Friendly staff. Been here a few times in the past few years, but looks like they've remodeled since I was here last. Brand new expresso machine using Inteligentsia Coffee. A+. Solid bagel roast beef sammich. Looks like they're still working out the kinks with new management & machines so I'll leave it at 4* for now. Will be back!
(4)
Samantha F.
LOVE THIS PLACE!!! So i found out Eric is no longer there so your worries with him should be rested. Although he was my favorite. Greeted me every morning even if i didn't stop in, just waved through the window. For all the people who had "problems" at the bagel shop i have to say...you came on a bad day. I go there almost everyday and I have to say the bagels are still great. For those of you who are watching you pennies, if you don't want to spend money for a breakfast sandwich then choose something that is in your price range rather then complaining about it after you pay. My favorite sandwich is the Tuscany on an Oregano Parmesan bagel. Its a cold sandwich with organic tomatoes, fresh basil, pesto and 3 slices of fresh mozzarella. Sometimes I ask for it to be put in the oven if its cold outside. I also love the salads. what ever you want in a bowl its sooooo GOOD!
(5)
Rebecca C.
Finally, an authentic New York bagel in the Chicago area. These are the real McCoy water bagels and they are delicious. The cream cheese smears are the real thing as well, without any hint of the deadly preservative, chemical or weak flavor(s). Add high quality lox, lettuce and tomato to a true water bagel and I'm in heaven.
(5)
Cme B.
Super swift service. Remember: my charge is to find the best chai in Chicago. Today, I rode out of my way for Bagel Arts chain+decaf combo. As a Rogers Park native this is the only place nearby who can put this together at a digestible price. And, for a gal whose sensitive to caffeine the combo is sublime!! : ) ( :
(5)
Allison S.
As a Jew, I was skeptical. This place is walking distance from me but seemed less authentic than traditional Jewish delis. Why is this place so fancy? It probably can't have a good Jewish bagel. I was so wrong. So, so very wrong. First of all, their bagels are sent fresh daily from NY Bagel & Bialy, which is a very big deal. Secondly, they have scallion, not chive, cream cheese. If you're in the mood for a true New York Bagel experience, the difference is a game changer. They have all the veggies and meats you could want. The lox are outstanding. They have whole wheat and whole wheat everything bagels. To top it off, they have Intelligentsia coffee and an adorable cafe atmosphere. I went there twice today and plan on living there this summer. So basically, this is one of the most important discoveries I have made in my whole life. Take it from a true Jew bagel connoisseur, this place is perfect.
(5)
Tom H.
I don't normally review restaurants on Yelp but I felt the need after trying to go on a Sunday morning and finding it closed to write this. Since the change of ownership this place has really changed for the worse. First, what kind of bagel place closes on a Sunday? Isn't this when most people get bagels? Like, why close on Sunday but open on Monday? Look at Bennisons nearby, they are closed on Mondays. As a local person, I eat bagels on the weekends. Maybe all their revenue comes from catering orders on weekdays? Like, at least open until noon on Sundays. Second, the variety of cream cheeses used to put the "art" in Bagel Art - but since the change of ownership, I hope you like plain cream cheese and plain toppings. I used to get spinach on my bagel but they don't have that either. Third, all the awesome hipster employees are gone. Bring back the old Bagel Art!
(1)
Peter C.
I love this place. It's clean and smells good the moment you enter. Great staff and awesome bagels. Keep up the good work bagel art.
(5)
Teal R.
New management cut all of the life out of what Bagel Art used to be. The variety has been cut by at least half. I'd say save your money and go to Cosi for a bagel. Tip to new management: Add variety back in
(2)
Sir Gull R.
It seems that under the new owner the only art left is that of skimping on the ingredients and gouging the patron. I guess if you are on a mostly carb not much else diet this place would work for you. However, if you expect more than 2 ounces of turkey in a wrap, well better to avoid these artists on most days you feel peckish. I say most days because on the weekends the crew is more as it was under the old regime. So out of the 7 days 2 are good and the rest are bunk so 2 stars seemed fair. These 2 days for $8 a sandwich you got a fair deal. It also seems the freshness matters depending when in the week you go. On the weekends fresh. This day, I watched as the sandwich-monger went out of his way to skim the browned guac onto my leathery tortilla. He was quite generous with the 2 slices of tomato and the 3 leaves of lettuce, the good chap. The short of this tale is that I don't think I'll be returning here for and overpriced display of miserliness for a workday lunch.
(2)
Mike M.
It kills me having to write a rough review of this place. I really used to love it but it seems that the management has changed and it hasn't been beneficial. What used to be an extremely wide array of bagels and cream cheese has been cut down pretty thoroughly to bagel standards. They're down to 3 cream cheese flavors (Does plain even count? Isn't that just assumed?) and great ones like spinach and artichoke got the ax. Scallion? Oh boy, excuse me while I go wild with that one remaining choice of savory flavors. The sandwiches have remained (mostly) unchanged in both name and form but some of them have been reduced to simpler forms. No more Tuna Meltdown with two veggies. Now it's just "Tuna" on the sandwich board, one veggie included. Points for keeping the Green Mountain and Lox and Key in both name and form, those are damn fine sandwiches. That brings me to my final point: The removal of character and spirit this place had. New management, new staff and the new owner practically gutted the place. No more Readers around, everything is very clean (Read: sterile) and not as welcoming. How the Hell do you keep the store's bookshelf and leave it completely empty?! I've seen other reviews saying that the line run's faster now (Because it wasn't fast before? It's bagels, dude, relax.) And that the prices are cheaper now, but I really don't think that's true. If it is then it's barely noticeable and at the cost of the frills that made the place great. Place with a great environment turned into "Cheaper" Evanston Yuppie stop. Great. I used to LOVE coming here and admittedly, I still go from time to time but the desire to go isn't there anymore. It's just a place that's open early in the morning. Also, my coffee was kinda burnt last time. Just kinda throwing that out there.
(2)
S E.
The food is fresh and delicious, the atmosphere is quaint and comfortable, and the staff are super friendly. Definitely enjoyed having breakfast there. There's also a nice nook in the back for reading or doing some work.
(5)
Lola S.
For some reason, I have become a fan of bagels over the past year... I'm used to have the bagels from Einstein Bros which are like factory based. I thought they were very good until I tried this place!!! I really like the homemade style bagels they have. With cream cheese and scallions...they are wonderful!!!
(4)
M Y.
I miss the old Bagel Art. Ordered my regular Tuscany and sadly disappoints - no more basil from the local school garden, mozzarella isn't the same - pesto too oily! Miss my favorite bagel stop, bring back what made this place incredible!
(2)
Nikki M.
This is definitely a place I would visit again because I LOVE bagel sandwiches. The bagel was great, however, the service, not so much. I did not get a welcoming vibe from the people working and it made the experience a little awkward. I ordered a veggie bagel which was only 6.50 and asked if they could add an egg. They ring me up and tell me its 9.75... uhhhh why is adding an egg costing this much extra?? So I asked and the guy says "well basically you ordered the egg sandwich with all the veggies". Okay, unfair, I ordered the veggie sandwich with an egg so this price increase is just ridiculous. (the egg sandwich comes with cheese and bacon, none of which I got on my veggie bagel) So if I am in the area craving a bagel, I'll go back, but I was completely unimpressed with the service.
(3)
Michael H.
Walked in to check it out. There was one other person waiting at the register and two people working the counter, and a couple of people sitting having coffee. Neither employee made eye contact with me or addressed me or attempted to engage in any way. I waited for about five minutes - still no acknowledgement. So I left.
(1)
Ann Marie B.
Nice and friendly staff, delicious bagels, good music, endless cup of coffee... Great place to get some work done on their complimentary wifi. Kid friendly too.
(5)
Patrick H.
With new ownership, the place is clean, the line runs better, the prices are cheaper.... The bagels are fresh and the staff is terrific - a great local find vs chain living - close to train, so it makes it an easy quick pick up and if you need to do work, they have wifi and comfortable space to do your work - a great spot
(5)
John G.
Really disappointing decisions made by the new management make this once unique place regrettably forgettable. The old Bagel Art reverberated with unique charm in both its menu and its staff, making it not only a source of great bagels but also a welcome part of Evanston's character. Now, the menu has been radically reduced and homogenized to the point where it is less memorable than Panera's. While the bagels themselves seem to be just as good, the portions on the bagel sandwiches are miserly. And the interior is merely a shell that used to ooze character and charm. As a neighborhood resident, I'm bummed out by the fact that all art is gone from the place.
(2)
Angela S.
I stopped in this morning in between meetings with the intent of grabbing coffee to go and ended up staying briefly for a bagel sandwich special: egg sandwich on a sesame bagel for $3.20 (less $ than a bagel and a schmear). My sandwich was okay. I didn't really care for the spongy consistency of the egg, but overall the combination with melted provolone cheese, veges and a tad of spicy mustard hit the spot. The egg appeared to be seasoned giving it a nice flavor and the bagel was fresh and hearty. They serve brewed Intelligentsia coffee, and one of the standouts for fixing up your coffee was a container of cinnamon sticks along with the sugar. That's something I've never seen before. Very nice addition. This place is an organic/hipster joint, so the customer service is more along the "cool" side if you know what I mean. It was a bit cold (the temperature) and not warm and inviting feeling like I had hoped, but the concept is super adorable with a quiet room in the back with books and a cafe table with comfy lounge chairs. I'd come back to grab coffee and maybe a lunch sandwich next time. A-OK for a stop along the way.
(3)
Alain S.
The only place you can get a good bagel in Evanston
(5)
Sally W.
New owner: seriously? Now there are NO NEWSPAPERS (I asked; he says "too messy"?!?) no lox cream cheese?????? No sprouts, no soup, different oat bran, out of whole wheat, whole wheat everything, plain the last two times I've been. Fun tables: gone. Couches: gone. Cool art: gone. Pizza bagels that my kids love: gone. Smooth jazz now plays instead of metal or Allmann Bros or whatever. Totally blows and honestly, you lost me.
(1)
Sarah H.
I was in heaven when I discovered Bagel Art a few months ago and it quickly became my favorite bagel place in both Evanston and greater Chicago. What set them apart was the equal toppings on both sides of the bagel and delicious homemade cream cheese options. However, Bagel Art recently came under new management and the direction in which it is going is concerning. Most notably, they discontinued all of their cream cheese flavors except for three. Employees explained the new boss implemented this change and is going to wait and see which flavor customers are most angry about losing and then potentially bring those few back. The reasoning behind this approach is incomprehensible. Aren't there many other ways to determine which flavors are most popular without angering the customer base? Don't they keep records of this? Can't they have customers vote? Can't they raise the prices for flavored cream cheese? It makes sense at a place like Starbucks to have limited cream cheese offerings but at a restaurant called Bagel Art there is a higher expectation. For example, Einstein Bagels offers 12 varieties of cream cheese. Overall, the new management seems to have little regard for how their decisions affect the customer experience and lacks any formal direction and I sincerely hope the new management changes their approach so I can have my beloved Bagel Art back. P.S. Bring back the veggie cream cheese!
(2)
Catherine N.
Located right off the Dempster Station, I have always wanted to give this place a try. But when I finally did.. it was HUGE HUGE HUGE disappointment. Not only was it pricey, the bagels weren't even fresh! My bf and I ordered 2 bagels: blueberry and oregano parmesan and 2 iced coffees, the total came out to around $12. Luckily they offered a Wildcard discount, but even with the discount, this was way overpriced. Given that it was expensive... the bagels must taste amazing right?! WRONG! Our bagels were stale and overloaded with cream cheese. I had a tough time swallowing that sucker. The iced coffee was ehhh... not much you can say... I've had better. Overall, what a disappointing experience. Not at all what I expected. One star.
(1)
Melanie B.
