This bread is AWESOME. Next best thing to homemade. In addition to the excellent fresh sourdough (in many varieties) they have baguettes and puff pastry treats to rival anything in Paris. Always busy and sometimes sold out, but the staff is always cheerful. Pricy but very high quality. Recommended. read more

Most of their breads are simply delicious! I did buy one loaf there a few weeks ago which seemed over baked and too dry, but that's uncommon. I saw Hewn was included in an article in today's Chicago Tribune re: where to buy holiday treats. I checked out their website and was rather surprised by their prices. 6 pieces of chocolate rugelach for $20...?! 12 piece box of Neapolitan cookies for $25...?! I'm sure they're delicious, but I'll have to think about the prices. read more

It really seems like Hewn should update their website. Because everything is not the same as the pictures shown. I was disappointed when I thought I was getting the Rueben croissant, the young person that took the order evidently didn't hear croissant and it came on rye bread, a real acquired taste. But not for me. read more

Loved the croissant pastries. Large variety of choices. Popular pastries might run low/out towards the end of the day. Good grab and go spot in Evanston for coffee and a treat. read more

Hewn has lost the special character that made me obsess about them in the past. From their humble Dempster Street start, I remember tasting their then-savory croissants filled with (if I recall correctly) dried tomato, arugula, caramelized onions and parmesan. So good! They made a tasty kale salad with dried blueberries for a catering-type order then, too. I also appreciated the friendly familiar faces, perfect for creating a homey Evanston small shop ambiance. I loved feeling like I was patronizing one of Evanston's special secrets, with an amazing taste experience every time. Now, with countless trays full of rows of baked items, and lines of people to match, and a new store associate every time I go, the entire experience is less personal, more transactional, and honestly I enjoy trying most everything but for some reason the flavors are no where near as phenomenal as several years ago. I would say the sticky pecan bun has improved however. But the classic croissant is "bland" and the textural contrasts which used to "wow" me every time (croissants, galette, morning bun) now seem less crispy/soft, chewy/buttery, rich with umami, etc. Another disappointing experience recently was I arrived at about 3:02PM on a weekend, and as I approached the door an associate came out and announced they were closed. I literally drove up there from downtown Chicago as early as I could to treat myself to something special. You don't want to know how fast I was driving on the Kennedy and Edens to try to get there on time. The bread has always been dependable and exceptional. Always makes great toast or a crunchy foundation for avocados and eggs, or accompaniment to pasta and stew. I will likely stick to that. read more

I have become obsessed with this place since moving into the area. I have tried the bread, the pastries, sandwiches and coffee. I have yet to order something I don't like. On the weekends the wait is a little long, but being new to town I've ended up chatting with people and its made my new town feel more welcoming. The staff is also very patient and kind since I am that annoying person who can't make up her mind and takes way too long. I never feel rushed by the staff (once or twice maybe by some hungry customers behind me), but overall the vibe reminds me of my west coast bakery I used to visit everyday. Croissants are as good as paris, the bread may be better than my San Francisco bakery. read more

Hands down the absolute best bakery in the Chicago area. I love this place so hard and so happy it exists in my life. For real. Staff is always nice, but attentive and quick. read more

I live in Chicago but didn't hear of Hewn until I read about it in Bon Appetit. I was surprised to see they wrote that the bakery was in Chicago. I looked it up and saw it was in Evanston.. SMH!! But anyway, I left home early one morning and drove up to Evanston to have some breakfast at Hewn. I had such a great experience! It smelled so good in there and it has a small, old time bakery vibe. Every single pastry looks amazingly delicious and well made with love. Their shop also features local products, such as flour and some refrigerated items. Their staff was so friendly! I had to ask for a couple of explanations on what things were, and I was also able to get my spiced maple latte in my reusable to-go mug which always makes me so happy! I got a savory scone and a danish. Only feedback I'd give is that the cheese danish needs more cheese!!!!!!!! It was like a.. 1:7 ratio of cheese:pastry and I think it should be more like 1:3. My husband agrees. But man the pastry and the filling were SO GOOD!! Just dreaming about the same danish with more cheese filling. Next visit I'm getting ten more things. Love this place for sure!! Bon Appetit should give EVANSTON the credit it deserves!! Regardless, I love Chicago too! Any spotlight on Northern Illinois is received in love. Support local, support Hewn!! Pay them a visit. read more

Drove by our way back from suburb drive. There was no line when we arrived. We ordered few small breads,each of them were good. read more

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It's like being in a European bakery! I got the mozzarella sandwich. The bread was incredibly fresh, the mozzarella was light and perfect. It was a refreshing snack to eat as I walked around Northwestern campus. This is a must visit if you are in Evanston! read more

