Pekara Bakery Bistro - Champaign

I get the chance to visit the downtown of Pekara a few times a week because it's convenient near where I work. What I love most about Pekara is how friendly the staff is. Every time I visited, Luis went beyond and beyond to make sure I enjoyed my experience. As for her food, you can't go wrong. They cover all the basics: whether you want lunch or have a sweet dental killer! I love buying their freshly baked breads and baked goods to share with others. If you are nearby, give this place a walk!

Solid menu, good food and espresso drinks. had to repeat my order because the checkout seemed to be confused by my request for an additional shot [from espresso] in my latte, I thought I wanted to flavor it. Also served my 'death of chocolate' cake for here when I asked to go, and the consistency of it was very different from the free sample I 'd tried (although both were delicious). If it's decent weather, check out the terrace on the back, I didn't see it until I went to water, but it looked like a great place to sit and enjoy your breakfast.

Everything i have tried here is delicious. My favorites are the carrot cake, pesto quiche and almond croissant, but there is nothing you can go wrong with. I did catch a batch of dried pesto quice once, but they are usually made better. Their coffee is OK, nothing special. I also recommend the lunch sandwiches, since they use their own breads, they come out tasting 10/10 :

I really enjoy visiting Pekara for a cheerful spot to have breakfast and do some work for a while. My favorite dish is the quiche, but the cinnamon roll is incredible as well (I think it has a hint of almond extract... Delicious!). Since I prefer tea over coffee, I may not be able to comment on the coffee selection, but I do love their tea and can often get a second cup if I request extra hot water.

My daughter and I stopped by after playing at a nearby park. I enjoyed a delicious latte, and we shared an amazing croissant. While we were there, we struck up a conversation with a woman nearby who turned out to be the owner. I complimented her on how tasty the food was, and she shared that they use all-natural organic butter from grass-fed cows in New Zealand. I could definitely taste the rich flavor of the butter. While I couldn't pinpoint the taste of New Zealand or grass-fed cows, the buttery richness was unmistakable. They even put the rest of my coffee in a to-go container for me as we left. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and the steady stream of customers tells me it's definitely a favorite among the locals.