In heartfelt celebration of the re-opening of Kaufman’s Bakery, I am reprinting Allan Zirlin’s recollection of the days when Kaufman’s was located in Albany Park:
“Shortly after WWII ended, a baker named Kaufman came to Chicago and opened a small bakery on Kedzie Avenue just north of Lawrence. Bagels have never been the same since. Mr. Kaufman created a new kind of bagel, one without the bullet-proof skin, one that you could bite into with ease yet still had that satisfying al dente feel. He created the now-famous double-bagel, one bagel made from the dough normally used for two. And it had a twist, literally, not just a flat uninteresting appearance.”
An excerpt from “Bagels,” an article written by Allan Zirlin
Kaufman’s Bakery, now open again at 4905 Dempster in Skokie, turns out the bagels I’ve been eating since I was a child.
I wish we would have Kaufman’s bagels in Surprise,AZ area.I miss Chicago style bagels in AZ.
Nothing like having a great bagel at Kaufman’s after visiting the cigar store/gambling joint Terry’s down the street.
Arnie, I feel for you. It was tough without Kaufman’s just for a year. Other bagels just aren’t the same for me. Kaufman’s had closed due to a fire.
A true Albany Park experience!
Frances,
Most bagels found in AZ are the size of kids wagon wheels.I been here for 5 years and really miss Kaufman’s bagels.Anything comparable is a 45-60 drive from my house.
My brother-in-law used to be their books when they first started out at $25. a month. It was also his first account. He did it for years for that fee, even after he became a C.P. A.!
Oh my god my mouth’s watering! I live in Southern California and I’d give anything to have a place like Kaufman’s nearby. Boy do I miss the Challah, corned beef/chopped liver combo sandwichs, great soups, any of the great Jewish cooking! I miss it sooooo much! Boy this brings back some wonderful memories about Chicago, I’d love to walk in to a restaurant and have the “Old Time” Chicago Hot Dog with a basket of fries and for dessert an Italian Beef Sandwich from one of the Cicero joints Oh what wonderful memories…..
Paul I remember you from Albany Park and RHS Hope all is well with you ,you were always a great person.
Arnie Thanks for the nice words, I remember the name but i can’t place you exactly Did you go to Roosevelt or Von? Are you my age 70? Were you in a club? I’ve been married 46 years, have 4 great kids, and live in Southern Cal. I actually lived on the west side , gave my brother’s address to get into RHS,took 4 busses to get to school and started RHS as a sophmore in 1957, I’m a Vietnam and Cuban Missile crises Veteran. Did you serve? Happy Veteran’s day to all my Veteran Brother’s and Sisters!
Does anyone have a picture of the original Kaufman s? for that matter are there any photo’s of or inside the Alba Bowling Alley, The Bonfire, the pool hall at Kedzie and Leland, etc. We get good bagels here in LA but not Kaufman’s.
Paul,
We had a few classes together At Roosevelt.I was a Top Hat,we are the same age.Been married this time for 37 years,have 3 wonderful children,2 grand children and live in the Valley of the Sun ,outside of Phoenix,AZ.Sadly,I did not get drafted or serve in the military.Many of our classmates from Roosevelt live in CA and some around Phoenix.Thank you for your service to our Nation.
Happy Veterans Day to you Paul and to all here who served.