where can I get a real bagel in Chicago?
June 18, 2020 11:23 AM Subscribe
That's it. That's the question. I grew up eating bagels in Manhattan and environs and I've never found a bagel in Chicago worth a damn. Any suggestions? I have a car, so nearby suburbs would be fine, but I'm not looking to make a road trip. I'm on the north side of the city.
Best answer: New York Bagel and Bialy on Touhy in Skokie. Closest I’ve found.
posted by jacy at 11:28 AM on June 18, 2020 [12 favorites]
posted by jacy at 11:28 AM on June 18, 2020 [12 favorites]
I was here to post what Jacy said. I think that is your best bet.
https://www.newyorkbagelandbialy.net
(I thought it was on Touhy, but they are saying Dempster. I wonder if they moved?)
posted by Wink Ricketts at 11:32 AM on June 18, 2020
https://www.newyorkbagelandbialy.net
(I thought it was on Touhy, but they are saying Dempster. I wonder if they moved?)
posted by Wink Ricketts at 11:32 AM on June 18, 2020
I've had good bagels at Kaufman's in Skokie and Once Upon a Bagel in Highland Park (looks like they also have a Winnetka location). However I'm from California and can't vouch for their True Authenticity.
For something a little different, Reno in Logan Square makes tasty Montreal-style bagels.
posted by theodolite at 11:33 AM on June 18, 2020
For something a little different, Reno in Logan Square makes tasty Montreal-style bagels.
posted by theodolite at 11:33 AM on June 18, 2020
I wonder if they moved?
Not sure if they have another location on Dempster or not, but the Touhy location is alive and well. Huge socially distanced line out front last Saturday morning
posted by hwyengr at 11:36 AM on June 18, 2020
Not sure if they have another location on Dempster or not, but the Touhy location is alive and well. Huge socially distanced line out front last Saturday morning
posted by hwyengr at 11:36 AM on June 18, 2020
I also believe New York Bagel and Bialy is the correct answer. I've always gone to the location at 4714 W Touhy Ave., and I'm not familiar with the one on Dempster. If I recall they're open 24/7/365 (!).
posted by pullayup at 11:42 AM on June 18, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by pullayup at 11:42 AM on June 18, 2020 [2 favorites]
NYB&B for the win, the one on Touhy is the one we go to. Fantastic.
Have your order ready to go in your mind when your turn comes up, cos if you get Mr. Grumpy, he'll give you SUCH a look if you're not ready. I kind of love him.
posted by cooker girl at 12:00 PM on June 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
Have your order ready to go in your mind when your turn comes up, cos if you get Mr. Grumpy, he'll give you SUCH a look if you're not ready. I kind of love him.
posted by cooker girl at 12:00 PM on June 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
I grew up going to the New York Bagel and Bialy on Dempster - it's outstanding.
posted by leslies at 12:00 PM on June 18, 2020
posted by leslies at 12:00 PM on June 18, 2020
Best answer: Not in response to the actual question, but back in the throes of pandemic baking, I made bagels. The first batch was fantastic (it all seemed to go downhill with the subsequent batches, dunno why). If you're into the idea of baking, it's surprisingly easy and only takes a couple hours: New York Bagel recipe.
posted by tapir-whorf at 12:32 PM on June 18, 2020
posted by tapir-whorf at 12:32 PM on June 18, 2020
NYB&B is the answer, I've also made bagels from that same recipe tapir-whorf posted and they're pretty consistent and good for me - I use AP flour but add vital wheat gluten, and it's been ~20 years but I remember getting decent bagels from Max & Bennys in Northbrook as well.
posted by misskaz at 12:59 PM on June 18, 2020
posted by misskaz at 12:59 PM on June 18, 2020
Others can say if this is a really good place for actual bagels (or not) these days, but when my late brother-in-law was alive, this was one of his favorite places, and I would always go at least once when visiting.
posted by 41swans at 1:11 PM on June 18, 2020
posted by 41swans at 1:11 PM on June 18, 2020
Nth-ing NYB&B. I know nothing about Touhy, but the one I've been to was right across the street from Lutheran General Hospital on Dempster in the same shopping center as the Portillo's. It's an embarrassment of riches, that place.
posted by hwestiii at 2:42 PM on June 18, 2020
posted by hwestiii at 2:42 PM on June 18, 2020
Best answer: If all else fails, you should know that H&H Bagels in Manhattan does ship bagels by the dozen, with or without cream cheese and lox.
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 4:16 PM on June 18, 2020
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 4:16 PM on June 18, 2020
If you’re looking to have the shortest travel time from the city, the NYB&B on Touhy is right off the 94 exit, which makes it a quick get away.
Backlot Coffee in Irving Park stocks NYB&B bagels and is right off the Irving Park Road 90/94 exit.
posted by photovox at 5:08 PM on June 18, 2020
Backlot Coffee in Irving Park stocks NYB&B bagels and is right off the Irving Park Road 90/94 exit.
posted by photovox at 5:08 PM on June 18, 2020
Response by poster: Thanks all - pretty unanimous recommendation!
41swans - I regret to inform you that The Bagel on Broadway has been under new management for some time and is barely a shadow of its former self.
posted by tzikeh at 5:12 PM on June 18, 2020
41swans - I regret to inform you that The Bagel on Broadway has been under new management for some time and is barely a shadow of its former self.
posted by tzikeh at 5:12 PM on June 18, 2020
Emma's Bagel Cafe supplies reliably correct bagels in our experience.
posted by Rat Spatula at 8:27 AM on June 19, 2020
posted by Rat Spatula at 8:27 AM on June 19, 2020
Kaufman's for sure, on Dempster in Skokie. So if you go to Skokie, go to both places and let us know which you prefer.
posted by Stewriffic at 11:54 AM on June 21, 2020
posted by Stewriffic at 11:54 AM on June 21, 2020
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posted by voiceofreason at 11:27 AM on June 18, 2020