Once Upon A Bagel- Winnetka — Restaurant in New Trier Township

Great local spot for a meal, dessert, or coffee. I usually stop in before I catch the train downtown. While the sign says they open at 8, they're open before that on weekdays (other than Mondays, and I'm not sure of the official opening time), which is nice for getting my morning coffee. Don't expect Starbucks selection if you're into specialty coffee, but do expect a hot cup of coffee for under $3.

I've only ordered food once (last night actually), but I will definitely return for food. I ordered a taco al pastor and a brisket sandwich. The taco al pastor was really good, similar to what I would expect at an authentic Mexican restaurant but with a twist. It's close enough to authentic (like what I would get in Little Village) to satisfy my craving, but the addition of diced pineapple adds a sweet and sour flavor that's a welcomed addition. The brisket sandwich was also good. It's simmered and served with a choice of bread (I got rye which paired well) and comes with a cup of au jus gravy for dipping. They have many other menu choices, including omelets and breakfast, desserts, and bagels (of course). Indoor dining is available,...

I recently visited this bagel parlor and tried their lox bagel. While it wasn’t bad, it also wasn’t particularly memorable. The bagel was fresh, and the lox had a decent flavor, but the overall experience felt slightly above average. It’s a good option if you’re in the mood for a lox bagel and happen to be nearby, but it’s not the kind of place that will blow you away.

One thing to note is the inconsistency with the cream cheese. My bagel had a very light spread, and I found myself wishing for a little more. On the other hand, my partner’s bagel had way too much cream cheese, which completely overpowered the flavors. Being a small café, it has a cozy vibe, but the quality could be a bit more consistent. It’s a decent stop for a quick bite, but there’s definitely room for...

The food here is not good at all. I live in the area and know the prices for restaurants are on the higher side and they are definitely worth the price, but the price for this food is not worth it at all. My husband bought the steak and eggs and the presentation of the food was the worst I've seen, the hashbrown had such a horrible after taste, the steak looked old, nothing compared to the steak and eggs from Towne & Oak. I bought the chicken and waffles, those waffles are something like you would buy at a target frozen aisle, the chicken was okay and they forgot to put the strawberries. Such a waste of money, never going...