Illinois Bagels So Good People Compare Them To New York
New York has long held the crown for bagels, but Illinois is quietly (and confidently) staging a delicious revolution.
From Lincolnwood to Geneva, bagel shops across the state are boiling, baking, and schmearing their way into the hearts of locals who swear these golden rings rival anything you’d find in Manhattan.
Skeptical? You’re not alone, until you take that first bite.
Whether you’re a transplanted New Yorker chasing a taste of home or a lifelong Midwesterner just realizing how good a bagel can be, these twelve standout destinations prove you don’t need to cross state lines for an authentic, mouth-watering experience.
1. New York Bagel & Bialy – Lincolnwood
Right in the name, you’ll find the promise, and this Lincolnwood gem delivers on every bite. Located at 4714 W Touhy Ave, Lincolnwood, IL 60712, this spot has been earning rave reviews from bagel purists who know their onions—and their everything seasoning.
The secret lies in traditional boiling methods that create that signature chewy crust with a pillowy interior that makes your taste buds do a happy dance.
Walk through the doors early in the morning, and you’ll be greeted by the intoxicating aroma of fresh-baked bagels still warm from the oven.
While the menu leans heavily traditional, rotating specials and seasonal offerings add just enough variety to surprise longtime customers. Each bagel gets the royal treatment, ensuring consistency that would make any Brooklyn baker nod in approval.
Pair your bagel with their house-made cream cheese spreads, and you’ve got yourself a breakfast that’ll fuel your entire day. The friendly staff treats every customer like family, making this more than just a bagel shop—it’s a neighborhood institution where carbs and community come together beautifully.
2. New York Bagel & Bialy – Skokie
Lightning does strike twice, and the Skokie location at 5200 Dempster St, Skokie, IL 60077 proves it with every perfectly rolled bagel. This sister location maintains the same sky-high standards that made the original famous, bringing authentic New York-style bagels to another lucky neighborhood.
Customers often debate which location reigns supreme, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with either.
What sets this spot apart is the sheer variety available daily. From poppyseed to pumpernickel, the lineup reads like a greatest hits album of bagel-dom.
The bialys deserve special mention—those dimpled beauties filled with onions and garlic transport you straight to the Lower East Side without the subway fare.
Grab a baker’s dozen for your next brunch gathering, and watch as your guests’ eyes light up with that first bite. The texture hits differently when bagels are made right: crispy exterior giving way to a tender, slightly chewy center that holds up perfectly under generous schmears.
This Skokie location has become a Sunday morning ritual for countless families who wouldn’t dream of starting their weekend any other way.
3. Kaufman’s Bagel & Delicatessen – Skokie
Stepping into Kaufman’s at 4905 Dempster St, Skokie, IL 60077 feels like visiting your favorite aunt’s kitchen—if your aunt happened to be a bagel-making wizard. This beloved delicatessen combines old-world charm with seriously impressive bagel craftsmanship that keeps lines forming out the door on weekend mornings.
The hand-rolled bagels here have character, each one slightly different from the next, just like homemade should be.
Beyond the bagels themselves, Kaufman’s offers a full deli experience that transforms a simple breakfast into a memorable meal. Their lox spread rivals anything you’d find in the Big Apple, and the whitefish salad has converted many skeptics into lifelong fans.
Regulars have their orders memorized by the staff, creating that small-town feel in the middle of suburban Illinois.
The bagels here boast a distinctive chew that comes from proper fermentation and boiling techniques passed down through generations. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite before work or settling in for a leisurely weekend breakfast, Kaufman’s delivers that perfect combination of quality and comfort that makes every visit feel special.
4. The Daly Bagel – Oak Park
Oak Park’s culinary scene just got a whole lot better when The Daly Bagel opened its doors at 106 N Marion St, Oak Park, IL 60301. This neighborhood favorite brings a modern twist to traditional bagel-making while respecting the fundamentals that make New York bagels legendary.
The space itself radiates warmth and welcome, with exposed brick walls and the constant soundtrack of happy customers chatting over their breakfast.
What really makes people rave about The Daly Bagel is the attention to detail in every single batch. The dough gets a proper overnight rest, developing complex flavors that you simply can’t rush.
When these beauties emerge from the oven, they sport that telltale glossy finish that signals a proper boil happened beforehand.
