Upper West Side’s H&H Bagels Heads to Chicago, Marking First Major Out-of-State Expansion

H&H Bagels, the Upper West Side shop long linked with ‘Seinfeld,’ is opening its first Chicago location later this summer. The bagel shop’s Broadway storefront, familiar to many through television reruns, has held steady as a morning routine stop for locals and tourists. Now, the company is moving beyond New York City, bringing its signature New York-style bagels to the Midwest.

The new Chicago shop is set to open in the coming weeks, according to company representatives. It will offer the same menu as the Manhattan original: hand-rolled bagels, classic spreads, and smoked fish. Prices for a plain bagel at the Broadway location currently stand at $2, with lox and cream cheese sandwiches running upwards of $13.

H&H Bagels first opened on the Upper West Side in the early 1970s. The shop’s cameo on ‘Seinfeld,’ where it served as Cosmo Kramer’s short-lived workplace, cemented its place in pop culture. Lines at the shop remain steady, particularly on weekend mornings when customers line up with iced coffees in hand.

The move comes at a time when several New York brands are testing outposts in other cities. H&H’s management said the decision follows increased demand for New York-style bagels outside the city. There are no announced plans for additional locations, but the company did not rule out further expansion.

For New Yorkers, H&H’s expansion is likely to spark debate over whether the shop’s bagels travel well. For now, the Broadway address continues to serve as a fixture for late-summer mornings, when neighborhood regulars and visiting fans alike wait for their orders.