Kneads & Wants Artisan Bakery and Cafe

Good people
Good food
Good coffee

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

You KNEAD to visit this place!! It's awesome, Staff is very friendly and welcoming. Their Breakfast sandwiches are huge. I got their What the Cluck and it was delicious ? I couldn't eat it all and took the rest to go. The pastries looked so good so I got a box of cookies on the way out!! Very fresh! I think they make them daily! Would highly recommend ?

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I come here EVERY time my job sends me to skokie. The pastries are insane, the bacon is thick and delightfully smoky, fun coffee, and all ingredients are so fresh and yummy. You just can't get this kind of quality from a chain. And to top it all off, it's located in this cute little downtown area in skokie. Last trip, me and my buddy got a spinach and feta pastry, an awesome cookie- brownie hybrid, a "madison" sammich ? and a maple latte. So much joy. GET THAT BACON!!!

This is my go-to bakery, their pastries are always freshly baked and very flavorful. The service is great and the prices are very affordable.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The last time I went to Kneads & Wants was when it opened about four years ago. I ordered the Black Sugar Latte and the Purple Haze Lemonade, and thoroughly enjoyed them.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

First the good - service was efficient. It was not warm and friendly for a neighborhood bakery but I'll take efficiency anytime, especially on a weekend morning with people wanting to get their caffeine and sugar fix. I was there at around 9:15 and most of the tables were occupied and a short line of people was ahead of me. The gentleman at the counter took my order and promptly gave me my pastries in two boxes for me to take out while the barista made my drink order.

I eagerly awaited my oatmeal cookie latte (chai with oatmilk). I took a sip as I headed out the door and was immediately disappointed because the supposedly hot latte was not hot. It was not even warm, tepid or lukewarm. It was closer to room temperature than anything else. I was tempted to go back and ask them to warm it up but there was a line of people behind me when I was served so I just decided to go home and heat my drink in the microwave. The chai flavor was mild and could have been stronger but it is okay. It's the temperature that was really bad.

The croissants were alright - a little bready and not as flaky as a good croissant ought to be. The lemon blueberry scone was good - just the right balance of sweet and tart. The crumb was tender with a crisp crust.

Now for their version of the kouign-amann... There were large chunks (please see photos) of raw granulated sugar on the outside. I had a glimpse of that when I ordered it and I thought that it was just a little dusting on the pastry. I didn't expect for the sugar to be coagulated in large chunks in parts of the pastry. The hallmark of a kouign-amann is its moist, buttery, flaky crumb on the inside and crisp crust enveloped in golden caramelized sugar. This version is none of the above. I strongly suggest they go back to recipe testing and back to the drawing board on this one.

I do not relish writing a bad review especially if it is a small, neighborhood business. I do want them to succeed and to do that, I believe they need to get good, honest feedback from customers. My daughter-in-law regularly walks in their shop early mornings on weekdays to get a coffee and pastry before she heads to work. She was the one who suggested that I visit and try their offerings.

I do not mind paying for pastries at their price point (a little pricey for the size) but I do expect them to be of good, if not excellent quality as their name suggests (Artisanal).

I also called as soon as I got home to give them feedback but I got their voicemail. I left a message and I hope the owners will take my suggestions positively.

I wish them well and I will definitely give them another try in the hopes that they have improved.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 4

The pumpkin cream cheese muffins are a MUST! Fantastic sandwiches too.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We have lived in Skokie since 2019 (basically since Kneads and Wants opened). You can tell that lots of love goes into this business. The owners are creative, caring, and conscious of the community they serve. I find prices to be fair. I hope they stay open forever.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Can not say enough about this bakery. Service exceptional. Food to die for. Its my go to spot from now on

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Very welcoming bakery cafe !!! Lady at register as soon I came in - she greeted me with a good morning- service with a smile the other gentlemen helping her -very helpful - definitely will visit again - croissant she recommended was delicious !!!

Ps Don’t forget to tip …

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great place ! I’m never disappointed. Food is great and coffee is great.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Butter Croissant

I like these guys and the quality of their food and coffee is great. But if you like iced drinks with minimal ice, don’t bother. Just get a hot and let it cool. If you order a large no ice they won’t fill it up even close to all the way. It’ll just be a small drink. It’s weird because I’ve never been nickel and dime’d this way and they’re a successful shop, but idk maybe they’re struggling? Maybe milk costs a lot these days?

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 3

Delightful local bakery with a very talented baking staff. A wonderful neighborhood addition!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Delicious pastries and sandwiches, great coffee, reasonable prices

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place has the best breakfast sandwich I have ever had. Their blended coffee drinks are also delicious. Don’t sleep on this spot!