THIS PLACE DESERVES NO STARS. Although the support staff is friendly, the Owner and the food here is horrible! I spend $51 on 05/17/22. 10 Powdered Sugar Cookies, 3 Lemon Iced Cookies, 2 Custard Desserts, 3 Carrot Cake Desserts. The Carrot Cake Desserts were frozen! When they thawed out, the cake was really hard and dry. I could tell they were very old! The Custard Desserts "looked" fine in the glass case but after purchasing and being able to see up close, they looked like they'd been in the case for a long time. Touching the "custard" confirmed that they were OLD. The custard was tough, like touching dried hot-glue or rubber. When I called to inform the staff that the food was horrible, the very friendly (and honest) staff member agreed with me. I told the staff member that I could tell the pastries were very old and dried out, and disgusting. I told her that she had to know that the food they're putting out in the case is old and inedible. She agreed and confirmed that she knew it, but that the staff "tries" to do what's best but they're told by the owner to sell the old pastries. I asked her "who" is the person responsible for putting out the owl and dried up pastries and she confirmed that it's the Owner. When I asked her if the staff makes suggestions to the Owner to NOT put old, dried-up food out to sell, she confirmed that they have made suggestions but ultimately the Owner does what they want. The honest staff member said that they have no control because the Owner does what they want. In all fairness, the ONLY reason I went to D'Amatos Bakery is because I didn't want to drive all the way to Elmwood Park to my favorite Bakery. As it was, I had a long drive home through traffic. I definitely will never buy anything from D'Matos again and I am following up on You Tube. I understand that the Pandemic hit a lot of businesses hard, but there's something to be said about "integrity" and "honesty" in business practices. D'Amatos claims to have bakery items (and other food) that are "Freshly Baked", yet they are not. They are not only dried-up and old, their own staff has tried to make good on their "Freshly Baked" claims, and have been unsuccessful. To the Owner: "Freshly Baked" is not synonymous with "dried-up, old, frozen, refrozen, or inedible." The cookies are old too! The Lemon Iced Cookies seemed to be fresh, because the inside was soft and "cakey". The texture was what they should be. The Powdered Sugar cookies were old. Either way, the food was disgusting, NOT FRESH as they claim, and wasn't worth $5, much less the $51 I spent! Perhaps the Owner should review Illinois' False Advertising and Deceptive Business Practices laws. PS The lovely honest staff member I spoke to, actually apologized to me for the disgusting baked goods. I told her that she did not need to apologize to me, because it was her boss' wrongdoing. After-all, she'd gone over and beyond as an honest person & merchant, by trying to do the right thing by Illinois and Chicago Consumers, even risking being fired by trying to suggest to the Owner that they should only sell Fresh food and not old, dried-out garbage. Kudos to her! I hope she finds a better job; one that they could be proud of. As an Italian, legal professional and single mother of three college aged children, I have always instilled values in my children as they grew and began to explore the world around them, and among them, "Honesty" and "Integrity". I was wrong to assume that those values mattered to all Italians, when I stepped into this Italian business. SEE YT video D'Amato's Bakery Chicago Illinois Admits to Serving Old Dried...
Read moreYes, I’m jumping on the chicken Caesar sando bandwagon okay.. So, I stopped by and grabbed the Caesar chicken cutlet sub.. Bread 10/10 would recommend, the cutlet itself- pretty good minus the lack of crispiness. Caesar dressing was also very good. The sub overall.. not for me. If you like your textures, this one gets soft and slimy within minutes of getting it. Felt like it was missing something. Maybe it was the crunch, idk. It probably would’ve been good as a salad.
I also got the Sfogliatella, Kolackzi in all 3 flavors, and I ORDERED cannolis and paid for them only to discover they never actually put them in the bag. Also, never gave or asked me if I wanted a receipt for my cash purchase (can you sense I’m annoyed?).. anyways, I was way too far to come back for $10 worth of pastry. Lesson? Don’t be like me check yourself right there, even if it holds up the line and feels awkward.
Kolackzis definitely have that Italian butter cookie-ness (they are a Polish cookie by origin so I was pleasantly surprised to see them here).
The Sfogliatella.. it kills me to say this (bc it was beautiful to look at), was incredibly underwhelming, pastry was hard and dense. I couldn’t breakaway a piece of the pastry with a bite. I had to physically pull it apart. I’ve had this before in NYC/Boston, and it’s meant to be flaky pastry with the light powdered sugar, and the custard, or whatever’s inside is the only luscious dense piece of the whole dessert. This was a letdown.
I wanted to get the Arancinis, but they were open sitting on the counter between the employee, taking the orders and all the customers trying to give their orders. I could literally see peoples spit flying over the open pan. A little grossed out..
My total came to just under $50 (felt a little high in general and especially afterwards with the quality and getting jipped cannolis)
Vibes were super cute, small old school Italian Deli. But, unfortunately not great enough for me to go out of my way for. I may come grab their bread and maybe try the vodka chicken cutlet sub if I’m...
Read moreD'Amato's Bakery, tucked away on the corner of a bustling street, is a true hidden gem waiting to be discovered. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with an atmosphere brimming with character and charisma, setting the stage for an unforgettable culinary experience. The bakery's interior is a feast for the senses, with the enticing aroma of freshly baked goods wafting through the air. Displayed before you are an array of tempting pastries and baked treats, each one a testament to the artisanal craftsmanship that defines D'Amato's. During my recent visit, I decided to stray from the traditional bakery fare and instead ordered the Chicken Parmesan sub—a decision I certainly didn't regret. As I eagerly awaited my meal, I couldn't help but admire the care and attention evident in every detail of the bakery's offerings. Finally, my sub arrived, and with the first bite, I knew I was in for a treat. The Chicken Parmesan sub was a symphony of Italian flavors, each component working in perfect harmony to create a culinary masterpiece. The tender chicken, coated in a crispy breadcrumb crust and smothered in savory marinara sauce, was a delight to the palate. But what truly set this sub apart was the addition of creamy vodka sauce and gooey melted cheese, adding an indulgent richness that elevated the dish to new heights. With each bite, I found myself transported to the streets of Italy, savoring the bold flavors and comforting warmth of a home-cooked meal. The combination of textures and flavors was nothing short of sublime, leaving me craving more long after the last crumb had been savored. As I finished my meal, I couldn't help but reflect on the culinary journey I had just experienced at D'Amato's Bakery. This hidden gem is a true treasure trove of flavor and charm, and I know without a doubt that I'll be returning again and again to sample more of their delectable offerings. Whether you're a seasoned foodie or simply seeking a taste of authentic Italian fare, D'Amato's Bakery is sure to leave a...
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