Bialy's Bagels — Restaurant in University Heights

Been getting bagels from here for 20+ years. Has the “small local” place feel going for it, though I always had the nagging feeling that Brueggel actually makes a better bagel on a good day. Bialy’s is just a bit too dense with a thick outer skin, not a crust (I know about the steam, but I also homebake at least weekly and spend enough time in Europe to know what I am talking about). Why write a review after 20 years ok OK/so-so bagels?. Last Friday I was asked to bring bagels to a weekend getaway for 14 people. Pulled into the parking lot, gwent to the door that was locked. I look questioningly at the 3 employees inside. One lady looks at me quite upset saying they are closed. I give my best puppy eyes, pleading face. Begging. But I seem to have made zero impression as she walks out from behind the counter not to open the door but to actually turn off the still-lit “open” sign. Deflated, I walk back to the car where my wife’s 1:00 pm conference call finally started. Watch says 1:01pm. One last look back at the store and I see bagels getting dumped out. 18 of which I could have been paying for right at that moment.

When given lemons: make lemonade! Google search showed a Bagel store “Nubeigel” on Lee road open for another 29 minutes.

And Nubeigel actually has GREAT bagels. Great crust, dense dough (but not overly so). Thanks to the surly Bialys lady, I finally found great bagels in Cleveland.

So this review is for anyone who wants good bagels, with friendly service in Cleveland: go try Nubeigel on Lee (across from Marotta’s). But if you are stuck on Bialys, then show up no less than 5-10 minutes before...

This place has been compared to newcomer Cleveland Bagel recently and the latter’s owner suggested on social media that he’s not trying to start wars or run anyone out of business and people should decide how it is for themselves. So, since I now live on this side of town, I did.

This place is like a time machine. They do Bagels right and like CLE Bagel they make it all from scratch. The difference is, while CLE is trying to inject a new “cool” factor into a retro way of running this biz, Bialy’s never left it in the first place and has supposedly been here for close to 70 years. The bagels are traditional NY style and not the new, unique “Cleveland style” that CLE created so a direct comparison with them is unfair. They are however above and beyond Bruegger’s, who is most comparable in style and eons better than Einstein Brothers and Dunkin’ Donuts. They do not offer sandwiches, or even prepare bagels and cream cheese. The closest you get is buying a bagel and a pair of single serve cream cheese packs and putting it together yourself in your car. Sadly that’s something I have to deduct a star for. They do offer a good drink selection, including fresh coffee, pizza bagels (!) and a huge variety of flavors. And the prices are beyond reasonable. The girl at the counter was very friendly if not somewhat of a nerd about the place herself and she offered a free pretzel because I said it was my first time. Aside from having to go home yo eat, I love the product so far. And though I still love Cleveland Bagel I’ll probably come here more. The price and authenticity...

I feel bad leaving this review since I know so many people within our community love this place and the people working there genuinely seem like nice people.

However, I’ve been twice and neither time have I enjoyed the bagels that I’ve gotten. They’re just okay. And for the price of the bagels, I’d like them to be more than “just okay”.

My everything bagels always taste a little bit burnt (I’m guessing some toppings gets slightly burnt?) despite not looking burnt or being toasted.

I’ve also been disappointed by the breakfast sandwiches. In particular, the lack of American cheese when it comes to choosing a cheese. I like cheddar and all, but American cheese is just so much better on a breakfast sandwich. If they added that as an option I’d probably come back now and then.

I’m also confused by the pricing. You can buy 6 individual bagels for $12 or you can buy a 6 pack of bagels for $15? Maybe there’s something in the 6 pack that’s not listed on their website, but it’s weird to me that you’re paying $3 more for a 6 pack rather than $12 if you buy them...