I'm extremely thankful to have a friend who introduced me to this bagel spot. Definitely a top 2…read morefavorite of mine. I haven't been to the location but have had these bagels consistently for over 10 years. The texture and flavor of the bagel is everything a NY bagel is and should be. Fluffy on the inside, somewhat crispy on the outside, and oh so thiccccccccck! Their cream cheese?! Ugh! Don't skip on it, seriously everything about this place is perfect. My go to selection is the egg bagel with chive cream cheese. It's chef's kiss and hits the spot. EVERY.SINGLE.TIME!!!!

If you're expecting this to be interchangeable with the franchised bagel places that have spread…read moreacross the country, recalibrate now. This is not that. I've been going to New York Bagel & Bialy for over 50 years, and places like this operate on a different clock, a different standard, and frankly, a different philosophy of what a bagel is supposed to be. Timing matters. If you show up after about 8:00 AM, your odds of getting bagels at their absolute peak--still warm, properly textured, with that slight resistance on the outside and softness inside--go up significantly. Earlier can be hit or miss depending on the batch cycle, but once they're in stride, this place delivers. The essentials are all here and worth your time: poppy seed, sesame, everything, and especially the bialys. The bialys alone are reason enough to make the trip--properly done, with the right chew and depth of flavor that you simply won't find in mass-produced versions. Don't overcomplicate it. Grab a dozen. On your way home, stop and pick up a couple packages of Philadelphia Cream Cheese and some smoked salmon a jar of capers, a Bermuda onion--whether here or even from Walmart--and you've got a meal that outperforms most brunch menus at a fraction of the cost. This isn't trendy. It's not trying to be. It's something better: consistent, old-world, and still doing it the right way. If you're going to call something a bagel, the standard is not branding--it's process. That's why New York Bagel & Bialy on Touhy stands apart. They actually do it right: kettle-boiled first, then baked in rotating ovens. That single decision--boiling--changes the entire structure. It gelatinizes the outer starch layer, locks in density, and produces that thin, glossy crust with real chew. Without it, you don't have a bagel--you have bread with a hole. The rotating ovens matter too. They deliver even heat, which means you get the correct balance: a slight exterior crisp with a dense, elastic interior. No puffiness. No sponge. No collapse under toppings. That's the difference here. Most chains optimize for speed and shelf life, so they steam or shortcut the process. Many local shops land in the middle. This place doesn't compromise. If you care about what a bagel is supposed to be--not just what it's called--this is the benchmark in Chicago.

We picked up Tilly bagels at the recommendation of my daughter who is a college student at SAIC. We…read morearrived on a Saturday morning and there was a line of about 10 people down the block. They manage the line and let a few people in at a time. We ordered at the counter, and the workers were super friendly and helpful. We ordered a couple of sandwiches for my daughter and her friend. They were out of vegan cream cheese, so they suggested avocado for my daughter's, and she loved it. My gluten free sister in law got their GF bagel with blueberry cream cheese. They can't guarantee there won't be cross contamination with the toaster, but she decided to risk it. She said it was the best GF bagel she has ever had. She ended up going back to grab some more on her way out of town. We also ordered half a dozen bagels to go and toasted them at our hotel. Overall I liked them but I wish they wouldn't have put fennel on the everything bagel. The bagels are huge. If you get a sandwich, you can probably share. There are a few tables inside as well as a cozy sofa area.

Tilly's in South Loop is a solid maybe for me. Service was quick and friendly, the place was packed…read morewhen I went in but the staff handled the rush well and got everyone through in a reasonable amount of time. The shop itself is really clean too, always a plus. Food was a mixed bag. The bagels themselves were so soft. The lox bagel was honestly pretty mid, the salmon didn't do much for me and I wouldn't order it again. But the sausage egg and cheese on the Cacio e Pepe bagel with chive and bacon cream cheese was really good. The bagel had great flavor, the sandwich was put together well, and that cream cheese combo was a nice touch.

