Hands down one of the best bagels I've had. Chewy? Yes! Slight crunch? Yes! Did it have a slight crunch to the exterior? Yes! Tasty toasted? Yes! Tasty untoasted? Yes I've tried the plain, toasted and salted bagels. Each one was delicious and worth the wait. The schmear is OK - go for the bagel. They're still working through some kinks - for example, toasted bagels were not available during my past two visits. Fortunately, the bagels I had were still delightful untoasted and the folks hooked me up with a tiny container of topping (butter for me). I was here when Noah's (the first one) opened on College Ave. Glad to see this place here! read more

Boichik Bagels - Bagels Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I was recommended to try Boichiks and I've been back numerous times. Best bagels ever!

Literally drove 50 miles to try this spot and got here and tried to line up at 11:35 for them to close the line right as we lined up... Literally 2 steps closer/few seconds earlier and we would've been the last customers. Thing is They close at 1. Really annoyed. Bad review cause I called ahead to see if we can come without worrying about early cut offs and they said yah don't worry about it. Literally just Drove by as we were leaving the neighborhood to see that they started accepting people again. Wtf! You guys suck! read more

Great bagels and even though the line can look intimidating sometimes, they have a great system to keep things moving (and we usually grab a coffee across the street after we order) read more

Came here to try their renowned bagels! There is a parking lot but the spaces are quite tight and can be filled up easily. You order outside and there is social distancing between you and the cashier. I ordered a sesame bagel with cream cheese and a classic (lox salmon) sandwich. Both were quite delicious. My only complaint would be the price. I spent $20 on these two items (with the classic sandwich being ~$15-16). Although their quality is good, I don't think it warrants that price. read more

My expectations for Boichik was hyper-inflated due to the hype surrounding this place. If you're only interested in buying bagels to take home, you can buy a 6-pack of them at Berkeley Bowl or online to save time on a trip here & waiting in line. The bagels here are just okay. They are not bad, but a bit expensive for what they are and not worth the wait. There was quite a line every time I came here both on weekends and weekdays. There's parking in a small (and mildly claustrophobia-inducing) lot next to the shop, but I've been forced to find street parking a handful of times due to the limited amount of spaces. This is a case in which their cream cheese is better than their bagels. I'm a huge fan of tangy cream cheeses, and the Pink Label one they use here really hits the spot. I also love the horseradish cheddar scallion cream cheese - which is just plain cream cheeses with horseradish, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped green onions mixed in. While the bagels definitely had its signature chewiness to distinguish itself from the generic "white bread-like" variety, the texture has been a bit inconsistent. There have been some times that the chewiness bordered on hard and made for a less-than satisfying experience. At the price of over $5 for a toasted bagel with my beloved Pink Label or horseradish cheddar scallion cream cheese, the roll of the dice on bagel texture is an unpleasant surprise to have to take a chance on for what I consider a treat. read more

I've had the frozen Boichik Bagels a few times in Locale deliveries and was ready to try the fresh and real thing. I parked a couple blocks away in a neighborhood and as I walked over I noticed they have a parking lot. Is this the same as a New York bagel sandwich? No, but it is very close and scratches the itch. You can order ahead or go mid-week to avoid the line. I only waited five minutes on a recent Wednesday around 10:30am. I ate this walking down the street I couldn't even wait. read more

Boychik's may have broken the curse of the Bay bagel. The bagels themselves are delicious. And the sandwiches are great too - they use heirloom tomatoes, which I've never seen on NYC bagel sandwiches. Their operation is smooth with a fast moving line during peak weekend times. And the pick up experience during Covid was great. The only room for improvement is I like my bagels a little bigger a la NYC. And the bialy onion stuff in the middle is in too large a quantity and isn't processed enough - you can still discern real onion - I like the pink processed stuff in NYC better. read more

Boichik Bagels - Pumpernickel is delicious. And bagels are big enough to slice in three (though still not as big as NYC bagels :( ) - Bagels Near Me - Berkeley, California

