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Chiu Quon Bakery & Dim Sum
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Chiu Quon Bakery & Dim Sum
8.6
Since 1986, Chiu Quon has been Chinatown’s go-to counter for Hong Kong–style buns, egg tarts, and festival pastries. Locals rely on it for cash-only, grab-and-go boxes of still-warm baked goods at prices that make repeat visits easy.
Must-Try Dishes:
BBQ pork buns, Portuguese egg tarts, Walnut red bean paste cake
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Long-running Chinatown bakery turning out Hong Kong–style buns and pastries from early morning to late night.
Who should go: Cash-ready pastry hunters craving classic Chinese bakery items.
When to visit: Mornings for freshest trays before peak Chinatown foot traffic.
What to order: BBQ pork buns, Portuguese egg tarts, walnut red bean cake.
Insider tip: Bring cash and buy extra for the freezer—many items reheat well next day.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily street parking along Wentworth and side streets; meters can be tight on weekends, with nearby paid Chinatown lots as the most reliable option.
Dress code: Casual — come as you are; this is a counter-service bakery with no need to dress up.
Noise level: Light-to-moderate bustle from constant foot traffic; easy to chat while ordering.
Weekend wait: No formal dinner rush, but expect short lines in the early evening as people grab takeaway pastries.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or a brief 5–10 minute queue during peak lunch hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several options (sweet buns, custards, red bean and coconut pastries), but fillings are not always labeled — ask when unsure.
Vegan options: Limited — many items contain egg, butter, or dairy; a few bean or coconut pastries may qualify but are not guaranteed vegan.
Gluten-free options: Very limited — most offerings are wheat-based with no dedicated gluten-free preparation.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual snack stop or pastry walk than a sit-down date — it’s grab-and-go, busy, and informal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there are no reservations; seating is minimal and turnover is quick, so expect to carry out if tables are full.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — quick service, low price points, and sweet pastries make it family-friendly, though space is tight for strollers during rush periods.
Best For
Better for: Classic Hong Kong–style buns and egg tarts at budget prices, fast takeaway, and a deep selection of traditional pastries made throughout the day.
Skip if: You want café-style seating, specialty coffee, gluten-free or vegan-focused baking, or a full dim sum meal experience.
Chiu Quon Bakery & Dim Sum
7.8
Operating on Wentworth since the 1980s, Chiu Quon is Chinatown’s stalwart bakery with a short, constantly moving dim sum counter. Locals grab baked BBQ pork buns, egg tarts, and a few steamed dumplings as a snackable alternative to full banquet dim sum service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baked BBQ pork bun, Egg tart, Sesame ball with red bean paste
Scores:
Value: 8.9
Service: 7.1
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Long-running Chinatown bakery where dim sum comes as grab-and-go pastries and snacks.
Who should go: Snackers wanting buns and small bites instead of full service.
When to visit: Mornings when trays are fullest and items are freshest.
What to order: Baked BBQ pork buns, egg tarts, sesame balls.
Insider tip: Use it as a pre- or post-dim-sum stop to box pastries for later rather than trying to make a full meal here.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Wentworth and nearby side streets; expect turnover but can be tight on weekends. Paid neighborhood lots are available within a short walk.
Dress code: Casual — it’s a bakery and counter-service dim sum spot; come as you are.
Noise level: Low to moderate — it’s usually conversational with brief spikes during rush periods when the counter line moves quickly.
Weekend wait: No true dinner rush — most traffic is earlier in the day; expect a short counter line and 5–10 minutes of waiting at most.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait, though popular pastry trays may sell out closer to mid-afternoon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some options, mainly sweet pastries and select steamed buns or dumplings — labeling is limited, so ask at the counter.
Vegan options: Very limited — most buns and pastries contain dairy or egg.
Gluten-free options: Minimal to no gluten-free options — most items are wheat-based pastries or dumplings.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better as a casual snack stop or walk-and-talk bakery visit than a sit-down date — there’s little to no traditional seating and the experience is quick and transactional.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no reservations and only limited seating, if any; plan for takeout or standing counter service, and treat it as a grab-and-go dim sum bakery rather than a dine-in restaurant.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick bakery stops — kids tend to like the sweet buns and egg tarts — but there’s no high-chair setup or table service, so it’s best for brief visits rather than full meals.
Best For
Better for: Quick, inexpensive dim sum snacks and classic Chinatown bakery pastries you can take to go or add onto a larger dim sum outing.
Skip if: You want full-service dim sum, large round tables, carts, or a leisurely seated meal — choose a banquet-style dim sum restaurant instead.
Chiu Quon Bakery & Dim Sum
8.6
Chiu Quon is a Chinatown standby for early-morning buns, egg tarts, and grab-and-go dim sum at low prices. Guests line up for trays of sweet and savory pastries before heading to work or exploring the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
BBQ Pork Buns, Portuguese Egg Tarts, Ham and Egg Bun
Scores:
Value: 9.3
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: A long-running Chinatown bakery where breakfast can be built entirely from classic Chinese buns and dim sum.
Who should go: Early risers craving Cantonese pastries and takeaway dim sum.
When to visit: Morning hours before lunch to catch the widest pastry selection.
What to order: BBQ pork buns, Portuguese egg tarts, ham and egg bun.
Insider tip: Grab a box of mixed buns and eat at the standing counter or nearby Chinatown Square benches.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Wentworth and surrounding side streets; can be tight during morning rush and weekends. Paid Chinatown lots available within a 2–3 minute walk.
