Here’s to you, carb connoisseurs and dough devotees! If you think you’ve experienced true happiness, just wait until you’ve sunk your teeth into the perfect New York bagel. It’s like biting into a cloud made of dreams and chutzpah, with a schmear of “fuhgeddaboudit” on top. But in a city where bagel shops are more plentiful than Midtown tourists, how’s a hungry New Yorker (or adventurous visitor) to choose? Fear not, brave bagel hunters!
1. Ess-a-Bagel: Where Size Definitely Matters
First up, we’ve got Ess-a-Bagel, the Godzilla of the bagel world. These beauties are so big, they’ve got their own area code. Located in Midtown East, Ess-a-Bagel has been serving up hand-rolled, kettle-boiled perfection since 1976. That’s longer than most Williamsburg hipsters have been alive!
What makes Ess-a-Bagel special? Well, besides the fact that each bagel could double as a life preserver in a pinch, it’s the texture. We’re talking a crust with more crunch than a Real Housewives reunion special, and an interior so chewy you might want to alert your dentist before indulging. And the cream cheese? Let’s just say it’s applied with the generosity of a billionaire’s tax write-off.
Pro tip: If you value your dignity (or your shirt), maybe don’t attempt to eat these bad boys on the go. Unless, of course, you want to give your fellow New Yorkers a free show. In which case, bon appétit and bravo!
2. Russ & Daughters: The OG of Nosh
Next up, we’re heading downtown to the Lower East Side, home of Russ & Daughters. This isn’t just a bagel shop. It’s a New York institution. It’s been around since 1914, which means it’s survived two World Wars, the Great Depression, and countless New York Fashion Weeks. If that’s not a testament to quality, I don’t know what is.
Now, Russ & Daughters isn’t just about the bagels (though they are divine). It’s about the full Jewish appetizing experience. We’re talking lox so silky it makes velvet feel like sandpaper. Whitefish salad that’ll make you question every other salad you’ve ever eaten. And don’t even get me started on the caviar. It’s like a party in your mouth, and everyone’s dressed in black tie.
The bagels themselves? Smaller than Ess-a-Bagel’s behemoths, but with a perfect balance of chew and crunch. They’re the Goldilocks of bagels – just right. And really, they’re just the canvas for the true artistry that is Russ & Daughters’ smoked fish and spreads.
Word to the wise: Prepare to wait in line. But don’t worry, the time will fly by as you eavesdrop on conversations that are more entertaining than any reality TV show. Who needs “The Real Housewives” when you’ve got real New Yorkers debating the merits of sable vs. sturgeon?
3. Black Seed Bagels: The New Kid on the Block (Sort Of)
Last but not least, we’re hitting up Black Seed Bagels. Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Black Seed? But they’re not traditional New York bagels!” And you’re right. Black Seed is the rebel of our bagel trio, the one that dared to ask, “What if we combined New York and Montreal-style bagels?”
The result? A bagel that’s smaller and sweeter than your typical New York fare, with a hint of char from the wood-fired ovens. It’s like if a New York bagel went on a study abroad trip to Montreal and came back with a cool new attitude and a slight maple syrup addiction.
Black Seed’s flavors are where things get really interesting. Sure, you’ve got your classics, but then you’ve got options like beet-cured salmon or their famous “Everything 2.0” bagel. It’s like the everything bagel went to a Tony Robbins seminar and came back living its best life.
Fair warning: Black Seed might be controversial among bagel purists. But hey, if New York can handle deep-dish pizza joints, it can handle a Montreal-New York bagel hybrid. Live a little!
These three bagel spots that are more quintessentially New York than a rat carrying a slice of pizza down the subway stairs. Whether you’re team giant bagel, team traditional, or team “let’s shake things up,” there’s a bagel out there for you.
Remember, in New York, opinions about the best bagel are like MetroCards – everybody’s got one, and they’re all convinced theirs is the best. So why not try all three and join the great bagel debate? Just maybe pack some stretch pants. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.
Now if you’ll excuse me, all this talk of bagels has made me hungry. I’m off to stand in line for an hour for a circle of dough that’ll be gone in three bites. Ah, New York. We wouldn’t have it any other way!
Also, read The Art of New York Pizza: A Slice of Heaven in the Big Apple here.
