With off-campus back in full swing, there is a new group wondering where to become regulars. It has been so long since we have been allowed to leave, who even remembers what’s out there? Lots has changed (RIP Blaze Pizza), so how will you ever decide?
A beloved option for JCP students has always been bagels. The safety option to fall back on when a decision can’t be made of where to go. But despite narrowing down the type of food, JCP is lucky enough to have multiple bagel shops around us. So that leaves the question of which one is the best? Let’s dive in with the four pillars of price, time, quality, and atmosphere
Gotham Bagels
2022 saw the boom of Gotham as a new off-campus hotspot. However, controversy quickly sparked when students were confronted with the high prices. Based on their online prices, the average bagel with cream cheese price comes in at $5.25 and the average bagel sandwich price mounting at $14.22, excluding tax or tip. Although the sandwich price feels obscene, $5.25 is not unheard of for a bagel the size of your face. Overall, Gotham earns a 25 for price.
Customers must also order in advance, since ordering at the window could cost you over 30 minutes in wait time. Any Gotham run requires quite a bit of planning to make sure the bagel is ready before lunch ends but not early enough to sit out too long. Still, ordering in advance has been pretty reliable although not an ideal solution, granting a 25 for time efficiency.
Out of the three options given to Jones students, Gotham’s bagels and sandwiches are the least unique. The bagel options ring true to the classics: plain, asiago, everything, sesame, and egg. Gotham bagels are bigger, saltier, and chewier, featuring a thicker crust and denser center, causing us to rate it a 35.
Finally, there is atmosphere, which Gotham lacks. As a pick-up only establishment, customers go to one stair outside to wait for their order. Without anything to rate, Gotham scores a 15 for atmosphere.
With all this in mind, Gotham scored a total of 820.
Hero’s Coffee Bar
Right under the brown line sits the renowned Hero’s Coffee Bar. Somewhat obscured from public view, the hidden gem is often walked by, not knowing what lies within a lovely bagel establishment. Already a step ahead of Gotham as far as price, Hero’s is much cheaper with a surprising average price of $9.70 for sandwiches and $5.00 for a good plain bagel and cream cheese, earning Hero’s a 45 on cost effectivity.
Affordability for Jones students is just one factor that plays into our love for a good Hero’s bagel but what’s more, is the speed at which you receive your food. You order your bagel, sit down, scroll on Instagram for 2 minutes, and already you hear your name being called with your delicious food ready to be enjoyed. The speed at which they prepare and package your food gives a brownie point to the workers for knowing their audience (hungry Jones students), giving them a perfect score of 55. This is thoroughly impressive considering they are a coffee-centric joint.
With the time and price, it then leaves the combined factor of overall quality. Hero’s does have limited bagel choices for their sandwiches and plain bagels, however, their options for what goes inside the sandwiches range far and wide. From the Smooth Criminal with fig jam and Monterey jack cheese to The Headliner with Hot Honey Cream Cheese, sausage, and onions, you are guaranteed a delicious first bite. Their lack of variety for base bagels, however, knocks them down a few points but their tastiness prevails, for a total of 35 for quality.
The final component that needs to be evaluated is the overall atmosphere of Hero’s. Its exquisite indoor and outdoor seating is a much-needed relief when looking for a nice sit-down meal. It is an effective area to study, whip out a book, or just hang out. There’s plenty of space to stretch out and the chances of acquiring a table to sit down at are very high. This lovely bagel environment wholeheartedly deserves a 55, meeting every requirement necessary.
Hero’s ultimately receive a well-deserving 1720 final score!
Tilly’s Bagels
As the newest bagel establishment for Jones, Tilly moved into the bottom of a Columbia College Chicago dorm building in the Fall of 2023. Their regular bagels with cream cheese cost $5.50, with their weekly specials upgrading to $6.00. They make 10 sandwich options, with an average price of $11.09. With a slightly higher base price and lower sandwich cost, Tilly’s comes out with a 35 for price.
With Tilly’s popularity, morning lines frequently run out the door. However, with their high volume of employees, you can expect for your order to be done within 5 minutes. With this impressive productivity, they earn a 55 for time efficiency.
Tilly’s has grown exponentially in popularity since it first opened, and for good reasons! It is in a prime location for Jones students, allowing them to walk less than a block to get their meal. Tilly’s Bagels are handcrafted, and we know this to be true because you can see them doing it right in front of you! They have all sorts of options ranging from a savory cheddar cheese bagel to a sweeter cinnamon bagel, so whatever mood you’re in for, Tilly’s has you covered. However, one downfall is that it can be quite messy to eat given the amount of cream cheese on the bagel. Given this one shortcoming, Tilly’s receives a 45.
The last and final component of Tilly’s is the atmosphere. Tilly’s is a small little bagel shop so it is understandable that their space is limited. They have the vibe of a cute little bagel shop for a grab-and-go snack. With a couple tables and a very comfortable couch, Tilly’s really has a lot of open space dedicated to standing and waiting for your order. You know it’s going to be a good day when you get to Tilly’s during rush hour and someone is leaving a table right as you get your bagel. With this, we give Tilly’s atmosphere a 35.
Therefore, Tilly’s final score is 1520.
Conclusion
Each bagel connoisseur will prioritize different aspects of the off-campus experience, but our award goes to Hero’s! Whether in need of an affordable bagel sandwich or a good place to play boardgames with friends, Hero’s is our recommended way to use your precious 45 free minutes.
