My husband just picked up the 50th anniversary cake we ordered and it is way beyond my wildest expectations. It is perfect and more than I hoped for since I had to describe my dream cake to the baker with just a picture of a cake sort of similar to what I wanted. He nailed it. I have already taken multiple pictures of this masterpiece. I am very happy. read more

Great place to pick up any sweet treat. Their pies are out of this world and their doughnuts are the best im town bat none.

On Father's Day, the line was out the door, and I can see why. The apple fritters are amazing!! They are huge and one could probably feed 4 people but it's better not to try. You can always freeze leftovers for a happy Monday treat if you are disciplined enough to have any. I haven't tried anything else there-- why mess with perfection? You can also order ahead and they will bring your order out to your car, which is great right now. read more

This place is an old fashion cash only bakery. Their recipes are some of the best I have ever had, especially the Boston cream donuts which typically weigh half a pound each because of the incredible real custard filling. read more

If NO stars were available, they would receive it. As a life long resident, this bakery has been part of my family for over 40 years, UNTIL yesterday. I knew they only take cash or check -(get with the times) I had 10 in cash. I order 8 donuts thinking I had plenty of money (I saw no sign stating prices). My order came to $10.42, the box is taped. The girl put back a donut THEN could not even figure out how much change to give me (seriously?) I said 'keep it' & walked out & will never go there again. The worst part, when I spoke with the so called manager today, with no customer service skills basically made excuses & hung up on me. One more thing, it's 5:05, they close at 5:30, the left over donuts either get thrown away or donated at the end of the day. You LOST a customer over 42 cents. read more

The best bakery ever! After the first time I had gone there, I was dying to get back to this place.

I have been going to this bakery since I was a little girl. Duncan donuts does not compare as well as any other bakery I have tried. You always get service with a smile. I am and always will be a repeat customer Most of my friends are in agreement with me as well, Riverside Bakery is awsome...love the pies, smiley cookies, butter cookies, etc!!! Keep up the great work!!! As our traditions will continue to passed down through our family and friends =)))) Sherry Townsend read more

Terrific bakery, nice staff, and always packed and it's very small, so it is kind of hard maneuvering when placing your order and paying, but it is worth it. Love their icing donut with the sprinkles, it's heavenly. Would have given 5 stars; however, they do not take credit cards. Now for the normal donut/coffee run that may not be a big deal but when you are buying for a business or after a sleepover for your kids, it would come in handy for larger orders. The only other issue is if you are not careful and go early enough they do run out of some things but I suppose this would be anywhere. Honestly, I don't see the need for people to bash Dunkin/Jewel/whoever. This is a bakery place, you get bakery donuts; Dunkin Donuts does not make bakery-type donuts. Everyone has their preference. Many reviewers seemed to have grown up here and have an attachment to it because of that. I did not grow up here but it does have a feel of the older bakeries around Chicago and where I used to live, so transplants may find this a welcome surprise if they are in search of a bakery. read more

This is the absolute worst bakery that I have ever been to in my life. We ordered a dozen doughnuts from them and brought them home...an entire 5 minute drive. An employee had haphazardly thrown them in a cake box and by the time we opened it, they were ruined. The frosting was stuck to wrappers and other doughnuts. They were such a disgusting mess that we couldn't even eat them. read more

I can't believe I'm the first one to tout the sugary virtues of this McHenry landmark. I don't even know where to start, frankly...the mounds of silky butter cream on crispy donuts and moist cakes, the soft, cinnamony deliciousness of the chock-full-of-apples apple bread...the lamb cakes at Easter...I feel a Homer Simpson coming on...ummm...cakes. If you are ever within striking distance of this place, come out and get your sugar coma on. read more

Riverside has great bakery items- I'll give them that- I can't totally hate on a business that specializes in baked goods- but I have a few bones to pick with them. First off- the cash only issue. This has stopped me from going here many a time (which is probably for the better, lol)-but seriously guys, it's 2016! Also, give me like 4 seconds through the door to look at what you've got before you ask if I'm ready to order- when you hide most of your donuts and pastries on trays behind you, I need to play a little detective work to see what's available before I can order. The prices aren't terrible exceptional- but being the only full blown bakery in the area, we'll stop in again if the urge arises (and it always does!). read more

Came in to get some bakery. I understand not wanting to take debit cards.. no problem cash in hand. I got to the front started ordering donuts, cinnamon rolls. The display case had some coffee cake slices I ALWAYS get. When I ordered from the display case I was told sorry,. Those are for orders only.. no sign on them nothing.. I couldn't tell what was for sale or what wasnt. Suggestion if something is NOT available for purchase keep it in the back not in the front display case.. or if you are tight on room put a sign on it!! The bakery itself is good, but if you want anything for the holidays don't bother walking in to get it. read more

