If you have never heard Winston's Bagels, let me introduce you...Foodie, meet Winston. Winston, meet foodie. You can now fall in love. Winston's Bagels are LEGENDARY in Carbondale, IL. The genius behind the tasty treat is Winston. He's a hippy 60(?) something man with a food cart who, in my day set up his mobile shop on "The Strip" - Carbondale's main bar scene. I hear he's moved onto Grand now, but wherever he is, YOU NEED TO BE THERE TOO. Here's the scoop... Winston comes out at night, just about the time the college kids are bar hopping. He sets up his small mobile cart, and starts cranking out The. Best. Bagel. Treat. You. Will. Ever. Eat. Winston grills the bagels over charcoal, which gives the bread a traditional char taste and creates this fantastic crunch when you bite into it. He drizzles the bagel with margarine (I think it's Parkay from the yellow and blue squeeze bottle), and generously tops each bagel side with plain cream cheese. Then the magic happens. You choose your toppings. I'm partial to the Everything: apple, cinnamon, sunflower seeds, cucumber, red onion, garlic powder, bacon bits, and raisins. It's the perfect morsel to have when you're out drinking in Carbondale - every college student learns this lesson to perfection at SIUC - or even if you just have a late night craving for a sweet / savory treat. Of course as alumni (Class of '95!), we all crave a Winston Bagel now and then, and when we go back it's a must eat treat! I've tried to make them at home, but it's just not the same. It's missing Winston's je nais se quoi. He generously doles out hugs, stories, jokes, and charm along with his bagels. Plus the man is a total genius. He charges $2.25 for a bagel. That fits any pocket book - and more often than not - you give him three dollars and tell him to keep the change. The man is making some dough. I hear he takes a couple vacations a year just with his tip money. Go fall in love with Winston The Bagel Man. He'll be there in Carbondale grilling his bagels into the wee hours of the morning! read more

I noticed that Winston's Bagels has 5 stars with 11 reviews, and I am not surprised one bit. This is the ONE THING every SIU-C graduate talks about and craves after they move away. At last visit, they were $2.25 each and still worth every bite. Winston sets up shop across the street from Pinch Penny Liquors near Saluki Bookstore. Options are the same as I remember: Cream Cheese, Garlic Salt, Butter, Ground Cinnamon, Cucumber, Apple, Raisins, Sunflower Seeds, Bacon Bits, Onions. I used to get sunflower seeds, butter, and cucumber but recently tried all-but-onion and am not quite sure I can go back. Remember cash only, and they don't break $20s. Definitely tip Winston or any of his helpers running the cart! Truly an institution in Carbondale! read more

See all

The best kept secret in Carbondale. This is what I would really call a hole-in-the-wall place, but it's found out in a parking lot instead. This gentleman cooks bagel sandwiches on a bbq on the side of the road in a parking lot on Grand Ave. He is literally waiting outside (or in his van on a cold night). When we walked over, he was ready to chat up a storm with his corny jokes. I read the list of toppings he had and I was a little hesitant. He said that all those ingredients were good on the bagel. I made one with cucumbers, butter, onions, bacon bits, and garlic salt. Surprisingly enough, it turned out to be super yummy. Who would have thought that you could make something good out of those ingredients and without real ingredients like meat or tomatoes? I would have never guessed. The bagels are 2.50 each I believe, and Winston likes to entertain you while you are waiting around for your bagel so make sure you give the man a nice tip for standing out in the cold and providing you with a nice snack late into the evening. read more

A Carbondale STAPLE! Only time you see him is late night after a night out! Winston has been around for who knows how long (in a good way) and is a staple for salukis old and young! read more

Winston is the only thing I miss about SIUC! SIUC is a great place to get an education, meet new people, learn to fly, learn to drink, and have an all around good time. The cherry on top of that ice cream sundae of awesome is Winston's Bagels. Every one of my drunken escapades around Carbondale has ended with an everything bagel from this guy...and being that I was drunk I can say with 100% certainty that this man is actually a 5-star chef whos only peers are Gordon Ramsy and Giada De Laurentiis. Besides making some delicious bagels over an open fire, Winston is one of the coolest older guys I've ever met. That guy just wants to have a good time. Bagel or no bagel, give him your money. read more

The best, changed what I knew about food. There is no food revolution without Winston.

