Looking for a bagel in LA? Good luck. The city notoriously misses the mark when it comes to this hallowed specialty. Some say it’s because the water in LA isn’t the same as NY. Others blame general Los Angeles stupidity. I don’t really know where the problem lies, but I can assure you that hope is not lost. I’ve tried most of the top bagel spots: Brooklyn Bagel Bakery, Sammy’s, Noah’s, Western Bagel, The Nosh of Beverly Hills, and more. Some are solid (Western, The Nosh), some are overhyped (Brooklyn), and some are just expensive and wrong (Sammy’s). In the end, there’s only one bagel place that does it right (or as right as an LA bagel can be): Bagel Broker.
I’ve been going to Bagel Broker since the first week I arrived in LA back in 2001. It’s the best. Bar none. These aren’t perfect bagels — they’re slightly small, and sometimes they have a tendency to dry out on the bottom — but overall, it’s the best we’ve got in LA. I can assure you that I’ve had many divine moments of personal happiness biting into one of those doughy rings. My order of choice: sesame bagel with veggie spread (or lox spread if I’m feeling like a baller), toasted, and open faced. You can of course order in classic sandwich form, but I’m telling you: try open faced. There’s a difference…
Oh, one more warning: this bagel place has become increasingly popular over the years. Not only is it common to now see celebs like Seth Rogen and Charlie Hunnam in the mix, but also long lines. Don’t worry: the queue moves quickly, even when it’s out the door on the weekend. Additionally, the parking lot (located just off Orange Grove Ave and Beverly Blvd) is hellacious. It fills up quickly, often with idiot drivers. The good news is that people leave just as quickly as they arrive. Be patient. Or look for street parking. A good bagel is worth it.
Bagel Broker
7825 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
(323) 931-1258 · bagelbroker.com
I am a Bagel Broker fan as well. Except, it can be hard to find a spot in their parking lot so I travel a little further east on Beverly to La Brea Bagel Co. LBBC has better parking and a crispier texture. On the downside, every time I go there I am cornered by a guy asking me I want to wrap tefillin with him. I politely decline, and never mention that if he knew of my sodomite ways then he wouldn’t even ask me.
Living in a LA is a constant compromise between easier parking and better bagels.
I’d rather have bad parking than a bad bagel. I went to La Brea Bagel Co. once. NEVER AGAIN!
Love Bagel Broker! I used to live just a couple blocks away so would go in more regularly (back before the masses caught onto their deliciousness), and even my New York born and bred friend gave them the thumbs up. I’d always stock up on Poppy and Sesame Seed bagels when she’d come to visit.