Chicago Bagel Fest Underway Today

This inaugural Chicago Bagel Fest marks a new tradition for the city's food scene, taking place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Old Crow Smokehouse in Wrigleyville. The 21+ event is designed as more of a party than a simple food pop-up, featuring live acoustic music and bagel-themed photo opportunities to encourage social sharing. The event is produced by CHicago20Something.com, a company known for creating a variety of themed social events, including bar crawls, tasting festivals, and holiday parties aimed at the city's younger demographic. Their portfolio includes events like the Chicago Whiskey Festival, The Mustache Crawl, and the Chicago Pickle Fest. A dozen local bagel makers are confirmed to be providing samples, offering attendees a wide range of styles. The lineup includes well-known names like Gotham Bagels, Steingold's, and Once Upon a Bagel, alongside others such as Decker's Sourdough Bagels, Tilly Bagel Shop, and Zeitlin's Delicatessen. Additional participants include The Daly Bagel, Rosca, Lefty's Righteous Bagels, Max and Benny's, The Bagelers, and The Onion Roll. The festival highlights Chicago's unique bagel history, which began with the arrival of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While New York is known for its traditional bagel, Chicago's scene is characterized by innovation, often using the bagel as a foundation for hearty sandwiches with diverse ingredients. This event showcases everything from classic recipes to more chef-driven, inventive creations that reflect the city's evolving culinary landscape.