Iconic bagel shop w/ huge, crusty bagels & tons of cream cheese. Expect lines, but worth it for the classic NYC bite.
Established in 1976, this iconic bagel shop is renowned for its large, crusty bagels with soft interiors and an extensive selection of house-made cream cheese flavors. Despite often long lines, it remains a beloved spot offering a full menu of bagel sandwiches, including popular options like the turkey club and pizza bagel.
The star of the show is undoubtedly the bagels, which are frequently described as large, chewy, and having a satisfying crust. Customers also rave about the wide variety of cream cheese flavors, with many recommending specific combinations. However, there are some dissenting opinions, with a few finding the bagels to be mid-tier or even dry and bland, and some question if the establishment lives up to its hype.
"Customers frequently praise the large, chewy bagels and the wide variety of cream cheese flavors. Specific mentions include the lox spread bagel and cream cheese sandwiches."
Overall, customers have a highly positive sentiment towards the bagels, frequently praising their size and texture. However, some reviews indicate inconsistency and a perception of being overhyped or not living up to expectations.
Important Note
Some customers find the bagels to be inconsistent in quality, with a few describing them as dry or bland. There are also reports of long wait times, and some believe the establishment is overhyped.
"Ess-a-Bagel is mentioned as a place with great bagels and is suggested as a potential option for the requested bacon, egg, and cheese flavored bagel."
Positive"Ess-a-Bagel is recommended for its bagels and is a popular spot in Manhattan. The commenter notes it as a potential place to find the desired bagel flavor."
Positive"The user is seeking breakfast recommendations for their NYC trip and included Ess-a-bagel in their list."
Neutral"This commenter mentioned Ess a bagel as a recommendation for lunch specials or buffet."
Neutral"The original Ess-A-Bagel is mentioned as being constantly busy but worth trying for bagels."
Positive"This user notes that Essa's bagel quality has declined since 2019, possibly due to a deal to supply pre-packaged bagels to various locations."
Negative"The original poster recalls having a good black and white cookie at Essa during a previous visit to the city, though they didn't actively seek out the 'best'."
Positive"The sauce on the pizza bagel was compared to Spaghetti-Os, which might be a comfort for some but unappealing to others. The cheese was better than Black Seed's, and the author chose an onion bagel which was deemed a fine choice."
Neutral"The commenter suggests contacting Ess-a-Bagel with photos if the bagels were unsatisfactory. They shared an experience with Goldbelly refunding a late cake delivery."
Neutral"The commenter has mixed feelings about Ess-a-Bagel, finding their bagels to be decent in flavor and texture but inconsistent in size. They prefer Utopia Bagel in Queens."
Neutral"The commenter believes Ess-a-Bagel's bagels are actually on the smaller side compared to other NYC bagel shops like Bagel Pub, which offer larger portions."
Negative"The commenter finds Ess-a-Bagel to be a tourist trap and recommends NY Jumbo Bagel nearby for better bagels and lox sandwiches, particularly with onions and capers."
Negative"The original poster clarifies that the Goldbelly package did not specify mini-bagels and that Goldbelly offered compensation. Their primary concern was whether Ess-a-Bagel had reduced its standard bagel size."
Neutral"Ess-a-Bagel does offer mini bagels. It's possible the original poster's sister mistakenly ordered the mini size instead of the regular ones."
Neutral"The original poster is seeking a balance in bagel size, preferring neither comically large nor excessively small bagels, aiming for what they consider a 'Goldilocks' size."
Neutral"The original poster acknowledged that while bagels might have been smaller in the past, the ones they received were not a return to an old-school style but rather a noticeable reduction in size."
Neutral"The commenter visited the Midtown Ess-a-Bagel location for the first time and found the bagel to be chewy and dry, which was a disappointing experience."
Negative"The commenter noted that NYC bagels have generally become oversized, preferring smaller ones. They mentioned a Brooklyn place making old-style bagels and that they opt for bialys over large, pillowy bagels."
Neutral"The original poster noted that the Goldbelly bagels were noticeably smaller than those from a local LA bagel shop, Bagel Nosh, and provided a photo for comparison."
Neutral
