Every few months or so I take a ride over to Chelsea for bagels. This little family run bagel shop sits on the corner of Park and Pearl Streets, and is pretty much the only place I will go for bagels. It isn’t that far of a drive, maybe 20-25 minutes, but far enough that it may seem odd when there are a handful of other bagel shops within a mile from my house. They may be called bagels, but they aren’t really good bagels. If you have never had an authentic bagel you probably don’t know what I am talking about, but I strongly encourage you to try them.
This isn’t the type of bagel shop where you order a bagel toasted with cream cheese, or a bagel sandwich, or sit an have coffee while you eat your bagel. You order your bagels, and your cream cheese comes in a container. Sometimes we will get some on the way to the beach so I always go prepared with a plastic knife in the car. Even though they have signs up stating they do not toast bagels, I bet people ask every day if they can get their bagel toasted.
When I got home today I only managed to type the title of this blog before diving in to a fresh marble bagel smeared with their own scallion cream cheese. So good! I don’t know what it is about their cream cheese, but it is the best I’ve ever had. It’s so good that I will even admit that I have had two of their bagels in one day. I know that is very piggy and I’m not proud of that, but I couldn’t help myself. Don’t judge until you’ve had them!
Katz’s has been in the same location since they opened in 1938. In the 70’s they created the pizza bagel, which is just what it sounds like. Flattened bagel dough topped with sauce and cheese, delicious! They also have hot dog bagels which are a huge favorite of my son. I love that every time I order some they always ask if I’d like a packet of mustard. Sadly, when I went today they were sold out. That just means I have an excuse to go back soon. They also have the most delicous chocolate half moons, and that is a big deal for me to say because as a baker I hardly ever find a bakery I really like. Once I stopped in when they had Babka, which of course I had to try, and it was yummy. Basically I love everything they make.
I have been going to Katz’s for as long as I can remember. Now that I think about it, I have no idea how my parents would have known about this place without the use of the internet or social media. I guess it has had a name for itself for quite some time. We would drive over on occasion and I would always have one of their pizza bagels on the way home. In fact one day we got rear ended by another car while I was eating one of the pizza bagels and it ended up all over my face. I know I should be thankful I wasn’t hurt, but at the time I was really upset my bagel was ruined. My father was more upset that the car was ruined. To each his own.
The next time you are anywhere near the Boston area, or just craving a really good bagel, go to Katz’s. You won’t regret it. And grab me a half moon if they have any 😉