Incompetent worker alert! I placed a pick-up order over the phone, was told that it should be ready in 5 to 10 minutes, arrived in about 15 minutes and payed the cashier, Daniel. While I was waiting for my order, I noticed a woman who was trying to purchase a loaf of bread. Daniel continued to go back to the kitchen and return with a different loaf of bread before the manager finally stated out loud, "I told you, Daniel, those are for the store!" Daniel just stared at his manager. The manager explained the process by which customers can place custom loaf orders one hour in advance via telephone. I must note that the store was a bit busy as there were about 3-4 people in line and many of the tables were occupied. However, the workers by the phone pick up cashier were chatting. Ten minutes later, I realized I might be late in dropping off my boyfriend's lunch so I called to let him know ahead of time. Daniel must have overheard me because only then did Daniel raise a brow, pick up my food and state that, "It was ready this whole time. I don't know why nobody gave it to you." I was shocked. Why didn't he check this when I obviously paid him? And why wasn't an apology offered? I asked for some utensils and napkins and Daniel stated,"Oh they should be in there." They weren't. I asked for them again and he handed me a couple of utensils and then walked away without another word. I understand the store was busier than usual, but if the workers have time to stand idle and chit chat, they should have had more time to communicate and get someone's order to them (their job!) When I finally dropped off my boyfriend's lunch and told him about the story, he asked what the worker looked like. Apparently a similar situation happened between them. Why is this guy still working here?! I've been to this location without any problems before so I will try it out again, but if Daniel's service was a reflection of what I will have to deal with every time I visit Corner Bakery I will reconsider my options.
(1)
Judy H.
Always tasty, fresh food. They get really busy at lunch, so try to come a little ahead of the crowd or a little late for lunchtime. Free parking lot. They have added outdoor seating, but that is very cramped because they have too many tables and chairs for the space,
(4)
Jennifer Q.
This place is good! How have I never eaten here before? ;0) California Grille veggie panini! Good stuff! It has the same vibe as Panera. Good quality food on the go -or -hey, sit and chill awhile. I enjoyed the food and am still surprised I had never been before considering I'm in that area shopping all the time. I enjoyed my experience. Oh, and the brownie bites....to die for!
(4)
Sara L.
OOhh Corner Bakery how you disappointed me! Tsk tsk...should've went to Chipotle next door. I normally get my usual, the harvest salad and chicken noodle soup, you can't mess that up right? My salad was soggy, everything was at the bottom of the bowl, there was only three small strips of chicken and my noodles in my soup were undercooked. They advertise free wi-fi, but it doesn't work and nor are there any outlets. It was like finding hide and seek for an outlet after much ducking around we found one! Yes, if you were wondering who is that crazy chick looking under the tables I was looking for an outlet and not being a creeper! Stick to the Corner Bakery either by Union Station or by Woodfield the service and food is waayy better!
(2)
Autumn N.
Came here after we checked out of the Holiday Inn across the street. Very good! It reminded me of Panera, but with a small business feel. Definitely worth it, and will come back again.
(5)
Chicago C.
I really hate to do this because I really do love this place, but this morning was the final straw. at least once a week I phone in my order to pick up on my way into work. This morning I called and was put on hold for 5 minutes, then placed my order. walked in the store 3 min later, waited in like another 7 minutes just to find my order was never put in. No I'm sorry, nothing! I was very upset and just walked out. very disapointed... Nothing like going to work without having breakfast first, ruined my whole morning. They are under staffed at the register in the morning, they need to fix that or they'll lose me forever. I do have to say that I have noticed this big white guy that has been behind the counter lately, he seems to be rather clueless, slow and doesn't seem to care much. about 2 weeks ago, I was getting coffee and there were no lids??????? I was like ummmm I can't take this in my car like this and he just stood there and said " oh the truck hasn't been unloaded yet" WHAT??? I poured half my coffee out and left. there have been several times where the coffee station was out of cream and out of certian coffee, big dude walking around totally clueless as usual. very sad. the only reason I gave them 2 stars is because I love their food. not sure if I'll be back anytime soon
(2)
Francis F.
First time here and tried the sandwich combo- 1/2 club panini with side of classic caesar salad! I enjoyed my meal and service was good!
(4)
AJ M.
There was a point I used to think really highly of corner bakery, although every visit brings down my expectations. This place has a large variety of sandwiches, soups, salads, pasta, baked goods you name it, solid lunch spot in my opinion. The food is still good, just not what it used to be. I used to pick Corner Bakery over Panera, but now I must say Panera is the way to go. Though Panera has less options, their food is more flavorful, and deff a lot more consistent with quality. But CB is worth a visit every now and then.
(3)
Lisanne F.
Review is for Breakfast Power Flatbread only. Ordered it to go. Looked inside the bag at home and they'd included plastic utensils. Ummm, this is a wrap sandwich, why would I need a fork and knife? Got the bacon version. Not impressed at all. It comes with a nasty vinegary "salsa" that tastes like poor-quality jarred store bought. I used my own hot sauce. Bacon flavor was overwhelmed by the bread flavor. Overall, sandwich not yummy and it's very small for $3.99. You're mostly getting bread. I won't be buying this sandwich ever again.
(2)
Howard L.
This is the largest Corner Bakery we've ever been in. It looks to be maybe twice as big as a typical CB. We tried one of their Corner Combos - a half chicken pomodori panini and half a mac n cheese. We also had a cinnamon creme cake. They have the usual offerings and service was quick for us despite the store size (the late 1pm lunch time might have helped).
(4)
Tatiana T.
I always order the half pesto combo with Mac and cheese and I sub a salad instead of chips. Their deserts rock. Sometimes, I'll get the pesto carbona which rocks
(4)
Michael P.
This is one of those places I find hard to judge. Today i ordered the club panini. Basically it consisted of bread, cheese, bacon, tomato and turkey. The problem I have is with overall value for your money. If you open up the sandwich you notice there is not much content. Especially when it comes to meat. There were three paper thin slices of turkey, and two really tiny pieces of bacon. For a guy like myself the sandwich is really small and I find myself still hungry afterwards. On the other hand. The bread is super crisp. The combination of ingredients work really well together. And, the sandwich was really tasty. So, I struggle. If you're the kind of person who feels that quantity counts, then this may not be the place for you (especially at these prices). If you're the kind of person who just likes tasty food and doesn't really flinch at the cost. Then you'll most definitely enjoy this place. FYI - Club Panini and large drink cost just under $12.
(4)
Rita M.
This has been my go to Corner Bakery. For my wedding (back in 2012), the girls were going to meet me at my hotel to get hair and makeup done there at 09:00. I ordered catering and it came at scheduled and correct. Love the laid back lay out **One star deducted...PAY ATTENTION** do NOT, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, come here on a week day during lunch time. The line is literally out the door, they don't open all their registers and there is NO organization (people are cutting in front of you!) if you come here on your lunch break from work, it will all be spent waiting in line. You may need to get it to go and eat on your way back to work. Don't believe me? Come here at 12:30 on a weekday and try it out.
(4)
Naty K.
