Hella Bagels

TLDR might be the best Bay bagel and the location is enjoyable We tried the wifey on garlic. This was excellent flavor and pretty presentation At home we did a side by side compare of Hella vs Boichick vs Poppy. Hella won. Poppy 2 nd place. Hella has a crisp crustThe inside has good chew. Boichick was more doughy Poppy is more chewy-- and the inside and crust of poppy are both chewy so it was a little harder to eat. Hella is smaller circumference than Boichick and about the same as poppy. but does anyone care about that? Parking! Tables inside and out! Friendly staff Had to ask them to clean table but they did Bathroom grade: C. It doesn't smell like pee but it is merely serviceable

Yesterday I had lunch at Hella Bagels. I had emailed Blake earlier to ask about reserving a dozen everything bagels as well as a breakfast sandwich. I wanted the one w/ bacon and eggs but didn't want the hot honey or pepper jack, substituting American cheese. It also contains cream cheese. I didn't hear back from him but headed over there regardless. My Thursday schedule was different, as Three Stone Hearth is closed until after the first of the year. Also, I'm getting my house cleaned on Thursdays because Christmas and New Year's Day fall on Wednesday.I drove over to the shop and found parking on San Pablo Avenue, not too far away. I walked in to the restaurant, ordered my sandwich at one counter and the bagels at the other. They had 10 everything bagels and that was enough; I bought them all and they have been cut up and are now in the freezer. They are on the thin side, which I prefer, I also bought a couple of schmears. I asked the first woman if Blake was there and she said he was in the back and asked if I wanted her to get him, I said no, because I didn't want to bother him.Mary, the first woman, asked me if I needed help carrying the bagels and schmears to the table, I really appreciated that, because I did. She carried the bag over to an empty table and I followed. A short while later my sandwich was brought to me, warm, cut in half and wrapped in two layers of paper. It was very good. As I was eating Blake came over and sat down to visit w/ me. We caught up on the events of our lives and he asked about my next door neighbor who rode his bicycle over to buy bagels and hadn't been in for a while. I said I would convey his concern to Brian, which I did, and emailed Blake w/ his response. Blake was apologetic about not answering my email, saying he had been super busy the past few weeks, even before Hella Bagels had been the favorite in the SF Chronicle's blind tasting of East Bay bagels. I sympathized.When I was ready to leave I asked if anyone was available to help me out to the car. Mary volunteered and carried the bag out to the car. It was a lovely experience all around!

If you're ever lost on what to do for your birthday, I have an AMAZING recommendation. It involves ordering a variety of Hella Bagels delivered to your home with a crap ton of schmears. Also recommend ordering their veggies, so you basically have to do NO PREP. We all had such a blast trying different bagel and schmear combinations. The delivery process was also super smooth and they were really friendly about the whole thing! Basically, if you haven't had a bagel party, I reaaally recommend it!

These bagels were...hella good! Haha. I did not come to the bay craving bagels or with any type of expectation but came across ethers bagels when looking for a quick breakfast - let me tell you, my trip to the bay would have been worth it just for these. I ordered a garlic bagel and the bougie sandwich on an open faced onion bagel - sooo goood! The bagels were still warm and oh so fluffy - pure perfection. You can see them making the bagels as well. A must try! Service was efficient.

Hella bagels, hella good.I've been following Hella Bagels since they were a pop-up and I was so excited to see them open up a brick & mortar! Finally got to check it out when I was craving a bagel sandwich on a weekend and we decided to make the drive from Hayward.Parking was a lot easier than I thought when I stopped by on a weekend late morning. We were able to easily park on the street on some of their 90 minute spots, but I saw they also had a parking lot behind them. It wasn't too busy when we arrived (probably got there after the morning breakfast rush) so we were able to order at the register pretty much immediately. I opted to go for their Bacon Egg and Cheese Sandwich on a garlic bagel ($12). The sandwich comes with scallion schmear and it was delicious. Love the bacon, love the bagel, the eggs... were just okay. Maybe something about the way it was cooked just wasn't *perfect* to me, but I still enjoyed it overall. Portion size - it was pretty big and I had enough to fill me for breakfast and still have more for lunch. The bagel on its own would prob be so solid of a choice also. I wouldn't mind coming back here just for that and some good schmear.

Hot eggy breakfast bagel! This is so delicious, decadent, and creamy. I think it's heft enough to share half with someone, or try another bagel sando and swap halves! Will be coming back again.

Dense and chewy bagels that pack a lot into a small bite, and the online ordering is super convenient (don't expect to show up after noon, even on a weekday, because they will be sold out). I wish they'd been slightly warmer (fresh out of the oven is ideal) but still a great experience as the Bay Area bagel boom continues

They've expanded the menu to include sandwiches. The bacon egg cheese sandwich is so delicious!! Peach season bagel is also phenomenal and served open faced for more brunch vibes. Menu has option for select sandwiches to be served closed or open faced. Open faced would be perfect for those trying to share. :) Staff are all so friendly, but a little slow for bigger groups. I'm giving them some grace since it was a busy Sunday morning. Plus is large cups for water so I've got minimal refill trips!

I remember grabbing Hella Bagels when it was a pop-up at Flowerland on Solano Ave. Stoked it's now a brick-and-mortar still so conveniently close to home! Upon walking in, your eyes head to the open kitchen concept, fresh bagels being made, and quick service. The bagel varieties, spreads, toppings, are all so fire. Last time I was in I went against the grain and ordered the Tamago Sando on Salt bagel. (Japanese egg salad) Huge fan! Hella Bagels also now serves other egg varieties like Egg & Cheese and the Bacon & Cheese which comes with hot honey, pepper jack, bacon, and scallion schmear...yesssss please! Huge fan of their Garlic Confit schmear and Scallion schmear. Bagel wise I'm usually an Everything girly but here, I'm a literally I'll try everything girly. If going the lox route is your thing, they def. have you covered. If you're more of gimme all the veggies orfruit on my bagel, there is the Bougie Bagel (avocado mash) and Peach Szn (peaches and hot honey say what!) among other creative flavors. Noticed the Violife "schmear" for those dairy free too!All in all the bagels, the people, the vibes, are all solid. For just the bagel & schmear, $5. To me, worth it. Love watching pop ups continue to blossom.."Hella" cool. *Pro-tip* - there's parking behind the building!

A friend and I decided to do an East Bay bagel throwdown today between Boichik and Hella Bagels. Having been a big fan of Boichik for years, I was curious to see how HB would taste in comparison.I tried an Everything bagel in its purest form--just by itself and not toasted or heated. All I can say is that was honestly the best bagel I can ever remember tasting. The outside skin was firm but not tough, and the inside dough was chewy (yet just soft enough) and toothsome. Overall, a very satisfying bagel and one that will be hard to beat. Look forward to trying more varieties. They also serve bagel sandwiches and coffee/tea. Modern interior with tables to linger awhile. Easy parking.