If you haven't been to Pticek & Son Bakery, I'm going to assume you've been spending your life…read moremaking questionable decisions. This place is one of the last true old-school bakeries still standing -- the kind where you walk in and immediately feel like you just time-traveled to a better era. The smells alone should be bottled and sold as a life improvement product. But let's get to the main event... THE HOTDOGS IN THE BUN. Calling these "hotdogs" feels disrespectful. These are legendary, mythical, blink-and-they're-gone bakery treasures. Soft, pillowy, slightly sweet bread wrapped around a perfectly baked hotdog like it's being tucked in for the greatest nap of its life. And here's the thing -- you don't just casually show up and grab these. NO. You need a plan. You need strategy. You need to order ahead like you're securing concert tickets. Because if you stroll in thinking, "Yeah I'll just grab a couple..." -- congratulations, you played yourself. They will be gone. Vanished. Spoken about only in whispers by the lucky few who got there in time. Now here's what really makes this place special -- the grandkids working there keeping the family tradition alive. And I'm convinced these kids aren't just employees... they're being trained like it's some kind of secret bakery academy. I watched one of them wrap a hotdog bun with the precision of a brain surgeon. Another was moving boxes like they were in the finals of a competitive baking Olympics. Meanwhile I'm just standing there thinking, "These kids have more skill before noon than I've had my entire life." You can tell this isn't just a job to them -- this is family legacy in motion. Somewhere in the back, I'm pretty sure there's an invisible scoreboard keeping track of who made the most perfect buns of the day. Every bite is pure nostalgia -- like your childhood got an upgrade and decided to show off a little. You don't eat these... you respect them. Between the old-school charm, the unreal baked goods, and a new generation absolutely crushing it, this isn't just a bakery -- it's a Garfield Ridge institution. Pro tip: Order the hotdogs in advance, guard them with your life, and if you see the grandkids working... just know you're witnessing the future of greatness.

I ordered the 10inch rainbow cake with Butter cream frosting for my aunts birthday and it was…read moreamazing! When you walk into the place your greeted with a warm smile and a hello, then your hit with the amazing aroma of fresh pastries. Highly recommend this place for all your pastry and cake needs.

I love this bakery, found it in 2015! They have a great…read moreselection in my opinion. I love their blueberry muffins, so yummy. I always go here when I get the chance. And my daughter and husband like going here as well.

I absolutely love this bakery! I'm a newer customer, but I've already become a frequent visitor…read more Everything I've tried so far has been excellent, and I especially love their drinks! The staff is always super friendly and welcoming, which makes the experience even better. You can tell there's a lot of care put into what they offer. I'm so glad I found this place since it's close to home, and I'll definitely continue coming back. Highly recommend!

Let me start off with the best cake I've ever had!!!! I've ordered twice with simply be design. The…read morefirst time my daughter wanted a lol surprise, unicorn, mermaid birthday cake. Not only did Danay make that happen. The cake was perfect. The frosting not too sweet, the bread part of the cake not dry. Everyone loved the cake including my oldest son who is not a fan of cakes. My second time ordering was a baby shark birthday cake. Again she did amazing with his cake. The cake looked so cute and better yet tasted so delicious!! Not only are the cakes real yummy but she has great customer service!!! I will continue to purchase cakes with simply by design as long as she continues making cakes!

From the owner: We work with you to plan your cake/desserts how you want it at an affordable priceread more

Love Love LOvE !! This bakery not only has unlimited options…read morefor fraction of the price! Not to mention it tastes amazing !

Okay, here's a draft:…read more "I wanted to send a huge thank you for the incredible dessert table you created for my daughter's bridal shower. It wasn't just beautiful to look at; every single dessert was absolutely delicious, and our guests couldn't stop raving about them! The way you tied the desserts into the overall theme of the shower was so thoughtful and added such a special touch to the whole celebration. Your work truly made the day even more memorable."

Super talented and accommodating! The end results are outstanding both visually and taste wise;…read morecute, clean environment!

I had bought mini cupcakes and this small cake for my son's 5th birthday. I put the tiny toy…read moretrains on as an addition. The cake was delicious and the cupcakes were tasty too. Everyone loved them. I would highly recommend.

Gina is very talented and very creative…read more Ordered a cake for Mothers Day asked for yellow chicks and blue skies and grass and spring flowers . Gina nailed it.

They make the coolest cakes.they are wonderful people.great cakes cookies.I recommend this place…read morefor your celebration's .

Let's share some love! Oh we just did because we are sharing "cupcakes!"…read more While driving across the country, and hailing all the way from Las Vegas, we made it to Chicago . We have achieved some sort of appreciation and need to celebrate with love . We were seeking a cupcake institution to make our dreams of cupcakes possible . Lo and behold, beautiful things came to fruition! We have cupcakes! This business, small cakes is a great cupcake franchise that is all over the country, apparently! They even have some of the same flavors that we remember. Oh for the small joys of remembering the past now in the future. We are stopping just to pass through . It's truly amazing here in the city of Chicago! Cupcake rock! The cupcakes are amazing! The staff is even greater! It's so hard to order just one or two ! How about a half dozen? We will need cupcakes later on I'm sure . It was a joy to talk with the staff and have them fulfill all our cupcakes needs. Just like days of old, but in the now ! It's time to give the staff here some credit they are busy little humans making and selling cupcakes for all to eat and enjoy. The store was spotless . What's not to enjoy? We need to find out, the joys of being happy and having fun . Oh goodness, we found that here . Love and epic happiness await us as we keep traveling . Thank you for making our cupcakes and coming to work so that we had something to celebrate our happy with .

After we left the children's museum my daughter wanted a cupcake and before we got out the museum's…read moreparking lot, she was sleep . Mommy stopped and got 2 cupcakes. Strawberry churro and rainbow cupcake. The cupcakes were so moist and delicious. I may have found another go to bakery.