A+Visiting from Texas. The food here is savory, fresh, heavy, and oh so tasty. 🤤 I came back twice to get more!Try the signature chive + lox + salmon spread - I was more than happy to ruin my diet with this delicious concoction. I also tried a few breakfast and lunch sandwiches, all great.UPDATE: I went back a third day in a row. 😂 I have no shame. 😍
Went with the family, everyone else’s bagel/sandwiches seemed really good but they need to consider a new lox recipe. I was looking for a traditional smoked salmon with cream cheese on a bagel. Instead, I got a some kind of cream spread with pieces of fish and dill scattered throughout. Worst version of this dish I have ever had.
CBA is just amazing. Love their selection (as a picky person). I love how you can customize and alter pretty much anything on their menu. The Bens Best is still my go-to but now, I always get the Woody as well because I put grape jelly on my bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches anyhow and this just comes with it on there already. How awesome is that? Great drink selection (in my opinion). No one ate in, though, they do have the tables to do so. Not sure how that is working with the new variant but you can scan the QR code to order via toast or go in and order from the counter. We waited inside for a minute but then just went outside because it was nice yesterday. They also have a pick up window too that seems pretty convenient.
Overpriced sandwiches. They taste ok but there are much better options in this city.
Always love this place! Be ready for a messy but delicious experience!
10/10 Food was incredible, staff was amazing. Cant wait to come back!Husband got The Gardener- loved itI got the Eternal Sunshine and a chive/onion bagel. We thought we might need to order 2 menu items each, but it was just too much, so now we have an awesome lunch to look forward to! (We also ordered the Dank and Eggs, will update once we have enough room to give it a try!)Also highly recommend the cold brew coffee.*chefs kiss* 🥯☕
Finally restaurants are open to indoor seating again in Chicago! Glad I came across CBA in Lakeview today. Its right by the Belmont train station. As a Cubs fan, I had to try the inspired Goat Killler - filled with roast beef, scrambled eggs, pepperoni, provolone, and hot giardiniera on a bialy. Such an amazing creation. Every ingredient was so good. Also, their chicken chili was excellent as well, get it with all the toppings. So worth it. Perfect meal to start the day I think! Try it! Most of the area is 7 day meter parking, but its Free parking around the area on Sundays before 10AM!
After dealing with being overwhelmed by the selection, we ordered and the food was absolutely delicious. They accommodated our picky son and got our food to us fresh and hot. Great place and great people.
CBA is great for a nice, solid bagel. Their egg sandwiches are great. Just make sure you order ahead or youll be waiting around forever. The lines are crazy on the weekends.
The best breakfast i’ve had in a long time. I got “The Dude” and would recommend if you like spicy/southwest style food!
The place is great honestly. Went with a group of friends and had a blast eating to really cool music. Had The Clayboy Bagel
Order delivery or be prepared for them to lose your order. Ive spent 3 in store trips with confirmation of my order being ready and them telling me to wait for about an hour. I work across the street but Ive learned if I dont have half a day to get a bagel sandwich its not worth it. RIP dude this place used to be good.
Great bagel but took 30min from order to table. Whilst waiting I saw 3 people cancel their order due to the wait time. They had plenty of staff but system was too inefficient
While it’s not always the faster place. It’s always worth the wait. Never disappoints! So thankful for vegan options as well!
Decent bagels, not sure what it was like pre-covid but it’s pretty hectic if you try to order inside now. You can only order from an employee if you have cash otherwise you have to scan a QR code which gets complicated if you want coffee. Seems a lot easier to order online for pick-up.
I dream of their steamwhiches! so good. great service and cool vibe
It’s all in the name! CBA has the authority over all bagels in Chicago. That may be a stretch, but either way they’re amazing! There are so many to choose from and so many toppings. And there are other good eats too. The staff is also super friendly! SUPER chill environment with music, nice chairs, a couch, board games, and even a chess table!
