4. Restaurants

The Bagel Restaurant & Deli

3107 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL, 60657
  • (773) 997-2333
  • Store is closed

The Bagel Restaurant & Deli Menu

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  • Deanna C.

    Love this place! I think this place gets some negative reviews because of the price point, but if you ever been to a good jewish deli - the price point here is right in line, if not lower, than the norm. I love matzo ball soup, and they have the best here! I always tell myself im going to order something different because I like trying new things, but I always end up getting the soup because its so darn good! My boyfriend always end up ordering the pastrami on rye, and he is a pretty picky fella and he loves it! Most times he will eat half and take the other half to go because it is so meaty. This is our new go to spot. So happy!

    (5)

  • Bob R.

    We are fans of the Bagel in Skokie. Although we don't get there often, we are really fans. While in the city, we took our kids to the Bagel in Lakeview. (It is kind of between where they both live.) The decoration is not as great as the one in Skokie. It looks kind of run down and does not have a clean feel. (Although, I cannot say it was not clean.) The menu is enormous with all of the items you would expect from a Jewish Style Deli. I had a corned beef sandwich and fries. Both were very good. I have to say, through, that their pickle tray was quite good. It only had half sours and not full sour pickles, but that was okay. Would have been nice to have the full sours too, but they provide these for free so beggers can't be choosers.... It was good, but as noted above, I prefer the one in Skokie. And, while I don't get up that way often, I will continue to visit that one. Not so sure I would go back to the one in Lakeview again.

    (3)

  • Jodi Y.

    Seriously best breakfast bagel I've ever had. You can order these from the counter to go. It's ready in 5minutes and delicious. It's huge! Stacked with eggs, cheese, and perfect bacon. I was full for hours.

    (5)

  • Kimberly B.

    Overpriced and bad tasting! Sandwiches are way too expensive and are cheaply made, a better sandwich can easily be made at home. A friend of mine ordered a bagel ($1.75) which didn't come with cream cheese ($1.75 extra). I ordered the fresh melon and all I got was half of a honey dew on a plate, not even cut.

    (1)

  • Maren R.

    Great kufel. Daily vegetarian soup option (mushroom barley was yummy). Not cheap eats but everything we had was exactly what we wanted, and the portions were BIG

    (4)

  • Jenny T.

    They don't have bagels. Try to wrap your head around that at 9am while you're fighting off a hangover. I couldn't.

    (2)

  • John K.

    Their sweet cabbage soup is one of the best I've ever had anywhere in my entire lifetime. Seriously, i dream about that soup sometimes. Their latkes are also really good, and you can't go wrong with their corned beef on rye either. Love that they have a parking lot for their customers in the back too, especially when parking on the street can be very annoying in that area. Nice staff as well. They always make me feel welcome.

    (5)

  • Russell S.

    A late work lunch and what an amazing experience for a deli restaurant. Traditional Jewish deli with "old world" recipes. Before the meal arrives you are treated to a platterette of dill pickle slices and bread basket. The dill pickles were really fresh and tasty. I know, dill pickles. I'm tellin' ya - yummy. I skipped the bread as to not fill up. The Rueben Sandwich of course was my pick - when in Rome... AMAZING Sandwich - one if the best Ruebens I have ever had. May be number #2 or #3 on my list. Great, lean, tender corned beef - not dry. The thousand Island dressing was definitely not out of a jar, must have been homemade, it had a wonderful, full-bodied taste. I know, again, Thousand Island Dressing. Switched out the fries for a bowl of fruit, which was fresh and sweet. I brought home half my sandwich, and then I took a second look at the bread. Not sure what it was, kind of a sweet, Jewish, (egg) bread? OUTSTANDING!!! I kid you not. It was like my dessert, which I didn't get, even though they have two or three glass cases of homemade bakery goodies! Next time! And the meal was made complete by our delightful, fun, and charming server, Brenda, who handled four grown juvenile men with Jewish grace and pizzazz. Can you tell I'll be back??? Can't wait. I'll add the chicken soup too - oh yeah!

    (5)

  • Jeffie J.

    There was a sign that said The Cold Beet Borscht Is Now Being Served. If there's borscht, I'm in. The version here was on the sweet-sweet side of the equation. It was 50% clear beet soup, and 50% chopped beets--and nothing else. How was it, on a hot, humid spring day in Chicago? You have to ask? Delicious and refreshing. Sure, I prefer a borscht that's a little more jumbled up--a hard boiled egg, some chopped scallions, a little sprig of dill wouldn't hurt--but I tell you, this borscht was A-OK. Along with a chopped liver sandwich that hit the spot. Beef liver I think. And they serve trays of challah and pickles with every order--gratis. Go ahead, nosh a little. I can't tell you how many fine delis on the East Coast are charging for pickles now like an appetizer. Gevalt! (Message to owner--do not read this.) Coffee and a black & white for dessert were just fine. The B&W here is denser than the ones on the East Coast--but still tasty. Then there was Gus, the server--he will brighten your day. So in terms of style this type of eatery may not rate high on my radar screen, but the food and service--can't knock them.

    (4)

  • Eowyn K.

    A few friends and I ordered brunch from The Bagel. We split the lox platter and ordered several bagels to go with, a greek omelette and a matzo ball soup (one of my friends was really feeling soup for some reason, though we ended up sharing everything). I had a great sesame bagel (I'm not sure why some one else said they did not have sesame). The lox was wonderful, though I would note that this was the one item that was a bit pricy. The matzo ball soup had one large matzo ball surrounded by tastes-authentic broth. I liked the consistency, my version of just right. This is a personnel preference as a friend preferred a bit more firm. The greek omelette came with hash browns. It was devoured despite the large portion. It had a good mix and balance of fillings, nothing overpowered any other item. A note that you do have to ask for the bagel to be toasted if this is your preference. They do not come automatically toasted.

    (4)

  • Chloe T.

    I really do enjoy it here. From a child to an adult it is still really delicious! If you love Jewish food this place is sure to be a hit! The only issue I have ever had is the one older blond waitress, she's never very polite or nice & her tone always lends to the feeling that she is either irritated or frustrated by you, but if you catch her on a good day, she can be a little nicer....Other than that, this place still rocks!

    (5)

  • Joseph D.

    My review is limited to bagels and lox I recently purchased for a Sunday brunch. Being from the NYC area, admittedly I'm a tough one to please when it comes to bagels. Back east you can get a good bagel just about anywhere. In Chicago, not so much. Got a variety of flavors but they were a bit limited compared to other shops. There were the usual's like plain, egg and salt, but no sesame which I found odd. Poppy yes, sesame, no. Also no blueberry. Sad as that's one of my faves but alas, you take what you can get. As others have mentioned, it's not cheap. The lox were somewhere around $30 / pound but I guess since you're there, they figure they'll price them accordingly. You can get a 4 ounce package at Jewel for around $5 ($20 / pound) so $30 seemed a bit high. Bagels themselves were OK. They were a bit airy for me and lacked that chewiness that good bagel should have. I like to think you know a good bagel when you bite into it and you think you're going to lose a tooth because you have to rip a piece off with a serious bite. Here they just kind of melt in your mouth. Overall if you're looking for an OK bagel, you could come here but I wouldn't go out of my way for this place. If you want to travel, try NY Bagel and Bialy in Skokie. Much better.

    (3)

  • Eric F.

    Chicago and its suburbs used to have a lot of great delis (Barnham & Bagel in Skokie, Carnagie Deli on Michigan Ave, and The Belden Deli in Lincoln Park, to name three big ones), but now there are so few. But The Bagel on Broadway is one of the few good ones left. This is a full service Jewish deli, with its smells of corned beef and its huge bowls of Matzo ball soup. It is great for breakfast, brunch, and lumch. I have the best pickled whitefish stuffed with Polish gefiltefish (sweet carp balls) in my life here, and I have been chasing the dragon ever since. This place offers omelettes, soups (try the sweet and sour red cabbage soup with beef flanken, amazing), deli sandwiches, lox and bagels, and more. The Bagel is a great place to meet friends in New Town for deli brunch. Split the lox platter, and nail down a pastrami or a tongue sandwich. The pickles are good here too. This is one of the two best delis left in Chicago.

    (4)

  • Scott O.

    So, my dog never recovered from the food poisoning and we had to put him to sleep. He was too old and weak to recover. Thanks, Bagel for letting pastrami sit around un-refrigerated and so long that it made my partner sick and killed my dog. I am working hard to tell everyone about this and making sure they don't go back to your restaurant. Too bad we didn't save any of it-would have made a great lawsuit.

    (1)

  • Bryce S.

    Great food and great service! You get delicious omelets in large portions. Great breakfast and lunch joint!

    (5)

  • Joel B.

    We love the Bagel. Ideal comfort food, traditional deli, free parking- what more can you ask? Ask for Brenda! She's absolutely delightful, a little sassy and genuinely sweet. We have had the pleasure of being her customers for over 15 years. Brenda loves to talk football! She made silly faces at our babies & now jokes with our teenagers. The food? It's great-get the matza ball soup, a club sandwich, potato pancakes, the fried chicken special on Sunday....

    (5)

  • Carly O.

    I managed to boycott The Bagel for ten years after going in and not being served. But when we weren't able to find street parking for dinner the other night, their parking lot was very appealing. The place was about half full and our waiter didn't hide the fact that he just wanted us in and out. Our entire meal took thirty minutes. If I'd wanted to eat that fast, I would have gone to McDonald's. Sure, the pickles and bread basket are nice and the food is decent. But if you're going to spend this much money on a corned beef sandwich, it's worth the trek to Manny's instead. After this last experience, I have absolutely no problem not going back.

    (2)

  • Misty D.

    The Bagel is pretty awesome. All of the food is very nostalgic. A lot of it reminds me of growing up in the country. It is all very tasty! The décor feels vintage, and gives it a very fun feeling. This is a place I love to bring company. It's a great place for eating in or take out.

    (4)

  • Dana C.

    I so badly want to love the Bagel. A tray of pickles with the bread basket! A giant menu of anything your heart desires! A case of mouth-watering desserts up front! Yes please. Unfortunately, every trip here has been a disappointment. It's certainly not BAD - way better sandwiches that Potbelly or any other lame chain. I go to Manny's Deli all the time on Jefferson, and the Bagel is just so tragic in comparison. Food is not as fresh or well prepared, and meat is lower quality. I once ordered a pound of pastrami to go and could barely get through it because it was so fatty - the package was caked in grease when I unwrapped it and I had to fry it like bacon for it to be edible. Nothing like the mean lean pastrami at Manny's. Also, the matzo ball soup tastes like it comes out of a can. Go for the free pickles, but keep all other expectations mediocre.

    (3)

  • Random P.

    So I went in with my mom the other week. Service was great, food was ok. Just as we were getting ready to leave, I saw a roach on the wall. Just a little baby one. I ended going back today for some reason, just to give it another shot. While waiting for my food, I overheard a woman say to her friends, "I think that's a cock roach, i'm going to be respectful and not say anything". I'm giving it two stars cuz the service was excellent, which holds a lot of weight in my mind.

    (2)

  • R.J. R.

    One of the best delis I've been to in a while. Came on Sunday around lunch time, and were seated immediately. Our server, Brenda (?) was excellent - personable, funny, and fast. I had the pastrami and it was one of the best. I'm coming back for sure.

    (5)

  • Michael S.

    Terrible bagel and lox. Good fresh squeezed orange juice. Maybe I'm used to amazing bagel or maybe this place just has the worst example of bagel and lox I have let touch my lips. These were worse than Einstein Bagel and Lox for a point of reference The bagel wasn't toasted. I mean this seems like bagel and lox 101 here. I don't think I should have I specify the need for toasting. Baseline the bagel was just alright. For the record I don't think toasting would have saved this dish The lox was mediocre. Large thick slices which I'm not a fan of which made me think the quality of the lox was subpar. Probably fine quality for a lox smear. Definitely some middle of the mall quality. No capers!!! Are you kidding me here? The tomatoes were thick slices which slid off the sandwich while eating. This could be forgivable. It was served as sandwich which is poor form in my mind. It was so thick that it was impossible to eat as a sandwich. Only one side had the cream cheese on it so it's not like eating it as 2 halves is thing. The fresh squeezed orange juice was as advertised..fresh squeezed and at $2.25 I thought it was delicious for a 10oz cup.

    (1)

  • Burma J.

    Great food, great people working there. Always enjoy coming for brunch or dinner. I usually go for the Lawrence & Kedzie sandwich (Pastrami and Corned Beef), but have tried or sampled a dining companion's cholent, meatloaf dinner, salmon pattie, and it was all homemade and wonderful. The kishka is fantastic, the latkes are crisp and served with sour cream and apple sauce, and the cabbage soup is out of this world. I appreciate this place more than most because it truly is honest food at honest prices.

    (5)

  • Kimberly E.

    Service was pretty slow even though we were the only ones in there. Our waiter eventually gave us our check while still chewing his breakfast. Smoked salmon was already blended w cream cheese, which I'm glad he warned us about but it lost the texture of a usual bagel and lox. Pricey for what you get.

    (2)

  • Stephanie D.

    The staff is incredibly rude. Considering the money I spend at the restaurant keeps their bills paid, I expect a lot more respect. If you like being treated like garbage, then you'll love this place :)

    (1)

  • Kayu T.

    I love this hidden spot! Usually no wait, unlike the diners surrounding it and the quality of their food is great. I think they have the best hash browns in town. Super crispy on top and in a unique rectangular shape! It's good for large groups but mainly older crowds come here.

    (4)

  • Jerry S.

    Been here for breakfast here a few times and the food is always very good. Portions are huge, so plan on bringing home a doggy bag. The only problem with the place is the noise. Other than that A+

    (3)

  • Roberta B.

    We ordered a platter and sides for 12 people and contacted Rich for catering. After calling 3 different times I finally reached him. He promptly took the order explained our choices and said it would be ready at the time we requested. On Sunday afternoon I called before pickup. I spoke to someone with a thick Spanish accent and could not understand a word he said. I'm astounded with businesses that have people answer phones who cannot speak clearly. Our platter was very ordinary. Turkey, corned beef, salami and pastrami with cole slaw, 3 cheeses, potato salad and some pasta thing that was inedible. I threw it out. The pastrami looked very fatty and stringy and no one ate it. Rolls and rye bread were included. To top it off the order cost $177. I will not order from The Bagel again.

    (1)

  • Adam R.

    Great place to have a relaxing meal. Be sure to visit on Sunday for their Fried Chicken. I know at first it sounds odd. They do run out by the end of the day. So be sure to call ahead if you want Fried Chicken.

    (4)

  • Ambrosia R.

    I have an inveterate fondness for this place. It's the closest thing I've ever visited to a New York style Jewish Deli - not fancy, not pretentious, but with damn good sandwiches and a goodly percentage of the clientele who look like permanent fixtures. Where else in Chicago can you munch on deliciously crisp kosher dill spears while listening to the World's Most Jewish-Sounding Man (who looks like he pre-dates most of the vintage musical posters on the walls) at the next table kvetch endlessly to his daughter? Where else can you get a hot pastrami sandwich that's nothing but rye bread and meat (mustard provided on the side) - and is still absolutely to die for? Where else can you and your friend order latkes and kippers with onions respectively, and not have the waitress bat an eye? Where else can you justifiably battle your husband over the single wonderfully tasty Bialy roll in the breadbasket, and only hammer out an accord on the condition that you buy a half-dozen of them on your way out? Great food, great people-watching, and we've never had to wait more than a few minutes even on a weekend. Well worth visiting.

    (4)

  • Rebecca R.

    Solid spot for some Jewish staples and brunch. My partner in crime and I both tried an omelet, potatoes, bagel, chive cream cheese, pastrami and cheese sandwich, fries, and pickles. Everything was very tasty but we were left craving the awesome bagels you can order to take home out front so we were sure to stop and grab a dozen for the week. The coffee was diner coffee, so don't be too disappointed there. True diner feel with mediocre coffee and brash service, but it added to the charm a little. I'd like to head back for the ginormous matzo ball soup!

    (4)

  • Melissa W.

    If you need a pick me up, come to The Bagel and get some matzo ball soup - it's a hug in a bowl. The Bagel can be expensive for what it is, but at least the food is pretty good. Aside from the matzo ball soup, I've had the grilled cheese, corned beef sandwich and brisket sandwich. Try the soup and half a sandwich. You can't go wrong. The diner's kitschy decor is charming, but some of the booths are falling apart.

    (3)

  • Melissa M.

    How has no one mentioned that they charge $2 for cream cheese? It's a flippin' bagel place. My pal loves this place so we went for breakfast today. The service was...interesting and while the food was good, its priced about 25% too high. They also charge for hot water.

    (2)

  • Indigo C.

    I live close to this place and really want to give it a higher score - it is so close to a 4 star place, but the prices are a little too high for the food they serve, and the service is always hit or miss. Love the pickles they give, the breads they make and the breakfast options, but that is about it. I probably will go back again, but that is because it is so close... maybe they will get a bit better?

    (3)

  • Mary B.

    Best Jewish deli around. Matzo ball soup is fabulous. Deli meats fantastic. Pickles are to die for

    (5)

  • Amanda W.

    The service always leaves something to be desired, but I adore their chicken soup and kreplach, potato pancakes & lox plate. Portions are generous, prices are reasonable. Plus, free parking right in back and pickles always on the table!

    (3)

  • Jerry C.

    I come here mainly to get "care packages" for my elderly Jewish mother that lives in the exurbs ("Jew food" wasteland). The counter guys recognize me, and I tip them well, so I always get great fast service Food quality varies with what you buy. Great: chicken soup, chopped liver, scallion cream cheese, rye bread, bagels. Their corned beef is a little dry and in no way compares to Manny's IMO, though Mom disagrees. Both of us think their soups are better than Manny's, though. Nova lox comes pre-sliced to the store, and sometimes it is too thick. For $30 a pound, you should be able to specify thin sliced and get it that way if that's what you want. I always have them show me the lox before I leave the store. When I eat in at The Bagel, I usually get a chicken salad on rye. Their chicken salad is exceptional. The fact that they have a free parking lot in East Lakeview is HUGE!

    (3)

  • Annemarie H.

    Hit or Miss....usually a hit! Reminds me of home! Dude u get a basket of pickles as you are sat....what's greater than that!!!! I really really love this part of Chicago it's so delicious on Belmont and Broadway!

    (4)

  • Craig S.

    This restaurant is like family to me, I love it so much. Corn beef is the best. The deli counter breakfast beacon, egg , and sharp cheddar sandwich is unrivaled. The corned beef and eggs over easy I want to have a portrait studio take a photo for my mantel. The restaurant across the street Stella's Diner has a higher review and it is consistently god awful. Try their Rye bread loaf and Jewish mustard , tuna and egg salad items to go from the deli counter. You will thank me.

    (5)

  • Christian C.

    Having grown up outside New York City, I crave a good Jewish deli, especially when Chicago's brutal cold kicks up. I've fallen in love for the bagel, both for the quality of its food and for the perfectly authentic combination of charming sass and efficiency of its staff. And the pickles and bagel chips awaiting you as you sit down are like a big welcoming hug. The soups are the star of the show for me--great matzo ball and a mish-mash soup (chicken broth with every imaginable carb and dumpling in it) that warm body and soul. The sandwiches are appropriately obscenely large, with the corned beef and the tongue being particular standouts. Fine, I'l confess it, the franks and beans platter is my guilty pleasure. And if you go, ask for Brenda's section. You won't regret it, she's a gem.

    (4)

  • Aaron S.

    I love this place. Quite possibly because it's the perfect mix of gay and Jewish which are two things I happen to be. The food has always been delicious and the service has been splendid. I love the bread basket and pickle tray they put out when you are first seated, but be warned, eat too many and you won't have room for the meal!! I really like the sandwiches and soups. I also think the omelettes are very good. The chocolate phosphate can at times be a little low on the chocolate but that's just personal preference. I recommend anyone checks this place out, you won't regret it! (oh, and they have another location in Skokie in the Old Orchard Mall).

    (5)

  • Andy F.

    A little pricey for a diner but great if you want your fix of salty stuff like lox and matzo ball soup. Good kids menu, great deserts. Coffee just ok but service is excellent and there's free parking in the back.

    (4)

  • Amelia S.

    FAB U LOUS! Bomb ass Rueben's (they don't skimp on the cheese), awesome bread basket with fresh bread, and amazing homemade pickles that I could live off of. Their fries aren't bad either. They definitely give you a lot for your money. Portions are gracious... Great hangover food.

    (4)

  • Margaret N.

    Life is uncertain, eat dessert first!! Make sure you get the little box of the butter cookies with the sprinkles to start! Only then should you move on to the fluffy bagel with lox and chive cream cheese. It's a little pricey, but worth it because the bagel sandwiches are huge!

    (4)

  • Molly R.

    This place is so overpriced its not even funny! A bagel sandwich for over $10? and its not like its piled high with fixings. Not special, not good customer service and the place needs a serious update. Agree with other comments. Stay away!!

    (1)

  • J. Loren H.

    Ok, FIRST things FIRST... I'm giving it 4 stars and NOT 5 because 90% of their wait staff is either rude, or inattentive, or both. Otherwise, the food is deeeelish. I'm a fat Jew, and I love my lox and bagels. I think it's simply FANTASTIC that they load you up with SO MUCH LOX. It's truly worth every penny. I also think it's cool that they don't charge you for another bagel since you have enough lox for 3 or 4 bagels anyway. My last visit was this past Sunday. I was with my mom. Our server was awesome. Actually, I developed a huge crush on her, hoping that she may find that she likes fat guys. I won't say her name, because I posted some shit on Craigslist in the missed connections...maybe she will see it and holler at me. I'd love to take her on a date. Anyway, The Bagel is one of my family's favorite places to eat, and regardless of how shitty the service is sometimes, the food is always worth it. Plus I like watching the Jewish women prance around there. They're so gaudy. I love it. Happy Chanukah, everyone! Eat at The Bagel! (sip your iced tea slowly, though, because you'll be waiting 38 minutes for a refill...)

    (4)

  • Jim M.

    I have to say that Limo Pat has never steered me wrong so I'm going to have to give this place another try. I mean Limo turned me on to Glenn's Diner year's before anyone with a cable show about secret food spots ever set foot in the place and made it hard to get a table for lunch. The man knows Chicago and knows his food. So next time I will go for breakfast and have the corned beef hash as instructed. But this time I didn't go for breakfast and I didn't follow instructions. My girlfriend and I each had a reuben. Meh. Not that big, not that good and not just dry corned beef... but bland. Shocking, I know. Oh and the fries where those battered on the outside before being fried dealies. Bleh. The pickle plate was fantastic but I would have preferred a better sandwich. I love the vibe and the 50's New York deli interior and the 65 year old waitress who kept forgetting if she mentioned the soup special. But we should have sat at the counter, split the reuben and tried a knish.

    (2)

  • Heather R.

    For weeks, I had heard endless great things about this place only to be so disappointed. I felt it was extremely over priced for the selection, quality, and portions and my waiter was just blah. I had the francheezie and it was good, but not $8/9 good. The latke's were OK, but not anything special. I had tastier ones at the Christkindel Market for way cheaper. In fact, I could've gone to the local Dominick's and made a slew of francheezie's and latkes for cheaper. I don't see what all the fuss is about and don't have much else to say.

    (1)

  • Jul N.

    In my quest to visit all local restaurants in East Lakeview, I stopped at The Bagel for a late weekday lunch. Their tuna salad sandwich on challah (I added cheese) was super satisfying: big, flavorful, and fresh. They serve a massive amount of pickles for both dine-in and carry-out orders. Last time I did carry out and ordered online, we arrived at the restaurant and were told that one item in our order wouldn't be ready until 4 p.m. (it was 3:20 p.m.) Wish this had been indicated when we ordered. I was not a fan of the kugel - too much cinnamon and the fettuccine noodles were clumpy. The dining area is kind of cozy. I'll probably return.

    (4)

  • Daniel N.

    First let me say that it was this weekend was the first time I've been in the place and have eaten their food. However, I honestly did not get a good vibe from this place and will probably not go back to get a second opinion; there are other bagel/deli places in town and the experience I got did not warrant a second go. First off my girlfriend and I were meeting her sister there and since we didn't show up together, they couldn't seat us because we were an incomplete party. Another couple came in and the same thing happened to them, incomplete party and could not be seated. This really bothers me in many aspects and is only understandable if the restaurant is busy, which at the time was not. We finally get seated and to my surprise there is a lonely man seated at the table next to us and informs the waitress that his wife will be showing up shortly but he already knows what she wants. It could have been his age but why was he seated as an incomplete party and we were not, perhaps we should have just lied but I like being honest (hence the 2 stars). Then the menu was not any different that the average diner except in terms of the prices. Once seated we were given water and coffee for me but the waitress did not come to greet us for about a while, the busser had already refilled our water glasses prior to the waitress getting over. My girlfriend wanted half a grapefruit, which they were out of, and settled for cereal (which was to come with fresh fruit but didn't) and a veggie cream cheese bagel. The veggie cream cheese bagel made no sense because they served her a huge mound of it (seriously enough for 3 bagels) and charged her $2.75 for it. I ordered the lox platter and was given 2 packets of packaged philly cream cheese (which again made absolutely no sense). I was disappointed to hear that of all the bagel choices, whole wheat was not one of them. The salmon was decent and the garlic bagel I got was actually pretty good. My gf's sister orders a bowl of oatmeal which could have fed three. Again, the service was decent (3 coffee refills and I think the bussers became bored because they were refilling after each sip) and the food was ok but nothing nothing special (I was told I'd get pickles and didn't).

    (2)

  • Lawrence Y.

    Stopped by this place for the first time last night. My roommate had been bugging me to go there with him and so we did with another friend. I don't know what it is but it looked as if the restaurant attracted more of an elderly crowd. Anyway. We were seated, given lots of breads and fresh crunchy pickles. I had been craving pastrami sandwiches ever since I moved here (and hadn't found a place in the last year and a half) so I was happy they had it on their menu. The pastrami (on onion bread) was good as well as the fries crispy. Our server was REALLY nice and I believe it was the owner who also checked in with us a couple times. I'll likely come to eat here again or get it to go.

    (4)

  • Emily K.

    So first and foremost, the bagel has delicious bagels!!! The rest of their breakfast is good too...whenever i have out of town visitors i take them there, and they all want to go back. The plate of pickles and bread they give you is amazing and clever... i've never been a girl to turn down a plate of pickles. the price is good. the hot chocolate is DELICIOUS :) i love to just stop in and grab something quickly (a bagel or a dessert...) the only reason i knocked it a star was because sometimes the waiters/waitresses are a little snooty...

    (4)

  • Jon L.

    For a Jewish town, Chicago is pretty thin on places to get a nosh. But changing demographics on West Devon Avenue became Lakeview's gain when The Bagel relocated many years ago to its present location on a heavily trafficked stretch of Broadway. There are no Homaro Cantu-style culinary innovations going on at The Bagel, but patrons will find an exhaustive and serviceable selection of Jewish favorites--from universal classics like matzoh ball soup, chicken livers, corned beef, and pastrami to bubbie and zayde favorites like kishka, kasha varnishkas, and Rumanian skirt steak. Self-hating Jews and goyish folks will find more generally appealing menu items like enormous salads, omelets, and burgers should the more ethnic choices be deemed unpalatable. But The Bagel isn't the sort of place that would sneer at a request for a ham and mayo on white, so if that's your thing, go for it.

    (3)

  • Michelle D.

    Because of how high I hold Yelp reviews, I am absolutely annoyed and offended that this place holds a 4-star status. Absurd! First and foremost, the price isn't right. Over $30 for a couple soups and sandwiches at a deli? Matzo-ball soup should be good here, why isn't it? Corned beef sandwich, another 'safe' option at a place like this, was drier than the west Texas desert. Just thought I should do my part to get this review back down to where it should be.

    (1)

  • Ginny L.

    My favorite thing to get here is the lox bagel... They give you WAY too much salmon cream cheese spread for the bagel, so make use of the challah and other breads they bring to the table at the start of the meal! And any place with an egg cream on the menu is pretty high on my list! Egg creams FTW.

    (4)

  • Rico T.

    The pastrami at this place cannot be improved. The potato pancakes, however, can. Besides the pastrami, the 2nd most memorable part of my visit was the free parking lot for patrons in the middle of Boystown. My overall experience was a positive one. The place was clean & nicely put together. The red vinyl walls reminded me of a wet bar that was in my parents basement circa 1975...which is a cool. The Broadway musical posters were lively, but not my thing. Whatever... I was looking down at my plate the majority of the time anyway. Get the pastrami. You hear me?

    (4)

  • Jesse S.

    I've only had occasion to grab a quick bagel on the way to work, but I have to say that the bagels I have had have been the good old crusty NYC kind and it's a refreshing change from the offerings at other bagel joints. The plain was plain-y, the onion was onion-y, and the everything was, well, you get it. I tried both the plain and the chive cream cheese, and both were magically delicious. (Though, I have to admit that it skeeves me out just a little that they just call it "cheese" sans-modifier.) On top of that, service was with a smile, and for $2.04 for a bagel with spread it seems to be one of the less expensive bagel options around. I was totally surprised that there was actually a full restaurant in back--after walking by this place what must be dozens of times I always thought it was just a counter joint. I've yet to eat in and sample the various other wares, but I am likely to do so soon if the part of my brain that wishes it was Jewish starts flaring up again. Oy vey.

    (4)

  • Shannon B.

    What the hell? I've only been here twice- once in the late morning/early afternoon, and once just now (it's 8:43 PM). I was running over to Intelligentsia to study, and while I LOVE Intelligentsia's coffee, I needed something substantial to eat. Last time I was at The Bagel, my bagel was kind of blah, but I figured it could have been a fluke...I mean, how do you go wrong with a bagel? It was not a fluke, and my customer service experience was worse this time around, despite there being ONE PERSON in front of me in line. She was an older woman, ordering a sandwich that literally took 10 minutes to prepare and be ready for take-out, and wouldn't move out of the way of the register to let me order. Neither the waiter/manager/whatever the hell he was in a suit or the bagel picker-upper (guy with the tongs who didn't touch the register, I have no idea what to call him) acknowledged me or asked the woman to step aside. She, however, eyed me suspiciously the entire time she was there. The hell? Anyway, got my bagel and cream cheese that took all of 45 seconds to prepare. I paid and left. I went to Intelligentsia (where I was actually greeted AND allowed to order, and not stared at by other customers like some bearded, hatted stranger during the Red Scare). My bagel was stale, again. If I wasn't starving and wasn't planning to sit here studying for an extended period of time, I would have thrown it out. I don't get the hype about this place. Maybe I just got unlucky twice, but the store itself has a weirdo vibe, and the bagels (the token items, the NAMESAKE items) are disgusting. I can't speak to any of the other items (though I was looking at the menu and thought I was reading it wrong- why would a PLAIN turkey sandwich be $11???), but if you're called The Bagel, you should probably attempt to make sure your bagels at least pretend to be acceptable. Eww.

    (1)

  • Chelsey L.

    FYI - this review is based solely on breakfast sandwiches. The good -Quick to-go service despite the crowds making their way to the Air and Water Show -Decent NY-style chewy bagels -You get to choose your own cheese for bfast sandwices. My cheddar was nice and sharp. The bad -They messed up my order and forgot the cured meat that I explicitly requested in my "baconeggandcheese" sandwich -Scrambled egg was overly greasy and piled so high the whole sandwich was falling apart (normally I'm a fan of big portions, but when the whole point was bacon AND eggs, I was just disappointed) -No ice coffee so I had to go next door to 711. Next time I'll stick to plain ole cream cheese w/ the bagel.

    (2)

  • Julie B.

    This place is the great jewish deli right out of NYC. Why there aren't more places like this in Chicago amazes me. You are able to pick up bagels on the go or you can sit in the back and enjoy their full menu. They have wonderful matzo ball soup which is perfect during these Chicago winters. I like going here by myself and reading a book. The waiters are incredibly nice and the food tastes like it was made by the jewish mother you never had.

    (4)

  • Aaron B.

    Today I began my quest for the best reuben sandwich in Chicago. First up was The Bagel. The Food: Obviously, I ordered the reuben with a side of fried and a hot chocolate. The food was served with a heaping plate of free bread (various types) and butter. The fries were great if a bit generic; golden-brown, not too salty, and very crispy. I'll give the reuben a 7/10. The corned beef wasn't too dry and there was plenty of it; easily an inch plus at the thickest parts. Unfortunately, it was slightly skimpy (for my tastes) on the kraut and the rye was nearly paper thin. The bill came to $16 and seems a bit steep for the product. The management is the reason this restaurant is only getting three stars. I was dining alone at the counter and could easily hear what was being said behind the counter. The management, or those who I assumed to be the management, were clearly being unnecessarily rude to several of the employees. For example, I overheard one man saying, "Don't touch me. I don't like the help to touch me." I made my visit on New Year's Day and they were extremely busy, and being that I work in food service I understand how hectic things can get. Nonetheless, that's no excuse for treating employees like slaves.

    (3)

  • Lulu J.

    I've passed this place a few times and finally stopped in. I'm so glad I did because now when I pass it I won't wonder if I'm missing anything, because i'm NOT. This place is absolutely a disgrace. First of all the staff is incredibly rude. The old man who works there is anything but friendly. I walked in there today and started ordering and halfway through my order he grunted and said "oh, this guy will take your order instead". Just cut me off right then and there. The other guy was slightly nicer. So now let's talk about the food. I got a bagel and thought it'd be great, hence the name BAGEL in the TITLE OF THE RESTAURANT. It was disgusting. I've had better bagels that came in bulk bags at Publix. I couldn't believe it. At least I only paid 2 bucks for it. Since I was by myself I was going to sit inside and enjoy my food (before I realized it was gross) but the staff was so unfriendly that I wanted to get out of there asap and resorted to sitting on a near by bench instead. Needless to say I'm never ever going there again.

    (1)

  • Jen D.

    Chocolate Overload is great, and their bagel breakfast sandwiches are HUGE!

    (4)

  • Stephen F.

    I came to The Bagel twice in a (moderately successful) effort to introduce a Chinese friend to Jewish food. The upshot is that the Bagel just isn't a great deli, though there is nothing wrong with it. I've also heard raves about the delicious looking pastries, which I've never tried. All in all, I got a pretty good matzo ball and okay blintzes, made hilarious by the attempts of a Chinese speaker to pronounce "blintzes".

    (3)

  • Andrea G.

    I used to love The Bagel and that is why, when feeling under the weather, I returned today for some matzoh ball soup. Sadly, I left there feeling worse than when I entered as the restaurant has gone completely down hill. The service is poor, the tables, silverware and cups are not clean AND there was a black bug in my soup. DE-sgusting!

    (1)

  • amanda i.

    I live across the street from this place and I'm always torn between The Bagel and Stella's. I usually go with Stella's just because I know the owners and it's a tad cheaper, but here are the reasons I have love for The Bagel... 1) Ordering the bagel and lox to-go is a great deal. A huge meal for about 8 bucks after tax is a-ok with me. 2) When I'm sick the Mish-Mash soup hits the spot and can feed me for about 2 days.. the portion is just insanely huge. 3) The pickles. Oh, the pickles. 4) Top notch french fries I really like the old school feel of this place. However, the service always seems a bit impersonal to me. Also, the last time I went there my friend and I ended up cutting our meal short because of the insanely bad breath coming from the octogenarian seated behind us... just sayin'.

    (4)

  • Kelley L.

    Know what I love the most about The Bagel? The plate of pickles you receive when you sit down. And Brenda. Brenda could have come from Central Casting's catalog under Diner Waitress. We love her and always ask for her. The Bagel has an extensive menu and we've yet to order something that didn't leave us stuffed and happy. We've since learned to time our meals at The Bagel before our epic walks along Lake Michigan so that we can walk off a few hundred of the calories we ingest. People watching is always fantastic, whether it's a queen bitching about the club scene the night before, the obligatory post-hookup breakfast or chicks with hats pulled low over bloodshot eyes, looking to recover from too many tequila shots at girls' night out. The sweets available at the deli are also to-die-for, even if you just get one of the giant sugar cookies. We've never been on Saturday when the post-synagogue crowd probably fills the booths, but we've never had to wait for a table.

    (5)

  • Michael S.

    Now that the cold temps have arrived...Wednesday is split pea soup day if you were wondering (and its pretty darn good). Otherwise, the kreplach soup is also a winner in my book. Then, while not in my wheel house, the sweet and sour cabbage gets high marks from those that join in the lunch hour. The Bagel does an excellent ruben (either corned beef or smoked turkey). Service and ownership is excellent, and while I reserve 5 stars for the likes of Manny's, for a neighborhood deli, The Bagel does a fine job.

    (4)

  • Alex G.

    For a Jewish Deli this was disappointing IMO. The food just seemed to be lacking in flavor. The food was basically a C-. The elderly Jewish women that seemed to hang out here were lovely but I wasn't here for that reason, sorry! (Maybe they know something I don't?).

    (3)

  • J R.

    I love this place! This place is not for health freaks, its for people who like family owned neighborhood dinners. The only time I've gone here is for breakfast, the people are awesome and the food is quick and fresh. I love the pickles and bagel chips that are severed while waiting for your food. I do agree if you get food delivered it will come luke warm, they really need to work on that. Keep up the good work! I'm a health freak and still love this place!

    (4)

  • Steve G.

    Love the bagels, not crazy about the prices. I generally only go for bagels because the lunch/dinner menu is really, really overpriced, as other Yelpers have said. I grew up in New York, not far from the city, and this is as close to a really good bagel as I have found so far in Chicago. I go here maybe once a month for a bagel w/ cream cheese.

    (4)

  • Brooke L.

    Love this place! Always get fresh bagels from them and i couldd eat the matzo ball soup everyday!

    (5)

  • Jenny b.

    People LIKE this place? I have only gone to the deli counter, but this place is about as NYC as Planet Hollywood gives an accurate representation of LA. First, there's an EXTREMELY ANNOYING revolving door in the front. This is clearly all for looks as it makes waiting for something from the front in an orderly line a clusterfuck. Second, the bagels are not very good. Even a corner bodega in NYC has a better bagel than here. In fact, even the chain stores do. Third, everyone here is rude. Perhaps they're trying to be "authentic New Yorkers" but I think they are just rude assholes. Fourth, again, maybe everything being ridiculously expensive is "authentic" except I've paid less for bagels at H&H (the NYC standard of bagelry). I'd be happy to pay for a really awesome bagel with great smoked fish but this ain't it. Now I haven't sat down there, so maybe their table service is AMAZING or something, but for a a place called THE BAGEL with NYC paraphernalia all over, I'd expect their bagel to be the star. It is the closest bagelry near my house though so I know I'll end up there anyway, goddamnit.

    (2)

  • Kathryn S.

    Warning: I'm really reviewing the reuben here, not the restaurant as a whole. I love reubens. I seek them out when I am traveling. When I go home, I make a point to go to the local deli just to order one. I have gotten very picky about reubens. The Bagel makes the best reuben in the Midwest and quite possibly in the country. I have to say "possibly" because there are a few possible contenders out East I haven't tried yet. This sandwich is a warm, tasty, meat-filled wonder. Yes, it costs $15. Yes, especially with the pile of fries (one of a number of side options) and pickles, it is easily two meals. $7.50 per meal? Such a deal.

    (5)

  • Amanda G.

    I love the Bagel. I used to live right here and found myself going for brunch or just to get a bagel breakfast sandwich. Its a jewish deli/diner that offers great sandwiches, breakfast options and soup. My favorites here are the bagel sandwiches with egg, cheese and sausage. They are HUGE and delicious! I also am a BIG FAN of the Mish Mash soup. The portion is HUGE and can last at least for two days if you are one person. Its convienent to eat it there or to go they put the matzo ball, kreplach in separate container of the broth so it doesn't get soggy, They will also give you free challa if you ask for it! Its just as great in the restaurant as it arrives in a big bowl with a ladel. I just had it a couple weeks ago on cold, wet sloppy day and it was the best. thing. ever. Also, another plus is every table gets kosher dill pickles and bagel chips and bread right when you sit down. Hooray for The Bagel!

    (5)

  • Dan A.

    After a few visits, I definitely love it. Free (good) bread and fresh pickles right off the bat. Plates are in large (but not unreasonable) portions. Good price, great quality food. I admit, the "look, we're a New York deli" can be a little over-stated, but not enough to take away from the food. I enjoy the details: Cool bathrooms; FOUR different eating untensils (a personal pet peev when you only get 2); quick service; a variety of spreads (jam, butter, cream cheese, etc.).

    (5)

  • Heather N.

    I am obsessed with the turkey burger here. It is a Jewish deli, but you do not have to be Jewish to eat here. They served pickles and bagel chips once you sit down. I love that! Everybody I have taken there loves it. The decor is broadway themed. The only thing they could do better, is clean the bathroom more. Definitely try it!

    (4)

  • Tina B.

    Probably the best veggie cream cheese I've ever had - they give you mounds of it and it has lots of fresh, still crunchy vegetables in it. The bagels are a great mix of soft and chewy - nice. The restaurant itself has a very old fashioned dinner feel and the counter in the front has lots of great looking goodies like smiley face cookies. I've usually been there very early in the morning and there have been some supply and service issues - like I got a kishke that was supposed to come with gravy, but they were out of gravy that day, but didn't say anything until it got to the table, that kind of thing. Other than the cream cheese and bagels, the rest of the food has been just okay. But at a place called The Bagel, that should be really good and it is - sometimes I drive across town in the morning to get one.

    (3)

  • Jason L.

    From the outside it looks like a little pastry shop. But you go in and are surprised at out how big it is. The Bagel is the most awesome Jewish diner in town. Their matzoh ball soup is great and I don't know what kreplach is but they have it. The other soups are really tasty too and they have a huge menu. And parking! Yes there are a lot of senior citizens here too. But guess how they got to such a ripe old age? Kosher, baby!! Kosher!

    (5)

  • james j.

    I couldn't even eat here b/c what i saw while waiting to put in a to go order almost made me vomit in my mouth. The girl working there is on the phone, eating and putting together orders...... disgusting, i walked out.

    (1)

  • Corinne W.

    Go for lunch and they give you pickles as soon as you sit down. Maybe that isn't enough for some people, but I flipping loved it! And that alone is enough for 5 stars! Food was great, service was really good as well though

    (5)

  • Liz M.

    Mish-Mash soup is the largest form of Jewish penicillin known to man! Let me explain...Mish-Mash soup is served in a bowl, the size of the family-size, salad bowl, and it contains a gigantic Matzo Ball, Egg Noodles, Kreplach (Jewish meat ravioli) Rice, Kasha (buckwheat) and Chicken Broth all in one bowl! It will cure anything!! I love the Bagel, I've been coming here for years, since they were located on Devon Ave. It's a Jewish Deli/Coffee Shop/Restaurant. (There is another one in the Old Orchard Mall in Skokie) This location is very deceiving from the outside, it looks tiny but in reality, it's very long once you go inside. Their complimentary Kosher pickles and Challe Bead...the best!! Eating here brings back a lot of memories from my childhood, eating at my Grandma Bessie's house. Gefilte Fish, Chopped Liver, Potato Pancakes, Fried Matzos, Brisket, Corned Beef, Whitefish, Noodle Kugel, Beet Borscht, Eggs & fried Salami, etc. Yuuuuuummmm. The hubby loves the Romanian Skirt Steak. Oh my, my mouth is watering just thinking about it! I haven't been here recently but "Joey" was one of THE best servers ever! I hope he still works there, well, come to think of it...I hope he won the lottery and is on some tropical island drinking cocktails from pineapples or coconuts. P.S. My father went to High School with the owner, I love when he comes by and sits with us, and I hear the stories of the Jewish "greasers" in the 50's and how wild my father once was! Tee-hee.

    (5)

  • Jessica C.

    The truth is, there just aren't a lot of Jewish Deli's here in Chicago. The only two that I can think of that are actually in the Chicago city limits are The Bagel and Manny's. I'm sure there are more, but most likely not worth mentioning. I can't tell you how many New York transplants I have had this conversation with. Not wanting to schlepp down south for Manny's or head up north to the burbs, The Bagel is my deli of choice. Their corned beef sandwhich is pretty solid, their pickles are new and their matzoh balls are fluffy all the way through...no sinkers here. Thier mish mash soup has it all: kreplach, noodles, matzoh balls, rice and love. They have a to-go deli up at the front with challahs, a few sweets, some lunch meats (mmmmm...soft kosher salami), and the regular picknick salads (egg salad, tuna salad, etc.). They also have the fishy Jew stuff that usually is an aquired taste like gafilta fish, pickled herring and smoked sable. I am obsessed with smoked sable. The staff at the Bagel are regular and do a great job. I get a "family feel" from them and it reminds me of Sunday morning brunch with the family when I was growing up. They have a convenient parking lot around the side and there usually is no wait. Their portions are huge and the food does not dissapoint. The Bagel truly is a comfortable little deli in a great location with authentic jewish food served with a smile.

    (4)

  • Ellie F.

    Pros: the bread basket with bagel chips! Cons: my omelet This is the first omelet I ever met that I didn't enjoy. I couldn't figure out if it was missing salt, or what was going on...but I didn't finish it or take it home. It wasn't so awful that I won't give the place another try, and the bread basket was full of delicious fixins. A solid 'OK.'

    (3)

  • Patrick G.

    I've eaten here several times and always leaving feeling the same: meh. I had my staple, the bleu cheese burger, and it was okay. The fries were good, though. A nice perk here is what you get before you order food. They bring out a tray of pickles and basket of bagel chips and challah bread. There are better options in the neighborhood.

    (3)

  • Brook G.

    Yea, no thank you. I made the mistake of going here twice, once for breakfast and once for dinner. Both times were not great. Their french toast is nothing to rave about. I could have made that at home, except less greasy. And I don't even know where to start on the Mish-Mash soup. What the hell?? A giant mixing bowl (yes, I think it was an actual mixing bowl) of watered down chicken broth, some other...stuff, a few noodles here and there, and a matzo ball. Basically, just dump several can of Campbell's chicken soup together, throw in a matzo ball, and pay $9.00 and you have the same thing. Plus I think the bread they have out on the table is recycled. It wasn't in the best shape. Never again.

    (2)

  • Sarah B.

    My brothers went to school on Long Island and while visiting we always went to this breakfast joint in Great Neck. A true Jewish deli where a waitress you wish was your grandma brings out a basket of the most delicious bread you have ever eaten and you are stuffed before you even order. The Bagel reminded me of this place. Places like this are hard to find outside of New York. I wandered in after a long walk around the city this morning and was looking forward to lounging a bit. However, the service was so speedy that I was in and out in about half an hour! :( I could have stayed..they were not rushing me but damn, they were fast. I had the thick cut challah french toast. Damn it, this is the way french toast should be made..puts the toast I recently had at Arnold's to shame. Just the right amount of egg, nice and fluffy, warm and melty. Yum.. and so big that two could eat it. I wish I had a chance to look over the rest of the menu but my server was so quick to take my order once I sat down that I really didnt get a chance. Next time I wont let myself be so rushed. :)

    (4)

  • Peter G.

    Pickle refills. Huge portions of whitefish salad, sable, lox. Coleslaw. Matzoh balls. All the staples - it's perfect. The bagels are good enough. service is friendly, can't leave feeling bad.

    (5)

  • Sadie S.

    BAD BAGEL! Hard as a rock and the employees were very rude. Other than one cute, young guy. They also use styrofoam coffee cups to go... get with the times. Skip this place.

    (1)

  • Julia R.

    smokehouse club. deeeeeeeelish. maybe my favorite classic sandwich ever. the thick sliced cheddar makes all the difference! carmel apple pie - also amazing. - a must try. of course, their bagels are good, and i like that with lunch/dinner they give you a basket of bagel chips and pickles. i've tried other food here too, never had anything bad, and the food/service is extremly fast!

    (4)

  • Frances C.

