BAKERY PROFILE

Kneads & Wants Artisan Bakery and Cafe

★ 4.0180 recorded reviews$$

8042 Lincoln Ave, Skokie, IL 60077, USA

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Kneads & Wants Artisan Bakery and Cafe
PLAN THE VISIT

Essential details

Address
8042 Lincoln Ave, Skokie, IL 60077, USA
Phone
(224) 470-6970
Website
Visit official site
Rating signal
4.0 from 180 recorded reviews
HOURS

Listed operating hours

  • Monday7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Tuesday7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Wednesday7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Thursday7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Friday7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Saturday8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Sunday8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
About and visit notes

Introduction / Overview: Kneads & Wants Artisan Bakery and Cafe – A Skokie Destination for Handmade Goodness

For those in the Illinois North Shore area, Kneads & Wants Artisan Bakery and Cafe is far more than just a place to grab a morning pastry; it’s a true culinary haven and community fixture. Located in Skokie, this establishment proudly identifies as a family-owned, women-owned, and LGBTQ+ owned small business, fostering an environment that is both professional and profoundly welcoming. It serves multiple roles: an authentic Bakery specializing in scratch-made, small-batch artisan goods, a cozy Coffee shop, and a full-service Breakfast restaurant, Brunch restaurant, and Lunch restaurant.

The core identity of Kneads & Wants revolves around the artistry of baking. Customers consistently highlight the exceptional quality of their handmade items, describing everything as "fresh and wonderful." From decadent, buttery Kouign-amann—a caramelized and flaky house specialty—to a wide array of inventive and classic Croissants, the dedication to traditional techniques and high-quality ingredients is evident in every bite.

However, the experience extends well beyond the pastry case. Kneads & Wants features a full savory menu available all day, including creative Breakfast Sandwiches served on house-made savory waffles or ciabatta, hearty Quiches, gourmet Sandwiches for lunch, and even a themed Wings Night on Thursdays during the fall, winter, and spring. With robust accessibility, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a stated identity as a Transgender safespace, Kneads & Wants has solidified its reputation as a true neighborhood anchor and a celebrated destination for food lovers across the region.

Location and Accessibility in Skokie, IL

Kneads & Wants Artisan Bakery and Cafe is conveniently situated in the heart of Skokie, making it easily accessible for local residents and visitors traveling through the North Shore. The strategic location on Lincoln Avenue ensures straightforward access to this must-visit spot.

The address is: 8042 Lincoln Ave, Skokie, IL 60077, USA.

The bakery is committed to ensuring a comfortable and easy visit for all patrons, as reflected in its comprehensive accessibility features:

  • Physical Accessibility: The location features a Wheelchair accessible entrance, Wheelchair accessible parking lot, Wheelchair accessible restroom, and Wheelchair accessible seating, ensuring mobility is not a barrier to enjoyment.
  • Parking Convenience: Customers benefit from both a Free parking lot and Free street parking, making it "very easy to park across the street and zip in to this cute bakery."
  • Inclusivity and Comfort: The cafe provides a Gender-neutral restroom and is an explicitly LGBTQ+ friendly and Transgender safespace, creating an atmosphere where all are welcome.
  • Service Efficiency: The entire operation is structured to accommodate a Quick visit, ideal for grabbing a coffee and pastry on the go, while also offering comfortable Dine-in for a leisurely brunch.

Comprehensive Services Offered

Kneads & Wants offers a diverse range of services, blending the finest artisan baking with extensive all-day dining and special event options.

  • Artisan Viennoiserie & Pastries: Specializing in handmade, small-batch laminated dough products like Kouign Amann, Almond Croissants, Chocolate Croissants, and unique savory options such as the Ham & Cheddar Croissant and Spinach & Feta Croissant.
  • All-Day Dining: Serving an extensive menu that covers Breakfast, Brunch, and Lunch, featuring hearty items like all-day Breakfast Sandwiches (often served on savory waffles) and named gourmet Sandwiches like "The Gridiron," "The Californian," and "Trojan War."
  • Savory and Sweet Baked Goods: Offers house-made Quiches (Maria, Lorraine, Aux Champignons), various scones (e.g., Bacon Cheddar Chive Scone, Lemon Blueberry Scone), and gluten-free (GF) and vegan (VEGAN) options like the Honey Butter Mochi Muffin (GF) and Banana Oat Muffin (VEGAN).
  • Specialty Coffee and Beverages: Operates as a full Coffee shop, providing high-quality espresso, coffee, and other drinks to pair perfectly with their baked goods, such as the trendy Affogato.
  • Seasonal and Limited Time Offerings: Regularly introduces creative, themed items like the St. Patrick's Corned Beef Croissant, Bear Down Cookie Box for game day, and special holiday dessert menus.
  • Takeout and In-Store Pickup: Facilitates easy collection of orders with options for Takeout and In-store pickup, ideal for busy schedules.
  • Wings Night: Hosts a specific, popular Wings Night on Thursdays during the cooler months, complete with sides like Corn On The Cob and Mango Slaw (Gf & Vv), offering a fun mid-week dining alternative.

Distinctive Features and Highlights

What sets Kneads & Wants apart in the competitive Illinois food scene is its unique combination of quality, innovation, and community focus.

