505547 Wed Apr 02 22:07:03 -0700 2008 151 2 Los Angeles Area 0 3555814 Where are the best bagels? I like the ones from Barney's Greengrass, but I'm wondering if there's a place that is a bit more reasonably priced than $3.50 a bagel! I did a search on here to no avail. Thanks for the help. Wed Apr 02 22:07:03 -0700 2008 26854 Frank_Santa_Monica 1 3555817 Western Bagel still around? They used to be fantastic in the 1980's and 90's when I still lived in LA. I only know of the one located in the Valley, tho. http://www.westernbagel.com/ Wed Apr 02 22:08:46 -0700 2008 3555814 23858 Honeychan 2 3556313 Yes, they are still around. They're pretty good too. Thu Apr 03 06:05:05 -0700 2008 3555817 26854 Frank_Santa_Monica 1 3555832 Brooklyn Bagel? They make bagels for many restaurants around town. Pretty authentic NY style bagels. Monday-Friday 3pm-5pm half price. http://www.laweekly.com/eat+drink/ask-mr-gold/brooklyn-bagels-hole-foods/17281/ Brooklyn Bagel Bakery 2217 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles (213) 413-4114 7am-11pm 7 days Wed Apr 02 22:17:23 -0700 2008 3555814 11914 monku 2 3556325 If your serious about real, NY quality, than Brooklyn Bagel is the only game in town. Unfortunately (if you're coming from SM) it's almost downtown, but I'd say worth the trip. Bagel Broker is a very distant second best. Thu Apr 03 06:08:20 -0700 2008 3555832 127538 wutzizname 3 3557225 Haven't tried Brooklyn Bagel, but I have hit most of the places mentioned in SM and WLA, including New York Bagel and Deli and New York Bagel Co. Like you say, they leave a lot to be desired... Thu Apr 03 09:46:24 -0700 2008 3556325 18466 a_and_w 2 4627761 Glad I clicked into the bagels section, cuz I had the address wrong....it's been maybe 13 years since I last went to Brooklyn Bagel. I used to live in Angelino Heights, but I thought they were gone the other day cuz I was cruising for them on Temple Blvd. not Beverly. Thanks for the address - there is a god. Sat Apr 25 09:43:10 -0700 2009 3555832 286054 boyfood 1 3555855 Love NYBD on Wilshire near 26th next door to Earth Wind and Flour and across from Whole foods. Wed Apr 02 22:34:07 -0700 2008 3555814 62097 paprkutr 1 3555937 New York Bagel Co in Brentwood on San Vicente (across from Coral Tree) is the BEST! My pic is the Pumpernickel Raisin Bagel w/ reduced-fat cream cheese. They also have amazing flattened 'Everything' bagels that are great. The place is packed on weekends, but worth it... Wed Apr 02 23:25:05 -0700 2008 3555814 158734 FoodieRD 2 3564478 Yes ...Great flat bagels.... also the best chicken soup around... Sat Apr 05 10:35:42 -0700 2008 3555937 180965 bellabar 1 3555941 Always a fan of the Bagel Broker, on Beverly near Fairfax, expecially when I'm able to catch them just out of the oven.. Wed Apr 02 23:29:03 -0700 2008 3555814 10604 jacinthe 2 3557827 Agree. BB is my favorite as well. Thu Apr 03 11:44:56 -0700 2008 3555941 10134 David Kahn 3 3558271 BB is also my favorite. Thu Apr 03 13:19:37 -0700 2008 3557827 60801 Obessed 1 3555957 I have been a fan of Chowhounds for years, and this is a topic that constantly comes up. I love Goldstein's Bagels. They are much cheaper than that. I buy by the dozen, and they make their own cream cheese too, and it is good. There used to be one conveniently located in Old Town Pasadena, unfortunately Old Town property developers cashed out pushing out most of the merchants that made the place great. Anyways, there are two locations of Goldstein's Bagels that have moved in to fill the gap. One has an open drive-thru, and is close to Pasadena on Verdugo or something. Google it I am sure you will find it, the other is next to In-n-Out and is very far inland. Cal State LA used to sell the bagels, and they are much closer to central LA, but I do not know if they still do with the redevelopment of the Student Union, I think King Taco left CSULA also. They never made bagel sandwiches anyways, the CSULA shop, the main shops do and their sandwiches are worth it also . . . Wed Apr 02 23:41:21 -0700 2008 3555814 179163 apple7blue 2 3556640 The one in Arcadia is on Santa Anita just south of the 210. The other is next to the La Canada UA theater. Thu Apr 03 07:32:40 -0700 2008 3555957 98631 Fru 2 3674380 Sorry to hear Goldstein's was kicked out of Pasadena. We loved that place. The one on Verdugo is in La Canada near my best friend's house--I'm going to visit him more often! Sat May 10 08:01:40 -0700 2008 3555957 168597 The Old Man 3 4089906 "Sorry to hear Goldstein's was kicked out of Pasadena." I don't know if I'd feel too sorry. I heard that they'd sold the building for a fortune. Wed Oct 08 01:22:38 -0700 2008 3674380 11135 Briggs 4 4503829 "They" did sell the building for a fortune. Too bad for Goldstein's because they only leased the space . . . Sat Mar 14 05:19:14 -0700 2009 4089906 179163 apple7blue 1 3556002 From your name I'm assuming you've had Bagel Nosh on Wilshire, yes? If not, give them a shot, especially if you wake up early and can get them fresh out of the oven. Thu Apr 03 00:27:58 -0700 2008 3555814 101728 Frommtron 2 3556329 I've not been, because outside looks a bit dumpy. But, will give it a shot for sure. They've been there forever. Thu Apr 03 06:10:09 -0700 2008 3556002 26854 Frank_Santa_Monica 1 3556437 Western Bagel is still around, and has a 24-hour bakery/store in Van Nuys, on Sepulveda Blvd (address?). They have other stores, too, but I'm not sure of their locations. I go to the one in Northridge, near the Gelson's. Western is also the best, imho. Thu Apr 03 06:42:58 -0700 2008 3555814 65821 Golem 2 3556921 There's also one in the same strip mall as Nook in West LA, I believe (corner of Barry and SM Blvd.). Thu Apr 03 08:38:48 -0700 2008 3556437 12268 mollyomormon 1 3556814 In descending order of goodness: Bagel Nosh (if it's still there), 17th and Wilshire, Santa Monica. The owner is from New Jersey and had a bagel shop in Woodbridge Center Mall that had lines out the door when I was a kid. When you get lines out the door within the "sphere of influence" of New York, it's a good sign. Union Bagel Company in Union Station, Vignes Street and Alameda, DTLA. This is what saves my commute on the way to Burbank. Goldstein's in Arcadia or La Canada Snootyridge. A bit breadier than the others but their good point is that if you toast them they taste 'right'. Western Bagel Too on Ventura and Coldwater Canyon, Studio City. This is better than the other Western Bagel (on Santa Monica Blvd in WLA) but not good enough to justify the schlep to the Valley except on a Saturday morning with no traffic. Western Bagel on Santa Monica and (?) Barrington, WLA. Thu Apr 03 08:10:57 -0700 2008 3555814 10811 Das Ubergeek 2 3556925 Bagel Nosh is just around the corner