    When I was sitting in The Bagel last Thursday waiting for my hot dog to arrive, I had a total deja vu of the last time I had eaten there a year prior where I vowed never to eat there again. As I bit into the hot dog and felt my teeth rip through the dog skin as a little bitta juice squirted in various directions, I couldn't wait for the experience to be over. This place is the epitome of a dump. There's a guy that sits in there with a catfood container and just fills it up with soup. It's borderline putrid and most certainly disgusting. The only reason The Bagel is even an option is because it's mere steps from Annie's apartment. And since Annie won't go to anyone else's neighborhood, there's a one in five chance you'll end up there. The other four choices being Chipotle, Wilde, Renaldi's and Chili Mac's. We took Rox with us last week and I"m pretty sure she got mad at her $13 sloppy Reuben. My hotdog bun was stale too. Then, we waited 10 minutes for the waitress to collect our bill. I hate that place.

    (1)

  • Cheryl S.

    Matzo ball soup! Challah bread!! Huge menu! I'll be back for more!! The owner is super friendly, too!

    (4)

  • Amy J.

    So, I've only had breakfast here, and I'll admit that the lunch menu and bakery look promising.... but breakfast, eh. First, our waitress was a total spaz. She was all over the place, hyper, and stressful. When we got our meals wrapped at the end, she first brought us to go trays and we started to wrap them ourselves, when she intervened quickly, "I CAN DO THAT FOR YOU" and snatched them out of our hands. It was just a little much :) Anyway, the food was just ok. I had silver dollar pancakes, coffee, and hashbrowns. THe hashbrowns, underdone. Silver dollar pancakes, just okay, and the coffee to me was watery... Though I will say, they were quick with the refills. My boyfriend had the corned beef omelet, and hashbrowns. He agreed about the potatoes being underdone, but enjoyed his omelette. Anyway, all in all, just an Okay experience.

    (3)

  • Dani P.

    I absolutely love the challah french toast and order it almost every time I go to the Bagel. Although I'm more of a pancake fan, their pancakes aren't as great. Recently I tried their fries for the first time and they were amazing! The best in the city so far! Their mazto ball soup is also delicious. Their take-out menu says they deliver, but I believe they only do after 4 pm.

    (4)

  • Jean C.

    Oh The Bagel. I love that you serve an awesome lox and bagel platter. I love coming here but hate the parking situation. I also love the pickles that are served right along with a variety of bread. My husband likes this place and normally gets sandwiches but the only reason we come is because I want to eat here. I love the old movie posters they have lined up on the walls as well. It's definitely got a diner feel to it. The lox and bagel platter. Scrumptious. I pick my bagel, I get my cream cheese and spread that bad boy on there. Next comes onion, tomato, cucumber, green pepper and lastly, the heavenly lox. I take my first bite and my second, third, fourth, etc. I stop talking because my parents taught me that it was rude to talk with your mouth full. The prices are very reasonable for the amount of food you get. Oh, and get the matzo ball soup. Biggest ball of matzo ever.

    (4)

  • Jon E.

    Try as I might, I could not come up with those extra 2 stars for The Bagel. I really really want to, having been raised Jewish and educated on the delicate balance of the perfect Lox bagel. Alas, while the menu is spot on, the OJ fresh squeezed, and the lox plentiful.. the bagels are weak! I'm not sure why either. Wegmans, a well loved grocery store chain in the east (and once the best place to work in America, before Google took that spot) makes amazing bagels, and the city of NY has great bagels literally on random street corners. So you'd think a place whose name is the most important thing on the menu would at least have killer rings of dough. On the flipside theres a ton of things to eat, and at pretty good quality. Plus theres rarely a wait. Nevertheless, I can't give high marks to a deli with small, dry Lenders-style bagels. I'll still go, all the same.

    (3)

  • Linds R.

    Sooooo...my fiance told me recently that BLTs are old man food. Because - I quote - "old men eat a lot of BLTs". Thats what I ordered last time I was here. There were not many old men, and none of them were eating BLTs. The sandwich was "a-ok", the pickle was better.

    (3)

  • Hilary J.

    Love, love, LOVE this place. The Bagel is like a mullet: business in the front, party in the back. Up front, they have a super-fast deli counter where you can pick up fantastic bagels, slices of their magical cheesecake and sandwiches. In the back, they have their restaurant. If you like basic diner fare (and are sick of the pretentious brunch places that seem to be popping up on every corner in Lakeview), this is the place for you. Many a hangover have been nursed here. And for our Jewish friends, this place is kick-ass during Passover. They have plenty of Passover options and never look at your funny when you *double check that the macaroons are kosher for Passover.*

    (4)

  • Alicia F.

    Whenever I feel a cold coming on, I head to the Bagel for a giant bowl of the Mish Mash soup. WHen I say giant, I mean it lasts me a good 3 meals. Delicious! LOVE that they bring the awesome bread basket with the bagel chips, and the bakery counter is filled with fun chocolate dipped marshmallows and all sorts of cookies, etc. Bonus- free parking lot behind the building!!!

    (5)

  • Julie K.

    I picked up pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, toast, and hash browns last weekend. The food was pretty good. The bacon was nice and crispy, the eggs were a good consistency, the hash browns were cooked well but had no seasoning, which I guess is typical. The pancakes were nice, as was the toast. There was a good to-go package of butter and various jams, but no syrup for the pancakes. I'm not sure if this was a mistake or standard practice, but I'll make sure to ask for it next time. They had my order ready to go on time and were very pleasant and polite when I picked it up.

    (3)

  • Brian Y.

    All I can say about the bagels at a place called The Bagel is meh. I moved to Chicago 6 months ago from NY and have had a hard time finding good bagel joints around town. I gave this place a shot this past Sunday for an early afternoon snack. The bagel itself (poppy seed - didn't have everything in stock) wasn't all that bad. What sucked is that I had only two choices of cream cheese - pain or chive. Womp womp...Could have picked that up at CVS next door. I was hoping for some specialty cream cheeses from at a place called, again, The Bagel. At least give me some strawberry. I asked for jalapeno, my old standard, and you would have thought I ordered in Klingon by the blank stare I got in return, haha. Overall, I enjoyed my bagel, but I definitely expected a little more focus on, you know, the bagels.

    (2)

  • Mara A.

    Oh what a Jew! I remember this place being so much better as a kid. Now, it just seems to be just another deli. The service is quick as well as the food. My grandma (being the hardcore Jew that she is) knows every single person who works there, even most of the people that eat there, so our service is pretty good. The Bagel has turned into a kid zone it seems lately. Last time I was there, there was a b-day party full of...oh...twenty 6 year olds running around. Took away from the traditional aspect of it all. Overall, the food is good, plain but good. Its your old neighborhood Jewish deli.

    (3)

  • min. r.

    Dear The Bagel, Your sandwiches are large, of good quality and exactly what was needed on certain occasions. Your matzoh ball soup is the perfect sick food and I adore it. But you were expensive when said sandwiches were $10 and the soup was $5. Now that you've raised the prices to $14 & $7 respectively, you're now being ridiculous. Since I've discovered Romanian Kosher Sausage Co. (with better corned beef) and Tank Noodle (chicken pho is just as good as matzoh ball soup for a sick girl) I can't say I'll ever be going back to you. Unless I've got a mean hankering for matzoh ball soup, as yours is the best in the city. I'll miss you The Bagel, sad to be leaving you, but no corned beef sandwich is worth fourteen friggin' dollars. Signed, Not rich enough for you.

    (3)

  • Emily F.

    I am so stinking full of salami & eggs I don't even know how I'm going to deal with Super Bowl madness. What a dilemma! My SO ate a bowl of the matzoh ball soup & the Lawrence & Kedzie. He walked out in pain. A good pain. I came home armed with a giant bag of bagel chips and 6 huge pieces of mandel bread. We're set for the week. Ok, maybe just until Tuesday.

    (4)

  • ChicagoFoodie S.

    What an Awesome Place! Why haven't I come sooner!!! I live right down the street from this place. A true hidden treasure. They have this awesome Motzo Ball Soup that is HUGE! Feed a Family of Four or more. The Bread is good, plenty of pickeles and the Meat Blintzes were good too! I am going to return!

    (4)

  • Chaviva G.

    Oh. My. Mother. Loving. BAGEL!!! Really I should say challah, since I didn't do so much with the bagel as I did with the challah. But that's neither here nor there. What I will say is that I waited many months before actually set foot in here, though I'm not sure why. But today, after a roadtrip and some schlepping around town, Ryan S. and I hit up The Bagel for a feast-like nosh. A man who I can only assume was the manager seated us (near the back) and gave this gigantic spiel about the most delicious of all meals -- the chicken fried something or other and how people come from far and wide for it so we should definitely order it. But instead, the pickles and bread came (yes, they're complimentary and a 100 percent delicious), and we ordered our respective meals. I won't ruin Ryan S.'s review, so here's it's just me. I ordered the Turkey Pastrami on Challah with a side of fries and an iced tea. In a mere, well, couple of minutes our food came out piping hot and fresh. First, I went straight for the cole slaw since it's my gauge. And my verdict? It's the best, period, I've had in the city. Yes, it was the perfect balance of the sweet and tangy, the consistency absolutely spot on. I then went for the french fries, which, I can't explain. They were amazing. We're talking eat a handful at a time amazing. It's something about the batter, but man alive. And the fact that they came out so quick and were so perfectly piping hot? Bravo, Bagel! Then came the sandwich. A huge stack of Turkey Pastrami on a fresh challah roll, and it was perfect. I threw on some brown, spicy mustard and it made for a great eat. I couldn't even eat the whole thing. I had to quit, yes. I had to stack napkins on the plate to quit eating it. And to top it all off, after this absolutely amazing meal, I ordered some kugel to go. I tried it out when I got home and it was, well, it wasn't *that* great. In reality, I'd give The Bagel 4.5 stars if it came down to it, but I'd prefer to round up than round down. I'm really regretting not hitting this place up sooner. I only have a few months left in Chicago, and you can bet I'll be enjoying the Bagel with some frequency -- I want to give everything a go, from the matzo balls to the tzimmes!

    (5)

  • scott s.

    I am a Jew Enough Said

    (5)

  • Jennifer K.

    This place is awesome! Every thing that I've had here has been second to none! The waitstaff is quick and efficient, and my cup of coffee or glass of water is always full! Plus, each table gets a basket of great bread and a platter of pickles -ugh. So good. The other night I had their challah french toast. Great googly-moogly, was that ever good! I've had their pastrami sandwich a couple of times also, and those are terrific too. Once, I had this thing called a "Francheezie" - this is ridiculous. A hot dog stuffed with cheese, wrapped in bacon, and then deep fried. So bad, yet...so good. And I had noodle pudding the other night for the first time - how have I never had this before? Layer upon layer of delicious, carb filled egg noodles, with tons of cinnamon, sugar, and butter in each lovely bite...sigh... I definitely recommend The Bagel to anyone - definitely worth traveling to the 'hood for!

    (5)

  • Heid S.

    Don't go to this place. There are other places in Chicago that specialize in insulting you as you eat, and they're actually funny. This place was traumatizing. The service was horrible, and the food is not worth the price. I was personally insulted by the owner of this restaurant, and at this point I wouldn't go back to this place if I was offered free food from this place for the rest of the year. That's just how bad my experience was. This is my story, and it will explain why I won't go back: Before I'd walked into The Bagel, I'd already been having a pretty bad day. It was rainy, which is a mood dampener, and my hard drive had crashed. So, when I decided to get out I thought that I'd go to a restaurant that a friend recommended to me. We walked in, and he was the first to order since he had been to the place before. I needed to take my time, as I am a vegetarian, and I had also noticed that a few of the items on the menu weren't cheap. My friend got the Matza Ball Soup as an appetizer, and I still hadn't decided on anything. Because they serve the "complimentary bread" when you're given an appetizer, they basically gave us both a SINGLE bowl of bread. And that's what caused the trouble. The owner, who evidently thought that I wasn't going to order anything, became a complete and total creep. He cut down the waiter who served us the bread because I hadn't ordered anything, and then he made a snipe at me: "The holiday season is over," he said. "And we don't need to feed anyone who just comes off the streets." Yeah, because bread is really the most expensive thing in the world. Fucking seriously. And after that point I didn't WANT to order anything - I hadn't even been in the place for five minutes. I was also pissed off by this because I work with homeless advocacy organizations, and I do help people who have fallen on hard times. It's not an easy thing to deal with the homeless, and you run into a lot of horrible situations. It is a soul-crushing experience, but it is extremely rewarding for me because I help people, and it helps me the little things that I have. So in addition to shitting all over the atmosphere of camaraderie that was there in being with my friend, I was insulted on a personal level. And I can't look at the dining experience in an objective way because of that. Of course, the owner isn't telepathic and he wouldn't have known that I do that sort of volunteer work, or that I have homeless friends - he just looks down on people who are less fortunate and he equates that to "cheap customers" or people who he thinks won't order anything. To quote J.K. Rowling, "The measure of a man can often be determined by how he treats his inferiors." I think that applies to establishments as well: you can tell how good a place is by how they treat customers who have a budget. The cashier and the servers were also very rude, and I guess that's the result of the atmosphere that's generated by the management. I'm sorry, but I have this funny quirk where I just don't like being insulted when I'm paying someone for some sort of civic service. I don't know if the "trickle down" theory works in economics, but I sure know that attitude trickles down in business. It's no wonder why the morale of this place sucks.

    (1)

  • Nicolas H.

    Years later and this is still the best deli in Chicago. The corned beef was still tender and lean and the challah was soft and sweet. Obviously the free pickles rock and the matzo ball soup hasn't lost any of its flavor...

    (5)

  • Rachel W.

    It has been pointed out to me that, in many ways, I'm akin to an 80 year old man in my temperament, daily routine, wardrobe and yes, even my bedtime. My trips to the bagel don't help this situation. The bagel is an old school diner. The crowd is old. The menu is old. Hell, even the servers are old here, and with staples like grilled cheese and matzo soup, well, it's not exactly an adventure in molecular gastronomy. That said, they've perfected what they do- and it's done right. On weekend mornings, I'll get up early, put my best old man baseball cap on, pick up a newspaper, and duck into the pick-up counter, in line with at least 5 folks armed with AARP cards. I'll order two cinnamon raisin bagels, two salt bagels (for he who is still sleeping), and a small coffee with two sugars and a creme. Then, I walk back home, toast my amazing bagel ("A real bagel, dammit"), butter it, and sit and read the paper while enjoying my life of quiet, old person solitude. All I need to complete the picture is a napkin tied around my neck and those straps to hold my reading glasses up.

    (4)

  • Jessy Z.

    This is THE place. Seriously. Born and raised in NYC on matzoh ball soup, knish, kasha varnishkas... you name it. I recently moved to Chicago and was SO excited that The Bagel was close by but also apprehensive because, really, how good - better yet, how AUTHENTIC - could this place be? (Let me just tell you that I love being surprised!) The matzoh ball soup is to die for, as I am sure other reviews have said (haven't read them yet). You can order the soup with noodles, with the works, with a matzoh ball... I like mine with noodles AND a matzoh ball. That's a filling meal right there. They do their soups kettle style and you can tell. They also have excellent corned beef sandwiches, and their kasha is pretty good too but a bit sweeter than I am used to, personally. The service is great and very speedy. If you are hungry that's another reason to go for the soup. Since it's kettle-style it's served within a few minutes, piping hot. Once you are seated, bread, toasted bagel crisps, and pickles are brought over immediately. Our drinks never go below the halfway mark. This is a huuuuge pet peeve of mine when I dine out. When I'm thirsty, I'm thirsty. But the service here is spot on. Coffee is always hot and your mug is always fresh. Oh and they also serve Dr. Browns sodas which is a real treat and something that shows how truly authentic this place is. Desserts look amazing there too but I have yet to have any room left to try one. I have also heard that the fried chicken dinner is top rate but I haven't ventured as far. Will update this after my next visit in which I am determined to try something new (except the matzoh ball, always have to have the matzoh ball soup!) If you love kosher-style food I highly recommend this place. Inexpensive, big portions, speedy service, friendly atmosphere - what more is there to want?

    (5)

  • Dean K.

    I stopped in the other day just to take the edge off my hunger and got a toasted bagel with cream cheese. Great, dense, flavorful everything bagel and killer cream cheese. Unlike most places, there were hunks of salmon in there - it wasn't just blended in and over-salted. Now, I pretty much want to try everything in there. Next time, stuffed cabbage. Einstein's has seen the last of me. I'd rather support a local business over a chain anyways.

    (5)

  • Timothy W.

    I think maybe I should have asked more questions but somehow I got swindled into taking my sandwich to go, when I really wanted to eat there... I have never been here before and I did not care much for the cashier, he was not helpful to my quest of getting an authentic Jewish sandwich. I did enjoy my corned beef sandwich (huge serving), it came with a bag of potato chips and 2 pickle spears for about $12. I probably won't come back, but the food was good though.

    (2)

  • Marcello G.

    This place is chronic. Easily my favorite Jewish Deli restaurant in Chi-town. This place won my heart in two seconds upon learning that they give you an endless supply of pickles to the table. How awesome is that!? I came here with 4 friends of mine and we dined on almost everything they had to offer, Lox, Matzo Ball soup, Turkey Bacon Clubs, French Dip, and Latkes. They were all amazing. Plus they give you Challah bread to munch on while you're waiting for your amazing food. I'm upset I didn't eat here sooner, I'm really upset with the fact that I've been in this city for 6 months and not having once come here. The Bagel, I will be back.

    (4)

  • Val B.

    I've been coming here for so many years now and the service is consistently good, regardless of how crazy crowded it might get. I'm a Jewish girl and I need my Jewish food fix from time to time, and the Bagel gets the job done. Their specials are always out of this world. I recently had the red salmon special which was done perfectly and presented very well. Other favs are the lox & bagel platter (they give you a TON of lox with it), the corned beef, chopped liver, cabbage soup, and matzo ball soup. Yeah, the prices are a tad high, but it's Lakeview and I doubt the price hikes are keeping many of the regulars away. Large free parking lot in the back. Doesn't get better than that!

    (4)

  • Jeremy P.

    The Bagel's food (what I've tried) is great. There's something almost magical about the freakin' pickles...and the potato pancakes are to die for! The decor is really fun, as well--a great diner feel to it. The prices seem a bit high, and that (along with so-so service) is why I've knocked a couple stars off this review. Don't get me wrong, I'll definitely go back--there wasn't anything horrible about the restaurant that would deter me from another visit. But I can't say I was blown away, either.

    (3)

  • Katelyn C.

    This place seemed over-priced at first, but once the food hit the table I saw exactly how much you get! The bread you get on the table is very fresh and my friend loved that you also get a plate of pickles. Me, I am not so fond of pickles, so I stuck to the bread and butter. I ordered the Cesar salad, which is a vinaigrette instead of a cream base. The croutons were great and the whole salad was yummy! I still had half of it left to take home! My friend got the Ruben with turkey and bacon. It was also quite yummy! The fries were great! I was too full for dessert, but maybe next time! I will only go here when I am very hungry next time so I can finish my whole meal! The place seems small from the outside, but there is a huge back half. The service was good and the whole staff was friendly. I would definitely go back!

    (4)

  • Mat M.

    The Bagle is a good neighborhood joint. It's a good weeknight dinner spot with your friends after a long day at the office. I much prefer their dinner to their brunch because the brunch portions are just hugemongous. The service though I find to be hit and miss...I had a good experience this past week...but in the past have had a high maintenace guy wait on my table who had a lot of attitude. The people that seat you at the front are pleasant and courteous though.

    (3)

  • Scott N.

    One of my favorite places of all time. They also make the best chicken fingers you've ever tasted FYI. My only gripe is the price but where else can you get corn beef that good. The staff is friendly and they recognize you the 2nd time you show up. Great spot for breakfast!

    (4)

  • Mike P.

    Convenient parking lot lets a former East Lakeviewer drive down from Uptown when the weather is too crappy for CTA

    (5)

  • Robin R.

    I went to the Bagel with my dad as he wanted to go to a deli. He had a corned beef sandwhich and fries and I had vegetarian chilli and a salad. The food was very tasty and the portions were HUGE. Seriously, we could have shared a meal and left there very full. We both took home "doggie bags". We used to go to a Bagel restaurant further north and west many years ago. That Bagel relocated to this location. It looks a lot different now, but we enjoyed this spot and would go back there again.

    (4)

  • Amber C.

    GREAT OMELETS! The best I've ever had actually!! I'm lucky enough to live right down the street from this place and go quite often. It's usually pretty crowded on the weekends, but you are usually seated rather quickly. The service can be a little slow at times (the servers seem to know all their tables and get caught in conversations with everyone!), but the quality of their food definitely outweighs any service issues. The servers are always nice and are able to offer recommendations if needed. There's a carryout in the front of the restaurant where you can order bagels, sweets, and sandwiches. If you haven't already tried this place you are missing out.

    (5)

  • dan s.

    HEY JEW GUYS! (read in the voice of Sloth from Goonies) You can get a pretty good plate of lox here and the corned beef/pastrami is good to go. Being that the city has a dearth of good jewish deli's, this place is a gem. And there's free parking in back!

    (5)

  • Mark S.

    The Bagel on Broadway is just a great place. The food is always excellent. The staff never rushes you. The price is a bit high - but the portions are more than the average person "should" have which then justifies the price. Not to mention the pickles and carbs (bread, bagel chips, crackers, etc.) that come overflowing to the table. If you want a consistent standby place that's not just another burger joint, the Bagel is your place.

    (3)

  • RJ H.

    First, I have to confess my nostalgic and infinite love for this place. It really is quite pathetic. I almost refused to move out of my cramped apartment in Lakeview because of the all-too tempting convenience of my proximity to The Bagel. What I wouldn't do right now for a toasted salt bagel with lox cream cheese and fresh-squeezed orange juice... Mmmm... Seriously, I don't know what it is about The Bagel, but they have the best fresh-squeeze o.j. in the city (except when the oranges are bitterly out of season). There's really nothing complex to say about this place. Think Jew, think deli: friendly people who want to get you down, get you fed, and get you home. The customer demographic is hysterically gay, hysterically Jewish, and sometimes both -- thus, why all the interior walls are decorated with nothing but Broadway poster-bills. Like any bustling deli, it is not without flaws. Sometimes the wait, either for dine-in or carry-out, is a little obnoxious, especially on weekends -- but of course no where on Broadway is quick and easy Friday through Sunday. I used to frequent here at least two to three times a week, sometimes more, and often got the impression that the hard-working attendants at the front counter had no idea who I was, despite my overtly-friendly disposition with them time in and time out. This was only an occasional annoyance... Though I most often ordered out, dining in has its own benefits, because of their heaping plate of complimentary dill pickles and bagel chips. I've sampled a great many of their lunchtime and breakfast selections, and can conclude that, of the two, lunch is easily the better option in terms of quality, quantity, and price. Their coleslaw is yummy. I can see why some people think it's overpriced, but nearly everything in this neighborhood is, and you can easily skimp by keeping your order short: For me, most of the time it was a simple o.j. and single bagel, accompanied by a small, dark coffee from Intelligentsia, just next door -- truly a match made in Hangover Heaven. A coveted and all-too rare free parking lot is available for customers in the back. Go here.

    (5)

  • emily c.

    awesome: matzo ball soup, endless pickles, free carby goods, super generous portions, great service meh: slightly overpriced considering it's basically a giant deli... but the food is delicious. bad: nothing. just try it.

    (4)

  • Mary Lee G.

    Things I hate: A group of 7 adults who seem to have nothing better to talk about or do than to look at the one baby who is with them (much like the people we were seated next to today). Things I love: When that same group seemingly stashes the baby underneath the table and ignores it once their food arrives. These people have their priorities in order! And with good reason, because the food at The Bagel is baby-ignoring good. When you first arrive you get an awesome bread basket, with challah and bagel chips, and a big plate of pickles. I could make a meal out of this alone. My friend Annie got the corned beef sandwich and a big bowl of kreplach soup and I had a scramble with lox and onions that came with hashbrowns and a bagel. I may be a blonde, Catholic, Italian/Irish girl from Naperville but I know my Jewish food and everything was delicious! On previous visits I have had matzoh ball soup, a francheezie (the most delicious/disgusting food ever), blintzes, and several great desserts. I recommend everything and I'm very anxious to go back soon because I always see 4 or 5 things I want to order next time.

    (4)

  • Natalie V.

    I'm not crazy about deli food, but I love this place! The pickles and potato pancakes alone are worth 5 stars. That's pretty much all I eat when I show up here. That and the challah.

    (3)

  • Jennifer S.

    great menu great atmosphere. my new fav diner!!!!

    (4)

  • Kristi W.

    I love it here. I was moved to rent my current apartment to be close. Having said that, the reason no 5 stars...the bagels aren't so good..don't get em. But everything else is satisfying and delish. The omlettes or challah french toast for breakfast are hard to beat. I love lunch because you get the basket of breads and pickles....I love good pickles and these are fantastically puckerable. Everything I've had is good Writing about this makes me want a pastrami on rye....

    (4)

  • Kevin S.

    $12.95 for a pastrami sandwich? You've GOT to be kidding me. A friend of mine survives on this place. He orders the Mish Mash soup and brings half of it home, which is a pretty good deal, but the sandwiches are a complete ripoff. The matzo ball soup was OK, but not spectacular. Our waitress was in a bad mood, and the decor is atrocious. Maybe I just don't get it. Soup, sandwich and a beverage will set you back about $20. Cut the prices in half and you have a decent deli. The best thing about this place is the plentiful free parking behind the building.

    (2)

  • Paul H.

    Part of me feels bad for always ordering something with bacon at a Jewish deli - but a larger part of me has an affinity for BLTs and Turkey Clubs. The sandwiches here are great - piled high with good quality toppings. And more importantly, the fries are so good. SO GOOD. And that is a mark of a really good casual and cheap restaurant - good fries. The matzoh ball soup and egg bread is also tremendous. I always order it - or I go home feeling guilty about not ordering it. I think that has something to do with my grandmother always making me eat soup. More than that, the service is quick and friendly. So, even when there's a line, you'll get seating and served pretty quickly. I'm not impressed with their bakery case - so I always skip it. I don't think that I'm missing anything.

    (4)

  • Angela E.

    Poorest Service in the city of Chicago. Their manager, RIck, treats their customers like a piece of dirt - true story. He even hung up the phone on my twice when I asked for his name and/or the owners of the business. I would never recommend this restaurant to anyone - not only because their food is so-so but because of the lack of respect to the customer. When I voiced an "suggestion" to the restaurant, I was greeted with hostility and a extremely defensive manager. My intentions were only to help the restaurant and their business. Do yourself a favor and do not support the business of The Bagel. There are far too many restaurants with wonderful, respectful employees who deserve the money and support from their customers.

    (1)

  • Lisa H.

    Better than Stella's Diner if you're on Broadway. Took my fiancee's parents here and we all loved it. Great food AND large portions, a winning combination. I had a mushroom swiss veggie burger cooked to perfection, and my fiancee had a reuben sandwich which he said was amazing. The fries are crunchy and made a little different somehow, very tasty. Decor is campy but I think that's exactly what it is meant to be!

    (4)

  • Bridget H.

    I can't say that this is my favorite place to get lunch or breakfast, but I do love it. It's really close to my house, so that helps...but... It's great for a few things: bagels (!), smiley face cookies, and chicken noodle soup. I get those three things often - to go...a great lunch any day of the week. I also like that I see the same faces working every time I go in. Try it out!

    (4)

  • Andrea C.

    The Bagel makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I get so annoyed when diners screw up good Jew food (Eleven City Diner, anyone?), but the Bagel gets everything right. The pickles and bread on the table are very New York, the Matza Ball Soup is the remedy for whatever ails you and the Noodle Kugel is amazing and reminds me of something my grandma would make. I just want to curl up in the booth in my PJs and a plate of Challah French Toast....maybe watch some Saturday morning cartoons.

    (4)

  • Michelle H.

    Simply really good, fresh Jewish deli food. The potato soup is a must have.

    (4)

  • Nicholas W.

    Good but I prefer Great American Bagel.

    (3)

  • Melissa R.

    The Bagel was one of the first restaurants I fell in love with when I moved to Chicago, and it's still towards the top of my list. It's great for brunch, lunch or dinner. My favorite items on the menu is their lox & bagel platter, challah french toast, triple decker BLT, reuben sandwich, french fries, and vanilla milkshakes. But honestly, I've never tried anything on the menu I disliked. The waitstaff is either super friendly or sassy, either way...I love it. It's reasonably priced and you never have to wait longer than 10 minutes for a table. There's also a ton of cute shops and coffee places around there, so it's always a great place to take a stroll after inhaling their delicious food.

    (5)

  • Mill V.

    I've eaten here acouple times. I am attracted to it since listening to some of the older Jewish people talk remind me of my grandma. But the food is decent. Maybe not the most steller, but pretty damn good. Love their (Aunt?) Ruth's sandwich. Their kugal was dry and my ma could kick their ass at that. Their bagels were yummy, not the best in the city, but good for the neighborhood. Try the canned celery soda, it's mildly refreshing.

    (4)

  • Paul A.

    Based on the inconsistency overall and the consistency of what's good is always good and what's bad is always bad, The Bagel is frustrating to rate since it can be 1Star to 4 1/2 Stars depending on what you order, who waits on you, how long the coffee's been sitting there if you go at an off time, etc. The Winners where you can't go wrong: CHICKEN SOUP: probably the best Jewish deli chicken soup in Chicago, whether you order Matzo ball, kreplach, kasha, etc. EGGS, LOX AND ONIONS is the best around. Also, tell me where you can get a FRANCHEEZIE, or a jumbo hot dog with beans as a dinner entree! Or LIVER AND ONIONS. All winners. Corned beef, deli items, turkey, pastrami, etc.: eh, OK. Good enough. 3 Stars. The Apple Strudel is simply the best I've had anywhere. Seriously. I can't speak for other bakery items, but they all look terrific and actually I did have the apple/caramel pie once and it was excellent. Now, the other side of the coin: I ordered the short ribs which looked great on the menu. Awful. Simply awful. If I weren't so hungry and if there service weren't so spotty, I would have returned it. Barely 1 Star. What was supposed to be tender and succulent was like rubber. The vegetables were right out of a can. Or at least tasted like they were. At other times I've ordered their roast chicken and it's mediocre at best. 2 Stars all the way. When will I learn to NOT order their dinners. I've been going to The Bagel both in Old Orchard and on Broadway for years and I'm"m going to keep going. I'll keep ordering the good stuff and try to remember to not order the dinners. But guys in charge -- please: tell your servers to stop lingering in the kitchen or in the front or wherever they hide and take care of the customers? That being said, most of the servers are pleasant. They just need to tighten things up a bit.

    (3)

  • Jeff M.

    Always fresh, fast and a great deal. Check out weekly specials

    (5)

  • Karen A.

    This ain't New York but if you are looking for Jewish deli type food/menu/atmosphere, dis be da joint. Service: Great Menu: Huge (if you can't find anything to eat on this menu, you should not be eating out, you should be making your own food in your own sterile environment). Portions: Mammoth. You should see the bowls of soup-OY! The breakfasts are good, the sandwiches are really good, the soups and salads are big and filling, and the stand-by deli favs are the best: lox, pickled whitefish, brisket, and oh yea chopped LIVAH....perfect fix when you need a cholesterol clog-down! That being said, the outdated cornball broadway show posters on the wall entertain, as do the old cockers that mosey in and out of the place. If its good enough for those Jewish grandmas, well, its good enough for me.

    (4)

  • alan g.

    this place has a great dessert counter and a home style menu that will warm you up on rainy days. The breakfast sandwiches are a personal favorite. friendly service and many regulars. a must dine spot in lakeview east.

    (4)

  • J D.

    Hands-down, the BEST french toast in the city, and I consider myself to be quite an afficionado. If you don't like french toast, you can't go wrong with chicken noodle soup and a turkey club or an omelette. Try to sit in Joe's section for fast and attentive service. He must have a deal with the guys in the kitchen, because his orders come out with lighting speed!

    (5)

  • Justin B.

    I've been here probably 3 or 4 times, for breakfast only, and probably another half dozen to stop in for a bagel on the way to work. This place serves good food with huge portions for breakfast. Their omelets are ridiculously large, well worth the $8 price. On top of that, they are definitely very generous with the meat they put in their omelets. I love the corn beef omelet and will generally have them add swiss cheese to get a truly killer omelet. A couple negatives, as others have pointed out, is the service. I drink a ton of water in a meal and really don't enjoy waiting repeatedly for refills. I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt UNLESS it is a repeated problem. On Saturday, it was a repeated problem. I wasn't too happy about that. Not to mention that our waiter wasn't exactly what I'd call "attentive". Maybe this is a new-found problem, but in the past I've been more or less pleased with how quickly I've been seated (almost immediately all the time) and the service at the restaurant. On top of that, a couple other minor nits is the cream cheese that is served with breakfast. When you stop in to order, they serve real cream cheese out of their deli case for a bagel; however, when you order breakfast in the morning, they give you two Philly Cream cheese packets. Really? Well that wasn't overly impressive. Overall, this is a good place to grab brunch and probably even better for other traditional Jewish meals. Don't come there expecting diverse fair or creative seasoning, etc., but if you are looking for a delicious savory omelet, this is a damn good place to start.

    (4)

  • Laura L.

    I love the bagel sandwiches here! The egg sandwiches are delicious and the deli club sandwich is great. I also like grabbing a few bagels to with me to work for a snack during the week. The service is quick and the quality is consistent. The major downside to me is that the sandwiches are a bit pricey, in my opinion.

    (3)

  • Melissa B.

    How have I never written a review of the Bagel? We spend WAY too much time here. The portions are ridiculous here. You will definitely need a doggie bag. Or if you don't want too much food, try an appetizer. But those salads are insane. One can feed three people easily. Obviously, the bagels here are perfect. I also recommend the omelets, and my favorite: the lox spread. The service is so very friendly (well, there's one woman who's not so nice, but everyone else more than makes up for her) and they're all really fast and efficient. Oh, and if you're into people-watching, this is the place to be.

    (4)

  • Bill M.

    This deli starts you off with a basket of bread and bagel chips. I have never had an actual bagel here, but the hearty chicken noodle soup is very good and thick like a stew rather than a soup. I like the "red white and blue" blintzes with fillings of cherry, cheese and blueberry along with some applesauce. The pastrami and corned beef sandwiches are deli-icious (sorry about that).

    (5)

  • Sopla R.

    Really not getting the 4 stars here..for me.. it's gonna be.. Two stars for three words that amply describe food and service.."bland and mediocre and underwhelming" A few weeks ago we stopped by and picked up a couple deserts and took them home after a dinner elsewhere.. We were all happy to have German chocolate cake and a Cobbler.. we even stopped and got a pint of Haggen Daz.. very underwhelming. both desserts. The cobbler's crust was like cardboard. Literally. I couldn't even eat it after it was drowning in ice cream and who ever leaves crust from a cobbler?? Exactly. The chocolate cake was extremely dry and again.. bland.. but we thought oh it's probably just a "fluke".. There were maybe 3 tables in the entire restaurant. Server's first appearance out our table was well into 15 min. and when he did he just asked, "are you ready to order"? What? no time to ask us for a drink order? Or a "I'll be right with you"? I really hate not being acknowledged in some way when I am seated. It's weird, for anything service related we waited waited but our food came out really really fast.. (as in fast not in a good way..everything was luke warm)... had to wait at the end of the meal forever for our check. I never got a refill on my water.. And while I'm mentioning service.. there was this older guy in a suit.. a bit over dressed.. lingering.. just lingering.. talking to our server while he was not busy waiting on us. any good manager? would have been able to scan the restaurant (yes all 3 tables) and see exactly what, if anything was needed.. refills, credit cards sitting out waiting for checks..HELLO? He was not a scanner. He did thank us. I guess that's his only job. "thank you". well at least we got that I guess. Moving on.. The food: I had a cup of "broth with noodles only (was OK.. lots of noodles.. but where was the chicken? do you have to order that separate? It was, at best "luke warm"..but good enough I guess. Krepach. (like a gound meat ravioli served with apple sauce and sour cream) I'd never had these and again, I would have really liked to a. taste them fresh out of the fryer and b. add some type of seasoning to these. I find it hard to believe that the meat is not supposed to be seasoned in that it's supposed to be this bland? (whether or not you serve with applesauce and s cream) it still needs salt and pepper at least!! Lastly, we also had a beef brisket sandwich.. how beef brisket can be this bland is beyond me (don't you slow roast this brisket for hours? again? just a simple seasoning would have made all the difference here..thankfully the broth had all the salt) and no, I don't think the meat is supposed to taste like nothing. the bread may have been a few days old too. The sandwich had nothing on it, just meat and bread. bland meat and stale bread. Not a winning combo. You can serve me a basket filled with bagel chips and stale bread along with sliced pickles till the cows come home.. but it does not make up for this underwhelming food. I could not even imagine if I would have ordered some of the pricier items!! I would MAYBE come back for the soup or if I were craving a potato pancake.. but seriously, with SO many choices in this neighborhood for food and other deli's.. it will be a long long while. I just simply refuse to patronize establishments like this where it's clear to me that everyone gave up a long time ago.

    (2)

  • Sharon R.

    Absolutely awful. While my patty melt was almost decent, the asshole who brought it was not, AND he sheds (eeeew). Super embarrassed that I brought family there. Not cheap either. The only thing they really have going for them is their parking lot

    (1)

  • AV G.

    got the gefiltie fish here for our Passover Seder--and IT KILLS--this is really some of the best EVER!!!!!

    (4)

  • Rebecca H.

    Other than the soup which I swear has medicinal qualities the rest of the food is kinda bland. The waitstaff is very friendly. Maybe its obvious that I am Jewish who knows, but they tend to like me here. Its crowded a lot which is a good sign, you never want to stroll into a dead reastaurant not a good sign if its empty.

    (3)

  • Sunny M.

    Oy, The Bagel. I have mixed feelings about the place. When we've gotten bagels-by-the-dozen here, they've been lousy. I'm generally anti-chain, so it pains me to say that Einstein's bagels are far, far better. But I do like eating here once in a while. The faded, outdated, gigantic showtunes posters on the walls, the uber-friendly waitstaff, the fact that they give you huge pre-meal bowls of pickles, rye bread and butter as soon as you sit down, no matter what time of day you're there. Being the youngest person in the dining room by a good thirty years or so. And the corned beef hash. Oh, the corned beef hash. The portions are huge -- two meals' worth, easily, which makes the prices a little more palatable. The reubens, challah French toast, and the aforementioned corned beef hash are the highlights. Stay away from the baked goods at the counter. Sticker-shocking and often, unfortunately stale. And the coffee's particularly not good. So, three-star like from me for The Bagel. Stale baked goods, but I dig the only-in-a-big-city vibe this place rocks. It reminds me -- and I mean this in the nicest possible way, and don't ask me why I've been there -- of the dumpy-ass HoJo in Times Square.

    (3)

  • Kathryn M.

    Eh. I'm really not a fan. 1 star is for being able to walk in here at 1 on a Sunday and not have to wait. The waiter was friendly enough, the bread was good, constant water refills, and the lack of a wait are really the only positives. Oh! Decent fries too. I thought it was a little pricey for the food they served. $9 for grilled cheese and bacon? The bacon was glopped on really thick (I love bacon, but this was wayyy to much) or virtually none on the other side. My friend had a Chinese chicken salad, it was gross, she barely ate it and it was $12. My dining companion said that breakfast here is good, but we're definitely not doing the lunch thing anytime soon.

    (2)

  • Ryan K.

    Their motza ball soup was not bad at all. The BLT was decent as well. Their turkey reuben was subpar. It cost $12.95. The turkey was slimey. The atmosphere was nice. Overall I was disappointed in what I thought was going to be a good Jewish deli. Overpriced.

    (2)

  • Heather B.

    A four star average, seriously? Wow....I came in last Saturday and had no idea this wasn't [exactly[ quick serve. I made a requisite run to CVS for toilet paper and other drugstore stuff and needed breakfast. But they only had 4 types of bagels besides plain! Cashiers were too grouchy, the bagel wasn't too great and they didn't have espresso drinks. The three women in line before me looked uber pretentious and between the three of them, had wedding bands probably totaling 20 carats. Clearly , this isn't the kind of place I want to get bagels. I will just head down the street to Einstein Bros!

    (2)

  • amanda r.

    A jewish deli without a single jew? No thanks. Everything is just all wrong. The egg and cheese bagel is some kind of yellow cardboard folded up until it's about a foot thick. The cheese tastes like plastic. The bagels? I've had better bagels out of a bag. Knishes? Ew. Corned Beef Hash? Ew. Matzoh Ball Soup? Eh... oh who am I kidding? Ew. A ten dollar pastrami sandwich that is 90% fat? Ew!

    (1)

  • Brian C.

    I can't say anything that the other 180+ reviews probably have already said: large bagels, much flavor, fantastic for takeout. They apply the cream cheese like mortar on bricks. Love it. Been making trips here for several years. A very safe bet.

    (4)

  • David N.

    I have been here a few times for dinner, but have never came here for breakfast. So decided to come with a friend of mine to check out the breakfast menu. There really is nothing too special about it, they offer all the basic things you can find at other restaurants like omelets, pancakes and french toast. I do have to say though that the Challah french toast was very good. thick slices of bread with warm syrup and butter.....yum!

    (3)

  • Samantha L.

    They have homemade corned beef hash! Forget that canned smack! Pretty tasty, and the food came very quickly (on a Friday at 12:30 pm). I'll have to come back and try some of their sandwiches. : )

    (4)

  • Stephen D.

    I really do like their food, but I don't think the prices are justified. $10.95 for a friggin' sandwich??

    (3)

  • Jennifer R.

    I LOVE THIS PLACE!!! Just tried it Sunday morning. Though I was hungover as h*ll, I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, our waitress even reminded me of my Jewish grandmother! The menu is great and highly expansive. Plus the decor is really fun! My dining partner's omelet was HUGE and so were his hash browns, he was only able to eat half. I ordered the blueberry blintzes hoping they'd be as good as my grandmothers. Sadly, I was not impressed with them as they used the fake blueberry filling (literally the only thing that made me not give them 5 stars). I will definitely be going back here often to try different and classic jewish items.

    (4)

  • R L.

    bought a half pound of pastrami today to go. it was very tasty but about 40 per cent stringy fat. I ate half tonight . tomarrow I will bring back the other half and ask for a partial refund.

    (1)

  • Gemma C.

    AVOID AVOID AVOID.... Worst place ever for service!!! The counter help were too busy conversing w/each other to get the order right... When speaking to the manger, he was just giving excuses.... 3x going to this place & last couple time just really AWEFUL SERVE!!!! Food is that great & very over priced!!! There better bagel, Jew delis around Lakeview to tolerate BAD SERVE!!!

    (1)

  • Nicholas S.

    I don't like the bagels here: they're too dense and hard to chew. But more importantly, it sure seems like restaurant's main source of revenue these days is its parking lot, not its food. The Bagel hires a shadowy company called Global Parking Management to patrol its parking lot. The Global Parking staff hide across the street, and whenever they see anyone parking in The Bagel's enormous lot and then not immediately entering the restaurant, they boot the person's car. It then costs $140--the equivalent of about a hundred bagels--to remove the boot, payable immediately. I'm sympathetic to restaurants that don't want their precious parking spots filled with non-customers. But, really, this is highway robbery. The Bagel has a massive lot that it never fills, and it now probably makes more money from its lot than from its bagels. How pathetic.

    (1)

  • David C.

    Why did I spend $11.99 for a corned beef sandwich on a bagel? Please tell me. The bagel was stale and the corned beef was dry. Next time I am going down the street to the Walmart Express, purchasing ingredients for the sandwich, and making it better myself. I have yet to understand why this place is constantly crowded.

    (1)

  • Chad H.

    The best bagel breakfast sandwich you will ever have, in less than 2 minutes. Amazing.

    (4)

  • Kathleen M.

    It's a deli, so in comparison with other delis I'm a fan. Plus they were super flexible with our group arriving at various times and falling slightly short of the number I thought we would be. The menu has all kinds of stuff on it, from good to goofy! And my sister had her Le Canard hidden away in her backpack that we all tasted and they pretended they didn't see a thing. Did I get to add Sandwich Sneak to my resume or were they just really good sports? For all of the above I am giving them a 4 even though I didn't like the chicken salad. The potato pancakes made up for it. It's deli delish!

    (4)

  • Fran H.

    This is a pretty nice place to go for breakfast. I have never had any but breakfast food. They have the best hash browns I've ever tasted. The sausage was really good too. The portions are ample. And they have their own parking lot. It's a little pricey. The staff was quite friendly. They have their own parking lot which is a huge plus. I will definelty go back.

    (3)

  • Rachel G.

    It's definitely not Katz's, but it's the best NY style jewish comfort food you'll find in the city. The sandwiches are legit and generous. I personally love "Barb's Bonanza" which is chopped liver and corned beef piled sky high. The mish mash soup (matzoh ball soup amped up with other goodies like kasha and noodles) is great and will cure you if you're feeling icky. Oh, and they have great pastries. The rugelach is wonderful, rich, and packed with filling. The only thing I've had here that I wouldn't recommend are the potato pancakes. Maybe others would like them, but they just weren't what I was looking for...too heavily fried, yet still kinda mushy and not enough onion. I guess my Grandma still holds the title of best latke maker. All in all, try The Bagel out if you are missing home, you New Yorker you (or if you just need a comforting, back to your roots fix).

    (4)

  • Tiffany T.

    I'll admit now, I've never been to a New York Jewish deli before, so take what I say now with a grain of salt. Off the bat, just with that freebies they serve, the bread is delicious and the pickles are good. They have a ton of food on their menu and it makes it easy to come with a group of people with different dietary restrictions (I went with a vegetarian and someone lactose intolerant). I ended up getting a meatloaf entree with a potato pancake (first time I've ever had one!). The pancake was great. The meatloaf, eh. For that, I'd give it a four star but I do agree with past reviews that the price is a little high. I ended up paging about $20 to be a little underwhelmed. However, if were talking about the good, which there definitely was, the portions are huge (though there is a charge if you choose go share a portion), the service was quick and the atmosphere was nice. If this is what you're looking for or you need a quick meal in Old Orchard, try it out. I'll probably give it about shot at some point.

    (3)

  • Izzy N.

    Black and white cookies. I love these. They're just so perfect and tasty. They also have some other goodies in their display case I like such as the black and white graham crackers and raspberry rugelach. The rugelach I felt like I was being a little robbed there- kinda pricey for two when I know I can get a tub full of equally delicious ones at a bakery. They're good but bitch please, they're not blowing my mind. I also get their potato pancakes which are decent. They're a little thick and soggy but they're fried and I love me some fried goodness. I can't say no to a potato pancake. I don't expect to be coddled service wise as I'm asian and we're cold people as it is- staff here is pretty aloof and indifferent- all business, which is fine. I too wish they would sell their blintzes individually. I don't want three, I just want one! Who knows when I'll get to the other two. I just want one cherry! waah. I can't tell you about their bagels and sandwiches because I'm not down with bagels nor deli sandwiches. Maybe one day I'll give their matzoh ball soup a try.

    (3)

  • Ime P.

    I had high expectations from this place. We ordered the skirt steak and hard salami sandwich with American cheese on challah bread. The steak was chewy and not seasoned, basically there was no flavor to it. The meat was of poor quality. Ended up throwing away more than half of it. The sandwich came on old bread, it was hard and I got the end of the loaf. They overdid the salami, there was basically enough for three sandwiches, it does not make up for the poor quality of the bread. I had to remove the cheese because it was inedible. It was old, hard and there was discoloration on the ends, it felt like a piece of orange plastic. One bite and I was done with it. I felt like I ordered someone else's leftovers. Ended up eating frozen pizza for dinner. We will not be ordering from this place ever again, very disappointed and I want my $40 back!

    (1)

  • Miller S.

    I'm fan. The bagels are delicious, the lox are great, and I adore the Challah french toast. It's a bit more expensive than I would like, but I don't put the premium on good bagels that other people (like my girlfriend) do. A large standout is their orange juice though. It tastes so fresh, and looks so orange, I believe that there is some kind of black magic happening to make it so. It's even better than 2 Sparrows' orange juice (which had been my previous reigning champ). Overall though, if you're looking for a good Jewish deli, you can't do too much better than this without heading towards the East Coast. I'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Jo W.