Biked all the way there in the cold (35 degrees) Sunday morning 10 am. Posters said you have to do online or phone order...fine. Tried to place order online...Were not accepting orders right now...weird. Called to place order, and they said Sorry were not taking orders right now. Sad. I apologize for trying to order a bagel from your bagel store during bagel hours.Also Ive had their sandwiches before and theyre not worth the money or the wait. Only reason I went back is because I was picking them up for a friend who requested it.Update in response to owners response: Yes thats fine to use this review as an example of privilege. Again, I apologize for asking you to take my money in return for a few sliced plain bagels so that I can help your employees continue to get paid. Im sorry you are discovering the privilege of local shop owners to mismanage their over-hyped eateries to the detriment of their hard-working, needing employees. Im sorry you are discovering the privilege of local shop owners to have hungry, willing customers trek to the store to help support local, open, businesses, only to be turned away because they cant handle more bagel orders. Please note, your website doesnt say you MUST order online ahead.
Delicious. Haven’t found anything on the menu I don’t like.
Overall: The CBA stop at Belmont is a staple for any lover of bagels and any combination of ingredients between them.The good: Not many places in Chi offer bagels, and CBA delivers the steamy, ooey, gooey, cheesy goodness. The sandwiches are hearty, hot, and delicious, and there are seemingly a hundred different combos to choose from. Service is friendly and perky, and the Belmont stop has a good bit of character to it (and space).The not-so-good: The long lines at Belmont can be ATROCIOUS. Also, the making of the sandwiches takes an unfortunately longer time than I would think it should.Atmosphere: 9/10Service: 9/10Food: 9/10
Best veggie bagel sandwich ever I
If you love bagels, you’ll enjoy this gem of a place. Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, meat lover, etc— you’ll find the bagel for you. My favorite was “The Rocky” and “Eternal Sunshine”— like the film! My favorite thing about this place is he fact that you see posters all around the place with the names and ingredients within each (or at least most) bagel. I’ve gone to both locations in Chicago and they’re equally great!
I paid extra to customize my bagel with other toppings n an online order and none of the extras I added were added to my bagel. Disappointing since theyre already costly. Especially when you trust and tip beforehand. Check your orders before you leave or you might get the same. Place is always so busy so online ordering makes sense, but not if the business takes advantage or is careless with orders.
Good food. Large selection. You will find something you like. Then you will want it again and again. Excellent customer service.
Takes more than 30 min to complete an online order when it is not busy, what a joke.
Looking forward to CBA not being so Covid crazy still. Really insane with all the plastic and such still. 🤪
Beware!! Once you have one experience at this bagel shop you will NEVER accept a subpar bagel ever again. The sandwiches are architecturally sound and impeccably well flavored. I was a three-peat return guest in the first week I ventured to try their fare and I do not regret it. Additionally, the story behind the shop and the hair studio is absolutely incredible. Keep up the amazing work.
One of my favorites. I went to Miami university and its great being able to still get a crunch and munch just like Bagel and Deli in Oxford.
Delicious customizable bagel sandwiches. Want more.
Food was solid. They also have a great setup for takeout during COVID-19. Will definitely be back if Im craving a bagel.
I drive from the Southside to eat these, its absolutely worth it!
Overpriced and small... but it tastes so gooooooood! fills me up, too. glad they have many covid precautions set up. wish there were a few more vegan options and at a lower price, too.coffee is usually burnt or watery :S just go to dunkin for that
Fire 🔥📛👩🚒🚒🧯🔥📛...trust me
The best bagel sandwich shop in town! This place is great, and it reminds me of my college days hitting up Bagel Street Deli in Athens, OH. They have a pretty vast list of different sandwich types, and the service is typically pretty quick.
“💯 on the breakfast bagel.”—E
The staff was friendly, the place is hip and has a good vibe. The sandwiches have great combinations BUT they don’t toast their bagels they steam. They Strive to be different and achieved that status. The bagel is a little too chewy and dense. Please get a toaster....🥺
The food was fine. It was extremely overpriced. But the real annoyance came with waiting 35 minutes for 1 breakfast sandwich and a couple bagels and cream cheese. That’s ridiculous
The amount of menu choices were overwhelming. It was written on the giant chalkboard wall and even more choices pinned to the posts. I guess thats a good thing. My daughter is a local and took me there for breakfast. I chose something called eggasauraus and it was surprisingly good. The atmosphere was very cozy with couches as well as tables.
This place had good reviews in terms of stars but if you read the comments, many people are right, there is no ordering and no number system, you have to order directly to the cooks and you have to know who was there first if you have the same order as someone else! It takes a while to prepare your order and the taste is alright, I have had better. They also did not have decaf coffee but they had some herbal and normal hot tea. It’s also a bit pricey in my opinion. Would I go back? Probably not!
