Charlotte's great bagel debate
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The classic (lox, cream cheese, red onion, tomato and capers on an everything bagel) from New York Old School Bagel & Deli (left). An everything bagel from PopUp Bagels. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Charlotte's food scene is growing, but the hunt for a great bagel continues.
Why it matters: Despite plenty of options, Charlotteans can't agree on which bagel reigns supreme.
The latest: With buzzy Connecticut chain PopUp Bagels now in Plaza Midwood's bustling Commonwealth development, we took this matter to the people.
- And they have thoughts about bagels in this town — both the chains and the local shops.
Several readers who responded to our callout are fans of the taste of PopUp Bagels, but some find their prices a bit high.
- "PopUp [Bagels] has great quality but $40 for a dozen? C'mon," Axios reader Tom Cobb says.
New York transplants, myself included, have strong feelings about bagels.
- "As a New Yorker who has found herself in the Queen City, I definitely feel at home when I bite into a bagel from New York Old School Bagel & Deli," Axios reader Gia Mcnichols says.
- Bagels here are boiled. It's an intimate deli with a New York feel in south Charlotte near Pineville.
Stop by: 7510 Pineville-Matthews Road #11a
For the New Jersey transplants, they seem firmly in the Poppy's Bagels camp. Readers credit Poppy's for their consistent quality.
Stop by: 2921 Providence Road in south Charlotte and 2201 South Blvd. in South End
For a sourdough bagel, readers recommend Team Rose Bread. The family-run business operates from a carport-turned-bread-shop. Place your order online and then have it delivered if you live within their delivery radius or pick it up.
- "They have great chewy and bouncy texture," Axios reader Gabrielle Zendan says.
Then there are readers who swear by Florida-based Jeff's Bagel Run. The New York-style bagel chain has two south Charlotte locations.
- "Love the chewy texture and the cream cheese options," Nancy McCoy tells Axios.
Stop by: 2130 Ayrsley Town Blvd. Suite A in Ayrsley and 9941 Rea Road in Blakeney Town Center
Yes, but: Several readers say a good bagel can't be found in Charlotte.
- "I have lived in Charlotte for 11 years and it pains me GREATLY, the lack of not only good bagels, but even a remotely decent or passable bagel," Catherine Zimmerman tells Axios. "Miss me with the Poppy's hype."
- Instead, Zimmerman heads to Mint Hill for Family Dough Bagels. She describes them as "soft, fluffy, substantial, with the correct (a lot) amount of seasonings on top."
- When she's there, she begs them to open a location in Charlotte proper.
Stop by: 7102 Brighton Park Dr. #500
Zoom out: Responses ranged from local and chain shops to grocery stores (Costco and Lidl). Those outside Charlotte included:
- Bagel Bin: 9815 Sam Furr Road in Huntersville and 124 Argus Lane in Mooresville
- Poppyseeds Bagels: 1311 Chestnut Lane in Matthews, 13645 Providence Road in Weddington
- Tang and Sass: 7005 Wilkinson Blvd. Ste L, Belmont
- My Brothers Bagel: 751 N, NC-16 Bus Hwy, Denver
- Tega Cay Deli: 1143 Stonecrest Blvd., Suite 103 Tega Cay
- West End Bagels: 8390 Charlotte Hwy, Indian Land