I walked into Leonard's Bakery at 2776 Dundee Rd. in Northbrook and immediately witnessed a man telling the owner his "chocolate donuts are the best." He was an older man, probably one who's had a lot of donuts in his time.
Perhaps the man was just being polite, but it didn't seem that way. Leonard's owner, Mark Becker, said that particular customer is from New York and knows a thing or two about donuts.
Becker opened the bakery on Aug. 13, 1987, named it after his father and runs it like a family business. Mark's sister, Bonnie, works by his side. His wife, Judy, first inspired him to open the shop, and his loyal team of clerks and bakers stick around for years at time.
Leonard's is gearing up for Passover and St. Patrick's Day, offering an assortment of kosher and green desserts.
The holiday treats include green shamrock cookies, an assortment of Kiddush cakes, California coffee cake, more macaroons than you can imagine, rum balls, dreamsickle balls, green bagels, sugar free carrot cake and rugula.
"I've got to keep doing different things, people don't like same ol', same ol'," Becker said.