This Deli is FFLA Approved. Â The Fantasy Football League of America had a meeting here for the Trophy Exchange. Â The Indian Redmen agreed to take the trophy and deliver it to Sasquatch.
Present at this meeting were
Chuck S., - Co-Commissioner/Owner of the Colorado Killer Clowns
Don O. - Co-Commissioner/Owner of the Champaign Toast
Jeff G. - Owner of the Seattle Slayers
Ed D. - Owner of the International Falls Indian Redmen.
The Pastrami SaMich was Awesome, but very pricey. Â The meat is sliced fresh, but they could have had more meat. Â If you are going to call yourself a NYC Deli then you MUST have a lot of meat. Â For a Pastrami SaMich on Rye with Cheese, Small Bag of Cheez Its and a Fountain Drink it came to $12 something. Â
You also have to grab your own chips and they didn't have many to select from. Â
if you add more meat, get my chips for me and lower your prices then i will give you 5 stars.
This message is approved by the FFLA.
I pass by this place all the time on my way to work and now I wonder why didn't I come here sooner?
The half sandwich and soup combo is probably one of my fav things to get here. If you include your medium pop and the meal it comes out to 9.98...not bad for a loop lunch. You get your pick of sandwich, bread, pick of side, a giant soup of your choice and pickle. Â Its a pretty big with enough leftovers to eat the next day at work. What gets better is the million of choices you get! I am a lady all about options...especially tasty ones!
We came in this morning at 10:15 and to our surprise there was no line at NYC. Because the bagel flavors are not listed on the screens in the restaurant, I went for my tried and true favorite bagel:everything. Toasted and topped off with some veggie cream cheese, this was the perfect filling breakfast I had been craving. The bagel was crispy and tasty and service was quick. The only complaint I can possibly make is that there are only 2 small tables. The bf and I were planning on eating there, but we ended up eating at the counter instead. I will make a mental note that the next time I come to NYC bagel deli I will carry-out instead. Great value, fast service and an unbelievable product!
Review Source:I frequent this place for one reason: They have porkroll!!!
And even though they overcharge for it and don't know how to slice it, there is nothing sweeter than a slice of salty goodness from the east coast. They will even sell you the 1lb roll if you ask nicely.
You can take the girl out of Jersey, but you can't take the jersey out of the girl!
Don't forget about the catering at NYC Bagel Deli!
We just had NYCBD cater our daughter's birthday party. Sometimes pizza at a kids party just gets old so we thought it'd be nice to mix it up with sandwiches and the east coast slices. The delivery was incredibly prompt, especially on a Saturday afternoon, and very smooth. The food was excellent! We received many compliments on the sandwiches as well as the great east coast pizza!! We are looking forward to having NYCBD cater future events. Thanks Corey!
Just wanted to say that I've been back several times and everything has been fantastic. Bagels and cream cheese? Amazing. Turkey Pastrami on Rye with the works? Incredible.
The soup and half sandwich deal is absolutely insane for downtown Chicago. First you get a half sandwich piled so high with meat, cheese, and toppings it might as well be a whole sandwich. You also get a big cup of soup, a side dish, and half a kosher pickle. All for under 10 bucks.
I'll definitely be stopping by for more sandwiches and soup as the weather gets colder.
This is one of my favorite fast food options in the Loop. Amazing sandwiches with generous amount of lunch meat and a great variety of ingredients! However, you can say that about many places. What makes NYC Bagel Deli stand out is their online ordering system that beats the rest! Their site is well done with comprehensive pictures and easy to use interface.
I often order for the office and it is super easy and convenient! You can click-mark all of your custom options after adding your sandwich to the "shopping card". In just few seconds you can select desired ingredients, chose your bread and side. Your unique creation comes in a secure clear box with large deli pickle. We order from them a lot and its always delicious and accurate! Great job guys!
While I agree with many of the Yelpers out there that NYC Bagel Deli makes a very solid sandwich and I happen to like the rice pudding as well, Â I can only give it two stars because of the prices and errors that have been made when I place my order. Â Food is definitely a 4 out of 5 stars or better in terms of quality. Â When I go, I find myself paying a lot and praying a lot. .. but when it comes out right it's a darn good place.