So. My best friend went to grad school in Carbondale. I went to visit her last summer and even before we left for the night, she told me we had to go to Winston's Bagels afterward. I assumed she meant this was a restaurant or cafe of some sort.... no, it was better. A man and his bagel cart. Both nights after going to the bars we found our way to Winston's. I am the pickiest eater - I don't like too much butter, too much salt, any weird flavors on a bagel, etc. But the Winston Special was the bomb. cucumbers?? I don't even eat cucumbers in my day to day life. I hate them and pick them out of salads. butter and garlic salt? With cinnamon and bacon? Wtf? I just bit into it and it was delicious. I don't know how or why, but this concoction on a bagel ACTUALLY WORKS!! Plus, Winston is the sweetest old man you will ever meet, and he can hang til the wee hours of the morning! He even remembered us the second night when we got more bagels, and of course, he told the same stories and jokes over again, but we still laughed. I really hope Winston lives forever. read more

Winston was one of the nicest people to me in my four years at Southern. In addition, he makes a GREAT, unique product for a very reasonable price. Also, of my top ten memories from SIU, two are at (or in line for) a Winston's bagel -- in fact, Winston used to have a short poem I'd written about his bagels (for creative writing class) on his cart. I wonder if it's still there. The best part about Winston's is the atmosphere he brings to it. His jokes about his brother, his solid grasp of world and Carbondale events, and Winton's overall Winstonyness make him as unique as his bagels. This is really the best part of Winston's: how unique his product is. A few times, I've plagiarized Winston' s recipes for dinners with friends (when I lived in DC and Chicago) and -- without exception -- they have always been a hit. read more

I wanted to update my review to add the location change. For any other "old timers" like me (and I only graduated 7 or so years ago!), Winston is no longer setting up shop on the Strip. Now he's down on Grand, near Callahan's. I stopped a few kids on the Strip and they knew...but they were too drunk for me to feel like I could totally trust them. (On a Tuesday! I love SIU.) So this is my updated review, totally sober, telling you where Winston hangs out these days. The bagels were just as good as I remembered. He's awesome. This is why my dog is named Winston. read more

I had to go out on a limb and try the bagel with everything one which includes a lot of really weird ingredients but somehow it all worked. probably due to it being grilled and gets a nice smoky flavor I did find a recipe online but its not the same without Winston's chatter http://www.food.com/recipe/winston-style-bagel-416105 read more

Man I can still remember Winston telling stories of his childhood as we waiting drunk for a bagel on his grill. Chances are you might even witness a fight or just everyone congregating to "take the strip" Winston's bagel stand is an institution! His Weber grill should be put in a museum somewhere on campus. Well before I attended SIU and graduated in 2002 Winston has been slinging his unique bagels late night style. I'm not positive if he is still running his grill on the strip, but it was always a must hit spot when the bars go let out. I used to always order mine with cream cheese, apple sprinkled with cinnamon & sunflower seeds...but there were so many random combonations. Miss those things...maybe I will try and make one on my grill.....mmmmmmm I can't remember exactly how much they cost, but I know they were dirt cheap, even after tipping him for his story. read more

I have to agree, Winstons is outstanding place to get a late night snack at a great price. I do not know why other towns or cities dont have a bagel stand like this one. And I live near Scottsdale. Keep up the great work! read more

2003 SIU graduate here. I have to find Winston every time I'm back in Carbondale. Although, I'm pretty sure the bagel cart hasn't been cleaned since the 90's. read more

Happy to see that Winston's legacy is being upheld still!!! I can't comment on the current quality as I haven't had it since Winston left, but I imagine it's just as amazing as it always was. A local legend!!!! read more

I really enjoyed Winston's the one time I went there while visiting my brother at school. Toasted bagels grilled out in the street late night while you're out at the bars? Yes, please! Really delicious food and a super friendly guy. Highly recommended. read more

