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Dinkel's Bakery
Categories: Food Bakeries Food Coffee & Tea Bakeries, Coffee & Tea [Edit]
3329 N Lincoln Ave(between Marshfield Ave & Roscoe St)
Chicago, IL 60657
Neighborhood: Lakeview
(773) 281-7300
- Nearest Transit:
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Paulina (Brown Line)
Southport (Brown Line)
Addison-Brown (Brown Line)
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 6 am - 7 pm
Sat 6 am - 5 pm
Sun 8 am - 4 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
267 reviews for Dinkel's Bakery
Review Highlights
"If you like old-fashioned baked goods, it's hard to go..."
(in 27 reviews)
"Their butter cookies are great as well."
(in 15 reviews)
"All the donuts were incredibly fresh."
(in 61 reviews)
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267 reviews in English
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Review from Lesley A.
2/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
There's a reason why Dinkel's has been around since the beginning of Chicago baking time (I'm exaggerating, but still!)
Let these menu items make you drool
- Spinach and cheese croissants
- MAPLE BACON DOUGHNUTS
- Brownie Torte Cake (special order)
Those are the last three things I ordered from Dinkel's, but let's just say I could have bought out the store with their selection of cakes, strudels, cookies and pastries.
Spinach and cheese croissants are one of the most well-known items to buy here, so it's an obvious recommendation.
The maple bacon doughnut was made as a cake doughnut rather than glazed doughnut. It posed a great texture and taste contrast to the maple frosting and soft, salty bacon.
The brownie torte cake is a dream for your brownie loving friend celebrating their birthday. (Two years in a row, and my friend is still not tired of me ordering it for him!)
Dinkel's also has seating where it's a great place to bring your family for a Saturday breakfast. It seems like they also have a selection of specialty coffees and local newspapers in case you would like to stay.
But for those of you who are picking up orders, fear not: there is a 15 minute car standing zone across the street. -
Review from Mickey A.
2/8/2012
You know that section in your Yelp profile re: Most Recent Discovery or something? Lately, mine would have to read Dinkel's Bakery...and yes, I know I don't have an answer for mine. I have passed this place for years, and I know it's not "new". I did get my butt over here recently for some treats:
- dinner rolls: They were quite heavenly after about 8 minutes in the oven. Also good with the soup I had from next door.
- Ginger crinkle cookies (or ginger snaps): probably my most favorite item I bought. Even though I thought they were a tad salty, I still went through these rather quickly while at work. I was sad when they were all gone...which only means I have to go back for more.
- Praline Pecan Strudel: Located in the freezer section, I snatched one of the remaining loaves. Eh, it was ok. I liked the sweetness and the crunchiness from the pecans, but the cake part was a little dry. I microwaved some slices, which helped a bit. I definitely wouldn't rule it out completely because it went well with the hot mochas I had.
I had spent a good amount of time browsing around since it wasn't busy. The employees were probably thinking: is she really going to buy, or is she just going to drool over everything? They have a ton of other items I wanted to get but didn't want to leave the bakery looking like a little piggy. That's what other visits are for...wink.
For the record: I did not drool over anything. -
Review from Lisa C.
Chicago, IL
1/30/2012
You are wonderful. You made me the most awesomest, fantabulous birthday cake with Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs on it when I was 7 years old.
I am now 28. Yes, my birthday cake was that memorable.
But seriously, Dinkel's is wonderful - and they've been a family-owned Chicago staple since 1922! All the more reason to support them :-) -
Review from Lauren V.
12/27/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Serious fail for Dinkel's Bakery.
I placed an order for an assortment of 2 1/2 dozen dinner rolls to be picked up on the morning of Christmas Eve. When I got there the place was absolutely packed and I had to wait about 25 minutes to pick up my order. I had somewhat expected this so at that point all is well.
