This French Patisserie In Illinois Feels Like A Corner Of Paris
Highland Park, Illinois, is home to a delightful little corner where the essence of Paris seems to come alive. As soon as I walked in, I was instantly transported across the Atlantic, surrounded by the rich aroma of freshly baked pastries and the cozy atmosphere of a French café.
The pastries here are nothing short of extraordinary, each croissant perfectly crisped on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth buttery on the inside. The quiches, savory and satisfying, rival those found in the heart of Paris itself.
This spot has become my go-to when I’m craving the authentic taste of French baking, offering a taste of France without the need for a passport.
The attention to detail, from the quality of the ingredients to the atmosphere, creates a true escape in the heart of Illinois, making it a must-visit for anyone looking to indulge in delicious, authentic French flavors.
Stepping Inside Feels Like Crossing The Atlantic
Walking through the front door immediately shifts your surroundings from suburban Illinois to a cozy Parisian neighborhood café. Warm wood tones cover the walls and furniture, creating an inviting atmosphere that makes you want to settle in with a latte and good book.
French-inspired artwork and café décor decorate the walls, reinforcing the cozy, transportive atmosphere. Warm lighting and classic café design elements create an inviting glow throughout the space.
The expanded dining area provides plenty of seating options, from intimate bistro tables perfect for two to larger communal wooden tables where friends can gather. Comfortable seating ranges from small bistro tables to larger communal options.
One particularly charming detail is the café’s collection of Parisian-inspired décor touches that reinforce the feeling of stepping into a neighborhood spot abroad.
Soft French music plays in the background, completing the sensory experience and making you forget you’re actually in the middle of Highland Park.
Conveniently Located For Your Next Stop
Finding That Little French Guy couldn’t be easier for anyone traveling by train or car. The café sits along St. Johns Avenue in downtown Highland Park at 1791 St Johns Avenue, within easy walking distance of the Metra station for commuters and visitors alike.
Street parking surrounds the building, though spots fill up quickly during peak breakfast and lunch hours. The location makes it perfect for a quick stop before catching your train or as a leisurely destination when you have time to relax.
Downtown Highland Park offers plenty to explore before or after your visit. The café’s central position means you can easily walk to nearby shops or take a ten-minute stroll to the lake for fresh air after indulging in pastries.
The café has expanded its dining space in recent years, giving guests more room to sit and relax, though weekend mornings can still get busy.
The Pastry Case Stops Everyone In Their Tracks
Before you even place your order, the pastry case commands your full attention. Rows of beautifully crafted desserts line the glass shelves, each one looking too pretty to eat yet impossible to resist.
Glossy chocolate eclairs sit alongside delicate fruit tarts topped with perfectly arranged berries. Macarons in rainbow colors stack in neat pyramids, while golden croissants and pain au chocolat promise buttery layers that practically melt on your tongue.
The trois chocolate cake draws many admirers with its multiple layers of different chocolate varieties. Lemon tarts gleam with their bright yellow filling, offering a tangy contrast to the richer chocolate options nearby.
Staff members behind the counter know their products inside and out, offering helpful suggestions when customers feel overwhelmed by choices. They’ll describe textures and flavors, helping you decide between the almond croissant and the berry tart when both look equally tempting.
Many visitors admit they intended to buy just one pastry but walked out with a box full of treats to share at home or keep secretly stashed for later.
Croissants Achieve Buttery Perfection
Talk to any regular customer and they’ll tell you the croissants alone justify the trip to Highland Park. These aren’t the dense, bread-like versions you find at chain bakeries.
Each croissant emerges from the oven with hundreds of paper-thin layers that create an audible crackle when you tear into them.
The exterior achieves a golden-brown color with just enough crispness to provide texture contrast. Inside, the layers pull apart easily, revealing a tender, airy interior that tastes predominantly of high-quality butter without any greasiness.
Plain croissants offer the purest expression of technique and ingredients. The almond version takes things further, adding a sweet almond paste filling and a crown of sliced almonds on top that toast to nutty perfection.
Pain au chocolat follows the same stellar execution, with batons of dark chocolate tucked inside the laminated dough. The chocolate stays slightly melted when served warm, creating pockets of rich sweetness throughout each bite.
Arriving early gives you the best selection, though the bakery replenishes popular items throughout the morning.
Savory Menu Items
While pastries steal much of the spotlight, the savory menu deserves equal recognition for its execution of French café classics. The Croque Madame arrives as a decadent sandwich featuring ham, gruyere cheese, and creamy bechamel sauce, all topped with a perfectly cooked egg.
Quiche options rotate but consistently deliver on flavor and texture. The egg custard sets just right, neither too firm nor too loose, studded with ingredients like mushrooms, cheese, or vegetables.
Each slice comes with a side salad dressed lightly, providing freshness to balance the richness.
Savory café staples, like soups, tartines, and quiche, round out the menu beyond pastries. This interpretation lets the sweet caramelized onions shine through a flavorful broth, topped with melted cheese that stretches beautifully with each spoonful.
Tartines and open-faced sandwiches provide lighter, vegetable-forward options alongside richer dishes. It’s refreshing and satisfying without feeling heavy.