Great place a bit slow on delivery,but getting
What kind of bagel business does not own a toaster, but instead steams their bagels?
Slow, unprofessional, inconsistent.The employees behind the counter are nice... But they don’t seem to care to be there and like to work at their own pace even though they are charging $9.00 a bagel.I have ordered the same thing each of the three times I’ve been here and not a single time has it seemed like it was the sandwich from before.No point I’m waiting 15-20 minutes for a $9.00 bagel that is either going to be just okay or sloppily/inconsistently made.
Love CBA and love what they’re doing for the healthcare staff at various hospitals. Bagels are always on point and staff is insanely chill. They always have my meal ready and their delivery is quick. Quality never a question here
Just checked this place this morning! Bagel was good. But staff were so rude. There was no any sign that ‘order line’ or ‘pick up’ at the store! I just went to end of the counter and asked to buy bagel! Staff were talking about me I was so rude and one guy said (so aggressive) I should’ve go all the down to the door. Others were laughing at me. There was only one person were standing and I thought that’s the line!
I was itching for a good bagel when I found this place. Loved the everything bagel I got. Only complaint was it had a bit too much cream cheese for my taste. Still a happy customer though.
Poor online ordering system if you just need to pick up a bagel
Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Cant recommend this place enough to everyone. The environment, the food, its got everything I love about Chicago
Love, Love, Love CBA! Ive never had a sandwich I didnt love. So many options to choose from. Friendly staff.
Not your average bagels here. You can grab one as meal and its just the right amount of food! Got their salmon one and it was amazing.
As a NYC boy, this is a sad attempt at trying to capitalize on making an authentic NYC bagel from a NYC deli. While the bagels themselves are alright, the commercialized deli environment offends someone who has actually been to a NYC deli. The bagels are passable, but in terms of anything spectacular? It is a terrible imitation but will do when all else has failed and you want a NYC style bagel
Huge range of colorfully and creatively named bagels (Wrigley Fielder, Eternal Sunshine) takes a long time to get your food even when not busy due to the idiosyncratic order methodology of asking a free person behind the counter to make a particular bagel, picking up the bagel and going to the counter to pay, in that specific order. This is done because CBA does not have a POS (Point of Sale) system.While positively jammed with a plethora of ingredients, the flavor of the bagel sandwiches is rather muted and while fine and satisfying, isnt particularly tasty or delicious.
Fantastic bagel shop with lots of choices. Very good food and great staff! Love the atmosphere. Highly recommend.
Fun atmosphere and a truly unique concept. You wont believe the sorts of delicate fillings suddenly work in a bagel sandwich when you steam it soft. Dont let your sandwich get cold (itll get hard), but take your time reading through the extensive list of named sandwiches and youll find something to hit the spot regardless of dietary preferences or allergies. they even have a gluten-free option.
Absolutely delicious sandwiches served here. I got the Messy Katie and it was really great. The sandwiches seem a little on the small side for what youre paying but theyre great regardless. They also play a killer soundtrack. Highly recommend for a nice lunch.
Huge menu! Order at counter 1st. Then pay & wait. Mostly self-serve. Bagels are steamed & so good! Love the fresh made veggie spread! A little chaotic when theyre busy but worth it!
Great custom, fresh bagels. Casual and affordable breakfast spot
The bagels taste terrific! Im not a fan of the stand around method for waiting for your bagel, but it seems like its the most efficient way to handle the high traffic on weekends. I recommend it for when you want to grab a dozen bagels for work or brunch.
Delicious bagel. I thought the bacon was a tad too salty but other than that it was great. Staff was really cool and helpful here. I plan on getting another bagel here on our next trip!
Ive been twice now to quickly grab a bagel on my way to work. Massive menu, but Ive only had the bagels...which are good. The staff are not friendly/welcoming. It feels as if you are bothering them by ordering food & it takes a really long time to get a single bagel with spread.
Amazingly delicious steamed bagel sandwiches. Tons of menu options. The chocolate chip cookies are out of this world. Staff is usually pretty friendly. Go for open Mic night. Its a good time.
This place has the biggest sandwich menu Ive ever seen, and about three quarters of them sound amazing. Theyre surprisingly generous with the avocado and bacon that other places charge a premium for. The staff and the coffee are both warm and have character. The only downside is the way alternative music selection (think jazz-punk fusion) and the wait time for a sandwich.
