Truly the best bagels for miles. This is mostly a breakfast and lunch place. They have a small commercial-level bakery in Highland Park (just a few miles north) that makes bagels and other breads fresh daily.There’s a lot on the menu here — a range of traditional Jewish deli items and much more (tacos are unexpected and good). It’s all good and efficiently prepared. It’s hard to go wrong, and it will take many visits to work through the menu.There are discounted bagels daily about an hour before close (whatever is left at roughly half price).
Jul 29 · Eric DustmanBAKERY PROFILE
Once Upon A Bagel- Winnetka
★ 4.0248 recorded reviews$10–20
1050 Gage St, Winnetka, IL 60093, USA
Directory information can change. Confirm current hours, prices, products, dietary needs, and custom-order requirements directly with the bakery.
PLAN THE VISIT
Essential details
- Address
- 1050 Gage St, Winnetka, IL 60093, USA
- Phone
- (847) 784-1411
- Website
- Visit official site
- Rating signal
- 4.0 from 248 recorded reviews
HOURS
Listed operating hours
- MondayClosed
- Tuesday8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sunday8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
About and visit notes
Introduction / Overview: More Than Just a Bagel Shop on the North Shore
For residents across the Illinois North Shore and the greater Chicagoland area, Once Upon A Bagel - Winnetka represents a true local institution. Far exceeding the standard expectations of a simple bagel shop, this location functions as a full-service restaurant and classic delicatessen, providing a monumental menu that caters to virtually every craving from breakfast until closing. It’s the perfect place for local users seeking both the freshest baked goods and a full, sit-down meal.
The foundation of its reputation rests firmly on its namesake: the bagels. Customers frequently deem them "truly the best bagels for miles," a testament to their dedication to quality. The source of this excellence is an internal operation; the bagels and other breads are made fresh daily at a separate, small commercial-level bakery located just a few miles north in Highland Park. This commitment to fresh, regional production ensures that Winnetka patrons always receive the highest quality base for their breakfast or lunch.
Beyond the exceptional bagels and bialys, Once Upon A Bagel distinguishes itself with an extraordinary depth of menu items. It’s an inviting, cozy café that seamlessly blends traditional Jewish deli favorites—like house-made salads, lox, corned beef, and pastrami—with a surprising array of globally inspired dishes, including a full Mexican Grill and specialty breakfast plates. This diversity ensures that the restaurant can satisfy any palate, making it a reliable destination for a quick visit or an extended, satisfying family meal right here in Illinois. The sheer size of the menu promises that it "will take many visits to work through the menu."
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Location and Accessibility for Illinois Patrons
Conveniently situated in the heart of Winnetka, a vibrant and easily accessible community within the Illinois North Shore, Once Upon A Bagel is located at 1050 Gage St, Winnetka, IL 60093, USA. Its prime location makes it a favored spot for local residents and an easy stop for those traveling through the northern suburbs of Chicagoland.
Accessibility has been carefully considered to ensure a pleasant visit for all customers. The building and surrounding area are designed to be inclusive, which is a key factor for any frequently visited local establishment. Patrons benefit from several convenient parking options, making it simple to stop in for a quick takeout order or to enjoy a relaxing dine-in experience.
Key accessibility features include:
- A Wheelchair accessible entrance, providing easy access into the restaurant space.
- A Wheelchair accessible parking lot, as well as dedicated spots in the Free parking garage and Free street parking, all available to minimize hassle.
- A Wheelchair accessible restroom and general Restroom availability for dine-in comfort.
- Multiple parking options: Free parking garage, Free parking lot, and Free street parking ensure ample, convenient space for visitors.
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Comprehensive Services Offered
Once Upon A Bagel offers a comprehensive suite of services designed for maximum flexibility, catering to the needs of busy Illinois locals, whether they are grabbing a quick morning meal or catering a large event.
The available service options are:
- Delivery: Allowing local customers to enjoy the expansive menu and fresh bagels from the comfort of their home or office.
- In-store pickup & Takeout: Perfect for quickly collecting pre-ordered bagels, breakfast, or deli sandwiches.
- In-store shopping: Provides the classic, interactive experience of selecting from the fresh display of bagels and bakery goods.
- Dine-in: Offering a cozy café vibe for enjoying a full breakfast, lunch, or deli meal.
- Catering/Trays: The menu lists extensive catering options, including Breakfast Tray, Sweet Tray, Sliced Bagels & Cream Cheese Tray, Salad Tray, Sandwich Tray, and Fish Tray, establishing the shop as a valuable resource for corporate and family events across the North Shore.
- Quick visit: The location is highly suitable for customers looking for an efficient grab-and-go experience, especially during the popular breakfast hours.
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Menu Highlights and Features
The breadth of the menu is a key feature of Once Upon A Bagel. It functions as a complete dining destination, not just a morning stop. The combination of classic deli fare with expansive breakfast and lunch options is a major draw for Illinois food lovers.
Key features and offerings include:
- Superior Bagels and Bialys: Available individually ($1.29), by the half dozen, or in baker's dozens. They also thoughtfully offer Udi's Gluten Free Bagels (GF) for those with dietary restrictions.
- Variety of Fresh Cream Cheeses: Over eight delicious flavors are available, including the staples like Plain and Chive, alongside more gourmet options such as Cucumber Chive, Lox, Walnut Raisin, Strawberry, and Jalapeno Cream Cheese.