Review Source:The food is awesome but this location is kind of a mess. I've gone about 8 times and they've messed something up about 5 of the times whether it be adding/omitting an ingredient, giving me the completely wrong sandwich or charging me twice (still working with them to get this charge removed...). I know it gets mega busy in there, but come on! I will still obviously continue to go because they've got the best bagel sandwiches in town.
*update 8/31/12: I ended up needing to call Chase to get my charge removed because they never did it after i called 3 times. Anyway, got a veggie sandwich today, they seemed confused when they gave me my sandwich. Took it back and gave me another one. Â No tomatoes and yellow mustard, i wanted deli mustard and i never said no tomatoes. Seriously, why can't they get anything right!!! Oh well, sitting here enjoying my awesome lettuce and cucumber sandwich...Rating goes from 3 to 2 stars.
These are the things I want after a 17 hour Amtrak trip from DC to Chicago: space, clean bathrooms, food that does not come shrink wrapped, and coffee that does not look it has been formed by holding a cup at the hand of house gutter drain.
I had the garlic and herb bagel toasted with jalepeno cream cheese. Heaven. Â $3.00 I think. Who knows? Its cheaper than Amtrak.
No doubt I am still in a train induced hangover but I will take what I can get. So weary train passengers (and others): come here.
Move over Einstein Bagels, this place has you down for the count. The bagels are better, the meat is better, and the sides are better. Plus, they give you a real pickle on the side. I'm more than impressed with NYC Bagel. The prices are reasonable for what you get. The bagels are fresh, the meat is piled high, and the sandwiches taste great. Try getting the honey mustard with the turkey sandwich.
I could go on and on about how good this place is, but just go and check it out. For bagel sandwich options, this is the best of the best in Chicago. If you're a New Yorker - you still won't like it. However, if you like Einstein Bagels - come here. This place is great...please feed me more.
When I started working in the Loop I made a beeline for NYCBD because I love lox & bagel sandwiches!
Their version is properly huge, so you can barely take a bite out of it. The bagels are not quite NYC quality... but this is not NYC. Take it for what it is! I haven't tried any other sandwiches, too hard not to order lox. Yes, it's on the expensive side for lunch - I go sparingly.
I love NYC Bagel Deli like it's my first born son. If only my wallet and waistline felt the same...
I can't bring myself to spend $10+ for lunch everyday, but when I feel like a treat I head to NYCBD for a Tuna Salad sandwich (they make a lite version!) or a Roast Beef Benny - SO GOOD! They also have a killer lox bagel sandwich that I sadly can no longer enjoy due to allergies.
The guys behind the counter are friendly and entertaining, which is a refreshing change from the majority of the lunch places in the Loop. As if the food and the service weren't enough, NYCBD has Diet Dr. Pepper on the fountain. Hells yeah...
Can't help but wonder if I'm the only one that checks Groupon excessively hoping to discover another $10 for $5 from NYCBD? Pretty please?!
I love NYCBD!
Growing up with bagels, bialys, lox, and cream cheese from the likes of Kaufman's and New York Bagel and Bialy Corp, my inner bagel snob just can't eat a bagel from places like Einstein's or Panera. They're just not real bagels as far as I'm concerned.
I was mildly skeptical of trying NYC Bagel Deli, mostly because of its location. I figured it was just another deli trying pass off mediocre deli food on unsuspecting office drones working in the Loop.
How wrong I was. Their bagels are absolutely first rate and have the perfect chewy and crusty texture. They also have a wide variety from which to choose, as well as any flavor of cream cheese your little bagel-lovin' heart desires.
My favorite cheap, but filling lunch is a toasted bagel with cream cheese, which sets me back around $2.50. It's heaven, and they don't skimp on the cream cheese at all. At other places I have to ask (and pay) for extra cream cheese.
The employees are very nice and efficient and always thank you for coming in. Sometimes it's the little things.
