Baltic Bakery status

LTH,

I haven't seen any of Baltic Bakery's products in a good while, and I was wondering about the status of this fine old world bread bakery. I am/was very fond of their very dense and grainy rye and pumpernickle breads, which I had previously been able to obtain at Treasure Island locations, Lincolnwood Produce, and even at a few Dominicks stores.

Recently, at Marketplace on Oakton, I found a very nice, substitution with Russian and English printing on the label, called Baltic Pumpernickle Bread and made by Chicago Specialty Bakers, Inc. of Bensenville.

Any info about the status of Baltic Bakery?

Evil Ronnie wrote:Recently, at Marketplace on Oakton, I found a very nice, substitution with Russian and English printing on the label, called Baltic Pumpernickle Bread and made by Chicago Specialty Bakers, Inc. of Bensenville.

Chicago Specialty Bakers makes some wonderful bread. They make an unsliced malted red rye sourdough bread called Monestary Rye that is coarse, dark and heavy with a malty, sour and bitter flavor that is absolutely delicous. It reminds me of something that would have come from my Grandmother's wood-burning oven. Their Borodinsky is also quite tasty. They make many other variations of Russian, Baltic and European rye breads. They even make great rye baguettes. The best selection I have found of their products is at the SunView Market in Niles. The Greenwood and Farmer's Best markets, also on Golf Road in Niles have pretty good selections too.

I will keep an eye out for Baltic stuff when I go shopping today.

Evil Ronnie wrote:Any info about the status of Baltic Bakery?

As far as I know nothing has changed at Baltic Bakery. Last week I bought a loaf of their bread (Latvian rye) at my local market as I've been doing regularly for many years (except for the several months when Baltic was closed). Why not ask the stores you frequent to resume carrying Baltic products so that this classic Chicago bakery will stay in business?

I called Baltic Bakery today at 773-523-1510 and got a "disconnected" recording.

I have purchased BB products within the past month at Fair Share in Oak Park.

I, too, am wondering about the fate of Baltic Bakery. I know there have been closed for health violations a few times. Have not been able to purchase my favorite Lithuanian rye in the usual locations (Marketplace on Oakton, Lincolnwood Produce) for the last few months. The Borodinsky, Latvian rye, etc. are just not as dense, slightly sour and sweet as the Baltic product, which also kept quite well. Marilyn

It looks like Baltic Bakery is closed, perhaps permanently. Today I visited Back of the Yards, where Baltic is located, and spoke with some neighbors, community organizers and local business owners. It seems Baltic was having problems, partly financial, for much of this year and finally closed their doors. From what I understand, it's possible it might someday reopen under new ownership but I'll believe that when I see it. That's really a shame, losing one of Chicago's great old bakeries.

Rene G,

Thank you for taking the extra mile of effort to find out what has happened.

For a long time Baltic Bakery was a solo presence on the market. There are many more now perhaps putting pressures on their pricing and maybe they were not too responsive to the competition.

Regards,

The Edmar on Chicago Ave. was my local source of Baltic Bakery items. They carried a large selection of their breads, which made sense considering the fairly (still) sizeable Ukrainian and Polish population in the neighborhood. Edmar closed over a year ago, I'd estimate, so that it could be demolished and a new Dominick's opened in its place. I recall that Dominick's had promised to continue carrying some of the local ethnic items that Edmar carried for the neighborhood. However, in the huge amount of time it took to erect the new Dominick's, a legitimate food desert resulted - I wonder what happened to all those customers and if they "made do" getting produce and/or meat from the nearby Mexican markets.

One wonders what kind of effect losing Edmar had on Baltic.

Rene G wrote:It looks like Baltic Bakery is closed, perhaps permanently.

How sad. I ate a lot of their products over the years.

It is true that there is a lot more competition now. I have found several newer bakeries that I prefer to Baltic for similar products, that also seem to have more frequent and consistent deliveries. I haven't been buying BB stuff on a regular basis, like I used to, for the last 3 years or so. I am sure I am not the only one. Still, it is too bad.

I have seen a decline in Baltic Bakery's bread over the past five years. When I arrived in Chicago, the rye breads were pretty decent but lately, the bread has been largely tasteless.

My Lithuanian grandmother shopped at a local bakery in the Pullman area for bread, which I grew up eating. Eventually, Baltic was what we switched to when she died and the area's Polish/Lithuanian population moved.

Their Lithuanian rye has no substitute that I know of. I love other rye breads, but this one, as someone mentioned upthread, was special.

Ever try the Racine Bakery Lithuanian Rye Bread?

I admit to a big fat no on all counts. Do you find it similar to Baltic's?

I prefer it. You should check it out.

Thanks. It's not anywhere close to me and Baltic was available in most grocery stores. It would be great if a wonderful bakery could step up and delivery to more locations to replace the loss of Baltic. At least I can wish...

Don't know if it helps you much, but they have outlets at 350 N. Clark and 608 W. Roosevelt, also.

Is this place still around? I'm looking for a dense, chewy sour rye bread with "stuff" (seeds, chaff bits, etc.) in it. Any suggestions on stores to go to? I live in Noble Sqr. near Ukie Village, but also pass through the loop from the south side every day for school .

Also, is it strange to make a PB&J on sour rye bread?

It's not strange to make a PB&J on anything. Try it on matzoh.

OK, supposedly they carry Baltic Bread at the EggStore on S. Halsted, and *then* I found out that Bruno's Bakery is a block west of the Egg Store! Yes, I am conveniently located near a rye bread jackpot

What do you guys think about the Baltic Bakery? Do you like the food? Just wondering!

Isn't the Baltic Bakery no longer around? Closed a couple of years ago? Are you talking about the Baltic Bakery at 4627 S. Hermitage?

As discussed above, Baltic Bakery closed toward the end of 2007 (it closed temporarily a couple times before that). I hope the rumors of it reopening someday are true but I wouldn't count on it. A few weeks ago it was locked up tight but appeared unchanged. Below are photos from a couple years ago.

Baltic Bakery (closed)
4627 S Hermitage Av
Chicago

Well yes it was shut down in 2005 http://youtube.com/watch?v=cFBCRUElEFs This video has a story about that! But then it seemed like all of a sudden that the owner had a side job of plowing Chicago streets. I know the owner very well. But I still dont know why it was closed just now. I mean since I go to the owners house every weeekend, I eat it all the time, but ive read many people who are pissed about how its closed, and want it bad! So its interesting of why he would close it! I mean he always says he has to go to the bakery to work everday! Interesting

Here's a wacky idea. Ask him what's up down there?

Well i think he said its just closed 4 now

Sad. My friend and his family just loves Baltic Bakery's dark Lithuanian Rye bread with the caraway seeds. I've bought Racine Bakery's version and several brands imported from Lithuania for them to try and they don't like it as much.

However, I saw a replay of CBS's expose on the inspection of Baltic Bakery and the conditions were pretty bad.

Sigh.

Hello,
I am the owner of the Baltic bakery in San Pedro, Ca. We have been making lithuanian rye for almost 30 years, and I have heard my bread tastes exactly like the chicago version. Check it out at my website, www.Trubread.com
I guarantee (Money Back!) you will not be disappointed.
Rolf
owner/masterbaker