Best bagels ever! I've had many varieties from a basic bagel and cream cheese to many of the different sandwiches they offer... all have been absolutely delicious! The only tip I would give them is that the store, itself, always looks a little dingy... it could use a facelift. But, go in and carry out your food to home and it's golden. Normally you'd think I'd lower the star rating for a kinda dirty interior, but their bagels and cream cheeses are so good that I just can't deduct a star.
(5)
Steve B.
I am a notorious carnivore as you may know from my profile, but on of the greatest things to eat is the Tuscany bagel Sandwhich on a toasted garlic bagel with extra raw onion. The Mozzarella is great the pesto spread is amazing and the tomatoes are always of good quality. Now full disclosure I coached the son of the owner years ago but I still come back for this meatless treat and have one!! A must eat!!!
(5)
Lia G.
Really good bagels! Sandwiches were not too bad, but I've had better bagel sandwiches. Still tasty though. I got a Thai iced coffee which really just tasted like normal coffee, so that was a little disappointing. The staff was really nice. Seems like a great college hangout. Nice atmosphere. I might go back to try another sandwich. I rate this 3 stars just because I didn't find the flavors of m sandwich outstanding. But the bagels and cream cheese were really tasty!
(3)
Rosanna S.
Always friendly and prompt service. Great bagels, cream cheese and other food. The honey cinnamon cream cheese is a big favorite of mine! Also the Thai iced coffee (served year round) is very tasty.
(5)
Jack K.
Great bagels and bagel sandwiches! Had the4 veggie bagel with farm to table ingredients! Nothing complicated just heathy and wholesome! Washed now with a coconut warter! Close to home!
(5)
Becky G.
I really enjoy Bagel Art, and its especially convenient cause I literally live right above it. I've had the Rococo bagel sandwich twice now and it is to DIE for. I appreciate that they load the sandwiches up with cream cheese. Don't go here if you're in a rush, but I would highly recommend it.
(4)
Meredith C.
Cute decor. Friendly-ish staff. About 12 types of fresh bagels.to choose from. I chose garlic, he chose cinnamon. Both really tasty With equally tasty toppings. Cool seating at the counter or in a quiet nook. Mine was almost a little burnt, only reservation of a fifth star. A few more veggie toppings to chose from would really make this place stand out. But all and all, charming and tasty. Give it a try!
(4)
Lisa H.
I used to go here regularly, despite the fact that two bagels and coffees comes to around 15 bucks, and the coffee is over-brewed and the bagels are usually a bit burnt. Sadly, they're still the best bagels in Evanston. Today I went back for the first time in a while, only to discover that they've redone their menu completely, leaving only three flavors of cream cheese (if plain even counts as a flavor), and have completely redecorated. Admittedly, the employees seem less perpetually stoned, but the paltry new menu leaves a lot to be desired. Also, the online menu still shows the previous version, which had 8 flavors of cream cheese. Lies. Guess I need to find a new breakfast spot.
(2)
Patricia B.
I've always loved this place -- first in their old location on Chicago Avenue, and now in their new(ish) Dempster location -- but I've never taken the time to write a review for some reason. The bagels are always fantastic, as is the service. I just placed an order through GrubHub and the delivery was so fast it boggles the mind -- 16 minutes from the time I placed the order to the time the smiling delivery guy was handing me the bag. Unbelievable! For both food and service, with a great eat-in atmosphere thrown in for good measure, you can't go wrong with Bagel Art.
(5)
jeremy w.
I don't know when these guys moved into the location of the old cafe Express, but its pretty awkward in there. I have memories of the halfway house people chain smoking in the back room. Those were the days. Anyways, we went in hoping for some breakfast sandwiches and were informed that they were out of eggs and it would have more after 15 minutes. This being the modern age, we didn't have time to wait around for eggs, so I ordered the breakfast sandwich without the eggs. When he rung it up it was about a dollar more than the sandwich would have cost with eggs, which was very confusing. Then someone dropped a bagel on the floor and it was funny. Anyways he gave me a slight discount and I put it in the tip jar anyway, even though it seems weird to run out of an essential ingredient first thing in the morning when you're right across the street from the train tracks. The paint job in the place spruce it up a little bit, but like I said, I still have memories of chain smoking in the back room and drinking 50 cent refills of coffee from Dawn, the owner.
(2)
Lauren B.
MMMMMMM. This place is DELISH! I went here for a dozen bagels and cream cheese for a birthday celebration at work and everyone loved them! In terms of bagel style they are a bit crunch on the outside and soft on the inside. The Lox cream cheese had actual Lox inside.
(4)
U.M. S.
I stopped by the other day to take full advantage of giving this place another try, once the owner personally reached out to me and apologized for my unhappy experience last time I was here. This go around I went in and ordered a Cheddar bagel with Salmon Spread and bacon strips on it (weird, I know). The gentlemen making my bagel was quiet yet attentive but seemed to be struggling to spread the salmon spread, I furrowed my eye brows immediately judging him and the spread's consistency only to find out the true deliciousness was thick and filled with little pieces of salmon! My only complaint was that there wasn't enough! The bagel is smaller than most and honestly I couldn't taste/see any cheddar but despite that the sandwich was beyond yummy! Will definitely come back for more!
(4)
Alma M.
I'm really disappointed that I have to give this place 2 stars as I really expected so much from this place... Here's the reason why I had to do this: I hate onions, hate. Hate onions. When I placed my order, I requested no onions. The receipt itself said, no onions... I get back to work and there are onions in my sandwich. It's too late for me to go back and change this order as I only have a half hour break and it takes me half an hour to get to and back to work. I spent the next 15 minutes deconstructing this sandwich, picking out all the onions, and trying to wrap it as neatly as possible. Some of the onions are so tiny that i could not get all of them out. I ate half a wrap and almost gagged each time I tasted an onion. The other half of the wrap I ended up giving to my coworker. I know that I sound like a picky jerk but I just can't stand the taste of them, this is always a no-no whenever I go out.
(2)
Kari I.
One of the things we missed the most after moving to Chicago from New York was a decent bagel. After significant searching and many disappointments, we finally discovered Bagel Art. The bagels, sandwiches and intelligentsia coffee are all wonderful. The staff is friendly and helpful, the ingredients are fresh and sandwiches customizable. Try the egg sandwich (made with baked eggs!) or the portabella melt. And to the reviewers who take issue with the short wait: The sandwiches are made to order, so if you are in a hurry, get fast food. :)
(5)
Bojan K.
After a crew change, I am back as a customer here! Level of service and professionalism is at the top! Food is amazing as always and done the way you want it! :)
(5)
Liz O.
Given, I've only been here a week, but this is the best bagel I've had since moving from New York. Really the best outside of the area. Staff were friendly when serving, and left well enough alone when I clearly wanted some time to recharge myself and my phone. The Fat Frank was nothing but fresh ingredients and toasted goodness. Looking forward to bringing home a bag of day olds for my roommate next time we get a lazy weekend.
(4)
Jack I.
I really like this place. Very good bagels, and decent coffee. Very laid-back atmosphere. I try to come every weekend.
(5)
Meena J.
I am a vegetarian. Have tried their Mountain garden bagel sandwich in a toasted whole wheat sesame and loved it. What I like about this place is how fresh their vegetables are and their choice of spread and bagels. Coffee is too good.
(4)
Phil D.
it was 10am, they were out of eggs and therefore couldn't make an egg sandwich, I will not tolerate that with a bfast place. Plus the two times prior they screwed up my order that consisted of 3 components
(1)
Will M.
Honestly, this place is pretty decent. The bagels are solid, the choices are solid, and there's a wide variety of organic stuff to make a sandwich out of. As a guy that loves bagel sandwiches, particularly with eggs, this is something of a joy. On the down side, it's a very simple deli no different than what was probably in your HS cafeteria, only with the ability to toast bagels and with a nicer quality. Still, the pricing is outrageous. An egg and turkey sandwich on a bagel cost me $7.10. Jaw dropping. A bagel itself is $.99, with cream cheese oddly $3.00, and with flavored cream cheese $3.50. Not sure how the cream cheese is worth twice what the bagel is. I am perfectly alright paying for good food, and would wager the bulk of my salary goes to eating out. But a $7 bagel sandwich just feels wrong, particularly when it's a giant square of baked egg rather than a freshly cooked egg.
(3)
Jennifer L.
I ordered the Rococo bagel sandwich. I enjoyed it, however it really makes a difference which employee makes it. I watched one staff make one for a customer before me and he took the time to evenly spread out the ingredients, turkey and all, which made it look like a better balanced and more manageable sandwich. The staff member who made mine just kind of threw everything on and when I got it everything was falling out of the sandwich and all the meat was in a 3/4 inch thick chunk on one side of the sandwich and falling out of it. Tasted good though. Good ambiance. I'd go back.
(4)
Lisa K.
My neighbor and I have a Saturday morning routine of going to the West Ridge Y for a workout and then drive into Evanston for bagels & coffee. These bagels remind me of the type of bagel I grew up with. I enjoy their choice of schmears - plain, cinnamon, salmon. There is one sandwich on the menu with salami and warmed up. It is outrageously good. The coffee is deep and dark - just the way I like it. My only suggestion is that this place needs to work on the flow of taking orders, fulfilling orders and paying. There is a lack of efficiency and confusion entails. Prices are on the steep side too but I like that there are organic/local choices and is a local establishment.
(4)
Gregory J Amani S.
I was there on Sunday afternoon on 9/15. The service was very slow. One of the clerks had to show the other clerk how to make a salad for a member of my party. The two clerks work on one salad while the rest of my party had to wait. As I was leaving order a toasted blueberry bagel with strawberry jelly. A plan bagel is price at $1.01, then I was charged and extra $2 dollars for a "spread". I thought that was extreme price gouging for jelly on a bagel. I will not be returning.
(1)
Megan L.
Went this morning and ordered a PUMPERNICKEL bagel. Got to work and it was blueberry. Luckily I looked at it, because I am very allergic to blueberries!!!! No good.....Very scary!
(1)
David R.
Hey--guess who now has BREAKFAST BAGEL SANDWICHES?? This discovery really put some spank in my fanny. They usually have two at a time listed on a whiteboard. I've had two so far--the Hangover Cure (salami, cheese, and hot sauce) and the Grace (ham, cheese, and choice of two vegetables)--but these things are so customizable that it's practically build-your-own. I'm not sure what is the deal with the eggs. They are baked in a big flat pan and then cut into squares. It's a questionable method (and I'm not sure what else might be in the "batter" besides eggs) because what ends up in your sandwich is somewhat dry and a little rubbery. I'd rather have real eggs cooked to order but beggars can't be choosers. Some mornings I get such a powerful craving for a BREAKFAST BAGEL SANDWICH that I will take whatever I can get, and I would rather support an independent local business than one of those godless chains. Word of warning--don't choose drippy tomatoes for your bagel sandwich if you are planning to eat it while driving up Ridge Avenue and Green Bay Road.
(3)
Maggie G.
Bagels are good, but not worth the frustration I've been going to Bagel Art for going on 5 years, so clearly i think the product is good. I also like supporting the local business, but this place kills a weekend morning mood in a heartbeat. The service is awful! I've worked in many a cafe, and this place needs some organization STAT! They randomly take the next person waiting and that employee waits on you from start to finish, which makes the whole process extremely slow and totally disorganized. There is hardly any room behind the counter to go back and forth, so they are constantly bumping into each other, and they try to ask you questions while your playing musical chairs with the other people in line. It's maddening! Haven't they ever been to another place where one person takes your order, and the next helps to make it, then the next rings you up? (ah la Pot Belly, Starbucks, Subway or Einstein?) Or maybe you have some sort of ticket system where someone takes your order and rings you up, then they pass your written down order to the person making your bagel. The first ringer can also get your coffee or whatever! (ah la, Panera, Cosi, etc.) Also, while the Bagels are good, the final product is totally inconsistent. Sandwiches are ever-changing on how much and what they give you. The eggs are often still cold in the middle, then the last time i got a cinnamon bagel with their special Pumpkin Cream cheese, there was hardly any cc at all! That's the whole reason I got the bagel was to try the cc!! I really want to like this place, but I am in a foul mood EVERY time i go. Might be time for a change. No matter how good the Bagels are, the frustration isn't worth it.