Oh, and they sell Carol's Cookies at the register. Pretty much the best cookie ever. Team it up with a bagel and cream cheese and float into carb bliss.
We've got a sad selection of bagels in the Windy City...the NYC Bagel Deli on North Ave* is by far the best we've found. I was pretty psyched when I heard they opened a 2nd location (even closer to where I live). I finally made it there for a quick bagel pick-up last weekend!
This new location is HUGE! There's plenty of room for seating so you don't have to hound a small table like I've been guilty of during many trips to the North Ave location. Â The guys who work here are super friendly and even gave me a few extra bagels than the half-dozen I ordered cause he said it looked like I could use a few more...must be the big baby-like bagel I currently have in my tummy.
It was practically empty a Sunday morning, which friendly guy informed me is the usual for Sun morning. So this is a place where you can actually get seated right away for Sunday brunch...uhmazing! Â I was sad to hear they are closed on Saturdays, but I was warned they are pretty packed during the week with the peeps who work nearby.
I usually stick with their whole wheat bagels and veggie cream cheese, but every so often I get extra crazy and go for an egg sandwich (mmm). Â And when I feel like indulging I top it off with one of their black and white cookies for dessert.
--------------------
* North Avenue location: <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/nyc-bagel-deli-chicago">http://www.yelp.com/biz/…</a>
It is the perfect lunch spot in the loop! Â You can have lunch right on the river or go and sit in the park across the street. Not only is everyone friendly there, but they move you through the line as quickly as possible without skimping on service or the quality.
They really use high-quality ingredients and you have so many options to choose from. Â It's a bit of a pricier sandwhich joint (but they did Groupon), but well worth it. Â You get a lot and it's a much higher quality. Â I'm a big fan of their chocolate/vanilla ying yang cookie (that is almost cakey). Â Yummy dessert.
Mini Rant: Â Their website and door lists the wrong hours. Â I was skeptical of a place here being open on the weekend, but thought it would be great to get a bite before taking a train out of the city. WRONG - they were NOT open. I may have boycotted them for a little bit. Last I checked, they had not fixed this.
Came here to celebrate a friend's recent acceptance into grad school. Â We were in hurry, but boy is the service fast here! Â I ordered the lox on the everything bagel. Â Overall the sandwich was delicious, but the bagel was quite hard (and not toasty on the outside and a soft, chewy warmth on the inside like the bagels I remember having in NYC.) Â The ingredients (capers, onions, etc) are very fresh, and I was very happy with the salmon.
Still a great sandwich place... especially with a Groupon.
I'm frustrated. Â I came in here for the second time last week to get a turkey sandwich on a bagel. Â All the components were good (although again it did cost nearly $10), but while I ordered it with dijon mustard, when I got back to my office I discovered they had substituted honey mustard.
Now it may seem like I am being a bit picky to be so unnerved by this. Â After all, it's only one type of mustard for another, right? Â Wrong. Â Dijon mustard has a delicious sharp tang that complements the combination of bread, meat and vegetables extremely well. Â Honey mustard is barely mustard at all, and belongs in the odd family of sweet condiments that have their place but really just do not belong on my sandwich. Â For me, this was an egregious error that sullied all the other components of what I was eating.
When I went back in and told them what happened, I was given a simple "sorry." Â I'm not sure what I was expecting. Â A free sandwich? Â Perhaps. Â Obviously I could've just been some guy who came in off the street lying about the error they made looking for a handout. Â Nevertheless, I feel wronged, and that wrong has not been righted. Â Combine that with the fact that the food is a little overpriced to begin with, and I will likely not be coming back here.
This might be a good place to go if: you don't mind paying $10 for a bagel sandwich but aren't very particular about what your food tastes like.
I was a little confused trying to find the entrance to this place, probably because there were construction workers taking the entrance door apart! (or maybe they were putting it back together?)
But dont let the construction steer you away, because the food here is delicious! I had the poppy's reuben which was stuffed with corn beef. It came with a freshly made pickle and a side of your choice. I chose the potato salad and it tasted like it was mixed with sour cream. Yummie! Â Their menu is extensive and they have a ton of drinks and snacks here too.
