Hannah Tillett & Mike Banaszak of Tilly Bagel: Shaping the Chicago Bagel Revolution
The question on the table: what is a Chicago style bagel? Hannah Tillett and Mike Banaszak, owners of Tilly Bagel, joined Bagel Ambassador Sam Silverman on BagelFest’s Bagel Buzz Instagram Live series to discuss their pandemic project that has grown into two brick-and-mortar shops in Chicago’s South Loop and West Loop neighborhoods.
According to Hannah, Tilly’s specialty is a “sourdough bagel” with a distinctive profile: “the inside is like a little fluffier than your typical New York style, has more air, and then the outside is a crispy, crunchy exterior.” Extra toppings on both top and bottom, plus creative weekly flavors like “cacio e pepe” and “cheesy hash brown” bagels, round out their signature style. It's a bagel experience that's both familiar and uniquely Midwest.
From Pandemic Project to Bagel Stardom
Tilly Bagel’s origin story mirrors that of many great food ventures—a passion project ignited during an uncertain time. As Hannah shared, she was a pastry chef before the pandemic. Finding herself suddenly furloughed, she turned to baking bagels for friends and family, delivering them by bike across Chicago. Soon, she moved into farmers markets and shared kitchens, building buzz for what would become their brick-and-mortar shops.
“We’re starting to work on number three,” Mike teased. A third shop north of the river is on the horizon, solidifying Tilly’s place on the city’s culinary map.
Designing for Warmth
A bagel may seem simple, but the experience of buying one at Tilly is anything but. That’s thanks to Mike’s background in architecture. The space was meticulously designed, from “blue tape on the floor” to a jaw-dropping bagel wall. Mike wanted the first thing you see to be the “bagels all on display with the lights on.”
The real secret? Warm terracotta tiles, cream-colored curved walls echoing the shape of the bagel, and a focus on soft, inviting materials. "The store itself feels like it’s sculpted," Mike explained, creating a welcoming vibe that is matched by the friendly staff.
Bagel of the Week
Tilly’s bagel of the week menu item has become a community tradition. Hannah uses the weekly flavor rotation to challenge herself creatively and keep customers coming back. In over two years, she’s introduced more than a hundred flavors, rarely repeating, and regularly consults her followers for inspiration via Instagram polls.
This ongoing dialogue has led to some cult-favorite creations, and even a March Madness-style bracket for bagels, with winners like “tomato grilled cheese” earning a permanent menu spot. It’s a delicious testament to how a local food business can create an authentic, engaged community.
The Bagel Sandwich Philosophy
If you’ve ever had a Tilly bagel sandwich, you’ve probably tasted something different. For Mike, cream cheese is “the glue that holds it all together.” With homemade varieties (eight on offer), the Tilly team encourages customers to mix and match bagels, cream cheese, and fillings, creating a personalized taste experience.
It’s a structural approach, influenced by architecture and driven by delicious curiosity: “Everyone has their favorite…but people are open to trying more,” he noted, creating a feedback loop that fuels new creations.
Growth Without Compromise
Tilly isn’t willing to sacrifice quality for speed. While the team has grown from one roller to six, all bagels are still hand-rolled—a commitment Hannah wants to preserve even as the business expands. Scaling up means not just doubling batches, but rethinking timing, proofing, and logistics in ever-larger spaces.
It’s a conscious fork in the road between automation and craftsmanship, and for now, Tilly’s heart is firmly with hand-rolled dough.
Chicago's Bagel Moment
For years, Chicago lagged behind cities like New York or Montreal when it came to handmade bagels. But Tilly Bagel and a handful of others are creating a new wave defined by local pride and culinary imagination. “Every weekend since we’ve opened, we’ve had a line out the door,” Mike shared.
Tilly Bagel has certainly earned its spot in the story of Chicago’s emerging bagel identity. With inventive sourdough bagels, a focus on architecture and warmth, and a community-first philosophy, Tilly Bagel is proof that great things rise from humble beginnings. The “Lake Michigan water” may be playful regional bragging, but what really sets Tilly apart is the dedication to process, people, and product.
Check out Tilly Bagel’s website and Instagram.
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