The Bagel Kings of The Five Towns: Who’s Got the Best Base for a Shmear?

By Natalia Kozikowska and Deanna Del Ciello
Standard Staff

It’s hard to walk a few blocks around The Five Towns without finding at least one bagel place for your morning breakfast run. With such a large variety in the area, residents can satisfy every type of taste bud. Whether you prefer a plain bagel, a toasted bagel, or a funky cinnamon raisin or Black Russian bagel, The Standard’s intrepid tasting panel agrees that all the local bagel options are pretty good. We tested and rated eight bagel places in The Five Towns and made our comparisons based upon plain bagels available at kosher and non-kosher establishments even though most places have many different flavors and options. Those options along with toppings and stuffings can make a significant difference in a bagel’s ultimate taste but we opted to evaluate based on classic regular bagels to even out the playing field.

Bagels were originally exclusively a Jewish bread but have long since crossed-over into the American culinary mainstream so much so that bagels can be found even in mass-market establishments such as Dunkin’ Donuts. Bagels are a staple for many a breakfast and lunch and because they are such an important part of our daily cuisine we ventured forth to review our area’s best bagels.

A variety of bagels

Bagel Boss – 3.1 Stars

$0.95 Each ? $10.00 per Dozen

Bagel Boss claims that their food is something its customers will “always remember” but the panel seemed to feel that their plain bagel was more on the average side. At best, our panel felt the bagel was tasty but a little too thick and chewy. Bagel Boss, however, does offer its customers a large variety bagel options including sesame, pumpernickel, garlic, onion, poppy, everything, bialys, salt, salt sugar free, cinnamon raison, rye, Kaiser rolls, black Russian, egg, egg onion, egg everything, honey whole wheat and marble. Bagel Boss is located at 1352 Peninsula Boulevard in Hewlett. (516) 569-8600.  Kosher, check certification.

“Nice chewy and tasty interior. Crust is too soft, but overall good tasting bagel.”

“I agree that the crust is too soft but I think it was too chewy.”

“It’s a very chewy bagel. A little too thick chewy and thick.”

“I thought it was tasty but it was way too chewy.”

“I think it’s tasty. It’s okay.”

Bagel Island – 4.1 stars

$0.90 each – $7.80 per dozen

Bagel Island made our panel’s top three favorites and not only that, but it’s also kosher. Our panel felt that Bagel Island’s plain bagel was the best looking out of all that were tasted, while also having a great texture and crunchy crust. Bagel Island is located at Rockaway Turnpike, Bagel Island offers much more than just bagels. Their menu includes salads, soups, wraps, sandwiches, pizza and desserts. A very affordable menu, all items are under $10.00, except for Nova Lox, which weighs in at $27.99 per pound. Bagel Island is located at 480 Rockaway Turnpike, Lawrence. (516) 239-6122. Kosher, check certification.

“I think this is the prettiest looking bagel. It’s bronze and well-done. It wins the beauty contest. It’s pleasant. There is nothing extraordinary happening but it’s very pleasant. It’s not too doughy, I like the crust.”

“I’m not a big fan of sweet bagels but if I were this would definitely be the place to get it. Texture was great, crust was crunchy enough. It was soft, it tasted fresh. I liked it.”

“I liked the crust. I liked the overall flavor of the bagel. I think it was a good slightly above average bagel.”

“I normally prefer saltier bagels, but I really enjoyed the sweetness of this one. I thought it had a nice buttery taste that I haven’t tasted in the other bagels. I thought it was a really great crust and inside had a perfect amount of doughiness. I really like this one.”

“Beautiful crust. Great flavor.”

Real bagels are boiled, not baked.

Bagelo- 3.5 stars

$1.00 Each ? $12.00 per Dozen

Bagelo is famous in The Five Towns for its large breakfast menu, deli sandwiches and wraps and their bagels are pretty good too! The panel felt that the bagels were very attractive and it had a subtle salty taste which is more appropriate for their salty spreads like olive cream cheese or vegetable cream cheese. Bagelo is located at 26 Franklin Avenue in Hewlett and 1023 Broadway in Woodmere. (516) 295-1879 (Hewlett). (516) 569-7052.

“This is a very fluffy looking bagel. This one is a little more on the saltier side, which I like. Saltier bagels go better with nova and lox. It’s kind of doughy but it’s a good overall texture.”

“I thought it was a little too soft personally for my taste. I think it could have been a little bit crispier. I thought it was an average bagel.”

“I liked the taste. It was saltier instead of sweet like some of the other bagels. I think it was fairly average.”

“I like the saltiness of it but I thought it was too doughy, it could have been crispier. It also looked on the smaller side.”

“I think it was salty and had a good taste. It’s an average bagel.”

Bagelry- 3.2 stars

$0.90 each – $10.60 per dozen

Bagelry’s plain bagel is our panel’s honorable mention for best crust. Our panel felt that while the inside of the bagel was lacking in taste, the crust was excellent which saved the bagel. Besides the crust however, our panel felt that this bagel didn’t have anything else special about it. Bagelry, located in Cedarhurst, specializes in bagels and offers customers a variety including pumpernickel, sesame, everything, whole-wheat and cinnamon raisin bagels. Bagelry is located at 507 Central Ave in Cedarhurst. (516) 295-1222

“Classic looking bagel. Excellent crust. But I’m not grooving on the inside of the bagel, I find it to be very bland. I think the crust is way better than the inside.”

“It’s a little bit of a bland taste. It wasn’t salty, it wasn’t sweet. I think it was the right amount of crunchy but it didn’t taste that fresh, in my opinion.”