- Leonard's Bakery Goods: The menu proudly features a selection of traditional Jewish and specialty bakery items, including Smiley Cookies, Chocolate Donuts, Mandel Bread, Assorted Rugelach, and Coffee Cakes.
- Extensive Deli Options: A large selection of fresh salads (Tuna, Poultry, Salmon, Egg) and meats (Corned Beef, Pastrami, Salami) supports the deli restaurant component. Specialties include New York Style Hot Corned Beef Sandwich and the classic Nova Lox Plate.
- Full Breakfast & Omelette Menu: Going beyond just a bagel, they offer a full Breakfast menu with items like Pancakes, French Toast, Fried Matzo, Chicken & Waffles, and an extensive list of customizable Omelettes (e.g., Nova Delight Omelette, Meat Lovers Omelette).
- Unexpected Global Flavors: Unusually for a bagel shop, they feature a full Mexican Grill menu with items like Tacos, Burrito Grande, Fajitas Plate, and Huevos a La Acapulco, adding a unique and "unexpected and good" dimension to the restaurant's offering.
- Discounted Bagels: A significant feature is the daily offering of discounted bagels (roughly half price) about an hour before closing, allowing budget-conscious locals to grab a great deal.
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Contact Information
For orders, inquiries about the extensive catering options, or general questions, local customers in Illinois can reach the Once Upon A Bagel - Winnetka team using the following details:
- Address: 1050 Gage St, Winnetka, IL 60093, USA
- Phone: (847) 784-1411
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What is Worth Choosing at Once Upon A Bagel?
Choosing Once Upon A Bagel - Winnetka is an excellent decision for Illinois residents looking for superior quality and unmatched variety in a local eatery. What makes this establishment particularly worth choosing is the combination of the guaranteed fresh-baked goods and the astonishingly large menu, prepared with efficiency.
First and foremost, you should choose it for the bagels, which are consistently praised as the best for miles. Whether you opt for a simple Individual Bagel or the classic Bagel or Bialy with Cream Cheese, you are getting a fresh product baked daily. The sheer variety of cream cheeses—from the classic Plain to the adventurous Jalapeno or Cucumber Chive—means you can tailor your order perfectly.
Secondly, the designation as both a "Bagel shop" and a "Restaurant" means you never have to compromise. You can secure your morning bagels and then return for a satisfying lunch from the full deli or grill menu. The menu is "all good and efficiently prepared," allowing for a quick and dependable meal. Patrons can explore traditional deli items, a huge breakfast selection, or even their "unexpected" yet praised Mexican offerings. The value of being able to purchase fresh-sliced meats, house-made salads, and specialty Jewish deli items like Kugel and Homemade Cheese Blintzes makes this a one-stop-shop for a wide variety of meals and groceries.
Finally, for the value seeker, the discounted bagels available an hour before closing offer a superb opportunity to stock up on their renowned quality product for roughly half the regular price. This commitment to efficiency, quality, and community value makes Once Upon A Bagel - Winnetka a highly recommended and essential stop for any local user in the Illinois region.
VISIT FEATURES
Services and accessibility
These attributes come from the directory record and should be confirmed when essential.
Service options
- Delivery
- In-store pickup
- In-store shopping
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Offerings
- Coffee
Dining options
- Breakfast
Amenities
- Restroom
Planning
- Quick visit
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Free parking garage
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
PHOTOS
See the bakery
VISITOR FEEDBACK
Reviews and recurring themes
Read individual comments as personal experiences, not verified guarantees.
tacos 20deli 11menu 11price 11cream cheese 9meal 7to go 6area 6park 5kids 5
I recently visited this bagel parlor and tried their lox bagel. While it wasn’t bad, it also wasn’t particularly memorable. The bagel was fresh, and the lox had a decent flavor, but the overall experience felt slightly above average. It’s a good option if you’re in the mood for a lox bagel and happen to be nearby, but it’s not the kind of place that will blow you away.One thing to note is the inconsistency with the cream cheese. My bagel had a very light spread, and I found myself wishing for a little more. On the other hand, my partner’s bagel had way too much cream cheese, which completely overpowered the flavors. Being a small café, it has a cozy vibe, but the quality could be a bit more consistent. It’s a decent stop for a quick bite, but there’s definitely room for improvement.
Nov 24 · Manja PetrovThe bagel sandwich was good. There are a ton of options for cheese, bagels, and meat. I just can't justify $10 for it. The bagel itself was great it was nice and light compared to others I had. They also serve Mexican food here. I would stop by again to try something else or simply buy a dozen bagels.
Jan 17 · Mateusz K0NCE UPON A BAGEL is decorated with raw bricks and cute signs. The people behind the counter are as nice as can be.Their bagels are light and fluffy. This is not a New York style bagel, with a crisp crust and a dense interior. But it's good. There is no vegan cream cheese.You serve yourself coffee.Everything is ADA compatible. There is a ramp at the entrance.
May 14 · Cary BrownI lived in San Francisco and I love Mexican food. I think the al pastor taco plate with rice and beans is the best I have had in the Chicago area. Homemade green salsa and guacamole comes on the side. A+
Mar 25 · Todd LambNEARBY ALTERNATIVES
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This page combines directory records, available business details, submitted photos, and visitor feedback. Information may be incomplete or change without notice. For corrections, contact server@heavenlydelightsbakery.com.