BAGELS in New York: Browns Bagels

SADLY, BROWNS BAGELS IS NOW CLOSED.

People often ask me for bagel recommendations near Times Square. You’d think there would be more of those old Jewish appetizing shops in this neighborhood, but alas, there are very few legit options. Most tourists settle into an overpriced trap like Roxy’s or Brooklyn Diner and think they’ve had the authentic Jewish New York experience. Sad indeed.

Browns which is a few blocks from Penn Station feels a bit more authentic and is certainly a more local option. It is owned by the folks behind the fast growing gluten-free restaurant Friedmans. Browns is relatively new and is connected to their West 31st Street location. Kind of ironic that a gluten free establishment is now making doughy gluten bombs next door.

In fairness, Browns also offers gluten free bagels, but the fully loaded ones definitely seem more prominent.

I stopped in to see if this could be a new recommendation for all those bagel hungry tourists. Some tourists have already discovered it as I saw a few tables with maps spread out.

Many of them may have been happy with these New York-style bagels but I’m a bit more discerning and would be hard pressed to recommend Browns over others nearby.

Nothing was hot when I arrived (which is not a crime, but disappointing for an early afternoon visit). One of the bagel options that sounded a bit different for me was the Everything Egg Bagel. So I chose it with my usual cream cheese schmear.

Browns fell victim to a heavy hand on the cream cheese. The dairy was oozing out of the bread and the layers were bigger than the actual bagel. I found it wasteful and over the top.

Even after I adjusted the cream cheese to bagel ratio, I’m afraid the experience didn’t fare much better. The bagel was too big and way too sweet. I know egg bagels often have a bit more sugar, but this tasted like a pastry. Perhaps the everything seasoning would have helped balance all of this overindulgence but the exterior was almost bare.

Sad to say that Browns might have the look and feel of an old Jewish appetizing shop, but none of the goods. At least not from this experience. For those tourist recommendations, I still feel you need to walk a little bit further to get the true New York bagel experience.

Does Browns Bagels have the best bagels in NY? The bagels are too big, too sweet, and bogged down with too much cream cheese. 6 out of10.