(2)
Nikki K.
I went here for the second time this past weekend and I was really disappointed with the service. I ordered my food and paid right away. The guy making my sandwich put my bagel in the oven to toast and then forgot about it. He was too concerned with going on his lunch break and making his own food. As this guy is eating his lunch I had to go up to the counter and ask someone else to finish getting me my food. What I had was good, but I think it's ridiculous that someone would no complete an order before going on break. I also think the bagel sandwich size is a bit small for the price.
(2)
Zach G.
Very cool place. I had a turkey rococo bagel and it was excellent. The staff was great and very friendly.
(4)
Yanyao N.
A mediocre and overpriced bagel sandwich. The good thing is, that the bagel itself is terrific and they have a wide variety of flavors. I just wish they would use them to create a more balanced sandwich. Nothing too great about lox overpowered by too many salty capers or roast beef with onions that results in dragon breath that could clear a room. Still, come here if you're in the mood for a good bagel. Maybe just stick with the cream cheese.
(3)
Evanstonienne H.
Bagel art has great service, product and vibe. My kids love the bagels and I love their wraps filled with fresh produce, right in front of you. It is a great place to bring kids to for a quick tasty lunch.
(5)
Kristin W.
Pretty good stuff here. It's a little pricey, but that is the price you're gonna pay for all fresh organic food and local produce. I always get the Tuscany bagel sandwich but swap out the pesto for spinach and artichoke cream cheese. They have a wide variety of cream cheeses and plenty of sandwich options. It's a nice little place, the people are friendly. Oh something else I like is you can get a fresh cup of tea here...loose tea, not nasty packets... No cell phones aloud! Oh and they're actually changing locations, just around the corner on Sherman and Dempster I believe. Looks like it'll be a lot bigger, so I can't wait to see the new things they have to offer!
(4)
Matt R.
This place is pretty bad ass. Think of it like a trip back to the jimi hendrix era, sans drugs but with bagels. They play some good classic rock while you're chowing to a bagel. I would compare this to a girl dressed in punk rock, eating a bagel with a Paris Hilton-esque dog in her purse. It's a funny mix, but they do pull it off. Oh, and they make their bagels fast. Real fast. For us, they also didn't slather on 8 pounds of cream cheese. Some people like that, but I'm absolutely disgusted when people do that. I just want a small layer of cream cheese on my bagel, not half bagel half cream cheese. The bagel options are pretty varied, the vegetarian bagel and vegan soup options are an additional nice touch.
(4)
Kile K.
I've always had a great experience here. The service is a little slow, but I go here for the food, not the service. The bagels and cream cheese spreads are excellent!
(4)
Bianca H.
The bagels are handmade and absolutely delicious even the next day after being left out.
(5)
Michael V.
If i had written this review 6 months ago, I would have given a 2 star review, entirely based on the service. The workers they've brought on in recent months are MUCH friendlier and do a better job keeping bagels stocked. The bagels here are delicious, and I walk here every Saturday and Sunday. They used to run out of plain bagels, and when you'd ask, they'd say "eh, maybe twenty minutes. I haven't made them yet." Really? Out of Plain bagels? Recently, much better! Friendly service, still delicious bagels, and neat atmosphere.
(5)
Sylvia E.
I spent two hundred dollars on a bagel here and ended up having the worst day of my life. Let me explain, the bagel itself was an average bagel nothing special, good but certainly not worth the eleven dollars I assume it would cost me. The manager was sweet and offered to let me pay via check, however the actual clerks on staff were harried and unfriendly. This became even more apparent as my troubles truly began. I made the mistake of parking in the lot next to bagel art. To be fair the lot does say no parking, but I thought that if I parked there for five minutes it would be fine. Not so after I spend three minutes picking up my bagel I go outside to see my car is gone!!! Whirling around I see the tow truck pulling away with my car!! I run after it to no avail, but can't catch it. Now I know it's not bagel arts fault that my car was towed and that I shouldn't have parked in that spot, but when I went back in to ask the staff brushed off my concerns, and refused to give me a phone number to call or any information about the towing company. I later learned that they weren't affiliated with the lot, but when I first asked the manager said that we wasn't allowed to give out the land lords information for the people who run the lot. He made my whole experience even worse and offered no sympathy. I actually liked the bagel but NO WAY am I ever returning here again! This business should learn the importance of a little sympathy. If I'm paying eleven dollars for a bagel I hope some of that money would go into customer service.
(1)
Caitlin C.
I go to Bagel Art all the time (probably about once a week) because it's right around the corner and a nice place to stop for lunch or a snack. I love the new space -- it's a huge improvement in terms of places to sit, and I think the bagels taste much better too (in the old store they were often burned). The downsides are that the service is almost always slow, and some of the servers have a really bad attitude (baseball cap, I'm talking to you). They're also always running out of about half their bagels, so it's rare that I get my first choice. But, I will keep going back because even on a third choice bagel, their sandwiches are really tasty.
(3)
Emily H.
This place is wonderful. Everything is handmade and organic.
(4)
Keith M.
Been many times. Love their coffee...nice variety of fresh sandwiches. Always have had good service. While it's a small place, you can usually find a cozy place to sit for a bit.
(5)
Carrie W.
Great food. Terrible customer service. I'm always disappointed coming in here. What a shame! Except for Carl.
(2)
Maggie V.
Bagel Art is one of my favorite placed in Evanston. Their bagels are amazing, and sandwiches are delicious. Even the die hard New Yorkers I know like this place and give it props. The Roccoco is to die for. The staff is really friendly and give the place a cool local vibe. The new location on Dempster is perfect for grabbing something before jumping on the El.
(4)
Jason P.
This place has mediocre food and awful service which is not a good combination at all. I always drive by this place and have wanted to try it forever, but it is really only open during hours that I am working so finally on my day off I got to try it out. From the moment I walked in, it seemed like the person behind the counter could not wait to get me out of there. I thought this was a little odd as there really was no one else in the place. The baskets of bagels behind the counter were pretty empty so I asked which bagels they had, since sometimes at places like Panera they have some in the back. The response I got was just this incredulous look, like I had asked for a basket of shrimp or something. I guess my question was not even worth them using actual words. Finally I just decided to order. I ordered two bagels with different spreads. Generally I get asked if I want the bagel toasted, but I guess they don't have toasters or they just wanted me to leave as the second I ordered they did not give me the option and just started throwing the spread on there. Not to worry though, they did manage to charge me $7 for my order. I really like trying out these little shops as I have had good experiences with them in the past, but times like this make me wish I just stuck to the Paneras and Einstein's of the world. You can keep your snooty service and overpriced food, I'll stick with the heavyweights of the bagel industry.
(1)
Tom S.
I, like many of previous reviewers, have to agree that the bagel's are always pretty tasty yet the service leaves a bad taste in my mouth. This place is within walking distance of my apartment so I find myself walking in once or twice a month to grab a coffee and a bagel. I absolutely love the everything bagels with fresh cream cheese. Add a medium Intelligentsia and life is good on a Sunday morning. Well it should be all good, right? Not really! The service is always inconsistent. One day you will get someone with a smile who will actually smile and talk to you, while other days you will stand there wondering what in the world is happening in this place. The owner never says good morning or hello. Clearly the one major issue is management and I suggest they work on improving attitude ASAP. There are times when most of the bagel baskets are empty(shouldn't be happening). When lines form on the weekends it's a complete s*** show with employees running all over the place. Once you finally get to the register you realize you are dropping $15 for 2 bagel sandwiches and a medium coffee!! Bagels and coffee are good but the place needs better management and organization!!
(3)
Roxy G.
Decent bagel but nothing amazing, but solid. It's the only place I've found a whole wheat everything bagel though! A little pricey too. Staff is nice too.
(3)
Mel K.
I'm a cereal eater, so I can't comment on bagel-as-breakfast, but I will tell you they've got a great veggie bagel sandwich that I haven't been able to find the likes of since Bruegger's back home. It's piled high with spread, tomatoes, peppers, sprouts, cucumbers, carrots, sun-dried tomatoes, avocado, etc, and worth every penny. The Tuscany with fresh mozzarella, pesto & fresh basil is also good stuff. You want to talk overpriced? Let's start with Jimmy John's...
(4)
David B.
Bagel Art is a quaint neighborhood bagel-sandwich shop that is sort of like an independently owned Einstein's. I have really enjoyed all the bagel sandwiches I have bought there. Some comments below complain about the price, but $6-8 for a bagel sandwich is comparable to other bagel sandwich places or even other breakfast places. For example, the Lox Key bagel sandwich is about $7-8. On the sandwich you can get a ton of lox, cream cheese, capers and onions. That same plate, deconstructed, is easily $10+ at any diner in the area. And in my experience, the quality of their cream cheese and ingredients are far superior to chain bagel/breakfast places in the area. My only complaints with Bagel Art is that I wish there was more seating and hours were longer. Otherwise, its certainly one of the better breakfast/bagel shops in Evanston.
(4)
Martha M.
First of all I want to make it very clear that 3 stars does not adequately convey my love of this place. The bagels are delicious and they have some very clever bagel sandwich options. Not to mention the fact that the beverage options here are STELLAR. The drink cooler is full of delicious options like San Pelligrino Limonada and other hard to find drink delicacies. Unfortunately there are a few things holding this place back. 1. Expensive. $7-$9 dollars for sandwiches. Really!? 2. Service can be painfully sloooooooow... 3. Sometimes it smells kinda' funny in there. 4. Parking can be a pain! There is no lot, only street parking on Chicago Ave. These setbacks do not stop me from going to Bagel Art at least twice a week. I love the "Lox and Key" sandwich despite the bad reviews I've read. I say, check it out! Give it a chance! You may not be "wowwed!" but I don't think you will be that disappointed...
(3)
James K.
Amazing! A friend tipped me off to check this place out. The only drawback is that parking is dificult in the neighborhood. We ordered two wraps. For many delis, wraps are an afterthought. Not here! The meats, cheeses and veggies were all diced so that the wrap could be assembled and eaten more readily. I was amazed at the amount of care that went in to the preparation of this wrap. I'm a whole grain kinda guy, so I tried the whole wheat bagel, sesame wheat and oat bran. The oat bran item is really awesome, though not at all like a bagel. It's shaped more like a bialy, but has a wonderful slightly sweet whole grain flavor and is very crunchy on the outside. The whole wheat bagels had a taste and texture that reminded me of old-fashioned handmade pretzels. I will return to check out other things that looked good.
(5)
Lynn A.
I had a brunch at my home in Evanston yesterday and was so happy to be able to get my bagels delivered warm and fresh in the morning. Thank you, Bagel Art!
(4)
Dee W.
Just wanted to update again about how great this place is - I always come here if I have to bring breakfast treats into the office. They have these amazing fresh bagels that just taste great. They have a great selection of organic cream cheese, as well. Some of my favorite bagels include their whole wheat, sesame, Oregano Parmesan, Pumpernickel, Poppyseed...and more! Also, a tip - if you have a Wildcard - use it. You get 10% off your total purchase here!
(5)
Matt D.
