NYC Bagels Without the Plane Ticket: Is It Possible? I Ate 3 Dozen Shippable Bagels to Find Out

Tested by Taylor Murray

The call of the New York City bagel draws hungry visitors from all over the nation. For those of us out of PTO or unable to swing a ticket, the grocery store alternatives do little to feed a fierce craving. Luckily, Just Bagels can ship NYC bagels directly to your house. These bagels are baked and shipped fresh to your door, ready to be sliced, schmeared and served. With such lofty promises, I wondered if Just Bagels could truly deliver a bite of New York authenticity, or if I'd just end up with another round piece of bogus bread. I ordered a few cases to find out.

What Are Just Bagels NYC Bagels?

Just Bagels was founded in the Bronx in the early '90s, and their mission is simple: to deliver New York-style bagels to the world. These bagels are made the traditional way, which is hand-crafted, kettle-boiled and baked in a traditional hearth oven. The company's lineup includes all the classics (plain, sesame, everything, blueberry) alongside inventive flavors like marble rye, French toast and chocolate strawberry. They supply grocery stores and cafes nationwide, but their direct-to-consumer boxes mean anyone from Des Moines to Dallas can wake up to the smell of a real New York bagel without ever stepping on a subway.

What Are Kettle-Boiled Bagels?

Bagels are a lot more than just bread rolls baked in a circle. Traditional bagel makers boil raw dough rings briefly in hot water before baking. That quick bath gelatinizes the starch on the outside, setting up the crust and giving the bagel its signature chew and shine. Without it, you'd have more of a spongy doughnut than the chewy bagel we all know and love. You'd be hard-pressed to find any bagel shop in all of the five boroughs that doesn't kettle boil their bagels before baking. There are also rumors that the New York City tap water used when boiling contributes to the flavor of the bagel, which is something you could not replicate even if you tried your hand at making bagels at home.

How I Tested

After placing an order, I watched the tracking to make sure I would be home to unbox them the second they arrived. After opening the package and looking over the included information leaflets, I took a bagel out of the bag. I immediately sliced into a plain bagel to see how they are the instant they arrive. After that, I froze all the bagels per the included instructions and then thawed them in the various ways the manufacturer suggests. I tried each flavor with different toppings, ranging from simple cream cheese to a loaded bacon, egg and cheese. During each bite, I noted things like flavor, texture, crumb, aroma and anything else.

My Review of Just Bagels NYC Bagels Based on Taste Tests

What I Liked

• Authentic chew and crust that rivaled bagels I've had fresh in New York
• Variety of flavors to choose from, including standard and unique varieties
• Easy to freeze and reheat later without losing quality

What Could Be Better

• Shipping and cost can add up compared to grocery store alternatives
• No options for pickup or same-day delivery
• Some bagels contain shelf-stabilizers, like xanthan gum

My Final Thoughts

These bagels are better than anything I've tasted at any grocery store, including the fresh-baked Costco varieties. These days, I'm far from my old favorite NYC bagel shop and have to make do with what is in my area, which leaves a lot to be desired. While there is a slight premium to get these goodies delivered, the flavor is absolutely worth the price. They last a long time in the freezer and are easy to reheat whenever a craving strikes.

Ways to Eat Bagels and Topping Ideas

One of the best things about bagels is their versatility. I'd never turn down a nicely toasted bagel with cultured butter on top. A schmear of cream cheese is the classic option, which always goes nicely with lox, ripe tomato slices or capers. For an even more veggie-forward idea, take a page from Courage Bagels in Los Angeles and pile it high with slices of cucumber, tomato, red onion and plenty of fresh dill.

Sweet flavors like cinnamon raisin and blueberry are perfect with fruit-flavored cream cheese or a swipe of peanut butter with honey. Pizza bagels are still a fun way to make a quick lunch or dinner, and who could forget about a melty bacon-egg-cheese creation? Of course, you can always use chunks of bagels in any place you would use cubed sourdough, like in a strata or stuffing.

Why You Should Trust Our Tester

Taylor Murray is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University with a degree in Culinary Nutrition. She worked as a professional chef for over 10 years before moving into recipe and product testing and development. She has tested several hundred products for Food Network and other brands over the last six years, covering everything from carbon steel pans to food dehydrators.

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