It was my first time going there. I had a Turkey breast and Swiss sandwich on Rye with potato…read moresalad as a side. It was so good! Definitely my new go to lunch place. Next time I'll bring home some bagels and cream cheese.

Good food/product Ignorant staff…read morePeople wouldn't be confused on where to order if you actually took orders at the order here sign. Ha

I'm extremely thankful to have a friend who introduced me to this bagel spot. Definitely a top 2…read morefavorite of mine. I haven't been to the location but have had these bagels consistently for over 10 years. The texture and flavor of the bagel is everything a NY bagel is and should be. Fluffy on the inside, somewhat crispy on the outside, and oh so thiccccccccck! Their cream cheese?! Ugh! Don't skip on it, seriously everything about this place is perfect. My go to selection is the egg bagel with chive cream cheese. It's chef's kiss and hits the spot. EVERY.SINGLE.TIME!!!!

If you're expecting this to be interchangeable with the franchised bagel places that have spread…read moreacross the country, recalibrate now. This is not that. I've been going to New York Bagel & Bialy for over 50 years, and places like this operate on a different clock, a different standard, and frankly, a different philosophy of what a bagel is supposed to be. Timing matters. If you show up after about 8:00 AM, your odds of getting bagels at their absolute peak--still warm, properly textured, with that slight resistance on the outside and softness inside--go up significantly. Earlier can be hit or miss depending on the batch cycle, but once they're in stride, this place delivers. The essentials are all here and worth your time: poppy seed, sesame, everything, and especially the bialys. The bialys alone are reason enough to make the trip--properly done, with the right chew and depth of flavor that you simply won't find in mass-produced versions. Don't overcomplicate it. Grab a dozen. On your way home, stop and pick up a couple packages of Philadelphia Cream Cheese and some smoked salmon a jar of capers, a Bermuda onion--whether here or even from Walmart--and you've got a meal that outperforms most brunch menus at a fraction of the cost. This isn't trendy. It's not trying to be. It's something better: consistent, old-world, and still doing it the right way. If you're going to call something a bagel, the standard is not branding--it's process. That's why New York Bagel & Bialy on Touhy stands apart. They actually do it right: kettle-boiled first, then baked in rotating ovens. That single decision--boiling--changes the entire structure. It gelatinizes the outer starch layer, locks in density, and produces that thin, glossy crust with real chew. Without it, you don't have a bagel--you have bread with a hole. The rotating ovens matter too. They deliver even heat, which means you get the correct balance: a slight exterior crisp with a dense, elastic interior. No puffiness. No sponge. No collapse under toppings. That's the difference here. Most chains optimize for speed and shelf life, so they steam or shortcut the process. Many local shops land in the middle. This place doesn't compromise. If you care about what a bagel is supposed to be--not just what it's called--this is the benchmark in Chicago.

We stopped by New York Bagel & Bialy pretty late in the evening on a Saturday night. There was a…read morelittle bit of a line, but I took that as a good sign. We ordered a dozen mixed, cream cheese and lox spread and headed home. Service was fast and the employee helping us was really sweet. The smell in the building was lovely. Ahhhh..... Every single thing we ate was spectacular. Absolutely wonderful. We went to a funeral in Skokie last month, I thought we were stopping to get some goods on the way home. My husband forgot his promise... I am still holding a grudge.

The $5.99 Benchmark for Bagel Integrity Who would have…read morethought you could still find this kind of integrity for $5.99? In a world where most spots are jacking up prices while lowering quality, this place is sticking to the New York gold standard. The line is a total marathon. You're going to wait, and it's going to be a while--but that's the tax you pay for food that actually has a soul. Don't let the deli line distract you. It's white noise. Stay focused on the bagels, the bialys, and the accoutrements. The breakfast sandwich is, hands down, the best in town. Period. It's simple, inexpensive, and lacks any of that "cheap filler" logic you see at other breakfast joints. It's just a masterclass in doing the basics with real care. If you have the patience to survive the wait, you won't find a better return on your investment.

The challah rolls here might be the best I've ever had. So soft and delicious. I think it's worth…read moremaking a trek out here just for this. I'm I accidentally got the soft salami instead of the hard salami. It was more like bologna. The rainbow star cookies were amazing. Not too sweet and just like the ones I remember getting as a kid in New York. They also have discounted bagels at the end of the weekend. I recommend grabbing a bag to take home and the slicing them and putting them in the freezer. There is plenty of free parking and they do have a few tables in the front if you want to dine there.

did I even slightly hesitate on driving 45 minutes for a bagel? like no. not even "like no," just…read moreno. i had to try Kaufman's - I got the breakfast bagel once and the Reuben on a bagel this time... and lemme just say this was an intimidating place. all the food at every counter looked amazing but i couldn't figure out what to order. it seemed everyone just knew what they wanted without a menu so ACT FAST PEOPLE - the bagel itself was surprisingly average considering this was authentic ass deli (not kosher tho) - the fillings tho were what stepped up the game...SOOO much egg in the breakfast game. they asked if I wanted salami or bacon which was interesting like I'm a sausage girl (lol) but honestly it was so yummy - the Reuben though... best sandwich I have ever had in Chicago and that is 0 exaggeration. i shall be returning again and they make the sandwiches BY THE POUND

Amazing bagels! Great variety and always fresh. Would definitely recommend you try them if you…read morehaven't already. You will not be disappointed!!!

