There is nothing like a New York bagel. I accept this, even though I don't believe the endless theories about why. It's not the NYC water. My sister-in-law lives north of the Hudson, and no bagel outside New York has matched the shopping center bagel place nearest her house. We crowd around them when they arrive for visits, hoping for a paper bag filled with the bagels that they consider routine. But Bagel Bin works for me. Really works. The authentic skin around a bagel with real flavor and the dense texture that says, "This is not sandwich bread formed into a circle." At times, the bagels are inconsistent, but they're normally quite good and certainly the best that I have found out here in Howard County. They're served in a variety from the old-line salt and poppy to the sweet newcomers like blueberry. Plus, you can find little treats like bialy or even challah on Fridays.
I have worked my way through Bagel Bins. I started at the Wilde Lake location. It was one of the first errands that I did when Mrs. Howchow and I started to date. Weekend morning runs for some everythings, maybe a bialy, and if they're hot from the oven, maybe eat one in the car on the way home. Now, I have branched out to the ones in King's Contrivance and River Hill.
I deduced that this is all part of a small chain, owned by someone crafty enough to build an empire but not interested enough to create a Web site. It's an interesting choice, and one that I actually respect. What do I want in a bagel Web site? They sell bagels, cream cheese, coffee. What would I want to look up? I want to go to a bagel shop, and I like that it feels like a local place. Local people at the tables. Odd photos on the wall. (Advertising a local photographer?) Local high school kids smiling behind the counter and making it impossible to really mind when they slow down the process or screw up an order.
Nothing beats a New York bagel, but I'm glad these places are here for me.
If you are looking for a Bagel Bin, look up the locations on the Web site for the Columbia shopping centers: www.columbiavillagecenters.com. If you want more breads and cookies, check out my post about bakeries in Howard County.
Bagel Bin - Wilde Lake near downtown Columbia
Wilde Lake Village Greene
410-740-0024
NEAR: Right near the Columbia Mall and the Wilde Lake High School.
Bagel Bin -- King's Contrivance in southern Columbia
410-381-1730
NEAR: South of Rte 32 east of Rte 29. The shopping center is hidden in the King's Contrivance neighborhood, but it's worth the trip there for the bagels and soon for a Harris Teeters.
Bagel Bin - River Hill in Clarkville
410-531-0335
NEAR: Just north of Rte 32 on Rte 108. River Hill shopping center is just north and across Rte 108 from the car dealerships.
For my money, the best bagels around are at Nora Cafe in Ellicott City.
ReplyDeleteThere is another Bagel Bin at Enchanted Forest shopping center, on Route 40 in Ellicott City.
ReplyDelete10040 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City.
(410) 418-8700.
All of the Bagel Bins were once owned by the same guy. Sold a few years aso, each one is now independently owned. Call ahead for Bialy's if you want some past 10 am or if you want several dozen to send home with visiting friends and relatives. They freeze well!
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