Best Dessert in The Wire

"Long-time Chicago chef Jonathan Fox and his donut-obsessed wife, Karen, opened the first Firecakes storefront in River North five years ago; now, they’ve got stores in Lincoln Park and Oak Park, with The Loop not far behind (not to mention “Billy the Truck”). Not surprisingly, it’s the cheffy touches, like glazing with wildflower honey rather than sugar, sourcing Tahitian vanilla and Valhrona chocolate for icing, or decorating a Birthday Cake donut to the nines, that make these donuts extra special. If you want the bacon on top of your Maple Long John to be both candied and peppered, this is your paradise."

"In addition to their mouthwatering artisanal Hall of Fame donuts which includes but is not limited to the following flavors: Butterscotch Praline, Peppermint Hot Chocolate, Maple Glazed Pineapple & Bacon, Caramel Apple Cider, Rum Cake, and Peanut Butter and Jelly — honestly just check out their website because all of them are simply divine — Firecakes whip up ice cream donut concoctions that your sweet tooth could never even dream of. Just go there, you won’t be disappointed."

"Bar Siena's walk-up dessert window, BomboBar, offers a riff on doughnuts - the "bomboloni" - an Italian hole-less doughnut Top Chef alum Fabio Viviani serves at his restaurants, Siena Tavern and Bar Siena. It's the specialty of the house at BomboBar and works wonderfully in the West Loop for dessert or post-party hunger pangs. Order one, four, six or a dozen and any of six rotating custard flavors that you inject into the doughnut."

"Description: BomboBar serves coffee, hot chocolate, breakfast sandwiches, gelato and its signature bombolini (an Italian hole-less doughnut). Location: 832 W Randolph St, Chicago IL 60607"

"Source: Photo by Flickr user Richie Diesterheft used under CC BY 2.0. Touted as a ‘bakery heaven’ by many of its regulars, is Sweet Mandy B’s, one of the best confectionery stores offering delicious desserts in Chicago. The toasty aroma of baked sweetmeats, tantalizing smell of coffee, airy atmosphere of sugary joy, and picturesque interiors – Sweet Mandy B’s hits all the right spots."

"This Lincoln Park shop is sure to charm anyone with a cupcake tooth. The adorable old-fashioned charmer sells pies, cookies, and other sweet baked treats, but the cupcakes and cakes are perhaps the best in Chicago, coming in traditional flavors and creative seasonal varieties worthy of regular visits."

"This pastel-colored bakery is as pretty as the treats in their display case. Sweet Mandy B’s is all about sugar-coated nostalgia, with gourmet versions of old-fashioned desserts like banana cream pie, confetti cake, Rice Krispie treats, and snickerdoodle cookies."

"Stan’s embraces the vintage vibe of a classic donut shop, with a modern spin. They’ve perfected the classics (glazed old fashioneds, cinnamon sugar cake donuts, massive apple fritters) and added in some of their own creations (peanut butter pockets, croissant-donut hybrids, and gluten-free options). Find the one closest to you here"

"The Best of the Batch: Glazed Old Fashioned Donuts ($2.75) or Nutella Pocket Doughnut ($3.75). Stan’s yeasty doughnuts have become a Chicago staple in the past few years. Stan’s was one of the first specialty doughnut shops to open in Chicago."

"Stan's Donuts has quickly become a Chicago icon with decadent flavored donuts, cookies and delicious beverages. They are currently open every day for takeout and delivery."

"This Michael Mina-run brasserie may be inside the luxe Waldorf Astoria hotel, but that doesn’t make it a stuffy affair. Just keep an eye out for the “Chariot de Rosé”—a roving bar cart of rosé hand-picked by the somms. Diners are a mix of done-up travelers and foodies looking for a quiet, civilized meal (though they’re as amped as twenty-somethings at a taco truck to tuck into Michael Mina's classic French preparations)."

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. Visit Margeaux brasserie and experience classic, French dining at its best. Nestled on the third floor of The Waldorf Astoria Chicago, this restaurant features an exotic menu filled with exquisite food devoted to retaining the classic French vibe while the bar is filled with a dynamic cocktail menu."

"The Grand Lux Café is an upmarket chain that serves a wide-ranging menu of internationally inspired cuisine in elegant and relaxed surroundings. Created by the founders of The Cheesecake Factory®, the Grand Lux Café was inspired by the quaint trattorias of Italy, the stylish bistros of France, and the grand cafes and pastry shops of Vienna. Blending the grandeur and luxury of European cafés with the spirit of an all-American restaurant, the upscale-casual eatery features a lavish interior design with marble floors and tabletops, sumptuous fabrics and textures, intricate mosaics, and handblown glass fixtures and offers guests a unique dining experience for breakfast, lunch, and dinner."

