Zeitlin’s Delicatessen: Love and Bagels

Since joining the 61st Street Farmers Market in 2022, Zeitlin’s Delicatessen has become a Saturday morning staple. Market-goers line up in anticipation for a taste of their signature bagels, artisanal breads, and baked goods. While the line moves quickly, the craft behind the counter is the result of years of intentionality, family history, and culinary rigor.

Brothers Sam and Hal Zeitlin founded this burgeoning bagel empire, infusing it with their love of Jewish deli food and culture. Sam, a 2021 Star Chefs Rising Baker Award winner, brings a Michelin-star pedigree to the oven. His younger brother, Hal, utilizes his expertise as the owner of a low-code digital agency to build the digital infrastructure that allows their small kitchen team to feed their community with seamless precision.

For Sam, the deli was a lifestyle long before it was a business. His passion was forged at family tables and New York delis, where hospitality felt "unique, bold, and indulgent." After years in fine dining and a transformative stint on a New York farm, Sam moved to Chicago with a mission: to marry the high quality and intentionality of the farm with the comfort food of his childhood.

"I was determined to bring that presence from the farm and my childhood together. The farm experience pushed me to pursue a sourdough whole wheat bagel, taking inspiration from both my childhood and the present moment as a chef."

This commitment to quality means Zeitlin’s never takes shortcuts. Their hand-crafted artisan recipes take time—most menu items require multiple days to prepare. By partnering with local vendors, they ensure that every product is wholesome and fresh. This dedication is set out in the Zeitlin’s Promises: a commitment to regularly using local ingredients to make fresh, hand-crafted food, with love always being the star ingredient.

That spirit of abundance and community has now found a permanent home. In October 2025, the brothers opened their flagship storefront at 2203 N. Clybourn Ave. 

Whether you stop by the 61st Street Market this Saturday to get a bagel from Becca (try their  March special - Guinness pumpernickel!), or visit the storefront in Lincoln Park, Zeitlin’s continues to prove that at the deli, every guest matters.