Megan CurtinWhile most people visiting Milwaukee ask for recombinations on where the best curds are or which brewery they should check out, I’ve noticed many people asking me recently where they should go for bagels.
There has been an influx of great bagel shops that have opened within the last few years, and they each offer something different.
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Milwaukees Best Bagels
I will start with the best OG bagel type of place, bagels with schmear.
Ruby’s Bagels – Milwaukees Best Bagel & Cream Cheese
Ruby’s Bagels is where I go when I want the classic comfort food of a bagel with cream cheese.
I always order a half dozen variety pack for when my family comes over on Sundays, it’s a crowd favorite, and even my nieces and nephews love them!
Hours:
Friday – Sunday
8 am-2 pm
Where:
Zocalo Food Park
PRE-ORDERS Fri-Sun -Zócalo –
Secure your bagel bag!
Order half/full dozens to pickup
Friday-Sunday
Pick Up between 8 am-2 pm at Zócalo
Same-Day Order – Zocalo Pick Up
Ordering is available during open hours.
Fri-Sun 8 am-2 pm.
We disable items as they sell out.
About Ruby’s Bagels (Per their website)
Ruby’s Bagels is Milwaukee’s first bagel Pop Up, started in 2019. We focus on providing the highest quality bagels and a unique experience for our people. We are very thankful for our family, friends, you, and carbs around here!
She was started by Daniela Ruby Varela, who taught herself how to make bagels in 2017 after having the most delicious bagel in Ohio. She developed her recipe at the end of 2017. She realized that such a staple breakfast item was missing in Milwaukee. In 2018 she looked for a commercial kitchen but had no luck until January 2019, when she began to do Pop Ups at a local Makers Market in Walkers Point and Pilcrow Coffee. Soon after, she would find herself growing Ruby’s Bagels by adding staff (hiring her mother and aunts – teaching them her bagel ways) and making thousands of bagels on the weekends at Zocalo Food Truck Park.
Bagels are the center of what Ruby’s Bagels is. We take great pride in our bagels, with a lovely crust and squishy and tasty inside. Ruby’s Bagels’ mission is to positively impact our community by bringing people together with amazing bagels.
Daniela started this journey with a bagel and a dream and hoped that everyone reading this pursues that crazy idea they might have because “You really never know where you will end up if you pursue it”
Huge thanks to everyone who has supported Ruby’s Bagels since day one, and all the new faces we have yet to meet!
We are so excited to see where Ruby’s Bagels will be at next!
Ruby’s Bagel Menu
I love the bagel and schmear options they offer.
My favorites are:
- Rosmary & Seat Salt Bagel
- Sesame Bagel
- Everything Bagel
- Poppy Seed Bagel
- Jalapeno Cream Cheese
- Green Onion & Cheddar
- Plain Vegan Cream Cheese
They do also offer bagel sandwiches.
This place is a local favorite so I highly recommend pre-ordering.
Allie Boys Bagelry & Luncheonette – Milwaukees Best Bagel Sandwich
I am obsessed with the sandwiches from Allie Boys. They remind me of my upbringing because we were that family who ate eggs every Sunday with Ketchup.
To this day, eggs and fries are the only time I use Ketchup; it is such a comfort food.
Hours:
THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY
8 AM – 2 PM
Where:
135 E National Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53204
They do offer pickup and delivery!
About (Per their website)
What would you say… you do here?
Staci grew up in New York. Originally from Wisconsin, Ben grew up overseas in the Middle East. She ate bialys; he ate shawarmas. She hailed taxies; he hailed rickshaws. They met in Napa Valley while learning to cook sustainably, seasonally, and thoughtfully.
Allie Boy’s is our collaboration of life, travel, culture, upbringing, and soul. We’re a modern Midwestern bagel shop and Luncheonette, serving up posh noshes in our vibrant new home of Milwaukee and embodying the foods and flavors of the nomadic diaspora.
We look forward to welcoming you to our peace in the Middle East mash-up of hot hand-rolled Bagels, smoked fish, and thoughtfully curated appetizing plates and smorgasbords. Stop in for a quick baker’s dozen to-go, or stay for a smoked fish bagel tower and bottle of bubbles. No matter where you’re from or where you call home, Allie Boy’s will be there…ready to serve it up, direct from our deli and into your belly!
Menu
They also offer specials that are worth checking out.