My family and I have never been to this location. We only been to the satellite store in libertyville. My husband called here because this is where all the products are baked and sent to libertyville, we were told, to order the rum cake for my birthday. The person that picked up the phone spoke to my husband and apparently was going to check with the "boss" because they currently not baking it. When the "boss" picked up the phone, they basically played dumb and bluntly told my husband that the rum cake is not an option at all. No ands ifs or buts and he should look online if he needs anything. I don't think this is a way to treat a consumer...but instead an easy way to lose a customer. read more

Aside from bread, everything else here is grossly overpriced and mediocre in quality. My main complaint here is customer service though, I'm a long time customer and this is a recurring issue, they seem to have a bias against black and brown customers whom are presumably not local and Evanston residents. If you're a woman of color be warned of this obnoxious behavior , they're gonna prioritize their white, "local" customers over you. Their coffee is quite bad by the way! read more

Holy Cow! I've been here a few times now and it's all made my belly jiggle and shake with a happy dance But then last week I saw a add for..... "Ube Croissant" Now I knew there was no way I would be allowed to sleep much live if I didn't bring these home for others to enjoy. So I purchased 5 of the Ube Croissants and they were eaten so quickly, I almost lost a finger trying to get mine, and a Filipino friend was very grateful for his breakfast treat. We will have to get more soon. So simply put Go get yourself a Croissant or Two or Three. read more

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The absolute worst question that anyone could ever ask me at a bakery, after already overthinking what to order, is, "will that be all?" I officially admit to being a bakery-aholic, and the truth is, I have a really difficult time keeping my order to just one treat. I am THAT person who always wants to order up the entire case of bread-y items. And, after I leave, I get a serious case of FOMO. Hewn is the bread-y emporium of The Main-Dempster Mile, and today I was in the area and stopped in to see their expanded space. They've been promoting a super cool cookbook along with some random classes, so they were at the top of my mind. Truth be told, the new space is even bigger, with plenty of room for baked goods, and a miniature market with shelves of specialty flours for baking, dried beans, fresh honey, and pure maple syrup, along with other goods I'm sure I missed. I ordered up a fluffy, chewy and sweet almond croissant, but I fully admit to wanting a prepped and ready-to-heat-up grilled cheese or grilled Cubano with ham, homemade pulled pork, pickles, onions, swiss cheese, and mustard. It looked amazing, but it was still early in the morning. If I worked in the area and wanted a unique deli sandwich for lunch, I would stop by Hewn. Other yummy pastries that caught my eye were their muffins, the brioche, coffee cake, and flat breads...oh, and the cinnamon rolls and mini apple pie tart. As for the artisan breads, I have no doubt it's completely amazing...and of course now I also wish I had picked up a loaf. #NextTime Stop in and support this women-owned business! read more

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Hewn refuses to accept legal tender. They will only accept credit cards, which are not legal tender. That's simply un-American. They force people to pay for bank fees and to get into debt. The fact is that some people can't afford to have a credit card. Some can't qualify. Others, understandably, refuse to have one. Fortunately, there are other, better bakeries in the area with civilized policies. read more

Hewn Bakery has the best bread and baked goods we have had through the entire quarantine! The country sourdough bread is outstanding. The Kouign-amann is another standout that I would consider a must-order! So rich and buttery and flaky. We also had a regular and chocolate croissant. All flavorful and fresh. They are also taking every precaution to keep their staff and customers safe during COVID. They encourage people to order via phone by scanning a QR code while in line. There is also a separate line to order in-store. They limit the number of people inside and have a traffic light that turns green to let you know you can go inside. There are really tall and wide plexiglass shields to protect employees and customers alike. I highly recommend Hewn--it's worth a special visit traveling out of your way! read more

The smells coming out this bakery are to die for. I need to come back and buy bread, because their selection looked outstanding. I tried the kouign aman (good not great), sticky bun (meh), and canele (fine). Honestly, I'd skip the baked goods and go straight for the bread. read more

The bread sells out very fast but it is very good. The drinks Especially are very good the coffee is very smooth and matcha a lattes are very good. read more

I can't say enough good things about this place. We over-ordered and thank goodness we did. Everything we tried was fresh and delicious. A plump, airy croissant, a softly spicy sticky bun, and the most aromatic breads. Not to mention their operations during COVID are top-notch. Best I've seen. They have a line out the door and they limit the number of people inside through a red light/green light system. Green light? You're free to enter. There is plexiglass separating the entire length of the counter. I felt so comfortable and safe. I can't wait to return to try everything they have. read more

Hewn Bakery - Country bread, savory croissant, chagel, sticky bun, croissant - Bakeries Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

The best homemade bread in the area! Sour dough base for all the bread types. The coffee and pastries are wonderful! A great shop to have in the hood! read more

