Why We Love the Daly Bagel Oak Park

There’s been a lot of chatter online these days about how “bagels are back,” so we’re here to set the record straight. In Oak Park, they never left. On Chicago Avenue, the Daly Bagel has been quietly making the kind of chewy, crackly-crusted rounds that make even New York nod in respect.

This is the neighborhood bagel shop where a fresh bagel and cream cheese is a perfect breakfast, a bagel sandwich feels like brunch, and saying you’ll “just have one” is a lie we all tell ourselves. Trends come and go, carbs get canceled and uncanceled, but the Daly Bagel stays winning—one warm, boiled-then-baked circle at a time.

The Rise of a Local Favorite

Chicago might be famous for the Daleys, but this is a different Daly—one you might not have heard of… yet. Back in May 2018—on Mother’s Day, no less—Amanda Daly baked her first big batch of bagels for paying customers, working out of her home kitchen. She and her family pulled an all-nighter to make sure every order was ready for friends and neighbors eager to try them.

The response was so strong that Amanda soon moved operations into a shared commercial kitchen, giving her the space and equipment to boost production and find new ways to get her bagels into the hands of more people.

By April 2020, the Daly Bagel had a permanent home at 130 Chicago Avenue in Oak Park. The shop now offers a full lineup—not just fresh bagels and cream cheese spreads, but also breakfast and lunch sandwiches like the classic lox or smoked whitefish spread, plus Dark Matter Coffee and Smith Teas for the perfect pairing.

5 Reasons We Love Daly Bagel Oak Park

Reason #1: The Bagels (Obviously)

At the Daly Bagel, every ring of doughy goodness is proof that carb love never really went out of style. When Amanda Daly created her recipe, she wasn’t trying to mimic anything—not even the famous East Coast bagels she grew up with. Instead, she wanted something that struck the perfect balance: soft dough, a satisfyingly chewy bite, and a flavor that felt both nostalgic and new.

Each bagel starts with high-quality ingredients and a time-honored process that gives them their signature texture. They’re kettle-boiled and baked fresh every morning, so whether you grab an asiago, jalapeño cheddar, or classic plain, you’re getting one of the best bagels in Oak Park (or all of Chicagoland, if we’re being honest).

Reason #2: Cream Cheese Dreams

Sure, you can get your bagel toasted and buttered, but at the Daly Bagel, skipping the cream cheese would be like leaving the pickle off a Chicago-style hot dog—it just feels wrong. Their spread game is strong, with flavors that range from classic to wildly creative.

There’s roasted garlic and herb for those who favor savory, berry basil for the sweet-and-herby crowd, and scallion for those who want a little zip. Feeling adventurous? Try the pickled jalapeño cream cheese, which delivers just the right kick, or the Buffalo blue for a tangy, spicy twist. Seasonal specials—like lemon lavender—keep things fresh, and the veggie flavor is perfect for piling on cucumbers, tomatoes, or anything else your brunch plate can handle.

You can grab a tub to take home ($6.25 for 8 oz) or get an individual serving with your morning coffee shop order. However you spread it, Daly’s cream cheeses are the secret to turning already fresh bagels into something unforgettable.

Reason #3: Bagel Sandwiches That Mean Business

If you think bagels are just a sidekick for cream cheese, the Daly Bagel is here to prove they can be the whole meal. This Oak Park bagel shop builds sandwiches that are as creative as they are satisfying.

For morning people (and those of us who just pretend to be), the Rise and Shine is a classic. It’s a chewy bagel loaded with egg, plus optional cheese, bacon, Taylor pork roll, or chicken sausage. You can even go all in and make it a pepper-and-egg sandwich.

Seafood lovers head straight for the Obvious, Daly’s New York–style lox masterpiece piled with cream cheese, cucumbers, capers, and pickled red onions. The Ultimate is another favorite, starring silky whitefish spread with cucumbers and more of those bright, tangy onions.

Vegetarians get plenty of love, too. The Sweet & Tart pairs apple slices, arugula, goat cheese cream cheese, and honey for a fresh, slightly decadent bite, while the Vampire Killer packs roasted garlic and herb cream cheese with lemony spinach for a flavor punch that’s definitely not shy.

And then there are the wildcards: a pizza bagel that feels straight out of childhood, a turkey lover’s TLT, the Dude with roast beef, and a weekly special lineup that keeps regulars guessing. No matter your pick, these aren’t your average bagel sandwich creations.

Reason #4: The Extras That Keep You Coming Back

Some spots focus on doing one thing and one thing only. And while the Daly Bagel could easily coast on their reputation for some of the best bagels in Chicagoland, they don’t stop there. Here, the extras are a part of the whole #bagellove experience.

Start with the coffee program. This coffee shop proudly serves Dark Matter Coffee, so your morning latte or cold brew is just as thoughtfully made as the bagel it’s paired with. Tea drinkers aren’t left out either with a rotation of Smith Teas.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, Daly keeps you covered with rotating baked goods and seasonal specials, like a lemon lavender cookie that tastes like spring in every bite. And if you can’t make it to Chicago Avenue, you might just find them slinging fresh bagels and sandwiches at a local farmers market—spreading Daly’s signature style far beyond Oak Park.

Reason #5: The Perfect Oak Park Location

The Daly Bagel isn’t just any bagel shop. It’s a neighborhood gem located right on Chicago Avenue in the heart of Oak Park. The spot is perfectly placed for a leisurely morning or afternoon. Grab your bagel and coffee, then stroll past architectural treasures like the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio or historic sites such as the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum.

If you’re making a day of it, nearby parks offer shady benches and open lawns where you can enjoy your bagel sandwich alfresco. And with River Forest and Forest Park just minutes away, the Daly Bagel is an easy stop whether you’re a local or visiting from elsewhere in Chicagoland.

A Bagel Worth the Trip

From the handcrafted, chewy dough to inventive flavors like asiago, jalapeño, and lemon lavender, the Daly Bagel is a love letter to East Coast bagels with a Midwestern twist. Founder Amanda Daly has built a spot that blends top-notch fresh bagels, an irresistible lineup of cream cheese flavors, and a neighborhood vibe that keeps customers coming back time and time again.

Whether you’re here for a lox classic, a loaded veggie bagel sandwich, or just to discover what #bagellove is all about, you’ll find that this little Chicago Avenue shop delivers big flavor and even bigger heart.