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A row of bagels laid out on a table.
Mindy Segal’s Bucktown bakery is putting out top-notch bagels.
Mindy’s Bakery [Official Photo]

Where to Find Bagels in Chicago

Don't let anyone tell you that Chicago doesn't have great bagels

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Mindy Segal’s Bucktown bakery is putting out top-notch bagels.
| Mindy’s Bakery [Official Photo]

Chicagoans have long lingered in the shadow of New Yorkers and their undue slandering of Midwestern bagels. But like a lot of hot air emanating from the Big Apple, it's mostly hyperbolic. The city and surrounding suburbs offer more quality bagels than ever. There’s no need to waste money at a chain when these excellent local spots are just around the corner.

As of October 30, Chicago restaurants can no longer serve customers indoors. Still, a number of Chicago restaurants have outdoor seating. The state now requires reservations for patio dining. The level of service offered is indicated on each map point. However, this should not be taken as endorsement for dining in, as there are still safety concerns: for updated information on coronavirus cases in your area, please visit the city of Chicago’s COVID-19 dashboard. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

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Max & Benny's

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Suburban deli stalwart Max and Benny’s has been slinging bagels, bialys, and Eastern European Jewish classics for nearly 30 years in Northbrook. They’ve got the classics covered, with options like onion, sesame, poppy seed, and everything, plus at-home bagel baking kits complete with all the aforementioned toppings. Order online via Toast.

Baked and Boiled daily, just the way you like it

Posted by Max and Benny's Restaurant & Deli on Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Once Upon A Bagel

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Founded in 1982 in Highland Park, Once Upon A Bagel has grown to a family of restaurants, with three additional bagel, grill, and deli locations in suburban Northbrook and Winnetka. Its staff feature bagels in regular, “mini,” and “skinny” varieties, with both classic and less-traditional flavors like asiago and garlic. Order online through its website.

Kaufman's Bagel & Delicatessen

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After more than half a century, it’s safe to say the staff at Kaufman’s in suburban Skokie know a thing or two about bagels: theirs are a prime example the chewy, crusty goodness of a New York-style submission. Favorites include pumpernickel and rye, complete with malty exteriors.

New York Bagel & Bialy

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New York Bagel and Bialy in suburban Lincolnwood stands tall among Chicago area bagel purveyors, offering a slightly chewier take on its namesake’s offerings. The space isn’t ornate, but looks can be deceiving — the unfussy strip mall space puts out some of the most sought-after bagels in the Midwest. There’s also a suburban location in Skokie. Call to place orders.

Sauce & Bread Kitchen

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Sauce and Bread, a joint operation from the owners and operators of bakery Crumb Chicago and hot sauce producer Co-op Sauce, features fresh, chewy bagel delights from Crumb owner and baker Anne Kostroski. Strap in for a wild ride with toppings like CBD-infused chili crisp. Order online via Square.

Sam & Gertie's

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Cheer up, gluten-free bagel fans: Sam & Gertie’s, arguably the world’s first vegan Jewish deli, has you covered. The deli has offerings in both “traditional” and gluten-free varieties, with flavors including mish mosh (see: everything), salt and poppy seed, and sesame. Order online via third-party delivery.

Steingold's of Chicago

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Chef Aaron Steingold spends around 80 hours a week making bagels from scratch at his modern Jewish deli in North Center, and his labor of love pays off in a big way. Widely considered some of the best bagels in town, offerings range from the classics (everything, sesame, poppy seed) to the novel (pumpkin pie). Order online via ChowNow.

Taste of New York Bagels & Deli

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This Lakeview spot from a New York City transplant achieves the city’s famous chewy-yet-crispy style by boiling and par baking the bagels in the Big Apple (where higher levels of magnesium and calcium in the city’s water supply supposedly create the desired effect) and flying them into the Chicago location, where they are baked fresh daily. Conversely, its cream cheese offerings mostly eschew tradition with options including jalapeno, fig, and vanilla walnut. Order online through the store’s website.

The Bagel

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Ashkenazi comfort food destination the Bagel has a menu stacked with heartwarming dishes, including its eponymous doughy delights. Elevate the experience with a smoked whitefish platter or go all out with a sable and lox combo. Order online through the restaurant’s website.

Superkhana International

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Modern Indian restaurant Superkhana International has developed a pleasing and non-thematic side hustle dubbed Takeaway Bagel. Baker Kelly Helgesen is behind the goods, which come in flavors like everything, plain, and cocoa nib. Call ahead to see what’s available.

Reno’s Montreal-style bagels are slender and slightly sweet, with a wood-fired flavor that sets them apart from the majority of local options. Schmear options include artichoke cream cheese, whipped feta, and hummus, and patrons can top the whole thing off with togarashi lox. Order online via Toast.

The Bagelers Coffeehouse

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The Bagelers, which also has a Jefferson Park location, kettle-boil its bagels, offering a Chicago-style twist. Their owner claims it makes them sweeter than a traditional bagel. Place orders online.

Mindy’s Bakery

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Pastry chef extraordinaire Mindy Segal has transformed her beloved restaurant Mindy’s Hot Chocolate into a bakery, featuring lovely bagels and bialys. She’s also offering carby delights like babka, challah, and coffee cake. Order online via Square.

BroBagel

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This Piece Pizza spinoff brings back to recipes and tastes from the old Jacobs Bros. chain. Try the Sriracha cream cheese, too. Order to-go online.

Split-Rail

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Split-Rail has developed a reputation for top-notch fried chicken, but recently chef and co-owner Zoe Schor has dipped her toe into bagel making. Hers are baked and then frozen on the same day. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then slice and toast to finish them off. Order online via Toast.