Finally my number is called and I pick up my bag of rolls, pay, and I'm on my way. Mistake #1-I should've checked the bag before I left. I got to my car to discover that while the sticker on the bag said "assortment" all I had was 2 1/2 dozen PLAIN dinner rolls. But ok, I can live with plain dinner rolls, I'm not going back inside that madhouse. I got home and decided I would try one and that is where everything really went south.
These dinner rolls were terrible, and I mean terrible. They were rock hard, like they had been baked several days before hand. I would have been embarassed to serve those to my family. Luckily I only paid about $8 for them and was able to go to Panera to pick up a couple loaves as a replacement. Terrible experience, I will not be visiting Dinkel's again.Comment from Eric D. of Dinkel's Bakery 12/27/2011
All our rolls are baked fresh daily. Our dinner rolls are… More » -
Review from Mrs T.
Oak Park, IL
12/17/2011
I've gotten cake here for YEARS. (I think the majority of my childhood birthday cakes were from here as well). The cakes are moist and wonderfully delicious. I enjoy their white cake with custard and strawberries in the center. Easy icing.
When looking for a wedding cake, I tried out all of the fancy over-priced cake artists I found online. My husband, our parents, and I went to multiple tastings. The cakes were all too dry, too sweet, too bland, etc. I found that I was continually comparing the wedding cakes to Dinkel's.
So... I called them. To my surprise, they also did wedding cakes. I gave them the photo of the cake I wanted and told them my budget. They told me how to make it work. We tried out a few different icings with three cakes (much less overwhelming than the other places we'd been to). And then we were all set!
Delivery was flawless. I provided them with contact information for the woman handling setup at the reception site. They set up the cake and left. I never actually saw them--- but we had SO many complements on our cake.
I love Dinkels. I will continue to go out of my way to get special occasion cakes from them. -
Review from Michael G.
Chicago, IL
12/31/2011
Chocolate Donuts! Dinkel's Bakery makes the best chocolate donuts. If you're lucky enough to get Dinkel's chocolate donuts when they're warm, you'll bite into a crispy, fluffy, firm(firm not crumbly) donut iced with a thick, gooey, chocolate, not a thin icing. When they're not fresh out of the oven, they are delicious, just not warm...
Their other items are good too, but go there for the chocolate donuts especially. Other bakeries around town make wonderful things: La Patisserie P; Floriole; Bake; Fritz; Reuter's; Bennison's in Evanston; and Sugar Fixe Patisserie in Oak Park are great for many reasons, but no one makes a better chocolate donut than Dinkel's.
The staff is friendly and efficient, which is helpful when the place gets crowded...and it does get crowded.
15 minute "Free Parking" is available on both sides of Lincoln Avenue; just leave your "flashers" flashing. -
Review from Audrey S.
Chicago, IL
1/22/2012
The staff's sour attitude and poor service ruined my sweet-tasting treats.
The treats weren't that impressive either. -
Review from Lindsay S.
Chicago, IL
12/15/2011
I don't like Dinkel's ... but not enough to only give it one star. I think that House of Cakes on Canfield is better by a lot. The people at Dinkel's are not very nice either.. and I don't like that you have to spend $10 min to use a card... bc I just feel thats a lot for a place that has like 69 cent donuts. I do like the cheese bearclaw and the almond bearclaw... those are pretty good.
I would like to point out that there is a area under construction to the right of Dinkel's with a sign that says "Dinkel's Cafe coming soon"... it's been like 2 years. Sooo, is it going to be here soon or what? I am not saying I am waiting, I am just saying... take down the sign. -
Review from Beth L.