Would always go here as a little kid with my family and even as an adult, they have the best doughnuts I have ever tasted! For a small town bakery, they are amazing!! read more

This bakery had the best donuts in town. Period nothing else comes close. One donut is about three times the weight of a donut you'd get from a national chain. The cupcakes and cakes look amazing, but just taste ok. Not amazing. Their Italian cookies are good. I haven't tried their bread. Everyone is very pleasant. Please note they don't take credit cards - just cash or checks. read more

Once you have a donut here, you will never be able to eat Dunkin donuts again! I recently discovered that they also make realllyyy good cakes. They don't take credit cards so be prepared to bring cash. Every item is definitely worth the price. read more

I'm surprised by Jen P's bad service experience, but I have no idea how they respond to bank errors. However, I DO know that all of the baked goods they have are excellent and they're a wonderful old-fashioned bakery that reminds me of going to a family-owned bakery 30 years ago. Very few of these exist anymore and it's tragic. My favs are the apple slices, smiley cookies, choc chip coffee cake and about 20 different types of donuts. The staff is very friendly and responsive high school girls and on weekends there's about 8 of them back there, so the line really flies. It's a great experience and great food. Please support them and keep them open for another few decades. read more

We found reviews online while we were visiting McHenry for a football game. Stopped in for donuts, and we were truly impressed. Great friendly service and some of the best Boston Cream donuts ever. read more

This bakery reminds of some of the old bakeries in Chicago where everything is baked- fresh and on the premises. Everything is made from scratch and as far as I can tell, with good ingredients. Not only is the food great, but the owners are very community minded. They have always responded positively when we approach them for charitable donations. This is a good quality locally owned business. I've been shopping there for 20 years. read more

I used Riverside for my wedding cake....FABULOUS! I have been to a million weddings where the cake is barely touched. Our cake was beautiful, and it tasted out of this world. I had went to several other shops and they informed me that they were by appointment only. I walked in to riverside and Bernie stopped what he was doing to get me cake and filling samples and then informed me that I could order the cake 24 hours before the event, because he makes EVERYTHING fresh. Needless to say, we didnt have much cake leftover. I would definitely go back for any baking need that i did not want to fill myself!!! THANKS BERNIE AND STAFF FOR MAKING MY WEDDING CAKE AND MY EVENT MEMORABLE! read more

If I can make it in and have cash (or checkbook) I will ALWAYS have my cake done from here. The buttercream icing is to DIE for!!! No one will ever compare to it. I had my wedding shower cake, wedding cake, a gender reveal cake and multiple birthday cakes done here. I recommend the marble with buttercream to anyone looking for the most delish cake ever!!! I wish I knew how to get my icing even close to it!!!!!!! You also can get a cupcake whenever your craving the icing and don't need a whole cake. read more

The best baked goods in McHenry County. This place has been around for ever! We always get our Birthday Cakes from Riverside. They are pleasent to deal with and I love supporting local businesses. Both of my sons enjoy the cookies they bake as well. I had seen a review that compared it to the old bakeries in Chicago and they nailed it! read more

Best bakery I've been too. I will occasionally take a morning detour to grab a chocolate donut.

This place is killer! Fantastic! I've had everything there and it's all great. The chocolate eclaires and chocolate donuts are a sure thing.

What a gem. I am a big fan of friendly customer service and this bakery couldn't be nicer or more professional. Thank you for your great service, treats and decent prices! read more

Their apple fritters, pie squares, Bismarck's, and Danishes are all excellent. The cheesecake-like-angel-food-like-cake they have on Fridays is not. Wish they accepted credit cards and really wish that they would label what items are. I'm always asking the clerks what this or that is and I'd much prefer to read for myself. Majority of the staff is friendly and helpful. read more

Very disappointed! Ordered a Chicago Bears cake for a 10 year old and full of flowers! Very girly!!! Also got 6 donuts and so glad it was only 6! No one could eat a whole one...Never again! I will drive to the Deerfield Bakery in Deerfield read more

Donuts are ok, they had a different spin on a bear claw. Butter cookies were good, and the rest of the donuts looked pretty good. The Cheescake is enormous. I don't know how you couldn't eat that and go into a sugar coma. Other than that I would go again. read more

