Great American Bagel

Genuinely the best bagel I have ever had. I had a BLT and I enjoyed it greatly. The only thing I would say is the atmosphere is slightly lacking, though they do have a massive amount of American flags up! I'm not American, so that did take me by surprise. I suppose it's the Great American Bagel after all, so it's worth making its nationality stand out. Overall, the service was very speedy and everyone I spoke to who worked here at the time was absolutely lovely. I can't wait to go back when I'm next in Chicago!

I went today to the bagel shop today to get dozen bagel for $15 which is the special offer for Wednesday. When I saw $27.89 being charged on my card, I was shocked of how they charged me extra. They said that they give 2 cream cheese with it not for free but they charge us extra for it. I give 1 start for service because they have to be better at communicating with customers with the extra charges that they did not tell me up front.

Complete rip off… My lox and cream cheese bagel didn’t have any lox on it. I basically paid more than $15 for a regular bagel. My garden salad had barely any items and no egg. They just loaded it up with croutons. Tried calling and the line would never connect and just beeps. I will never do business with them again

A great spot to find a quality bagel or a simple breakfast sandwich. Their bagels are all made on site, and you can even see the room they’re made in! They’re definitely fresh and had some great flavors. The sandwiches were also good, keeping closer to your typical breakfast bagel sandwich. If you’re looking for something super whacky or unusual this may not be the spot. But if you’re in the mood for a real hearty and we’ll made classic, The Great American Bagel might just be your spot.

It's alright, I think this place depends what you come here for, the bagels themselves tasted alright, but personally I did not enjoy the bagel sandwiches here they lacked flavor for me majorly compared to other similar places, and I will not be coming back here. Prices are reasonable for bagel sandwiches, but then I'd pay a few bucks more at another place for more flavor.

The staff here are lovely and kind. I felt totally welcome in. The manager making my coffee was even like, if it’s not sweet enough just tell me and I’ll add more! Plus you watch see them making bagels with the big machine!

Delicious bagels, incredibly-kind staff, family-owned, what more could one ask for? I had to buy half a dozen and two types of cream cheese because they all looked so good! They were nice enough to toast my bagel while I sat for a minute to eat (my first meal at 4:30 PM!!) And then were nice enough to have donated two bagels to me that were going to be thrown away ! Now I can give one to someone on the street who needs some extra food. Wonderful establishment ! Frequent there if you can!❤️🧡💛

Wednesday offer please check 12 bagels 15.49 but they charge with cream 27$ without any informations. Not proper information.

Being from Jersey my bagel standards are a little higher that's why my review is a little lower. The bagel was super thin and I got almost no cream cheese on my bagel. Would try again if I got a better smear but still a thin bagel

The service here is amazing and the staff is always so friendly. Really some of the best service I've ever received on a consistent basis. The bagels are always fresh and flavorful. I love the cheddar onion bagel with veggie cream cheese. I really love this place and glad to see it's always busy. The white chocolate latte is also delish!

Decent bagel, but nothing too special and kind of thin. The sausage was a little better than the bacon. They do have some cool bagel types like cheddar herb. I have to say that Steingold's and TONY's were probably better.

Fabulous bagels- so warm and flavorful! And so many choices! The posh, top-shelf cheese and onion one is out of this world! The cost was higher than I expected, as my meal came to nearly $20 with sandwich, soda, chips, and tip. So I think this will be a special treat outing, but was sooooo good!! Friendly staff. Clean space. It was fun to watch the baker in action, too!

I ordered a sandwich and they just never made it, even though there were like 5 people behind the counter. I work in food service so I get that stuff gets mixed up, it was just a bummer to have my order forgotten and have to remind someone. Not worth the price and the wait. Everyone was really nice though.

The bagels we tasty and well cooked. I was surprised to see a line midday at a bagel store to be honest. I'd probably come back early in the morning and get the hot next time. Honestly this place reminds me of a bagel store I worked at as a kid growing up in Long Island and that's a good thing cause the bagel business is competitive. But yeah taste and quality were great, nice loft to the dough and nice shiny crispy outside. They have a great variety of flavors of bagels and cream cheeses and a more extensive menu of sandwiches and other offerings such as party platters and catering. I'm always up for everything bagels and veggie cream cheese. Their in store cream cheese had a nice variety and adequate amount of vegetables. Little nuances. Definitely will be back.

