Comments on: Readers Write: “Why Does Philly Suck At Bagels?”

By: Catch 22 f/k/a H Man

Catch 22 f/k/a H Man — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 12:08:48 +0000

As someone who lived in NYC and grew up loving bagels, I can confirm that Delancey Street makes a very good bagel and their spreads and sandwiches are excellent too. Back “in the day”, there used to be a great bagel place in Fairmount near the art museum, but that was like 20 years ago when I lived in the city – not sure if they are still there. They made the best bagels I have had in Philadelphia.

Einstein also made a decent bagel. Most of the Manhattan bagels I have eaten are absolutely dreadful.

By: The Original Delancey Street Bagels

The Original Delancey Street Bagels — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 17:12:33 +0000

I worked there for a few years during college. The owner was always working and tweeking to make his bagels perfect. He was a tough one. The say it takes a tender man to make a……? Well anyway, on a saturday amd sunday it is some kind of religious happening. From the crack of dawn to after lunch this Main Line Dream of a place puts all others to shame. He bakes small amounts all during peak periods, most everything is warm rolling out of 4 ovens. It really is a special place, 20 years I think? Try it is memorable and you find yourself yearning for more. That question why? I watched this passionate guy upgrades equipment, covering his dough in thermal blankets like children, even fighting weather???, humidity, cold, heat all effect a good bagel. I learned alot from this owner operator. Did I mention his coffee? Yumm and addicting.

Sarah Q.

By: ewench

ewench — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:21:36 +0000

Rolings/Elkins Park is our favorite bagel place too, with Fillabagel being a close second (see my reviews on Yelp).

There is one other place in the Delaware Valley I have pretty good bagels from and it’s called Country Bagel in West Chester – they order them for work meetings sometimes and I finally found out where they were from.

By: Neil

Neil — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 12:12:54 +0000

This is the Neil from posts 24 25. Since posting those, I had a chance to try out Rollings in Elkins Park and FillAbagel in Jenkintown. Rollings makes the grade (though I think I still prefer the Bagel Barrel in Doylestown – but this is only an academic difference at this point: they’re both excellent). Fillabagel is good too, and I’d bring it in at third place in this lineup.

But I’m still looking for good bagels in every neighborhood! My wife says the two Jewish delis in Bala Cynwyd are well patronized (it’s one of the few Jewish enclaves in Philadelphia), but I don’t remember being wowed when we had breakfast there a few years ago. I was overwhelmed with the omelettes at the time.

And not to cause a scare, but I think Mark’s Bagels in Dresher may have just gone under. Their phone # is disconnected, and we drove by yesterday afternoon to find them closed. That was the closest, decent bagels to where we live.

Bagels might not be recession-proof, as it turns out. But they are no luxury to me!

By: Big Eater

Big Eater — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:06:05 +0000

It’s a mysterious city thing. Like, for instance, Chicago has the worst bread on the planet and Des Moines is a synonym for bad sandwiches, but no one can tell you why.
It takes a certain critical mass of bagel lovers with strong teeth who demand great meaty bagels PLUS a deep pool of really talented bagel bakers who work with each other, train new generations, and refine their art (just like winemakers). Without those elements, you get round bread.
It would probably be easier to move.

By: Neil

Neil — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 23:31:05 +0000

One other comment to add to my previous one: not to start “The Great Bagel Riot of 2009″, but I lived in Manhattan for 4 years, and there were a lot of mediocre bagels to be found there, too. Of course, Ess-A-Bagel was good, and you could find stuff in Queens, but like everything, it took more searching than I had anticipated. So I hope to speak with authority in suggesting The Bagel Barrel in Doylestown.

And try finding good bagels (or pizza) in Los Angeles!

By: Neil

Neil — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 23:27:31 +0000

I haven’t been to the other ones mentioned above (though I’m planning a trip to Rollings tomorrow), the best bagel I’ve had in Philly was in Doylestown. It’s called The Bagel Barrel, and they’re dense and thick as heck. http://www.thebagelbarrel.com/.

Sorry it’s in the burbs, but Doylestown’s nice for a walk (especially the Mercer Tile Works or Museum. And no, I don’t work for their chamber of commerce. Just enjoy the area.

Mark’s Bagels in Dresher is okay (best I’ve found in Montgomery county, after living here 2 years): http://local.yahoo.com/info-12183050-mark-s-bagel-place-incorporated-dresher

By: Vdawg

Vdawg — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:17:10 +0000

I reiterate. The best bagels in the city are at Bruegger’s. Market between 19th and 20th. The only problem is they can’t seem to toast their bagels properly. They’re either undertoasted or burnt. Phoodie, shall we do a blind taste test?

By: silverbullet69

silverbullet69 — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 04:38:14 +0000

the solution here is, somebody open a damn bagel shop in center city. there’s a dunkin donuts, H&M and CVS every 10 feet.
if South Street Bagels or Philly Bagels opened a branch in CC they would rake it in.

By: Jean

Jean — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:06:54 +0000

The Philly Bagels on Delaware Ave is great, their veggie cream cheese is delicious, AND they will give you as many little freezer bags as you want so you can stock up. The tomato/avocado/cream cheese on a bagel at Benna’s and B2 is also always great, and those girls make them with love.