An important thing about traveling back to the United States means I can get a true New York City style bagel.
The ones in London are good, but you know, it’s not the same. It just isn’t.
So when I was in New York, there was only one place to go: Ess-a-Bagel.
I made the executive decision to get bagels here and try somewhere new following Alexandra’s from When I’ve Got Time (@AKBoogie on Instagram) Instagram post from the last time she was there. (Also, seriously check out her excellent foodie account because it will make you feel all kinds of food envy).
Located in Midtown, on 51st and 3rd, this classic bagel and coffee shop is a fast moving, no nonsense sort of joint. You do not slow down in this line. Don’t take more than 5 seconds to order. Definitely don’t ask too many questions. Needless to say, as a generally undecided food orderer, I was under pressure.
Normally, so several people remarked while standing in the line, there’s a queue out the door. Maybe we were in luck due to the freezing cold, because there’s no way in hell someone was going to stand outside and wait for a bagel with those temperatures.
I had to get a bagel with lox. So I got a wheat bagel, toasted with cream cheese, lox and a little bit of lettuce. This bagel will fill you up for the majority of the day.
Joe kept things easy by choosing a ham and cheese bagel. Before going outside, we decided to sit in and grab a table. This isn’t about dining in beauty. Bagels and all sorts of breaded goodness adorns the customer tables wrapped up in plastic, ready for deliveries. There’s either space for you or there’s not. It’s very, very New York.
We sat and I managed to eat half my bagel before we needed to run out the door and onto our next adventures. Obviously, I ate it on the go by the way. Joe was off to his work’s headquarters in Connecticut and I was a lone wolf for the morning before I met up later with friends.
PS. This isn’t a cheap bagel shop. At Ess-a-Bagel it cost $25 for two bagels and two coffees.
Worth it though.
Kelly xox