Category: Bagels (Page 2 of 2)

7541 Lake Mead Blvd,
Las Vegas,
NV

After we moved to Vegas, it wasn’t long before we craved bagels, and the mission to find a local bagel supplier was on. Our first choice was Einstein Bros – these are lighter and more bready than my ideal bagel, but much better than subsisting on faux-bagels from the local supermarket. Nice selection of sandwiches and beverages in their stores, and they have a good website too (click on the logo).

Grade: C-

200 N Bowman,
West Little Rock,
AR 72211,
USA

These guys are easy to find, but it still took us about 4 trips to corporate headquarters in picturesque Little Rock, AR, before we finally got desperate enough to look in the yellow pages… Anyway, their bagels are as good as any I’ve had anywhere. They have a good range of sandwiches that they’ll make up for you, and their espresso is pretty good.

My favourate so far (admittedly the only one, but it was excellent) is the Fifth Avenue: Ham, Smoked Turkey and Bacon with Swiss, Onion and Mayo.

Grade: B+

7750 N MacArthur Blvd, Irving, TX

Stuck in Dalls, TX, for two weeks on a corporate partner’s training course, imagine my surprise at finding a very traditional-feeling bagel deli just around the corner. Frankly, I did not expect to encounter this level of authenticity in Texas. These bagels are very good, but if you order a reuben, skip the dressing. Oh, and contrary to expectations, the bagels were just regular-size.

Grade: A-

Telegraph Road,
Berkeley,
CA

These bagels are pretty good – round, fat, with small holes. Best un-toasted, I think. They have a tendancy to crunchiness when toasted, which is unfortunate. They make great bagel sandwiches here too.

Grade: B

Strawberry Village,
Redwood Highway,
Marin County,
CA

Imagine my surprise when I saw this logo. Look familiar? I’m sure that this is the real Manhattan Bagel and those guys in NZ (see below) have either franchised it, or I suppose it could be a knock-off…

Anyway, the important thing is: THESE BAGELS ARE PRETTY GOOD! They have a little cafe outlet in Strawberry Village with great decor, and even though they were very busy when we were there, it was so nice that we didn’t mind joining the queue and waiting. The bagels are crusty, a little doughier than the average, but this is how I like them so I’m not complaining. They seem to have all the usual flavors and no hideous combinations (although they seem to offer some weird spreads…). Their espresso coffee is passable, but seeing as they are right next to Starbucks, if you prefer, you can get your coffee next door. They don’t seem to mind!

Grade: B-

240/1 Greenlane Rd West,
Epsom,
Auckland,
New Zealand

Ron Roman has got the secret of baking the best bagels this side of the Pacific. I don’t know what the secret is, but the other bagel bakeries don’t have it. Ron’s bagels are firm, yet chewy, and not too shiny. They make no compromises at the New York Bagel Bakery: they are not a cafe or espresso bar, and they don’t pretend to be one. Just great bagels, and cream cheese spreads if you want them. My favourate bagel: The onion blend. Great slightly toasted, with a schmear of NZ butter.

Grade: A

14.June.2000 Update: Ron Roman reports: “We sold the bagel shop in August 99.” This means that I have no idea whether the excellent quality of these bagels has been maintained. If I ever get back there, I’ll check them out and update this entry.
24.May.2003 Update: I did get back there, and alas the bagel store no longer exists.

Ground Floor,
246 Fashion Centre,
Queen St,
Auckland

A new outlet has just emerged over the last few weeks. Manhatten Bagel will sell you plain bagels by the bag, and not bad they are, either. They also have pre-made up bagel-wiches. Bonus points are earned by putting real saurkraut in their Reubens, but unfortunately their non-biodegradable packaging negates that. Their coffee is so-so, so no extra points gained there.

Grade: C+

14.June.2000 Update:
Ron Roman reports: “Manhatten Bagel at in the 246 building no longer exist. This was just an offshoot of Abes.”

24 Morrow St,
Newmarket,
Auckland,
New Zealand

These guys are a really, really good deli that does great lunches. They get included in my bagel list (rated 2nd) because they also have real bagels, which are pretty good. Extra bonus points earned because they actually stock anchovie paste, and real marzipan, and roasted garlic, and their deserts, and…

Grade: A-

54 High Street,
Business District
Auckland, 
New Zealand

Until recently, Wofem’s were rated number 2 in the “genuine bagel” scale. However, recently Wofem’s were demoted to street cafe, second class, due to a certain incident a week or so ago. I won’t go into details here, except that they couldn’t get my order correct, then couldn’t find me (even though I was sitting in plain sight) and then they ate my bagel for lunch. When I finally reminded them that I hadn’t been served yet, they had another go, but still got the order wrong. I should have realized something was amiss when I walked in and found the familiar staff had been completely replaced by “bagel bimbos”.

Despite this, they still serve the best espresso out of all bagel cafes surveyed. Favorite Bagel: Sesame. Recommended with turkey, cranberry, and mustard. (If you can get them to make it without stuffing up.)

Grade: B+

14.June.2000 Update:
Ron Roman reports: “Wofem’s sold their shop at 54 High Street and opened another one at 50 High Street. Strangely, the 54 High Street shop still sell bagels, both NYBB and Wolfems!!!

12-26 Swanson Street,
Business District,
Auckland,
New Zealand

These are the only people who I’ve seen selling _Parmesan_ Bagels. Weird! Abe’s Real Bagels win a third placement in the ultimate bagel quest (which is not a bad thing. Remember that I am only listing providers of what I consider are “genuine” bagels (as genuine as you can get in this part of the world). Their bagels are at the opposite end of the spectrum from Wofem’s. Light and airy. They offer Reuben bagels, which is good, but they don’t use saurkraut, which is not so good. Also, even though their bagels are steamed rather than boiled (and normally this is grounds for disqualification), they make up for it in other ways. Bonus points are earned for their really great orange cake, and very good espresso.

Grade: C+