Isabella Bakery in Chicago: A Delightful Bakery with Perfect Bread

Friendly staff and tasty treats! This spot is cash only, but you'll only need a dollar or two to buy a pastry in the morning (super affordable). It's also run by a woman of indigenous Mayan/Guatamalan descent, which makes it a great local spot to patronize if you support diverse small business owners.

I was pleasantly surprised by the pastry I got. Admittedly, I only came in because I had 10 minutes to spare on a Saturday night and didn't want to wait in the frigid cold outside. I was happy to find they were still open (almost 6pm) and warm! I'm not sure what I ordered, but it is a crispy, flaky rectangle pastry with a cream topping. At the end of the day, usually bakery items are not all that good, and I thought maybe the cream topping would make the item mushy. Nope! Even the next afternoon, as I am enjoying it now, the layers are still crispy and delightful. I could eat it as is, but it is delectable with a warm drink. It is cash only, this only cost me $3. In a town like this, a pastry could run you $8. At almost 6pm on a Saturday, their empanadas were sold out, which is a good sign! I will definitely be coming back to try more of what they have to offer. Take some time to venture just off of Clark Street and spend some money here.

Loved their Guatemalan bread. Yummy! Cash only. Bread could be from 1 something to 8 if you want the larger one.

I was in the neighborhood and had 15 minutes to kill. I got a chicken empanadas $2.50 and it was quite tasty. I didn’t try anything else but it looked like (at 5pm) most of other stuff we’re gone. Probably a pretty popular bakery! They have small tables inside that you could sit and eat for a while.

Incredibly affordable, delicious and not too sweet baked goods. The owner (well, she referred to herself as the owner's wife) talked to me for a bit, and gave me a sample of something I hadn't tried from Guatemala and told me her family has run shop for 20 years. I'd much rather go here than the corporate chains down the block. And I'd love to try the Christmas tamales if I'm in town for the season—I bet they're amazing.

I was in Andersonville last week, and so I visited Isabella Bakery to get some sweet bread. The lady at the store was super nice and friendly. Their sweet bread delicious as always, also their Guatemalan tamales which are a little pricey, but they tasted good. I highly recommend it and always support small business.

I came in today because a coworker told me to check Isabella’s out! I have never tried pan dulce before and asked the woman at the counter what to get. She was so helpful! I went home made some coffee and tried it… wow so good! I love trying new foods that were never accessible in my small town. I will be returning and trying more! Helpful, affordable, kind, and great food, what more can you want! This place left me with a big smile!

Yummy sweet bread and empanadas with homemade flavorsnot overwhelmed with variety which means you really can’t go wrong. Skip the chain store and get your coffee and treat here. There are a few seats inside to inhale your first bites. Cash only, so you know only cool people come here.