Some people have very strong opinions about bagels. While I do not have very strong opinions, I do appreciate a good bagel. And that’s why I tuned right into the controversial statement of THE New York Times naming Courage Bagels of Los Angeles the best in the country. Bold statement coming from a respected media institution. I don’t eat enough bagels to agree or disagree but Courage does make a damn good bagel. Organically shaped Montreal style bagels topped off with Californian ingredients, famous in a city that runs on fame.

Waiting is a core part of the experience. You circle around the blocks a few times to find parking. You stand in line, place your order at the window, and the loiter on the sidewalk as you wait for your precious bagels, disassociating as you watch traffic pass you by on Virgil, seeing the crowds fill up Sqirl down the street, having an existential crisis about participating in the gentrification of the neighborhood. And then they call your name, you get the goods and snag a table on the sidewalk or drive back home and marvel at the almost burnt to perfection bagels. In true LA fashion, these perfectly composed, perfectly garnished bagels are as pretty as they are delicious, not needing any more than basic unbranded take out boxes and bags to let it shine.