Tilly's Bagel, South Loop
13 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago14 comments cited below
What people say, in short
Tilly Bagel Shop receives breakfast recommendations across Chicago, including at Balbo and State in the South Loop. Bagel sandwiches earn praise, including one diner's potato-and-chorizo choice. A South Loop visitor warns of weekend queues without an advance order, while a dissenter finds the sandwiches disappointing. An egg-and-sausage recommendation belongs specifically to West Loop rather than the Balbo shop.
Address
Tilly Bagel Shop, 34 E Balbo Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
At a glance
- Signature dishes
- Potato and chorizo bagel, Bagel sandwich
- Best for
- Breakfast
- Opinions divided
- Yes
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Tilly's Bagel, South Loop, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/dicklettucetomato in r/chicagofood · Sep 2024taste
Calls Tilly Bagel excellent, but warns weekend visits without a pre-placed pickup order mean long lines.
- Recommendsu/Superrandy in r/AskChicago · Oct 2025taste
Calls it decent amid a generally weak local bagel scene.
- Recommendsu/buntingbilly in r/AskChicago · Oct 2025
Names it as a preferred spot for bagel sandwiches.
- Recommendsu/ssmith8794 in r/chicagofood · Apr 2024
Points to Tilly's as a go-to for morning bagels.
- Recommendsu/Will_Proper in r/AskChicago · Oct 2025taste
Calls it delicious.
- Recommendsu/RocketManMercury in r/AskChicago · Oct 2025taste
Says it is the best bagel they have had, closest to NYC styles.
- Recommendsu/thotpatrol101 in r/chicagofood · Mar 2024taste
Says Tilly Bagel is better than the parent's bagel suggestion.
- Recommendsu/purplejellomold in r/AskChicago · Oct 2025
Agrees with the NYC transplant and names it as their top suggestion.
Show all 14 cited comments
- Recommendsu/Odd_Sink_9008 in r/AskChicago · Oct 2025taste
Loves its potato-and-chorizo bagel and admits a casual palate.
- Recommendsu/DoraMalaje in r/AskChicago · Oct 2025
Names it as a simple suggestion.
- Recommendsu/blondish in r/chicagofood · Mar 2024taste
Enjoys the sandwiches here and says the weekly special bagel usually stands out most.
- Recommendsu/flamingoluver in r/AskChicago · Nov 2025taste
Says the shop's bagel with hash brown and green salsa is tasty and filling, though not traditional Chicago food.
- Recommendsu/saucy_otters in r/AskChicago · Oct 2025taste
Says their favorite is an egg-and-sausage sandwich on a sun-dried tomato bagel.
- Caveatu/caramelizedapple in r/chicagofood · Jul 2025taste
Says Tilly's costs about the same but its offerings are weaker; bagel sandwiches need extra cream cheese to be enjoyable.
More maps in Chicago, United States
- Places to visit in Chicago
- Best restaurants in Chicago
- Best steak in Chicago
- Museums in Chicago
- Best pizza in Chicago
- Best burgers in Chicago
- Best cafés in Chicago
- Best bars in Chicago
- Best sushi in Chicago
- Best ramen in Chicago
- Indian restaurants in Chicago
- Best brunch in Chicago
- Best seafood in Chicago
- Bookstores in Chicago
- Parks in Chicago
Did this page answer your question?
Freshness
Details last checked 11 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.