PrintLynbrook Bagels: Right Up There With New York's Best
[Photographs: Robyn Lee]
Dear Mr. Levine,
I hope this note finds you well, I am writing in regards to my family's bagel shop located in Lynbrook, NY (Long Island). My name is Jason Clancy. In 2003 your article in the New York Times, "Was Life Better When Bagels Were Smaller?" was an achievement for my family, although the reason may not be obvious. My mother, founder of Lynbrook Bagels, was somewhat of an apprentice of Bobby Madorski, and originally we had planned to open up with Bobby but in the end decided to go it alone (we are still very close with him).
Our bagels consist of the pure five ingredients (water, malt, yeast, flour, and salt), are small (1/4 pound), are kettle-baked on redwood boards, and crunch with every bite. (And if you are wondering after reading about the Irish and English parts of my family - my mother - in bagel tradition - is of eastern European Jewish decent).
I don't know if you ever venture out to Long Island. But if you do - I hope you would take the time to stop by my family's shop - Lynbrook Bagels.
Having grown up near Lynbrook, and knowing how good Bagelry owner Bobby Midorski's bagels are (and how seriously he takes the craft of bagel baking), I had to try Lynbrook Bagels. The New York area, and the entire country for that matter, needs more high quality bagel bakeries to vanquish the forces of oversized squishy bagel mediocrity that threaten our bagel-centric way of life.
I was skeptical about Lynbrook Bagels. Why? For a couple of reasons.
First, Clancy is not exactly a Jewish name; but these days the best bagels in NYC are made by a Thai family at Absolute Bagels, so why can't an Irish family in Lynbrook make great bagels on Long Island?
Secondly, the Clancy Family are huge New York Football Giants fans. How huge? During football season (which starts for us today with the Giants playing the Redskins) they use food coloring to make Giants Blue bagels. Now I'm a serious Giants fan, too, but I draw the line at blue bagels.
But on Tuesday a huge bag of Lynbrook Bagels was delivered to Serious Eats World HQ.
And you know what? The Clancys make world-class bagels.
They're smallish, with a crispy chew on the outside and light, gutsy bagel innards. And they're baked long enough to get to a beautiful golden brown that verges on dark brown. Mercifully, the Clancys did not send us any blue bagels. We appreciate that.
Lynbrook Bagels deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as New York's best bagel bakeries: Absolute Bagels, Bagel Hole, Bagel Oasis, Murray's, and Bagelry on Long Island. Welcome to the club, Lynbrook Bagels. It's a pretty exclusive one, unfortunately for us bagel lovers. Now, about those blue bagels....
Lynbrook Bagels
26 Atlantic Avenue, Lynbrook NY 11563 (map)
516-596-0917
lynbrookbagels.com
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17 Comments:
I'm so happy to hear your praise for Absolute Bagels! I didn't try them until the demise of the great Columbia Bagels (of blessed memory), but I've long thought they were the best I'd had since my childhood family road trips to the bagel shop near Dexter Davison's in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Those Lynwood bagels look pretty good, too, though. Fantastic looking crust!
klg19 at 2:19PM on 09/13/09
I agree. The bagels are amazing, but so is everything else they make. Be sure to try their healthy soups!
MJTShirt at 9:19AM on 09/15/09
Lynbrook Bagel is not like every other bagel store- no way. It is more like your favorite neighborhoods cafe. The fact that the bagels are fabulous is to be expected based on the high quality of the rest of the menu. The best homemade soups- everything fresh. And you might even see a photo slide show of your neighbors on the screens or the walls of honored guests photos. Always clean and friendly. All bagel stores should stop and take a lesson from the pros of Lynbrook Bagel!
Phyl211 at 1:19PM on 09/15/09
You got it right ! They're even better than Oasis, which was always the legend. Deena and family know exactly how to do it.
frameartgal at 3:29PM on 09/15/09
I been there a few times, good bagels, LOL. Can't start my morning without my bagel and delicious iced coffee, great staff, The Clancys are the best
The varieties of flats, bagels, muffins, pastries, and coffees are amazing.
I am there literally every morning, sometimes my standard breakfast order is ready for me when I get there.
The store is located in the heart of Lynbrook and they are always there to support the Community, from Little League Baseball to the annual Memorial Day Parade.
Waiting on line can be entertaining as you watch the montage of pix on the flat screen, read letters from customers on the wall, or just looking at the framed pix of the staff and customers that decorate the wall.
This is the BEST bagel store around!!!! Come and visit, well worth your while
ellenbegun at 6:57PM on 09/15/09
I have been a dedicated customer for the past 6 years, i haven't tasted a more authentic bagel than what Lynbrook Bagels produces. Its simply the best bagel, Crisp outside and soft interior. Did I mention the variety of ice coffee? If you have a chance to stop in, ask if they have Iced Irish Creme. If they do proceed to order a Large Iced Irish Creme with 2 scoops of sugar (no milk), you wont regret it! its as close to an Irish coffee that you can get to without having to add whiskey.
alex_mehr at 10:19PM on 09/15/09
I've been going to Lynbrook Bagels for 8 + yrs, often 5 days a week. Best bagels and sandwiches with Michael's fresh baked breads and the most delicious cream cheeses ever! They will gladly customize any order. Not only do I look forward to my morning coffee I go for lunch then coffee in the afternoon. Needless to say I am spoiled... Everyone greets you with a big " Hello" and makes you feel special. Oh the list can go on and on and I didn"t even mention the homemade mouth watering soups and cookies. Absolutely the best bagels and all around breakfast, brunch, lunch and pick me up spot around!!!!