You have to get there early to get a loaf of their fresh-from-the oven Challah bread- they fly off the shelf! I accidentally bought the one without the raisins, and thought I would be disappointed. I was not. I also got some huge, flakey croissants and cheese and chive scones. Everything was exceptional! read more

Hewn is an Evanston treasure for wonderful tasting and healthy breads! I've lived in Evanston for 27 years and during that period I have tried all of this small city's bakeries. Hewn is hands down my go-to bread bakery and I often make two visits a week to Hewn for their fresh bread loaves. I initially bought mostly their Blonde Country loaf, but during the last year (with their move and opening of their larger bakery on Central Street) I have come to also favor their Caramelized Onion Rye, their Pumpkin Polenta and their Country Cheddar loaves. All of these loaves have a wonderful balance of flavor, incredible crumb, a tasty crust and exude hand-made goodness. I really appreciate that the shop has made incredible efforts to provide welcoming but safe service to customers (and staff) during the Covid pandemic. Along with the traditional French miche bread that is available most days of the week at Evanston's Bennison's Bakery, I believe that Evanston now offers the best bread in the Midwest. read more

Ahhh-mazing! I had first tried one of their baguettes someone brought to Ravinia. So good. That I literally drove from Northbrook there for breakfast this morning. They offer artisan breads of all kinds. Homemade muffins, pastries, savory quiches, cinnamon rolls, brioche, croissants. . Seriously, it was like I had ADD. I had no idea what to get as it all looked fabulous. So 2 fruit galettes, 2 savory quiches and a Lemon & Ginger scone for breakfast to eat in the car. I literately had to high tail it out of there. Seriously, I can not be trusted around all that bread. What can I say? I'm Italian. But in all honesty the shop was quaint. Offered so many amazing other products like homemade oats, syrups, flour and more. They have t-shirts of the bakery as well. Of which I will have to add upon my next trip. Staff was super friendly. Place was awesome. Check this place out if u can trust yourself not to buy everything in the store! read more

Hewn Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

A "treat yourself" kind of place. Cute bakery that is kept well stocked even towards noon time. I've come here a couple times to try different items -- mostly the pastries and bread loafs. Everything is baked well and tasty, but I haven't come across a life changing pastry to recommend to friends and family, yet. One day... I live nearby, but the high prices and lack of seating keep me from becoming a regular. read more

This is my favorite bakery in the Chicago area. Pastries are fresh and they have a great selection. Croissants are flaky and light without being greasy. Bread is all made with sourdough and is delicious. read more

Who doesn't love haikus? Here is one dedicated to Hewn. Little place; short hours. Specializing in bread loaves! Full espresso bar A little more detail without my counting my syllables: there's no room for dining in here. It's a stop in/pick up type of bakery. In addition to the bread, there's a selection of croissants, muffins, and scones. On my visit, I left with a savory (cheddar, chive, bacon) scone and Americano. Check in on Yelp to get 15% off a loaf of bread! I've got my eyes on the nutella one. read more

Hewn Bakery - Savory scone - Bakeries Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

They are now taking walk in orders as well as online deliveries! Social distance for customers is well maintained when I was there and there's contact less payment by CREDIT CARD ONLY. Get their almond croissant. It's so so good. read more

On a snowy winter day, I bravely decided to go check out this bakery. So did many other people too, as I was greeted with a line when I entered the store. Their store is simple, it's got a rustic barn vibe that works for them. The place is split with their baked goods on one side and a counter for coffee drinks on the other. Bread is their specialty, so I picked up a loaf of their turkey red, which was made from a blend of heritage grains. They had 4-5 types of bread out and I was told they changes from day to day, so make sure to check their website for their daily listings. We also picked up a lemon bar and a slice of their marble pound cake. The lemon bar was just okay, but oh my, their pound cake. It was soaked with something really fragrant, so the cake was moist and had a special sweetness to it. Definitely worth picking up a whole loaf of. read more

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If you go to Hewn, you MUST get their Monkey bread! If I had to describe their monkey bread it tastes like a pillow of buttery sweet heaven! Their bread is so soft and delicious its out of this world! The outer caramelized crust is braided and firm but as soon as you bite into it, the center is soft, pillowy and sweet to perfection! Loaves are small. (I'd recommend getting two for four people). I've brought these to several events in the past and they've always been a huge hit with family and friends. Purchase these at the start of their opening hours otherwise you'll miss out. If you cant reach the bakery early in the morning, you can always pre-order (Order at least a day or two before) and pick it up later. Hewn does not have indoor seating but they have outdoor seating on their wood benches. Plenty of ample street parking along Dempster. Give it a try. You won't be disappointed! read more

