Bagels are simple food, but simple does not mean easy. Getting them right takes time, technique, and a stubborn commitment to doing things the hard way.
This Virginia bagel shop has built its reputation on exactly that. The dough is made from scratch, shaped by hand, and boiled before it ever sees the oven.
That last step is what separates a real bagel from a round piece of bread, and it is the step most shortcuts skip. The result is a crust that has a slight chew and a crumb that holds up under cream cheese, butter, or whatever else you pile on top…