Are there any good Bagel Appetizing Spots left in Queens that aren't filthy or lousy?

[janie]

For dietary reasons, Had sort of given up on bagels for several years, but went to get some fresh stuff for the this weekend--So, frustrated, drove around to a bunch of places today in the Forest Hills, Rego Park, Kew Gardens area looking for some quality stuff, and found none--well, one that was passable, (Gotta Getta Bagel) but no destination by any means. I miss the days of Bagelette on 63rd Road in Rego Park, they were spotless, their bagels were wonderful, and their salads and spreads always fresh and excellent--had several parties catered from there as well as going there all the time

..but, the owner who was Kosher, sold it, and moved on around 2006, and the current incarnation of Bagellette is an abominination--went there today to see if anything had improved and it's only worse---the place is filthy, caked dirt on the floor everywhere, the salads look pitiful, and nothing there is fresh, it all looks recylcled---stay far away from this dump----

I just don't understand the grime that exists on the floor and walls of so many of these bagel dumps, have they not heard of Mr. Clean, and scrubbing everything? I certainly hope the new grading system of the DOH will take care of these places--

Anyway--
Baker's Dozen Bagels--Bagel place on Lefferts in Kew Gardens--their bagels aren't half bad, but the line takes forever, the atmosphere is a dump, also, filthy as can be--the peeling tiles where people put their feet sitting on the stools is atrocious--their salads not very interesting, or fresh looking---and the workers not too hygenic either, and that's being nice.

Adam's Bagels and Deli on Woodhaven--Rego park--basically a generic deli, with some bagel choices--bagels looked lousy, and spreads, well, nothing interesting there--

Bagelicious on 108th Street and 64th Ave Rego Park--small place, actually many years ago, this place used to be great--but it's another dump, complete with the grungy dirty floor, small bagel selection, spreads nothing to look at---and guess what, no air conditioning!

Gotta Getta Bagel on Continental in Forest Hills--long line, good selection of bagels, and spreads look fresh and good assortment, nothing too good in the smoked fish choices--grimy floor, but tables looked clean at least, and they wear gloves, and were pretty efficient getting the line moving, if not too friendly..bagels bit too hard on outside and dry inside--got a few spreads to test--let's put it this way, it ain't no Ess-A-Bagel.

Bagel Place in Forest Hills near walgreen shopping center--haven't been here in awhile, but it's been closed by the DOH several times, and well, that should tell you everything you need to know--don't go. Not sure if they had a fire recently or another place further up QB...I think on 75th ave

Bagels for You on QUeens bLvd near Sam Ash--can't stand this place--they used to be St. Petersburg bagels that was in the former bank which is now a pharmacy near 64th Ave in Rego Park--when St. Petersburg first opened they were terrific but it was short lived.

Hot Bagels and Bialys on QB towards Kew Gardens,,,have not been here in a very very long time, so no idea what things look like or taste like there--so, would be interested in hearing their range of spreads, etc....

Bagel place next to Q Thai Bistro on Ascan--in Forest Hills BAGELS, etc--closed by the DOH and lousy inspections--and well, more importantly, their bagels suck--and there spreads uniformly lousy---

Bagelot in Briarwood on QB, anybody been there?

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And so I ask my fellow hounds, for suggestions for top notch Bagel and Appetizing places in Queens, anywhere in Queens, I will travel by car--No dumps, please...clean, and nicely presented fresh food, and bagels that are chewy not dry, and not hard as rock on their exteriors---Wouldn't it be nice to have a killer bagel/appetizing, sandwich spot on Metropolitan ave in the Forest Hills/Kew Gardens stretch?????

Thanks for some help!!!!

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Bagelette
97-42 63rd Rd, Queens, NY 11374

Gotta Getta Bagel
10709 71st Ave, Queens, NY 11375

Bagelicious
64-01 108th St, Queens, NY 11375

[IWantFood]

I have the same problem (see this thread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/5371...). I've also been to every place you mention and agree with you on every count.

I've found Utopia Bagels to be decent. Probably not the "utopian bagel" you're looking for, to make a play on words, but that most likely does not exist in Queens; if it does, I'd love to find it. Utopia Bagels also has spreads and smoked fish (lox, etc).

If you're willing to travel, Fairway in Plainview has a large variety of excellent smoked fish and spreads, as well as acceptable bagels.

Bagelot in Briarwood, which was also dirty, closed many years ago.

Have not been to Hot Bagels & Bialys in many years but have been meaning to try them again.

[janie]

Thanks for the response,--glad to know it's not my imagination!---I will try the Utopia bagels and post my findings, and will also go to Hot Bagels/Bialys near Kew Gardens, and see what's up there...Did you ever try P/C Bagels or Hot Bagels at 79th and Metropolitan Ave in Middle Village? What about CS Bagels on Grand Avenue? I read the thread you linked to, and see that Oasis was not to your liking--so, I'll be sure to skip that one...I think I've gone to Bagels and Co, before and was not impressed, in Fresh Meadows, correct?-- They are Israeli there, if I remember correctly..it's been awhile since I was there---at least several years..It's sad when I can think of more places in Florida to go to, than in Queens for good bagels and appetizing...

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Hot Bagels
79-05 Metropolitan Ave, Queens, NY 11379

CS Bagels
71-02 Grand Ave, Queens, NY 11378

[IWantFood]

I've been to Hot Bagels at 79th And Metropolitan. The first time it was okay, the second time it was inedible and the bagels had a foul smell (you know when water and raw egg combine? That's what it smelled like). Tried them a third time and it was okay, nothing great. I'll stop there only if I'm already in the area and really want a bagel, since it's inconvenient for me to go to Utopia Bagels. Otherwise, I will only buy bagels at Utopia now.

I don't care for Bagels & Co. in Fresh Meadows, either.

There's a bagel place called Bagels and Cream at the corner of Union Turnpike and Surrey Place, one block from Barnes & Noble and two blocks from St, John's U. It's a large eatery with tables, variety of cream cheese and salads (expensive!), some smoked fish. The bagels are baked on-site and are good quality, but I don't consider them to be real bagels--they're bread-like inside and don't taste, to me, the way a real bagel should. Tastes differ, so you might give them a try.

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Utopia Bagels
19-09 Utopia Pkwy, Queens, NY 11357

Hot Bagels
79-05 Metropolitan Ave, Queens, NY 11379

[BigV]

Utopia Bagels is my favorite bagel in Queens or anywhere in NYC for that matter. It's worth the drive. My wife is on her way there for me this am :)

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Utopia Bagels
19-09 Utopia Pkwy, Queens, NY 11357

[EricMM]

Actually, the lox and smoked fish at Gotta Get a Bagel is pretty decent...I find their bagels dry and boring. The bagels at Bagelette are still good, as is their smoked fish. I don't bother with the salads, but their whitefish spread is good. The place near Walgreens has bagels as good as Bagelette, but nothing else is worthwhile there. Adam's Deli has huge bagels, no hole...almost like rolls...not great, but better than Gotta Get a Bagel.

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Bagelette
97-42 63rd Rd, Queens, NY 11374