There are a lot of BAD bagels out there!

Last week I was informed that my bagel supplier, (on behalf of my client,) My Favorite Muffin, is going out of business. I currently recieve 4 doz. assorted bagels a day - (5 days a week) from them and the Wed. before Thanksgiving will be my last delivery. Yikes, have I sampled some nasty bagels in the last week. Under-done, over-proofed, cake-like, bread-like, etc... Anyone know of a gem I'm missing? They have to deliver in the Loop before 6am and take a credit card. I'm looking at a price point of $.35 - .40/bagel. Thanks for any ideas - Lynn

I believe that the undisputed king of bagels in Chicago is New York Bagel and Bialy.

You can read about NYB&B and many of the best bagels in the area in this thread.

Best,
Michael

we use great american bagel where i work (loop) and they delivery earlier than 6am. i don't have their info with me here, but i can give you the specifics when i'm at work.

their bagels are consistently pretty good. not new york bagel and bialy good, but not bad. they're dense, chewy, always arrive very fresh. they have a lot of uh...interesting....flavors which i'm not crazy about but people seem to like them.

posting from work now...

we pay $3.58/dozen for great american bagels. their address is 10814 s. cicero ave., oak lawn, il. phone is 708-422-0002.

good luck, i hope you find something you're happy with.

Sorry it took me so long to get back to this thread. Thanks for the suggestion elakin. I did check them out, but wound up settling for S. Rosen bagels from Alpha Baking Co. My decision was made largely out of convenience - I already receive sandwich bread and dinner rolls from them, they are an "approved" vendor for my company making the financial arrangements simple, and the bagels aren't terrible. We've had them in place for a couple of weeks now and I haven't heard any complaints. One client has a particular fondness for the apple-cinnamon.