I really, really wanted to give these guys a favorable review. I like supporting local businesses, and prefer the convenience of being local. Prior to this review, I came here 2 X at their new location. Following my 1st time coming here on a Sunday afternoon to pick up a dozen bagels, I dismissed the fact that my bagels were not quite stale, but certainly not fresh to that fact that I came in the afternoon - following the demand and rush. A month or so later, up and out at 7:30 AM on a Sunday morning, I was looking forward to some fresh hot doughy bagels. What I got was cool, dry, old?, bagels,... and poor service on top of that. Being in line behind the customer they were currently servicing, I of course expected to be sered next, maybe because I'm only 5'9" they didn't see me and skipped over th the next customer. I told the chick behind the counter... excuse me I'm next, she rolled her eyes. You are supposed to get a bakers dozen bagels, when I said I wanted 8 everything and 5 garlic, I was told that they only had 7 everything and proceeded to give those (stale) ones to me with the 5 garlics. I didn't catch this until I got home. Being a bit flustered I had over paid by putting an extra dollar in with my payment, rather than giving me my change back, this chick put it in her tip jar, I guess believing it was for her exemplary service. Want great bagels, do yourself a favor, My local recommendations (from a native NY'er) locally are New York Bagel & Bialy 4714 W Touhy Ave, skokie/Lincolnwood and followed by; New York Bagels & Bialys 3556 Dempster St, Skokie
(1)
Karen W.
I just had one of the best bagels I have ever eaten. I bought one to try on the train, and I wanted to turn around and go back for a dozen more. I got the salt bagel (probably shouldn't eat so much salt), but the bagel was chewy and tasty, not too crunchy, like some. It was heavenly. OK, so I just read some of the other reviews, and have to say that the service was excellent. I was there during the lunch hour, and there were lots of staff, and they were all attentive and friendly. I will be back.
(5)
Craig S.
Closest thing I've found to an H&H bagel outside of NY. Nice place that rarely seems to fill up. They brew Intelligentsia coffee as opposed to the Metropolitan served at Brothers K.
(4)
James M.
Got a cookie and coffee. The cookie was stale, crumbly, and tasteless. The coffee, although Intelligentsia, was burnt and undrinkable. I understand that the words 'coffee' or 'cookie' do not appear in the name of the shop, but c'mon....
(1)
Blake W.
Overpriced and nothing notable (except the no cell phone policy). I ordered the "medieval" cream cheese, roast beef and a tomato -- this one small bagel cost almost $9 w/o a drink. Who are they kidding? Another time I order something like a caprese bagel and again the bang for my buck disappointing. The menu is limited and seating is very limited
(2)
Danielle R.
I had the coffee today and it was delicious. Great place to hang out, maybe study (for you Northwestern kids) and chill. Still stickin' to the cinnamon honey cream cheese on a wheat bagel. The staff is friendly and you'll enjoy your time there... can get crowded but hasn't been too bad when I've been there.
(4)
Colin U.
Sort of surprised at the number of negative reviews. Yes, it is expensive. But I haven't ever experienced problems with the staff or their unfriendliness. The sandwiches aren't huge, but if you cared about that, you'd go to Subway. The cream cheeses are great - especially the cinnamon/honey, and the bagels are pretty good too. Sprecher products, an independent place, and some tasty bagels/sandwiches.
(4)
Marianna S.
LOVE THIS PLACE. Their spinach artichoke cream cheese is so so SO delicious. And you can add fresh veggies to your bagel, so you don't feel as guilty eating all those carbs... My usual is a whole wheat bagel with spinach artichoke cream cheese, with a slice of tomato and cucumber. I always forget to have them toast it though. But who cares, it delicious un-toasted too! Quick, CHEAP breakfast. Yummmmy. 4 stars because there isn't a whole lot of room to eat your bagel. Just a small little counter area, or a few tables outside in warm weather.
(4)
gennifer g.
Been looking for a house-baked bagel place since my move to Chicago and finally found it. I got a veggie sandwich on plain, and despite it's seemingly generic ingredients--it was great! Vegans might want to ask them to wipe the knife before getting a sandwich to avoid any mystery cream cheese.
(4)
Xriz H.
$7 for a bagel? Give me a break. I do like that fact that no cell phones allowed in the store, now if the old banged up hippie working behind the counter could respect the sign in her store and get off the phone long enough to give some real customer service it might be a decent place. Also check the expiration dates on the drinks in the cooler, 1 year old sour, moldy orange juice mash taste as bad as it sounds. Food us sub par, about a click above a lenders frozen bagel. The place is not cute, nothing cute or artistic about it.
(1)
Julie M.
While the bagels from this place are delicious, I have to agree with a previous reviewer that the managers at this store are absolute jerks. I walked in on this beautiful, sunny morning to pick up bagels for some out of town visitors. I left in a bad mood after listenening to the manager ("Eric") yell at his probably high school age female employee that "if she doesn't like being told what to do she could go home" and harrassing every single thing she did (which, in my opinion, she was doing just fine with). Not only is it mean, it's flat out unprofessional to verbally attack your employees right in front of the paying customers. Too bad, Bagel Art. I live just a block from your store and would come in every weekend for a delicious bagel. I would have even given you a 4 star rating. However, the way you treat your employees is unacceptable and I will not be returning again.
(1)
Rob L.
I've been here twice. The second time was to just make sure the first time was the norm. The bagles are average at best, and prices are too high. The service is very slow and it seems to vary on if they know you. The best thing I had there was the coffee. I might stop again for coffee, but probably not.
(1)
Scott B.
Meh. Expensive for so-so bagels and the intelligentsia coffee tastes old and weak.
(2)
Bonkzilla Z.
Oh, what a surprise! An "indie" owned and operated "cute" little establishment that's overpriced, and workers with a personality less enchanting than mayonnaise! I went to Bagel Art the other morning for the last time. I've been there three times before and like always, the bagels are small and burnt and overpriced, even with an NU discount. You walk in and all though you're the only one there ordering food, the airhead blonde behind the counter, with her vacant, "too cool to give a shit" expression seems to be annoyed that you're in there at all. "um....buy.....a....ba-gel....um yeah, like OMG!" Moments later and $8 bucks spent you wonder what the hell you even paid for. Oh, I see...the cream cheese is ORGANIC! So the retail value goes from .80 cents to $3.00 bucks on something that they buy in bulk and just mash some frozen veggies into. Let's not forget those overpriced, smaller than s**t, burnt bagels themselves. "Duh....I don't know how to turn the heat down on the oven. Do you....hav'ta...OMG! heeee heee heee like, press a button or some junk..." Hey, Dumbfucks! Go do what you're best at, smoking weed in your parent's basement!
(1)
Alexis E.
Bagel Art is a regular stop for us on the weekends (and sometimes during the week when school is out). We are particularly fond of the blueberry and onion bagels (two different kinds, not a combo). I also love the green mountain wrap. Our only complaint is that they seem to run out of their "sweet" bagels too early on the weekend. But, Bagel Art is a definite favorite in our house - breakfast requests are regularly bagels or dim sum.... (And, I should mention, we lived in NYC for 10 years and know what a good bagel tastes like!)
(4)
Betsy H.
Bagel Art's sandwiches may be a bit on the pricey side (for a bagel sandwich), but their ingredients are SUPER fresh. The vegetables are crunchy and delicious! At other sandwich places, I often feel like I'm paying slightly less money for something much more mediocre than I could get here. Also, I can't wait to take advantage of their weekend bagel delivery!
(4)
Jade T.
Bagel Art is no Einstein, nor does it try to be. It's small, quaint bagel shop located a block away from the Dempster station. Seating is sparse; there is one bistro table and a few counter stools. Their menu consists of several vegetarian bagel sandwiches and there's an option to create your own. (The Lox & Key is the sandwich that costs more than $7.) If a bagel sandwich isn't filling enough, Bagel Art also has homemade (always) vegetarian soup. Their bagels aren't anything to rave about, but the place is great for those looking for a quick breakfast or lunch.
(4)
Chaka C.
Went to this place this past weekend, for the first and last time. Like some of the other reviewers wrote, I found the staff rude, and indifferent at best. The wait was laborious, and they said that my bagel had to cool off before they could make it into the Lox and Key which I ordered. I would have picked another type of bagel that I didn't have to wait ten minutes for if they had offered. The Lox and Key was good, but I vowed that I wasn't going to go to to a place that didn't appreciate my business again. New York Bagel and Bialy beats them by a long shot, and you don't get the 'tude with your bagel.
(2)
Matthew H.
I, like many of the other reviewers really wanted to like this place because it's local, cool, lots of organic, ect. The first time I ever went to the Bagel Art the sun was shining and the food and service was great. They would be much happier with me if I wrote my review then because it would've been a 3 or 4 star writeup. Little did I know the owner wasn't in the first time I went to the Bagel Art. When I came in for a second time and placed an order I remember the owner ruining the mood of my relaxing lunch by constantly griping at the employees while I was trying to eat. After leaving I didn't think too much of it, maybe she was having a bad day or the worker was really bad. NOPE, I just got back from going a third time and the owner was in and very irritable, and once again hearing it ruined a nice lunch break. I feel bad for the poor employees who have to get yelled at in front of customers. Dear owner, If you're going to be annoyed about a cookie being made too big or a batch of cucumbers peeled and cut to the wrong diameter then please write a memo to the staff because It doesn't do the your business any good to say "who cut these cucumbers?" in the middle of lunch hour. Now if it were only once I would let it go but its been every time i've come while the owner is working. You would think a hippy would be able to chill out.
(1)
Joel S.
Love this place. Great bagels and they stay fresh for days afterward. Good selection of cream cheese too! Whenever we have a crowd over to our place for brunch, this is the default place to go. And we get plenty for leftovers since the bagels stay fresh for about a week.
(4)
Joanne L.
Bagel Art is a great neighborhood bagel place. I grew up in New York, and this is one of just a handful of places where you can get great NY style bagels. I tend to prefer my bagel simple, just with a 'schmear', but they have lots of options for those who like more of a sandwich. Their wraps are a great alternative too. Excellent variety of drinks such as Izzies. And, be sure to get a Maude's carrot cake for dessert.
(5)
Dan J.
My overall impression of Bagel Art is a sloppily-run business. The new location is brightly painted and the seating is nice, but that's as good as it got. I ordered the veggie bagel sandwich and my wife had the beans and rice wrap. The bagel had a strong metallic burnt taste and the vegetables were flavorless. The tomato was light pink and mealy, which is inexcusable in the middle of summer. The wrap was neither good nor bad; the flavors were bland and there was no variation in texture, becoming a porridge of beans and rice. The price was about $10.50 for the two. Worst, however, was that the owner warmly greeted all of her regulars but pointedly ignored us and some other people she didn't seem to know. Service was slower than expected from other bagel places, and she forgot our drink and had to be reminded later. The wall menus were hung behind air ducts and aren't visible except from a small area of the restaurant by the door, and included a horrendous amount of misspellings. The typos were so frequent that we believe they might be a misguided attempt at "atmosphere." We won't be returning.
(2)
Mary M.
My brother-in-law is a lifelong resident of the Bronx, so he knows his bagels! When I'm preparing for a visit from him and my sister, I have to make sure to stock up on Oregano Parmesan bagels from Bagel Art (aka New World Bagel), because he can't get enough of them. The sesame bagels are also very good. Bagel Art is a funky little shop with cool people.
(3)
Dawn B.
The bagels here are awesome and if you're trying to cut calories, they won't look at you funny if you ask them to scooped out some of the dough before toasting it. (They actually call it a scooped out bagel.) The thing that bothers me about this place though, is the attitude. It seems to come from the top as I've had several encounters with the woman who owns the place. I'm not sure what it is, she's just not very friendly and borders on being bitchy. As a result, the people who work there seem to be a little off as well. It's a drag because I'd stop there more often but some days I just can't deal with the attitude. It's like the whole damn place needs a freakin' pill.
(3)
bloopie s.
eh. if their bagels aren't toasted, they really aren't very good...i have to be honest. otherwise, not bad, but nothing spectacular. they do have a good selection of cream cheeses, including the famed artichoke one, which is very good. bagel art to me is like a doric column. it's functional, but nothing spectacular.
(3)
Daniel K.
laura! i ate breakfast! i know it wasn't a big ole breakfast or even a sit down breakfast or anything. and i definitely just remembered that i forgot to go to dodo this morning. doh!!!! but, nonetheless i ate breakfast. i had a plain bagel with plain cream-cheese, toasted. it was goooood. they make their own bagels here as they should and they are delicious. the people are very nice as well. i recommend the poppy seed bagel, it is poppied out like a mofo. here's to breakfast!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Hipster Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : No
Kenny O.