from me! Thanks for the info... Thu Apr 03 08:39:37 -0700 2008 3556814 12268 mollyomormon 3 4768373 Whatever you do, don't just read that as "17th and Wilshire" but forget the name of the place, and then while in the midst of brain fog wander into Izzy's. I mean, not that I've ever done that, of course. (Anybody want to buy a dozen-minus-one mediocre bagels? Cheap?) Fri Jun 12 18:13:18 -0700 2009 3556925 56630 Bjartmarr 4 4768490 Oh God... well, since you've bought the bread (you can't call those bagels, they're "broyt mit a lukh" -- bread with a hole) you might as well turn it into bread pudding or whatever. Sorry dude... better luck next time. Izzy's is 15th and Wilshire -- Bagel Nosh is 17th and Wilshire. Fri Jun 12 18:59:42 -0700 2009 4768373 10811 Das Ubergeek 2 3558888 I also endorse both Union Bagel and Goldstein's (I hit the Arcadia one, although I should check to see if the LCF one is closer to me). I've made something of a habit of stopping at Union Bagel as I transfer between the Gold and Red lines. Thu Apr 03 15:27:03 -0700 2008 3556814 11553 Jack Flash 2 3560151 Haha Snootyridge? Fri Apr 04 02:25:28 -0700 2008 3556814 179163 apple7blue 2 3569697 Tried Bagel Nosh and was reasonably pleased. The bagel had a firm exterior and a chewy interior, which is the main thing west coast bagels get wrong. My main complaint was that the bagel broke apart after being sliced. Mon Apr 07 10:10:41 -0700 2008 3556814 18466 a_and_w 3 3569790 Glad you liked. I guessing it was a dull knife/slicer. I haven't had a bagel lose integrity like that unless I'm slicing at home with a butter knife. I'm telling you though, it's worth an early wake-up to get them fresh from the oven. Mon Apr 07 10:37:13 -0700 2008 3569697 101728 Frommtron 4 3572884 Possibly -- they were a little misshapen. I'll try having one sliced there. I also live close enough that I just might try that early wake-up advice. Thanks for the tips! Tue Apr 08 07:49:11 -0700 2008 3569790 18466 a_and_w 2 4208995 Man, that is a blast from the past! There was no better fuel than Bagel Nosh for pulling iron shifts at Woodbridge Center. Sat Nov 29 18:43:31 -0800 2008 3556814 159520 mangetoutoc 1 3557078 Their was a similar thread a year or more back, and one of the favorites is Bagel Factory. The location I'm most familiar with is in the strip mall on the S/E corner of Sepulveda at National -- Bagel Factory has a very simple sign just saying "Bagels" and is near the north end where the 20/20 Video is. Good bagels, often hot from the ovens in the early mornings. Since I can only eat one at a time and always toast mine, I look for the day-olds, which are sold in a bag of a dozen for about $3.50, last time they had garlics or onions which I like. You can then head a few short blocks east on National or south on Sepulveda to either Trader Joe's nearby and get cream cheese and lox for much more reasonable prices than the shop. Thu Apr 03 09:15:32 -0700 2008 3555814 10855 nosh 2 3560568 I wholeheartedly agree with you here... Bagel Factory was the only place that even offered fresh bagels to the Westside back in the 70s. I still recall the little old Jewish ladies belting out their orders, "I want the freshest egg bagels - and I want the ones you just baked back...vhat - you're already out of bialys?" And the guys were more than accommodating. Their bagels have a really nice chew factor, and their bialys are definitely my favorite. Their soups really hit the spot as well - good flavor and not oversalted. Fri Apr 04 06:57:34 -0700 2008 3557078 64003 bulavinaka 2 3566926 Another vote for The Bagel Factory. I frequent the one on Robertson. I've tried all the bagels in the greater LA area and I think these are the clear winner. Also the soups there are great. Sun Apr 06 10:50:56 -0700 2008 3557078 71706 QualityMart 3 3571871 The Bagel Factory has Three (3) locations that I visit all the time. The Robertson location is heads and shoulders over the other two ( 2 ). Robertson is baking all morning long and Fresh Chalah on Friday as well.. Mon Apr 07 19:47:38 -0700 2008 3566926 97161 Foodandwine 4 3575896 Ah good, I'm glad to encounter this at last. I don't know about many of the other stores mentioned above and agree these Bagel Factory ones aren't quite up to H & H standards (the ones Barney GG in NY uses and were rumored to be jetted in each morning for the LA Barny GG's when they opened here. If that's not obsessive I just don't know what is), but I like them all the same. I don't know whether that means my standards have just gone downhill, but I'm really satisfied with my weekly bagel trip to there. Try their whitefish salad. It's really a treat IMO. BTW, does anyone know whether it's really true that Barney GG flies bagels in daily from H & H? Honestly, that would be so iconic of *something* if true?! (LA's inferiority complex perhaps?) Tue Apr 08 23:35:24 -0700 2008 3571871 67879 aliris 5 3575932 I asked about that once when inquiring about a large order. They are shipped par baked and frozen but its not daily. They finish the baking at GG when they are needed. Wed Apr 09 00:09:26 -0700 2008 3575896 12588 Mattapoisett in LA 5 3576901 Does it really matter? H&H aren't that great -- they actually remind me of Noah's. I used to live up the block from their factory in NYC but would usually go elsewhere for my bagel fix. Wed Apr 09 09:19:40 -0700 2008 3575896 18466 a_and_w 6 3597458 I had H&H when I was in NY and was so not impressed. Give me Western Bagels any day over them - since I & Joy Bagels is long gone. Noah's come in 2nd with Brooklyn Bagels and for me, Goldsteins are just bad - too bad, since I am moving and will be a couple of blocks from the Arcadia location. Tue Apr 15 14:56:48 -0700 2008 3576901 12400 WildSwede 4 4505229 I'll agree that the bagel factory does make the best bagels in LA. I go to the Torrance location and I get memories of the bagels I had weekly while in New York. Sat Mar 14 16:19:22 -0700 2009 3571871 89472 DrBruin 5 4505385 I was by the Bagel Factory on Sepulveda in West LA yesterday to p/u some bialys yesterday. It had been a little while since my last visit and I noticed they're poofier now - not somewhat flat a crispier like "the old days." Maybe it's a preference thing, but I enjoyed the previous style better. Are they going Noah's on me? Sat Mar 14 17:33:31 -0700 2009 4505229 64003 bulavinaka 6 4608319 Do places go "Noah's" on you? I found an interesting thing related to bagels. Abbot Pizza Co has "bagel crusts" . . . Sun Apr 19 00:20:35 -0700 2009 4505385 179163 apple7blue 7 4629591 I really like Abbot's. Thank goodness their crust isn't "poofy." :) Sun Apr 26 08:32:36 -0700 2009 4608319 64003 bulavinaka 8 4630139 I think "bagel crust" may be the most misleading description