Oak Park is known for its Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and as the birthplace of Ernest Hemingway.
It's also home to one of Food Guy's favorite bakeries, which has now moved to a much larger space than when it first opened, allowing the owners to expand their menu.
The two sisters started out selling baked goods at the Pilsen Farmers Market and acquired a small space in Oak Park in 2016 that was barely big enough to bake pies and cookies. They moved around the corner a few years ago and have been baking more than just sweets ever since.
If you truly enjoy eating with your eyes, you'll be full before dessert at Spilt Milk Pastry, located across from the CTA Green Line terminus in Oak Park. Quiche, coffee, and hand pies like sweet potato curry with brown butter are all good starters, but there's no shame in heading straight for the pies, which range from textbook lemon meringue to seasonal pies.
“We're heading into our busy fruit season so we'll be getting more rhubarb. We've got strawberries starting to come in and we've got lots of berry pies,” co-owner Molly Sbeck said.
The show is run by Svec and his sister Meg.
They still have their indulgent side — their rich, fudgy brownies compete for counter space alongside impressive cookie towers — but now, with their expanded kitchen space, they can serve breakfast and lunch every day of the week.
“Our breakfast sandwich is made with our own handmade buttermilk biscuits, topped with soft and fluffy eggs cut into perfect little squares and topped with Slagel bacon and melted aged cheddar cheese,” Sveeck says.
The cakes and breads change with the seasons.
“We do almond tea cake and banana bread, and then depending on the season, we do chocolate truffle pound cake.”
Subek said the company is focusing on a take-out menu and Friday dinner menu with a carefully selected line of condiments.
“It's dinner for four or two people, and you can come in and pick it up on Friday. We also have a variety of sandwiches so you can take it out or eat in, and we also do catering if you call us,” she said.
While roasted beets with herbed cream cheese and lettuce remind her of her childhood, Subek says that these days, she and her team are busy with a lot more than just baking with butter and sugar.
“… In addition to soups and a variety of salads, they also have items in our deli section,” she said.
It's a good idea to call ahead to place your Friday dinner orders, and catering is a growing area of business, just in time for parties and graduations this summer.
Here are some places you can go:
Spilled Milk Pastry
811 South Boulevard, Oak Park
708-613-4403