Excellent pastries! Our favorite are the chocolate-almond croissant, morning bun, and monkey bread. Sometimes we can tell that they are less fresh-tasting, but overall very yummy. Cons: We've also noticed that the staff is not very diverse. read more

We moved to the area almost two years ago and had been coming to the bakery even before we moved. Since we have lived nearby, we had been stopping in four times a week or so but because of reduced hours and reduced inventory, we have been forced to go elsewhere. I really do want to support this local, high quality bakery but when you stop making staples like baguettes, and run out of many other items early every day, we often leave empty handed. I am a little confused about the direction of the place, because they're opening a new location and also holding baking classes... I feel like it's distracting the focus of this location. read more

Quality sourdough, many variations, other Bakery items are very good. Always a line, so dress for the weather.

I must warn you, if you go to Hewn, you might just melt into a cuteness-overload puddle when you walk through the perfectly quaint wooden screen door that belongs on a cottage on a farm in Italy in the 1700's. The vibe/ambiance is honestly just a cherry on top compared to how fantastic all their baked goods are. Their breads are fantastic. Their croissants are so good they make me want to yell random words when I'm eating them. When life is hard and I'm going through something difficult, I try the whole mind-over-matter thing and I try to picture the peaceful tranquility that is Hewn Bakery. And it gets me through life. read more

Delicious albeit pricey bread. Have held off writing this but here goes. The expectation of a tip when I buy one loaf of unsliced bread is unreal. The counter marshmallows literally turn on their heels and walk away when they see I haven't left a tip. They're done-no thank you, no goodbye.You didn't make me a sandwich. You didn't make me a coffee. You walked less than 15 feet to put a loaf of bread into a bag for me. Sorry, you don't get an automatic tip for that. What are we teaching kids? Tell you what-when nursing assistants and patient care techs start getting tips, then we'll talk. Still, good bread! read more

Love this place. Referring to Hewn as a bakery is really an understatement...when you walk in it's more of an "experience". Pastries are phenomenal, scones are beyond good, specialty sandwiches are fantastic, and hands down they have some of the best breads around. Even the coffee selection is great. Whether your a local, or your just visiting the area, I highly recommend taking the time to visit and "experience" it yourself. read more

Walked down from campus Friday morning to pick up breakfast for my lab group. Beautiful assortment of breads and pastries; I selected a plain croissant, chocolate croissant, large monkey bread, and stecca bread. (Total came to $16.10). Everything was freshly baked and smelled amazing. I was especially excited to try the plain croissant, and it was very good. The monkey bread was a huge hit, hard and crispy outside, soft inside, surprisingly light and not too sweet. Stecca had great flavor but was overbaked. Overall very happy with the goods, would love to try some of their loafs of breads if I find the occasion to. read more

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I seriously don't get why people like this place. Everything tastes the same - crusty and absolutely flavorless...oh and overpriced. A dry muffin for over $4? A sandwich for over $12 when it's mainly bread? Hard pass!! There are too many other delicious places on Central to support instead that are reasonable priced and actually taste good!! read more

Well organized and clean pick-up-&-go bakery. Al fresco seating available but not so much inside save for a bench or two. Service is quick, friendly, and informative. Their offerings of bread were aplenty as the variety of baked goods. Prices matched Evanston standards- maybe even surpassed the normally higher than average price points. (i.e.- $10/loaf of bread, $4/slice of pound cake, etc...). Such are artisan quality goods tho... Get coffee elsewhere if you can manage an extra stop. read more

Hewn Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

I've had the pleasure of eating Hewn's bread long before I ever walked into the shop. I love the crusty, hearty texture, tooth and taste in every bite. However, on my first experience in the shop I was surprised and disappointed by their customer service. It was an early Sunday morning and not too busy but the gentleman who finally asked me after I waited, oogling at all of their offerings if I need help totally dismissed or ignored it when I told him it was my first visit there and was not very kindly when I inquired about several products. It was a less than enjoyable welcoming interaction. I made a decision paid the bill and went on my way enjoying the savory flatbread. Now I don't mind spending more for something special and I know what they make is special but with customer service like that I'm less apt to return again and again. I don't know if that person was an owner or an employee but honestly I hesitate to go back there. I don't want that same experience. But I'm planning another visit soon so I'll let you know how that one goes. Keeping my fingers crossed read more

The best pastry shop in Chicago, hands down. The croissants are flaky and delicious. But the chagel thing on the menu is by far the best item here. It's challah and a bagel mixed. Out of this world. I ate it as is, not even warmed up it was that good. It's pricey - so not for the daily breakfast, but as treat this place is 10/10. read more

Hewn Bakery - Almond croissant, chagel, sweet roll. - Bakeries Near Me - Evanston, Illinois