A Battle Bigger Than the Super Bowl Continues

Welcome back to a battle bigger than the Super Bowl: The Best Bagels in the Caldwells!

This time, we're visiting a location that chronologically housed the second bagel-based business ever in the area, Bagels 4 U, which opened in 1991. (Did Prince name it?)

As a delivery guy at the nearby Aponte's Pizzeria at the time, this writer enjoyed many a chocolate chip bagel from the place, which in hindsight were sometimes more chocolate than bagel.

Today's occupying bagel business is really Bagelwich, Part 2. The original is on Bloomfield Avenue in Verona, with this sister location popping up sometime in the mid-2000s. Even if you have never been to either store, you may have had its food – in the recent past Bagelwich has run the food concessions at every town pool in the Caldwells.

 As you read this, you might be thinking, "Bagelwich?" Isn't that place called, "Bagels - Deli'?" Technically, you wouldn't be wrong. 

Corollary: The Name Game

There's an interesting phenomenon concerning the names of bagel businesses –they go by many names. For example, we started three weeks ago with Lou's, which has no less than three names. On the light-up sign, it's "Hot Bagels Lou's Deli, Grill, and Cafe." When you Google Map it, it's "Hot Bagels and Deli of West Caldwell." 

Then there's Bagel Loft. On it's main sign, it's the avant garde "Bageloft." On it's official Web site, it's "Bagel Loft."

Now, here we are at Bagelwich ... or is it "Bagels - Deli," as its main store sign indicates (that's why you're not wrong)? It's also still referenced online as "Bagels 4 U," although in an unofficial capacity.

For me, it's sometimes confusing – and amusing.

Bagelwich's Window Dressing

The decor of Bagelwich is a simple blue and white, and a bit antiseptic, as if to say, "this is where bagels are born." It echoes the Verona location, but the color scheme is a holdover from I Would Die Bagels Little Red Corvette 4 U.

It's pretty small, so when you walk in, you're immediately immersed in bagel-dom. A deli counter is to the right; beverages are to the left, and the main counter is a few steps away in the center.

The bagels are just to the left, in a six-foot high plexiglass-fronted display area. Baskets hold the bagels behind that, with varieties being denoted by red-lettered labeling. It's impressive, but is outdone by what's behind it: the bagel oven situated in the wide open space. It's cool to see these things get made, and pulled out after baking and dropped into the baskets. Very much a "real deal" experience.

There's no coffee bar – it's ordered and served from behind the counter.

Offerings

Sandwiches ("bagelwiches"?), wraps, and the like are all on offer at Bagelwich, as well as a full complement of salads. Be sure to ask for a menu for the office; it's fairly detailed.

The additional baked goods selection is just that – just good enough for add-ons to a bagel-centric purchase. There are some pre-packaged items, like black and whites, but the best of the lot are the muffins; there are always at least five varieties on offer.

Bagelwich makes three significant "spin-off" bagel-style items of note. Flagels, long bagel sticks, and bialys. These sit on top of the deli counter (in a different spot than the bagels, so don't miss them) and always sell fast. The flagel adopts everything bagel flavorings, and is as big as an old 45 rpm record. The bialy packs a strong onion flavor – definitely good stuff.

"Bricks" in the Bagel Wall

Variety wise, the bagels at Bagelwich run from the classic to offbeat and unique. The "bagel basket wall" contains unexpected pleasure like cheddar cheese, flat-out surprises like honey raisin, and the getting-popular jalapeño. There's also a tasty orange-cranberry.

The Foundation: A Plain Bagel

Size: My bagel wasn't too large or small; it was definitely "bagel size." It had just a good handle of a hole, and speaking of which, had a tearaway spot on one side, a little extra dough from when it was separated from its brethren.

Taste: The outside had an excellent crunch to it. It was also a little shiny – it seems that Bagelwich adds a little something to their recipe that others do not. The inside was dense, doughy matter, somewhat darker than white bread, which it certainly did not taste like. It didn't taste like a pretzel, either. From outside to in, this bagel tasted uniquely and distinctly like a bagel. One could enjoy it plain, sans butter, etc. It's also a heavier bagel, which makes it more filling, and caloric.

Overall: Bagelwich's bagel was truly the best yet. This one is going to be tough to beat. A great product, all the way around.

Bagelwich

673 Bloomfield Avenue, West Caldwell

Phone: 973-228-0848

Plain bagel price: $0.85

Next time: National Chain Cage Match, Part One!