    I am obsessed with their salads. They are HUGE and you can easily eat one over the course of a couple meals. I actually haven't dined in (yet), as I normally do carryout. What I love is that you can order online ahead of time so when you get there the food is (usually) ready, waiting, and somehow still completely fresh. The staff is super nice as well. I will admit they don't get everything perfect every time (sometimes when I ask for dressing on the side my salad winds up drowning in dressing), but more often than not they get it right.

    (4)

  • Matt C.

    Maybe it was the perfect combination of spectacular food, speedy service, and the surprisingly inexpensive check, but we had a GREAT experience at The Bagel. As a guy who grew up with relatives that cook incredibly good Matzo Ball Soup and Jewish comfort food, I consider myself a pro on the cuisine. The Bagel knocked everything we had out of the park. The Mish Mash soup was incredible - rice, noodles, GIANT matzoh ball, kreplach, and clean-tasting, delicious golden broth. It's served in a massive glass bowl, and could easily be split between two hungry people. The Corned Beef Sandwich on an onion roll: beef piled high and in quantity, fresh bread, and Gulden's mustard. Deli at it's best. You can sub-in a delicious golden brown potato pancake for 2 bucks - that's a hell of a meal. The baked goods are also stellar - we took a cherry cheese strudel to go; it was mindbogglingly awesome. Also I have to give The Bagel props for the stellar bread basket (including challah and an awesome giant garlic bagel chip) and free fresh pickles before the meal. Simply a spectacular spot for Jewish comfort food, top to bottom.

    (5)

  • Jack P.

    Although I lived in this neighborhood for about five years in the early '80's and have been by here a zillion times, I only recently stopped in for lunch with a friend and former client (who by contrast has been coming here for the past 30 years.) The place was busy and fun even on a weekday afternoon. The room is bright and inviting as are the staff. The menu a big old lollapalooza of choices, and the best things, soup specials everyday. Chicken Matzo ball, Split Pea, Red cabbage, all the old traditional Jewish deli choices. I had a "starter" of a bagel with Lox Cream Cheese schmear with tomatoes and onions ($6.25) and the Matzo Ball soup. The coffee is a little too weak diner-style for me, and the prices for sandwiches a little too high with all the other choices around. But my bagel was decent and I would do takeout or eat-in, or sit at the counter for soup and a schmear again. If you're hankerin's for classic Jewish deli fare in East Lakeview, need free parking, and you want to just hang out with a friend for awhile without feeling rushed, The Bagel is a good choice.

    (3)

  • Maurice H.

    An excellent deli in a very excellent food city. Matzo ball soup, corned beef, pastrami, chopped liver and the like rival some of NY's best. I'm all over it.

    (4)

  • Ashley F.

    Mish Mash soup--incredible! Bagel toasted exactly the way I asked. A *real* bagel. Chewy. Cream cheese side is huge. Delivered on time and with a smile. Prices are reasonable for the size.

    (5)

  • RJ C.

    Best breakfast bagel sandwiches I've ever has anywhere. Worth going out of your way for one.

    (4)

  • Joe O.

    What a horrible experience. Sub-standard food. Abominable service. Exceptionally rude staff. Avoid this place. How they can treat customers so poorly in this economy is beyond me. I was embarrassed for them. I've been living in Lakeview since 1973 and have yet to find a place this poor. You've been warned.

    (1)

  • Michael G.

    It's expensive and not terribly good. The bagels and home-made cream cheese are the redeeming qualities for this restaurant. I'll go here when I want a good wheat or everything bagel with cream cheese with chives. The egg, bacon and cheese sandwich is absolutely horrendous. It costs $12 and is half as good as a similar sandwich from McDonald's.

    (3)

  • Missy R.

    I have only been here once, but probably won't go back. I got a turkey sandwich for takeout, got it home and it was literally $10 worth of (high quality, hence the second star) turkey on bread. No toppings, no condiments, and WAY too much turkey for one person. I took 3/4's of it off and made myself 4 sandwiches over the next few days. Just a little disapointing.

    (2)

  • M G.

    whenever i'm around this part of broadway, i have to stop at the bagel for for some munching. the service is always friendly and fast and the food is great! you MUST try their chocolate cake too. it's the best i've ever had. just passing by? hop in for a giant pickle to go. perfect for crunching while window shopping.

    (4)

  • chrissy c.

    Im originally from the metro Detroit area and we sure do like to boast about our deli's. Id never thought much of it, until I moved to Chicago and realized how much I neeeeeeded a good pickle tray. The Bagel Restaurant & Deli had me smiling ear to ear. I ate more pickles than should be humanly possible and Oooed and Ahhhed about the vegetarian burger patty-melt. The old people clientele is charming, the single waitress handling the entire dining room was so honest and frank that it only seemed fitting when she said "Our soups today are not my favorites." Its places like The Bagel make me salivate for a Reuben.

    (5)

  • Blake H.

    Was REALLY hung over and decided to go there. attempted to get a bagel in the 'take-out line' but it didnt work out because it was really crowded & i was out of it, BUT i am glad it didnt work out. sat at the bar and ordered the matzo ball soup which was awesome! also my first time having matzo ball soup! i almost cant believe it! it would definitely be good on a cold day, and i will be getting it often! also got a single latke which was anothier good idea on my part. delish! some day i will get a bagel there though

    (4)

  • RJ W.

    I do not often give out 5 stars, but The Bagel deserves it. I have been coming here for years, and have not a single complaint. The food is great, and in huge portions. The staff is great, you will NEVER find you need to ask anyone for a coffee refill. The free breads and pickles as soon as you sit down epitomize the ideal Jewish Deli. I only wish they had a bigger take out section in front. Go there, eat to you are completely stuffed, then come home and collapse for a nap with a smile and a food coma!

    (5)

  • Julian S.

    The matza ball soup was great! The service a bit slow and English was a bit confusing at times. The food however was good!

    (4)

  • Ali W.

    I love this place! Their sandwiches are huge and their fries are delicious!! Their carry out and delivery is also pretty fast.

    (4)

  • Kate H.

    Every time I come to The Bagel, I would have to say that at least half the patrons are little old Jewish ladies eating matzo ball soup. And if little old Jewish ladies like this little old Jewish deli, then I'd say it's pretty authentic. They serve a bread basket selection that includes challah and bagel chips. Oh, and homemade dill pickles on the side--homemade!!! Vlasick's eat your heart out! Their sandwiches are to die for, and I'm also partial to the pasta salad. Which is a pasta salad in a very literal sense: it's a whole head of lettuce is a glass bowl with a half-pound of tri-colored rotini dumped in the center. It's so good!

    (5)

  • David M.

    THE place for breakfast - good for other times as well....we go in a group for the ladies can split a omelet...and the rest of us can groan all the way home....I'd say 'just quit eating' but you can't.....other meals are also great....daughter is addicted to the pickles....and the corn beef is to die for...as it the pastrami..perhaps literally, but hey, life is short....the daily soup specials are also an attraction....that plus the free bread and pickles can make a meal when $ are tight....the staff and service is first rate...some of them are still there from 12 years ago when it was the first place we ate 'in the neighorhood' when looking for a condo...go, eat...

    (4)

  • Andy S.

    Growing up in small midwestern towns, this Jew never had the benefit of a true deli, now I look back on my formative years and wonder how I ever survived. The menu at The Bagel is expansive and inviting, rarely am I able to go in, sit down, and order without changing my mind four or five times. It doesn't hurt that they provide you with a variety of breads coupled with pickles while your peruse the menu, debating with friends the virtues of each menu item. The other plus happens to be the unintended consequence of being able to tell your Jewish mom and grandmother that you are eating good, wholesome, Jewish deli food, with Matzoh Ball soup on hand to bring you back to health when sick. Now all you have to do is become a doctor/lawyer, meet a nice Jewish spouse, and you'll be free from the all the kvetching!

    (5)

  • Nathan K.

    I've been there for breakfast before and wasn't wowed, but then we just went there for lunch yesterday. It was fantastic. I wish I could post pictures to yelp, because this sandwich was enormous. It reminds me of the pastrami sandwiches I could get in New York. Unfortunately at New York prices too :) But it was worth it. I got the North Shore, which was: Corned beef, cheddar cheese, cole slaw, Dijon Mustard on Rye. Highly recommend getting that. My wife got the Ruthie's Request (Brisket of beef, pastrami and Muenster cheese) and it was so yummy. And this place has parking. Good luck finding that at another restaurant if you don't live in Lake View.

    (4)

  • Jon J.

    Old school Jewish deli that is amazingly good. The prices are a little high, but they nail every single dish they make - and they've got a lot of them, from classic scrambled eggs, to borscht, to fried veal livers. The servers are really friendly, and it's always a warm and cozy atmosphere. A great place to have a relaxing meal and reminisce about grandma and grandpa.

    (5)

  • Hal C.

    More like 3 and a half stars- They lost points with me here when I walked in and wasn't seated, then they told me I couldn't be seated after I ordered because "we have waiters here". Uhh.. ok. But, besides that, everything was pretty good. The sandwiches are really nothing extraordinary from what I could see, and they're pretty expensive for what they are, but they are tasty. I really don't think they could skimp on the cole slaw anymore than they do, but that's okay, because it really wasn't that great anyways. All in all, a pretty disappointing experience for a place that was getting hyped up. Still have to actually try their bagel- so I guess that might swing my opinion. My main option for Jewish delis will probably always be Kaufman's in Skokie- why can't THEY be here?

    (3)

  • Drew J.

    ZERO stars. I parked my car for a 5 minute stop at the bagel to pick up some bagels for my work staff coming in early the next morning. I also ran into CVS for less than a couple of minutes. When I walked back to the Bagel "Free Parking" lot, I found my car had been booted by a private company (Global Parking Management 1658 N Milwaukee). It appears to be a privately owned company that manages "The Bagel's" parking lot. Perhaps the Bagel gets a cut back---who knows anymore in this city. In any case my 5 minute Bagel and CVS shopping spree cost me $140 plus $9 worth of Bagels. I called the Bagel and asked to speak to the manager and got a snooty manager who was absolutely unapologetic and told me I would need to deal with the booting company. I said isn't that your lot? and don't you hire them? He was also rude and told me that the conversation was over---what an ASSHOLE running that place at night (8/10/12). He refused to give his name and he was a total bitch....Good going on hiring such a prick. This is such a total scam and should not be allowed. I have lived in Lakeview many years and given The Bagel much business (including that afternoon) but will never step foot in there again. SO BEWARE there is a spy in the Bagel lot that will unapologetically boot your car and scam $140 from you in an instant. They record your conversation too and make sure you agree to their terms---what kind of police or mafia state has this become?

    (1)

  • Sara O.

    OK so I've come to realize that I talk about grilled cheese & fries from everywhere, but really, that's what I almost always get. Call me a grilled cheese & fries expert if you please. haha. Anyway, this place has such delicious grilled cheese & fries that I find myself craving it randomly in dreams. Their chocolate milkshakes are also good, but I wouldn't suggest trying to eat a meal AND a milkshake because I just about exploded seeing as how I ate a bunch of challah bread when I was seated. Dangit, now I'm going to be jonesin for this food!

    (5)

  • Hello S.

    Our WHOLE table got SICK from our corned beef sandwiches. One member even had to go the the ER because of the dehydration caused by her severe diarrhea. Not only did the manager not credit our meal when I called, he put me on hold for 12 minutes and then basically hung up on me after mumbling something. I would never return and would not recommend that anyone eat there not only because of the possibility of food poisoning, but the awful customer service.

    (1)

  • Pandora P.

    Go for the pickles, stay for the Kreplach soup. This is a fun deli but, don't expect the best service. Whenever we have been there the service has only been so-so but, the soup is worth going back for. I am dating myself here ... if anyone was around in the 70's and 80's in Chicago then you'll know what I mean, The Bagel is good but it isn't close to being as good at The Belden Deli was (it used to be on the corner of Belden and Clark, my parents and I ate there weekly my whole childhood) - boy do I miss that place!

    (4)

  • Kathryn S.

    This place should be put out of business. First off, I'm jewish and this is not a jewish deli. I ordered an everything bagel, with a side of cream cheese and tomato. I got - a bagel that was nothing like those they sell for carryout, two sides of philadelphia cream cheese (not theirs) and a plate of under ripe tomato slices. Price? $1.50 for the bagel, $1.50 for the packets of cream cheese, and $3.75 for my "tomato salad." I refused to pay for the tomatoes but was told that the other prices "would stand" and I needed to look at the menu before I ordered. In addition to those insane prices (for not good food), I ordered hash browns which came out late and WET (how is that possible). My friend ordered eggs over easy which came out uncooked two times before they tried over medium. This place should be shut down or the owner needs a reality check. Bad food- check; egregious prices- check; rude manager- check. Yep, pretty sure that's the end of that.

    (1)

  • Matt S.

    The Bagel is the best thing on Broadway in Lakeview. Hands down. Classic Jewish deli with great bagels. The chicken matzo ball soup is the very best thing you can put in your body when you are sick. And if you live close enough, they'll deliver it to you. What more could you want? Plus, the pickles they put out on the table are the best. The BEST.

    (5)

  • Katie G.

    I went here on a Saturday for lunch with my friend. The food was nothing special (I had the Veggie Chili, she had the Potato Soup). What really stood out in my mind was the service. It was awful. We weren't sure who our server was, and by the time we figured it out, she was very short with us. I'm not sure if she was overwhelmed (it was really busy at the time), or what... When we were ready to leave, we had to wait a good 15 minutes to pay. I'd go back, but, I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.

    (3)

  • annie r.

    so the bagel is like 2 inches from my apartment, so by default, i've ended up there more often than i would like to admit. my brother's gf sarah refuses to go there after a run-in with a very dirty bathroom 10+ years ago at their location at old orchard. now, at first when i heard this story, i thought she was crazy, but as time goes on, i think she's on to something. the only time i go there is when im feeling a dirty craving for a turkey rueben, and nothing else with satiate but theirs. but EVERYTIME, i end up feeling worse than when i went in and swear it off until i get that craving again. its a vicious cycle. its one of those places that you'll feel for the next 2 days. AT LEAST. but their fries are killer and their breadbasket/ pickles has free refills. so thats cool. oh, and i forgot to say, you'll spend a pretty penny there. its expensive. you pay 18 bucks easy for a sandwich and a drink. weird.

    (3)

  • Christine T.

    The prices are astronomically high for food that is just so-so.

    (2)

  • Job E.

    Didn't realize there was a dinning room in the back of this place. Good food, tasty shakes, very filling. Waitstaff was a bit laconic, but almost entertainingly so.

    (4)

  • Manuel S.

    I love The Bagel! Everytime I'm in Lakeview I make a point to stop here. Just good food and an attentive staff.

    (4)

  • Mandy S.

    Ok, this place gives unlimited pickles, which is awesome, BUT they are soooo pricey! Holy Moly! The food is good, but NOT worth the price! The service is amazing, and the characters that eat here are perfect for people watching. I saw one dude with his own tupperware. He went to the bathroom to clean it. Seriously.

    (3)

  • blake d.

    I give this place 3 stars because the food is good. The relish plate is very tastey and challah is good. My friend and I had a disgusting critter experience here recently and I got the impression that it wasn't a fluke.

    (3)

  • gena k.

    I am not sure if it's the parking or mamoth matzho ball. I freakin' love this place. Used to go to the one on Old Orchard as a kid.

    (4)

  • Jay E.

    this seems to be the only jewish deli in the area. the corned beef is good but not amazing. perhaps i was spoiled growing up where one could get matzo ball soup that was the t*ts. this place will suffice especially since their fries are great.

    (3)

  • Meredith H.

    mixed feelings about the bagel. first off, looks can be decieving - it's actually much larger inside than the storefront seems to be. the good: pickles bread & butter counter service flamboyant server calling other people "dirty queens" and cackling walking distance from home the not so good: the chicken salad the lukewarm chicken soup it's got flair, it's got charm, it's got lovely campy decor, but it doesn't got anything that wows me. might be back but probably won't seek it out.

    (3)

  • Brett K.

    I had pastrami on rye and a diet cream soda. It cost 14 bucks plus tip. The sandwich was good, not the best ever, like 8 maybe 9 dollars good, not 11 that they charge. I am sure the rent is high, but I don't think the price meets the product.

    (4)

  • matty z.

    One of my favorite cheap meals in the city is their BLT platter. Seriously VERY good and seriously VERY cheap.

    (4)

  • Jennifer H.

    This is one of my favorite Jewish restaurants. I pretty much order the same thing all the time; matzo ball soup and chicken salad sandwich on challah bread. The matzo ball soup is a staple when I'm sick, I love that they have carry out service and the portion sizes are huge. If you are looking for some good Jewish food, you should stop by and try them.

    (4)

  • K M.

    I used to be a HUGE fan of the Bagel but my last experience was not fantastic. We were rushed from the moment we sat down. It was so bad that a busser grabbed the plate my friend was eating off of while she was mid-bite! Then later he tried to take another plate that had her toast on it without asking - completely reached right in front of her face, across her body, trying to swipe the toast away. My friend had to grab his arm to stop him! As we were finishing our coffee, the manager came up and told us we had to leave because there was a line of people waiting. Now, I understand that they want to get people in and out but we were going to leave a good tip since we knew we had been there about an hour. But they literally kicked us out. I think I'll be going to Stella's from now on!

    (3)

  • Kori M.

    Pickles!!! One of my favorite things in the world is a kosher pickle and these were the best I've ever had! Super salty...just like I like them! I had the patty melt which was the super cheesy...just like I like them! The fries were crispy and flavorful...just like I like them. The staff was courteous and polite and my water never got halfway before they refilled it...just like i like it!

    (5)

  • Gerald F.

    The matza ball soup was nice but the roasted chicken was overcooked, dry and shriveled up. Some of the servers were great but what really ruined the experience for me was the owner's blatant prejudice for the people I had brought in for lunch once and dinner on another. His attitude towards them were consistent and something I cannot stand. Whatever good I had to say about the place was trumped by the owner's awful prejudice and attitude.

    (1)

  • E S.

    No Fresh Mozzarella...this place is a deli? $15 for half a sandwich!!! Got back to work and had Rye bread instead of wheat. Called and was told that was how I ordered it and to check it next time. Food was alright but not worth the money!

    (2)

  • Jordan L.

    This is one of my favorite restaurants. Whether you're looking for a quick bite or craving matzo ball soup or any other Jewish deli cuisine, this is the place to go. Every time I've been there I've been seated promptly and the service is quick. As soon as you're seated they bring a tray of pickles, a basket of challah, and water, so you can have a nosh while you're deciding which soup to order. My favorite is the kreplach soup with half a corned-beef sandwich, but everything on the menu is good. They even have a parking lot behind the restaurant so you never have to hunt for a place to put the car.

    (5)

  • Nora T.

    Let's talk quantity. Two of us each ordered a half-sandwich, mine with salad and his with soup. When we had gorged there was still so much meat left that I had it packed to take home where, out of curiosity, I weighed it on my kitchen scale and I had half a pound of brisket. That was the leftovers from two half-sandwiches. The meat was so tender we could have eaten it with a dessert spoon. And, this must be reported, a brisket sandwich comes with a pot of hot beef jus gravy to dunk every bite in. For that alone I would go back.

    (5)

  • Natalie G.

    The Bagel is so my spot! I love sitting down on Saturday afternoons and getting my plate of pickles and start deciding what my friends and I are going to feast on :). I usually get matzo ball soup and half a sandwich, but the potato pancake appetizers are really great as well. There is such a large and great menu - you can't go wrong. The service is great and the milkshakes are better!

    (5)

  • David L.

    Ruben sandwhich and potato pancakes. That is all i've ever ordered here and it's all i'll ever order. Yes, I'm simple, but I know what I like, so why change? :-)

    (5)

  • Zach F.

    Best matzoh ball soup in town! They also have delicious latkas, chicken salad, egg salad, and corned beef. I think lunch and dinner are better than breakfast though. Overall = delicious!

    (4)

  • Beth P.

    The Bagel is a classic deli I love it. We've gone there so much I created my own sandwich -that I think they should add to the menu because people who sit down around us always ask waiters what I'm having. Almost the best fries I've ever had. Matzo ball soup is sooooo yummy. Go there! you get pickles right away :) Parking is behind the building

    (4)

  • Andrea R.

    This is one of the few good Jewish deli's in Chicago. I don't find it as good as the deli's where I'm from in South Florida, but if I'm sick or craving matzo ball soup I can always get it here.

    (3)

  • Irina H.

    Portions are gigantic, but some entrees are tasteless. It's also so LOUD at lunch time that the waiter didn't get my order right because he couldn't hear me. Probably a great spot for breakfast only.

    (3)

  • Ali O.

    well, i did get a fabulous everything bagel with veggie cream cheese for like three dollars and it was delicious. counter workers were nice and cheery, perfect breakfast on the go So this place is right by me and i never go in there because i never have much money to spring on breaky whatever, but my friends were visiting so i thought it would be nice to go there. I was pretty bummed at the turnout. I got the french toast which was good but didnt come with anything else, oh well thats ok. They both ordered this bagel and cream cheese thing that sounded so good on the menu but looked repulsive and im sure wasnt too tasty. it was like a giant ice cream scoop of oddly colored cream cheese that you just knew came out of a giant bucket. It was also busy and i like to be taken care of when i dine out but honestly, there was someone at my table with more coffee literally every 75 seconds, "more coffee, more coffee?" i was like ive taken one sip. I'm gonna go back and try this out maybe at another time, because i've heard good things, basically it was an expensive breakfast we left still hungry and a little agitated.

    (4)

  • marisa s.

    damn! they're got the biggest matzah balls i've seen in the midwest! when you look at the ball, floating in your chicken broth, have you ever thought, "how is that humongo ball going to fit inside me?" ...well it goes down pretty smoothly...like butta...kosher butta that is. deli food in chicago is really sub-par and i was so disappointed when i moved here that sadly, there are no delis that even come close to the metro Detroit delis (the Stage, Star, Steve's). the Bagel has fed my need for deli food...but it's still not the same! (pray hard for the Steve's Deli - from Detroit- to open soon by EBC) i usually order the BIG BALLed matzah ball soup and a garden salad and have them add in corned beef and turkey, instead of ham - and it comes somewhat close to my fav deli salad at the Stage in the D. the matzah fry is pretty damn good! they're omelette's are usually pretty standard. oh and the free pickles and challah on the table is pretty, pretty nice as you wait for your food to come, you gotta a snack! the service is quick like fast food, the waiters are pretty nice but all business - "gimmie ya order kid and let's get this on" kinda style. it's decorated with old broadway posters (kind of like Lindy's in Times Sq.) and the front pastry case will make your drool while you wait for your table. they'll always be a wait on the weekends, but they get people in and out pretty fast. for deli food in the city, this (besides manny's) is the closest to good.

    (4)

  • Lauren C.

    When I'm looking to treat myself to a big lunch, I come to The Bagel. All of their sandwiches and salads are huge, and they have some delicious fries. The bagels are also good and they make sure to load them up with a lot of cream cheese. The baked goods are amazing - the chocolate covered rice krisipy treats are my favorite. Service is quick and friendly, and the place is overall comfortable - it's a good lunch spot!

    (4)

  • Zac K.

    LOVE this place- ok ok, I know it's not anything overly exciting, but seriously, reminds me of my grandma and the food she used to make. Great dill pickles to start. Also go with the North Shore sandwich. Chicken soup is great- don't expect a lot of thing in it, just basic good ol cooking. Desserts are good, worth the price. Avoid weekend mornings as everyone seems to hit this place during those times. Salmon salad is good too. reminds me of home :)

    (5)

  • Kathleen C.

    The food is spectacular - matzo brie rivals my nana's (god forbid she ever gets internet access and reads this) and the matzo balls are the size of your head. Solid hot dogs, francheezies and traditional non-Jewish breakfast items too. One significant compaint - the staff/service. Often you can sit for 20 minutes before anyone takes your order (not counting the often long wait for a table). One time our waiter literally did not come back for over a half hour, even after we'd asked for the check, and the manager then had the gall to berate us for loitering at a table when there were people waiting. Suffice it to say, haven't been back since (in part thanks to my husbands passive aggressive retort, but that's another story)...

    (3)

  • Ralph L.

    This is a good choice for satisfying those "Matzo Ball Blues". Dine in or carry out or delivery, I have never had a problem. As mentioned already, soups are awesome. Sandwiches are decent too. They know how to stack em high! The Turkey Club is my favorite. Also, they carry the Dr. Brown's line of soda's. The cream soda takes you back to a time when the world was a little nicer. Or was that my experience cuz I was 10?

    (5)

  • Isa B.

    My husband and I were craving a bagel and after visiting this place, which we expected it to have amazing fresh bagels, decided never to go back. The sesame and poppy bagels with egg and cheese were so disgusting and greasy that after a few bites we didn't hesitate to throw them out. I never had a worst bagel experience in my life. I should have gone to Einsteins... At least they're fresh. It was also the worst coffee, kinda like the ones you get served on flights.... what an insult to Colombian coffee.

    (2)

  • Robyn M.

    Our waiter was so nice and accommodating and the food was fine. I just don't really like eating there. It looks dirty and the other people there look dirty. I just felt like I got the hibbie jeebies. Seems like the place needs an overhaul. It does the trick for a Jewish style deli, and that's all we've got around here. So I keep going -- heebie jeebies and all.

    (3)

  • Alissa P.

    I'm mildly obsessed with their whitefish salad and rugelach. The Bagel reminds me of the great eating I did growing up in Montreal. I'm telling you-- whitefish.

    (4)

  • Lindsay B.

    From the red walls filled with old Broadway and Hollywood posters, to the delicious (and I mean delicious) potato soup....the Bagel is quite all right with my book! The potato pancakes are delicious, and take me back to when my grandma used to make them for us. The bagels are tasty as well. Mmm, garlic bagels with scallion cream cheese. My breath is horrendous afterwards, but it is so worth it. Service is excellent, they give you enough time to dawdle if you so choose, but if you are in a hurry, they will be as quick as you want too. Plus, pickles with bread? I'm not a pregnant lady, but I sure do love me some pickles, and these ones are delicious.

    (5)

  • Julee M.

    I've been going to the Bagel since I first moved into the city over 13 years ago and it has been consistently good all that time. Sometimes there is a wait but it is worth it. With your meal you get a basket of fresh bread and bagel chips, a plate of pickle slices, and friendly service. My favorites are the matzo ball and mushroom barley soups and chicken salad sandwich. The burgers are among the best I've had in the city. If they are really busy you can also get your meal to go. Oh and there is a little parking lot in the back if you didn't arrive by foot.

    (4)

  • Josh ..

    Classic deli with all the menu options. Great delivery option, fast service and parking too. Cannot go wrong here...

    (4)

  • Rachel M.

    i just moved away from chicago, and the bagel is one of the places i miss most. i love love love love love their matzo ball soup. like a lot. that matzo ball soup got me through some pretty hard times... awful winter days, hungover sunday mornings, lonely nights with me and the kitty... but somehow, that one giant matzo ball floating in the richest, most delightful broth i have ever tasted made everything ok. if someone could please take the bagel and move it to los angeles (where for some reason delis are sucky and overpriced -ahem jerry's deli), i would be forever in your debt.

    (5)

  • Jennifer B.

    I thoroughly enjoyed my roasted chicken dinner (best chicken skin I have ever tasted) and my husband loved his meatloaf. But what really makes the Bagel shine is the other diners. Aside from my husband and I, there was no one in there under 80 years old. I mean it. If the wrinklies come to a place all the time - and do their hair and put on lipstick - you know it's a great deal. .

    (4)

  • Gerardo A.

    Good food, however the attitude of younger manager needs to improve. I found a napkin in my salad and when I brought this to the manager's attention, he didn't even appologize nor did he offer me another salad. I was LIVID after having been a loyal customer for 10+ years. I will never go back. CUSTOMERS BEWARE! There are better family style restaurants like Stella's, just across the street, Whistler's on Devon Ave. in Lincolnwood, Nookie's on Halsted, and the Melrose, just two or three blocks north of the Bagel on Broadway.

    (1)

  • Ali A.

    I would like this place if it weren't for one thing...the incredibly rude staff. I live just around the corner and have tried this place multiple times and have always been disappointed. Plan on spending a lot of money and if you want ANY substitutions you can forget about it. When I was there for breakfast I asked for cheese in my scrambled eggs, but if you do that they will charge you an extra $7.95 for an omelet! I asked for sausage and bacon and was willing to pay for the extra on my breakfast sandwich but they wouldn't allow it. There are too many other great breakfast places with decent food for a better price. The service can make or break a place for me and I would not recommend The Bagel if you'd like a pleasant dining experience!

    (2)

  • Hansol G.

    only two ratings for this place? hard to believe. The Bagel is a great little neighborhood place with huge portioned food and tasty breads. Come here for a bowl of matzo ball soup on a cold rainy day. It's usually very busy on the weekends, especially for brunch hours. They give you a complementary basket of bread and butter while you wait for you food which is really nice. I wouldn't get the blueberry blintzes however. I was hoping blintzes with blueberry and cheese, but it's just three blintzes filled with blueberry pie fillings for like $7.50 But overall a great place to go for a sandwich and coffee.

    (5)

  • Peter M.

    Big Jewish foods, big Jewish tastes, and some of the best bagel chips in the city are the reasons I keep going back to The Bagel. The menu is loaded with tasty foods from simple salads, to great deli sandwiches, to a full on brisket feast. I've cured many colds with their Chicken-In-A-Pot and whenever a friend is sick I pick some up to go and bring it along. If I had to single out my favorites, it would be their bagel chips and chopped liver, both available at the pick-up counter in the front. If I'm dining in, their Sampler Salad is excellent, and if I'm ready for a food coma, the brisket dinner will take me there.

    (5)

  • JL S.

    The Bagel. its terrific. Now, let's clarify. Its a trip. It runs funky. You have to be a regular, pretty much to get the deal. But, once in, its heaven. I love the Jewish Fare, cause that is why I am there. Chicken soup, nova lox, bagels, and eggs. Heaven. Great pickles and sour kraut. I mean I love this. It makes me want to get a Bat Mitzvah. So, there ya go. Get a corned beef or pastrami sandwich, and taste a bit of heaven the way God intended!!

    (4)

  • Mariana P.

    Nah. Not worth it. It is not only expensive, but the service was poor. We ended up paying $24 for two sandwiches! What's up with that!? They were not even that great! (I totally recommend Epy's Deli). I also overheard the manager explaining to an older couple that there is a "sharing charge" if you order a dish an share it. Are you for real???? These people were like 80 years old and probably couldn't eat the whole thing by themselves. Way to rip off old people.

    (2)

  • Nico M.

    Not much to say about the bagel. My ex and I used to always grab onion or garlic bagels or an egg sandwich on garlic or onion bagel with mozzarella and they were great. We always got them too go so dont really know about the inside.

    (3)

  • Digital M.

    First I order the Knish and slowly make love to it with my mouth. Then I butter up a selection from the bottomless basket of fresh bread and bagel chips. Next it's on to the matzo ball soup. At this point I am full but that does not stop me from enjoying my half pastrami sandwich lap dance for the mouth. Add some cream soda and enjoy the feeling of being completely satiated for the next ten hours.

    (5)

  • Shannon G.

    Ever since we moved out of Lakeview, we cry every weekend morning for our beloved bagel and cream cheese from the Bagel. We had an enjoyable dining experience the few times we sat down to eat in the restaurant. But the true joy we derived was from the bagels and cream cheese at the Bagel. Perfectly chewy and globs of flavorful spread, we have never enjoyed another like it. Having moved up to Albany Park, we discovered that the Bagel got their bagels from New York Bagel and Bialy on Touhy. I was beside myself and drove there one morning. It was the bagel I remembered, but the cream cheese was not. It had more of a whipped consistency, not the creamy cream cheese I remembered. So now, we try to make the Brown Line pilgrimage atleast monthly to get our fix of the best bagel in the world.

    (5)

  • Carrie B.

    A good classic deli. I had the matzo ball soup and turkey sandwich. My friend ordered a tuna sandwich on wheat and it looked delicious! Great brunch or lunch spot.

    (4)

  • Heidi P.

    Great prices, great standard Jewish deli menu and the staff is friendly and sweet. The nova lox platter I had today as yummy and fresh. Even though I kept trying to read and the not-quite-totally-down-with-speaking-English bus guy kept trying to chat me up, I'm still a fan of this place. I'm still recovering from the Worst Breakup Ever and I'm just not ready to flirt at the present so although the guy was charming....yeah, I just had to pass on the attention but not on an egg cream. Yum.

    (4)

  • Jason S.

    This classic Jewish deli always knows how to do it just right. From the fluffy plate size omelets to the matzo ball soup to the corned beef, the turkey club sandwich or the latkes, this place brings all the comfort that you thought only your bubbe could provide. Service is always good, prices are a little high and parking in the back. Go here to treat yourself with that warm jewish deli fuzzy feeling and then head for the couch for an afternoon nap - life doesnt get much better than that!

    (5)

  • Benjamin J.

    The wait staff here was terrible. The bagels were alright, but the service was so bad it ruined our entire experience.

    (1)

  • Ellen M.

    Rather authentic Jewish deli with breakfasts to remember on Christmas Day or any day. I've only done the breakfast foods, and everything was always perfect and delicious - my kid sister vouches for everything on the menu. The kids like coming here because the waitstaff are friendly and dote on them.

    (4)

  • Ariel D.

    I think this place is a great Jewish deli. The bagel and lox is great. My husband is from New York- and this is as close (as we have found) to a New York deli in Chicago. They have a (FREE) parking lot around the corner- which is very helpful in this area!

    (4)

  • Bobby M.

    I have been here once and I had a smoked salmon and home made chive cream cheese bagel, and it was the best I have had in Chicago. Heard the matzo ball soup is awesome as well, and I will try it next time.

    (5)

  • Christina B.

    good service, and polite. I have found that the take out section tastes better than the restaurant. Their blintzes arn't very good at all, you gotta love the canned fruit mixed up in weird thick jelly (ICK!!) They do have good fries and burgers tho, and while their meatloaf looks like dog food, it does taste pretty good. They could use some work on food presentation. I like going there to grab a quick bagel and cream cheese.

    (3)

  • Julia K.

    I took my grandparents here because they're such picky eaters. They like to think of themselves as 'diner connoisseurs'. Their favorite restaurant is Omega in Niles, IL, but they left this deli satisfied. They scarfed down the Baked Ribs of Beef and some Cheese Blintzes. I usually get the Lox Platter which comes with a bagel, lox, creamcheese and fresh veggies. That matzo ball soup did look tempting though. We came here on a Saturday at 11:30 am and there was no wait. However, when we were leaving, the wait was 1/2 hour, so my advice is to get here early.

    (4)

  • Andrew M.

    As close to a New York deli as you can find in the Second City, the Bagel is a great spot for brunch or a place to simply pick up your bagels for the upcoming week. If you choose to eat there, you will be seated at diner-style booth most likely next to a poster of some old Broadway musical. The bagel serves breakfast lunch and dinner (and has really good fries). It also offers free pickles to snack on while you wait. Bring your Jewish grandmother.

    (5)

  • Adam L.

    This place is like going home. Anytime I've got a hankering for matzah ball soup or a corned beef on rye, this is where I head. Great sandwiches and bagels, and the best whitefish salad I've had outside of NY.

    (5)

  • S to the izzo F.

    I love to eat at the Bagel. It's one of my favorite Deli's/diner's. My problem is that I like almost everything on the menu. Decisions are not easy. When ever I'm close to the Bagel I have to stop in and get something good to eat..

    (4)

  • Holla B.

    Being that I lived on the East Coast these bagels are just okay. One previous reviewer sums it up "And speaking of bagels, I don't know how fresh they are. I've never gotten a bagel that wasn't kind of hard...you would expect warm and fresh bagels from a place called "The Bagel," right? " My thoughts exactly. All I had was 1/2 doz. bagels to go but I surely won't come back if they can't even get the one food item right that they are named after

    (1)

  • Philip R.

    $14 for a corned beef sandwich, fries, and a cup of water? the food was good, but prices for everything are out of line.

    (2)

  • Stephanie K.

    the only time i've ever been in bagel is for their namesake, a bagel. i was on the run, looking for an apartment at the time, so i just walked in the first place i saw and got the easiest thing on the menu. now, don't get me wrong, the everything bagel was good (and HUGE), but i thought the pound of chive cream cheese they handed over was a bit much. and after shelling out almost $7 for my lunch, i was convinced that overpriced bagels and a mug of cream cheese on the side wasn't for me. however, after reading some of the other reviews, i think it's probably worth another chance. sounds like they've got a killer matzo ball soup and challah bread. i'll have to give it another chance.

    (3)

  • Stacy F.

    its always nice to find a little bit of home and family in a big city. that's the bagel's dish! bread and bagel chips as soon as you sit down starts the meal off right. and the deli sandwiches are stacked high and delicous. the matzo ball soup however is not my fav. its a big - like giant - matzo ball, but the soup is simply broth and super salty at that. their bagel, lox and cream cheese is nearly ten dollars. i almost fell off my seat. but if you've got a craving for jewish-style delicatessen food, this would be your place.

    (3)

  • Mindy S.

    This is one of the best deli's in Chicago! Although there aren't many to choose from, The Bagel never lets me down. The menu has a big variety and everything on it is great. The omelettes are huge, the sandwiches delicious and the matzo ball soup is my favorite!

    (4)

  • Kristine L.

    My roommate is an avid chicken salad lover and she hasn't stopped raving about the salad at The Bagel since she went there the first time. She finally got me to go there and it was a delightful experience. I had the frankfurter and it was amazing on its own much less the delicious fries it comes with! There were so many other choices on the menu that peeked my interest! Plus, before we even got our food we were given a plate of pickle quarters and a basket of Hawaiian Bread and bagel chips! And the music selection is just perfect; great oldies that everyone should know the words too. Just a great experience, I will be returning on a regular basis!

    (5)

  • Jay R.

    I have gotten delivery from there. Oy, the funky attitude of the order taker. Anyway it was good. Except the fries. Their fries are really bad and taste old. Funky taste too.

    (3)

  • Molly G.

    Yum Yum Yum, this place has fabulous desserts and tasty coffee. The bread basket is full of goodies and the pickles are great. Service is always on the ball. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because they do not offer many vegetarian dishes, I'm always stuck getting a salad or fruit/veggie plate, but like I said, it's always really good. I have to admit, I'm starting to prefer this to the Melrose more and more.

    (4)

  • Jasmin W.

    I've only eaten here 2 times, but I"ve gotten delivery from here more times than I can count. As far as deli's go The Bagel is on the top of my list...great turkey sandwiches and matzo ball soup. Oh, and their fries are really good if you eat there. They got a bit soggy when I had them delivered.

    (3)

  • Megan H.

    The Bagel is pretty good! I've been to both locations and they're both great. I had their turkey reuben and I have to say it was delicious! The sandwich was HUGE too.... I could hardly even eat half of it. The only problem was that the sandwich was a little bit messy. The french fries were delicious, and since I love french fries too much I've been on a french-fry free diet, so these were a real treat! They have any type of sandwich you can think of, and a great selection of jewish dishes. And there wasn't a second that my water glass wasn't entirely full (those water filling guys are good!) Oh and not to mention - FREE PARKING!!!

    (4)

  • Jim L.

    Great jewish deli in the heart of Chicago. They have chopped salads here, which any native of New York will be jazzed about.

    (5)

  • Austin A.

    I wonder if The Bagel really makes their own bagels. I only ask because sometimes I go to the gym at like 5 in the morning and there was a delivery guy there dropping off.....you guessed it, bagels. I found that strange, but decided not to let that bother me until this past Saturday when my friend dragged me from my hangover Saturday morning to go with her to pick up some food. I had to stand in line and watch this guy eat a bagel with a TON cream cheese that was ooozing over the side and he kept licking it like an ice cream cone then some of it fell off onto his chest and got stuck in his chest hair and he swiped it up and licked it off of his finger and I think I saw a chest hair sticking out of it. At any rate the bagel molestor was bragging to this random person in line about how these are the best bagels in town and how they are made right on location. They maybe they may not be, but if that freakshow is going to be there, count me out. Good lord, I wish I never conjured up that memory again. He ruined bagels for me that bastard. but that is not why this place deserves one star, my friends omelette was cold and runny and had no cheese and the bread was covered in butter and the whole thing smelled strange. maybe because we got takeout, maybe because I was hungover and I had to put a pillow over my head to cover up the smell, but I dont think I will ever get food from this joint.

    (1)

  • ali a.

    This is one of the few delis in the city. I love the omelets, sandwiches, soups. If you like Jewish Deli food, this is the place to go. The basket of different bread and pickles are fantastic as well as everything else on the menu. I've never had a bad meal there. Definitely worth going to.

    (5)

  • Rocky B.

    Ohoohooohooo, I don't remember The Bagel being so good. We ordered take out from The Bagel last night and omg I'm still thinking about my sandwich. I ordered a Reuben. The sandwich had just right amount of everything. Not too much meat, just enough kraut and mmm melted swiss. Since it was take out they were nice enough to put the thousand island dressing on the side so my sandwich wouldn't get soggy. The fries at this place are amazing. I have no idea what they do to them but they are so crispy and greasy and yum! When we placed our order they said the food would be ready in 3 minutes. "Yeah, right" we thought. We live about a block away so we walked right over and the food was waiting for us. Sheesh, who the heck cooks a Reuben that quick? The Bagel I guess. My only complaint is that I will have to work out extra time today in order to compensate for all the calories I had in that meal. It was so worh it tho!

    (3)

  • Joe P.

    The love of The Bagel among so many of my friends in Chicago is one of the few times that I am reminded that I am not in New York. Yes, this is some of the better deli food in the area, but it is certainly not all that good. The sandwiches, although good are pretty small. The bagels are mediocre at best. Try the soup, it is one of the few meals that I have been impressed with here.

    (3)

  • Liza O.

    Is it wrong that I've never had a bagel at the Bagel? I figure it's okay because there are plenty of places to get a good bagel, but only so many places that are handy for me to get a pastrami sandwich. Mmm, pastrami. And cheese, and challah, and french fries. And a big bottomless glass of diet coke. Makes a girl happy! Maybe one day I'll go and get breakfast food...

    (4)

  • greg k.

    Nothing like good quick service when you ask for it. 2 sandwiches with drinks at the counter - and at lunch on a Saturday. Oh yeah...the food was good too. I'll be back.

    (4)

  • Stan S.

    This is a classic Jewish deli with great food. If you get a jones for some matzo ball soup or a good corned beef on rye, this place will fix you up to a fare-the-well. It is usually packed, but the service is efficient and friendly. They have good blintzes, borscht, great brisket, all the classics. The prices usually make me gasp, but not because they are high. They just make me realize how old I am. When you have been ordering the same food since childhood and watched the prices climb, it is like feeling the creak of your bones. Of course what fun would a Jewish deli be if we couldn't moan about prices?

    (5)

  • Emma L.

    I was craving some homemade matzo ball soup and a good turkey sandwich so I ordered in from the Bagel tonight. Not as good as my grandma's soup, but pretty darn good. Definitely took care of the craving!

    (3)

  • Eliot J.

    this place is disgusting. everything tastes like gefilte fish, including the coffee. most of my breakfast on monday was spent waving away gnats that quite likely flew in from the kitchen. the pastries and cakes look pretty good, but i doubt i'll be back to check them out.

    (1)

  • Dee W.

    Decent place to go and grab some quick food. Came here for breakfast - was a bit disillusioned by the title because I assumed if it's called "The Bagel" - they'd have lots and lots of different bagels and spreads. ANyway, the lox spread here was amazing and they gave me so much that I didn't know what to do with the leftover amount. Service is pretty good here - efficient and friendly

    (4)

  • Jake A.

    The bagel is the best deli I've been to in Chicago. You usually have to wait for 45 min to an hour for a table, but you'll be happy once you are seated. I usually stick w/ their matzo ball soup and sandwiches. They can't quite make matzo ball soup like my grandmother can, but it's pretty good!

    (4)

  • G G.

    Matzo ball soup, pastrami on rye. It's good. And it's a great atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Patrick F.

    The Bagel introduced me to kreplach and matzo balls - which come in a very tasty, salty chicken broth that can't be beat. Of course, no place named 'The Bagel' could exist for so long if they didn't serve great bagels as well. They have a counter up front where you can get bagels, soups, and desserts to go in addition to the restaurant seating. It's a long hike for me, but one I try to make as often as possible.

    (4)

  • Chris S.

    A really good Jewish-style deli in Lakeview. I have been coming here for years and have always left happy. The breakfast entrees like omelettes and pancakes are excellent, but the challa french toast is one of a kind and not to be missed. They also have a variety of smoked fish plates that, while a bit more expensive, are great. Terrific deli sandwiches and homemade dinners, and the biggest bowl of matzo ball soup I have ever seen round out the menu. There is usually a line on weekends, but it's worth the wait.

    (4)

  • Bethany K.

    This is a really good place to grab a snack in the lakeview neighborhood. They had a deep fried cheese hotdog that was actually really good. They are also open a little bit later then some of the surrounding resturants. Also they have a pretty big menu selection.

    (4)

  • Sydney K.

    This place has great sandwiches that remind me of the ones I used to get while living in New York City. Two of my favorites are the corned beef and pastrami - with plenty of mustard. The waitstaff is really nice without being overbearing. It has the nice friendly feel of a neighborhood joint. Their soups are good too.

    (3)

  • amy k.

    only stopped in for bagels at the counter a few times and eaten in once. it was a great experience, about half an hour before closing and as we tentatively discussed whether we should leave (because who wants to be the last people in the joint) the hostess was all "come in come in!" then some type of important person opened our menus and told us all about the special. we split a delicious rueben and the matzoh ball soup, which was great. i'm also a big fan of the pickles and bread mix pre-meal.

    (4)

  • Hiker Chicka e.

    I'm not sure what everyone is raving about. I've had better sandwiches are bagels from grocery stores! The service is good but the food less than average. I got a chicken salad sandwich once and it was soggy! The cherry cheese strudel is good, but with so many other options in the area, why go here?

    (2)

  • stephanie m.

    i've never had a problem with the bagel on broadway. every time i go the service is great and so is the food! i've had better, but then again, i've had a lot worse! a little pricey. but what isnt in chicago?

    (4)

  • Noran W.

    My husband worships their chicken soup with noodles. It is simple and divine. Their bread basket, with tray of kosher sliced pickles, allows for tasty munching as you review their vast menu of choices. They also have a bakery/carry out counter--with fast service. I think the best perk on the place is the free parking behind the place, along with the cool neighboring shops.Breakfast is filling, but about the same as other places. the sandwiches are standouts, and the Jewish dishes are great.

    (5)

  • Maura M.

    i am a matzo freak...i cannot get enough...the bagel gets the job done.

    (5)

  • Q T.

    holy crap, a huge, delicious matzo on this side of the Appalachians?? YES!! I have only picked up from here, so I can't judge the service, but mmm.

    (5)

  • Jennifer H.

    People love diner food. And boy do they love to talk about diner food and how much I REALLY need to go there. Apparently these people have no taste buds. The Bagel is a neighborhood staple, but staple schmaple. I've been there a couple of times but have never been impressed. Quite honestly, the only thing I did really like were the black and white cookies. Hmmm. Cookies for lunch. Now that would be a great idea.

    (2)

  • Ben B.

    Got carry-out, so I can't speak to the service at the place, however... The challah French toast was exceptional. (Large portion, too.) And the hash browns were damn tasty. That's two-for-two, and that's worth another visit. Well done! Update... I ordered a French dip. While the sandwich was so-so, the au jus was fantastic. And the fries were out of this world. I love you, Bagel.

    (4)

  • Nesha S.