Creative flavor combinations set this spot apart from more traditional competitors. Sure, you can get your classic everything or plain, but why not venture into jalapeño cheddar territory or try the seasonal specials that rotate based on what’s fresh?
The cream cheese spreads range from traditional to inventive, giving you endless pairing possibilities that keep breakfast exciting day after day.
5. Steingold’s of Chicago – Chicago
Tucked into the Irving Park neighborhood at 1639 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613, Steingold’s has achieved cult status among Chicago’s bagel enthusiasts. This isn’t just hype—the bagels here genuinely earn their reputation with every perfectly formed ring.
The owners obsessed over getting the recipe just right, testing countless variations before opening their doors to the public.
Steingold’s specializes in Montreal-style bagels, which are slightly sweeter, denser, and traditionally baked in a wood-fired oven. Wood-fired ovens give these bagels a distinctive char and smokiness that adds another dimension of flavor.
While different from New York bagels, the craftsmanship and quality are strong enough that many purists still consider them worthy of comparison. The result is something uniquely delicious that bridges the gap between different bagel traditions while creating something entirely their own.
Beyond breakfast, Steingold’s has become a gathering place where neighbors bump into each other and tourists discover what makes Chicago’s food scene so special. The sandwiches piled high on these bagels could easily feed two people, but you probably won’t want to share.
Every ingredient tastes fresh and purposeful, from the house-cured fish to the locally sourced vegetables that top their signature creations.
6. Upper Crust Bagels – Deerfield
Excellence comes in pairs, and Upper Crust Bagels proves it with their Deerfield location at 405 Lake Cook Rd, Deerfield, IL 60015. Families have been making this their Sunday morning pilgrimage for years, creating traditions around these exceptional bagels.
The parking lot fills up fast on weekends, a sure sign that word has spread about what’s happening inside.
Freshness isn’t just a buzzword here—it’s a promise kept every single day. Multiple batches come out of the ovens throughout the morning, ensuring you’re never stuck with yesterday’s leftovers.
The bagels maintain that perfect balance: substantial enough to satisfy but never heavy or doughy in a way that weighs you down.
Upper Crust understands that great bagels need equally great accompaniments. Their spreads range from traditional plain and vegetable cream cheese to more adventurous options that surprise and delight.
The coffee program deserves mention too, offering the perfect liquid companion to your carb-loaded breakfast. Staff members know their regulars by name and order, creating that comfortable neighborhood vibe that transforms a simple bagel run into a genuine community experience worth savoring.
7. Upper Crust Bagels – Northbrook
Good things deserve to be duplicated, and Upper Crust’s Northbrook location at 3425 Dundee Rd, Northbrook, IL 60062 brings the same bagel magic to another grateful community. Consistency across locations can be tricky, but Upper Crust nails it, ensuring that your favorite everything bagel tastes just as perfect whether you’re in Deerfield or Northbrook.
This reliability has earned them a fiercely loyal customer base that wouldn’t consider getting their bagels anywhere else.
The morning rush here resembles a well-choreographed dance, with staff efficiently handling the steady stream of customers without sacrificing quality or friendliness. Even when the line stretches out the door, orders move quickly, getting people fed and caffeinated without unnecessary delays.
It’s clear that systems and training have been thoughtfully implemented to handle high volume while maintaining standards.
Breakfast sandwiches built on these bagels transform simple ingredients into something memorable. Eggs, cheese, and your choice of protein become extraordinary when housed between two halves of a perfectly toasted bagel.
The crunch, the chew, the flavor—everything works together harmoniously, proving that sometimes the simplest pleasures bring the greatest joy.
8. Brobagel – Chicago
Lincoln Park’s Brobagel at 1005 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 brings a playful attitude to serious bagel-making. The name might make you smile, but the quality will make you a believer.
These guys understand that respecting tradition doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with it, resulting in bagels that honor the classics while occasionally coloring outside the lines.
Size matters here, and these bagels come properly substantial without crossing into gimmick territory. You’re getting a real meal, not some sad excuse for breakfast that leaves you hungry an hour later.
The crust achieves that ideal crackle when you bite down, while the interior stays moist and flavorful—textbook bagel perfection that would make any New Yorker tip their cap.
Brobagel operates with limited hours and frequently sells out, so arriving early is strongly recommended. Brobagel has become a Lincoln Park institution where locals grab their morning fix before heading to work or settling in for a lazy weekend breakfast.
