Comments on: NYC Dining: Ess-A-Bagel

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:40:15 +0000

This may be a sin, but, does anyone have the secret recipe for any of the above mentioned heavenly sounding bread makers from god?
I am a New Yorker stuck overseas in a place where bagels are rarely seen and resemble hard donuts rather than what we all know they should be.
I know it’s supposed to be the water, but I’m willing to give it a try, just to get a hint of that flavor, texture, etc. …. Help.
I’ve checked the web, so I’m just curious if anyone has some better advice.
Thanks and my taste buds are jealous of all of you, NYC or NJ! Enjoy what you got!

By: NYC Dining: Tal Bagels « Off The Broiler

NYC Dining: Tal Bagels « Off The Broiler — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 13:57:43 +0000

[...] centered around what we were going to eat for breakfast the next morning. Determined to try every iconic appetizing store in New York City, I decided to stop for bagels. Fortunately, I didn’t [...]

By: offthebroiler

offthebroiler — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 16:49:24 +0000

I believe Sonny’s was the original shop to use Sonny Amster’s formula.

When I say Jersey I mean Northern NJ for the most part, not Livingson/Morristown/South Orange/Montclair.

By: FrankFrankFrank

FrankFrankFrank — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 15:26:32 +0000

You’re wrong about NJ bagels. Sonny’s in South Orange makes a fantastic old-school bagel, and Super Duper Bagels in Livingston is world-class. I actually prefer their bagels to H&H’s (my second-favorite).

By: Midtown Lunch » Sophie’s Cuban Update (Free Food Edition!), Midtown Links and the end of the week wrap up…

Fri, 02 Mar 2007 13:43:43 +0000

[...] Jason Perlow goes to Ess-a-Bagel… [Off the Broiler] [...]

By: offthebroiler

offthebroiler — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 16:46:29 +0000

Double0:

I believe there are still one or two places in Clifton that still use Sonny Amster’s “Watson” bagel recipe. You may have even pointed out on eG which ones they were. Do you remember?

By: Double0

Double0 — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 14:12:32 +0000

Having made and baked bagels as a teenager(In NY) I can tell you that one of the most important things about making bagels is if they are hand rolled. The machine made ones heat up the dough too much (I think most places use machines today). I can’t disagee with you more about NJ bagels, I can think of two places in Clifton that natch up with anything in NYC. AS far as APPY goes Ronnies in Hillsdale does a good job, but expensive.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 13:58:16 +0000

We order regularly from Ess-a-Bagels for delivery to our office on 57th and Madison. They are nice enough to put the everything bagel in a separate bag so it doesn’t “infect” the other bagels that are with it. LOL
Hands down, the best bagels around. Think I’ll place an order now!

By: Marco

Marco — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 14:10:14 +0000

A native New Yorker introduced me to Ess-a-Bagels on 1st in the early 90′s. I’ve never had a better bagel period.

By: offthebroiler

offthebroiler — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 05:04:15 +0000

Sandy I haven’t been to Murray’s, but I’ll check that out the next time I am in that area.

I haven’t been to Tal bagels either. So many bagel places, so little time.

By: offthebroiler

offthebroiler — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 22:03:39 +0000

Daniel I haven’t been to Sam’s, but some time I’ll check it out. I had been to Sonny Amster’s bakery, which had the special Watson bagels, but alas, the place is now closed.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 21:00:20 +0000

The bagels at Murray’s Bagels, Sixth Avenue, between 12th and 13th Street,are better.

By: Randi

Randi — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 16:03:33 +0000

Damn you Jason, I’m craving a good chewy NY bagel now. The only ones I’m familar with are from Florida though. Even though I was born in NY, I dont remember what a real NY bagel tastes like. Unfortunately, I only get fresh bagels when I’m back in Florida, I have to do with toasted ones the rest of the year because I refuse to eat what they call bagels in Ontario.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 13:01:41 +0000

I too grew up in NY, and consider myself a bagel maven. But the best? I’m putting my money on Sam’s in Wayne NJ! Yup, NJ.

By: culinary59

culinary59 — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 00:48:49 +0000

I lived a mere 3 blocks away from the Ess-a-Bagel on First Avenue for more than 8 years. This place truly is the real mccoy, with the smell of freshly baked bagels 24/7 and a great appetizing selection. Even the plain bagels are full of flavor, altho’ my fave is the everything bagel. It’s the one thing I really miss about living in that ‘hood — stopping by early Sunday AM for a bagel with a schmear.