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 stopped by New York Bagel & Bialy pretty late in the evening on a Saturday night. There was a…read morelittle bit of a line, but I took that as a good sign. We ordered a dozen mixed, cream cheese and lox spread and headed home. Service was fast and the employee helping us was really sweet. The smell in the building was lovely. Ahhhh..... Every single thing we ate was spectacular. Absolutely wonderful. We went to a funeral in Skokie last month, I thought we were stopping to get some goods on the way home. My husband forgot his promise... I am still holding a grudge.

The $5.99 Benchmark for Bagel Integrity Who would have…read morethought you could still find this kind of integrity for $5.99? In a world where most spots are jacking up prices while lowering quality, this place is sticking to the New York gold standard. The line is a total marathon. You're going to wait, and it's going to be a while--but that's the tax you pay for food that actually has a soul. Don't let the deli line distract you. It's white noise. Stay focused on the bagels, the bialys, and the accoutrements. The breakfast sandwich is, hands down, the best in town. Period. It's simple, inexpensive, and lacks any of that "cheap filler" logic you see at other breakfast joints. It's just a masterclass in doing the basics with real care. If you have the patience to survive the wait, you won't find a better return on your investment.

Good deli. Sandwiches are seriously huge and stuffed with meat…read more I got the lox bagel sandwich. I wish the tomato and cucumber were sliced thinner for an easier bite. Because they're kind of thick, it makes for a sandwich where all the filling slides right out. I guess I wish the bagel had a little more give to it as well instead of being on the stiffer side. But obviously it's still very tasty. The potato pancakes are not quite the style I like. These are thick and dense--like the size of a burger. I think I prefer when they're thinner and soft on the inside but crispy outside.

The challah rolls here might be the best I've ever had. So soft and delicious. I think it's worth…read moremaking a trek out here just for this. I'm I accidentally got the soft salami instead of the hard salami. It was more like bologna. The rainbow star cookies were amazing. Not too sweet and just like the ones I remember getting as a kid in New York. They also have discounted bagels at the end of the weekend. I recommend grabbing a bag to take home and the slicing them and putting them in the freezer. There is plenty of free parking and they do have a few tables in the front if you want to dine there.

Amazing bagels! Great variety and always fresh. Would definitely recommend you try them if you…read morehaven't already. You will not be disappointed!!!

Left Hand Bagels are FANTABULOUS!!! Best bagels I have ever had and now that they are made on the…read morespot at the Farmer's Markets makes them even more delicious - fresh and HOT out of the oven. These bagels are NOT to be missed - trust me - I know my bagels from the east coast and these delights need to be sold everywhere. I LOVE that you use all natural and fresh ingredients and you are a veteran making a difference. Chuck - you ROCK!!! Thank you for sharing your talents.

Love this place . The daily the bakery You name it! The…read moresoup looks amazingly good too ! I'll have to try it . It's counter order but if you dine in they bring it to your table! You can order to go There are tables and booths settings . I enjoy the corn beef . Will return again soon

Great hidden gem. We will definitely be back because they have so many great options. Service was…read morequick and the place was packed. Ambiance basic deli look.

Wonderful local bakery!! Excellent pastries and cookies. And HUGE recognition and appreciation for…read moregenerously passing out thousands of butter cookies to all the neighborhood trick or treaters for the village Halloween event. Definitely a highlight of the event and our family loved the delicious cookies. We will be loyal customers!

I've been to this bakery several times. The selection is great, the service is outstanding, and…read moreeach product looks scrumptious. However, the past few times I've ordered from there, the products have been somewhat underwhelming. Got two kolaczki's and both were very dry. Also got a slice of German chocolate cake and it was dry, too sweet, and tasted old. The doughnuts are generally very good as well as the coffee cakes. But the pastries do not taste as good as they look behind the counter. I admit, I did arrive about 20 minutes before closing, but that should not affect the taste that much.

I don't know why I don't come here enough! I stopped by for a snack because I was starving and…read morestill wanted breakfast food! First off the lady behind the counter greets you as soon as you walk through the door and it just makes you feel so special... she took all my lil money!! Yes customer service is top tier here! She talked me into getting the special which was like 15 bagels when I just came in for one!!! But I got the jalapeño and cheese bagel with vegetable cream cheese!! The BOMB!!! With a latte!! Delicious! Totally recommend this place! Once I finish these 10 more bagels in my freezer I will be back!!

I got the bacon, lettuce, and tomato bagel on an asiago bagel with mayo--it came out to about $10…read more The bagel was really good and had a lot of bacon, which I loved. The asiago flavor was pretty strong and started to mess with me a bit after, but overall it was tasty. I'd definitely come back to try another one of their bagels--they all looked super fresh and delicious!

Bagels were Aok not great but very fine Buy 6 get 6 free…read morecoupon did not really add up to much of a deal vs just buy 12 I will definitely shop there again

I have been coming here for almost 20 years, and Maria and Hector always make the experience…read moreperfect. They are warm and welcoming and make me feel like a valued customer. They know my preferred order - a Mediterranean Veg-Out sandwich on a toasted sesame bagel. The place is always clean and well-stocked. The sandwich is delicious! This is the perfect place to stop and grab a quick breakfast on the way to work in the morning.