When you think of the most decadent cheesecake you have ever tasted, what comes to mind? Rich creamy cream cheese mixture with a graham cracker crust, right? Close your eyes and imagine that cheesecake only richer and creamier? Perhaps with fresh strawberries, or cherries, better yet, chocolate mousse. Do I have your attention and taste buds now! Let’s take it a step further, how about a pumpkin cheesecake or even a more seasonal variation, an apple cinnamon cheesecake. Gotcha!
Chicago native Patrick Oden has brought these wonderful cheesecakes, yes, spelled with a “Z,” “Cheezcake,” for that extra zeal to Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Patrick’s family catering business has served Chicago over the past three decades. Leo’s Catering founded by his late brother Leonardo Oden was the brains and the visionary behind the business. Patrick has continued his brother’s legacy and is taking it a step further with his “cheezcake” in a cupcake style dessert.
Patrick, his five brothers and two sisters were raised on the Westside of Chicago. He credits his mother for his initial interest in cooking. “All of the boys learned how to cook and loved it, but it was my brother Leo who took it to the next level,” Patrick says.
Leo a classically trained chef, worked all over the country sharing his knowledge with Patrick. Initially Patrick was studying to become a doctor receiving his degree in science and chemistry, but he credits his brothers’ passion for food and sharing it through the catering business that he opened up when he returned back to Chicago. When Leo passed, Patrick stepped in and took over the business.
N’DIGO: Your brother really started the business on cheesecakes? Why and what made this dessert so special to him?
Oden: Initially he wasn’t into baking, but he found his niche making cheesecakes and putting them in the mom-and-pop stores, convenience stores and small restaurants. We were the first to really introduce the mini cheesecakes into the African American neighborhoods and other local communities. They were that “pick up and go” dessert.
What was it like to step into your brother’s shoes taking over the reins?
It’s keeping his legacy and dreams alive. He loved everything about food and all diverse types of food. We still have the catering business, but we’ve scaled back a bit, but we still do holiday catering.
How did you get to the Magnificent Mile? And how does it feel to be the first African American to have a retail business on the Mag Mile?
This idea had been on the back burner since before COVID. I knew we had a product that no one else had out there. No one else was doing cheesecakes in the form of a cupcake. I wanted to offer something different and unique, but in a dessert that we all know and love. In terms of location, I knew I wanted to be in the downtown/near north area and this space was available. It was perfect timing, it was the right place, time, and platform. It was a dream come true. Being here is a great opportunity to showcase these desserts. It is a blessing to be here, as most entrepreneurs do not begin their flagship on the Magnificent Mile, and the response has been incredibly positive.
Why is called Cheezcake with a “Z”? And what makes yours stand out from other well-known cheesecakes?
I added the “Z” because I wanted it to be different and stand out. Our “cheezcakes” have a creamer consistency that most other New York style cheesecakes. We use all natural flavors; fresh fruit and they have a rich flavor. Our mainstay “cheezcakes” flavors are Plain, Strawberry, Cherry, Chocolate Mousse and Turtle. Currently, we have twelve different varies, but for Halloween, Pumpkin and Apple Cinnamon were very popular. We will switch it up for the holidays to add a Sweet Potato Cheezcake. ($6.95)
What other delicious products do you sell?
I have a line of cookies called Kookie Bites (5 oz bag $5.95). The Old School Butter “kookies” remind you of the butter cookies you ate in grammar school. The flavors include Butter, Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal and Peanut Butter.
What do you want people to think of when they bite into your “cheezcake?”
I want them to say “this is the best cheezcake they’ve ever had. I want to make us a destination so when you think of “cheezcakes,” you think of Chicago, just like when you think of Garrett’s popcorn, we want people to think the same way about our products. The next product we want to offer is cheesecake pops. And ultimately, we want to grow our retail business and open up more stores here and eventually branch out nationwide.
They are in seventy-five restaurants and stores around the Chicagoland area. They’re also in Local Market Foods on the Southside. Other places that carry their cheesecakes are; AP Deli, MacArthur’s, various Whales, JJ Fish & Chicken, Sharks, and Harold’s Chicken throughout Chicago.
The Cheezcake Boutique is located at 520 N. Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL, inside the Shops at North Bridge Mall. For more information, visit their website at www.cheezcakeboutique.com and 773-663-3575.