It was not busy at all around 5:30pm and there was plenty of seating. I can see this place getting really busy during the lunch hours.
GET IN MY BELLY! I keep forgetting to Yelp NYC Bagel, ugh shame on me. Griffin C. first told me to stop in here some months ago and trusting his foodie judgment, I first hit it up on my way in to work in early November. Let me just say that if you think you've had a bagel before, you're wrong. Until you come here, that is.
Visit #1: Holy shit. All I ordered was a sesame bagel (toasted) with strawberry cream cheese. I was not prepared for the mouthful of amazing I was enjoying at my desk. It felt absolutely sinful as the cream cheese oozed from my bagel and onto my face, hey ain't no shame in my game if shame tastes like heaven. The bagels are so doughy and fresh it's like eating a bagel for the first time. I'll never go back.
Visit #2: Stopped in here again for just a plain bagel and it was just as mouthwatering as visit 1. Must try new options.
Visit #3: Came in here with a coworker for lunch on my birthday and I ordered the tuna salad on a pretzel salt bagel. Part of me almost wishes I could un-eat it because it was sooo good that I fear I'll want it all the time. I mean, I do want it all the time but have to refrain from giving in to said mildly unhealthy concoction that will go straight to my thighs.
Bottom line: If you've haven't yet, get in here. You should have visited yesterday. Shame on you.
I had to take an Amtrak the other day. Â At 7 in the morning. Â I have this thing about staying up packing/preparing for pretty much the whole night before any type of trip. Even one night tips to Springfield apparently. Â
After arriving at Union Station waaaaaay too early (proud of me, dad?)I decided to make my way to Panera and saw this place. Â Wow, do I love bagels. And I also kind of have a thing about having a bagel and a coffee before getting on a plane, so though this might be a good routine for a train trip too. Â
I was barely functioning, but managed to order a pumpernickel bagel (un-toasted) with plain cream cheese, coffee and a banana. Â I paid and dropped my change in the jar. Â I hear the guy shout something and then hear all the guys behind the counter yell, "THANK YOU!" Â That kind of woke me up enough to decide I needed a bottle of water too (I know...bottled water..forgive me world) Â So I paid for that and dropped the remaining change in the jar. Â Guy behind the counter: "Gentlemen..." All the guys back there: "THANK YOU!" Â This finally woke me up and I laughed because I finally realized the little routine they have.
I made a last minute decision to use the bathroom there (because it had to be better than the train station). Â It was! Nicely decorated, smelled nice, and was so clean.
Verdict? Bagel was awesome! Coffee was TERRIBLE. I drank it black and it was like coffee water. Â
Go the NYC Bagel Deli for a bagel, a "THANK YOU" wake up, Â and to use the bathroom. Â Head to panera for your coffee. And then hop on the Amtrak and hope for the best...
OH MY SWEET LORD!!! Â i love NYC bagel deli. Â seriously, real love.
the original location is too insan-o for me, so i am so glad this location is so big and beautiful! Â there is some nasty construction going on outside and jackson is closed west of wacker, FYI. Â however, nothing (NOTHING) is nasty enough to keep me from my bagel sandwiches.
this place comes close to my childhood bagel haunt (lox, stock, & bagel in bloomington, IL anyone???) with high quality bagels, schmears, and meats. Â pickles are crunchy, boars head meat is fresh, bagels are as close to real NYC as we're going to get. Â
they also have black and white cookies. Â amazing.
if my office was closer to this place, i'd be trying out for the biggest loser in 3 months. Â 3 bagels a day keeps the doctor...away?
Jewish - Â check
Native NYer - Â check
Bagel Fanatic - Â check
Yes, I have all of the qualifications to make a solid, meaningful review of any bagel shop, especially one not in NYC with the name NYC in it's name.
I like everything about this place aside from the bagels. Boars Head meat for sandwiches is a HUGE + and not often found in Chicago. They have great pickles, great sides, and a great selection of fresh cream cheese, etc.