ever. There is nothing remotely poofy about it, as bulavinaka says. I think they're actually referring to the poppy seeds, seasame seeds, etc. that you can get baked into the crust. Regardless, the description just seems to confuse people -- I urge Abbott's to abandon it. Sun Apr 26 12:57:33 -0700 2009 4629591 18466 a_and_w 9 4630782 "Poofy Bagel Crust" suggests a bagel with a less-than-chewy consistency from the crust inward. "Chewy" is usually used (at least for me) to describe the body of the bagel but I can see someone including the outer 'shell' or 'crust' in that description. I don't like bagels that are soft and light in texture and would probably call them 'poofy' too (crust included). Sun Apr 26 17:43:32 -0700 2009 4630139 11405 Midlife 10 4632171 However you define it, there is nothing particularly bagel-like about Abbott's crust, except maybe the toppings. Mon Apr 27 08:55:18 -0700 2009 4630782 18466 a_and_w 11 4927986 Yeah I had it and it doesn't taste like a bagel--baked good wise--but the toppings are interesting. And their pizza is pretty good too. Sat Aug 08 00:52:05 -0700 2009 4632171 179163 apple7blue 6 4629141 Not sure what the definition of your "old days" is. I gather you've been around here a while. I've been eating their bagels regularly since, oh, 2002 maybe? From the Sepulveda locations, and I don't think they've really changed since then. I tried the Robertson location sporadically since around 1994 and I could just never get over the incredible rudeness of the ladies working there. It's pretty much the same on Splvda too, only I just grin and bear it these days. You gotta pick your battles and I've grown accustomed to their bagels. But coming here from NYC I do remember turning up my nose originally. Sun Apr 26 00:05:52 -0700 2009 4505385 67879 aliris 7 4629618 I guess I am old. My first bagel there was back in the mid-70s. The bialys used to be a bit flatter, more dense in texture, and baked to the point where the entire bialy had a nice amount of crust and a little browning on the onions as well. Maybe it was an anomaly? Or maybe it's just my fading memory? IMHO, the toughest and rudest folks in the shop were the little old ladies who would interrogate the counter help about the bagels' freshness. If I saw more than a couple of them ahead of me, I'd leave, shop at the (then) Sav-on, and return in about fifteen minutes, hoping those little human buzzsaws were done with their tongue-lashings and had moved on. My guess is that the rudeness factor of the bagel shops' help is a result of these repeated barrages. They've faced off with some of the toughest customers on earth. Sun Apr 26 08:47:52 -0700 2009 4629141 64003 bulavinaka 8 4630684 I agree, bulavinaka -- great pizza crust reminds me a bit of the outside of a Kossar's bialy. And clearly your old ladies were imported from Ess-A-Bagel, where it wasn't unusual to see a very, VERY well-dressed woman in fur step out of a car, walk in, and screech in the most unpolished Lower East Side accent ever, "I want a dozen mixed, and you make sure they're fresh, I didn't schlep all the way downtown for stale!" Sun Apr 26 17:08:40 -0700 2009 4629618 10811 Das Ubergeek 9 4631059 "These aren't fresh - they aren't steaming up the glass enough! I want the ones from the back - straight out of the oven - hot enough to burn ya hands!" Yeah, those little old ladies... Sun Apr 26 19:20:04 -0700 2009 4630684 64003 bulavinaka 10 4631284 "And hurry up, I still have to go to Russ and Daughters to get the appetizing." Sun Apr 26 20:59:24 -0700 2009 4631059 10811 Das Ubergeek 6 4928346 I eat at Bagel Factory all the time but can't co-sign on them as being particularly great. They're good when you're in the neighborhood (as I am) and want a bagel. But I'm praising their convenience more than their quality. My favorite bagel, anywhere, is Absolute Bagel on B'way and 107th in Manhattan (I've had Ess-A-Bagel several times but wasn't as impressed). I've yet to have any bagel in LA that comes close but in terms of the best I've found so far, Manhattan Bagel would rank high; it's just not some place I'd drive to if I wasn't already in the area. Sat Aug 08 07:50:57 -0700 2009 4505385 110491 odub 7 4928990 I don't think their bagels are the same as in the old days. I mentioned upthread (March 14, 5:33PM), after my first revisit there in a while, that the bialys seemed to be poofier - the same with their bagels. My guess is that the vast majority of bagel eaters like their bagels more Noah's-esque - maybe Bagel Factory has followed along. As for bagels in NYC, I'm still a firm believer that these will never be replicated here. I'm a firm believer that breads and other higher protein raised dough-based bready-things are strongly influenced by water chemistry as well as the endemic bacterial and yeast cultures. I've never had a NYC bagel so I guess I'm lucky - I don't miss them at all, and at the same time, I have those to look forward to when I head out that way... Sat Aug 08 13:26:08 -0700 2009 4928346 64003 bulavinaka 5 4615551 Can you make your "Best in LA" assessment based on prior experience with Bagel Nosh in Santa Monica? Mr Taster Tue Apr 21 12:37:29 -0700 2009 4505229 17579 Mr Taster 1 3557184 Bagels aren't a strong suit of LA. My two favorites are Bagel Broker, aforementioned, and Sam's Bagels in Larchmont Village (which has lost its lease). FWIW, I hate Brooklyn Bagel Bakery. To me there is nothing worthwhile about their bagels and they don't taste at all to me like good NYC bagels. The taste and texture approximate bleached white bread. Thu Apr 03 09:37:56 -0700 2008 3555814 105839 aventinus 2 3557207 Perhaps you're confusing it with Noah's? Thu Apr 03 09:43:16 -0700 2008 3557184 127538 wutzizname 2 3560149 Maybe it's just that NY style bagels are not a strong suit of LA, but try LA style bagels at Goldstein's Fri Apr 04 02:23:04 -0700 2008 3557184 179163 apple7blue 2 3575942 Concur.... having grown up in the shadow of NYC, I've desperately wanted to love BBB but all three times I've gone there, the bagels have been flavorless, unbearably tough and chewy bricks. I'm not entirely sure how J Gold can speak with authority on this one, other than to say that he's yet another well intended but misguided Angeleno housing the spirit of a New York Jew. Bagel Broker gets my vote, though I've yet to try Bagel Nosh in Santa Monica. Oh, how I wish there were even a slight approximation of New York's Kossar's here in LA. Great bagels need no embellishment, nor beverage to wash them down. They can be fully enjoyed plain, torn apart into pieces, as one might eat a soft pretzel. (In fact, salt bagels are a long time guilty pleasure of mine for just that reason.) Mr Taster Wed Apr 09 00:29:15 -0700 2008 