Friday, October 9, 2009

Chicago Bagel Authority


Chicago Bagel Authority's menu will induce hesitation. It's about as lengthy as a novella and even though it's categorized, you'll need serious time to make a decision. That's the good dilemma you're faced with; so many intriguing bagel sandwich combos (over 75), yet so little time.

After wrestling debilitating indecisiveness, I chose Mikey's Munch (roast beef, pepperjack cheese, tomato, lettuce, avocado, and peppercorn dressing on an everything bagel)*. I communicated my order to the nearest assembler on the line and literally continued to peruse the menu. It lures you in with its myriad options, you'll see...


When I unwrapped the tinfoil that hugged my bagel sandwich, a plume of steam rose into my face. I was impressed with its appearance and the meaty, peppery aroma made my mouth water. It was hot, but not so hot that I couldn't take a bite.

The sandwich's individual elements were hard to distinguish as the mushy, gooey, delicious mess swam around my mouth. I will say though, that from the start, it was clear that the roast beef was super tender and flavorful and that the everything bagel didn't quite compliment the ingredients. Its many components, namely the caraway seeds, drowned the taste of Mikey's Munch. I probably should've requested an onion bagel.

The melted pepperjack cheese managed to stand out by delivering a distinct, peppery kick. I think it was the highlight of the sandwich and it paired quite well with the peppercorn dressing and the roast beef. The veggies, on the other hand, merely supplied light textural contrast; their essences were far outshined by the dominant fixings.


You know, I've read a lot of complaints about the bagels being too soggy when they come off the line, but I didn't find that to be the case. Sure the steaming caused my bagel to be soft, but I felt that the bottom half still provided a good crunch. Maybe the complainers are waiting too long after their sandwiches are made because I doubt these creations to-go would travel well...

CBA flows with good people, sapid aromas, and an energetic bagel sandwich assembly line. There's probably more Ohio love in its decorating scheme than you'd care to express, but that's all part of its insouciant charm.

Back or Forth? I will be going back.

Chicago Bagel Authority - Lincoln Park - (773)248-9606 - 953 W. Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 - Public transportation: Armitage stop of the Brown Line or Purple Express or bus 73.

Mikey's Munch (on bagel) - $6.25
*(all sandwiches are available as wraps - +$1.25 - or as subs - +2.50)

1 comment:

Baby Indie said...

Bagel Trivia: the first printed mention of bagels is to be found in the Community Regulations of Kracow, Poland, for the year 1610 which stated that bagels would be given as a gift to any woman in childbirth."

"The bagel was first mentioned in American print only in 1932."