Whenever I am in London for a visit I always head to Brick Lane for lunch. Now, Brick Lane is famous for its curries and it’s Asian desserts. However, at the top of Brick Lane are two bagel bakeries that have been there since the year dot. They are both open 24 hours a day and are a boon to taxi drivers, students, ordinary people like me, and the late-night reveller with the munchies. As an example, Beigel Bake produces some 7,000 bagels per day (baked between 6pm and 1am). This bakery also uses around 20,000 brown paper bags per week.
The Bakeries
Beigel Bake is at no 159 Brick Lane and has been run by the Cohen family since 1974 (white sign). The competitor bakery is The Beigel Shop at no 155 Brick Lane and this has been run by the Barzelai and Zalait families since 1855 (yellow sign).
Both are great and do brilliant bagels. Usually I buy one from each shop because I don’t want to show favouritism and I am downright greedy!
Only Bagels? What Else Do They Make?
Both of these bakeries are highly popular and you can buy a range of Jewish-style breads and pastries. Challah (cholla), platzal, Danish rolls, apple strudel, Eccles cakes and cheesecake, as well as white, rye and black bread are all available.
However, the most popular item is the bagel. Fresh beigels are available around the clock with a range of fillings for a reasonable cost. Popular fillings are salt beef with pickle and mustard and smoked salmon with cream cheese.
But you can have any filling within reason, including chopped herring, chicken, tuna mayo, egg, salami or even just butter. The Beigel Shop even makes Rainbow Beigels if you want them. These have lovely bright swirly colours. The rainbow really does enhance the salt beef and mustard experience.
The Atmosphere
Beigel Bake and The Beigel Shop are both hugely popular for their bakery specialities. But don’t expect any frills. Queue up, give your order, pay and collect in a brown paper bag. If you want coffee, it will be instant. You can get a sausage roll if you want. Eat standing up or eat on the move. These bagel shops, and the families who run them, have had their ups and downs but they are a piece of Old London and provide a valuable service to the community.
Travelling to London soon? Brick Lane definitely has to be a destination on your ‘to do’ list. Leave your luggage in storage for the day – free your arms so you can eat bagels! If you are in the trendy Brick Lane area you can get a tasty salt beef bagel that will be head and shoulders above any burger. So do yourself a favour and get lunch at one of the two bagel shops. You won’t be disappointed.
