Tal Bagels (click for other locations)
977 1st Ave, New York, NY
(212) 753-9080
Full of burger meat from the Gothamist/AHT QBQ and heading back over the Queensboro Bridge from Long Island City, my thoughts 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 have to go far. Only two blocks from the Queensboro Manhattan exit is Tal Bagels, arguably one of the best appetizing stores and bagel shops in the entire city.
The Tal Bagel store on 1st Avenue. I’m not sure if this is their original location but this is as old school as appetizing stores get. This particular Tal branch is open until 11:00 at night.
You want tight? You want chewy? You want crusty? Oy, such demands. Click on the “Read the rest of this entry” link below, you meshuggener.
Tal has ample seating for those of you who prefer to eat your bagels in.
Nice looking nova, lox and whitefish.
Spreads and salads galore.
The main event, the bagels themselves. I for one am extremely impressed with the bagel that is being produced at this store — unlike some of the other well-known bagel stores in the city, such as Ess-a-Bagel or H&H, which are on the obese side, these bagels are traditionally sized, have a nice crust, and are chewy without being too doughy in the middle. You would never, ever confuse these bagels for rolls, and are not the kind of bagels you want to give to your 85 year old grandparents visiting from Boca Raton or Miami Beach — you really have to exercise your jaw when eating these things. This is a true old-fashioned bagel. The Bialys are also very good too. Order a dozen, you get 15.
In addition to bagels, Tal also bakes bread, cookies, muffins, pretzels, and all other kinds of things on premises.
Off The Broiler 