Giant, chewy bagels w/ 18+ cream cheese flavors. A true NYC classic.
Ess-a-Bagel, a New York institution since 1976, is renowned for its exceptionally large and satisfyingly chewy bagels. These aren't your average breakfast fare; they boast a delightful crust and a soft, pillowy interior. With 18 house-made cream cheese flavors ranging from sweet to savory, and a comprehensive menu of bagel sandwiches, it's a go-to spot for a classic New York experience, even with the inevitable queues.
Ess-a-Bagel is celebrated for its generously sized, chewy bagels with a satisfying crust and soft interior. They offer a wide variety of house-made cream cheeses, including both sweet and savory options. While many recommend the bagels, some reviews suggest inconsistency in quality or that the bagels may not live up to the hype.
"The large, chewy bagels with a wide variety of cream cheese flavors are highly recommended, as are bagel sandwiches."
Customers generally have positive feelings towards Ess-a-Bagel, praising its large, chewy bagels and extensive cream cheese options. However, some find it overhyped or inconsistent.
Important Note
Some reviews suggest inconsistency in quality, with some finding the bagels overhyped or not living up to expectations, while others praise specific locations and offerings.
"This commenter mentioned that friends prefer the dense bagels from Ess-a-Bagel, contrasting them with fluffier styles like Liberty Bagels."
Positive"This user described the Financial District Ess-a-Bagel as awful, noting stale bagels and poorly prepared sandwiches with insufficient or sloppily cut ingredients."
Negative"Ess-a-Bagel is recommended as an old-school option for good, plain NY-style bagels without gimmicks."
Positive"This user criticized Ess-a-Bagel for microwaving eggs for their hot food, which negatively impacted their perception despite good bagels."
Negative"This user found the Financial District location of Ess-a-Bagel to be poor, suggesting quality may have decreased with expansion and recommending David's Bagels as a better alternative nearby."
Negative"This user expressed support for Ess-a-Bagel, suggesting it deserved better recognition."
Positive"This user questioned why Ess-a-Bagel was not included in a 'best bagels' list, implying it was an oversight."
Neutral"This commenter humorously suggested that it might be a good day to get a discount on bagels, possibly referencing the date."
Neutral"This user suggests that Utopia bagels might freeze better than Ess-a-Bagel due to being less doughy, but acknowledges Ess-a-Bagel's quality."
Neutral"This user criticizes Ess-a-Bagel as being too doughy compared to other NYC bagel spots and advises against freezing bagels if not necessary, preferring to toast them after a few days."
Negative"This user cuts Ess-a-Bagel bagels into thirds before freezing them and then toasts them directly from the freezer for a delicious result."
Positive"This commenter states that Ess-a-Bagel is the best and confirms that freezing is the recommended method for preserving them."
Positive"This user regularly brings bagels from Ess-a-Bagel to Maine, finding that freezing them and reheating in the oven provides a good, though not quite fresh, result."
Positive"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