HOWEVER, the bagels really do kinda suck. Dare I say they're even worse than Einstein's which is far from being a "real" bagel. Even though NYCBD claims to prepare their bagels the "right" way - boiled, then baked - there is something sorely lacking in terms of their consistency and taste. They also always seem stale even if eaten right away. Don't even bother getting a few bagels to take home because they will be disgusting by the next morning.
If this place were actually in NY, it would get 1 star because their selection is typical of any NY bagel shop (for that matter, they have far less in the way of appetizing that a NY place would have) and their bagels suck - however, since its really truly impossible to find a good bagel in Chicago, they get a few extra stars for effort and for carrying Boar's Head.
I have to admit, i love love love a good corned beef sandwich, but in Chicago It is insanely hard to find places that make a GOOD corned beef sandwich, so I go quite a long time without eating any. After hearing a lot of good things about NYCBD from Aaron S. and sampling some of the bagels he has brought home, then him showing me the place, I HAD to try a sandwich from here. (Noticing that they use boar head products was that final push, boars head makes really great stuff)
Yesterday afternoon I found myself with a little extra time and I wasn't ready to head home, so I headed here.
I was thrilled to see the giant menu screens, for once in my life I could actually read what was up there! It was big enough, close enough, and bright enough that my poor myopic eyes were actually able to decipher what the menus said. The space is also huge and clean and very well set up. I was greeted as soon as I walked in.
They asked me what I would like to have and walked me through the ordering process in a friendly very non pushy manner. I went with the corn beef  with Swiss on a garlic bagel with all the veggies and spicy mustard. They have a big selection and loads of choices. I was really surprised that they offer three kinds of mustard. They took my name and I sat and waited for my food, they called me back up when it was ready and double checked if I was eating in or taking it to go.
The sandwich is huge! There had to be almost a pound of meat on it. No lie, no exaggerating is one serious sandwich. NYCBD does not play games when it comes to sandwiches. The taste was just out of this world. Everything was super fresh. The corned beef was some of the best I have ever tasted. (and I'm picky when it comes to corned beef). Not too fatty, thin sliced, no chewiness, no gristle. Yum. bagel it was on was soft and slightly chewy and darn good too. Oh yeah not to forget the super tasty potato salad that came with it too. Very fresh and tasty too.
I had to ask for half of my sandwich to be wrapped up and they knew that before I even had to ask, so they are really on top of things service wise. The guy (I believe he is the owner) asked me how many potbelly customers ask for their food to be wrapped up, because I was still in my work clothes. Oh man I got a laugh out of that. He also told me to make sure I grab a drink refill on my way out!
Now I have noticed a couple of reviews complaining about the prices. I work in the food industry, and have for a long time now. I can say for a FACT that I know you are getting what you pay for here. The meat they use is very very high quality and they pile it on high. Top it off with a super high quality bagel and fresh veggies. It is worth every penny. (Think about how much that deli meat costs in stores REALLY think about it, I've seen price lists when I used to work for a coffee shop that carried some boar head meats, so that is how I know).
It is really hard to find good bagels in Chicago and NYCBD has a great bagel. with awesome home made cream cheese, and they make great sandwiches to too!
We practically have a standing order w/ NYC Bagel Deli for our Friday bagels... Though not completely, since they're ordered by someone different every week. Â Most people call the North Ave location still for them, but occasionally we end up with the ones from this store.
A few things I've noticed...
1) the bagels from here have come pre-sliced. Â Nice if people are lazy ..
2) the order size is much more sized down and appropriate for an office of our size. Â People typically tell them how many employees, and at the other location they end up spending about $50 too much every week on crap nobody eats. Â
3) in an assorted bagel order, they include a bagel I've never seen from the North ave store... It's got herbs on it and sea salt. Very delicious!
Overall the place is at least 20-30% more expensive than other bagel joints...  I've never spent half as much as people spend every week  on NYC Bagel Deli.
