Consumer Reports fails miserably in the bagel arena

Who makes the best bagels?

Bottom line. Dunkin’ Donuts, Lender’s Original, and Costco are the best choices, but be careful which Lender’s you choose: Its refrigerated Bagel Shop version was just so-so. Thomas’ Bagel Thins are a decent option if you’re watching your weight, though they taste more like rolls than bagels.

(Consumer Reports, May 2012 Edition)

ARE YOU JOKING?!?!?! Even if you’re writing for most of America that doesn’t have the best local bagel shops, this is the best they could do?!?!?! And why is Yonkers the high end of the bagel bar?!?!?! I’m not being a New York bagel snob here (ok, I am, a little), but isn’t it clear to anyone that frozen bagels are the wrong answer?!?!?!

This survey had too small a sample size and took on a question that they absolutely failed to appropriately answer. Kudos to The Atlantic and New York Post, who properly expressed outrage.

[Editor’s Note: Soon after I posted this, I learned that Murray Lender died. So I feel slightly bad. He was a good bagel man. At least read his obituary to honor what he did to spread the love of bagels.]

We have replicated the characteristics of Brooklynized water to make a superior bagel. We could do this anywhere in the world.

Ira Marcus, Brooklyn Water Bagel’s general counsel

The context is an insane water war with the purpose of making the best bagels possible. Does anyone have an update on what happened with this and/or if there are other pending issues regarding bagel or water litigation? THIS is fun stuff!

Great customer service makes me smile

A few days a week, I start my day at the Teleon Cafe with a bagel or coffee or both. I don’t think either is that amazing, but I really enjoy the staff who works there. They are courteous and smile, and don’t make me crabby before I’ve even really begun my day.

This morning, one of the ladies (the manager, I think?) asked my name. She said I come in too often for her not to know me, and it’s just a way to start the day more personally. I was so excited. I told her I was Jen and she introduced herself as Diana and asked if I knew [name I already forgot…oops*] at the register. We all had a friendly chat about familiarity and coffee and that was that.

I’m going to make a point to learn everyone’s name there this month, and I’m going to probably keep smiling from this really trivial interaction all day.

*not my normal cashier lady, who I know everything about**, including that her 7-year-old daughter takes belly dancing class

** I don’t know her name

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