Where are the best bagels in the Bucks/Montgomery counties area?

[bucksguy14]

I'm jonesing for some really good bagels. NY style is possible. Anyone have recommendations for the Central Bucks/Central Montgomery counties area?

[middleagedfoodie]

Nate's off Grant Avenue, not far from southern Bucks and eastern Montgomery has decent bagels, though not consistent. We like whole wheat and sometimes they are practically white, while other times, you can see the whole grain. The good thing is, unlike other whole grain bagels, there is no sweetner like honey added.

[bucksguy14]

Thanks for all the replies. The Bagel Barrel is nearest to me, so that's the first I'll try and then I've give Ben & Irv's a go and then Bucks County Bagels if the first 2 don't work out.. Most of the other places mentioned seem to be what I consider Lower Bucks/Montgomery counties.

[cwdonald]

Enjoy your bagel odyssey. You might enjoy Slate's discussion of what make's a NY bagel different... they claim its the water. I can tell you that Bagel Barrel definitively does poach their bagels in water, but I have no idea what the calcium carbonate concentration is in Doylestown... Given that Bucks gets its water from sources further north in the Delaware Water Gap, it is likely more like NYC than say DC or SF which are sited in the article.

http://www.slate.com/id/2297583/

[gardens4me]

You have a point there about the water supply.

[CabooseWazgoose]

RJs has fallen off.

"Bagel Train" on Main Street in Yardley, Bucks County. Best bagels around!

[famdoc]

Bagel Barrel, Doylestown.
If they're making beer bagels, try one.

[cwdonald]

What are beer bagels?

[famdoc]

They use River Horse Ale in the baking process, imparting a slightly hoppy aroma and taste. They don't make them every day, so call ahead.

[cwdonald]

Was in their this morning.. forgot to ask what they were.. (the owner was there... ). Lox spread was very good.. really wish someone still made cream cheese with green olives... <sigh>>

[ilovesummer]

wow..cream cheese with green olives...there used to be a bagel shop in a little shopping center at 73/113 in skippack.....now a wawa....that had the BEST cream cheese with green olives!!! oh my1111

[cwdonald]

Famdoc.. spoke to the owner this morning on the way to the office.. here is aquick update on beer bagels. Evidently they used to get "left over" or even "spoiled" beer from River Horse .. this was a few years ago. River Horse later changed their process(I know they changed ownership.. do not know if it coincided with that change). Anyway the beer was used instead of water in the bagels.. and they got it for free from the brewery. River Horse no longer supplies it for free, and Bagel Barrel no longer makes beer bagels.

[gsElsbeth]

I like RJ's in Yardley/Morrisville

[cwdonald]

On York Road in Warminster/Warwick (not sure where the dividing line is .. ) Bucks County Bagels are not bad. Definitely baked fresh there... maybe not up to NY Bagel standards by any means but a decent bagel.

+1 for Ben and Irvs. I am curious where they source their bagels, because they go well with their nova or their whitefish salad.

[Hungryin theBurbs]

I'm not sure where they come from, but the bagels they have/sell at Ben & Irv's in Huntington Valley are very good (if that's central enough for you).

Personally, I think Rolings are the best in the area if you're willing to travel a bit further.

[Bigley9]

I was all set to say Rolings in Elkins Park but I guess that's not "central" Mont Co. or Bucks

[drcmk]

We like the bagels at the Whole Foods in Jenkintown best.

[gardens4me]

Sad to say, there aren't any. Certainly nothing that compares to H&H, now closing in NYC...a true tragedy, I feel. People don't know the difference anymore between a true water bagel and those rolls shaped like bagels and since the younger generations have never had the real thing, they can't demand it. Showing my age. I just had someone bring me 2 dozen from Murry's in NYC and they are in the freezer.

[cwdonald]

Re H&H, I do not think the whole chain is closing, only an outlet on the Upper West Side. The one on 46th street is open. That said, I would agree there is nothing like a new york bagel in Philadelphia ..

[barryg]

Capogiro gets fresh H&H bagels daily.