Chapter 1 - the Neighborhood Bakery and Deli
There is no more gratifying smell
in the world than wafts of fresh baked goods. In all corners of Dekalb there
are generous auras that drift and float, beckoning growling and grumbling
bellies to indulge. All bakeries offer extraordinary treats for any occasion,
meeting, or brunch and the tour begins in Dekalb, at the Neighborhood Bakery,
which serves up an array of paramount baked goods:
With a generous and intense
selection of cheese, fruit and nut fillings, the coffee cakes are fresh,
buttery, and flaky but not overly sweet. If unable to choose just one, full
coffee cake, there are plenty of hand held delights such as the almond or
cheese claw and cherry turnover that equal their big brother, just more
accessible and compact.
Surrounded by a tender, and perfect
crust, the peach pie is summer in a bite: tart, juicy and sweet – simply put:
voluptuous.
Mind the cliché, but the kolacky,
which must make an appearance at all family gatherings, are exactly like
grandma used to make and will harken any nibbler with Eastern European heritage
back to Christmas Eve. The raspberry, cheese and apricot filled pockets
disappear long before other desserts are introduced, but the dusting of
powdered sugar upon upper lips spills the secret of who has satiated the need
for a bite of Poland. Making good kolacky is an art form, and the Neighborhood
Bakery is to kolacky what Edward Hopper is to art: traditional, refined,
unassuming and deep, though presented in a bite size masterpiece.
2205 PLEASANT STREET UNIT 1
Dekalb, IL 60115
North of the Dekalb Airport
On Pleasant Street
Phone: (815)748-7707
Fax: (815-787-7943
The Neighborhood Bakery is very
moderately priced and accepts credit/debit cards, however, the hours are short
(especially for a bakery), open from 7am – 3pm weekdays and 8am-2pm Saturdays
(closed Sunday and Monday).