Friendly staff. Been here a few times in the past few years, but looks like they've remodeled since I was here last. Brand new expresso machine using Inteligentsia Coffee. A+. Solid bagel roast beef sammich. Looks like they're still working out the kinks with new management & machines so I'll leave it at 4* for now. Will be back!
(4)Samantha F.
LOVE THIS PLACE!!! So i found out Eric is no longer there so your worries with him should be rested. Although he was my favorite. Greeted me every morning even if i didn't stop in, just waved through the window. For all the people who had "problems" at the bagel shop i have to say...you came on a bad day. I go there almost everyday and I have to say the bagels are still great. For those of you who are watching you pennies, if you don't want to spend money for a breakfast sandwich then choose something that is in your price range rather then complaining about it after you pay. My favorite sandwich is the Tuscany on an Oregano Parmesan bagel. Its a cold sandwich with organic tomatoes, fresh basil, pesto and 3 slices of fresh mozzarella. Sometimes I ask for it to be put in the oven if its cold outside. I also love the salads. what ever you want in a bowl its sooooo GOOD!
(5)Rebecca C.
Finally, an authentic New York bagel in the Chicago area. These are the real McCoy water bagels and they are delicious. The cream cheese smears are the real thing as well, without any hint of the deadly preservative, chemical or weak flavor(s). Add high quality lox, lettuce and tomato to a true water bagel and I'm in heaven.
(5)Cme B.
Super swift service. Remember: my charge is to find the best chai in Chicago. Today, I rode out of my way for Bagel Arts chain+decaf combo. As a Rogers Park native this is the only place nearby who can put this together at a digestible price. And, for a gal whose sensitive to caffeine the combo is sublime!! : ) ( :
(5)Allison S.
As a Jew, I was skeptical. This place is walking distance from me but seemed less authentic than traditional Jewish delis. Why is this place so fancy? It probably can't have a good Jewish bagel. I was so wrong. So, so very wrong. First of all, their bagels are sent fresh daily from NY Bagel & Bialy, which is a very big deal. Secondly, they have scallion, not chive, cream cheese. If you're in the mood for a true New York Bagel experience, the difference is a game changer. They have all the veggies and meats you could want. The lox are outstanding. They have whole wheat and whole wheat everything bagels. To top it off, they have Intelligentsia coffee and an adorable cafe atmosphere. I went there twice today and plan on living there this summer. So basically, this is one of the most important discoveries I have made in my whole life. Take it from a true Jew bagel connoisseur, this place is perfect.
(5)Tom H.
I don't normally review restaurants on Yelp but I felt the need after trying to go on a Sunday morning and finding it closed to write this. Since the change of ownership this place has really changed for the worse. First, what kind of bagel place closes on a Sunday? Isn't this when most people get bagels? Like, why close on Sunday but open on Monday? Look at Bennisons nearby, they are closed on Mondays. As a local person, I eat bagels on the weekends. Maybe all their revenue comes from catering orders on weekdays? Like, at least open until noon on Sundays. Second, the variety of cream cheeses used to put the "art" in Bagel Art - but since the change of ownership, I hope you like plain cream cheese and plain toppings. I used to get spinach on my bagel but they don't have that either. Third, all the awesome hipster employees are gone. Bring back the old Bagel Art!
(1)Peter C.
I love this place. It's clean and smells good the moment you enter. Great staff and awesome bagels. Keep up the good work bagel art.
(5)Teal R.
New management cut all of the life out of what Bagel Art used to be. The variety has been cut by at least half. I'd say save your money and go to Cosi for a bagel. Tip to new management: Add variety back in
(2)Sir Gull R.
It seems that under the new owner the only art left is that of skimping on the ingredients and gouging the patron. I guess if you are on a mostly carb not much else diet this place would work for you. However, if you expect more than 2 ounces of turkey in a wrap, well better to avoid these artists on most days you feel peckish. I say most days because on the weekends the crew is more as it was under the old regime. So out of the 7 days 2 are good and the rest are bunk so 2 stars seemed fair. These 2 days for $8 a sandwich you got a fair deal. It also seems the freshness matters depending when in the week you go. On the weekends fresh. This day, I watched as the sandwich-monger went out of his way to skim the browned guac onto my leathery tortilla. He was quite generous with the 2 slices of tomato and the 3 leaves of lettuce, the good chap. The short of this tale is that I don't think I'll be returning here for and overpriced display of miserliness for a workday lunch.
(2)Mike M.
It kills me having to write a rough review of this place. I really used to love it but it seems that the management has changed and it hasn't been beneficial. What used to be an extremely wide array of bagels and cream cheese has been cut down pretty thoroughly to bagel standards. They're down to 3 cream cheese flavors (Does plain even count? Isn't that just assumed?) and great ones like spinach and artichoke got the ax. Scallion? Oh boy, excuse me while I go wild with that one remaining choice of savory flavors. The sandwiches have remained (mostly) unchanged in both name and form but some of them have been reduced to simpler forms. No more Tuna Meltdown with two veggies. Now it's just "Tuna" on the sandwich board, one veggie included. Points for keeping the Green Mountain and Lox and Key in both name and form, those are damn fine sandwiches. That brings me to my final point: The removal of character and spirit this place had. New management, new staff and the new owner practically gutted the place. No more Readers around, everything is very clean (Read: sterile) and not as welcoming. How the Hell do you keep the store's bookshelf and leave it completely empty?! I've seen other reviews saying that the line run's faster now (Because it wasn't fast before? It's bagels, dude, relax.) And that the prices are cheaper now, but I really don't think that's true. If it is then it's barely noticeable and at the cost of the frills that made the place great. Place with a great environment turned into "Cheaper" Evanston Yuppie stop. Great. I used to LOVE coming here and admittedly, I still go from time to time but the desire to go isn't there anymore. It's just a place that's open early in the morning. Also, my coffee was kinda burnt last time. Just kinda throwing that out there.
(2)S E.
The food is fresh and delicious, the atmosphere is quaint and comfortable, and the staff are super friendly. Definitely enjoyed having breakfast there. There's also a nice nook in the back for reading or doing some work.
(5)Lola S.
For some reason, I have become a fan of bagels over the past year... I'm used to have the bagels from Einstein Bros which are like factory based. I thought they were very good until I tried this place!!! I really like the homemade style bagels they have. With cream cheese and scallions...they are wonderful!!!
(4)M Y.
I miss the old Bagel Art. Ordered my regular Tuscany and sadly disappoints - no more basil from the local school garden, mozzarella isn't the same - pesto too oily! Miss my favorite bagel stop, bring back what made this place incredible!
(2)Nikki M.
This is definitely a place I would visit again because I LOVE bagel sandwiches. The bagel was great, however, the service, not so much. I did not get a welcoming vibe from the people working and it made the experience a little awkward. I ordered a veggie bagel which was only 6.50 and asked if they could add an egg. They ring me up and tell me its 9.75... uhhhh why is adding an egg costing this much extra?? So I asked and the guy says "well basically you ordered the egg sandwich with all the veggies". Okay, unfair, I ordered the veggie sandwich with an egg so this price increase is just ridiculous. (the egg sandwich comes with cheese and bacon, none of which I got on my veggie bagel) So if I am in the area craving a bagel, I'll go back, but I was completely unimpressed with the service.
(3)Michael H.
Walked in to check it out. There was one other person waiting at the register and two people working the counter, and a couple of people sitting having coffee. Neither employee made eye contact with me or addressed me or attempted to engage in any way. I waited for about five minutes - still no acknowledgement. So I left.
(1)Ann Marie B.
Nice and friendly staff, delicious bagels, good music, endless cup of coffee... Great place to get some work done on their complimentary wifi. Kid friendly too.
(5)Patrick H.
With new ownership, the place is clean, the line runs better, the prices are cheaper.... The bagels are fresh and the staff is terrific - a great local find vs chain living - close to train, so it makes it an easy quick pick up and if you need to do work, they have wifi and comfortable space to do your work - a great spot
(5)John G.
Really disappointing decisions made by the new management make this once unique place regrettably forgettable. The old Bagel Art reverberated with unique charm in both its menu and its staff, making it not only a source of great bagels but also a welcome part of Evanston's character. Now, the menu has been radically reduced and homogenized to the point where it is less memorable than Panera's. While the bagels themselves seem to be just as good, the portions on the bagel sandwiches are miserly. And the interior is merely a shell that used to ooze character and charm. As a neighborhood resident, I'm bummed out by the fact that all art is gone from the place.
(2)Angela S.
I stopped in this morning in between meetings with the intent of grabbing coffee to go and ended up staying briefly for a bagel sandwich special: egg sandwich on a sesame bagel for $3.20 (less $ than a bagel and a schmear). My sandwich was okay. I didn't really care for the spongy consistency of the egg, but overall the combination with melted provolone cheese, veges and a tad of spicy mustard hit the spot. The egg appeared to be seasoned giving it a nice flavor and the bagel was fresh and hearty. They serve brewed Intelligentsia coffee, and one of the standouts for fixing up your coffee was a container of cinnamon sticks along with the sugar. That's something I've never seen before. Very nice addition. This place is an organic/hipster joint, so the customer service is more along the "cool" side if you know what I mean. It was a bit cold (the temperature) and not warm and inviting feeling like I had hoped, but the concept is super adorable with a quiet room in the back with books and a cafe table with comfy lounge chairs. I'd come back to grab coffee and maybe a lunch sandwich next time. A-OK for a stop along the way.
(3)Alain S.
The only place you can get a good bagel in Evanston
(5)Sally W.
New owner: seriously? Now there are NO NEWSPAPERS (I asked; he says "too messy"?!?) no lox cream cheese?????? No sprouts, no soup, different oat bran, out of whole wheat, whole wheat everything, plain the last two times I've been. Fun tables: gone. Couches: gone. Cool art: gone. Pizza bagels that my kids love: gone. Smooth jazz now plays instead of metal or Allmann Bros or whatever. Totally blows and honestly, you lost me.
(1)Sarah H.
I was in heaven when I discovered Bagel Art a few months ago and it quickly became my favorite bagel place in both Evanston and greater Chicago. What set them apart was the equal toppings on both sides of the bagel and delicious homemade cream cheese options. However, Bagel Art recently came under new management and the direction in which it is going is concerning. Most notably, they discontinued all of their cream cheese flavors except for three. Employees explained the new boss implemented this change and is going to wait and see which flavor customers are most angry about losing and then potentially bring those few back. The reasoning behind this approach is incomprehensible. Aren't there many other ways to determine which flavors are most popular without angering the customer base? Don't they keep records of this? Can't they have customers vote? Can't they raise the prices for flavored cream cheese? It makes sense at a place like Starbucks to have limited cream cheese offerings but at a restaurant called Bagel Art there is a higher expectation. For example, Einstein Bagels offers 12 varieties of cream cheese. Overall, the new management seems to have little regard for how their decisions affect the customer experience and lacks any formal direction and I sincerely hope the new management changes their approach so I can have my beloved Bagel Art back. P.S. Bring back the veggie cream cheese!
(2)Catherine N.
Located right off the Dempster Station, I have always wanted to give this place a try. But when I finally did.. it was HUGE HUGE HUGE disappointment. Not only was it pricey, the bagels weren't even fresh! My bf and I ordered 2 bagels: blueberry and oregano parmesan and 2 iced coffees, the total came out to around $12. Luckily they offered a Wildcard discount, but even with the discount, this was way overpriced. Given that it was expensive... the bagels must taste amazing right?! WRONG! Our bagels were stale and overloaded with cream cheese. I had a tough time swallowing that sucker. The iced coffee was ehhh... not much you can say... I've had better. Overall, what a disappointing experience. Not at all what I expected. One star.
(1)Melanie B.