  • Signature Kouign-amann: Customers flock to the bakery specifically to try their Kouign-amann, a "caramelized and buttery decadent pastry" that is consistently met with "Yummy!" praise and is considered a must-try Chicago-area version of the French specialty.
  • Authentic Artisan Quality: Every item is described as "handmade locally" and "fresh," underscoring the small-batch approach and use of real, high-quality ingredients over mass production.
  • Community-Focused Ownership: As an explicitly LGBTQ+ owned and women-owned business and a Transgender safespace, the bakery is a welcoming and inclusive spot, earning customer loyalty beyond its excellent food.
  • Savory Waffle Innovation: The distinct choice to serve many Breakfast Sandwiches toasted between two house-made savory waffles (unless otherwise indicated) offers a novel and highly satisfying twist on a classic morning meal.
  • Creative, Themed Menu Items: The bakery continually surprises and delights with seasonal and event-based creations, from the complex flavors of the Cherry Cheesecake Kouign Amann to the playful naming conventions of their lunch items, ensuring a fresh experience with every visit.

Contact Information

For reservations, catering inquiries, or to check on the availability of their daily fresh-baked items, the Skokie community can contact Kneads & Wants Artisan Bakery and Cafe directly:

Address: 8042 Lincoln Ave, Skokie, IL 60077, USA

Phone: (224) 470-6970

Mobile Phone: +1 224-470-6970

What is Worth Choosing at Kneads & Wants

Choosing Kneads & Wants is a decision to support local Skokie artistry and a commitment to experiencing some of the finest handmade pastries in the Illinois region. What is truly worth choosing here is the combination of their signature bakery items and their diverse, all-day cafe menu.

First and foremost, the Kouign-amann and their range of layered pastries—from the classic Almond Croissant to the savory Ham and Cheddar Croissant—are non-negotiable must-try items. They are the benchmark of the cafe's quality, offering that perfect flaky, buttery richness that only a truly skilled artisan bakery can provide. Customers repeatedly confirm the excellence of these items, noting they "were not disappointed."

Beyond the sweet treats, the savory options offer exceptional value for a full dining experience. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick Breakfast or settling down for a leisurely Brunch or Lunch, the made-to-order sandwiches and creative breakfast items (especially those featuring their signature souffléd eggs and savory waffles) provide a hearty, fresh, and high-quality meal. The option to enjoy their food in a beautiful, "super cute," and genuinely inclusive atmosphere, complete with Wi-Fi and comfortable seating, transforms a simple meal into a delightful social experience. By choosing Kneads & Wants, you’re not just buying food; you're investing in a local, diverse, and passionate small business that puts heart into every single batch.

VISIT FEATURES

Services and accessibility

These attributes come from the directory record and should be confirmed when essential.

From the business

  • Identifies as LGBTQ+ owned
  • Identifies as women-owned
  • Small business

Service options

  • In-store pickup
  • Onsite services
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom
  • Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings

  • Coffee

Dining options

  • Breakfast

Amenities

  • Gender-neutral restroom
  • Restroom
  • Wi-Fi
  • Wi-Fi

Crowd

  • LGBTQ+ friendly
  • Transgender safespace

Planning

  • Quick visit

Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments
  • Credit cards

Parking

  • Free parking lot
  • Free street parking
PHOTOS

See the bakery

VISITOR FEEDBACK

Reviews and recurring themes

Read individual comments as personal experiences, not verified guarantees.

latte 17scones 15croissant 14drinks 13breakfast sandwiches 8brownie 8butter 6area 6quiche 5tart 5
★ 5.0

Super cute handmade and locally owned bakery right in the heart of Skokie. I love their almond croissants and ham and cheese croissants. We also purchased a blueberry breakfast cake as well as a banana almond breakfast cake. It was very easy to park across the street and zip in to this cute bakery for some great handmade food items.. You can really tell that these items are handmade locally, everything was fresh and wonderful. We definitely will be back for coffee as well as some of their handmade quiche!

May 18 · Mary Biancalana
★ 5.0

Finally made it to Kneads & Wants Bakery in Skokie. The reason I was there was to try my favorite Kouign-amann (caramelized and buttery decadent pastry). 💕 I also got an Almond Croissant to go. I was not disappointed and will definitely be back. Yummy!

Aug 30 · Theresa Humanicki
★ 5.0

LOOOVE Kneads & Wants! Have been going here since I moved to Chicago and I’m so glad it’s here. They’re locally owned and are such a talented, family-run business.Their baked goods are to DIE for. Get any of their scones and cookies! I’ve also gotten catering from them and they did a wonderful job all around with charcuterie and desserts.I stop here on my lunch break and love their sandwiches.Stop in and grab a snack! You won’t regret it!

May 15 · Natalie Frakes
★ 5.0

The coffee is really good, the food is amazing, and the staff is really nice. It has a great atmosphere and lots of power outlets.I definitely went for the coffee, but the food was fantastic. It is all made fresh.

Jun 23 · James Dobbs
★ 5.0

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 👌

Jul 4 · Jayesh Shewakramani
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About this listing

This page combines directory records, available business details, submitted photos, and visitor feedback. Information may be incomplete or change without notice. For corrections, contact server@heavenlydelightsbakery.com.

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