Great lunch/breakfast spot with fast service and simple/fresh sandwiches…read more The oven roasted turkey sandwich was great, tasted like something my grandma would make me (in a good way). Will be back.

food: really good deli for pastrami or corn beef. good portion meat in sandwiches, really like…read moreoverall consistency. i will say the pickle given wasn't my favorite as it tasted like a very light salt brine. tip: buy your own sweet pickles and add them at home service: nice staff ambiance: very small interior but i love the vibe and great for a weekday lunch or something

Great and fast service, workers super nice Coffees were…read moreamazing and food was so fresh

The whole front of house staff is so kind a friendly. The bagels are exceptional with many vegan…read morevarieties including "the V" sandwich and a couple non-dairy cream cheeses. Love ya!

Groovy and upbeat place! Chicago style hip environment. The number of options is immense. My order…read morecame out fast and accurate! The goat killer was the bagel I tried, and it was delicious! Thank you Bagel Authority!

*False advertising* The menu said the bagel was $11, then I…read morewas charged $14 plus tax I asked why. They said "oh our menus are not updated" and I asked are you going to give me my 3 dollars back? The worker said why would I do that. I just left it, but there is this thing called false advertising sir. Fix your menus and your attitude. Don't go here. Also they were playing edm dance music for no reason.

This diner has a huge, comfortable dining area which isn't immediately apparent from the street…read more The menu has tons of choices and there is a daily special menu also. Our server, Brenda, was hilarious and sassy in the best old style Chicago way possible. Even if the food had been poor we would have left smiling. I had a bagel breakfast sandwich which came with a side of fruit, tomatoes or hash browns. The hash browns were seemingly totally lacking salt but that was easily remedied with table salt. The bagel sandwich was excellent with a generous scrambled egg and nicely toasted bagel. Brenda even brought hot sauce anticipating that I might want it which I did. One thing that has to be noted is the (not good) value factor. The Bagel Restaurant is really pushing limits on pricing. 7.75 for a fruit cup, 4.60 for a cup of juice etc etc.

The Bagel is truly an iconic establishment in Lakeview East neighborhood. Historically it is a…read morepillar to the LGBTQ+ community, offering a space for those to gather that didn't have families to see during the holiday times. Today, it stands strong with an extensive menu and friendly staff providing the same welcoming environment that started it all. Most recently I ordered the Chinese Chicken Salad, which is huge and super tasty. Their fountain soda comes with free refills, which is always a perk to me. I left happy and full at the end of my meal. If you're looking for a classic diner, I couldn't recommend it more. I'll be back soon!

Stopped by Gotham Bagels in South Loop and had a pretty good experience. Service was fast and the…read morestaff was friendly. I really liked that they have both indoor and outdoor seating, gives you options depending on the weather. I got the lox bagel on an everything bagel. The flavors were there but the bagel itself was a bit too hard for me, kind of took away from the whole thing. Definitely want to come back and try the lox on a different bagel because I think it has potential. Also got the matcha latte and that was really good, smooth and not too sweet. That's something I'd absolutely order again. Will be back to give it another shot.

Solid egg, sausage, cheddar bagel on sesame. It doesn't get…read moreany better. Friendly fast staff, had my food in a couple of minutes, and it's as delicious as it looks. Definitely my new favorite stop in the morning.

A great breakfast/lunch joint next to the train station with lots of options…read more Steamed bagel sandwiches galore and really funny decor Tried the hangover bagel - the day after a friend's wedding. Worked!

The Christmas lighting weekend / food adventour in Chicago continues. Chicago Bagel Authority…read more(CBA) in Lakeview looked and sounded intriguing. This is your crazy uncle's bagel shop. They have turned a normal bagel shop into steamed, stuffed bagel sandwiches on steroids. The sandwiches have crazy names, interesting flavor combinations, over-stuffed and are not shy on ingredients. The menu is divided into numerous different meats, vegan options and breakfast selections. CBA's space is very tight with a robust take-out service. There are a few tables but CBA is more of an order, grab and go. We ordered the Belmont, a steamed bagel with smoked ham, maple sausage, chive cream cheese, jalapeno, egg, Gouda and pepper jack cheese. It was served hot, tasty and "over-stuffed" with ingredients. The orders here take time due to the volume they serve. One could order a different sandwich each day over 2 months and never have the same sandwich. Chicago Bagel Authority is killing the bagel sandwich market in the Lakeview area. Even though the wait is longer, the flavors and taste are well worth it. Smart patrons order on line and pick up their tasty treats. For a fully over-stuffed and tasty bagel sandwich, support a local provider and get to Chicago Bagel Authority.

