Loretta's Bake Shop and Cafe

Owner Mary Beth Flynn relies on her mom, Loretta’s recipes to create a variety of delicious from-scratch pies, cakes, brownies and bars at this friendly bakery-cafe in Chicago’s West Loop. Customers start lining up as early as 7 a.m. for the triangular fruit-filled hand pies ($1.75) in flavors like blueberry, cherry and apple—often sold out by 11 a.m. The five-inch mini pies ($7) don’t move quite as fast, but aren’t far behind in popularity.

All the baked goods are made with seasonal, Midwest-grown fruit like Red Haven peaches, Michigan cherries, local blueberries and strawberries. The lattice-top caramel apple pie is worth ordering for its moist, buttery crust and fruit filling that's so good you’ll want to lick the plate.

Mary Beth is a charming hostess, chatting with her regular customers about their families and jobs while describing the daily list of fresh baked goods, handmade sandwiches and salads. A black-and-white photo of Loretta adorns an exposed brick wall, and her cursive signature graces the tops of the white scallop-edged boxes bearing goodies to go.