Chicago, IL
2/5/2012
I have been getting birthday cakes and baked goods at Dinkel's for over 15 years and always loved their buttercream frosting with both white and chocolate cake. I ordered a cake several weeks ago for my son's birthday; we had made Angry Birds out of fondant and just wanted a plain cake to put them on. An undecorated cake (with only writing--Happy Birthday) cost the same as a regular decorated cake. Block writing in blue was specified and we received script writing in black and blue. We ordered buttercream and it really didn't taste like the rich, buttery frosting I've loved from Dinkel's. It was 2 hours before the party when I was putting the fondant decorations on that I discovered this, so I called them and explained the mistake with the writing (which I was willing to overlook, not a big deal) and that I ordered buttercream but this tasted very bland and I wondered if it was whipped cream. The response was "well, our buttercream is not like other places, it's not sickly sweet." I told them I was very aware of what their buttercream was like, having been a happy customer for over 15 years, and that this frosting had no hint of butter taste in it whatsoever. The manager told me I could bring the cake back; but I had a party in 2 hours and if I did that, I'd have no cake for it. She said that if, after the party, I brought some of the cake back for them to "examine" they could make a determination about "whether a mistake has been made" and that "we can tell if it's buttercream or whipped cream just by looking at it." I brought a piece back and was told that the manager would "talk to my boss and we have your number and someone will call you back." No one ever called me back. A few days later, I called and spoke to a man who identified himself as "the owner" and was brusque and pretty rude. He also told me how their buttercream is not sickly sweet, that "I haven't seen this piece of cake you said you brought in," and that the best thing he could do "IF we made a mistake" is refund the price difference between buttercream and whipped cream ($11). I said I thought their policy was that they guaranteed the cakes for any reason and he said "yeah, but you have to bring the cake back." I'm not sure how you're supposed to do that if you order a cake for an occasion and pick it up the same day of that occasion. "Well, I've been doing this for 45 years, so I know a little bit about this and I haven't figured out a way to do it more fair, it doesn't seem fair for you to get to keep the whole cake AND get all your money back does it?" I said that maybe half off and a better attitude certainly would have gone a long way to keeping me as a customer. We hung up with his promise to investigate and call me back. A week went by and no word. I called again and neither the woman I originally spoke with or the owner were there. The person who answered the phone promised to find the manager I spoke with and have him call me back within an hour. No call for several days. I called back and asked for the women I talked to; she called me back about an hour later and said "Yes, a decision has been made. We did not make a mistake on the frosting, it was buttercream, but they did do the writing wrong. We can offer you 20% off a FUTURE order. Your name will be in the credit box at the register." Well, I don't think I'll be taking them up on it. I understand that mistakes happen, but if that is what their buttercream now tastes like and that is their idea of customer service, when I want to splurge in both money and calories on a rich, buttercream cake, I'll take my business to a place where I know that the indulgence will be worth it.
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Review from margaret g.
Chicago, IL
12/29/2011
Rude service. Should you choose to order a coffee with your pastry, hope you don't take milk in it! They scoff if you ask them for milk for your coffee. Not sure how fress pastries are either.
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Review from Lauren B.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 10/28/2011
Had their "famous" apple cider donut. Maybe I'm weird, but I didn't like it, I don't get the hype. To me it barely tasted like apple and there was a tangy, sour taste to it, sorta like their sour cream old fashioned donut. It really overshadowed the flavor of the donut. The only thing I liked about it was the slight crunch on the outside.
Still searching for good donuts in Lakeview, anyone know of a good place?1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/16/2011
Only tried the donuts today. They are large and rich, I couldn't come close to finishing the 3 that… Read more »
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Review from Brian S.
Chicago, IL
9/17/2011
An old-school Chicago bakery that represents exactly what a good bakery should be. While many bakeries in Chicago seem to only specialize in certain items, Dinkel's is fully stocked with all the house-made goodies you'd expect to find in a well stocked bakery.
Stop in on a weekend morning and pick up a few of their delicious cake doughnuts and a cup 'o joe and you won't be disappointed. My wife is partial to cake doughnuts, while I all too often find them to be dense and dry; but Dinkel's cake doughnuts just may make me a convert. Biting through the nicely fried outer crust you'll find a pleasantly light and fluffy cake interior.
