ZipPicks Awards
Best Bakery in Harwood Heights
Master Critic Review
ABC Bakery & Deli
8.1
A Serbian bakery-deli hybrid where the payoff is savory pastry comfort alongside a strong sweets bench, designed for quick counter meals and takeout. Order it like a split decision: one burek or grilled plate to anchor, then grab one pastry dessert and coffee for the ride.
Must-Try Dishes:
Burek, Cevapi, Baklava
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Savory Balkan bakery-plus-deli range in one fast stop.
Who should go: Pastry fans who also want a real meal.
When to visit: Late morning or early afternoon for easy ordering.
What to order: Burek, cevapi, baklava with coffee.
Insider tip: Do one savory pastry first, then pick dessert by freshness.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly easy: small lot parking when available, plus Lawrence Ave street parking nearby (busier during peak midday bakery rush).
Dress code: Casual and practical—jeans, hoodies, and work clothes all fit right in.
Noise level: Low-to-moderate—counter ordering with some bustle, but you can still talk comfortably.
Weekend wait: Not a true dinner-rush spot—expect a short counter line (5–15 min), longer if everyone is ordering hot plates at once.
Weekday lunch: Usually quick (0–10 min), with a small lunchtime bump around noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several pastry-and-bakery options work well (cheese-based items, breads, sides), but ask what’s meat-free that day since the savory case changes.
Vegan options: Limited—some breads/salads may qualify, but most signature pastries and desserts skew dairy/butter-forward.
Gluten-free options: Very limited—this is a flour-heavy bakery environment; expect cross-contact risk and few reliable GF picks.
Best For
Better for: A true split-order stop: savory Balkan comfort (like burek/cevapi-style plates) plus legit pastry-dessert selection in one fast counter visit—especially strong for takeout variety and group ordering.
Consider Alternatives If: Skip it if you need gluten-free reliability, a vegan-forward menu, or a long, linger-heavy café hang—this place wins when you order efficiently and leave with a pastry box.