Used to be great. Not so much anymore. Been going here since they opened many years ago. Ordered lunch for myself and my folks and three items were wrong or missing. Most importantly, the bagels just aren't that great.
George Zakharia
This place is pretty neat! Plenty of public parking all around, no charge. Busy joint, and a little cramped, even at opening time on a Saturday.Bagels are great. Pretzel bagel can be salted or unsalted. Obviously enough, the salted option is very salty! Tasty nonetheless. Pumpernickel is delicious! I preferred the chive and onion cream cheese spread over the lox spread. The French roast coffee was very good! You also are given an option for styrofoam cup or glass mug with endless refills. Much preferred to the house blend. Poached eggs cooked to perfection. Neat joint and vast menu. I'd definitely return.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fred Slayton
The best bagels in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ceil T
I was disappointed in the food. Corned beef sandwich ordered regular. Came lean which was tough, very small amount of meat compared to other restaurants. Horseradish on the side not given. When asked was given something brown almost like sauerkraut? Didn't eat.Potato pancake crispy but heavy. Friend ordered the lox plate and she was very happy!Bakery to go - delicious rugelach and kiddush cake. Not at all impressed with the bialy.Overall - I won't return but my friend would.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Nova Lox Plate
Deborah Pope
Excellent service and food
Michael Ross
OUAB had been a regular go-to eatery for our family for +30 years. But ever since Founder Jerry passed away 5+ years ago it has taken a gradual slide downhill, and we stopped going.I decided to take a chance a went back last Saturday after a long hiatus.I discovered that it hit bottom.Food was OK but not special. I can get better lox at Costco at a quarter the price. Bagels are also OK but no better than Costco.Prices have gone way up, so the value has vanished.But what really hit me as unacceptable was the service. Rude, rushed, and offensive.We had barely finished our food and planned on enjoying the mediocre coffee when we were almost forcibly asked to leave and almost had our chairs pulled out from under us, even though there were other tables being vacated.We got the hint and left. No plans to return.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Jeffrey Cohen
Greatest bagels and bialy on the North Shore.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Drewsome Beards
Such a great place to meet for creative conversations. Lively atmosphere with enough space to have your own unencumbered space.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Egg Bagel
Cody Meltzer
Once Upon a Bagel in Highland Park is more than just a bagel spot and deli – it's a cornerstone of the community and a place that feels like home. From the owners to the management to the staff here are not just cool and supportive, they make you feel like a part of their family. This place isn’t just a business; it's an institution, woven into the fabric of my life. Growing up with Once Upon a Bagel, the nostalgia and flavors here have been a constant source of comfort to me.The bagels and deli food are simply unbeatable. Whether you're craving a classic bagel, a hearty deli sandwich, or just something delicious to eat, this is the place to go. But it's more than just great food – it’s the sense of community that truly sets Once Upon a Bagel apart. It's a gathering spot, a place to connect, and a part of our collective local history.I plan to continue visiting Once Upon a Bagel for the rest of my life. If you need a taste of excellent deli food, or if you're seeking a warm, welcoming community, Once Upon a Bagel is the place to be. It's not just a place to eat; it's a place to belong.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Egg Bagel, Chicken Soup with Choice Office Noodles Matreo Ball or Kroplach, Chicken Soup
Ellie
The Asiago bagel was maybe the most heavenly, fluffy thing I’ve ever had. Their strawberry cream cheese was also soooo good and flavorful. Highly recommend!
Wow! OUB does not include a pickle with their sandwiches any longer. It's another added cost! I realize most of their clientele don't care about wasting more money but I do. I have been ordering from this place since they were a tiny store front in the strip mall next door but I'm done! One other thing, when they ask you if you want your sandwiches hot or cold and you tell them hot then they should be hot!!!
Jodi Andel
The restaurant was so crowded when we arrived, but we were able to quickly order our food. The service was impeccable and our meals were amazing at a very reasonable price. The soups, sandwiches, bagels, curly fries and cookie were scrumptious. The process to order bakery items for home was very streamlined and efficient. I would highly recommend this restaurant!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Soup with Choice Office Noodles Matreo Ball or Kroplach, Smiley Cookies, Turkey, Chicken Soup
Karyn M.
I ordered a bagel and cream cheese tray for a team building exercise I'm hosting. I picked out the 2 dozen bagels, three cream cheese flavors (it comes with tomatoes and cucumbers) and I prepaid. I went to pick up the tray this afternoon and IT IS TOO BIG TO GIT IN THE REFRIGERATOR. I considered putting it in my car for overnight (frigid polar vortex) but I settled on disassembling it and putting just the cream cheese in the fridge. Ah, what a shame, it was a thing of beauty. Also I picked out an almond coffee cake and assorted rugelach. However the exercise goes at least we will be well fed!
diane w.
I give this a three stars for convenience and location. The bagels were good, but everything else was just OK.