My favorites were the maple glazed doughnut with bits of real bacon. For those who enjoy a savory breakfast the salty smokiness of the bacon offers a nice balance to the intensely flavored maple glaze. When autumn arrives you can enjoy the subtle flavors of their apple cider doughnuts that are rolled in cinnamon sugar. A nice treat that you can rarely find done well outside of an apple orchard. Their pretzel rolls can also transform an otherwise normal sandwich or burger.
Unlike many bakeries that just serve bland coffee as an afterthought, Dinkel's serves up a selection of fair trade brews from local roaster, Asado. One of my pet peeves from bakeries is when none of their doughnuts are labeled. I don't want to have to guess if that long john is filled or what flavor that glaze is, thankfully here each tray of doughnuts comes with a small sign that leaves the guessing-game out of ordering. -
Review from Anthony S.
Indianapolis, IN
11/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Nothing beats a good ole' German Chicago bakery! Dinkel's is truly a classic. They have the best butter crust white bread but if you want to get any make sure you get there early in the day as they sell out! If they happen to be out of bread their donuts and cookies are a great consolation prize! When I lived in Chicago my proximity to Dinkel's was definitely a consideration and a bonus if I was close enough by.
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Review from Rick C.
8/2/2011
My coworker has been telling me about this place for years. After having brunch nearby, we finally had a chance to check this place out. First off, the service was really friendly, she saw us trying the samples and directed us to where we could find more.
The butter cookies we tried were ridiculous. We'll have to pick some up the next time we're here. Chocolate donuts and the cherry danish we picked up were delicious. Definitely a good recommendation from my buddy. -
Review from Mindy S.
Updated - 11/2/2011
I have since discovered Dinkel's gluten free chocolate chip cookies, and have, on many occasions, eaten half of the container on my way to work. They are truly fantastic - sugary, buttery, chocolatey. Check them out for a scrumptious gluten free treat.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/15/2011
After years of smelling Dinkel's freshly baked treats on my way to the gym in the early AM, I… Read more »
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Review from Laura S.
Chicago, IL
4/10/2011 1 photo
For the past two years, Dinkel's has been my bakery of choice for my birthday cake. Yes, I'm 27 years old and still require cake on my birthday. I don't see why this is a problem.
Anyway, the cake is typically the other element of my birthday parties that receives as much praise as my glamourous ensembles. It's perfectly moist, and the frosting rich without being cavity-inducing and stomach-upsetting sweet. I'm lucky that my friends didn't eat it all so I can enjoy it a few more times.
The service was on point on both occasions. This year I realized at the last minute that I wouldn't be able to pick up my cake on the day of my party, so on Thursday afternoon I called to see if they could have it ready by the next day. It was no problem, and their flexibility helped immensely. Should I find myself still in Chicago in a year's time, I have no doubt that Dinkel's will help me celebrate my 28th. -
Review from Christine V.
Chicago, IL
6/9/2011
What's not to love? Dinkel's is so delicious! My favorite is to buy a packaged cake from the fridge (still homemade, just not as fancy as the ones under the glass). They're about $15. They'll write a message on it in pretty icing for free, and viola! You are the hero of the birthday/engagement/St. Patrick's Day party. EVERYONE loves Dinkel's cake.
I do wish they had more grab and go stuff for a crowd; i.e. something you can bring to a party for a group. I have a lot of friends that love Dinkel's but don't live nearby, so it's fun to bring them a treat as a hostess gift. -
Review from Kelli P.
