You Can’t Beat A Good Bagel

Mel and I might not agree on everything, but we both appreciate a good bagel. Many a morning finds one of us running across the street from the radio station just as Einstein Bros. Bagels is opening at 5:30.

My Saturday morning routine includes a stop at Poppy's Bagels on Providence Road. The standard weekend breakfast in my house is sesame (me) or everything (my wife) bagels with cream cheese, lox, sliced red onion, capers, cracked black pepper, and tomato. But only if it's a good tomato! Otherwise, why bother?

I was a big fan of Owen's Bagels on South Boulevard until they closed their doors in 2019. I know I'm not the only one who misses their steamed bagels. There have been rumors of a comeback. Fingers crossed. In the meantime, I've heard good things about Bagel Bin & Deli in Huntersville so I'll have to get over there one of these days.

Occasionally, I do venture beyond the 485 loop. When my wife and I visit our family in Fuquay-Varina, we always pick up some fresh kettle-cooked bagels at Bluegrass Bagels. Good food, friendly folks. We may also need to check out another bagel shop in Wake County.

After putting bagel shops from coast to coast to the test, Food & Wine is sharing their favorites. One shop in North Carolina made the grade: Benchwarmers Bagels and Coffee in Raleigh, an offshoot of Boulted Bread. They've built a reputation for their wood-fired approach to bagel making.

It's no surprise that many of the bagel shops on the list are in New York City. My #1 go-to is Ess-a-Bagel on 3rd Avenue in midtown Manhattan. The line usually snakes out the door, but the wait is always worth it. They also ship their beauties nationwide via Goldbelly.

Food & Wine sings the praises of bagel shops in cities all over the country without saying which is the best. When it comes to the names of the shops, however, two rise to the top: Yeastie Boys Bagels in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.'s beloved Call Your Mother. You can see the full list HERE.