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Chicago Bagel Authority
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Chicago Bagel Authority
8.4
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Group Dining Gatherings
Sports Bar Central
Chicago Bagel Authority’s Armitage location is a high-volume Lincoln Park institution for steamed bagel “steamwiches” and late-morning hangovers. Since the late 1990s, students and neighborhood regulars have lined up for overstuffed breakfast and lunch combinations served in a boisterous, sports-on-TV atmosphere.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Breakfast Bagel, Dank 'N' Eggs steamwich, The Belmont breakfast steamwich
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: A loud, lines-out-the-door spot for steamed, overstuffed bagel sandwiches since the late ’90s.
Who should go: Hungry groups wanting big, messy breakfast or lunch steamwiches.
When to visit: Early mornings or off-peak afternoons to dodge the heaviest lines.
What to order: The Breakfast Bagel, Dank 'N' Eggs, The Belmont on everything.
Insider tip: Study the menu online first and have your steamwich order ready—service moves quickly once you reach the counter.
Chicago Bagel Authority
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Quick Bites Champions
Chicago Bagel Authority’s Armitage original steams massive bagel sandwiches for breakfast and lunch in a space lined with stickers, posters, and tightly packed tables. Since the late 1990s it’s been a go-to for students and longtime regulars chasing overstuffed “steamwiches” and bottomless combinations.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Belmont, The Ritz, Dirty Swede
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: A long-running steamed-bagel shop where enormous breakfast and lunch sandwiches define the Armitage corridor.
Who should go: Students and sandwich fans who like big, messy “steamwiches.”
When to visit: Early mornings or mid-afternoons to dodge peak weekend lines.
What to order: The Belmont, The Ritz, Dirty Swede.
Insider tip: Order ahead online on busy weekends—then snag one of the few tables or take your steamwich to the train or park.
Chicago Bagel Authority
8.1
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Chicago Bagel Authority’s Armitage location is a fast-moving counter spot famous for steamed bagel “steamwiches” with long menus of fillings. It’s ideal for casual business lunches or internal team meetups where you need something quick, inexpensive, and filling without committing to a long sit-down meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Turkey Bacon Avocado Steamwich, Veggie Steamwich with Hummus and Sprouts, Lox and Cream Cheese Bagel
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A high-throughput bagel shop built around steamed sandwiches that turn quick business lunches into something more interesting than standard deli fare.
Who should go: Teams needing fast, affordable lunches with lots of customization.
When to visit: Early lunch or mid-afternoon to dodge the peak line.
What to order: Turkey bacon avocado steamwich, a veggie steamwich, classic lox bagel.
Insider tip: Study the menu online and order decisively—regulars move quickly and the line does too.
Chicago Bagel Authority
8.3
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Chicago Bagel Authority on Armitage is a steam-sandwich shop where oversize, college-priced bagel sandwiches run nonstop for DePaul students and neighborhood regulars. The menu leans toward loaded, melty combinations that still land in affordable breakfast and lunch territory.
Must-Try Dishes:
Turkey Avocado Steamed Bagel Sandwich, Breakfast Egg & Cheese Bagel, Pepperoni Pizza Bagel
Scores:
Value: 8.9
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Steam-pressed bagel sandwiches stacked for student-budget appetites.
Who should go: Students and locals wanting big, affordable bagel meals.
When to visit: Late morning or midafternoon to avoid campus rushes.
What to order: Turkey avocado bagel, breakfast egg and cheese, pizza bagel.
Insider tip: Call ahead or order online; the tiny space fills quickly at lunch.