Craving Bagels? Here are Three Local Bagel Shops You Need in Your Life

July 26 is National Bagelfest Day! For generations, dating back to New York City at the turn of the 20th century, bagels have been the basis of a perfect kosher Sunday breakfast, typically served with thinly sliced smoked salmon and cream cheese and occasionally including capers, tomato, and red onion.

Throughout the decades, bagels have happily evolved. Now you can find both savory and sweet bagels, which can be simply dressed with a flavored cream cheese schmear or sliced and filled with your favorite sandwich fixings. Now that you’re sufficiently craving bagels, here are three great local bagel shops to check out.

Bagel Me

At the Orange Circle location of Bagel Me , you can select from nearly two dozen bagel flavors—everything from a savory garlic or a spicy jalapeño bagel to a sweet cinnamon raisin or even chocolate chip bagel. And then there are the flavored cream cheeses like veggie or honey almond. In addition to simple schmeared bagels and bagel sandwiches, you can also order up bagel French toast for a fun fusion of two breakfast favorites.

Bruegger’s Bagels

If you are looking for some unique bagel and cream cheese flavor combinations, head over to Bruegger’s Bagels in Santa Ana, where they serve up some gourmet options. For instance, you could top a toasted Cheesy Hashbrowns bagel with a heaping dollop of bacon scallion cream cheese, or try a Five Cheese bagel spiced up with a sriracha honey cream cheese.

Dough Exchange

With a name as deliciously alluring as Dough Exchange , you’re sure to find a variety of options in this nearby Santa Ana bagel shop. Yelp reviews rave over this bakery, highlighting the unique international flavors, which include the Japanese sesame salt Shio Gomo, the Middle Eastern Aa’atar, and the Italian-inspired Cacio y Pepe bagel.

No matter your bagel preferences, there are three delicious bakery options in the area sure to satisfy your doughy cravings. Try them out and let us know your favorite. Happy National Bagelfest Day!