Chicago Specialty Bakers Inc

Introduction / Overview

For businesses and food service operators across the Illinois region and beyond, Chicago Specialty Bakers Inc (CSB) in Bensenville stands as a premier source for authentic, high-quality, artisan European baked goods. Established in the early 1980s by Master Baker Felix Barats, an immigrant from Ukraine, CSB has evolved from a small string of retail bagel shops into a major wholesale manufacturer. Today, the company focuses purely on large-scale production and distribution, supplying a diverse range of gourmet products to commercial airlines, food service businesses, and grocery customers across the country and internationally.

It is crucial for local users searching for a typical 'bakery' to understand the nature of this operation: Chicago Specialty Bakers Inc is primarily a wholesale and commercial facility, not a walk-in retail storefront. As confirmed by both public records (NAICS Code: Commercial Bakeries) and customer feedback stating they "couldn’t really find the entrance" and were informed that "this isn’t a bakery though it’s listed as a bakery," the Bensenville location on Tower Lane is structured for B2B operations rather than direct consumer sales.

Despite not being a retail shop, the products are deeply rooted in artisan principles and 'Old World' techniques. CSB is renowned for its commitment to traditional, lengthy fermentation processes, using a long-standing rye levain, and utilizing the baker's senses—smell for fermentation, hands for kneading—to ensure a superior product. This meticulous approach has positioned them as a leader in European-style specialty breads, with a major focus on authentic ryes and a diverse portfolio of other baked and prepared foods. The company operates multiple facilities in the Chicago area, including the one in Bensenville, to meet the massive demand for their authentic products.

Location and Accessibility

Chicago Specialty Bakers Inc is strategically located in the industrial area of Bensenville, Illinois, an ideal location for its large-scale commercial and distribution activities.

Address: 1152 Tower Ln, Bensenville, IL 60106, USA

The location is primarily a production and administrative facility for their wholesale operations. However, for employees and authorized visitors, the facility does offer key accessibility features: a Wheelchair accessible entrance and a Wheelchair accessible parking lot, ensuring that the premises are compliant and accessible for all staff and business partners. Due to its commercial nature, visitors are strongly advised to call ahead before attempting to visit, as it is not set up for general retail customer traffic.

Services Offered

Chicago Specialty Bakers Inc provides highly specialized services tailored for commercial, food service, and large grocery accounts across the U.S. and globally.

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LI Wholesale Artisan Bread Production: Manufacturing a wide array of high-volume artisanal breads, including traditional European ryes (Borodinsky, Baltic Rye, Ukrainian), French-style baguettes, Italian ciabatta, and focaccia. LI

LI Commercial Food Service Supply: Providing baked goods and ready-made products to major commercial customers, notably commercial airlines, corporate food service operations, and large grocery store chains. LI

LI Par-Baked and Frozen Products: Specializing in par-baked (80-90% done) and quick-frozen products that allow end-users to finish the baking process in minutes, maintaining maximum freshness and flavor. They also offer fully baked then frozen products that only require thawing/warming. LI

LI Custom Product Development: Working directly with B2B clients to create new, custom, private-label products in terms of style, shape, and taste to meet unique market demands. LI

LI Diverse Specialty Products: Beyond bread, the company produces a variety of other items, including gourmet artisan bagels, pretzel products, dinner rolls, cookies, edible cookie dough, and finishing butters. LI

LI Bulk Order Fulfillment: Capable of handling both smaller custom boutique orders and high-volume requests with consistent attention to quality. LI

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Features / Highlights

The distinction of Chicago Specialty Bakers Inc lies in its Old World baking dedication and extensive commercial capabilities.

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LI Old World Artisan Techniques: Emphasizing the principles of artisan baking, including lengthy fermentation periods and the use of a 30-year-old rye levain, which Master Baker Felix Barats claims is superior to yeast as a leavening agent. LI

LI Authentic European Rye Specialty: Known for pioneering and perfecting traditional Eastern European rye breads in the U.S. marketplace, including their signature 'America's Borodinsky,' one of the most popular rye breads in Russia. LI

LI Focus on High-Quality Ingredients: The company commits to using the "best ingredients and processes possible" to produce products appealing to cautious consumers, often featuring no sugar, low yeast, and no preservatives or additives. LI

LI Major Supplier to Airlines & Food Service: The quality of their products is recognized globally, with CSB being a key supplier to major commercial airlines and international distributors, with their breads having been served to high-ranking officials and dignitaries. LI

LI Multi-Product Portfolio: While known for bread, the Bensenville facility and the company as a whole produce a diverse array of items, including specialty rolls, bagels, edible cookie dough, and unique finishing butters. LI

LI Accessibility Compliance: The Bensenville location includes Wheelchair accessible entrance and parking, reflecting a commitment to accommodating all visitors and employees. LI

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Contact Information

For businesses or individuals with commercial inquiries in the Illinois region, here is the official contact information:

Address: 1152 Tower Ln, Bensenville, IL 60106, USA

Phone: (630) 860-1225

Mobile Phone: +1 630-860-1225

What is Worth Choosing

For customers in the food service, grocery, or airline industries operating within Illinois, choosing Chicago Specialty Bakers Inc is choosing a partner dedicated to unparalleled artisanal quality and reliable large-scale distribution. It is worth choosing CSB for their deep, uncompromised dedication to Old World baking methods, which results in breads and baked goods with superior flavor, structure, and quality compared to typical mass-produced alternatives.

Their expertise in traditional European rye breads, such as their famous 'Borodinsky,' provides a highly differentiated product that appeals to consumers seeking authentic ethnic or specialty foods. This level of authentic craftsmanship is rare in wholesale production.

Moreover, the company's focus on par-baked and quick-frozen products offers immense logistical value. This preparation method allows clients—from airlines to local grocery in-store bakeries—to offer "fresh-from-the-oven" taste with minimal labor and equipment, all while guaranteeing freshness across long supply chains. By choosing Chicago Specialty Bakers Inc, businesses in Illinois are securing a supplier that combines the soul of artisan baking with the efficiency and scale of a modern commercial operation.