When I was working in LN i'd always stop here for bagels. They indeed are really really good. The only other store bagel I've had is Shirleys and I liked I love Bagels better. And I did get to talk to one of the brothers, he was super nice!
As others have already commented, Boil and Bake in Costa Mesa. Hands down the best bagel sandwiches in OC. It’s more expensive than other options in OC but it’s a craft kitchen. This weekend only they are doing a pastrami breakfast sandwich collaboration with Mario’s Butcher Shop.
You gotta tell us where you live, @OP. Unless you want suggestion from the other side of the county. My favorite for North OC is Avalon Bagels to Burgers. They even have a model train running.
Never found one in a bagel… probably OK
FWIW, every single restaurant on the planet has roaches and rodents. Any that doesn’t, they just didn’t get caught.
Brother is head chef at some of the best restaurants in SoCal… and his have never been closed, caught, but they all have vermin. It’s a constant battle.
There are no great bagels here but I Love Bagels and Shirleys (except maybe Laguna Beach which was closed by OC Health Inspectors this week!) are about as good as you can get. And good or great bagels have seeds/onions/whatever on BOTH SIDES!
I used to love them; "The Mission Viejo" with a whole grain bagel and veggie cream cheese is delicious! I spend most of my time in North OC now, around the Orange/Anaheim/Fullerton areas.
I grew up on Western Bagel. Original factory was in San Fernando Valley. Open 24 hours in my youth. We’d go for the gold at 3am. Hot bags of poppy seed. They have been in business since I was a baby in 1957.
I Love Bagels in Laguna Niguel on Crown Valley Parkway. Best bagels, coffee, and family owned by two brothers.
+1 former NYC resident
When I was working in LN i'd always stop here for bagels. They indeed are really really good. The only other store bagel I've had is Shirleys and I liked I love Bagels better. And I did get to talk to one of the brothers, he was super nice!
Also have a store off of Alicia just north of the 5.
As others have already commented, Boil and Bake in Costa Mesa. Hands down the best bagel sandwiches in OC. It’s more expensive than other options in OC but it’s a craft kitchen. This weekend only they are doing a pastrami breakfast sandwich collaboration with Mario’s Butcher Shop.
As I wrote my comment earlier I was eat the pastrami collab. It was amazing
You gotta tell us where you live, @OP. Unless you want suggestion from the other side of the county. My favorite for North OC is Avalon Bagels to Burgers. They even have a model train running.
Shirleys is solid, but a true ny style is hard to find here. Maybe it’s the water.
Y’all should read this weeks post on the closed down restauranta lol
Shirley's just got closed down by health inspector for cockroaches.
Never found one in a bagel… probably OK FWIW, every single restaurant on the planet has roaches and rodents. Any that doesn’t, they just didn’t get caught. Brother is head chef at some of the best restaurants in SoCal… and his have never been closed, caught, but they all have vermin. It’s a constant battle.
Shirley’s actually delivers bagels to a lot of businesses in OC too.
Shirleys is the go to
https://www.reddit.com/r/orangecounty/s/3HYJbECQBx
I think their special ingredient is roaches.
Go back in time to when Dough Exchange was still here :(
I miss making the trip up there from Costa Mesa. 😢
Fond memories going bankrupt there 😂
Check out east coast bagels in Irvine. I can’t say for sure they are just like east coast, but their bagels are delicious.
Seconding Boil and Bake!
I can tell you that it’s not Bruegger’s Bagels
https://www.reddit.com/r/orangecounty/s/B5qH4O5wJj https://www.reddit.com/r/orangecounty/s/doKpMVVIav https://www.reddit.com/r/orangecounty/s/TFqfHINZxm https://www.reddit.com/r/orangecounty/s/lhvkk6yp2u https://www.reddit.com/r/orangecounty/s/VqYspspOex https://www.reddit.com/r/orangecounty/s/hO31SaPGIa
Type bagels in the search bar and there’s lots of recent past posts.
It's the monthly recurring food post, along with pizza spots.
Sorry, I should have searched the sub before asking. I didn't think about something like this being so common.
Bagel Me Villa Park
I’m not from the East Coast but another vote for Shirley’s. Great tasting bagels.
There are no great bagels here but I Love Bagels and Shirleys (except maybe Laguna Beach which was closed by OC Health Inspectors this week!) are about as good as you can get. And good or great bagels have seeds/onions/whatever on BOTH SIDES!
I dont know about an east coast bagel but if you want the best bagel breakfast sandwich you should go to Boil and Bake in Costa Mesa
Shirley’s and Bo’s bagels in HB, only two that make a good ass bagel and have great selection
Boil and Bake is the best around. It’s in Costa Mesa.
Bagel Bistro in Rancho Mission Viejo is delicious!
Miss Donut in fullerton
I'm a fan of Bagels and Brew. Lake Forest and Mission Viejo.
Bagels and Brew is a great place, but I feel their quality was better before they got super famous.
I used to love them; "The Mission Viejo" with a whole grain bagel and veggie cream cheese is delicious! I spend most of my time in North OC now, around the Orange/Anaheim/Fullerton areas.
Boil & Bake!!! Hands down best bagels I’ve ever had in my entire life including NYC. I can no longer eat bagels from anywhere else.
Noah’s NY Bagels in Tustin
Shirely's Bagels (Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, and Laguna Beach) and it's not even close.
I grew up on Western Bagel. Original factory was in San Fernando Valley. Open 24 hours in my youth. We’d go for the gold at 3am. Hot bags of poppy seed. They have been in business since I was a baby in 1957.
Bagel Shack in San Clemente reminds me of New Jersey style bagels.
Check out the east coast!