Best bagels anywhere in the Bay Area, they deliver to many local towns which is handy. The flavor or the dough is delicious as are all the accompaniments: cheddar, scallion, horseradish cream cheese :-) is yum! Order or drop by you won't be disappointed! read more

Was our go-to bagel spot until they stopped producing in store. As of April 2023 bagels are made in a central factory and transported to the storefront. We found this out after getting a stale batch of bagels and researching what had changed. Hopefully they work out the kinks and can once again serve fresh bagels! read more

The line is long, but a couple of ladies take orders and it moves fairly quick. Got couple of veggie bagels- they charged us for cucumbers but didn't add that. The bagel itself was hard to chew. We paid for chive cream cheese and got regular cream cheese. This bagel was hard to swallow, would not recommend this place for bagel at all. Also they don't have any lattes on the menu, but thankfully there was Peets near by. Another disappointing bagged place in East Bay. read more

Boichik Bagels - Veggie bagel - Bagels Near Me - Berkeley, California

The truth is: I don't seek out bagels. I don't really get what the hype is with them. Sure, they're good and I like everything bagels but it has just felt like a dense bread experience to me. Big whoop. Boichick bagels are different, they are tender and airy and don't hurt my jaw to bite into or chew. It was a truly enjoyable experience to eat a bagel with some schmear on it - I'd highly recommend you stop by. Ordering in person was easy (we got lucky and stumbled upon a lull, so there wasn't a line) and it's very well organized. Also, oy vey, I love a clever name! When my brother told me about it I snickered and knew this was a rad business I HAD to check out while in town. read more

Best bagels in the East Bay. Line moves very fast. Spring for their Pink Label cream cheese and their malted coffee is also delicious.

I was on a diet, you, jerks. Please pay attention to how hot the coffee comes out. Sometimes it is just warm, which kills a bit of experience. Do not forget to grab a half gallon of OJ. The marvelous combination of the classic, OJ, and coffee followed by a good sh** and a shower will get ya day rolling. read more

The most delicious bagels and wonderful crew working there. I would go over and over again. read more

I get them at work each week, and their shop in Berkeley is the bomb...a bagel bomb! I love their everything and sesame bagels best, and their lox are tasty. read more

I will preface this by saying I have not had their bagel, but I'm just commenting on their process. We ordered about $80 worth of bagels and cream cheese, but forgot to pick up our order. I emailed the day afterwards and they responded back two days later to say it had all been donated. I only got a partial refund for the cream cheese. I understand that it was my fault for forgetting the pickup date, but I do wish Boichik had some sort of notification system (call, email?) or even give me the option to pick up the day after instead of just donating it without my consent. It's a bit infuriating to lose out on $60 worth of bagels by just forgetting to pick up by a day. read more

This is for service not the bagels as I HAVE NOT yet tried them. I ordered a dozen bagels to be delivered A MONTH IN advance but mistyped my email address by One letter. I had to keep emailing them with any questions I had and couldn't double check on the order myself. They also had no way for them to make those changes. Plus you have to wait from 7 AM to noon on delivery day with no idea when someone is coming until 10 minutes before they arrive. I can get actual bagels from New York delivered for the same price I I know exactly when they're coming. read more

Was in line for over half an hour. Got to the front of the line, and was told they were closed. They should have sent someone down the line to have a cutoff. Will not be coming back here for their mediocre food. read more

Want some overhyped bagels? Come here. I had their lox bagel with the everything bagel. It was not only pricey, but it was a lot in terms of cream cheese and salt. Yeah this is a smoke salmon bagel so I knew it'd be salty, but it needed more to balance it like more tomatoes, cucumbers, dill, more onion, etc. I could have just made this myself, and I've had better lox bagels elsewhere. The everything bagel itself was good, but for the wait, price, etc. I think I paid like ~$16 for this. It's definitely filling at least, but I don't know if I'd come back. read more

