#InauguralReview #BagelBobs @BagelBobsNYC #UniversityPlace Since 1993 by George Karounos, Christina Karounos and Peter Messinis 51 University Place #GreenwichVillage
Manhattan's Bagel Bobs University Place makes approximately 2,000 fresh bagels of several varieties every day! Your Nova Scotia Salmon is smiling GOOD MORNING at you:
It's not who you know, it's Whom You Know and we are thrilled to introduce you to Bagel Bobs for the first time, a brand we knew prior to the existence of this site. Bagel Bobs began in 1993 by someone named Bob who owned it for six months, and then George Karounos bought it and has been the owner ever since. Along with his daughter Christina Karounos and her husband Peter Messinis, George owns this homage to beautiful bagels in the heart of Manhattan's Greenwich Village. It's just south of Union Square. Bagels are made fresh all day ranging from 30 minutes to an hour in all varieties offered and they are outstandingly fresh. We were happy to work with Peter for the entire review and do not be fooled by the fact that this is a casual place: his attention to detail was terrific and here's why:
First we tried Chicken Salad, made fresh every day with celery and salt and pepper and Embassy Mayo. Embassy Mayo plays a special part in this menu as it is part of the vertical company and it is just as excellent as other mayos we have tried and loved in the past. We do not recall encountering it before. This oven-freshness was elevated by the variety: RYE. As avid readers know, Peachy Deegan is a huge enthusiast of Rye and these Rye Bagels in themselves are the stuff dreams are made of. The Chicken Salad is an added bonus packed with amazing protein in the most tasteful fashion. As you probably know, protein is the hot buzzword of the day but if you ask us, protein never went out of style and is simply delicious common sense.
There are eight homemade salads to choose from and we found the Egg Salad to be most spectacular! The purity of the egg, salt, pepper and mayo mix absolutely hits the spot in terms of creaminess spread luxuriously on this perfectly fresh ideally chewy sesame bagel. It is a total must-have! We were left dreaming about the egg salad and it is truly superior.
An open face tuna melt is embellished with Albacore White Tuna and we chose to add Provolone (there are other cheese options). It is presented covered in inviting oozy cheese goodness and then Peachy took a bite to show you inside! There are four tuna salad menu varieties.
There are well over a dozen options of chilled items to drink but the Natalie's Juices called out our name and their consistent premium quality always has impressed us. The exact variety varies by day, and we chose to showcase these available the day we visited: Orange, Orange Mango and Tangerine, all winners in their own right. Like the Bagels themselves, these juices are also super fresh and have expiry dates well into the future ensuring top quality.
There are a few Smoked Fish options and we chose the most classic in New York:
Nova Scotia Salmon with cream cheese, red onion, tomatoes and capers! It's a symphony of bagel history made fresh to order just for you and it could not be better. Every element shone culminating in an extravaganza of deliciousness sure to start your day off right.
Perhaps our favorite aspect of this visit to Bagel Bobs in addition to the bagels themselves is the outstanding flavor nuances and creamy consistency of the bespoke cream cheeses. They truly are a step or several steps above the competition. Above is lox spread: simply lox mixed in a gorgeous fashion with cream cheese, certain to put you in the pink. Below is a plain bagel with simply smashing garlic and herb cream cheese! What herbs? In equal portion you'll discover fresh diced garlic, oregano, basil and garlic powder ready to ravish your palate. Peachy does not order items she thinks she would not like anywhere but if you like sweetness on your bagels (she absolutely does not) we hear you ought to give the strawberry cream cheese a go.
The final firecracker of custom cream cheese arrives in the highly coveted combination of bacon cheddar! Again, it is very rich and creamy and every bite is devastatingly delicious! You have to have it.
Everyone knows we live in a crazy world and it is hard for us to believe there are people that would not like bagels which are essential for living, particularly in New York, in the world according to Peachy Deegan. If you bring someone with you that doesn't like bagels, you should know that there's an entire menu section devoted to wraps. Grilled Chicken Breast is a convincing number that teams up with mozzarella, sweet peppers. lettuce and tomato and you can choose mayo (we did) or balsamic.
Finally, do not miss the panini section which heartily conveys how amazing Bagel Bobs is at sandwich selections! We hear the Italian is the bestseller and it sounded good to us, but the Russian sounded even better: Boar's Head Roast Beef pairs up with Munster Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Onions and Russian dressing for a carnivorous feast to behold.
Finally, you would be remiss not to take a dozen bagels home!
We count 21 bagel choices on the menu and we give Bagel Bobs a virtual 21 gun salute!
Peachy Picked two each of:
Poppy
Garlic
Onion
Egg
Rye
Bialys - and these are made with white onions
Each was super fresh and representative of exactly what we are looking for in a bagel with chewy perfection evocative of the pure freshness we found in each one, ideally doughy on the inside and just crisp enough on the outside. Not overdone, not underdone, but perfect for Goldilocks Peachy.
We were so impressed with our first official visit to Bagel Bobs and we look forward to seeing them keep up the excellent work!
Their website tells us:
Bagel Bob’s is more than your typical bagel store. We have been a New York neighborhood staple for over over 21 years baking hand rolled, kettle boiled bagels the old fashioned way. Our trademark mix of high-gluten flour and New York water is the difference in our 14 varieties of Kosher, boiled and baked creations. We’re also known for our great coffees, lattes, specialty brews, breakfast omelettes, egg sandwiches, smoked fish and more! Whether you’re on the the go for a quick breakfast, lunch or need to grab dinner after work, we offer a full menu of freshly made wraps, paninis, pasta dishes and made to order salads. Operating from two locations in NYC, Bagel Bobs can cater any office luncheon, holiday party or special event!
