Tal Bagels

NAME: Tal Bagels
LOCATION: 333 E 86th St
PRICE: $5.17

Today's journey was to Tal Bagel on the Upper East Side. I've read a lot of positive reviews of this supposed bagel haven and while it is not a failure, it is far from a triumph.

Upon first glance the selection of cream cheeses was inviting. I ordered up my standard everything with veggie cream cheese. The bagel itself is a complicated story. Slightly crispy, nicely chewy, a perfect smattering of everything bits (with an emphasis on the garlic) but EXTREMELY dry. If I had to give out an award for "driest bagel in NYC" it would instantly go to Tal Bagels. Like eating the ashes of a dead relative in the deceiving disguise of a delicious bagel.

The cream cheese was good but not amazing. Certainly not as good as they make it look in the display case. Apparently the proprietors here are masters of illusion. Leaning slightly more toward the sticky end of things and not enough toward the creamy. That said, there were a healthy dose of veggies inside and the taste was not unpleasant.

The coffee was bad. Super dark and watery. I honestly don't want to waste my time describing it further.

Despite my somewhat negative review, the bagel was tasty. If you are in the area and need a quick bagel fix and aren't to discerning then you wont be upset by Tal Bagels. Just. please, don't go out of your way to visit.

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