Whether you’re a bagel connoisseur or just someone who appreciates good food made with care, this place delivers exactly what you’re hoping for every single time you walk through the door.
9. Gotham Bagels – Chicago
With a name that explicitly references New York’s most famous nickname, Gotham Bagels at 1212 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60607 sets high expectations—then exceeds them. This West Loop spot has become a destination for bagel pilgrims willing to travel across the city for a taste of authentic New York-style perfection.
The commitment to traditional methods shows in every single bagel that comes across the counter.
Watching the bagel-making process here is like witnessing edible art being created. Dough gets hand-rolled with practiced precision, boiled in massive pots, then baked until golden and gorgeous.
No shortcuts, no compromises—just time-honored techniques executed with skill and passion. The result speaks for itself in that first satisfying bite.
Gotham’s popularity means you might wait a bit during peak hours, but good things come to those who wait, and these bagels are worth every minute. The menu extends beyond plain bagels to include spectacular sandwiches and spreads that showcase how versatile a great bagel can be.
Coffee flows strong and hot, fueling conversations and kickstarting days in this bustling corner of Chicago’s thriving food scene.
10. Bagels by the Book – Libertyville
Venture north to Libertyville, and you’ll discover Bagels by the Book at 1149 S Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, IL 60048, where they take bagel-making seriously—by the book, you might say. This suburban gem proves that you don’t need to be in a big city to produce world-class bagels.
The recipe follows traditional methods precisely, resulting in consistent excellence that keeps customers returning week after week.
What makes this spot special is how they’ve become woven into the fabric of the Libertyville community. Birthday celebrations, weekend family gatherings, and Tuesday morning coffee dates all happen here, with bagels serving as the delicious centerpiece.
The staff remembers your kids’ names and asks about your vacation, creating genuine connections that make every visit feel like coming home.
The bagel selection covers all the classics plus a few creative additions that showcase seasonal flavors. Each one gets the proper treatment: boiled, baked, and served with pride.
Cream cheese options range from simple to sophisticated, and the coffee always tastes fresh. It’s the kind of place that makes you grateful for good food and good neighbors, all wrapped up in one welcoming space.
11. Bad Guy Bagels – Geneva
Don’t let the mischievous name fool you—there’s nothing villainous about the bagels at Bad Guy Bagels, located at 537 S 3rd St, Geneva, IL 60134. In fact, these might be the good guys of the Illinois bagel scene, bringing authentic New York-style bagels to the western suburbs with style and substance.
The playful branding draws you in, but the quality keeps you coming back for more.
Geneva residents hit the jackpot when this spot opened, finally giving them a local option that rivals anything in the city. The bagels emerge from the kitchen with that perfect sheen that tells you they’ve been properly boiled before baking.
Texture hits just right—substantial chew without being tough, flavorful without overwhelming whatever you choose to put on top.
Creative sandwich combinations showcase how a great bagel serves as the foundation for endless possibilities. From classic lox to inventive vegetarian options, the menu offers something for everyone without trying to be everything to everyone.
The space itself feels modern and welcoming, with plenty of seating for those who want to linger over their breakfast and soak in the friendly neighborhood atmosphere that makes Geneva such a special place to call home.
12. County Farm Bagels – Wheaton
Wheaton’s County Farm Bagels at 191 Rice Lake Square, Wheaton, IL 60189 rounds out our list with a bang, not a whimper. This neighborhood favorite has quietly built a reputation for producing some of the finest bagels in DuPage County, earning praise from New York transplants who thought they’d never find decent bagels in the Midwest.
Spoiler alert: they were happily proven wrong.
The name might evoke rural imagery, but the bagels here are pure urban sophistication. Each batch receives the careful attention it deserves, from mixing and shaping through boiling and baking.
The owners clearly understand that great bagels can’t be rushed—they require time, technique, and a genuine commitment to quality over convenience.
Morning routines in Wheaton often include a stop at County Farm, where the smell of fresh bagels greets you before you even open the door. The selection stays classic with a few fun additions, ensuring that traditionalists and adventurous eaters both find something to love.
Pair your bagel with their excellent coffee, grab a seat by the window, and watch Wheaton wake up while you enjoy one of the best breakfasts Illinois has to offer.