You'd swear these are the most seeded and topped bagels you've seen. Their poppey bagels are so…read moreseeded they look like a cocoa powder dusted donut, same with the sesame and everythings. I don't know what technique they do it get or keep so much topping on them, but it's a pleasure to have too much rather than not enough. They service beer here which makes it slightly unbreakfasty and their bagel sandwiches used baked eggs rather than griddled/flat topped or from a pan. Keeps them fluffy, but I prefer mine a little runnier. Service is very good, friendly, not rushed or fake hospitality. They cure their lox in house which to me feels more tender than other places, probably just a lower, longer heating or a gentler cure. Excellent schmear, a not heavy handed when scooping (respect the schream cuz). Prices are pretty good considering the care and love they put into the bagels (hand rolled, multiple proofs). They have crunch, chew, density, but air pockets. Chef/owners def put thought into the menu with flavors like zatar, dilly ranch deviled eggs. Dr. Browns sodas. Baclava cappuccinos. White fish on bagel chips, Bagel dog is such a simple combination of not just the everything bagel seasoning, but the dough as well. And the mustard pairs better than had they added schmear (sorry Seattle dogs, i'm not a fan, i only like my cream cheese in philadelphia sushi rolls, lol) . The pizza bagel needs more toppings like pepperoni, sausage becuase then it would eat like a normal size bagel bite. The challah bread on the rachel really is more well rounded than the reuben. It's something I've been recreating back home. Giard cream cheese, cmon ya'll are really hitting the nail on the head for a Chicago bagel shop. I guess that's why there are 3 locations now. The Haystack with apple butter works better than expected, but also works with a chive cream cheese sub, no ketchup needed (if you do go with the harissa ketchup from the yada yada). BEC with a side of salted tomato and harissa ketchup is amazing. If everything was 10% more like toppings wise this would be amazing, but they always seem to skimp on something whether it's the schmear, pickels, salad. I feel like i was haggling for my meal sometimes. Prices area little high for most items, but of great value for others. It's busy in the mornings, but lines move long and only once did I have to wait for a fresh batch of anything despite some large orders ahead of me. It's a 20 minute train ride, but worth it. Prime location near Wrigley.

If you're looking for the best za'atar bagel or lox sandwich in the city, this is the spot. I've…read morebeen going to Steingold's for years and continue coming back here despite all the new bagel stores popping up. Definitely recommend the Za'atar Bagel with Lox, Pickled Cucumbers and Chive Cream Cheese! Also, their Nutella Rugelach is to die for!!! Steingold's has a ton of unique flavors and the staff is extremely nice so they can definitely help out what best to go with when you get there. They have a ton of casual and clean seating inside, as well as outside space during the summer at a first come first serve basis. You can either order at the counter or through a QR code too!

Great breakfast bagel sandwiches and coffee!…read more I got The Bagler Sandwich and a mocha latte with their house made mocha. The bagel sandwich was just the right amount to satisfy my craving and wasn't too heavy or over the top. Their latte was creamy and just what I needed. It has a lot of space and I even saw people working from home from there and I wished I'd brought my laptop to get some work done as well. Service was quick and the staff was friendly.

The Bagelers was bookmarked on my list for a while, and I was ravenous after a cycling class one…read moremorning and felt that a bagel sandwich was calling my name. We came in on a Thursday morning, and there were a few other customers but several open tables which was great. I ordered The Hashy B. I really enjoyed the fillings of the sandwich; the hot honey and chipotle mayo specifically added great flavor, and I also liked the hash brown patty. However, the bagel itself was lackluster. I feel like the Everything Bagel was lacking in taste, and the texture also wasn't great. I don't know if it was worth the price. That being said, I liked the environment. There were a good number of tables, and it seemed like a good place to go with friends to catch up one morning. The service was also super efficient. I would potentially come back in the future if I was ever in the area, but I'm definitely still searching for a good bagel in Chicago.