Winston is a Carbondale legend. Toasted bagels with toppings sold on the street after dark is pretty unique, for starters. I religiously ate cream cheese, garlic, onions, and cucumber. If you want, he'll put everything on it, in fact, he touts doing just that sometimes. ;) Half of the experience is Winston himself. There's a very good chance he was selling bagels on the streets of Carbondale before you were born. He might seem a little crazy, and he may repeat the same seven phrases over and over, but he knows how to sell a bagel! (toasted, with toppings, outside the bar at night, is great after beer). Over the years, competition has sprung up (yes, i'm still amused that Carbondale has competing bagel vendors, and most everywhere else has..none that i'm aware of?) Nobody will ever be a match. read more

Best Bagels Ever! Winston rocks. He grills the bagels on a charcoal grill and dresses then how you want it. Awesome stuff. read more

You know, there's nothing simpler than making a bagel. However, Winston makes it into an art. He grills over a flame and has tons of toppings, which is the best food a drunken college student can muster up, especially when you've only got a few bucks left and are famished at three in the morning. I haven't had a Bagel Man bagel in many years, and sometimes still crave it. That's why I am posting this. read more

Someone said it's the best kept secret...but I doubt it's any secret. At least not to anyone that has lived a day there. Best shiz ever. Every review he has is 5 stars! Winston deserves it!! Best bagels ever made. read more

Before I tried one, I thought the combinations of the toppings sounded really strange and disgusting. But I finally got one that a friend recommended to me-- butter, cream cheese, cucumbers, onions, apples, bacon bits, garlic salt, and sunflower seeds. I think that was it... and it was surprisingly delicious! I have gone back a few more times, switched up the toppings a bit (I got rid of the cucumbers and sunflower seeds) and now I always crave it every time we hang out on the strip. The only thing is, I swear every time I go, I get a little less cream cheese... but still delicious. Winston the bagel man is an extremely friendly guy with a big heart (he gave one of my friends a free bagel on her birthday) and I would recommend him to any bar-goer who wants to end the night on a good note. read more

It has been way too long since I had these bagels. I usually get everything. Nothing compares to a late night bagel by Winston!

I don't know how many times I stumbled up to Winston's cart for a bagel. This guy is super friendly and patient despite all the drunk idiots he has to put up with. And he has all the best ingredients! If I'm not mistaken i used to get a bagel w/ butter, cream cheese, cucumber, and sunflower seeds. It served my tummy well. So if you're ever in c'dale and need some late night grub...Winston is one of the top people/places to go to. read more

Winston's bagels are the most addicting bagels in existence. If you have never experienced these bagels then boy do I feel badly for you. There are so many delicious combinations, with my favorite being the caramel apple bagel and the cucumber one with bacon bits. I left Carbondale years ago when I transferred to a different University but my fondest memories of college are Winston's bagels. I can't imagine why there isn't a chain of Winston bagels. These are hands down the best bagels that I've ever tasted! read more

If you've been to Carbondale in the last two decades and left without your own Winston story; you, my friend, are full of fail. Winston is a Carbondale institution and one of those people that you *need* to know. Winston's bagel cart is located on the strip--during my illustrious time in Cdale his cart was prominently located on front of Sidetracks, this may have changed. No matter. Wherever he may be, you need to find him. Winston's Weber grill, piping hot and covered in bagel halves, is nothing short of a journey to nirvana--if your nirvana is fueled by liquor, cream cheese, and cucumbers, which mine is. If you are smart, you stay out of the way and strike up a conversation with Winston: he is a treasure trove of Carbondale and American history. He's full of stories from "back in the day" which may or may not include a brother whom still hasn't managed to graduate high school. If he really takes a shine to you, he'll address you by name and make you the envy of the boozed up revelers waiting for their bagels. He'll grill up a bagel to order, tell you a story, and send you on your way smelling of smoke and full of carby happiness. Ah, Winston! If Carbondale nostalgia has a flavor it is smoked and grilled bagel, and I wouldn't have it any other way. read more

Winston's is literally a must do in Carbondale night life. The place itself is named after the owner Winston himself. He comes out every night and feeds up bagels to the drunk boys and girls of Carbondale. After a long night of drinking it really hits the spot. He's got plenty of things to add just to make the bagel tasty plus he'll toast it up over his portable fire pit. If you are out near the Pinch strip then stop by and say hello to good old Winston. read more

