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MORE ON THE SPIKE JOINT.
Reliable sources assure me that the burger restaurant associated with Top Chef's Spike is really a project of his family, and they're not assholes, and he's only vaguely involved, and it'll be great. Maybe so. Though maybe not. If anyone goes, be sure to tell me how it is.
Meanwhile, a Bruegger's Bagels just opened up across from my office, and I went in hoping for a delicious lox-and-bagel. Turns out they recommend not using a bagel for their lox-and-bagel, but instead using some bastardized square of mush called a "soft-which." I can't even find the words.
COMMENTS (9)
"Meanwhile, a Bruegger's Bagels just opened up across from my office, and I went in hoping for a delicious lox-and-bagel. Turns out they recommend not using a bagel for their lox-and-bagel, but instead using some bastardized square of mush called a "sift-which." I can't even find the words."
Bruegger's is to bagels as McDonald's is to hamburgers.
They produce simulacrums of bagels, but not actually bagels.
Posted by: Petey | April 18, 2008 12:25 PM
I wonder how bad bagels even sell. The local store brands are like wonder-bread, not even boiled.
It brings up the topic of regional foods. How is it that in San Francisco 99% of the burritos are great but in New York they are hit and miss. Bagels in New York are reliably delicious with just a few bad ones out there. But what are the market forces that keep the good bagels out of San Fran and the good burritos out of NY?
Posted by: Captured Shadow | April 18, 2008 12:52 PM
You actually expected a delicious bagel at Bruegger's? I guess you've never been to Bruegger's Bagels.
Actually, I'm just surprised that Bruegger's has a location in D.C. They opened some places in the D.C. area about a decade or so ago and they disappeared quickly because the bagels were a cut below those offered elsewhere. (Not to say the bagels in the D.C. area are so fabulous, but places like Bagel City are certainly better.)
Posted by: Eric | April 18, 2008 1:07 PM
Come to Minnesota...where Brueggers bagels are better than the even-worse alternatives like Panera
Posted by: Paul | April 18, 2008 1:34 PM
Captured Shadow, does Levy's Bagels in downtown SF still exist? They had the best bagels.
Those things they sell at Noah's are abominable (but tasty!) frauds.
Posted by: Tyro | April 18, 2008 4:04 PM
Ezra,
I sense that you are clinging to bagels out of bitterness over your economic situation. Wait, you can't be...you're not in the midwest!
Full disclosure: I like Brueggers and Panera bagels.
Posted by: Kevin | April 18, 2008 9:54 PM
Yo, Ez -
I'm a NYC'er for 30 yrs now, for 13 years lived two blocks from H&H. In short, I know bagels. My parents live in a small town upstate w/ a Brueggers (I think actually the *original* Brueggers), and I gotta tell you, that shop at least makes a decent bagel. Not H&H caliber, but pretty good, and way better than the crap you'll find at supermkts, etc. Give it a try.
Posted by: mark | April 19, 2008 12:31 AM
..bagel ignorant alaskan here. I kinda thought Noah's was tasty.. at least they're the right shape! :p
Noah's is about the bestof the worst I imagine. Nothing out here is all that good.. would be great if somebody from NY felt like moving to a xozy city and setting us up with some of the real good stuff. (In case any bagel makers are reading this.)
Theres a real market for ya out here!
Posted by: david b | April 19, 2008 2:00 AM
Hey! I am from Vermont and I love Bruggers Bagels. They are exactly what you would expect from a state with extra mild salsa and no Jews! Just kidding.
I think with a franchise you have to judge each location. Some are great, some are mediocre.
Posted by: Colleen M | April 21, 2008 8:56 AM