Corner bakery is always a good choice, this location is always kept clean. Customer service could use a touch up, cashiers are sometimes grumpy. Great salads & soup. Try the pineapple orange smoothie very yum! Has a slight taste of guayaba...could just be the Cuban in me
(4)
Neri B.
Today I decided to order their new featured items. Fist I tried the Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup. It was pretty good. It was creamy and flavorable. Then I had the salmon croissant sandwich. The salmon didn't taste like it had any seasoning. The croissant was not your typical croissant. It was a multi grain wheat croissant. It was pretty good though. Fresh and soft. The tomato caprese salad was good, I think it could have been better if they used sliced cherry tomatoes instead of your typical chopped tomato. Also, the salad used is Arugala. A lot of people I know don't care for the flavor of Arugula so I hope this information is helpful for those of you who may want to order it and are expecting a different kind of salad. Overall, the meal was good.
(4)
Madelaine L.
Currently in a very bad mood because of this location. My husband and friend work at a corner bakery so I eat there often and this place needs someone to pay attention to detail. Just one person would be nice. My husband ordered an uptown Turkey... Bread wasn't toasted. I ordered the chicken pesto cavatapi pasta and a cup of chili. The pasta had so much breadcrumb on it that it was criminal. On top of that, the bread that comes with it was so hard that I couldn't eat it and it crunched very audibly when I broke it in half. My chili was also no more than halfway full. Now to our friends meal. He ordered a moms turkey sandwich. Long story short, he took two bites and we're currently back in the car on our way to wing stop to buy him something else to eat Please find someone who will pay attention to what they're doing because what you're doing at the moment isn't working. What a waste of money.
(1)
Allan M.
Corner Bakery's food is very hit or miss. Some of them I do like(i.e. breakfast menu items(bravo for moving to serve them all day!), pastas), but OTOH the panini sandwiches are meh. OTOH, they have surprisingly great desserts here(and the most underrated aspect about this chain), such as pecan bars, whoopie pies, to name some examples. Their desserts beat the ones at the Barnes and Noble cafe IMO, aside from Cheesecake Factory cupcakes. As Corner Bakery has nothing like those cupcakes, obviously. Patio is also nice at this one, during warm enough months. Ironically too, it was also my first ever check in for any place on Yelp. Yep, was extremely late on a certain obvious bandwagon that let's just say Samsung and Apple dominate, and leave it at that.
(3)
Joyce B.
I hate when people post negative reviews based on one experience but this has not been the only negative experience. I used to love this place! I still actually like this place if the order placed is what I asked for. This used to be a quality restaurant but has slowly been on the decline. Walking from Barnes and Noble there were table after table of empty plates and garbage. Trash all over and one poor guy busting his butt bussing all the tables by himself. There are many employees behind the counter but not much going on otherwise. So, we placed our order. One kids breakfast (pancakes and bacon), one panini, one kale Caesar salad. I send my daughter and father to get drinks. No ice in the ice machine, the soft drink my dad wanted empty. After a slight wait, our food comes out by the poor lone buss boy. My daughters pancakes look great! No bacon... My dad's food was fine. My very sad kale salad has no kale. So the buss boy brings it back. The kitchen says it's a kale salad. Ok, I don't want to cause any drama so I poke around in my salad and there at the bottom are a few little pieces of kale. The romaine lettuce was limp and old and the kale nonexistent. This is not even on a weekend. This was one in the afternoon. Everything should be fresh. I might give it one more try but I am highly disappointed.
(2)
R J.
Good variety of soup, salad and sammich options. I like that the calories are listed on each menu item. Helps to gauge the choices. 1000 calorie bread bowl? Pass! Combos are a good balance- and I favor CB's over Panera. Both in quality and flavor. Food is reliably prepared correctly and expediently. This location in particular is good at everything.
(4)
Kristine D.
Lemon orzo soup is the bomb!!! ... so are their pancakes!!! I've never had such fluffy and buttery pancakes ever. I'd even say they are much better than iHOP's!
(4)
Dani R.
Amazing food here, ordered Wonton salad and I loved it ! The staff was really nice. The dining area is lovely and the food tasted really fresh. Definitely coming back to this cozy place
(5)
Natasha R.
I love Corner Bakery and I really like this location. It's always busy, but the service has been terrific each time I come here (mostly during lunch). My best suggestion is to preorder the food by phone because it takes awhile for the food to get prepared. I've signed up to Corner Bakery online so I constantly get coupons and offers for free or discounted food. They also send you special deals during the month of your birthday. They have offers through Facebook once in awhile as well, so you can be on the look out for that. I just recently had a voucher for a free corner combo meal worth around $10. For the combo meal, it's similar to Panera where you can get half a salad/sandwich/panini and a soup or whatever combination you want. I ordered the new Turkey Monterey Panini with a grilled chicken Cesar salad and it was delicious (especially since it was free). I've had a few other items such as the Chopped salad, Roasted Tomato Basil soup, Tortilla soup, and a few other things. Everything tastes fresh and is very flavorful. When I was in the city, I would stop by at a Corner Bakery for breakfast once in awhile and it's one of my fav places for oatmeal or just a plain egg sandwich. They have many options for all kinds of pastries and desserts, so leave some room for that! It's a great spot for a meal at any time of the day, so I know I will be back soon since I work super close.
(4)
Mike J.
Farmers scrambled eggs-5 -bakes potatoes are really good Strawberry and banana smoothie-4 - good taste like real fruit
(5)
Nathasja T.
I am a huge Panera fan... BUT. I simply love Corner Bakery Cafe's. Any time I am in the Chicago area I feel the need to.stop by for something. Anything. It doesnt matter what. Our schedule basically dictates what we are having, which mainly turns out to be a breakfast item. The breakast sandwiches are pretty nice, i love the bread. To me its really the sweets that are the winner. Im a fan of the fudge brownies, apricot rugelachs and the fantastic lemon pound cake. Its dense, yet light.. Moist, yet has a nice crumb. Its tart, but the glaze adds sweetness. YUM! The Swiss cold oatmeal is great and so is the green tea. Overal two thumbs up!
(3)
Kristy F.
I tasted a bit of the pumpkin/walnut cake which was tasty but a little dry as well as the cheddar broccoli soup which was superb. I like the menu and the cozy atmosphere of this place though I have been to other corner bakery's that were less comfortable.
(3)
Amy L.
I have always gotten the chicken carbonara here which is delicious here yet such simple ingredients! But today I chose to try something new: dc chicken salad on steakhouse rye sandwich! This was good as well but next time I will ask them to add red onions on top. I love chicken salad with red onions. They gave me a bit too much lettuce, woah. I did get the corner combo with 1/2 sandwich, chips, cookie, pickle, and mac&cheese! Wow I did not know you can pick mac&cheese! I asked them if I could get chips instead but they said it is included! So wow a lot is included. I was stuffed! It would have been a good meal to split with my 2 year old which was my plan but he only wanted the cookie, aye. We also ordered a kids milk. All this for just under $9. Great! Free wifi here. Not fast enough for youtubing though.
(4)
Kathy G.
Just visited Corner Bakery and had the most delicious lentil soup and a spinach salad with fresh strawberries. I would love to get the recipe for this soup! Dressing was pomegranate vinaigrette and just I could have dressing on the side and that is exactly how it was served.