3557184 17579 Mr Taster 3 3576907 They also should be fully edible without toasting. Anyone know a place that refuses to toast their bagels? Wed Apr 09 09:21:17 -0700 2008 3575942 18466 a_and_w 4 3577510 Brooklyn. Wed Apr 09 11:28:34 -0700 2008 3576907 127538 wutzizname 5 3578568 Apropos of my Quizno's point, toasting a BBB bagel would definitely make it more palatable ;) Mr Taster Wed Apr 09 15:26:52 -0700 2008 3577510 17579 Mr Taster 5 4215880 I've lived in Brooklyn for the last 5 years and have never been to any bagel place that refuses to toast their bagels! Tue Dec 02 17:13:16 -0800 2008 3577510 95166 butterqueen 6 4223206 Of course not.... that's not what I was saying. I was stating that inferior bread products are often toasted to improve their flavor, whereas a great bagel can taste great both toasted AND untoasted... toasting is not a prerequisite to make the thing palatable, as it is for many LA bagels (and subway/quizno's pseudo-breads) Mr Taster Fri Dec 05 10:44:25 -0800 2008 4215880 17579 Mr Taster 6 4223219 Butterqueen, I think wutzizname was referring to the establishment Brooklyn Bagel Bakery here in LA. Regardless, my point was that a really good bagel place will stand behind their product with no toasting. Murray's and H&H are two NY places off the top of my head that won't toast bagels. Fri Dec 05 10:47:48 -0800 2008 4215880 18466 a_and_w 7 4231737 Correct. I don't think the borough of Brooklyn has a statute against bagel toasting. Tue Dec 09 05:28:28 -0800 2008 4223219 127538 wutzizname 4 3578170 That's a superb point. A great bagel definitely doesn't need to be toasted. The toasting phenomenon, as epitomized by Quizno's and copied by Subway, is a way of making an inferior product more palatable. Mr Taster Wed Apr 09 13:48:31 -0700 2008 3576907 17579 Mr Taster 5 3578547 If it's very fresh then I think your point is solid. If you try and get an afternoon bagel or you've got a day-old at home then I don't see anything wrong with lightly toasting it. Wed Apr 09 15:19:35 -0700 2008 3578170 101728 Frommtron 4 3578551 While Bagel Nosh won't refuse the request, they try to gently steer you away from that option if you get there early enough and the bagels are recently out of the ovens. Wed Apr 09 15:20:30 -0700 2008 3576907 101728 Frommtron 3 3586437 New York bagels are supposed to be tough on the outside and chewy--though not bricks, since the 70s most bagel bakeries in Manhattan have moved to a new style . . . also following the thread, maybe you want it toasted for a sandwich so the surface of the bagel that touches the parts being sandwich have a different texture than a bagel untoasted, Quizno's didn't start toasting, Goldstein's was toasting bagels for sandwiches before Quizno's was around . . . You can still disdain the practice, just explaining why some of us have them toasted, you might enjoy a bagel without any embellishment but you might also enjoy a bagel sandwich. Also, I like a beverage to wash down all my food, otherwise I am thirsty, especially if it's salty . . . Fri Apr 11 21:23:44 -0700 2008 3575942 179163 apple7blue 3 3597466 Sheesh, I sometimes eat 2 bagels on the way home - right from the bag.. unadorned and untoasted! Sometimes more! Tue Apr 15 14:58:02 -0700 2008 3575942 12400 WildSwede 1 3557630 Billy's diner in Glendale makes an excellent bagel and you can purchase all other items for them if you desire (cheeses, kosher meats, mustards, etc.). Thu Apr 03 11:09:36 -0700 2008 3555814 174781 BasilKitty 1 3558293 If you like doughy bagels, go to Bagel Nosh (2 locations: 1 on Wilshire in Santa Monica, and 2 on Little Santa Monica Blvd in Bev Hills). If you like less doughy, more crusty, go to New York Bagels (go figure) on San Vicente in Brentwood. Enjoy! Thu Apr 03 13:24:15 -0700 2008 3555814 180473 imissla 2 3559082 This is going to sound sac religious but I like the bagels at Von's especially the poppy seed. Some may think them goyish or not authentic but after eating them almost my entire 48 years, I've come to the conclusion that for me, light and chewy is better than heavy, dense and rubbery. Thu Apr 03 16:26:45 -0700 2008 3558293 98631 Fru 1 3559156 I actually like the bagels at the Von's supermarket in the Mar Vista area on Centinela. When I get them I get them in the morning when they are fresh. Also, there is a place called Donut King on Sepulveda just South of Venice. It is in between Papa Johns and Panda Palace CHinese. They have a sign that says they have Western Bagels there. I tried it for the first time yesterday. They are good but small. Thu Apr 03 16:49:16 -0700 2008 3555814 12521 Tari 1 3559441 As has been said on this message already, all you need to know is Brooklyn....Bagel.....Bakery. For both price and taste not to mention it's mostly wholesale and not a retail operation. The smell alone when you walk in tells you it's the right place. I like the egg poppy the best. Thu Apr 03 18:09:52 -0700 2008 3555814 11023 oro3030 2 3559502 To wit, for those who subscribe to the Gold Standard... http://www.laweekly.com/eat+drink/ask-mr-gold/brooklyn-bagels-hole-foods/17281/ Thu Apr 03 18:30:51 -0700 2008 3559441 127538 wutzizname 3 3560150 That jerk recommended Casa Bianca, so you cannot really trust him to judge food for food itself . . . It's only the Gold Standard cause his last name is Gold, hardly the Gold standard in Chowhound criteria . . . Sorry but I liked reading his reviews until I actually went out and tried Casa Bianca which he raved about so many years as the best pizza in Southern California, I am a little bitter . . . Fri Apr 04 02:24:58 -0700 2008 3559502 179163 apple7blue 4 3560765 It might be time to get help, then -- it's just a restaurant. Chalk it up to "different strokes for different folks" and move on. Fri Apr 04 07:44:12 -0700 2008 3560150 10811 Das Ubergeek 5 3561599 The old I n Joy on Pico were the best! Since that's now gone - I too recommend Brooklyn Bagel. We get a few fresh and always a dozen frozen, to have on hand. And I confess, I agree - the description of a white bread bagel sounds like noahs. Try Brooklyn's rye or salt - lovely. Fri Apr 04 11:01:26 -0700 2008 3560765 59036 happybaker 6 3561622 Oh - have to say bulavinaka - your bagel buying description was spot on. I worked one high school summer at a bagel bakery and those ladies shopped at our place too : ) Fri Apr 04 11:05:18 -0700 2008 3561599 59036 happybaker 6 4209001 I still mourn I n Joy. Sat Nov 29 18:45:49 -0800 2008 3561599 159520 mangetoutoc 5 3566234 The pizza was inedible . . . but I guess I am a different kind (stroke and folk) of Chowhound from you, I figure other Chowhounds would want to share opinions, rather than get "help" . . . I think Bagels ship easily so it would be interesting what