Golden Loaf

If it is true that the Golden Loaf is closed, I am devastated.
Last summer, I had taken the Brown Line to Irving Park on a quest for thrift shopping. My friend and I passed by the window uncertain about the place and kept going. After we had finished shopping, we were hungry and I remembered passing by a little artsy café. We stepped inside, unsure if we were going to stay or leave…
We were greeted by the most wonderful owner, Zoran. We ordered burek and he gave us free gelato and I can’t remember what the other thing was. While waiting for our food, he told us about the organic products he used and showed us pictures of Yugoslavia and told us stories. Even after our food, we were enjoying our time there so much we stayed there for baklava and marzipan.
I genuinely had the most enjoyable experience at the Golden Loaf. I honestly have always planned to stop by again, but I haven’t had time and I guess it’s too late now…

You know you have found a true friend, when you have not visited a place in several months. You happen to walk by, and you have an hour to kill. You miss your friend, Zoran. You decide to stop in and have some burek or soup. Only, on a Friday afternoon, in the middle of the day, the sign says, «Closed.»
You peek in the window, devastated. You knock lightly on the glass. And, there he is! He sees you, and he OPENS the door, invites you in for a cup of coffee and good conversation, and an enormous bear hug!

I was visiting Chicago this summer and happened upon this cozy little spot on my way to the Brown Line stop at Irving Park. Once inside I was greeted by a very artsy interior and Zoran, the extremely nice and gregarious owner.
Looking at the pared down menu, he explained that he changes the soups and sandwiches daily. He went on to tell me that all of the ingredients used at Golden Loaf are all organic; nothing preserved, no processed flour, no artificial sweeteners, none of that stuff. And when he presented me with a sample of the apple strudel, you could definitely tell that something was different than in your run-​of-​the-​mill pastry, which was a hint of the rest of my meal.
The chicken sandwich I ordered was absolutely delicious. It came with cheese (I didn’t think to ask what kind, but at that point I didn’t even care), fresh green peppers and fresh tomatoes (which I was informed came from the garden out in the back of the shop). I’m not a fan of green peppers, but these ones were extremely mild and it tasted like they were very lightly salted (not too much, but just right). The Montenegro Coffee is also very good.
All while I was eating, I chatted with Zoran (I hope I’m spelling that right!) about the place, which he describes more as an art collective that just happens to make food here and there. It struck me as a form of community that we don’t see all that often anymore. And from all the art on the walls to the décor to just the plain intimacy of the place, I think community is what this place is all about. And right when I was thinking that (after the last bite of sandwich), I was offered a free sample scoop of homemade ice cream (which, needless to say, was awesome). This is definitely a place I wish I could bring back home with me.

I just had to try Golden Loaf after reading all of its rave reviews. Indeed, the four stars are all toward the man in charge. Sure, you can find better and more food elsewhere, but the owner of Golden Loaf is a gem of kindness and calm that is sometimes not readily apparent in our beautiful city.
Golden Loaf can easily be missed from its outside. It has a small seating area, beautifully decorated with paintings, and ample room in the back for the kitchen where the owner focuses on serving certain foods and drinks that he makes entirely out of organic ingredients. In my case, I had the spinach burek which was great. I had never had burek before, just its Greek equivalent spinakopita. I think in the end, burek wins over spinakopita, especially because Golden Loaf’s burek is made with love and organic ingredients, and is therefore more flavorful. It also barely cost a thing.
The owner also offered me their specialty coffee drink for free, but I had to refuse because my stomach can’t take coffee. He then gave me a recipe for a mint tea I should make at home to fortify my stomach. I have yet to make it, but I should do it soon since he said I could still get the coffee drink for free next time I come in.
I will definitely be back, especially since he told me he makes his own gelato! Also, entirely organic! Besides, the comfortable atmosphere of Golden Loaf is well worth a visit.

This is the first restaurant I ate at after moving to Chicago. The stupid truck rental place made me drive down Irving to drop off my truck in a lot. Walking home I stumbled upon this place because they had samples.
There are a couple different kinds of burek that are very good. It’s basically a round, stuffed, snaky filo dough. The owner is the nicest man I have met in Chicago to do this day.
My wife and I went back a couple months ago and he sat with us and offered her free iced coffee. I would recommend this place to anyone.

I’m really not the elitist fifth generation American that I’ll sound like when I say this, but Golden Loaf is a ridiculously inexpensive, ecclectic and tackily decorated (carpet squares for seat covers), but adorable, tiny place run by an outwardly enterprising and thickly accented Montenegran and his son, both of whom obviously understand English far better than they speak it.
Boss man and Junior knew we were new customers when we arrived for our after school snack. They showered us with inquisitive and engaging conversation, along with unending and FREE, delicious marzipan, rum balls, and baklava. We paid for our hot chocolate and freshly squeezed lemonade.
The menu: soups, salads, sandwiches, pizza and a few ethnic delights for which I will surely return. And I liked the chess set, but we didn’t have time to play because I had to go work. Next time.

This place offers pizzas, several soups and fresh baked burek. I ordered the beef and onion, which was delicately spiced and had generous amounts of beef. The soup was so-​so. The owners and his sons are very friendly; my first time there they gave me a free coffee. The café is quaint, with what appears to be homemade benches and tables, and offers free wifi. They need to turn on the heat, as it gets quite chilly in there.

Golden Loaf is a great little stop if you are ever in the area. From reasonable prices, tasty treats and a very friendly owner, you can find some nice surprises here.
I had the burek with beef and it was different but quite good and not bad for 3 bucks. I also had a cup of .99 cents coffee and a baklava. In all, about 6 dollars for a nice stop in with a satisfied appetite.
The owner is indeed friendly and pleasant. He convinced me to come back for a baking class as I know I can learn somethings from him. At $ 17 bucks, why not!

