This Artisanal Illinois Bakery Is One Of The Best In All Of North America
By Linze Rice|Published May 23, 2023
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Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
The dining scene in Illinois is one of the best in the country — from fine dining to the mom-and-pop chicken shack. But, in my opinion, there’s really nothing quite like a fresh-baked loaf of bread or pastry. Baking reveals the true skill of a chef — can they master the arts and sciences needed to create perfectly laminated croissants or structurally-sound puff pastries? This neighborhood spot in Chicago does just that, and is the best bakery in Illinois as a result.
Lost Larson, 5318 N. Clark St., is located in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood on the Far North Side of the city. The bakery opened in 2018 and is headed by owner-chef Bobby Schaffer and his sister Bree Schaffer.
It serves fresh-baked bread, cakes, pastries, and Swedish-inspired confections that quickly earned it the title of the best bakery in Illinois — and one of the best in North America. These cardamom buns are among its most popular selections.
There's a sister location in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago, meaning there are now twice the opportunities to try one of these top-rated treats.
Pro tip: Don't need a whole loaf? Try the Avocado Smørrebrød — avocado on a slice of country loaf, topped with pickled red onions, radish, and almond-pistachio dukkah.
This stunning berries and floral cake is a work of art. It features an angel food sponge cake base with layers of blackberry mousse, orange blossom and ricotta mouse, and fresh black raspberry jam.
Do you think Lost Larson is the best bakery in Illinois? What would you order here? What do you look for in a local bakery? Tell us in the comments! Start planning your visit by checking out the Lost Larson website and the Lost Larson Facebook page. And while you’re on the North Side of Chicago, consider stopping by to see the world’s largest pin button collection!
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