    I was craving a salmon bagel and knew they had one here so me and my boyfriend ventured in on a Sunday afternoon. They have a take away salmon bagel on their front menu but I wanted to sit in the restaurant and eat. It cost like $8 more to sit in the restaurant and have that bagel! Cream cheese is not included and is $2 extra. They bring bread to each table, our bread had to be old leftovers from someone else's. It was hard and cold. When the food came, the cream cheese was so sticky and hard, my knife couldn't scoop any of the cream cheese out. It wouldn't spread on my bagel, I was disgusted. They pre-scoop cream cheese in to plastic tubs and store them opened in a fridge. I called the waitress over and she called the manager. I told him about the cream cheese and hard bread, and he was very rude. I explained that the cream cheese is inedible and clearly old. He said, "well no one else is complaining." He asked what he could do to fix it and I requested fresh cream cheese. He took my plate and returned 5 min later with another salmon plate, this time the cream cheese was scooped in to a plate and had been microwaved!! I was shocked and told him that this is clearly just the same cream cheese just microwaved and he said that's all they got. He knew I was very unhappy, but didn't care at all. When our bill came I expected he would have taken my meal off the bill or at least a discount. Nope, he charged us full price. I took my plate to go, went to walgreens and bought real cream cheese. Won't be returning here!

    (1)

  • Dana V.

    Awesome salads and soup! Also...amazing Challah on the side. I had been looking for a good deli in Lakeview...obviously not looking hard enough. I've never had a bad experience here.

    (4)

  • Bradley V.

    I wasn't overly impressed with this restaurant. I went with friends for lunch, and it was your basic deli with a few other extras on the menu. First off, they wouldn't seat us even though we were only waiting on one person to arrive. I could understand this policy if it were a high dining establishment, but not with it only being a deli. Secondly, the staff was extremely noisy and talked to each other from across the room over your table. I found this extremely annoying and distracting from the conversation at our own table. They were dropping silverware constantly and knocking things off the table as they served us, so overall not impressed at all there. The food was good, but typical. The bread was pretty yummy which is what bumped it from 2 to 3 stars for me.

    (3)

  • Melissa C.

    First time for me at The Bagel. We were in the mood to go to a Jewish Deli (think Pastrami / Corned Beef sanwiches & Matzah Ball soup) on a late Sunday afternoon. Not too many places to choose from at that time of day. My food & the service was good. The place is cute inside - kind of reminded me of a 50's diner. There are small booths and tables to choose from. We had a group of 8 (including 2 children) so we took some tables together in the middle. There is a cute bakery/deli when you walk in where you can buy delicious treats, cookies, cake, soup and saldas home. My nephews loved picking out a treat before we left. Driving over there was another story. As you might expect on a beautiful Sunday...horrible traffic heading East toward the lake. Nothing to do with The Bagel, that's just Chicago! However, there was a silver lining! The Bagel has multiple parking spots directly behind their building so parking was a whiz (fast & free)!!

    (4)

  • Andre W.

    This place came with a heavy recommendation from a trusted friend of mine. I was really excited to check it out due to the recommend. Came over and got sort of the opposite. First I had to wait until they cleaned the table to sit down and once I sat down I saw the crumbs that the guy wiped off of the table on the seat. Once seated, I was ignored for about 10 mins when I started snarling at every server that walked by. The manager happened to see me upset so he told a waitress that happened to be standing around to take car of me. The girl told me they must have switched table assignments which is why no one attended to me. She was actually kind of nice, so maybe she was telling the truth. I ordered a corned beef sandwich which was ok, but was kinda dry. Not sure if I will come back...if I do, hopefully the experience will be different.

    (3)

  • Lindsay B.

    I love The Bagel. Their menu is enormous, and there is something for everyone. It's the perfect place for brunch with picky friends or children. My husband loves the challah french toast. I love their matzo ball soup -- it's magic. I crave it when I'm sick, and it always makes me feel better.

    (5)

  • Melanie V.

    My self-proclaimed hangover cure? Onion bagel and veggie cream cheese. Works every time! The bagels here are absolutely phenomenal and I love the wide variety that they have - everything, garlic, onion, wheat, pumpernickel, sourdough. They also have chive and lox cream cheese, but I haven't ventured out of my veggie obsession yet.

    (4)

  • Jamie B.

    I've been here a handful of times. The pickles and bread/bagel chip basket is nice. I like the smoked salmon plate, but it's overpriced in my opinion. They should cut the tomatoes and onion more thin, and throw some capers on the plate, rather than kalamatta olives.

    (3)

  • Robby S.

    When I first walked by this place, I thought it was just like a deli counter. I didn't realize the place went all the way back and that there were like 40 tables! I've been here a few times now for brunch, it always seems busy, which is good? The staff there sometimes (especially one particular woman) looks like they are about to have an anxiety attack at any moment. The food is great, they have good root beer, and the service is generally nice.

    (4)

  • Brynn K.

    This is one of the best bagel places in Chicago. They have dense, delicious bagels and everyone who works there is extremely nice. The only problem is that for a place called The Bagel, they have poor inventory management on bagels! 75% of the time, when I make a special trip to The Bagel to get Everything bagels, they are out of Everything bagels! I honestly don't understand why this happens SO often. If you run out of Everything bagels 75% of the time, please consider upping your order so that your customers can count on a consistent product offering. It is so disappointing to make a special trip and have this happen almost every time I go. Outside of the Everything bagel inventory, this place is fantastic and the best bagel place I've found in Chicago.

    (4)

  • Sarah R.

    Mmmmmmm.......homemade dill pickles................Challah bread............pastrami and corned beef..........battered fries............ugh.......so fattening........yet so good........I don't care......mmmmmm. You can tell I enjoyed myself. I've carried out at the Old Orchard location and I don't know if they like me better there or if they operate differently, but I'll tell ya. The corned beef was piled much higher at the double O location. I still had a great feast and left extremely satisfied. Dined here on a Saturday at 3pm. Weird time, but it worked because it was slow and quiet. Yum, I'll be back.

    (4)

  • Zeke D.

    Maybe it was just my expectations, but I expected a great bagel from a place called... the bagel. What I got was mediocre. Admittedly, I am Jewish and a little bit of a snob about bagels because of it so take it with a grain of salt but the bagel disappointed me. However, their other food is very solid. The matzah ball soup is extremely satisfying and they have all sorts of other good Jew foods that I need every once in a while. Pro Tip: Try the matzah brei (fried matzah). Its scrambled eggs with matzah. Not sure if the non Jews will like this too much, but its my favorite way to eat matzah and this is the only place I've seen it on the menu.

    (3)

  • Melanie S.

    Let's be honest: Jews aren't exactly known for their cuisine. As a half-Jewess, I grew up eating things unseasoned and baked or boiled to death. Still, my Bubbe made the best-ever matzoh ball soup and even though she's no longer around, it remains my comfort food. My bf was feeling under the weather and I knew just what to get him to make him feel better. Enter The Bagel, the home of Jewish comfort food guaranteed to cure what ails ya. I can eat matzoh ball soup anytime so I picked up a quart of it so we could share it, and my bf also wanted a julienne salad to go with it. It seemed like an odd thing for him to order, but he was sick, so I didn't question it. I also wanted a cheese blintz but was dismayed that I couldn't order just one a la carte and instead had to order three of them. They sell potato pancakes individually, so why can't they sell blintzes that way? I decided to order them anyway, even though I knew it would take me three days to eat them. I picked up my carry out order and the total for a salad, quart of soup, and cheese blintzes came to over $30. I thought that was a pretty hefty price to pay and more than what I'm used to paying at Kaufman's, but I'm a good girlfriend and happily forked it over so the Jewish panacea could work its magic. Their matzoh ball soup is good. The balls are light and fluffy and the broth is flavorful. It comes with practically half a loaf of challah (holla!) which I saved to make grilled cheese later in the week. The salad was your run-of-the-mill julienne/chef's salad, but it came with literally a vat of dressing. I can't imagine who would eat that much dressing on their salad. I enjoyed my cheese blintz, but of course I could only eat one, so the remaining ones will probably last me two more days (if I don't get sick of them by then). They're way too rich and filling to eat three at one time. They should strongly reconsider selling them singly. The Bagel will do in a pinch. Their sandwiches and bagels are pretty good, but for my Jewish-y-ness, I prefer to stick to Kaufman's. Mazel Tov.

    (3)

  • Sarah D.

    I've been twice, and I have to agree; this place is ill-named. Their bagels are NOT good. I like toasted bagels and steamed bagels, but these are just stale bagels. I've also had the soup, salad and a sandwich. They clearly aren't memorable because I don't recall what exactly I ate. Not many make better matzoh ball soup than I do (while not traditional, garlic and lemon are delish with matzoh), but I know it can't be better than mine. The idea of the place is awesome: a Jewish deli with bagels, lox, traditional soups and sandwiches, large portions, and a bowl of free bread and pickles with every meal, but the reality of the place is not: run by Mexicans, poor service, high prices, and low quality food. I would go back here 1. because it's around the corner and 2. I'd like to actually remember what food I've ordered before I write the review update.

    (2)

  • Jennifer T.

    I was craving a club sandwich. What? Doesn't everybody have a craving for one of those every once in a while? I'm glad we decided to order from the bagel. Even if they were fairly expensive, the size of the meal could be split between two people to be honest but leftovers are welcomed. I'd go there again because not only is the sandwich yummy but they have some of the best pickles I've ever had. I mean, so good that the day after I wanted to order from them again just to get some pickles.

    (4)

  • Jess C.

    I really liked that I walked in to this place on a Sunday at 12pm and I got a table in 5 minutes. I also liked the giant basket of delicious bread and bagel chips that was waiting for me at my table. However, I was completely sold on this place when I tried the complimentary housemade pickles. Mmmmm pickles. I'm a huge deli food fan and I have been to a lot of delis in the Chicagoland area. I think The Bagel has the edge because of the amount of food that you get and the fact that it's actually good. My boyfriend's Deli Denver Omelette (salami, tomato, green pepper, onion) was the size of a small football and scrumptious. The corned beef on my sandwich was piled high and sliced super thin (which I prefer). Also, the coke mix (I'm a bit of a Coca Cola snob) was really good and our waiter was really on top of getting us refills. Overall I had a really nice experience and I would definitely go back.

    (5)

  • Maria A.

    The fucking Bagel. Why, oh why does San Francisco not have a Jewish Deli/Diner as delicious as The Bagel? Ya'll are giving it how many stars? You don't even know how we suffer on the West Coast. Hallah! This is not some stupid shout-out I'm saying like some shiksa to sound cute. This is the real rip it apart fluffy stick it in your mouth deliciousness. And you can ask for more. Bialys too. And pickles. In a bowl. As many as you want. Homemade vegetarian soups that change every day. Borscht. God I want to cry until one opens up in the bay area. Booths. You sit in booths. And you can sip a Chocolate Phosphate. I don't care that nothing is organic. I don't care that most of it is meat. I will eat a tortured-egg salad sandwich here because it tastes So Good. And the coffee mugs. Diner mugs. So comfy in your hand... Sigh.

    (5)

  • Jelena Z.

    Many moons and many visits have passed since that first review... suffice to say, an upgrade has been earned. Most recently, I went here on a Friday to pick up a late lunch to-go (delivery doesn't start until 4pm). My intentions were to order the sampler salad (you pick two) with the smoked whitefish and egg salads. But then I started thinking about their chicken salad, and how lovely it would taste on some homemade Bosnian pita bread I had at home. But, it's not just any Friday... it's the first Friday of Lent! I'm a good Catholic girl with years of "fish only" Fridays behind me. But. I. Want. Meat. And really, I reason with myself, fish is poultry and thus it's not technically meat. Weak argument, huh? Clearly, I do know better. I'm fairly certain the Catholics wouldn't even consider this a white lie. Is it a sin? Well, if it is, then sinning was delicious. I do like the cool, smoky flavors of the whitefish salad but I'll always prefer the chicken here. The platter itself seemingly weighed a couple of pounds and I had lunch, dinner and the outstanding remnants are still in my fridge. My Jewish friends fully indulge their "Life, Love and Lox" mantra here. I'm not into salmon but I've seen nothing but smiles from them. Oh, and if you're a lover of pickles... free refills!

    (4)

  • Charles C.

    I am Jewish so whenever I venture away from Cleveland, Ohio and go to a Jewish Deli I am always suspect. Will the pastrami come anywhere close to Jack's Deli? And what about the chopped liver? It never fails to amaze me how in a place like NYC you will go to some famous deli and what they pass off as chopped liver can be the farthest thing from actual chopped liver. So when I walked into The Bagel I immediately knew this was the real deal. The place just felt like home from the bakery case when you first walk in the door to the old movie and musical posters on the walls. I asked the very friendly waitress (but not overly friendly which can be a real turnoff) if they could do a pastrami and chopped liver sandwich and she immediately said yes and then showed how on the menu they already had a corned beef and chopped liver and would just charge me for that but make it with pastrami. I then asked if the pastrami would be hot and she said yes and it was then I knew I was in a good and authentic Jewish deli. When the sandwich arrived it was the perfect size and the pastrami was very nice and the chopped liver was excellent and it was truly a dynamite sandwich. The fries that came with the sandwich were also quite delicious. My friend had the Red, White and Blue Blintzes (his first time ever having a blintze) and absolutely loved them! Sadly I went back and ordered the same pastrami and chopped liver sandwich and yet this time when it came out it was corned beef and chopped liver. When I pointed this out to the waitress she said no that it was pastrami and when I mentioned this to another person working there they also said it was pastrami which it clearly was not. So my first experience was good, but after this second experience I will not be going back.

    (2)

  • Luke S.

    This place is a life saver if you have the flu! There is nothing like their matzo ball soup and their other wonderful deli fare. They make a mean omlette and surprisingly have some of the better dinner menu's in the area. The menu is so big that you can get lost and confused trying to figure out what to order. The service is usually good and the owner spends quite a bit of time greeting guests upon arrival. You really can't go wrong with the food here! They do get the occasional wait, but don't fear they do a good job of turning tables.

    (4)

  • julie l.

    Sorry to say it, but I don't like The Bagel's bagels. Actually, it saddens me but it's true. They are so dense it's not good. Otherwise, the food is pretty standard fare. And since I can prepare myself something at some that is standard and cheaper, I don't pay The Bagel to do it. Unless, of course, it's some sort of holiday like Christmas and they are the only place open when I'm too lazy to make something, and for those few days, I'm happy it is there. And it has more charm than Stella's across the street if you are looking to pay for standard diner food.

    (2)

  • Alana S.

    The service was prompt and the sandwich was delicious although a little overstruffed. The prices were decent considering even the regular sized sandwich comes with slaw, chips and a pickle. I'd eat there again, but I'm not sure I'd go out of my way to do so.

    (3)

  • Michael G.

    Christmas Eve is pretty much the greatest day in the world to have been born Jewish! While everyone else is out last minute shopping, I had to get Hanukkah/Thanksgiving presents for my family (and, by extension, my Christian friends) far before, and can just chill at home and avoid the chill. And, of course, the crowds. Oy! The crowds! It's like the exodus from Egypt. All running and people grabbing their faces from the boils and pestilence and lice. And all those other fun things only associated with Christmas shopping and biblical-style plagues. But, this year, I decided to be a bit of a voyeur and head over to Lakeview on Christmas Eve to observe the chaos. Safely from behind the windows of The Bagel with the others "of the faith," of course. This place, despite having a horribly touristy name and kitschy Broadway posters (that seem to inhabit every non-New York City "New York Style" deli), is the authentic article. Anyone can do a pastrami on rye. But this place does kishka (which is basically the most disgusting food next to haggis on Earth), kreplach, blintzes, latkes (which are different from potato pancakes because they're made with old Jewish woman tears), and - my absolute favorite - a pretty darn good (if slightly too solid on top) knish. I've had better from street carts on the Upper East Side of New York, but beggars can't be choosers. It's the only place in Chicago I've found them! Plus, anyone can do lox, but this place has gefilte fish. Seriously. A huge side of gefilte fish! Just like bubbeh used to spoon out of the jar (er, make) on Passover. I mean, the thought makes me verklempt! If anyone is homesick on Hannukah (or Rosh Hashanah or whatever), this place is manna from the heavens. Which brings up another reason The Bagel comes through in a pinch - they have noodle kugel. Sweet as heck, filled with raisins, feel like a dessert but eats like a meal, kugel. And all of the sides I've mentioned are a good price. They will just set the diner back a few sheckles. And even those who don't live up to Jewish stereotypes are counting their sheckles these days! Now the deli sandwiches (about $12) are sort of pricey and Manny's makes *most* of them better. But they all come with a soup (there's a different vegetarian one each day), bagel chips, a full bread bowl, and pickles. Sliced kosher dills! Plus you're paying for atmosphere as well. If there aren't a gaggle of old Jewish ladies talking loudly (it's not their fault, they're probably deaf) about temple or how to best shop for fur coats, you've picked an odd day and definitely not Christmas Eve. Or Christmas Day. Like any *real* deli, they are open on that Christian holiday! Just saying.

    (4)

  • Patty S.

    I don't claim to be a connoisseur of pastrami sandwiches, but I this is one of the best I have tried. The pastrami simply melts in your mouth and I'm still reminiscing each delicious bite. I know traditionally this sandwich is served on rye bread, but this isn't my favorite type of bread so the waiter suggested onion roll instead which put the sandwich over the top. The meat is well seasoned with just the right amount of marbling throughout. It didn't feel oily or fatty at all. We did also order the Mish-Mash Soup and I can't say this was my favorite. I am not generous with 5-stars, but just based on the pastrami sandwich, I will gladly give away this rating.

    (5)

  • Timothy L.

    I don't understand why The Bagel is so pricey, so busy, and so mediocre. I would tolerate it more if everything was $3 less.

    (2)

  • Robb H.

    To go order of matzo ball soup and a lox & cream cheese bagel sandwich. No plastic utensils with the soup and, contrary to my instructions, the sandwich was sliced in two. (Have you ever tried to eat a lox and cream cheese sandwich that's been cut? Fish popping out everywhere.) And to top it off: NO CAPERS!!! WTF?!? I called the manager immediately and he told me it's their policy not to put utensils in to-go orders, even when those orders contain soup. I'd say wtf again, but that would seem redundant. Nothing like eating a matzo ball with a plastic fork one of my coworkers left around the office last week and slurping chicken broth from an over-sized styrofoam cup like I'm eating Miso at some cheap, Japanese take-out place. If I were truly jaded, I'm blame this on them sending me a "go back to Andersonville, Swede" type of message, but I think this is just lack of good management foresight, easily solved by mentally putting oneself in the customer's shoes and/or reading Michael Gerber. The food is decent, but by no means NYC deli quality or even close to Manny's for that matter. But despite my numerous disappointments (NO CAPERS, SERIOUSLY?!? Yes, again.) this place was still better than grabbing a crappy lunch on the go at McDonald's.

    (3)

  • Michelle B.

    I came in yesterday as part of a group of 10 young adults for brunch and were very happy to be able to be seated within a few short minutes. We were going to go to the place across the street, but were too hungry to wait, sent 2 across the street, then sent back for the rest. We were very happy to know that they will split checks, so we had them split among 7 parties. The food was excellent and was pretty well devoured! Oh yeah, excellent plus: free pickles and bread. I will definitely be back! :-)

    (5)

  • Tom C.

    I will say this, Soup and half a sandwich is a meal as the meal comes with bagel chips, kaiser roll and bread w/ butter, and kosher pickles. I had the pickled beef tongue on rye. the meat was tender and very flavorful. The soup was their popular and tangy sweet n sour cabbage bourscht. I look forward to going back to try the Corn Beef, Pastrami and Chopped Liver.

    (4)

  • Jeff M.

    For being a dinner type restaurant The Bagel is very good. Omelettes are good as are the sandwiches such as a pastrami on rye. Tons of food will come to your table even before you order. You can find a pretty good value here.

    (4)

  • Jessica S.

    I am disappointed. Rosh Hashanah and I wanted some sweet noodle kugel. What they sold me was lumpy, tasteless with no raisins and no sweetness. I was so bummed. The matzoh ball soup is pretty good. It's not a real Jewish deli. The food just isn't good enough.

    (2)

  • Stosh T.

    Really great fresh sandwiches but a bit over priced in my opinion. The deli meat tastes great, and I'm assuming it's very high quality which drives the price up on the sandwiches. I guess I'm not used to paying $10-$14 on a deli sandwich. Service has been good the few times I've been there. Would go much more often if it was a bit cheaper.

    (3)

  • Lorelei C.

    After a Day out at Lincoln Park Zoo I decided to head to The Bagel... My almost 31 year Old Son Brian had recommended it to me, so I just had to try it! As you enter this Restaurant/Deli your first visual encounter is that of a Glass Case with Take-Out Items including Bagels, Breads, Wonderful Looking Salads and Meats... Then of Course they had to have the Dessert Case right next to that one where they had Cakes, Cookies, Even Assorted Marshmallow type Treats.. I should have gotten one of those but I was going to hit the House of Fine Chocolates next door but by the time I got there they were closed... This obviously was not meant to be.... Okay, so I was greeted by a Hostess and seated very quickly, the Bagel is located in the very Hot Lakeview Area of the City and I am told that it can get quite crowded/busy but today, I breezed right in..... The Bagels Interior, I Loved it! Various Art Prints Line the Walls, Stainless Steel Tables, Very Big and Comfortable Booths. The Bagel is more Long and Narrow but still seems to be plenty of seating/accomidations between the Counter and the Booths. This is a Deli Folks so expect some truly great Deli- Food, Corned Beef, Pastrami Etc.... As you are seated you are brought a Basket of Bagel Thins and Wonderful Bread along with a Tray of Kosher Spear Pickles... God, I Love Pickles.... The Bagel has a Full Menu of Appetizers, Salads, Burgers,Sandwiches and Blintzes.. They also have a varied List of Entrees to choose from Today I opted for a Corned Beef Sandwich on Rye which was Perfect.. Could'nt get any Better... My Server Mayra was Great, Thank You Mayra! The Bagel has a nice Dessert Menu which I did'nt even look at... And we all know why that is...(House of Fine Chocolates) And the Bagel also serves Breakfast! As far as Menu Prices Go I think the Bagel is nothing too extreme and they do take Plastic.. :) So, to my Son Brian, you were Right, I Loved the Bagel, Thanks for the Recommendation!

    (4)

  • I.E. C.

    Average deli/diner in Chitown. Staff was friendly and pancakes, eggs, and bacon all good. Can't complain. Just nothing too special. Nevertheless, if you're looking for a diner/deli in the area, this place is decent.

    (3)

  • Matt A.

    This is a staple in our family. grew up going here on Devon and will go forever and ever. matzo ball soup and sandwiches - we love them. not the best Bagels, for that we goto skokie - kaufmans! this place does have wonderful challah and a friendly staff

    (5)

  • Jules L.

    For takeout, it's OK. The sandwich price--$10.95--is reasonable for the size of the sandwich, plus sides of cole slaw, pickle spears and chips. I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised by the amount of meat packed into the sandwich! Unfortunately, the corned beef is disappointingly bland, as are the pickle spears. the cole slaw was good though. I would definitely come back to try some other menu items; maybe it was just a bad day for corned beef.

    (3)

  • Robert S.

    Every time I come here I leave asking myself the same questions: * Why did I return here? Answer: Desperation for a place to eat. * Why are they still open? Answer: Others are desperate, too. No really. I've been to the Old Orchard Mall location. Why does this north side location look like it needs a remodeling? I mean, the last show tunes poster they added was for Starlight Express, which is about the last time they renovated this aging dinosaur. The food is just ok. Half the menu contains inedible Jewish food made with organ meats served myriad ways. I know it's "my people's food," but honestly. Enough with the Jewish soul food...just give me a sandwich with meat that doesn't come from an animal's intestine, a vital organ, a bladder or a gland. And that's the problem: I never know what to get here. Should I get the Turkey Reuben...the turkey Reuben dinner...the turkey Reuben combination? So many ways to order. I always get what I think is what I had last time, or hope that what I order will be as good as the previous time. Last time, the sandwich was great--a Reuben that I think was corned beef. I ordered the turkey Reuben with fries instead thinking it'd be a big sandwich packed with turkey. Nope--just a few slices of turkey, some commercial food service brand sauerkraut, and bread so flimsy it almost came apart. It was tasty but the sandwich was greasy AS HELL. I'm usually all about greasy stuff, but this was...GREASY AS HELL. And then I got the bill. Notice how I didn't order a beverage, which usually keeps a tab reasonable. Instead the bill came to $14.80. Pricey for a sandwich that wasn't nearly as large as the corned beef Reuben I remember from the previous time.

    (2)

  • Lenny S.

    Local family favorite. Best things on their menu: 1) mish mosh soup 2) matzah ball soup They also do a great bread and pickle basket when you sit down to eat there. Family/Handicap friendly as well. They always put my grandfathers walker in a safe place and get it for him when we're done.

    (5)

  • Laura H.

    The Bagel is a delight! Their matzo ball soup is one of the world's perfect foods. The salami and eggs comes with your choice of generous portions of sliced or diced salami. The latkes come with sour cream AND applesauce, so you don't have to choose or you can share (not that you'll want to, but still...)! The half sandwich of corned beef on seeded rye is the size of a full sandwich, and is served hot and juicy. Half sour pickles and bread, butter and bagel chips appear as you're seated, as if by magic. Places like The Bagel make me understand why the word "deli" begins the word "delicious!"

    (4)

  • Drew B.

    I love the Bagel! I've walked by here a million times and always thought it was just a short bagel stand, until a friend wanted to do lunch here. WOW, just like Kristy Alley the place is huge! Upon sitting you down, they bring you a basket of warm bread and a tray of pickles! I love pickles, so you won me over in the first minute. Although this is a diner/deli, the food is quite amazing. I've had the turkey burger and the ruben which were both amazing. On my last visit, we had the privilege of being served by Brenda, who was absolutely adorable and very nice to talk to...and witty as hell! Also, they sell candied apples.... enough said.

    (5)

  • Kate C.

    This place should really be forced to change its name. The bagels sold at the counter are okay (not great), but for some reason when I ate at the sit-down restaurant I was served what was clearly a frozen bagel with packets of Philadelphia brand cream cheese. Now here's the thing.... I'm from Philadelphia and no self respecting bagel place would serve cream cheese that wasn't made in house. I also have no idea why I couldn't get one of the bagels they were serving out front, which I've had before and there was a distinct difference in quality. It also didn't help that my eggs were overcooked and greasy as sin... or that the "waitress" sat down at the neighboring table to work on her taxes while ignoring my trying to get her attention.* * This review is based on the several times I've been to The Bagel in the past few years. I don't know why I keep trying to give them a second (third, and so on...) chance when they never fail to disappoint. Oh! there was also the one time I asked for a toasted sesame bagel with cream cheese open-faced.... which they wrapped up to go... open-faced. Yeah, that was stellar guys. I love licking cream cheese off the wrapper... in that whole not way.

    (1)

  • Carol K.

    What could make this a perfect five star experience? A Bloody Mary to go with my brunch. But since that's not going to happen at this north side deli- let me tell you why The Bagel is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to get my favorite meal of the day. This bustling diner deli is not fancy, with movie posters on the walls, stainless steel stools at the counter and booths along the walls. The servers are quick and bring you a dish of the most amazing pickles within minutes of you sitting down. The menu offers up all of the expected breakfast favorites. I ordered an omelet made just the way I like it (ham, cheese and tomatoes). There are many meats and cheeses that you can choose from to create the perfect omelet or just order one of their creations. It comes with breakfast potatoes and is huge! Eggs not your thing? Try their pancakes, french toast or even the lox and bagels. All very tasty! My friend had his niece and nephew in tow the last time we were here and they were able to get all the things kids like (chicken fingers, fries, etc) along with cream soda, a special treat! Service was terrific and we were in and out in a reasonable amount of time given how crowded it was on this Sunday morning. Hard to believe but there is even a free parking lot across the street (I suspect someone will be building something there one of these days- but for now, it's a great asset!) Next time you get a craving for that perfect breakfast in a timeless deli- check out The Bagel. Your tummy will thank you!

    (4)

  • Leia Z.

    You have got to be kidding me!! First off, I searched for homemade chicken soup for my sick honey.. this place had great reviews. So I drove the 5 miles in the city to go get soup. It took like over half an hour, but for good soup for sick honey I'd do it again! However, this "chicken soup" is a joke. It is just broth..probably canned with no flavor, spice, chicken or anything to it..maybe there was some butter on the rice..which actually made it worse. The rice in the chicken rice was beyond mushy. Although, the matzo ball itself was good. I had to cut up onions and garlic and parsley and reheat the soup myself to make it palatable! And for $15 for canned broth?!?! I will never ever go back. GROSS!

    (1)

  • Molly S.

    I'm new to the area and on a whim, I stopped into The Bagel on one of my first mornings here. I'm always down for diner food, but this place was not your typical greasy spoon by any means. Walking through the revolving door I was immediately greeted by the kind fella working the deli/bake case and was promptly seated. The menu has a wide variety of dishes, many featuring salami and other items from the in-house deli, but it also has your typical breakfast fare. I ordered the Denver Omelette (ham, tomato, green pepper, and onion) and chose a bagel and hash browns as my sides (although there were other options). When my meal arrived --very quickly and piping hot-- I was totally shocked by the amount of food on the plate. The three egg omelette ran the length of the plate and the order of hash browns was just as big! The bagel was nicely toasted and came with butter on the side, which I loved. I hate when restaurants drown toast in melted butter. My meal was delicious and I took half of it home as there was no flippin' way I could power through that amount of food in one sitting. The omelette was fluffy and sported 1-inch chunks of the tomato and green pepper, deli style ham, and sauteed onions. I loved it! None of those tiny cube ham bits here! The only possible thing I could say against the meal was that the bagel was a bit dense for my taste, but I like fluffy, chewy bagels in general. This observation of course didn't stop me from grabbing a few items from the bake case on the way out. Loved them all. If you're in the area and looking for good food at decent prices, this is the place. I bet it cures your hangover ails although I haven't been here long enough to test the theory. Trust me, I'll be returning to The Bagel and dragging my friends along.

    (4)

  • Erika G.

    This place is just a flat out great purveyor of the Jewish comfort food of my non-Jewish goyish childhood. Salami sandwiches, Borscht, chicken soup, lox, pickles, Reubens, pastrami, yummmmmm, that's eatin'. The waitresses are nice, if prone to asking embarrassing questions, but hey - that's part of the charm.

    (4)

  • Nicolas R.

    I went here after the Chicago Marathon ... a day after ... because I felt like I needed meat in my body. This place was HIGHLY recommended by a co-worker who happens to be Jewish. Does that sound bad? It shouldn't. A older Jewish dude who says that they have the best Matzoh Ball in the city? Why WOULDN'T I try them. So I got a corned beef sandwich. Now, I almost died because it cost so much. It's a sandwich! I think that any sandwich over $10 should be illegal. But anyway.... It was to die for. For real. Perhaps the best corned beef I've ever had. The horseradish was purple. I don't know if that's relevant to the review, but it made me think it was somehow homemade. Because it was purple. It was also VERY tasty. But yeah, the corned beef falls off the bread and melts in the mouth. If you're a wealthy person or someone with disposable income who likes corned beef, then you should try the sandwich here. Fo sho.

    (4)

  • Angela D.

    I am such a hard core bruncher, and this HAS to get added to our rotation :) The lox schmear alone was enough to keep me coming back. EXCELLENT bagels, but cmon with a name like that it had to be! Even got some lox and bagels to go, they have fresh stuff in the case up front to take with you, and the prices were very reasonable. Gotta love that! Got the spinach and mushroom omelette and when I asked if the ingredients were fresh (hey, places use frozen spinach a lot) the waitress looked at me like I had a 2nd head, in a nice way :) I was NOT disappointed and usually that's the dish I rate breakfast places by (for Italian places, it's lasagna BTW that determines a repeat visit). Coffee is #2, and their coffee was not awesome, but it was among the better diner coffees I have had. I also really want toget back there for non-breakfast food. Tried someone's turkey rueben, and I *love* me a good rueben so I was thinking "Really? Turkey??" and yeah wow was it good! A dude at the next table got the kitchen sink soup (or whatever it is called) and people all over apparently come for it and order it in when it's crappy or they don't feel so hot. Apparently it cures all ails, also looks darn delicious, LOL. Be sure to check out the bakery case for sweets too. They have some lovely cookies, challah, caramel chocolate pretzels (I got them, they are so worth $2.50 each), rugelach, and more.

    (5)

  • Kathy K.

    OK bagels. The service was great. I got the Nova Lox platter with a bagel. I didn't like that a place that specializes in bagels gave me a little package of Philadelphia cream cheese to go with my meal. This was a turn off. I know, they don't specialize in cream cheese but it's like going to a gourmet french bakery and getting a baguette and getting a packet of "I can't believe it's not butter" to go along with it. We were seated in the back. The place is a little dark and needs some updating to the decor. I've been to NY delis and they are all kinda like this but at least they have amazing food. I prefer NYC bagel deli on North ave. though they have practically no seating.

    (3)

  • Maria P.

    If you're in the mood for bagels and lox, this is your place. If you're in the mood for anything beyond that including great coffee and delicious other options, head elsewhere!

    (3)

  • Amy N.

    This is an old timey bagel/deli and it looks and feels so. It is dirty and I have a hard time believing that the food is safe to eat. But, I have never gotten sick either... We never choose to go, but when the parents come by they often drag us there.

    (3)

  • Allison M.

    Fantastic diner food and equally fantastic service. Didn't at all anticipate the huge plates of bread and pickles that were brought as soon as I was seated. Lots of options to choose from- great sodas, sandwiches and potato pancakes! Wonderful atmosphere thanks to the oldies music and all of the neighborhood regulars.

    (4)

  • Pamela P.

    Face it -- you're not coming here to get your healthy food fix on. But when you're here, you're stuffing your face with salty, savory goodness. The chicken noodle soup in a humongous bowl is a particular favorite. It has more noodles than probably a pound of pasta but so comforting. The pickles and breads at the table somehow go particularly well with that soup. The various sandwiches like the corned beef are fatty warm goodness. Just don't tell your cardiologist that you ate here because you'd probably get a double dose of your anti-hypertensive meds. The only downside is the price. A bit steep. But on the flipside, there's parking in the busy Boystown/Lakeview hot spot and the people are all really nice and helpful.

    (4)

  • Damian C.

    I can't believe I spent $12.75 on a sandwich. And no, it was not a deli sandwich crusted in gold served by an angel sent from Heaven. It was a turkey/salami/cheddar concoction on pumpernickel bread brought to me by a lovely blonde waitress with a charm and sense of humor to envy. AND... it was one of the most amazing, delicious, awesome deli sandwiches I've ever had. And it was a beast. The salami was 8 slices deep and the turkey just as thick. The cheddar lined the area between the meat and the bread. And the pumpernickel... all that you'd expect... super tasty! Instead of eating it with a fork as I should have, I decided to try and take it like a man by shoving it in my mouth. My teeth sawed through the sandwich so easily but my mouth just wasn't big enough to handle something so meaty. Could it get any better? Yes. Instead of opting for the healthy fresh fruit option as a side, I want to dive head first into a side of greasy french fries. Now these weren't just your run-of-the-mill french fries - these babies were crusty (no, not in gold), crunchy, and downright scrumptuous. Every bite was another crunch of happiness all the way down to my tummy. These fries are totally worth a few extra minutes on the elliptical at Bally's. In the end, I proved to be no match for this meal and ended up taking half of it home. I guess $12.75 for two meals really isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I'll be back again ... I already have my eyes on the hot dog stuffed with cheese, wrapped in bacon and deep-fried. Nom Nom Nom.

    (4)

  • Robert M.

    If your from NYC, this place comes close. Had the Smoked Sable which is my all time favorite. Large piece of fish served with all the trimmings. The Chicken Noodle Soup has the thin noodles like Grandma use to make. If your in the mood for a Reuben you came to the right place, lean corn beef served with fries and slaw, get it open face it will taste better. Staff is wonderful, if they know or have seen you outside the restaurant you can end up being treated more like a friend. I mean this in a good way. If you happen to stop in for dinner on a Sunday Night, Danny (the owner) will tell you about the Free Range Chicken, which I must say is good.

    (5)

  • Lauren B.

    By far one of the best restaurants in Chicago. Amazing reuben, matzoh ball soup, corn beef hash, french toast, etc. They even give you a huge basket of homemade bread and bagels and pickles for free! Great, friendly staff as well. Definitely recommend for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

    (5)

  • Gio L.

    Consistently good food that is fresh and full of flavor.

    (4)

  • Arlene A.

    I've ordered delivery for a while. The service here is abysmal. The gentleman (and I use the term loosely) who picks up the phone clearly lacks the people skills required to deal with the public. His attitude and lack of respect for the customer is apparent. Now while the whitefish salad is delicious here, make sure your teeth are strong enough to handle the hard as titanium bagels. You should also make sure you have red onion at home, as The Bagel Restaurant does not carry this oh-so very traditional accoutrement for the whitefish salad. My experience with The Bagel Restaurant has also taught me to preheat the oven, so that my hot food will be hot. You would think that the $3.00 delivery charge is to get the delivery person a bicycle, nope, it's The Bagel Restaurant charging you to be their customer. Your delivery person is hoofing it, which is why your food is cold when you get it. Perhaps the dine-in experience is the way to go, but you have been warned about their delivery practices.

    (1)

  • Sean K.

    If you want good matzo ball soup, then I would recomment coming here. They have good prices and excellent food. YEA BAGEL !!!

    (5)

  • Geo S.

    Place has great bagels and great spread we enjoyed our server and the food. The breakfast menu in the back is a bit limited, but why add a bunch of options when you are good at what you make. If you have the chance stop in for a great bagel.

    (4)

  • Michael S.

    My Lox-O-Meter purrs here, and I have a new appreciation for The Bagel after attempting to patronize a few other "delis" with great disappointment. There is great value in being greeted by the long-time staff who never forget a face. Recently, having not been here in a while, I walked in for a quick bagel and cream cheese, and ended up in a delightful conversation with a charming server who recognized me, remembered my gorgeous kids, and asked about all of them. So add a star for good people and relatively reasonably priced lox.

    (4)

  • Kourtney L.

    We've been watching a lot of Curb Your Enthusiasm at my house lately. In one episode Larry gets his own sandwich. It really is a disgusting sounding sandwich, you'll know what I mean if you've seen that episode. Anyway, it's served by a Jewish deli which in turn led to our seeking out a Jewish deli for our own (non-Larry David) sandwiches. Somehow our sleep deprived brains ordered the Lox Spread by mistake. Do not do this unless you want a putrid pink/peach shade of cream cheese with bits of lox mixed in. The bagel it came with was still good and the service was very attentive and friendly so I can't be mad at my own stupidity. Thankfully, there's no Larry David on the menu. I'll be back for the actual lox sandwich.

    (4)

  • Brett F.

    I wonder if The Bagel owners like Edible Arrangements? Cookies by Design perhaps? Oh maybe a nice gift tower from Harry & David... or is sending lox to the house of lox just redundant and patronizing?? Either way, I owe The Bagel a tremendous thank you from the bottom of my matza-lovin' heart. I was in desperate need of some good, Jewish penicillin this week when my achy, feverish little body was rockin' an early case of the flu. After several cans of condensed soup failed to bring me the relief I so crucially needed I quickly realized, I need the good stuff, and fast!! I had heard about The Bagel for some time now and made a beeline to Broadway yesterday for a little of that home remedy yenta cookin'. And boy did it do the trick!!! A heaping, hot bowl of mish-mash soup with all the goodies (matzo ball, noodles, kreplach, kashi, veggies, and that yummy broth) went down lickity-split - I could actually see my tummy smiling. The sides of challah didn't hurt either... they gave me a veritable loaf of mixed challah as my side and it was still warm, bless their hearts!! Everything was served up fast, friendly and with a smile which was exactly what I needed. The sweet tooth in me had to bring home some noodle kugel and even that was warm, creamy and delish!! I should have trekked over there sooner since my immune system is thanking me now, but I'm happy enough having this ace up my sleeve for the upcoming sick season and just when I have another hankering for that kugel. Yum!

    (4)

  • Amanda K.

    Best Jewish deli/diner in the city. Great bagels, bagel chips, matzo ball soup, pickles, corned beef and omelettes. Large portions usually make it two meals. Love The Bagel!

    (5)

  • Robert S.

    Sundays is fun day and it found us in the city we are up on Broadway and gonna get some coffee and I say I am hungry of course the bf's like you are always hungry, yeah so whats your point ? how about some pastrami I say he says where at I say that Bagel place with the Jewish deli, he like huh I am like we walk by it all the time on Broadway just fallow me well I am all ready for some Pastrami thinking maybe a Reuben, we go in and are seated right away and the waiter gets our drink order and gives us some menu's, then he throws me for a loop on Sundays only they make Southern Fried Chicken and it has just came out the first batch is steaming hot and he also says they always run out of there Chicken, well I love me some Fried Chicken oh hell I'm gonna have to have Pastrami another day dang it we started out with the chicken broth with noodles and a couple dill pickles then comes the Fried Chicken it has like a corn flake coating on it really done up southern style and it is nice and juicy and steaming hot, this is some damn good Chicken I could of used some hot sauce but I was to busy eating to ask for some so if you are in the area on Sunday afternoon get in here quick for some damn good chicken and we picked up some Hallah on the way out to make french toast with

    (5)

  • David K.

    I mainly come here when I want a good corned beef fix at a sit-down establishment. The Bagel definitely serves excellent corned beef, always fresh and tender. I also enjoy their matzo ball soup, although it could never aspire to the level of excellence of Mom's recipe. As for the basket of bread that they serve you as you wait for your order, my stomach shouts thank you, even as my waistline cries no. The other dishes that I have tried here I have not been as crazy about, including their breakfast dishes and their open-face turkey plate. I also think their prices are a little high for deli/diner food. However, their service is always attentive and they have an excellent selection of fresh bakery goods. If ever during the Jewish holiday of Purim you have a craving for a mouth-wateringly excellent (and large) poppyseed hamantaschen cookie, then the Bagel is the place for you.

    (3)

  • Dane K.

    Having passed by "The Bagel" 10,000 times and never stopping in I thought the morning of Yom Kippur would be a good day to go in and buy several dozen bagels to bring to the office for "bagel Friday" ... There was only a small line. The people in front of me were ordering random bagels by the dozens, telling the guy 2 of this 3 of that, then changing their minds. Then a lady who had to ask 4 times how to cook something that was already cooked. If you think the staff is snarky, I can understand why. I stepped up and ordered 3 dozen, assorted, his choice. He went to the bags and got them right out of the bag. They get them every morning from somewhere around Skokie (New York Bagel & Bialy?). Ordering 3 dozen without calling ahead wasn't an issue at all, in fact I probably wouldn't call an order ahead for something like this. Bagels are $9.99 for a baker's dozen, which is pretty reasonable and on par with what other places charge, even less expensive than some I know. Their cream cheese is priced by the pound, not by the "tub" as others do, $4.98/pound. A pound of cream cheese as it turns out is about twice the size of what a regular bagel joint's "tub" is. So that's about a third less the price of some places I know, which charge nearly that much for a small tub (namely, NYC Bagel Deli). If you buy bagels here by the dozen and aren't consuming them right away, don't keep them in the plastic bags they put them in... I'm not claiming to be a bagel expert, but I'm 90% sure they get soggy fast in plastic bags and should instead be kept in paper bags. The bagels themselves were amazing. Maybe the best I've had in Chicago as far as texture/taste go. Much, much better than NYC Bagel Deli in every way. I usually get e-mails thanking me for a "great bagel day!" (I also got donuts from Dinkel's) but today I'm getting phone calls. Yes, the corporate world IS that cheesy. [Bagel review only...]

    (5)

  • Anna L.

    Best tuna sandwich on rye i've ever had. I know it's just tuna, but it was really really good!

    (4)

  • Colleen C.

    Well gee willikers chillins, I had no idea this was a restaurant...silly me, I've been living in/around this neighborhood for what feels like half a decade...(ok, it HAS been half a decade) and I thought this was a carry out place for bagels, and bagels only. Bagels. Hmm. I mean, I like them...but I generally don't pine away for restaurants devoted to them. And I must say, I didn't think the bagels here were anything out of the ordinary. They were just fine and dandy, average bagles, the hole, ya know...that's their thing, but nothing I'd dream about at night, or wake up in the morning for and trek to Lakeview...however, I digress. The omelettes though? STELLAR. I had a Western omelette (no tomatoes, we are still on a salmonella scare and all), and it was a damn fine example to omelettes everywhere. Fluffy, full of fresh ingredients, real cheese, no shredded meat....perfect. The Diet Coke also received high marks, as did our LOVELY waitress Brenda, who was the epitome of a friendly diner waitress, complete with "hons, sweets, babes" etc thrown in for good measure and good karma. I hear it gets slammed on the weekends, but I'd be back for an egg concoction if I found myself in the hood...but, bagels? Eh. Lemme know if you have a better suggestion. ;)

    (4)

  • Cam L.

    Try the lox bagel sandwich! A little crowded and chaotic in the front.. but a good overall bagel deli.

    (3)

  • Laura S.

    Now, I'm what you might call a bagel 'n' cream cheese slut. I don't normally allow them in my apartment because I just inhale them, so I've relegated them to a monthly treat. While I like the variety that Panera offers, I hit The Bagel for the classic crusty-yet-chewy NYC bagels I adore, which they pile with a good inch of cream cheese decadence. And I will say, when I've partied too hard the night before, and am capable of getting my ass out the door and down the block, I head straight there for a sesame seed bagel and matzoh ball soup. There is no better cure-all. Just a little tip from me to you. Admittedly I can't speak to anything else about this place, as I've never ordered anything other than the above and have only placed take-out orders. But if you're someone who appreciates equal parts bagel and cream cheese, you'll love it here.

    (4)

  • Gabi M.

    I enjoyed a late lunch at The Bagel on a recent Wednesday afternoon. I was excited to go to a Jewish deli as they are few and far between in Arizona so it's always a treat to find a good one when I'm out of town. The huge menu had everything imaginable except one item: bagels! I looked and looked and looked again and there was indeed no listing anywhere of what kind of bagels they had! So, we asked Brenda, our lovely waitress that likes to tell it like it is and she listed off a handful of bagel flavors. A place named 'The Bagel' only has a handful of bagel flavors? I found that odd. Nonetheless, I ordered a wheat bagel to go along with my whitefish salad plate... and although it was good, i've had better. I will say that service was great... Brenda was helpful and the staff kept a full bread basket on the table as well as plenty of pickles and full water glasses too. Gotta love that! The omelette that Colleen C ordered looked great and so did the matzoh ball soup that Andrea R enjoyed. We didn't have dessert although the case in front is filled with cookies, pastries, and more that looked divine. Overall, I'd say that The Bagel is a decent place to go for deli... but my suggestion is, add a few more bagel flavors to the menu!

    (4)

  • Carri C.

    I had the turkey rueben. I did not like the turkey-I thought it would be real turkey; it was instead the sliced deli turkey that is flavorless with a strange consistency. My husband had the club- also not very good. For the prices of these sandwiches, $12.95 and $10.95, the quality was not up to par. French fries were very greasy. Decor and service was ok. Disappointing experience.

    (2)

  • F N.

    Is the little things in life... ...the decor is great, service is good & the food is good, a bit low on seasoning; however, it's disappointing to go to a restaurant & see a charge of $0.75 for a cup of hot water as I said... Is the little things in life. As for our plans to come back I would say, not in the near or far future. There are plenty of places to eat breakfast in Lake View with better tasting food.

    (3)

  • Julie A.

    Comfort Food! Lots of it! My bf is getting a cold, and he ordered the matzo ball soup - he felt better before he was done with the bowl - there's nothing like matzo ball soup - and what a huge matzo ball!!!!! My favorite is the Lox + Bagels - delicious! It's always fresh and tasty. From salads to breakfast to sandwiches this place rocks, it's a staple and I hope people that haven't discovered it do~ and make sure to buy a smiley face cookie on the way out!

    (4)

  • Princesses M.

    My brother suggested that we take our Mom to this classic '50s deli. We were surprised that the place was not at all crowded with the usual weekend crowd. We ere seated right away, the waiter was very attentive, and the food came right away. If you have out of town guests or someone visiting who is from Chicago, they will enjoy the menu. There are dishes named after well known (Jewish) areas of the city...Devon ave, Lawrence and Kedzie. I had the turkey burger prepared like a patty melt. It was really good. My brother has fried matzo and a side of potato pancakes. We all had enough to take home and eat as a late night snack.

