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Steingold's Deli of Chicago
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Steingold's Deli of Chicago
8.1
A modern Jewish deli with a real bakery backbone—bagels and enriched breads that support big, structured sandwiches. It lands best as an early-day pickup or quick sit-down: one signature sandwich plus a baked good, then stop before the order sprawls.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bagels, Egg on A Roll, Sufganiyot
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Bagel-and-bread-driven deli sandwiches with serious bakery execution.
Who should go: Breakfast sandwich and bagel loyalists
When to visit: Early morning for best selection
What to order: Bagel, Egg on A Roll, sufganiyot
Insider tip: Weekends go long-line—order ahead when possible.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Southport Ave; fills up quickly on weekends but manageable early mornings.
Dress code: Casual—jeans, sneakers, and daytime wear are standard.
Noise level: Moderate during peak brunch hours; quieter and conversational-friendly early in the morning.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—this is primarily a breakfast and lunch spot.
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes during peak; little to no wait before noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple vegetarian-friendly sandwiches and bakery items.
Vegan options: Limited—some breads and spreads work, but most signatures include eggs or dairy.
Gluten-free options: Very limited—no dedicated gluten-free bagels or prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, for a low-pressure daytime date—quick, casual, and food-focused rather than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there’s no reservation system; arrive early or be prepared for a short wait on weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—simple menu items, baked goods, and a relaxed daytime environment work well for kids.
Best For
Better for: Bakery-driven bagels and structured breakfast sandwiches with higher ingredient quality than typical delis.
Skip if: You’re looking for a full-service deli experience, extensive seating, or a long, leisurely brunch.
Steingold's Deli of Chicago
8.3
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Comfort Food Classics
A Jewish-inspired deli built around bagels, lox, and hearty breakfast sandwiches in a quick, order-at-the-counter format. It’s strongest when you treat it like a focused bagel-and-schmear or lox run, then add one signature sandwich instead of spreading the order across the whole menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lox bagel sandwich, Egg on a Roll, Bagel with schmear
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A deli-style bagel program anchored by lox and signature breakfast sandwiches.
Who should go: Lox people and breakfast sandwich loyalists
When to visit: Weekday mornings for the smoothest ordering
What to order: Lox bagel, Egg on a Roll, bagel with schmear
Insider tip: Keep it tight: one bagel item plus one sandwich hits best.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Broadway and side streets; usually manageable in the morning, tighter during lunch rush
Dress code: Casual and functional—jeans, sneakers, workday basics all fit right in
Noise level: Moderate—busy counter energy but still easy to hold a conversation
Weekend wait: Not applicable—breakfast and lunch hours only
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes during peak lunch; shorter if you arrive early
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—bagels with schmear, egg-based sandwiches, and a few veg-friendly builds
Vegan options: Limited—plain bagels with select spreads; best to keep expectations modest
Gluten-free options: Very limited—no dedicated gluten-free bagels and potential cross-contact
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, daytime meet-up than a classic first date—it’s quick, counter-service, and more about the food than ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations; order at the counter and grab an open table or plan for takeout if it’s packed.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids—simple bagels and sandwiches work well, but seating is tight and there’s no kid-specific setup.
Best For
Better for: High-quality lox, classic Jewish deli flavors, and hearty bagel sandwiches with real structure
Skip if: You’re looking for a leisurely brunch, lots of seating, or a broad, customizable bagel menu
Steingold's Deli of Chicago
8.4
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Comfort Food Classics
A Jewish-inspired counter deli built around bagels, lox, and hearty breakfast-and-lunch sandwiches with a fast, get-in-get-out rhythm. It’s at its best when you order decisively in the bagel-and-smoked-fish lane and let the classics do the talking.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lox bagel, Egg on a Roll, Bagel with schmear
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 7.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A deli-style bagel-and-lox program with fast counter precision.
Who should go: Lox lovers and sandwich-first lunch people
When to visit: Weekday mornings and early lunch
What to order: Lox bagel, Egg on a Roll, bagel with schmear
Insider tip: Keep the ticket tight—one sandwich per person wins.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Southport Ave and nearby side streets; usually manageable midday, tighter during evening rush.
Dress code: Casual and functional — jeans, sneakers, workday casual all fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate — counter buzz and order calls, but still easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — primarily a daytime breakfast-and-lunch spot.
Weekday lunch: Short line common from 12–1pm, usually moves fast (5–10 minutes).
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — egg-and-cheese bagels, schmear-forward bagels, and a few veggie sandwich options.
Vegan options: Limited — plain bagels and select spreads, but not a strong vegan destination.
Gluten-free options: Very limited — bagel-focused menu makes this a tough pick for gluten-free diners.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual daytime meet than a romantic date — fast-paced and counter-driven, but relaxed and low-pressure.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — no reservations needed; seating is first-come, and turnover is quick.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who like bagels and breakfast sandwiches; not built around high chairs or linger-long family meals.
Best For
Better for: Efficient, high-quality bagel-and-smoked-fish sandwiches with real deli credibility and consistent execution.
Skip if: You want a full-service deli experience, a broad hot-food menu, or strong gluten-free or vegan accommodations.