Bridgeport Bakery: 55 cents for heaven

Full reports from the Short-Notice-A-Thon will trickle in as the participants slowly recover, but I wanted to call attention to one item in the hopes that someone will be motivated enough to race right there and plunk down-- well, very little cash, as you will see.

Both ReneG and Giovanna had variously mentioned the Bridgeport Bakery, a tiny old school bakery at Archer and Loomis. In fact, both mentioned the bacon buns as a particular highlight but warned they had a tendency to sell out early. So Cathy 2 and ReneG and I decided to swing by there while sending the rest of our party on to the next stop, in hopes of scoring bacon buns for all or at least picking up something interesting.

Alas, no bacon buns-- though Cathy2 can finish the rest of that story. But chatting with the extremely friendly ladies there, she and I both filled boxes with some of the other goodies, and I have now tried at least four different things-- a blueberry hot cross bun which was perfectly decent but not terribly unusual, an apple roll sort of like a less cloying cinnamon roll which I liked a whole lot, a square, cheese-filled pocket which was tasty if a little too drily coated with literally an eighth of an inch or more of powdered sugar, and a panczki filled with fresh, slightly tart strawberries that was quite wonderful.

Everything was super-fresh, moist and soft, exactly what you'd hope for from an old style bakery like this. Add in the fact that everything was a dirt-cheap 55 cents, except the cheese pocket which soared to 65 cents, and that the ladies were incredibly helpful and nice (not least because we had given some of our companions wrong directions and they kept calling us while we were in there, and the ladies were able to help straighten our confusion out), and this place is a winner; you could do far, far worse than to go get yourself some pastries from there this Sunday morning. Tell them you read about it on the Internet from the people who were in there Saturday, taking pictures and trying to find the Apachee Grill.


Bridgeport Bakery
2907 S Archer Ave
(773) 523-1121

Let me add my endorsement of Bridgeport Bakery. I tried a custard raisin hot cross bun from yesterdays purchase and I thought it was quite good. Just the right amount of icing and very fresh.

I first became aware of Bridgeport Bakery a year or so ago when I discovered (quite acidently) that Bridgport is the source of the baked goods at Lou Mitchell's. I had always thought that Lou baked their goods in house (that's the impression they tend to give), but as I was getting a piece of their excellent pecan coffee cake to go, I saw the receipt from Bridgeport Bakery in the box containing the coffee cake. I've been a fan ever since.

HI,

Last weekend's stop over at Bridgeport Bakery was to get the illusive Bacon Bun. "They're sold out, what else would you like?" "A picture." "A picture?" "Yes, a picture of one of those Bacon Buns waiting for someone to collect." "I'll have to ask the manager."

While waiting for the counter girl to obtain permission, a second counter girl was filling our boxes with hot cross buns at 55 cents each and a cheese filled pastry for a whopping 65 cents each.

Hot cross buns have the jam, upper left corner is cheese filled pastry and just below is a plain danish.


The first counter girl returned efficiently snagging the bag off the shelf and arranging on a paper liner a Bacon Bun for our picture. Oh to look and not touch or taste was such a pity. Yet it was very kind to allow us to photograph someone else's prize. This Bacon Bun is known to be delicious though rather illusive to obtain. Giovanna later in the day talked of coming at 7 AM in the morning to find them all sold out.

I was rather pleased to be able to provide photographic evidence the Bacon Bun does exist. It may not be akin to the Loch Ness Monster or Lincoln's ghost; though obtaining a Bacon Bun by chance just doesn't seem to happen. So I had something to show, while close to nothing, was still something. Well, maybe.

My 40 minute nap on the train ever so slightly recharged my batteries to allow a second wind. I got home, hooked up my camera to download pictures and called a friend to share my day. I downloaded pictures of various stops into different folders, then erased my film. Every folder checked out fine except Bridgeport Bakery was empty. I checked around to find no pictures scattered about uncategorized. I had screwed my Bacon Bun pictures all by myself. The Bacon Bun was retaining its charms as an ethereal illusion.

I consulted MikeG who suggested I buy a card reader, then get some file recovery software. I did what he suggested and now know what to do. Meanwhile, I had an opportunity to lunch somewhere I don't usually go and brought my camera along. Those very pictures copied over the Bacon Buns, while leaving several hundred more as-is. I have everything for next time, I still needed to recover (my pride?) those Bacon Buns. I did the next best thing ...

Friday morning, I phoned Bridgeport Bakery to place an order for a dozen Bacon Buns at 66 cents each and a SteveZ recommended pecan coffee cake for approximately $3.50. I then inquired what else is so popular you need to order in advance. I was at least going to cover all bases. I was informed their wheat bread and their crullers are also high demand items.



Saturday morning, I drove down to Bridgeport Bakery to retrieve my Bacon Buns. Those dozen buns on the shelf with my name on it were mine. No more looking, I could finally touch and taste those buns. Was it worth it?



