The Great NYC Bagel Brawl: A Quest for Bready Bliss (and Maybe a Fight)
Ah, the New York City bagel. A breakfast (or anytime, really) staple, a source of carb-fueled glory, and a topic that can spark debates hotter than a fresh-out-the-oven everything bagel. Everyone has their favorite spot, their go-to order, and their undying loyalty. But with schmear-slinging shops on every corner, how do you know where to sink your teeth into the best bagel in the city?
The Contenders
- Ess-a-Bagel: A heavyweight champion, their bagels are legendary for their chewy, dense innards and blistered, satisfying crusts. Lines can be long, but hey, that just adds to the drama, right?
- Absolute Bagel: This Upper West Side gem is known for its perfectly hand-rolled bagels, with a perfect balance of crispy and soft. Plus, their selection of shmears is next-level (wasabi cream cheese, anyone?).
- Tompkins Square Bagels: The hipster haven of bagel shops. They crank out some seriously delicious classics alongside more adventurous flavors like sun-dried tomato and olive. Be warned, though, these bagels might be a little too cool for school for some.
The Great Schmear Debate
Of course, a bagel is nothing without its schmear. Team cream cheese? You got it. Team butter? No judgement. But for the truly adventurous, there's a whole schmear-niverse out there. We're talking lox, the everything-but-the-bagel schmear (everything bagel seasoning in cream cheese form, for the uninitiated), even the occasional Nutella situation (don't @ me).
The Verdict (Kind Of)
Look, the truth is, there's no single "best" bagel in NYC. It's a matter of personal taste, location, and maybe even bagel mood (yes, that's a thing). The beauty of the NYC bagel scene is the diversity. So, the next time you're craving a bready masterpiece, do some research, hit the streets, and be prepared to throw down in a friendly (or maybe not-so-friendly) bagel brawl. Just remember, sharing is caring (but we both know that's a big maybe).
