Bagel Hole

They always had bagels that are among the nicer ones in the neighborhood especially when you get ones that are freshly prepared and consumed in short order. The service part though not a primary consideration for a hole-in-the-wall joint was lacking tbh. However, they seemed to have hired staff recently that is more amiable and friendly so may be the management took notice.

I should caveat this review by saying that I believe half the joy of a bagel is the slightly melty cream cheese, and since they don't toast, this never happens here. Bagels are smaller than most, which I actually really like, but they're really dense, and the everything mix is both a little burned and overly salty. I still go sometimes and ask for whatever came out most recently, hoping it might still be warm. I believe this might have been a gem a long time ago, but certainly before I moved here.

If you’re looking for a classic simple NYC bagel with cream cheese, this is the place to get it. Their everything bagels are amazing. Yes they are on the smaller side but just get a second one if you want more. Go early to up your chances of getting a freshly made bagel as that is when they are busiest.

Best bagel that I’ve ever had. My partner and I used to live right by it in park slope and ate it once or twice every weekend. Now that we live further away we still drive there once every couple weeks because it’s that good. I even bring it as gifts when I visit friends outside the city. The bagels are small with a medium-thick rind. The interior is moist, dense, and chewy. They have the basic varieties, although the popularity of the spot means they run out of one kind or another not irregularly. A few things to keep in mind: 1) they don’t toast bagels, 2) it’s a popular spot so there may be a line, 3) the store itself is pretty beaten down (old looking appliances, poor lighting, a general washed-out feeling). That said, the bagel is so singularly delightful that it makes up for these shortcomings and then some.