(4)
Melissa M.
So I've revisited this Corner Bakery twice in the last two months and it appears to be much improved. It has been clean and neat so I thought it warranted to be mentioned. I usually order the chicken pomodori panini, but today I decided to try BLT. I felt like I discovered an old gem all over again. Nothing fancy schmancy about it... just a simple, yummy BLT.
(4)
Peter R.
We get breakfast catered from this Corner Bakery once a month at my work. I look forward to these days like a fat kid looks forward to a buffet. We go all out with the breakfast bonanza. We have a delicious array of treats to choose from. We get chocolate chip, sugar, mini, and oatmeal raisin cookies. We have cream cheese brownies, fudge brownies, pecan bars, chocolate bundt bites, and much more that I can't remember. We even order a cheese and fruit tray for those who can't handle all the sweets. This is our once a month treat for all our employees celebrating a birthday for the month. I have also come here for lunch on several occasions, but it gets pretty crowded here during lunch hour. I usually order take out and just pick it up. My go to order is the "Corner Combo" which is the soup/salad and 1/2 sandwich combination. I get the Chicken Pomodori on sourdough with Chicken Tortilla soup. That meal usually gives me the "itis," which means its so good that I need to take a nap. I enjoy everything about this place, from the delectable pastries, to the soups/salads/sandwiches, and even the delicious pasta dishes. Kudos to Corner Bakery for making us look forward every month.
(4)
Brent L.
Baily H. I sent a note through the link in your reply and have heard nothing from the company. It gives the impression CB doesn't care.
(1)
Kat L.
This place is okay. My usuals are: the uptown turkey, santa fe ranch salad with avocado, and the chicken tortilla soup. If i'm feeling up for pasta, I get the pesto cavatappi. Food is decent. Not bad. I mean c'mon. You definitely come here to avoid grease and fat in other joints. But for a cafe/bakery, it does the trick. Nothing here has ever completely wowed me, but I don't leave hungry either. I like that I can get a cup of parmesan here and fill it with olive oil; I use this to compliment my bread. Make sure if you get bakery desserts to ask them to heat it up for you before serving. Anyways, it's clean and people will serve your food at your table, but it's not as though you'd come here for the experience. It's a little pricier, but all in all, acceptable.
(3)
Annie W.
Blech. Any place that has posters that boast that lunch "only" has 500 calories kinda gives me second thoughts...Corner Bakery is the epitome of non-fast-food-American-eatting...some place a relative might take me to treat me to fine dining. That said, I always managed to find something edible on the menu, and they are super consistent. Meh.
(3)
Sasha T.
Went here to pick up food to go. I got the santa fey salad which unfortunately has more calories than most of the sandwich's there. The chicken sandwich with pesto is very delicious and the tomatoes on the sandwich were super fresh. This place is okay and the food quality does not exceed expectations.
(3)
Sarah L.
Who doesn't love Corner Bakery? They have great sandwiches, soups, salads and baked goods. DO NOT go to this location. They do not have covers on their baked goods and I saw about 4 flies on a sugar cookie. Eeeeeeeek! Me thinks NOT! The cashier that rung me up couldn't be any ruder. Skip this location and go to another Corner Bakery. There are so many other dining options nearby.
(1)
Paul Z.
When you review 1 corner bakery, you are really reviewing them all, since their stores are all carbon copies of each other including the food, which is a celebration of mediocrity. This is standard corporate restaurant fare,most of what they serve I can do better at home for a lot less.
(2)
Mel V.
Love this place! I have to admit I am a Panera fan But, I do have to come here for the salads because they are just a tad bit better!! I am in LOVE with the Sante Fe Ranch entree salad here .. simply the best!! And the desserts here are just decadent .. ALL OF THEM!! This location, by far, has the best customer service!
(4)
Bernie M.
Incompetent and rude manager alert! My daughter and I went in for a couple of Club Panini's, but when we were in line my daughter looked at me and said boy this doesn't look like this is going to go well. There was mass confusion in "mission control" with a lot of staff standing around looking at each other in bewilderment, but I figured what the heck it's just couple sandwiches how bad could it be? Boy was that a mistake, after wait about 25 min. for two sandwiches they showed up with only half of a sandwich that was burnt (black) for my daughter which we sent back. Of course I was going to wait for my daughter to get her sandwich before I ate mine but while waiting looking at the club "thingy" which is supposed to be turkey and bacon, it turned out to be ham only? So I brought the other incorrect sandwich up to the counter only to see the manager berating the girl that had taken our order. You would swear to God by the way he was treating her in public that they were trading in gold bullion, not in 4 ounces of lunch meat and burnt bread! The disturbed manager charged me at the counter demanding and really loud aggressive tone that I present my receipt! I said you know what just give me back my money for two sandwiches and two soft drinks and let me get out of here. I thought to myself, "I really don't have time for this kind of nonsense and drama, I just want to sit down with my daughter eat a sandwich somewhere peaceably." The manager got rather bullish with me demanding that I produced a receipt, which is a big mistake! "Really? You're managing a sandwich shop not NASA mission controls get over yourself already!" I looked for the receipt back at the table, only then to find out that the girl who took the first sandwich back took the receipt with her. The girl that took my receipt gave it to the manager and he basically threw money at me without apology for being such a jerk. But I guess if you're a jerk that's what you do! So do yourself a favor and avoid this corner bakery, but if you do go there guard the receipt with your life!
(1)
Jade T.
Corner Bakery Cafe (better than sign) Panera Bread. - More vegetarian options (mmm, Poblano Fresca Sandwich). - Food seems fresher. - More seating. - Speedier queues. - Cozier atmosphere. - ... Um, the chain was founded in Chicago!
(4)
Debresha P.
I L-O-V-E love their Chicken Pesto on Ciabatta Ficelle sandwich. It is so tasty and worth every bite. However, the service is a bit rushed and the staff mood was on the sullen side. I do love their sandwiches!! I wish that for the price your paying you can get more for your money. I go there ever so often when I have the money to splurge! If the staff looked a little more happy to serve you maybe my star rating would have gone up!
(3)
Chris W.
WHY Corner Bakery? WHY? Their food as of late has seemed to suffer. I used to get the Chicken Pomodori (panini) with the tomato basil soup (corner combo) came with a pickle, and I'd get a drink. OH WOW delish. However the same sandwich (which I could eat the crap out of on a regular basis if needed be) suddenly wasn't as delectable as it had been for a long time, and that's NOT because I had gotten sick of it, or my tastes had changed, even the freshness of the sandwich and the amount of ingredients and sloppiness factor of it's being put together have been the deal breaker. Other dishes I recommend are the Turkey Derby and Pesto Cavatappi (not good for the calorie conscious). Their broccoli cheddar soup is magnificent (when fresh). When you order in, they serve you on plates with real silverware. Always crowded, but very spacious and plenty of places to sit. Don't sit by the doors though (on the side facing the parking lot directly), very high traffic area. Also, fast take out/carry out.
(3)
Eileen S.
Best CBC ... love the Chicken Pesto!!
