In Search of a Decent Bagel
‘JOH_9103′
courtesy of ’star5112′
I’m not a huge breakfast person, but, in my opinion, one of life’s most precious graces is the bagel. I feel like in most major cities, particularly in NYC, decent bagel shops are a dime a dozen. There are enough that there can be significant controversy as to which shop is the best in the city, or even the best in a particular neighborhood. Unfortunately, this is not the case in DC. I’ve got my regular bagel shop, but my choosing it was more based on scarcity than on it actually being the best. So, readers, am I missing something, or are decent bagels a rarity in DC? Thus far, I’ve only found one shop that I’d call “good” and that’s Best Buns in Shirlington. What are your favorites?
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24 Responses to “In Search of a Decent Bagel”
February 1st, 2010 at 11:35 am
Having lived in NYC before as well, Whatsa Bagel in Cleveland Park was the closest thing to a NY bagel that I’d ever had. There were a lot of disappointed customers when they left that location.
So’s Your Mom in Adams Morgan carries their bagels. Bethesda Bagels is the main distributor.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:35 am
We enjoy Brooklyn Bagels in Arlington (Court House). Cash Only.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:37 am
I second Brooklyn Bagels!
February 1st, 2010 at 11:40 am
Bethesda Bagels is really good, so is Bagel City in Rockville. I live in AdMo, which makes So’s Your Mom my weekend morning standard, and also having lived in NYC — I approve.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:41 am
Definitely Brooklyn Bagel in Court House!
February 1st, 2010 at 11:45 am
I haven’t been there in a long time, but I second So’s Your Mom in Adams Morgan.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:50 am
Ize’s on Rockville Pike (just north of White Flint Mall)..they import their dough from Long Island weekly because of the mineral content in the water there that makes them better
February 1st, 2010 at 11:54 am
K Street Bagels, 2000 K street- sooooo good.
February 1st, 2010 at 12:11 pm
I agree with everyone else Brooklyn Bagel in Court House is great! I miss living close to there. Now that I live on Capitol Hill, I frequent Bagels and Baguettes by Union Station. Not as good as Brooklyn Bagel, but still good.
February 1st, 2010 at 12:17 pm
there is a little place in the old post office that has very decent bagels, not really a NY bagel per se, but very good, not like the “piece of bread shaped like a bagel” from ABP.
February 1st, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Brooklyn Bagel’s in Courthouse!
February 1st, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Bagel City on Rockville Pike. Awaiting the opening of Goldberg’s on Georgia just inside the Beltway too.
February 1st, 2010 at 1:37 pm
When downtown, K Street Bagel is the best, in Arlington I agree with the masses- Brooklyn Bagel in Courthouse is the way to go.
February 1st, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Without a doubt Brooklyn Bagels!
February 1st, 2010 at 2:32 pm
The Bagelry in Colesville, MD has awesome bagels.
February 1st, 2010 at 2:36 pm
My take is that if a person doesn’t want to find decent [insert food name here], similar to what he/she finds in [insert city name here], he/she won’t.
Others may disagree.
February 1st, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Its out of DC, but The Bagel Place in College Park has been there for over 20 years and is smashingly delicious.
February 1st, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Brooklyn Bagels and Bethesda Bagels are both good. Bagels And… in Annapolis is also really good. There used to be a good place in Georgetown but that shut down. Within DC the only half-way decent place is Brueggers, but it is totally hit-or-miss.
February 1st, 2010 at 9:24 pm
Bagels Etc in Dupont Circle (21st and P) is (in my humble opinion) the best bagel place in the city. They’re not NY-style, but they’re moist, chewy, and delicious. They also have outstanding schmear. I’ve missed them ever since moving out of Dupont 2 years ago. In Capitol Hill SE (my new hood), I think the best bagel is sold by Marvelous Market’s Eastern Market store. I don’t know who bakes them.
February 1st, 2010 at 9:25 pm
Calvert-Woodley on Connecticut in Van Ness imports H&H bagels from NYC!
February 1st, 2010 at 9:33 pm
OK I’ve pretty much given up finding good bagels in DC proper, I’m sorry Bagels Etc is BAD, K Street Bagel is BAD. So’s Your Mom is OK. Being from MA, I actually think Brueggers is a good option (and I don’t usually advocate chains) but the quality is reliably better than most DC options people have mentioned. I used to go to this place in College Park when I visited friends at UMD (totally forgot the name) that was good. Haven’t been anywhere else outside DC so can’t speak to them.
February 1st, 2010 at 9:51 pm
I’ve grown increasingly fond of Goldberg’s from what I’ve had from their Rockville store and am psyched that they are opening a location on Georgia just above 16th Street. I’m from New Jersey and think I know a good bagel when I have one and I’ve been impressed with the homemade bagels my wife has made from a recipe she adapted from the King Arthur cookbook. You can all come over for brunch if you bring the lox and whitefish (and I don’t mean whitefish spread — I mean a whole smoked whitefish that just stares at you as you eat its salty, oily insides).
February 1st, 2010 at 11:12 pm
Bagels Etc is yummy! Though a bit overwhelming at first if you go in while they’re busy… feels like getting yelled at. But now that I’ve gone a few times they see me walk in and with just a nod they start making my usual. Ultimately, good people and good bagels.
They do make their bagels daily, and not all days are created equal :)
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:46 pm
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