Bringing a unique breakfast for the office?

Tomorrow is my turn to bring in pastry/other breakfast-style stuff for my department (10-12 people). Most of my coworkers just get Dunkin Donuts; I'd like to do something a little more interesting and unique (someone brought in ham-and-egg buns from Chiu Quon last week, and those were a big hit). Back when I lived by the Sheridan L, I'd just pick up all sorts of stuff at Artemio's Bakery before getting on the train.

Now I'm in the South Loop without a car, so anything would have to be fairly close to an L stop/bus line (and I can't go too far away and make it back to the office before 10 am on a Friday morning). I'm looking to spend $10-$20 total. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Tom

If you had a car, I'd say drive up to Racine (Wisconsin) and get some Kringles.

Maybe bridgeport bakery? You might be able to bring in some bacon buns.

Orange line to ashland, and then walk northeast on Archer about a half mile.

More on bridgeport bakery in this thread

Bridgeport Bakery
(773) 523-1121
2907 S Archer Ave
Chicago, IL 60608

If you're in the South Loop, you must be close to Chinatown. How about St. Anna's Bakery? bbq pork buns, pineapple crusted bread, ham & onion rolls, paper wrapped cakes, etc. Each item is around $0.60-0.70.

Guy on the L,

Folks at my office sometimes bring in tamales or even menudo on Saturdays.

Blue line going south. Get off at 18th St. You're in the heart of Pilsen.

For sweets try BonBon.

Bridgeport Bakery sounds good ... are the bacon buns only available on Saturdays? All of the posts in the LTH BB thread concern Saturday-morning visits.

BomBon will obliterate his budget based on projection of 12 people..

That Guy on the L wrote:Bridgeport Bakery sounds good ... are the bacon buns only available on Saturdays? All of the posts in the LTH BB thread concern Saturday-morning visits.

Don't know your exact starting point, but the bacon buns at Bobak's are awesome, available daily at the Bakery Counter, but sell out quickly.

$.75 each, sales to $.50

Greektown Bakery is excellent. It's a couple of doors north of Costas.

That Guy on the L wrote:Bridgeport Bakery sounds good ... are the bacon buns only available on Saturdays? All of the posts in the LTH BB thread concern Saturday-morning visits.

This is too late for tomorrow but might be useful general information. Bridgeport Bakery’s bacon buns are available every day but it’s best to call the day before to reserve them as they sell out quickly. Without a reservation, if you get there early you might get lucky. I think the bacon buns cost 62 cents each, a true bargain. I’m also partial to their cheese squares. Bridgeport Bakery is almost midway between the Halsted and Ashland stops of the Orange Line and is also easily accessible by the 62 Archer bus to and from the Loop.

Bridgeport Bakery
"Fresh Bakery Goods"
2907 S Archer Av (just south/west of Loomis)
Chicago
773-523-1121
Sun-Mon 5am-1pm, Tue-Fri 5am-6pm, Sat 5am-5:30pm

When there, be sure to take a moment to admire the façade of Kunka’s Pharmacy on the corner of Archer & Loomis.

Kunka’s Pharmacy, 2899 S Archer Av

Thanks Rene.

Brought back a memory or two from early childhood.

I think it was Archer and Damen? that had the bowling alley (8 lanes) on the second floor. Brighton Theatre near Archer/California.

Sorry for the fluff, but you hit a flashback vein.

Don't get me going on Chesdan's Pizza (which is now out by me, somewhat, in Shorewood)

Sorry for the fluff, but you hit a flashback vein.

Sidebar conversations happen all over this board. Sometimes it is where the most interesting tidbits evolve. No need to apologize.

Regards,

Never tried the bacon buns at Bridgeport, but I've tried some of the other offerings. I have a sick friend in the neighborhood and stop in to pick up coffee cakes on the weekend and they're better than what the nearby Dominick's sells.

If you're coming from the South Loop you can hop aboard a #62 Archer bus along State St. heading S/SW and get off at Loomis St. On the south side of the street, just west of Loomis St., about 3 storefronts west is where you'll find the bakery. The bakery is across the street from where Irish-legendary St. Brigit's (sp?) stood until it was torn down a decade or more ago.

You can take the #62 Archer bus back to the Loop when finished, or to the Ashland or Halsted Brown Line stops and travel that way. The Archer Ave. bus works best for me when going to Roosevelt Rd. (where I hop aboard the Red Line). On the northbound route, I think the bus moves over to Dearborn St. near the old train station.

Thanks, everyone - I called yesterday afternoon to reserve a dozen bacon buns, picked up an apple cobbler while I was at it, and both were a big hit at the office!