(5)
Ann Y.
I enjoy corner bakery for the following reasons: - Chicken Pomodori sandwhich is amazing. - You can have avacado added to anything (and I LOVE avacado) - You don't have to tip - Good desert selection (especially the mini pies) - Quick service and overall a healthly menu - Great coffee Overall it is better than panera except in the bagel department. I also am not a fan of the tomato soup here.
(4)
Christine P.
This location is always quick, even if it's always crowded. My order always comes out correctly, but it can be very slow. The desserts are always fantastic!
(3)
Sidra A.
I first tried this place this week, and since then, I've eaten here four times. When I first came in here, I thought it was some ersatz version of Panera. While it does resemble Panera a lot, it has many more menu options and a more open floor plan. You also don't have to stand around with your number; the server brings you the food if it's a long wait. I really love how it's a community gathering plae of sorts; just came back an hour ago and saw moms, high school students, business students, and lone wifi users all enjoying food together.So far I've tried the Tuna Salad, California Veggie, Poblano Fresco, and the Truffle Hot Chocolate. Everything was almost perfect, but not quite. For example, the cali veggie was a little bland, the poblano fresco a little too dry, and the hot chocolate a little too sweet. The fourth time I decided to customize my sandwich by asking for pesto mayo with my tuna sandwich and that was a win! So don't hesitate to ask for changes. I would give five stars if things were about $1-$1.50 less; each sandwich is $7 to $8, and when you add in a drink and tax, it is $10+. Also they charge 69 cents for a piece of bread with soup, whereas at Panera it is free. Servings are large however; so it can be a good value if you share with a friend or take half home. 4.5/5
(4)
Diana P.
Very happy with the catering provided by Corner Bakery on Touhy. Sandwiches were delicious and the delivery person was very helpful and set up the food exactly as we asked. I'd recommend ordering in from here if you have a business lunch/dinner.
(4)
Bella D.
Wi-fi, healthy food and a comfy seat. What more can you ask for??? My fav is the trio-salad (tuna salad, pasta caprese, and D.C. Chicken). Mmm mmmm mmmm and some steak rye bread....a nice lemonade and water...Heavenly lunches and chillaxed here!!!
(5)
Geae D.
Good selection of sandwiches, soups, and salads, and some nice vegetarian options (plus the meat ones I saw looked delicious). No organic options, but hey, it's Skokie. They get huge points for the friendly, laid-back staff who let us plug in our laptops and work from their patio (with our dog at our feet) the ENTIRE workday. (As a result, we bought the whole day's meals there, and their "meal" food is as good as their breakfast items). It's a little pricey for sandwiches, but they really are gourmet sandwiches and you get what you pay for. Also, I felt like my money was funding the nicest employees ever, so it was okay.
(4)
Bryan C.
I come here quite frequently, and I usually get the club panini which is really good. But lately the prices have gone through the roof, and the portions have gotten smaller. Counter staff are usually friendly, which is a plus
(3)
grant s.
I have seen this place for some time and wanted to try it. Monday was the day. It looked inviting. We walked in- big, open, spacious. The neatly arranged baked goods about looked delicious. It felt good. We saw other people enjoying their food inside and outside. It seemed more people were behind the counter than were patrons, and they all seemed "very busy". We finally got a weak "may I help you because I see you are not going away despite my best efforts to look real busy and ignore you" kind of way. I told the girl it was our first time at any Corner Bakery, and asked if we sat down and they waited on us or what. She rolled her eyes and with great effort said to read the menu on the wall or by the register, then she went in back to do something. I could clearly see she was "real busy". We looked at the menu for several minutes and tried to take it all in. Other people it seemed were having trouble getting helped as all behind the counter were "real busy". Finally we decided on a turkey sandwich and cup of chili for my wife and I would have the roasted pepper and cheese sandwich (no meat) on some flavored bread, the featured tomato basil soup, and cup of coffee for me (good coffee). We sat down and as we looked around we could not figure out why the 20 - 25 people we saw with corner bakery shirts on (I'm NOT exaggerating here) were doing that everyone was "real busy" and having trouble taking care of the patrons who were there. Maybe they had a catering order for the entire city of Lincolnwood? Real weird though. Soon the server wanders by with someones tray and is trying to tell us something. We play a game of charades (his english was not too good) and figure out the flavored bread that is supposed to come with the sandwich is unavailable. Surely, with all these people behind the counter and noone waiting we will have no trouble. Nope she sees us coming and goes to the back again. Now I'm looking for the TV camera and the game show host. We both pick the fecille bread, and shortly the food comes. A taste of the soup, the chilli, and my sandwich and I cannot believe it. This is like photo food. Looks great but don't try to eat it, it has no flavor at all. At $26 for 2 sandwiches, 2 cups of soup, and a coffee I should have taken it back, but we had limited time and were hungry. If it were half the price it would not have been worth it. To use my mother's restaurant critic jargon--"we're not comin' back".
(1)
MJ D.
I usually stop for lunch at least once a week. As the other reviewer I like the Chicken Pomodori. The Roast Beef sandwich is good too. The soup & 1/2 sandwich special always make the most sense for me. All the soups are good especially the Chedder Broccoli.
(4)
Mike H.
Corner Bakery--how obvious of a name is that? Wouldn't it be funny if this chain was called "Yeast Infection" instead? (Don't try to steal that. The patent is pending...)
(3)
Anna D.
I love their California Grill panini. The service has always been good and the free wi-fi is such a great bonus! Since there is a lot of seating, I can sit there for hours at a time on my laptop, eating their great food (especially the desserts) and don't feel pressured to leave right away.
(4)
B. L.
Each time I come to this location the service is outstanding, much better than the other locations myself or friends have been to. I sometimes pop in here before or after seeing a show at the Crown Theatres which is just down the street.
(4)
Agnes M.
A great place to stop in at before or after a movie viewing - but, because I tend to eat here a bit later in the day the service, at least in my case, wasn't really stellar (some of the tables not being cleared, the "get your own'"silverware and soda island not being restocked). But otherwise the food tends to be pretty good. Since the cost of a sandwich is a bit pricey though (6 bucks), I tend to go for the Combo: half a sandwich and a salad/soup.
(3)
a w.
I love going here for lunch. They have plenty of seating and really quick service. Best of all, all their food is fresh and tastes great. Their breads are baked fresh and all their servings are pretty big. This is definitely a great, quick place to get a fresh meal.
(4)
Marian L.
Very good food but steep prices! I absolutely love their ruben sandwhiches though! I was disappointed at this location before because I tried to order three different things but every single thing I wanted was followed by the response, "Sorry - we're out of that." Then what DO you have? They were out of chili for godsakes! This location is not one of the best - but the food is good when they're stocked. They bring it right to your table when your order is done - I like that!
(3)
Kristin A.
The food tastes great here, but it a little pricey and definitely not as healthy as you would think. They have amazing pastries and really good salads as well. The service is hit or miss, but it's like panera where you just walk up and order your food. You're not depending on a waitress or anything.
(4)
Nicholle H.
This place has really good pastries (brownies and the dream bar are to die for) and their sandwiches are really good too. The staff are friendly and the restaurant is usually a nice place to sit and read or relax.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Emily P.
