What we make
Pastries, Desserts, Breakfast & Lunch
Our family-owned bakery and cafe offers a tempting selection of handmade, from-scratch pastries baked fresh every day, along with desserts, breakfast sandwiches, and lunch options. From flaky croissants to decadent cookies, there's something to satisfy every sweet or savory tooth.
We also have made-to-order breakfast and lunch sandwiches available throughout the day. While our cozy cafe has limited indoor seating, the fast table turnover ensures you won't have to wait long for a spot to enjoy your delicious finds.
Beverages
We serve Caffe Umbria Espresso & coffee and Rishi teas
Espresso, Coffee & Tea
Blended Frappes & Creams
Cold Brew
Matcha, Chai, London Fog
Lemonade, Iced Tea
Special Orders & Catering
Are you hosting a special event or meeting? Do you want to make it even better by adding some delicious food? Look no further! Our catering services are here to help. We can create a customized package that perfectly suits your needs. Whether it’s pastries for a morning meeting, party trays for a special occasion, desserts for an event, or lunch for a group, we’ve got you covered. Our team is dedicated to making your next event a success. So why wait? Contact us today, and let us help you make your event unforgettable!
cafe Hours
Tu-Fri 7a–4:30p
Sa-Su 8a-2p
Monday closed
Location
8042 Lincoln Ave
in Downtown Skokie
Phone
(224)470-6970
Our shop is OPEN during the following holidays:
New Year’s Day
Easter
Mother’s Day
Independence Day
Thanksgiving
Our shop will be closed during the following times of the year for a break:
Tue, May 28
Tue, Jul 2-Wed Jul 3
Fri, Nov 29
Wed, Dec 25
Kneads & Wants: Skokie's Family-Owned Bakery
8042 Lincoln Avenue, Downtown Skokie, IL
At Kneads & Wants, we're more than just a bakery—we’re a family-owned passion project that bakes fresh pastries daily in Skokie, Illinois. Our mission is to cater to your kneads for delicious treats and satisfy your wants for high-quality, handcrafted goodness.
We specialize in small-batch baking, using only the finest ingredients to create a delectable selection of croissants, scones, bars, cookies, and a delightful assortment of seasonal specials. Our menu constantly evolves, so you can always discover something new and exciting to tantalize your taste buds.
What sets us apart?
Quality you can taste: We use real butter, fresh ingredients, and no artificial flavors or preservatives.
Skilled artisan bakers: Our passionate team takes pride in creating delicious and beautiful baked goods from scratch.
Warm and welcoming atmosphere: We want Kneads & Wants to be your neighborhood haven, a place to relax, savor a cup of coffee, and enjoy a sweet treat.
Commitment to community: We support local and use fresh, seasonal ingredients whenever possible.
Meet the Kneads & Wants Family:
Kneads & Wants: Skokie's Family-Owned Bakery Haven
The magic behind Kneads & Wants delicious creations extends beyond the kitchen. We're a close-knit family united by our love for baking and serving our community.
Maria Kozi, Executive Pastry Chef: Maria's passion and skills are evident in every pastry, especially in her love of viennoiserie.
Dylan (Maria's Stepson), Front of House Manager: Dylan keeps the front of the house running smoothly, ensuring a warm and welcoming experience for every guest.
Madeleine (Maria's Wife), Marketing & Catering Manager: Madeleine uses her talents to spread the word about Kneads & Wants' delicious offerings and manages our catering services.
Olivia (Maria's Daughter), Cookie & Bar Specialist: Olivia brings her creativity and love for sweets to life in our delectable selection of cookies and bars.
Benji (Maria's Son), Pickle Pro: Benji's unique touch adds a delightful savory element to our menu with his homemade pickles.
Whether you're a regular stopping by for your morning coffee and croissant or you're looking for a special occasion treat, we're here to fulfill your cravings. Come visit us today and experience the Kneads & Wants difference - it's a family affair!
Meet Maria Kozi, Our Executive Pastry Chef:
The magic behind Kneads & Wants' delicious creations comes from the talented mind and hand of Maria Kozi, our Executive Pastry Chef. Maria's passion for baking began in her childhood, fueled by fond memories of baking with her father. After a successful career in finance, she realized her true calling and joined the prestigious Baking and Pastry Arts program at the College of DuPage, where she trained under talented and experienced faculty.
Maria specialized in bread and viennoiserie during her time at pastry school, where she honed her skills and developed a deep passion for these specialties. You can taste this passion in every croissant, scone, and pastry from our kitchen.
The opportunity to bring Kneads & Wants to life wasn't planned but rather a delicious twist of fate. In September 2019, when the bakery previously occupying this space decided to leave, Maria couldn't resist the opportunity. Steeped in a legacy of bakeries, the space presented a chance to continue that tradition and share her own brand of baked goodness with the Skokie community.
Maria's vision for Kneads & Wants is to create a bakery filled with these handcrafted delights, using only the finest ingredients. Her dedication and skills are a cornerstone of what makes Kneads & Wants unique.