Millstone Bakery is such a little gem. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, and the service is…read moregenuinely friendly. My friend had the warm cider, which was comforting and flavorful, and I ordered a matcha tea that was absolutely delicious. I paired it with one of their sweet cakes, and it was fresh and perfectly indulgent. Definitely a lovely spot to relax for a bit. I'll be back.

I've been on a quest for good coffee in the area. Unfortunately even the "coffee" places around…read morehere often just shovel sugar into poorly made espresso. This place is different! I knew when I saw a pour over on the menu chances were good. It was. This wasn't just good coffee for the area, it was good coffee period. True third wave specialty coffee brewed well. Will return!

Very nice people. Cute shop !! Maybe an off day but we…read morebought 6 different things and of them only one would I go back for. The raspberries/cream cheese danish was really good. The 7 layer bar and the pecan bar tasted like the were o l d . And very hard. The apple fritters and apple cinnamon muffins not my personal preference and the taste was way off to me.

5 Stars The Ottawa Bakery never disappoints! The pastries…read moreare always on point--the lemon bar is absolutely top notch, and the breakfast pockets are truly top tier. Pair it with a hot cup of coffee and you've got the perfect sweet and savory treat. Definitely worth stopping in--you'll be glad you did!

We loved this placed!…read more It was very off season so we were waiting all week until Thursday when they were open to try it. Our large group of 3 families enjoyed breakfast here and the lovely staff were very accommodating to our chaos. 3 grandparents, 4 parents and 4 toddlers to order, eat and we all enjoyed ourselves. We all loved the treats, the food, and best coffee we could find in the starved rock area! I got for the 4 I was in charge of: 2 hot vanilla latte, a kids French toast with bacon, a biscuit and gravy, cream horn, cinnamon roll, and more treats I can't recall now. Highly recommend this cute little stop and if we are in the area again we'd definitely stop by!

Cute shop on the outskirts of town. Staff was super welcoming and friendly. The baking goods were…read morenot only delicious, but incredibly affordable ($3!)

Even though it was the 4th of July they were open and very busy. The girls behind the counter were…read morevery and efficient.

If you have a sweet tooth this is the place for you. Good ice cream sundaes and excellent cinnamon…read morerolls.

OMG, this bakery is awesome. Everytime I get to visit my family in Illinois. I make a beeline down…read moreto the bakery for their baked goods. Owners-employees are so nice and helpful.

Stopped in last week to get some donuts for my boyfriends birthday. Overall I was very pleased with…read morethe service and food. Was greated by an older gentleman who was very polite. Got a half dozen donuts for $7 ish dollars which was a very fair price. It smelled amazing inside and they had a decent selection of donuts & other pasteries. Every single donut tasted delicious, my favorite was the cinnamon sugar! I will definitely be returning and highly reccomend this bakery. Hours on apple maps are wrong, they are open 5am-noon. They are also check/cash only which was no problem.

Nice coffee shop with delicious cookies. I like the peanut butter. Hot coffee comes in a ceramic…read moremug, which is nice, ceramic plates for the cookies. Nice young man at the cash register who did NOT say "have a nice rest of your day" making my visit perfect.

Absolutely the best cinnamon roll and sugar cookie in town. It's my favorite spot to get a treat. I…read morelove the seasonal, rotating decor inside, the prices are great, and the employees are always really nice.

I absolutely loved the avocado toast here. The avocado to toast ratio was perfect and they…read moresprinkled a slightly spicy tangy powder on top that made it extra delicious. They topped it with some pumpkin seeds as well. I asked for no egg and it was still so satisfying. The cafe itself is cozy and welcoming with a cute exterior seat that makes a perfect little stop on a road trip. Inside there are comfortable chairs by a fireplace that give it such a homey feel. They also have a to go fridge with ready to heat items which is very convenient. The staff was friendly and kind which made the visit even better. Definitely worth stopping in if you are passing through.