Deb G at 8:49AM on 09/16/09
Lynbrook Bagels is by far the best bagel shop in the area. It's not just the food that lures customers in, but it's the service. Every customer is treated like family and the atmosphere is that of a family get together every day. The walls are covered with the testimony of the friendships the Clancy's have forged over the years. Gotta love them.. and their baaaaagels!
YUM!
RVCer at 11:07AM on 09/16/09
I have been a fixture at Lynbrook bagels since it opened in 1993. My children practically grew up on the food ( I don't cook much) The store has grown and expanded over the years but quality and service are always #1. It is a true community center with flat screens and photos lining the walls, changing almost as often as lighting fixtures which Kerry the behind the scenes man makes himself. Truly an amazing establishment that could only work the way it does because of all the time and care that comes from a committed family unit. We are blessed to have this go to place. We love you LB xoxo
Efixer at 3:58PM on 09/16/09
Lynbrook bagels... What make's Lynbrook bagels so special? The food, of course makes it very special. Bagels, baked goods,soups, salads, are up there with the best. But, what makes it so special.... simply... the relationship between the staff and the community. For many of the employees, it is their first job. They are just bundles of nerves and energy eager to serve you. Eyes light up when you place your order, jumping to their station and proceeding to fill your order. I honestly don't know what I enjoy more on Saturday morning, these young bright eyed kids at work or the food itself. Must be the combination of the two. Thank God for this country, places like Lynbrook bagels are ...''The American dream''
mrsee at 7:01PM on 09/16/09
simply the best ever!
Deb G at 11:18PM on 09/16/09
It is with great pleasure that I write this recommendation on behalf of Lynbrook Bagels. Growing up on Long Island, bagels have always and continue to be a staple in my diet. Having sampled a myriad of bagels from a cornucopia of bagel shops I can say with certainty that Lynbrook Bagels are the best! The only thing better than the bagels themselves are the bagels topped with one of their many delicious spreads or fresh deli meats and cheeses. Whenever I am home I always make time to treat myself to a harvest bagel with turkey. Finally, the owners and staff of Lynbrook Bagels always make you feel as if you are family from the minute you walk in the door. In short, Lynbrook Bagels is the greatest bagel shop in the world!!!
EmilyCC at 9:27PM on 09/17/09
There are many reasons why I love living in Lynbrook for the last 10 years... and one of them is having Lynbrook Bagels! I have been a customer for all the years I have been living here...I am originally from Queens and I am aware of what a good bagel is supposed to taste like! They have perfected it at Lynbrook Bagels! But what I love the most about going to Lynbrook Bagels is the atmosphere. It is truly a part of the town of Lynbrook! Everything is always fresh and wonderful and the staff is always inviting. On a personal note, I have a son who is allergic to all dairy products and peanuts. From the first moment I approached the Clancy family about this...they were nothing but accomodating! My son is able to go in and sit down like everyone else because they are kind enough to keep a container of soy butter with my his name on it and are always kind enough to use clean utensils as to not risk cross contamination. It is a wonderful feeling for my 7 year old to enjoy his favorite pumpernickel bagel in his favorite bagel store!
juliejim at 10:05PM on 09/17/09
I love Lynbrook Bagels. I go almost every morning for a cinnamon raisin bagel and a large coffee; sometimes an egg sandwich. The bagels are crunchy, chewy and delicious and just the right size. The "light" cream cheese is my yummy favorite. The Clancy's and the entire staff are warm and friendly and greet everyone like old friends. The kids behind the counter remember exactly how I like my eggs - whipped up, scrambled soft with crispy bacon on a plain roll. Michael makes some amazing artisan breads and the dog bone bagels are scarffed up by all my puppy friends. My cousins in Staten Island always ask me to bring Lynbrook Bagels when I visit!
ddrvc at 11:23PM on 09/19/09
Lynbrook Bagels is the best bagel shop around!!! Not only do they serve delicious bagels, but they also have a full line of Boars Head meats and cheeses! They have an amazing selection for breakfast, lunch, and desserts! I go there almost everyday: I can't get enough of their polite employees and amazing food!! They have a million different flavored coffees (iced or hot), the best muffins around, and delectable scones and baked goods! You have to stop by this bagel shop, or your seriously missing out!! The atmosphere is amazing, decorated with pictures of the community and its people, and set up like an espresso bar! This is my favorite place to eat around here. I love Lynbrook Bagels!!!
lovefood22 at 9:13PM on 09/20/09
This place is the best! The bagels are always super fresh, their coffee kicks starbutts overpriced a**, and the employees are super friendly.
thurstondie at 9:32PM on 09/20/09
Oh, could we use a Lynbrook Bagel in my adopted hometown - Raleigh NC - there isn't a really good bagel to be had within miles - even when I lived on the Upper West Side, good bagels were beginning to become a memory and my memory goes really far back. The best bagels my husband and I have had in the last umpteen years were baked by my best friend in CA from Peter Reinhart's recipe, which she sent to us semi-baked and we finish the baking. We are treasuring them slowly. I am wondering if I can tackle them this winter season. Hmmm
Monelle at 11:08AM on 09/21/09