    (4)

  • Deanna C.

    Love this place! I think this place gets some negative reviews because of the price point, but if you ever been to a good jewish deli - the price point here is right in line, if not lower, than the norm. I love matzo ball soup, and they have the best here! I always tell myself im going to order something different because I like trying new things, but I always end up getting the soup because its so darn good! My boyfriend always end up ordering the pastrami on rye, and he is a pretty picky fella and he loves it! Most times he will eat half and take the other half to go because it is so meaty. This is our new go to spot. So happy!

    (5)

  • Bob R.

    We are fans of the Bagel in Skokie. Although we don't get there often, we are really fans. While in the city, we took our kids to the Bagel in Lakeview. (It is kind of between where they both live.) The decoration is not as great as the one in Skokie. It looks kind of run down and does not have a clean feel. (Although, I cannot say it was not clean.) The menu is enormous with all of the items you would expect from a Jewish Style Deli. I had a corned beef sandwich and fries. Both were very good. I have to say, through, that their pickle tray was quite good. It only had half sours and not full sour pickles, but that was okay. Would have been nice to have the full sours too, but they provide these for free so beggers can't be choosers.... It was good, but as noted above, I prefer the one in Skokie. And, while I don't get up that way often, I will continue to visit that one. Not so sure I would go back to the one in Lakeview again.

    (3)

  • Jodi Y.

    Seriously best breakfast bagel I've ever had. You can order these from the counter to go. It's ready in 5minutes and delicious. It's huge! Stacked with eggs, cheese, and perfect bacon. I was full for hours.

    (5)

  • Kimberly B.

    Overpriced and bad tasting! Sandwiches are way too expensive and are cheaply made, a better sandwich can easily be made at home. A friend of mine ordered a bagel ($1.75) which didn't come with cream cheese ($1.75 extra). I ordered the fresh melon and all I got was half of a honey dew on a plate, not even cut.

    (1)

  • Russell S.

    A late work lunch and what an amazing experience for a deli restaurant. Traditional Jewish deli with "old world" recipes. Before the meal arrives you are treated to a platterette of dill pickle slices and bread basket. The dill pickles were really fresh and tasty. I know, dill pickles. I'm tellin' ya - yummy. I skipped the bread as to not fill up. The Rueben Sandwich of course was my pick - when in Rome... AMAZING Sandwich - one if the best Ruebens I have ever had. May be number #2 or #3 on my list. Great, lean, tender corned beef - not dry. The thousand Island dressing was definitely not out of a jar, must have been homemade, it had a wonderful, full-bodied taste. I know, again, Thousand Island Dressing. Switched out the fries for a bowl of fruit, which was fresh and sweet. I brought home half my sandwich, and then I took a second look at the bread. Not sure what it was, kind of a sweet, Jewish, (egg) bread? OUTSTANDING!!! I kid you not. It was like my dessert, which I didn't get, even though they have two or three glass cases of homemade bakery goodies! Next time! And the meal was made complete by our delightful, fun, and charming server, Brenda, who handled four grown juvenile men with Jewish grace and pizzazz. Can you tell I'll be back??? Can't wait. I'll add the chicken soup too - oh yeah!

    (5)

  • Jeffie J.

    There was a sign that said The Cold Beet Borscht Is Now Being Served. If there's borscht, I'm in. The version here was on the sweet-sweet side of the equation. It was 50% clear beet soup, and 50% chopped beets--and nothing else. How was it, on a hot, humid spring day in Chicago? You have to ask? Delicious and refreshing. Sure, I prefer a borscht that's a little more jumbled up--a hard boiled egg, some chopped scallions, a little sprig of dill wouldn't hurt--but I tell you, this borscht was A-OK. Along with a chopped liver sandwich that hit the spot. Beef liver I think. And they serve trays of challah and pickles with every order--gratis. Go ahead, nosh a little. I can't tell you how many fine delis on the East Coast are charging for pickles now like an appetizer. Gevalt! (Message to owner--do not read this.) Coffee and a black & white for dessert were just fine. The B&W here is denser than the ones on the East Coast--but still tasty. Then there was Gus, the server--he will brighten your day. So in terms of style this type of eatery may not rate high on my radar screen, but the food and service--can't knock them.

    (4)

  • Eowyn K.

    A few friends and I ordered brunch from The Bagel. We split the lox platter and ordered several bagels to go with, a greek omelette and a matzo ball soup (one of my friends was really feeling soup for some reason, though we ended up sharing everything). I had a great sesame bagel (I'm not sure why some one else said they did not have sesame). The lox was wonderful, though I would note that this was the one item that was a bit pricy. The matzo ball soup had one large matzo ball surrounded by tastes-authentic broth. I liked the consistency, my version of just right. This is a personnel preference as a friend preferred a bit more firm. The greek omelette came with hash browns. It was devoured despite the large portion. It had a good mix and balance of fillings, nothing overpowered any other item. A note that you do have to ask for the bagel to be toasted if this is your preference. They do not come automatically toasted.

    (4)

  • Maren R.

    Great kufel. Daily vegetarian soup option (mushroom barley was yummy). Not cheap eats but everything we had was exactly what we wanted, and the portions were BIG

    (4)

  • Jenny T.

    They don't have bagels. Try to wrap your head around that at 9am while you're fighting off a hangover. I couldn't.

    (2)

  • John K.

    Their sweet cabbage soup is one of the best I've ever had anywhere in my entire lifetime. Seriously, i dream about that soup sometimes. Their latkes are also really good, and you can't go wrong with their corned beef on rye either. Love that they have a parking lot for their customers in the back too, especially when parking on the street can be very annoying in that area. Nice staff as well. They always make me feel welcome.

    (5)

  • Chloe T.

    I really do enjoy it here. From a child to an adult it is still really delicious! If you love Jewish food this place is sure to be a hit! The only issue I have ever had is the one older blond waitress, she's never very polite or nice & her tone always lends to the feeling that she is either irritated or frustrated by you, but if you catch her on a good day, she can be a little nicer....Other than that, this place still rocks!

    (5)

  • Joseph D.

    My review is limited to bagels and lox I recently purchased for a Sunday brunch. Being from the NYC area, admittedly I'm a tough one to please when it comes to bagels. Back east you can get a good bagel just about anywhere. In Chicago, not so much. Got a variety of flavors but they were a bit limited compared to other shops. There were the usual's like plain, egg and salt, but no sesame which I found odd. Poppy yes, sesame, no. Also no blueberry. Sad as that's one of my faves but alas, you take what you can get. As others have mentioned, it's not cheap. The lox were somewhere around $30 / pound but I guess since you're there, they figure they'll price them accordingly. You can get a 4 ounce package at Jewel for around $5 ($20 / pound) so $30 seemed a bit high. Bagels themselves were OK. They were a bit airy for me and lacked that chewiness that good bagel should have. I like to think you know a good bagel when you bite into it and you think you're going to lose a tooth because you have to rip a piece off with a serious bite. Here they just kind of melt in your mouth. Overall if you're looking for an OK bagel, you could come here but I wouldn't go out of my way for this place. If you want to travel, try NY Bagel and Bialy in Skokie. Much better.

    (3)

  • Eric F.

    Chicago and its suburbs used to have a lot of great delis (Barnham & Bagel in Skokie, Carnagie Deli on Michigan Ave, and The Belden Deli in Lincoln Park, to name three big ones), but now there are so few. But The Bagel on Broadway is one of the few good ones left. This is a full service Jewish deli, with its smells of corned beef and its huge bowls of Matzo ball soup. It is great for breakfast, brunch, and lumch. I have the best pickled whitefish stuffed with Polish gefiltefish (sweet carp balls) in my life here, and I have been chasing the dragon ever since. This place offers omelettes, soups (try the sweet and sour red cabbage soup with beef flanken, amazing), deli sandwiches, lox and bagels, and more. The Bagel is a great place to meet friends in New Town for deli brunch. Split the lox platter, and nail down a pastrami or a tongue sandwich. The pickles are good here too. This is one of the two best delis left in Chicago.

    (4)

  • Scott O.

    So, my dog never recovered from the food poisoning and we had to put him to sleep. He was too old and weak to recover. Thanks, Bagel for letting pastrami sit around un-refrigerated and so long that it made my partner sick and killed my dog. I am working hard to tell everyone about this and making sure they don't go back to your restaurant. Too bad we didn't save any of it-would have made a great lawsuit.

    (1)

  • Bryce S.

    Great food and great service! You get delicious omelets in large portions. Great breakfast and lunch joint!

    (5)

  • Joel B.

    We love the Bagel. Ideal comfort food, traditional deli, free parking- what more can you ask? Ask for Brenda! She's absolutely delightful, a little sassy and genuinely sweet. We have had the pleasure of being her customers for over 15 years. Brenda loves to talk football! She made silly faces at our babies & now jokes with our teenagers. The food? It's great-get the matza ball soup, a club sandwich, potato pancakes, the fried chicken special on Sunday....

    (5)

  • Carly O.

    I managed to boycott The Bagel for ten years after going in and not being served. But when we weren't able to find street parking for dinner the other night, their parking lot was very appealing. The place was about half full and our waiter didn't hide the fact that he just wanted us in and out. Our entire meal took thirty minutes. If I'd wanted to eat that fast, I would have gone to McDonald's. Sure, the pickles and bread basket are nice and the food is decent. But if you're going to spend this much money on a corned beef sandwich, it's worth the trek to Manny's instead. After this last experience, I have absolutely no problem not going back.

    (2)

  • Misty D.

    The Bagel is pretty awesome. All of the food is very nostalgic. A lot of it reminds me of growing up in the country. It is all very tasty! The décor feels vintage, and gives it a very fun feeling. This is a place I love to bring company. It's a great place for eating in or take out.

    (4)

  • Dana C.

    I so badly want to love the Bagel. A tray of pickles with the bread basket! A giant menu of anything your heart desires! A case of mouth-watering desserts up front! Yes please. Unfortunately, every trip here has been a disappointment. It's certainly not BAD - way better sandwiches that Potbelly or any other lame chain. I go to Manny's Deli all the time on Jefferson, and the Bagel is just so tragic in comparison. Food is not as fresh or well prepared, and meat is lower quality. I once ordered a pound of pastrami to go and could barely get through it because it was so fatty - the package was caked in grease when I unwrapped it and I had to fry it like bacon for it to be edible. Nothing like the mean lean pastrami at Manny's. Also, the matzo ball soup tastes like it comes out of a can. Go for the free pickles, but keep all other expectations mediocre.

    (3)

  • Random P.

    So I went in with my mom the other week. Service was great, food was ok. Just as we were getting ready to leave, I saw a roach on the wall. Just a little baby one. I ended going back today for some reason, just to give it another shot. While waiting for my food, I overheard a woman say to her friends, "I think that's a cock roach, i'm going to be respectful and not say anything". I'm giving it two stars cuz the service was excellent, which holds a lot of weight in my mind.

    (2)

  • R.J. R.

    One of the best delis I've been to in a while. Came on Sunday around lunch time, and were seated immediately. Our server, Brenda (?) was excellent - personable, funny, and fast. I had the pastrami and it was one of the best. I'm coming back for sure.

    (5)

  • Michael S.

    Terrible bagel and lox. Good fresh squeezed orange juice. Maybe I'm used to amazing bagel or maybe this place just has the worst example of bagel and lox I have let touch my lips. These were worse than Einstein Bagel and Lox for a point of reference The bagel wasn't toasted. I mean this seems like bagel and lox 101 here. I don't think I should have I specify the need for toasting. Baseline the bagel was just alright. For the record I don't think toasting would have saved this dish The lox was mediocre. Large thick slices which I'm not a fan of which made me think the quality of the lox was subpar. Probably fine quality for a lox smear. Definitely some middle of the mall quality. No capers!!! Are you kidding me here? The tomatoes were thick slices which slid off the sandwich while eating. This could be forgivable. It was served as sandwich which is poor form in my mind. It was so thick that it was impossible to eat as a sandwich. Only one side had the cream cheese on it so it's not like eating it as 2 halves is thing. The fresh squeezed orange juice was as advertised..fresh squeezed and at $2.25 I thought it was delicious for a 10oz cup.

    (1)

  • Burma J.

    Great food, great people working there. Always enjoy coming for brunch or dinner. I usually go for the Lawrence & Kedzie sandwich (Pastrami and Corned Beef), but have tried or sampled a dining companion's cholent, meatloaf dinner, salmon pattie, and it was all homemade and wonderful. The kishka is fantastic, the latkes are crisp and served with sour cream and apple sauce, and the cabbage soup is out of this world. I appreciate this place more than most because it truly is honest food at honest prices.

    (5)

  • Kimberly E.

    Service was pretty slow even though we were the only ones in there. Our waiter eventually gave us our check while still chewing his breakfast. Smoked salmon was already blended w cream cheese, which I'm glad he warned us about but it lost the texture of a usual bagel and lox. Pricey for what you get.

    (2)

  • Stephanie D.

    The staff is incredibly rude. Considering the money I spend at the restaurant keeps their bills paid, I expect a lot more respect. If you like being treated like garbage, then you'll love this place :)

    (1)

  • Kayu T.

    I love this hidden spot! Usually no wait, unlike the diners surrounding it and the quality of their food is great. I think they have the best hash browns in town. Super crispy on top and in a unique rectangular shape! It's good for large groups but mainly older crowds come here.

    (4)

  • Jerry S.

    Been here for breakfast here a few times and the food is always very good. Portions are huge, so plan on bringing home a doggy bag. The only problem with the place is the noise. Other than that A+

    (3)

  • Roberta B.

    We ordered a platter and sides for 12 people and contacted Rich for catering. After calling 3 different times I finally reached him. He promptly took the order explained our choices and said it would be ready at the time we requested. On Sunday afternoon I called before pickup. I spoke to someone with a thick Spanish accent and could not understand a word he said. I'm astounded with businesses that have people answer phones who cannot speak clearly. Our platter was very ordinary. Turkey, corned beef, salami and pastrami with cole slaw, 3 cheeses, potato salad and some pasta thing that was inedible. I threw it out. The pastrami looked very fatty and stringy and no one ate it. Rolls and rye bread were included. To top it off the order cost $177. I will not order from The Bagel again.

    (1)

  • Adam R.

    Great place to have a relaxing meal. Be sure to visit on Sunday for their Fried Chicken. I know at first it sounds odd. They do run out by the end of the day. So be sure to call ahead if you want Fried Chicken.

    (4)

  • Ambrosia R.

    I have an inveterate fondness for this place. It's the closest thing I've ever visited to a New York style Jewish Deli - not fancy, not pretentious, but with damn good sandwiches and a goodly percentage of the clientele who look like permanent fixtures. Where else in Chicago can you munch on deliciously crisp kosher dill spears while listening to the World's Most Jewish-Sounding Man (who looks like he pre-dates most of the vintage musical posters on the walls) at the next table kvetch endlessly to his daughter? Where else can you get a hot pastrami sandwich that's nothing but rye bread and meat (mustard provided on the side) - and is still absolutely to die for? Where else can you and your friend order latkes and kippers with onions respectively, and not have the waitress bat an eye? Where else can you justifiably battle your husband over the single wonderfully tasty Bialy roll in the breadbasket, and only hammer out an accord on the condition that you buy a half-dozen of them on your way out? Great food, great people-watching, and we've never had to wait more than a few minutes even on a weekend. Well worth visiting.

    (4)

  • Rebecca R.

    Solid spot for some Jewish staples and brunch. My partner in crime and I both tried an omelet, potatoes, bagel, chive cream cheese, pastrami and cheese sandwich, fries, and pickles. Everything was very tasty but we were left craving the awesome bagels you can order to take home out front so we were sure to stop and grab a dozen for the week. The coffee was diner coffee, so don't be too disappointed there. True diner feel with mediocre coffee and brash service, but it added to the charm a little. I'd like to head back for the ginormous matzo ball soup!

    (4)

  • Melissa W.

    If you need a pick me up, come to The Bagel and get some matzo ball soup - it's a hug in a bowl. The Bagel can be expensive for what it is, but at least the food is pretty good. Aside from the matzo ball soup, I've had the grilled cheese, corned beef sandwich and brisket sandwich. Try the soup and half a sandwich. You can't go wrong. The diner's kitschy decor is charming, but some of the booths are falling apart.

    (3)

  • Melissa M.

    How has no one mentioned that they charge $2 for cream cheese? It's a flippin' bagel place. My pal loves this place so we went for breakfast today. The service was...interesting and while the food was good, its priced about 25% too high. They also charge for hot water.

    (2)

  • Indigo C.

    I live close to this place and really want to give it a higher score - it is so close to a 4 star place, but the prices are a little too high for the food they serve, and the service is always hit or miss. Love the pickles they give, the breads they make and the breakfast options, but that is about it. I probably will go back again, but that is because it is so close... maybe they will get a bit better?

    (3)

  • Mary B.

    Best Jewish deli around. Matzo ball soup is fabulous. Deli meats fantastic. Pickles are to die for

    (5)

  • Amanda W.

    The service always leaves something to be desired, but I adore their chicken soup and kreplach, potato pancakes & lox plate. Portions are generous, prices are reasonable. Plus, free parking right in back and pickles always on the table!

    (3)

  • Jerry C.

    I come here mainly to get "care packages" for my elderly Jewish mother that lives in the exurbs ("Jew food" wasteland). The counter guys recognize me, and I tip them well, so I always get great fast service Food quality varies with what you buy. Great: chicken soup, chopped liver, scallion cream cheese, rye bread, bagels. Their corned beef is a little dry and in no way compares to Manny's IMO, though Mom disagrees. Both of us think their soups are better than Manny's, though. Nova lox comes pre-sliced to the store, and sometimes it is too thick. For $30 a pound, you should be able to specify thin sliced and get it that way if that's what you want. I always have them show me the lox before I leave the store. When I eat in at The Bagel, I usually get a chicken salad on rye. Their chicken salad is exceptional. The fact that they have a free parking lot in East Lakeview is HUGE!

    (3)

  • Annemarie H.

    Hit or Miss....usually a hit! Reminds me of home! Dude u get a basket of pickles as you are sat....what's greater than that!!!! I really really love this part of Chicago it's so delicious on Belmont and Broadway!

    (4)

  • Craig S.

    This restaurant is like family to me, I love it so much. Corn beef is the best. The deli counter breakfast beacon, egg , and sharp cheddar sandwich is unrivaled. The corned beef and eggs over easy I want to have a portrait studio take a photo for my mantel. The restaurant across the street Stella's Diner has a higher review and it is consistently god awful. Try their Rye bread loaf and Jewish mustard , tuna and egg salad items to go from the deli counter. You will thank me.

    (5)

  • Christian C.

    Having grown up outside New York City, I crave a good Jewish deli, especially when Chicago's brutal cold kicks up. I've fallen in love for the bagel, both for the quality of its food and for the perfectly authentic combination of charming sass and efficiency of its staff. And the pickles and bagel chips awaiting you as you sit down are like a big welcoming hug. The soups are the star of the show for me--great matzo ball and a mish-mash soup (chicken broth with every imaginable carb and dumpling in it) that warm body and soul. The sandwiches are appropriately obscenely large, with the corned beef and the tongue being particular standouts. Fine, I'l confess it, the franks and beans platter is my guilty pleasure. And if you go, ask for Brenda's section. You won't regret it, she's a gem.

    (4)

  • Izzy N.

    Black and white cookies. I love these. They're just so perfect and tasty. They also have some other goodies in their display case I like such as the black and white graham crackers and raspberry rugelach. The rugelach I felt like I was being a little robbed there- kinda pricey for two when I know I can get a tub full of equally delicious ones at a bakery. They're good but bitch please, they're not blowing my mind. I also get their potato pancakes which are decent. They're a little thick and soggy but they're fried and I love me some fried goodness. I can't say no to a potato pancake. I don't expect to be coddled service wise as I'm asian and we're cold people as it is- staff here is pretty aloof and indifferent- all business, which is fine. I too wish they would sell their blintzes individually. I don't want three, I just want one! Who knows when I'll get to the other two. I just want one cherry! waah. I can't tell you about their bagels and sandwiches because I'm not down with bagels nor deli sandwiches. Maybe one day I'll give their matzoh ball soup a try.

    (3)

  • Ime P.

    I had high expectations from this place. We ordered the skirt steak and hard salami sandwich with American cheese on challah bread. The steak was chewy and not seasoned, basically there was no flavor to it. The meat was of poor quality. Ended up throwing away more than half of it. The sandwich came on old bread, it was hard and I got the end of the loaf. They overdid the salami, there was basically enough for three sandwiches, it does not make up for the poor quality of the bread. I had to remove the cheese because it was inedible. It was old, hard and there was discoloration on the ends, it felt like a piece of orange plastic. One bite and I was done with it. I felt like I ordered someone else's leftovers. Ended up eating frozen pizza for dinner. We will not be ordering from this place ever again, very disappointed and I want my $40 back!

    (1)

  • Miller S.

    I'm fan. The bagels are delicious, the lox are great, and I adore the Challah french toast. It's a bit more expensive than I would like, but I don't put the premium on good bagels that other people (like my girlfriend) do. A large standout is their orange juice though. It tastes so fresh, and looks so orange, I believe that there is some kind of black magic happening to make it so. It's even better than 2 Sparrows' orange juice (which had been my previous reigning champ). Overall though, if you're looking for a good Jewish deli, you can't do too much better than this without heading towards the East Coast. I'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Jo W.

    I am obsessed with their salads. They are HUGE and you can easily eat one over the course of a couple meals. I actually haven't dined in (yet), as I normally do carryout. What I love is that you can order online ahead of time so when you get there the food is (usually) ready, waiting, and somehow still completely fresh. The staff is super nice as well. I will admit they don't get everything perfect every time (sometimes when I ask for dressing on the side my salad winds up drowning in dressing), but more often than not they get it right.

    (4)

  • Matt C.

    Maybe it was the perfect combination of spectacular food, speedy service, and the surprisingly inexpensive check, but we had a GREAT experience at The Bagel. As a guy who grew up with relatives that cook incredibly good Matzo Ball Soup and Jewish comfort food, I consider myself a pro on the cuisine. The Bagel knocked everything we had out of the park. The Mish Mash soup was incredible - rice, noodles, GIANT matzoh ball, kreplach, and clean-tasting, delicious golden broth. It's served in a massive glass bowl, and could easily be split between two hungry people. The Corned Beef Sandwich on an onion roll: beef piled high and in quantity, fresh bread, and Gulden's mustard. Deli at it's best. You can sub-in a delicious golden brown potato pancake for 2 bucks - that's a hell of a meal. The baked goods are also stellar - we took a cherry cheese strudel to go; it was mindbogglingly awesome. Also I have to give The Bagel props for the stellar bread basket (including challah and an awesome giant garlic bagel chip) and free fresh pickles before the meal. Simply a spectacular spot for Jewish comfort food, top to bottom.

    (5)

  • Jack P.

    Although I lived in this neighborhood for about five years in the early '80's and have been by here a zillion times, I only recently stopped in for lunch with a friend and former client (who by contrast has been coming here for the past 30 years.) The place was busy and fun even on a weekday afternoon. The room is bright and inviting as are the staff. The menu a big old lollapalooza of choices, and the best things, soup specials everyday. Chicken Matzo ball, Split Pea, Red cabbage, all the old traditional Jewish deli choices. I had a "starter" of a bagel with Lox Cream Cheese schmear with tomatoes and onions ($6.25) and the Matzo Ball soup. The coffee is a little too weak diner-style for me, and the prices for sandwiches a little too high with all the other choices around. But my bagel was decent and I would do takeout or eat-in, or sit at the counter for soup and a schmear again. If you're hankerin's for classic Jewish deli fare in East Lakeview, need free parking, and you want to just hang out with a friend for awhile without feeling rushed, The Bagel is a good choice.

    (3)

  • Maurice H.

    An excellent deli in a very excellent food city. Matzo ball soup, corned beef, pastrami, chopped liver and the like rival some of NY's best. I'm all over it.

    (4)

  • Ashley F.

    Mish Mash soup--incredible! Bagel toasted exactly the way I asked. A *real* bagel. Chewy. Cream cheese side is huge. Delivered on time and with a smile. Prices are reasonable for the size.

    (5)

  • RJ C.

    Best breakfast bagel sandwiches I've ever has anywhere. Worth going out of your way for one.

    (4)

  • Jennifer H.

    People love diner food. And boy do they love to talk about diner food and how much I REALLY need to go there. Apparently these people have no taste buds. The Bagel is a neighborhood staple, but staple schmaple. I've been there a couple of times but have never been impressed. Quite honestly, the only thing I did really like were the black and white cookies. Hmmm. Cookies for lunch. Now that would be a great idea.

    (2)

  • Ben B.

    Got carry-out, so I can't speak to the service at the place, however... The challah French toast was exceptional. (Large portion, too.) And the hash browns were damn tasty. That's two-for-two, and that's worth another visit. Well done! Update... I ordered a French dip. While the sandwich was so-so, the au jus was fantastic. And the fries were out of this world. I love you, Bagel.

    (4)

  • Sarah R.

    Mmmmmmm.......homemade dill pickles................Challah bread............pastrami and corned beef..........battered fries............ugh.......so fattening........yet so good........I don't care......mmmmmm. You can tell I enjoyed myself. I've carried out at the Old Orchard location and I don't know if they like me better there or if they operate differently, but I'll tell ya. The corned beef was piled much higher at the double O location. I still had a great feast and left extremely satisfied. Dined here on a Saturday at 3pm. Weird time, but it worked because it was slow and quiet. Yum, I'll be back.

    (4)

  • Nesha S.

    I was craving a salmon bagel and knew they had one here so me and my boyfriend ventured in on a Sunday afternoon. They have a take away salmon bagel on their front menu but I wanted to sit in the restaurant and eat. It cost like $8 more to sit in the restaurant and have that bagel! Cream cheese is not included and is $2 extra. They bring bread to each table, our bread had to be old leftovers from someone else's. It was hard and cold. When the food came, the cream cheese was so sticky and hard, my knife couldn't scoop any of the cream cheese out. It wouldn't spread on my bagel, I was disgusted. They pre-scoop cream cheese in to plastic tubs and store them opened in a fridge. I called the waitress over and she called the manager. I told him about the cream cheese and hard bread, and he was very rude. I explained that the cream cheese is inedible and clearly old. He said, "well no one else is complaining." He asked what he could do to fix it and I requested fresh cream cheese. He took my plate and returned 5 min later with another salmon plate, this time the cream cheese was scooped in to a plate and had been microwaved!! I was shocked and told him that this is clearly just the same cream cheese just microwaved and he said that's all they got. He knew I was very unhappy, but didn't care at all. When our bill came I expected he would have taken my meal off the bill or at least a discount. Nope, he charged us full price. I took my plate to go, went to walgreens and bought real cream cheese. Won't be returning here!

    (1)

  • Dana V.

    Awesome salads and soup! Also...amazing Challah on the side. I had been looking for a good deli in Lakeview...obviously not looking hard enough. I've never had a bad experience here.

    (4)

  • Bradley V.

    I wasn't overly impressed with this restaurant. I went with friends for lunch, and it was your basic deli with a few other extras on the menu. First off, they wouldn't seat us even though we were only waiting on one person to arrive. I could understand this policy if it were a high dining establishment, but not with it only being a deli. Secondly, the staff was extremely noisy and talked to each other from across the room over your table. I found this extremely annoying and distracting from the conversation at our own table. They were dropping silverware constantly and knocking things off the table as they served us, so overall not impressed at all there. The food was good, but typical. The bread was pretty yummy which is what bumped it from 2 to 3 stars for me.

    (3)

  • Melissa C.

    First time for me at The Bagel. We were in the mood to go to a Jewish Deli (think Pastrami / Corned Beef sanwiches & Matzah Ball soup) on a late Sunday afternoon. Not too many places to choose from at that time of day. My food & the service was good. The place is cute inside - kind of reminded me of a 50's diner. There are small booths and tables to choose from. We had a group of 8 (including 2 children) so we took some tables together in the middle. There is a cute bakery/deli when you walk in where you can buy delicious treats, cookies, cake, soup and saldas home. My nephews loved picking out a treat before we left. Driving over there was another story. As you might expect on a beautiful Sunday...horrible traffic heading East toward the lake. Nothing to do with The Bagel, that's just Chicago! However, there was a silver lining! The Bagel has multiple parking spots directly behind their building so parking was a whiz (fast & free)!!

    (4)

  • Andre W.

    This place came with a heavy recommendation from a trusted friend of mine. I was really excited to check it out due to the recommend. Came over and got sort of the opposite. First I had to wait until they cleaned the table to sit down and once I sat down I saw the crumbs that the guy wiped off of the table on the seat. Once seated, I was ignored for about 10 mins when I started snarling at every server that walked by. The manager happened to see me upset so he told a waitress that happened to be standing around to take car of me. The girl told me they must have switched table assignments which is why no one attended to me. She was actually kind of nice, so maybe she was telling the truth. I ordered a corned beef sandwich which was ok, but was kinda dry. Not sure if I will come back...if I do, hopefully the experience will be different.

    (3)

  • Lindsay B.

    I love The Bagel. Their menu is enormous, and there is something for everyone. It's the perfect place for brunch with picky friends or children. My husband loves the challah french toast. I love their matzo ball soup -- it's magic. I crave it when I'm sick, and it always makes me feel better.

    (5)

  • Melanie V.

    My self-proclaimed hangover cure? Onion bagel and veggie cream cheese. Works every time! The bagels here are absolutely phenomenal and I love the wide variety that they have - everything, garlic, onion, wheat, pumpernickel, sourdough. They also have chive and lox cream cheese, but I haven't ventured out of my veggie obsession yet.

    (4)

  • Jamie B.

    I've been here a handful of times. The pickles and bread/bagel chip basket is nice. I like the smoked salmon plate, but it's overpriced in my opinion. They should cut the tomatoes and onion more thin, and throw some capers on the plate, rather than kalamatta olives.

    (3)

  • Robby S.

    When I first walked by this place, I thought it was just like a deli counter. I didn't realize the place went all the way back and that there were like 40 tables! I've been here a few times now for brunch, it always seems busy, which is good? The staff there sometimes (especially one particular woman) looks like they are about to have an anxiety attack at any moment. The food is great, they have good root beer, and the service is generally nice.

    (4)

  • Brynn K.

    This is one of the best bagel places in Chicago. They have dense, delicious bagels and everyone who works there is extremely nice. The only problem is that for a place called The Bagel, they have poor inventory management on bagels! 75% of the time, when I make a special trip to The Bagel to get Everything bagels, they are out of Everything bagels! I honestly don't understand why this happens SO often. If you run out of Everything bagels 75% of the time, please consider upping your order so that your customers can count on a consistent product offering. It is so disappointing to make a special trip and have this happen almost every time I go. Outside of the Everything bagel inventory, this place is fantastic and the best bagel place I've found in Chicago.

    (4)

  • Zeke D.

    Maybe it was just my expectations, but I expected a great bagel from a place called... the bagel. What I got was mediocre. Admittedly, I am Jewish and a little bit of a snob about bagels because of it so take it with a grain of salt but the bagel disappointed me. However, their other food is very solid. The matzah ball soup is extremely satisfying and they have all sorts of other good Jew foods that I need every once in a while. Pro Tip: Try the matzah brei (fried matzah). Its scrambled eggs with matzah. Not sure if the non Jews will like this too much, but its my favorite way to eat matzah and this is the only place I've seen it on the menu.

    (3)

  • Melanie S.

    Let's be honest: Jews aren't exactly known for their cuisine. As a half-Jewess, I grew up eating things unseasoned and baked or boiled to death. Still, my Bubbe made the best-ever matzoh ball soup and even though she's no longer around, it remains my comfort food. My bf was feeling under the weather and I knew just what to get him to make him feel better. Enter The Bagel, the home of Jewish comfort food guaranteed to cure what ails ya. I can eat matzoh ball soup anytime so I picked up a quart of it so we could share it, and my bf also wanted a julienne salad to go with it. It seemed like an odd thing for him to order, but he was sick, so I didn't question it. I also wanted a cheese blintz but was dismayed that I couldn't order just one a la carte and instead had to order three of them. They sell potato pancakes individually, so why can't they sell blintzes that way? I decided to order them anyway, even though I knew it would take me three days to eat them. I picked up my carry out order and the total for a salad, quart of soup, and cheese blintzes came to over $30. I thought that was a pretty hefty price to pay and more than what I'm used to paying at Kaufman's, but I'm a good girlfriend and happily forked it over so the Jewish panacea could work its magic. Their matzoh ball soup is good. The balls are light and fluffy and the broth is flavorful. It comes with practically half a loaf of challah (holla!) which I saved to make grilled cheese later in the week. The salad was your run-of-the-mill julienne/chef's salad, but it came with literally a vat of dressing. I can't imagine who would eat that much dressing on their salad. I enjoyed my cheese blintz, but of course I could only eat one, so the remaining ones will probably last me two more days (if I don't get sick of them by then). They're way too rich and filling to eat three at one time. They should strongly reconsider selling them singly. The Bagel will do in a pinch. Their sandwiches and bagels are pretty good, but for my Jewish-y-ness, I prefer to stick to Kaufman's. Mazel Tov.

    (3)

  • Sarah D.

    I've been twice, and I have to agree; this place is ill-named. Their bagels are NOT good. I like toasted bagels and steamed bagels, but these are just stale bagels. I've also had the soup, salad and a sandwich. They clearly aren't memorable because I don't recall what exactly I ate. Not many make better matzoh ball soup than I do (while not traditional, garlic and lemon are delish with matzoh), but I know it can't be better than mine. The idea of the place is awesome: a Jewish deli with bagels, lox, traditional soups and sandwiches, large portions, and a bowl of free bread and pickles with every meal, but the reality of the place is not: run by Mexicans, poor service, high prices, and low quality food. I would go back here 1. because it's around the corner and 2. I'd like to actually remember what food I've ordered before I write the review update.

    (2)

  • Jess C.

    I really liked that I walked in to this place on a Sunday at 12pm and I got a table in 5 minutes. I also liked the giant basket of delicious bread and bagel chips that was waiting for me at my table. However, I was completely sold on this place when I tried the complimentary housemade pickles. Mmmmm pickles. I'm a huge deli food fan and I have been to a lot of delis in the Chicagoland area. I think The Bagel has the edge because of the amount of food that you get and the fact that it's actually good. My boyfriend's Deli Denver Omelette (salami, tomato, green pepper, onion) was the size of a small football and scrumptious. The corned beef on my sandwich was piled high and sliced super thin (which I prefer). Also, the coke mix (I'm a bit of a Coca Cola snob) was really good and our waiter was really on top of getting us refills. Overall I had a really nice experience and I would definitely go back.

    (5)

  • Maria A.

    The fucking Bagel. Why, oh why does San Francisco not have a Jewish Deli/Diner as delicious as The Bagel? Ya'll are giving it how many stars? You don't even know how we suffer on the West Coast. Hallah! This is not some stupid shout-out I'm saying like some shiksa to sound cute. This is the real rip it apart fluffy stick it in your mouth deliciousness. And you can ask for more. Bialys too. And pickles. In a bowl. As many as you want. Homemade vegetarian soups that change every day. Borscht. God I want to cry until one opens up in the bay area. Booths. You sit in booths. And you can sip a Chocolate Phosphate. I don't care that nothing is organic. I don't care that most of it is meat. I will eat a tortured-egg salad sandwich here because it tastes So Good. And the coffee mugs. Diner mugs. So comfy in your hand... Sigh.

    (5)

  • Jelena Z.

    Many moons and many visits have passed since that first review... suffice to say, an upgrade has been earned. Most recently, I went here on a Friday to pick up a late lunch to-go (delivery doesn't start until 4pm). My intentions were to order the sampler salad (you pick two) with the smoked whitefish and egg salads. But then I started thinking about their chicken salad, and how lovely it would taste on some homemade Bosnian pita bread I had at home. But, it's not just any Friday... it's the first Friday of Lent! I'm a good Catholic girl with years of "fish only" Fridays behind me. But. I. Want. Meat. And really, I reason with myself, fish is poultry and thus it's not technically meat. Weak argument, huh? Clearly, I do know better. I'm fairly certain the Catholics wouldn't even consider this a white lie. Is it a sin? Well, if it is, then sinning was delicious. I do like the cool, smoky flavors of the whitefish salad but I'll always prefer the chicken here. The platter itself seemingly weighed a couple of pounds and I had lunch, dinner and the outstanding remnants are still in my fridge. My Jewish friends fully indulge their "Life, Love and Lox" mantra here. I'm not into salmon but I've seen nothing but smiles from them. Oh, and if you're a lover of pickles... free refills!

    (4)

  • Charles C.

    I am Jewish so whenever I venture away from Cleveland, Ohio and go to a Jewish Deli I am always suspect. Will the pastrami come anywhere close to Jack's Deli? And what about the chopped liver? It never fails to amaze me how in a place like NYC you will go to some famous deli and what they pass off as chopped liver can be the farthest thing from actual chopped liver. So when I walked into The Bagel I immediately knew this was the real deal. The place just felt like home from the bakery case when you first walk in the door to the old movie and musical posters on the walls. I asked the very friendly waitress (but not overly friendly which can be a real turnoff) if they could do a pastrami and chopped liver sandwich and she immediately said yes and then showed how on the menu they already had a corned beef and chopped liver and would just charge me for that but make it with pastrami. I then asked if the pastrami would be hot and she said yes and it was then I knew I was in a good and authentic Jewish deli. When the sandwich arrived it was the perfect size and the pastrami was very nice and the chopped liver was excellent and it was truly a dynamite sandwich. The fries that came with the sandwich were also quite delicious. My friend had the Red, White and Blue Blintzes (his first time ever having a blintze) and absolutely loved them! Sadly I went back and ordered the same pastrami and chopped liver sandwich and yet this time when it came out it was corned beef and chopped liver. When I pointed this out to the waitress she said no that it was pastrami and when I mentioned this to another person working there they also said it was pastrami which it clearly was not. So my first experience was good, but after this second experience I will not be going back.

    (2)

  • Luke S.

    This place is a life saver if you have the flu! There is nothing like their matzo ball soup and their other wonderful deli fare. They make a mean omlette and surprisingly have some of the better dinner menu's in the area. The menu is so big that you can get lost and confused trying to figure out what to order. The service is usually good and the owner spends quite a bit of time greeting guests upon arrival. You really can't go wrong with the food here! They do get the occasional wait, but don't fear they do a good job of turning tables.

    (4)

  • Jennifer T.

    I was craving a club sandwich. What? Doesn't everybody have a craving for one of those every once in a while? I'm glad we decided to order from the bagel. Even if they were fairly expensive, the size of the meal could be split between two people to be honest but leftovers are welcomed. I'd go there again because not only is the sandwich yummy but they have some of the best pickles I've ever had. I mean, so good that the day after I wanted to order from them again just to get some pickles.

    (4)

  • Gemma C.

    AVOID AVOID AVOID.... Worst place ever for service!!! The counter help were too busy conversing w/each other to get the order right... When speaking to the manger, he was just giving excuses.... 3x going to this place & last couple time just really AWEFUL SERVE!!!! Food is that great & very over priced!!! There better bagel, Jew delis around Lakeview to tolerate BAD SERVE!!!

    (1)

  • Michael G.

    Christmas Eve is pretty much the greatest day in the world to have been born Jewish! While everyone else is out last minute shopping, I had to get Hanukkah/Thanksgiving presents for my family (and, by extension, my Christian friends) far before, and can just chill at home and avoid the chill. And, of course, the crowds. Oy! The crowds! It's like the exodus from Egypt. All running and people grabbing their faces from the boils and pestilence and lice. And all those other fun things only associated with Christmas shopping and biblical-style plagues. But, this year, I decided to be a bit of a voyeur and head over to Lakeview on Christmas Eve to observe the chaos. Safely from behind the windows of The Bagel with the others "of the faith," of course. This place, despite having a horribly touristy name and kitschy Broadway posters (that seem to inhabit every non-New York City "New York Style" deli), is the authentic article. Anyone can do a pastrami on rye. But this place does kishka (which is basically the most disgusting food next to haggis on Earth), kreplach, blintzes, latkes (which are different from potato pancakes because they're made with old Jewish woman tears), and - my absolute favorite - a pretty darn good (if slightly too solid on top) knish. I've had better from street carts on the Upper East Side of New York, but beggars can't be choosers. It's the only place in Chicago I've found them! Plus, anyone can do lox, but this place has gefilte fish. Seriously. A huge side of gefilte fish! Just like bubbeh used to spoon out of the jar (er, make) on Passover. I mean, the thought makes me verklempt! If anyone is homesick on Hannukah (or Rosh Hashanah or whatever), this place is manna from the heavens. Which brings up another reason The Bagel comes through in a pinch - they have noodle kugel. Sweet as heck, filled with raisins, feel like a dessert but eats like a meal, kugel. And all of the sides I've mentioned are a good price. They will just set the diner back a few sheckles. And even those who don't live up to Jewish stereotypes are counting their sheckles these days! Now the deli sandwiches (about $12) are sort of pricey and Manny's makes *most* of them better. But they all come with a soup (there's a different vegetarian one each day), bagel chips, a full bread bowl, and pickles. Sliced kosher dills! Plus you're paying for atmosphere as well. If there aren't a gaggle of old Jewish ladies talking loudly (it's not their fault, they're probably deaf) about temple or how to best shop for fur coats, you've picked an odd day and definitely not Christmas Eve. Or Christmas Day. Like any *real* deli, they are open on that Christian holiday! Just saying.

    (4)

  • Patty S.

    I don't claim to be a connoisseur of pastrami sandwiches, but I this is one of the best I have tried. The pastrami simply melts in your mouth and I'm still reminiscing each delicious bite. I know traditionally this sandwich is served on rye bread, but this isn't my favorite type of bread so the waiter suggested onion roll instead which put the sandwich over the top. The meat is well seasoned with just the right amount of marbling throughout. It didn't feel oily or fatty at all. We did also order the Mish-Mash Soup and I can't say this was my favorite. I am not generous with 5-stars, but just based on the pastrami sandwich, I will gladly give away this rating.

    (5)

  • Timothy L.

    I don't understand why The Bagel is so pricey, so busy, and so mediocre. I would tolerate it more if everything was $3 less.

    (2)

  • Robb H.

    To go order of matzo ball soup and a lox & cream cheese bagel sandwich. No plastic utensils with the soup and, contrary to my instructions, the sandwich was sliced in two. (Have you ever tried to eat a lox and cream cheese sandwich that's been cut? Fish popping out everywhere.) And to top it off: NO CAPERS!!! WTF?!? I called the manager immediately and he told me it's their policy not to put utensils in to-go orders, even when those orders contain soup. I'd say wtf again, but that would seem redundant. Nothing like eating a matzo ball with a plastic fork one of my coworkers left around the office last week and slurping chicken broth from an over-sized styrofoam cup like I'm eating Miso at some cheap, Japanese take-out place. If I were truly jaded, I'm blame this on them sending me a "go back to Andersonville, Swede" type of message, but I think this is just lack of good management foresight, easily solved by mentally putting oneself in the customer's shoes and/or reading Michael Gerber. The food is decent, but by no means NYC deli quality or even close to Manny's for that matter. But despite my numerous disappointments (NO CAPERS, SERIOUSLY?!? Yes, again.) this place was still better than grabbing a crappy lunch on the go at McDonald's.

    (3)

  • Michelle B.

    I came in yesterday as part of a group of 10 young adults for brunch and were very happy to be able to be seated within a few short minutes. We were going to go to the place across the street, but were too hungry to wait, sent 2 across the street, then sent back for the rest. We were very happy to know that they will split checks, so we had them split among 7 parties. The food was excellent and was pretty well devoured! Oh yeah, excellent plus: free pickles and bread. I will definitely be back! :-)

    (5)

  • Tom C.

    I will say this, Soup and half a sandwich is a meal as the meal comes with bagel chips, kaiser roll and bread w/ butter, and kosher pickles. I had the pickled beef tongue on rye. the meat was tender and very flavorful. The soup was their popular and tangy sweet n sour cabbage bourscht. I look forward to going back to try the Corn Beef, Pastrami and Chopped Liver.

    (4)

  • Jeff M.

    For being a dinner type restaurant The Bagel is very good. Omelettes are good as are the sandwiches such as a pastrami on rye. Tons of food will come to your table even before you order. You can find a pretty good value here.

    (4)

  • Jessica S.

    I am disappointed. Rosh Hashanah and I wanted some sweet noodle kugel. What they sold me was lumpy, tasteless with no raisins and no sweetness. I was so bummed. The matzoh ball soup is pretty good. It's not a real Jewish deli. The food just isn't good enough.

    (2)

  • Stosh T.

    Really great fresh sandwiches but a bit over priced in my opinion. The deli meat tastes great, and I'm assuming it's very high quality which drives the price up on the sandwiches. I guess I'm not used to paying $10-$14 on a deli sandwich. Service has been good the few times I've been there. Would go much more often if it was a bit cheaper.

    (3)

  • Lorelei C.

    After a Day out at Lincoln Park Zoo I decided to head to The Bagel... My almost 31 year Old Son Brian had recommended it to me, so I just had to try it! As you enter this Restaurant/Deli your first visual encounter is that of a Glass Case with Take-Out Items including Bagels, Breads, Wonderful Looking Salads and Meats... Then of Course they had to have the Dessert Case right next to that one where they had Cakes, Cookies, Even Assorted Marshmallow type Treats.. I should have gotten one of those but I was going to hit the House of Fine Chocolates next door but by the time I got there they were closed... This obviously was not meant to be.... Okay, so I was greeted by a Hostess and seated very quickly, the Bagel is located in the very Hot Lakeview Area of the City and I am told that it can get quite crowded/busy but today, I breezed right in..... The Bagels Interior, I Loved it! Various Art Prints Line the Walls, Stainless Steel Tables, Very Big and Comfortable Booths. The Bagel is more Long and Narrow but still seems to be plenty of seating/accomidations between the Counter and the Booths. This is a Deli Folks so expect some truly great Deli- Food, Corned Beef, Pastrami Etc.... As you are seated you are brought a Basket of Bagel Thins and Wonderful Bread along with a Tray of Kosher Spear Pickles... God, I Love Pickles.... The Bagel has a Full Menu of Appetizers, Salads, Burgers,Sandwiches and Blintzes.. They also have a varied List of Entrees to choose from Today I opted for a Corned Beef Sandwich on Rye which was Perfect.. Could'nt get any Better... My Server Mayra was Great, Thank You Mayra! The Bagel has a nice Dessert Menu which I did'nt even look at... And we all know why that is...(House of Fine Chocolates) And the Bagel also serves Breakfast! As far as Menu Prices Go I think the Bagel is nothing too extreme and they do take Plastic.. :) So, to my Son Brian, you were Right, I Loved the Bagel, Thanks for the Recommendation!

    (4)

  • I.E. C.

    Average deli/diner in Chitown. Staff was friendly and pancakes, eggs, and bacon all good. Can't complain. Just nothing too special. Nevertheless, if you're looking for a diner/deli in the area, this place is decent.

    (3)

  • Matt A.

    This is a staple in our family. grew up going here on Devon and will go forever and ever. matzo ball soup and sandwiches - we love them. not the best Bagels, for that we goto skokie - kaufmans! this place does have wonderful challah and a friendly staff

    (5)

  • R L.

    bought a half pound of pastrami today to go. it was very tasty but about 40 per cent stringy fat. I ate half tonight . tomarrow I will bring back the other half and ask for a partial refund.

    (1)

  • Lauren B.

    By far one of the best restaurants in Chicago. Amazing reuben, matzoh ball soup, corn beef hash, french toast, etc. They even give you a huge basket of homemade bread and bagels and pickles for free! Great, friendly staff as well. Definitely recommend for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

    (5)

  • Gio L.

    Consistently good food that is fresh and full of flavor.

    (4)

  • Robert S.