Chicago, IL
1/1/2012 2 photos
Ordering our wedding cake from Dinkel's seemed like a no-brainer. Their prices were A LOT more reasonable than the other bakeries we checked out. Plus we were familiar with their tasty treats (my office used to always order Dinkel's every month for birthdays) and they are close to our neighborhood. We had a pretty strict budget for a cake and just wanted something simple and elegant. Joanne did a great job of helping us get creative with how we could get the cake we wanted without going over our budget. We ended up with a simple, 2 tier round wedding cake - a 7" cappuccino buttercream cake on top of a 10" raspberry custard cake. Instead of an extra tier, we opted for an additional 10" round cake on the side. It's more cost effective to scale back on the tiers and just do an extra sheet cake on the side. They were somewhat limited with what they could do with the decoration, but she helped us come up with a design that we were happy with. The cake was tasty AND beautiful. Way to go, Dinkel's!
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Review from Anne S.
4/29/2011
I have been hearing about this place for years, but I was rarely in the area. Now that I work near here, I thought I would stop in.
I bought a piece of lemon cake and an almond bear claw. Both were delicious. And the total was under $3.
Some of their stuff can be pricey, but some of it is a really good deal. I like that there is a wide range. -
Review from august b.
Chicago, IL
9/21/2011
the chocolate cake has the x-factor.........
simon cowell would give gordon ramsey a hand job for a piece! -
Review from Jenny R.
Chicago, IL
5/4/2011
I used to date a guy that lived about 2 blocks from Dinkel's. I really miss Dinkel's.
I loved walking over for coffee and pastries on the weekends. The caramel apple cupcake is to die for! Really really good coffee. Can't think of a single thing I'd ever gotten from there that was not amazing and fresh. Whenever I'm in the area I stop in for a sugar fix. -
Review from Brian C.
4/12/2011
This is the type of place your grandma would take you as a kid when she had to bribe you: a day's worth of cooperation in exchange for a berliner or a long john.
Dinkel's is located in a convenient central location to meet up with buddies before a weekend breakfast. It's also a prime place to get a box of premium old-fashioned donuts for coworkers.
Their donut box wrapping device is probably an antique - it operates with a certain dangerous, 1950s mechanical charm, like an old contraption in high school industrial tech classroom - and is impressive to watch in action. -
Review from Christine F.
Chicago, IL
5/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
I am on the Great Chicago Donut Hunt at the moment. I don't want mass produced shit, I want handmade, delicious donuts. I started at Dinkels.
It was a shitty, rainy Sunday and I walked into Dinkels (this is what heaven must smell like). I got 2 Old Fashioned donuts - one for me and one for my husband. It was only $2.25, which isn't bad at all.
Carried 'em around and saved them for later that night.
They were slightly stale from being carried around all day, which is totally on me. I am aware donuts are best fresh. The flavors were really good - I love a serious old fashioned. The inside was fluffy and the outside had a slight crispiness to it. The glaze was sweet and went well with the donut.
My husband wasn't amused that I only brought home two donuts, next Dinkels visit will have to be a bigger run. Good stuff. I want to sample their cake donuts next. -
Review from Matty G.
Comstock Park, MI
2/8/2011
Dinkel's Bakery makes me look like a drug addict.
No, I have not been snorting cocaine, it's just powdered sugar from my cheese flaky. No, I am not stoned with the munchies, well maybe. I get withdrawals when I don't get my Dinkel's fix, especially my cheese flaky.
Dinkel's is top notch. Love the old school feel. I pop in with the wife and baby often enough to hide my addiction from them. No, I am not trying to get them hooked either. I like the little cookies they have and the frosted sugar cookie is like crack. Speaking of crack, gah I love their cinnamon rolls and sour cream donut. I'm a shaking mess while I wait for my baggy of goodies. If you need a savory fix, the burglaur is excellent. A quick hitting, melt in your mouth high. And the coffee will give you a kick in the pants; pure, bold speed.
The service is usually pleasant, sometimes you might get a grumpy dealer, I mean clerk. So stop in, get your fix, stay and relax or run home and get your junkie on. If you bring it to work, hide your stash. The cake is great too.
Can't wait to go back. Smashin' cheese flaky all day. -
Review from Richard O.