...I still wish they would step up and do their part for the environment. Â We don't need a plastic container filled with 50 pads of butter. Â We don't need another plastic container filled with cheap HFCS jelly. I've NEVER seen anyone use jelly on their bagel. Â They include a GIANT tub (as in an entire jar of peanut butter) of peanut butter. Maybe 1 person uses peanut butter and the rest goes straight to the garbage. The packets of butter/jelly all end up in the garbage. Â I wish they would ask if they should be included, and then when doing so account for the fact that 99% of people use cream cheese, and only include a small handful of these items. Â It's a real waste.
We were so happy with NYC bagel. Â We were looking for a bagel place to get a couple dizen bagels for a brunch that we were hosting. Â Not only did they have fresh watermelon slices for customers, but their service was great. Â We got 2 boxes of coffee and they gave us a whole refrigerated half and half!
The bagel were also very good.
4.75 stars for the actual bagels. Â Probably the closest I've seen to NY style in this godforsaken bagel wasteland. Â Salty, boiled, delicious. Â Not quite as chewy as I'd like, but that's forgiveable.
3 stars for the price. Â $10 for a bagel sandwich? Â WTF, dudes? Â I was in NY this weekend. Â Bagel with lox, cream cheese, capers, tomatoes, and onions was ~$7 with tax. Â The same bagel was over $10 here. Â
Friendly staff, super-clean room, loooooooong line. Â Email them your order beforehand and save yourself the wait in line.
I used to be a bagel bitch. For 3 years in undergrad I managed a bagel and coffee place that made damn good NY style salt water bagels. Since working there I have become a bit of a bagel snob and NYC Bagel is the best replacement I've found in the Chicago area; they keep my bagel cravings in check since I can't afford regular flights to NYC for the real deal.
I've gone to their original location for years and was stoked to see they'd not only opened one in the Loop, but a mere block from my office in the old Salad Spinners space.
I not only love their bagels, but the high quality ingredients they use and vast selection of condiments. For example, the lady in front of me ordered a turkey sandwich and they guy started rattling a list off of the different kinds of turkey they carried - not many Loop sandwich joints can say that. My two favorite condiments they use are the horseradish cheddar and the spicy mustard - together you can clear any stuffed up nose! The slaw is also pretty amazing too.
Everyone is always friendly, many of the bagel guys have been around for years. One from the old store recognized me at the Loop location and started chatting me up.
The only drawback is they are a bit on the pricey side, but with generous portions and high quality ingredients I find it well worth it. If my bus didn't drop me practically at my office door I'd be eating here for breakfast every day and lunch most days too.
TIP: Take your lunch to go and eat it on the grass across the street while relaxing in the sun.
TIP: Save some bucks and sign up for their mailing list. I've gotten some good coupons from NYC and You've Gotta Get It.
I have not written a review in awhile but this place warrants one..
NYC Deli foods I am no expert but bagels, cured, and smoked meats...well the rings of experience circle my belly!
I had the pastrami with spicy mustard on a pretzel bagel. Which was a big mistake on my part as the meat and pretzel both had tons of salt. I blame myself on that but I can never pass up pretzel breads..
The meat is the standard boars head meats which you can get at Jewel if you want. When they heated up my meat it was a little dry because it was thin cut. I like the good ole thick cut corned beef or pastrami.
The best part was the bagel it was really good! Both chewy and soft where it needed to be and the texture was really nice! I love bagels and I will definitely be there to try more of them.
My sando was 4 cents away from being 9 dollars.. So from now on I will be sticking with the cheaper bagel and smears!
The staff was really nice but really new and energetic.. will they be the same in a year?
sando price = to high!
It is one of my small goals in life to one day walk into the NYC Bagel Deli on Wacker and order quickly, knowing what I want, and to be in total control of the transaction. Â This has been fail so far.
The problem is I am horribly indecisive and there are a million decisions to be made in this carbitarian wonderland. Â As such, this place is my absolute worst nightmare. Seriously! Â Immediately upon stepping into NYCBD, the customer is bombarded with three neon message boards (very high tech) worth of choices. Â It's not exactly Times Square sensory overload, but it's definitely close enough for me. Â Thankfully being a herbivore, I'm somewhat limited and don't have too many decisions.
