Lefty's Righteous Bagels — Restaurant in Evanston Township

I prefer NY Style Bagels. I wasn’t aware of Montreal style, until after I started chowing’ down on my order.

Found this place on a walk with my friend, I love carbs, bread and bagels, so naturally I returned.

First impression : I was sad. The cream cheese was not smeared on the bagel, so I could not bite and go. Sesame bagel had lots of sesame seeds, but it was not the NY style bread I know & prefer; it was giving Dunkin’ or Starbucks bagels.

My lox, The Billy Corgan, amazing. Salmon was soft and buttery, but sandwich was missing the fresh crunch of veggies. Lefty’s version has lemon dill cream cheese, but I opted for good ol’ plain cream cheese and I’m glad I did, the Montreal style bagel was not bageling for me. The necessary sodium intake was met with the Billy Corgan, coming in with only pickled red onions, capers and a pickle on the side. The bagel was tough tbh. However, because it was loaded with the smoked salmon, I devoured it.

Sesame bagel with cream cheese was 5.50 and small coffee was 3.50.

Coffee was strong, and aromatic. I actually wouldn’t mind a cup on another Tuesday Morning around 8AM, to get some computer work done in this cozy space .

Coloring pages with crayons are provided while I waited for my order .

No picture of the actual Lox because I ate it, and completely forgot the...

Lefty's has become a new addiction in our home!

So far, we have tried: bagels: garlic, everything, Kerry Gold cheddar, plain, cinnamon sugar, and giardiniera cream cheese: plain, scallion, honey vanilla sandwiches: the Larry Bird drinks: cold brew, apple cider scones

Pros: customer service is excellent the texture of these bagels is addicting the cream cheese is so good! I do feel like the right amount is about 1.5-2 cream cheeses though. the everything bagel has toppings on BOTH sides - so much yes. the scones are dangerously delicious (I think they're from a different business) it's beautiful inside and there's a bar window to see how the bagels are made drawing pages - so helpful with my kids! walk up window outside for coffee the Larry Bird was worth the price Apple cider was honestly some of the best we've ever had

Growth Edges: the garlic bagel needs more garlic, then it would be perfection -we tried the giardiniera bagel during opening and it really just tasted like a plain bagel. I want to try it again and hopefully it'll pack flavor next time and has been improved! sandwich prices are a bit extra, but we'll try more of them and hopefully the price...

Wow this place is incredible! Arguably one of the best bagels in Evanston and Chicago. Delicious Montreal style bagels, sandwiches, and fun specialty coffee drinks. I had the pistachio latte and it was divine! I highly recommend the Lox sandwich sesame or giardinera bagel and the cacio e pepe cream cheese blew my mind!

Not only is the food delicious but the atmosphere is so cozy and welcoming. It's always warm in there from the wood burning oven and the kitchen is open concept so you can watch the entire prep process if you're there at the right time. If you happen to be there with your kids during the dough rolling step, they'll let them roll out their own bagel so they feel like they're helping with the prep process. It's so cute! The owner Brad is so kind and charismatic and is always chatting it up with regulars and strangers alike. I love this place with my whole heart.

The bagels do tend to sell out. I was there last Sunday and they were already almost out of bagels at noon so get there early so you have all the...