I tried Katy's Famous Breakfast Bagel

I saw the sign, and it told me to stop by this cozy Central District coffee shop

Welcome to It’s A Shanda, one Northeastern Jew’s quest to find a decent bagel in Seattle (and beyond). Along with free bagel reviews every Monday-ish, we also offer weekly bonus posts. If you’re already subscribed, I hope you’ll consider upgrading to a paid subscription! Thank you for reading.

We have a rule at It’s a Shanda Industries. If you promote your bagel-related wares with outdoor signage, regardless of your overall focus, we will try it. That’s how I ended up eating bagels at a cannoli stand and trying a banh mi bagel sandwich.

And that’s how I ended up ordering the Katy's Famous Breakfast Bagel at Katy's Corner Cafe.

I tend to walk around Capitol Hill and Central District quite a bit, so I often find myself walking past the sandwich board on the corner of 20th and Union. The board promotes their famous bagel sandwiches, which are available anytime of the day. It was only a matter of time before I stopped by.

“In 2006, Katy's Cafe was founded by Katy Leighton,” reads their website. “With a passion for great coffee and delicious food, she created a welcoming coffee shop and sandwich cafe for the community to gather and enjoy. Starting with just a few tables and chairs, Katy's Cafe quickly became a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.”

Over the years, the cafe’s bagel sandwiches have developed a reputation in the neighborhood. While they offer a wide variety of sandwiches and pastries, any review source will include several boasts about the bagel sandwiches, especially the breakfast bagel.

One recent rainy Seattle morning, I decided it was finally time to stop by and see for myself.

katyscafesea

A post shared by @katyscafesea

Before I visited, I understood the vibe around Katy’s was that it was a friendly neighborhood cafe. That was essentially confirmed as soon as I walked in the front door. Three customers in the cozy space seemed to know the owner independently of one another. One of them had a dog that appeared to be receiving unlimited treats from the treat jar (which is perfectly reasonable). A fourth person entered, was greeted by name, and ordered their usual. After one customer said, “I don’t think I’ve seen you here before,” they made introductions. Then, a conversation about the TV show “Jury Duty” led several people to agree to check it out before they left.

So much for the Seattle Freeze.

I went with that famous breakfast bagel (Black Forest ham, cheddar cheese, and a scrambled egg with a thin layer of cream cheese on your choice of bagel). As a vegetarian, I opted out of the ham and ended up with double egg as a substitute (you can also sub turkey, bacon, or tomato).

I knew going in that Katy’s didn’t make its own bagels, which was fine. I figured it was one of the local wholesale brands. Besides, these kinds of sandwiches often do better when paired with softer bagels instead of high-end or artisan ones. I thought maybe I’d have to ask their supplier, but it was impossible to miss the shelf full of Blazing Bagels sleeves on the wall.

Ah.

It’s funny because it’s not like any brand of bagged bagels would have excited me. But seeing Blazing Bagels as the brand of choice made me harrumph. I went with the everything bagel, hoping it would at least provide some flavor. 

What I liked about the sandwich was that it was hefty and substantial. It will fill you up and make you feel you got your money’s worth. The cheese was gooey in a good way, spilling out of the bagel center and sides. The flavors of the interior ingredients were intense, and the egg and cheese complemented one another. I kinda wish I’d subbed in the slice of tomato because I bet that would have brought a pop of freshness, but the egg and cheese-only version reminded me of a hearty East Coast bagel sandwich you’d get from a local deli.

Unfortunately, the bagel didn’t hold up its end of the bargain. Softened and warmed, it was a non-factor in the bite, practically disintegrating in my mouth after a couple of chews. The everything seasoning offered no flavor. If anything, the only sensation that came through was sweetness, which I was not looking for.

So, I’m left with a mixed bag. While I liked what Katy’s Cafe brought to the table, I wish it had been on a different bagel.

While this particular sandwich was not my speed, I plan on returning soon to try one of their other sandwiches or pitas. I will also add it to my rotation for coffee stops during my walks. I’m unsure what took me so long to swing by, but I’ll be back soon for sure. Who knows, maybe I’ll even get to know some of the regulars…

You can find my full bagel rankings here.

Thanks for actually reading this far. If you enjoyed my bagel review and want to read more of them, make sure you’re subscribed to It’s A Shanda. Know someone in the Greater Seattle Area (or beyond) who would appreciate way-too-detailed reviews of local bagels? Please forward this link their way.