Chicago, IL
5/27/2011
It was all right, though not as good as the Swedish Bakery in Andersonville. What makes both places a little weird though is that the employees always seem so harried and strangely uptight as though these places are run by some obscure cult of Scandinavian Calvinists. I guess I like Rudy's in Roscoe Village because the baked goods are really good and the people are friendly.
Anyway, I was here once last summer and we tried a little of everything. It was good but nothing wowed me the way stuff has wowed me at Rudy's or the Swedish Bakery. The tension in the air peaked as we were sitting at a table gorging ourselves and heard the strained voice of a hysterical woman chewing out one of her employees. What, do you suppose, was this employee's mortal sin? This ungrateful wench didn't take her break early enough in the day because she thought they were too busy. Are you kidding me? Be nice to your employees, people. Atmosphere matters. Especially if you're going somewhere to indulge yourself. -
Review from William L.
Chicago, IL
11/8/2010 5 Check-ins Here
Dinkel's holds a very special place in my heart. My family has been going here for quality baked goods since they arrived in this country (shortly after Dinkel's had opened). I'll never forget my dad recounting the stories of his grandmother climbing up the stairs to their apartment and his anticipation that she was bringing some treats from Dinkel's, which most times she was.
I've never had something here I didn't love, and that goes for my entire family. The chocolate donuts are incredible. I'm convinced they could make decent coin just serving the donuts and nothing else. Well, maybe some fresh coffee to wash them down (their coffee is great, by the way). The little butter cookies half dipped in chocolate (the same used for the donuts) are divine. The powdered sugar donuts and butter ring coffee cake are a real treat. Their chocolate chip cookies are down right famous, I dare you to try and eat just two. Even the bacon donuts are great, only served on weekends I believe. I've had their custom cakes at going-away and birthday parties and they are truly top-notch.
It can get quite busy, but the ladies behind the counter work very quickly and with a smile. Prices are very reasonable, but if you want to use plastic, there is a $10 minimum. If there is a heaven, mine would have a Dinkel's on every corner.Listed in: Breakfast - It's What's for…
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Review from Corie M.
Chicago, IL
3/30/2011
DINKIES!!!!!!!
Well that's what we call it anyway.
I love this bakery. I used to live near another bakery and I thought I had it made....but then I moved near Dinkels. Super cheap, wide variety, and everything I have had so far is delicious. We had a birthday cake made here for a friend, the chocolate brownie torte, and it was to die for. The staff is helpful and patient and I can't WAIT for them to open up the Dinkels Cafe next door to the bakery! -
Review from Tracy C.
Chicago, IL
11/26/2011
Maple Bacon cake doughnut!!!!!!! Best doughnut I ever did eat!!!! YUM!!!!
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Review from Heather R.
Chicago, IL
5/29/2011
I'm not really a fan of donuts, but I'll eat theirs. I don't eat a lot of cake, but theirs takes it! I tasted their strudel at the Christkindel Market and it was the best I've ever had. They definitely know what they're doing and take pride in doing it.
Although It's delicious, it can be a little pricey, so it's not a place I'd frequent, but for special occasions, it's OK to splurge! -
Review from patty o.
Chicago, IL
3/6/2011
I love this place. I picked up 2 dozens packis & also dozen of donuts yesterday . The chocolate donuts are the best. This bakery been around since 1922 family run so they know what they are doing.
If you do go here I recommend go early right when open not only is bread & all the goodies just coming out of the oven, parking is not a problem. Later on in the day parking & traffic can be a challenge. Although Dinkels is so worth it.
I have had almost everything at Dinkels over the years & always top qualty everytime!
:) -
Review from Victoria O.
Chicago, IL
4/13/2011
I love the end result of my experience. The cookies and cakes are amazing! However, the service is something to be left desired. I'm not sure if I caught everyone on a bad day or what.
When I arrived at 8.05 to pick up my order for 8 am they couldn't find my order and sent someone upstairs to "get it". I waited around for 15 minutes (i told them i had a presentation that started at 9 so i was in a hurray) with no one in site with my order. NO ONE seemed to think that was a big deal. Once the girl that went upstairs came back down she was empty handed. I asked where my order was and said, "Oh we still have to package i.t" Okay, that's fine then get moving on would think.
She was moving as fast as a Sunday Driver....with no smile on her face, no sorry about this, nothing. I was Shocked!!!
Customer Service is very important to me and as a returning customer I'm now going to try a different bakery :( -
Review from Jen L.
Updated - 6/6/2011 2 Check-ins Here
The iced cookies? Still cracklike and now I've discovered another addiction the pecan danish. Seriously yummy. I think it's really good that I don't live closer to Dinkel's. And I don't see why my cousin (who lives around the corner) isn't here everyday. Clearly she inherited all the willpower in the family.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/22/2009
I love old school bakeries. The sour cream donuts are excellent. The danish & croissants were… Read more »
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Review from Nicola L.
Chicago, IL
9/24/2011
I love Dinkel's baked goods - cakes are divine, cupcakes are good, their bread is tasty and fresh every day.
Do not head there, however, if you only have minutes to spare. The wait to be served is 15 + minutes, which is especially frustrating when the store is practically empty and employees are standing in the corner chatting and throwing you glances from time to time, as if to see when you're going to reach your boiling point.
Today was the third (and last!) time I've walked out of Dinkel's due to the above problem.
I have read the many reviews for other good bakeries in Chicago and have already picked up another one.
Dinkel's will not get another penny of my money for their good, yet expensive goods. -
Review from Erin D.
1/24/2011 2 Check-ins Here
There is something about a city bakery that the 'burbs bakeries just don't have. Which is why, I'll make the pilgrimage to Lincoln Ave and visit Dinkels.
Dinkels..I (heart) you period.
My two staples at Dinkel's....the inch thick cream cheese coffee cake and the big ass pretzels. Its well worth the trip but its always hard to keep your hands off the goods til you get home.
If you want to one up someone on bringing a dessert, coffee cake or any other sweet, make the trip to Dinkel's and you'll be a winner... -
Review from Evan H.
Chicago, IL
4/21/2011
Every year, I order the same exact birthday cake for my girlfriend from Dinkel's. Every year it's been perfect...until this year.
Would have been 5 stars, but I'm dropping to 2.5.
I phoned in an order on 4/12 for 4/17 pick-up. Gave the order-taker very specific instructions, which I repeated several times since she seemed a bit confused (for example, she didn't know what jimmies were even though the website offers a choice of white, chocolate, or rainbow under the "finishing touches" heading). My girlfriend likes her cake completely covered with colored frosting flowers. No inscription. Just a garden of frosting flowers perched atop the cake.
When I arrived Sunday to pick up the cake, the top had been frosted with white flowers. I explained that this was not what I had ordered - that I had requested all different colored flowers. The woman said "that's not what it says on the ticket." I explained that I've ordered the same exact cake for years, that I clarified my order numerous times on the phone, and that there was absolutely NO possibility this was my mistake. It wasn't.
Another woman came to look at the ticket and explained that the order was, in fact, taken correctly but that the decorator simply didn't pay attention to the instructions. She told me that typically when flowers are covering a cake, it's a wedding design with all-white frosting. Unfortunately, she told me, no decorators were on hand on Sunday to fix the problem.
They discounted the cake, but I didn't want the money. I wanted the cake I ordered. If money was what I wanted, I wouldn't have offered to trade it for cake in the first place.
Did the cake still taste good? Yes, it was delicious. Do I understand mistakes happen and no one's perfect? Sure. However, if you do not have anyone available to FIX your mistakes, you had better make sure you don't make them to begin with. Good thing my girlfriend wasn't a 5-year-old whose birthday easily could have been ruined - RUINED! - by this type of thing.
Take a little more pride and care in what you're doing, Dinkel's. Your order takers and decorators should not be making assumptions and should be closely following customer requests - ESPECIALLY if you don't have the staff to correct issues when they arise. -
Review from Anne M.
9/7/2011
A charming old school bakery.
I've made several trips here and have enjoyed their cinnamon rolls, cupcakes (a tad dry), pastries, and most recently some really cute little mini-cakes (apricot cream and a black forest).
I am leaving the review at 2 stars because of a bad experience with a container of powdered hot chocolate mix I purchased on one of the visits a long time ago. On a whim, I picked up one of their containers of the hot chocolate mix and thought, that looks good, I could use some... so I bought it. About a week or so later, I decided to make some. I scooped some of the choco mix into a mug, boiled some water and poured over the mix. After stirring, I noticed many little black bits floating to the top - what's that, chocolate bits? Nope.. it was some kind of little bugs. I was horrified - goose bumps, hair-raising grossed. out. I looked into the container and poked around a bit, and sure enough, I could see some movement and more little bug bodies in there - tossed it, and took a long hiatus from Dinkel's because I couldn't stand the thought of getting anything else from there after this incident.
After a good long break, over a year, I returned. I figured I'd enjoyed the other things I purchased there, and maybe the buggy chocolate mix was just a bad / old batch? I don't know... I still don't frequent the place, but the last items I got (the adorable mini-cakes) were really good. -
Review from gfiddy f.
Chicago, IL
8/27/2011
Awesome pastries.
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Review from Lynn K.
Chicago, IL
9/20/2010
This bakery keeps it old school with it's long glass counters filled with a variety of sweets and savories to titillate the senses! You can't help but walk in and be hit with a huge wave of nostalgia for childhood memories involving parents telling you that you can only pick one thing and agonizing over it until you made your final decision.
I used Dinkle's to order an engagement cake for my two friends and was so happy with their level of service. I submitted an online order with a few requests and heard back from someone within 24hours letting me know what could and couldn't be done. They were friendly and polite and extremely helpful. Not to mention they executed what I had envisioned perfectly!
My friends LOVED the cake. It took them a good 3 hours before they could even bear to cut the thing because it was so pretty and they "never had their picture on a cake before." Not only did it look wonderful, but it tasted so so good! The cake was so moist and the buttercream was some of the best I've ever had. Not too sweet and it had a nice, thick consistency.
Highly recommend using Dinkel's for any special occasions - or if you just have a hankering for something sweet! -
Review from Becca S.
10/7/2010 1 Check-in Here
My boss periodically brings in baked goods for the entire office (there are 100 of us - he's very generous). I never paid attention to where they were from. Periodically people would see the box and say things like "oh Dinkel's! My favorite!", but I'm not a bakery frequenter, so I didn't take note. Naturally it wasn't long before I was in need of a bakery to order cupcakes for a birthday. Naturally I called up Dinkel's. Their cupcakes are huge and moist and the frosting is to die for. I'm not a huge sweets person, but I can appreciate a good dessert.
I've ordered from them several times for work as well. I work in marketing and when we land a new client, we like to get their logo printed on a cake to celebrate. You can email Dinkel's a .jpg and have your cake the next day. If you want a logo (100% edible) on the cake you have to get white butter cream frosting, but you aren't limited on cake flavors or fillings. Their cakes never disappoint, and when people see the Dinkel's boxes, no matter what's inside, their mouths start to water.Listed in: Chicago "Musts", Sweet!!
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Review from Scott C.
11/14/2010
I've been going to Dinkel's for years - have a doughnut fix? Need a coffee cake? Need a birthday cake? All signs point to Dinkel's for good quality bakery goods.
Their chocolate doughnut is fantastic! Always soft and the chocolate topping is so rich and sweet - absolutely amazing!
It's a tribute to Dinkel's that they have maintained their quality over the years and it's nice to know that you can rely on finding good food and good service at a great price!
