CLOSING TIME (Hot Bialys & Bagels)

My search for the best bagels in New York continues….

The reason I was hesitant to devote so much time searching for the best bagels in the city has more to do with my sleeping habits and procrastination than it does with my fear of carbs. Bagels, of course, are best enjoyed in the morning. But I realized that if a bagel shop is open until 6:00pm, they should be serving fresh bagels all day. Don’t you think? I don’t expect them to be as hot and soft as they are first thing in the morning, but a quality bagel is a quality bagel.

I really put Hot Bialys and Bagels in Forest Hills, Queens to the test when I took the trip all the way out on the E train just a little before closing time. It was a convenient time for me, but when I walked into the shop, some chairs had been placed on tables, a guy was mopping, and the bagels were nowhere in site.

Except upon closer inspection, the bagels were still around, they were just congregated in a big plastic bag. I really felt like I did the place a disservice by coming so late. But like I said, they were open for another two hours and I feel the bagels should be as good as at any other time of day. Am I being unfair?

Of course, none were hot at this point, but the guy assured me they were all still soft. They’re hand rolled and baked on premises throughout the day. When the cashier caught me taking photos, I explained to him I had a blog. He said he had the best bagels in town (of course he did!) and was concerned for a moment that I had ordered a bialy instead of a bagel. That struck me as strange since the original name of this shop is Hot Bialys. I believe the bagel addition came later. Sure, bialys (similar to bagels, but flatter and without the hole) are less popular than bagels, but based on the name, I’d guess that would be their speciality.

I stuck with a Plain Bagel with Cream Cheese. I thought about a bialy, but I might leave that for a completely different search (or at least until I make it to Kossar’s). I made my way to the generic tables that wouldn’t have been out of place in a pizza parlor – although the exterior makes you think Jewish delicacies and the inside makes me want a Boar’s Head turkey sandwich with Swiss.

Regardless of what the place looks like or what time of day it was, they make a good bagel. The bagel had a shiny and large top and a dark, crispy bottom. This made for a chewy crust. I was pleased that the inside was still soft (just like the guy promised). And it was dressed up with some clean, cheesy cream cheese that added to the soft fluffiness.

The flavors were subtle, but I did get a hint of garlic and malt. I think the flavor had been compromised since all the bagels were bunched in that plastic bag. Yet I didn’t mind the variation. I was impressed that the bagels still had their freshness, despite them not being hot and them getting ready to call it a night.

Just goes to show, if a bagel spot is cooking them properly throughout the day, then it doesn’t matter how late I sleep or how long it takes me to leave the apartment. As long as I get there before the bags get put away for the night!

Does Hot Bialys & Bagels have the best bagels in New York? Not sure if the guy was completely accurate, but these bagels are most likely the best in the neighborhood and seem to be fresh and delicious regardless of when you show up making for an 8 out of 10.