"Situated perfectly on the strip of the Magnificent Mile, the cafe overlooks Michigan Ave. From the cafe, especially during nighttime, the view from the outside looking in is just as grand as the view from the inside looking out."

"Nothing says summer in Chicago like grabbing a cup of cool and colorful Italian ice at Miko’s. The sorbet-like dessert is made exclusively out of crushed, frozen fresh fruit and is completely dairy-free. Though Miko’s boasts exotic flavors like cucumber and guava, nothing beats the classic lemon on a hot July night."

"If you are looking for something more in the downtown core, then this would be one of the best places to eat in Chicago. They have two branches around town and offer an amazing breakfast. What I really enjoyed most about this place was the effort they made for Pride Week in Chicago."

"Lasalle Street, the shop offers a comfy atmosphere and impressive selection of coffee, tea and sweet treats. If cold-brew is your coffee of choice, we recommend the Nitro Cold Brew on tap. Don’t be surprised when the drink comes out looking like a Guinness in a tall frosted glass."

"A post shared by S A R A • N E Y (@saraneyauthor) on Dec 13, 2018 at 7:39am PST. The Goddess and The Baker is always worth a visit especially when you’re spending the holidays downtown. It’s no surprise that the bakers go all out in December."

"Edgewater & Rogers ParkSpecializing in decadent custards, thick-as-thieves concretes, and sensational sundaes,Lickity Split is a veritable shrine to the sweet tooth. But it's their take on a banana split which stands in a league all its own. The ripened star of the show is topped with both vanilla and chocolate frozen custard before undergoing an onslaught of chocolate sauce, pineapples, strawberries, peanuts, and whipped cream.A dessert classic preserved for a new generation, whoever said, “They don’t make ‘em like they used to,” never got the scoop on this spot."

"Restaurants Ice cream parlors Edgewater. With locations in Edgewater and West Rogers Park, this custard shop is a community staple for families and sugar fiends alike. Guests can get their custard by the cone or dish or have it whipped into a sundae or concrete."

"Everyone in the Midwest knows that Frozen Custard is the best summer treat. Lickity Split offers dessert bliss with their Crazy Cake Concrete which blends custard with your cupcake of choice and then tops it off with candy sprinkles."

"Edgewater’s favorite longstanding establishment has been in business since 1960. Breakfast skillets, half-pound burgers, freshly-squeezed orange juice, and Grecian specials like the Kayana — an egg scramble with sautéed onions, tomatoes, and feta cheese — are all on offer here. Like any good neighborhood spot, Alexander’s won’t let patrons down."

"This Evanston hole-in-the-wall has earned a devoted cult following among North Shore denizens. They flock here for Loretta—a sandwich, not a woman. A feast for $7, the Loretta layers white cheese, mayo, peppers, tomatoes, onions and your choice of bacon, ham, turkey or chorizo on a six-inch French roll."

"There is a mini-zoo with farm animals including chickens, goats and llamas in this park on the city's north side. While it also includes a playground, unlike other parks, this one is a big wooden castle with slides, bridges and tunnels so kids of varying ages can really enjoy running around. Flanked by large apartment buildings which may give off a cool feel to the space, the pond with geese and ducks on the grounds and large willow trees providing shade is a beautiful, peaceful respite that transports you from the busy city."

"This park is smaller than the others so far on this list; it occupies a square block in a quiet, residential section of the West Rogers Park neighborhood. But if you visit Indian Boundary Park, you might find some surprises – most notably that Lincoln Park isn’t the only city park with a zoo. Bounded by Estes Avenue on the north, Lunt Avenue on the south and Rockwell Street on the west, Indian Boundary Park includes a small lagoon filled with ducks, a children’s spray pool, and a sandbox."

"Freeze and Float offers three rejuvenating therapies totally unlike the traditional spa experience. Where a typical sauna heats the room, their infrared saunas use special heating units to raise your body temperature directly. That helps you break a healthy sweat and improve your circulation, so you can keep warm even after you’ve left."

"This Bucktown/Wicker Park spa reopened at the beginning of the month. A mask is required if you want to take care of their treatments, which are all custom blended with essential oils, vitamins and minerals, and plant extracts to fit your needs best. Related Article:6 Chicago Stereotypes That Are False"

"As the name suggests, if you want to soak yourself in essential oils, vitamins, minerals, and plant extracts then Spa Soak is the place to be. The aim of this spa is to refresh you mentally, physically and spiritually. They offer a wide range of massages, facials, body treats, wax treatments and more."