As I mentioned above, my favorite menu item here is their breakfast sandwiches.
Other menu favorites include:
- Potato Chips
- Orange Juice
- Pickles
- Warm Coffee Cake
Allie Boy’s is a favorite for me and my husband to pick up on Sundays and then eat in the park or even in the car if we have errands to run. They package everything nicely, so everything travels well and isn’t messy.
Hen’s Deli – Milwaukees Best Farmers Market Bagel
Hen’s Deli is a newer bagel place that keeps it simple but is still fully packed with flavor.
They offer both bagels with cream cheese and bagel sandwiches.
This cute family-owned business is a favorite at the farmers market.
Hours:
Tue – Friday
8-3
Sat
9-3
Where:
209 W Florida St
Pre-orders and wholesale are available through phone or email.
I suggest this place for those looking for something that isn’t just open on weekends like the other two above. It is going to be the cheapest option for you.
About
After three outstanding seasons in the Milwaukee farmer’s market scene, their family business has found its first storefront!
Colectivo – Milwaukees Best Coffee & Casual Bagel Spot
This is a popular coffee spot in Milwaukee that has multiple locations.
Colectivo locations will be the best option for those who want a simple bag with a good cup of coffee.
Bagels are made by Troubadour Bakery.
History: Since 1999, we’ve created all the scratch-baked goodies our customers have come to love: pastries, bagels, muffins, cookies, scones, biscotti, and more. Our experienced team of bakers crafts each piece by hand using only natural ingredients. We work every day to bring you the freshest products possible. As a result, availability may vary per Colectivo location.
They have many different locations, with my favorite one being Lakefront.
Hours:
Monday – Sunday
7:00 am – 8:00 pm
Milwaukee Bagels From Popular Chain Restaurants
If you are looking for something that is familiar, then you will find Milwaukee has a ton of bagels from popular chain restaurants.
Chain bagel spots in Milwaukee:
- Starbucks
- Einstein Bros Bagels
- Panera
- Dunkin’
- Bruegger’s Bagels
Bagel History
The history of bagels is believed to have originated in Eastern Europe, particularly in Poland, during the 17th century. Bagels are typically round-shaped bread with a hole in the center, giving them their distinctive appearance.
One popular legend about the origin of bagels is that they were created as a tribute to King John III Sobieski of Poland for his victory over the Ottoman Empire in the Battle of Vienna in 1683. According to the story, a local baker made the bread in the shape of a stirrup (“bajgiel” in Polish), a symbol of the Polish cavalry, to honor the king. Over time, the name “baggie” eventually evolved into “bagel.”
Bagels were initially associated with the Jewish community in Poland, and they became a staple food for Jewish families due to their portability and long shelf life. Jewish immigrants brought bagels to other parts of the world, including the United States, where they gained popularity in cities like New York in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Bagel-making was initially a labor-intensive process involving boiling the dough before baking it to achieve the characteristic chewy texture. In the 20th century, however, the introduction of steam ovens made the process more efficient, and bagel production became more widespread.
Today, bagels are a popular breakfast food and snack in many countries worldwide, with various flavors and toppings available, such as sesame seeds, poppy seeds, onion, garlic, and even sweet options, cinnamon raisin. Bagels are typically sliced and used as a base for sandwiches or toasted and served with cream cheese, lox (smoked salmon), or other spreads. Bagels have become a staple in many cultures and continue to be enjoyed by people of all backgrounds. So, next time you bite into a delicious bagel, remember its rich history that traces back to Eastern Europe and the Jewish community. Enjoy!
Are bagels healthier than bread?
Whether bagels are healthier than bread depends on the type of bread and the type of bagel being compared. In general, whole-grain bread is often considered to be healthier than bagels because it contains more fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Bagels are typically made from refined flour, meaning many nutrients have been removed during processing. This makes them lower in fiber and other beneficial nutrients compared to whole-grain bread. Bagels are also often higher in calories and carbohydrates than bread.
However, if you choose a whole-grain bagel, it may be a healthier option than some types of bread. It’s also worth considering the portion size. Bagels are often larger than a typical slice of bread, so it’s important to remember this when considering the nutritional value.
Whether a bagel or bread is healthier depends on the specific type and portion size. It’s always a good idea to read the nutrition label and choose options higher in fiber and other beneficial nutrients.
Megan Curtin
