When it comes to breakfast, New York City is the city of bagels.  New York prides itself on the bagel – the perfect, filling breakfast for on-the-go New Yorkers.  I personally stopped eating bagels once I read that calorie wise, one bagel is equal to five slices of bread (yikes!), but every once in a while I need to indulge.  I recently had that urge during a quick trip to NYC so I made the journey to midtown to a classic little bagel place I’d heard about…

In the bagel world, Ess-a-Bagel is an institution.  I mentioned before that I rarely eat bagels so I guess that’s my excuse as to why I waited until my last week in New York to finally go to this place, but my my my was it worth the wait!  In bagel speak, I ordered a BEC with SP no K, that would be a bacon, egg and cheddar with salt and pepper, no ketchup.  Because my conscience was bothering me about the five slices of bread thing, I ordered an oat bran bagel but had I thrown caution to the wind I would have gone with Poppyseed.  Needless to say, I was in no way disappointed.

I’m still dreaming about this bagel

As if great bagels weren’t enough, the entire experience of Ess-a-bagel makes it worth a visit.  Established in 1976 by an Austrian baking family, Ess-a-bagel has received national accolades for not only their bagels but their wide variety of salads, cream cheese, pastries and meats.  On the morning I stopped by, the majority of the employees were sweet, yet no-nonsense older gentleman who clearly had a love of classic New York deli food.  The line flew by as the men took orders with ease but lucky for me, my guy probably noticed the panicked look of a first time visitor on my face and was super patient with me while I asked questions and eventually ordered.  After feeling confident with my order, I took in the scene and aroma of fresh bagels, spreads and specialty salads. If I had more time I would have stayed for lunch!

By the way, if you’re watching your figure like I occasionally pretend to do, you can order your bagel scooped out! It will save you dozens of calories while giving providing a carb fix. If you want to say “screw it” like I did, by all means! The plus side? After this bagel I wasn’t hungry again until dinner!