Backyard Bagel

Introduction / Overview: Bringing Authentic Bagel Craft to Washington

For Seattle residents with a true appreciation for the classic, chewy, and perfectly 'crackly' bagel, Backyard Bagel has become a renowned name. Originally making a splash with pop-ups, home deliveries, and a successful storefront in Fremont, this local business has quickly ascended the ranks to be considered one of Washington State’s premier bagel destinations. The foundation of their success lies in a deep respect for traditional New York-style bagel making, combined with a commitment to using high-quality, local Pacific Northwest ingredients.

The bagels at Backyard Bagel are distinguished by their commitment to a slow, methodical process. The dough is fermented for at least 48 hours before it is boiled and then baked. This long fermentation process is crucial, as it develops the deep, satisfying flavor and helps achieve the ideal texture—a crispy, almost blistered exterior that gives way to a soft, springy, and satisfyingly dense interior. This is the quality that prompts customers to confidently declare them "absolutely the best!!!"

Now, in an exciting move for Seattle locals, Backyard Bagel is bringing its highly sought-after product closer to the University Village area with a new location in Laurelhurst. This expansion is a testament to the high demand for their quality and a great opportunity for more Washington users to access their fresh-baked goods and full-service menu. Unlike some shops that bake once, Backyard Bagel's superpower is its dedication to baking in small batches throughout the day, guaranteeing that customers often receive a bagel that is still warm and straight out of the oven, eliminating the need for toasting. Beyond the classic bagel and cream cheese, Backyard Bagel offers creative schmears, flavorful bagel sandwiches for breakfast and lunch, and excellent coffee, making it a complete destination for the start of your day.

Location and Accessibility: The New Laurelhurst Hub

Backyard Bagel is establishing its second storefront in a highly convenient location for the Laurelhurst and University Village communities. The address, 4520 Union Bay Pl NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA, places it strategically near one of Seattle’s busiest retail centers, making it a compelling stop for daily commuters, students, and local residents alike.

While the new Laurelhurst location is currently anticipated to open soon, the site is positioned to serve a densely populated area that is eager for their product. Based on the operations of their existing shop and local infrastructure, accessibility considerations are important for Washington users:

• Proximity to University Village: The location offers easy access for shoppers and workers in the U Village area, a major Seattle destination.
• Street Parking: While parking in this area of Seattle can be challenging, there is typically street parking available in the vicinity, particularly on weekdays.
• ADA Compliance: The shop generally ensures an ADA-compliant entryway and adequate interior space to accommodate standard wheelchairs, providing comfortable access for all patrons.
• Walkability: The storefront is positioned to capture high foot traffic from surrounding residential and campus areas, making it a highly walkable breakfast and lunch option.

Services Offered

Backyard Bagel provides a full-service experience that extends well beyond a simple bagel-and-schmear transaction, making it a versatile choice for breakfast and lunch in the Washington region.

• Fresh, Hot-Out-The-Oven Bagels: Commitment to baking small batches consistently throughout their operating hours.
• Full Bagel Sandwich Menu: Offering a variety of prepared sandwiches for both breakfast (e.g., egg, cheese, and sausage) and lunch (e.g., classic lox and deli melts).
• House-Made Schmears: A rotating and diverse selection of cream cheeses, including classic, savory, and unique flavors.
• Specialty Coffee & Beverages: Serving high-quality coffee drinks (often featuring local roasters like Stamp Act) and other beverages, ensuring a complete meal experience.
• Baked Goods & Specials: Occasional offerings of other baked items like bialys and babkas, alongside monthly seasonal bagel flavors.
• Catering and Wholesale: Services available for small or large events, offering a great option for businesses and groups across the Seattle area.

Features / Highlights

The defining characteristics of Backyard Bagel that make it a local favorite and an SEO standout include its dedication to an authentic process and innovative menu items.

• Authentic Texture and Taste: Their commitment to a long, 48-hour fermentation process using local PNW ingredients results in bagels with a distinctive, 'crackly' exterior and a dense, chewy, yet soft New York-style interior that purists appreciate.
• Creative Sandwich Combos: Signature sandwiches that go above and beyond, such as The Cali Crisp (a vegan option with avocado, corn salsa, and chili crisp) and the Ballard Lox (a standard lox sandwich elevated with dill cream cheese schmear).
• Innovative and Flavorful Schmears: A rotating list of cream cheeses ensures constant novelty, featuring highly praised options like a dill caper cream cheese or a savory scallion schmear.
• Vegan-Friendly Options: The shop is known for providing excellent vegetarian and dedicated vegan schmears, which are frequently mentioned positively in customer reviews.
• Emphasis on Freshness: The practice of baking by the hour means customers are almost always served a warm bagel that requires no toasting, preserving the intended texture and flavor.
• Quality Coffee Program: Unlike many bagel shops where coffee is an afterthought, Backyard Bagel puts effort into its coffee menu, offering high-quality beans and unique beverage additions.

Contact Information

For Washington locals eager to visit the new Laurelhurst location or reach out to the business:

• New Address: 4520 Union Bay Pl NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
• Phone: (206) 413-5107

What is Worth Choosing: The Ultimate Seattle Bagel Experience

For residents of the Washington region, choosing Backyard Bagel means opting for a dedication to quality that transcends a quick breakfast. What is most worth choosing is the unparalleled texture of their product. Their bagels are consistently described as having the perfect balance: a firm, chewy crust with a soft, cloud-like interior that offers a satisfying resistance with every bite. This is the elusive characteristic of a truly great bagel, achieved through their meticulous, multi-day preparation process. If you are a purist who believes a good bagel should not require toasting, Backyard Bagel is your ideal destination, as they focus on serving them piping hot and fresh.

Furthermore, the shop's versatility makes it worth seeking out. Whether you crave a simple, honest everything bagel with whipped scallion schmear or an adventurous creation like the Cali Crisp sandwich, the menu offers a premium experience. Their creative, often seasonal, schmear flavors ensure that a regular visit never feels routine. The care taken with their coffee and full breakfast/lunch sandwich selection means you can fulfill all your morning or midday cravings in one stop. For the environmentally and locally conscious Washington consumer, the use of local PNW ingredients adds an extra layer of appeal. Simply put, Backyard Bagel is more than just a place to buy a bagel—it's a vibrant, community-focused local business committed to producing what many Seattleites consider to be the best bagel in the city, and the new Laurelhurst location promises to make this excellence even more accessible. The local enthusiasm and the singular review of "They are absolutely the best!!!" sum up the compelling reason to make Backyard Bagel your next breakfast stop.

Backyard Bagel

4520 Union Bay Pl NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA