Blue Sky Bakery & Cafe
3720 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL, 60613
Blue Sky Bakery & Cafe Menu
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Address :
3720 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL, 60613 - Phone (773) 880-9910
- Website https://blue-sky-bakery.org
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
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Laurie V.
We happened on the Wicker Park Farmers Market on the last sale of the season and noticed the booth for Blue Sky. Now I normally don't buy a lot of bake goods but this crazy old lady cut in front of everyone to buy a cookie and went on and on about how good they were and that I had to have one. Then another woman mentioned how amazing the scones were. Suddenly I became a person who caves under peer pressure and bought 2 cookies and a pumpkin scone. Holy crap they were good! How did I go 37 years without knowing that scones were awesome? I grabbed the card from the bakery and realized they were in my hood. Now I have become hooked on the baked goods. The cheddar chive and pumpkin, and pear/almond scones, peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies...Delicious! The selection is always varied and they might not always have what you were hoping for but there's always something tasty to take its place. The prices are also great! I look forward to trying the sandwiches one of these days.
(4)Matt R.
Has very good cookies and a selection of classic baked goods. Everything here is good! This place also is open for lunch, and I have yet to try it.
(3)Joe K.
I've been wanting to get here for a while now. Made the plans to go today...and locked my keys in my car. arrrrgh. Anyway, I finally made it there at about 2:04. They're supposed to close at 2. I really, really hate it when people show up at my work at the last minute, and I won't speak of what I think of people who show up AFTER closing time expecting service. So, fully expecting a "sorry, we're closed" when I peeked my head in, I was surprised to be greeted with a (really really really cute) girl looking up from her book she was reading, smiling, and welcoming me in and asking what she could get for me. Whoa. Didn't even hint it was past closing time. Even made some sort of comment that the owner was going to be in soon and keep it open extra late anyway, so no big deal even if I wanted my coffee "for here." Couldn't have been nicer. So I ordered my coffee, picked out a muffin that was amazingly awesome(carrot/almond, I believe) and only had to hand over about 3 bucks. Seriously? Since I've moved to this wonderful, albeit expensive, city, I've found I either frequent places that are EITHER cheap OR cool. This is the first time I've found a place I really liked the atmosphere AND was saving some moolah. Yay! I asked her what the place was "all about," and she explained how they employ at-risk youth for a 6-month "program," with the intent of that being enough to build a resume to help them get a start. I wish I would have stuck around and asked her more about it, but I was already feeling guilty coming in after closing time. The place looked pretty neat, I'd guess about 6 4-top tables, and a really neat feel to it. Very clean. It wasn't what I expected, I didn't notice anywhere them gratuitously advertising the underlying mission of the place, just a neat little cafe that happens to give a little back, too. I like. ...now I just have to get the motivation to get out of my apartment before noon on my days off...booooo!!!!
(5)Jeannine B.
I have been a fan of this bakery for a while and love the new location in North Center! It is bright and roomy and has the best scones! They recently added cupcakes to their regular selections, too and they are super yummy! Love this bakery and its mission to provide job skills for at risk young people in Chicago.
(5)Paula K.
I love the coffee and baked goods at Blue Sky and even though I'm cheating on my diet I still feel good because of their mission to help at-risk and homeless youth to train for careers in the food service industry. It's worth it to get on their e-mail list to get informed about special events at the bakery like cooking classes and theme dinners - their savory dishes are just as good as their sweets!
(5)Whitney O.
Yummy yummy - I am not a bakery kind of gal, but I was having a Jewelry party, and Blue Sky Bakery was on groupon that week. I figured, what the heck - get some pastries to go with the wine. I emailed the contact, and at 4:15, I got a lovely selection of pastries delivered to my door. They even waived the out of delivery area fee. I would defintely order again, even without a groupon!
(5)Jessica S.
I was riding my bike in Albany Park this morning when I passed the irresistably alluring facade of a bakery called Blue Sky. I can't ignore any undiscovered, independently owned cafe, so I made a pit stop. It was pretty much empty and exuded the type of homey feel that made it feel like it existed solely for me. Great music playing, and a limited but quality selection of pastries, sandwiches, and soups. I had a delicious red velvet cupcake and a macchiato (which wasn't quite as strong as I like it, wonder what type of espresso they use?). The owner seemed really nice, and upon reading about the non-profit aspect and incredible mission of the place, I'm doubly impressed. Go there!
(5)Judy M.
Love this place! I bought two Groupons and was amazed at the quality of this place! Delicious cashew toffee bars and great cupcakes!
(4)Url R.
The Albany and North Park community really needs to support this place. Why go to a chain coffee shop when this place offers good coffee, decent baked goods, and FREE WiFi. On top of all that, it serves the community in a very good way. I will return on weekends when I just want to chill with a hot beverage and surf the web. And for god sakes, tip these people above the normal amount.
(4)Shannon R.
Blue Sky Bakery is great for a number of reasons. Their purpose is most outstanding and noteworthy. What they do for the community is amazing! Furthermore, their baked goods are tasty. I purchased their Groupon and was amazed at the assortment of treats I got for the price. And they were all pretty delicious on top of that. So delicious that I asked them to do my wedding cake. It was a small cake to be used only for cake cutting purposes as we were having other desserts, but some of our guests wanted to taste it and couldn't stop talking about the frosting. It was very yummy and I'm glad that I get to try it again next year on my anniversary (we froze a few pieces). Overall, Blue Sky is a bakery that delivers solid products with a great platform.
(5)Jack K.
This is a great coffee shop tucked away just off Lawrence. Its mission is to employ and give job training skills to at-risk youth, so it's definitely worth patronizing. Before I knew about this place the closest neighborhood coffee shop was Starbucks - now I won't have to go back there. (Just a warning, they're only open 7am to 2pm right now, so you'll have to find someplace else for your afternoon pick-me-up.)
(5)sarah l.
I'm wavering between 4 & 5 stars, but have to go with 5 because they have a really great mission -- to help give homeless youth job skills. I stopped by this morning after reading about this cafe in the Chicago Reader. I had no idea this was in my neighborhood. I stopped in for coffee & a muffin. The pastries were almost done, so I had a little wait. But the coffee was good, and the pear ginger muffin was AMAZING! Hot & Fresh out of the oven. It didn't taste at all like the sugary carbo-load muffins you buy from Dunkin Donuts. Only reason I would give this place 4 stars is because the decor is more appropriate for a casual dining dinner restaurant than a coffee shop. I'm picky about coffee shop atmosphere.
(5)Anna K.
Fantastic social mission and friendly staff. Ample lighting and spacious tables- great for studying and meetings.
(5)Rosa J.
I've heard about this place. My education background is criminal justice and has written some articles on the topics of social justice and social reforms. My hubby and I were in North Center and he wanted to grab a quick bite. There is free parking available. The cafe itself was bright and homy, with about five (5) large tables on site. We didn't order any drinks, as we both have had our morning coffee. We chose the mixed berry and pear ginger almond scones. Checked in at yelp and got $1off $5, so the total came in a little more than $4. I liked the mixed berry scones; I especially liked the berries because I can taste the essence of what fresh berries. In other words, those berries were the real deal! However, the pear ginger almond scone was very unique, in a positive way. The ginger seemed to "transform" to have a sweeter taste, but this transformation was subtle because the ginger and sugar created harmony so that the scone was not overly sweet. The almond then provided just enough kick to it. Well done! As some of you already knew, Blue Sky Bakery employs at-risk youth between ages of 18 to 24. What they learn from working at Blue Sky during the 12-week training helps them build resume so that they can move on and find other employments in the future. Instead of providing unlimited resources and giving them out for "free" like what government does with out faithful taxpayer's money, Blue Sky emphasizes on the mission to have those kids to be "self-sufficient" through the opportunities that were given. See the difference?
(4)Jo C.
This review is for private events- The venue is very cute and love the mission of this cafe. So I booked a shower here because I wanted to support the cause and there were great reviews about hosting a party here. However, the food was lacking and certainly not worth the money we paid. We had about two dozen people but the food prepared seemed like it could feed a dozen. The owner was only there for a few minutes so I'm not sure if that had anything to do with my experience being different from others for the private party. After I've sent the owner a note, she offered to give me a small discount but that is after the fact and that doesn't change the lacking experience for the guests. Not sure if I had a one off experience but be warned before you book your event.
(2)Michelle M.
The baked goods are heavenly, especially the scones. I also come here to support the owner's efforts to work with youngsters that need professional training.
(4)Regina K.
My sisters hosted my bridal shower here, and it was awesome. I already really liked this place, because the work is meaningful and the food is good. I was really pleased at how great the food and space was for a larger event like this was though. Highly recommended.
(5)Leah D.
My Aunt hosted my bridal shower here and it was AMAZING. The food was great, the service was great and it was such a cute location. There was plenty of space (20 guests) and we were able to walk around and mingle. I highly recommend it!
(5)Katy W.
Ever worried about creating a crowd pleasing dinner party? Blue Sky is your answer. On the big day of the event, after a trip to trader joes to pick up the main course, I knew making a dessert would be way too much pressure. Picking up baked goods the answer. This place has a very large, clean seating area which is welcoming to patrons. A family was enjoying a leisurely breakfast. They have a display of a couple different options: cupcakes, cookies, scones, brownies. I went with an assorted box of tiramisu, red velvet, and chocolate peanut butter cupcakes; peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies; and a cheesecake brownie. The kicker? This business of yummy baked goods supports at-risk youth. Giving back is truly the cherry on top! These baked goods were a crowd pleaser-especially the ginormous peanut butter cookie! Peanut butter never tasted SO.GOOD. I will be back for another.
(5)karin p.
Really great baked goods and really great prices. What's even better is the message is supports! Limited menu for lunch and savory things (1-2 sandwiches, quiche and savory scones). But if you go there for great espresso drinks, cupcakes or brownies, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Matt D.
Great Coffee. Nicest people in the world work here. The Whole Wheat Cranberry scone is just about perfect.
(5)Rebecca H.
Only have a second to write this review but picture this: good book, iced tea just the way I like it (primarily black, with a lil raspberry herbal in it), warm quiche that melts in my mouth and a perfect crunchy sweet amazing peanut butter oatmeal cookie. Dream come true... And the Mountain Goats come on the quiet radio...yeah. I'm glad I found this place. Just sad I don't live here all the time. Also the causes (supporting at risk and homeless teens, organic gardens, all-natural, supporting arts and community) of the bakery are amazing. Go check them out!! Get a cookie for me. :)
(5)P M.
Tried this bakery with a groupon sample box. Good cupcakes, scones and cookies but excellent fudge brownies! These may be THE BEST BROWNIES ON THE PLANET if you are a chocoholic like me! These are not for the faint of heart or the diet inclined. They explode with gooey fudge chocolatey flavor and melt so satisfyingly in your mouth. The word sinful gets overused in reference to desert but this is the definition here! Very nice staff/owners and laid back atmosphere. The only slight complaint is that it seems that the secret ingredient in the cookies and cupcakes is salt. I know that salt can bring out flavors but this is a bit extreme and offputting when you are craving rich and sweet. Did I mention that the fudge brownies are F'n awesome?!!
(4)Stacy S.
I would not recommend having a private event here, Blue Sky Bakery has a beautiful space and serves a wonderful cause, but has a not so accommodating staff when it comes to planning special events . We started a business agreement that got pretty ugly and therefore needed to be severed. Even though we couldn't come to a common ground on the private event arrangement that I made, I still recommended them to another friend. Even though I told her about my experience, I still spoke highly of the venue. She booked an event for the following month. They double booked her date, and therefore had to move it (which messed up my friend's invitations and guest schedules). They were pretty rude about fixing the situation also. At the end of the day, the event turned out well, the food was good and the space was bright and airy. The service just left a bad taste in everyone's mouths.
(2)Angela J.
I really like what i see about this bakery. Yes, the food looks amazing and I had the spinach and goat cheese quiche (so good and fluffy and creamy, though could've been warmed a bit more). But what I like most is the purpose of this place. I think more businesses should do what they're doing for community by helping empower the youth as homeless. If I cater for an event, I'll definitely put them in top consideration.
(5)Diane G.
As suspected, Blue Sky was worthy of a booty bump to 5 stars! Why? *friendly, laid-back staff *plenty of seating for customers to study, read, or just kick back and relax *white. cheddar. chive. scone. aka CRACK! I fruckin' LOVE these thangs. *cheaper than Starbucks (e.g. $2 for a scone, $3 for a small latte) *cute ambience, with antiques along the walls, inc. an awesome vintage bike) *HALF OFF of 1-day-old pastries! (they're hiding off to the far right of the counter) Oh and one last thing.....white. cheddar. chive. scone. (seriously, you need to try it!)
(5)Jen B.
Hosted my sister-in-law's bridal shower here and everything was perfect! The space is adorable and food was delicious. Lisa was very accommodating and quick to answer all of my questions leading up to the event. I would highly recommend hosting an event here. Such a great value for what you get!
(5)Joann H.
I came to this cafe last October and had a lemon coconut cupcake that was delicious. I also had a pumpkin squash soup that was so good. I really felt good supporting this place due to their cause of helping at risk youth. The cupcakes are a bit cold and frosting was set due to being chilled but I asked if they would warm it for a few seconds. They did and were so darn nice. I had their brownies in the past and omg they are dark, rich and fudgy! So deliciously rich. Now to the present: Went today to have their cheddar and chive scone. I love scones but hate those that are a bit too dry. This scone was delectable. Cheddary, so darn moist and such a good savory breakfast option (although I was carb craving so I had this at 1pm...lolol shhhh!!). Haven't been disappointed at all. Go its a lovely cafe and reasonably priced.
(4)Beth K.
I hosted a bridal shower brunch at Blue Sky Bakery a couple months ago in August. Not only do they have a great social mission, a shabby chic relaxed environment, and out-of-this world blueberry scones - they are incredibly affordable. It's perfect for a small intimate event (you have the entire place to yourselves!!).
(5)Alana W.
The white cheddar chive scones are ahhmazing. I could have ate three in one sitting. The spinach quiche was tasty too. Since the breakfast sandwich was only $4.75 I was expecting an egg patty and pre-cooked bacon thrown on some bread and reheated, therefore, I was pleasantly surprised that it all seemed fresh.
(4)Maria F.
In June we hosted a small graduation brunch for our daughter at Blue Sky. We worked with Lisa and her staff in planning the menu and details of the event. They were all extremely helpful and lovely to work with. The event went off without a hitch. The food was delicious and beautifully displayed. There was plenty for everyone and we took home the leftovers and enjoyed them over the next few days. I highly recommend Blue Sky Cafe for a mid-day treat or for hosting small parties.
(5)Richie D.
TGFY! (Thank God For Yelp!) I had kept eyeing Blue Sky Bakery on my Bookmarks 'To Try' list for months. Being Father's Day today, I figured being away from home and "fatherless" I'd explore a cafe to relax in while eating breakfast and writing reviews that are well overdue. Little did I know that BSB had RELOCATED from Albany Park to a store front in North Center along Lincoln Avenue (a block north-west from the Addison Brown Line stop). I travelled towards the Loop instead of towards Kimball and set off on my excursion. I arrived at the bakery and my "food-hound" nose led my way. As I stepped in the door, I heard the constant beating of the mixers spinning up the soon-to-be focaccia bread. The prior Albany Park space has been maintained with the same antique tables and chairs that seem as if they were transplanted from an abandoned schoolhouse. Local art continues to cover the [no longer robin egg blue] walls with adorable chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The menu takes care of your Thirst and Hunger. Fresh pastries cover the counters ranging from scones, to muffins, to quiche. Don't leave out the Chewy Chocolate Chunk Cookies or full-o-frosting cupcakes. I personally wanted to take on their homemade granola which is full of cashews and bits of coconut (after experiencing the taster cookie and bread bits). Don't fret, the granola is light enough where you don't have to chew too hard like normal granola. They also have soy milk for us pickier ones. Of course they offer a variety of coffee and tea products from The Coffee and Tea Exchange--it IS a cafe after all. So grab a cup and your laptop and pass some time online while taking advantage of their free Wi-Fi (ID: BlueSkyCafe) and enjoy! Wait, hold up...I wrote this much without mentioning the mission?! Blue Sky educates and employs homeless and at-risk youth from all over the ChiTown. What does at-risk mean?? Well anyone who has an incomplete education past, lack of work experience and references, unclear career direction, criminal records, and unstable housing which all prohibit the individual from seeking employment and experience. Being a not-for-profit employee myself, I'm all about causing change by carefully choosing where I eat and shop. Not only do you find the bakery busy cooking away, but you can also find them selling their products at two neighborhood farmers markets in Wicker Park and Printers Row. Best of luck BSB! I overheard that during the two-weeks in the new location you're already busier than your old space. YAY!
(5)Tek I.
As usual I came to Yelp to find a good place to find some cupcakes for V Day. I was originally looking for a Sprinkles or something like that. Luckily Blue Sky Bakery popped up and is MUCH closer to me than a sprinkles or something of the like. I decided to drop on in. It was super easy to find and street parking right there. I walked in and immediately warmly greeted. I will say that their cupcake selection was a little limited. I went with 2 red velvets and a oversized chocolate peanut butter one. All 3 came to under 8 bucks which I can't complain about at all. They look equally as delicious as they taste!! I LOVE the fact that they use cream cheese frosting along with buttercream (depending on the cupcake as I prefer cream cheese frosting over buttercream any day). The deserts are great and all, but I really like the fact they help out at-risk youth and teens. Finally a business (and a local one!) that takes a proactive approach at helping people out that need it. Couple this along with delicious food and it is guaranteed that I will be returning, next time to try some of those delicious scones and breakfast/lunch items.
(5)Anne M.
5 stars for good samaritans and damn good cookies! For those of you who don't know, Blue Sky is not your typical bakery. While they still sell scrumptious baked goods, sandwiches, pies, cakes, tea & coffee galore, they also run a community employment program for at-risk youth by offering employment at the bakery in addition to other support & employment services. What a fantastic idea and way for Blue Sky to get involved and contribute to the community. Bravo! Now to the food... Through a couple visits on my own, and a couple Groupon purchases, I've sampled an array of goods from Blue Sky: -Cupcakes: Big. Not the best cupcake I've ever had, but a solid, good one. (red velvet was my fave.) -Cookies: Awesome. Chewy chocolate chip - these things are gigantic and some of the best bakery cookies I've ever had (size of my spread out hand, or face...) -Sandwiches: Pretty good. Got a couple chicken sandwiches to-go (sliced chx breast, bacon + tomato & blue cheese on fresh roll), and heat them up on my sandwich press at home - made the cheese melty and the bread crunchy. (Maybe they'd be hot and crunchy like that if you ordered & ate at the cafe? If not, I recommend heating up at home.) -Brownies & cheesecake brownies: Good, moist & chewy. Can a brownie be bad? These weren't... -Blueberry Coffee Cake Muffins: As good as they sound, with big fresh blueberries. Wish they were a tad (or a lot) bigger. Yet to try: * Their quiche looks amazing...... I think that will be my next purchase.
(5)Maureen M.
I recently held a bridal shower brunch here and everything was great! Food consisted of quiche, salad, fruit, and a variety of baked goods--the menu can be customized to fit your needs and budget. Everything was freshly made and awesome, and prices are very reasonable. The ability to BYOB is a huge cost saver as well. If you are looking for fancy, this probably isn't the place for you, but we loved the quirky, comfortable decor and couldn't have been happier with our venue choice. We had 25 people and could have accomodated a few more--any more than 30 may be a little cramped. Thanks to Lisa and her staff for a job well done!
(4)Michael G.
I really like their americano. But i really hate their cups. It is my personal hell that keeps me up at night.
(4)Virginia T.
I got to work for my usual toast and yogurt, and my bread was moldy. It was a nice day out so I decided to walk over to Blue Sky Bakery & Cafe for breakfast since it is so close. My coworkers have been in there, I knew they had quiche, that's what I really wanted...but they also have a savory scone on the menu, that would do. I also really love that they are a nonprofit cafe employing homeless and at-risk youth. Win-win, right? I walked over and into Blue Sky. There was no one inside. The one person working was on the phone. I walked further in, looking at the offerings. The sign read "Today's Quiche:______ ". I didn't see any savory scones, only 4 sweet ones. The person working there was still on the phone. I start to give her the "please help me glare". Then I hear her say "Well, I have a customer, so I suppose I should go". She finally acknowledges me. I ask if they have quiche, she replies "I was just about to put one in the oven". I asked if they had any savory scones left- nope. They had maybe 1-2 other pastries and 1-2 varieties of muffins. I pick out a triple berry scone for $2 and some change and leave.....with a bad taste in my mouth before I even try the scone. True, the scone was pretty cheap, and yes-it was tasty. Buttery and rich. Not the best scone ever, but not awful. I was really upset with the customer service though. :-/
(3)Katie K.
Blue Sky Bakery did such a wonderful job with the cupcakes for our wedding. They were extremely organized and professional and they have the best assortment of flavors to choose from - I think the lemon coconut was the majority favorite! They decorated the cake on top beautifully and worked with our caterer with set up and delivery. Everyone raved about the cupcakes and I only wish I had ordered more, not realizing people would be eating multiple cupcakes! They did such a great job, were so easy to work, have incredibly reasonable prices and best of all is that Blue Sky's mission is to provide valuable work experience and employment to homeless and at-risk youth which is a great cause to support!
(5)M H.
Yay my cupcakes came with free blonde hair! Seriously it was pretty gross. Unfortunately I didn't find out until we opened the box and we live too far away to go back and ask for a refund.
(1)Molly D.
This is the perfect place if you're looking to host a brunch for a group of people! We had brunch after my daughter's Baptism this weekend and it was fantastic. The price was perfect, the food was delicious, and best of all I didn't have to do any work! We also brought our own alcohol in and they allowed me to drop it off the day before so I wouldn't have to rush in the morning. I got many compliments on the food and the set up was perfect for our group of 24. I also got to sample the cupcakes when we stopped by to pay our deposit and loved those as well :) One of the easiest parties I have ever planned and everything worked out perfectly!
(5)Megan C.
Fantastic coffee and food and workspace! I would go here if it was just another coffee shop, no problem. But this is so much more. The social mission is amazing- and another great reason to go. In fact, I can't think of a reason not to!
(5)Marissa B.
Totally love the concept. Non-profit business that's doing job training programs for disadvantaged/at-risk youth?! So you're telling me I can be supporting a good cause AND getting my coffee shop fix?!? Love, love, love it. Easy parking on this rare strip of Lincoln that doesn't have meters. The prices were reasonable, although besides the baked good, the food options were limited (a rotating choice of sandwiches and soup). Unfortunately neither of the sandwiches were vegetarian and the soup, which sounded delicious (butternut squash) didn't have a vegetarian base. WAAH. I settled on an apple tart, which was just fine. Our barista was charming, even offering to warm our tart up in the oven to keep it crispy. The shop had ample seating, no fighting to get a table. The space was tidy and cute with mismatched, old wood tables and chairs. My only beef with the space is the lighting. Ack, I can't stand fluorescent over-heads, they just vaporize any charm or ambiance. They make me feel like I'm in a sterile environment like an office or school, not a cozy cafe. BOTTOM LINE: I'll go back, because I like the concept. I'd go back more if the lighting was softer and the food choices more extensive (and veg-friendly).
(4)Darkling S.
Cruisin' the TVB at Dank Haus I am hungry for something other than a taco so I opt for one of their sandwiches. Of course, they are not displayed, nothing is displayed. There are two people at a counter and I ask for a roast beef with all sorts of goody condiments. But alas, the sandwich is fridge cold, rather squashed in a tight cling wrap and the bun was not very good looking or tasting. Soooo disappointing .... for a bakery. To be fair i must try their location and sample their sweets.
(2)Marjorie D.
Attention brides (and grooms)- throw out the brochures for snobby $70+ a plate catering! We had Blue Sky do drop off catering for our wedding and it was wonderful. Allow me to elaborate: When I asked "normal" caterers for quotes, the best they could do for $5,000 for 150 people was "heavy hors d'oeurves" and even then they seemed incredulous that I should suggest a budget so low. At Blue Sky, our total cost for four appetizers, four kinds of gourmet sandwiches, spinach salad, fruit salad, mini cupcake tower, pastry assortment, wedding pie (to cut), and compostable cups, plates, and utensils: $3,400. The food was delicious (several guests commented on how tasty it was), and the drop off/set up was smooth, punctual, and professional. Lisa did the final assembly on site, and we just had a handful of friends help bring it out to the buffet tables. We had more than enough, and though we did have some leftovers, it wasn't an absurd amount- the estimates Lisa helped us with turned out really well. Thanks to Blue Sky, we didn't have to skimp on food or guests (i.e. didn't have to play the ol' "is this person $100 a plate special to us?" game), and we'll actually have some money left for a honeymoon. BLUE SKY SAVED MY CHEAP ASS. As to the cafe itself, we've been a number of times (and will be back) and couldn't be more satisfied with the quality and service. This is a great place for a cheap brunch - big family style tables, great food, and great prices. That this business ALSO supports job training for at-risk youth is even more outstanding. GO HERE. Don't forget to visit the day-old half price pastry basket before you leave. Get some cheddar-chive scones if available. NOM NOM NOM.
(5)Jenny Z.
My friend and I went to the quiche/pie making class last night at Blue Sky. What a beautiful space with very sweet decorations.....all with a great cause. Although it was not a hands on class, Lisa ( the bakery owner) gave a demonstration that was informative and made you feel like you could go home and make a pretty decent pie crust. The tables were beautifully set, including some wine glasses (BYOB event, yay!). We dined on quiche, salad and some baked sweets at the end from the bakery. The class was a steal for $25. What a lovely evening and I cannot wait to go back! I hope they schedule more classes soon-maybe a scone or layer cake baking class?
(5)Coll P.
I came here for a scone cooking class with a group of girlfriends and we loved it! In a two hour span, the owner demonstrated how to make a basic scone, allowed us to each individualize our own scone with a plethora of ingredients and then supplied us with the recipe. We then got to sit around and drink our BYO wine until our scones were ready to eat, in addition to a fabulous salad and a slice of quiche. It was a different and fun girls night out for only $25! Keep up the awesome job, Blue Sky!
(5)Courtney M.
This is the sort of place that I really, REALLY want to support. The nature of the business is to provide at-risk youth an opportunity to work and create work history, as well as learning a skill and getting experience. However, I have been here five times and, each time, haven't had the most thrilling of experiences. Often, there is no one up front when we go in, probably in the back making baked goods, but I am patient and this isn't especially bothersome to me. I have yet to determine what sizes their coffees actually come in, because I've been told something different each time I asked. I've also been rung up for somewhere around three or four dollars - just for a cup of coffee? That can't be right. The coffee is sub-par. It really tastes the same, if not slightly worse, than the stuff I make at home. The first time I got a drink there, I had an espresso-based drink, but getting the amount of caffeine I wanted in it was expensive, so each subsequent time, I've had regular coffee with syrup. It has never tasted very good. The last time I went, I got a muffin to share with my daughter. It was super dense, kind of hard, really cold, and tasted really stale. The first time I went, we shared a brownie and that was really, very good. Like I said, I genuinely want to support this place. Since I haven't had much of anything else, I will probably continue to go and try some of the other drinks and food. I just wish they had better coffee.
(3)Char Y.
I had a groupon for a sampler box here. We got a lot of baked goods which weight over 5 pounds and really filled the box. cupcakes - ok, slightly dry cookies - too sweet brownies - good, very fudgy
(3)Karen S.
I used a Groupon at Blue Sky, which gave me 3 cupcakes (chocolate, German chocolate, red velvet), a scone (pear ginger), 4 cookies (chocolate chip, peanut butter oatmeal), a brownie, and 2 other kinds of bars (but I can't remember what they are). I also bought an additional mini cherry almond pie. So far I've eaten the pie, which was, for lack of a better word, perfect...in terms of taste and value. I also ate both kinds of chocolate cupcakes. I can understand the current boutique cupcake craze. It's cool that people can get a bite-sized taste of cake without having to buy the whole thing or even use a fork, but honestly I'm kinda over it. Those specialty cupcakes are usually small, dry, and tasteless (no matter what kind of fancy name you slap on them). The cupcakes at Blue Sky, however, are totally the opposite. They're big, perfectly moist, and delicious. They also have a generous portion of frosting that is not overly sweet or heavy. I found myself wanting more frosting (and cake) instead of having to scrape most of it off like I have to do with so many other subpar cupcakes. I'm excited to try my other treats, as well as the other varieties of pie that Blue Sky has been selling at area farmers markets this summer. Yum!
(5)Elizabeth K.
I initially tried Blue Sky because I bought a groupon/living social/bloomspot (can't remember which kind- but one of those coupon-y things) and I felt foolish for not knowing it was a mile from my apartment before this year! I have dined in for breakfast (totally reasonably priced breakfast sandwich with egg, bacon, cheese & red pepper aioli) and great bottomless coffee. Took a scone home to my husband- I ate half of it on the way......it was so good! I also have used Blue Sky Bakery for a custom cake order. The price was totally normal and Lisa (who I think is the owner) was a breeze to work with. She responded to my inquiry promptly, she had awesome customer service & the bakery made a BEAUTIFUL chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting (that was also immensely delicious) for a party I was hosting. I've been back many times and have been pleased every time I've been there both with the quality of the food/baked goods and the high level of customer service. The fact that Blue Sky Bakery also supports homeless youth with job training is absolutely icing on the cake for me (sorry for the pun); it is an added bonus to an already awesome establishment.
(5)Lisbeth D.
This is such a great little cafe and I'm so glad it's in my neighborhood! Blue Sky hires homeless and "at-risk" youth to teach them job skills, but beyond that I'm a huge fan of their breakfast goodies. They serve the best Chai I've ever had and they also have some vegan breakfast goodies that I love (especially chocolate chip scones.) I'm looking forward to stopping by for lunch or brunch one day so I can have a chance to sit and relax at a table. For now, I've only been able to grab a drink and treat while taking my dogs on their morning walk. Just an FYI, they also sell their baked goods at the Wicker Park, Printers Row and Southport farmers' markets. My husband and I first tried their scones at the Wicker Park market and were so happy to see they had an actual cafe in our our new neighborhood.
(4)Kenya B.
Excellent cupcakes.... This place is great, had a variety of things
(5)Sarah L.
I came across this little gem on my way home from the Francisco brown line station. I love supporting local businesses so my husband and I decided to try it for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. I remember seeing online that they have sandwiches for lunch and that's why we stopped in. When we got there, it was ungodly hot inside. No cross ventilation and it was like 85 degrees in there! Get some A/C or open the front door. I don't know how other patrons were not passing out from the heat. We asked for a lunch menu and they were only doing brunch. Not much selection so we both had the quiche. The quiche was pretty good, it was a little burned on the bottom. My husband didn't like his food so we probably will not return. I love the ambiance of this little cafe. I will probably go back to try their coffee. Sounds like the coffee is out of this world and I should of had some. Blue Sky is perfect if you are looking for a quiet spot to enjoy some java and do some online surfing. I probably will not go here to eat breakfast or brunch.
(3)Amanda S.
Bad day for Blue Sky? I went in Sunday morning for coffee and a pastry and never got them because the server/baker turned his back on me to chat with another customer then do something in the back, and I left. This shop just recently opened, so I'll give them another chance later, but for now, I'll head down the street to Dinkel's for my breakfast treats.
(1)Anthony N.
Absolutely phenomenal breakfast and fair-trade coffee. I ate two whole-wheat cranberry scones and I thought I hated scones. I will take every person I know to this unintentionally well-hidden gem. We even got to taste some homemade eclairs that blew my mind!
(5)Deborah E.
Hear ye, hear ye! Find of the month - Blue Sky Bakery & Cafe! Have I been living under a rock? How can this be located a few blocks from me and I not know it exists? Last week, an obscure temp agency emailed me a list of May events, one of which was a donut and coffee tasting ($5) at Blue Sky from 9-2pm on Saturday. Did someone say FRESH DONUTS? Okay, I set my alarm and laid in bed, dreaming of what donuts await me... My partner and I arrived promptly at 9:05 a.m. and the rest is donut hole history. Soon, two young friendly servers with tongs in tow took turns providing us with piping hot samplings of the following delectable donuts (more like large donut holes): - lemon ricotta: my favorite! 2 days later, I am still dreaming of them.... - rosemary: more of a savory than a sweet & my beloved's fave - coconut: oh, so sweet and chewy with just the right amount of coconut - peanut butter with a "surprise" splash of a mocha creme filling in the middle One of my friends said to me, aghast, "OMG, how many did you have?" I tasered her for asking me such a stupid question. The rest of their menu is filled with rotating offerings of reasonably priced pastries/desserts, sandwiches & salads and they offer catering including lunch boxes and gift baskets. They also offer a full array of teas, coffee and espresso drinks - the coffee is locally roasted from The Coffee & Tea Exchange and is wonderful. The best part? Blue Sky's mission is to provide valuable work experience and employment to homeless and at-risk youth. What a noble cause! Pls support this cafe. Hours: Tues-Sun - 7 am to 2 pm.
(5)shylo b.
I really love this place. Albany Parkers, spread the word. We need to keep this place in business. Blue Sky has a great mission (job training for at-risk youth) and has great coffee, a decent selection of stuff, and a warm ambiance. They don't get a lot of foot traffic, but I'm sure if their biz picked up, they'd offer a wider range of things. I really love this place.
(4)Annie R.
I had the pleasure of co-hostessing a bridal shower at Blue Sky recently. I was really impressed overall. The location is spacious and worked well for our party of around 25 women. It is reasonably priced, especially since it is BYOB. We brought our own champagne for mimosas and Blue Sky provided the orange juice along with other non-alcoholic beverages. They even had fresh flowers in mason jars on the tables. We arranged to have sugar cookies individually wrapped as party favors and they were really cute and tasted great. The brunch food for the shower was delicious: sweet and savory fritters, green salad, several types of quiche and a yummy dessert spread. I would absolutely recommend considering Blue Sky for a bridal or baby shower!
(5)Nancy N.
I actually heard about this place from a friend of mine. I finally was able to go inside and had a red velvet cup cake. It was wonderful. I had a cup of tea which she was so kind enough to put into a to go cup because I wasn't sure how long I was going to be there. She was making fortune cookies which I have never really seen and it was pretty cool. I was reading about the things that they do on their website and I think its a wonderful idea. Its good to see people give back to the community when they are able to. :)
(4)Jenn K.
Really cute little space. I had a tasty savory scone and iced coffee-- the coffee was fresh and flavorful, not the stale iced coffee that sits in a fridge for a full day. I'm pretty sure it was actually an iced Americano-- the best way to make an iced coffee!
(4)Alex L.
The second saddest day of my life was Blue Sky Bakery and Cafe moving from across the street to its new location. I fussed and fumed over this for a few weeks, and figured since I'm no longer in my old place either, I should go ahead and review them. I first wandered in a few days after my coffee maker broke, and was looking for a tasty treat. The first thing I noticed was the english-style scones, and I was hooked. It's rare a place will make the non-sweetened (and much better) scones, but even more rare to find a place that does it masterfully. Blue Sky accomplishes this with an ease that makes me very jealous, but also very full. The mixed berry are great, but my favorite are the pear-ginger. If getting scones, my wife prefers the savory cheddar cheese and chive, which are also scrumptious, but definitely a different style. My son adores the chewy chocolate chip cookies, and I've bee known to order two just so I can steal bites from his. It was over a year later I first tried the blueberry muffins, and I was in love. If you ever want to taste what I imagine heaven to be like, try the fresh blueberry muffins. Another event that I hope continues at the new location are the dinners. I only had the pleasure of doing one, but even doing one, you can tell they are fantastic. I made a reservation for myself and my wife and was treated to delicious braised short ribs as a main course, and wine to match. On the days I don't feel like a pear-ginger scone, and the blueberry muffins aren't in season (yes, they are picky about their ingredients - it makes for spectacular finished products), I would try other things across the menu and can't remember being disappointed. All this was before I found the backstory of Blue Sky Cafe and Bakery, and the other programs that are funded through it. Because of that, I volunteered to man a farmer's market booth, and it's great to be able to tell people about the programs, or hear people praising them. If you don't know, take the time to stop by the bakery. Buy a treat and ask where the proceeds go. It does, amazingly enough, make them taste even better.
(5)Sue F.
I used to love this place when Megan ran it and was the head baker. The food and energy of the place were great. It was even worth the common annoyance of going there and them saying "we're out of XYZ." So...Megan is no longer there and this place has gone downhill. I'm so, so sad because I live in the neighborhood and need and want a place like this. I write the review in hopes that they will do something to get their act together. I can't speak for the sweets because I don't eat them, but the quiche and sandwiches have gone way downhill. I've had 3 quiches since the changeover and they ranged from bad to at most mediocre. Megan's were delectable! Without Megan the energy of the place is a little down for my tastes. I had great chats with Megan and found it fun to go there. It was that perfect neighborhood place you want where people know you and vice versa. On a positive note, the prices here are still good, and I really liked the two soups I've had.
(2)Megan S.
This place looks so cute from the outside so I was excited to try it. I was a bit sad once I walked in. The place is a bit bare. My husband and I went in for a snack and coffee. My husband's coffee was cold and we left with no snacks because the front displace only had scones. You are a bakery- where are the muffins, bagels, donuts, anything! I may try this place again first thing in the morning to see if we have more success.
(2)Megan B.
I first learned about Blue Sky when a friend brought me to one of their "Dinner Party" fundraisers. So good! - 3 courses + wine for a reasonable price, but even better that this delicious meal's price went to the organization's mission. I always stop by here for sweets when I'm dropping by a friend's house. Even better that they moved across from Trader Joe's - the new location has better parking and is more convenient for me. Great coffee - try the peanut-butter oatmeal cookies, they're the best!
(5)Iris H.
I really like Blue Sky. The coffee is tasty and free refills abound. The owner has a giving and vibrant personality. The low-fat carrot muffin I devoured was moist and delicious and I am still questioning whether or not it really was low in fat. :) Did I mention free refills on the tasty joe? I didn't spend more than 5 bucks all told! That in itself is remarkable, no? You need to go here people. Indi-owned places like this need your business. Why not 5 stars? The wifi signal was problematic. Fix that please!
(4)Jeanne M.
This place has ENORMOUS potential. It is a beautiful space with a fabulous mission. Cozy, comfortable, indie, artistic. However, it needs to fix a few things before it will really, really shine as a stand-alone cafe. The intent is terrific and the execution needs some work. The best parts -It's a beautiful, sunny space with comfortable and spacious wooden chairs and tables, flowers and candles. -It's very indie, artistic, aesthetically pleasing. Good vibes abound. -Provides lots of interesting reading material, cushioned benches in the window, toys for kids (LOVE that). -Coffee is awesome. Fair trade and tasty. They have a lovely presentation as well. -The bakery item I did partake of was very good. I wouldn't wake up at 3 am craving it, but it was yummy and fresh. -Person behind the counter was pleasant and efficient, brought my order (unexpectedly) to the table and quietly and cheerfully cleared my dishes while I was still working but done with my treats. What could need to be fixed -Wifi wasn't working, even when I typed in the password. It's very easy for me to connect to any Wifi with my Macbook and I couldn't connect there for some reason. -They were out of a lot of things, including ice for drinks (on a hot day) and pastry choices. It wasn't late in the day, only 9 am, so that was a bit awkward. Because the cornerstone of any urban bakery and cafe is built on three basic things (coffee drinks, baked goods and wifi for working customers) if they can fix the supply problems with wifi, ice and baked goods available, I would go out of my way to spend my money there. To be honest, if it didn't have such amazing potential and service for a great cause, this review would have been 3 stars. But I think that the importance of the community service that they are providing means that supporting it, especially if they make changes suggested, is important.
(4)Natalie S.
Blue Sky is a nonprofit cafe employing homeless and at-risk youth. It's also a cozy little place to pick up super-cheap scones and other goodies and a cup of coffee. Rotating daily specials and a selection of sandwiches, granola and cookies are a good enough reason to stop by, but knowing what an amazing cause this place supports is the best reason. .
(5)Tek I.
As usual I came to Yelp to find a good place to find some cupcakes for V Day. I was originally looking for a Sprinkles or something like that. Luckily Blue Sky Bakery popped up and is MUCH closer to me than a sprinkles or something of the like. I decided to drop on in. It was super easy to find and street parking right there. I walked in and immediately warmly greeted. I will say that their cupcake selection was a little limited. I went with 2 red velvets and a oversized chocolate peanut butter one. All 3 came to under 8 bucks which I can't complain about at all. They look equally as delicious as they taste!! I LOVE the fact that they use cream cheese frosting along with buttercream (depending on the cupcake as I prefer cream cheese frosting over buttercream any day). The deserts are great and all, but I really like the fact they help out at-risk youth and teens. Finally a business (and a local one!) that takes a proactive approach at helping people out that need it. Couple this along with delicious food and it is guaranteed that I will be returning, next time to try some of those delicious scones and breakfast/lunch items.
(5)Beth K.
I hosted a bridal shower brunch at Blue Sky Bakery a couple months ago in August. Not only do they have a great social mission, a shabby chic relaxed environment, and out-of-this world blueberry scones - they are incredibly affordable. It's perfect for a small intimate event (you have the entire place to yourselves!!).
(5)Katie K.
Blue Sky Bakery did such a wonderful job with the cupcakes for our wedding. They were extremely organized and professional and they have the best assortment of flavors to choose from - I think the lemon coconut was the majority favorite! They decorated the cake on top beautifully and worked with our caterer with set up and delivery. Everyone raved about the cupcakes and I only wish I had ordered more, not realizing people would be eating multiple cupcakes! They did such a great job, were so easy to work, have incredibly reasonable prices and best of all is that Blue Sky's mission is to provide valuable work experience and employment to homeless and at-risk youth which is a great cause to support!
(5)M H.
Yay my cupcakes came with free blonde hair! Seriously it was pretty gross. Unfortunately I didn't find out until we opened the box and we live too far away to go back and ask for a refund.
(1)Molly D.
This is the perfect place if you're looking to host a brunch for a group of people! We had brunch after my daughter's Baptism this weekend and it was fantastic. The price was perfect, the food was delicious, and best of all I didn't have to do any work! We also brought our own alcohol in and they allowed me to drop it off the day before so I wouldn't have to rush in the morning. I got many compliments on the food and the set up was perfect for our group of 24. I also got to sample the cupcakes when we stopped by to pay our deposit and loved those as well :) One of the easiest parties I have ever planned and everything worked out perfectly!
(5)Maureen M.
I recently held a bridal shower brunch here and everything was great! Food consisted of quiche, salad, fruit, and a variety of baked goods--the menu can be customized to fit your needs and budget. Everything was freshly made and awesome, and prices are very reasonable. The ability to BYOB is a huge cost saver as well. If you are looking for fancy, this probably isn't the place for you, but we loved the quirky, comfortable decor and couldn't have been happier with our venue choice. We had 25 people and could have accomodated a few more--any more than 30 may be a little cramped. Thanks to Lisa and her staff for a job well done!
(4)Michael G.
I really like their americano. But i really hate their cups. It is my personal hell that keeps me up at night.
(4)Megan C.
Fantastic coffee and food and workspace! I would go here if it was just another coffee shop, no problem. But this is so much more. The social mission is amazing- and another great reason to go. In fact, I can't think of a reason not to!
(5)Annie R.
I had the pleasure of co-hostessing a bridal shower at Blue Sky recently. I was really impressed overall. The location is spacious and worked well for our party of around 25 women. It is reasonably priced, especially since it is BYOB. We brought our own champagne for mimosas and Blue Sky provided the orange juice along with other non-alcoholic beverages. They even had fresh flowers in mason jars on the tables. We arranged to have sugar cookies individually wrapped as party favors and they were really cute and tasted great. The brunch food for the shower was delicious: sweet and savory fritters, green salad, several types of quiche and a yummy dessert spread. I would absolutely recommend considering Blue Sky for a bridal or baby shower!
(5)Nancy N.
I actually heard about this place from a friend of mine. I finally was able to go inside and had a red velvet cup cake. It was wonderful. I had a cup of tea which she was so kind enough to put into a to go cup because I wasn't sure how long I was going to be there. She was making fortune cookies which I have never really seen and it was pretty cool. I was reading about the things that they do on their website and I think its a wonderful idea. Its good to see people give back to the community when they are able to. :)
(4)Deborah E.
Hear ye, hear ye! Find of the month - Blue Sky Bakery & Cafe! Have I been living under a rock? How can this be located a few blocks from me and I not know it exists? Last week, an obscure temp agency emailed me a list of May events, one of which was a donut and coffee tasting ($5) at Blue Sky from 9-2pm on Saturday. Did someone say FRESH DONUTS? Okay, I set my alarm and laid in bed, dreaming of what donuts await me... My partner and I arrived promptly at 9:05 a.m. and the rest is donut hole history. Soon, two young friendly servers with tongs in tow took turns providing us with piping hot samplings of the following delectable donuts (more like large donut holes): - lemon ricotta: my favorite! 2 days later, I am still dreaming of them.... - rosemary: more of a savory than a sweet & my beloved's fave - coconut: oh, so sweet and chewy with just the right amount of coconut - peanut butter with a "surprise" splash of a mocha creme filling in the middle One of my friends said to me, aghast, "OMG, how many did you have?" I tasered her for asking me such a stupid question. The rest of their menu is filled with rotating offerings of reasonably priced pastries/desserts, sandwiches & salads and they offer catering including lunch boxes and gift baskets. They also offer a full array of teas, coffee and espresso drinks - the coffee is locally roasted from The Coffee & Tea Exchange and is wonderful. The best part? Blue Sky's mission is to provide valuable work experience and employment to homeless and at-risk youth. What a noble cause! Pls support this cafe. Hours: Tues-Sun - 7 am to 2 pm.
(5)shylo b.
I really love this place. Albany Parkers, spread the word. We need to keep this place in business. Blue Sky has a great mission (job training for at-risk youth) and has great coffee, a decent selection of stuff, and a warm ambiance. They don't get a lot of foot traffic, but I'm sure if their biz picked up, they'd offer a wider range of things. I really love this place.
(4)Sue F.
I used to love this place when Megan ran it and was the head baker. The food and energy of the place were great. It was even worth the common annoyance of going there and them saying "we're out of XYZ." So...Megan is no longer there and this place has gone downhill. I'm so, so sad because I live in the neighborhood and need and want a place like this. I write the review in hopes that they will do something to get their act together. I can't speak for the sweets because I don't eat them, but the quiche and sandwiches have gone way downhill. I've had 3 quiches since the changeover and they ranged from bad to at most mediocre. Megan's were delectable! Without Megan the energy of the place is a little down for my tastes. I had great chats with Megan and found it fun to go there. It was that perfect neighborhood place you want where people know you and vice versa. On a positive note, the prices here are still good, and I really liked the two soups I've had.
(2)Megan S.
This place looks so cute from the outside so I was excited to try it. I was a bit sad once I walked in. The place is a bit bare. My husband and I went in for a snack and coffee. My husband's coffee was cold and we left with no snacks because the front displace only had scones. You are a bakery- where are the muffins, bagels, donuts, anything! I may try this place again first thing in the morning to see if we have more success.
(2)Megan B.
I first learned about Blue Sky when a friend brought me to one of their "Dinner Party" fundraisers. So good! - 3 courses + wine for a reasonable price, but even better that this delicious meal's price went to the organization's mission. I always stop by here for sweets when I'm dropping by a friend's house. Even better that they moved across from Trader Joe's - the new location has better parking and is more convenient for me. Great coffee - try the peanut-butter oatmeal cookies, they're the best!
(5)Iris H.
I really like Blue Sky. The coffee is tasty and free refills abound. The owner has a giving and vibrant personality. The low-fat carrot muffin I devoured was moist and delicious and I am still questioning whether or not it really was low in fat. :) Did I mention free refills on the tasty joe? I didn't spend more than 5 bucks all told! That in itself is remarkable, no? You need to go here people. Indi-owned places like this need your business. Why not 5 stars? The wifi signal was problematic. Fix that please!
(4)Jenn K.
Really cute little space. I had a tasty savory scone and iced coffee-- the coffee was fresh and flavorful, not the stale iced coffee that sits in a fridge for a full day. I'm pretty sure it was actually an iced Americano-- the best way to make an iced coffee!
(4)Jeanne M.
This place has ENORMOUS potential. It is a beautiful space with a fabulous mission. Cozy, comfortable, indie, artistic. However, it needs to fix a few things before it will really, really shine as a stand-alone cafe. The intent is terrific and the execution needs some work. The best parts -It's a beautiful, sunny space with comfortable and spacious wooden chairs and tables, flowers and candles. -It's very indie, artistic, aesthetically pleasing. Good vibes abound. -Provides lots of interesting reading material, cushioned benches in the window, toys for kids (LOVE that). -Coffee is awesome. Fair trade and tasty. They have a lovely presentation as well. -The bakery item I did partake of was very good. I wouldn't wake up at 3 am craving it, but it was yummy and fresh. -Person behind the counter was pleasant and efficient, brought my order (unexpectedly) to the table and quietly and cheerfully cleared my dishes while I was still working but done with my treats. What could need to be fixed -Wifi wasn't working, even when I typed in the password. It's very easy for me to connect to any Wifi with my Macbook and I couldn't connect there for some reason. -They were out of a lot of things, including ice for drinks (on a hot day) and pastry choices. It wasn't late in the day, only 9 am, so that was a bit awkward. Because the cornerstone of any urban bakery and cafe is built on three basic things (coffee drinks, baked goods and wifi for working customers) if they can fix the supply problems with wifi, ice and baked goods available, I would go out of my way to spend my money there. To be honest, if it didn't have such amazing potential and service for a great cause, this review would have been 3 stars. But I think that the importance of the community service that they are providing means that supporting it, especially if they make changes suggested, is important.
(4)Natalie S.
Blue Sky is a nonprofit cafe employing homeless and at-risk youth. It's also a cozy little place to pick up super-cheap scones and other goodies and a cup of coffee. Rotating daily specials and a selection of sandwiches, granola and cookies are a good enough reason to stop by, but knowing what an amazing cause this place supports is the best reason. .
(5)Amanda S.
Bad day for Blue Sky? I went in Sunday morning for coffee and a pastry and never got them because the server/baker turned his back on me to chat with another customer then do something in the back, and I left. This shop just recently opened, so I'll give them another chance later, but for now, I'll head down the street to Dinkel's for my breakfast treats.
(1)Anthony N.
Absolutely phenomenal breakfast and fair-trade coffee. I ate two whole-wheat cranberry scones and I thought I hated scones. I will take every person I know to this unintentionally well-hidden gem. We even got to taste some homemade eclairs that blew my mind!
(5)Alex L.
The second saddest day of my life was Blue Sky Bakery and Cafe moving from across the street to its new location. I fussed and fumed over this for a few weeks, and figured since I'm no longer in my old place either, I should go ahead and review them. I first wandered in a few days after my coffee maker broke, and was looking for a tasty treat. The first thing I noticed was the english-style scones, and I was hooked. It's rare a place will make the non-sweetened (and much better) scones, but even more rare to find a place that does it masterfully. Blue Sky accomplishes this with an ease that makes me very jealous, but also very full. The mixed berry are great, but my favorite are the pear-ginger. If getting scones, my wife prefers the savory cheddar cheese and chive, which are also scrumptious, but definitely a different style. My son adores the chewy chocolate chip cookies, and I've bee known to order two just so I can steal bites from his. It was over a year later I first tried the blueberry muffins, and I was in love. If you ever want to taste what I imagine heaven to be like, try the fresh blueberry muffins. Another event that I hope continues at the new location are the dinners. I only had the pleasure of doing one, but even doing one, you can tell they are fantastic. I made a reservation for myself and my wife and was treated to delicious braised short ribs as a main course, and wine to match. On the days I don't feel like a pear-ginger scone, and the blueberry muffins aren't in season (yes, they are picky about their ingredients - it makes for spectacular finished products), I would try other things across the menu and can't remember being disappointed. All this was before I found the backstory of Blue Sky Cafe and Bakery, and the other programs that are funded through it. Because of that, I volunteered to man a farmer's market booth, and it's great to be able to tell people about the programs, or hear people praising them. If you don't know, take the time to stop by the bakery. Buy a treat and ask where the proceeds go. It does, amazingly enough, make them taste even better.
(5)Jeannine B.
I have been a fan of this bakery for a while and love the new location in North Center! It is bright and roomy and has the best scones! They recently added cupcakes to their regular selections, too and they are super yummy! Love this bakery and its mission to provide job skills for at risk young people in Chicago.
(5)Paula K.
I love the coffee and baked goods at Blue Sky and even though I'm cheating on my diet I still feel good because of their mission to help at-risk and homeless youth to train for careers in the food service industry. It's worth it to get on their e-mail list to get informed about special events at the bakery like cooking classes and theme dinners - their savory dishes are just as good as their sweets!
(5)Whitney O.
Yummy yummy - I am not a bakery kind of gal, but I was having a Jewelry party, and Blue Sky Bakery was on groupon that week. I figured, what the heck - get some pastries to go with the wine. I emailed the contact, and at 4:15, I got a lovely selection of pastries delivered to my door. They even waived the out of delivery area fee. I would defintely order again, even without a groupon!
(5)Jessica S.
I was riding my bike in Albany Park this morning when I passed the irresistably alluring facade of a bakery called Blue Sky. I can't ignore any undiscovered, independently owned cafe, so I made a pit stop. It was pretty much empty and exuded the type of homey feel that made it feel like it existed solely for me. Great music playing, and a limited but quality selection of pastries, sandwiches, and soups. I had a delicious red velvet cupcake and a macchiato (which wasn't quite as strong as I like it, wonder what type of espresso they use?). The owner seemed really nice, and upon reading about the non-profit aspect and incredible mission of the place, I'm doubly impressed. Go there!
(5)Judy M.
Love this place! I bought two Groupons and was amazed at the quality of this place! Delicious cashew toffee bars and great cupcakes!
(4)Url R.
The Albany and North Park community really needs to support this place. Why go to a chain coffee shop when this place offers good coffee, decent baked goods, and FREE WiFi. On top of all that, it serves the community in a very good way. I will return on weekends when I just want to chill with a hot beverage and surf the web. And for god sakes, tip these people above the normal amount.
(4)Shannon R.
Blue Sky Bakery is great for a number of reasons. Their purpose is most outstanding and noteworthy. What they do for the community is amazing! Furthermore, their baked goods are tasty. I purchased their Groupon and was amazed at the assortment of treats I got for the price. And they were all pretty delicious on top of that. So delicious that I asked them to do my wedding cake. It was a small cake to be used only for cake cutting purposes as we were having other desserts, but some of our guests wanted to taste it and couldn't stop talking about the frosting. It was very yummy and I'm glad that I get to try it again next year on my anniversary (we froze a few pieces). Overall, Blue Sky is a bakery that delivers solid products with a great platform.
(5)Laurie V.
We happened on the Wicker Park Farmers Market on the last sale of the season and noticed the booth for Blue Sky. Now I normally don't buy a lot of bake goods but this crazy old lady cut in front of everyone to buy a cookie and went on and on about how good they were and that I had to have one. Then another woman mentioned how amazing the scones were. Suddenly I became a person who caves under peer pressure and bought 2 cookies and a pumpkin scone. Holy crap they were good! How did I go 37 years without knowing that scones were awesome? I grabbed the card from the bakery and realized they were in my hood. Now I have become hooked on the baked goods. The cheddar chive and pumpkin, and pear/almond scones, peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies...Delicious! The selection is always varied and they might not always have what you were hoping for but there's always something tasty to take its place. The prices are also great! I look forward to trying the sandwiches one of these days.
(4)Matt R.
Has very good cookies and a selection of classic baked goods. Everything here is good! This place also is open for lunch, and I have yet to try it.
(3)Joe K.
I've been wanting to get here for a while now. Made the plans to go today...and locked my keys in my car. arrrrgh. Anyway, I finally made it there at about 2:04. They're supposed to close at 2. I really, really hate it when people show up at my work at the last minute, and I won't speak of what I think of people who show up AFTER closing time expecting service. So, fully expecting a "sorry, we're closed" when I peeked my head in, I was surprised to be greeted with a (really really really cute) girl looking up from her book she was reading, smiling, and welcoming me in and asking what she could get for me. Whoa. Didn't even hint it was past closing time. Even made some sort of comment that the owner was going to be in soon and keep it open extra late anyway, so no big deal even if I wanted my coffee "for here." Couldn't have been nicer. So I ordered my coffee, picked out a muffin that was amazingly awesome(carrot/almond, I believe) and only had to hand over about 3 bucks. Seriously? Since I've moved to this wonderful, albeit expensive, city, I've found I either frequent places that are EITHER cheap OR cool. This is the first time I've found a place I really liked the atmosphere AND was saving some moolah. Yay! I asked her what the place was "all about," and she explained how they employ at-risk youth for a 6-month "program," with the intent of that being enough to build a resume to help them get a start. I wish I would have stuck around and asked her more about it, but I was already feeling guilty coming in after closing time. The place looked pretty neat, I'd guess about 6 4-top tables, and a really neat feel to it. Very clean. It wasn't what I expected, I didn't notice anywhere them gratuitously advertising the underlying mission of the place, just a neat little cafe that happens to give a little back, too. I like. ...now I just have to get the motivation to get out of my apartment before noon on my days off...booooo!!!!
(5)sarah l.
I'm wavering between 4 & 5 stars, but have to go with 5 because they have a really great mission -- to help give homeless youth job skills. I stopped by this morning after reading about this cafe in the Chicago Reader. I had no idea this was in my neighborhood. I stopped in for coffee & a muffin. The pastries were almost done, so I had a little wait. But the coffee was good, and the pear ginger muffin was AMAZING! Hot & Fresh out of the oven. It didn't taste at all like the sugary carbo-load muffins you buy from Dunkin Donuts. Only reason I would give this place 4 stars is because the decor is more appropriate for a casual dining dinner restaurant than a coffee shop. I'm picky about coffee shop atmosphere.
(5)Jack K.
This is a great coffee shop tucked away just off Lawrence. Its mission is to employ and give job training skills to at-risk youth, so it's definitely worth patronizing. Before I knew about this place the closest neighborhood coffee shop was Starbucks - now I won't have to go back there. (Just a warning, they're only open 7am to 2pm right now, so you'll have to find someplace else for your afternoon pick-me-up.)
(5)Alana W.
The white cheddar chive scones are ahhmazing. I could have ate three in one sitting. The spinach quiche was tasty too. Since the breakfast sandwich was only $4.75 I was expecting an egg patty and pre-cooked bacon thrown on some bread and reheated, therefore, I was pleasantly surprised that it all seemed fresh.
(4)Maria F.
In June we hosted a small graduation brunch for our daughter at Blue Sky. We worked with Lisa and her staff in planning the menu and details of the event. They were all extremely helpful and lovely to work with. The event went off without a hitch. The food was delicious and beautifully displayed. There was plenty for everyone and we took home the leftovers and enjoyed them over the next few days. I highly recommend Blue Sky Cafe for a mid-day treat or for hosting small parties.
(5)Richie D.
TGFY! (Thank God For Yelp!) I had kept eyeing Blue Sky Bakery on my Bookmarks 'To Try' list for months. Being Father's Day today, I figured being away from home and "fatherless" I'd explore a cafe to relax in while eating breakfast and writing reviews that are well overdue. Little did I know that BSB had RELOCATED from Albany Park to a store front in North Center along Lincoln Avenue (a block north-west from the Addison Brown Line stop). I travelled towards the Loop instead of towards Kimball and set off on my excursion. I arrived at the bakery and my "food-hound" nose led my way. As I stepped in the door, I heard the constant beating of the mixers spinning up the soon-to-be focaccia bread. The prior Albany Park space has been maintained with the same antique tables and chairs that seem as if they were transplanted from an abandoned schoolhouse. Local art continues to cover the [no longer robin egg blue] walls with adorable chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The menu takes care of your Thirst and Hunger. Fresh pastries cover the counters ranging from scones, to muffins, to quiche. Don't leave out the Chewy Chocolate Chunk Cookies or full-o-frosting cupcakes. I personally wanted to take on their homemade granola which is full of cashews and bits of coconut (after experiencing the taster cookie and bread bits). Don't fret, the granola is light enough where you don't have to chew too hard like normal granola. They also have soy milk for us pickier ones. Of course they offer a variety of coffee and tea products from The Coffee and Tea Exchange--it IS a cafe after all. So grab a cup and your laptop and pass some time online while taking advantage of their free Wi-Fi (ID: BlueSkyCafe) and enjoy! Wait, hold up...I wrote this much without mentioning the mission?! Blue Sky educates and employs homeless and at-risk youth from all over the ChiTown. What does at-risk mean?? Well anyone who has an incomplete education past, lack of work experience and references, unclear career direction, criminal records, and unstable housing which all prohibit the individual from seeking employment and experience. Being a not-for-profit employee myself, I'm all about causing change by carefully choosing where I eat and shop. Not only do you find the bakery busy cooking away, but you can also find them selling their products at two neighborhood farmers markets in Wicker Park and Printers Row. Best of luck BSB! I overheard that during the two-weeks in the new location you're already busier than your old space. YAY!
(5)Marissa B.
Totally love the concept. Non-profit business that's doing job training programs for disadvantaged/at-risk youth?! So you're telling me I can be supporting a good cause AND getting my coffee shop fix?!? Love, love, love it. Easy parking on this rare strip of Lincoln that doesn't have meters. The prices were reasonable, although besides the baked good, the food options were limited (a rotating choice of sandwiches and soup). Unfortunately neither of the sandwiches were vegetarian and the soup, which sounded delicious (butternut squash) didn't have a vegetarian base. WAAH. I settled on an apple tart, which was just fine. Our barista was charming, even offering to warm our tart up in the oven to keep it crispy. The shop had ample seating, no fighting to get a table. The space was tidy and cute with mismatched, old wood tables and chairs. My only beef with the space is the lighting. Ack, I can't stand fluorescent over-heads, they just vaporize any charm or ambiance. They make me feel like I'm in a sterile environment like an office or school, not a cozy cafe. BOTTOM LINE: I'll go back, because I like the concept. I'd go back more if the lighting was softer and the food choices more extensive (and veg-friendly).
(4)Darkling S.
Cruisin' the TVB at Dank Haus I am hungry for something other than a taco so I opt for one of their sandwiches. Of course, they are not displayed, nothing is displayed. There are two people at a counter and I ask for a roast beef with all sorts of goody condiments. But alas, the sandwich is fridge cold, rather squashed in a tight cling wrap and the bun was not very good looking or tasting. Soooo disappointing .... for a bakery. To be fair i must try their location and sample their sweets.
(2)Marjorie D.
Attention brides (and grooms)- throw out the brochures for snobby $70+ a plate catering! We had Blue Sky do drop off catering for our wedding and it was wonderful. Allow me to elaborate: When I asked "normal" caterers for quotes, the best they could do for $5,000 for 150 people was "heavy hors d'oeurves" and even then they seemed incredulous that I should suggest a budget so low. At Blue Sky, our total cost for four appetizers, four kinds of gourmet sandwiches, spinach salad, fruit salad, mini cupcake tower, pastry assortment, wedding pie (to cut), and compostable cups, plates, and utensils: $3,400. The food was delicious (several guests commented on how tasty it was), and the drop off/set up was smooth, punctual, and professional. Lisa did the final assembly on site, and we just had a handful of friends help bring it out to the buffet tables. We had more than enough, and though we did have some leftovers, it wasn't an absurd amount- the estimates Lisa helped us with turned out really well. Thanks to Blue Sky, we didn't have to skimp on food or guests (i.e. didn't have to play the ol' "is this person $100 a plate special to us?" game), and we'll actually have some money left for a honeymoon. BLUE SKY SAVED MY CHEAP ASS. As to the cafe itself, we've been a number of times (and will be back) and couldn't be more satisfied with the quality and service. This is a great place for a cheap brunch - big family style tables, great food, and great prices. That this business ALSO supports job training for at-risk youth is even more outstanding. GO HERE. Don't forget to visit the day-old half price pastry basket before you leave. Get some cheddar-chive scones if available. NOM NOM NOM.
(5)Jenny Z.
My friend and I went to the quiche/pie making class last night at Blue Sky. What a beautiful space with very sweet decorations.....all with a great cause. Although it was not a hands on class, Lisa ( the bakery owner) gave a demonstration that was informative and made you feel like you could go home and make a pretty decent pie crust. The tables were beautifully set, including some wine glasses (BYOB event, yay!). We dined on quiche, salad and some baked sweets at the end from the bakery. The class was a steal for $25. What a lovely evening and I cannot wait to go back! I hope they schedule more classes soon-maybe a scone or layer cake baking class?
(5)Coll P.
I came here for a scone cooking class with a group of girlfriends and we loved it! In a two hour span, the owner demonstrated how to make a basic scone, allowed us to each individualize our own scone with a plethora of ingredients and then supplied us with the recipe. We then got to sit around and drink our BYO wine until our scones were ready to eat, in addition to a fabulous salad and a slice of quiche. It was a different and fun girls night out for only $25! Keep up the awesome job, Blue Sky!
(5)Anne M.
5 stars for good samaritans and damn good cookies! For those of you who don't know, Blue Sky is not your typical bakery. While they still sell scrumptious baked goods, sandwiches, pies, cakes, tea & coffee galore, they also run a community employment program for at-risk youth by offering employment at the bakery in addition to other support & employment services. What a fantastic idea and way for Blue Sky to get involved and contribute to the community. Bravo! Now to the food... Through a couple visits on my own, and a couple Groupon purchases, I've sampled an array of goods from Blue Sky: -Cupcakes: Big. Not the best cupcake I've ever had, but a solid, good one. (red velvet was my fave.) -Cookies: Awesome. Chewy chocolate chip - these things are gigantic and some of the best bakery cookies I've ever had (size of my spread out hand, or face...) -Sandwiches: Pretty good. Got a couple chicken sandwiches to-go (sliced chx breast, bacon + tomato & blue cheese on fresh roll), and heat them up on my sandwich press at home - made the cheese melty and the bread crunchy. (Maybe they'd be hot and crunchy like that if you ordered & ate at the cafe? If not, I recommend heating up at home.) -Brownies & cheesecake brownies: Good, moist & chewy. Can a brownie be bad? These weren't... -Blueberry Coffee Cake Muffins: As good as they sound, with big fresh blueberries. Wish they were a tad (or a lot) bigger. Yet to try: * Their quiche looks amazing...... I think that will be my next purchase.
(5)Virginia T.
I got to work for my usual toast and yogurt, and my bread was moldy. It was a nice day out so I decided to walk over to Blue Sky Bakery & Cafe for breakfast since it is so close. My coworkers have been in there, I knew they had quiche, that's what I really wanted...but they also have a savory scone on the menu, that would do. I also really love that they are a nonprofit cafe employing homeless and at-risk youth. Win-win, right? I walked over and into Blue Sky. There was no one inside. The one person working was on the phone. I walked further in, looking at the offerings. The sign read "Today's Quiche:______ ". I didn't see any savory scones, only 4 sweet ones. The person working there was still on the phone. I start to give her the "please help me glare". Then I hear her say "Well, I have a customer, so I suppose I should go". She finally acknowledges me. I ask if they have quiche, she replies "I was just about to put one in the oven". I asked if they had any savory scones left- nope. They had maybe 1-2 other pastries and 1-2 varieties of muffins. I pick out a triple berry scone for $2 and some change and leave.....with a bad taste in my mouth before I even try the scone. True, the scone was pretty cheap, and yes-it was tasty. Buttery and rich. Not the best scone ever, but not awful. I was really upset with the customer service though. :-/
(3)Courtney M.
This is the sort of place that I really, REALLY want to support. The nature of the business is to provide at-risk youth an opportunity to work and create work history, as well as learning a skill and getting experience. However, I have been here five times and, each time, haven't had the most thrilling of experiences. Often, there is no one up front when we go in, probably in the back making baked goods, but I am patient and this isn't especially bothersome to me. I have yet to determine what sizes their coffees actually come in, because I've been told something different each time I asked. I've also been rung up for somewhere around three or four dollars - just for a cup of coffee? That can't be right. The coffee is sub-par. It really tastes the same, if not slightly worse, than the stuff I make at home. The first time I got a drink there, I had an espresso-based drink, but getting the amount of caffeine I wanted in it was expensive, so each subsequent time, I've had regular coffee with syrup. It has never tasted very good. The last time I went, I got a muffin to share with my daughter. It was super dense, kind of hard, really cold, and tasted really stale. The first time I went, we shared a brownie and that was really, very good. Like I said, I genuinely want to support this place. Since I haven't had much of anything else, I will probably continue to go and try some of the other drinks and food. I just wish they had better coffee.
(3)Char Y.
I had a groupon for a sampler box here. We got a lot of baked goods which weight over 5 pounds and really filled the box. cupcakes - ok, slightly dry cookies - too sweet brownies - good, very fudgy
(3)Iris H.
I really like Blue Sky. The coffee is tasty and free refills abound. The owner has a giving and vibrant personality. The low-fat carrot muffin I devoured was moist and delicious and I am still questioning whether or not it really was low in fat. :) Did I mention free refills on the tasty joe? I didn't spend more than 5 bucks all told! That in itself is remarkable, no? You need to go here people. Indi-owned places like this need your business. Why not 5 stars? The wifi signal was problematic. Fix that please!
(4)Url R.
The Albany and North Park community really needs to support this place. Why go to a chain coffee shop when this place offers good coffee, decent baked goods, and FREE WiFi. On top of all that, it serves the community in a very good way. I will return on weekends when I just want to chill with a hot beverage and surf the web. And for god sakes, tip these people above the normal amount.
(4)Karen S.
I used a Groupon at Blue Sky, which gave me 3 cupcakes (chocolate, German chocolate, red velvet), a scone (pear ginger), 4 cookies (chocolate chip, peanut butter oatmeal), a brownie, and 2 other kinds of bars (but I can't remember what they are). I also bought an additional mini cherry almond pie. So far I've eaten the pie, which was, for lack of a better word, perfect...in terms of taste and value. I also ate both kinds of chocolate cupcakes. I can understand the current boutique cupcake craze. It's cool that people can get a bite-sized taste of cake without having to buy the whole thing or even use a fork, but honestly I'm kinda over it. Those specialty cupcakes are usually small, dry, and tasteless (no matter what kind of fancy name you slap on them). The cupcakes at Blue Sky, however, are totally the opposite. They're big, perfectly moist, and delicious. They also have a generous portion of frosting that is not overly sweet or heavy. I found myself wanting more frosting (and cake) instead of having to scrape most of it off like I have to do with so many other subpar cupcakes. I'm excited to try my other treats, as well as the other varieties of pie that Blue Sky has been selling at area farmers markets this summer. Yum!
(5)Katy W.
Ever worried about creating a crowd pleasing dinner party? Blue Sky is your answer. On the big day of the event, after a trip to trader joes to pick up the main course, I knew making a dessert would be way too much pressure. Picking up baked goods the answer. This place has a very large, clean seating area which is welcoming to patrons. A family was enjoying a leisurely breakfast. They have a display of a couple different options: cupcakes, cookies, scones, brownies. I went with an assorted box of tiramisu, red velvet, and chocolate peanut butter cupcakes; peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies; and a cheesecake brownie. The kicker? This business of yummy baked goods supports at-risk youth. Giving back is truly the cherry on top! These baked goods were a crowd pleaser-especially the ginormous peanut butter cookie! Peanut butter never tasted SO.GOOD. I will be back for another.
(5)karin p.
Really great baked goods and really great prices. What's even better is the message is supports! Limited menu for lunch and savory things (1-2 sandwiches, quiche and savory scones). But if you go there for great espresso drinks, cupcakes or brownies, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Matt D.
Great Coffee. Nicest people in the world work here. The Whole Wheat Cranberry scone is just about perfect.
(5)Rebecca H.
Only have a second to write this review but picture this: good book, iced tea just the way I like it (primarily black, with a lil raspberry herbal in it), warm quiche that melts in my mouth and a perfect crunchy sweet amazing peanut butter oatmeal cookie. Dream come true... And the Mountain Goats come on the quiet radio...yeah. I'm glad I found this place. Just sad I don't live here all the time. Also the causes (supporting at risk and homeless teens, organic gardens, all-natural, supporting arts and community) of the bakery are amazing. Go check them out!! Get a cookie for me. :)
(5)P M.
Tried this bakery with a groupon sample box. Good cupcakes, scones and cookies but excellent fudge brownies! These may be THE BEST BROWNIES ON THE PLANET if you are a chocoholic like me! These are not for the faint of heart or the diet inclined. They explode with gooey fudge chocolatey flavor and melt so satisfyingly in your mouth. The word sinful gets overused in reference to desert but this is the definition here! Very nice staff/owners and laid back atmosphere. The only slight complaint is that it seems that the secret ingredient in the cookies and cupcakes is salt. I know that salt can bring out flavors but this is a bit extreme and offputting when you are craving rich and sweet. Did I mention that the fudge brownies are F'n awesome?!!
(4)Elizabeth K.
I initially tried Blue Sky because I bought a groupon/living social/bloomspot (can't remember which kind- but one of those coupon-y things) and I felt foolish for not knowing it was a mile from my apartment before this year! I have dined in for breakfast (totally reasonably priced breakfast sandwich with egg, bacon, cheese & red pepper aioli) and great bottomless coffee. Took a scone home to my husband- I ate half of it on the way......it was so good! I also have used Blue Sky Bakery for a custom cake order. The price was totally normal and Lisa (who I think is the owner) was a breeze to work with. She responded to my inquiry promptly, she had awesome customer service & the bakery made a BEAUTIFUL chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting (that was also immensely delicious) for a party I was hosting. I've been back many times and have been pleased every time I've been there both with the quality of the food/baked goods and the high level of customer service. The fact that Blue Sky Bakery also supports homeless youth with job training is absolutely icing on the cake for me (sorry for the pun); it is an added bonus to an already awesome establishment.
(5)Lisbeth D.
This is such a great little cafe and I'm so glad it's in my neighborhood! Blue Sky hires homeless and "at-risk" youth to teach them job skills, but beyond that I'm a huge fan of their breakfast goodies. They serve the best Chai I've ever had and they also have some vegan breakfast goodies that I love (especially chocolate chip scones.) I'm looking forward to stopping by for lunch or brunch one day so I can have a chance to sit and relax at a table. For now, I've only been able to grab a drink and treat while taking my dogs on their morning walk. Just an FYI, they also sell their baked goods at the Wicker Park, Printers Row and Southport farmers' markets. My husband and I first tried their scones at the Wicker Park market and were so happy to see they had an actual cafe in our our new neighborhood.
(4)Kenya B.
Excellent cupcakes.... This place is great, had a variety of things
(5)Sarah L.
I came across this little gem on my way home from the Francisco brown line station. I love supporting local businesses so my husband and I decided to try it for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. I remember seeing online that they have sandwiches for lunch and that's why we stopped in. When we got there, it was ungodly hot inside. No cross ventilation and it was like 85 degrees in there! Get some A/C or open the front door. I don't know how other patrons were not passing out from the heat. We asked for a lunch menu and they were only doing brunch. Not much selection so we both had the quiche. The quiche was pretty good, it was a little burned on the bottom. My husband didn't like his food so we probably will not return. I love the ambiance of this little cafe. I will probably go back to try their coffee. Sounds like the coffee is out of this world and I should of had some. Blue Sky is perfect if you are looking for a quiet spot to enjoy some java and do some online surfing. I probably will not go here to eat breakfast or brunch.
(3)Deborah E.
Hear ye, hear ye! Find of the month - Blue Sky Bakery & Cafe! Have I been living under a rock? How can this be located a few blocks from me and I not know it exists? Last week, an obscure temp agency emailed me a list of May events, one of which was a donut and coffee tasting ($5) at Blue Sky from 9-2pm on Saturday. Did someone say FRESH DONUTS? Okay, I set my alarm and laid in bed, dreaming of what donuts await me... My partner and I arrived promptly at 9:05 a.m. and the rest is donut hole history. Soon, two young friendly servers with tongs in tow took turns providing us with piping hot samplings of the following delectable donuts (more like large donut holes): - lemon ricotta: my favorite! 2 days later, I am still dreaming of them.... - rosemary: more of a savory than a sweet & my beloved's fave - coconut: oh, so sweet and chewy with just the right amount of coconut - peanut butter with a "surprise" splash of a mocha creme filling in the middle One of my friends said to me, aghast, "OMG, how many did you have?" I tasered her for asking me such a stupid question. The rest of their menu is filled with rotating offerings of reasonably priced pastries/desserts, sandwiches & salads and they offer catering including lunch boxes and gift baskets. They also offer a full array of teas, coffee and espresso drinks - the coffee is locally roasted from The Coffee & Tea Exchange and is wonderful. The best part? Blue Sky's mission is to provide valuable work experience and employment to homeless and at-risk youth. What a noble cause! Pls support this cafe. Hours: Tues-Sun - 7 am to 2 pm.
(5)shylo b.
I really love this place. Albany Parkers, spread the word. We need to keep this place in business. Blue Sky has a great mission (job training for at-risk youth) and has great coffee, a decent selection of stuff, and a warm ambiance. They don't get a lot of foot traffic, but I'm sure if their biz picked up, they'd offer a wider range of things. I really love this place.
(4)Annie R.
I had the pleasure of co-hostessing a bridal shower at Blue Sky recently. I was really impressed overall. The location is spacious and worked well for our party of around 25 women. It is reasonably priced, especially since it is BYOB. We brought our own champagne for mimosas and Blue Sky provided the orange juice along with other non-alcoholic beverages. They even had fresh flowers in mason jars on the tables. We arranged to have sugar cookies individually wrapped as party favors and they were really cute and tasted great. The brunch food for the shower was delicious: sweet and savory fritters, green salad, several types of quiche and a yummy dessert spread. I would absolutely recommend considering Blue Sky for a bridal or baby shower!
(5)Nancy N.
I actually heard about this place from a friend of mine. I finally was able to go inside and had a red velvet cup cake. It was wonderful. I had a cup of tea which she was so kind enough to put into a to go cup because I wasn't sure how long I was going to be there. She was making fortune cookies which I have never really seen and it was pretty cool. I was reading about the things that they do on their website and I think its a wonderful idea. Its good to see people give back to the community when they are able to. :)
(4)Sue F.
I used to love this place when Megan ran it and was the head baker. The food and energy of the place were great. It was even worth the common annoyance of going there and them saying "we're out of XYZ." So...Megan is no longer there and this place has gone downhill. I'm so, so sad because I live in the neighborhood and need and want a place like this. I write the review in hopes that they will do something to get their act together. I can't speak for the sweets because I don't eat them, but the quiche and sandwiches have gone way downhill. I've had 3 quiches since the changeover and they ranged from bad to at most mediocre. Megan's were delectable! Without Megan the energy of the place is a little down for my tastes. I had great chats with Megan and found it fun to go there. It was that perfect neighborhood place you want where people know you and vice versa. On a positive note, the prices here are still good, and I really liked the two soups I've had.
(2)Megan S.
This place looks so cute from the outside so I was excited to try it. I was a bit sad once I walked in. The place is a bit bare. My husband and I went in for a snack and coffee. My husband's coffee was cold and we left with no snacks because the front displace only had scones. You are a bakery- where are the muffins, bagels, donuts, anything! I may try this place again first thing in the morning to see if we have more success.
(2)Megan B.
I first learned about Blue Sky when a friend brought me to one of their "Dinner Party" fundraisers. So good! - 3 courses + wine for a reasonable price, but even better that this delicious meal's price went to the organization's mission. I always stop by here for sweets when I'm dropping by a friend's house. Even better that they moved across from Trader Joe's - the new location has better parking and is more convenient for me. Great coffee - try the peanut-butter oatmeal cookies, they're the best!
(5)Jeanne M.
This place has ENORMOUS potential. It is a beautiful space with a fabulous mission. Cozy, comfortable, indie, artistic. However, it needs to fix a few things before it will really, really shine as a stand-alone cafe. The intent is terrific and the execution needs some work. The best parts -It's a beautiful, sunny space with comfortable and spacious wooden chairs and tables, flowers and candles. -It's very indie, artistic, aesthetically pleasing. Good vibes abound. -Provides lots of interesting reading material, cushioned benches in the window, toys for kids (LOVE that). -Coffee is awesome. Fair trade and tasty. They have a lovely presentation as well. -The bakery item I did partake of was very good. I wouldn't wake up at 3 am craving it, but it was yummy and fresh. -Person behind the counter was pleasant and efficient, brought my order (unexpectedly) to the table and quietly and cheerfully cleared my dishes while I was still working but done with my treats. What could need to be fixed -Wifi wasn't working, even when I typed in the password. It's very easy for me to connect to any Wifi with my Macbook and I couldn't connect there for some reason. -They were out of a lot of things, including ice for drinks (on a hot day) and pastry choices. It wasn't late in the day, only 9 am, so that was a bit awkward. Because the cornerstone of any urban bakery and cafe is built on three basic things (coffee drinks, baked goods and wifi for working customers) if they can fix the supply problems with wifi, ice and baked goods available, I would go out of my way to spend my money there. To be honest, if it didn't have such amazing potential and service for a great cause, this review would have been 3 stars. But I think that the importance of the community service that they are providing means that supporting it, especially if they make changes suggested, is important.
(4)Natalie S.
Blue Sky is a nonprofit cafe employing homeless and at-risk youth. It's also a cozy little place to pick up super-cheap scones and other goodies and a cup of coffee. Rotating daily specials and a selection of sandwiches, granola and cookies are a good enough reason to stop by, but knowing what an amazing cause this place supports is the best reason. .
(5)Jenn K.
Really cute little space. I had a tasty savory scone and iced coffee-- the coffee was fresh and flavorful, not the stale iced coffee that sits in a fridge for a full day. I'm pretty sure it was actually an iced Americano-- the best way to make an iced coffee!
(4)Jessica S.
I was riding my bike in Albany Park this morning when I passed the irresistably alluring facade of a bakery called Blue Sky. I can't ignore any undiscovered, independently owned cafe, so I made a pit stop. It was pretty much empty and exuded the type of homey feel that made it feel like it existed solely for me. Great music playing, and a limited but quality selection of pastries, sandwiches, and soups. I had a delicious red velvet cupcake and a macchiato (which wasn't quite as strong as I like it, wonder what type of espresso they use?). The owner seemed really nice, and upon reading about the non-profit aspect and incredible mission of the place, I'm doubly impressed. Go there!
(5)Judy M.
Love this place! I bought two Groupons and was amazed at the quality of this place! Delicious cashew toffee bars and great cupcakes!
(4)Alex L.
The second saddest day of my life was Blue Sky Bakery and Cafe moving from across the street to its new location. I fussed and fumed over this for a few weeks, and figured since I'm no longer in my old place either, I should go ahead and review them. I first wandered in a few days after my coffee maker broke, and was looking for a tasty treat. The first thing I noticed was the english-style scones, and I was hooked. It's rare a place will make the non-sweetened (and much better) scones, but even more rare to find a place that does it masterfully. Blue Sky accomplishes this with an ease that makes me very jealous, but also very full. The mixed berry are great, but my favorite are the pear-ginger. If getting scones, my wife prefers the savory cheddar cheese and chive, which are also scrumptious, but definitely a different style. My son adores the chewy chocolate chip cookies, and I've bee known to order two just so I can steal bites from his. It was over a year later I first tried the blueberry muffins, and I was in love. If you ever want to taste what I imagine heaven to be like, try the fresh blueberry muffins. Another event that I hope continues at the new location are the dinners. I only had the pleasure of doing one, but even doing one, you can tell they are fantastic. I made a reservation for myself and my wife and was treated to delicious braised short ribs as a main course, and wine to match. On the days I don't feel like a pear-ginger scone, and the blueberry muffins aren't in season (yes, they are picky about their ingredients - it makes for spectacular finished products), I would try other things across the menu and can't remember being disappointed. All this was before I found the backstory of Blue Sky Cafe and Bakery, and the other programs that are funded through it. Because of that, I volunteered to man a farmer's market booth, and it's great to be able to tell people about the programs, or hear people praising them. If you don't know, take the time to stop by the bakery. Buy a treat and ask where the proceeds go. It does, amazingly enough, make them taste even better.
(5)Jeannine B.
I have been a fan of this bakery for a while and love the new location in North Center! It is bright and roomy and has the best scones! They recently added cupcakes to their regular selections, too and they are super yummy! Love this bakery and its mission to provide job skills for at risk young people in Chicago.
(5)Paula K.
I love the coffee and baked goods at Blue Sky and even though I'm cheating on my diet I still feel good because of their mission to help at-risk and homeless youth to train for careers in the food service industry. It's worth it to get on their e-mail list to get informed about special events at the bakery like cooking classes and theme dinners - their savory dishes are just as good as their sweets!
(5)Whitney O.
Yummy yummy - I am not a bakery kind of gal, but I was having a Jewelry party, and Blue Sky Bakery was on groupon that week. I figured, what the heck - get some pastries to go with the wine. I emailed the contact, and at 4:15, I got a lovely selection of pastries delivered to my door. They even waived the out of delivery area fee. I would defintely order again, even without a groupon!
(5)Shannon R.
Blue Sky Bakery is great for a number of reasons. Their purpose is most outstanding and noteworthy. What they do for the community is amazing! Furthermore, their baked goods are tasty. I purchased their Groupon and was amazed at the assortment of treats I got for the price. And they were all pretty delicious on top of that. So delicious that I asked them to do my wedding cake. It was a small cake to be used only for cake cutting purposes as we were having other desserts, but some of our guests wanted to taste it and couldn't stop talking about the frosting. It was very yummy and I'm glad that I get to try it again next year on my anniversary (we froze a few pieces). Overall, Blue Sky is a bakery that delivers solid products with a great platform.
(5)Laurie V.
We happened on the Wicker Park Farmers Market on the last sale of the season and noticed the booth for Blue Sky. Now I normally don't buy a lot of bake goods but this crazy old lady cut in front of everyone to buy a cookie and went on and on about how good they were and that I had to have one. Then another woman mentioned how amazing the scones were. Suddenly I became a person who caves under peer pressure and bought 2 cookies and a pumpkin scone. Holy crap they were good! How did I go 37 years without knowing that scones were awesome? I grabbed the card from the bakery and realized they were in my hood. Now I have become hooked on the baked goods. The cheddar chive and pumpkin, and pear/almond scones, peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies...Delicious! The selection is always varied and they might not always have what you were hoping for but there's always something tasty to take its place. The prices are also great! I look forward to trying the sandwiches one of these days.
(4)Matt R.
Has very good cookies and a selection of classic baked goods. Everything here is good! This place also is open for lunch, and I have yet to try it.
(3)Amanda S.
Bad day for Blue Sky? I went in Sunday morning for coffee and a pastry and never got them because the server/baker turned his back on me to chat with another customer then do something in the back, and I left. This shop just recently opened, so I'll give them another chance later, but for now, I'll head down the street to Dinkel's for my breakfast treats.
(1)Anthony N.
Absolutely phenomenal breakfast and fair-trade coffee. I ate two whole-wheat cranberry scones and I thought I hated scones. I will take every person I know to this unintentionally well-hidden gem. We even got to taste some homemade eclairs that blew my mind!
(5)Joe K.
I've been wanting to get here for a while now. Made the plans to go today...and locked my keys in my car. arrrrgh. Anyway, I finally made it there at about 2:04. They're supposed to close at 2. I really, really hate it when people show up at my work at the last minute, and I won't speak of what I think of people who show up AFTER closing time expecting service. So, fully expecting a "sorry, we're closed" when I peeked my head in, I was surprised to be greeted with a (really really really cute) girl looking up from her book she was reading, smiling, and welcoming me in and asking what she could get for me. Whoa. Didn't even hint it was past closing time. Even made some sort of comment that the owner was going to be in soon and keep it open extra late anyway, so no big deal even if I wanted my coffee "for here." Couldn't have been nicer. So I ordered my coffee, picked out a muffin that was amazingly awesome(carrot/almond, I believe) and only had to hand over about 3 bucks. Seriously? Since I've moved to this wonderful, albeit expensive, city, I've found I either frequent places that are EITHER cheap OR cool. This is the first time I've found a place I really liked the atmosphere AND was saving some moolah. Yay! I asked her what the place was "all about," and she explained how they employ at-risk youth for a 6-month "program," with the intent of that being enough to build a resume to help them get a start. I wish I would have stuck around and asked her more about it, but I was already feeling guilty coming in after closing time. The place looked pretty neat, I'd guess about 6 4-top tables, and a really neat feel to it. Very clean. It wasn't what I expected, I didn't notice anywhere them gratuitously advertising the underlying mission of the place, just a neat little cafe that happens to give a little back, too. I like. ...now I just have to get the motivation to get out of my apartment before noon on my days off...booooo!!!!
(5)sarah l.
I'm wavering between 4 & 5 stars, but have to go with 5 because they have a really great mission -- to help give homeless youth job skills. I stopped by this morning after reading about this cafe in the Chicago Reader. I had no idea this was in my neighborhood. I stopped in for coffee & a muffin. The pastries were almost done, so I had a little wait. But the coffee was good, and the pear ginger muffin was AMAZING! Hot & Fresh out of the oven. It didn't taste at all like the sugary carbo-load muffins you buy from Dunkin Donuts. Only reason I would give this place 4 stars is because the decor is more appropriate for a casual dining dinner restaurant than a coffee shop. I'm picky about coffee shop atmosphere.
(5)Jack K.
This is a great coffee shop tucked away just off Lawrence. Its mission is to employ and give job training skills to at-risk youth, so it's definitely worth patronizing. Before I knew about this place the closest neighborhood coffee shop was Starbucks - now I won't have to go back there. (Just a warning, they're only open 7am to 2pm right now, so you'll have to find someplace else for your afternoon pick-me-up.)
(5)Sarah L.
I came across this little gem on my way home from the Francisco brown line station. I love supporting local businesses so my husband and I decided to try it for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. I remember seeing online that they have sandwiches for lunch and that's why we stopped in. When we got there, it was ungodly hot inside. No cross ventilation and it was like 85 degrees in there! Get some A/C or open the front door. I don't know how other patrons were not passing out from the heat. We asked for a lunch menu and they were only doing brunch. Not much selection so we both had the quiche. The quiche was pretty good, it was a little burned on the bottom. My husband didn't like his food so we probably will not return. I love the ambiance of this little cafe. I will probably go back to try their coffee. Sounds like the coffee is out of this world and I should of had some. Blue Sky is perfect if you are looking for a quiet spot to enjoy some java and do some online surfing. I probably will not go here to eat breakfast or brunch.
(3)Marissa B.
Totally love the concept. Non-profit business that's doing job training programs for disadvantaged/at-risk youth?! So you're telling me I can be supporting a good cause AND getting my coffee shop fix?!? Love, love, love it. Easy parking on this rare strip of Lincoln that doesn't have meters. The prices were reasonable, although besides the baked good, the food options were limited (a rotating choice of sandwiches and soup). Unfortunately neither of the sandwiches were vegetarian and the soup, which sounded delicious (butternut squash) didn't have a vegetarian base. WAAH. I settled on an apple tart, which was just fine. Our barista was charming, even offering to warm our tart up in the oven to keep it crispy. The shop had ample seating, no fighting to get a table. The space was tidy and cute with mismatched, old wood tables and chairs. My only beef with the space is the lighting. Ack, I can't stand fluorescent over-heads, they just vaporize any charm or ambiance. They make me feel like I'm in a sterile environment like an office or school, not a cozy cafe. BOTTOM LINE: I'll go back, because I like the concept. I'd go back more if the lighting was softer and the food choices more extensive (and veg-friendly).
(4)Darkling S.
Cruisin' the TVB at Dank Haus I am hungry for something other than a taco so I opt for one of their sandwiches. Of course, they are not displayed, nothing is displayed. There are two people at a counter and I ask for a roast beef with all sorts of goody condiments. But alas, the sandwich is fridge cold, rather squashed in a tight cling wrap and the bun was not very good looking or tasting. Soooo disappointing .... for a bakery. To be fair i must try their location and sample their sweets.
(2)Marjorie D.
Attention brides (and grooms)- throw out the brochures for snobby $70+ a plate catering! We had Blue Sky do drop off catering for our wedding and it was wonderful. Allow me to elaborate: When I asked "normal" caterers for quotes, the best they could do for $5,000 for 150 people was "heavy hors d'oeurves" and even then they seemed incredulous that I should suggest a budget so low. At Blue Sky, our total cost for four appetizers, four kinds of gourmet sandwiches, spinach salad, fruit salad, mini cupcake tower, pastry assortment, wedding pie (to cut), and compostable cups, plates, and utensils: $3,400. The food was delicious (several guests commented on how tasty it was), and the drop off/set up was smooth, punctual, and professional. Lisa did the final assembly on site, and we just had a handful of friends help bring it out to the buffet tables. We had more than enough, and though we did have some leftovers, it wasn't an absurd amount- the estimates Lisa helped us with turned out really well. Thanks to Blue Sky, we didn't have to skimp on food or guests (i.e. didn't have to play the ol' "is this person $100 a plate special to us?" game), and we'll actually have some money left for a honeymoon. BLUE SKY SAVED MY CHEAP ASS. As to the cafe itself, we've been a number of times (and will be back) and couldn't be more satisfied with the quality and service. This is a great place for a cheap brunch - big family style tables, great food, and great prices. That this business ALSO supports job training for at-risk youth is even more outstanding. GO HERE. Don't forget to visit the day-old half price pastry basket before you leave. Get some cheddar-chive scones if available. NOM NOM NOM.
(5)Courtney M.
This is the sort of place that I really, REALLY want to support. The nature of the business is to provide at-risk youth an opportunity to work and create work history, as well as learning a skill and getting experience. However, I have been here five times and, each time, haven't had the most thrilling of experiences. Often, there is no one up front when we go in, probably in the back making baked goods, but I am patient and this isn't especially bothersome to me. I have yet to determine what sizes their coffees actually come in, because I've been told something different each time I asked. I've also been rung up for somewhere around three or four dollars - just for a cup of coffee? That can't be right. The coffee is sub-par. It really tastes the same, if not slightly worse, than the stuff I make at home. The first time I got a drink there, I had an espresso-based drink, but getting the amount of caffeine I wanted in it was expensive, so each subsequent time, I've had regular coffee with syrup. It has never tasted very good. The last time I went, I got a muffin to share with my daughter. It was super dense, kind of hard, really cold, and tasted really stale. The first time I went, we shared a brownie and that was really, very good. Like I said, I genuinely want to support this place. Since I haven't had much of anything else, I will probably continue to go and try some of the other drinks and food. I just wish they had better coffee.
(3)Char Y.
I had a groupon for a sampler box here. We got a lot of baked goods which weight over 5 pounds and really filled the box. cupcakes - ok, slightly dry cookies - too sweet brownies - good, very fudgy
(3)Karen S.
I used a Groupon at Blue Sky, which gave me 3 cupcakes (chocolate, German chocolate, red velvet), a scone (pear ginger), 4 cookies (chocolate chip, peanut butter oatmeal), a brownie, and 2 other kinds of bars (but I can't remember what they are). I also bought an additional mini cherry almond pie. So far I've eaten the pie, which was, for lack of a better word, perfect...in terms of taste and value. I also ate both kinds of chocolate cupcakes. I can understand the current boutique cupcake craze. It's cool that people can get a bite-sized taste of cake without having to buy the whole thing or even use a fork, but honestly I'm kinda over it. Those specialty cupcakes are usually small, dry, and tasteless (no matter what kind of fancy name you slap on them). The cupcakes at Blue Sky, however, are totally the opposite. They're big, perfectly moist, and delicious. They also have a generous portion of frosting that is not overly sweet or heavy. I found myself wanting more frosting (and cake) instead of having to scrape most of it off like I have to do with so many other subpar cupcakes. I'm excited to try my other treats, as well as the other varieties of pie that Blue Sky has been selling at area farmers markets this summer. Yum!
(5)Katy W.
Ever worried about creating a crowd pleasing dinner party? Blue Sky is your answer. On the big day of the event, after a trip to trader joes to pick up the main course, I knew making a dessert would be way too much pressure. Picking up baked goods the answer. This place has a very large, clean seating area which is welcoming to patrons. A family was enjoying a leisurely breakfast. They have a display of a couple different options: cupcakes, cookies, scones, brownies. I went with an assorted box of tiramisu, red velvet, and chocolate peanut butter cupcakes; peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies; and a cheesecake brownie. The kicker? This business of yummy baked goods supports at-risk youth. Giving back is truly the cherry on top! These baked goods were a crowd pleaser-especially the ginormous peanut butter cookie! Peanut butter never tasted SO.GOOD. I will be back for another.
(5)karin p.
Really great baked goods and really great prices. What's even better is the message is supports! Limited menu for lunch and savory things (1-2 sandwiches, quiche and savory scones). But if you go there for great espresso drinks, cupcakes or brownies, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Matt D.
Great Coffee. Nicest people in the world work here. The Whole Wheat Cranberry scone is just about perfect.
(5)Anna K.
Fantastic social mission and friendly staff. Ample lighting and spacious tables- great for studying and meetings.
(5)Rosa J.
I've heard about this place. My education background is criminal justice and has written some articles on the topics of social justice and social reforms. My hubby and I were in North Center and he wanted to grab a quick bite. There is free parking available. The cafe itself was bright and homy, with about five (5) large tables on site. We didn't order any drinks, as we both have had our morning coffee. We chose the mixed berry and pear ginger almond scones. Checked in at yelp and got $1off $5, so the total came in a little more than $4. I liked the mixed berry scones; I especially liked the berries because I can taste the essence of what fresh berries. In other words, those berries were the real deal! However, the pear ginger almond scone was very unique, in a positive way. The ginger seemed to "transform" to have a sweeter taste, but this transformation was subtle because the ginger and sugar created harmony so that the scone was not overly sweet. The almond then provided just enough kick to it. Well done! As some of you already knew, Blue Sky Bakery employs at-risk youth between ages of 18 to 24. What they learn from working at Blue Sky during the 12-week training helps them build resume so that they can move on and find other employments in the future. Instead of providing unlimited resources and giving them out for "free" like what government does with out faithful taxpayer's money, Blue Sky emphasizes on the mission to have those kids to be "self-sufficient" through the opportunities that were given. See the difference?
(4)Jo C.
This review is for private events- The venue is very cute and love the mission of this cafe. So I booked a shower here because I wanted to support the cause and there were great reviews about hosting a party here. However, the food was lacking and certainly not worth the money we paid. We had about two dozen people but the food prepared seemed like it could feed a dozen. The owner was only there for a few minutes so I'm not sure if that had anything to do with my experience being different from others for the private party. After I've sent the owner a note, she offered to give me a small discount but that is after the fact and that doesn't change the lacking experience for the guests. Not sure if I had a one off experience but be warned before you book your event.
(2)Michelle M.
The baked goods are heavenly, especially the scones. I also come here to support the owner's efforts to work with youngsters that need professional training.
(4)Regina K.
My sisters hosted my bridal shower here, and it was awesome. I already really liked this place, because the work is meaningful and the food is good. I was really pleased at how great the food and space was for a larger event like this was though. Highly recommended.
(5)Leah D.
My Aunt hosted my bridal shower here and it was AMAZING. The food was great, the service was great and it was such a cute location. There was plenty of space (20 guests) and we were able to walk around and mingle. I highly recommend it!
(5)Stacy S.
I would not recommend having a private event here, Blue Sky Bakery has a beautiful space and serves a wonderful cause, but has a not so accommodating staff when it comes to planning special events . We started a business agreement that got pretty ugly and therefore needed to be severed. Even though we couldn't come to a common ground on the private event arrangement that I made, I still recommended them to another friend. Even though I told her about my experience, I still spoke highly of the venue. She booked an event for the following month. They double booked her date, and therefore had to move it (which messed up my friend's invitations and guest schedules). They were pretty rude about fixing the situation also. At the end of the day, the event turned out well, the food was good and the space was bright and airy. The service just left a bad taste in everyone's mouths.
(2)Angela J.
I really like what i see about this bakery. Yes, the food looks amazing and I had the spinach and goat cheese quiche (so good and fluffy and creamy, though could've been warmed a bit more). But what I like most is the purpose of this place. I think more businesses should do what they're doing for community by helping empower the youth as homeless. If I cater for an event, I'll definitely put them in top consideration.
(5)Diane G.
As suspected, Blue Sky was worthy of a booty bump to 5 stars! Why? *friendly, laid-back staff *plenty of seating for customers to study, read, or just kick back and relax *white. cheddar. chive. scone. aka CRACK! I fruckin' LOVE these thangs. *cheaper than Starbucks (e.g. $2 for a scone, $3 for a small latte) *cute ambience, with antiques along the walls, inc. an awesome vintage bike) *HALF OFF of 1-day-old pastries! (they're hiding off to the far right of the counter) Oh and one last thing.....white. cheddar. chive. scone. (seriously, you need to try it!)
(5)Jen B.
Hosted my sister-in-law's bridal shower here and everything was perfect! The space is adorable and food was delicious. Lisa was very accommodating and quick to answer all of my questions leading up to the event. I would highly recommend hosting an event here. Such a great value for what you get!
(5)Joann H.
I came to this cafe last October and had a lemon coconut cupcake that was delicious. I also had a pumpkin squash soup that was so good. I really felt good supporting this place due to their cause of helping at risk youth. The cupcakes are a bit cold and frosting was set due to being chilled but I asked if they would warm it for a few seconds. They did and were so darn nice. I had their brownies in the past and omg they are dark, rich and fudgy! So deliciously rich. Now to the present: Went today to have their cheddar and chive scone. I love scones but hate those that are a bit too dry. This scone was delectable. Cheddary, so darn moist and such a good savory breakfast option (although I was carb craving so I had this at 1pm...lolol shhhh!!). Haven't been disappointed at all. Go its a lovely cafe and reasonably priced.
(4)Jen B.
Hosted my sister-in-law's bridal shower here and everything was perfect! The space is adorable and food was delicious. Lisa was very accommodating and quick to answer all of my questions leading up to the event. I would highly recommend hosting an event here. Such a great value for what you get!
(5)Joann H.
I came to this cafe last October and had a lemon coconut cupcake that was delicious. I also had a pumpkin squash soup that was so good. I really felt good supporting this place due to their cause of helping at risk youth. The cupcakes are a bit cold and frosting was set due to being chilled but I asked if they would warm it for a few seconds. They did and were so darn nice. I had their brownies in the past and omg they are dark, rich and fudgy! So deliciously rich. Now to the present: Went today to have their cheddar and chive scone. I love scones but hate those that are a bit too dry. This scone was delectable. Cheddary, so darn moist and such a good savory breakfast option (although I was carb craving so I had this at 1pm...lolol shhhh!!). Haven't been disappointed at all. Go its a lovely cafe and reasonably priced.
(4)Maria F.
In June we hosted a small graduation brunch for our daughter at Blue Sky. We worked with Lisa and her staff in planning the menu and details of the event. They were all extremely helpful and lovely to work with. The event went off without a hitch. The food was delicious and beautifully displayed. There was plenty for everyone and we took home the leftovers and enjoyed them over the next few days. I highly recommend Blue Sky Cafe for a mid-day treat or for hosting small parties.
(5)Anne M.
5 stars for good samaritans and damn good cookies! For those of you who don't know, Blue Sky is not your typical bakery. While they still sell scrumptious baked goods, sandwiches, pies, cakes, tea & coffee galore, they also run a community employment program for at-risk youth by offering employment at the bakery in addition to other support & employment services. What a fantastic idea and way for Blue Sky to get involved and contribute to the community. Bravo! Now to the food... Through a couple visits on my own, and a couple Groupon purchases, I've sampled an array of goods from Blue Sky: -Cupcakes: Big. Not the best cupcake I've ever had, but a solid, good one. (red velvet was my fave.) -Cookies: Awesome. Chewy chocolate chip - these things are gigantic and some of the best bakery cookies I've ever had (size of my spread out hand, or face...) -Sandwiches: Pretty good. Got a couple chicken sandwiches to-go (sliced chx breast, bacon + tomato & blue cheese on fresh roll), and heat them up on my sandwich press at home - made the cheese melty and the bread crunchy. (Maybe they'd be hot and crunchy like that if you ordered & ate at the cafe? If not, I recommend heating up at home.) -Brownies & cheesecake brownies: Good, moist & chewy. Can a brownie be bad? These weren't... -Blueberry Coffee Cake Muffins: As good as they sound, with big fresh blueberries. Wish they were a tad (or a lot) bigger. Yet to try: * Their quiche looks amazing...... I think that will be my next purchase.