Or do I?
Walking up to the register, I will usually try to begin to go ahead and order what (I think) I want and get verbally wrestled back. They like to go in order here. Â And there is a multi-step questionaire to the ordering process. Â There are about seven different cheeses to choose from, there are about six different topping, multiple free sides (I like the cole slaw), and, of course, 11 different bagels to have the sandwich on. Â About the only thing you don't have to decide on is the dill pickle. Â In the end, however, once you give in to the register person (just let them guide you), it all works out.
There are no wrong decisions at NYCBD, only complex ones. Â Still, I see it as a challenge every time I walk in. Â One day I will be a step ahead of the sandwich choice inquisition. Â Either way the bagel sandwiches are piled high, well presented (in cute little clear sandwich boxes), and delicious. Â They come with a little NYC attitude at the register but that's part of the charm.
Sorry to all of the healthy types who still bemoan the demise of Salad Spinners (or Shooters or Creations or whichever of the dozens of salad places was once housed here) but this is an upgrade for the ages! Â Even if the salad place was way simpler to order at.
I usually start off my reviews with a disclaimer, and this one is no different. Â I am not an expert on New York or their delicatessens - aside from watching every episode of Seinfeld several times. Â I am, however, a fat Jewish man, and I think that's enough qualification to be able to give a review of NYC Bagel Deli that people can trust.
My first visit had to result in a Sesame Bagel (untoasted) with Lox Spread. Â After all, the true test of a bagel is how well it holds up without toasting, and a bagel just isn't safe unless there's some lox on it!
(Okay, that's out of my system now. Â I promise, no more lox jokes.)
Despite arriving around 2:30pm and having my bagel selected from the 4 remaining Sesame Bagels in the bin, I have to say that it was a delicious experience indeed. Â They gave me plenty of schmear, and though I prefer my bagels flatter and wider (these are thicker and smaller) for easier biting, I had no trouble quickly devouring this treat.
As for the place itself, I worry that they're trying too hard. Â The staff are certainly energetic, playful and engaging - but how long will they be able to keep that up? Â Luckily I'm a recognizable guy, and even though they get a nice freebie conversation starter by getting your name as your ticket number ("Hey, Aaron! Â How ya doin'? Â Got yer bagel right here for ya!") they already identified me after my second visit and they're already learning my "usual" - though I intend to throw them for several loops as I make my way sampling the menu.
Right now my favorite choices are Sesame Bagel with Lox Spread and I've added Garlic Bagel with Parmesan-Artichoke Cream Cheese to my repertoire. Â My co-worker from New Jersey swears by the Pretzel Salt Bagel (he hasn't had it from this place, just talking from a New York standpoint) - and once I've chosen the proper accompanying cream cheese, I may take him up on that advice. Â I'm contemplating going with Peanut Butter for that one instead of Cream Cheese... Â And maybe trying Pumpernickel with the Chive Cream Cheese! Â There are so many combinations, and that's not even touching the Deli side of the menu...
And the menu brings me back to "trying too hard". Â I get it that this is right by the Sears Tower in downtown Chicago in swanky digs, but the menu is being displayed overhead on SIX GIANT EXPENSIVE SCREENS. Â Nevermind that the menu fits on three screens, so the other three are duplicates, but it's also on the paper menus located on the counter, and posted on the signs on the walls, too. Â I get it! Â I understand what you are able to sell me! Â And did I mention those six screens are joined by another large screen with TV and another one with touch-screen capabilities to join the NYC Bagel Deli e-mail list.
And with such lavish digs comes the extra price. Â While I'm okay with paying between $2.70 and $3.25 for a bagel with some schmear, my co-worker bought a deli sammich and while it's nice that it's quite large, comes with a side (she chose the homemade potato salad) and a large pickle and she got to choose to have it on pretzel bread - she was dismayed by the $10+ price tag at the end. Â I was personally disappointed to find out that one Black & White cookie was almost as expensive as my bagel with cream cheese.
