"Opening its first Midwest storefront inside a West Loop hotel on Saturday, February 8, this bakery brings the founder's nostalgia-driven, highly Instagrammable sweets and some savory novelties to Chicago. New Chicago-specific offerings include Chicago-style Hot Dog Bombs—filled with Vienna Beef hot dogs and lighter in texture than the brand's standard Bagel Bombs—alongside staples like Cereal Milk soft-serve, Everything-spiced Bagel Bombs, and the signature Compost Cookie. The relatively plain Corn Cookie is praised as an unsung hero (the owner recommends griddling two with extra-sharp cheddar as a no-butter grilled cheese), and the shop will feature exclusive items such as a cookie inspired by Portillo’s chocolate cake. After operating in the city via ghost kitchens, the in-person location emphasizes a different experience with patio seating, ties to the hotel's basement bar for late-night visitors, and a collaboration with a local restaurant group; staff protect their core recipes even as they acknowledge imitation as a form of flattery." - Ashok Selvam