The argument has occurred time and time again. You might even think I’m annoying for bringing it up. But don’t blame me. Blame the folks at the New York Times.
The argument, of course, is over bagels. Which city makes the better one? Montreal? Or New York? According to the Times, it’s pretty split. But let me tell ya, having lived in both cities, there is a definitive answer.
Sorry folks, but Montreal wins. Straight up. It’s not that New York bagels are bad. If they were bad, this wouldn’t be a conversation. You’ve never heard the great bagel debate of Montreal vs. Wilmington, Delaware (though I’m sure Wilmington makes a fine bagel). But when you take a bite out of a fresh Fairmount or St. Viateur (or even a R.E.A.L. Bagel–those are good too) bagel, there is no comparison.
I know that H&H is supposedly already overrated. But I can’t emphasize this enough. They are just okay. I had one fresh this past weekend. It’s not the density that bothers me (though it bothers a lot of people). It just tastes generic, that’s all.
I then thought, well, maybe I’m being unfair. Have you ever had a day old Montreal bagel? They can get rock hard pretty quickly. But that’s like saying that a fancy sushi restaurant’s food sucks because you left it in your fridge overnight. It wasn’t meant to be eaten that way.
Anyone disagree? And do you wanna fight about it?
