Best Irish Soda Bread In Chicago

Irish soda bread may be considered a "quick bread," but there's an art form to it, too. At its most basic, it's a white bread made with raisins and caraway seeds, and as the history of the recipe goes, the Irish also added baking soda (hence soda in the recipe name) to the mix. Irish soda bread can be enjoyed year-round, but it's a must-have at the table come St. Patrick's Day. Here's five places where this traditional bread can be found and enjoyed.

Wolf's Bakery
3241 W. 95th St.
Chicago, IL 60805
(708) 422-7429
www.wolfsbakery.net

This Evergreen Park bakery may tout itself as the home to the original lemon fluff, but it's just as well known for its Irish soda bread. While it's fully stocked around St. Patrick's Day, if you want it another time of year, be sure to call ahead. But no matter what, you're in for a delicious treat with Wolf's Bakery's plethora of desserts, pastries and breads.

Hearts & Flour Bakery
6300 N. Ridge Ave.
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 273-4759
www.misericordia.com

Want a delicious treat while also giving back? Then head on over to Hearts & Flour Bakery (or visit their website). The bakery is a part of Misericordia, which offers care to those with developmental disabilities, and some of Misericordia's residents help in the bakery by mixing, baking, and packaging. While the bakery's offerings are immense, one of the most popular items is their Irish soda bread. It can be bought all on its own for $8, or as part of a lovely bread basket for $31.50.

McNamara's
4328 W. Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60641
(773) 725-1800
www.mcnamaras.com

Step inside this Irving Park pub and one of the first things you'll be greeted with is a warm stack of Irish soda bread. It's crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and oh so delicious. Not enough to satisfy your soda bread craving? They also serve it during weekend brunch. Nab a traditional Irish breakfast — loaded up with eggs, rashers, black & white pudding, and more — and it'll also get you some Irish soda bread. The bread is also a part of the Irish Mixed Grill menu items, as well as the Bangers & Mash. Or just nab as many "sides" of soda bread as you want, as they're only $2.25 each.

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Kitty O'Shea's
720 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 922-4400
www.hiltonhotelchicago.com

While attached to a Hilton hotel, Kitty O'Shea's has a distinctly Irish vibe, from the bar to the food. That food, as well as the beer, is as traditional as it gets for Irish pub food, and the menu includes classics like fish and chips. You can also get Irish soda bread, often as a side with other items. The Irish soda bread is even available on the late night menu as a side to the potato leek soup.

Clarke's Bakery And Deli
455 Northwest Highway
Chicago, IL 60010
(847) 381-5113
www.clarkesbakeryanddeli.com

This family-run restaurant in the northwestern corner of Chicagoland is a destination for all sorts of reasons, including their deli salads, sandwiches and breakfast eats. But one of their most popular items is their Irish soda bread, which should come as no surprise given the owner's Irish roots. All bakery items are made from scratch, and that includes the irish soda bread, a recipe that comes from Clarkes' mother.

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Elizabeth SanFilippo is a freelance writer, who enjoys trying new foods from all over the world. But her favorite city for culinary treats will always be Chicago. When not blogging about food, she's working part-time at a culinary vacation company, The International Kitchen, based in the Windy City, as well as repping Younique cosmetics and skincare products. Some of her writing can be found at Examiner.com.