was just a little dusting on the pastry. I didn't expect for the sugar to be coagulated in large chunks in parts of the pastry. The hallmark of a kouign-amann is its moist, buttery, flaky crumb on the inside and crisp crust enveloped in golden caramelized sugar. This version is none of the above. I strongly suggest they go back to recipe testing and back to the drawing board on this one.

I do not relish writing a bad review especially if it is a small, neighborhood business. I do want them to succeed and to do that, I believe they need to get good, honest feedback from customers. My daughter-in-law regularly walks in their shop early mornings on weekdays to get a coffee and pastry before she heads to work. She was the one who suggested that I visit and try their offerings.

I do not mind paying for pastries at their price point (a little pricey for the size) but I do expect them to be of good, if not excellent quality as their name suggests (Artisanal).

I also called as soon as I got home to give them feedback but I got their voicemail. I left a message and I hope the owners will take my suggestions positively.

I wish them well and I will definitely give them another try in the hopes that they have improved.

Daryl N.

Great bakery. Not for breads, but for sweets or savory. Great coffee as well. Staff is nice. The little bundt cakes are dry. The scones are also dry. The croissants are what they are known for and are worth the trip. I didn't sample any savory items. The chocolate cookie is oustanding.

Debbie

I'm delighted to share my joy with Kneads & Wants bakery holiday pies. Our son & his girlfriend are regulars & surprised us with your 2 extraordinary holiday pies when they came home for Christmas. The Cranberry Chess Pie had a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, creating a delightful burst of flavors with each bite. The Peanut Butter Pie was decadent with its rich chocolate and smooth peanut butter. The crusts were expertly crafted & so wonderfully flaky! Thanks to Kneads & Wants, one of my favorite Christmas gifts was the Ted Lasso biscuits! Truly hope you bring those back! We will be in for coffee & pastries next time we’re in Skokie!

Alexander K.

The last time I went to Kneads & Wants was when it opened about four years ago. I ordered the Black Sugar Latte and the Purple Haze Lemonade, and thoroughly enjoyed them.

Laura C.

I googled to get some great quality baking goods to bring to my friends i was visiting and was not disappointed. Scones absolutely the best, not too sweet and not too hard and absolutely delicious. Will stop next time I'm in the neighborhood.