Just a small ‘around the corner’ café, by way of immigrant owners. Here you’ll find a quaint, cozy atmosphere and hardworking, authentic staffers. The menu boasts housemade, preservative-​free selections on one side (simple sandwiches, house specialities, etc.) and conventional fare, such as soups, on the flip side.
So, the soup isn’t anything special. But ’tis true, they provide a large bowl almost runneth over for only $ 3. The Burek though, this is where it’s at. A Phyllo-​type pastry (but it’s homemade) filled with savory cheese and spinach. Think Spanakopita but heartier and denser. I’ve witnessed my mom make a similar Croatian dish many times, and it really was a ‘labor of love’ as she’d tediously stretch the dough out to all the corners of the kitchen table. Good stuff indeed.
Also, don’t be surprised if you’re given a sample of the rich hazelnut fudge. I tried to exercise some restraint by eating only one bite, but later finished every morsel. Highlight! Come by for some simple, inexpensive Eastern European cooking. Just like baba’s house.

I wavered between 3 and 4 stars… but I am siding with authenticity, the little man, etc, etc, etc.
Here’s the trick: The menu is teensy, but ridiculously INexpensive. There is 9″ pizza for $ 4.99, a Burek specialty (phyllo stuffed with beef and herbs) for $ 2.99 that is absolutely comfort rolled up in carbs. The desserts? The hazelnut fudge we sampled was all real sugar, all real awesome. You stick with these choice items, you’ll likely be happy.
The soups, eh. The owner admittedly told us that they were not homemade (unlike the other items) and it tasted like it. Not that they were bad, just very… Campbell’s. But, for 2.99 for a HEAPING bowl of it… not so bad.
Small selection of teas, Montenegro Coffee would’ve been good on a hotter day… my green tea kept me toasty.
Hell, they don’t even serve Splenda… the owner told us its toxic. Yeah, we know. Sigh.
CASH ONLY. Metered parking is quite easy, especially during the day. Limited seating, friendly owner, limited menu, but worthwhile. The real deal at this place is the cooking/​baking classes the owner conducts. A steal for $ 17…I’ll have to try one of those. Maybe. Ok, probably not, but it’s the thought that counts.
They also do some art instruction in addition to baking lessons. There is local art on the wall, and the place oooooooozes indie. Real indie though, not faux indie.
Carpet squares as bench pads? Resourceful… who knew? :)

When I saw Natalie S’s review on Golden Loaf, I felt bad. I really did. I have walked by here more times than I could count, yet I never stopped in and seeing how I like to support local businesses, I had yet to give any patronage to this place.
The menu is smaller than I thought, but honestly everything is a real good bargain. I tried a burek, think a very warm, chewy, flaky bread surrounding with filling. It says on the menu homemade phyllo dough and though not to disagree, don’t go in and expecting something light and fluffy. Its a little more thicker, but still very tasty. I had mine with spinach and cheese, the other option that day was meat and potato. Several soup options, and just like Colleen C said they aren’t home made, however very hefty servings, especially for the price. I think I had the hazelnut fudge as well, which was lovely and great for my voracious sweet teeth.
Now if you need to have sugar substitutes for your tea, bring your own. The owner is very nice and friendly and always willing to chat, however he was insistent on not having any fake stuff. Honey and sugar. That’s it. No ifs ands or buts. I like that. Also there are baking, gardening and guitar classes as well, I saw the baking class for $ 17, so very reasonable. What else is reasonable? A loaf of organic bread, $ 1.49.
Very inexpensive items, friendly and warm service, not a bad place to stop and try.

Oh, Golden Loaf… how many times have I ridden past you on the Irving Park 80 bus, reading your signs about pizza specials and wondering if you’re any good? I had the good sense to check you out on Unilocal as I passed the other day– thank you, iPhone– and read of your homemade bread and sweet-​as-​pie owner.
And so tonight, Golden Loaf, after a disappointing night at the Museum of Contemporary Art and a rainy, rainy journey home I walked into your homey dwelling and ordered a phyllo dough pie (spinach and cheese) and a bowl of mushroom soup. My sister-​in-​law had the beef pie and tomato soup.
You welcomed us with free samples of some tasty chocolate concoction and baffled us with your giant bowls of homemade soup for only $ 2. But it was the pie– the twisty snake of untold deliciousness that sold us.
When we paid– a measley $ 11 for both of us, you invited my sister-​in-​law to display her artwork on the walls and charmed me with your $ 17 cooking classes.
I feel as though I have a new friend, Golden Loaf. And you have a friend in me.

What a wonderful little shop!
We visited today based on the reviews by other Unilocalers… and boy were they right!
First, the shop — just a tiny little place with interesting art and a few tables and chairs. Very simple but functional. And, though the owner only takes cash, he does have an ATM if you forget.
The owner — what a wonderful and caring fellow! It’s not very often that you come across an owner who is genuinely concerned with the health of his patrons. It shows in his food…
Ahh…the food. I had the beef burek; my husband, the golden loaf sandwich.
The burek is a fillo dough «snake» of sorts filled with beef and onions. Very light and tasty and seasoned very well. He offers other varieties as well, including spinach and cheese, plain cheese, etc. And because he uses antibiotic free meats and organic ingredients, it tastes even better.
My husband enjoyed his golden loaf sandwich with beef — the bread was fresh, the beef was tasty and the veggies were fresh… what more could you ask for?
And, while we waited, he brought us a «golden loaf» for free!
A bonus: he offers cooking classes too!
As is evident by the sheer number of exclamation marks, you can tell that we love it and will return very soon!!!