Nestled in the heart of Gridley, Illinois, Common Grounds Cafe & Pie Shop at 102 Gridley Rd . is a…read moreculinary pit stop that transforms humble small-town charm into a flavor-packed adventure. Owned by Katrina and Kyle Reinhard, this cozy café--housed in a revamped gas station with a drive-thru--delivers bold twists on comfort food, artisan coffee, and pies that could rival any big-city bakery.  Pie Odyssey The pie case here is a treasure trove of creativity. Dive into the Key Lime Pie--a tangy, velvety masterpiece hailed by Chicago restaurateurs as "the best they've ever had". The Coconut Cream Pie floats on a cloud of whipped topping, while the Chocolate Cream Pie is a decadent, cocoa-rich dream. Don't miss the Kuchen, a German family recipe with a buttery crust and custardy filling that tastes like German heritage. ( their rotating selection promises surprises.)  Drinks with a Dare Their coffee game is strong, thanks to Gobena Coffee--roasted locally and supporting global orphan care. The Banana Cream Latte is a creamy, whimsical sip, while the Strawberry Piña Colada Smoothie tastes like a tropical vacation in a cup. Adventurers can try seasonal concoctions like the "Winter Wonderland Steamer" or a spicy chai latte.  Savory Quests Breakfast kicks off with a hearty Steak Bagel, layered with juicy beef and a perfectly fried egg. For lunch, the Buffalo Chicken Flatbread packs a punch with smoky heat balanced by cool ranch drizzle. The Beef & Cheddar on Ciabatta is a melty, savory triumph, and the Country Ham Quiche (likely a typo for "quiche") features flaky crust and robust ham chunks--a nod to their farm-fresh ingredients.  Vibe & Verve Once a gas station stop, now a rustic-chic hub with leather armchairs and a fireplace, Common Grounds blends small-town warmth with gourmet flair. The Community Room hosts everything from pie tastings to bridal showers, and the staff's friendliness is legendary. Just brace for prices that lean urban. Final Bite Common Grounds is a detour worth taking. Come for the pies, stay for the caramel-smoked macchiatos, and leave planning your next visit. As one reviewer raved: "You don't need a big city for big flavors". Rating:  5/5 stars -- where every bite feels like a discovery.

Sorry, Steve's Bakery - you are so overrated, and your business model is the pits…read more What's the point of having a bakery when you don't update your current and potential customers on the (lack of) selection of your offerings and have people just depend on luck? Staff are standoffish and not helpful either; we didn't feel welcome when we came in, so we did a quick 180 and left. Parking lot available. +poor business model +avoid the staff +ample parking

I got a donut, a cinnamon roll & some cookies, everything tasted amazing! The cashier was very nice…read more& patient with me. The inside was clean & nice inside.

Pfaff's Bakery - A Route 66 Sugar Rush Worth Every Mile…read more Walking into Pfaff's feels like opening the door to a time capsule... one that smells like maple, chocolate, and everything good about being alive. There's something comforting about a place that's been doing its thing since 1954, and clearly doing it right. The display case? Dangerous. In the best way. Everything looked so inviting it turned into a full internal debate between my eyes, my taste buds, and my very real pastry weakness. Spoiler: the pastries won. The donuts were some of the best I've had in a long time. Soft, light, just the right amount of sweet without tipping into sugar overload. My favorite was the one that reminded me of a palmier... flaky, delicate, and honestly a little heavenly. Service could use a bit of an upgrade on the friendly department. We're in the middle of a six-week road trip, and this stop, a small detour between Chicago and St. Louis, ended up being one of those unexpectedly perfect moments. Good coffee, great donuts, and a bonus hit of Route 66 nostalgia (yes, I'm fully that person). If you're anywhere nearby, don't overthink it. Just go. And maybe order one extra... you'll understand why.

The service was amazing, friendly and fast, will be back if I'm in the area:), The doughnuts were…read morefresh, tasty