My favorite fast casual chain in Midwest. Innovative use of steamed bagels with tried & tested ingredients that deliver a great experience to your taste buds. Service is outstanding by way of being extremely fast, friendly and even chatty. I would give this place 20 stars if I could. Keep up the great work CBA!
What a unique place for quality bagel sandwiches! I cannot believe the selection. So many creative and delicious options. And the atmosphere is nice, too; there is a lot of cool artwork and personally at this store.
Soooo good. Ordering system was actually a great experience, different but engaging.
I’m not one too complain too much but taking 40 minutes to put a onion bagel with cream cheese in a bag is ridiculous just a bit.
Hands down, my favorite bagel shop! Get the steamed sandwiches. You will not be disappointed.
Food was good. Maybe we didnt know what we were getting, but it was nothing to write home about. Or perhaps nothing to write Google about? Fast, friendly, clean, but not a you have to do this on Chicago location.
CBA is so good that I cant believe it exists. Good bagels are hard to find, let alone good bagel sandwiches. CBA has both, and they have a comfy dining area.
Worst bagels in the entire world, they tasted like a crusty infected dog. Also your masks arent doing anything KAREN.
New favorite spot!!! So yummy and good prices! Bagles are steamed which is unique. And love the atmosphere, everyone is SO nice.
Great food and staff. I got the “Bens Best” bagel, it was messy, BUT tasted great. I would recommend trying it out!
Cool vibe. I was craving an egg bagel with veggie cream cheese and this satisfied my craving. I did however wanted a toasted bagel so it would be crunchy, and that does not happen here. Only steamed! At least its warm. The veggie cream cheese was tasty.Overall, a fun place to satisfy your bagel craving. And get a free Rice crispy if you check in. The taste of that was o.k. It needed more salt.
It’s v confusing to order/ pay. You wait around hoping the guy remembered your order... but the actual sandwich outweighs this because it’s amazing no matter what you order!
Live this place, and the staff is always friendly and accommodating... Its the only place I buy my bagels, AND baileys! My only disappointment is that (surprisingly) they dont have straight-up lox & bagel. Other than that, this place is tops!
Great place to try steamed bagel sandwiches. This is their biggest location, and in my mind the easiest one to get in and out with your order quickly. Make sure to check out the off the menu sandwiches that are posted around the counter.
Lovely food!! Had a wonderful time, cheers!
Weber a fun weird place. Theme menu is huge but you can just ask for what you want and theyll make it even better. The rice krispies are so worth it.
This place is very very awesome anytime I have money I spend it here because they have the most amazing Bagels I would encourage you to try the Ravenswood accounts with rough beef and its so delicious and if you like horseradish you might find that delicious but for me I dont like horseradish so I always say no horseradish
One of my favorite places to get a breakfast sandwich. All the sandwiches are steamed and come out delicious. They could really improve the wait times by having people order and pay first instead of sitting around waiting and hoping they remember your order.
Steamed bagels are one of the best kept secrets I have experienced. There is a huge selection so come in with some thought ahead of time. Expect it to be busy if you come in on the weekends. Dont be shy, step up and make your order, you wont be disappointed.
Awesome place, epic bagels and sandwiches, but the need to bring back the Heisenberg! But really, great place and gorg staff.
Possibly the most amazing thing about the CBA is the pop history lesson you get when you see all the different types of sandwiches you can order. The current sandwich of the moment is based on the Muller report. It has leaks in it. Very punny. My long time favorite is the Bacon Boat to Turkey Town.
First time there. Had the hot tuna meltdown. It was delicious and hit the spot!!
Fun independent vibe. Huge selection of different and unique bagel sandwiches. Great iced coffee as well.
After ordering I went a seat down I watched 3 people who came after me get there food so I walked up to the person making the sandwich’s n he asked me if I would like to order after explaining I had ordered and the person forgot to give them my Oder however the person making sandwich’s did a good job and the food was good. Just my experience with that teller made it so I will not be coming back.
This is my favorite bagel place company in the city. Their bagels are very fresh and I enjoy that the toppings are on both sides of the bagel. I also really enjoy their desserts. I prefer the other location.
Great deliveries through Postmatea
Everytime I am in Chicago I have to stop at one of their locations and get a bagel sandwich. Theyre like nothing Ive ever had before. There are so many great combinations to choose from. You cant go wrong. The cookie monster bagel is a must for desert.
Everything bagels are phenomenal!
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