Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Good strudel takes patience, flour, butter and a baker who still cares about doing things the old way. Across Illinois, a handful of German and European bakeries have kept that tradition going for decades, some of them for more than a century.
These are the kinds of shops where grandparents once picked up apple strudel for Sunday dinner and now bring the grandkids along for a donut. Most of these stops cost less than a family movie outing, and every one of them is a real, open bakery you can visit this week.
1. Schlegl’s Bakery & Cafe, Lincolnwood, IL
Some families have been buying their coffee cakes at Schlegl’s for more than 30 years, and that kind of loyalty says plenty. The shop on Touhy Avenue in Lincolnwood sticks to classic German baking, with strudel sitting near the top of the must-grab list.
The apple and fruit strudels are the stars here, but the cases also hold German pretzels, specialty danish, donuts, cupcakes and custom cakes. Around the holidays, look for seasonal treats like Jule logs and fruitcake.
Paczki Day brings a crowd, and the counter staff are known for staying friendly even when the line stretches long. Saturday mornings are the busiest time, so a weekday visit is the calmer move.
Plan around the hours. Schlegl’s is open Tuesday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. and closed Sunday and Monday.
There is a free parking lot, which makes it an easy in-and-out stop with a box of pastries for the drive home.
2. Lutz Bakery, Chicago, IL
Walking into Lutz feels a bit like stepping back a few decades, and that is exactly the point. This Montrose Avenue bakery has been serving German and Austrian classics for over 70 years in a room lined with pastry cases.
Strudel fans have options. Apple, cherry and cheese strudels all show up here, and the cherry version has a reputation for tasting like the kind grandma used to roll out at home.
The cake side of the menu is just as strong. Sachertorte and Black Forest cake are the headline acts, joined by strawberry whipped cream torte, mixed fruit tart and chocolate ganache cake.
Lutz also has a patio for warm-weather visits, plus coffee and breakfast pastries. Unlike many old bakeries, it stays open into the evening, until 8 p.m. most days and 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Weekday mornings tend to be the quietest. Street parking is available nearby, with both free and paid spots.
3. Weber’s Bakery, Chicago, IL
Back in 1930, German-trained baker Erich H. Weber opened a shop on Chicago’s Southwest Side.
Nearly a century later, Weber’s Bakery on Archer Avenue is still baking cakes, tortes and donuts by hand from scratch.
Cherry strudel is the one regulars point newcomers toward first. Apple strudel is a close second, and both sit alongside fresh strawberry coffee cake, chocolate donuts, brownies and chocolate pecan bites.
Weber’s is also a go-to for big occasions. The menu covers birthday cakes, wedding cakes and the colorful Atomic Cake, a Chicago bakery favorite.
Expect lines on weekend mornings. The early opening helps, with doors open at 5 a.m.
Tuesday through Saturday and 5:30 a.m. on Sunday.
This is a carryout spot, with no dine-in seating and no public restroom. A free parking lot and curbside pickup make grabbing a strudel for the family table simple.
4. Gerhard’s Elegant European Desserts, Lake Forest, IL
Austrian pastry training sits at the heart of Gerhard’s, a family-owned shop on North Western Avenue in Lake Forest. It leans a little more polished than the neighborhood bakeries on this list, while keeping the old-world recipes front and center.
The spiced apple strudel is the signature, with light layers and warm spice. Ask if it can be served warm, since that is the classic way to enjoy it.
The rest of the case covers a lot of ground. Look for almond croissants, Danish hazelnut cinnamon rolls, dark chocolate mousse, baklava and a pear and cranberry tart.
The spinach pie appears on Friday and Saturday only.
Unlike several stops here, Gerhard’s has dine-in seating, espresso and free Wi-Fi, so it works for a slow breakfast. Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free lot and street parking.
5. Kruta Bakery, Collinsville, IL
Downstate families get their own piece of strudel history in Collinsville. Kruta Bakery has been family-run since 1919, with four generations keeping the scratch dough tradition alive on St. Louis Road.
Strudel is a house specialty, and the bakery has a reputation for helping with orders even on short notice. Calling a day ahead for a holiday or family gathering is a smart plan.
Kids tend to gravitate toward the angel cream donuts and the Bavarian cream filled pastries, which come generously stuffed. Adults often go for the German chocolate cake or a cream puff.
Here is the budget-friendly part. Most visits land in the $1 to $10 per person range, so a sweet stop for the whole family may cost less than a fast-food lunch.
Kruta is open Tuesday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday mornings get crowded, and a free parking lot keeps things easy.
