Oui, Please! Guillotine Bakery Brings Authentic French Pastries — and Imported Butter — to Chicago Avenue

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/West Town · July 13, 2026

West Town's Chicago Avenue just got a whole lot more buttery. Guillotine Bakery, a highly anticipated French bakery, has officially opened its doors at 1711 W. Chicago Ave. — and the lines stretching out the door on opening day say everything you need to know. The trio behind the concept, Vincent Didry, Alizé Bikard, and Vince Le Bec, are bringing a taste of France to the neighborhood in the most serious way possible: by importing both their butter and flour directly from France to ensure an authentically continental result.

The menu is a lamination lover's dream, featuring croissants, pains au chocolat, kouign-amanns, and baguettes alongside loaves of sourdough. Early visitors have raved about the results — on opening day, crowds braved the rain for over two hours just to get their hands on a pastry. Guillotine joins a stretch of Chicago Avenue that has quietly become one of Chicago's most exciting independent dining corridors, slotting in right near fellow newcomers like the Basque pintxos bar Gilda, just down the block.

If you haven't made the pilgrimage yet, now is the time. Pro tip: go early — these pastries are going fast. Stop by 1711 W. Chicago Ave. and treat yourself to a little Paris in West Town. Bon appétit, neighbors!

Sources:
1. https://www.theinfatuation.com/chicago/guides/new-chicago-restaurant-openings
2. https://www.wttw.com/playlist/2026/03/19/upcoming-restaurants-spring-2026