The Bagel (or, Have you eaten anything lately? You're skinny as a rail? How about some soup?)

We have been frequenting The Bagel for years now. 12 or 13 I guess at this point.  Going on and off again in waves when the cravings hit. We have seen prices rise to compete with rent. We have been there with old friends and new. For birthdays and just for warmth. For me, there are only a few places you can go in Chicago and get a proper deli meal. That is, corned beef and Matzo Ball Soup. A turkey sammy you say? No, that would be blasphemous. A Rueben of course would fall into the category and is a totally respectable order. Considering that this restaurant is one of the primary reasons I started this blog, it's about time I reviewed it.
First of all, do NOT tell me you don't like The Bagel and then proceed to tell me you had a salad. Unless it was a cole slaw salad, you ordered incorrectly. For those of you who don't know, for some reason, The Bagel is a Deli Restaurant located on Broadway across from the intersection at Barry. It is across the street from Stella's Diner (the one with the giant fist hanging over the door). You can, and should go to both really. They are not exclusive and have a very different menu and preparation.

The "Half" Corned Beef on Rye (Extra Lean)

Cross cut of the "Lean" corned beef. Not "Extra Lean"

There are other things to order at The Bagel besides corned beef and matzoball soup and you should definitely venture into the other items if you are going there more than once a month. If you have an endless pit of a stomach for soup, get the Mish Mash Soup. It is served hot in an enormous glass bowl and consists of a half gallon of chicken soup, a massive matzo ball, kasha and bowties, noodles and Kreplach. I have a secret love of kreplach. Doughy pierogi-like pockets filled with ground beef.
They do have blintzes. Blintzes are tough to get just right. Everyone's Jewish grandmother probably made them best. Mine did. I remember that there was about a boat load of butter and they were addictive. Not too sweet and just cheesy enough in a delicate crepe wrapper.  I find the blintzes at the Bagel to be a bit too sweet for my taste, but I'm sure some may love them. The stuffed cabbage is a little sweet for me as well (My Mom's are better). But, like I said, try it all.
Oddly enough, they have very good fries. It doesn't really align with the rest of the items on the menu, but they are crispy, twice fried and addictive. The burgers aren't bad, but again, it's just not what I would order, so don't go there, order a burger and say that you don't like The Bagel.
Oh, the bagels. There really is no wrong time to visit The Bagel, but expect the bagels to be better in the morning. When we go in the morning, we like to just go to the counter, order a bagel with some sort of schmear or and egg and cheese (munster or american work best for me as they are a bit salty.), and take it to go or eat at the small tables in the front. The bagels are pretty fresh and come from Skokie, where most good Chicago bagels should probably be made.
We do like the Nova. I've never loved the lox as much as the nova.
What I Eat: 1/2 Corned Beef Sandwich on Rye bread with a bowl of Matzo Ball Soup. EXTRA LEAN. If you don't say extra lean, it will be fatty. If you get a Reuben, it doesn't matter. But, for a classic corned beef sandwich, order it extra lean. I use yellow mustard because I'm from Philly originally, and that's what we do. I like the tangy taste. The sandwich has a tiny corner taken off the side which makes it a "Half". It comes with a small side of cole slaw which I eat along with my daughter's slaw. My Dad orders it with Russian dressing. I think he said it at least four times. It's hereditary. I get a Dr. Browns Cream Soda (Ok, I get the diet one).

What She Eats: My wife is wonderful and goes through different cravings when we go to The Bagel. Lately, it's a baked potato with melted cheddar cheese and a helping of steamed broccoli. It's actually pretty good. She also however eats the challah with some butter, some bagel crisps, and a bit of everyone else's food.  I would too if I ordered a baked potato at a deli.

By the way, The Bagel has parking. A lot in fact located behind the restaurant. More reason to come from out of the area. So come in the morning for a bagel or come in the evening for a corned beef sandwich and some filling soup. It will make you feel good. Order whatever you want, just don't complain to me if you don't order my Usual.

This off menu item is the current favorite of my better half.

Comes with every meal. Go wild.

You can order an egg dish. Not my thing, but many do. It's not unheard of. 

Matzo Ball. Big. Heavy. Goodness.

Interior Renovated a few years back. Walls are lined with old posters.