Gotham Bagels - South loop

Updated: 2025-12-05 Since the move to the Gino's storefront, every negative seems to have been addressed in very positive direction. From the ordering process to the results of the order, everything is markedly better. Would recommend now. Upgraded to 4-star. Original 3-star review below for posterity.
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The bagels are very good and the drinks are decent, but overall it is hard to give high marks after a number of inconsistencies.

45 min wait for a bagel and drink after the order was said to be ready for pickup on one occasion. This was on a week day and did not appear to be busy. About a half dozen people in total waiting by the time my order was fulfilled.

Matzo ball soup broth was pickle juice (yes, literally) another time,

Sone items listed and ordered through the online-only menu have not been in stock on yet another visit when picked up, although were replaced with similar items.

Visits have been fine I'd estimate about 50% of the time at best, but it has been very unpredictable. Too many disappointing experiences just add up to have given up on the place.

Updated 2022-08-13 with additional detail and clarity, rating unchanged.

Extremely pricey bagels, didnt follow through with instructions.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 2

Not sure why the rating seems low. Generous portion, delicious bagel and cream cheese. Feels like a New York bagel place. The seating is super cute and feels like you are miles away from real chicago life. Amazing!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

These other reviewers are insane. This place is really good. The sandwich is not lacking flavor, it's a great bagel, it tastes like a great bagel, it has crunch and squish, and the right amount of salt. No clue how this place has 3.8 stars.
There's not an available seat in here, and there's hardly any standing room from people waiting. And it is not a long wait.
And the price is not bad at all. And considering what $20 will usually buy you, which is not this, as I can't ever recall purchasing a delicious bagel and a uniquely curated and individual coffee experience such as this.¹ And the pickle is vaguely almost like a light-pickle, like some Asian styles of pickles. It's not as sharply vinegar forward in the distilled-white vinegar sharp way we experience so often as the brine experience in the US. This place is an experience of the world. And it's cozy in here. 3.8 stars, what th are these people on omg.

¹could also be the Chicago Magic to blame.

Mid ass sandwich

Absolutely best NYC style bagels in Chicago!!!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Everything was truly great.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Pretty good but pricey! We’d heard a lot about this place on social media so we wanted to try. Glad we went, but these bagels didn’t knock our socks off like the ones we’ve tried in New York. Very pricey for just a decent bagel. Wish they put on 5x the amount of cream cheese that they did.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 3

Tasty bagel and fast service. Pricy at around $16 for the vegan sandwich. Better atmosphere-it just feels like you’re in a closed pizza place-or more competitive pricing would make it 5/5

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Cute location and staff was super nice and friendly. Definitely coming back for lunch or dinner!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Dense layers of goodness. Music on point.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

OMG THIS PLACE IS JUST LIKE GOTAM CITY AMAZING BAGELS. Got the cream cheese one feel in love with it OMG my mouth was creaming . Services really nice and don’t let me get stared on the matcha I had really amazing and enjoyed ANYONE IN THE CITY HAVE GOTAM BAGELS BATMAN WILL SAVE YOU

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great place for a morning bagel

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Vegan bagel sandwich and sausage egg and cheese were really mid for $15 each. The pickles were inedible and i’ve never said that about a pickle before.

Food was ok but fresh and hot. Fast service. Iced Latte and hot chai were good.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5