Baker's Square isn't usually the first place on my list when I think of local sit-down places to eat. I'm not sure why, but even having lived in this area my whole life I never really think of going here. Bakers Square and White Castle were one of the only places open on Christmas 2012, so my dad, brother and I ended up here. We had a great time sitting around, dishing how dysfunctional our family is meanwhile enjoying some sandwiches and peppermint pie.
Overall, the food is decent for a chain, but I wouldn't call it great by any means. Their soups are usually tasty. I pretty much always order the pie shop special. Soup, 1/2 sandwich and a 1/2 piece of pie. Prices are okay, but I always figure for what it costs after tax and tip, I can go to a better place.
The best thing that Baker's Square has going for it are the wait staff--always friendly and quick--and the pies. Other than that, everything else isn't buzzworthy or memorable.
Pro tip: free pie Wednesday! You can get a free slice on Wednesdays.
I travel for work, so whenever I land in a new spot, I hit up the apps which tell me where's good to eat. Â Whenever possible I try to avoid chains (with exception of a few... I'm talking to you, Chipotle!) and I try to hit up unique stuff that I can't get back home in New England.
Today I'm visiting Baker's Square, which advertises a restaurant and "Famous Pies". Â A quick Googling lead me to find that this is a chain, with 46 or so locations that is held by the same company which manages the Max & Erma's franchise. Â Whatever, it's new to me, and I like Max and Erma's well enough.
I didn't find many glowing reviews about this place, but I figured I'd give it a shot and decide for myself.
Walking in, I saw just about what I expected. Â It's like a bigger Bob Evans or Denny's. Â Like Bobs, there's a glass display case full of confections, and a hostess stand. Â I was greeted by the girl behind the counter who asked if I'd like to pickup a pie, or eat in. Â I told her I was looking to get breakfast, and she led me to a booth and left me with a menu.
Within moments, a waitress came over, greeted me and returned with some coffee. Â The breakfast menu offered up the likes of omelettes, French toast, waffles and pancakes; but there was also a "four square" menu which allowed you to choose from an extensive menu of options to build your own breakfast. Â You can choose four for around $7 bucks, add additional items for $1.29 each. Â On top of that there's a list of additional premium items for a little bit extra.
So, what'd I get? Â Well, I'm not a big fan of eggs, so I got a few other things that I thought wouldn't leave me feeling overstuffed:
Potato pancakes, Cornbread, low fat vanilla yogurt and granola (to put on the yogurt!)
So how was it?
Potato pancakes: Impressive! Much bigger than the menu picture, well seasoned, and flecked with chopped green onion. Â It came with apple sauce and sour cream. Â I happily noshing through one of them before coming across an overwhelming bite that had one big cluster of onion. Easy enough to do, but a little careless-- the whole bulb-end of one of the onions made it in... Root and all. Â Granted, green onions are small, but yikes! Time out! Â Let's move on.
Cornbread: well, I have to admit I was curious. Â Being a Yankee from the Northeast, I can certainly tell you that cornbread varies as you cross state lines! Â Above the Mason-Dixon, cornbread is more savory, and "gritty", tasting more like cornmeal. Â (This is my personal preference.) In the south it's cakey and sweet. (I have to be in the mood for it.) So what happens when you go west? Â Apparently it just dries out. Â I had high hopes ordering cornbread from a bakery, and well... This just fell flat.
So about the Yogurt and Granola combo: acceptable. Â Nothing to write home about.
Now, I happened to notice on the way in that Wednesday (which today was) is free pie day. I don't know what that means. Â It wasn't offered, and well, I didn't ask. Â I was pretty full, and didn't need to push myself... But in retrospect, I sorta wish someone offered... Just for the experience points.
Upon cashing out-- which just like Evans' you do at the front counter-- I was asked if I had considered taking a pie to go. Â A quick glance in the case didn't reveal anything that I couldn't pick up at the grocery store... Â The pies might be famous, but only because I've seen 'em already in oh-so-many places. Â Meh.
So this visit- I give Baker's Square a middle-of-the-road rating; Â good enough to eat.
WHY has this place been pushed under the radar by the locals? Yes, it did go through a rough patch but now it's the bomb! lol
The artisan sandwiches are delicious, their pies are always yummy. I do love the celebration pie the best though. (can you blame me!?) & their soups are really good. I always come here to eat and it doesn't cost much to get a good filling meal. Service is really quick and friendly. Their menu is quite different from a few years ago. It's definitely one of my favorite gems in town.
If you don't believe me then good, more pie & soup for me :)
TIP: Free Pie Wednesday is a perfect excuse to come here.
There are not many restaurants in little Bourbonnais, but we chose Baker's Square because we love pie, and most of the Baker's Squares in our area are closed down. This one was fine- service was good, food was okay, and the pie was delicious. The restaurant was fairly crowded due to Bear's training camp, and the staff handled it really well. If we lived in the area, we'd try it again I'm sure.
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