Portions feel generous without being overwhelming, leaving just enough room to consider adding a pastry for dessert or taking one home for later.
French Toast Earns Its Own Fan Club
French toast specials and sweet brunch plates have developed a devoted following among weekend diners. Thick slices of bread get soaked in a custard mixture infused with vanilla, then cooked until golden brown on the outside while remaining custardy inside.
Fresh berries pile on top, including strawberries and blueberries that add natural sweetness and a pop of color. A dusting of powdered sugar finishes the presentation, making each plate look like it belongs in a food magazine.
The texture balance makes this dish special. The exterior provides a slight caramelized crunch from the cooking process, while the interior stays soft and rich from the egg mixture.
The bread itself holds up well, never becoming soggy or falling apart.
Portion sizes satisfy without leaving you uncomfortably full, though many diners admit they could easily polish off a second serving. The combination of sweet vanilla, tart berries, and rich bread creates flavors that complement each other perfectly.
If French toast is on the menu during your visit, it’s a popular weekend brunch pick.
Service Style Balances Efficiency With Warmth
That Little French Guy operates on a fast-casual model that works well for their busy location and clientele. Customers approach the counter to place orders, pay upfront, and receive a number to take to their chosen table.
Staff members behind the counter greet guests warmly and patiently answer questions about ingredients or preparation methods.
They handle the constant flow of customers with practiced efficiency, though weekend rushes can temporarily slow things down when lines stretch toward the door.
Once you’re seated, attentive servers deliver food to your table and regularly check on diners to clear finished plates or refill water glasses. Several reviews specifically mention how friendly and helpful these team members are, even during the busiest service periods.
The ordering system might feel impersonal at first compared to full-service restaurants, but it actually speeds up the process and lets you browse the pastry case at your own pace. You can take time deciding between the chocolate tart and lemon tart without feeling rushed by a server waiting for your order.
During peak hours, finding a table requires some patience, but turnover happens relatively quickly since many customers grab pastries to go.
Pricing Reflects Quality Ingredients And Technique
Quality French pastries and café food come at a cost that reflects the skill and ingredients required. Individual pastries typically range from moderate to slightly premium compared to chain bakeries, but the difference in taste and execution justifies the expense.
Breakfast and lunch entrees fall into a reasonable price range for the North Shore area. Sandwiches, quiches, and French toast dishes provide good value considering the portion sizes and quality of ingredients used.
Some customers note that prices add up quickly when ordering for multiple people or buying several pastries to take home. However, most agree the experience and flavors make it worthwhile for special occasions or treating yourself.
The café offers catering and holiday ordering, including pastries, quiches, breads, and desserts for gatherings. These services provide convenience for hosting without the stress of cooking, though they represent a larger investment.
Consider sharing dishes if you’re dining with others, which lets you sample more menu items without breaking the budget. Splitting a sandwich and quiche, then sharing a pastry for dessert, gives you a fuller picture of what the kitchen can do.
Operating Hours
That Little French Guy opens bright and early at 7:00 AM Tuesday through Friday and 8:00 AM on weekends, making it perfect for early risers who want fresh pastries to start the day. The aroma of baking fills the air from the moment they unlock the door.
Closing time comes at 3:00 PM Tuesday through Sunday, keeping the focus squarely on breakfast and lunch service. Don’t expect to satisfy evening pastry cravings here, as the staff wraps up operations in the afternoon.
These hours work well for the neighborhood, catching commuters before work, parents after school drop-off, and lunch crowds from nearby offices. Weekend mornings get particularly busy as families make it part of their brunch tradition.
Arriving right when they open gives you first pick of everything fresh from the ovens. Mid-morning around 9:00 or 10:00 AM offers a sweet spot where the initial rush has cleared but plenty of options remain available.
The earlier closing time does mean you need to plan accordingly. Swing by during your lunch break or make it a morning destination rather than an afternoon stop.
Phone ahead at 847-737-9680 if you want to confirm they still have specific items available.
Outdoor Seating Adds European Café Charm
When weather permits, the front of That Little French Guy transforms into a proper Parisian sidewalk café. Small bistro tables and chairs line the exterior, giving diners a chance to enjoy their meals while watching Highland Park’s downtown activity unfold.
Summer mornings bring the best outdoor dining conditions, with comfortable temperatures and sunshine streaming down. Grabbing a croissant and latte to enjoy at an outside table while reading the paper feels like a mini vacation without leaving Illinois.
The outdoor setup stays lively and fun throughout warm months, with a constant rotation of customers coming and going. It creates an energetic atmosphere that enhances the European café vibe the restaurant cultivates so carefully inside.
Parents appreciate the outdoor option when bringing young children, as it provides more space and less worry about noise levels. Outdoor tables create a relaxed neighborhood atmosphere, but check ahead for current patio and pet policies.
Fall brings cooler temperatures but also beautiful foliage that makes outdoor dining pleasant with a warm beverage in hand. The café closes the outdoor seating once winter arrives, but it returns as soon as spring temperatures cooperate again.