Incompetent worker alert! I placed a pick-up order over the phone, was told that it should be ready in 5 to 10 minutes, arrived in about 15 minutes and payed the cashier, Daniel. While I was waiting for my order, I noticed a woman who was trying to purchase a loaf of bread. Daniel continued to go back to the kitchen and return with a different loaf of bread before the manager finally stated out loud, "I told you, Daniel, those are for the store!" Daniel just stared at his manager. The manager explained the process by which customers can place custom loaf orders one hour in advance via telephone. I must note that the store was a bit busy as there were about 3-4 people in line and many of the tables were occupied. However, the workers by the phone pick up cashier were chatting. Ten minutes later, I realized I might be late in dropping off my boyfriend's lunch so I called to let him know ahead of time. Daniel must have overheard me because only then did Daniel raise a brow, pick up my food and state that, "It was ready this whole time. I don't know why nobody gave it to you." I was shocked. Why didn't he check this when I obviously paid him? And why wasn't an apology offered? I asked for some utensils and napkins and Daniel stated,"Oh they should be in there." They weren't. I asked for them again and he handed me a couple of utensils and then walked away without another word. I understand the store was busier than usual, but if the workers have time to stand idle and chit chat, they should have had more time to communicate and get someone's order to them (their job!) When I finally dropped off my boyfriend's lunch and told him about the story, he asked what the worker looked like. Apparently a similar situation happened between them. Why is this guy still working here?! I've been to this location without any problems before so I will try it out again, but if Daniel's service was a reflection of what I will have to deal with every time I visit Corner Bakery I will reconsider my options.
(1)Judy H.
Always tasty, fresh food. They get really busy at lunch, so try to come a little ahead of the crowd or a little late for lunchtime. Free parking lot. They have added outdoor seating, but that is very cramped because they have too many tables and chairs for the space,
(4)Jennifer Q.
This place is good! How have I never eaten here before? ;0) California Grille veggie panini! Good stuff! It has the same vibe as Panera. Good quality food on the go -or -hey, sit and chill awhile. I enjoyed the food and am still surprised I had never been before considering I'm in that area shopping all the time. I enjoyed my experience. Oh, and the brownie bites....to die for!
(4)Sara L.
OOhh Corner Bakery how you disappointed me! Tsk tsk...should've went to Chipotle next door. I normally get my usual, the harvest salad and chicken noodle soup, you can't mess that up right? My salad was soggy, everything was at the bottom of the bowl, there was only three small strips of chicken and my noodles in my soup were undercooked. They advertise free wi-fi, but it doesn't work and nor are there any outlets. It was like finding hide and seek for an outlet after much ducking around we found one! Yes, if you were wondering who is that crazy chick looking under the tables I was looking for an outlet and not being a creeper! Stick to the Corner Bakery either by Union Station or by Woodfield the service and food is waayy better!
(2)Autumn N.
Came here after we checked out of the Holiday Inn across the street. Very good! It reminded me of Panera, but with a small business feel. Definitely worth it, and will come back again.
(5)Chicago C.
I really hate to do this because I really do love this place, but this morning was the final straw. at least once a week I phone in my order to pick up on my way into work. This morning I called and was put on hold for 5 minutes, then placed my order. walked in the store 3 min later, waited in like another 7 minutes just to find my order was never put in. No I'm sorry, nothing! I was very upset and just walked out. very disapointed... Nothing like going to work without having breakfast first, ruined my whole morning. They are under staffed at the register in the morning, they need to fix that or they'll lose me forever. I do have to say that I have noticed this big white guy that has been behind the counter lately, he seems to be rather clueless, slow and doesn't seem to care much. about 2 weeks ago, I was getting coffee and there were no lids??????? I was like ummmm I can't take this in my car like this and he just stood there and said " oh the truck hasn't been unloaded yet" WHAT??? I poured half my coffee out and left. there have been several times where the coffee station was out of cream and out of certian coffee, big dude walking around totally clueless as usual. very sad. the only reason I gave them 2 stars is because I love their food. not sure if I'll be back anytime soon
(2)Francis F.
First time here and tried the sandwich combo- 1/2 club panini with side of classic caesar salad! I enjoyed my meal and service was good!
(4)AJ M.
There was a point I used to think really highly of corner bakery, although every visit brings down my expectations. This place has a large variety of sandwiches, soups, salads, pasta, baked goods you name it, solid lunch spot in my opinion. The food is still good, just not what it used to be. I used to pick Corner Bakery over Panera, but now I must say Panera is the way to go. Though Panera has less options, their food is more flavorful, and deff a lot more consistent with quality. But CB is worth a visit every now and then.
(3)Lisanne F.
Review is for Breakfast Power Flatbread only. Ordered it to go. Looked inside the bag at home and they'd included plastic utensils. Ummm, this is a wrap sandwich, why would I need a fork and knife? Got the bacon version. Not impressed at all. It comes with a nasty vinegary "salsa" that tastes like poor-quality jarred store bought. I used my own hot sauce. Bacon flavor was overwhelmed by the bread flavor. Overall, sandwich not yummy and it's very small for $3.99. You're mostly getting bread. I won't be buying this sandwich ever again.
(2)Howard L.
This is the largest Corner Bakery we've ever been in. It looks to be maybe twice as big as a typical CB. We tried one of their Corner Combos - a half chicken pomodori panini and half a mac n cheese. We also had a cinnamon creme cake. They have the usual offerings and service was quick for us despite the store size (the late 1pm lunch time might have helped).
(4)Tatiana T.
I always order the half pesto combo with Mac and cheese and I sub a salad instead of chips. Their deserts rock. Sometimes, I'll get the pesto carbona which rocks
(4)Michael P.
This is one of those places I find hard to judge. Today i ordered the club panini. Basically it consisted of bread, cheese, bacon, tomato and turkey. The problem I have is with overall value for your money. If you open up the sandwich you notice there is not much content. Especially when it comes to meat. There were three paper thin slices of turkey, and two really tiny pieces of bacon. For a guy like myself the sandwich is really small and I find myself still hungry afterwards. On the other hand. The bread is super crisp. The combination of ingredients work really well together. And, the sandwich was really tasty. So, I struggle. If you're the kind of person who feels that quantity counts, then this may not be the place for you (especially at these prices). If you're the kind of person who just likes tasty food and doesn't really flinch at the cost. Then you'll most definitely enjoy this place. FYI - Club Panini and large drink cost just under $12.
(4)Rita M.
This has been my go to Corner Bakery. For my wedding (back in 2012), the girls were going to meet me at my hotel to get hair and makeup done there at 09:00. I ordered catering and it came at scheduled and correct. Love the laid back lay out **One star deducted...PAY ATTENTION** do NOT, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, come here on a week day during lunch time. The line is literally out the door, they don't open all their registers and there is NO organization (people are cutting in front of you!) if you come here on your lunch break from work, it will all be spent waiting in line. You may need to get it to go and eat on your way back to work. Don't believe me? Come here at 12:30 on a weekday and try it out.
(4)Naty K.
