We were craving some sourdough and pastries but feeling a bit lazy, so Publican Quality Bread stood out as the best option available on all the major delivery apps. It’s been on my list to try since I’m always on the hunt for high quality artisanal sourdough, and it’s a huge bonus when a bakery also offers exciting pastries.Their signature Spence sourdough was only available as a full loaf, but you can have it pre-sliced. It was beautifully executed with a perfect crust and a slightly dense yet fluffy interior. The mix of rye and whole wheat gave the bread great flavor, more hearty than sour, but still satisfying. Considering the price, size, and convenience of delivery, this will definitely be one of my top choices when I need a quality loaf.The Chocolate Orange Morning Brioche bun was another standout. It had a beautifully flaky exterior and a rich, slightly gooey center. The orange and chocolate were nicely balanced, though the flavor was bold and perfect for sharing, as it might be a bit much as your only treat.But the Cardamom Monkey Bread? I could eat that every day. It was as good as monkey bread gets, with perfectly balanced spices and a strong, fragrant cardamom flavor. I’ll have a hard time not adding it to every future order.They offer other sourdoughs and pastries that look equally tempting, and I’m looking forward to trying more. I’ll make an effort to visit their physical location sometime, but for now, I really love having great bread delivered right to my door.
Jun 13 · D ArmstrongPublican Quality Bread
1759 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, USA
Directory information can change. Confirm current hours, prices, products, dietary needs, and custom-order requirements directly with the bakery.

Essential details
- Address
- 1759 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, USA
- Phone
- (312) 605-1618
- Website
- Visit official site
- Rating signal
- 4.0 from 349 recorded reviews
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
- Saturday7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Sunday7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
About and visit notes
Introduction / Overview: Leading America's Bread Renaissance from Chicago
Publican Quality Bread (PQB) is not just a bakery; it is a vital part of the Midwest's artisanal food movement, widely recognized for producing some of the finest, most thoughtful bread in the country. Located in Chicago’s vibrant West Town neighborhood, PQB is helmed by James Beard Award-winning baker Greg Wade, whose philosophy is rooted in long, natural fermentation and the exclusive use of locally sourced, organic heritage grains from Midwest partners like Spence Farm and Janie's Mill. This commitment results in "Feel-Good Bread" that is deeply flavorful, nutrient-rich, and remarkably easy to digest.
While the business has long supplied acclaimed wholesale loaves to top restaurants across Chicago, the retail location at West Grand Avenue offers Illinois consumers the chance to experience this culinary excellence directly. The shop serves as a bustling hub for high-quality hearth loaves, innovative pastries, hearty lunch options, and a curated selection of gourmet grocery provisions, making it a comprehensive destination for the discerning Chicago food lover.
Location and Accessibility: A West Town Hub for Quality Grains
The flagship retail location for Publican Quality Bread is situated in the West Town area, making it a highly accessible spot for commuters and neighborhood residents alike. The storefront is designed to welcome all Illinois patrons with ease and convenience.
1759 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, USA
The bakery is equipped to ensure a comfortable visit for every customer, offering several transportation and planning amenities:
- LI Wheelchair Accessible Entrance: Ensuring the space is open and welcoming to all members of the community.
- LI Parking Options: Both Free street parking and Paid street parking are available near the location, providing flexibility for those traveling by car.
- LI Planning for Your Visit: Designed for a Quick visit, making it easy to grab a coffee, a pastry, or a loaf on the go, or to stay a little longer and enjoy the atmosphere.
- LI Payment Flexibility: Accepting all major Credit cards, Debit cards, and modern NFC mobile payments for fast transactions.
Services Offered: Artisan Baking, Gourmet Lunch, and Provisions
PQB's service model is expansive, combining the best of a daily bakery, a cafe, and a specialty food market:
- LI Bread Sales: Daily production of signature loaves, including Spence Sourdough, Malted Rye, 1979 Multigrain, and Olive Sourdough, available as full loaves, half loaves, and baguettes.
- LI Extensive Pastry Selection: A wide variety of viennoiserie and sweets, from classic Croissant and Kouign Amann to unique items like the Cardamom Monkey Bread, Chocolate Orange Morning Brioche Bun, and seasonal hand pies.
- LI Gourmet Lunch Menu: Serving substantial offerings such as their popular 'Big Sandwiches' (e.g., Turkey & Summer Squash) and creative open-faced 'Tartines' (e.g., Babaganoush Tartine), as well as the classic Jambon Beurre.
- LI Weekend Specials: Featuring exclusive, highly sought-after treats that change weekly, such as the Honey Apple Cruffin or Baklava Twice Baked Croissant, for those looking for a special weekend indulgence.
- LI Full Coffee & Tea Bar: Serving a comprehensive menu of drinks, including Drip Coffee, Latte, Matcha Latte, and various cold brews.
- LI Specialty Grocery & Provisions: Offering a curated selection of high-quality goods, including specialty cheeses, charcuterie, house-made jams, flours from their mill partners, and PQB swag.
- LI Convenience Services: Providing Delivery, In-store pickup, Onsite services, and Takeout for ultimate flexibility in enjoying their products across the Illinois region.
