Rockford-area bakery specializes in cheesecake by the slice, and people can't get enough
MACHESNEY PARK — The overhead sign for Mac Brothers Artisan Cheesecakes has yet to be hung, but that hasn't stopped thousands of customers from finding the new cheesecake-by-the-slice bakery.
The McLester brothers, Farel, 66, and Chris, 61, make 30 different flavors of cheesecake at their new business. Each day, three to six of those flavors — everything from chocolate chip and cinnamon roll to root beer and Key Lime — are sold by the slice, allowing customers to mix and match and try something new without having to buy an entire cake.
Flavors of the day can be found on the Mac Brothers Cheesecakes Facebook page.
It's also where local cheesecake lovers have been spreading the good news since the store opened June 1.
"I picked up a plain and turtle yesterday for my husband's birthday, and they were so good! I couldn’t stop eating it!" wrote Mackenzie Bicksler. "Thanks for some yummy cheesecake!"
"The Best — Excellent, creamy with so much flavor in every bite. Absolutely the best cheesecake — the reason they sell out on most days," wrote Michele and Paul Gendron.
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The brothers admit the response from area customers has been surprising and welcome.
They've been so busy, they said, they haven't had time to schedule a grand opening.
"It's been a little overwhelming," Farel McLester said, "but we'll have a grand opening at some point."
The Rockford natives said they were children when they picked up the knack for baking from their mother.
They were adults when they zeroed in on perfecting their cheesecake recipes.
"Our cousin owns Hairy Cow Brewing Co. in Byron," Chris said. "When he opened up, we noticed he didn't have any dessert in there. So, we said, 'Do you want to try it?' We gave him like four cheesecakes and within a couple of days they were all gone."
Cousin Todd McLester, a retired Rockford police officer who opened Hairy Cow in December 2018, said he's happy but not surprised by his cousins' success.
"We've been selling the heck out of them," he said. "It's the only dessert we offer."
The brothers went from selling their cheesecakes at the Byron brewpub and at Ritchie's Smokin' BBQ in Machesney Park to launching an online business in 2019.
The website helped the brothers establish a clientele and save up money to open the storefront.
"It's been a big hit," Chris McLester said. "When people come in, they're surprised that they can buy by the slice and not have to buy the whole cake."
Mac Brothers Cheesecakes is located at 7914 Scott Lane.
Chris Green: 815,987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: New Illinois bakery specializes in artisan cheesecakes by the slice
