Bagels at Bagels and Bakes

bagels and bakes bagel sliced

By Deanna Fox

Dare I say that carbs are making a comeback?

Years of low-carb/no-carb diets and increased attention on gluten intolerances have demonized the bread basket, including bagels. But if a recent batch of local bagel shop openings is any indication, bagels might be back in style.

Through bagel booms and busts, though, one place that's remained steadfast is Bagels and Bakes in Rotterdam.

bagels and bakes rotterdam exterior

Bagels and Bakes is situated in a building that is so generic, in a location so nondescript, it seems as though it could have had several incarnations as anything from a coffee shop to a computer repair service.

Thankfully it's been a bagel shop since 1996 and continues to churn out tasty ring-shaped baked goods for the masses. Nearly twenty years of diet fads has had little effect on Bagels and Bakes. The menu has remained generally the same over that time, focusing on what's good and keeping the options small.

I couldn't tell you in clear conscience that these bagels are the best in the area; I have yet to try bagels from all the bagel shops in the Capital Region -- and there are a lot. Brueggers started locally, and continues to have outlets here. Then there are places like Bella Napoli and Uncommon Grounds, and newcomers such as Bread and Honey in Albany, and Psychedelicatessen in Troy, and West End Bagels in Clifton Park. Even Price Chopper makes a decent bagel and bialy.

What I can tell you is that Bagels and Bakes offers a dang good example of the craft. The bagel have a crackling, blistered crust that's representative a boiled bagel. And their crumb is dense and chewy, but not overwhelming, as these bagels are smaller than some of their local counterparts.

On a given day there are more than a dozen different flavors of bagel to choose from, including the ol' favorites like cinnamon raisin, onion, and poppy seed (my preferred bagel).

Then there's the cream cheese. I've been given inconsistent answers on the origins of the cream cheese from staffers at Bagels and Bakes, but the shop's Facebook page says it uses Philadelphia-brand cream cheese, a Kraft product. If so, that's okay with me. Of all the pre-packaged swill and junk that's on the market today, Philly cream cheese is an anomaly. The ingredient list on the back of the rectangular gray box of cheese doesn't stray too far from what you might make at home, if you were to do that. The flavors Bagels and Bakes adds to the base cream cheese are pungent and pronounced. The cultured cream tang still comes through on the back on the palate, and a subtle saltiness is present, but flavors like strawberry, or veggie, or bacon horseradish pack a punch without overwhelming. My recent poppy seed and honey walnut combo was a winner, and each taste came together wonderfully to create a substantial breakfast and leave me full until well after lunchtime.

bagels and bakes bagel overhead

And for the price, there are few places you could get a better deal for breakfast. You can get it straight up, toasted or not, for less than a dollar. Add butter or jelly and it comes to $1.29; $2.19 includes cream cheese. Bump your budget up to $2.50 and receive a meat and egg sandwich that will make you wonder why you've been paying double for a lesser product at national chains (I'm looking at you, Dunkin').

Are the bagels and Bagels and Bakes the best of the region? I couldn't say that. But they are contenders, without doubt, and certainly have proven to be a go-to for the west-of-Albany crowd. A range of sandwiches, soups, pies, and other baked goods also grace the menu, and for a competitive price, you can score a satisfying meal any time of day with better value and more personality than a mega-conglomerate will serve you.

Deanna Fox writes about many things, mostly about food. More can be found on her website, Twitter, or Instagram.

More Eat This!:
+ Moules Frites at Brewery Ommegang
+ Meze at Ali Baba
+ Pizza at Kay's Pizza
+ Breakfast taco at Five Points Grocery
+ Shrimp Banh Mi Wrap at Reel Seafood Co.

Find It

Bagels and Bakes
1927 Curry Road
Rotterdam, NY 12303

Comments

I love their veggie cream cheese, I'm surprised to hear they use Philadelpha! They must only use that as a base and build from there. Their mini bagels are great too, perfect size for a brunch or office party.

Say Something!

We'd really like you to take part in the conversation here at All Over Albany. But we do have a few rules here. Don't worry, they're easy. The first: be kind. The second: treat everyone else with the same respect you'd like to see in return. Cool? Great, post away. Comments are moderated so it might take a little while for your comment to show up. Thanks for being patient.

What's All Over Albany?

All Over Albany is for interested and interesting people in New York's Capital Region. In other words, it's for you. It's kind of like having a smart, savvy friend who can help you find out what's up. Oh, and our friends call us AOA.

Search

Recently on All Over Albany

Thank you!

When we started AOA a decade ago we had no idea what was going to happen. And it turned out better than we could have... (more)

Let's stay in touch

This all feels like the last day of camp or something. And we're going to miss you all so much. But we'd like to stay... (more)

A few things I think about this place

Working on AOA over the past decade has been a life-changing experience for me and it's shaped the way I think about so many things.... (more)

Albany tightened its rules for shoveling snowy sidewalks last winter -- so how'd that work out?

If winter ever gets its act together and drops more snow on us, there will be sidewalks to shovel. And shortly after that, Albany will... (more)

Tea with Jack McEneny

Last week we were fortunate enough to spend a few minutes with Jack McEneny -- former state Assemblyman, unofficial Albany historian, and genuinely nice guy.... (more)

Recent Comments

My three year old son absolutely loving riding the train around Huck Finn's (Hoffman's) Playland this summer.

Thank you!

...has 27 comments, most recently from Ashley

Let's stay in touch

...has 4 comments, most recently from mg

A look inside 2 Judson Street

...has 3 comments, most recently from Diane (Agans) Boyle

Everything changes: Alicia Lea

...has 2 comments, most recently from Chaz Boyark

A few things I think about this place

...has 13 comments, most recently from Katherine