Rye Deli + Drink

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New non-traditional Jewish deli Rye has burst onto Chicago’s bagel scene with a selection of Jerusalem-style submissions made with grain from family-owned Janie’s Mill. Offerings include za’atar, thyme and sea salt, and oat and pepita. Outside-the-box options are also on the table, such as blue masa and cinnamon. Try them with labneh flavors like melted leeks, burnt eggplant (garlic, lemon, pomegranate), and charred strawberries with honey. Order online through the deli’s website.

Max & Benny's

Suburban deli stalwart Max and Benny’s has been slinging bagels, bialys, and Eastern European Jewish classics for nearly 30 years in Northbrook. They’ve got the classics covered, with options like onion, sesame, poppy seed, and everything, plus at-home bagel baking kits complete with all the aforementioned toppings. Order online via Toast.

Baked and Boiled daily, just the way you like it

Posted by Max and Benny's Restaurant & Deli on Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Once Upon A Bagel

Founded in 1982 in Highland Park, Once Upon A Bagel has grown to a family of restaurants, with three additional bagel, grill, and deli locations in suburban Northbrook and Winnetka. Its staff feature bagels in regular, “mini,” and “skinny” varieties, with both classic and less-traditional flavors like asiago and garlic. Order online through its website.

Kaufman's Bagel & Delicatessen

After more than half a century, it’s safe to say the staff at Kaufman’s in suburban Skokie know a thing or two about bagels: theirs are a prime example the chewy, crusty goodness of a New York-style submission. Favorites include pumpernickel and rye, complete with malty exteriors.

New York Bagel & Bialy

New York Bagel and Bialy in suburban Lincolnwood stands tall among Chicago area bagel purveyors, offering a slightly chewier take on its namesake’s offerings. The space isn’t ornate, but looks can be deceiving — the unfussy strip mall space puts out some of the most sought-after bagels in the Midwest. There’s also a suburban location in Skokie. Call to place orders.

Sauce & Bread Kitchen

Sauce and Bread, a joint operation from the owners and operators of bakery Crumb Chicago and hot sauce producer Co-op Sauce, features fresh, chewy bagel delights from Crumb owner and baker Anne Kostroski. Strap in for a wild ride with toppings like CBD-infused chili crisp. Order online via Square.

Sam & Gertie's

Cheer up, gluten-free bagel fans: Sam & Gertie’s, arguably the world’s first vegan Jewish deli, has you covered. The deli has offerings in both “traditional” and gluten-free varieties, with flavors including mish mosh (see: everything), salt and poppy seed, and sesame. Order online via third-party delivery.

Steingold's of Chicago

Chef Aaron Steingold spends around 80 hours a week making bagels from scratch at his modern Jewish deli in North Center, and his labor of love pays off in a big way. Widely considered some of the best bagels in town, offerings range from the classics (everything, sesame, poppy seed) to the novel (pumpkin pie). Order online via ChowNow.

Taste of New York Bagels & Deli

This Lakeview spot from a New York City transplant achieves the city’s famous chewy-yet-crispy style by boiling and par baking the bagels in the Big Apple (where higher levels of magnesium and calcium in the city’s water supply supposedly create the desired effect) and flying them into the Chicago location, where they are baked fresh daily. Conversely, its cream cheese offerings mostly eschew tradition with options including jalapeno, fig, and vanilla walnut. Order online through the store’s website.

The Bagel

Ashkenazi comfort food destination the Bagel has a menu stacked with heartwarming dishes, including its eponymous doughy delights. Elevate the experience with a smoked whitefish platter or go all out with a sable and lox combo. Order online through the restaurant’s website.

Superkhana International

Modern Indian restaurant Superkhana International has developed a pleasing and non-thematic side hustle dubbed Takeaway Bagel. Baker Kelly Helgesen is behind the goods, which come in flavors like everything, plain, and cocoa nib. Call ahead to see what’s available.

Reno

Reno’s Montreal-style bagels are slender and slightly sweet, with a wood-fired flavor that sets them apart from the majority of local options. Schmear options include artichoke cream cheese, whipped feta, and hummus, and patrons can top the whole thing off with togarashi lox. Order online via Toast.

The Bagelers Coffeehouse

The Bagelers, which also has a Jefferson Park location, kettle-boil its bagels, offering a Chicago-style twist. Their owner claims it makes them sweeter than a traditional bagel. Place orders online.

Mindy’s Bakery

Pastry chef extraordinaire Mindy Segal has transformed her beloved restaurant Mindy’s Hot Chocolate into a bakery, featuring lovely bagels and bialys. She’s also offering carby delights like babka, challah, and coffee cake. Order online via Square.

BroBagel

This Piece Pizza spinoff brings back to recipes and tastes from the old Jacobs Bros. chain. Try the Sriracha cream cheese, too. Order to-go online.

Split-Rail

Split-Rail has developed a reputation for top-notch fried chicken, but recently chef and co-owner Zoe Schor has dipped her toe into bagel making. Hers are baked and then frozen on the same day. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then slice and toast to finish them off. Order online via Toast.

Related Maps

Rye Deli + Drink

New non-traditional Jewish deli Rye has burst onto Chicago’s bagel scene with a selection of Jerusalem-style submissions made with grain from family-owned Janie’s Mill. Offerings include za’atar, thyme and sea salt, and oat and pepita. Outside-the-box options are also on the table, such as blue masa and cinnamon. Try them with labneh flavors like melted leeks, burnt eggplant (garlic, lemon, pomegranate), and charred strawberries with honey. Order online through the deli’s website.

Related Maps