It's a soft dough like a brioche studded with bacon. I phoned Bridgeport Bakery this morning for a clarification of the meat used in the Bacon Buns. It is bacon ends and parts, which are fried and added to the buns. In any case, no tell tale fat is attached, though they have a strong smoke cured taste to it and chewy. It was well worth the trip, the grief and glowing remarks heard over the years were proven true.

m'th'su was very kind to advise this week the Chicago Sun Times had a recipe for Lithuanian Bacon Buns, which I suggest you download and copy for your files.

So now you have a choice: make them or buy them.

wow. I actually live 2 blocks away and never stopped by. Yesterday, I was desperate for a French baguette and had the misfortune of buying 'french bread' from 'La Baguette' on Ashland just north of Cermak. what a friggin mistake THAT was.

there are many heinous bakeries in Bridgeport (Ace Bakery, etc. among others on Halsted) so thanks for the tip.

C2 was kind enough to share a bag of these bacon buns with me yesterday. They were quite tasty. I was not expecting the rough chunks of bacony goodness in there; they're excellent little sandwiches, and if I worked outside the home, I would consider throwing a few in my briefcase for a lunch.

Hammond

Hi,

The luck of the Cathy! I went to Bridgeport Bakery at 10 AM this morning to find 9 bacon buns available for purchase. I really expected nothing, so to find them was extraordinary good luck which the counter woman acknowledged was a rare find this late in the day.

Especially when both ReneG and Giovanna reported being there at 7:30 AM to find none.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:I went to Bridgeport Bakery at 10 AM this morning to find 9 bacon buns available for purchase. I really expected nothing, so to find them was extraordinary good luck which the counter woman acknowledged was a rare find this late in the day.

The first time I realized Bridgeport Bakery carried bacon buns was when I saw them in the display case on a weekday about 4pm. So anything is possible when it comes to bacon buns but to be sure of getting any you do need to call the day before and reserve them.

If you find yourself in Bridgeport on a Saturday again without a reservation, don’t forget that Healthy Food (3236 S Halsted) has them, Saturdays only. HF’s are smaller and I think a bit more like the classic version. They sell out early too. If you miss out, at least stay for a Breakfast of Champions: kugelis and eggs.

If you find yourself in Bridgeport on a Saturday again without a reservation, don’t forget that Healthy Food (3236 S Halsted) has them, Saturdays only. HF’s are smaller and I think a bit more like the classic version. They sell out early too. If you miss out, at least stay for a Breakfast of Champions: kugelis and eggs.

Great tip ... I will just have to steal myself from not going into Ed's Potsticker House which is just up the street.

Thanks!

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:
Great tip ... I will just have to steal myself from not going into Ed's Potsticker House which is just up the street.

Why? That's not very chowish of you.

I had some friends over for brunch this weekend, and asked them to pick up bacon buns. None of us have had them before, and didn't know what to expect.

I developed high expectations after reading all the rave reviews and hearing about the tendency to sell out so early in the mornings. Also I noticed that the strips of bacon were put into a pile in the middle. The bacon was not broken up into pieces and dispersed throughout the bread like the picture in Cathy2's post. After taking an initial bite, we decided to lightly warm them in my toaster oven, and it helped somewhat. Overall, they weren't bad, but they weren't "I'm going to crave these everyday good." Am I missing something?

Sounds a bit different from my experiences, where the bacon is crumbled a bit and spread throughout, as in Cathy's pics.

I find them pretty addictive.

Pucca wrote:I developed high expectations after reading all the rave reviews ... I noticed that the strips of bacon were put into a pile in the middle.

This style is the bacon-bun style I remember from Nida in Marquette park that I loved so much. The bacon was really sort of bacon crumbles, and the bun part was rather sweet. They were much better warmed up. And I always found them the perfect company for scrambled eggs.

I'm not clear exactly where you got these, since they're different from the Bridgeport Bakery ones?

Giovanna

Giovanna wrote:I'm not clear exactly where you got these, since they're different from the Bridgeport Bakery ones?
Giovanna

But they are from The Bridgeport Bakery. I called the phone number listed at the top of this thread, and my friend picked them from the address. Maybe there was a different baker that day.

I'll give them another try, but I won't be going out of my way.

Huh. What you describe is different from C2's picture, yes?

Giovanna

I second Pucca. I dropped by about 2 weeks ago, and picked one up... The bacon was centered in the middle of the bun. It did not look like Cathy2's picture.

Although I've lived in Bridgeport for 7 years and been to the Bridgeport Bakery a couple of times, today was the first time I tried the bacon buns. They were as others had described, the bacon being in a "pocket" inside the roll rather than distributed throughout the dough. I warmed them up, and they were excellent.

Cathy2 wrote:The Bacon Bun was retaining its charms as an ethereal illusion.

As C2's Bacon Bun pictures have vanished, bacon buns are truly elusive, I thought I post a few of my own from earlier today. (Let's see how long these last.)

Bridgeport Bakery Bacon Buns





Bridgeport Bakery



Bacon buns are the perfect snack for a snowy slushy Chicago Saturday.

