Bergen Bagels?

rhodamine · July 2005

So... I had to go around the block about 50 times more than usual to park my car this morning, and ended up further away than usual form my street, so I decided to take the 2/3 at Bergen as opposed to Eastern Parkway.

So, on the way to the train, I passed Bergen Bagels. I thought "Hmm! I havent had one of their bagels before, and I've heard good things!" so I happily went in and ordered one of my old favorites... a plain bagel with olive cream cheese.

And damn, was it ever good!

But my query is this: wtf is up with charging $2.70 for a freaking bagel? I was a tad surprised by this. At the bagelry in my old neighborhood (Absolute bagels on the UWS- an amazing place, btw), the same cost me $1.25. Even if I got one of the pricier (non-lox) ones there, like tofutti and all the bells and whistles, it was never over about 2 bucks.

What gives? do they put gold leaf in the cream cheese or something?

11238 · July 2005

I think the flavored cream cheese costs more than regular.

But you are right, $2.70 is outrageous but they can get away with it because there are no other bagel shops in the immediate area.

rhodamine · July 2005

11238 wrote: I think the flavored cream cheese costs more than regular.

But you are right, $2.70 is outrageous but they can get away with it because there are no other bagel shops in the immediate area.

dont get me wrong, it was an outstanding bagel! its just that if i got one every day on the way to work, my annual bagel budget would have to be around $700. good as they are, captive audience notwithstanding, im really surprised they do such a bustling business at those rates.

the person ahead of me in line had two items and a coffee that totalled around $11. i felt like i was in soho or something! 8)

carnivore · July 2005

You're better off with occasional trips to Bagel Hole in PS. You can keep them in the freezer and they're still better reheated than Bergen.

medusa · July 2005

Personally, I think comparing Bergen Bagels and Bagel Hole bagels are like comparing apples and oranges. They're two different types of bagels. BB is more fluffy, BH more chewy. I happen to like both kinds, but understand that some people feel strongly about one type or the other.

The bagels at the food co-op are very tasty as well. More on the chewy end of the spectrum.

The bagels at the Met on Vanderbilt are awful.

rita · July 2005

[hoping this isn't a stupid question]

carnivore, what's your reheating technique on frozen bagels? i've never considered this option.

emily · July 2005

I had never had Bergen Bagels until Medusa took us there a while back when we were heading to a picnic--I thought they were really good, too. I don't buy bagels frequently enough that the price bothers me. If it were closer to my apt. I'd probably be tempted to go there a lot more often.

rhodamine · July 2005

EmilyM wrote: I had never had Bergen Bagels until Medusa took us there a while back when we were heading to a picnic--I thought they were really good, too. I don't buy bagels frequently enough that the price bothers me. If it were closer to my apt. I'd probably be tempted to go there a lot more often.

yeah i guess i cant complain. this is def the first bagel ive had this year, if not double that. i dont get em too often, though i used to when i lived right around the corner from a bagel place.

mmm, fat covered carbs!

though i like the idea of going past BB more often when i park the car in the morning, the overpriced-ness sorta scared me away.

11238 · July 2005

Fresh Direct carries a frozen brand called Just Bagels that are comparable to Bergen Bagel. A 6 pack is $2.19. They are REALLY good. You throw them in the microwave for 30 seconds and then toast.

http://www.freshdirect.com/product.jsp?productId=fro_justb_sesame&catId=bak_bagels&trk=srch

carnivore · July 2005

rita wrote: [hoping this isn't a stupid question]

carnivore, what's your reheating technique on frozen bagels? i've never considered this option.

Not a stupid question-

Method 1 (best if you are in a rush): microwave for about 20-30 seconds depending on the power of the microwave. This gets them just defrosted enough to slice. Unfortunately, you basically have to toast them when using this method (unlike the fresh ones which are delicious with or without toasting).

Method 2: put the frozen bagels in the oven at low heat (about 250 deg). check them frequently until they are ready (I haven't timed it). This method results in a superior product which is suitable for eating toasted or untoasted, but takes too long for the morning before you have to go to work.

rhodamine · July 2005

Carnivore wrote: takes too long for the morning before you have to go to work.

...or, you could just set one out on the counter the night before, and itll be thaqwed enough by morning to toast it nicely and quickly

carnivore · July 2005

Subject: Bagel rant

Medusa wrote: Personally, I think comparing Bergen Bagels and Bagel Hole bagels are like comparing apples and oranges. They're two different types of bagels. BB is more fluffy, BH more chewy. I happen to like both kinds, but understand that some people feel strongly about one type or the other.

I can't believe this is even a debate. Is this Brooklyn or Duluth? Fluffy bagels are an abomination deserving only scorn and contempt from the true bagel lover! I'm not sure how this horrible mutation arose, but I think it had something to do with "retooling" the bagel from the local product to something for the mass American palate (i.e. something more like a roll). These fluffy atrocities have as much to do with true bagels as the "croissandwich" has to do with a real croissant! I bet they're not even boiled before they're baked.

rhodamine · July 2005

Subject: Re: Bagel rant

Carnivore wrote: I can't believe this is even a debate. Is this Brooklyn or Duluth?

oh noez, here comes the bagel-preference flamewar i was hoping wouldnt rear its ugly head here! :shock:

carnivore · July 2005

Sorry, but it had to be said. These people are making bagels for people who don't even know what bialys are!

sje · July 2005

I'm with Carnivore. Reheating a frozen bagel? Are you insane?

I ate at Bergen Bagel almost every day for 4 years. Try a bagel fresh out of the oven.

FYI, the best, traditional bagels on earth are made at H&H on the upper west side.

