sesame bagel with lox spread: an ex-new yorker is seriously nostalgic

[ashleys]

Just came back from a trip to New York, and I swear I must have eaten a bagel with lox spread every day, they are so good!

Though I'm originally from the east bay, having moved to new york in 99 and back again to sf in 2003, i have to say I've searched in vain for good lox spread here I don't mean lox and bagels, because I have my lox guy, and I've acquiesced to a few bagel places (though it's really really not the same) (house of bagels, bagelry). I mean good, solid lox spread. New Yorkers will know what I'm talking about. The only place I have found that is halfway similar or edible is this place Star Bagels or something on California and Polk. Their bagels are not good, but their lox spread is closer on the track (but still FAR) than the others I've tasted.

This is my last resort: anyone know of something hidden that I'm just missing?? I want my New York sesame with lox spread!

[yehfromthebay]

Probably a trek for you, but I absolutely adore The Bagelry in Santa Cruz. Although the one in SF claims to be related, there is no resemblance between their bagels. Take a weekend drive out to Santa Cruz, grab some bagels to eat on the spot, buy some to take home, freeze, pop in the oven at 350 for 10 minutes before eating and you'll feel like you're halfway to NY.

FYI, The Bagelry is 100% vegetarian. I'm not sure if they have lox.

[djegg101]

House of Bagels on Geary in SF is not bad although I haven't had their lox spread. I actually like Katz's bagels on Haight although the style is different then a typical NY bagel.

[ashleys]

I went to House of Bagels in pursuit of my sesame with lox spread. I recalled they had one I hadn't tried. They don't have lox spread proper. They have lox spread with green onion, and I am sorry to say it is not very good at all, and nothing like the NY lox spread. And suprisingly, and unfortunately, the (untoasted) sesame bagel I had was the worst I've ever had there. I threw out the whole thing after half. I won't be going back to House of Bagels for awhile. This is the second time in a month I've thought their bagels weren't good.

[asimqadir]

I lived in NY from 1992-1998 and have found it difficult to find good bagels in SF. My favorite is Holey Bagel near 24th St and Sanchez. They do have lox spread, although I have never tried it as I usually get their "traditional", bagel with lox, cream cheese, red onion, tomato, and capers. Takes me back to my days in NY...

[lintygmom]

Here in the East Bay I'd buy a bagel from Boogie Woogie and bake it longer in my oven. Then I'd get some good quality cream cheese and whirr in a lot of lox in my Cuisinart and spred away, with onion, capers. Maybe tomato and Kalamata olives on the side. And the funny thing is, the lox I like best is the big square flat package I get at the Safeway on Solano. Not the wild or flavored but the regular. It's something over three or four dollars for four ounces but has a lot of flavor. You'll find it in the section to the left of the stale fish in the upright display.

If I want a bialy, I have to go to the Cheeseboard when they make them. Every other bialy around SF is a bagel with onions on top.

[Dave MP]

I agree...I think the best lox spread you'll find here in the Bay Area is lox spread that you make yourself.