Winston's is the most recognized staple of SIU. These bagels are legendary. Nothing completes a night out than and everything bagel and a conversation with Winston himself. If you haven't tried Winston's you haven't experienced SIU. read more

Man Winston has been write up in playboy magazine for his delicious creations. Please he deals very well with the intoxicated college student and girls who are ill. read more

There are so many great things about Carbondale/SIUC, but Winston is in the top 3!!!! As an alum who went there in the 80's, when things were REALLY insane, the one constant you could always rely on, and still can, was Winston. Not only did he provide some deliciously topped, toasted bagels, he was always there with a smile, a joke, and sometimes the wise advice that it might be time to call it a night. My son now attends SIU-C and I just went to Winston's last night and enjoyed every yummy morsel. Going to try the everything next time cause Winston wouldn't steer us wrong. Every time we go down there we visit and I am glad to say I am starting to make up for the tips I couldn't afford back then but he so richly deserved! read more

Winston is indeed an icon, and if you're short on cash and a little hungry after drinking on the strip, stop on by. He's always on the strip, rain or shine, warm or cold. read more

Use to live at Wall and Grand and my friends and I use to walk up the street to across the road from Pinch for Winston's. I always get cream cheese, butter, bacon and cinnamon and have never regretted it. Winston's is a must have for SIU students read more

The first time I went to Winston's, I thought the list of toppings couldn't possibly taste good together! I was so wrong. I have tried making a Winston's bagel on my own at my house, but it just doesn't taste the same without Winston telling the same jokes every time. Anyone who comes to Carbondale on a weekend night absolutely MUST stop by Winston's. You will not be disappointed! read more

The best and cheapest bagel you could ever get at 3am. The best thing is that you don't have to be drunk to enjoy them.

I had a Winston's bagel at 1am on my way through Carbondale last year, and haven't stopped wishing for another one since. YUM. If memory serves, I had cream cheese, cinnamon and raisins. It's making my mouth water just thinking about it. read more

Definitely a Carbondale classic. Winston has been serving up bagels for decades in Carbondale and if you've never been you are missing out on the total Cdale experience. I take every friend who visits and people I meet in town that haven't been to see Winston. read more

Started out as just an After the Bar's stop. Long story short now me and my friends drive around nights we don't go out looking for his cart to grab dinner. It's AMAZING! read more

Crazy ingredients, but they all work! So good and totally inexpensive for a college student. I try to tell friends back home how great they are, but no one truly understands unless they experience Winston's firsthand. Nothing compares! read more

You cannot call yourself a Southern Illinoisan unless you have experienced one of Winstons bagels. This guy is a legend.

It's not just a bagel... it's a Winston! You get more than what you paid for. A conversation with the bagel man will put a smile on your face for sure!! He is a respectable man of the Carbondale food industry. His jokes are great and the bagel's aren't far off either. The people of Carbondale once a few years back tried to get ride of the famous bagel man and the college students revolted and protested till he was allowed back. Which he is and will be for many years to come!! read more

Winston's Bagels are absolutely FANTASTIC! Of course they hit the spot after a long night of drinking (and are a cheap and healthy alternative to the other post-bar food joints in Carbondale) but drunkeness is definitely not a requirement for enjoying Winston's delicious grilled bagels. Just talking about them makes me want one. I highly recommend the everything bagel. I would usually go for either cream cheese, garlic salt, sunflower seeds and bacon bits OR cream cheese apple slices, raisins and cinnamon but after a night of not being able to decide between salty or sweet, I went for the everything and am never going back :) Oh and Winston is now located on Grand St. across the street from Pinch Penny Pub. read more

I've been eating Winston's bagels fro the last 20 years. Absolutely amazing and a must have when visiting Carbondale for an evening snack. My only gripe is that the last time I visited Winston to grab a bagel, I saw him lick his fingers before pawing everyone's bagels and toppings. Now, I realize that some people might not mind but this completely grossed me out and despite his legacy, is COMPLETELY disgusting and unacceptable. read more