Corner Bakery Cafe — Restaurant in Niles Township

When I was a kid, there was the concept of the corporate deli. It somehow blended the aesthetic of what I saw on NBC's Must See TV with the on-the-go energy of a mall and flavor that would actually satisfy, all at a slightly higher price than, say, fast food. That concept has become as obsolete as the old program block, but the quality (and price) remain.

It is delicious.

There has always been a little bit of a rivalry between Panera (arguably more ubiquitous and successful) and Corner Bakery. Panera has a tendency to stray into the pseudo-gourmand, relative exotica of innovation to stay competitive (or even relevant) with a mix of sours and sweets, stinky cheeses and sprouts on a panini grill. And there is flavor worth exploring there, don't get me wrong!

Corner Bakery, on the other hand, pursues excellence through simplicity and quality. A chicken sandwich is transformed by succulent succulents, fresh red tomatoes, savory chicken, fresh bread. It's not reinventing the wheel, but refining it. They're not exploring exotica, or fauxing sophistication. It's just what you expect when you order it, only really well made. And considering what things cost these days, the price to quality ratio is really in the buyers favor.

The soups all seem to have a big cream base. The taste is amazing, but your digestion had best be prepared. That being said, their baked potato soup is not to be missed, especially on a cold evening. Any of their sandwiches are must-haves. The lemonade is delicious by itself or mixed with anything. The salads are satisfying, and baked goods delicious.

A nice perk is that I have yet to see an employee who looked strained, pained, or stressed. Bored, maybe, but usually in a good mood. That bodes well for the business and the product, which means everyone wins, including you. And these days, a good workspace is a gem worth preserving.

I will say, keep your eye on the prices. A bowl of soup vs a cup can make a big sway in the value ratio. A sale can swing it back, and CB has plenty of coupons floating around out there.

Summary: Corner Bakery is a down to earth soup and sandwich shop that emphasizes quality and freshness over gimmicks. In my experience, that's A+...

Came here yesterday with a coworker... both haven’t been to a Corner Bakery in years and I was excited to try the new things they had on the menu. Turkey Avocado Cobb sounded fantastic, but I asked for a blue cheese substitute - guy at the counter offered a few choices, eventually landing on goat cheese. Great! My coworker who ordered after me got a panini and side salad, and also got his food before me... not the end of the world, but considering the fact that he also had a salad makes you wonder who is prioritizing orders back there. Also, making a panini involves putting the panini on the t-shirt iron for a few minutes to get the perfect griddled lines. Anyways, 5 minutes after my coworker got his food my food arrives - completely different salad. I told the girl it’s definitely not what I ordered. She reads back the number and the salad, and I’m like “nope, pretty sure I know what I ordered”. No more than 30 seconds later she brings a Turkey Avocado Cobb salad and leaves. As I’m getting my fork out of the napkin I realize that there is blue cheese in this salad, not goat cheese. I almost lost it, and for a few reasons. The second time when the “correct salad” was brought, no one apologized for the mishap or asked if this is what I’ve ordered... nothing. If you mess up an $11 salad order, you better confirm with the customer that the second time around he did receive what he actually ordered. I didn’t have time to argue and go back and forth at the front counter, as my lunch was running short and I had to go back to work. Look - it’s not like paying over $11 for a salad is life changing money, but when there are competitors down the street charging a few bucks less for fairly similar products, you better bring your A-game for the premium I’m...

Had a weird experience here. Granted, I was post-work-out tired when I stopped in on Sunday morning for a bowl of oatmeal because it was close to the gym I went to. I'd never been before and just assumed I could wait at the counter for my food. Employees saw me standing there and didn't correct me, so I didn't think it mattered. Then the busser brought out the food and realized I was holding the numbered card. I said something like, "oh, sorry, I can just sit right here; I was trying to make it easier but I guess not!" The guy asked me my name, and I told him. Then I heard a few employees right behind the counter repeating my name as if they were calling me, but they weren't, and they were laughing. Then the busser came back around and asked, "Working?" I just said "I'm fine, thanks," and he smirked. By this point I had put my earbuds in and just wanted to get out. I had planned on staying for a bit to have coffee and read, but I ate and left quickly out of embarrassment. I will never come back here. I worked in the service industry for years, and even if I was accidentally difficult in that moment, something you learn in the industry is that you don't EVER laugh about a guest within ear shot. Incredibly...