Bagel City: The Best Bagels in Maryland

Bagel City in Rockville, Maryland, is the best bagel eatery I have been to since I left New York City some 23 years ago. My wife and I eat there at least once a week and love their food as well as their friendly and prompt service. I also appreciate the fact that there is no tipping permitted and no self table bussing after your meal. There are numerous available tables in the dining area during most of the weeks with Sunday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. being the exception due to large Sunday brunch crowds. Bagel City is a gathering place where you can relax, meet with family and friends and enjoy scrumptious bagels, knishes and pastries.

The secret to a good bagel is in the dough. If the basic ingredient is not of the highest quality then nothing you can put on your bagel will make it a great sandwich. Bagel City bagel dough make the best bagels I have ever tasted with the exclusion of one or two bagel bakeries in New York City. The other ingredients ranging from plain to "everything bagels" are made with the best spices which can be obtained. There are several dozen varieties of bagels served at Bagel City including my favorite "The Twist". Just add their perfect texture pure white meat tuna fish spread and you have a sandwich which kept me coming back for 23 years.

My wife favors the black and white bagel with homemade veggie cream cheese. They serve homemade coleslaw with each sandwich and a quarter of a large garlic dill pickle to finish it off. I always add a potato knish with my sandwich. The whitefish salad is outstanding for those who love this topping. Pizza bagels are one of their specialty dishes as are the breakfast bagels made with eggs, bacon or sausage and cheese.

The drink selection is tremendous. There are hundreds of different beverages include Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray, both regular and diet varieties. They have juices of every description and exotic soda brands in bottle or cans. Every energy drink or tea based drink is also available. Their coffee is excellent and you can refill your cup continually.

The dessert selection includes pastries of every description and taste. Their rugelach is authentic and delicious as is their wide selection of cookies and Danish pastries. They have a black and white brownie which is something else if you are not counting calories. The macaroons are excellent and should not be missed. If you missed buying a dessert you can go on a special short line to order it.

All ingredients are the finest available. They owner takes pride in serving only the best of everything. The smoked salmon (lox) is the best I have had since I was in Seattle and purchased their famous smoked salmon at the bayside market. The cold cuts are generally the best imported brands available. Cream cheese varieties are all made in their kitchen and are available in take home containers. Bagels are also available on a take home basis.

The original Bagel City is located at 12119 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland but a new branch was recently opened in Wheaton, Maryland at the Westfield Mall off of Georgia Avenue and Veirs Mill Drive. Dress is casual at all times with people wearing shorts during the summer and jeans or khakis during the winter. The restaurant is definitely family oriented with new parent showing off their children. Normally I might consider this to be a negative because a screaming child can ruin a meal. However, the children at Bagel City tend not to be unruly. I am not sure why this is so.

I would feel safe recommending Bagel City to any of my own family or friends, and of course to you, my readers.