Empire Bagels Offers a Tasty Breakfast Experience in The Bronx

Bronx: It might sound a bit wild to travel over an hour just for a bagel, but not all bagels are the same. Empire Bagels in The Bronx has been buzzing in bagel chats, so I had to check it out.

I finally made it to Pelham Bay around 11:45 a.m., and with Empire Bagels closing at noon, I rushed over. I was surprised to see a line of about ten people waiting. Turns out, they only have a takeout window, no seating inside. When it was my turn, I asked for my go-to bacon, egg, and cheese.

“Can I have an everything BEC, please?” I said.

“Sorry, we don’t have a grill here, no BEC,” the staff replied.

That was a bit of a letdown since they have other locations with grills. But hey, I was there, so I wasn’t leaving empty-handed.

“Okay, just an everything bagel toasted with scallion cream cheese,” I tried again.

“We’re out of everything,” the employee said, making me feel a bit silly for showing up so close to closing time.

I ended up getting a whole wheat everything bagel with scallion cream cheese and a rainbow bagel with plain cream cheese. I’ve always been curious about rainbow bagels, so why not give it a shot?

Less than $10 later, I had a paper bag with two bagels. I unwrapped them around the corner. They had that classic firm, slightly crispy shell, and I hoped the inside was soft and chewy.

Starting with the whole wheat everything bagel, I was impressed. It wasn’t heavy at all. It had a nice bite but was still light and fluffy. Plus, they didn’t skimp on the cream cheese, which is key for a perfect bagel. I devoured the whole thing.

The menu boasts flavors like poppy, sesame, onion, and more. But many weren’t available when I visited, so if you have a favorite, get there early.

Next, I tried the rainbow bagel. It looked so bright and fun! I thought it might be sweet, but it turned out to be just a plain bagel with food coloring. It looked great but tasted a bit bland. Still, it’s a hit with kids, and it’ll definitely brighten up your social media feed.

Overall, I’m not sure if any bagel is worth a trip over an hour, especially without my beloved BEC. But these bagels are fluffy and sturdy, and the prices are great. If I’m nearby, I’d happily swing by Empire Bagels again. There’s a reason people rave about it; for a solid bagel, their no-fuss approach is spot on.

Address: 3101 Westchester Ave, Bronx, NY 10461
Phone: (718) 828-4530
Hours: Monday-Sunday 5 a.m.-12 p.m.
Prices: Bagels: $2-$18.75; Fresh Muffins: $4.25; Mini Bagels: $1.25-$12.50; Coffee, Tea, and Hot Chocolate: $2.50-$23.50
Delivery and takeout available; no reservations, just a takeout window.
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