The Canadian Bagels Have Arrived

Photo by Conrad Doucette

Certain Brooklyn bagelheads have been heading to Mile End Deli in Boerum Hill today to snatch up some specially-delivered bagels from Montreal. The bagels, from St-Viateur bagel bakery, are $2.50 a pop (or a dozen for $22) and traveled overnight to get here. The folks at Brokelyn think this is très absurde, saying, "There are so many things wrong with this scenario that the mind reels trying to count them." They suggest hitting up the Bagel Hole for an 80 cent doughy delight.

Like it or not, these bagels made it past border control, and they will continue to every Saturday, indefinitely. Originally the ex-pat owner at Mile End, Noah Bernamoff, was having them shipped via Fed Ex, but that yielded not-so-fresh results. And as for the pricetag, one half of the delivery duo, Joel Tietolman, says, "When we considered that H&H, the New York equivalent to our St. Viateur, sells their bagels for $16.80 a dozen, $20 for bagels hand-made in Montreal and driven in overnight is a pretty good deal, and much tastier."

It's suggested that you pre-order here, where they also note: "The Montreal Bagel is unlike any other style of bagel. Some attribute this to Montreal tap water, used for the dough as well as a honey boiling process prior to the bagels being baked in a wood burning oven. Compared to New York Bagel, the Montreal bagel is smaller, denser, chewier, and slightly sweet." Let us know if you try one!

UPDATE!: NY1 anchor, and Canadian, Pat Kiernan tells us...

"I really like the wood-fired bagels. But it's nothing like a New York bagel. It's got a tougher texture and isn't as big. I think the Montreal style is great in the toaster.

If you think the NY bagel is the perfect bagel don't change your routine. But if you want to give it a try, you should. You might like it. I do. My New York born kids, on the other hand, want no part of the Montreal bagels. 'That's not a real bagel,' my daughter Lucy informed me last week in Vancouver when I gave her a Montreal-style."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in Food on February 27, 2010 3:25 PM

Comments [rss]

carsls

Montreal bagels are the best..soo good. Well worth every penny, but 2.50 each? I know a place, my favorite Montreal bagel shop actually, called Mount Royal Bagel that will ship to anywhere at a much more reasonable cost. Not only are you paying less, but getting a superior product as well. Call the toll free # to order, (1-877-LEBAGEL)

luckmagnet

oh yeah, Canada, America's hat

Jesse

Only reason you all complain because you have an ego and can't stand being in second.

Jesse

Funny thing is how all of your are bitching about the Montreal bagel. Every time there is a contest between Montreal and New York bagels... Montreal wins.

Aaron

Like gasoline with your bagel? Good, because it takes 2.33 ounces of gas to drive down each and every bagel these guys sell.

The Kramer/Newman-eqsue nature of this bagel drive is so obvious it begged to be calculated. Conclusion: the owners, despite emphasizing sustainability on their menu, are the glaring opposite of green. Here are the numbers...

754 miles for R/T door-to-door (Mapquest). Assume that they’re using a large car, because it’s pretty hard to pack 1800 bagels into a compact. The average large car gets 30 MPG on the highway, but driving an average of 70 MPH (and anyone who’s driven between NYC and Montreal knows that you push it WELL above that), economy drops to about 23 miles per gallon.

754 miles by 23 MPG=32.78 (4195 ounces)

4195 oz. divided by 1800 bagels= 2.33 ounce per bagel. At this rate, it makes flying it down by FedEx seem almost environmentally responsible by comparison. And that's absurd.

dctifosi

I find it difficult to agree that NY bagels are superior than fresh out of the oven at St. Viateur.

However, maybe an one day old St. Viateur is inferior for I've never had one not fresh from the oven.

Besides, $2.50 is too much considering at St. Viateur is only 75 cents.

ceraunograph

Just like chicago pizza, montreal bagels are probably not as good as the NY version, but when taken for what they are can be fun, interesting and delicious. You don't knock certain kinds of wines because they are different, even if you have a personal favorite. So why not try a different kind of bagel?

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

Those baby seal clubbers can keep their f*cking bagels on their side of the border.

Nicole

When I lived in Montreal, I went to this place. It was okay for what it was, but NY bagels are vastly superior to Montreal bagels. Period. But Montreal is so awesome that I didn't mind the lack of good bagels; there was lots of awesome food available there, including amazing and cheap Indian that beats what you can get here.

erik123

fuck montreal

jt10000

Freshness is key in picking a bagel.

babyhitler

Bagels are 400 calories!!! and that's for plain bagels. if you add the cream cheese and lox it's like 600 calories. If you eat them everyday you will look like a bagel yourself.

lexicondevil

Montreal bagels are far superior to their New York counterpart, but there's no way they hold up well after that drive. Day-old Montreal bagels are still pretty good, but really nothing to go out of the way for. Also, why are they buying them from the Deli instead of straight out of the oven at St. Viateur? That just adds to the lack of freshness.

wow 14th street

Only one great bagel left in NYC "Ess a Bagel" on

First avenue ,NY Bagels need NYC H20 to get that moldy

taste.

H & H bagels stink now post whole foods entry,too much sugar.