someone's experience importing bagels from one of NY's few remaining NY style (ironic!) bagel bakeries . . . Sun Apr 06 05:46:20 -0700 2008 3560765 179163 apple7blue 1 3563519 Has anyone been to Cafe E'lait, on Beverly and La Brea, across from Susina? What do you think of their bagels? Fri Apr 04 21:10:31 -0700 2008 3555814 26854 Frank_Santa_Monica 1 3564315 The same way you can't really get a decent burrito in Manhattan, you can't get a NY style slice of pizza or bagel here. It's just the way it is. I've tried Brooklyn Bakery, and don't think they're all that. I think part of the appeal of the place is that it's in an out-of-the-way location, very bare-bones, and kind of a factory, so its fans feel they're in on a secret. Just a theory. Having said that, like pizza, you can get some good bagels in LA if you're willing to lower your standards and/or eat a fluffy kind of bagel. I'd rank them: - Western Bagels, particularly the Valley locations - Bagel Factory, particularly the one on Robertson (also has great soup) - Manhattan Bagel in Santa Monica, though I think they were sold to another owner I also worked in an office that had really great bagels delivered once a week, and I believe they used Bagel Nosh in Santa Monica. But it does indeed look sketchy from the outside - never been there myself. Goldstein's are on the extreme side of H and H style mega-dough city style bagels. Good for what they are. Sat Apr 05 09:26:08 -0700 2008 3555814 20574 scoot 2 3564504 The pizza scene in LA is significantly better than the bagel scene. I'll give Bagel Nosh a shot... Sat Apr 05 10:45:56 -0700 2008 3564315 18466 a_and_w 2 3564520 For what it's worth, though I do enjoy the underground industrial vibe of the Brooklyn Bagel factory, I rarely ever go, as I long ago discovered that the Silverlake Coffee Co. on Glendale Blvd. gets theirs from Brooklyn each morning. So I usually head there instead to sit and enjoy LA's best bagel with a coffee and paper. By way of emphasis, let me add that I live around the corner from Bagel Broker, and as I said up above, I think they may be LA's second best bagel. But when I'm truly itching for the real thing, I head all the way over to that northeast edge of Silverlake. They're that good. If anyone knows of other coffee shops or cafes that are serving Brooklyn's, please, do tell. Sat Apr 05 10:51:12 -0700 2008 3564315 127538 wutzizname 2 3564690 Dude. Have you BEEN to H&H in New York? You talk about sketchy-looking! You walk in and it's this giant cavernous place with frowning people behind the counter and a crusty old fridge for the shmeer. Bagel Nosh is way nicer on the "sketch" scale :) Sat Apr 05 11:55:58 -0700 2008 3564315 10811 Das Ubergeek 3 3564709 LOL! I totally thought of the H&H factory on the far west side from the description. Sat Apr 05 12:08:46 -0700 2008 3564690 18466 a_and_w 4 3578685 Yes, waiting in the H&H line, especially in the dead of winter, during a rush is as much fun as a vascetomy. However, there's nothing that will ever beat a hot sourdough H&H bagel for me and I'll brave the ugliness and nastiness of the workers anytime! Wed Apr 09 15:59:24 -0700 2008 3564709 155500 ExtraCheesePlease 2 3566253 Goldstein's may well be on the extreme side of H & H bagels, and I do enjoy them very much, but on the other hand so do most New Yorkers as I understand. I hear very few NY style bagel bakeries are left in the Big Apple (anyone here that Apple makers of ipods and iphones are suing NY for using a green apple logo??), and most also sell H & H style bagels. I cannot really speak to Manhattan burritos, but there are definitely excellent pizzas here. I hope to try a NY pizza icon one day to see what the difference between them. I just find it difficult to believe that pizza in Los Angeles is unacceptable, that there is no place serving decent pizza. And to help out das ubergeek, I hear Pasquale's Grand Brew Cafe flies Montreal bagels in . . . Sun Apr 06 05:57:59 -0700 2008 3564315 179163 apple7blue 1 3564445 The New York Bagel in Brentwood on San Vicente makes their own bagels and they make flat bagels!!! They do run out of them early.... Sat Apr 05 10:22:16 -0700 2008 3555814 180965 bellabar 1 3564479 There've been 2 references now to flat/flattened bagels on this thread. Are you folks talking about a Bialy? Or is there some other flat bagel creature out there that I'm not familiar with? Sat Apr 05 10:37:06 -0700 2008 3555814 127538 wutzizname 2 3564499 It's a different creature actually.... They are not Bialy's ... They are trully a flat bagel.... A special thing at New york Bagel.... Sat Apr 05 10:44:12 -0700 2008 3564479 180965 bellabar 2 3564508 Flat bagels? Must be an LA thing LOL! Sat Apr 05 10:46:27 -0700 2008 3564479 18466 a_and_w 3 3571419 Not a LA thing at all! They have been serving flattened bagels (known as "flagels" to us NYers) in NY for years. They are for people like me who think the best part of the bagel is the crust. Mon Apr 07 17:08:20 -0700 2008 3564508 19957 foodieqt 4 3571608 I just moved here from NYC and can't ever remember seeing such a thing. But now that you mention it, the word "flagel" sounds oddly familiar. I stand corrected! Mon Apr 07 18:06:44 -0700 2008 3571419 18466 a_and_w 4 3939921 Finally tried these flagels from NYC. Granted, they were about 3/4 of a day old, but I wasn't impressed. And a typical New Yorker's interpretation of how much salt belongs on a bagel or flagel is definitely in a different league from that of the typical Angeleno. I almost gagged upon taking my first bite... Thu Aug 07 21:35:31 -0700 2008 3571419 64003 bulavinaka 1 3565082 For those who like St-Urbain style bagels, it is. For those of us who grew up with bagels, bialys, and the all-important stop at the appetizing, New York was and is the standard. Which is not to say that Montreal-style bagels are not excellent -- they are -- but they're a different beast, and one that's impossible to find in LA. Sat Apr 05 15:07:14 -0700 2008 3565049 10811 Das Ubergeek 1 3571415 The bagels you are referring to that are served at Barney's Greengrass are H&H. You can find them in the freezer case at Whole Foods markets around town. The one I always see them at are at the WF at 3rd & Fairfax. Mon Apr 07 17:06:50 -0700 2008 3555814 19957 foodieqt 1 3571640 THEY DON'T REALLY EXIST. DON'T LISTEN! That is one major frustration of mine. all I want is one good bagel and some fresh STRAWBERRY cream cheese...The Brentwood shop was so disappointing. The Name even had New York in it, ALL lies. The pacific can't handle the bagel. edit: the Brentwood shop does not make the soft, chewy, glossy beautiful specimines you can easily find in places like, MA, CT, NJ, and NYC...maybe even NH and to add to my dismay they did not