Battle of the Bagels: Bagel Hole v. Terrace Bagels

One of the things I love to do in Brooklyn on the weekends is get fresh, warm New York style bagels.  Two of the best bagel places I know of are located just a couple of minutes from each other in Brooklyn, Bagel Hole and Terrace Bagels.  One day, I decided to get bagels from both places and compare them.

One of the first things you notice about the bagels at Bagel Hole and Terrace Bagels is the difference in size.  The bagels at Terrace Bagels are much larger.

Left: Terrace Bagels
Right: Bagel Hole

In terms of texture, Bagel Hole's bagels are dense and chewy with a very crisp outside.  The crispness of the bagels is rather unique and understandably, the reason why Bagel Hole has a legion of fans.

Bagel Hole: Bagels ★★★★☆

The bagels at Terrace Bagels are completely different.  The outside of their bagels is still crispy, although not as crisp as Bagel Hole bagels. Terrace's bagels, however, are much fluffier, softer and not nearly as dense and chewy as the bagels at Bagel Hole.  It is the softness and fluffiness of the bagels that makes Terrace Bagels taste so fresh and satisfying.

Terrace Bagels: Bagels ★★★★★

In summary, both Terrace Bagels and Bagel Hole make excellent bagels.  The bagels at both places taste equally delicious.  I could easily understand a person liking either of them better than the other.  But I like my bagels soft and fluffy.  In my mind, that's what a classic New York style bagel should be.

Therefore, in this Battle of the Bagels, the winner is Terrace Bagels!