The Bagel Restaurant and Deli — Restaurant in Lake View Township

I have such wonderful memories dining here throughout the years and I'm so happy places like The Bagel 🥯 still exist. My mother used to treat me here as a teenager to good food like sandwiches, traditional Jewish appetizers, kreplach soup and dessert at the former location in Skokie. I felt nostalgia and came here today on purpose to fulfill some of my Jewish cuisine cravings.

Both the owner Danny Wolf and my lovely server Erika greeted me with genuine enthusiasm when I arrived for dinner here. All I knew upon entering was that I had to order a kishke so Erika gave me plenty of time to decide while she brought me out their traditional platter of sliced dill pickles, toasted homemade bagel thins and their yummy challah bread slices 🍞 with 🧈 butter. I'm a foodie so I appreciate good food prepared with love, a friendly staff and the coziness factor of where I'm dining. I also love the booths here and retro 1950s diner energies. The Bagel 🥯 never disappoints and I chose a potato 🥔 pancake with apple 🍎 sauce and sourcream, a meat filled knish and the kishke I'd been craving for days. The vibes here were positive and I thoroughly enjoyed conversing with everyone here so another waiter Chris made sure to write ✍ everyone's names here so I could write the review tonight as a ❤ genuine heartfelt than you 🙏 for showing me such a good time today. I wish The Bagel team continued success for years to come and next time I'll definitely pop in for lunch and try one of their famous deli style...

We found the cutest diner in #Chicago and it's a hidden gem!

From the front, it looks like a small bagel shop. But go to the side and you will discover the amazing diner.

A retro diner that takes the customer back in time to the 1950s; that innocent time of Americana we can only enjoy in movies nowadays.

Tastefully decorated in red and black with wood trim throughout, and metal table tops; Feels as if one was dropped on a movie set; (perhaps, Back to the Future?)

Challah bread slices and thin slices of toasted bagel that I couldn't stop eating. Plenty of pickle spears for the table.

The chicken broth with a "kreplach" is a must-have. The delicate taste of the broth serves as a soothing enhancement to the hearty taste of the kreplach.

The nova lox has a silky, rich, and flavorful taste with a hint of smoke and almost no salt taste. Generously served with thick and long slices, guaranteed to cover your choice of bread; served with tomato slices, cucumber, onion, green peppers, lettuce, and your choice of cream cheese and bread.

The skirt steak was smothered in grilled onions (yummy!) and mouth-watering delicious!

The Salted caramel cake is that forbidden treat, not to be underestimated. Your sweet tooth will never forgive you.

The lemonade was refreshing & delicious with that balance of sweet and sour and a bit of bitterness only accomplished with fresh ingredients.

Have you ever eaten at The Bagel Restaurant and Deli in Chicago?

If not, you're really...

Menu has a lot to offer! I am new to the neighborhood and I sat outside at a 2top with my 2 year old son. It took a bit to review the menu and decide so I did not mind the slow service while sitting outside. It was a challenge to keep my son entertained but the food came and it was great. The stuffed tomato came with lots of fresh veggies and coleslaw- I opted for tuna salad (chicken, egg, salmon salads were other options). There was no kids menu online but to my pleasant surprise, there was a kids menu on the menu handed to me. My son went with the standard chicken nuggets. I thought $9 was a little expensive for kids meal (no drink) but it was enough food for either 2 kids or 2 meals so we took over half home.

Our meal ended and while we were waiting for the bill and To-go box, my son became restless so we were up and I was chasing him around and doing my best to keep him out of the way. I admit this is problematic and apologized to staff/patrons while we waited. The manager/ owner/ host (older man with shaved head in a loose skirt sleeve button up) had the nerve to say "get a grip on him" INSTEAD of bringing a bill or box or doing anything to resolve our issue.

Had I gone to the Bagel without my child or not alone with him, I would have rate a 4 or 5, but I focus my reviews on dining with children and I likely will not return with kids.... I live nearby so I might get takeout because I was very happy...