Unearth The Voyage
There is a small corner of Highland Park, Illinois, where the air smells like warm butter, fresh coffee, and something sweet just pulled from the oven. It does not take long after your first visit to understand why locals keep coming back, and why word has spread well beyond the north shore.
This place has built a loyal following not through flashy marketing but through honest, beautifully crafted food that feels genuinely French. Read on to find out what makes this bakery and cafe one of the most talked-about spots in the Midwest.
Where You Can Actually Find It: Address and Location
Right in the heart of downtown Highland Park, Illinois, That Little French Guy sits at 1791 St Johns Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035, a short walk from the Metra station and surrounded by local shops and quiet neighborhood streets.
The location feels intentional. Highland Park is a leafy, upscale suburb north of Chicago, and this stretch of St Johns Avenue has the kind of relaxed, walkable energy that pairs naturally with a long brunch and a good latte.
Parking on the street is available but limited, especially on weekend mornings when the cafe draws steady crowds. Arriving early or on a weekday afternoon tends to make the whole experience smoother.
Lake Michigan is about a ten-minute walk away, which means you can grab a croissant, finish your coffee, and then take a slow stroll toward the water. That combination alone is a pretty convincing argument for making the trip, no matter where you are coming from in the Chicago area.
The Story Behind the Name and the Man Who Started It All
The name That Little French Guy is not just a clever label. It is a nod to the personality and background of owner Ben, a French-born baker who brought his training and passion for authentic patisserie straight to the Illinois suburbs.
Ben has been described by regulars as genuinely warm and approachable, the kind of owner who greets familiar faces and takes real pride in what comes out of his kitchen every morning. That personal touch shows up in everything from the quality of the croissants to the way the cafe feels when you walk through the door.
He opened the bakery with a clear vision: to bring honest French baking to a community that deserved something better than mass-produced pastries. Over the years, that vision has clearly resonated.
The cafe has grown, expanded its seating, and built a reputation that stretches well beyond Highland Park. What started as one little French guy with a dream has turned into one of the most beloved neighborhood spots on the entire north shore of Illinois.
The Pastry Case: A Display Worth Standing in Front Of
Few things in the food world are as satisfying as a well-stocked French pastry case, and the one at That Little French Guy delivers on every level. The display is filled with tarts in lemon, berry, and chocolate ganache varieties, each one looking like it belongs in a Parisian shop window.
The croissants are buttery and flaky in the way that only properly laminated dough can be. The pain au chocolat has a crisp exterior that gives way to a soft, chocolate-filled center.
Eclairs, macarons, and a rotating selection of other French classics round out the lineup.
Tart crusts here are notably good, with a buttery crunch that holds up under rich, smooth fillings. The mousse options tend to be especially silky, the kind that disappears faster than you planned.
One practical note: there is no printed menu describing every item in the case, so first-timers may want to ask the staff for guidance. The team is generally helpful with suggestions, and browsing the case slowly before ordering is absolutely encouraged and honestly part of the fun.
Breakfast and Brunch Dishes That Go Beyond Basic
The savory side of the menu at That Little French Guy is just as carefully considered as the pastries. The Croque Madame arrives gooey and golden, rich without being heavy, and comes with a fresh side salad that balances the whole plate nicely.
French onion soup is a standout for anyone who has been disappointed by overly salty versions elsewhere. The version here is light, deeply flavorful, and properly proportioned, the kind of dish that makes you slow down and actually taste what is in front of you.
The French toast options are popular for good reason. The berries and vanilla French toast has been a personal favorite of regulars for years, and the simple French toast earns consistent praise for its texture and flavor without being overdone.
Breakfast sandwiches, quiche, and egg dishes round out the morning offerings. The quiche in particular tends to be savory and satisfying, with a well-seasoned filling and a crust that holds its structure.
Weekend mornings bring a lively, bustling atmosphere that adds to the overall experience of eating here.
Coffee, Tea, and What to Order at the Counter
Coffee at That Little French Guy is a reliable part of the experience for most regulars. The lattes are smooth and well-made, and the coffee pairs especially well with the sweeter pastries on the menu.
Matcha has also become a popular order, particularly among those who come in for a quick stop rather than a full sit-down meal.
A word of honest advice: the Americano has drawn some criticism for being served in a large cup with a high water ratio, which can disappoint those expecting a more concentrated espresso-forward drink. Sticking to the latte or a drip coffee tends to produce more consistent satisfaction.
Hot chocolate is on the menu as well, though results have varied. On a good day, it is described as essentially a melted candy bar in a cup, which is either a selling point or a caution depending on your preference.
The ordering system is straightforward. You place your order at the glass counter, pay, receive a number, find a seat, and your food and drinks are brought to you.
It keeps things moving efficiently even when the cafe is packed, which on weekends it frequently is.
The Atmosphere Inside: Warm Wood, Vintage Posters, and Parisian Vibes
The interior of That Little French Guy has a warmth that is hard to fake and easy to feel the moment you walk in. Warm wood tones, soft lighting, and vintage French posters on the walls create an atmosphere that feels genuinely transported rather than themed.
Plush banquettes sit beneath wrought-iron light fixtures, and the overall effect lands somewhere between a modern neighborhood cafe and an old-world Parisian bistro. A soft French radio station plays in the background, which adds an authentic layer that most people notice without quite being able to explain why it makes the space feel so right.
The bakery recently expanded its seating area, and the new space has been well-received by regulars who remember when finding a table on a busy morning was a real challenge. Oversized wooden tables give groups and families room to spread out and linger.
The busboy and service staff are attentive, and the overall energy inside is lively without being loud. It is the kind of place where you arrive for a quick coffee and end up staying for an hour, which is probably exactly what the design intended all along.
