My father was scooping bagels at home in the 1960s. I learned it from him and I know that at least one of my sisters and I do it as well. However I'd never ask a server to do it. Just slice the bagel, put the cream cheese on the side, and I'll scoop it myself. And I only toast a bagel if it isn't fresh.

What the freak is the big deal? I have been eating bagels for (almost) all of my 53 years. I grew up Jewish in Jewish communities in and around NYC. There is nothing wrong with wanting to eat less, but still wanting to get the goodness of a bagel. Besides, bagels are now 2 or 3 times bigger than they were when I was growing up - I think that they are just too big, bready and soft now. And yes, in my very traditional Jewish home we toasted our bagels when we felt like it. It's not a sin or a shande.

Personally, I prefer my bagels scooped...not for caloric reasons, but because I think it's tastier when crispier. And yes, I like them toasted as well. Still, I rarely (if ever) make this request when ordering at a bagel shop. I'll do it at home, but don't go out of my way (read: usually forget) when I'm out.

If the option for a flat bagel is there, I take that...same amount of dough, crispier toast.

Hmm...Really intresting "50% more space to fill with all that delicious, healthy cream cheese!":)i like to cook and eat 100% health food so...maybe is just delicious not so health :)

What does any of this have to do with toasting?

Why would anyone actually do this for a customer?

What the hell is going on and why are you people not dead already?

Oh wait, my mistake, I guess you are, I forgot.

i didn't get why some commenters mixed up scooping with toasting either. i guess they work at a bagel store? i understand.

i'd gladly toast my bagel myself if that was the issue.

Trend come and then they go . Hell when I was in High School I used to order a Creamed Cheese Raisin Bagel with Bacon On It . Wasn't healthy but I loved the taste ! It actually gave me firmer hips , and a nice phat (Phat as in sexy phat video vixen ass ! Not Fat, As in Kirstie Alley Big Fat ass ! )ass .lol

Hey, bagel shop guy, take the money, scoop the bagel, and shut-up

Agreed !

Maybe I am alone with this issue, but the only reason I have my bagel scooped is due to heartburn caused by too much bread.

I guess some folks have it done just to have double the amount of cream cheese or whatever stuck into the empty space, but that would defeat the purpose for my gastric issues.

BTW, here is the method that makes scooping as easy as possible for the bagel store employee: You slice the bagel very close to the bottom/flattest edge, and then you only have to scoop one side, HTH.

If eating too much bread gives you heartburn, why do you eat bagels at all?

My problem manifested itself after years of trouble free bagel consumption. Upon realizing what caused my issue, and having the scoop work for me, why I should give up something I like to eat?

I never realized that the handling of bagels by folks working with them consisted of only cutting them in half, and anything else was tantamount to sacrilege. Seriously, they should charge more if they are so utterly contemptuous of folks that want their bagel scooped out.

FYI, I have never witnessed any resentment at Ess-A-Bagel on 1st Ave. & 21st St. from their employees for asking to have a bagel cut & gutted.

Maybe I move in very different circles than you do, but I have never seen a person ask to have their bagel scooped out and frankly it seems like you're asking a whole lot from the deli guy (and the people waiting in line behind you)

This is NYC, do you really live here?

The reality is that a bagel being sliced and scooped out takes roughly 5 seconds (if done the way I suggest above), and not many folks ask for it to be done. Go to any other service related business and you'll find a plethora of worse peeves to fill Gothamist for several lifetimes.

Most of those will be far more heinous than what goes on at the bagel store counter when I am ordering, but feel free to bitch at me if you ever find yourself behind me on line. I was born and raised in the Bronx, I can take it.

I live in West Harlem, on Amsterdam Av near City College - I was born and raised in the city and have lived in this neighborhood for the past 24 years. Until recently I worked in Midtown - so I've spent years going to the delis down there and the bodegas up here.

And yes, I will bitch at you if I'm stuck in line behind you.

At which bagel store are you currently employed?

I'll make sure never to darken the doorstep of your workplace with my problematic stomach issues.

I'm a painting contractor - I do not, and never have, worked in a deli.

I MOVED TO THE ISLAND OF MANNAHATTA IN THE YEAR 1073 I INVENTED BAGELS GO BACK TO OHIO YOU TOURISTS

So get a whole wheat bagel - good carbs!

Why is it that anything to do with breakfast is the worst thing to have to serve to people. People are less picky about a $40 steak than they are about how runny their eggs are, how dark their toast is, and whether their bagel is scooped. Scoop your own fucking bagel!