Enjoy,
Gary

Bridgeport Bakery
2907 S Archer Ave
Chicago, IL
773-523-1121

Hi,

My images moved from one host to another, they are now edited back in.



Regards,

Bacon buns (I think from the same source) have been available at Healthy Food on Saturday (and perhaps other?) mornings. You have to ask for them, tho. And get there early (or reserve ahead). They go fast.

Healthy Food Lithuanian Restaurant
3226 S. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60608
312-326-2724

I passed by Bridgeport Bakery this morning around 8:30 a.m., hoping for a shot at a few bacon buns. Ended up with a decent ham and cheese croissant instead, and saw their notice for Paczki Day--February 24.

Flavors on offer: Apple, apricot, blueberry, chocolate buttercream, white buttercream, cheese, cherry, custard with chocolate, custard with powder sugar, peach, pineapple, plain, poppyseed, prune, raspberry, strawberry, whip cream.

Bridgeport Bakery
2907 S. Archer Avenue
(773) 523-1121

I was at Dobra/cookie monster's paczki demo at Delightful Pastries last year...she knows her paczki, too.

Delighful Pastries
5927 W Lawrence Ave
Phone: (773) 545-7215

... so does Alliance bakery on Division around Wood. mmm rosewater.

Just a heads up, I stopped by yesterday afternoon around 3:30pm and they had a few bags of bacon buns on the counter. I was awfully tempted but I didn't want to indulge in a whole bag and I had come primarily for the donuts. The two women working were super friendly and enthusiastic about everything. They filled me in on the range of breads and pastries they make, and said they can do a lot of other stuff on request with 24hrs notice (in particular, french bread and croissants). They also gave me a small flaky cheese pastry to try for free (I forget the name, something like a pointy??) The donuts were not transcendent but they were very good, probably among the best I've had in Chicago. I will definitely be back.
Also, one of the women working recommends the bacon bun warmed and sliced with scrambled egg in the middle, breakfast sandwich style. Sounds delicious, has anyone tried it?

Put the egg in the heated bacon bun this morning - completely awesome! FYI they had plenty available on a Friday at noon - but now they are 85 cents.

Was in the bakery this morning (late morning) and they had big trays of bacon buns. She said they keep them stocked all day during lent....so now is a good time to go if you want bacon buns

Hello, i have been going to the bakery recently. I visit weekly since i am half an hour away. The prices are really cheap. I bet persons take Archer on their way to work to get items. They open 5am. I just found out they have Kugelis as well but haven't tried it yet.

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

My images moved from one host to another, they are now edited back in.



Regards,

I was on my dinner roll quest today and stopped here to test out the bacon buns. (Great morning for chow...first this and then "lunch" at Hoosier Mama.) You guys don't lie...this was really worth the 45-minute trip. That rich, shiny roll would have been great without the bacon, but wow, they really throw in a generous amount. There's no way I can make it back here on Friday before dinnertime, but I'll be sure to order a dozen or so in the future and keep them on hand in the freezer.

Brideport Bakery has been my favorite indulgence for over 15 years. They do have the city's best paczki's (IMO), and the bacon buns are also the best in all their thick-smoked bacon goodness. But once again they have raised the bar by offering their version of the Maple/Bacon donut. They use the raised donut as their base and build on that.

I usually pick up treats for the guys at work, and we build on that back at the shop, usually by cooking up eggs, peppers, onions, hash browns, ect. This time I picked up the Bacon/Maple donuts and I added a fried egg.....which just took it to the next level!







Decadence defined:



Adding eggs peppers and onions to the bacon buns makes a great breakfast



And....the city's best paczki


Enjoy!!

Going tomorrow to try. Have been going to Racine Bakery since "FOREVER". Quality is starting to decline.
The Lithuanian Delis are disappearing. A way of life is almost NO MORE.
Anybody know of any Lithuanian Delis?? I've called a lot of places. NO LUCK.
Locations on LTH or the internet - Nothing.

Any new places?????????

Wally Wade

I THINK YOU MISSED THIS ONE:

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=50093

There are at least 3 Lithuanian spots in the Darien/Westmont area, including Smilga, Old Vilnius, and Ruta. Grand Duke's in Summit was open as revcently as last month. viewtopic.php?f=14&t=11245

I hope it's not gone.

Brookhaven in Darien has some Lithuanian stuff, too. Good weather for a meat-filled blimp.

walter wade wrote:Going tomorrow to try. Have been going to Racine Bakery since "FOREVER". Quality is starting to decline.
The Lithuanian Delis are disappearing. A way of life is almost NO MORE.
Anybody know of any Lithuanian Delis?? I've called a lot of places. NO LUCK.
Locations on LTH or the internet - Nothing.

Grand Dukes' Deli, a couple miles southwest of Racine Bakery, is the best Lithuanian delicatessen in Chicago (it’s actually in Summit but less than a block from the Chicago border). Since this old thread, the deli moved into the building just south of the restaurant.

Grand Dukes' Deli
6320 S Harlem Av
Summit IL
708-924-9990