Bagels & Deli Vs. Hot Bagel

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

Arguing bagels in Brooklyn can be dangerous. Everybody has their favorite, and there’s usually no point in convincing them otherwise. Here in Kensington, I’m not sure we’ve got what anyone calls their favorite bagel, but we do have some good options, and they’re just down the street from each other.

Bagels & Deli (aka Bagels R Bakin, 410 Church Ave, between E 4th & E 5th Sts, 718-851-1735) has small, light bagels, which are passable, but they’re not going to win any awards. They have some sandwiches and drinks, but the selection is pretty small. The store closes up in the afternoon, and they run out of bagels before that, so this is really a morning-only stop.

Hot Bagel (127 Church Ave, between McDonald & E 2nd St, 718-438-5650) is the winner on Church. The bagels are bigger and have more chew to them, and they are, in fact, usually hot. There’s more of a selection for sandwiches, and plenty of drinks and other snacks and stuff you’d find in a deli. But the kicker is that they’re open 24 hours, so you can grab a good bagel any time of day or night.

There are a few other bagel options in the area–Steeplechase probably wins with their supply of Terrace Bagels, and the Oak & Iris and Soho Cafe offer bagels as well, though I haven’t tried them. Anyone have a local favorite? Or do you trek into Borough Park or Ditmas Park for your bagel fix?

[wpsqt name="What Is Your Favorite Bagel in Kensington?" type="poll"]

    - Mary

    Tags: , ,
    See All: Food & Drink

    • Eleanor

      I had a bagel at Soho Cafe that was perfectly good.  But you are exactly right about the secret of Terrace Bagels at Steeplechase – Terrace Bagels are award-winning, they keep really well at home for several days, and the fact that you can get one now at Steeplechase is great, because it’s nice to not always have to trek over to Windsor Terrace for them.

      Have not tried the other mentioned places on Church Ave but I can say, sadly, Catskill Bagels are terrible.  I really wanted to love them.

    • cat

      I voted for Bagels & Deli but meant to vote for Hot Bagel (no idea what either of their names are – just know them by location). Not sure if you can subtract one for Bagels & Deli – voted for both once. Bagels & Deli passable as you say but if you are going to have a bagel store shouldn’t the bagels be pretty darn good? particularly in Brooklyn?!

    • sa

      Hot bagel is okay when I don’t feel like walking. Otherwise, I usually go to Catskill bagels. I went into Bagels & Deli once and all they had were a few bagels that were so oddly shaped I decided against it..