Boichik Bagels - Smoked Salmon Bagel - Bagels Near Me - Berkeley, California

Below average bagels nothing special. Also ordered the tuna and got a flavorless watery mess. Waisted $10 wont be back read more

Boichik Bagels - Bagels Near Me - Berkeley, California

I lived in New York City for 5 years in my early 20s and that set my standard for bagels. I haven't lived in NYC for 20-some years so my criteria may be fading but the bagel at Boichik holds up. I don't order bagels toasted, and the bagel I chose had already cooled and then I put hatch cream cheese on it. Would love to try one fresh and piping hot. read more

This place has real bagels in California! It's hard to explain to Californians what a bagel is, but in case you have never been to a real bagel shop outside of California, then go to Boichik's to try a bagel for the first time. For the rest who believe a bagel is just any form of bread with a hole in it, I would explain that going to other bagel shops in California is like ordering an angel food cake and receiving a pound cake or ordering a sunny side up egg and getting scrambled eggs. This article by LV Anderson does a decent job explaining : "So what makes a bagel a bagel? As previously mentioned, it has to contain barley malt syrup. Sugar, honey, and molasses are simply no substitutes for this complex, not-particularly-sweet, tar-like substance." "A bagel also has to be boiled before it is baked. Boiling is what gives bagels their characteristic hard, chewy exteriors. Brushing the unbaked dough rings with water before baking them will not accomplish the same thing, and neither will steaming. You must actually submerge the bagels in simmering water for at least a minute.." https://slate.com/culture/2014/04/authentic-bagel-recipe-you-need-barley-malt-syrup-and-boiling-water.html read more

FINALLY, as their bag states- "There are NOW good bagels in California!" but really should say-'...GREAT bagels on the West Coast!' These bagels are part of what I miss about my trips to New York. Delicious bagels- with that slightly dense (not light and slightly airy like the chain bagel shop- although I like that place too) and slight chewy texture that I haven't been able to find anywhere on this side of the coast until now! They also have a tasty whitefish salad and the bialys! They're not cheap but well worth the price and I definitely recommend going during the week b/c on weekends the line goes around the block (think Disneyland but just a tad longer). They freeze well, too. I absolutely love this place and highly recommend it! read more

Yummmmmm. I've been twice now since I moved to Elmwood last week. I have gotten everything bagels with the horseradish cheddar cream cheese both times. Definitely add some veggies if you're in the mood. I can't wait to keep coming back again and again. And to bring my east Coast friends here to see what they think. read more

I guess New Yorkers like their toasted bagels ice cold? In New York, do people like their bagels to have no texture contrast? I've heard of this place called New York - the bagels must be terrible there. What a strange dissapointment. read more

I don't normally eat bagels but I had to try given the hype. Bagels cost three dollars each. I tried the everything bagel and it was good. Dense and tasted fresh. Solid. read more

Boichik Bagels - FronT oF sTore - Bagels Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Dare I say best NY style bagels in the bay? Came here on a Friday morning at 7:30 and there was already a line around the corner but it does move quickly. The bagels are so delicious, perfect density and taste! Will definitely come back! read more

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Been craving a NYC bagel after moving out here. I came across this spot after reading a NYT article while in search of a decent pumpernickel bagel- my go to order I used to get a lot back in NYC. After reading the hype and the background of this bagel shop, I was excited to drive out here in the morning. Found a long line and was like, hmm must be really good. Unfortunately, I found it very underwhelming. My pumpernickel really lacked flavor, barely toasted and the cream cheese with chive had a hint of it--I'm so used to the strong onion taste that leaves strong breath afterwards. The size was small but made up with price- so used to the prices back home. My husband changed his order when they didn't offer egg and cheese. Just got a sesame one with cream cheese and tomato. Nice try-- but this wasn't a place that screamed NY bagels! NYT was misleading. Also, just a side note, they ought to be considerate of where they have folks line up for their orders outdoors--you don't go inside. People were blocking the next door clothing/jewelry business and that owner had a passive aggressive way of dealing with folks. read more