Features / Highlights: James Beard Excellence and Community Focus
The following highlights solidify Publican Quality Bread’s reputation as a premium food institution in Chicago:
- LI James Beard Award-Winning Baker: The bakery is guided by Greg Wade, the recipient of the 2019 James Beard Award for Outstanding Baker, ensuring every product is crafted with nationally recognized expertise and dedication.
- LI Local Grain Advocacy: A foundational commitment to partnering directly with Midwest farmers like Spence Farm and Janie's Mill, utilizing organic, heritage, whole-grain flours that are flavor-forward and better for digestion.
- LI Exceptional Sourdough: Loaves are distinguished by long, natural fermentation—a 30-hour process for the famous Spence Sourdough—resulting in complex, hearty, yet balanced flavors noted for their perfect crust and interior structure.
- LI Savory and Sweet Variety: The menu offers a sophisticated range of both savory options (like the Breakfast Bun - Porchetta, Giardiniera & Gruyère and specialty quiches) and classic French pastries, ensuring there is a high-quality baked good for every preference and time of day.
- LI Gourmet Market Integration: The in-house GROCERY section allows patrons to stock their pantries with high-end provisions, including artisan cheeses, charcuterie, and specialty flours from the same mills that supply the bakery.
Contact Information
For ordering specialty breads, placing a large delivery order, or making general inquiries, please use the contact details for the West Town location:
P Address: 1759 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, USA
P Phone: (312) 605-1618
P Mobile Phone: +1 312-605-1618
What is Worth Choosing: Integrity in Every Crumb
For Illinois customers prioritizing quality, sustainability, and unparalleled flavor, Publican Quality Bread is the definitive choice. What truly sets PQB apart is the integrity of their product, built on the slow, meticulous process of natural fermentation and a transparent, ethical sourcing model that supports Midwest farmers. When you purchase a loaf of their Spence Sourdough or a seasonal pastry, you are not just buying bread; you are investing in a sustainable food system and experiencing the result of James Beard Award-winning craft.
The customer experience, as noted in reviews, is consistently excellent, highlighted by both the quality of the products—from the heartiness of the bread to the "perfectly balanced" spice in the Cardamom Monkey Bread—and the welcoming service provided by the staff. The dual functionality as a world-class bakery offering full loaves and sophisticated pastries, combined with a daily cafe serving excellent coffee and gourmet sandwiches, ensures that whether you need a quick, delicious breakfast, a premium lunch, or the foundation for an unforgettable dinner, Publican Quality Bread delivers an uncompromising standard of quality right to the heart of the Chicago food scene, available for convenient delivery, takeout, or an in-store visit.
Services and accessibility
These attributes come from the directory record and should be confirmed when essential.
Service options
- Delivery
- In-store pickup
- Onsite services
- Takeout
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Offerings
- Coffee
Dining options
- Breakfast
Planning
- Quick visit
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
See the bakery
Reviews and recurring themes
Read individual comments as personal experiences, not verified guarantees.
The pastry and bread selections are excellent as always. I love visiting on the weekends for their pastry weekend specials. My favorite is breakfast bun, which you should come early if you wanna get a piece since they’re very popular!Besides, the customer service is what makes me come back every day. Shout out to Annabel, Ashley, Francine, Becca, Clementine, and Emma for always making me feel welcomed and taken cared of even during rush hours.
Sep 5 · Vince PhanWe're go here at least once a week. The pastries are certainly some of the best in the city, and the bread is great too.If you've never been, be prepared to wait. The line is frequently out the door on the weekends, but it moves fast - it's rarely more than 20 minutes, and worth the wait
Aug 12 · Brendan NeffWe split the mortadella & burrata sandwich and a potato salad. Do not be deceived, this sandwich may look simple but it is packed with flavor and every bite was SO good. The bread was also the perfect texture. Excellent spot!
Apr 12 · Kimberly NguyenThey have great coffee, bread, and pastries. However, I would not go here for lunch or a larger meal than a snack again. Bad pricing. Came a little before closing around 2:00 for a sandwich and there was a zucchini sandwich and a turkey club of sorts. They had a ham sandwich as well that was labeled $13, it seemed to be a good size. We should have gotten and ham. The zucchini and turkey club were not labeled with price; you requested how much of an originally larger, sheet-pan-sized sandwich you wanted cut off for yourself. Not sure what metric they use to determine the price of these chunks they cut off but ours was way off.My partner paid for the meal, so I didn’t notice it until we left and drove away and I saw the receipt for the “sandwiches” but when they asked for a turkey club sandwich, half of what was left on the counter, the staff gave us a square piece that was about 3x3 inches and they charged us over $13 for it… the zucchini one my partner got was about double the size and charged the same price. I’m sorry, I like the fresh bread and baked goods from here but charging nearly $14 for a tiny 3x3” piece of a larger sandwich and same price for about a 5x6” chunk totaling over $30 is ridiculous, even for a ‘homemade healthy ingredients’ aesthetic. If you come here, stick to loaves and pastries or check they’re charging you the right prices.
Jul 20 · Matt RothCompare another bakery nearby
Sorted by geographic proximity from this bakery.












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