88 Bakery & Cafe
“The Hot Dog Bun ($1.00) is another tasty treat that does not feel second thought.”
“My favorite all time Chinese pastry is the pineapple bun stuffed with the custard inside.”
“They make a great cheesecake brownie and their bubble teas are pretty good.”
88 Bakery & Cafe
Take-out: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Price range.
$ Price range Inexpensive
8 reviews
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This was the only option close to the subway way where I could sit and rest for a little bit, and get a cheap snack. I wish there were other options nearby.
Maybe I just went during a bad time of day (late Sunday), because their selection of pastries weren't that great. They consolidated all the leftovers onto one tray, but there seemed to be a surplus of hot dog buns. I ended up getting a steamed white bun from the hot side. It wasn't roast pork, which I expected, but a patty of pork & scallions. It tasted fine and was Huge, for $1. But I expected more selection and quality (some of the buns didn't look so great) for a bakery in a busy section of Elmhurst, and right in front of a bus stop.
There's high turnover in the seating section, but there are a lot of seniors that hang out there. I wish the decor was nicer- sleeker, less ramshackle. Feels like the pastries and everything else was just thrown together.
The quality of the food here has changed. The Cheese Danish has shrunk in size and less filling. There are so many other Asian bakeries on Broadway. So there is stiff competition.
Many people come here to get buns and coffee/tea/drinks.
There are tables and chairs with TV turned on to entertain patrons. Watch out for the homeless and people asking for money.
Late in the afternoon they will discount the remaining buns and pastries.
Baked and Cafed. This is the place to get your bun and coffee tea on. Word.
Came here for coffee, the staff was friendly. Seems to be your typical Asian bakery. No vegan options, but I've come to expect that and don't hold it against them.
The interior does seem cleaner than most other Asian bakeries I've been to, and I believe there's small amounts of seating avail.
I ordered a tea with milk and sat down to drink it. The ladies speak Chinese (Mandarin and English). There is adequate seating. I noticed a decent working bathroom as well. I see all walks of life just having a sip of some hot beverage and eating small pastries. I also see warm buns and other delicious breads available for purchase.
As you walk in remember to push not to pull the entrance door, the bakery is always filled with local patrons, who orders 1 coffee & sit there for hours on end :). The coffee is always stale & the macarons taste old, the only reason I come to this bakery is strictly for the Steamed Chicken and Shiitake Mushroom Bun, it's the size of a Big Mac & packed with chicken, mushrooms & vegetables how can you go wrong. The actual bun is extremely soft, every bite is a explosion of flavors in your mouth, all this for under $1.50. Try to get here before 3pm, they always sell out of the chicken one. FYI the Steamed Chicken and Shiitake Mushroom Bun is marked with a red dot on the bun!
My favorite all time Chinese pastry is the pineapple bun stuffed with the custard inside. Usually sold out at my favorite Chinese bakery and not always found at others. After getting dinner at Lao Bei Fang down the street, we stopped in and to my luck they still had this bun I always look out for. Based on that single pastry, I would say I would stop back in here again. The bun was nice and soft, and a nice outer "pineapple" layer, and they weren't skimpy on the filling. It's a pretty small shop with a small seating area and appeared to be pretty popular with the locals as well since it was packed when we went in.
88 Bakery is a small little Chinese owned bakery in Elmhurst. They make a variety of buns, cakes, and some sandwiches. Their bubble tea is okay but their coffee kinda stinks. Their coffee often leaves a nasty sour after taste in my mouth. Most of their buns are pretty good. The red roast pork buns are actually red here unlike some other Chinese bakeries where it comes brown looking. The hot dogs in their hot dog buns are too salty for my taste. Egg custards are pretty well made here. It's not too runny. Red Bean buns are also tasty and large too. The coconut with cream bun is my Uncle's favorite. If you like coconut shavings on your bun with cream, go for it. All of the buns here are soft and fluffy. After a 30 second microwave re-heat when you take them home, the buns (especially the red roast pork) taste delicious.
Verdict – Everything is fairly priced. Nothing is expensive here and service is great. Elmhurst train station is just down the block. It's a good location on Broadway. I just wished they made a better cup of joe.