First Ave Bagels: David's or Ess-A?

[Bob W]

My two brothers (Orson W. and Lurker W.) live in Stuy Town/PCV. One prefers David's, one prefers Ess-A.

As I live in the hinterlands of Virginia (where we actually have some pretty good bagels, baked by ex-New Yorkers), I always request some NY bagels when they come visit. I generally ask for Ess-A, since I've had those more and like them a lot. But should I be asking for David's instead?

[guttergourmet]

Ess-a-bagel-no-contest

[rose water]

I'll put in a vote for David's, though what I love about them may upset bagel purists. They are big and doughy and chewy and delicious. (And especially great when fresh and warm, sorry).

[Angelina]

I love Ess-A. So huge, I always have to share :)

[theannerska]

I've tried both and I'm a diehard Ess-A fan - I miss them so much when I'm away from home in Chicago...

[tbear]

Tal Bagels on 1st & 54th is also excellent.

[Michele4466]

I like Tal bagels and they have great white fish salad but you have to watch what they charge you EVERYTIME at both locations that I USED to frequent.

I have not had David's but I also love the spreads and salads at Ess-a... bagels need to be scooped out there though, at least for me, but they are tasty.

[jnb]

Must be Essa. On my way to buy some this afternoon. Absolute best!Yum. Yum. Forget David's - these are real NYC!

[Mazzer]

A fairly subjective question, since they're both excellent. I think you owe it to yourself to request David's next time to see what you're missing.

I prefer David's, which is a bit more ... "common."

[valerie]

Aren't there 2 David's on First Avenue? Are they the same? Is one better?

I'm an Ess-A fan, but I've seen David's recommended several times on this board.