Tilly Bagel Shop

"Tilly Bagel Shop started as a pandemic pop-up, and then transitioned to being a fixture at the South Loop farmer’s market. Luckily, these fantastic sourdough-based bagels now have a permanent home and are available (almost) every day of the week. They’re made fresh throughout the morning, a real-time watchable activity thanks to a partially-visible kitchen. Each bagel is fluffy and chewy, with a thin, lightly blistered crust. They come in interesting flavors like cacio e pepe or a rotating special like pepperoni pizza. When toasted, the bagels also make great vehicles for the handful of sandwiches on the menu." - veda kilaru, adrian kane, john ringor

"A Chicago-based pop-up known for its delicious bagels, part of the burgeoning pop-up scene that became prominent during the pandemic." - Jaya Saxena

"Like R&A, the bagels at Tilly Bagel Shop in the South Loop are sourdough-based and made fresh throughout the morning, a watchable activity thanks to a partially visible kitchen. Each bagel is fluffy and chewy, with a thin, lightly blistered crust. They come in interesting flavors like cacio e pepe or a rotating special like pepperoni pizza. The soft bagels seem designed to be ripped and dunked in the housemade cream cheese, which are equally delicious and creative—like the seasonal peach and olive oil." - veda kilaru, john ringor

"Pastry chef Hannah Tillett (Girl & the Goat, Boka, Marisol) has nurtured her pandemic-born bagel business into a permanent business with habit-forming “Chicago-style” sourdough bagels with flavors like sesame, garlic rosemary, cinnamon, and tomato grilled cheese. They’re available to order online but the real move is to visit Tilly’s sunny South Loop space and watch in person as team members demonstrate their skills with dough." - Ashok Selvam

"Chicago may never beat New York when it comes to bagels, but there are plenty of quality options throughout the city. And the ones at Tilly’s in the South Loop are perfect for a pre-museum day breakfast or to power your stroll up Michigan Avenue. These sourdough bagels are made fresh throughout the morning—a watchable activity thanks to a partially visible kitchen—and come in interesting flavors like cacio e pepe, or a rotating special like pepperoni. Whatever flavor you choose, these fluffy and chewy bagels seem designed to be ripped and dunked in the housemade cream cheese, which are equally delicious and creative." - sam faye, adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru, nick allen