I have always felt the same way. Originally from Brooklyn, as is the owner of Bagel Oasis I believe; I’ve always enjoyed bagel oasis more than others that purport to be “the best.”
For the sake of sharing SOME lore, even if not super important, Bagel Oasis actually has a counterpart up in Bellingham, WA called "The Bagelry." The owner of Bagel Oasis and the original owner of The Bagelry (they sold to long-time employees in 2015) are brothers and the recipes they use for their bagels are actually the exact same. The brothers just chose to open their businesses independently and not relate them to each other. I don't know Oasis that well, outside that I've enjoyed their bagels, but I know that the Bagelry's original owner even refused to toast their bagels throughout his ownership (they have a toaster setup now); hell I think they were cash only til after the sale.
But yeah, did not realize how spoiled I was growing up in Bellingham with those bagels til I moved down to Seattle. Nothing I've had in Cap Hill or anywhere Downtown has satisfied me at all.
Hey there! As a New Yorker I respectfully ask that you revisit Bagel Oasis when you get the chance. Went there today and their everything bagel was mediocre by Seattle standards at best (and I was there early this morning), nowhere near as good as your average NY bagel.
You’re not the first person to say this so I think I need to do a third visit and see what the deal is. I think there are some consistency issues that need to be addressed.
Here's a weird detail I found out by talking the owner a few years ago. I mentioned that I really like their cream cheese, asked if they hand mush the flavors in or what. He said they use Pauly cream cheese. Never heard of it. Quick search reveals it's just the stuff you buy at Costco Business. Kinda anti climatic. Still good but...
I used to live a few blocks from here and didn't realize how spoiled/blessed I was until I went, well, pretty much anywhere else. One thing I've found over the years is that their sesame bagel is consistently the best - flavor, baking time, etc. I find the everything's to often be far softer - not in a good way. Try the sesame next time with scallion cream cheese. Money.
Thanks for this work you've done and this recommendation. I'm a Chicago, not east coast, transplant, but definitely looking for a bagel to call home. Bagel Oasis was fantastic and you've got me incredibly excited for Mt. Bagel.
I've always loved them, and my friend who grew up in Queens Village swears by them (and wouldn't eat anything but the plain, as he considered anything but plain, sesame, or onion to be for the goyim). I used to stop by their Fremont location (RIP) and got them so fresh out of the oven I burned my mouth on one of them. There also used to be a kosher bakery next door that was one of the few places you could get fresh challah.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I have always felt the same way. Originally from Brooklyn, as is the owner of Bagel Oasis I believe; I’ve always enjoyed bagel oasis more than others that purport to be “the best.”
For the sake of sharing SOME lore, even if not super important, Bagel Oasis actually has a counterpart up in Bellingham, WA called "The Bagelry." The owner of Bagel Oasis and the original owner of The Bagelry (they sold to long-time employees in 2015) are brothers and the recipes they use for their bagels are actually the exact same. The brothers just chose to open their businesses independently and not relate them to each other. I don't know Oasis that well, outside that I've enjoyed their bagels, but I know that the Bagelry's original owner even refused to toast their bagels throughout his ownership (they have a toaster setup now); hell I think they were cash only til after the sale.
But yeah, did not realize how spoiled I was growing up in Bellingham with those bagels til I moved down to Seattle. Nothing I've had in Cap Hill or anywhere Downtown has satisfied me at all.
Defintely going to head up to B'ham and try out The Bagelry and a couple other places. Fascinating backstory, thanks for sharing!
When our synagogue in Olympia has an event (Blintzapalooza, specifically), a volunteer travels all the up to Bagel Oasis to pick up the bagels!
Hey there! As a New Yorker I respectfully ask that you revisit Bagel Oasis when you get the chance. Went there today and their everything bagel was mediocre by Seattle standards at best (and I was there early this morning), nowhere near as good as your average NY bagel.
You’re not the first person to say this so I think I need to do a third visit and see what the deal is. I think there are some consistency issues that need to be addressed.
Here's a weird detail I found out by talking the owner a few years ago. I mentioned that I really like their cream cheese, asked if they hand mush the flavors in or what. He said they use Pauly cream cheese. Never heard of it. Quick search reveals it's just the stuff you buy at Costco Business. Kinda anti climatic. Still good but...
https://www.costcobusinessdelivery.com/pauly-cream-cheese%2c-3-lbs.product.11762920.html
I used to live a few blocks from here and didn't realize how spoiled/blessed I was until I went, well, pretty much anywhere else. One thing I've found over the years is that their sesame bagel is consistently the best - flavor, baking time, etc. I find the everything's to often be far softer - not in a good way. Try the sesame next time with scallion cream cheese. Money.
Thanks for this work you've done and this recommendation. I'm a Chicago, not east coast, transplant, but definitely looking for a bagel to call home. Bagel Oasis was fantastic and you've got me incredibly excited for Mt. Bagel.
Thank you for reading! Stay tuned on Mt. Bagel!
I've always loved them, and my friend who grew up in Queens Village swears by them (and wouldn't eat anything but the plain, as he considered anything but plain, sesame, or onion to be for the goyim). I used to stop by their Fremont location (RIP) and got them so fresh out of the oven I burned my mouth on one of them. There also used to be a kosher bakery next door that was one of the few places you could get fresh challah.