Dress code: Casual — bakery counter service; come as you are.
Noise level: Low to moderate in the early morning; becomes busier and more bustling closer to late morning.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — this is a morning-focused bakery with no dinner service.
Weekday lunch: Short lines during late morning; expect a brief queue during peak pastry restock times.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several pastries and buns are meat-free (custard buns, coconut buns, egg tarts, pineapple buns), though labeling may be limited.
Vegan options: Limited — some plain or coconut pastries may qualify, but many buns contain dairy or egg; confirm ingredients at the counter.
Gluten-free options: Very limited — most items are wheat-based and there is no separate prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re looking for a casual, grab-and-go breakfast stop — it’s more about quick pastries than lingering conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there are no reservations and seating is minimal; most guests take pastries to go or eat at nearby benches.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — pastries and sweet buns are approachable for kids, but space is tight and there are no high chairs or formal seating.
Best For
Better for: Quick, affordable Cantonese pastries and classic bakery dim sum with authentic, old-school Chinatown character.
Skip if: You want a sit-down dim sum meal, large tables, or extensive savory breakfast plates — a full-service dim sum restaurant will be a better fit.
Chiu Quon Bakery & Dim Sum
8.4
Operating on Wentworth since the mid-1980s, Chiu Quon is Chicago’s oldest Chinese bakery, where trays of buns, egg tarts, and dim sum items turn breakfast into a standing-room ritual. Thousands of multi-platform reviews and recent press calling its egg tart a neighborhood standout keep it a daily stop for both locals and visitors.
Must-Try Dishes:
BBQ Pork Bun, Portuguese-Style Egg Tart, Ham and Egg Bun
Scores:
Value: 9.1
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Long-running, cash-only Chinatown bakery turning out classic Cantonese buns and standout egg tarts since the 1980s.
Who should go: Early risers craving classic Chinese pastries and takeaway dim sum.
When to visit: Morning hours before lunchtime rush for best pastry selection.
What to order: BBQ pork bun, Portuguese-style egg tart, ham and egg bun.
Insider tip: Build a mixed box and eat at the nearby plaza or along Wentworth instead of waiting for seats.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Wentworth and nearby side streets; spots are limited on weekends and late mornings, no private lot or valet.
Dress code: Casual — bakery and takeaway environment; walk-in friendly.
Noise level: Moderate during peak morning rush with active counter service; fine for brief conversation while ordering but not a sit-down setting.
Weekend wait: N/A — bakery closes before dinner hours.
Weekday lunch: Usually a short queue (5–10 minutes); popular items may sell out closer to early afternoon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some sweet pastries and a few savory buns are vegetarian, but items are not consistently labeled — ask staff about fillings.
Vegan options: Limited — most pastries contain egg or dairy; a few plain buns may qualify depending on the day.
Gluten-free options: Very limited — the menu is predominantly wheat-based with no dedicated gluten-free preparation area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re treating it as a quick, casual stop — it’s a grab-and-go bakery with minimal seating and short visits rather than a conversational sit-down environment.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no reservations and seating is extremely limited; plan on takeaway or eating nearby, especially during morning rush.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick visits — plenty of sweet options and fast service, but space is tight and strollers can be difficult during busy hours.
Best For
Better for: Classic Cantonese pastries, egg tarts, and value-oriented takeaway with long-running neighborhood credibility.
Skip if: You want full-service dim sum, extensive seating, or clear vegan/gluten-free options — a sit-down restaurant or café will be a better fit.
Chiu Quon Bakery & Dim Sum
8.3
A long-running Chinatown bakery, Chiu Quon fills its cases early with Cantonese buns, steamed dim sum, and egg tarts that make a full breakfast for just a few dollars. Regulars treat it as a grab-and-go stop before work or a first bite on a Chinatown food crawl.
Must-Try Dishes:
BBQ Pork Buns, Portuguese Egg Tarts, Ham and Egg Bun
Scores:
Value: 9.1
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: Classic Chinatown bakery where breakfast is built entirely from buns and dim sum.
Who should go: Early risers wanting fast, inexpensive Cantonese pastries.
When to visit: Morning hours for the widest, freshest pastry selection.
What to order: BBQ pork buns, Portuguese egg tarts, ham and egg bun.
Insider tip: Grab an assorted box and eat at nearby benches or on the go.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street and metered parking in Chinatown; spaces can be limited during weekends and lunch rush — allow extra time.
Dress code: Casual — walk-in bakery attire is fine.
Noise level: Low to moderate — busy counter traffic, but short visits and brief interactions.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — primarily a morning and mid-day bakery; closed or limited by evening.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, though there may be a short line during peak pastry runs.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several pastry and dim sum items without meat, but ingredients are not always labeled.
Vegan options: Limited — many buns contain dairy or egg; confirm item-by-item at the counter.
Gluten-free options: Very limited — most offerings use wheat-based doughs and wrappers.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better as a casual food stop or part of a Chinatown crawl — it’s grab-and-go and not designed for long conversations.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no reservations and little to no seating — plan to take items to go or eat nearby.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — quick service, sweet and savory pastry options, and short visits work well for families, though space is tight for strollers.
Best For
Better for: Quick, inexpensive Cantonese pastries and dim sum to go — especially mornings when selection is widest.
Skip if: You want full-service dining, extensive seating, evening hours, or formal dim sum service.