{"id":740487,"date":"2026-04-20T08:40:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T08:40:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/740487\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T08:40:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T08:40:20","slug":"grip-rip-and-dip-at-popup-bagels-in-lincoln-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/740487\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Grip, rip and dip\u2019 at PopUp Bagels in Lincoln Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hundreds of Chicagoans gathered bright and early outside of the grand opening of PopUp Bagels in Lincoln Park on Friday, April 17.<\/p>\n

Outside of the shop at 2321 N. Lincoln Ave, the line wrapped around the block before 7 a.m. with eager customers hoping to take part in the festivities. People waited patiently, hoping to secure some free bagel merch and their limited time Portillo\u2019s collaboration: an exclusive Giardiniera schmear. Most customers used the long line to decide what they wanted.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019m getting a dozen. I want to get all the schmears \u2026 I just love schmears,\u201d said Myles Mathews, a 23-year-old Chicago actor. \u201cI\u2019m going to get everything, everything and anything that\u2019s there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instead of the typical cashier or server, PopUp hires \u201cbagel bouncers.\u201d These bouncers took orders as guests waited in line, speeding up the process. Mathews is friends with one of the bouncers on site, which is why he was in attendance, though he had tried their bagels in the past.<\/p>\n

\"\"Ryland Gigante and Myles Mathews pose with their bagels at the grand opening of PopUp Bagel\u2019s Lincoln Park location on Friday, April 17. Gigante and Mathews were there to support a friend working the event. (Brielle Kohlbeck<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had it once. I had it in August of 2025, I was violently hungover, and it actually cured my spirits. I was like \u2018you know what, might as well feel that feeling again,\u2019\u201d Mathews said.<\/p>\n

Known for their \u201cgrip, rip and dip\u201d method, the Connecticut-born sensation sells their bagels hot and whole out of their signature brown bags to be enjoyed wherever and whenever customers choose.<\/p>\n

Their philosophy is \u201cfewer choices, better bagels,\u201d with only five options: salt, everything, poppy seed, plain and sesame.\u00a0<\/p>\n

They have a handful of staple schmears with others changing weekly. PopUp Bagel\u2019s Chicago partner Chris Hadermann said partnering with Portillo\u2019s on a schmear was a \u201cnatural choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe love partnering with brands that authentically reflect the communities we join,\u201d Hadermann said, adding that Portillo\u2019s is \u201ca beloved local institution with deep roots in the city and a menu that celebrates many of the flavors that define Chicago, making the collaboration a perfect way to introduce PopUp Bagels to the city.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the shop being only a 12-minute walk from DePaul\u2019s campus, students can now try the East Coast bagels with a little taste of Chicago for themselves while supplies last. Lincoln Park residents are also excited to get in on the action.<\/p>\n

\"\"Eager customers wait for their orders at the first PopUp Bagels location in Chicago on Friday, April 17. Outside of the shop at 2321 N. Lincoln Ave, the line wrapped around the block before 7 a.m. with customers hoping to take part in the festivities. (Brielle Kohlbeck<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Tessa Craig, a 23-year-old who lives in the neighborhood, was in line with her friends at 6:45 a.m., getting her bagels nearly three hours later. She wanted to attend the opening after hearing\u00a0 about PopUp Bagels from friends in the Northeast.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI went to school outside of Philadelphia, so definitely heard a lot about PopUp in the past, so just wanted to kind of be a part of it here,\u201d Craig said. \u201cI\u2019m really excited.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Lincoln Park location marks not only PopUp\u2019s Chicago introduction, but also their midwest debut. There are 25 locations planned across the Greater Chicago area, which Haderman said is \u201cone of our most requested and highly anticipated markets on Instagram.\u201d<\/p>\n

And, just as PopUp predicted, the community showed up. The event hosted a DJ to keep customers dancing while Garrett\u2019s Popcorn handed out treats. Store partners handed out hot bagels to the back of the line and bagel bouncers kept people engaged.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On Instagram, PopUp Bagels said Chicago is \u201cbeyond epic,\u201d and many of the patient customers agreed. Craig said there were \u201cgood vibes\u201d out there, and stayed energetic and excited through the whole wait.<\/p>\n

The shop is now open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, ready to bring the neighborhood together one bagel at a time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been meeting so many fun people in the line,\u201d she said. \u201cI feel like it\u2019s really great for the community-building here as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Related Stories<\/strong><\/p>\n

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