Left Hand Bagels are FANTABULOUS!!! Best bagels I have ever had and now that they are made on the…read morespot at the Farmer's Markets makes them even more delicious - fresh and HOT out of the oven. These bagels are NOT to be missed - trust me - I know my bagels from the east coast and these delights need to be sold everywhere. I LOVE that you use all natural and fresh ingredients and you are a veteran making a difference. Chuck - you ROCK!!! Thank you for sharing your talents.

Love this place . The daily the bakery You name it! The…read moresoup looks amazingly good too ! I'll have to try it . It's counter order but if you dine in they bring it to your table! You can order to go There are tables and booths settings . I enjoy the corn beef . Will return again soon

A friend of mine introduced me to this place 30 years ago. Although I don't live close by, I still…read morehead up there whenever I have a taste for lox and bagels and other deli specialties. They are pretty popular so it can get crowded, especially on weekend mornings and lunchtime. In addition to their to-go deli offerings, you can also order breakfast and lunch items, and there is ample space for dining in. On this occasion, I did both, I ate a tasty breakfast burrito at the table, then picked up my deli items to go. I especially like the high quality Nova lox they have on hand. It always seems fresh and without discoloration. I don't really care about the price, when I want it, I get it. I usually buy three days worth, along with the cheeses spreads and bagels. The potato salad, and deli pickles are also excellent. Although the service is friendly, I recommend that you double check your order. I have had a "communication disconnects"on my orders a couple of times. Could have been them, could have been me. It's a wonderful all-encompassing deli, and I highly recommend .

Small-local- not a chain- go support!!! For the pros: Great…read moreservice overall. The Black Forest cake was delicious and beautiful and they did an excellent job. Donuts, apple fritters, and eclairs were very tasty. The custards were yummy. Cons: Place was dead, not one customer to be found on a Saturday morning at 7:30am. Stop going to the chain coffee joints and try a small place that needs us. I preordered a little leas than $100 worth of cakes, pies, and pastries so I grabbed some of the cookies to make it $100. The butter cookies are $33 a lb. Ouch! As soon as you take a bite they fall apart and crumble everywhere. The kids didn't like the taste and didn't eat any of them, a waste of $12. No prices anywhere other than the boxed goods or coffee signs. 4% fee for using a credit card which I get, but have it posted better. Couple small signs I caught over by the fresh stuff saying price tags reflect cash price, but yet didn't see prices anywhere other than on shelves by boxed stuff. Have prices posted. French silk pie was very thick and not very chocolaty. No one really cared for it, def would not get again. I looked back at receipt after I left and see a random charge for "open retail" for $3.12, no clue what that is. So was over charged for something I didn't get.

Small-local- not a chain- go support!!! For the pros: Great…read moreservice overall. The Black Forest cake was delicious and beautiful and they did an excellent job. Donuts, apple fritters, and eclairs were very tasty. The custards were yummy. Cons: Place was dead, not one customer to be found on a Saturday morning at 7:30am. Stop going to the chain coffee joints and try a small place that needs us. I preordered a little leas than $100 worth of cakes, pies, and pastries so I grabbed some of the cookies to make it $100. The butter cookies are $33 a lb. Ouch! As soon as you take a bite they fall apart and crumble everywhere. The kids didn't like the taste and didn't eat any of them, a waste of $12. No prices anywhere other than the boxed goods or coffee signs. 4% fee for using a credit card which I get, but have it posted better. Couple small signs I caught over by the fresh stuff saying price tags reflect cash price, but yet didn't see prices anywhere other than on shelves by boxed stuff. Have prices posted. French silk pie was very thick and not very chocolaty. No one really cared for it, def would not get again. I looked back at receipt after I left and see a random charge for "open retail" for $3.12, no clue what that is. So was over charged for something I didn't get.

I don't know why I don't come here enough! I stopped by for a snack because I was starving and…read morestill wanted breakfast food! First off the lady behind the counter greets you as soon as you walk through the door and it just makes you feel so special... she took all my lil money!! Yes customer service is top tier here! She talked me into getting the special which was like 15 bagels when I just came in for one!!! But I got the jalapeño and cheese bagel with vegetable cream cheese!! The BOMB!!! With a latte!! Delicious! Totally recommend this place! Once I finish these 10 more bagels in my freezer I will be back!!

I got the bacon, lettuce, and tomato bagel on an asiago bagel with mayo--it came out to about $10…read more The bagel was really good and had a lot of bacon, which I loved. The asiago flavor was pretty strong and started to mess with me a bit after, but overall it was tasty. I'd definitely come back to try another one of their bagels--they all looked super fresh and delicious!

We travel around the NW suburbs and always eat lunch at various local places, and this is one of…read moreour favorites. great bagels that are not too chewy, fresh ingredients, wonderful sandwiches. the owners are kind and welcoming, and the place is clean. they often run out of our favorite Asiago cheese bagels but told us to call in to reserve them if we know we're coming. we'll keep coming back!

Bagels were Aok not great but very fine Buy 6 get 6 free…read morecoupon did not really add up to much of a deal vs just buy 12 I will definitely shop there again

Upper Crust Bagels has become a true staple in our house. Everything is always so fresh, and we…read moreespecially love the lox -- it's consistently delicious and keeps us coming back. They're always busy, which honestly just shows how much the community loves them too. We're happy to support this small business and grateful to have such a great spot nearby.

This is a fine restaurant with delicious food but it was almost impossible to order any of it…read more Patrons were forced online with no where to go. If you went to the restaurant in person they would not let you order forcing you to go online to order anything. I wanted to order only bagels and there was no way to do that. Give up technology.