H & H Bagels Inc
(212) 595-8000
2239 Broadway

anonymous · July 2005

I agree with Carnivore. Bergen Bagels taste like dunkin' donuts bagels. What a waste of money.

carnivore · July 2005

sje wrote: I'm with Carnivore. Reheating a frozen bagel? Are you insane?

I ate at Bergen Bagel almost every day for 4 years. Try a bagel fresh out of the oven.

FYI, the best, traditional bagels on earth are made at H&H on the upper west side.

H & H Bagels Inc
(212) 595-8000
2239 Broadway

I agree that reheating a frozen bagel is suboptimal, but when you're too far from a real bagel place, it's the best option.

I appreciate your support about the chewy vs. frozen debate, but I have to disagree strongly about H & H. They use way too much sugar in the dough, making the bagel sweeter than it should be. I honestly believe that those bagels are notable only for their proximity to Zabars, (which is probably why they became so popular- the convenience factor).

bkrindy · July 2005

Oh no, not the old bagel battle. I just can't help myself. This is a topic I can't remain silent on. BAGEL HOLE. Final word. :roll:

rhodamine · July 2005

bkrindy wrote: Oh no, not the old bagel battle. I just can't help myself. This is a topic I can't remain silent on. BAGEL HOLE. Final word. :roll:

hmm, the words "BAGEL HOLE" make me think of, well, something alot nastier than bagels.

google image-search "goatse" if you're wondering what im thinking (warning, so totally not worksafe!)...

:shock:

carnivore · July 2005

rhodamine wrote: hmm, the words "BAGEL HOLE" make me think of, well, something alot nastier than bagels. google image-search "goatse" if you're wondering what im thinking (warning, so totally not worksafe!)...

OK, that was truly repugnant.

However, regardless of the unfortunately implications of the name, BH bagels remain the platonic ideal of bagels.

emily · July 2005

Whoa, whoa, how did we get from bagels to goatse? :shock: (Okay, I've never looked at it, but I know what it is!) How am I ever going to eat a bagel again? Urgh!

PS. Bagel Hole is a pretty bad bagel store name, but I used to live near a place in Manhattan called "Bagels De Juer" which is incorrect in so many ways...

carnivore · July 2005

It's not as bad as "Hot and Crusty"

rhodamine · July 2005

EmilyM wrote: Whoa, whoa, how did we get from bagels to goatse? :shock: (Okay, I've never looked at it, but I know what it is!) How am I ever going to eat a bagel again? Urgh!

heh! :twisted:

rhodamine · July 2005

Carnivore wrote: It's not as bad as "Hot and Crusty"

oh come on, who wouldnt wanna pucker up for a HOT AND CRUSTY BAGEL HOLE? :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

bkrindy · July 2005

Thanks for the link, Mr. Goat; that didn't go too well here at the bank...
So I retract my BH enthusiasm; I've clearly incited a more salacious discussion than intended. Maybe the term "bagel hole" should be added to the banned list.

anonymous · July 2005

Subject: Re: Bergen Bagels?

Rhoadmine, did you get a coffee with the bagel? B/c I was at Bergen Bagels this morning and got an Everything Bagel with vegetable cream cheese for $1.70. They must have botched the total price.

rhodamine · July 2005

Subject: Re: Bergen Bagels?

arf wrote: Rhoadmine, did you get a coffee with the bagel? B/c I was at Bergen Bagels this morning and got an Everything Bagel with vegetable cream cheese for $1.70. They must have botched the total price.

nope, no coffee. hmm. whats doubly weird was when i was paying, i was like "$2.70? sheesh!" and the guy was like "yup".

oddness.

medusa · July 2005

Subject: Re: Bagel rant

Carnivore wrote: [quote=Medusa]Personally, I think comparing Bergen Bagels and Bagel Hole bagels are like comparing apples and oranges. They're two different types of bagels. BB is more fluffy, BH more chewy. I happen to like both kinds, but understand that some people feel strongly about one type or the other.

I can't believe this is even a debate. Is this Brooklyn or Duluth? Fluffy bagels are an abomination deserving only scorn and contempt from the true bagel lover! I'm not sure how this horrible mutation arose, but I think it had something to do with "retooling" the bagel from the local product to something for the mass American palate (i.e. something more like a roll). These fluffy atrocities have as much to do with true bagels as the "croissandwich" has to do with a real croissant! I bet they're not even boiled before they're baked.

I believe I said "...I undestand that some people feel strongly about one type or the other."

Carnivore, you've proven my point. I too am passionate about some things, just not this one.

There is no way I'm hauling my ass down to 13th street or whatever to store up on bagels only to have to microwave them. I live in New York City for crying out loud. I do not have to eat frozen bagels.

As I mentioned before, the co-op bagels are pretty chewy. I haven't done a head to head comparison against BH (when my husband first told me about that place I had similar reactions to the name--although without the images). I'd be willing to have a taste-off.

rhodamine · July 2005

Subject: Re: Bagel rant

Medusa wrote: I'd be willing to have a taste-off.

so who makes the best bialys?!

carnivore · July 2005

rhodamine wrote: so who makes the best bialys?!

I haven't found great ones within walking distance yet.

I did just stock up on a bunch from Coney Island Bagels and Bialys at 2359 Coney Island Ave. Take the Q train to Ave U. Walk on Ave U to Coney Island Ave and make a right. It's right next to Sahara (a Turkish restaurant which is worth a trip in its own right).

www.bialys.com

easternpkwy · July 2005

why has no one mentioned La Bagel Delight? The best bagels in Park Slope, AND the silliest name of all time!

Bergen Bagels?

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