Tasty fresh bagels. Lovely look into the bakery - coming while they make bagels is still one of my kids favorite things.

Would love if they updated their store hours online. Walked in at 3:30 and told they were closed. Google and Yelp says they close at 4:30. Please update.

I've gone here a few times, and I do very much enjoy stopping by for a bagel. The wait isn't too long and a pretty short walk from where I stay in the city. My go to is the Italian Trio on Asiago. The first time I went the bagel I would have to say was flawless, warm and full of flavor. The second and more recent time I visited this location I was somewhat disappointed as while the bagel I got was just as tasty as before, the meats inside were ice cold. I do still plan to come back many more times in the future for quick yet delicious bagels

Great, fresh bagels, with a variety of cream cheese options. Loved by here for years but only recently stopped in. Got the jalapeño bagel with jalapeño cheddar cream cheese. Perfect amount of spice but the star was the bagel. So fresh, fluffy, and packed with flavor. Outside of just bagels and cream cheese they also offer sandwiches, smoothies, and tubs of cream cheese to go. Fast paced staff, maybe 5 booths to eat inside and a handful of parking spots. Great bagel shop! I'll definitely be back!

Bagel sandwich tasted horrible honestly and quite pricey but it was done quick. The sausage was bad and the herb and cheddar bagel was even worse. Maybe they're both an acquired taste.

I stopped by the Great American Bagel yesterday and ordered a Popeyes Omelette on an Everything Bagel - it was delicious! The servings are so big that I could probably share this with someone else if I didn't eat it all by myself! :) There is parking provided for free; there are a limited number of spots, but there's always a spot available since people are constantly coming & going. Definitely worth it!

This is the definition of a solid bagel shop: a plethora of bagel options, plenty of cream cheeses to choose from, and staff that hurries you along. Being next to my vet's office, this has become my go-to spot for a quick bite while I'm waiting. So far, everything has satisfied my random bagel cravings and I have yet to walk away feeling like I wasted a meal. Generous with the fillings and always made to order so you can truly customize. A surprising favorite was recommended by an employee- chocolate chip bagel with strawberry cream cheese!

Stopped by for a pizza bagel and was surprised at how much cheese was in it - there was A Lot! And they warmed it up in the toaster oven and it was large enough to share with my dad. It was Good to try!

Fresh bagels baby. Really enjoyed my E.C.S - egg cheese sausage, on everything bagel.

This bagel bakery has become a weekly staple for me and my son. On our way to swim practice, we stop by to fuel up. The staff always treats my six year old like a VIP and have remarked on how his bagel tastes have matured from a plain bagel with strawberry cream cheese to everything bagel egg sandwiches. This place has also handled the pandemic well. The staff are diligent about wearing their masks, they encourage customers to keep a safe distance and now that they allow indoor fining, they restrict it to every other booth. We look forward to coming each week.

What can I say about The Great American Bagel! First off they make the bagels in house which makes them super fresh and tasty! If you get to know the staff they treat you like regulars! They even have dog bones for your dogs! Definitely make this place your go to bagel spot and you'll start to get that feel that your a regular!

Wow. I ordered three sandwiches today. All three were incredible. I have been looking for a good Tuna melt in Chicago for years. They are always served on lightly toasted bread, and no flavor in the Tuna. I received my order today, and gasped out loud how impressed I was. The tuna was so flavorful, and I got it on the cheddar jalapeño bagel, it blew my mind. I also ordered the California sandwich for my co-worker, she said it was one of the best sandwiches she had ever tried. 10/10. This place is insanely good.

The bagels here are amazing and anyone who disagrees has something wrong with them. Always fresh, pillowy, melt in your mouth (didn't know that was possible with bread), with the best cream cheese, especially the veggie. Every time I come in here the staff are working hard, and the guy that makes the bagels behind the glass enjoys when you watch him, he gives a wave and smile. 10/10 on this place consistently.

OK. So my husband first introduced me to GAB when we were dating and he was living in the burbs. We would frequent the one in Elk Grove quite a bit. So many bagels and bagel spreads to choose from. That hasn't changed. But what's disappointing about this one compared to Elk Grove and other locations we've visited (Niles/Skokie and United Terminal 1) has to do with the amount of cream cheese they put in house on their bagels when you order a sandwich. To say they skimp is an understatement. I ordered 3 and at 3.49 each, they were all disappointing. Bagel packs are a good value, especially on Wednesday morning AND they are open early. But really, folks, figure out the cream cheese situation.