Fat Tuesday is, "paczki day." Though the patrons lined up out the door to taste them on Mardi Gras, the 2 custard-filled topped with chocolate, one strawberry, and one raspberry were merely Boston Creams and Bismarcks. They're passed off as the specialty doughnut that they took an order for the prior day! It was necessary to purchase from an alternate bakery to finally get at the traditional doughnut that is the real thing! read more

I am in LOVE with this bakery and all of it's lovely deliciousness! The staff is friendly the Smiley face cookies would be one of the only things I would miss about the midwest if I were to move away! The pumpkin donuts and the sprinkle cookies I would miss too! and the High rise cheesecake, and apple slices, and the coffee cake, and the creamhorns... Honestly I would miss the whole bakery! It's always fun to see friendly faces in there. But make sure you have CASH. As it's cash only for this cute little bakery! but it is SO WORTH ALL YOUR CASH!! You will not be disappointed and there's always yummy yummy samples. One time the owner was working there at night and we were across the street at fox hole for pizza and came out to see the lights on so we knocked on the door and he let us in! We had to have exact change but he was SO SO nice to let us buy some donuts after hours. This home town place is FANTASTIC Visited December 2016 read more

Riverside has the most amazing smiley face cookies and vanilla long johns! YUM! We've also ordered many wedding cakes from them, and they are always amazing! read more

I biked to work from the train this morning. Even took a detour to grab a cup of coffee. Feeling so great about my morning workout, I walk into the office to find two HUGE boxes of these amazing looking donuts and sweet rolls. I'm not a huge fan of donuts (I prefer savory to sweet), but bakery donuts... that's a whole 'nother ballgame. And these bakery donuts... forgetaboutit! They looked so amazing, and tasted even better. If it wouldn't have been totally socially unacceptable, I would have taken a slice out of each kind, but after perusing the boxes for far too long, I finally decided on the chocolate cake donut with thick white frosting... DELICIOUS! Good bakeries are hard to find, so I'm very happy to have happened upon this one. Again, everything looked really good and was presented so nicely in the box. This would be a great place to stop on your way to someone's house for dinner... or if you're entertaining and don't have time to bake. I can't wait to make my way out there to check out their other bakery items! read more

I may actually have an addiction to this place. Been coming for a while and always satisfied. Donuts are great, but I can never pass up a smiley face cookie. If you stop in, grab one!! Great place. Recommend read more

We have never had a bad cake ever from this bakery. Always fresh and moist, the donuts and coffee cakes have been delicious too. Just cash or checks, they dont take credit cards. Our favorite bakery read more

great place! best donuts I've ever had in my life and very decent prices. very quaint little bakery, if ever in town and you have a sweet tooth, I highly recommend! read more

I've been very unhappy with the politeness and maturity of the staff within the last few months. My family and I are ALWAYS Sunday visitors. Today, we pulled up the bakery and the closed sign was up... it was 11:46am. The bakery still has plenty of treats to be sold. There was a lot of hustle and bustle inside so we went ahead in. Once inside we were treated with the most utter disrespect and immaturity. In a snotty tone we were yelled at " next customer." As we were ordering one of the employees growled out that she had somewhere to be in an hour. She didn't understand why people where still making their way into the bakery, as she had already turned the sign. This same employee then yelled out to the other customers in line behind me that this is all that was left and they should make up their mind or they could leave. My family and I kindly paid, were never told thanks or have a nice day... nothing. I was appalled! Riverside is not a cheap place to go, but it is the heart of McHenry and a family owned business. It's obvious the current staff could care less. Unfortunately, I may start going elsewhere as I expected others and myself to be treated with respect. read more

Great hidden gem! Local family owned business. Their baked goods and bread are very good and the service is always excellent! So happy to be close to so much good food. Just wished they accepted credit cards, but I understand. Thank you for the great food and smiles! You cant go wrong with this great local bakery! read more

Good old-fashioned bakery. Cakes, cupcakes, coffee cakes, sweet rolls, bread, cookies, all like back in the day.

Everything is excellent from Riverside Bakery. Their eclairs are the best and like homemade. Their donuts are delicious and the dough used for all their baked goods is outstanding. Fillings are like homemake, EXCELLENT! read more

Love, love, love this bakery! It's been a staple in my life since I was a kid. I love that things haven't changed much in 40 years, but it's still awesome, fresh baked goods the way they used to be! Everytime I go here it makes me feel like I'm a kid again. read more

These donuts are just so-so. Hot chocolate is just alright. I have yet to try anything else from here, but I really have no reason to go back. read more