Get A Taste Of NYC At H&H Bagels’ 1st Chicago Store

FULTON MARKET — Expect long lines and hungry food-fluencers when one of New York City’s most famous bagel chains lands in Chicago this week.

H&H Bagels opens its first Chicago location 6 a.m. Thursday in Fulton Market, 164 N. Peoria St. The first 250 customers will receive an H&H-branded tote bag and gift card. 

Founded on Manhattan’s Upper West Side in 1972, H&H Bagels is perhaps just as well known for its appearances on shows like “Sex and the City” and “Seinfeld” as it is for its breads. 

In true New York City tradition, H&H bagels are first proofed, then kettle-boiled and baked. This three-step process gives them the crusty outside and chewy inside that’s usually lacking in traditional grocery store bagels, which often skip boiling to ease mass production.

The new location will feature staples from H&H’s New York menu, like the Bacon, Egg and Cheese and the Nova Salmon with “The Works”: cream cheese, tomato, onion and capers. The menu will also feature a variety of cream-cheese flavors like scallion, veggie and strawberry and other specialty sandwiches. Bagel selections include classics like sesame, blueberry, onion and everything.

H&H franchises have recently popped up in California, Tennessee and North Carolina, among other states, but Chicago’s location will be the first company-owned offshoot outside of New York. 

“Opening in Chicago is a major milestone for us,” said Jay Rushin, CEO of H&H Bagels in a press release. “There’s such an incredible food culture in the city, and we’re excited to join that community by bringing our classic New York City bagels to Fulton Market. We look forward to serving the neighborhood this summer and beyond.”

The store’s Chicago location will be open 6 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. More information about the opening can be found here.