have very good cream cheese and way too much chive in their cream cheese. Mon Apr 07 18:22:29 -0700 2008 3555814 181372 bicknell_hill_sm 2 3579069 Bagel Place at UNH, It isn't half bad...Last I was there. Wed Apr 09 18:02:52 -0700 2008 3575906 181372 bicknell_hill_sm 1 3572287 Not too big and that's a good thing because it leaves room for more. The outside has a crust with a nice baked color. The inside is moist as it should be. You will notice a slight crack, or small crunch, when you bite, which is followed by the tug and then the chew. The prices are reasonable so buy a half dozen or more. The whipped cream cheese is also very good. Buellers Bagels (With a name like Buellers, it's gotta be good) 10840 W Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA (310) 474-6064 South- East Corner of Olympic at Westwood Blvd. Between Westwood and the Westside Pavillion, Mon Apr 07 23:41:05 -0700 2008 3555814 90917 JeetJet 2 4084216 Buellers Bagels is a chain, with many many locations in OC, not so many in LA. I actually looked into buying a franchise at one time, but you have to buy like 4 of them and I couldn't swing that large of an investment then. But I really like them. They typically can be found in the same minimalls as Starbucks.... What I like is that they make the bagels fresh in small batches right there; you can watch them. And you get them right out of the of the oven. When I'm home, I go to Brooklyn Bagel. But when I'm in the OC, I go to Bueller's. Sun Oct 05 20:39:30 -0700 2008 3572287 13464 lil mikey 1 3572457 ....my fav joint is....Bagel Nosh 17th @ Wilshire, Santa Monica. Tue Apr 08 04:41:06 -0700 2008 3555814 178637 ROBBARNES 2 3575912 Every time I pass that place it looks to me like it's closed and has been for years. The windows have this caked-over smear on them that looks like a closed subway stop -- or like subway cars' windows; that's what it is! Maybe that's the NYC-nostalgia factor that's so strong. I've tried their bagels and am unimpressed. I think 'bagel' is one of those comfort-food emotional things. Like the poster who mentioned Vons (you're kidding, right? No; I know you're not), I actually even have a soft spot in my heart for frozen Lender's bagels. That's what we ate growing up: it was a treat. However, I'm not claiming they're a chowish find. I think Bagel Factory seems a legitimately LA-incarnation of another city's icon. I think their help is thoroughly sullen, at least in the WLA location, and should be a match for the aforementioned ladies' fresh-bagel assertions. Tue Apr 08 23:49:27 -0700 2008 3572457 67879 aliris 3 3586441 Goldstein's bagels was a treat for me, but I never ate Vons bagels or Lender's bagels when I was a kid, so comparatively, I guess minus the comfort food aspect for me, they aren't so good Fri Apr 11 21:26:56 -0700 2008 3575912 179163 apple7blue 1 3578917 I like Western Bagel and Bagel Broker but hands down my favorite bagel is Sam's Bagel on Larchmont. They have another location on Main Street in SM as well. Sam's are soooooo sooooo good! Wed Apr 09 17:11:02 -0700 2008 3555814 43007 omgirlie 2 3578928 Unfortunately the Larchmont location is being evicted. Not sure if they're even still open. Didn't realize they had a SM branch. Wed Apr 09 17:14:18 -0700 2008 3578917 127538 wutzizname 3 3582432 Sorry to report that the Sam's on Larchmont is closed. Don't know about other locations. Thu Apr 10 15:37:07 -0700 2008 3578928 10134 David Kahn 4 4083227 Sam's is still at the Larchmont location. Not sure what happened since April, but I just spoke with them on the phone & they're alive and well... Sun Oct 05 11:37:09 -0700 2008 3582432 230636 Miriam22 1 3587437 Brooklyn Bagel fan of 35 years!!! I used to live on the Westside and work in Lincoln Heights and often took Beverly Blvd. downtown, so I'd go right by it on the way. Then I found that a fellow I worked with (in retail) is the son of the owners....... he now runs the place. We moved to OC 20+ years ago and the only bagel that comes close for me here is at a 2-location place called Bagels 'n Brew (Lake Forest & Mission Viejo). There's a density to a good bagel, and a bite to the outside, that is what I look for and remember from my youth in NYC. Most other bagels are just too soft. Sat Apr 12 10:59:04 -0700 2008 3555814 11405 Midlife 1 3589009 My faves for years have been Manhattan Bagel in Manhattan Beach (Sepulveda), and Western bagel. Both are the closest to H&H in NYC, my all-time best bagel. Sun Apr 13 04:29:53 -0700 2008 3555814 183141 culinarycandy 1 3595199 ..well Mc Donalds..is best... Tue Apr 15 05:24:02 -0700 2008 3555814 178637 ROBBARNES 2 3595609 BLASPHEMER! STONE HIM! Wait... McDonalds even has bagels (or, more likely, bagel-shaped bread rolls)? Tue Apr 15 07:43:13 -0700 2008 3595199 10811 Das Ubergeek 1 3595992 I once went to Bagel Nosh in SaMo and it was surprisingly good. Having grown up in NYC where Bagel Nosh (used to be?) a chain of so-so bagel sotres, I wasn't expecting much, but was pleasantly surprised. Other than the old fabulous I & Joy bagels chain from the late 80's/early 90's (which I understand was sold to the Manhattan Bagel chain which may or may not still exist), Bagel Nosh were probably the best bagels I have had ont he westide of LA. Though I live in the culinary wasteland called the South Bay, the best NY Style bagels in LA are without question at Manhattan Beach Bagel on Sepulevda and 19th Street in Manhattan Beach. They are much better when fresh out of the over, but are still the best bagels this ex-Nyer has had in California. And oddly enough, although the South Bay is a culinary wasteland, not only does it have the best bagels in AL, it also has the best NY Style slices of Pizza at Paisano's in Hermosa Beach. If you like thin crust without too much cheese (for NY tourists who think Ray's Pizza is "real" NY pizza, you can skip the rest of my comments, their crust is too thick and they use way too much cheese), then Paisano's is the way to go. I grew up in NY in the 70's and cut my teeth on many of the old style NY slice pizza joints in Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx, and I believe Paisano's is the closest thing to what I grew up on. There was a period in my life when I swore by Ray's (the one in the village and the one on 3rd and 76th) but I eventually came to realize the error of my ways. This crisp crust, with a moderate coating of tangy sauce and cheese is the real thing -- Paisan's (though some complain about the attitude at Paisano's, perhaps that makes it all the more authentic). Tue Apr 15 09:11:11 -0700 2008 3555814 180218 davidrauch 2 3597390 As this thread lives on, it seems like a democratic obligation to just repeat what was said way higher up. Brooklyn Bagels, hands