Boichik Bagels - Bagels Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Have been a regular customer. I went to place a large catering order the day before at 11:30 AM was told I had missed the cut off for the day (10AM). They mentioned that I could come back early the next day and order it in person. I am came back when they opened the next day at 7:30AM tried to place a $200 order. The staff wouldn't give a plastic tray even when I offered to pay for it. They said the order had to be made online. Service was quite rude and unhelpful. This place is not worth the headache! So just went down the road to a local bakery. read more

Definitely lives up to the hype! Truly the best bagels I've ever had. Also have to give a shout out to the manager...I was trying to order food AND some merch, but wires got crossed from how I worded my order for the guy at the register. Long story short, the merch came out immediately and my food order hadn't gone through. BUT THEN the manager (I think his name was Todd?) SAVED THE DAY - he was super apologetic and ended up giving me some bagels and cream cheese. I am so glad I got to try these amazing bagels before giving the merch & gift card to my friend as a gift, and I will definitely be going back!! (FYI gift cards are only available online, they don't offer plastic in-store cards) read more

WOW... JUST, WOW. This is seriously the most amazing bagel place in the Bay Area, and some argue it's better than bagels in NYC! They are a little bit pricey, but so delicious. Taking into account the fact that they have to pay bay area rent and just went through a pandemic, I can understand charging $15 for a lox bagel. I wish the prices were a bit lower, but the quality is amazing so I can't complain. read more

I'm no expert but these were probably some of the best bagels I've ever had. The bagel itself was baked nicely and the sandwich filling was very flavorful. We came at 9am on a Wednesday morning and it took about 45 minutes to get our bagels. read more

Boichik Bagels - The Classic sandwich ($15.00) and The Daily Special sandwich ($8.00) - Bagels Near Me - Berkeley, California

Hands down best bagels in the west coast and probably in the world. East coasters, you guys obviously are blessed with bagels that are on-average far superior to CA. But Boichik is on another tier entirely. It's not humanly possible to craft a bagel better than theirs. read more

Second time trying Boichik and much better than my first time. And the line moves fast.

I had this drafted review for a while and just remembered to finish it after I saw the NYT article last week. I came here a few months ago to fuel up before a hike. Around 9:30 am on a Wednesday morning, there was quite a line, but the staff have definitely figured out a way to make things as seamless as possible. I ended up getting a bagel sandwich (it's my fault for not finishing this review earlier because I forgot lol) which while good, I definitely don't think it should have been $17. It's probably just my mistake to go with a specialized bagelwich and not sticking to the basic bagel + schmear. I do remember the pumperthingel bagel itself was dense and chewy and definitely a step above Noah's Bagels. I'm not the right person to ask if these bagels are better than bagels in NY, but this is definitely one of the higher quality bagel spots in the Bay Area that you should make a trip out to (& expect to splurge a little). read more

Okay fine. The bagels are good. And the line if you go early is palatable. I dunno, I don't think it's worth the money... I'll just leave that there. read more

Great Bagels. Great people. Especially love the pumpernickel and the marbled raisin.

Finally able to grab some bagels on New Years Eve. Definitely New York style, and very tasty. I got the everything, and cinnamon raisin. There was a line, but it moved quickly. You can also pre-order too online, and they have a separate line for that. If I lived closer to Berkeley, I would come here all the time. Noah who? read more

If you want the best bagels in CA, you're going to have to pay and you're going to have to wait. While not as good as bagels I've had in NYC, they are the best I've had on the west coast. They have a slight crunch on the outside, doughy center, and good flavor for all of the bagels I tried. At $3 per bagel, plus having to wait in line for 40 minutes, I don't think they're so much better than the average bagel place to warrant Boichick becoming my go to bagel place. If you want the best though, you should come here. Also I tried the Bialy and while good, the bagels are much better. read more