    Every time I come here I leave asking myself the same questions: * Why did I return here? Answer: Desperation for a place to eat. * Why are they still open? Answer: Others are desperate, too. No really. I've been to the Old Orchard Mall location. Why does this north side location look like it needs a remodeling? I mean, the last show tunes poster they added was for Starlight Express, which is about the last time they renovated this aging dinosaur. The food is just ok. Half the menu contains inedible Jewish food made with organ meats served myriad ways. I know it's "my people's food," but honestly. Enough with the Jewish soul food...just give me a sandwich with meat that doesn't come from an animal's intestine, a vital organ, a bladder or a gland. And that's the problem: I never know what to get here. Should I get the Turkey Reuben...the turkey Reuben dinner...the turkey Reuben combination? So many ways to order. I always get what I think is what I had last time, or hope that what I order will be as good as the previous time. Last time, the sandwich was great--a Reuben that I think was corned beef. I ordered the turkey Reuben with fries instead thinking it'd be a big sandwich packed with turkey. Nope--just a few slices of turkey, some commercial food service brand sauerkraut, and bread so flimsy it almost came apart. It was tasty but the sandwich was greasy AS HELL. I'm usually all about greasy stuff, but this was...GREASY AS HELL. And then I got the bill. Notice how I didn't order a beverage, which usually keeps a tab reasonable. Instead the bill came to $14.80. Pricey for a sandwich that wasn't nearly as large as the corned beef Reuben I remember from the previous time.

    (2)

  • Lenny S.

    Local family favorite. Best things on their menu: 1) mish mosh soup 2) matzah ball soup They also do a great bread and pickle basket when you sit down to eat there. Family/Handicap friendly as well. They always put my grandfathers walker in a safe place and get it for him when we're done.

    (5)

  • Laura H.

    The Bagel is a delight! Their matzo ball soup is one of the world's perfect foods. The salami and eggs comes with your choice of generous portions of sliced or diced salami. The latkes come with sour cream AND applesauce, so you don't have to choose or you can share (not that you'll want to, but still...)! The half sandwich of corned beef on seeded rye is the size of a full sandwich, and is served hot and juicy. Half sour pickles and bread, butter and bagel chips appear as you're seated, as if by magic. Places like The Bagel make me understand why the word "deli" begins the word "delicious!"

    (4)

  • Drew B.

    I love the Bagel! I've walked by here a million times and always thought it was just a short bagel stand, until a friend wanted to do lunch here. WOW, just like Kristy Alley the place is huge! Upon sitting you down, they bring you a basket of warm bread and a tray of pickles! I love pickles, so you won me over in the first minute. Although this is a diner/deli, the food is quite amazing. I've had the turkey burger and the ruben which were both amazing. On my last visit, we had the privilege of being served by Brenda, who was absolutely adorable and very nice to talk to...and witty as hell! Also, they sell candied apples.... enough said.

    (5)

  • Kate C.

    This place should really be forced to change its name. The bagels sold at the counter are okay (not great), but for some reason when I ate at the sit-down restaurant I was served what was clearly a frozen bagel with packets of Philadelphia brand cream cheese. Now here's the thing.... I'm from Philadelphia and no self respecting bagel place would serve cream cheese that wasn't made in house. I also have no idea why I couldn't get one of the bagels they were serving out front, which I've had before and there was a distinct difference in quality. It also didn't help that my eggs were overcooked and greasy as sin... or that the "waitress" sat down at the neighboring table to work on her taxes while ignoring my trying to get her attention.* * This review is based on the several times I've been to The Bagel in the past few years. I don't know why I keep trying to give them a second (third, and so on...) chance when they never fail to disappoint. Oh! there was also the one time I asked for a toasted sesame bagel with cream cheese open-faced.... which they wrapped up to go... open-faced. Yeah, that was stellar guys. I love licking cream cheese off the wrapper... in that whole not way.

    (1)

  • Carol K.

    What could make this a perfect five star experience? A Bloody Mary to go with my brunch. But since that's not going to happen at this north side deli- let me tell you why The Bagel is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to get my favorite meal of the day. This bustling diner deli is not fancy, with movie posters on the walls, stainless steel stools at the counter and booths along the walls. The servers are quick and bring you a dish of the most amazing pickles within minutes of you sitting down. The menu offers up all of the expected breakfast favorites. I ordered an omelet made just the way I like it (ham, cheese and tomatoes). There are many meats and cheeses that you can choose from to create the perfect omelet or just order one of their creations. It comes with breakfast potatoes and is huge! Eggs not your thing? Try their pancakes, french toast or even the lox and bagels. All very tasty! My friend had his niece and nephew in tow the last time we were here and they were able to get all the things kids like (chicken fingers, fries, etc) along with cream soda, a special treat! Service was terrific and we were in and out in a reasonable amount of time given how crowded it was on this Sunday morning. Hard to believe but there is even a free parking lot across the street (I suspect someone will be building something there one of these days- but for now, it's a great asset!) Next time you get a craving for that perfect breakfast in a timeless deli- check out The Bagel. Your tummy will thank you!

    (4)

  • Leia Z.

    You have got to be kidding me!! First off, I searched for homemade chicken soup for my sick honey.. this place had great reviews. So I drove the 5 miles in the city to go get soup. It took like over half an hour, but for good soup for sick honey I'd do it again! However, this "chicken soup" is a joke. It is just broth..probably canned with no flavor, spice, chicken or anything to it..maybe there was some butter on the rice..which actually made it worse. The rice in the chicken rice was beyond mushy. Although, the matzo ball itself was good. I had to cut up onions and garlic and parsley and reheat the soup myself to make it palatable! And for $15 for canned broth?!?! I will never ever go back. GROSS!

    (1)

  • Nicholas S.

    I don't like the bagels here: they're too dense and hard to chew. But more importantly, it sure seems like restaurant's main source of revenue these days is its parking lot, not its food. The Bagel hires a shadowy company called Global Parking Management to patrol its parking lot. The Global Parking staff hide across the street, and whenever they see anyone parking in The Bagel's enormous lot and then not immediately entering the restaurant, they boot the person's car. It then costs $140--the equivalent of about a hundred bagels--to remove the boot, payable immediately. I'm sympathetic to restaurants that don't want their precious parking spots filled with non-customers. But, really, this is highway robbery. The Bagel has a massive lot that it never fills, and it now probably makes more money from its lot than from its bagels. How pathetic.

    (1)

  • David C.

    Why did I spend $11.99 for a corned beef sandwich on a bagel? Please tell me. The bagel was stale and the corned beef was dry. Next time I am going down the street to the Walmart Express, purchasing ingredients for the sandwich, and making it better myself. I have yet to understand why this place is constantly crowded.

    (1)

  • Chad H.

    The best bagel breakfast sandwich you will ever have, in less than 2 minutes. Amazing.

    (4)

  • Kathleen M.

    It's a deli, so in comparison with other delis I'm a fan. Plus they were super flexible with our group arriving at various times and falling slightly short of the number I thought we would be. The menu has all kinds of stuff on it, from good to goofy! And my sister had her Le Canard hidden away in her backpack that we all tasted and they pretended they didn't see a thing. Did I get to add Sandwich Sneak to my resume or were they just really good sports? For all of the above I am giving them a 4 even though I didn't like the chicken salad. The potato pancakes made up for it. It's deli delish!

    (4)

  • Fran H.

    This is a pretty nice place to go for breakfast. I have never had any but breakfast food. They have the best hash browns I've ever tasted. The sausage was really good too. The portions are ample. And they have their own parking lot. It's a little pricey. The staff was quite friendly. They have their own parking lot which is a huge plus. I will definelty go back.

    (3)

  • Rachel G.

    It's definitely not Katz's, but it's the best NY style jewish comfort food you'll find in the city. The sandwiches are legit and generous. I personally love "Barb's Bonanza" which is chopped liver and corned beef piled sky high. The mish mash soup (matzoh ball soup amped up with other goodies like kasha and noodles) is great and will cure you if you're feeling icky. Oh, and they have great pastries. The rugelach is wonderful, rich, and packed with filling. The only thing I've had here that I wouldn't recommend are the potato pancakes. Maybe others would like them, but they just weren't what I was looking for...too heavily fried, yet still kinda mushy and not enough onion. I guess my Grandma still holds the title of best latke maker. All in all, try The Bagel out if you are missing home, you New Yorker you (or if you just need a comforting, back to your roots fix).

    (4)

  • Tiffany T.

    I'll admit now, I've never been to a New York Jewish deli before, so take what I say now with a grain of salt. Off the bat, just with that freebies they serve, the bread is delicious and the pickles are good. They have a ton of food on their menu and it makes it easy to come with a group of people with different dietary restrictions (I went with a vegetarian and someone lactose intolerant). I ended up getting a meatloaf entree with a potato pancake (first time I've ever had one!). The pancake was great. The meatloaf, eh. For that, I'd give it a four star but I do agree with past reviews that the price is a little high. I ended up paging about $20 to be a little underwhelmed. However, if were talking about the good, which there definitely was, the portions are huge (though there is a charge if you choose go share a portion), the service was quick and the atmosphere was nice. If this is what you're looking for or you need a quick meal in Old Orchard, try it out. I'll probably give it about shot at some point.

    (3)

  • Damian C.

    I can't believe I spent $12.75 on a sandwich. And no, it was not a deli sandwich crusted in gold served by an angel sent from Heaven. It was a turkey/salami/cheddar concoction on pumpernickel bread brought to me by a lovely blonde waitress with a charm and sense of humor to envy. AND... it was one of the most amazing, delicious, awesome deli sandwiches I've ever had. And it was a beast. The salami was 8 slices deep and the turkey just as thick. The cheddar lined the area between the meat and the bread. And the pumpernickel... all that you'd expect... super tasty! Instead of eating it with a fork as I should have, I decided to try and take it like a man by shoving it in my mouth. My teeth sawed through the sandwich so easily but my mouth just wasn't big enough to handle something so meaty. Could it get any better? Yes. Instead of opting for the healthy fresh fruit option as a side, I want to dive head first into a side of greasy french fries. Now these weren't just your run-of-the-mill french fries - these babies were crusty (no, not in gold), crunchy, and downright scrumptuous. Every bite was another crunch of happiness all the way down to my tummy. These fries are totally worth a few extra minutes on the elliptical at Bally's. In the end, I proved to be no match for this meal and ended up taking half of it home. I guess $12.75 for two meals really isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I'll be back again ... I already have my eyes on the hot dog stuffed with cheese, wrapped in bacon and deep-fried. Nom Nom Nom.

    (4)

  • Robert M.

    If your from NYC, this place comes close. Had the Smoked Sable which is my all time favorite. Large piece of fish served with all the trimmings. The Chicken Noodle Soup has the thin noodles like Grandma use to make. If your in the mood for a Reuben you came to the right place, lean corn beef served with fries and slaw, get it open face it will taste better. Staff is wonderful, if they know or have seen you outside the restaurant you can end up being treated more like a friend. I mean this in a good way. If you happen to stop in for dinner on a Sunday Night, Danny (the owner) will tell you about the Free Range Chicken, which I must say is good.

    (5)

  • Arlene A.

    I've ordered delivery for a while. The service here is abysmal. The gentleman (and I use the term loosely) who picks up the phone clearly lacks the people skills required to deal with the public. His attitude and lack of respect for the customer is apparent. Now while the whitefish salad is delicious here, make sure your teeth are strong enough to handle the hard as titanium bagels. You should also make sure you have red onion at home, as The Bagel Restaurant does not carry this oh-so very traditional accoutrement for the whitefish salad. My experience with The Bagel Restaurant has also taught me to preheat the oven, so that my hot food will be hot. You would think that the $3.00 delivery charge is to get the delivery person a bicycle, nope, it's The Bagel Restaurant charging you to be their customer. Your delivery person is hoofing it, which is why your food is cold when you get it. Perhaps the dine-in experience is the way to go, but you have been warned about their delivery practices.

    (1)

  • Sean K.

    If you want good matzo ball soup, then I would recomment coming here. They have good prices and excellent food. YEA BAGEL !!!

    (5)

  • Geo S.

    Place has great bagels and great spread we enjoyed our server and the food. The breakfast menu in the back is a bit limited, but why add a bunch of options when you are good at what you make. If you have the chance stop in for a great bagel.

    (4)

  • Michael S.

    My Lox-O-Meter purrs here, and I have a new appreciation for The Bagel after attempting to patronize a few other "delis" with great disappointment. There is great value in being greeted by the long-time staff who never forget a face. Recently, having not been here in a while, I walked in for a quick bagel and cream cheese, and ended up in a delightful conversation with a charming server who recognized me, remembered my gorgeous kids, and asked about all of them. So add a star for good people and relatively reasonably priced lox.

    (4)

  • Kourtney L.

    We've been watching a lot of Curb Your Enthusiasm at my house lately. In one episode Larry gets his own sandwich. It really is a disgusting sounding sandwich, you'll know what I mean if you've seen that episode. Anyway, it's served by a Jewish deli which in turn led to our seeking out a Jewish deli for our own (non-Larry David) sandwiches. Somehow our sleep deprived brains ordered the Lox Spread by mistake. Do not do this unless you want a putrid pink/peach shade of cream cheese with bits of lox mixed in. The bagel it came with was still good and the service was very attentive and friendly so I can't be mad at my own stupidity. Thankfully, there's no Larry David on the menu. I'll be back for the actual lox sandwich.

    (4)

  • Brett F.

    I wonder if The Bagel owners like Edible Arrangements? Cookies by Design perhaps? Oh maybe a nice gift tower from Harry & David... or is sending lox to the house of lox just redundant and patronizing?? Either way, I owe The Bagel a tremendous thank you from the bottom of my matza-lovin' heart. I was in desperate need of some good, Jewish penicillin this week when my achy, feverish little body was rockin' an early case of the flu. After several cans of condensed soup failed to bring me the relief I so crucially needed I quickly realized, I need the good stuff, and fast!! I had heard about The Bagel for some time now and made a beeline to Broadway yesterday for a little of that home remedy yenta cookin'. And boy did it do the trick!!! A heaping, hot bowl of mish-mash soup with all the goodies (matzo ball, noodles, kreplach, kashi, veggies, and that yummy broth) went down lickity-split - I could actually see my tummy smiling. The sides of challah didn't hurt either... they gave me a veritable loaf of mixed challah as my side and it was still warm, bless their hearts!! Everything was served up fast, friendly and with a smile which was exactly what I needed. The sweet tooth in me had to bring home some noodle kugel and even that was warm, creamy and delish!! I should have trekked over there sooner since my immune system is thanking me now, but I'm happy enough having this ace up my sleeve for the upcoming sick season and just when I have another hankering for that kugel. Yum!

    (4)

  • Amanda K.

    Best Jewish deli/diner in the city. Great bagels, bagel chips, matzo ball soup, pickles, corned beef and omelettes. Large portions usually make it two meals. Love The Bagel!

    (5)

  • Robert S.

    Sundays is fun day and it found us in the city we are up on Broadway and gonna get some coffee and I say I am hungry of course the bf's like you are always hungry, yeah so whats your point ? how about some pastrami I say he says where at I say that Bagel place with the Jewish deli, he like huh I am like we walk by it all the time on Broadway just fallow me well I am all ready for some Pastrami thinking maybe a Reuben, we go in and are seated right away and the waiter gets our drink order and gives us some menu's, then he throws me for a loop on Sundays only they make Southern Fried Chicken and it has just came out the first batch is steaming hot and he also says they always run out of there Chicken, well I love me some Fried Chicken oh hell I'm gonna have to have Pastrami another day dang it we started out with the chicken broth with noodles and a couple dill pickles then comes the Fried Chicken it has like a corn flake coating on it really done up southern style and it is nice and juicy and steaming hot, this is some damn good Chicken I could of used some hot sauce but I was to busy eating to ask for some so if you are in the area on Sunday afternoon get in here quick for some damn good chicken and we picked up some Hallah on the way out to make french toast with

    (5)

  • David K.

    I mainly come here when I want a good corned beef fix at a sit-down establishment. The Bagel definitely serves excellent corned beef, always fresh and tender. I also enjoy their matzo ball soup, although it could never aspire to the level of excellence of Mom's recipe. As for the basket of bread that they serve you as you wait for your order, my stomach shouts thank you, even as my waistline cries no. The other dishes that I have tried here I have not been as crazy about, including their breakfast dishes and their open-face turkey plate. I also think their prices are a little high for deli/diner food. However, their service is always attentive and they have an excellent selection of fresh bakery goods. If ever during the Jewish holiday of Purim you have a craving for a mouth-wateringly excellent (and large) poppyseed hamantaschen cookie, then the Bagel is the place for you.

    (3)

  • Dane K.

    Having passed by "The Bagel" 10,000 times and never stopping in I thought the morning of Yom Kippur would be a good day to go in and buy several dozen bagels to bring to the office for "bagel Friday" ... There was only a small line. The people in front of me were ordering random bagels by the dozens, telling the guy 2 of this 3 of that, then changing their minds. Then a lady who had to ask 4 times how to cook something that was already cooked. If you think the staff is snarky, I can understand why. I stepped up and ordered 3 dozen, assorted, his choice. He went to the bags and got them right out of the bag. They get them every morning from somewhere around Skokie (New York Bagel & Bialy?). Ordering 3 dozen without calling ahead wasn't an issue at all, in fact I probably wouldn't call an order ahead for something like this. Bagels are $9.99 for a baker's dozen, which is pretty reasonable and on par with what other places charge, even less expensive than some I know. Their cream cheese is priced by the pound, not by the "tub" as others do, $4.98/pound. A pound of cream cheese as it turns out is about twice the size of what a regular bagel joint's "tub" is. So that's about a third less the price of some places I know, which charge nearly that much for a small tub (namely, NYC Bagel Deli). If you buy bagels here by the dozen and aren't consuming them right away, don't keep them in the plastic bags they put them in... I'm not claiming to be a bagel expert, but I'm 90% sure they get soggy fast in plastic bags and should instead be kept in paper bags. The bagels themselves were amazing. Maybe the best I've had in Chicago as far as texture/taste go. Much, much better than NYC Bagel Deli in every way. I usually get e-mails thanking me for a "great bagel day!" (I also got donuts from Dinkel's) but today I'm getting phone calls. Yes, the corporate world IS that cheesy. [Bagel review only...]

    (5)

  • Anna L.

    Best tuna sandwich on rye i've ever had. I know it's just tuna, but it was really really good!

    (4)

  • Colleen C.

    Well gee willikers chillins, I had no idea this was a restaurant...silly me, I've been living in/around this neighborhood for what feels like half a decade...(ok, it HAS been half a decade) and I thought this was a carry out place for bagels, and bagels only. Bagels. Hmm. I mean, I like them...but I generally don't pine away for restaurants devoted to them. And I must say, I didn't think the bagels here were anything out of the ordinary. They were just fine and dandy, average bagles, the hole, ya know...that's their thing, but nothing I'd dream about at night, or wake up in the morning for and trek to Lakeview...however, I digress. The omelettes though? STELLAR. I had a Western omelette (no tomatoes, we are still on a salmonella scare and all), and it was a damn fine example to omelettes everywhere. Fluffy, full of fresh ingredients, real cheese, no shredded meat....perfect. The Diet Coke also received high marks, as did our LOVELY waitress Brenda, who was the epitome of a friendly diner waitress, complete with "hons, sweets, babes" etc thrown in for good measure and good karma. I hear it gets slammed on the weekends, but I'd be back for an egg concoction if I found myself in the hood...but, bagels? Eh. Lemme know if you have a better suggestion. ;)

    (4)

  • Cam L.

    Try the lox bagel sandwich! A little crowded and chaotic in the front.. but a good overall bagel deli.

    (3)

  • Laura S.

    Now, I'm what you might call a bagel 'n' cream cheese slut. I don't normally allow them in my apartment because I just inhale them, so I've relegated them to a monthly treat. While I like the variety that Panera offers, I hit The Bagel for the classic crusty-yet-chewy NYC bagels I adore, which they pile with a good inch of cream cheese decadence. And I will say, when I've partied too hard the night before, and am capable of getting my ass out the door and down the block, I head straight there for a sesame seed bagel and matzoh ball soup. There is no better cure-all. Just a little tip from me to you. Admittedly I can't speak to anything else about this place, as I've never ordered anything other than the above and have only placed take-out orders. But if you're someone who appreciates equal parts bagel and cream cheese, you'll love it here.

    (4)

  • julie l.

    Sorry to say it, but I don't like The Bagel's bagels. Actually, it saddens me but it's true. They are so dense it's not good. Otherwise, the food is pretty standard fare. And since I can prepare myself something at some that is standard and cheaper, I don't pay The Bagel to do it. Unless, of course, it's some sort of holiday like Christmas and they are the only place open when I'm too lazy to make something, and for those few days, I'm happy it is there. And it has more charm than Stella's across the street if you are looking to pay for standard diner food.

    (2)

  • Alana S.

    The service was prompt and the sandwich was delicious although a little overstruffed. The prices were decent considering even the regular sized sandwich comes with slaw, chips and a pickle. I'd eat there again, but I'm not sure I'd go out of my way to do so.

    (3)

  • Gabi M.

    I enjoyed a late lunch at The Bagel on a recent Wednesday afternoon. I was excited to go to a Jewish deli as they are few and far between in Arizona so it's always a treat to find a good one when I'm out of town. The huge menu had everything imaginable except one item: bagels! I looked and looked and looked again and there was indeed no listing anywhere of what kind of bagels they had! So, we asked Brenda, our lovely waitress that likes to tell it like it is and she listed off a handful of bagel flavors. A place named 'The Bagel' only has a handful of bagel flavors? I found that odd. Nonetheless, I ordered a wheat bagel to go along with my whitefish salad plate... and although it was good, i've had better. I will say that service was great... Brenda was helpful and the staff kept a full bread basket on the table as well as plenty of pickles and full water glasses too. Gotta love that! The omelette that Colleen C ordered looked great and so did the matzoh ball soup that Andrea R enjoyed. We didn't have dessert although the case in front is filled with cookies, pastries, and more that looked divine. Overall, I'd say that The Bagel is a decent place to go for deli... but my suggestion is, add a few more bagel flavors to the menu!

    (4)

  • Carri C.

    I had the turkey rueben. I did not like the turkey-I thought it would be real turkey; it was instead the sliced deli turkey that is flavorless with a strange consistency. My husband had the club- also not very good. For the prices of these sandwiches, $12.95 and $10.95, the quality was not up to par. French fries were very greasy. Decor and service was ok. Disappointing experience.

    (2)

  • F N.

    Is the little things in life... ...the decor is great, service is good & the food is good, a bit low on seasoning; however, it's disappointing to go to a restaurant & see a charge of $0.75 for a cup of hot water as I said... Is the little things in life. As for our plans to come back I would say, not in the near or far future. There are plenty of places to eat breakfast in Lake View with better tasting food.

    (3)

  • Julie A.

    Comfort Food! Lots of it! My bf is getting a cold, and he ordered the matzo ball soup - he felt better before he was done with the bowl - there's nothing like matzo ball soup - and what a huge matzo ball!!!!! My favorite is the Lox + Bagels - delicious! It's always fresh and tasty. From salads to breakfast to sandwiches this place rocks, it's a staple and I hope people that haven't discovered it do~ and make sure to buy a smiley face cookie on the way out!

    (4)

  • Princesses M.

    My brother suggested that we take our Mom to this classic '50s deli. We were surprised that the place was not at all crowded with the usual weekend crowd. We ere seated right away, the waiter was very attentive, and the food came right away. If you have out of town guests or someone visiting who is from Chicago, they will enjoy the menu. There are dishes named after well known (Jewish) areas of the city...Devon ave, Lawrence and Kedzie. I had the turkey burger prepared like a patty melt. It was really good. My brother has fried matzo and a side of potato pancakes. We all had enough to take home and eat as a late night snack.

    (4)

  • Aaron S.

    I love this place. Quite possibly because it's the perfect mix of gay and Jewish which are two things I happen to be. The food has always been delicious and the service has been splendid. I love the bread basket and pickle tray they put out when you are first seated, but be warned, eat too many and you won't have room for the meal!! I really like the sandwiches and soups. I also think the omelettes are very good. The chocolate phosphate can at times be a little low on the chocolate but that's just personal preference. I recommend anyone checks this place out, you won't regret it! (oh, and they have another location in Skokie in the Old Orchard Mall).

    (5)

  • Andy F.

    A little pricey for a diner but great if you want your fix of salty stuff like lox and matzo ball soup. Good kids menu, great deserts. Coffee just ok but service is excellent and there's free parking in the back.

    (4)

  • Amelia S.

    FAB U LOUS! Bomb ass Rueben's (they don't skimp on the cheese), awesome bread basket with fresh bread, and amazing homemade pickles that I could live off of. Their fries aren't bad either. They definitely give you a lot for your money. Portions are gracious... Great hangover food.

    (4)

  • Margaret N.

    Life is uncertain, eat dessert first!! Make sure you get the little box of the butter cookies with the sprinkles to start! Only then should you move on to the fluffy bagel with lox and chive cream cheese. It's a little pricey, but worth it because the bagel sandwiches are huge!

    (4)

  • J. Loren H.

    Ok, FIRST things FIRST... I'm giving it 4 stars and NOT 5 because 90% of their wait staff is either rude, or inattentive, or both. Otherwise, the food is deeeelish. I'm a fat Jew, and I love my lox and bagels. I think it's simply FANTASTIC that they load you up with SO MUCH LOX. It's truly worth every penny. I also think it's cool that they don't charge you for another bagel since you have enough lox for 3 or 4 bagels anyway. My last visit was this past Sunday. I was with my mom. Our server was awesome. Actually, I developed a huge crush on her, hoping that she may find that she likes fat guys. I won't say her name, because I posted some shit on Craigslist in the missed connections...maybe she will see it and holler at me. I'd love to take her on a date. Anyway, The Bagel is one of my family's favorite places to eat, and regardless of how shitty the service is sometimes, the food is always worth it. Plus I like watching the Jewish women prance around there. They're so gaudy. I love it. Happy Chanukah, everyone! Eat at The Bagel! (sip your iced tea slowly, though, because you'll be waiting 38 minutes for a refill...)

    (4)

  • Jim M.

    I have to say that Limo Pat has never steered me wrong so I'm going to have to give this place another try. I mean Limo turned me on to Glenn's Diner year's before anyone with a cable show about secret food spots ever set foot in the place and made it hard to get a table for lunch. The man knows Chicago and knows his food. So next time I will go for breakfast and have the corned beef hash as instructed. But this time I didn't go for breakfast and I didn't follow instructions. My girlfriend and I each had a reuben. Meh. Not that big, not that good and not just dry corned beef... but bland. Shocking, I know. Oh and the fries where those battered on the outside before being fried dealies. Bleh. The pickle plate was fantastic but I would have preferred a better sandwich. I love the vibe and the 50's New York deli interior and the 65 year old waitress who kept forgetting if she mentioned the soup special. But we should have sat at the counter, split the reuben and tried a knish.

    (2)

  • Heather R.

    For weeks, I had heard endless great things about this place only to be so disappointed. I felt it was extremely over priced for the selection, quality, and portions and my waiter was just blah. I had the francheezie and it was good, but not $8/9 good. The latke's were OK, but not anything special. I had tastier ones at the Christkindel Market for way cheaper. In fact, I could've gone to the local Dominick's and made a slew of francheezie's and latkes for cheaper. I don't see what all the fuss is about and don't have much else to say.

    (1)

  • Jul N.

    In my quest to visit all local restaurants in East Lakeview, I stopped at The Bagel for a late weekday lunch. Their tuna salad sandwich on challah (I added cheese) was super satisfying: big, flavorful, and fresh. They serve a massive amount of pickles for both dine-in and carry-out orders. Last time I did carry out and ordered online, we arrived at the restaurant and were told that one item in our order wouldn't be ready until 4 p.m. (it was 3:20 p.m.) Wish this had been indicated when we ordered. I was not a fan of the kugel - too much cinnamon and the fettuccine noodles were clumpy. The dining area is kind of cozy. I'll probably return.

    (4)

  • Molly R.

    This place is so overpriced its not even funny! A bagel sandwich for over $10? and its not like its piled high with fixings. Not special, not good customer service and the place needs a serious update. Agree with other comments. Stay away!!

    (1)

  • Jules L.

    For takeout, it's OK. The sandwich price--$10.95--is reasonable for the size of the sandwich, plus sides of cole slaw, pickle spears and chips. I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised by the amount of meat packed into the sandwich! Unfortunately, the corned beef is disappointingly bland, as are the pickle spears. the cole slaw was good though. I would definitely come back to try some other menu items; maybe it was just a bad day for corned beef.

    (3)

  • Daniel N.

    First let me say that it was this weekend was the first time I've been in the place and have eaten their food. However, I honestly did not get a good vibe from this place and will probably not go back to get a second opinion; there are other bagel/deli places in town and the experience I got did not warrant a second go. First off my girlfriend and I were meeting her sister there and since we didn't show up together, they couldn't seat us because we were an incomplete party. Another couple came in and the same thing happened to them, incomplete party and could not be seated. This really bothers me in many aspects and is only understandable if the restaurant is busy, which at the time was not. We finally get seated and to my surprise there is a lonely man seated at the table next to us and informs the waitress that his wife will be showing up shortly but he already knows what she wants. It could have been his age but why was he seated as an incomplete party and we were not, perhaps we should have just lied but I like being honest (hence the 2 stars). Then the menu was not any different that the average diner except in terms of the prices. Once seated we were given water and coffee for me but the waitress did not come to greet us for about a while, the busser had already refilled our water glasses prior to the waitress getting over. My girlfriend wanted half a grapefruit, which they were out of, and settled for cereal (which was to come with fresh fruit but didn't) and a veggie cream cheese bagel. The veggie cream cheese bagel made no sense because they served her a huge mound of it (seriously enough for 3 bagels) and charged her $2.75 for it. I ordered the lox platter and was given 2 packets of packaged philly cream cheese (which again made absolutely no sense). I was disappointed to hear that of all the bagel choices, whole wheat was not one of them. The salmon was decent and the garlic bagel I got was actually pretty good. My gf's sister orders a bowl of oatmeal which could have fed three. Again, the service was decent (3 coffee refills and I think the bussers became bored because they were refilling after each sip) and the food was ok but nothing nothing special (I was told I'd get pickles and didn't).

    (2)

  • Lawrence Y.

    Stopped by this place for the first time last night. My roommate had been bugging me to go there with him and so we did with another friend. I don't know what it is but it looked as if the restaurant attracted more of an elderly crowd. Anyway. We were seated, given lots of breads and fresh crunchy pickles. I had been craving pastrami sandwiches ever since I moved here (and hadn't found a place in the last year and a half) so I was happy they had it on their menu. The pastrami (on onion bread) was good as well as the fries crispy. Our server was REALLY nice and I believe it was the owner who also checked in with us a couple times. I'll likely come to eat here again or get it to go.

    (4)

  • Emily K.

    So first and foremost, the bagel has delicious bagels!!! The rest of their breakfast is good too...whenever i have out of town visitors i take them there, and they all want to go back. The plate of pickles and bread they give you is amazing and clever... i've never been a girl to turn down a plate of pickles. the price is good. the hot chocolate is DELICIOUS :) i love to just stop in and grab something quickly (a bagel or a dessert...) the only reason i knocked it a star was because sometimes the waiters/waitresses are a little snooty...

    (4)

  • Jon L.

    For a Jewish town, Chicago is pretty thin on places to get a nosh. But changing demographics on West Devon Avenue became Lakeview's gain when The Bagel relocated many years ago to its present location on a heavily trafficked stretch of Broadway. There are no Homaro Cantu-style culinary innovations going on at The Bagel, but patrons will find an exhaustive and serviceable selection of Jewish favorites--from universal classics like matzoh ball soup, chicken livers, corned beef, and pastrami to bubbie and zayde favorites like kishka, kasha varnishkas, and Rumanian skirt steak. Self-hating Jews and goyish folks will find more generally appealing menu items like enormous salads, omelets, and burgers should the more ethnic choices be deemed unpalatable. But The Bagel isn't the sort of place that would sneer at a request for a ham and mayo on white, so if that's your thing, go for it.

    (3)

  • Michelle D.

    Because of how high I hold Yelp reviews, I am absolutely annoyed and offended that this place holds a 4-star status. Absurd! First and foremost, the price isn't right. Over $30 for a couple soups and sandwiches at a deli? Matzo-ball soup should be good here, why isn't it? Corned beef sandwich, another 'safe' option at a place like this, was drier than the west Texas desert. Just thought I should do my part to get this review back down to where it should be.

    (1)

  • Ginny L.

    My favorite thing to get here is the lox bagel... They give you WAY too much salmon cream cheese spread for the bagel, so make use of the challah and other breads they bring to the table at the start of the meal! And any place with an egg cream on the menu is pretty high on my list! Egg creams FTW.

    (4)

  • Rico T.

    The pastrami at this place cannot be improved. The potato pancakes, however, can. Besides the pastrami, the 2nd most memorable part of my visit was the free parking lot for patrons in the middle of Boystown. My overall experience was a positive one. The place was clean & nicely put together. The red vinyl walls reminded me of a wet bar that was in my parents basement circa 1975...which is a cool. The Broadway musical posters were lively, but not my thing. Whatever... I was looking down at my plate the majority of the time anyway. Get the pastrami. You hear me?

    (4)

  • Jesse S.

    I've only had occasion to grab a quick bagel on the way to work, but I have to say that the bagels I have had have been the good old crusty NYC kind and it's a refreshing change from the offerings at other bagel joints. The plain was plain-y, the onion was onion-y, and the everything was, well, you get it. I tried both the plain and the chive cream cheese, and both were magically delicious. (Though, I have to admit that it skeeves me out just a little that they just call it "cheese" sans-modifier.) On top of that, service was with a smile, and for $2.04 for a bagel with spread it seems to be one of the less expensive bagel options around. I was totally surprised that there was actually a full restaurant in back--after walking by this place what must be dozens of times I always thought it was just a counter joint. I've yet to eat in and sample the various other wares, but I am likely to do so soon if the part of my brain that wishes it was Jewish starts flaring up again. Oy vey.

    (4)

  • Shannon B.

    What the hell? I've only been here twice- once in the late morning/early afternoon, and once just now (it's 8:43 PM). I was running over to Intelligentsia to study, and while I LOVE Intelligentsia's coffee, I needed something substantial to eat. Last time I was at The Bagel, my bagel was kind of blah, but I figured it could have been a fluke...I mean, how do you go wrong with a bagel? It was not a fluke, and my customer service experience was worse this time around, despite there being ONE PERSON in front of me in line. She was an older woman, ordering a sandwich that literally took 10 minutes to prepare and be ready for take-out, and wouldn't move out of the way of the register to let me order. Neither the waiter/manager/whatever the hell he was in a suit or the bagel picker-upper (guy with the tongs who didn't touch the register, I have no idea what to call him) acknowledged me or asked the woman to step aside. She, however, eyed me suspiciously the entire time she was there. The hell? Anyway, got my bagel and cream cheese that took all of 45 seconds to prepare. I paid and left. I went to Intelligentsia (where I was actually greeted AND allowed to order, and not stared at by other customers like some bearded, hatted stranger during the Red Scare). My bagel was stale, again. If I wasn't starving and wasn't planning to sit here studying for an extended period of time, I would have thrown it out. I don't get the hype about this place. Maybe I just got unlucky twice, but the store itself has a weirdo vibe, and the bagels (the token items, the NAMESAKE items) are disgusting. I can't speak to any of the other items (though I was looking at the menu and thought I was reading it wrong- why would a PLAIN turkey sandwich be $11???), but if you're called The Bagel, you should probably attempt to make sure your bagels at least pretend to be acceptable. Eww.

    (1)

  • Chelsey L.

    FYI - this review is based solely on breakfast sandwiches. The good -Quick to-go service despite the crowds making their way to the Air and Water Show -Decent NY-style chewy bagels -You get to choose your own cheese for bfast sandwices. My cheddar was nice and sharp. The bad -They messed up my order and forgot the cured meat that I explicitly requested in my "baconeggandcheese" sandwich -Scrambled egg was overly greasy and piled so high the whole sandwich was falling apart (normally I'm a fan of big portions, but when the whole point was bacon AND eggs, I was just disappointed) -No ice coffee so I had to go next door to 711. Next time I'll stick to plain ole cream cheese w/ the bagel.

    (2)

  • Julie B.

    This place is the great jewish deli right out of NYC. Why there aren't more places like this in Chicago amazes me. You are able to pick up bagels on the go or you can sit in the back and enjoy their full menu. They have wonderful matzo ball soup which is perfect during these Chicago winters. I like going here by myself and reading a book. The waiters are incredibly nice and the food tastes like it was made by the jewish mother you never had.

    (4)

  • Aaron B.

    Today I began my quest for the best reuben sandwich in Chicago. First up was The Bagel. The Food: Obviously, I ordered the reuben with a side of fried and a hot chocolate. The food was served with a heaping plate of free bread (various types) and butter. The fries were great if a bit generic; golden-brown, not too salty, and very crispy. I'll give the reuben a 7/10. The corned beef wasn't too dry and there was plenty of it; easily an inch plus at the thickest parts. Unfortunately, it was slightly skimpy (for my tastes) on the kraut and the rye was nearly paper thin. The bill came to $16 and seems a bit steep for the product. The management is the reason this restaurant is only getting three stars. I was dining alone at the counter and could easily hear what was being said behind the counter. The management, or those who I assumed to be the management, were clearly being unnecessarily rude to several of the employees. For example, I overheard one man saying, "Don't touch me. I don't like the help to touch me." I made my visit on New Year's Day and they were extremely busy, and being that I work in food service I understand how hectic things can get. Nonetheless, that's no excuse for treating employees like slaves.

    (3)

  • Lulu J.

    I've passed this place a few times and finally stopped in. I'm so glad I did because now when I pass it I won't wonder if I'm missing anything, because i'm NOT. This place is absolutely a disgrace. First of all the staff is incredibly rude. The old man who works there is anything but friendly. I walked in there today and started ordering and halfway through my order he grunted and said "oh, this guy will take your order instead". Just cut me off right then and there. The other guy was slightly nicer. So now let's talk about the food. I got a bagel and thought it'd be great, hence the name BAGEL in the TITLE OF THE RESTAURANT. It was disgusting. I've had better bagels that came in bulk bags at Publix. I couldn't believe it. At least I only paid 2 bucks for it. Since I was by myself I was going to sit inside and enjoy my food (before I realized it was gross) but the staff was so unfriendly that I wanted to get out of there asap and resorted to sitting on a near by bench instead. Needless to say I'm never ever going there again.

    (1)

  • Jen D.

    Chocolate Overload is great, and their bagel breakfast sandwiches are HUGE!

    (4)

  • Stephen F.

    I came to The Bagel twice in a (moderately successful) effort to introduce a Chinese friend to Jewish food. The upshot is that the Bagel just isn't a great deli, though there is nothing wrong with it. I've also heard raves about the delicious looking pastries, which I've never tried. All in all, I got a pretty good matzo ball and okay blintzes, made hilarious by the attempts of a Chinese speaker to pronounce "blintzes".

    (3)

  • Andrea G.

    I used to love The Bagel and that is why, when feeling under the weather, I returned today for some matzoh ball soup. Sadly, I left there feeling worse than when I entered as the restaurant has gone completely down hill. The service is poor, the tables, silverware and cups are not clean AND there was a black bug in my soup. DE-sgusting!

    (1)

  • Molly S.

    I'm new to the area and on a whim, I stopped into The Bagel on one of my first mornings here. I'm always down for diner food, but this place was not your typical greasy spoon by any means. Walking through the revolving door I was immediately greeted by the kind fella working the deli/bake case and was promptly seated. The menu has a wide variety of dishes, many featuring salami and other items from the in-house deli, but it also has your typical breakfast fare. I ordered the Denver Omelette (ham, tomato, green pepper, and onion) and chose a bagel and hash browns as my sides (although there were other options). When my meal arrived --very quickly and piping hot-- I was totally shocked by the amount of food on the plate. The three egg omelette ran the length of the plate and the order of hash browns was just as big! The bagel was nicely toasted and came with butter on the side, which I loved. I hate when restaurants drown toast in melted butter. My meal was delicious and I took half of it home as there was no flippin' way I could power through that amount of food in one sitting. The omelette was fluffy and sported 1-inch chunks of the tomato and green pepper, deli style ham, and sauteed onions. I loved it! None of those tiny cube ham bits here! The only possible thing I could say against the meal was that the bagel was a bit dense for my taste, but I like fluffy, chewy bagels in general. This observation of course didn't stop me from grabbing a few items from the bake case on the way out. Loved them all. If you're in the area and looking for good food at decent prices, this is the place. I bet it cures your hangover ails although I haven't been here long enough to test the theory. Trust me, I'll be returning to The Bagel and dragging my friends along.

    (4)

  • Erika G.

    This place is just a flat out great purveyor of the Jewish comfort food of my non-Jewish goyish childhood. Salami sandwiches, Borscht, chicken soup, lox, pickles, Reubens, pastrami, yummmmmm, that's eatin'. The waitresses are nice, if prone to asking embarrassing questions, but hey - that's part of the charm.

    (4)

  • Nicolas R.

    I went here after the Chicago Marathon ... a day after ... because I felt like I needed meat in my body. This place was HIGHLY recommended by a co-worker who happens to be Jewish. Does that sound bad? It shouldn't. A older Jewish dude who says that they have the best Matzoh Ball in the city? Why WOULDN'T I try them. So I got a corned beef sandwich. Now, I almost died because it cost so much. It's a sandwich! I think that any sandwich over $10 should be illegal. But anyway.... It was to die for. For real. Perhaps the best corned beef I've ever had. The horseradish was purple. I don't know if that's relevant to the review, but it made me think it was somehow homemade. Because it was purple. It was also VERY tasty. But yeah, the corned beef falls off the bread and melts in the mouth. If you're a wealthy person or someone with disposable income who likes corned beef, then you should try the sandwich here. Fo sho.

    (4)

  • Angela D.

    I am such a hard core bruncher, and this HAS to get added to our rotation :) The lox schmear alone was enough to keep me coming back. EXCELLENT bagels, but cmon with a name like that it had to be! Even got some lox and bagels to go, they have fresh stuff in the case up front to take with you, and the prices were very reasonable. Gotta love that! Got the spinach and mushroom omelette and when I asked if the ingredients were fresh (hey, places use frozen spinach a lot) the waitress looked at me like I had a 2nd head, in a nice way :) I was NOT disappointed and usually that's the dish I rate breakfast places by (for Italian places, it's lasagna BTW that determines a repeat visit). Coffee is #2, and their coffee was not awesome, but it was among the better diner coffees I have had. I also really want toget back there for non-breakfast food. Tried someone's turkey rueben, and I *love* me a good rueben so I was thinking "Really? Turkey??" and yeah wow was it good! A dude at the next table got the kitchen sink soup (or whatever it is called) and people all over apparently come for it and order it in when it's crappy or they don't feel so hot. Apparently it cures all ails, also looks darn delicious, LOL. Be sure to check out the bakery case for sweets too. They have some lovely cookies, challah, caramel chocolate pretzels (I got them, they are so worth $2.50 each), rugelach, and more.

    (5)

  • Kathy K.

    OK bagels. The service was great. I got the Nova Lox platter with a bagel. I didn't like that a place that specializes in bagels gave me a little package of Philadelphia cream cheese to go with my meal. This was a turn off. I know, they don't specialize in cream cheese but it's like going to a gourmet french bakery and getting a baguette and getting a packet of "I can't believe it's not butter" to go along with it. We were seated in the back. The place is a little dark and needs some updating to the decor. I've been to NY delis and they are all kinda like this but at least they have amazing food. I prefer NYC bagel deli on North ave. though they have practically no seating.

    (3)

  • Maria P.

    If you're in the mood for bagels and lox, this is your place. If you're in the mood for anything beyond that including great coffee and delicious other options, head elsewhere!

    (3)

  • Amy N.

    This is an old timey bagel/deli and it looks and feels so. It is dirty and I have a hard time believing that the food is safe to eat. But, I have never gotten sick either... We never choose to go, but when the parents come by they often drag us there.

    (3)

  • Allison M.

    Fantastic diner food and equally fantastic service. Didn't at all anticipate the huge plates of bread and pickles that were brought as soon as I was seated. Lots of options to choose from- great sodas, sandwiches and potato pancakes! Wonderful atmosphere thanks to the oldies music and all of the neighborhood regulars.

    (4)

  • Pamela P.

    Face it -- you're not coming here to get your healthy food fix on. But when you're here, you're stuffing your face with salty, savory goodness. The chicken noodle soup in a humongous bowl is a particular favorite. It has more noodles than probably a pound of pasta but so comforting. The pickles and breads at the table somehow go particularly well with that soup. The various sandwiches like the corned beef are fatty warm goodness. Just don't tell your cardiologist that you ate here because you'd probably get a double dose of your anti-hypertensive meds. The only downside is the price. A bit steep. But on the flipside, there's parking in the busy Boystown/Lakeview hot spot and the people are all really nice and helpful.

    (4)

  • Kelley L.

    Know what I love the most about The Bagel? The plate of pickles you receive when you sit down. And Brenda. Brenda could have come from Central Casting's catalog under Diner Waitress. We love her and always ask for her. The Bagel has an extensive menu and we've yet to order something that didn't leave us stuffed and happy. We've since learned to time our meals at The Bagel before our epic walks along Lake Michigan so that we can walk off a few hundred of the calories we ingest. People watching is always fantastic, whether it's a queen bitching about the club scene the night before, the obligatory post-hookup breakfast or chicks with hats pulled low over bloodshot eyes, looking to recover from too many tequila shots at girls' night out. The sweets available at the deli are also to-die-for, even if you just get one of the giant sugar cookies. We've never been on Saturday when the post-synagogue crowd probably fills the booths, but we've never had to wait for a table.

    (5)

  • Michael S.

    Now that the cold temps have arrived...Wednesday is split pea soup day if you were wondering (and its pretty darn good). Otherwise, the kreplach soup is also a winner in my book. Then, while not in my wheel house, the sweet and sour cabbage gets high marks from those that join in the lunch hour. The Bagel does an excellent ruben (either corned beef or smoked turkey). Service and ownership is excellent, and while I reserve 5 stars for the likes of Manny's, for a neighborhood deli, The Bagel does a fine job.

    (4)

  • Alex G.

    For a Jewish Deli this was disappointing IMO. The food just seemed to be lacking in flavor. The food was basically a C-. The elderly Jewish women that seemed to hang out here were lovely but I wasn't here for that reason, sorry! (Maybe they know something I don't?).

    (3)

  • J R.

    I love this place! This place is not for health freaks, its for people who like family owned neighborhood dinners. The only time I've gone here is for breakfast, the people are awesome and the food is quick and fresh. I love the pickles and bagel chips that are severed while waiting for your food. I do agree if you get food delivered it will come luke warm, they really need to work on that. Keep up the good work! I'm a health freak and still love this place!

    (4)

  • Steve G.

    Love the bagels, not crazy about the prices. I generally only go for bagels because the lunch/dinner menu is really, really overpriced, as other Yelpers have said. I grew up in New York, not far from the city, and this is as close to a really good bagel as I have found so far in Chicago. I go here maybe once a month for a bagel w/ cream cheese.

    (4)

  • Brooke L.

    Love this place! Always get fresh bagels from them and i couldd eat the matzo ball soup everyday!

    (5)

  • Jenny b.

    People LIKE this place? I have only gone to the deli counter, but this place is about as NYC as Planet Hollywood gives an accurate representation of LA. First, there's an EXTREMELY ANNOYING revolving door in the front. This is clearly all for looks as it makes waiting for something from the front in an orderly line a clusterfuck. Second, the bagels are not very good. Even a corner bodega in NYC has a better bagel than here. In fact, even the chain stores do. Third, everyone here is rude. Perhaps they're trying to be "authentic New Yorkers" but I think they are just rude assholes. Fourth, again, maybe everything being ridiculously expensive is "authentic" except I've paid less for bagels at H&H (the NYC standard of bagelry). I'd be happy to pay for a really awesome bagel with great smoked fish but this ain't it. Now I haven't sat down there, so maybe their table service is AMAZING or something, but for a a place called THE BAGEL with NYC paraphernalia all over, I'd expect their bagel to be the star. It is the closest bagelry near my house though so I know I'll end up there anyway, goddamnit.

    (2)

  • Kathryn S.