(5)Maureen M.
I recently held a bridal shower brunch here and everything was great! Food consisted of quiche, salad, fruit, and a variety of baked goods--the menu can be customized to fit your needs and budget. Everything was freshly made and awesome, and prices are very reasonable. The ability to BYOB is a huge cost saver as well. If you are looking for fancy, this probably isn't the place for you, but we loved the quirky, comfortable decor and couldn't have been happier with our venue choice. We had 25 people and could have accomodated a few more--any more than 30 may be a little cramped. Thanks to Lisa and her staff for a job well done!
(4)Michael G.
I really like their americano. But i really hate their cups. It is my personal hell that keeps me up at night.
(4)Megan C.
Fantastic coffee and food and workspace! I would go here if it was just another coffee shop, no problem. But this is so much more. The social mission is amazing- and another great reason to go. In fact, I can't think of a reason not to!
(5)Beth K.
I hosted a bridal shower brunch at Blue Sky Bakery a couple months ago in August. Not only do they have a great social mission, a shabby chic relaxed environment, and out-of-this world blueberry scones - they are incredibly affordable. It's perfect for a small intimate event (you have the entire place to yourselves!!).
(5)Alana W.
The white cheddar chive scones are ahhmazing. I could have ate three in one sitting. The spinach quiche was tasty too. Since the breakfast sandwich was only $4.75 I was expecting an egg patty and pre-cooked bacon thrown on some bread and reheated, therefore, I was pleasantly surprised that it all seemed fresh.
(4)M H.
Yay my cupcakes came with free blonde hair! Seriously it was pretty gross. Unfortunately I didn't find out until we opened the box and we live too far away to go back and ask for a refund.
(1)Diane G.
As suspected, Blue Sky was worthy of a booty bump to 5 stars! Why? *friendly, laid-back staff *plenty of seating for customers to study, read, or just kick back and relax *white. cheddar. chive. scone. aka CRACK! I fruckin' LOVE these thangs. *cheaper than Starbucks (e.g. $2 for a scone, $3 for a small latte) *cute ambience, with antiques along the walls, inc. an awesome vintage bike) *HALF OFF of 1-day-old pastries! (they're hiding off to the far right of the counter) Oh and one last thing.....white. cheddar. chive. scone. (seriously, you need to try it!)
(5)Anna K.
Fantastic social mission and friendly staff. Ample lighting and spacious tables- great for studying and meetings.
(5)Rosa J.
I've heard about this place. My education background is criminal justice and has written some articles on the topics of social justice and social reforms. My hubby and I were in North Center and he wanted to grab a quick bite. There is free parking available. The cafe itself was bright and homy, with about five (5) large tables on site. We didn't order any drinks, as we both have had our morning coffee. We chose the mixed berry and pear ginger almond scones. Checked in at yelp and got $1off $5, so the total came in a little more than $4. I liked the mixed berry scones; I especially liked the berries because I can taste the essence of what fresh berries. In other words, those berries were the real deal! However, the pear ginger almond scone was very unique, in a positive way. The ginger seemed to "transform" to have a sweeter taste, but this transformation was subtle because the ginger and sugar created harmony so that the scone was not overly sweet. The almond then provided just enough kick to it. Well done! As some of you already knew, Blue Sky Bakery employs at-risk youth between ages of 18 to 24. What they learn from working at Blue Sky during the 12-week training helps them build resume so that they can move on and find other employments in the future. Instead of providing unlimited resources and giving them out for "free" like what government does with out faithful taxpayer's money, Blue Sky emphasizes on the mission to have those kids to be "self-sufficient" through the opportunities that were given. See the difference?
(4)Jo C.
This review is for private events- The venue is very cute and love the mission of this cafe. So I booked a shower here because I wanted to support the cause and there were great reviews about hosting a party here. However, the food was lacking and certainly not worth the money we paid. We had about two dozen people but the food prepared seemed like it could feed a dozen. The owner was only there for a few minutes so I'm not sure if that had anything to do with my experience being different from others for the private party. After I've sent the owner a note, she offered to give me a small discount but that is after the fact and that doesn't change the lacking experience for the guests. Not sure if I had a one off experience but be warned before you book your event.
(2)Michelle M.
The baked goods are heavenly, especially the scones. I also come here to support the owner's efforts to work with youngsters that need professional training.
(4)Regina K.
My sisters hosted my bridal shower here, and it was awesome. I already really liked this place, because the work is meaningful and the food is good. I was really pleased at how great the food and space was for a larger event like this was though. Highly recommended.
(5)Leah D.
My Aunt hosted my bridal shower here and it was AMAZING. The food was great, the service was great and it was such a cute location. There was plenty of space (20 guests) and we were able to walk around and mingle. I highly recommend it!
(5)Stacy S.
I would not recommend having a private event here, Blue Sky Bakery has a beautiful space and serves a wonderful cause, but has a not so accommodating staff when it comes to planning special events . We started a business agreement that got pretty ugly and therefore needed to be severed. Even though we couldn't come to a common ground on the private event arrangement that I made, I still recommended them to another friend. Even though I told her about my experience, I still spoke highly of the venue. She booked an event for the following month. They double booked her date, and therefore had to move it (which messed up my friend's invitations and guest schedules). They were pretty rude about fixing the situation also. At the end of the day, the event turned out well, the food was good and the space was bright and airy. The service just left a bad taste in everyone's mouths.
(2)Angela J.
I really like what i see about this bakery. Yes, the food looks amazing and I had the spinach and goat cheese quiche (so good and fluffy and creamy, though could've been warmed a bit more). But what I like most is the purpose of this place. I think more businesses should do what they're doing for community by helping empower the youth as homeless. If I cater for an event, I'll definitely put them in top consideration.
(5)Virginia T.
I got to work for my usual toast and yogurt, and my bread was moldy. It was a nice day out so I decided to walk over to Blue Sky Bakery & Cafe for breakfast since it is so close. My coworkers have been in there, I knew they had quiche, that's what I really wanted...but they also have a savory scone on the menu, that would do. I also really love that they are a nonprofit cafe employing homeless and at-risk youth. Win-win, right? I walked over and into Blue Sky. There was no one inside. The one person working was on the phone. I walked further in, looking at the offerings. The sign read "Today's Quiche:______ ". I didn't see any savory scones, only 4 sweet ones. The person working there was still on the phone. I start to give her the "please help me glare". Then I hear her say "Well, I have a customer, so I suppose I should go". She finally acknowledges me. I ask if they have quiche, she replies "I was just about to put one in the oven". I asked if they had any savory scones left- nope. They had maybe 1-2 other pastries and 1-2 varieties of muffins. I pick out a triple berry scone for $2 and some change and leave.....with a bad taste in my mouth before I even try the scone. True, the scone was pretty cheap, and yes-it was tasty. Buttery and rich. Not the best scone ever, but not awful. I was really upset with the customer service though. :-/
(3)Katie K.
Blue Sky Bakery did such a wonderful job with the cupcakes for our wedding. They were extremely organized and professional and they have the best assortment of flavors to choose from - I think the lemon coconut was the majority favorite! They decorated the cake on top beautifully and worked with our caterer with set up and delivery. Everyone raved about the cupcakes and I only wish I had ordered more, not realizing people would be eating multiple cupcakes! They did such a great job, were so easy to work, have incredibly reasonable prices and best of all is that Blue Sky's mission is to provide valuable work experience and employment to homeless and at-risk youth which is a great cause to support!
(5)Richie D.
TGFY! (Thank God For Yelp!) I had kept eyeing Blue Sky Bakery on my Bookmarks 'To Try' list for months. Being Father's Day today, I figured being away from home and "fatherless" I'd explore a cafe to relax in while eating breakfast and writing reviews that are well overdue. Little did I know that BSB had RELOCATED from Albany Park to a store front in North Center along Lincoln Avenue (a block north-west from the Addison Brown Line stop). I travelled towards the Loop instead of towards Kimball and set off on my excursion. I arrived at the bakery and my "food-hound" nose led my way. As I stepped in the door, I heard the constant beating of the mixers spinning up the soon-to-be focaccia bread. The prior Albany Park space has been maintained with the same antique tables and chairs that seem as if they were transplanted from an abandoned schoolhouse. Local art continues to cover the [no longer robin egg blue] walls with adorable chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The menu takes care of your Thirst and Hunger. Fresh pastries cover the counters ranging from scones, to muffins, to quiche. Don't leave out the Chewy Chocolate Chunk Cookies or full-o-frosting cupcakes. I personally wanted to take on their homemade granola which is full of cashews and bits of coconut (after experiencing the taster cookie and bread bits). Don't fret, the granola is light enough where you don't have to chew too hard like normal granola. They also have soy milk for us pickier ones. Of course they offer a variety of coffee and tea products from The Coffee and Tea Exchange--it IS a cafe after all. So grab a cup and your laptop and pass some time online while taking advantage of their free Wi-Fi (ID: BlueSkyCafe) and enjoy! Wait, hold up...I wrote this much without mentioning the mission?! Blue Sky educates and employs homeless and at-risk youth from all over the ChiTown. What does at-risk mean?? Well anyone who has an incomplete education past, lack of work experience and references, unclear career direction, criminal records, and unstable housing which all prohibit the individual from seeking employment and experience. Being a not-for-profit employee myself, I'm all about causing change by carefully choosing where I eat and shop. Not only do you find the bakery busy cooking away, but you can also find them selling their products at two neighborhood farmers markets in Wicker Park and Printers Row. Best of luck BSB! I overheard that during the two-weeks in the new location you're already busier than your old space. YAY!
(5)Tek I.
As usual I came to Yelp to find a good place to find some cupcakes for V Day. I was originally looking for a Sprinkles or something like that. Luckily Blue Sky Bakery popped up and is MUCH closer to me than a sprinkles or something of the like. I decided to drop on in. It was super easy to find and street parking right there. I walked in and immediately warmly greeted. I will say that their cupcake selection was a little limited. I went with 2 red velvets and a oversized chocolate peanut butter one. All 3 came to under 8 bucks which I can't complain about at all. They look equally as delicious as they taste!! I LOVE the fact that they use cream cheese frosting along with buttercream (depending on the cupcake as I prefer cream cheese frosting over buttercream any day). The deserts are great and all, but I really like the fact they help out at-risk youth and teens. Finally a business (and a local one!) that takes a proactive approach at helping people out that need it. Couple this along with delicious food and it is guaranteed that I will be returning, next time to try some of those delicious scones and breakfast/lunch items.
(5)Molly D.
This is the perfect place if you're looking to host a brunch for a group of people! We had brunch after my daughter's Baptism this weekend and it was fantastic. The price was perfect, the food was delicious, and best of all I didn't have to do any work! We also brought our own alcohol in and they allowed me to drop it off the day before so I wouldn't have to rush in the morning. I got many compliments on the food and the set up was perfect for our group of 24. I also got to sample the cupcakes when we stopped by to pay our deposit and loved those as well :) One of the easiest parties I have ever planned and everything worked out perfectly!
(5)Jenny Z.
My friend and I went to the quiche/pie making class last night at Blue Sky. What a beautiful space with very sweet decorations.....all with a great cause. Although it was not a hands on class, Lisa ( the bakery owner) gave a demonstration that was informative and made you feel like you could go home and make a pretty decent pie crust. The tables were beautifully set, including some wine glasses (BYOB event, yay!). We dined on quiche, salad and some baked sweets at the end from the bakery. The class was a steal for $25. What a lovely evening and I cannot wait to go back! I hope they schedule more classes soon-maybe a scone or layer cake baking class?
(5)Coll P.
I came here for a scone cooking class with a group of girlfriends and we loved it! In a two hour span, the owner demonstrated how to make a basic scone, allowed us to each individualize our own scone with a plethora of ingredients and then supplied us with the recipe. We then got to sit around and drink our BYO wine until our scones were ready to eat, in addition to a fabulous salad and a slice of quiche. It was a different and fun girls night out for only $25! Keep up the awesome job, Blue Sky!
(5)Rebecca H.
Only have a second to write this review but picture this: good book, iced tea just the way I like it (primarily black, with a lil raspberry herbal in it), warm quiche that melts in my mouth and a perfect crunchy sweet amazing peanut butter oatmeal cookie. Dream come true... And the Mountain Goats come on the quiet radio...yeah. I'm glad I found this place. Just sad I don't live here all the time. Also the causes (supporting at risk and homeless teens, organic gardens, all-natural, supporting arts and community) of the bakery are amazing. Go check them out!! Get a cookie for me. :)
(5)P M.
Tried this bakery with a groupon sample box. Good cupcakes, scones and cookies but excellent fudge brownies! These may be THE BEST BROWNIES ON THE PLANET if you are a chocoholic like me! These are not for the faint of heart or the diet inclined. They explode with gooey fudge chocolatey flavor and melt so satisfyingly in your mouth. The word sinful gets overused in reference to desert but this is the definition here! Very nice staff/owners and laid back atmosphere. The only slight complaint is that it seems that the secret ingredient in the cookies and cupcakes is salt. I know that salt can bring out flavors but this is a bit extreme and offputting when you are craving rich and sweet. Did I mention that the fudge brownies are F'n awesome?!!
(4)Elizabeth K.
I initially tried Blue Sky because I bought a groupon/living social/bloomspot (can't remember which kind- but one of those coupon-y things) and I felt foolish for not knowing it was a mile from my apartment before this year! I have dined in for breakfast (totally reasonably priced breakfast sandwich with egg, bacon, cheese & red pepper aioli) and great bottomless coffee. Took a scone home to my husband- I ate half of it on the way......it was so good! I also have used Blue Sky Bakery for a custom cake order. The price was totally normal and Lisa (who I think is the owner) was a breeze to work with. She responded to my inquiry promptly, she had awesome customer service & the bakery made a BEAUTIFUL chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting (that was also immensely delicious) for a party I was hosting. I've been back many times and have been pleased every time I've been there both with the quality of the food/baked goods and the high level of customer service. The fact that Blue Sky Bakery also supports homeless youth with job training is absolutely icing on the cake for me (sorry for the pun); it is an added bonus to an already awesome establishment.
(5)Lisbeth D.
This is such a great little cafe and I'm so glad it's in my neighborhood! Blue Sky hires homeless and "at-risk" youth to teach them job skills, but beyond that I'm a huge fan of their breakfast goodies. They serve the best Chai I've ever had and they also have some vegan breakfast goodies that I love (especially chocolate chip scones.) I'm looking forward to stopping by for lunch or brunch one day so I can have a chance to sit and relax at a table. For now, I've only been able to grab a drink and treat while taking my dogs on their morning walk. Just an FYI, they also sell their baked goods at the Wicker Park, Printers Row and Southport farmers' markets. My husband and I first tried their scones at the Wicker Park market and were so happy to see they had an actual cafe in our our new neighborhood.
(4)Kenya B.
Excellent cupcakes.... This place is great, had a variety of things
(5)