Best Bagels in Oak Park?

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Permalink Reply by Russ M on July 17, 2009 at 2:03pm

Being from the south, I am not much of a Bagel fan. However, they have grew on me after I graduated from college and entered the work force, especially after I got stuck working with a few folks from the northeast.

The new Brueggers franchise that opened on Lake Street is pretty good. You can see them making the bagels in the kitchen. However, this is the opinion of someone who used to think bagels were stale donuts so take it for what it's worth.

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Permalink Reply by Becca on July 17, 2009 at 3:20pm

I feel your pain! I grew up in NJ so I'm still an east coaster a heart. There aren't many options in OP. I have to agree with Russ about the new bagel place. I was actually planning to write a blog post about them bcz you can watch them make the bagels in the store.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Plain on July 17, 2009 at 4:00pm

Thanks Russ, I appreciate your candor and agree that Brueggers isn't that bad for a bagel from a chain.

One of my colleagues suggested Onion Roll at North Ave and N Woodbine Ave.

Has anyone ever been? I might have to check it out this weekend...

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Permalink Reply by Russ M on July 17, 2009 at 5:07pm

Hmmm... that Onion Roll place isn't too far from the crib. Might have to try it out. Brian, bagels to you are probably like biscuits to me being from the South. I have seen a lot of noble efforts at a good biscuit in the midwest, but none of them seem to do it like we do in the south even when from a supposedly "southern restaurant" I think they are missing the "love" that can't be replicated by a recipe. Probably the same mojo that is missing from bagels outside of the Northeast.

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Permalink Reply by Becca on July 17, 2009 at 7:24pm

I didn't realize the Onion Roll sold bagels. The name threw me off. I assumed they only sold rolls and I hate onions ... so I've always stayed away. Curious to know how it is. We used to go to this place back home called Jersey Boy Bagels. Theirs were awesome (nostalgia setting in).

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Permalink Reply by Christopher Richardson on July 18, 2009 at 11:34am

This is a question I've been asking since I moved to Oak Park last fall. I agree with other, Bruegger's isn't that bad. I'll check out Onion Roll, but it does seem a bit far. Panera's are also okay.

Personally, and I know this sounds crazy, but I occasionally just find an excuse to hop on the el, head to the Loop and then hit Jaffa Bagels. I remember the first time I had a bagel from Jaffa; it changed my whole perception of what a bagel is supposed to be, and nothing else has really satisfied me since.

When you're in real need Brian, you should head there.

In the meantime, if someone else discovers the perfect bagel nearby, share!

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Permalink Reply by Becca on July 18, 2009 at 9:11pm

Christopher Richardson said:

This is a question I've been asking since I moved to Oak Park last fall. I agree with other, Bruegger's isn't that bad. I'll check out Onion Roll, but it does seem a bit far. Panera's are also okay.

Personally, and I know this sounds crazy, but I occasionally just find an excuse to hop on the el, head to the Loop and then hit Jaffa Bagels. I remember the first time I had a bagel from Jaffa; it changed my whole perception of what a bagel is supposed to be, and nothing else has really satisfied me since.

When you're in real need Brian, you should head there.

In the meantime, if someone else discovers the perfect bagel nearby, share!

Jaffa looks like a cute little place! I think they're in my old office building. Too bad they weren't there when I worked downtown. My guess is that the odds of getting a a truly delicious bagel are much higher downtown than they would be in the burbs.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Plain on July 18, 2009 at 11:57pm

Thanks for the suggestion Christopher and welcome to the forum. A bagel is certainly a good enough excuse in my book to hop on the EL and head downtown...

Russ, absolutely agreed on the biscuits...once you've experienced a good southern biscuit, nothing else really measures up.

I'm hoping to have an Onion Roll review for everyone shortly!

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Permalink Reply by davidleespangler on July 19, 2009 at 2:18pm

I'm not where the Onion Roll gets their bagels but I think they are the most authentic that Oak Park has to offer. That being said, I work near Kaufman's deli in Skokie and prefer their bages above all.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Plain on July 21, 2009 at 10:21am

Becca's tweet about this discussion pushed me over the edge this morning. I got in the office early, got a lot accomplished, and had some time until my next meeting, so I made the trek to Onion Roll...

I really wanted it to be an excellent bagel, but it was just ok. Keep in mind that if there is one area in which I would consider myself a "foodie", it is carb-related products. I will say that relative to my other bagel experiences in the area, Onion Roll definitely comes the closest to an authentic East Coast bagel.

As for the Onion Roll itself, that was my first time inside and I loved the old school feel and nature of the place.

SO CLOSE, yet so far. The great bagel quest continues for me...

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Permalink Reply by Becca on July 21, 2009 at 9:22pm

Brian, thanks for the report on the Onion Roll! I guess I need to get over my phobia of all things onion and check out that place.

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Permalink Reply by Dave! on July 24, 2009 at 1:49pm

No, sadly, no. Chalk it up to regionalism, I guess... no one in the midwest can seem to make a *real* *good* bagel. And don't get me started on chain places where I ask for a salt bagel with lox and they look at me like just asked to eat their dog.

Brueggers is okay. Not bad for a chain--I guess it will do in a pinch. I wish Jaffa were more convenient to my work, I'd definitely make a stop. I guess the Onion Roll goes on the list of places to check out!

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