    Warning: I'm really reviewing the reuben here, not the restaurant as a whole. I love reubens. I seek them out when I am traveling. When I go home, I make a point to go to the local deli just to order one. I have gotten very picky about reubens. The Bagel makes the best reuben in the Midwest and quite possibly in the country. I have to say "possibly" because there are a few possible contenders out East I haven't tried yet. This sandwich is a warm, tasty, meat-filled wonder. Yes, it costs $15. Yes, especially with the pile of fries (one of a number of side options) and pickles, it is easily two meals. $7.50 per meal? Such a deal.

    (5)

  • Amanda G.

    I love the Bagel. I used to live right here and found myself going for brunch or just to get a bagel breakfast sandwich. Its a jewish deli/diner that offers great sandwiches, breakfast options and soup. My favorites here are the bagel sandwiches with egg, cheese and sausage. They are HUGE and delicious! I also am a BIG FAN of the Mish Mash soup. The portion is HUGE and can last at least for two days if you are one person. Its convienent to eat it there or to go they put the matzo ball, kreplach in separate container of the broth so it doesn't get soggy, They will also give you free challa if you ask for it! Its just as great in the restaurant as it arrives in a big bowl with a ladel. I just had it a couple weeks ago on cold, wet sloppy day and it was the best. thing. ever. Also, another plus is every table gets kosher dill pickles and bagel chips and bread right when you sit down. Hooray for The Bagel!

    (5)

  • Dan A.

    After a few visits, I definitely love it. Free (good) bread and fresh pickles right off the bat. Plates are in large (but not unreasonable) portions. Good price, great quality food. I admit, the "look, we're a New York deli" can be a little over-stated, but not enough to take away from the food. I enjoy the details: Cool bathrooms; FOUR different eating untensils (a personal pet peev when you only get 2); quick service; a variety of spreads (jam, butter, cream cheese, etc.).

    (5)

  • Heather N.

    I am obsessed with the turkey burger here. It is a Jewish deli, but you do not have to be Jewish to eat here. They served pickles and bagel chips once you sit down. I love that! Everybody I have taken there loves it. The decor is broadway themed. The only thing they could do better, is clean the bathroom more. Definitely try it!

    (4)

  • Tina B.

    Probably the best veggie cream cheese I've ever had - they give you mounds of it and it has lots of fresh, still crunchy vegetables in it. The bagels are a great mix of soft and chewy - nice. The restaurant itself has a very old fashioned dinner feel and the counter in the front has lots of great looking goodies like smiley face cookies. I've usually been there very early in the morning and there have been some supply and service issues - like I got a kishke that was supposed to come with gravy, but they were out of gravy that day, but didn't say anything until it got to the table, that kind of thing. Other than the cream cheese and bagels, the rest of the food has been just okay. But at a place called The Bagel, that should be really good and it is - sometimes I drive across town in the morning to get one.

    (3)

  • Jason L.

    From the outside it looks like a little pastry shop. But you go in and are surprised at out how big it is. The Bagel is the most awesome Jewish diner in town. Their matzoh ball soup is great and I don't know what kreplach is but they have it. The other soups are really tasty too and they have a huge menu. And parking! Yes there are a lot of senior citizens here too. But guess how they got to such a ripe old age? Kosher, baby!! Kosher!

    (5)

  • james j.

    I couldn't even eat here b/c what i saw while waiting to put in a to go order almost made me vomit in my mouth. The girl working there is on the phone, eating and putting together orders...... disgusting, i walked out.

    (1)

  • Corinne W.

    Go for lunch and they give you pickles as soon as you sit down. Maybe that isn't enough for some people, but I flipping loved it! And that alone is enough for 5 stars! Food was great, service was really good as well though

    (5)

  • Liz M.

    Mish-Mash soup is the largest form of Jewish penicillin known to man! Let me explain...Mish-Mash soup is served in a bowl, the size of the family-size, salad bowl, and it contains a gigantic Matzo Ball, Egg Noodles, Kreplach (Jewish meat ravioli) Rice, Kasha (buckwheat) and Chicken Broth all in one bowl! It will cure anything!! I love the Bagel, I've been coming here for years, since they were located on Devon Ave. It's a Jewish Deli/Coffee Shop/Restaurant. (There is another one in the Old Orchard Mall in Skokie) This location is very deceiving from the outside, it looks tiny but in reality, it's very long once you go inside. Their complimentary Kosher pickles and Challe Bead...the best!! Eating here brings back a lot of memories from my childhood, eating at my Grandma Bessie's house. Gefilte Fish, Chopped Liver, Potato Pancakes, Fried Matzos, Brisket, Corned Beef, Whitefish, Noodle Kugel, Beet Borscht, Eggs & fried Salami, etc. Yuuuuuummmm. The hubby loves the Romanian Skirt Steak. Oh my, my mouth is watering just thinking about it! I haven't been here recently but "Joey" was one of THE best servers ever! I hope he still works there, well, come to think of it...I hope he won the lottery and is on some tropical island drinking cocktails from pineapples or coconuts. P.S. My father went to High School with the owner, I love when he comes by and sits with us, and I hear the stories of the Jewish "greasers" in the 50's and how wild my father once was! Tee-hee.

    (5)

  • Jessica C.

    The truth is, there just aren't a lot of Jewish Deli's here in Chicago. The only two that I can think of that are actually in the Chicago city limits are The Bagel and Manny's. I'm sure there are more, but most likely not worth mentioning. I can't tell you how many New York transplants I have had this conversation with. Not wanting to schlepp down south for Manny's or head up north to the burbs, The Bagel is my deli of choice. Their corned beef sandwhich is pretty solid, their pickles are new and their matzoh balls are fluffy all the way through...no sinkers here. Thier mish mash soup has it all: kreplach, noodles, matzoh balls, rice and love. They have a to-go deli up at the front with challahs, a few sweets, some lunch meats (mmmmm...soft kosher salami), and the regular picknick salads (egg salad, tuna salad, etc.). They also have the fishy Jew stuff that usually is an aquired taste like gafilta fish, pickled herring and smoked sable. I am obsessed with smoked sable. The staff at the Bagel are regular and do a great job. I get a "family feel" from them and it reminds me of Sunday morning brunch with the family when I was growing up. They have a convenient parking lot around the side and there usually is no wait. Their portions are huge and the food does not dissapoint. The Bagel truly is a comfortable little deli in a great location with authentic jewish food served with a smile.

    (4)

  • Ellie F.

    Pros: the bread basket with bagel chips! Cons: my omelet This is the first omelet I ever met that I didn't enjoy. I couldn't figure out if it was missing salt, or what was going on...but I didn't finish it or take it home. It wasn't so awful that I won't give the place another try, and the bread basket was full of delicious fixins. A solid 'OK.'

    (3)

  • Patrick G.

    I've eaten here several times and always leaving feeling the same: meh. I had my staple, the bleu cheese burger, and it was okay. The fries were good, though. A nice perk here is what you get before you order food. They bring out a tray of pickles and basket of bagel chips and challah bread. There are better options in the neighborhood.

    (3)

  • Brook G.

    Yea, no thank you. I made the mistake of going here twice, once for breakfast and once for dinner. Both times were not great. Their french toast is nothing to rave about. I could have made that at home, except less greasy. And I don't even know where to start on the Mish-Mash soup. What the hell?? A giant mixing bowl (yes, I think it was an actual mixing bowl) of watered down chicken broth, some other...stuff, a few noodles here and there, and a matzo ball. Basically, just dump several can of Campbell's chicken soup together, throw in a matzo ball, and pay $9.00 and you have the same thing. Plus I think the bread they have out on the table is recycled. It wasn't in the best shape. Never again.

    (2)

  • Sarah B.

    My brothers went to school on Long Island and while visiting we always went to this breakfast joint in Great Neck. A true Jewish deli where a waitress you wish was your grandma brings out a basket of the most delicious bread you have ever eaten and you are stuffed before you even order. The Bagel reminded me of this place. Places like this are hard to find outside of New York. I wandered in after a long walk around the city this morning and was looking forward to lounging a bit. However, the service was so speedy that I was in and out in about half an hour! :( I could have stayed..they were not rushing me but damn, they were fast. I had the thick cut challah french toast. Damn it, this is the way french toast should be made..puts the toast I recently had at Arnold's to shame. Just the right amount of egg, nice and fluffy, warm and melty. Yum.. and so big that two could eat it. I wish I had a chance to look over the rest of the menu but my server was so quick to take my order once I sat down that I really didnt get a chance. Next time I wont let myself be so rushed. :)

    (4)

  • Peter G.

    Pickle refills. Huge portions of whitefish salad, sable, lox. Coleslaw. Matzoh balls. All the staples - it's perfect. The bagels are good enough. service is friendly, can't leave feeling bad.

    (5)

  • Sadie S.

    BAD BAGEL! Hard as a rock and the employees were very rude. Other than one cute, young guy. They also use styrofoam coffee cups to go... get with the times. Skip this place.

    (1)

  • Emily F.

    I am so stinking full of salami & eggs I don't even know how I'm going to deal with Super Bowl madness. What a dilemma! My SO ate a bowl of the matzoh ball soup & the Lawrence & Kedzie. He walked out in pain. A good pain. I came home armed with a giant bag of bagel chips and 6 huge pieces of mandel bread. We're set for the week. Ok, maybe just until Tuesday.

    (4)

  • Frances C.

    When I was sitting in The Bagel last Thursday waiting for my hot dog to arrive, I had a total deja vu of the last time I had eaten there a year prior where I vowed never to eat there again. As I bit into the hot dog and felt my teeth rip through the dog skin as a little bitta juice squirted in various directions, I couldn't wait for the experience to be over. This place is the epitome of a dump. There's a guy that sits in there with a catfood container and just fills it up with soup. It's borderline putrid and most certainly disgusting. The only reason The Bagel is even an option is because it's mere steps from Annie's apartment. And since Annie won't go to anyone else's neighborhood, there's a one in five chance you'll end up there. The other four choices being Chipotle, Wilde, Renaldi's and Chili Mac's. We took Rox with us last week and I"m pretty sure she got mad at her $13 sloppy Reuben. My hotdog bun was stale too. Then, we waited 10 minutes for the waitress to collect our bill. I hate that place.

    (1)

  • Cheryl S.

    Matzo ball soup! Challah bread!! Huge menu! I'll be back for more!! The owner is super friendly, too!

    (4)

  • Amy J.

    So, I've only had breakfast here, and I'll admit that the lunch menu and bakery look promising.... but breakfast, eh. First, our waitress was a total spaz. She was all over the place, hyper, and stressful. When we got our meals wrapped at the end, she first brought us to go trays and we started to wrap them ourselves, when she intervened quickly, "I CAN DO THAT FOR YOU" and snatched them out of our hands. It was just a little much :) Anyway, the food was just ok. I had silver dollar pancakes, coffee, and hashbrowns. THe hashbrowns, underdone. Silver dollar pancakes, just okay, and the coffee to me was watery... Though I will say, they were quick with the refills. My boyfriend had the corned beef omelet, and hashbrowns. He agreed about the potatoes being underdone, but enjoyed his omelette. Anyway, all in all, just an Okay experience.

    (3)

  • Dani P.

    I absolutely love the challah french toast and order it almost every time I go to the Bagel. Although I'm more of a pancake fan, their pancakes aren't as great. Recently I tried their fries for the first time and they were amazing! The best in the city so far! Their mazto ball soup is also delicious. Their take-out menu says they deliver, but I believe they only do after 4 pm.

    (4)

  • Jean C.

    Oh The Bagel. I love that you serve an awesome lox and bagel platter. I love coming here but hate the parking situation. I also love the pickles that are served right along with a variety of bread. My husband likes this place and normally gets sandwiches but the only reason we come is because I want to eat here. I love the old movie posters they have lined up on the walls as well. It's definitely got a diner feel to it. The lox and bagel platter. Scrumptious. I pick my bagel, I get my cream cheese and spread that bad boy on there. Next comes onion, tomato, cucumber, green pepper and lastly, the heavenly lox. I take my first bite and my second, third, fourth, etc. I stop talking because my parents taught me that it was rude to talk with your mouth full. The prices are very reasonable for the amount of food you get. Oh, and get the matzo ball soup. Biggest ball of matzo ever.

    (4)

  • Jon E.

    Try as I might, I could not come up with those extra 2 stars for The Bagel. I really really want to, having been raised Jewish and educated on the delicate balance of the perfect Lox bagel. Alas, while the menu is spot on, the OJ fresh squeezed, and the lox plentiful.. the bagels are weak! I'm not sure why either. Wegmans, a well loved grocery store chain in the east (and once the best place to work in America, before Google took that spot) makes amazing bagels, and the city of NY has great bagels literally on random street corners. So you'd think a place whose name is the most important thing on the menu would at least have killer rings of dough. On the flipside theres a ton of things to eat, and at pretty good quality. Plus theres rarely a wait. Nevertheless, I can't give high marks to a deli with small, dry Lenders-style bagels. I'll still go, all the same.

    (3)

  • Linds R.

    Sooooo...my fiance told me recently that BLTs are old man food. Because - I quote - "old men eat a lot of BLTs". Thats what I ordered last time I was here. There were not many old men, and none of them were eating BLTs. The sandwich was "a-ok", the pickle was better.

    (3)

  • Hilary J.

    Love, love, LOVE this place. The Bagel is like a mullet: business in the front, party in the back. Up front, they have a super-fast deli counter where you can pick up fantastic bagels, slices of their magical cheesecake and sandwiches. In the back, they have their restaurant. If you like basic diner fare (and are sick of the pretentious brunch places that seem to be popping up on every corner in Lakeview), this is the place for you. Many a hangover have been nursed here. And for our Jewish friends, this place is kick-ass during Passover. They have plenty of Passover options and never look at your funny when you *double check that the macaroons are kosher for Passover.*

    (4)

  • Alicia F.

    Whenever I feel a cold coming on, I head to the Bagel for a giant bowl of the Mish Mash soup. WHen I say giant, I mean it lasts me a good 3 meals. Delicious! LOVE that they bring the awesome bread basket with the bagel chips, and the bakery counter is filled with fun chocolate dipped marshmallows and all sorts of cookies, etc. Bonus- free parking lot behind the building!!!

    (5)

  • Julie K.

    I picked up pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, toast, and hash browns last weekend. The food was pretty good. The bacon was nice and crispy, the eggs were a good consistency, the hash browns were cooked well but had no seasoning, which I guess is typical. The pancakes were nice, as was the toast. There was a good to-go package of butter and various jams, but no syrup for the pancakes. I'm not sure if this was a mistake or standard practice, but I'll make sure to ask for it next time. They had my order ready to go on time and were very pleasant and polite when I picked it up.

    (3)

  • Brian Y.

    All I can say about the bagels at a place called The Bagel is meh. I moved to Chicago 6 months ago from NY and have had a hard time finding good bagel joints around town. I gave this place a shot this past Sunday for an early afternoon snack. The bagel itself (poppy seed - didn't have everything in stock) wasn't all that bad. What sucked is that I had only two choices of cream cheese - pain or chive. Womp womp...Could have picked that up at CVS next door. I was hoping for some specialty cream cheeses from at a place called, again, The Bagel. At least give me some strawberry. I asked for jalapeno, my old standard, and you would have thought I ordered in Klingon by the blank stare I got in return, haha. Overall, I enjoyed my bagel, but I definitely expected a little more focus on, you know, the bagels.

    (2)

  • Mara A.

    Oh what a Jew! I remember this place being so much better as a kid. Now, it just seems to be just another deli. The service is quick as well as the food. My grandma (being the hardcore Jew that she is) knows every single person who works there, even most of the people that eat there, so our service is pretty good. The Bagel has turned into a kid zone it seems lately. Last time I was there, there was a b-day party full of...oh...twenty 6 year olds running around. Took away from the traditional aspect of it all. Overall, the food is good, plain but good. Its your old neighborhood Jewish deli.

    (3)

  • min. r.

    Dear The Bagel, Your sandwiches are large, of good quality and exactly what was needed on certain occasions. Your matzoh ball soup is the perfect sick food and I adore it. But you were expensive when said sandwiches were $10 and the soup was $5. Now that you've raised the prices to $14 & $7 respectively, you're now being ridiculous. Since I've discovered Romanian Kosher Sausage Co. (with better corned beef) and Tank Noodle (chicken pho is just as good as matzoh ball soup for a sick girl) I can't say I'll ever be going back to you. Unless I've got a mean hankering for matzoh ball soup, as yours is the best in the city. I'll miss you The Bagel, sad to be leaving you, but no corned beef sandwich is worth fourteen friggin' dollars. Signed, Not rich enough for you.

    (3)

  • Julia R.

    smokehouse club. deeeeeeeelish. maybe my favorite classic sandwich ever. the thick sliced cheddar makes all the difference! carmel apple pie - also amazing. - a must try. of course, their bagels are good, and i like that with lunch/dinner they give you a basket of bagel chips and pickles. i've tried other food here too, never had anything bad, and the food/service is extremly fast!

    (4)

  • Robin R.

    I went to the Bagel with my dad as he wanted to go to a deli. He had a corned beef sandwhich and fries and I had vegetarian chilli and a salad. The food was very tasty and the portions were HUGE. Seriously, we could have shared a meal and left there very full. We both took home "doggie bags". We used to go to a Bagel restaurant further north and west many years ago. That Bagel relocated to this location. It looks a lot different now, but we enjoyed this spot and would go back there again.

    (4)

  • Chaviva G.

    Oh. My. Mother. Loving. BAGEL!!! Really I should say challah, since I didn't do so much with the bagel as I did with the challah. But that's neither here nor there. What I will say is that I waited many months before actually set foot in here, though I'm not sure why. But today, after a roadtrip and some schlepping around town, Ryan S. and I hit up The Bagel for a feast-like nosh. A man who I can only assume was the manager seated us (near the back) and gave this gigantic spiel about the most delicious of all meals -- the chicken fried something or other and how people come from far and wide for it so we should definitely order it. But instead, the pickles and bread came (yes, they're complimentary and a 100 percent delicious), and we ordered our respective meals. I won't ruin Ryan S.'s review, so here's it's just me. I ordered the Turkey Pastrami on Challah with a side of fries and an iced tea. In a mere, well, couple of minutes our food came out piping hot and fresh. First, I went straight for the cole slaw since it's my gauge. And my verdict? It's the best, period, I've had in the city. Yes, it was the perfect balance of the sweet and tangy, the consistency absolutely spot on. I then went for the french fries, which, I can't explain. They were amazing. We're talking eat a handful at a time amazing. It's something about the batter, but man alive. And the fact that they came out so quick and were so perfectly piping hot? Bravo, Bagel! Then came the sandwich. A huge stack of Turkey Pastrami on a fresh challah roll, and it was perfect. I threw on some brown, spicy mustard and it made for a great eat. I couldn't even eat the whole thing. I had to quit, yes. I had to stack napkins on the plate to quit eating it. And to top it all off, after this absolutely amazing meal, I ordered some kugel to go. I tried it out when I got home and it was, well, it wasn't *that* great. In reality, I'd give The Bagel 4.5 stars if it came down to it, but I'd prefer to round up than round down. I'm really regretting not hitting this place up sooner. I only have a few months left in Chicago, and you can bet I'll be enjoying the Bagel with some frequency -- I want to give everything a go, from the matzo balls to the tzimmes!

    (5)

  • scott s.

    I am a Jew Enough Said

    (5)

  • Jennifer K.

    This place is awesome! Every thing that I've had here has been second to none! The waitstaff is quick and efficient, and my cup of coffee or glass of water is always full! Plus, each table gets a basket of great bread and a platter of pickles -ugh. So good. The other night I had their challah french toast. Great googly-moogly, was that ever good! I've had their pastrami sandwich a couple of times also, and those are terrific too. Once, I had this thing called a "Francheezie" - this is ridiculous. A hot dog stuffed with cheese, wrapped in bacon, and then deep fried. So bad, yet...so good. And I had noodle pudding the other night for the first time - how have I never had this before? Layer upon layer of delicious, carb filled egg noodles, with tons of cinnamon, sugar, and butter in each lovely bite...sigh... I definitely recommend The Bagel to anyone - definitely worth traveling to the 'hood for!

    (5)

  • amanda i.

    I live across the street from this place and I'm always torn between The Bagel and Stella's. I usually go with Stella's just because I know the owners and it's a tad cheaper, but here are the reasons I have love for The Bagel... 1) Ordering the bagel and lox to-go is a great deal. A huge meal for about 8 bucks after tax is a-ok with me. 2) When I'm sick the Mish-Mash soup hits the spot and can feed me for about 2 days.. the portion is just insanely huge. 3) The pickles. Oh, the pickles. 4) Top notch french fries I really like the old school feel of this place. However, the service always seems a bit impersonal to me. Also, the last time I went there my friend and I ended up cutting our meal short because of the insanely bad breath coming from the octogenarian seated behind us... just sayin'.

    (4)

  • ChicagoFoodie S.

    What an Awesome Place! Why haven't I come sooner!!! I live right down the street from this place. A true hidden treasure. They have this awesome Motzo Ball Soup that is HUGE! Feed a Family of Four or more. The Bread is good, plenty of pickeles and the Meat Blintzes were good too! I am going to return!

    (4)

  • Rachel W.

    It has been pointed out to me that, in many ways, I'm akin to an 80 year old man in my temperament, daily routine, wardrobe and yes, even my bedtime. My trips to the bagel don't help this situation. The bagel is an old school diner. The crowd is old. The menu is old. Hell, even the servers are old here, and with staples like grilled cheese and matzo soup, well, it's not exactly an adventure in molecular gastronomy. That said, they've perfected what they do- and it's done right. On weekend mornings, I'll get up early, put my best old man baseball cap on, pick up a newspaper, and duck into the pick-up counter, in line with at least 5 folks armed with AARP cards. I'll order two cinnamon raisin bagels, two salt bagels (for he who is still sleeping), and a small coffee with two sugars and a creme. Then, I walk back home, toast my amazing bagel ("A real bagel, dammit"), butter it, and sit and read the paper while enjoying my life of quiet, old person solitude. All I need to complete the picture is a napkin tied around my neck and those straps to hold my reading glasses up.

    (4)

  • Kevin S.

    $12.95 for a pastrami sandwich? You've GOT to be kidding me. A friend of mine survives on this place. He orders the Mish Mash soup and brings half of it home, which is a pretty good deal, but the sandwiches are a complete ripoff. The matzo ball soup was OK, but not spectacular. Our waitress was in a bad mood, and the decor is atrocious. Maybe I just don't get it. Soup, sandwich and a beverage will set you back about $20. Cut the prices in half and you have a decent deli. The best thing about this place is the plentiful free parking behind the building.

    (2)

  • Heid S.

    Don't go to this place. There are other places in Chicago that specialize in insulting you as you eat, and they're actually funny. This place was traumatizing. The service was horrible, and the food is not worth the price. I was personally insulted by the owner of this restaurant, and at this point I wouldn't go back to this place if I was offered free food from this place for the rest of the year. That's just how bad my experience was. This is my story, and it will explain why I won't go back: Before I'd walked into The Bagel, I'd already been having a pretty bad day. It was rainy, which is a mood dampener, and my hard drive had crashed. So, when I decided to get out I thought that I'd go to a restaurant that a friend recommended to me. We walked in, and he was the first to order since he had been to the place before. I needed to take my time, as I am a vegetarian, and I had also noticed that a few of the items on the menu weren't cheap. My friend got the Matza Ball Soup as an appetizer, and I still hadn't decided on anything. Because they serve the "complimentary bread" when you're given an appetizer, they basically gave us both a SINGLE bowl of bread. And that's what caused the trouble. The owner, who evidently thought that I wasn't going to order anything, became a complete and total creep. He cut down the waiter who served us the bread because I hadn't ordered anything, and then he made a snipe at me: "The holiday season is over," he said. "And we don't need to feed anyone who just comes off the streets." Yeah, because bread is really the most expensive thing in the world. Fucking seriously. And after that point I didn't WANT to order anything - I hadn't even been in the place for five minutes. I was also pissed off by this because I work with homeless advocacy organizations, and I do help people who have fallen on hard times. It's not an easy thing to deal with the homeless, and you run into a lot of horrible situations. It is a soul-crushing experience, but it is extremely rewarding for me because I help people, and it helps me the little things that I have. So in addition to shitting all over the atmosphere of camaraderie that was there in being with my friend, I was insulted on a personal level. And I can't look at the dining experience in an objective way because of that. Of course, the owner isn't telepathic and he wouldn't have known that I do that sort of volunteer work, or that I have homeless friends - he just looks down on people who are less fortunate and he equates that to "cheap customers" or people who he thinks won't order anything. To quote J.K. Rowling, "The measure of a man can often be determined by how he treats his inferiors." I think that applies to establishments as well: you can tell how good a place is by how they treat customers who have a budget. The cashier and the servers were also very rude, and I guess that's the result of the atmosphere that's generated by the management. I'm sorry, but I have this funny quirk where I just don't like being insulted when I'm paying someone for some sort of civic service. I don't know if the "trickle down" theory works in economics, but I sure know that attitude trickles down in business. It's no wonder why the morale of this place sucks.

    (1)

  • Nicolas H.

    Years later and this is still the best deli in Chicago. The corned beef was still tender and lean and the challah was soft and sweet. Obviously the free pickles rock and the matzo ball soup hasn't lost any of its flavor...

    (5)

  • Jessy Z.

    This is THE place. Seriously. Born and raised in NYC on matzoh ball soup, knish, kasha varnishkas... you name it. I recently moved to Chicago and was SO excited that The Bagel was close by but also apprehensive because, really, how good - better yet, how AUTHENTIC - could this place be? (Let me just tell you that I love being surprised!) The matzoh ball soup is to die for, as I am sure other reviews have said (haven't read them yet). You can order the soup with noodles, with the works, with a matzoh ball... I like mine with noodles AND a matzoh ball. That's a filling meal right there. They do their soups kettle style and you can tell. They also have excellent corned beef sandwiches, and their kasha is pretty good too but a bit sweeter than I am used to, personally. The service is great and very speedy. If you are hungry that's another reason to go for the soup. Since it's kettle-style it's served within a few minutes, piping hot. Once you are seated, bread, toasted bagel crisps, and pickles are brought over immediately. Our drinks never go below the halfway mark. This is a huuuuge pet peeve of mine when I dine out. When I'm thirsty, I'm thirsty. But the service here is spot on. Coffee is always hot and your mug is always fresh. Oh and they also serve Dr. Browns sodas which is a real treat and something that shows how truly authentic this place is. Desserts look amazing there too but I have yet to have any room left to try one. I have also heard that the fried chicken dinner is top rate but I haven't ventured as far. Will update this after my next visit in which I am determined to try something new (except the matzoh ball, always have to have the matzoh ball soup!) If you love kosher-style food I highly recommend this place. Inexpensive, big portions, speedy service, friendly atmosphere - what more is there to want?

    (5)

  • Dean K.

    I stopped in the other day just to take the edge off my hunger and got a toasted bagel with cream cheese. Great, dense, flavorful everything bagel and killer cream cheese. Unlike most places, there were hunks of salmon in there - it wasn't just blended in and over-salted. Now, I pretty much want to try everything in there. Next time, stuffed cabbage. Einstein's has seen the last of me. I'd rather support a local business over a chain anyways.

    (5)

  • Timothy W.

    I think maybe I should have asked more questions but somehow I got swindled into taking my sandwich to go, when I really wanted to eat there... I have never been here before and I did not care much for the cashier, he was not helpful to my quest of getting an authentic Jewish sandwich. I did enjoy my corned beef sandwich (huge serving), it came with a bag of potato chips and 2 pickle spears for about $12. I probably won't come back, but the food was good though.

    (2)

  • Marcello G.

    This place is chronic. Easily my favorite Jewish Deli restaurant in Chi-town. This place won my heart in two seconds upon learning that they give you an endless supply of pickles to the table. How awesome is that!? I came here with 4 friends of mine and we dined on almost everything they had to offer, Lox, Matzo Ball soup, Turkey Bacon Clubs, French Dip, and Latkes. They were all amazing. Plus they give you Challah bread to munch on while you're waiting for your amazing food. I'm upset I didn't eat here sooner, I'm really upset with the fact that I've been in this city for 6 months and not having once come here. The Bagel, I will be back.

    (4)

  • Val B.

    I've been coming here for so many years now and the service is consistently good, regardless of how crazy crowded it might get. I'm a Jewish girl and I need my Jewish food fix from time to time, and the Bagel gets the job done. Their specials are always out of this world. I recently had the red salmon special which was done perfectly and presented very well. Other favs are the lox & bagel platter (they give you a TON of lox with it), the corned beef, chopped liver, cabbage soup, and matzo ball soup. Yeah, the prices are a tad high, but it's Lakeview and I doubt the price hikes are keeping many of the regulars away. Large free parking lot in the back. Doesn't get better than that!

    (4)

  • Jeremy P.

    The Bagel's food (what I've tried) is great. There's something almost magical about the freakin' pickles...and the potato pancakes are to die for! The decor is really fun, as well--a great diner feel to it. The prices seem a bit high, and that (along with so-so service) is why I've knocked a couple stars off this review. Don't get me wrong, I'll definitely go back--there wasn't anything horrible about the restaurant that would deter me from another visit. But I can't say I was blown away, either.

    (3)

  • Katelyn C.

    This place seemed over-priced at first, but once the food hit the table I saw exactly how much you get! The bread you get on the table is very fresh and my friend loved that you also get a plate of pickles. Me, I am not so fond of pickles, so I stuck to the bread and butter. I ordered the Cesar salad, which is a vinaigrette instead of a cream base. The croutons were great and the whole salad was yummy! I still had half of it left to take home! My friend got the Ruben with turkey and bacon. It was also quite yummy! The fries were great! I was too full for dessert, but maybe next time! I will only go here when I am very hungry next time so I can finish my whole meal! The place seems small from the outside, but there is a huge back half. The service was good and the whole staff was friendly. I would definitely go back!

    (4)

  • Mat M.

    The Bagle is a good neighborhood joint. It's a good weeknight dinner spot with your friends after a long day at the office. I much prefer their dinner to their brunch because the brunch portions are just hugemongous. The service though I find to be hit and miss...I had a good experience this past week...but in the past have had a high maintenace guy wait on my table who had a lot of attitude. The people that seat you at the front are pleasant and courteous though.

    (3)

  • Scott N.

    One of my favorite places of all time. They also make the best chicken fingers you've ever tasted FYI. My only gripe is the price but where else can you get corn beef that good. The staff is friendly and they recognize you the 2nd time you show up. Great spot for breakfast!

    (4)

  • Mike P.

    Convenient parking lot lets a former East Lakeviewer drive down from Uptown when the weather is too crappy for CTA

    (5)

  • Amber C.

    GREAT OMELETS! The best I've ever had actually!! I'm lucky enough to live right down the street from this place and go quite often. It's usually pretty crowded on the weekends, but you are usually seated rather quickly. The service can be a little slow at times (the servers seem to know all their tables and get caught in conversations with everyone!), but the quality of their food definitely outweighs any service issues. The servers are always nice and are able to offer recommendations if needed. There's a carryout in the front of the restaurant where you can order bagels, sweets, and sandwiches. If you haven't already tried this place you are missing out.

    (5)

  • RJ H.

    First, I have to confess my nostalgic and infinite love for this place. It really is quite pathetic. I almost refused to move out of my cramped apartment in Lakeview because of the all-too tempting convenience of my proximity to The Bagel. What I wouldn't do right now for a toasted salt bagel with lox cream cheese and fresh-squeezed orange juice... Mmmm... Seriously, I don't know what it is about The Bagel, but they have the best fresh-squeeze o.j. in the city (except when the oranges are bitterly out of season). There's really nothing complex to say about this place. Think Jew, think deli: friendly people who want to get you down, get you fed, and get you home. The customer demographic is hysterically gay, hysterically Jewish, and sometimes both -- thus, why all the interior walls are decorated with nothing but Broadway poster-bills. Like any bustling deli, it is not without flaws. Sometimes the wait, either for dine-in or carry-out, is a little obnoxious, especially on weekends -- but of course no where on Broadway is quick and easy Friday through Sunday. I used to frequent here at least two to three times a week, sometimes more, and often got the impression that the hard-working attendants at the front counter had no idea who I was, despite my overtly-friendly disposition with them time in and time out. This was only an occasional annoyance... Though I most often ordered out, dining in has its own benefits, because of their heaping plate of complimentary dill pickles and bagel chips. I've sampled a great many of their lunchtime and breakfast selections, and can conclude that, of the two, lunch is easily the better option in terms of quality, quantity, and price. Their coleslaw is yummy. I can see why some people think it's overpriced, but nearly everything in this neighborhood is, and you can easily skimp by keeping your order short: For me, most of the time it was a simple o.j. and single bagel, accompanied by a small, dark coffee from Intelligentsia, just next door -- truly a match made in Hangover Heaven. A coveted and all-too rare free parking lot is available for customers in the back. Go here.

    (5)

  • emily c.

    awesome: matzo ball soup, endless pickles, free carby goods, super generous portions, great service meh: slightly overpriced considering it's basically a giant deli... but the food is delicious. bad: nothing. just try it.

    (4)

  • Mary Lee G.

    Things I hate: A group of 7 adults who seem to have nothing better to talk about or do than to look at the one baby who is with them (much like the people we were seated next to today). Things I love: When that same group seemingly stashes the baby underneath the table and ignores it once their food arrives. These people have their priorities in order! And with good reason, because the food at The Bagel is baby-ignoring good. When you first arrive you get an awesome bread basket, with challah and bagel chips, and a big plate of pickles. I could make a meal out of this alone. My friend Annie got the corned beef sandwich and a big bowl of kreplach soup and I had a scramble with lox and onions that came with hashbrowns and a bagel. I may be a blonde, Catholic, Italian/Irish girl from Naperville but I know my Jewish food and everything was delicious! On previous visits I have had matzoh ball soup, a francheezie (the most delicious/disgusting food ever), blintzes, and several great desserts. I recommend everything and I'm very anxious to go back soon because I always see 4 or 5 things I want to order next time.

    (4)

  • dan s.

    HEY JEW GUYS! (read in the voice of Sloth from Goonies) You can get a pretty good plate of lox here and the corned beef/pastrami is good to go. Being that the city has a dearth of good jewish deli's, this place is a gem. And there's free parking in back!

    (5)

  • Mark S.

    The Bagel on Broadway is just a great place. The food is always excellent. The staff never rushes you. The price is a bit high - but the portions are more than the average person "should" have which then justifies the price. Not to mention the pickles and carbs (bread, bagel chips, crackers, etc.) that come overflowing to the table. If you want a consistent standby place that's not just another burger joint, the Bagel is your place.

    (3)

  • Natalie V.

    I'm not crazy about deli food, but I love this place! The pickles and potato pancakes alone are worth 5 stars. That's pretty much all I eat when I show up here. That and the challah.

    (3)

  • Jennifer S.

    great menu great atmosphere. my new fav diner!!!!

    (4)

  • Kristi W.

    I love it here. I was moved to rent my current apartment to be close. Having said that, the reason no 5 stars...the bagels aren't so good..don't get em. But everything else is satisfying and delish. The omlettes or challah french toast for breakfast are hard to beat. I love lunch because you get the basket of breads and pickles....I love good pickles and these are fantastically puckerable. Everything I've had is good Writing about this makes me want a pastrami on rye....

    (4)

  • Paul H.

    Part of me feels bad for always ordering something with bacon at a Jewish deli - but a larger part of me has an affinity for BLTs and Turkey Clubs. The sandwiches here are great - piled high with good quality toppings. And more importantly, the fries are so good. SO GOOD. And that is a mark of a really good casual and cheap restaurant - good fries. The matzoh ball soup and egg bread is also tremendous. I always order it - or I go home feeling guilty about not ordering it. I think that has something to do with my grandmother always making me eat soup. More than that, the service is quick and friendly. So, even when there's a line, you'll get seating and served pretty quickly. I'm not impressed with their bakery case - so I always skip it. I don't think that I'm missing anything.

    (4)

  • Angela E.

    Poorest Service in the city of Chicago. Their manager, RIck, treats their customers like a piece of dirt - true story. He even hung up the phone on my twice when I asked for his name and/or the owners of the business. I would never recommend this restaurant to anyone - not only because their food is so-so but because of the lack of respect to the customer. When I voiced an "suggestion" to the restaurant, I was greeted with hostility and a extremely defensive manager. My intentions were only to help the restaurant and their business. Do yourself a favor and do not support the business of The Bagel. There are far too many restaurants with wonderful, respectful employees who deserve the money and support from their customers.

    (1)

  • Lisa H.

    Better than Stella's Diner if you're on Broadway. Took my fiancee's parents here and we all loved it. Great food AND large portions, a winning combination. I had a mushroom swiss veggie burger cooked to perfection, and my fiancee had a reuben sandwich which he said was amazing. The fries are crunchy and made a little different somehow, very tasty. Decor is campy but I think that's exactly what it is meant to be!

    (4)

  • Bridget H.

    I can't say that this is my favorite place to get lunch or breakfast, but I do love it. It's really close to my house, so that helps...but... It's great for a few things: bagels (!), smiley face cookies, and chicken noodle soup. I get those three things often - to go...a great lunch any day of the week. I also like that I see the same faces working every time I go in. Try it out!

    (4)

  • Andrea C.

    The Bagel makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I get so annoyed when diners screw up good Jew food (Eleven City Diner, anyone?), but the Bagel gets everything right. The pickles and bread on the table are very New York, the Matza Ball Soup is the remedy for whatever ails you and the Noodle Kugel is amazing and reminds me of something my grandma would make. I just want to curl up in the booth in my PJs and a plate of Challah French Toast....maybe watch some Saturday morning cartoons.

    (4)

  • Michelle H.

    Simply really good, fresh Jewish deli food. The potato soup is a must have.

    (4)

  • Nicholas W.

    Good but I prefer Great American Bagel.

    (3)

  • Melissa R.

    The Bagel was one of the first restaurants I fell in love with when I moved to Chicago, and it's still towards the top of my list. It's great for brunch, lunch or dinner. My favorite items on the menu is their lox & bagel platter, challah french toast, triple decker BLT, reuben sandwich, french fries, and vanilla milkshakes. But honestly, I've never tried anything on the menu I disliked. The waitstaff is either super friendly or sassy, either way...I love it. It's reasonably priced and you never have to wait longer than 10 minutes for a table. There's also a ton of cute shops and coffee places around there, so it's always a great place to take a stroll after inhaling their delicious food.

    (5)

  • Paul A.

    Based on the inconsistency overall and the consistency of what's good is always good and what's bad is always bad, The Bagel is frustrating to rate since it can be 1Star to 4 1/2 Stars depending on what you order, who waits on you, how long the coffee's been sitting there if you go at an off time, etc. The Winners where you can't go wrong: CHICKEN SOUP: probably the best Jewish deli chicken soup in Chicago, whether you order Matzo ball, kreplach, kasha, etc. EGGS, LOX AND ONIONS is the best around. Also, tell me where you can get a FRANCHEEZIE, or a jumbo hot dog with beans as a dinner entree! Or LIVER AND ONIONS. All winners. Corned beef, deli items, turkey, pastrami, etc.: eh, OK. Good enough. 3 Stars. The Apple Strudel is simply the best I've had anywhere. Seriously. I can't speak for other bakery items, but they all look terrific and actually I did have the apple/caramel pie once and it was excellent. Now, the other side of the coin: I ordered the short ribs which looked great on the menu. Awful. Simply awful. If I weren't so hungry and if there service weren't so spotty, I would have returned it. Barely 1 Star. What was supposed to be tender and succulent was like rubber. The vegetables were right out of a can. Or at least tasted like they were. At other times I've ordered their roast chicken and it's mediocre at best. 2 Stars all the way. When will I learn to NOT order their dinners. I've been going to The Bagel both in Old Orchard and on Broadway for years and I'm"m going to keep going. I'll keep ordering the good stuff and try to remember to not order the dinners. But guys in charge -- please: tell your servers to stop lingering in the kitchen or in the front or wherever they hide and take care of the customers? That being said, most of the servers are pleasant. They just need to tighten things up a bit.

    (3)

  • Jeff M.

    Always fresh, fast and a great deal. Check out weekly specials

    (5)

  • Karen A.

    This ain't New York but if you are looking for Jewish deli type food/menu/atmosphere, dis be da joint. Service: Great Menu: Huge (if you can't find anything to eat on this menu, you should not be eating out, you should be making your own food in your own sterile environment). Portions: Mammoth. You should see the bowls of soup-OY! The breakfasts are good, the sandwiches are really good, the soups and salads are big and filling, and the stand-by deli favs are the best: lox, pickled whitefish, brisket, and oh yea chopped LIVAH....perfect fix when you need a cholesterol clog-down! That being said, the outdated cornball broadway show posters on the wall entertain, as do the old cockers that mosey in and out of the place. If its good enough for those Jewish grandmas, well, its good enough for me.

    (4)

  • alan g.

    this place has a great dessert counter and a home style menu that will warm you up on rainy days. The breakfast sandwiches are a personal favorite. friendly service and many regulars. a must dine spot in lakeview east.

    (4)

  • Mill V.

    I've eaten here acouple times. I am attracted to it since listening to some of the older Jewish people talk remind me of my grandma. But the food is decent. Maybe not the most steller, but pretty damn good. Love their (Aunt?) Ruth's sandwich. Their kugal was dry and my ma could kick their ass at that. Their bagels were yummy, not the best in the city, but good for the neighborhood. Try the canned celery soda, it's mildly refreshing.

    (4)

  • J D.

    Hands-down, the BEST french toast in the city, and I consider myself to be quite an afficionado. If you don't like french toast, you can't go wrong with chicken noodle soup and a turkey club or an omelette. Try to sit in Joe's section for fast and attentive service. He must have a deal with the guys in the kitchen, because his orders come out with lighting speed!

    (5)

  • Kathryn M.

    Eh. I'm really not a fan. 1 star is for being able to walk in here at 1 on a Sunday and not have to wait. The waiter was friendly enough, the bread was good, constant water refills, and the lack of a wait are really the only positives. Oh! Decent fries too. I thought it was a little pricey for the food they served. $9 for grilled cheese and bacon? The bacon was glopped on really thick (I love bacon, but this was wayyy to much) or virtually none on the other side. My friend had a Chinese chicken salad, it was gross, she barely ate it and it was $12. My dining companion said that breakfast here is good, but we're definitely not doing the lunch thing anytime soon.

    (2)

  • Ryan K.

    Their motza ball soup was not bad at all. The BLT was decent as well. Their turkey reuben was subpar. It cost $12.95. The turkey was slimey. The atmosphere was nice. Overall I was disappointed in what I thought was going to be a good Jewish deli. Overpriced.

    (2)

  • Heather B.

    A four star average, seriously? Wow....I came in last Saturday and had no idea this wasn't [exactly[ quick serve. I made a requisite run to CVS for toilet paper and other drugstore stuff and needed breakfast. But they only had 4 types of bagels besides plain! Cashiers were too grouchy, the bagel wasn't too great and they didn't have espresso drinks. The three women in line before me looked uber pretentious and between the three of them, had wedding bands probably totaling 20 carats. Clearly , this isn't the kind of place I want to get bagels. I will just head down the street to Einstein Bros!

    (2)

  • amanda r.

    A jewish deli without a single jew? No thanks. Everything is just all wrong. The egg and cheese bagel is some kind of yellow cardboard folded up until it's about a foot thick. The cheese tastes like plastic. The bagels? I've had better bagels out of a bag. Knishes? Ew. Corned Beef Hash? Ew. Matzoh Ball Soup? Eh... oh who am I kidding? Ew. A ten dollar pastrami sandwich that is 90% fat? Ew!

    (1)

  • Brian C.

    I can't say anything that the other 180+ reviews probably have already said: large bagels, much flavor, fantastic for takeout. They apply the cream cheese like mortar on bricks. Love it. Been making trips here for several years. A very safe bet.

    (4)

  • David N.

    I have been here a few times for dinner, but have never came here for breakfast. So decided to come with a friend of mine to check out the breakfast menu. There really is nothing too special about it, they offer all the basic things you can find at other restaurants like omelets, pancakes and french toast. I do have to say though that the Challah french toast was very good. thick slices of bread with warm syrup and butter.....yum!

    (3)

  • Samantha L.

    They have homemade corned beef hash! Forget that canned smack! Pretty tasty, and the food came very quickly (on a Friday at 12:30 pm). I'll have to come back and try some of their sandwiches. : )

    (4)

  • Stephen D.

    I really do like their food, but I don't think the prices are justified. $10.95 for a friggin' sandwich??

    (3)

  • Jennifer R.

    I LOVE THIS PLACE!!! Just tried it Sunday morning. Though I was hungover as h*ll, I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, our waitress even reminded me of my Jewish grandmother! The menu is great and highly expansive. Plus the decor is really fun! My dining partner's omelet was HUGE and so were his hash browns, he was only able to eat half. I ordered the blueberry blintzes hoping they'd be as good as my grandmothers. Sadly, I was not impressed with them as they used the fake blueberry filling (literally the only thing that made me not give them 5 stars). I will definitely be going back here often to try different and classic jewish items.

    (4)

  • Joe O.

    What a horrible experience. Sub-standard food. Abominable service. Exceptionally rude staff. Avoid this place. How they can treat customers so poorly in this economy is beyond me. I was embarrassed for them. I've been living in Lakeview since 1973 and have yet to find a place this poor. You've been warned.

    (1)

  • Michael G.

    It's expensive and not terribly good. The bagels and home-made cream cheese are the redeeming qualities for this restaurant. I'll go here when I want a good wheat or everything bagel with cream cheese with chives. The egg, bacon and cheese sandwich is absolutely horrendous. It costs $12 and is half as good as a similar sandwich from McDonald's.

    (3)

  • Missy R.

    I have only been here once, but probably won't go back. I got a turkey sandwich for takeout, got it home and it was literally $10 worth of (high quality, hence the second star) turkey on bread. No toppings, no condiments, and WAY too much turkey for one person. I took 3/4's of it off and made myself 4 sandwiches over the next few days. Just a little disapointing.

    (2)

  • M G.

    whenever i'm around this part of broadway, i have to stop at the bagel for for some munching. the service is always friendly and fast and the food is great! you MUST try their chocolate cake too. it's the best i've ever had. just passing by? hop in for a giant pickle to go. perfect for crunching while window shopping.

    (4)

  • chrissy c.

    Im originally from the metro Detroit area and we sure do like to boast about our deli's. Id never thought much of it, until I moved to Chicago and realized how much I neeeeeeded a good pickle tray. The Bagel Restaurant & Deli had me smiling ear to ear. I ate more pickles than should be humanly possible and Oooed and Ahhhed about the vegetarian burger patty-melt. The old people clientele is charming, the single waitress handling the entire dining room was so honest and frank that it only seemed fitting when she said "Our soups today are not my favorites." Its places like The Bagel make me salivate for a Reuben.

    (5)

  • Blake H.

    Was REALLY hung over and decided to go there. attempted to get a bagel in the 'take-out line' but it didnt work out because it was really crowded & i was out of it, BUT i am glad it didnt work out. sat at the bar and ordered the matzo ball soup which was awesome! also my first time having matzo ball soup! i almost cant believe it! it would definitely be good on a cold day, and i will be getting it often! also got a single latke which was anothier good idea on my part. delish! some day i will get a bagel there though

    (4)

  • RJ W.

    I do not often give out 5 stars, but The Bagel deserves it. I have been coming here for years, and have not a single complaint. The food is great, and in huge portions. The staff is great, you will NEVER find you need to ask anyone for a coffee refill. The free breads and pickles as soon as you sit down epitomize the ideal Jewish Deli. I only wish they had a bigger take out section in front. Go there, eat to you are completely stuffed, then come home and collapse for a nap with a smile and a food coma!

    (5)

  • Julian S.

    The matza ball soup was great! The service a bit slow and English was a bit confusing at times. The food however was good!

    (4)

  • Ali W.

    I love this place! Their sandwiches are huge and their fries are delicious!! Their carry out and delivery is also pretty fast.

    (4)

  • Kate H.

