Ess-a-Bagel, Stuyvesant Town

Names this bagel shop as a bagel pick for a budget New York visit.

Finds it baffling that this shop was left off a top bagels roundup.

Says Ess-a-Bagel is inconsistent, sometimes good and sometimes not.

Loves their bagels, describing them as chewy with a slight tang.

Puzzled by the long lines and calls the bagel very mediocre for the hype.

Commenter loves the layering, yeasty flavor and crust of Ess-a-Bagels.

Says it is their sole go-to for standout bagels.

Says these hold up well when bagged and frozen, and unsliced frozen ones can turn out great when baked.

Agrees that leaving it off the list is a glaring omission.

Says Ess-a was wrongly left off the list.

Grew up with the shop, loves its bagels, and ranks them nearer the top than the bottom.

Says it barely counts as a bagel and is closer to bread.

Says hot items are microwaved, which lowers their opinion, though the bagels are pretty good.

Calls this shop the best and says the bagels should be frozen before travel.

Says the egg sandwiches are microwaved and come out flat and rubbery every time.

Couldn't get eggs cooked over-easy and suspected microwaving, so walked out.

Calls it the best around and says the queue is tourists; the back counter has no line.

Says the bagels are not great, too large and doughy, and points to other shops in that area.

Says it has become a tourist trap for them personally.

Recently ate at the midtown branch; found the bagel chewy and dry and was unimpressed on first visit.

Calls it a soft bagel they detest.

Commenter has no love for Ess-a-Bagel, calling them bloated without holes.