Best bagels ever! I've had many varieties from a basic bagel and cream cheese to many of the different sandwiches they offer... all have been absolutely delicious! The only tip I would give them is that the store, itself, always looks a little dingy... it could use a facelift. But, go in and carry out your food to home and it's golden. Normally you'd think I'd lower the star rating for a kinda dirty interior, but their bagels and cream cheeses are so good that I just can't deduct a star.
(5)Steve B.
I am a notorious carnivore as you may know from my profile, but on of the greatest things to eat is the Tuscany bagel Sandwhich on a toasted garlic bagel with extra raw onion. The Mozzarella is great the pesto spread is amazing and the tomatoes are always of good quality. Now full disclosure I coached the son of the owner years ago but I still come back for this meatless treat and have one!! A must eat!!!
(5)Lia G.
Really good bagels! Sandwiches were not too bad, but I've had better bagel sandwiches. Still tasty though. I got a Thai iced coffee which really just tasted like normal coffee, so that was a little disappointing. The staff was really nice. Seems like a great college hangout. Nice atmosphere. I might go back to try another sandwich. I rate this 3 stars just because I didn't find the flavors of m sandwich outstanding. But the bagels and cream cheese were really tasty!
(3)Rosanna S.
Always friendly and prompt service. Great bagels, cream cheese and other food. The honey cinnamon cream cheese is a big favorite of mine! Also the Thai iced coffee (served year round) is very tasty.
(5)Jack K.
Great bagels and bagel sandwiches! Had the4 veggie bagel with farm to table ingredients! Nothing complicated just heathy and wholesome! Washed now with a coconut warter! Close to home!
(5)Becky G.
I really enjoy Bagel Art, and its especially convenient cause I literally live right above it. I've had the Rococo bagel sandwich twice now and it is to DIE for. I appreciate that they load the sandwiches up with cream cheese. Don't go here if you're in a rush, but I would highly recommend it.
(4)Meredith C.
Cute decor. Friendly-ish staff. About 12 types of fresh bagels.to choose from. I chose garlic, he chose cinnamon. Both really tasty With equally tasty toppings. Cool seating at the counter or in a quiet nook. Mine was almost a little burnt, only reservation of a fifth star. A few more veggie toppings to chose from would really make this place stand out. But all and all, charming and tasty. Give it a try!
(4)Lisa H.
I used to go here regularly, despite the fact that two bagels and coffees comes to around 15 bucks, and the coffee is over-brewed and the bagels are usually a bit burnt. Sadly, they're still the best bagels in Evanston. Today I went back for the first time in a while, only to discover that they've redone their menu completely, leaving only three flavors of cream cheese (if plain even counts as a flavor), and have completely redecorated. Admittedly, the employees seem less perpetually stoned, but the paltry new menu leaves a lot to be desired. Also, the online menu still shows the previous version, which had 8 flavors of cream cheese. Lies. Guess I need to find a new breakfast spot.
(2)Patricia B.
I've always loved this place -- first in their old location on Chicago Avenue, and now in their new(ish) Dempster location -- but I've never taken the time to write a review for some reason. The bagels are always fantastic, as is the service. I just placed an order through GrubHub and the delivery was so fast it boggles the mind -- 16 minutes from the time I placed the order to the time the smiling delivery guy was handing me the bag. Unbelievable! For both food and service, with a great eat-in atmosphere thrown in for good measure, you can't go wrong with Bagel Art.
(5)jeremy w.
I don't know when these guys moved into the location of the old cafe Express, but its pretty awkward in there. I have memories of the halfway house people chain smoking in the back room. Those were the days. Anyways, we went in hoping for some breakfast sandwiches and were informed that they were out of eggs and it would have more after 15 minutes. This being the modern age, we didn't have time to wait around for eggs, so I ordered the breakfast sandwich without the eggs. When he rung it up it was about a dollar more than the sandwich would have cost with eggs, which was very confusing. Then someone dropped a bagel on the floor and it was funny. Anyways he gave me a slight discount and I put it in the tip jar anyway, even though it seems weird to run out of an essential ingredient first thing in the morning when you're right across the street from the train tracks. The paint job in the place spruce it up a little bit, but like I said, I still have memories of chain smoking in the back room and drinking 50 cent refills of coffee from Dawn, the owner.
(2)Lauren B.
MMMMMMM. This place is DELISH! I went here for a dozen bagels and cream cheese for a birthday celebration at work and everyone loved them! In terms of bagel style they are a bit crunch on the outside and soft on the inside. The Lox cream cheese had actual Lox inside.
(4)U.M. S.
I stopped by the other day to take full advantage of giving this place another try, once the owner personally reached out to me and apologized for my unhappy experience last time I was here. This go around I went in and ordered a Cheddar bagel with Salmon Spread and bacon strips on it (weird, I know). The gentlemen making my bagel was quiet yet attentive but seemed to be struggling to spread the salmon spread, I furrowed my eye brows immediately judging him and the spread's consistency only to find out the true deliciousness was thick and filled with little pieces of salmon! My only complaint was that there wasn't enough! The bagel is smaller than most and honestly I couldn't taste/see any cheddar but despite that the sandwich was beyond yummy! Will definitely come back for more!
(4)Alma M.
I'm really disappointed that I have to give this place 2 stars as I really expected so much from this place... Here's the reason why I had to do this: I hate onions, hate. Hate onions. When I placed my order, I requested no onions. The receipt itself said, no onions... I get back to work and there are onions in my sandwich. It's too late for me to go back and change this order as I only have a half hour break and it takes me half an hour to get to and back to work. I spent the next 15 minutes deconstructing this sandwich, picking out all the onions, and trying to wrap it as neatly as possible. Some of the onions are so tiny that i could not get all of them out. I ate half a wrap and almost gagged each time I tasted an onion. The other half of the wrap I ended up giving to my coworker. I know that I sound like a picky jerk but I just can't stand the taste of them, this is always a no-no whenever I go out.
(2)Kari I.
One of the things we missed the most after moving to Chicago from New York was a decent bagel. After significant searching and many disappointments, we finally discovered Bagel Art. The bagels, sandwiches and intelligentsia coffee are all wonderful. The staff is friendly and helpful, the ingredients are fresh and sandwiches customizable. Try the egg sandwich (made with baked eggs!) or the portabella melt. And to the reviewers who take issue with the short wait: The sandwiches are made to order, so if you are in a hurry, get fast food. :)
(5)Bojan K.
After a crew change, I am back as a customer here! Level of service and professionalism is at the top! Food is amazing as always and done the way you want it! :)
(5)Liz O.
Given, I've only been here a week, but this is the best bagel I've had since moving from New York. Really the best outside of the area. Staff were friendly when serving, and left well enough alone when I clearly wanted some time to recharge myself and my phone. The Fat Frank was nothing but fresh ingredients and toasted goodness. Looking forward to bringing home a bag of day olds for my roommate next time we get a lazy weekend.
(4)Jack I.
I really like this place. Very good bagels, and decent coffee. Very laid-back atmosphere. I try to come every weekend.
(5)Meena J.
I am a vegetarian. Have tried their Mountain garden bagel sandwich in a toasted whole wheat sesame and loved it. What I like about this place is how fresh their vegetables are and their choice of spread and bagels. Coffee is too good.
(4)Phil D.
it was 10am, they were out of eggs and therefore couldn't make an egg sandwich, I will not tolerate that with a bfast place. Plus the two times prior they screwed up my order that consisted of 3 components
(1)Will M.
Honestly, this place is pretty decent. The bagels are solid, the choices are solid, and there's a wide variety of organic stuff to make a sandwich out of. As a guy that loves bagel sandwiches, particularly with eggs, this is something of a joy. On the down side, it's a very simple deli no different than what was probably in your HS cafeteria, only with the ability to toast bagels and with a nicer quality. Still, the pricing is outrageous. An egg and turkey sandwich on a bagel cost me $7.10. Jaw dropping. A bagel itself is $.99, with cream cheese oddly $3.00, and with flavored cream cheese $3.50. Not sure how the cream cheese is worth twice what the bagel is. I am perfectly alright paying for good food, and would wager the bulk of my salary goes to eating out. But a $7 bagel sandwich just feels wrong, particularly when it's a giant square of baked egg rather than a freshly cooked egg.
(3)Jennifer L.
I ordered the Rococo bagel sandwich. I enjoyed it, however it really makes a difference which employee makes it. I watched one staff make one for a customer before me and he took the time to evenly spread out the ingredients, turkey and all, which made it look like a better balanced and more manageable sandwich. The staff member who made mine just kind of threw everything on and when I got it everything was falling out of the sandwich and all the meat was in a 3/4 inch thick chunk on one side of the sandwich and falling out of it. Tasted good though. Good ambiance. I'd go back.
(4)Lisa K.
My neighbor and I have a Saturday morning routine of going to the West Ridge Y for a workout and then drive into Evanston for bagels & coffee. These bagels remind me of the type of bagel I grew up with. I enjoy their choice of schmears - plain, cinnamon, salmon. There is one sandwich on the menu with salami and warmed up. It is outrageously good. The coffee is deep and dark - just the way I like it. My only suggestion is that this place needs to work on the flow of taking orders, fulfilling orders and paying. There is a lack of efficiency and confusion entails. Prices are on the steep side too but I like that there are organic/local choices and is a local establishment.
(4)Gregory J Amani S.
I was there on Sunday afternoon on 9/15. The service was very slow. One of the clerks had to show the other clerk how to make a salad for a member of my party. The two clerks work on one salad while the rest of my party had to wait. As I was leaving order a toasted blueberry bagel with strawberry jelly. A plan bagel is price at $1.01, then I was charged and extra $2 dollars for a "spread". I thought that was extreme price gouging for jelly on a bagel. I will not be returning.
(1)Megan L.
Went this morning and ordered a PUMPERNICKEL bagel. Got to work and it was blueberry. Luckily I looked at it, because I am very allergic to blueberries!!!! No good.....Very scary!
(1)David R.
Hey--guess who now has BREAKFAST BAGEL SANDWICHES?? This discovery really put some spank in my fanny. They usually have two at a time listed on a whiteboard. I've had two so far--the Hangover Cure (salami, cheese, and hot sauce) and the Grace (ham, cheese, and choice of two vegetables)--but these things are so customizable that it's practically build-your-own. I'm not sure what is the deal with the eggs. They are baked in a big flat pan and then cut into squares. It's a questionable method (and I'm not sure what else might be in the "batter" besides eggs) because what ends up in your sandwich is somewhat dry and a little rubbery. I'd rather have real eggs cooked to order but beggars can't be choosers. Some mornings I get such a powerful craving for a BREAKFAST BAGEL SANDWICH that I will take whatever I can get, and I would rather support an independent local business than one of those godless chains. Word of warning--don't choose drippy tomatoes for your bagel sandwich if you are planning to eat it while driving up Ridge Avenue and Green Bay Road.
(3)Maggie G.
Bagels are good, but not worth the frustration I've been going to Bagel Art for going on 5 years, so clearly i think the product is good. I also like supporting the local business, but this place kills a weekend morning mood in a heartbeat. The service is awful! I've worked in many a cafe, and this place needs some organization STAT! They randomly take the next person waiting and that employee waits on you from start to finish, which makes the whole process extremely slow and totally disorganized. There is hardly any room behind the counter to go back and forth, so they are constantly bumping into each other, and they try to ask you questions while your playing musical chairs with the other people in line. It's maddening! Haven't they ever been to another place where one person takes your order, and the next helps to make it, then the next rings you up? (ah la Pot Belly, Starbucks, Subway or Einstein?) Or maybe you have some sort of ticket system where someone takes your order and rings you up, then they pass your written down order to the person making your bagel. The first ringer can also get your coffee or whatever! (ah la, Panera, Cosi, etc.) Also, while the Bagels are good, the final product is totally inconsistent. Sandwiches are ever-changing on how much and what they give you. The eggs are often still cold in the middle, then the last time i got a cinnamon bagel with their special Pumpkin Cream cheese, there was hardly any cc at all! That's the whole reason I got the bagel was to try the cc!! I really want to like this place, but I am in a foul mood EVERY time i go. Might be time for a change. No matter how good the Bagels are, the frustration isn't worth it.
