How sweet it is!…read more Let's preface this blog post by saying that The Sweet Bean is set to close on May 13th. Not only did I recently hear about this place for the first time but in the same breath I heard they were closing. So, I knew it was a high priority to check it out. It just so happens that my girlfriend also loves coffee and sweet treats, so we booked it there the first chance we got. I'm not too familiar with the inner workings of how Pekin is laid out so I never would've stumbled upon this place without either being told about it or finding it on Yelp/Google/other sources of information. Thank gosh for GPS We arrived in the later part of the morning once we woke up and got moving for the day. We both were in need of some coffee and something to put in our bellies. Upon entering, we were greeted by a friendly person behind the counter who ended up being the owner. She asked us what the photo taking out front was about and I briefly mentioned how I like to try out local coffee places. She said they only have the basic coffee choices as they are more of a bakery and I said that as long as you serve coffee, that is good enough for me. Emily got a flavored cold brew and a giant turtle cookie and I got a plain cold brew and a dark chocolate cherry... scone? I'm not 100% sure it was a scone. I just pointed at what I wanted and she told me what it was but was too distracted by all the delicious-looking treats in the display case to remember what she said. The total for two 16 ounce drinks and two baked goods was only $13. That is a really good deal, imo. We snagged a table and sat there, sipping our coffees and trying each other's snack. Emily was jealous of my treat and I was a bit jealous of her treat. They were both super delicious and I am glad we got them heated up as I think that really make their homemade deliciousness POP. I couldn't get over how thick and chewy my treat was. It tasted exactly like how it sounds but cranked to an 11. The cold brew was just that. Long-steeped coffee over ice. I don't think I've ever had a cold brew that wasn't just that and that is perfectly fine in my book While we were checking out, we noticed some stickers for sale. I tried to buy 2 but was told I had to use venmo to pay for the stickers as they were being sold by an independent seller. We ended up grabbing 5 for $15 once I worked out how to pay the person directly. This might be the first time I've seen something sold in a store that wasn't able to be rung up at the register. I didn't get a photo of the 5 we bought but you can rest assure they are mostly coffee-themed. I am truly sad this place is closing up it's doors. You can see on their FB page the reasons why so I won't go into that here. Make sure you pop in while you can before the oven is turned off for good.

Love this new little place in town! Fresh homemade muffins - love the banana nut, wow. Haven't…read moretried anything else yet but the coffee is great too. Comes from a coffee place in Peoria that roasts their own they said. Really good. Beats Starbucks any day

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 like to buy their treats for service above and beyond!…read more Everyone loves their iced cinnamon rolls and their pecan rolls! The staff is always so friendly and quick to serve you! They have lots of choices so I doubt you will ever be disappointed!

I loved this bakery, I especially liked the small pies, crust is always baked well with lots of…read morefilling and topping. Their cream pies are wonderful and the fruit pies also I just tried the brownies and were wonderful. Going to try the cheesecake next but sure I'll not be disappointed. The staff is always pleasant and helpful.

The food service and ambiance are the best. It reminds u of those good old times. Good coffee .read more

I ordered the chai, half expecting something thin and overly sweet. What arrived instead was a…read morewarm, fragrant testament to restraint--balanced spices, just enough milk, and a whisper of quiet joy. I sat back with K.W. in one of the window-side chairs, letting the mug steam gently into the late-morning light, and took in the interior. It's the kind of place that rewards attention: reclaimed wood, soft colors, seating that invites rather than insists. This was not an Instagram café--it was a Christian coffee shop. And I mean that as praise. I don't just mean it had a verse on the wall or worship music humming faintly behind the grinder. I mean the place carried a spirit of care. You could feel it in the details, the warmth of the baristas, and--most of all--in the baby shower happening quietly in the side room. From what I could tell, it was all women--close family friends of the expectant mother--gathered in soft tones, with gifts, cake, and affection flowing. There were balloons. Laughter. Maybe a tear or two, but the joyful kind. I thought about the holiness of childhood, the ridiculous courage of parenting, and the spiritual stubbornness it takes to keep loving in public. There are many ways to do Christianity poorly. But when it holds space for reflection, for the protection of the vulnerable--children, the poor, the disabled--it becomes something rare and tender. Guest House feels like one of those places where such values are quietly lived out, without announcement or ego. I'll be back. For the chai. For the ambience. But mostly to support a place that, in its own gentle way, remembers what a gift life is.

Ordered a 1/4 sheet cake. Was mostly icing. Cake was very uneven and they filled in with icing…read more Owner said "The appearance you are describing is due to the cake being a one-layer cake, which naturally requires a thicker layer of icing for structure and decoration." She did refund partial payment. A one layer cake should fill the pan. See picture. After serving a few pieces I was so embarrassed I stopped serving.

Great sugar cookies and amazing sandwich cookies. Also love the happy hour special - I think it's…read more2-4 on Tuesday - Thursday.

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!

Trefzger's is one of those places where you bite into one of their creations and you immediately…read morethink "Ahhh I understand why they've been around since 1861". The thumbprint cookies are pure flames. I can't think of a single item that doesn't have the sweetness precisely dialed in. My only real nitpick I can think of is with the bread used for the pastries (danishes, cinnamon rolls). It's slightly too... Dry? Gluten-y? But it's not an overarching issue so it's pretty insignificant.

Beautiful, large, independent bakery with incredible sweets. Everything is amazing about this…read moreplace except for the unfriendly staff.

Best homemade food around Logan county The place is clean…read moreand friendly Best soups you've ever tasted Definitely a must try

I stopped in for coffee and gooey butter cake after running errands in Lincoln. It's a beautiful…read morewell lit space. The coffee is hot, strong and fresh. The gooey butter cake was the perfect mid morning treat, the corner piece had the right contrast of edge sugary crunch and gooey middle. The staff behind the counter was friendly and welcoming. As I sat and worked, they offered me more coffee and asked if I needed anything else. It was lovely. I'll be back.

Great coffee and chai and the tres leches was delicious! Kid approved too. Great little spot for a…read morebreak and to refuel between shopping. Super friendly service too.

This has been my husband's and I new favorite coffee place! I love their seasonal iced latte…read moreflavors and they make in house whip cream! I also love getting their tres leche cakes they are just so delicious! I forgot to take a picture it was just too good!

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.

Old school baker in downtown Pontiac. My tip is to arrive early because they sell out quickly!read more