Where To Get the Best Bagels in Chicago, IL
Bagels are a classic breakfast item beloved by many people as the ideal food to start their day with, along with a good hot cup of coffee, of course. If you are one of these people and live in or are visiting Chicago, you will have plenty of places to find excellent bagels. Whether you want to grab and go, sit down for a quiet bite, or linger over Saturday brunch, there is a bagel shop to suit you. If you are looking for the perfect bagel, then you’ll want to start by checking out a few of these places.
Chicago Bagel Authority
Chicago Bagel Authority has been going since 1998 and brings you a large selection of bagels and bagel sandwiches. Choose from breakfast bagels served all day and the signature steamed bagel sandwiches, or steamwiches, that offer premium meat and cheese combined with fresh veggies. You’ll find this bagel shop at two Chicago locations: one at 953 W. Armitage Avenue in the Lincoln Park area and the other at 955 W. Belmont Avenue in Lakeview. Both are open from Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday from 8 a.m to 4 p.m.
New York Bagel and Bialy Corporation
Check out the New York Bagel and Bialy Corporation if you’re looking for something that has stood the test of time. It’s been serving up delicious bagels, bialys, and pastries since 1965. It is open 24 hours a day at the 4714 W. Touhy Avenue location in Lincolnwood and from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 3556 1/2 Dempster Street in Skokie. From the bagel menu, you can choose from plain, cinnamon raisin, pumpernickel-rye, and other flavors, as well as mini bagels in five varieties, including chocolate chip. Build your bagel sandwiches or try the New York Breakfast.
Steingold’s of Chicago
At Steingold’s of Chicago, you’ll find a classic Jewish deli with a twist. The fresh bagels are made daily from dough that is fermented overnight for enhanced flavor, then boiled and baked in the traditional manner. It is located in the Lakeview area of Chicago at 3737 N. Southport Avenue and is open from Wednesday to Monday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for all your morning bagel needs. Try the lox cured in-house on a fresh golden bagel or one topped with crunchy white sesame seeds. It also serves salads, sandwiches, and other “deli-licious” bites.
Corey’s Bagels
Corey’s New York Bagel Deli produces over 1,000 bagels a day and sells them at its two Chicago locations. Its 1001 W. North Avenue location offers carry-out service only with quick wait times to have you on your way. It’s open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Its 505 N. Dearborn location shares the same hours and offers both sit-down and carry-out options as well as New York-style pizza slices. It has a large selection of bagels, including egg, pretzel salt, whole wheat, and everything. Bagel sandwiches are loaded with layers of meat, poultry, or fish, fresh veggies, and cheese.
The Bagelers
The Bagelers is a family-run neighborhood coffeehouse serving up Chicago-style bagels in the Lincoln Park area since 2014. It is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the weekend. You’ll find house-made cream cheeses and spreads and kettle boiled bagels using a unique Chicago-style dough. Choose from bagel varieties like poppy seed, sea salt, pretzel, and chocolate chip. For your breakfast, try its signature bagel sandwich, The Bageler, which comes with house-made chipotle mayo on top of a fried egg, two slices of bacon, and a slice of muenster cheese.
Reno Chicago
Located at 2607 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Reno Chicago serves up wood-fired bagels and other menu items with fresh, local, and organic ingredients, including pizzas and salads. It has vegan, vegetarian, and kid-friendly options, including vegan bagels and toppings. From Monday to Thursday, it is open from 4 to 9 p.m., while on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, you’ll find it open for brunch from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. as well. Try a cup of locally roasted Reno blend coffee with an olive and herb bagel topped with a whipped feta smear to start your weekend off right.
Brobagel
Brobagel is the company of four brothers who have been making bagels since 1983. They are still using the traditional method of boiling and then baking on redwood planks before finishing the bagels on the hearth of the oven. The bagel shop is located at 1931 W. North Avenue and is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The bagels are sold in bags of six and come in plain, poppyseed, sesame, everything, garlic, onion, and salt. You can also get bagel sandwiches, including egg and cheddar cheese, and even vegan options.
Sam and Gertie’s Vegan Jewish Deli
Speaking of vegan bagels, Sam and Gertie’s Vegan Jewish Deli is the place to go if you’re looking for vegan bagels in the Chicago area. You’ll find the deli at 1309 W. Wilson Avenue, and it is open on Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. It offers vegan bagels in plain, mish-mosh, and sesame, as well as wheat-free options, and has vegan cream cheese and meat-substitute toppings on its breakfast bagel sandwiches. Try the boker tov breakfast bagel with almond butter, sliced banana, apple thins, toasted seeds, raisin, and jam for a healthy start to your day.
Chicago is full of great bagel shops serving up delicious, unique, and traditional bagels in a variety of flavors. From neighborhood cafes to full-scale bakeries, you’ll find a bagel spot to fit your needs. Whether you like your bagels on their own, toasted with cream cheese, or in sandwich form, there’s a bagel shop for you. Have you already tried any of the bagel shops on this list? At Americash Jewelry & Coin Buyer, we’d love to hear what you think, so contact us and tell us which is the best bagel on the menu.
Image via Flickr by dreamcat115