Great place for cheap, good bagels. There are many options and they have "supreme" bagels with extra cheese like onion and asiago, and even one with bacon bits on top! Bagel with cream cheese and coffee special is around $4 with over 5 coffee choices like hazelnut, chocolate cupcake and cranberry. Quick and easy to get in and out there are tables that can fit groups of four, maybe six if you squeeze. Not the nicest environment in terms of seating, but you aren't gong here for a fancy breakfast experience. Pretty cool spot because you can see them making the bagels!

Love love love this place. My agency moved in a few storefronts down and we've needed emergency provisions for our volunteers and GAB came through. The staff are always so warm and attentive. The food is so so good. I love the variety of flavors of both bagels and cream cheese. The sandwiches are delicious. I know I'll become a regular.

I thought the food was pretty solid here. This was my first time getting a bagel from Chicago and it was okay but really didn't satisfy my craving. I do appreciate all of the options though! I got a breakfast sandwich on an everything bagel which was decent but I wasn't a big fan of the breakfast sausage. I also got the chicken parm bagel which was yummy but could have been better if the chicken was breaded.

Found this gem last weekend for a morning breakfast in Lakeview. They have a variety of bagels and sandwich options including paninis to start your day. I was amazed by the size of their bagels. They were huge! I ended up getting an everything bagel Swiss with egg and sausage. It was very delicious and toasted perfectly. I kinda wish I ordered another one because it was so good. Also, they have 3 varieties of self service coffee. I had the French vanilla, and I thought it was good! Employees were super friendly and awesome. Service was fast and prompt. Will definitely come back again in the future. They have their own parking lot, which is awesome too. They adhere to covid protocols so no worries here. Give it a try!

I am Obsessed with this place. I highly recommend trying a smoothie!!! Cinnamon Sugar Bagel all the way!

Best bagels you can find anywhere. They are actually "lighter and fluffier" than any bagel I've had anywhere before. Not the typical "dense" dough of a bagel. Great cream cheese selections (although they could invest in making light versions of the flavors), broad array of bagel flavors and a vast selection of sandwiches across breakfast and lunch varieties. Highly recommend this place.

So again American Bagel is consistently good. Staff are very friendly. I love there Lox bagels. Lox is always fresh.

Amazing bagel sandwich and a wonderful almond mocha. Maybe new management? Got my food fast and hot!

Staff is so friendly. Bagels are great, the variety is unmatched. Can't go wrong with this place on a weekend morning

Ordered breakfast sandwiches for a group. We all enjoyed them. Good selection of ingredients.

Best bagels. Really fresh & yummy. Had a bagel sandwich, once as well, and it was great. Maybe I come at odd times, but relatively quick service.

Heading out of town after a nice stay and stopped in to get breakfast. Yummy bagel sandwich made fresh and fast. Guys behind the counter were nice, friendly and patient as we made our selection. Nice assortment of bottled drinks, hot coffee and soda drinks. On site parking and restrooms. Glass window surrounded bagel making area, which is always fun to watch.

Slow slow service and bad attitude from staff, especially a guy who i believe was managing the others. He was sarcastic, rude and doesn't know how to run a restaurant.

Don't pass by this place. It's locally owned and deserves your service. I called just at closing time( didn't know. That's why I was calling). They kept the light in for me! I placed my order and they made my sandwich even though I was 15-20 mins away! They were friendly and amazing when I arrived.. after closing. My bagel sandwich was fresh and just how I craved it to be. So happy to still have businesses like this. Go! Go! Go here! Thank you for showing and reminding me what customer service is all about!

Love their everything bagel. Especially with scallion cream cheese. This location also has an insane amount of beverages to choose from. Wish I could say more but in all the times I've been here that's the only thing I order. It's quick, usually never packed, lots of parking, always plenty of bagels and a variety to choose from. And that's all I have to say about that. Jackée

This EXTREMELY fresh, soft and chewy bagel was just what I needed to start a great day. Highly recommend this place! I enjoyed a sesame bagel with scallion cream cheese. The staff was super kind and prices were very average for a bagel and cream cheese. I will definitely will be again back soon.