down, problem solved for all in the high density Chow zones of LA. No frills, no fuss, reminds me exactly of the places in Queens where I grew up, of which only Bagel Oasis on the L.I.E. still remains. Tue Apr 15 14:40:51 -0700 2008 3595992 13843 EricW 3 3597429 Please tell me what bagels you order at BBB and at what time of day do you buy them that the bagels don't chew like dense rubber and require a tall beverage to swallow without discomfort. As stated above, Kossar's in Manhattan's LES is my benchmark for bagel (and bialy) greatness. Mr Taster Tue Apr 15 14:51:18 -0700 2008 3597390 17579 Mr Taster 4 3598616 I dunno, bagel bagels: garlic, poppy, salt. The onions do kinda shed. And I get them in the morning, usually on the same Saturday or Sunday run that I get my week's beans from Intelligentsia, a 90 degree twist up Sunset and then down Alvarado! Tue Apr 15 21:19:58 -0700 2008 3597429 13843 EricW 5 3600750 I second the salt and poppy and - they are only place I've seen in LA that offers regular poppy (water) AND egg poppy. Plus their rye bagels are just lovely. Great flavor, chewy but not tough. Oh and I just had my first batch of intelligentsia coffee - fab. So maybe Erics plan is the way to go -- for the price of two barney bagels, you could gave a few tasty BBB ones and, a half pound of Excellent coffee. Smugness and joy all around. Wed Apr 16 12:46:58 -0700 2008 3598616 59036 happybaker 2 5057023 As a NYC transplant, I also think that Paisano's in Hermosa is the closest thing I have found here after trying many, many places here in LA. I have not read the hundreds of posts in the who has the best pizza in LA threads here because I have found what I like: pizza with maybe 6-8 topping choices (please hold the clams or even macaroni on my slice thank you) with not too much cheese and the sauce not too sweet... And remember, the is also a lot of REALLY TERRIBLE PIZZA IN NYC also sooo.... Fri Sep 25 01:00:17 -0700 2009 3595992 1111829 winstars 3 5073949 I have been there also. I wouldn't say its the best pizza---it may be the closest to NY but maybe NY doesn't have the best pizza. What I dislike about there is that the staff doesn't like to give you proper change or a receipt even if you are not dining in. And all the drunks at a certain point in time. Fri Oct 02 01:24:30 -0700 2009 5057023 179163 apple7blue 1 3596492 ..well my feeling is stcik with a winner as you mentioned Barney's as if it is not broken why fix it Tue Apr 15 10:57:16 -0700 2008 3555814 178637 ROBBARNES 2 3596518 Because the bagels are nearly $4 each after tax is added -- and that's just for the bagels, no toppings. Tue Apr 15 11:02:59 -0700 2008 3596492 10811 Das Ubergeek 1 3937932 Frank, as a New Yorker I totally feel your pain. I was not very impressed with Brooklyn Bagels, Western is tasty, but not exactly New York-like. The best I found is in Larchmont Village, a place called Sam's Bagels. They are great and they sell for $12-$13 a dozen. They are able to fill my craving. Good luck! Sam's Bagels 150 N Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 469-1249 Thu Aug 07 09:36:07 -0700 2008 3555814 58118 Rosawan 1 3941449 I have to say that MY favorite bagels are at Panera Bread on Ventura Blvd and Laurel Canyon in The Valley. The Cinnamin Crunch with the honey almond cream cheese is just the best. The other bagels are very good as well and are reasonably priced at $2.99 for the bagel and the cream cheese. Fri Aug 08 12:25:37 -0700 2008 3555814 214526 Cherylcyn 1 3943137 I went to the Bagel Factory on Robertson yesterday based on the recs on this thread and I have to say, compared to Brooklyn Bagel, they are terrible. They are undercooked and bland. Everything is a pasty white color, even the rye bagels. In addition, there is no air conditioning and the place is sweltering, I felt sorry for the girls working behind the counter who are taking plenty of lip from the yentas and nearly melting in the heat. I haven't tried every flavor I bought yet but I see no reason to return. Sat Aug 09 09:17:44 -0700 2008 3555814 12460 Chowpatty 1 3944148 New York Bagel and Deli on Wilshire, across from Whole Foods in Santa Monica. They are the closest to the Old Manhattan bagels, and they have the best onion pletzels nee onion boards, brown and cripsy with fresh onions. If you know you are going call ahead and they will make sure they have it. Sat Aug 09 20:42:25 -0700 2008 3555814 62097 paprkutr 1 4084193 My two favorites, by a landslide, are Bagel Broker and Sam's on Larchmont. Sam's, by the way, was able to renew its lease, and is still in business. Sun Oct 05 20:23:08 -0700 2008 3555814 105839 aventinus 1 4085402 Yesterday, guided by this thread, I did a bagel tasting around L.A. A little crazy, I know, but I’ve been shipping bagels from H&H and they recently dropped their flat-rate shipping policy. Necessity dictated that I find a new source for pumpernickel bagels. My gold standard for bagels is Ess-A-Bagel in NY. Here's what I found: H&H at Barney's Greengrass – the winner hand’s down in the pumpernickel flavor category. That said, the bagel was dry from its journey from NY and cost $3. Sam’s Bagel – On Larchmont, this bagel place was number 2. Great tasting bagels with lots of flavor. Good texture. They have a new landlord (and thus a new lease) and thankfully have NOT gone out of business. The best option for flavored bagels outside of a real NY bagel (see below on where to get a great plain bagel). Bagel Broker – Pretty good bagels but not anything like what you get in NY. Most flavors were good. The cinnamon raisin had no raisins, but was great tasting otherwise. Their Everything was a thumb’s down (I like a lot of stuff on my Everything bagel, and this one was under-seasoned). Their pumpernickel didn’t make the grade. That said, not as good as Sam’s, but for Los Angeles, will do in a pinch. The Bagel Factory – Went to their Robertson branch. Terrible all around. Flavorless bagels. Poor texture. Won’t go back. Brooklyn Bagel Bakery – They have two kinds of bagels: regular and a ‘New York style’ bagel. The latter was excellent, though I believe it only comes in Plain, and was possibly the best bagel I ate all day. Unfortunately, their non-New York style bagels (read: every other bagel in their store) were cakey and pretty awful. The pumpernickel tasted like it had added sweetner. The Everything bagel had lots of stuff on it, but the bagel itself was so poor that it wasn’t edible. I highly recommend the NY style bagel but can’t recommend anything else. Bottom line: A bagel from New York is the best option and there’s nothing in Los Angeles that really compares. Hopefully H&H will bring back flat shipping. In the meantime, if you live near Sam’s, go there. I live on the