I love steamed bagels and they have so many choices. If you have never tried a steamed bagel you need to go here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Breakfast Bagel
Alice D.
I've finally made the decision to come out: I'm ANTI-CBA! I can't understand why you would steam a bagel versus toast it. I find that a bagel's natural chewy yet crunchy texture is lost when steamed. CBA has dope sandwich fillings and could truly be SO good if their schtick wasn't steamed... please just get a toaster lmao. The breakfast sandwiches I've tried have just been ok. The Western was fine flavor-wise... the Five-o was overly salty & the bacon texture was weird. The only thing I can think to recommend is the tuna salad- it's p yum!! I've come back again and again because one thing about me: I always want a bagel. And I'll probably come back again, knowing they're sub-par, but maybe I'll go for a non-bagel sandwich next time.
Rob Lancaster
Whenever in the Lakeview area I make sure to make a stop at CBA. They have a steamed bagel sandwich for anyone's taste. The staff is always super friendly. I always have a great experience!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: The Dude
Lincoln Milam
Great bagels. A little slow, but really good sandwiches. Quite a variety and selection.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
John Papke
Seemed like nobody cared about being there. The food took forever to come out. 11 dollars for a reuben that looks like puke, that wasnt even on rye bread. Do not waste your money on this slow paced, overpriced business. PATHETIC!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
William Ellis
$12 for the soggiest “bagel” sandwich and not to mention a 30 min wait time. It’s not rocket science to make a bagel sandwich (a terrible bagel sandwich at that) I could’ve made an entire continental breakfast within 30mins. Absolute rip off I could’ve gotten a better quality sandwich nxt door at Dunkin for literally a fraction of the price and a fraction of the waiting time. That is time and money I will never get back I will gladly take my business around the corner at Taste of New York Bagels & Deli. Y’all should be embarrassed for putting the name of our great city in the title of your trash establishment.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Belmont
Chris Lot
Nothing like Bagel Authority! A classic staple- make sure to ask for Jeff!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
P Pongvirat
The bagels were steamed.Not crowded.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Kaitlyn S.
Wow! The lox sneer is some of the best I've ever had! Can tell it's homemade. Also very fun that the bagels were green for St.Patrick's Day. Bagels are SO fresh! The chicken chili was also wonderful and perfect spice. I would suggest ordering ahead as this place gets crowded.
Rahul M.
easily the best turkey bagel sandwich I've had by far, wait time was long but very worth it!
Holy smoke are these bagels bad! I just went in to get 6 bagels to go. I tried the rye sesame bagel and it was a dry crumbling disaster. It literally broke several times and crumbled- even with cream cheese on top. Not sure why people like this place. Maybe when you put all those toppings on them you don't notice how bad the bagels taste.
Alex Geisenhoff
Absolutely the best bagel sandwiches in Chicago! Must not miss for visitors and locals alike!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alia S.
I am unsure if these are supposed to be a Chicago staple, but they are quite bad. If you are looking for a good gluten-free bagel, this is not the place - perhaps their wheat bagels are better but they should not have the option if they can't adjust for flavor. My bagel was way too moist (almost wet) and it lacked a lot of flavor, even when I thought the combinations for what I ordered would be good (it was all mush so I'm not sure it had what it said it did on the menu). Disappointing for what it was worth
Kelli K
For bagel sandwiches this place is best! I always go for the breakfast sandwiches but have enjoyed some of their lunch sandwiches too. My favorites are the dude, the breakfast bagel with scrambled eggs, the Denver and the puck and I always add chipotle mayo. It's worth it to order ahead online and if you're a cold brew fan they have some of the best!
I love steamed bagels and they have so many choices. If you have never tried a steamed bagel you need to go here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Breakfast Bagel
I've finally made the decision to come out: I'm ANTI-CBA! I can't understand why you would steam a bagel versus toast it. I find that a bagel's natural chewy yet crunchy texture is lost when steamed. CBA has dope sandwich fillings and could truly be SO good if their schtick wasn't steamed... please just get a toaster lmao. The breakfast sandwiches I've tried have just been ok. The Western was fine flavor-wise... the Five-o was overly salty & the bacon texture was weird. The only thing I can think to recommend is the tuna salad- it's p yum!! I've come back again and again because one thing about me: I always want a bagel. And I'll probably come back again, knowing they're sub-par, but maybe I'll go for a non-bagel sandwich next time.
Whenever in the Lakeview area I make sure to make a stop at CBA. They have a steamed bagel sandwich for anyone's taste. The staff is always super friendly. I always have a great experience!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: The Dude
Great bagels. A little slow, but really good sandwiches. Quite a variety and selection.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Seemed like nobody cared about being there. The food took forever to come out. 11 dollars for a reuben that looks like puke, that wasnt even on rye bread. Do not waste your money on this slow paced, overpriced business. PATHETIC!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
$12 for the soggiest “bagel” sandwich and not to mention a 30 min wait time. It’s not rocket science to make a bagel sandwich (a terrible bagel sandwich at that) I could’ve made an entire continental breakfast within 30mins. Absolute rip off I could’ve gotten a better quality sandwich nxt door at Dunkin for literally a fraction of the price and a fraction of the waiting time. That is time and money I will never get back I will gladly take my business around the corner at Taste of New York Bagels & Deli. Y’all should be embarrassed for putting the name of our great city in the title of your trash establishment.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Belmont
Nothing like Bagel Authority! A classic staple- make sure to ask for Jeff!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The bagels were steamed.Not crowded.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Wow! The lox sneer is some of the best I've ever had! Can tell it's homemade. Also very fun that the bagels were green for St.Patrick's Day. Bagels are SO fresh! The chicken chili was also wonderful and perfect spice. I would suggest ordering ahead as this place gets crowded.
easily the best turkey bagel sandwich I've had by far, wait time was long but very worth it!
Restaurantji Recommends
Holy smoke are these bagels bad! I just went in to get 6 bagels to go. I tried the rye sesame bagel and it was a dry crumbling disaster. It literally broke several times and crumbled- even with cream cheese on top. Not sure why people like this place. Maybe when you put all those toppings on them you don't notice how bad the bagels taste.
Absolutely the best bagel sandwiches in Chicago! Must not miss for visitors and locals alike!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I am unsure if these are supposed to be a Chicago staple, but they are quite bad. If you are looking for a good gluten-free bagel, this is not the place - perhaps their wheat bagels are better but they should not have the option if they can't adjust for flavor. My bagel was way too moist (almost wet) and it lacked a lot of flavor, even when I thought the combinations for what I ordered would be good (it was all mush so I'm not sure it had what it said it did on the menu). Disappointing for what it was worth
For bagel sandwiches this place is best! I always go for the breakfast sandwiches but have enjoyed some of their lunch sandwiches too. My favorites are the dude, the breakfast bagel with scrambled eggs, the Denver and the puck and I always add chipotle mayo. It's worth it to order ahead online and if you're a cold brew fan they have some of the best!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Order online. Always ready on-time. Great bagels.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5