Used to be great. Not so much anymore. Been going here since they opened many years ago. Ordered lunch for myself and my folks and three items were wrong or missing. Most importantly, the bagels just aren't that great.
This place is pretty neat! Plenty of public parking all around, no charge. Busy joint, and a little cramped, even at opening time on a Saturday.Bagels are great. Pretzel bagel can be salted or unsalted. Obviously enough, the salted option is very salty! Tasty nonetheless. Pumpernickel is delicious! I preferred the chive and onion cream cheese spread over the lox spread. The French roast coffee was very good! You also are given an option for styrofoam cup or glass mug with endless refills. Much preferred to the house blend. Poached eggs cooked to perfection. Neat joint and vast menu. I'd definitely return.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
The best bagels in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I was disappointed in the food. Corned beef sandwich ordered regular. Came lean which was tough, very small amount of meat compared to other restaurants. Horseradish on the side not given. When asked was given something brown almost like sauerkraut? Didn't eat.Potato pancake crispy but heavy. Friend ordered the lox plate and she was very happy!Bakery to go - delicious rugelach and kiddush cake. Not at all impressed with the bialy.Overall - I won't return but my friend would.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Nova Lox Plate
Excellent service and food
OUAB had been a regular go-to eatery for our family for +30 years. But ever since Founder Jerry passed away 5+ years ago it has taken a gradual slide downhill, and we stopped going.I decided to take a chance a went back last Saturday after a long hiatus.I discovered that it hit bottom.Food was OK but not special. I can get better lox at Costco at a quarter the price. Bagels are also OK but no better than Costco.Prices have gone way up, so the value has vanished.But what really hit me as unacceptable was the service. Rude, rushed, and offensive.We had barely finished our food and planned on enjoying the mediocre coffee when we were almost forcibly asked to leave and almost had our chairs pulled out from under us, even though there were other tables being vacated.We got the hint and left. No plans to return.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Greatest bagels and bialy on the North Shore.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Such a great place to meet for creative conversations. Lively atmosphere with enough space to have your own unencumbered space.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Egg Bagel
Once Upon a Bagel in Highland Park is more than just a bagel spot and deli – it's a cornerstone of the community and a place that feels like home. From the owners to the management to the staff here are not just cool and supportive, they make you feel like a part of their family. This place isn’t just a business; it's an institution, woven into the fabric of my life. Growing up with Once Upon a Bagel, the nostalgia and flavors here have been a constant source of comfort to me.The bagels and deli food are simply unbeatable. Whether you're craving a classic bagel, a hearty deli sandwich, or just something delicious to eat, this is the place to go. But it's more than just great food – it’s the sense of community that truly sets Once Upon a Bagel apart. It's a gathering spot, a place to connect, and a part of our collective local history.I plan to continue visiting Once Upon a Bagel for the rest of my life. If you need a taste of excellent deli food, or if you're seeking a warm, welcoming community, Once Upon a Bagel is the place to be. It's not just a place to eat; it's a place to belong.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Egg Bagel, Chicken Soup with Choice Office Noodles Matreo Ball or Kroplach, Chicken Soup
The Asiago bagel was maybe the most heavenly, fluffy thing I’ve ever had. Their strawberry cream cheese was also soooo good and flavorful. Highly recommend!
Food: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Wow! OUB does not include a pickle with their sandwiches any longer. It's another added cost! I realize most of their clientele don't care about wasting more money but I do. I have been ordering from this place since they were a tiny store front in the strip mall next door but I'm done! One other thing, when they ask you if you want your sandwiches hot or cold and you tell them hot then they should be hot!!!
The restaurant was so crowded when we arrived, but we were able to quickly order our food. The service was impeccable and our meals were amazing at a very reasonable price. The soups, sandwiches, bagels, curly fries and cookie were scrumptious. The process to order bakery items for home was very streamlined and efficient. I would highly recommend this restaurant!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Soup with Choice Office Noodles Matreo Ball or Kroplach, Smiley Cookies, Turkey, Chicken Soup
I ordered a bagel and cream cheese tray for a team building exercise I'm hosting. I picked out the 2 dozen bagels, three cream cheese flavors (it comes with tomatoes and cucumbers) and I prepaid. I went to pick up the tray this afternoon and IT IS TOO BIG TO GIT IN THE REFRIGERATOR. I considered putting it in my car for overnight (frigid polar vortex) but I settled on disassembling it and putting just the cream cheese in the fridge. Ah, what a shame, it was a thing of beauty. Also I picked out an almond coffee cake and assorted rugelach. However the exercise goes at least we will be well fed!
I give this a three stars for convenience and location. The bagels were good, but everything else was just OK.
Love this place, reminds me a bit of Askenaz.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Egg Bagel, Salami, Chicken Soup, Nova Lox Plate, Corned Beef Sandwich