I recently visited Bart’s Bagels’ South Philadelphia location, which opened in July of 2024. The owners, brothers Brett and Kyle Frankel, first opened their original location in West Philadelphia in 2020. “Bart’s Bagels honors heritage bagel-making methods,” says their website, “it’s how bagels used to be, and how bagels should be – one taste you’ll inherently know.”
Philadelphians are very particular when it comes to bagels. Food writer, Michael Klein, of the Philadelphia Inquirer states, “Philadelphians feel that they must travel a hundred miles to New York to score the tastiest bagels and deli. The [Frankel] brothers are putting their money where their mouths are. They’re doing it themselves, much closer to home.”
When I first walked in, I noticed there wasn’t a lot of space inside, and that it was probably more of a takeout spot as there was no indoor seating. However, they had a large outdoor space with seating for those willing to brave the elements. Their menu provides something for everyone. For more traditional bagel fans, they offer classics like their “Plain Jane” egg and cheese bagel, as well as some plain spreads. If you’re looking for something a little more adventuresome, their specialty and smoked fish sandwiches can be made with a wide variety of toppings. For those seeking a vegan option, tofu-based cream cheese is available. Their weekly specials keep the menu fresh – check their Instagram for the latest specials. Looking for a sweet treat to go with your bagel? Don’t forget to grab a chocolate chip cookie or a cinnamon raisin rugelach. Bart’s Blend Coffee, a collaboration with Elixr Coffee, and their House-Brewed Iced Tea are available to wash everything down.
When I approached the counter to order, the staff were friendly and the service was quick. My attention was quickly grabbed by a smaller space behind the counter where you could see the bagels actually being made in a revolving oven. This intriguing process also demonstrated that their bagels were fresh and homemade, making me even more excited to try them. Complementary water was a nice touch. The space was very clean, and its small size made ordering quick and convenient.
I decided to sample three different things from their menu to get a mix of flavors from their offerings. I chose their “Plain Jane” egg and cheese sandwich, a plain bagel with blueberry cream cheese, and a plain sesame bagel with nothing on it. The total was about $17 for all three items. Immediately, I noticed that all three bagels were very soft and doughy with a pleasant texture. The blueberry cream cheese had actual blueberries in it and its sweetness complemented the savoriness of the bagel. It was also not overstuffed with cream cheese, like so many other bagel places do, and I did not have to scrape out any excess cream cheese. I ordered two of the bagels toasted, and they came out with just the right amount of crunch while still maintaining the softness and fluffiness of the bagel. The egg and cheese bagel had a perfect balance of eggs and cheese, and like the other bagel, was not overflowing with its ingredients. Lastly, I wanted to taste one of their bagels without any toppings to really get a sense of the quality of their base product. To my surprise, it didn’t even need anything on it. It had enough flavor and softness that I would have been happy eating it without any spreads or anything else.
At many of the bagel shops and cafes I have been to, they do not make their own bagels. After trying Bart’s Bagels, I realized the importance of a bagel being in-house and fresh, and the impact it has on the overall taste and experience. If you are a bagel lover and live in the Philadelphia area, I would highly recommend stopping by either of their locations.