But who can turn down the chance to re-enact a classic scene from Seinfeld with the Black & White cookie?? Â (I have a hankering for Babka now - either chocolate or cinnamon will suffice...)
Frankly, I love this place and I'll be back as often as possible. Â But be warned, NYC Bagel Deli - I'm giving you these 5 stars on the condition that you continue to stay this awesome over the next few weeks and months. Â You've set the bar very high for yourself and I will be watching. Â And eating your bagels. Â With lox spread.
New York City Bagel Deli may be the New Kid on the Block, but they have the Right Stuff.
/end NYCBD:NKOTB pun... for now.
Papa B. and I eat lunch together every Wednesday (aww!) and I was delighted to find this place as it is right across Wacker from a park where we like to sit when it's warm (which, it's not, at present, even though it's June...). Â Nevermind, as there is plenty of room to sit inside this lovely restaurant - and most tables have a great view of the Chicago River.
But, back to the beginning! Â We walk in and are completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available to us. Â Given the number of different bagels, sandwich innards, and condiments they offer (three different mustards!) you could eat here every day and not have the same thing twice. Â Oh, and even though they have "bagel" in their name, they have rolls and croissants as well. Â Holy smokes!
I go with the PB&J (classic) on a pretzel salt bagel (yum!). Â Papa B. has turkey (I think there were about four kinds of turkey - he had oven roasted) on a croissant. Â Throughout the entire ordering process (The B. Family makes slow and deliberate decisions) Ray, the server (he introduced himself, we are buds now) could not have been more patient. Â And chipper. Â Very chipper. Â But bagels make me chipper, too, so I get it.
In addition to the standard fountain offerings, they have coffee (with four different free flavor shots available!) and heaps of other cans and bottles. Â If it's liquid and you could *possibly* drink it with a bagel, they have it. Â For real.
NYCBD is a new Lunch-With-Dad-Day staple.
My nemesis, the carbohydrate, has brought its evil mistress, the bagel, to a storefront right across the street from my office.
Shit. Â There goes my diet. Â I can see myself here every day.
The bagels are wonderful. Â They're chewy and moist. Â The cream cheese is tops. Â NYCBD carries most flavors in the "lite" variety, so you can save a few fat grams and calories. Â
I'm a huge fan of the Piled High Turkey Sandwich, with smoked turkey, veggie lite cream cheese, lettuce, tomato, cucumber and red onion served up on a bagel of your choice. Â
Oh yeah. Â This place is gooooood.
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!
I can't believe they opened up a location near me!?! This is incredible!
I came by today after watching them do the work on this place for a few weeks. Â I was all excited to get first review, but alas, Kari J is just too quick. :)
Ok, I've been a BIG fan of their North ave location and I'm so excited that I can walk over to this location on a nice day. Â Also, big points goes to them for being open on the weekend, the guy told me that they'll be open on Saturdays during the summer to take advantage of the tourist traffic. Â Which I think is brilliant because there are so many tourists that come to see the Willis Tower (ahem) and there are very few dining options that are open on the weekends.
So anyway, the size of this place is HUGE compared to their other location. Â It's really cool and very modern inside.
I got my usual, chicken salad sandwich on a bagel - which was AWESOME! Moreover, I told the guy (manager?) at the cash register that I thought their chicken salad was the best in the city. Â He smiled, paused and then turned his head to the left: "Hey Carlos! Did you hear that? This guy said your chicken salad is the best in the city!" I saw Carlos' head pop up and give a humble wave. Â Even if you don't agree with me that the chicken salad is, in fact, the best in the city, you got to admit that it's very cool that the chicken salad is made by a guy on site, not from a mix or a bucket. Â
I also really like that you get to choose your side item and that fresh fruit is an option. Â Really cool. Â
I love the garden herb bagel, but they only have that every once and a while. Â I think maybe on the weekends? Â Today I had the sandwich on the everything bagel, which was great.
I'm so excited that this place has finally opened. Although this will be the death of my diet.
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,611 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,972 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,318 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,915 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,987 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
