St. Lawrence Bagels — Restaurant in Calgary

Moving from one city to another is always packed with problems. But Montrealers have an additional problem when they move. Many are addicted to the bagels from St. Viateur Bakery, where bagels are first boiled in honey water, covered with sesame or poppy seeds and then baked in the back of a wood-burning oven, just like their European forefathers did for centuries. Having enjoyed Old World bagels, Montrealers are loath to compromise with Americanized bagels – regular bread dough baked into the shape of donuts. Is it any wonder Montrealers are soon combing their new cities in search of an authentic bagel? Shortly after our arrival in Calgary, my wife and I googled and yelped our way through local bakeries and followed the suggestions of well-meaning friends. Some of the bagels were tasty, but disappointing.

Then, while driving down Parkdale Blvd., I spied a shop called ‘St Lawrence Bagels’. I quickly turned into the small strip mall and entered the bakery. It wasn’t fancy, but I looked at the wood-burning oven, I smelled the familiar and distinctive odour, I looked at the shelves of freshly cooked bagels and I knew our search had ended.

After a brief chat with the owners Ram and his wife, Niro, I discovered they too were ex Montrealers and that Ram had actually worked for a decade at the iconic St. Viateur Bakery. No wonder! I bought a dozen bagels and hurried home to surprise my wife. We quickly popped two bagels into the toaster oven. The first bite confirmed that those were, in fact, the real thing – Montreal bagels. We were elated!

So, if you are a Montrealer looking for a traditional bagel in Calgary, look no further than ‘St. Lawrence Bagels’. If you are a native Calgarian who believes all bagels are equal, visit Ram and treat yourself to a taste of the Old World. Perhaps you’ll understand why Montrealers are so particular about...

DO NOT SPENT YOUR MONEY HERE! I’ve given St. Lawrence tons of business over the last 3 years. When I was in the hospital after brain surgery, I always picked up 2 dozen bagels and Winnipeg cream cheese for all of the nurses and doctors. I will never come here again. I ordered a lox sesame seed bagel and a smoked meat bagel. I asked for the lox to be warm, and they said it was no problem. When a dozen bagels is 10$, first of all you shouldn’t be paying 20$ for 2. The bagels came out, and the lox was freezing cold. She then proceeded to throw the lox in the microwave and put raw onion and tomato on top, even though we asked for no tomato. Then, I pulled out a long black hair (my hair is brown/blonde) out of the smoked meat sandwich. I brought it back and the girl working took the hair in a napkin, and the owner asked what I’d like to be done and I said I’d like a refund. As soon as I brought it in, the guy had a smile on his face and as soon as I said something he started laughing at me. Told me he wouldn’t give me a refund because it “wasn’t their hair” even though he NEVER actually looked at the hair!! Told me that he’d make me a new one, which I obviously didn’t want as I completely lost my appetite having to fish someone else’s hair out of my sandwich. To top it all off, they only take cash because the owner is too cheap to pay the 1.5% to take credit cards or debit. I’ve been a loyal customer to this place for years, and I’m completely disappointed. You should NEVER be laughed at when bringing up a real concern, and there were issues with everything we ordered. Stay away from this place! Horrible owner and even...

I am from Montreal and grew up in the Mile end, home to the famous St-viateur and Fairmont bagels. As early as I can remember, in the morning my dad would take me to st-viateur bagels and get me a fresh-out-of the wood fire oven bagel that I would eat while still hot on my way to school. St-viateur bagels is an institution in Montreal, part of the culture. When I go back to visit, it is one of my first stops. And when I have family and friends visiting, they know what to bring (bagels). There’s a few places in Calgary that claim to make Montreal style bagels but it’s been quite disappointing until I tasted St-Lawrence bagels. These are it, folks! The closest to a real Montreal bagel I’ve had outside of Montreal. No surprises, the owner is from Montreal and used to work at St-viateur bagels!! I am so glad I have found this place and have been going back on a regular bagel run. I love that they are making whole wheat& whole grain versions and they sell all the fixings too (cream cheese, smoked salmon, capers,...