Corner bakery is always a good choice, this location is always kept clean. Customer service could use a touch up, cashiers are sometimes grumpy. Great salads & soup. Try the pineapple orange smoothie very yum! Has a slight taste of guayaba...could just be the Cuban in me
(4)Neri B.
Today I decided to order their new featured items. Fist I tried the Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup. It was pretty good. It was creamy and flavorable. Then I had the salmon croissant sandwich. The salmon didn't taste like it had any seasoning. The croissant was not your typical croissant. It was a multi grain wheat croissant. It was pretty good though. Fresh and soft. The tomato caprese salad was good, I think it could have been better if they used sliced cherry tomatoes instead of your typical chopped tomato. Also, the salad used is Arugala. A lot of people I know don't care for the flavor of Arugula so I hope this information is helpful for those of you who may want to order it and are expecting a different kind of salad. Overall, the meal was good.
(4)Madelaine L.
Currently in a very bad mood because of this location. My husband and friend work at a corner bakery so I eat there often and this place needs someone to pay attention to detail. Just one person would be nice. My husband ordered an uptown Turkey... Bread wasn't toasted. I ordered the chicken pesto cavatapi pasta and a cup of chili. The pasta had so much breadcrumb on it that it was criminal. On top of that, the bread that comes with it was so hard that I couldn't eat it and it crunched very audibly when I broke it in half. My chili was also no more than halfway full. Now to our friends meal. He ordered a moms turkey sandwich. Long story short, he took two bites and we're currently back in the car on our way to wing stop to buy him something else to eat Please find someone who will pay attention to what they're doing because what you're doing at the moment isn't working. What a waste of money.
(1)Allan M.
Corner Bakery's food is very hit or miss. Some of them I do like(i.e. breakfast menu items(bravo for moving to serve them all day!), pastas), but OTOH the panini sandwiches are meh. OTOH, they have surprisingly great desserts here(and the most underrated aspect about this chain), such as pecan bars, whoopie pies, to name some examples. Their desserts beat the ones at the Barnes and Noble cafe IMO, aside from Cheesecake Factory cupcakes. As Corner Bakery has nothing like those cupcakes, obviously. Patio is also nice at this one, during warm enough months. Ironically too, it was also my first ever check in for any place on Yelp. Yep, was extremely late on a certain obvious bandwagon that let's just say Samsung and Apple dominate, and leave it at that.
(3)Joyce B.
I hate when people post negative reviews based on one experience but this has not been the only negative experience. I used to love this place! I still actually like this place if the order placed is what I asked for. This used to be a quality restaurant but has slowly been on the decline. Walking from Barnes and Noble there were table after table of empty plates and garbage. Trash all over and one poor guy busting his butt bussing all the tables by himself. There are many employees behind the counter but not much going on otherwise. So, we placed our order. One kids breakfast (pancakes and bacon), one panini, one kale Caesar salad. I send my daughter and father to get drinks. No ice in the ice machine, the soft drink my dad wanted empty. After a slight wait, our food comes out by the poor lone buss boy. My daughters pancakes look great! No bacon... My dad's food was fine. My very sad kale salad has no kale. So the buss boy brings it back. The kitchen says it's a kale salad. Ok, I don't want to cause any drama so I poke around in my salad and there at the bottom are a few little pieces of kale. The romaine lettuce was limp and old and the kale nonexistent. This is not even on a weekend. This was one in the afternoon. Everything should be fresh. I might give it one more try but I am highly disappointed.
(2)R J.
Good variety of soup, salad and sammich options. I like that the calories are listed on each menu item. Helps to gauge the choices. 1000 calorie bread bowl? Pass! Combos are a good balance- and I favor CB's over Panera. Both in quality and flavor. Food is reliably prepared correctly and expediently. This location in particular is good at everything.
(4)Kristine D.
Lemon orzo soup is the bomb!!! ... so are their pancakes!!! I've never had such fluffy and buttery pancakes ever. I'd even say they are much better than iHOP's!
(4)Dani R.
Amazing food here, ordered Wonton salad and I loved it ! The staff was really nice. The dining area is lovely and the food tasted really fresh. Definitely coming back to this cozy place
(5)Natasha R.
I love Corner Bakery and I really like this location. It's always busy, but the service has been terrific each time I come here (mostly during lunch). My best suggestion is to preorder the food by phone because it takes awhile for the food to get prepared. I've signed up to Corner Bakery online so I constantly get coupons and offers for free or discounted food. They also send you special deals during the month of your birthday. They have offers through Facebook once in awhile as well, so you can be on the look out for that. I just recently had a voucher for a free corner combo meal worth around $10. For the combo meal, it's similar to Panera where you can get half a salad/sandwich/panini and a soup or whatever combination you want. I ordered the new Turkey Monterey Panini with a grilled chicken Cesar salad and it was delicious (especially since it was free). I've had a few other items such as the Chopped salad, Roasted Tomato Basil soup, Tortilla soup, and a few other things. Everything tastes fresh and is very flavorful. When I was in the city, I would stop by at a Corner Bakery for breakfast once in awhile and it's one of my fav places for oatmeal or just a plain egg sandwich. They have many options for all kinds of pastries and desserts, so leave some room for that! It's a great spot for a meal at any time of the day, so I know I will be back soon since I work super close.
(4)Mike J.
Farmers scrambled eggs-5 -bakes potatoes are really good Strawberry and banana smoothie-4 - good taste like real fruit
(5)Nathasja T.
I am a huge Panera fan... BUT. I simply love Corner Bakery Cafe's. Any time I am in the Chicago area I feel the need to.stop by for something. Anything. It doesnt matter what. Our schedule basically dictates what we are having, which mainly turns out to be a breakfast item. The breakast sandwiches are pretty nice, i love the bread. To me its really the sweets that are the winner. Im a fan of the fudge brownies, apricot rugelachs and the fantastic lemon pound cake. Its dense, yet light.. Moist, yet has a nice crumb. Its tart, but the glaze adds sweetness. YUM! The Swiss cold oatmeal is great and so is the green tea. Overal two thumbs up!
(3)Kristy F.
I tasted a bit of the pumpkin/walnut cake which was tasty but a little dry as well as the cheddar broccoli soup which was superb. I like the menu and the cozy atmosphere of this place though I have been to other corner bakery's that were less comfortable.
(3)Amy L.
I have always gotten the chicken carbonara here which is delicious here yet such simple ingredients! But today I chose to try something new: dc chicken salad on steakhouse rye sandwich! This was good as well but next time I will ask them to add red onions on top. I love chicken salad with red onions. They gave me a bit too much lettuce, woah. I did get the corner combo with 1/2 sandwich, chips, cookie, pickle, and mac&cheese! Wow I did not know you can pick mac&cheese! I asked them if I could get chips instead but they said it is included! So wow a lot is included. I was stuffed! It would have been a good meal to split with my 2 year old which was my plan but he only wanted the cookie, aye. We also ordered a kids milk. All this for just under $9. Great! Free wifi here. Not fast enough for youtubing though.
(4)Kathy G.
Just visited Corner Bakery and had the most delicious lentil soup and a spinach salad with fresh strawberries. I would love to get the recipe for this soup! Dressing was pomegranate vinaigrette and just I could have dressing on the side and that is exactly how it was served.