Used to love this place but it has gone downhill. I was there last week and I don't mind paying $20+ for two sandwiches and we got a fountain drink. When I went to get some ice there was nasty grey sludge inside the ice dispenser. Those should be cleaned weekly because it's full of bacteria. I let the employee know and he just looked at me and tried to walk away. I asked him to come so I can show him, he walked over with me to the soda machine, stuck his hand in there, a bunch of gray mucous sludge came off on his finger and he said " there's nothing wrong with it". It was absolutely disgusting and if the employees don't care to keep it clean; there's no way I'm going back. Drink at your own risk.

Bagel was tremendous had the Hot bagel w/ Jalepenos Sausage & Egg - very fresh you can see gentleman making bagels through see through glass. Coffee watered down a tad but overall enjoyed would come back

One of our favorite breakfast spots!!! Their bagels are always super fresh with homemade cream cheese. They have a season pumpkin right now that's delicious. I've har their sandwiches on the Asiago bagel and it was amazing! My bf loves the breakfast sandwich w egg and bacon. Ill grab a smoothie every now and then too. The employees are always super friendly and very quick. Everyone should try!!!

Easy to get to. Right off the Belmont line. They have a huge selection of cream cheeses it was hard to choose from. I had a special cheddar bagel and chive cream cheese. He toasted it for me and it just melted in my mouth. The bread tasted very fresh.

Service was pretty quick. Grabbed a bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich bagel which was good. Also had an egg salad bagel, stay away from this one. There was barely any egg salad on it and it wasn't very good either.

The staff is very nice. The bagel was below average. The sausage on the bagel was tasteless and they assumed I would want American cheese. This just added to the no taste experience. It's like a chain diner in the suburbs. Nothing memorable except the mediocrity.

Almost all fresh bagels are really good. Sometimes you see bland flavors or they come up a little dry, but 90% of all bagels are pretty good, right? I walked into this place and was SHOCKED. Truly some creative and gourmet flavors. I got the everything bagel covered in Swiss cheese (how cool is that?!) but there must have been a dozen others that I came close to ordering. Matched up with the sun dried tomato cream cheese I had a meal that basically caused me to stop and say out loud "OH MY GOD" after every bite. Check this place out, you'll be REALLY glad you did!

Their bagels are packed with flavor, and they're big too, unlike Einstein. They pack on the cream cheese and they have a ton of flavors. I like the jalapeño cheddar. (See my pic) You can also purchase tubs of it. MMM tubs o' cream. They have a lot of sandwiches for a mid afternoon lunch but I haven't tried them out yet. Their coffee is fine, they have flavors like regular, hazelnut, french vanilla, and flavored creamers too which is a plus! No soy milk, I don't think. I really dig how they don't skimp on the goods here, and they're super friendly. I'm a fan! They have Belly, so I might start using that to get some deals since they are across the street from my new place.

Literally the worst service I've seen. They are nice they just cannot remember your order. And I am not talking one person. Pretty much everyone. My estimate would be that they mess up our order 70% of the time. Bagels are mediocre, sandwiches are good.

We popped in almost as they were closing hoping to get bagels for the next day. So helpful and kind! We loved the Asiago bagels! They don't skimp on the cream cheese here which is much appreciated by me! Hoping to go back soon and try the chocolate chip cream cheese and maybe the French toast bagel!

Was my usual go-to stop on my way to work to grab some breakfast. The staff is always friendly. Well, they were, until the guy who never works behind the counter decided to run the register. I get my breakfast sandwich without cheese and the cashiers usually take $.50 off the price for this. When the guy rang me up full price we had this interaction: Me: "Oh, I didn't have cheese." Him: "Yeah its the same price." Me: "It's usually 50 cents less." Him:"I have told everyone here not to do that. It is only 7 cents for cheese. So it is 50 cents if you add it but only 7 cents if you take it off. We dont do that." Me: "Uh, ok, well that stinks." Him: "Sorry man, Have to keep my manager happy." Weird policy. Weird interaction. Goodbye GAB.

Very clean restaurant, friendly staff and the best bagel I ever had. All for a really good price. Would definitely recommend.

The best bagel I've tried so far. Got the sun dried tomato w/ everything Swiss, it was the soo good. Also got the blueberry w/ French toast and the strawberry w/ raisin crunch. The strawberry was a bit too sweet but it was all good