"We've been around for five generations, we started family baking in 1886, so we consider ourselves a family bakery with three locations now here in the suburbs," said Jacki Schmitt, who owns the bakery with her family.
Despite the company name, the Buffalo Grove commissary is the nerve center for cakes, muffins and strudels of all kinds.
"In the early 90s, we built the Buffalo Grove location and do all of our baking on-site here, we bake overnight and then ship out to our two other locations early, early in the morning," said Schmitt. "So we've got anything from our chocolate chip coffeecake, our Hungarian strudels; we've got cupcakes, cookies. We're probably well-known for our customized cakes."
They mean seriously customized. Afterall, when was the last time you saw an ornate cake, this meticulously designed and decorated, for a two year old? The other highlight that hasn't changed in more than 40 years is the Queen Elizabeth cake.
"So my grandfather actually created that when the Queen came to Chicago in 1969, and he wanted it to be after her crown, so it's yellow cake with fresh strawberries, fresh bananas and then the ladyfingers on the outside with a strawberry on top to look like a gem," she said.
There's also a cafe here, featuring sandwiches - all on their freshly-baked bread, mind you - plus breakfast items, like cinnamon bread French toast dusted in powdered sugar. Schmitt says while they've added a few new things, like smoothies and shakes, they've also stuck to tradition, hoping to maintain a consistent product.
"We've created a really good reputation for ourselves here on the North Shore and so everyone keeps coming back for more," said Schmitt.
Now they just launched their beer and wine program here at the Buffalo Grove location a couple of months ago, and if you are feeling like a little taste of old Germany you could have one of their half dozen strudels and why not pair it with a Belgian-style ale.
Only the Buffalo Grove location has their liquor license.
Deerfields Bakery
201 N. Buffalo Grove Rd., Buffalo Grove
847-520-0068
http://www.deerfieldsbakery.com/
Also:
813 Waukegan Rd., Deerfield
25 S. Roselle Rd. Schaumburg
