I feel the same and also about the NYB&B on Dempster in Niles.

Fanwood Bagel in Fanwood, NJ about 60 mins from NYC

My sister lived in NYC for five years and claims that Ray's New York Bagels- available in the freezer section of Publix and other middlebrow grocers- are better than just about any place she's tried outside of NYC that makes their bagels on-site. Allegedly it's the whole needs the NYC water thing.

I grew up in NY - upstate...best bagels I've found outside of NY in a place I've lived is The Hot Bagel Shop in Houston TX...always a line on Sunday mornings, place is FANTASTIC

Kaufmann's in Skokie is pretty good. I think NY Bagel and Bialy has slightly better bagels, but Kaufmann's will make sandwiches.

Outside of DC, just past Arlington and by George Mason, there's a joint called The Italian Place which has very, very good bagels and even better NY pizza.

Corky and Lenny's on Cleveland's East Side is very authentic.

As many know, the Jews made their way to the East End of London before any finally found their way to NYC. So, for many of us the bagel yearnings started down the same streets that were trodden by Jack the Ripper. In fact if Jack had tasted the bagels from Brick Lane I'm quite certain that he would have soon learned how to swear in Yiddish and he would have been distracted from his other hobby.

So obsessed with the yearnings did I become later in life for the sweet chewishness of a Jewish bagel that it isn't unknown for desperation to win and for me to drive all the way from my home to Brick Lane - a round trip of 5 hours to buy a dozen bagels, having carefully requested the burnt ones. This had to stop.

Now here is the thing.

What idiot concluded that the best thing you can teach a kid at school is woodwork? OK, a bookend is a beautiful and useful thing. And they do make mothers proud. But why (oh why) do they not teach men to make bagels?

Anyway, I make bagels. I read everything I could, I tried every idea and I ended up with what I remember and yearn for and like ... but a bit better. I make wonderful bagels. Anyone can make bagels. And after a few goes they will taste better than any you can buy. And the uglier and less consistant they are ... and the bigger they are ... the better they are. A few hours from now ... when the urge hits that vulnerable mark ... you can be eating bagels without even going out.

Ladies and gentleman .... make bagels!!!!!!!

Does wonderful = burnt?

Never underestimate the competition for the burnt ones.

UK1 what a great idea! Can you share your recipe and methods?

I wounder where the bagels at the United Club come from. Probably varies by location.

UK1 - those bagels looking flippin' amazing. Tremendous job, man!

Thanks .... how kind. I'm proud of my bagels.

I was simply a desperate man yearning for a proper onion bagel ... but the plain ones are really gorgeous. Can you taste them from the picture?

There is something special about that late night yearning .... and bagels will always be associated for me with leaving a club in Soho and making my way to the East End .... but simply being able to make some. I think it's yearning - and not having - that makes the yearning even more painful.

I'm afraid ... at this very moment I have a couple of baguettes in the oven .......

Not boiled?

http://www.bagelfactoryinc.com/locations.php this is the location page go to the home page for video..

I must say that the Bagel Factory is my go to spot in Los Angeles, I have been to all 3 locations. I rate them: The Cadillac Location the best.. Just north of LAX ( National Exit on 405N ) is the Sepulveda Location and holding the Second Spot, and Batting Clean Up Torrance but still very Solid.. Only difference is "Turn Over" which to me is important for eating fresh. Good Cream Cheese too.. If your are going to freeze and eat at another time all are the best ( IMHO Warm in Oven do not toast for best results )

FT worthy, I heard that they are not that great but.. Larry Kings Brooklyn Water Bagel is opening on Sepulveda ( just a short walk from In and Out for you guys on a lay over ) they are soon to open ( its been under construction for over a year now), must of had issues but seems to have some movement of late and looks like it should open real soon.. Happy Eating and Safe Travels

They aren't dumplings!

They are boiled for 60 seconds - then baked.

Try it!