Best ('european style') bread in Chicago

I have recently moved from NYC and am looking for excellent quality, European type bread in Chicago. I have so far search in vain, except at the Farmer's Market (near the Lincoln Park Zoo). I forget the name of it, but it was truly exceptional--only problem for me (as, being a former NY'er, I do not own a car) is they are in Evanston.

Where can I buy exceptional, European type bread in Chicago (I live in River North)?

Thanks for your help!!!

Do the names Bennison's bakery, or Kim's Kitchen ring a bell - both (in Evanston) offer french-style breads at different farmer's markets that are very good to excellent, and are both just off a Purple Line El Stop (Davis and Noyes, respectively) Google Maps now has a feature that allows you to search public transit in Chicago. However, we should be able to find you some nearer to where you live - can you give us a general idea what part of town is convenient for you? One suggestion is the Red Hen Bakery, with two locations closer to Downtown Chicago (at least, closer than Evanston!)

Also, can you be more specific as to the type of bread? Are you thinking French-style breads like baguettes and boules (the three places I mentioned have those) or are you thinking of German breads like Brötchen, or maybe Russian Black Bread? There are probably different places members of this forum could send you for all kinds of specific breads from Europe.

Red Hen Bakery
1623 N. Milwaukee
Chicago, IL 60647
773-342-6823
Red Hen Bread (Diversey)
500 W. Diversey
Chicago, IL 60614
773-248-6025

Bennisons Bakery
1000 Davis Street
Evanston, Illinois
847-328-9434

Kim's Kitchen
815 Noyes St.
Evanston, IL 60201
847.475.5467

Welcome! We're glad you found us - this is a good resource for that kind of question; I'm sure more will chime in...

DutchMuse wrote:Where can I buy exceptional, European type bread in Chicago (I live in River North)?

Europe is a big place. Are you looking for French baguettes or Polish rye?

Any number of local produce markets and independent grocers stock excellent Eastern European-style breads from Chicago Specialty Bakers, Inc. of Bensenville.

Well, I am sure Bennison's the one you tried as they sell at the Green City Market. They are indeed excellent breads, and perhaps worth the schlep to Evanston (if buying at the twice weekly Green City Market will not do). Green Grocer also sells Bennison's bread if you can get to that hood. Still, if you are looking for a place in the city, Fox & Obel is just as good, if not better in certain catagories. F&O's sourdough miche is the best bread, I believe, in the city. Medici, in Hyde Park is about in the same catagory, although I believe not quite. Red Hen would be a small step down again, but all of these are very good breads.

As LAZ sez, the city is filled with very good Eastern European style breads if that is what you mean, but for French style bread, any of the above will do ya good.

You can find Bennison's Bread at other places also. Try Sam's Wine.

If you feel like heading a bit north, try Austrian Bakery:

http://www.austrianbakery.com/03-breads.html

2523 N Clark

Great selection of dense rye breads.

Thanks, all, for your suggestions! Yes, it must have been Bennison's. Good to know re Sam's Wines and Fox & Obel as well. As for where in Europe--yes, sorry, should have been more specific. I was thinking France basically.

(My difficulty going to the Wed Farmer's Market is that I'm usually in NY that day which just leaves Sat morning). My location is Kingsbury near Erie, so going to F&O is convenient as well as the Green Grocer or Sam's.

Thanks for your suggestions!!! Such a great resource this is.

Pastoral also carries Bennison's breads. 2945 N. Broadway and 53 E. Lake.

I think Fox and Obel has the best breads in the city. European style, that is. I totally recommend the challah and the brioche too -- they are delicious. They also carry excellent bagels -- although I think they outsource those from NY Bagel and Bialy.

s

Treasure Island flies in Poilane bread from Paris. The closest location to you is probably the one at Elm and Clark St.