    Every time I come to The Bagel, I would have to say that at least half the patrons are little old Jewish ladies eating matzo ball soup. And if little old Jewish ladies like this little old Jewish deli, then I'd say it's pretty authentic. They serve a bread basket selection that includes challah and bagel chips. Oh, and homemade dill pickles on the side--homemade!!! Vlasick's eat your heart out! Their sandwiches are to die for, and I'm also partial to the pasta salad. Which is a pasta salad in a very literal sense: it's a whole head of lettuce is a glass bowl with a half-pound of tri-colored rotini dumped in the center. It's so good!

    (5)

  • David M.

    THE place for breakfast - good for other times as well....we go in a group for the ladies can split a omelet...and the rest of us can groan all the way home....I'd say 'just quit eating' but you can't.....other meals are also great....daughter is addicted to the pickles....and the corn beef is to die for...as it the pastrami..perhaps literally, but hey, life is short....the daily soup specials are also an attraction....that plus the free bread and pickles can make a meal when $ are tight....the staff and service is first rate...some of them are still there from 12 years ago when it was the first place we ate 'in the neighorhood' when looking for a condo...go, eat...

    (4)

  • Andy S.

    Growing up in small midwestern towns, this Jew never had the benefit of a true deli, now I look back on my formative years and wonder how I ever survived. The menu at The Bagel is expansive and inviting, rarely am I able to go in, sit down, and order without changing my mind four or five times. It doesn't hurt that they provide you with a variety of breads coupled with pickles while your peruse the menu, debating with friends the virtues of each menu item. The other plus happens to be the unintended consequence of being able to tell your Jewish mom and grandmother that you are eating good, wholesome, Jewish deli food, with Matzoh Ball soup on hand to bring you back to health when sick. Now all you have to do is become a doctor/lawyer, meet a nice Jewish spouse, and you'll be free from the all the kvetching!

    (5)

  • Nathan K.

    I've been there for breakfast before and wasn't wowed, but then we just went there for lunch yesterday. It was fantastic. I wish I could post pictures to yelp, because this sandwich was enormous. It reminds me of the pastrami sandwiches I could get in New York. Unfortunately at New York prices too :) But it was worth it. I got the North Shore, which was: Corned beef, cheddar cheese, cole slaw, Dijon Mustard on Rye. Highly recommend getting that. My wife got the Ruthie's Request (Brisket of beef, pastrami and Muenster cheese) and it was so yummy. And this place has parking. Good luck finding that at another restaurant if you don't live in Lake View.

    (4)

  • Jon J.

    Old school Jewish deli that is amazingly good. The prices are a little high, but they nail every single dish they make - and they've got a lot of them, from classic scrambled eggs, to borscht, to fried veal livers. The servers are really friendly, and it's always a warm and cozy atmosphere. A great place to have a relaxing meal and reminisce about grandma and grandpa.

    (5)

  • Hal C.

    More like 3 and a half stars- They lost points with me here when I walked in and wasn't seated, then they told me I couldn't be seated after I ordered because "we have waiters here". Uhh.. ok. But, besides that, everything was pretty good. The sandwiches are really nothing extraordinary from what I could see, and they're pretty expensive for what they are, but they are tasty. I really don't think they could skimp on the cole slaw anymore than they do, but that's okay, because it really wasn't that great anyways. All in all, a pretty disappointing experience for a place that was getting hyped up. Still have to actually try their bagel- so I guess that might swing my opinion. My main option for Jewish delis will probably always be Kaufman's in Skokie- why can't THEY be here?

    (3)

  • Drew J.

    ZERO stars. I parked my car for a 5 minute stop at the bagel to pick up some bagels for my work staff coming in early the next morning. I also ran into CVS for less than a couple of minutes. When I walked back to the Bagel "Free Parking" lot, I found my car had been booted by a private company (Global Parking Management 1658 N Milwaukee). It appears to be a privately owned company that manages "The Bagel's" parking lot. Perhaps the Bagel gets a cut back---who knows anymore in this city. In any case my 5 minute Bagel and CVS shopping spree cost me $140 plus $9 worth of Bagels. I called the Bagel and asked to speak to the manager and got a snooty manager who was absolutely unapologetic and told me I would need to deal with the booting company. I said isn't that your lot? and don't you hire them? He was also rude and told me that the conversation was over---what an ASSHOLE running that place at night (8/10/12). He refused to give his name and he was a total bitch....Good going on hiring such a prick. This is such a total scam and should not be allowed. I have lived in Lakeview many years and given The Bagel much business (including that afternoon) but will never step foot in there again. SO BEWARE there is a spy in the Bagel lot that will unapologetically boot your car and scam $140 from you in an instant. They record your conversation too and make sure you agree to their terms---what kind of police or mafia state has this become?

    (1)

  • Sara O.

    OK so I've come to realize that I talk about grilled cheese & fries from everywhere, but really, that's what I almost always get. Call me a grilled cheese & fries expert if you please. haha. Anyway, this place has such delicious grilled cheese & fries that I find myself craving it randomly in dreams. Their chocolate milkshakes are also good, but I wouldn't suggest trying to eat a meal AND a milkshake because I just about exploded seeing as how I ate a bunch of challah bread when I was seated. Dangit, now I'm going to be jonesin for this food!

    (5)

  • Hello S.

    Our WHOLE table got SICK from our corned beef sandwiches. One member even had to go the the ER because of the dehydration caused by her severe diarrhea. Not only did the manager not credit our meal when I called, he put me on hold for 12 minutes and then basically hung up on me after mumbling something. I would never return and would not recommend that anyone eat there not only because of the possibility of food poisoning, but the awful customer service.

    (1)

  • Pandora P.

    Go for the pickles, stay for the Kreplach soup. This is a fun deli but, don't expect the best service. Whenever we have been there the service has only been so-so but, the soup is worth going back for. I am dating myself here ... if anyone was around in the 70's and 80's in Chicago then you'll know what I mean, The Bagel is good but it isn't close to being as good at The Belden Deli was (it used to be on the corner of Belden and Clark, my parents and I ate there weekly my whole childhood) - boy do I miss that place!

    (4)

  • Kathryn S.

    This place should be put out of business. First off, I'm jewish and this is not a jewish deli. I ordered an everything bagel, with a side of cream cheese and tomato. I got - a bagel that was nothing like those they sell for carryout, two sides of philadelphia cream cheese (not theirs) and a plate of under ripe tomato slices. Price? $1.50 for the bagel, $1.50 for the packets of cream cheese, and $3.75 for my "tomato salad." I refused to pay for the tomatoes but was told that the other prices "would stand" and I needed to look at the menu before I ordered. In addition to those insane prices (for not good food), I ordered hash browns which came out late and WET (how is that possible). My friend ordered eggs over easy which came out uncooked two times before they tried over medium. This place should be shut down or the owner needs a reality check. Bad food- check; egregious prices- check; rude manager- check. Yep, pretty sure that's the end of that.

    (1)

  • Matt S.

    The Bagel is the best thing on Broadway in Lakeview. Hands down. Classic Jewish deli with great bagels. The chicken matzo ball soup is the very best thing you can put in your body when you are sick. And if you live close enough, they'll deliver it to you. What more could you want? Plus, the pickles they put out on the table are the best. The BEST.

    (5)

  • Katie G.

    I went here on a Saturday for lunch with my friend. The food was nothing special (I had the Veggie Chili, she had the Potato Soup). What really stood out in my mind was the service. It was awful. We weren't sure who our server was, and by the time we figured it out, she was very short with us. I'm not sure if she was overwhelmed (it was really busy at the time), or what... When we were ready to leave, we had to wait a good 15 minutes to pay. I'd go back, but, I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.

    (3)

  • annie r.

    so the bagel is like 2 inches from my apartment, so by default, i've ended up there more often than i would like to admit. my brother's gf sarah refuses to go there after a run-in with a very dirty bathroom 10+ years ago at their location at old orchard. now, at first when i heard this story, i thought she was crazy, but as time goes on, i think she's on to something. the only time i go there is when im feeling a dirty craving for a turkey rueben, and nothing else with satiate but theirs. but EVERYTIME, i end up feeling worse than when i went in and swear it off until i get that craving again. its a vicious cycle. its one of those places that you'll feel for the next 2 days. AT LEAST. but their fries are killer and their breadbasket/ pickles has free refills. so thats cool. oh, and i forgot to say, you'll spend a pretty penny there. its expensive. you pay 18 bucks easy for a sandwich and a drink. weird.

    (3)

  • Christine T.

    The prices are astronomically high for food that is just so-so.

    (2)

  • Job E.

    Didn't realize there was a dinning room in the back of this place. Good food, tasty shakes, very filling. Waitstaff was a bit laconic, but almost entertainingly so.

    (4)

  • Manuel S.

    I love The Bagel! Everytime I'm in Lakeview I make a point to stop here. Just good food and an attentive staff.

    (4)

  • Mandy S.

    Ok, this place gives unlimited pickles, which is awesome, BUT they are soooo pricey! Holy Moly! The food is good, but NOT worth the price! The service is amazing, and the characters that eat here are perfect for people watching. I saw one dude with his own tupperware. He went to the bathroom to clean it. Seriously.

    (3)

  • blake d.

    I give this place 3 stars because the food is good. The relish plate is very tastey and challah is good. My friend and I had a disgusting critter experience here recently and I got the impression that it wasn't a fluke.

    (3)

  • gena k.

    I am not sure if it's the parking or mamoth matzho ball. I freakin' love this place. Used to go to the one on Old Orchard as a kid.

    (4)

  • Jay E.

    this seems to be the only jewish deli in the area. the corned beef is good but not amazing. perhaps i was spoiled growing up where one could get matzo ball soup that was the t*ts. this place will suffice especially since their fries are great.

    (3)

  • Meredith H.

    mixed feelings about the bagel. first off, looks can be decieving - it's actually much larger inside than the storefront seems to be. the good: pickles bread & butter counter service flamboyant server calling other people "dirty queens" and cackling walking distance from home the not so good: the chicken salad the lukewarm chicken soup it's got flair, it's got charm, it's got lovely campy decor, but it doesn't got anything that wows me. might be back but probably won't seek it out.

    (3)

  • Brett K.

    I had pastrami on rye and a diet cream soda. It cost 14 bucks plus tip. The sandwich was good, not the best ever, like 8 maybe 9 dollars good, not 11 that they charge. I am sure the rent is high, but I don't think the price meets the product.

    (4)

  • matty z.

    One of my favorite cheap meals in the city is their BLT platter. Seriously VERY good and seriously VERY cheap.

    (4)

  • Jennifer H.

    This is one of my favorite Jewish restaurants. I pretty much order the same thing all the time; matzo ball soup and chicken salad sandwich on challah bread. The matzo ball soup is a staple when I'm sick, I love that they have carry out service and the portion sizes are huge. If you are looking for some good Jewish food, you should stop by and try them.

    (4)

  • K M.

    I used to be a HUGE fan of the Bagel but my last experience was not fantastic. We were rushed from the moment we sat down. It was so bad that a busser grabbed the plate my friend was eating off of while she was mid-bite! Then later he tried to take another plate that had her toast on it without asking - completely reached right in front of her face, across her body, trying to swipe the toast away. My friend had to grab his arm to stop him! As we were finishing our coffee, the manager came up and told us we had to leave because there was a line of people waiting. Now, I understand that they want to get people in and out but we were going to leave a good tip since we knew we had been there about an hour. But they literally kicked us out. I think I'll be going to Stella's from now on!

    (3)

  • Kori M.

    Pickles!!! One of my favorite things in the world is a kosher pickle and these were the best I've ever had! Super salty...just like I like them! I had the patty melt which was the super cheesy...just like I like them! The fries were crispy and flavorful...just like I like them. The staff was courteous and polite and my water never got halfway before they refilled it...just like i like it!

    (5)

  • Gerald F.

    The matza ball soup was nice but the roasted chicken was overcooked, dry and shriveled up. Some of the servers were great but what really ruined the experience for me was the owner's blatant prejudice for the people I had brought in for lunch once and dinner on another. His attitude towards them were consistent and something I cannot stand. Whatever good I had to say about the place was trumped by the owner's awful prejudice and attitude.

    (1)

  • E S.

    No Fresh Mozzarella...this place is a deli? $15 for half a sandwich!!! Got back to work and had Rye bread instead of wheat. Called and was told that was how I ordered it and to check it next time. Food was alright but not worth the money!

    (2)

  • Jordan L.

    This is one of my favorite restaurants. Whether you're looking for a quick bite or craving matzo ball soup or any other Jewish deli cuisine, this is the place to go. Every time I've been there I've been seated promptly and the service is quick. As soon as you're seated they bring a tray of pickles, a basket of challah, and water, so you can have a nosh while you're deciding which soup to order. My favorite is the kreplach soup with half a corned-beef sandwich, but everything on the menu is good. They even have a parking lot behind the restaurant so you never have to hunt for a place to put the car.

    (5)

  • Nora T.

    Let's talk quantity. Two of us each ordered a half-sandwich, mine with salad and his with soup. When we had gorged there was still so much meat left that I had it packed to take home where, out of curiosity, I weighed it on my kitchen scale and I had half a pound of brisket. That was the leftovers from two half-sandwiches. The meat was so tender we could have eaten it with a dessert spoon. And, this must be reported, a brisket sandwich comes with a pot of hot beef jus gravy to dunk every bite in. For that alone I would go back.

    (5)

  • Natalie G.

    The Bagel is so my spot! I love sitting down on Saturday afternoons and getting my plate of pickles and start deciding what my friends and I are going to feast on :). I usually get matzo ball soup and half a sandwich, but the potato pancake appetizers are really great as well. There is such a large and great menu - you can't go wrong. The service is great and the milkshakes are better!

    (5)

  • Justin B.

    I've been here probably 3 or 4 times, for breakfast only, and probably another half dozen to stop in for a bagel on the way to work. This place serves good food with huge portions for breakfast. Their omelets are ridiculously large, well worth the $8 price. On top of that, they are definitely very generous with the meat they put in their omelets. I love the corn beef omelet and will generally have them add swiss cheese to get a truly killer omelet. A couple negatives, as others have pointed out, is the service. I drink a ton of water in a meal and really don't enjoy waiting repeatedly for refills. I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt UNLESS it is a repeated problem. On Saturday, it was a repeated problem. I wasn't too happy about that. Not to mention that our waiter wasn't exactly what I'd call "attentive". Maybe this is a new-found problem, but in the past I've been more or less pleased with how quickly I've been seated (almost immediately all the time) and the service at the restaurant. On top of that, a couple other minor nits is the cream cheese that is served with breakfast. When you stop in to order, they serve real cream cheese out of their deli case for a bagel; however, when you order breakfast in the morning, they give you two Philly Cream cheese packets. Really? Well that wasn't overly impressive. Overall, this is a good place to grab brunch and probably even better for other traditional Jewish meals. Don't come there expecting diverse fair or creative seasoning, etc., but if you are looking for a delicious savory omelet, this is a damn good place to start.

    (4)

  • Laura L.

    I love the bagel sandwiches here! The egg sandwiches are delicious and the deli club sandwich is great. I also like grabbing a few bagels to with me to work for a snack during the week. The service is quick and the quality is consistent. The major downside to me is that the sandwiches are a bit pricey, in my opinion.

    (3)

  • Melissa B.

    How have I never written a review of the Bagel? We spend WAY too much time here. The portions are ridiculous here. You will definitely need a doggie bag. Or if you don't want too much food, try an appetizer. But those salads are insane. One can feed three people easily. Obviously, the bagels here are perfect. I also recommend the omelets, and my favorite: the lox spread. The service is so very friendly (well, there's one woman who's not so nice, but everyone else more than makes up for her) and they're all really fast and efficient. Oh, and if you're into people-watching, this is the place to be.

    (4)

  • Sopla R.

    Really not getting the 4 stars here..for me.. it's gonna be.. Two stars for three words that amply describe food and service.."bland and mediocre and underwhelming" A few weeks ago we stopped by and picked up a couple deserts and took them home after a dinner elsewhere.. We were all happy to have German chocolate cake and a Cobbler.. we even stopped and got a pint of Haggen Daz.. very underwhelming. both desserts. The cobbler's crust was like cardboard. Literally. I couldn't even eat it after it was drowning in ice cream and who ever leaves crust from a cobbler?? Exactly. The chocolate cake was extremely dry and again.. bland.. but we thought oh it's probably just a "fluke".. There were maybe 3 tables in the entire restaurant. Server's first appearance out our table was well into 15 min. and when he did he just asked, "are you ready to order"? What? no time to ask us for a drink order? Or a "I'll be right with you"? I really hate not being acknowledged in some way when I am seated. It's weird, for anything service related we waited waited but our food came out really really fast.. (as in fast not in a good way..everything was luke warm)... had to wait at the end of the meal forever for our check. I never got a refill on my water.. And while I'm mentioning service.. there was this older guy in a suit.. a bit over dressed.. lingering.. just lingering.. talking to our server while he was not busy waiting on us. any good manager? would have been able to scan the restaurant (yes all 3 tables) and see exactly what, if anything was needed.. refills, credit cards sitting out waiting for checks..HELLO? He was not a scanner. He did thank us. I guess that's his only job. "thank you". well at least we got that I guess. Moving on.. The food: I had a cup of "broth with noodles only (was OK.. lots of noodles.. but where was the chicken? do you have to order that separate? It was, at best "luke warm"..but good enough I guess. Krepach. (like a gound meat ravioli served with apple sauce and sour cream) I'd never had these and again, I would have really liked to a. taste them fresh out of the fryer and b. add some type of seasoning to these. I find it hard to believe that the meat is not supposed to be seasoned in that it's supposed to be this bland? (whether or not you serve with applesauce and s cream) it still needs salt and pepper at least!! Lastly, we also had a beef brisket sandwich.. how beef brisket can be this bland is beyond me (don't you slow roast this brisket for hours? again? just a simple seasoning would have made all the difference here..thankfully the broth had all the salt) and no, I don't think the meat is supposed to taste like nothing. the bread may have been a few days old too. The sandwich had nothing on it, just meat and bread. bland meat and stale bread. Not a winning combo. You can serve me a basket filled with bagel chips and stale bread along with sliced pickles till the cows come home.. but it does not make up for this underwhelming food. I could not even imagine if I would have ordered some of the pricier items!! I would MAYBE come back for the soup or if I were craving a potato pancake.. but seriously, with SO many choices in this neighborhood for food and other deli's.. it will be a long long while. I just simply refuse to patronize establishments like this where it's clear to me that everyone gave up a long time ago.

    (2)

  • Sharon R.

    Absolutely awful. While my patty melt was almost decent, the asshole who brought it was not, AND he sheds (eeeew). Super embarrassed that I brought family there. Not cheap either. The only thing they really have going for them is their parking lot

    (1)

  • Bill M.

    This deli starts you off with a basket of bread and bagel chips. I have never had an actual bagel here, but the hearty chicken noodle soup is very good and thick like a stew rather than a soup. I like the "red white and blue" blintzes with fillings of cherry, cheese and blueberry along with some applesauce. The pastrami and corned beef sandwiches are deli-icious (sorry about that).

    (5)

  • AV G.

    got the gefiltie fish here for our Passover Seder--and IT KILLS--this is really some of the best EVER!!!!!

    (4)

  • Rebecca H.

    Other than the soup which I swear has medicinal qualities the rest of the food is kinda bland. The waitstaff is very friendly. Maybe its obvious that I am Jewish who knows, but they tend to like me here. Its crowded a lot which is a good sign, you never want to stroll into a dead reastaurant not a good sign if its empty.

    (3)

  • Sunny M.

    Oy, The Bagel. I have mixed feelings about the place. When we've gotten bagels-by-the-dozen here, they've been lousy. I'm generally anti-chain, so it pains me to say that Einstein's bagels are far, far better. But I do like eating here once in a while. The faded, outdated, gigantic showtunes posters on the walls, the uber-friendly waitstaff, the fact that they give you huge pre-meal bowls of pickles, rye bread and butter as soon as you sit down, no matter what time of day you're there. Being the youngest person in the dining room by a good thirty years or so. And the corned beef hash. Oh, the corned beef hash. The portions are huge -- two meals' worth, easily, which makes the prices a little more palatable. The reubens, challah French toast, and the aforementioned corned beef hash are the highlights. Stay away from the baked goods at the counter. Sticker-shocking and often, unfortunately stale. And the coffee's particularly not good. So, three-star like from me for The Bagel. Stale baked goods, but I dig the only-in-a-big-city vibe this place rocks. It reminds me -- and I mean this in the nicest possible way, and don't ask me why I've been there -- of the dumpy-ass HoJo in Times Square.

    (3)

  • Ralph L.

    This is a good choice for satisfying those "Matzo Ball Blues". Dine in or carry out or delivery, I have never had a problem. As mentioned already, soups are awesome. Sandwiches are decent too. They know how to stack em high! The Turkey Club is my favorite. Also, they carry the Dr. Brown's line of soda's. The cream soda takes you back to a time when the world was a little nicer. Or was that my experience cuz I was 10?

    (5)

  • Isa B.

    My husband and I were craving a bagel and after visiting this place, which we expected it to have amazing fresh bagels, decided never to go back. The sesame and poppy bagels with egg and cheese were so disgusting and greasy that after a few bites we didn't hesitate to throw them out. I never had a worst bagel experience in my life. I should have gone to Einsteins... At least they're fresh. It was also the worst coffee, kinda like the ones you get served on flights.... what an insult to Colombian coffee.

    (2)

  • Robyn M.

    Our waiter was so nice and accommodating and the food was fine. I just don't really like eating there. It looks dirty and the other people there look dirty. I just felt like I got the hibbie jeebies. Seems like the place needs an overhaul. It does the trick for a Jewish style deli, and that's all we've got around here. So I keep going -- heebie jeebies and all.

    (3)

  • Alissa P.

    I'm mildly obsessed with their whitefish salad and rugelach. The Bagel reminds me of the great eating I did growing up in Montreal. I'm telling you-- whitefish.

    (4)

  • Lindsay B.

    From the red walls filled with old Broadway and Hollywood posters, to the delicious (and I mean delicious) potato soup....the Bagel is quite all right with my book! The potato pancakes are delicious, and take me back to when my grandma used to make them for us. The bagels are tasty as well. Mmm, garlic bagels with scallion cream cheese. My breath is horrendous afterwards, but it is so worth it. Service is excellent, they give you enough time to dawdle if you so choose, but if you are in a hurry, they will be as quick as you want too. Plus, pickles with bread? I'm not a pregnant lady, but I sure do love me some pickles, and these ones are delicious.

    (5)

  • Julee M.

    I've been going to the Bagel since I first moved into the city over 13 years ago and it has been consistently good all that time. Sometimes there is a wait but it is worth it. With your meal you get a basket of fresh bread and bagel chips, a plate of pickle slices, and friendly service. My favorites are the matzo ball and mushroom barley soups and chicken salad sandwich. The burgers are among the best I've had in the city. If they are really busy you can also get your meal to go. Oh and there is a little parking lot in the back if you didn't arrive by foot.

    (4)

  • Josh ..

    Classic deli with all the menu options. Great delivery option, fast service and parking too. Cannot go wrong here...

    (4)

  • Rachel M.

    i just moved away from chicago, and the bagel is one of the places i miss most. i love love love love love their matzo ball soup. like a lot. that matzo ball soup got me through some pretty hard times... awful winter days, hungover sunday mornings, lonely nights with me and the kitty... but somehow, that one giant matzo ball floating in the richest, most delightful broth i have ever tasted made everything ok. if someone could please take the bagel and move it to los angeles (where for some reason delis are sucky and overpriced -ahem jerry's deli), i would be forever in your debt.

    (5)

  • Jennifer B.

    I thoroughly enjoyed my roasted chicken dinner (best chicken skin I have ever tasted) and my husband loved his meatloaf. But what really makes the Bagel shine is the other diners. Aside from my husband and I, there was no one in there under 80 years old. I mean it. If the wrinklies come to a place all the time - and do their hair and put on lipstick - you know it's a great deal. .

    (4)

  • Gerardo A.

    Good food, however the attitude of younger manager needs to improve. I found a napkin in my salad and when I brought this to the manager's attention, he didn't even appologize nor did he offer me another salad. I was LIVID after having been a loyal customer for 10+ years. I will never go back. CUSTOMERS BEWARE! There are better family style restaurants like Stella's, just across the street, Whistler's on Devon Ave. in Lincolnwood, Nookie's on Halsted, and the Melrose, just two or three blocks north of the Bagel on Broadway.

    (1)

  • Ali A.

    I would like this place if it weren't for one thing...the incredibly rude staff. I live just around the corner and have tried this place multiple times and have always been disappointed. Plan on spending a lot of money and if you want ANY substitutions you can forget about it. When I was there for breakfast I asked for cheese in my scrambled eggs, but if you do that they will charge you an extra $7.95 for an omelet! I asked for sausage and bacon and was willing to pay for the extra on my breakfast sandwich but they wouldn't allow it. There are too many other great breakfast places with decent food for a better price. The service can make or break a place for me and I would not recommend The Bagel if you'd like a pleasant dining experience!

    (2)

  • Hansol G.

    only two ratings for this place? hard to believe. The Bagel is a great little neighborhood place with huge portioned food and tasty breads. Come here for a bowl of matzo ball soup on a cold rainy day. It's usually very busy on the weekends, especially for brunch hours. They give you a complementary basket of bread and butter while you wait for you food which is really nice. I wouldn't get the blueberry blintzes however. I was hoping blintzes with blueberry and cheese, but it's just three blintzes filled with blueberry pie fillings for like $7.50 But overall a great place to go for a sandwich and coffee.

    (5)

  • Peter M.

    Big Jewish foods, big Jewish tastes, and some of the best bagel chips in the city are the reasons I keep going back to The Bagel. The menu is loaded with tasty foods from simple salads, to great deli sandwiches, to a full on brisket feast. I've cured many colds with their Chicken-In-A-Pot and whenever a friend is sick I pick some up to go and bring it along. If I had to single out my favorites, it would be their bagel chips and chopped liver, both available at the pick-up counter in the front. If I'm dining in, their Sampler Salad is excellent, and if I'm ready for a food coma, the brisket dinner will take me there.

    (5)

  • JL S.

    The Bagel. its terrific. Now, let's clarify. Its a trip. It runs funky. You have to be a regular, pretty much to get the deal. But, once in, its heaven. I love the Jewish Fare, cause that is why I am there. Chicken soup, nova lox, bagels, and eggs. Heaven. Great pickles and sour kraut. I mean I love this. It makes me want to get a Bat Mitzvah. So, there ya go. Get a corned beef or pastrami sandwich, and taste a bit of heaven the way God intended!!

    (4)

  • Mariana P.

    Nah. Not worth it. It is not only expensive, but the service was poor. We ended up paying $24 for two sandwiches! What's up with that!? They were not even that great! (I totally recommend Epy's Deli). I also overheard the manager explaining to an older couple that there is a "sharing charge" if you order a dish an share it. Are you for real???? These people were like 80 years old and probably couldn't eat the whole thing by themselves. Way to rip off old people.

    (2)

  • Nico M.

    Not much to say about the bagel. My ex and I used to always grab onion or garlic bagels or an egg sandwich on garlic or onion bagel with mozzarella and they were great. We always got them too go so dont really know about the inside.

    (3)

  • Digital M.

    First I order the Knish and slowly make love to it with my mouth. Then I butter up a selection from the bottomless basket of fresh bread and bagel chips. Next it's on to the matzo ball soup. At this point I am full but that does not stop me from enjoying my half pastrami sandwich lap dance for the mouth. Add some cream soda and enjoy the feeling of being completely satiated for the next ten hours.

    (5)

  • Shannon G.

    Ever since we moved out of Lakeview, we cry every weekend morning for our beloved bagel and cream cheese from the Bagel. We had an enjoyable dining experience the few times we sat down to eat in the restaurant. But the true joy we derived was from the bagels and cream cheese at the Bagel. Perfectly chewy and globs of flavorful spread, we have never enjoyed another like it. Having moved up to Albany Park, we discovered that the Bagel got their bagels from New York Bagel and Bialy on Touhy. I was beside myself and drove there one morning. It was the bagel I remembered, but the cream cheese was not. It had more of a whipped consistency, not the creamy cream cheese I remembered. So now, we try to make the Brown Line pilgrimage atleast monthly to get our fix of the best bagel in the world.

    (5)

  • Carrie B.

    A good classic deli. I had the matzo ball soup and turkey sandwich. My friend ordered a tuna sandwich on wheat and it looked delicious! Great brunch or lunch spot.

    (4)

  • Heidi P.

    Great prices, great standard Jewish deli menu and the staff is friendly and sweet. The nova lox platter I had today as yummy and fresh. Even though I kept trying to read and the not-quite-totally-down-with-speaking-English bus guy kept trying to chat me up, I'm still a fan of this place. I'm still recovering from the Worst Breakup Ever and I'm just not ready to flirt at the present so although the guy was charming....yeah, I just had to pass on the attention but not on an egg cream. Yum.

    (4)

  • Jason S.

    This classic Jewish deli always knows how to do it just right. From the fluffy plate size omelets to the matzo ball soup to the corned beef, the turkey club sandwich or the latkes, this place brings all the comfort that you thought only your bubbe could provide. Service is always good, prices are a little high and parking in the back. Go here to treat yourself with that warm jewish deli fuzzy feeling and then head for the couch for an afternoon nap - life doesnt get much better than that!

    (5)

  • Benjamin J.

    The wait staff here was terrible. The bagels were alright, but the service was so bad it ruined our entire experience.

    (1)

  • Ellen M.

    Rather authentic Jewish deli with breakfasts to remember on Christmas Day or any day. I've only done the breakfast foods, and everything was always perfect and delicious - my kid sister vouches for everything on the menu. The kids like coming here because the waitstaff are friendly and dote on them.

    (4)

  • Ariel D.

    I think this place is a great Jewish deli. The bagel and lox is great. My husband is from New York- and this is as close (as we have found) to a New York deli in Chicago. They have a (FREE) parking lot around the corner- which is very helpful in this area!

    (4)

  • Bobby M.

    I have been here once and I had a smoked salmon and home made chive cream cheese bagel, and it was the best I have had in Chicago. Heard the matzo ball soup is awesome as well, and I will try it next time.

    (5)

  • Christina B.

    good service, and polite. I have found that the take out section tastes better than the restaurant. Their blintzes arn't very good at all, you gotta love the canned fruit mixed up in weird thick jelly (ICK!!) They do have good fries and burgers tho, and while their meatloaf looks like dog food, it does taste pretty good. They could use some work on food presentation. I like going there to grab a quick bagel and cream cheese.

    (3)

  • Julia K.

    I took my grandparents here because they're such picky eaters. They like to think of themselves as 'diner connoisseurs'. Their favorite restaurant is Omega in Niles, IL, but they left this deli satisfied. They scarfed down the Baked Ribs of Beef and some Cheese Blintzes. I usually get the Lox Platter which comes with a bagel, lox, creamcheese and fresh veggies. That matzo ball soup did look tempting though. We came here on a Saturday at 11:30 am and there was no wait. However, when we were leaving, the wait was 1/2 hour, so my advice is to get here early.

    (4)

  • Andrew M.

    As close to a New York deli as you can find in the Second City, the Bagel is a great spot for brunch or a place to simply pick up your bagels for the upcoming week. If you choose to eat there, you will be seated at diner-style booth most likely next to a poster of some old Broadway musical. The bagel serves breakfast lunch and dinner (and has really good fries). It also offers free pickles to snack on while you wait. Bring your Jewish grandmother.

    (5)

  • Adam L.

    This place is like going home. Anytime I've got a hankering for matzah ball soup or a corned beef on rye, this is where I head. Great sandwiches and bagels, and the best whitefish salad I've had outside of NY.

    (5)

  • S to the izzo F.

    I love to eat at the Bagel. It's one of my favorite Deli's/diner's. My problem is that I like almost everything on the menu. Decisions are not easy. When ever I'm close to the Bagel I have to stop in and get something good to eat..

    (4)

  • Holla B.

    Being that I lived on the East Coast these bagels are just okay. One previous reviewer sums it up "And speaking of bagels, I don't know how fresh they are. I've never gotten a bagel that wasn't kind of hard...you would expect warm and fresh bagels from a place called "The Bagel," right? " My thoughts exactly. All I had was 1/2 doz. bagels to go but I surely won't come back if they can't even get the one food item right that they are named after

    (1)

  • Philip R.

    $14 for a corned beef sandwich, fries, and a cup of water? the food was good, but prices for everything are out of line.

    (2)

  • Stephanie K.

    the only time i've ever been in bagel is for their namesake, a bagel. i was on the run, looking for an apartment at the time, so i just walked in the first place i saw and got the easiest thing on the menu. now, don't get me wrong, the everything bagel was good (and HUGE), but i thought the pound of chive cream cheese they handed over was a bit much. and after shelling out almost $7 for my lunch, i was convinced that overpriced bagels and a mug of cream cheese on the side wasn't for me. however, after reading some of the other reviews, i think it's probably worth another chance. sounds like they've got a killer matzo ball soup and challah bread. i'll have to give it another chance.

    (3)

  • Stacy F.

    its always nice to find a little bit of home and family in a big city. that's the bagel's dish! bread and bagel chips as soon as you sit down starts the meal off right. and the deli sandwiches are stacked high and delicous. the matzo ball soup however is not my fav. its a big - like giant - matzo ball, but the soup is simply broth and super salty at that. their bagel, lox and cream cheese is nearly ten dollars. i almost fell off my seat. but if you've got a craving for jewish-style delicatessen food, this would be your place.

    (3)

  • Mindy S.

    This is one of the best deli's in Chicago! Although there aren't many to choose from, The Bagel never lets me down. The menu has a big variety and everything on it is great. The omelettes are huge, the sandwiches delicious and the matzo ball soup is my favorite!

    (4)

  • Kristine L.

    My roommate is an avid chicken salad lover and she hasn't stopped raving about the salad at The Bagel since she went there the first time. She finally got me to go there and it was a delightful experience. I had the frankfurter and it was amazing on its own much less the delicious fries it comes with! There were so many other choices on the menu that peeked my interest! Plus, before we even got our food we were given a plate of pickle quarters and a basket of Hawaiian Bread and bagel chips! And the music selection is just perfect; great oldies that everyone should know the words too. Just a great experience, I will be returning on a regular basis!

    (5)

  • Jay R.

    I have gotten delivery from there. Oy, the funky attitude of the order taker. Anyway it was good. Except the fries. Their fries are really bad and taste old. Funky taste too.

    (3)

  • Molly G.

    Yum Yum Yum, this place has fabulous desserts and tasty coffee. The bread basket is full of goodies and the pickles are great. Service is always on the ball. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because they do not offer many vegetarian dishes, I'm always stuck getting a salad or fruit/veggie plate, but like I said, it's always really good. I have to admit, I'm starting to prefer this to the Melrose more and more.

    (4)

  • Jasmin W.

    I've only eaten here 2 times, but I"ve gotten delivery from here more times than I can count. As far as deli's go The Bagel is on the top of my list...great turkey sandwiches and matzo ball soup. Oh, and their fries are really good if you eat there. They got a bit soggy when I had them delivered.

    (3)

  • Megan H.

    The Bagel is pretty good! I've been to both locations and they're both great. I had their turkey reuben and I have to say it was delicious! The sandwich was HUGE too.... I could hardly even eat half of it. The only problem was that the sandwich was a little bit messy. The french fries were delicious, and since I love french fries too much I've been on a french-fry free diet, so these were a real treat! They have any type of sandwich you can think of, and a great selection of jewish dishes. And there wasn't a second that my water glass wasn't entirely full (those water filling guys are good!) Oh and not to mention - FREE PARKING!!!

    (4)

  • Jim L.

    Great jewish deli in the heart of Chicago. They have chopped salads here, which any native of New York will be jazzed about.

    (5)

  • Liza O.

    Is it wrong that I've never had a bagel at the Bagel? I figure it's okay because there are plenty of places to get a good bagel, but only so many places that are handy for me to get a pastrami sandwich. Mmm, pastrami. And cheese, and challah, and french fries. And a big bottomless glass of diet coke. Makes a girl happy! Maybe one day I'll go and get breakfast food...

    (4)

  • greg k.

    Nothing like good quick service when you ask for it. 2 sandwiches with drinks at the counter - and at lunch on a Saturday. Oh yeah...the food was good too. I'll be back.

    (4)

  • Austin A.

    I wonder if The Bagel really makes their own bagels. I only ask because sometimes I go to the gym at like 5 in the morning and there was a delivery guy there dropping off.....you guessed it, bagels. I found that strange, but decided not to let that bother me until this past Saturday when my friend dragged me from my hangover Saturday morning to go with her to pick up some food. I had to stand in line and watch this guy eat a bagel with a TON cream cheese that was ooozing over the side and he kept licking it like an ice cream cone then some of it fell off onto his chest and got stuck in his chest hair and he swiped it up and licked it off of his finger and I think I saw a chest hair sticking out of it. At any rate the bagel molestor was bragging to this random person in line about how these are the best bagels in town and how they are made right on location. They maybe they may not be, but if that freakshow is going to be there, count me out. Good lord, I wish I never conjured up that memory again. He ruined bagels for me that bastard. but that is not why this place deserves one star, my friends omelette was cold and runny and had no cheese and the bread was covered in butter and the whole thing smelled strange. maybe because we got takeout, maybe because I was hungover and I had to put a pillow over my head to cover up the smell, but I dont think I will ever get food from this joint.

    (1)

  • ali a.

    This is one of the few delis in the city. I love the omelets, sandwiches, soups. If you like Jewish Deli food, this is the place to go. The basket of different bread and pickles are fantastic as well as everything else on the menu. I've never had a bad meal there. Definitely worth going to.

    (5)

  • Rocky B.

    Ohoohooohooo, I don't remember The Bagel being so good. We ordered take out from The Bagel last night and omg I'm still thinking about my sandwich. I ordered a Reuben. The sandwich had just right amount of everything. Not too much meat, just enough kraut and mmm melted swiss. Since it was take out they were nice enough to put the thousand island dressing on the side so my sandwich wouldn't get soggy. The fries at this place are amazing. I have no idea what they do to them but they are so crispy and greasy and yum! When we placed our order they said the food would be ready in 3 minutes. "Yeah, right" we thought. We live about a block away so we walked right over and the food was waiting for us. Sheesh, who the heck cooks a Reuben that quick? The Bagel I guess. My only complaint is that I will have to work out extra time today in order to compensate for all the calories I had in that meal. It was so worh it tho!

    (3)

  • Joe P.

    The love of The Bagel among so many of my friends in Chicago is one of the few times that I am reminded that I am not in New York. Yes, this is some of the better deli food in the area, but it is certainly not all that good. The sandwiches, although good are pretty small. The bagels are mediocre at best. Try the soup, it is one of the few meals that I have been impressed with here.

    (3)

  • Stan S.

    This is a classic Jewish deli with great food. If you get a jones for some matzo ball soup or a good corned beef on rye, this place will fix you up to a fare-the-well. It is usually packed, but the service is efficient and friendly. They have good blintzes, borscht, great brisket, all the classics. The prices usually make me gasp, but not because they are high. They just make me realize how old I am. When you have been ordering the same food since childhood and watched the prices climb, it is like feeling the creak of your bones. Of course what fun would a Jewish deli be if we couldn't moan about prices?

    (5)

  • Emma L.

    I was craving some homemade matzo ball soup and a good turkey sandwich so I ordered in from the Bagel tonight. Not as good as my grandma's soup, but pretty darn good. Definitely took care of the craving!

    (3)

  • Eliot J.

    this place is disgusting. everything tastes like gefilte fish, including the coffee. most of my breakfast on monday was spent waving away gnats that quite likely flew in from the kitchen. the pastries and cakes look pretty good, but i doubt i'll be back to check them out.

    (1)

  • David L.

    Ruben sandwhich and potato pancakes. That is all i've ever ordered here and it's all i'll ever order. Yes, I'm simple, but I know what I like, so why change? :-)

    (5)

  • Zach F.

    Best matzoh ball soup in town! They also have delicious latkas, chicken salad, egg salad, and corned beef. I think lunch and dinner are better than breakfast though. Overall = delicious!

    (4)

  • Beth P.

    The Bagel is a classic deli I love it. We've gone there so much I created my own sandwich -that I think they should add to the menu because people who sit down around us always ask waiters what I'm having. Almost the best fries I've ever had. Matzo ball soup is sooooo yummy. Go there! you get pickles right away :) Parking is behind the building

    (4)

  • Andrea R.

    This is one of the few good Jewish deli's in Chicago. I don't find it as good as the deli's where I'm from in South Florida, but if I'm sick or craving matzo ball soup I can always get it here.

    (3)

  • Irina H.

    Portions are gigantic, but some entrees are tasteless. It's also so LOUD at lunch time that the waiter didn't get my order right because he couldn't hear me. Probably a great spot for breakfast only.

    (3)

  • Ali O.

    well, i did get a fabulous everything bagel with veggie cream cheese for like three dollars and it was delicious. counter workers were nice and cheery, perfect breakfast on the go So this place is right by me and i never go in there because i never have much money to spring on breaky whatever, but my friends were visiting so i thought it would be nice to go there. I was pretty bummed at the turnout. I got the french toast which was good but didnt come with anything else, oh well thats ok. They both ordered this bagel and cream cheese thing that sounded so good on the menu but looked repulsive and im sure wasnt too tasty. it was like a giant ice cream scoop of oddly colored cream cheese that you just knew came out of a giant bucket. It was also busy and i like to be taken care of when i dine out but honestly, there was someone at my table with more coffee literally every 75 seconds, "more coffee, more coffee?" i was like ive taken one sip. I'm gonna go back and try this out maybe at another time, because i've heard good things, basically it was an expensive breakfast we left still hungry and a little agitated.

    (4)

  • marisa s.

    damn! they're got the biggest matzah balls i've seen in the midwest! when you look at the ball, floating in your chicken broth, have you ever thought, "how is that humongo ball going to fit inside me?" ...well it goes down pretty smoothly...like butta...kosher butta that is. deli food in chicago is really sub-par and i was so disappointed when i moved here that sadly, there are no delis that even come close to the metro Detroit delis (the Stage, Star, Steve's). the Bagel has fed my need for deli food...but it's still not the same! (pray hard for the Steve's Deli - from Detroit- to open soon by EBC) i usually order the BIG BALLed matzah ball soup and a garden salad and have them add in corned beef and turkey, instead of ham - and it comes somewhat close to my fav deli salad at the Stage in the D. the matzah fry is pretty damn good! they're omelette's are usually pretty standard. oh and the free pickles and challah on the table is pretty, pretty nice as you wait for your food to come, you gotta a snack! the service is quick like fast food, the waiters are pretty nice but all business - "gimmie ya order kid and let's get this on" kinda style. it's decorated with old broadway posters (kind of like Lindy's in Times Sq.) and the front pastry case will make your drool while you wait for your table. they'll always be a wait on the weekends, but they get people in and out pretty fast. for deli food in the city, this (besides manny's) is the closest to good.

    (4)

  • Lauren C.

    When I'm looking to treat myself to a big lunch, I come to The Bagel. All of their sandwiches and salads are huge, and they have some delicious fries. The bagels are also good and they make sure to load them up with a lot of cream cheese. The baked goods are amazing - the chocolate covered rice krisipy treats are my favorite. Service is quick and friendly, and the place is overall comfortable - it's a good lunch spot!

    (4)

  • Zac K.

    LOVE this place- ok ok, I know it's not anything overly exciting, but seriously, reminds me of my grandma and the food she used to make. Great dill pickles to start. Also go with the North Shore sandwich. Chicken soup is great- don't expect a lot of thing in it, just basic good ol cooking. Desserts are good, worth the price. Avoid weekend mornings as everyone seems to hit this place during those times. Salmon salad is good too. reminds me of home :)

    (5)

  • Kathleen C.

    The food is spectacular - matzo brie rivals my nana's (god forbid she ever gets internet access and reads this) and the matzo balls are the size of your head. Solid hot dogs, francheezies and traditional non-Jewish breakfast items too. One significant compaint - the staff/service. Often you can sit for 20 minutes before anyone takes your order (not counting the often long wait for a table). One time our waiter literally did not come back for over a half hour, even after we'd asked for the check, and the manager then had the gall to berate us for loitering at a table when there were people waiting. Suffice it to say, haven't been back since (in part thanks to my husbands passive aggressive retort, but that's another story)...

    (3)

  • Jake A.

    The bagel is the best deli I've been to in Chicago. You usually have to wait for 45 min to an hour for a table, but you'll be happy once you are seated. I usually stick w/ their matzo ball soup and sandwiches. They can't quite make matzo ball soup like my grandmother can, but it's pretty good!

    (4)

  • G G.

    Matzo ball soup, pastrami on rye. It's good. And it's a great atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Patrick F.

    The Bagel introduced me to kreplach and matzo balls - which come in a very tasty, salty chicken broth that can't be beat. Of course, no place named 'The Bagel' could exist for so long if they didn't serve great bagels as well. They have a counter up front where you can get bagels, soups, and desserts to go in addition to the restaurant seating. It's a long hike for me, but one I try to make as often as possible.

    (4)

  • Chris S.

    A really good Jewish-style deli in Lakeview. I have been coming here for years and have always left happy. The breakfast entrees like omelettes and pancakes are excellent, but the challa french toast is one of a kind and not to be missed. They also have a variety of smoked fish plates that, while a bit more expensive, are great. Terrific deli sandwiches and homemade dinners, and the biggest bowl of matzo ball soup I have ever seen round out the menu. There is usually a line on weekends, but it's worth the wait.

    (4)

  • Bethany K.

    This is a really good place to grab a snack in the lakeview neighborhood. They had a deep fried cheese hotdog that was actually really good. They are also open a little bit later then some of the surrounding resturants. Also they have a pretty big menu selection.

    (4)

  • Sydney K.

    This place has great sandwiches that remind me of the ones I used to get while living in New York City. Two of my favorites are the corned beef and pastrami - with plenty of mustard. The waitstaff is really nice without being overbearing. It has the nice friendly feel of a neighborhood joint. Their soups are good too.

    (3)

  • amy k.

    only stopped in for bagels at the counter a few times and eaten in once. it was a great experience, about half an hour before closing and as we tentatively discussed whether we should leave (because who wants to be the last people in the joint) the hostess was all "come in come in!" then some type of important person opened our menus and told us all about the special. we split a delicious rueben and the matzoh ball soup, which was great. i'm also a big fan of the pickles and bread mix pre-meal.

    (4)

  • Hiker Chicka e.

    I'm not sure what everyone is raving about. I've had better sandwiches are bagels from grocery stores! The service is good but the food less than average. I got a chicken salad sandwich once and it was soggy! The cherry cheese strudel is good, but with so many other options in the area, why go here?

    (2)

  • stephanie m.

    i've never had a problem with the bagel on broadway. every time i go the service is great and so is the food! i've had better, but then again, i've had a lot worse! a little pricey. but what isnt in chicago?

    (4)

  • Noran W.

    My husband worships their chicken soup with noodles. It is simple and divine. Their bread basket, with tray of kosher sliced pickles, allows for tasty munching as you review their vast menu of choices. They also have a bakery/carry out counter--with fast service. I think the best perk on the place is the free parking behind the place, along with the cool neighboring shops.Breakfast is filling, but about the same as other places. the sandwiches are standouts, and the Jewish dishes are great.

    (5)

  • Maura M.

    i am a matzo freak...i cannot get enough...the bagel gets the job done.

    (5)

  • Q T.

    holy crap, a huge, delicious matzo on this side of the Appalachians?? YES!! I have only picked up from here, so I can't judge the service, but mmm.

    (5)

  • Dee W.

    Decent place to go and grab some quick food. Came here for breakfast - was a bit disillusioned by the title because I assumed if it's called "The Bagel" - they'd have lots and lots of different bagels and spreads. ANyway, the lox spread here was amazing and they gave me so much that I didn't know what to do with the leftover amount. Service is pretty good here - efficient and friendly

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :8:00 am - 10:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : Yes
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Breakfast, Lunch
    Parking : Street, Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : No
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

The Bagel Restaurant & Deli

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