Zagat Doesn't Think New York Makes the Best Bagels and Pizza. They're Obviously Wrong.

By Lauren Shockey Wed., Jul. 6 2011 at 3:56 PM

The Village Voice

The supremacy of the New York City bagel has been disputed as of late, with many people believing that Montreal is the bagel capital of the world. Um, hello, Montreal bagels are flimsy and always in need of salt. And now Zagat is positing that New York City might also no longer be the pizza or deli-food mecca of the United States. WTF, Zagat, where's the hometown pride?

As for pizza, they write, "Can NYC compete with pizzerias who utilize local, organic, farm-ground produce in other states where it's more readily available?" Please. Good pizza doesn't need to follow locavore ideals! And how can you not mention newcomers Paulie Gee's or Roberta's or Motorino?

Regarding delis, it's true that the 2nd Avenue Deli isn't what it once was, but what about new smoked-fish spot Shelsky's? Or Russ & Daughters?

Seriously, New York is where it's at, people! Always was and always will be. And anyone who disagrees can simply leave.

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Haters

Wlashley

New York is a big place, and makes a lot of big claims. I have not yet found anywhere that can make a bagel that legitimately tops Ess-a-Bagel on 1st Avenue downtown, including H&H and Zabars, although Brick Lane Beigel Bake in East London makes one of the finest bagels I ever gnoshed, the basis for their hot salt beef sandwich. Pizza is where I think New York has lost the crown. I definitely like "NY style", no deep dish, thank you, but Santarpio's in East Boston makes a thin crust pie that is just as good as anything in the Apple, if not better. As for the definitive deli experience, check out the Stage Deli in Midtown (you can fast the day before, if you please).

How

NY is a big place, it's true: you should venture to Brooklyn and Queens, where the actual best bagels are made, before doing something ridiculous like putting Ess-A-Bagel at the top of your list.

Dannyclarke11

Fairmount and St.Viateur bagels in Montreal are both superior than anything I've had in NY. NY pizza is not close to what it used to be either.

Stephanie

New Orleans is the dining capital of the world. I've lived in both cities and can say that will all honesty.

esquared

as i had said before, with gentrification, disneyfication, and mallification of the city, nyc is just like any other cities in the u.s., indistinguishable from houston, chicago, ann arbor, etc. nyc isn't what it once was, thus somewhat supports zagat's argument. we now have bagels that are made from montreal and pizza makers that have now left the city. so in a way, nyc still makes the best bagels and pizza; they're just not being sold here.

Yomama

You clearly didn't grow up on NY bagels or pizza because if you had and then traveled to various cities around the world (as I have) in search for similar, not even equal, pizza or bagels, you would know that it just doesn't exist. Ignorance is bliss buddy, stay ignorant.

esquared

i'm sorry that i didn't make myself clear. i said that the best pizzas and bagels are still being "made in nyc"; they're not just being sold here. also, if you read zagat's article, what it claims as one of the best pizza inarizona is owned by a new york transplant. i also said that new york city isn't what it used to be anymore -- it's like the midwest or any other city in the u.s. thus the quality of pizza and bagel have gone downhill.

and i was born and raised in the bronx, moved to manhattan when old enough to do so. i remember purchasing $.60-.$.75 pizzas, and those were the best pizzas one can have when one has little money for food. not these pulino's or pizzerias that has lines to get in just because, well there's a line, or artisanal pizzas and bagels, and whatever artisanal fad that are popping up all over nyc. not reading zagat's post and being presumptuous are indeed ignorant. your new york isn't my new york. enjoy your bliss.

Huh

FYI the Midwest is a barren wasteland when it comes to food. Ann Arbor? Seriously? I lived there for several years and the worst part of it wasn't the terrible undergrads, but the lack of edible food.