(2)Nikki K.
I went here for the second time this past weekend and I was really disappointed with the service. I ordered my food and paid right away. The guy making my sandwich put my bagel in the oven to toast and then forgot about it. He was too concerned with going on his lunch break and making his own food. As this guy is eating his lunch I had to go up to the counter and ask someone else to finish getting me my food. What I had was good, but I think it's ridiculous that someone would no complete an order before going on break. I also think the bagel sandwich size is a bit small for the price.
(2)Zach G.
Very cool place. I had a turkey rococo bagel and it was excellent. The staff was great and very friendly.
(4)Yanyao N.
A mediocre and overpriced bagel sandwich. The good thing is, that the bagel itself is terrific and they have a wide variety of flavors. I just wish they would use them to create a more balanced sandwich. Nothing too great about lox overpowered by too many salty capers or roast beef with onions that results in dragon breath that could clear a room. Still, come here if you're in the mood for a good bagel. Maybe just stick with the cream cheese.
(3)Evanstonienne H.
Bagel art has great service, product and vibe. My kids love the bagels and I love their wraps filled with fresh produce, right in front of you. It is a great place to bring kids to for a quick tasty lunch.
(5)Kristin W.
Pretty good stuff here. It's a little pricey, but that is the price you're gonna pay for all fresh organic food and local produce. I always get the Tuscany bagel sandwich but swap out the pesto for spinach and artichoke cream cheese. They have a wide variety of cream cheeses and plenty of sandwich options. It's a nice little place, the people are friendly. Oh something else I like is you can get a fresh cup of tea here...loose tea, not nasty packets... No cell phones aloud! Oh and they're actually changing locations, just around the corner on Sherman and Dempster I believe. Looks like it'll be a lot bigger, so I can't wait to see the new things they have to offer!
(4)Matt R.
This place is pretty bad ass. Think of it like a trip back to the jimi hendrix era, sans drugs but with bagels. They play some good classic rock while you're chowing to a bagel. I would compare this to a girl dressed in punk rock, eating a bagel with a Paris Hilton-esque dog in her purse. It's a funny mix, but they do pull it off. Oh, and they make their bagels fast. Real fast. For us, they also didn't slather on 8 pounds of cream cheese. Some people like that, but I'm absolutely disgusted when people do that. I just want a small layer of cream cheese on my bagel, not half bagel half cream cheese. The bagel options are pretty varied, the vegetarian bagel and vegan soup options are an additional nice touch.
(4)Kile K.
I've always had a great experience here. The service is a little slow, but I go here for the food, not the service. The bagels and cream cheese spreads are excellent!
(4)Bianca H.
The bagels are handmade and absolutely delicious even the next day after being left out.
(5)Michael V.
If i had written this review 6 months ago, I would have given a 2 star review, entirely based on the service. The workers they've brought on in recent months are MUCH friendlier and do a better job keeping bagels stocked. The bagels here are delicious, and I walk here every Saturday and Sunday. They used to run out of plain bagels, and when you'd ask, they'd say "eh, maybe twenty minutes. I haven't made them yet." Really? Out of Plain bagels? Recently, much better! Friendly service, still delicious bagels, and neat atmosphere.
(5)Sylvia E.
I spent two hundred dollars on a bagel here and ended up having the worst day of my life. Let me explain, the bagel itself was an average bagel nothing special, good but certainly not worth the eleven dollars I assume it would cost me. The manager was sweet and offered to let me pay via check, however the actual clerks on staff were harried and unfriendly. This became even more apparent as my troubles truly began. I made the mistake of parking in the lot next to bagel art. To be fair the lot does say no parking, but I thought that if I parked there for five minutes it would be fine. Not so after I spend three minutes picking up my bagel I go outside to see my car is gone!!! Whirling around I see the tow truck pulling away with my car!! I run after it to no avail, but can't catch it. Now I know it's not bagel arts fault that my car was towed and that I shouldn't have parked in that spot, but when I went back in to ask the staff brushed off my concerns, and refused to give me a phone number to call or any information about the towing company. I later learned that they weren't affiliated with the lot, but when I first asked the manager said that we wasn't allowed to give out the land lords information for the people who run the lot. He made my whole experience even worse and offered no sympathy. I actually liked the bagel but NO WAY am I ever returning here again! This business should learn the importance of a little sympathy. If I'm paying eleven dollars for a bagel I hope some of that money would go into customer service.
(1)Caitlin C.
I go to Bagel Art all the time (probably about once a week) because it's right around the corner and a nice place to stop for lunch or a snack. I love the new space -- it's a huge improvement in terms of places to sit, and I think the bagels taste much better too (in the old store they were often burned). The downsides are that the service is almost always slow, and some of the servers have a really bad attitude (baseball cap, I'm talking to you). They're also always running out of about half their bagels, so it's rare that I get my first choice. But, I will keep going back because even on a third choice bagel, their sandwiches are really tasty.
(3)Emily H.
This place is wonderful. Everything is handmade and organic.
(4)Keith M.
Been many times. Love their coffee...nice variety of fresh sandwiches. Always have had good service. While it's a small place, you can usually find a cozy place to sit for a bit.
(5)Carrie W.
Great food. Terrible customer service. I'm always disappointed coming in here. What a shame! Except for Carl.
(2)Maggie V.
Bagel Art is one of my favorite placed in Evanston. Their bagels are amazing, and sandwiches are delicious. Even the die hard New Yorkers I know like this place and give it props. The Roccoco is to die for. The staff is really friendly and give the place a cool local vibe. The new location on Dempster is perfect for grabbing something before jumping on the El.
(4)Jason P.
This place has mediocre food and awful service which is not a good combination at all. I always drive by this place and have wanted to try it forever, but it is really only open during hours that I am working so finally on my day off I got to try it out. From the moment I walked in, it seemed like the person behind the counter could not wait to get me out of there. I thought this was a little odd as there really was no one else in the place. The baskets of bagels behind the counter were pretty empty so I asked which bagels they had, since sometimes at places like Panera they have some in the back. The response I got was just this incredulous look, like I had asked for a basket of shrimp or something. I guess my question was not even worth them using actual words. Finally I just decided to order. I ordered two bagels with different spreads. Generally I get asked if I want the bagel toasted, but I guess they don't have toasters or they just wanted me to leave as the second I ordered they did not give me the option and just started throwing the spread on there. Not to worry though, they did manage to charge me $7 for my order. I really like trying out these little shops as I have had good experiences with them in the past, but times like this make me wish I just stuck to the Paneras and Einstein's of the world. You can keep your snooty service and overpriced food, I'll stick with the heavyweights of the bagel industry.
(1)Tom S.
I, like many of previous reviewers, have to agree that the bagel's are always pretty tasty yet the service leaves a bad taste in my mouth. This place is within walking distance of my apartment so I find myself walking in once or twice a month to grab a coffee and a bagel. I absolutely love the everything bagels with fresh cream cheese. Add a medium Intelligentsia and life is good on a Sunday morning. Well it should be all good, right? Not really! The service is always inconsistent. One day you will get someone with a smile who will actually smile and talk to you, while other days you will stand there wondering what in the world is happening in this place. The owner never says good morning or hello. Clearly the one major issue is management and I suggest they work on improving attitude ASAP. There are times when most of the bagel baskets are empty(shouldn't be happening). When lines form on the weekends it's a complete s*** show with employees running all over the place. Once you finally get to the register you realize you are dropping $15 for 2 bagel sandwiches and a medium coffee!! Bagels and coffee are good but the place needs better management and organization!!
(3)Roxy G.
Decent bagel but nothing amazing, but solid. It's the only place I've found a whole wheat everything bagel though! A little pricey too. Staff is nice too.
(3)Mel K.
I'm a cereal eater, so I can't comment on bagel-as-breakfast, but I will tell you they've got a great veggie bagel sandwich that I haven't been able to find the likes of since Bruegger's back home. It's piled high with spread, tomatoes, peppers, sprouts, cucumbers, carrots, sun-dried tomatoes, avocado, etc, and worth every penny. The Tuscany with fresh mozzarella, pesto & fresh basil is also good stuff. You want to talk overpriced? Let's start with Jimmy John's...
(4)David B.
Bagel Art is a quaint neighborhood bagel-sandwich shop that is sort of like an independently owned Einstein's. I have really enjoyed all the bagel sandwiches I have bought there. Some comments below complain about the price, but $6-8 for a bagel sandwich is comparable to other bagel sandwich places or even other breakfast places. For example, the Lox Key bagel sandwich is about $7-8. On the sandwich you can get a ton of lox, cream cheese, capers and onions. That same plate, deconstructed, is easily $10+ at any diner in the area. And in my experience, the quality of their cream cheese and ingredients are far superior to chain bagel/breakfast places in the area. My only complaints with Bagel Art is that I wish there was more seating and hours were longer. Otherwise, its certainly one of the better breakfast/bagel shops in Evanston.
(4)Martha M.
First of all I want to make it very clear that 3 stars does not adequately convey my love of this place. The bagels are delicious and they have some very clever bagel sandwich options. Not to mention the fact that the beverage options here are STELLAR. The drink cooler is full of delicious options like San Pelligrino Limonada and other hard to find drink delicacies. Unfortunately there are a few things holding this place back. 1. Expensive. $7-$9 dollars for sandwiches. Really!? 2. Service can be painfully sloooooooow... 3. Sometimes it smells kinda' funny in there. 4. Parking can be a pain! There is no lot, only street parking on Chicago Ave. These setbacks do not stop me from going to Bagel Art at least twice a week. I love the "Lox and Key" sandwich despite the bad reviews I've read. I say, check it out! Give it a chance! You may not be "wowwed!" but I don't think you will be that disappointed...
(3)James K.
Amazing! A friend tipped me off to check this place out. The only drawback is that parking is dificult in the neighborhood. We ordered two wraps. For many delis, wraps are an afterthought. Not here! The meats, cheeses and veggies were all diced so that the wrap could be assembled and eaten more readily. I was amazed at the amount of care that went in to the preparation of this wrap. I'm a whole grain kinda guy, so I tried the whole wheat bagel, sesame wheat and oat bran. The oat bran item is really awesome, though not at all like a bagel. It's shaped more like a bialy, but has a wonderful slightly sweet whole grain flavor and is very crunchy on the outside. The whole wheat bagels had a taste and texture that reminded me of old-fashioned handmade pretzels. I will return to check out other things that looked good.
(5)Lynn A.
I had a brunch at my home in Evanston yesterday and was so happy to be able to get my bagels delivered warm and fresh in the morning. Thank you, Bagel Art!
(4)Dee W.
Just wanted to update again about how great this place is - I always come here if I have to bring breakfast treats into the office. They have these amazing fresh bagels that just taste great. They have a great selection of organic cream cheese, as well. Some of my favorite bagels include their whole wheat, sesame, Oregano Parmesan, Pumpernickel, Poppyseed...and more! Also, a tip - if you have a Wildcard - use it. You get 10% off your total purchase here!
(5)Matt D.
I really, really wanted to give these guys a favorable review. I like supporting local businesses, and prefer the convenience of being local. Prior to this review, I came here 2 X at their new location. Following my 1st time coming here on a Sunday afternoon to pick up a dozen bagels, I dismissed the fact that my bagels were not quite stale, but certainly not fresh to that fact that I came in the afternoon - following the demand and rush. A month or so later, up and out at 7:30 AM on a Sunday morning, I was looking forward to some fresh hot doughy bagels. What I got was cool, dry, old?, bagels,... and poor service on top of that. Being in line behind the customer they were currently servicing, I of course expected to be sered next, maybe because I'm only 5'9" they didn't see me and skipped over th the next customer. I told the chick behind the counter... excuse me I'm next, she rolled her eyes. You are supposed to get a bakers dozen bagels, when I said I wanted 8 everything and 5 garlic, I was told that they only had 7 everything and proceeded to give those (stale) ones to me with the 5 garlics. I didn't catch this until I got home. Being a bit flustered I had over paid by putting an extra dollar in with my payment, rather than giving me my change back, this chick put it in her tip jar, I guess believing it was for her exemplary service. Want great bagels, do yourself a favor, My local recommendations (from a native NY'er) locally are New York Bagel & Bialy 4714 W Touhy Ave, skokie/Lincolnwood and followed by; New York Bagels & Bialys 3556 Dempster St, Skokie
(1)Karen W.
