Best NYC-style Bagels in San Francisco Bay Area

[Shel_B]

I've been on a bagel quest lately ... it comes over me every 18-months or so. Even though I have a favorite place for bagels in Berkeley, they're not the best I've had in the area. My favorite place closed some years ago and moved to Palo Alto <sigh>.

So, does anyone have a recommendation for a good, NYC-style bagel in the bay area. That's a chewy bagel, with a subtly crunchy crust, not large and pillowy (like white bread with holes). Places like Noah's and The Posh Bagel are examples of bagels that don't cut it.

[Katie Meadow]

I like Manhattan bagels, which can be purchased at their store down on Fourth St. Agree that Noah's and Posh are lacking. I don't eat bagels much any more, but if I did I would check out Beauty's Bagels: http://www.beautysbagelshop.com on Telegraph in Oakland. They are advertised as Montreal style wood fired bagels. No doubt pricey. Check out the list of bagel places in Yelp; it's getting to be a crowded field.

[djyee100]

I've heard about Beauty's Bagels also, haven't tried them.

Your best NYC bagels in SF may be the ones imported from NYC. This pop-up was importing bagels from NYC and selling them day-old. Not sure what they're doing now.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1399476020310344/

Have you tried the 20th Century Cafe in SF? They are selling housemade bagels.
http://www.tablehopper.com/biz/20th-century-cafe/

Another pop-up in the Mission said it was doing Brooklyn bagels. It's now in transition.
http://www.schmendricks.com/bagelry/

I haven't tried these places, only know about them. If you visit any, pls post what you think of their bagels. Fortunately, I'm free of bagel cravings, so this exploration is all up to you, Shel.

[janeer]

I must say that the schmendricks pic looks like the real deal. And they make a salt bagel.

[Shel_B]

I like Manhattan bagels, which can be purchased at their store down on Fourth St. Agree that Noah's and Posh are lacking. I don't eat bagels much any more, but if I did I would check out Beauty's Bagels: http://www.beautysbagelshop.com on Telegraph in Oakland. They are advertised as Montreal style wood fired bagels. No doubt pricey. Check out the list of bagel places in Yelp; it's getting to be a crowded field.

Right now, even though they are pretty expensive, I'll give Beauty's a try when I next go out bagel hunting. Not as expensive as one of the SF based bagel places, though - $2.50 a bagel! Gimme a break ....

I'll pass on Manhattan as they are part of the group that owns Noah's, and I'm not too interested in supporting a Colorado-based company for what I feel should be a local product.

[Shel_B]

I've heard about Beauty's Bagels also, haven't tried them.

Your best NYC bagels in SF may be the ones imported from NYC. This pop-up was importing bagels from NYC and selling them day-old. Not sure what they're doing now.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1399476020310344/

Have you tried the 20th Century Cafe in SF? They are selling housemade bagels.

http://www.tablehopper.com/biz/20th-century-cafe/

Another pop-up in the Mission said it was doing Brooklyn bagels. It's now in transition.

http://www.schmendricks.com/bagelry/

I haven't tried these places, only know about them. If you visit any, pls post what you think of their bagels. Fortunately, I'm free of bagel cravings, so this exploration is all up to you, Shel.

Only 20th Century has a store ... Eastside (the popup) is located who-knows-where right now, and the bagels they sell, day-olds from Russ and Daughter, are far from my NYC favorites.

20th Century sounds interesting, albeit VERY spendy for a bagel. I'd have to be in the neighborhood to try 'em, although the description of their knishes may motivate me to be in the neighborhood.

Shmendricks sounds like it might be worthwhile, but at this moment they are not doing business and don't have a location.

[weinoo]

the bagels they sell, day-olds from Russ and Daughter, are far from my NYC favorites.

Russ & Daughters' bagels are, I believe, from the Bagel Hole in Brooklyn. Many consider them a classic NY style bagel.

Zabar's ships toasting bagels and often runs specials with buy a dozen, get a dozen free with shipping included.

What would be the NY bagel you'd like to replicate in the Bay Area?

When I lived in the south bay, there was a great bagel place in San Jose. Real, boiled and then baked bagels. Don't know if it's still in existence.

[ProfessionalHobbit]

I found the bagel at Wise Sons to be quite lacking, although my partner B says they're great.

 

Maybe I need to do more research....