The first-ever PopUp Bagels location in Chicago is opening this month

If there's one thing New Yorkers know, it's bagels. (Pizza, maybe not so much.) So if NYC loves PopUp Bagels this much, the brand's first Chicago location is worth celebrating.

PopUp Bagels makes its Midwest debut in Lincoln Park on April 17, bringing its cult-favorite, no-sandwich approach as part of an ambitious rollout plan that will eventually encompass 25 locations across the greater Chicago area.

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If you spotted long lines at the recent St. Patrick’s Day and Eats Con pop-ups, you already know the hype. Founded in Westport, Connecticut, PopUp Bagels has built a following by doing one thing and doing it extremely well: serving hot, freshly baked bagels designed to be eaten immediately.

Unlike traditional bagel shops, you won’t find bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches or elaborate builds here. Instead, PopUp Bagels leans into simplicity by serving bagels warm, whole and unsliced, encouraging customers to “Grip, Rip and Dip” into a rotating selection of house-made spreads. The focus is on texture and balance, with crisp crusts, soft interiors and just the right distribution of seeds. Thanks to a combo of boiling before baking, the bagels have a glossy shell that breaks more like a baguette, revealing fluffy, airy pockets of bread.

The April 17 opening day will offer visitors a first look at the space, along with plenty of bagels straight from the oven. But even more excitingly, for its Chicago debut, the brand is tapping into local flavor in a big way. A limited-time collaboration with hometown icon Portillo's will introduce a Chicago-exclusive giardiniera schmear, blending the pickled vegetable heat with creamy richness for all of your bagel-dipping needs.

The arrival of PopUp Bagels also reflects Chicago’s ever-growing appetite for regional food imports that bring a distinct point of view. While the city has no shortage of strong bagel contenders, this newcomer’s stripped-down, experience-driven model sets it apart. Whether it becomes your new weekend ritual or just a curiosity to check off, Chicago’s bagel scene is about to get a lot hotter.