What we make
in a hurry? Order sandwiches and drinks online.
Pastries, Desserts, Breakfast & Lunch
We are a small, family-owned, and operated bakery and cafe. Our pastries are fresh-baked daily and include croissants, scones, muffins, breakfast cakes, crumb-style coffee cakes, cookies, bars, and more tasty treats.
We provide made-to-order breakfast and lunch sandwiches which are available all day.
Our cafe has limited indoor seating, but tables turn over quickly.
Beverages
you can find our seasonal and specialty drinks here
We serve Caffe Umbria Espresso & coffee and Rishi teas
Espresso, Coffee & Tea
Cold Brew
Matcha, Chai, London Fog
Lemonade, Iced Tea
Special Orders & Catering
Planning a special event or meeting and need some delicious food to make it even better? Check out our catering information and let us know what you have in mind. We will work with you to create a customized package that suits your needs, whether it's pastries for a morning meeting, a cake for a special occasion, or lunch for a group. We would be delighted to help make your next event a success!
Phone
(224)470-6970
Location
8042 Lincoln Ave
in Downtown Skokie
cafe Hours
Tu-Fri 7a–4:30p
Sa-Su 8a-2p
Monday closed
We are closed:
Jan 2 - Jan 10
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.