I wake up some mornings, and I don’t just want a bagel; I want that bagel. The one with the perfect, chewy crust, a steaming, airy interior, and just the right amount of malt sweetness.
I used to think true bagel greatness lived only in NYC, but I was wrong. My friends and I have discovered that the real masters are hiding in plain sight in Delaware. We’re talking about gems so unassuming that you’d miss them, but so delicious that people, just like me, are literally driving across state lines for a taste.
1. Van Buren Bagel In Wilmington
Cold fermentation takes time, but the payoff at this Wilmington operation is a chewy, deeply flavorful bagel that tastes like patience paid off. Every batch gets hand-rolled and kettle-boiled in small numbers, which means texture trumps speed every single time.
Pennsylvanians have caught on, crossing the border with coolers ready to haul back boxes for the week ahead. Seasonal cream cheeses rotate with whatever’s fresh, so your spring strawberry schmear won’t show up in October…