Westside, so guess I’ll keep searching… Mon Oct 06 10:40:07 -0700 2008 3555814 230636 Miriam22 2 4088142 Hi Miriam, thank you so much for your legwork (and mouthwork) on this. I live around the corner from The Bagel Broker, so it's been a long time since I've gone further afield for bagels. Of course Sam's isn't so far away, so I think I'll check them out next sunday when I go to try the roast chicken at the Larchmont farmers market. As for Brooklyn Bagel Bakery-- I've gone 3 times in my 12 years living in LA, and all three times I received a dense, hard-to-swallow, leaden monster of a bagel. I wonder if this "New York style" bagel is a new invention. Maybe I'll give them another shot... it sounds promising. Thanks again Mr Taster Tue Oct 07 10:51:34 -0700 2008 4085402 17579 Mr Taster 3 4214837 Just a great example of how different palates are looking for different things. I'm also from New York and also live around the corner from Bagel Broker, and I think they're fairly decent, but I drive the 20 minutes (give or take) to get to Brooklyn Bagel whenever I want the real thing. And I find Sam's Bagels (and Ess-A in NY by the way) to be the "cakey" ones that I try to avoid. In my book, Brooklyn is the opposite of cakey, whatever that is. Piey? N.B. I couldn't agree with you more, Miriam, about the Bagel Broker's "Everything" bagel. This is usually my variety of choice, but theirs is so heavy on cornmeal and light on everything else, that I'm forced to go Onion there if I want any kind of flavor. Someone please tell them what the definition of everything is...lots of every thing. Tue Dec 02 11:21:48 -0800 2008 4088142 127538 wutzizname 1 4089858 I'm from Brooklyn (originally) and believe me NYBD on WIlshire is the only thing that comes close. The owner is from Brooklyn too. Tue Oct 07 23:39:57 -0700 2008 3555814 43075 Chag78 2 4234385 I think that they have the best bagels in town, and don't forget their onion pletzels (boards). Everything is really good, they boil their bagels, and their really good. Tue Dec 09 20:17:45 -0800 2008 4089858 62097 paprkutr 3 4505746 we were in that part of town on Wilshire and I remembered these posts about NY bagel deli, so we tried a couple (spouse from NYC, I lived 16 years in mid-state) -- they were as close to n.y. bagels we could expect for the wrong corner of the country. Sat Mar 14 20:26:06 -0700 2009 4234385 11012 moto 1 4209089 Another vote here for Bueller's Bagels! There's one on Olympic in W. Los Angeles. Sat Nov 29 19:47:07 -0800 2008 3555814 244426 freddyfishsticks 1 4209536 Sams Bagels in Larchmont! 150 N Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 I highly recommend the rye bagel. Also love the artichoke parm. spread. Sun Nov 30 07:34:55 -0800 2008 3555814 239935 megs8 2 4236189 i always get pretty good bagels when i get my coffee at Conservatory Coffee and tea in Culver City, i dont know the address off hand but its off washington and clarington across from sony Wed Dec 10 12:10:16 -0800 2008 4209536 245987 casualcat 1 4236316 La Brea Bagel Co. On Beverly Blvd. and Poinsettia Pl. in Los Angeles. Kosher place. Great selection of bagels. I always get a toasted bagel with cream cheese sandwich with totmatoes, lettuce and cucumbers and red onion. Love teh rye bagels. Miri Wed Dec 10 12:42:10 -0800 2008 3555814 205451 Miri1 1 4629892 We need bagel and/or deli's on the east side -- Silverlake/Los Feliz. Yeah, we have Langers -- that's a drive and not open for dinner or Sundays (which is a major pain!). Just a few years ago, LA had so many bagel places -- I think w the carb dieting craze, many went out of business, but now w the recession, people want comfort food. Bring 'em back is what I say! Here me, prospective restaurateurs!? Sun Apr 26 10:57:41 -0700 2009 3555814 17418 Silverlaker 2 4630887 Brooklyn Bagel Sun Apr 26 18:15:35 -0700 2009 4629892 11914 monku 3 4631946 And if you're just looking to sit down with one and a cup, Silverlake Coffee gets Brooklyn Bagels fresh each day. Mon Apr 27 07:44:16 -0700 2009 4630887 127538 wutzizname 3 4632426 Unfortunately, my experience with Brooklyn Bagel Bakery is that they produce dense leathery wheels that are barely edible without loads of condiments to help it go down without scratching your throat up. A great bagel needs no embellishment. It has a layer on the outside which lightly cracks before giving way to the softer, chewier inside. Great bagels are soft and moist enough to eat like a German soft pretzel, but dense and chewy enough to hold up against some vigorous chewing. It should not be cakey or bready, nor should it be dense like a brick, as BBB's are. Me Taster Mon Apr 27 09:52:28 -0700 2009 4630887 17579 Mr Taster 4 4633010 Has anybody tried the NY Bagel Bistro (I know, kind of an odd name) in Sherman Oaks on Moorpark and Woodman? After living nearby for years I finally tried it when it appeared to have new ownership. They ain't the bagels I get in NY, but to my taste they're the best I've gotten in LA. Mon Apr 27 12:19:42 -0700 2009 4632426 11326 lad1818 5 4633245 its a hike but in claremont on foothill blvd sprouts shopping center a good independent bagel shop name escapes me.for the record im a poppy butter untoasted kind of guy Mon Apr 27 13:23:05 -0700 2009 4633010 129879 JimmyC 6 4634220 I wonder if this is where I used to go as a poor college student who just moved out here from CT in 1979. I used to carry them around in my back pack. Mon Apr 27 18:25:22 -0700 2009 4633245 10883 JAB 6 4645940 Tasty Bagel in Claremont. Change in ownership, but still pretty good bagels. They have some heft to them. Fri May 01 11:25:41 -0700 2009 4633245 287810 bonnies 1 4737152 Barney's is great, but the best in town is the Nosh in Beverly Hills. Kettle boiled bagels as they should be done. Closest thing to the original I & Joy Bagels from the 60s. Tue Jun 02 16:38:16 -0700 2009 3555814 324143 BSW6490 1 4937989 The Nosh on little Santa Monica in Beverly Hills has the best Kettle boiled bagels in town. Close to the original I & Joy recipe from the 60s. Tue Aug 11 16:41:36 -0700 2009 3555814 324143 BSW6490 2 5048125 I am so excited to read your post. I & Joy from the 60's WAS "the bagel". When I left LA and moved to an area with NO deli food whatsoever, the things that passed and continue to pass for bagels was so upsetting I stopped trying. But lately, even in LA when I visit, they are not so good. I am heading for The Nosh and hoping to revisit I & Joy days!!! Mon Sep 21 23:03:50 -0700 2009 4937989 1091029 foodaspoetry 1 5048175 Label's Table, 9226 W. Pico Blvd., L. A. I've been to many places for bagels and this is my favorite. I love the Everything bagels, and their rye bread is the best. Tue Sep 22 00:00:50 -0700 2009 3555814 71206 Barbara Ladden