grab two of whatever looks good in the case
Deluxe Cakes & Pastries
RECOMMENDED: BAKERY
from scratch Whether you prefer a savory, nutty bread or something sweet and tasty, local bakers offer something for all palates.
Deluxe Cakes & Pastries 812 S. Summit St., Iowa City
A literal sweet spot in a residential neighborhood on Iowa City’s Eastside, the offerings at Deluxe run the gamut from flaky, buttery croissants to artfully decorated and decadent cakes. Consider yourself blessed if you live nearby––to be within walking distance of a bakery whose motto is “Butter, Butter, and more Butter!” is a glorious thing. Pop in before work for a jolt of caffeine (of the Intelligenstia variety) and grab two of whatever looks good in the case. You’ll have the first one devoured before you reach your destination. If you need a recommendation, the Apricot Almond Croissants never disappoint.
Bobby’s Pies Iowa City
bobbyspies.weebly.com Bobby Jett of Bobby’s Pies crafts beautiful pies made to order in his Iowa City home. Using ingredients from local farmers and orchards, Jett’s pies are loaded with fruit and fillings, and topped with lattice crusts perfectly assembled to exacting standards. Each pie ordered is packaged up in a humble brown bakery box, stickered, and the lid signed by Bobby himself. A handmade pie will cost you some dough, but rest easy 30 | BREAD & BUTTER 2016
knowing that all the proceeds go directly to benefit the Johnson County Crisis Center. You can order pies for pickup in the local area, or make use of 2 day FedEx delivery to send some sweetness to your friends and family who live far away.
Sykora Bakery
73 16th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids This charming bakery in the heart of historic Czech village in Cedar Rapids offers all the favorites––kolaches, kolacky cookies, houska and their famous Bohemian rye bread. Sykora’s has been a mainstay in this Czech enclave since 1903, and after weathering the devastating floodwaters of 2008, John and Sue Rocarek revived the location and have continued the legacy of years past. In addition to the delightful bakery options both sweet and savory, their lunch and dinner menu adds interest with offerings like Hungarian Goulash.
Bread Garden Market 225 S. Linn St., Iowa City
With a name like Bread Garden, it’s no wonder this place cranks out magnificent artisan hearth loaves. Ranging from standard Sourdough to a more health-conscious Sprouted Quinoa, all the breads at the Market are baked fresh daily using
high-quality flours. Their classic Focaccia with tomatoes, herbs and garlic makes for a mean sandwich and their newly debuted pretzels are a real weekend treat. It’s also worth noting that their weekend doughnuts are some of the best around. No crazy flavors or toppings—just a classic raised and glazed doughnut.
John’s Grocery
401 E. Market St., Iowa City Typical bakery items fill the shelves here–– nice sandwich breads, standard pies, breakfast pastries and cookies––but the shining star is their Scotcheroo, which reminds you of the ones your mom used to make when you were a kid. The ultimate combination of milky chocolate and peanut butter succeeds in this dressed up rice krispy treat, and John’s version is reason enough to frequent this newly remodeled corner store.
Burrowing Owl Bakery
Chauncey Swan Farmers Market, Iowa City burrowingowlbakery.com This seasonal favorite hibernates in the cold winter months and greets us come springtime with sweet and savory tarts that are elegant in their simplicity. Allison Gnade and Thomas Agran cull ingredients grown in their own Iowa City garden as well as from local vendors and purveyors to create tarts that go beyond expectations. Clearly inspired by the seasonal produce that surrounds their Farmer’s Market stall, you’ll find a rotation of interesting flavor combinations like the savory Smoked Iowa Sweet Corn and Zucchini and sweet Rhubarb Custard.