“I think this is the best crust we’ve had, but I think the inside is very bland. It doesn’t have much unique flavor to it.”

“It’s very bland, there wasn’t any taste to it. The crust was really great, it is the perfect crunchy crust you want for a bagel, it just didn’t have anything else going for it.”

“Perfect amount of crunchy. I think it was kind of salty but it was too flour-y, but still I will eat it.”

Classic bagel and lox.

Gotta Getta Bagel ? 3.2 stars

$1.00 each – $12 per dozen, 6 extra included for free with a dozen

Located in Woodmere, Gotta Getta Bagel offers kosher bagels. Our panel found their plain bagel to be on the sweeter side and chewy. While our panel enjoyed the size of the bagel, there wasn’t much else that our panel loved about this bagel. Gotta Getta Bagel offers a variety of bagel toppings, breakfast items, sandwiches and catering. Kosher, check certification. Gotta Getta Bagel is located at1039 Broadway in Woodmere. (516) 569-6628. Gottagettabagel@gmail.com

“This is a seriously sized bagel but it’s also a little pale-faced. Kind of needs some fresh air and sunlight. It’s also on the sweet side. I would call this an average inoffensive bagel.”

“I thought it was a little too sweet for my taste. It also didn’t taste very fresh to me. I’d say it’s subpar as far as bagels.”

“I think it’s too sweet. It’s too chewy. It doesn’t taste that fresh.”

“I like the way it tasted but I think it’s too sweet for a bagel. I also think the crust is too chewy but it was still satisfying.”

“I think it tasted sweet. It has good flavor but it’s too big.”

Island Bagel Bar- 4.2 stars

$0.35 Each ?$10.00 per Dozen

Island Bagel Bar comes in at a close second for best bagels in The Five Towns. Our panel particularly enjoyed the hefty size and crispiness of the exterior. They also seemed to agree that Island Bagel Bar offers its customers a larger-than-average size that will leave you full, even after one bite! The bagels tasted super fresh and The Standard gives it two thumbs up. Island Bagel Bar is located on 284 Burnside Avenue in Lawrence. (516)-371-3357.

“It’s a hunky bagel. I like the crispiness of the crust, its good crispiness. It’s a very pleasant taste and just the right amount of chewiness, not too much, not too little.”

“It tasted very fresh like they just made it. I also think it’s a very attractive bagel, very big for its size. I thought it could be just a little bit crunchier.”

“I think it’s a very filling bagel. It has a good flavor (even though it’s plain). I like the chewiness of it but it could be a little less chewy.”

“I thought the crust could have been a little bit crispier. I thought it had pretty good taste but it could have been tastier. It’s a hearty bagel you take a bite of it and you’re satisfied.”

“I think it’s beautiful. It was a little too fluffy so I dislike that part but overall it’s a very good bagel.”

Bakers wake up earlier than most to get their bagels ready.

Magic Bagels ? 4.5 stars

$0.95 Each ? $10.00 per Dozen

The panel has voted and the best bagels in the Five Towns are from Magic Bagels! Magic Bagels’ slogan is “The best tasting bagels anywhere,” and we agree. Their bagels are baked fresh throughout the day and they are also pretty good looking. Magic Bagels also has a wide selection of different bagels to choose from like their poppy, sesame, salt, everything, whole wheat, pumpernickel, egg, onion, French toast, cinnamon raisin and bialys. Magic Bagels is located at 1749 Peninsula Boulevard in Hewlett. (516) 374-3384.

“The bagel has an appropriate amount of suntan for the summer. Nice golden glow. It has a semi-crispy crust. It could be a little crispier but a lot of good taste and balanced chewiness.”

“I think it’s a very attractive bagel. I think it’s the right amount of crunchy and I thought it was very tasty.”

“It’s a good looking bagel. I think it’s very tasty, especially for a plain bagel. Good amount of chewy and crunchy.”

“It was a very solid looking bagel. I knew if I ate the whole thing I wouldn’t still be hungry afterwards. Tastes a little salty to me, but that added more taste so that’s good. I like the texture too.”

“It is very good. I think it’s fresh and crunchy and I love it.”

Everything Bagel

Toddy’s ?  3.1 stars

$1.00 each – $12.00 per dozen

Toddy’s plain bagel is tied for second best kosher bagel by our panel. Our panel found Toddy’s plain bagel to be sweet, with the appropriate amount of doughiness and crunchiness in the crust. While our panel enjoyed the flavor the bagel was slightly too chewy. Toddy’s offers a wide range of bagels while also giving customers many other breakfast and brunch choices. Toddy’s is located at 436 Central Ave in Cedarhurst. (516) 295-1999. Kosher, check certification.

“I’d say it’s a very classic looking bagel. It has sweetness to it. I like the doughiness of the inside and I think that the crust is the appropriate crunchiness.”

“I thought it was very simple. I didn’t think there was anything special about it. I think it’s a little too chewy. It didn’t taste that fresh to me.”

“I think it’s a little too chewy. I like the flavor it’s a little different than your average bagel. It was too hard to rip apart.”

“It was definitely too hard to rip apart. I like the inside way better than the outside. The crust was too doughy, there wasn’t enough differentiation between the crust and the inside of the bagel.”

“It’s not so crunchy but I like the flavor. It tastes a little sweet, I love that.”

Best Overall Winner: Magic Bagels in Hewlett

Best Kosher Bagel Winner: Bagel Island on Rockaway Turnpike

Best Crust Honorable Mention: Bagelry in Cedarhurst