(4)Melissa M.
So I've revisited this Corner Bakery twice in the last two months and it appears to be much improved. It has been clean and neat so I thought it warranted to be mentioned. I usually order the chicken pomodori panini, but today I decided to try BLT. I felt like I discovered an old gem all over again. Nothing fancy schmancy about it... just a simple, yummy BLT.
(4)Peter R.
We get breakfast catered from this Corner Bakery once a month at my work. I look forward to these days like a fat kid looks forward to a buffet. We go all out with the breakfast bonanza. We have a delicious array of treats to choose from. We get chocolate chip, sugar, mini, and oatmeal raisin cookies. We have cream cheese brownies, fudge brownies, pecan bars, chocolate bundt bites, and much more that I can't remember. We even order a cheese and fruit tray for those who can't handle all the sweets. This is our once a month treat for all our employees celebrating a birthday for the month. I have also come here for lunch on several occasions, but it gets pretty crowded here during lunch hour. I usually order take out and just pick it up. My go to order is the "Corner Combo" which is the soup/salad and 1/2 sandwich combination. I get the Chicken Pomodori on sourdough with Chicken Tortilla soup. That meal usually gives me the "itis," which means its so good that I need to take a nap. I enjoy everything about this place, from the delectable pastries, to the soups/salads/sandwiches, and even the delicious pasta dishes. Kudos to Corner Bakery for making us look forward every month.
(4)Brent L.
Baily H. I sent a note through the link in your reply and have heard nothing from the company. It gives the impression CB doesn't care.
(1)Kat L.
This place is okay. My usuals are: the uptown turkey, santa fe ranch salad with avocado, and the chicken tortilla soup. If i'm feeling up for pasta, I get the pesto cavatappi. Food is decent. Not bad. I mean c'mon. You definitely come here to avoid grease and fat in other joints. But for a cafe/bakery, it does the trick. Nothing here has ever completely wowed me, but I don't leave hungry either. I like that I can get a cup of parmesan here and fill it with olive oil; I use this to compliment my bread. Make sure if you get bakery desserts to ask them to heat it up for you before serving. Anyways, it's clean and people will serve your food at your table, but it's not as though you'd come here for the experience. It's a little pricier, but all in all, acceptable.
(3)Annie W.
Blech. Any place that has posters that boast that lunch "only" has 500 calories kinda gives me second thoughts...Corner Bakery is the epitome of non-fast-food-American-eatting...some place a relative might take me to treat me to fine dining. That said, I always managed to find something edible on the menu, and they are super consistent. Meh.
(3)Sasha T.
Went here to pick up food to go. I got the santa fey salad which unfortunately has more calories than most of the sandwich's there. The chicken sandwich with pesto is very delicious and the tomatoes on the sandwich were super fresh. This place is okay and the food quality does not exceed expectations.
(3)Sarah L.
Who doesn't love Corner Bakery? They have great sandwiches, soups, salads and baked goods. DO NOT go to this location. They do not have covers on their baked goods and I saw about 4 flies on a sugar cookie. Eeeeeeeek! Me thinks NOT! The cashier that rung me up couldn't be any ruder. Skip this location and go to another Corner Bakery. There are so many other dining options nearby.
(1)Paul Z.
When you review 1 corner bakery, you are really reviewing them all, since their stores are all carbon copies of each other including the food, which is a celebration of mediocrity. This is standard corporate restaurant fare,most of what they serve I can do better at home for a lot less.
(2)Mel V.
Love this place! I have to admit I am a Panera fan But, I do have to come here for the salads because they are just a tad bit better!! I am in LOVE with the Sante Fe Ranch entree salad here .. simply the best!! And the desserts here are just decadent .. ALL OF THEM!! This location, by far, has the best customer service!
(4)Bernie M.
Incompetent and rude manager alert! My daughter and I went in for a couple of Club Panini's, but when we were in line my daughter looked at me and said boy this doesn't look like this is going to go well. There was mass confusion in "mission control" with a lot of staff standing around looking at each other in bewilderment, but I figured what the heck it's just couple sandwiches how bad could it be? Boy was that a mistake, after wait about 25 min. for two sandwiches they showed up with only half of a sandwich that was burnt (black) for my daughter which we sent back. Of course I was going to wait for my daughter to get her sandwich before I ate mine but while waiting looking at the club "thingy" which is supposed to be turkey and bacon, it turned out to be ham only? So I brought the other incorrect sandwich up to the counter only to see the manager berating the girl that had taken our order. You would swear to God by the way he was treating her in public that they were trading in gold bullion, not in 4 ounces of lunch meat and burnt bread! The disturbed manager charged me at the counter demanding and really loud aggressive tone that I present my receipt! I said you know what just give me back my money for two sandwiches and two soft drinks and let me get out of here. I thought to myself, "I really don't have time for this kind of nonsense and drama, I just want to sit down with my daughter eat a sandwich somewhere peaceably." The manager got rather bullish with me demanding that I produced a receipt, which is a big mistake! "Really? You're managing a sandwich shop not NASA mission controls get over yourself already!" I looked for the receipt back at the table, only then to find out that the girl who took the first sandwich back took the receipt with her. The girl that took my receipt gave it to the manager and he basically threw money at me without apology for being such a jerk. But I guess if you're a jerk that's what you do! So do yourself a favor and avoid this corner bakery, but if you do go there guard the receipt with your life!
(1)Jade T.
Corner Bakery Cafe (better than sign) Panera Bread. - More vegetarian options (mmm, Poblano Fresca Sandwich). - Food seems fresher. - More seating. - Speedier queues. - Cozier atmosphere. - ... Um, the chain was founded in Chicago!
(4)Debresha P.
I L-O-V-E love their Chicken Pesto on Ciabatta Ficelle sandwich. It is so tasty and worth every bite. However, the service is a bit rushed and the staff mood was on the sullen side. I do love their sandwiches!! I wish that for the price your paying you can get more for your money. I go there ever so often when I have the money to splurge! If the staff looked a little more happy to serve you maybe my star rating would have gone up!
(3)Chris W.
WHY Corner Bakery? WHY? Their food as of late has seemed to suffer. I used to get the Chicken Pomodori (panini) with the tomato basil soup (corner combo) came with a pickle, and I'd get a drink. OH WOW delish. However the same sandwich (which I could eat the crap out of on a regular basis if needed be) suddenly wasn't as delectable as it had been for a long time, and that's NOT because I had gotten sick of it, or my tastes had changed, even the freshness of the sandwich and the amount of ingredients and sloppiness factor of it's being put together have been the deal breaker. Other dishes I recommend are the Turkey Derby and Pesto Cavatappi (not good for the calorie conscious). Their broccoli cheddar soup is magnificent (when fresh). When you order in, they serve you on plates with real silverware. Always crowded, but very spacious and plenty of places to sit. Don't sit by the doors though (on the side facing the parking lot directly), very high traffic area. Also, fast take out/carry out.
(3)Eileen S.
Best CBC ... love the Chicken Pesto!!
(5)Ann Y.
