Chicago's food scene is legendary, and while deep-dish pizza and hot dogs often steal the show, the city boasts a surprisingly vibrant bagel culture. Forget those mass-produced supermarket bagels; Chicago's best bagel shops offer chewy, hand-rolled perfection, bursting with flavor and often topped with unique and creative spreads. This guide dives into the top 24 bagels in Chicago, highlighting what makes each bakery special and helping you find your new favorite.
The Best Bagel Shops Across Chicago: A Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Guide
Chicago's diverse neighborhoods each offer their own unique bagel experiences. We've broken down this list by area to help you navigate this delicious quest.
Lincoln Park & Lakeview
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New York Bagel & Bialy: A classic for a reason. NY Bagel & Bialy has stood the test of time, offering consistently excellent bagels with a wide variety of toppings and shmears. Their everything bagel is a must-try.
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Do-Rite Donuts & Chicken: While known for their donuts, Do-Rite also offers surprisingly excellent bagels, often with creative and seasonal toppings. Their seasonal fruit bagels are a highlight.
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The Bagel: This local favorite offers fresh, hand-rolled bagels with a focus on simple perfection. Their plain bagels perfectly showcase their dough-making skills.
Wicker Park & Bucktown
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Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe: Yes, a pancake house! But their bagels are surprisingly good, often served with unique breakfast combinations. Their bacon, egg, and cheese bagel is a great brunch option.
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Stan's Donuts: Another donut shop with a secret weapon: delicious bagels. Stan's takes a more playful approach to bagels, with exciting flavor combinations. Their maple bacon bagel is worth a visit.
Wrigleyville & Uptown
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Mindy's HotChocolate: While primarily known for its decadent hot chocolate, Mindy's also offers a small selection of high-quality bagels. Their chocolate chip bagels are a sweet treat.
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Roscoe's House of Chicken 'N Waffles: Surprisingly, Roscoe's offers a solid bagel selection, perfect for a unique breakfast experience. Try their chicken and waffle bagel sandwich.
Loop & River North
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Ess-a-Bagel: A New York import, Ess-a-Bagel brings authentic New York-style bagels to the heart of Chicago. Their sesame bagels are a classic.
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Pequod's Pizza: You might not expect it, but Pequod's, famous for its deep dish, also offers bagels. It’s a great option for a pizza and bagel pairing.
Other Notable Chicago Bagel Spots
The following bakeries may not fit neatly into specific neighborhoods, but they certainly deserve a spot on this list:
- Insomnia Cookies: A late-night favorite, also delivers bagels that can satisfy your midnight cravings.
- First Slice Pie Café: This popular pie shop offers delightful bagels on their menu.
- The Goddess and Grocer: Known for its wide array of gourmet offerings, the Goddess and Grocer’s bagels are a luxurious treat.
- Broken English Taco Pub: A unique pairing of Mexican cuisine and bagels.
- Southport Grocery: This upscale grocery store offers an incredible selection of bagels.
- Owen & Engine: While primarily a bar, Owen & Engine offers bagels for those looking for a late-night snack.
Unique Bagel Experiences in Chicago
Chicago bagels offer a variety of exciting experiences beyond the basic bagel:
- Rainbow Cone Bagel: A playful variation, a bagel topped with Chicago's famous Rainbow Cone ice cream.
- Chicago-Style Bagel: A unique twist, this bagel incorporates local ingredients like Garrett Mix popcorn.
- Deep-Dish Bagel: A hearty bagel stuffed with deep-dish pizza fillings.
- Bagel Brunch Spots: Numerous brunch spots across the city showcase creative bagel dishes.
Beyond the Bagel: Shmears and Toppings
Chicago's bagel shops understand that the perfect bagel is only half the experience. The right shmear or topping can elevate a good bagel to greatness.
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Unique Cream Cheeses: Explore flavored cream cheeses like scallion, dill, or roasted red pepper.
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Creative Toppings: Try everything from smoked salmon and capers to avocado and tomato.
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Seasonal Specials: Keep an eye out for limited-time bagel offerings that highlight seasonal ingredients.
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Homemade Shmears: Many shops offer homemade shmears, often with unique flavor profiles.
Finding Your Perfect Chicago Bagel: A Guide
This list provides a starting point for your Chicago bagel adventure. To find your personal favorite, consider:
- Your preferred bagel type: Do you like your bagels plain, everything, or with a unique twist?
- Your preferred shmear or topping: Experiment with different options to find your perfect combination.
- Your neighborhood: Explore the bagel shops closest to you to discover hidden gems.
Conclusion: Embrace the Chicago Bagel Scene
Chicago's bagel scene is diverse, delicious, and constantly evolving. Don't be afraid to explore, experiment, and discover your own personal favorite bagel in the Windy City. This list is just a starting point – the ultimate top Chicago bagel is the one you love most! So grab a bagel, some shmear, and enjoy the journey!
