Berkeley Bagel Shop Grabs National Spotlight

BERKELEY, CA — When New Yorkers compliment a bagel shop anywhere outside the Big Apple, they’re usually just being polite.

A Berkeley bagel shop has gained national attention after a New York Times food critic touted Boichik Bagels’ offerings as some of the best she’s ever had.

“Emily Winston’s bagels are some of the finest New York-style bagels I’ve ever tasted,” The Times’ Tejal Rao wrote.

“They just happen to be made in Berkeley.”

Winston, who grew up in central New Jersey, said her recipe is based on her child memories of the world-famous New York City-based H & H Bagels, The Times reported.

The spotlight has created overwhelming demand at Boichik’s 3170 College Ave. location, and the bagel shop acknowledged it’s having a hard time keeping up.

““***Due to NY Times coverage, we are dealing with vastly greater demand than before, and are struggling to adopt as quickly as we can,” the bagel shop wrote on its website.

“Pre-order and delivery slots are filling to capacity well ahead of time! Please pay attention when picking a date on the calendar.”

Boichik offers delivery throughout much of the Bay Area on designated days, but it said it will suspend mail shipments for the foreseeable future.

“Our priority is providing delicious bagels to our community,” the bagel shop said.