I enjoy corner bakery for the following reasons: - Chicken Pomodori sandwhich is amazing. - You can have avacado added to anything (and I LOVE avacado) - You don't have to tip - Good desert selection (especially the mini pies) - Quick service and overall a healthly menu - Great coffee Overall it is better than panera except in the bagel department. I also am not a fan of the tomato soup here.
(4)Christine P.
This location is always quick, even if it's always crowded. My order always comes out correctly, but it can be very slow. The desserts are always fantastic!
(3)Sidra A.
I first tried this place this week, and since then, I've eaten here four times. When I first came in here, I thought it was some ersatz version of Panera. While it does resemble Panera a lot, it has many more menu options and a more open floor plan. You also don't have to stand around with your number; the server brings you the food if it's a long wait. I really love how it's a community gathering plae of sorts; just came back an hour ago and saw moms, high school students, business students, and lone wifi users all enjoying food together.So far I've tried the Tuna Salad, California Veggie, Poblano Fresco, and the Truffle Hot Chocolate. Everything was almost perfect, but not quite. For example, the cali veggie was a little bland, the poblano fresco a little too dry, and the hot chocolate a little too sweet. The fourth time I decided to customize my sandwich by asking for pesto mayo with my tuna sandwich and that was a win! So don't hesitate to ask for changes. I would give five stars if things were about $1-$1.50 less; each sandwich is $7 to $8, and when you add in a drink and tax, it is $10+. Also they charge 69 cents for a piece of bread with soup, whereas at Panera it is free. Servings are large however; so it can be a good value if you share with a friend or take half home. 4.5/5
(4)Diana P.
Very happy with the catering provided by Corner Bakery on Touhy. Sandwiches were delicious and the delivery person was very helpful and set up the food exactly as we asked. I'd recommend ordering in from here if you have a business lunch/dinner.
(4)Bella D.
Wi-fi, healthy food and a comfy seat. What more can you ask for??? My fav is the trio-salad (tuna salad, pasta caprese, and D.C. Chicken). Mmm mmmm mmmm and some steak rye bread....a nice lemonade and water...Heavenly lunches and chillaxed here!!!
(5)Geae D.
Good selection of sandwiches, soups, and salads, and some nice vegetarian options (plus the meat ones I saw looked delicious). No organic options, but hey, it's Skokie. They get huge points for the friendly, laid-back staff who let us plug in our laptops and work from their patio (with our dog at our feet) the ENTIRE workday. (As a result, we bought the whole day's meals there, and their "meal" food is as good as their breakfast items). It's a little pricey for sandwiches, but they really are gourmet sandwiches and you get what you pay for. Also, I felt like my money was funding the nicest employees ever, so it was okay.
(4)Bryan C.
I come here quite frequently, and I usually get the club panini which is really good. But lately the prices have gone through the roof, and the portions have gotten smaller. Counter staff are usually friendly, which is a plus
(3)grant s.
I have seen this place for some time and wanted to try it. Monday was the day. It looked inviting. We walked in- big, open, spacious. The neatly arranged baked goods about looked delicious. It felt good. We saw other people enjoying their food inside and outside. It seemed more people were behind the counter than were patrons, and they all seemed "very busy". We finally got a weak "may I help you because I see you are not going away despite my best efforts to look real busy and ignore you" kind of way. I told the girl it was our first time at any Corner Bakery, and asked if we sat down and they waited on us or what. She rolled her eyes and with great effort said to read the menu on the wall or by the register, then she went in back to do something. I could clearly see she was "real busy". We looked at the menu for several minutes and tried to take it all in. Other people it seemed were having trouble getting helped as all behind the counter were "real busy". Finally we decided on a turkey sandwich and cup of chili for my wife and I would have the roasted pepper and cheese sandwich (no meat) on some flavored bread, the featured tomato basil soup, and cup of coffee for me (good coffee). We sat down and as we looked around we could not figure out why the 20 - 25 people we saw with corner bakery shirts on (I'm NOT exaggerating here) were doing that everyone was "real busy" and having trouble taking care of the patrons who were there. Maybe they had a catering order for the entire city of Lincolnwood? Real weird though. Soon the server wanders by with someones tray and is trying to tell us something. We play a game of charades (his english was not too good) and figure out the flavored bread that is supposed to come with the sandwich is unavailable. Surely, with all these people behind the counter and noone waiting we will have no trouble. Nope she sees us coming and goes to the back again. Now I'm looking for the TV camera and the game show host. We both pick the fecille bread, and shortly the food comes. A taste of the soup, the chilli, and my sandwich and I cannot believe it. This is like photo food. Looks great but don't try to eat it, it has no flavor at all. At $26 for 2 sandwiches, 2 cups of soup, and a coffee I should have taken it back, but we had limited time and were hungry. If it were half the price it would not have been worth it. To use my mother's restaurant critic jargon--"we're not comin' back".
(1)MJ D.
I usually stop for lunch at least once a week. As the other reviewer I like the Chicken Pomodori. The Roast Beef sandwich is good too. The soup & 1/2 sandwich special always make the most sense for me. All the soups are good especially the Chedder Broccoli.
(4)Mike H.
Corner Bakery--how obvious of a name is that? Wouldn't it be funny if this chain was called "Yeast Infection" instead? (Don't try to steal that. The patent is pending...)
(3)Anna D.
I love their California Grill panini. The service has always been good and the free wi-fi is such a great bonus! Since there is a lot of seating, I can sit there for hours at a time on my laptop, eating their great food (especially the desserts) and don't feel pressured to leave right away.
(4)B. L.
Each time I come to this location the service is outstanding, much better than the other locations myself or friends have been to. I sometimes pop in here before or after seeing a show at the Crown Theatres which is just down the street.
(4)Agnes M.
A great place to stop in at before or after a movie viewing - but, because I tend to eat here a bit later in the day the service, at least in my case, wasn't really stellar (some of the tables not being cleared, the "get your own'"silverware and soda island not being restocked). But otherwise the food tends to be pretty good. Since the cost of a sandwich is a bit pricey though (6 bucks), I tend to go for the Combo: half a sandwich and a salad/soup.
(3)a w.
I love going here for lunch. They have plenty of seating and really quick service. Best of all, all their food is fresh and tastes great. Their breads are baked fresh and all their servings are pretty big. This is definitely a great, quick place to get a fresh meal.
(4)Marian L.
Very good food but steep prices! I absolutely love their ruben sandwhiches though! I was disappointed at this location before because I tried to order three different things but every single thing I wanted was followed by the response, "Sorry - we're out of that." Then what DO you have? They were out of chili for godsakes! This location is not one of the best - but the food is good when they're stocked. They bring it right to your table when your order is done - I like that!
(3)Kristin A.
The food tastes great here, but it a little pricey and definitely not as healthy as you would think. They have amazing pastries and really good salads as well. The service is hit or miss, but it's like panera where you just walk up and order your food. You're not depending on a waitress or anything.
(4)Nicholle H.
This place has really good pastries (brownies and the dream bar are to die for) and their sandwiches are really good too. The staff are friendly and the restaurant is usually a nice place to sit and read or relax.
(4)