The Expanded Seating Area and What It Means for Regulars
One of the most talked-about recent developments at That Little French Guy is the expansion into the adjacent space, which added meaningful seating capacity to a cafe that had long been bursting at the seams on weekend mornings.
The new section blends naturally with the original interior, maintaining the same warm palette and French-inspired aesthetic without feeling like a separate room. Regulars who remember crowding near the counter or waiting for a table have welcomed the change enthusiastically.
More seating also means a better experience for larger groups and families, who previously had to time their visits carefully or accept a tight squeeze. The expanded layout gives the staff more room to navigate as well, which helps service flow more smoothly during peak hours.
For first-time visitors, the expansion is simply a bonus. There is now a genuinely comfortable place to sit, settle in, and work through a full brunch spread without feeling rushed or cramped.
The cafe still fills up on busy mornings, so arriving with a few minutes of patience in reserve is always a good idea, but the overall experience has improved noticeably since the addition opened.
Lunch Options and Savory Highlights Worth Knowing About
Lunch at That Little French Guy extends the menu into territory that surprises some first-time visitors who expected only pastries and coffee. The Hummus Tartine is a standout, featuring hummus spread over sourdough and topped with arugula, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes, served alongside a fresh side salad that keeps the whole dish feeling light.
The Nicoise salad showcases the kitchen’s ability to handle fresh ingredients with care. Properly seared tuna, crisp haricots verts, and ripe tomatoes come together in a tangy Dijon vinaigrette that is bright without being sharp.
It is the kind of salad that actually tastes like someone thought about it.
The tuna melt has also earned consistent praise, and the Caesar salad is solid, though the generous hand with Parmesan can occasionally tip the balance toward salty. Asking for it on the side is a reasonable workaround.
Catering is another dimension of the business worth knowing about. The cafe has handled catering for local events, including community festivals in the Highland Park and Highwood area, and has offered full holiday meal packages including complete Thanksgiving dinners with all the sides.
That level of range speaks to a kitchen with real depth and ambition.
Community Roots and the Local Connections That Matter
That Little French Guy has built something that goes beyond a good menu. The cafe has become a genuine part of the Highland Park community, showing up at local events and contributing to the fabric of the neighborhood in ways that a purely transactional business rarely does.
The cafe donated food to the International Festival organized by the Highland Park and Highwood Rotary Club, and the pastries brought there, macarons, eclairs, and other French delicacies, ran out almost immediately. That kind of community presence builds the kind of loyalty that no advertising budget can manufacture.
Regulars range from young families to longtime residents who have been coming since the very first week the doors opened. One guest mentioned that her 98-year-old grandmother, who was born in France, considers this her favorite cafe, which is about as high a compliment as a French patisserie can receive.
The staff’s warmth toward older guests and families alike reflects a culture set from the top down. When an owner genuinely cares about his neighbors, it tends to show up in the way the whole team operates, and at That Little French Guy, it clearly does.
Practical Tips for Your First Visit
A few practical notes can make your first visit to That Little French Guy go a lot more smoothly. The cafe is open Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 3 PM, and on weekends from 8 AM to 3 PM.
Those weekend morning hours go fast, and the space fills up quickly, so arriving closer to opening time gives you the best shot at a relaxed seat.
Street parking along St Johns Avenue is limited, particularly on busy weekend mornings. The proximity to the Metra station makes public transit a genuinely convenient option for visitors coming from Chicago or other north shore towns.
The ordering process is counter-service style. You browse the case, place your order, pay, get a number, and find a seat.
Food and drinks come to you, which keeps things organized even when the cafe is at capacity.
Prices are moderate for the quality and portion sizes, sitting comfortably in the mid-range for a north shore cafe. The phone number is +1 847-737-9680, and the website at thatlittlefrenchguy.com has additional information.
First-timers should budget extra time to actually stand in front of the pastry case before deciding, because the selection genuinely deserves that kind of attention.
Why the Ratings and Reviews Tell a Clear Story
With a 4.6-star rating across more than 600 reviews, That Little French Guy sits in a tier of local businesses where the feedback is not just positive but genuinely enthusiastic. Reviewers regularly use words like divine, delicious, and outstanding, which are not phrases people reach for unless something truly earns them.
The most consistent praise lands on the pastries, the quiche, the French toast, and the overall atmosphere. Constructive feedback tends to focus on the pace of service during peak weekend hours and occasional inconsistencies with coffee drinks, particularly espresso-based orders.
What stands out across the reviews is how personal the connection feels. People do not just say the food is good.
They talk about coming back with family, making special trips from outside the area, and feeling genuinely welcomed by the staff. That emotional dimension is what separates a good restaurant from a beloved one.
For a cafe that is not in a major metropolitan center like Chicago, this kind of sustained positive word-of-mouth across seven-plus years of operation is a meaningful signal. The ratings tell the story of a place that has consistently delivered on its promise, which in the world of food is harder than it sounds.
A Final Thought on What Makes This Place Worth the Drive
Some places earn their reputation through hype, and others earn it through years of quiet, consistent excellence. That Little French Guy belongs firmly in the second category.
The food is genuinely good, the atmosphere delivers on its French-inspired promise, and the community connection gives the whole experience a warmth that is difficult to replicate.
For anyone in the Chicago area or passing through the north shore of Illinois, this cafe represents the kind of stop that turns a regular day into a better one. It is not trying to be a destination restaurant.
It is trying to be a neighborhood bakery that does everything right, and by most accounts, it has succeeded.
The fact that a French-born grandmother in her late nineties calls it her favorite cafe, that local families make it a weekly ritual, and that pastries donated to a community festival vanished in minutes all point to the same conclusion.
That Little French Guy has brought something real and rare to Highland Park, a corner of the Midwest that now has its own small but convincing answer to the patisseries of Paris, without anyone needing to cross an ocean to find it.
