Good Bread in Albany Park?

Long time lurker, finally joined to ask this question as i couldn't find an existing thread that had the answer I'm looking for.
I know it's a lot to ask, but I am wondering if anyone knows of anywhere to get a decent baguette in the Albany Park neighborhood. Of what i can find "nearby" I am partial to trader joes. Not crazy about the bread at the local panderias- unless you know a special one....

You can often get Red Hen baguettes at The Cheese Stands Alone on Western and Wilson.

I've lived here for three years and I haven't been able to find good baguettes either, but the neighborhood does offer other options for bread. Al-Khayam (Kedzie just south of Lawrence) sells fresh pitas. I got about 12 of them for $1 the other day. They're not bad. There have been other discussions on this board extolling the virtues of "southside bread," which I've seen advertised in the windows of some of the businesses on Kedzie, but I've never tried any.

Andie's (across the street from Al-Khayam) has a good selection of bread from many bakeries around the city (Baltic Bakery and Beograd are two labels that I saw the other day -- there are more). Cermak Produce (Kedzie and Berteau) sells big fluffy "french bread" loaves that are serviceable and cheap.

On the baguette front, I know of nothing... Where's the nearest Treasure Island to Albany Park? They all carry D'Amato's and likely have some decent French bread ...

On the other hand, there are the other bread options mentioned above and to them I'd add that good Bosnian/Serbian style bread (one name is 'Lapina') can be found in that general neck of the woods, e.g. at the place on Lawrence, east of the river (spacing out on the name)... Also, isn't there a Greek bakery on that general stretch of Lawrence? Perhaps that's defunct... Someone who's had their coffee should write in with details on the South Slave places with the fresh round breads...

Antonius

Aaron- I had read the threads that said the Cheese Stands Alone carries "Crust" bread (a little out of my price range) but didn't know they carried Red Hen too. I'll definitely check it out.

All-i wasn't expecting so many responses so quickly. I'm looking forward to being a more active participant from now on!

I forgot that The Cheese Stands Alone now carries Crust...I haven't been since then, and I'm not sure if it's instead or in addition. You may want to call and ask. Or just go. Even if you don't get any bread, you can pick up some wonderful cheese.

Stef,

Both Bouffe and The Cheese Stands Alone carry Red Hen Bread on a daily basis.

Enjoy,
Gary

HarvesTime carries Victor D'Amato's bread (the wholesale-only bakery across Grand from the original) although the selection may vary. They also have some bread baked in the store that has next to no flavor other than salt. Treasure Island carries Nicolas D'Amato's bread but has no stores anywhere near Albany Park.

The Greek bakery Antonius referred to just east of HarvesTime's parking lot is defunct.

Red Hen's weekday delivery to The Cheese Stands Alone is early to mid afternoon. The last time I checked Bouffe's price for Red Hen baguettes was higher than The Cheese Stands Alone's price.

Delicatessen Meyer has Labriola sourdough mini loaves on Mondays, when their regular source doesn't deliver. The mini loaves the other days are inferior to the ones on Monday.

Quite a few places in Albany Park and surrounding communities carry mediocre Greek bread from International Baking Company, which apparently acquired Markellos Bakery's wholesale operation. Markellos still has a bakery on Lawrence. Note that Greek bread lacks enough substance to make a good baguette.

Both HarvesTime and Tony's Finer Foods carry some good Polish rye breads from small bakeries.

HarvesTime Foods
2632 West Lawrence Avenue

Markellos Baking Company
3520 West Lawrence Avenue

Tony's Finer Foods
4137 North Elston

Anyone have updates on this topic?
The Cheese Stands Alone is now closed. Provenance (formerly Bouffe) carries Red Hen baguettes.
I often get baguettes at the Bahn Mi shop near Harvestime.
The greek bakery is still there but I find it to be a better resource for spanikopita.
Any ideas on where to get a good boule?