I just had one of the best bagels I have ever eaten. I bought one to try on the train, and I wanted to turn around and go back for a dozen more. I got the salt bagel (probably shouldn't eat so much salt), but the bagel was chewy and tasty, not too crunchy, like some. It was heavenly. OK, so I just read some of the other reviews, and have to say that the service was excellent. I was there during the lunch hour, and there were lots of staff, and they were all attentive and friendly. I will be back.
(5)Craig S.
Closest thing I've found to an H&H bagel outside of NY. Nice place that rarely seems to fill up. They brew Intelligentsia coffee as opposed to the Metropolitan served at Brothers K.
(4)James M.
Got a cookie and coffee. The cookie was stale, crumbly, and tasteless. The coffee, although Intelligentsia, was burnt and undrinkable. I understand that the words 'coffee' or 'cookie' do not appear in the name of the shop, but c'mon....
(1)Blake W.
Overpriced and nothing notable (except the no cell phone policy). I ordered the "medieval" cream cheese, roast beef and a tomato -- this one small bagel cost almost $9 w/o a drink. Who are they kidding? Another time I order something like a caprese bagel and again the bang for my buck disappointing. The menu is limited and seating is very limited
(2)Danielle R.
I had the coffee today and it was delicious. Great place to hang out, maybe study (for you Northwestern kids) and chill. Still stickin' to the cinnamon honey cream cheese on a wheat bagel. The staff is friendly and you'll enjoy your time there... can get crowded but hasn't been too bad when I've been there.
(4)Colin U.
Sort of surprised at the number of negative reviews. Yes, it is expensive. But I haven't ever experienced problems with the staff or their unfriendliness. The sandwiches aren't huge, but if you cared about that, you'd go to Subway. The cream cheeses are great - especially the cinnamon/honey, and the bagels are pretty good too. Sprecher products, an independent place, and some tasty bagels/sandwiches.
(4)Marianna S.
LOVE THIS PLACE. Their spinach artichoke cream cheese is so so SO delicious. And you can add fresh veggies to your bagel, so you don't feel as guilty eating all those carbs... My usual is a whole wheat bagel with spinach artichoke cream cheese, with a slice of tomato and cucumber. I always forget to have them toast it though. But who cares, it delicious un-toasted too! Quick, CHEAP breakfast. Yummmmy. 4 stars because there isn't a whole lot of room to eat your bagel. Just a small little counter area, or a few tables outside in warm weather.
(4)gennifer g.
Been looking for a house-baked bagel place since my move to Chicago and finally found it. I got a veggie sandwich on plain, and despite it's seemingly generic ingredients--it was great! Vegans might want to ask them to wipe the knife before getting a sandwich to avoid any mystery cream cheese.
(4)Xriz H.
$7 for a bagel? Give me a break. I do like that fact that no cell phones allowed in the store, now if the old banged up hippie working behind the counter could respect the sign in her store and get off the phone long enough to give some real customer service it might be a decent place. Also check the expiration dates on the drinks in the cooler, 1 year old sour, moldy orange juice mash taste as bad as it sounds. Food us sub par, about a click above a lenders frozen bagel. The place is not cute, nothing cute or artistic about it.
(1)Julie M.
While the bagels from this place are delicious, I have to agree with a previous reviewer that the managers at this store are absolute jerks. I walked in on this beautiful, sunny morning to pick up bagels for some out of town visitors. I left in a bad mood after listenening to the manager ("Eric") yell at his probably high school age female employee that "if she doesn't like being told what to do she could go home" and harrassing every single thing she did (which, in my opinion, she was doing just fine with). Not only is it mean, it's flat out unprofessional to verbally attack your employees right in front of the paying customers. Too bad, Bagel Art. I live just a block from your store and would come in every weekend for a delicious bagel. I would have even given you a 4 star rating. However, the way you treat your employees is unacceptable and I will not be returning again.
(1)Rob L.
I've been here twice. The second time was to just make sure the first time was the norm. The bagles are average at best, and prices are too high. The service is very slow and it seems to vary on if they know you. The best thing I had there was the coffee. I might stop again for coffee, but probably not.
(1)Scott B.
Meh. Expensive for so-so bagels and the intelligentsia coffee tastes old and weak.
(2)Bonkzilla Z.
Oh, what a surprise! An "indie" owned and operated "cute" little establishment that's overpriced, and workers with a personality less enchanting than mayonnaise! I went to Bagel Art the other morning for the last time. I've been there three times before and like always, the bagels are small and burnt and overpriced, even with an NU discount. You walk in and all though you're the only one there ordering food, the airhead blonde behind the counter, with her vacant, "too cool to give a shit" expression seems to be annoyed that you're in there at all. "um....buy.....a....ba-gel....um yeah, like OMG!" Moments later and $8 bucks spent you wonder what the hell you even paid for. Oh, I see...the cream cheese is ORGANIC! So the retail value goes from .80 cents to $3.00 bucks on something that they buy in bulk and just mash some frozen veggies into. Let's not forget those overpriced, smaller than s**t, burnt bagels themselves. "Duh....I don't know how to turn the heat down on the oven. Do you....hav'ta...OMG! heeee heee heee like, press a button or some junk..." Hey, Dumbfucks! Go do what you're best at, smoking weed in your parent's basement!
(1)Alexis E.
Bagel Art is a regular stop for us on the weekends (and sometimes during the week when school is out). We are particularly fond of the blueberry and onion bagels (two different kinds, not a combo). I also love the green mountain wrap. Our only complaint is that they seem to run out of their "sweet" bagels too early on the weekend. But, Bagel Art is a definite favorite in our house - breakfast requests are regularly bagels or dim sum.... (And, I should mention, we lived in NYC for 10 years and know what a good bagel tastes like!)
(4)Betsy H.
Bagel Art's sandwiches may be a bit on the pricey side (for a bagel sandwich), but their ingredients are SUPER fresh. The vegetables are crunchy and delicious! At other sandwich places, I often feel like I'm paying slightly less money for something much more mediocre than I could get here. Also, I can't wait to take advantage of their weekend bagel delivery!
(4)Jade T.
Bagel Art is no Einstein, nor does it try to be. It's small, quaint bagel shop located a block away from the Dempster station. Seating is sparse; there is one bistro table and a few counter stools. Their menu consists of several vegetarian bagel sandwiches and there's an option to create your own. (The Lox & Key is the sandwich that costs more than $7.) If a bagel sandwich isn't filling enough, Bagel Art also has homemade (always) vegetarian soup. Their bagels aren't anything to rave about, but the place is great for those looking for a quick breakfast or lunch.
(4)Chaka C.
Went to this place this past weekend, for the first and last time. Like some of the other reviewers wrote, I found the staff rude, and indifferent at best. The wait was laborious, and they said that my bagel had to cool off before they could make it into the Lox and Key which I ordered. I would have picked another type of bagel that I didn't have to wait ten minutes for if they had offered. The Lox and Key was good, but I vowed that I wasn't going to go to to a place that didn't appreciate my business again. New York Bagel and Bialy beats them by a long shot, and you don't get the 'tude with your bagel.
(2)Matthew H.
I, like many of the other reviewers really wanted to like this place because it's local, cool, lots of organic, ect. The first time I ever went to the Bagel Art the sun was shining and the food and service was great. They would be much happier with me if I wrote my review then because it would've been a 3 or 4 star writeup. Little did I know the owner wasn't in the first time I went to the Bagel Art. When I came in for a second time and placed an order I remember the owner ruining the mood of my relaxing lunch by constantly griping at the employees while I was trying to eat. After leaving I didn't think too much of it, maybe she was having a bad day or the worker was really bad. NOPE, I just got back from going a third time and the owner was in and very irritable, and once again hearing it ruined a nice lunch break. I feel bad for the poor employees who have to get yelled at in front of customers. Dear owner, If you're going to be annoyed about a cookie being made too big or a batch of cucumbers peeled and cut to the wrong diameter then please write a memo to the staff because It doesn't do the your business any good to say "who cut these cucumbers?" in the middle of lunch hour. Now if it were only once I would let it go but its been every time i've come while the owner is working. You would think a hippy would be able to chill out.
(1)Joel S.
Love this place. Great bagels and they stay fresh for days afterward. Good selection of cream cheese too! Whenever we have a crowd over to our place for brunch, this is the default place to go. And we get plenty for leftovers since the bagels stay fresh for about a week.
(4)Joanne L.
Bagel Art is a great neighborhood bagel place. I grew up in New York, and this is one of just a handful of places where you can get great NY style bagels. I tend to prefer my bagel simple, just with a 'schmear', but they have lots of options for those who like more of a sandwich. Their wraps are a great alternative too. Excellent variety of drinks such as Izzies. And, be sure to get a Maude's carrot cake for dessert.
(5)Dan J.
My overall impression of Bagel Art is a sloppily-run business. The new location is brightly painted and the seating is nice, but that's as good as it got. I ordered the veggie bagel sandwich and my wife had the beans and rice wrap. The bagel had a strong metallic burnt taste and the vegetables were flavorless. The tomato was light pink and mealy, which is inexcusable in the middle of summer. The wrap was neither good nor bad; the flavors were bland and there was no variation in texture, becoming a porridge of beans and rice. The price was about $10.50 for the two. Worst, however, was that the owner warmly greeted all of her regulars but pointedly ignored us and some other people she didn't seem to know. Service was slower than expected from other bagel places, and she forgot our drink and had to be reminded later. The wall menus were hung behind air ducts and aren't visible except from a small area of the restaurant by the door, and included a horrendous amount of misspellings. The typos were so frequent that we believe they might be a misguided attempt at "atmosphere." We won't be returning.
(2)Mary M.
My brother-in-law is a lifelong resident of the Bronx, so he knows his bagels! When I'm preparing for a visit from him and my sister, I have to make sure to stock up on Oregano Parmesan bagels from Bagel Art (aka New World Bagel), because he can't get enough of them. The sesame bagels are also very good. Bagel Art is a funky little shop with cool people.
(3)Dawn B.
The bagels here are awesome and if you're trying to cut calories, they won't look at you funny if you ask them to scooped out some of the dough before toasting it. (They actually call it a scooped out bagel.) The thing that bothers me about this place though, is the attitude. It seems to come from the top as I've had several encounters with the woman who owns the place. I'm not sure what it is, she's just not very friendly and borders on being bitchy. As a result, the people who work there seem to be a little off as well. It's a drag because I'd stop there more often but some days I just can't deal with the attitude. It's like the whole damn place needs a freakin' pill.
(3)bloopie s.
eh. if their bagels aren't toasted, they really aren't very good...i have to be honest. otherwise, not bad, but nothing spectacular. they do have a good selection of cream cheeses, including the famed artichoke one, which is very good. bagel art to me is like a doric column. it's functional, but nothing spectacular.
(3)Daniel K.
laura! i ate breakfast! i know it wasn't a big ole breakfast or even a sit down breakfast or anything. and i definitely just remembered that i forgot to go to dodo this morning. doh!!!! but, nonetheless i ate breakfast. i had a plain bagel with plain cream-cheese, toasted. it was goooood. they make their own bagels here as they should and they are delicious. the people are very nice as well. i recommend the poppy seed bagel, it is poppied out like a mofo. here's to breakfast!
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