This Illinois Pie Shop Bakes Fruit Pies So Flaky Regulars Buy Two At A Time

Some places in Illinois look like an ordinary corner stop until you walk through the door and get hit with the smell of fresh baked goods. Behind a counter stacked with meats and bagels sits a bakery case that stops first-timers in their tracks.

Word gets around fast when a spot bakes fruit pies worth driving hours for. Curious hungry travelers keep showing up, and plenty leave wishing they had grabbed more than one.

A Skokie Landmark With Deep Roots

Tucked along Dempster Street in Skokie sits a spot that locals treat almost like a second kitchen. Kaufman’s Bagel and Delicatessen wears the title of a long-standing kosher bakery and deli, and it has earned every bit of that reputation.

People drive from far corners of the region just to walk through the doors. One visitor mentioned making a two-and-a-half-hour trip after spotting it in a search, while another admitted to a four-hour round trip for a taste of home.

What draws them is a rare combination. Sliced meats, fresh bagels, smoked fish, and a bakery case that surprises nearly everyone on their first visit.

The address, 4905 Dempster St, has become a familiar destination for anyone chasing an authentic experience.

Regulars describe the place as an adventure rather than a quick errand. Recent remodeling expanded the dessert section and added dine-in tables, giving the shop even more reasons to linger.

Between the counters ringed with goods and the steady hum of orders, it feels alive in a way chain stores never manage to copy.

The Bakery Case That Steals The Show

Walk in expecting sandwiches, and the bakery case might change your whole plan. Shoppers keep mentioning how surprised they are by the sheer spread of sweets waiting behind the glass.

One guest came in for bagels and ended up marveling at the bakery options, promising to bring something home next time. Another described a dizzying array of old-world style goods, from golden challah to rows of freshly made treats.

The dessert section grew even larger after recent updates, and it shows. Visitors talk about babka, rugelach, black-and-white cookies, thumbprint cookies, and coffee cakes that disappear fast on busy weekends.

Fruit pies hold a special place in that lineup. Guests have singled out the apple pie more than once, calling it superbly crafted with a crust that feels made by hand rather than rushed.

It becomes easy to see why people grab extras. When something looks that good and tastes even better, walking out with a single box feels like a mistake you will regret before you reach the parking lot.

Flaky Fruit Pies Worth The Double Order

Buttery, golden, and crimped with care, the fruit pies here are the reason regulars leave with two boxes instead of one. A single slice rarely satisfies once you understand what you are dealing with.

The apple pie earns steady praise from guests who circle back just for it. One shopper listed it right alongside a pile of sandwiches, adding a cheerful note about how much they enjoyed it.

A pecan pie also caught the attention of a visitor who grabbed a small one to finish a meal, calling it the perfect sweet ending. That mix of fruit and nut fillings gives the case a rotating sense of surprise.

What sets these pies apart is the crust. Delicate layers that shatter gently with each bite, wrapped around real fruit fillings rather than something overly sugary.

Because the good stuff moves quickly, savvy customers plan ahead. Buying a spare pie feels less like indulgence and more like insurance, guaranteeing there is still dessert waiting at home after the first one vanishes far too soon.

Legendary Corned Beef And Pastrami

Meat lovers, brace yourselves. The deli counter here has built a following that stretches well beyond Illinois, with corned beef and pastrami leading the charge.

A transplant from Brooklyn confessed to low expectations before one bite changed everything. That hot pastrami on rye with mustard and old pickles earned comparisons to famous New York institutions, tender and just fatty enough with a perfect bark.

Another traveler ranked the pastrami among the best they had tasted outside of major coastal cities. Sliced thin by the pound, the meat leans slightly dry, which many say stays true to authentic Midwest tradition.

The Reuben draws its own devoted crowd. One guest raved about a generous heap of corned beef balanced by sauerkraut, dressing, and cheese that complemented without overwhelming, all held together by rye that soaked up every drop.

Portions run large enough to share. A lean corned beef and pastrami combo was described as plenty for two people, proving that nobody walks out of this counter feeling shortchanged on quantity or flavor.

Bagels, Lox, And Smoked Fish

Morning cravings find a happy home at this counter. The bagels get plenty of love, especially when paired with cured salmon and a thick smear of cream cheese.

One guest gushed over an everything bagel loaded with cured salmon, cream cheese, and chives, then took home smoked salmon and whitefish for later. Another described a lox bagel as a rich, layered feast where every element shined.

The smoked fish selection alone turns heads. A dozen or so options tantalize through the glass, giving fish fans a genuine reason to slow down and study their choices.

Bagels themselves earn praise for a lightly crusty exterior and a soft, ready interior, with giant tubs of cream cheese available at a friendly price. A few visitors did note a bagel tasting dry now and then, a small hiccup in an otherwise strong showing.

Toddlers apparently approve too, with one parent mentioning their little one delighting in a cookie alongside the family order. Between the fish, the schmears, and the sweets, breakfast here becomes an event rather than a rushed bite.

Sandwiches Built Like Skyscrapers

Hungry? Good, because the sandwich menu here does not believe in small.

Guests describe humongous creations with playful names that make ordering half the fun.

One visitor tackled the Belcher and the Farmhouse, declaring both a delight. Another out-of-town group split the New Jersey By Pass, a Loony Tuna, and an Uncle Lenny, all reported as large, filling, and satisfying.

The variety can feel overwhelming in the best way. A guest called the menu tempting to the point of paralysis, with so many options that narrowing it down becomes a genuine challenge.

Portions clearly earn their reputation. Reviewers repeatedly mention sandwiches big enough to share, backed by high-quality ingredients that reveal careful sourcing behind the counter.

Even the vegetables get a shout-out, which is rare for a deli. Fresh tomatoes and sliced veggies impressed several diners enough that they enjoyed them on their own, a sign that nothing here gets treated as an afterthought.

Grab one for a picnic, a road trip, or a quiet lunch. Whatever the occasion, you will not leave the table wanting more food.

The Order-By-Number Experience

First timers, take a breath. Stepping inside can feel overstimulating, and the staff genuinely understands that reaction.

The system runs on numbers. Take a ticket, study the menu, share your order when your number is called, then wait for the magic.

One guest praised how staff guided them one ingredient at a time, even offering a written chart for visual thinkers.

Not everyone finds it smooth at first. A few visitors admitted the ordering and payment setup felt confusing during busy stretches, and a couple wished the counter felt a little warmer to newcomers.

Still, many others describe the crew as attentive, friendly, and remarkably helpful, especially toward out-of-towners feeling lost among the options. The counter workers are precise and committed, moving with the confidence of people who know their craft.

The best advice from seasoned regulars is simple. Embrace the whole experience rather than fighting it, and you will walk out with more delicious food than you expected.

Once the awkward first visit passes, comfort grows quickly. Return guests say each trip feels easier and more rewarding than the last.

Planning Your Visit

Ready to make the trip? A little planning goes a long way, especially since weekends draw a steady crowd and lines that stretch out the door.

Doors open at 8 AM every day. The shop stays open until 5 PM on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, while Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday wrap up earlier at 3 PM.

You will find it at 4905 Dempster St in Skokie, with a fair number of parking spaces to ease the arrival. Give the shop a ring at 847-677-6190 with questions, or browse the menu ahead at kaufmansdeli.com.

Prices land in the 10 to 20 dollar range, and a few guests noted the tab can climb, particularly with premium add-ons. Regulars agree the quality justifies the cost, though the popular items and fresh pies move quickly.

Arriving early is smart. One seasoned visitor advised planning ahead for weekend lines, and others echoed that showing up sooner rather than later secures the best of the bakery case before it thins out.