East Coast Bagel

Introduction / Overview

In the vibrant and diverse culinary landscape of Southern California, finding an authentic, traditionally-made bagel can sometimes feel like a quest. East Coast Bagel, nestled in Long Beach, answers that call by proudly upholding the time-honored methods of the East Coast bagel tradition right here in the Golden State. Since starting in Santa Monica, California, in 1991, the company has grown to become a local staple, dedicated to providing a genuinely satisfying product that honors its name. The core philosophy is simple: their bagels are kettle-boiled, never steamed, and then baked to achieve that signature chewy interior and slightly crispy crust that true bagel aficionados seek. This commitment to the traditional technique is what truly sets them apart from the competition in the Long Beach area.

More than just a bakery, East Coast Bagel is a comprehensive breakfast and lunch destination. It offers an incredible variety of not just fresh bagels and dozens of spreads, but also a massive menu of deli-style bagel sandwiches, hot melts, and their signature 'Beggel' breakfast sandwiches. Located conveniently near the Cal State Long Beach campus and the surrounding Bixby Village Plaza, it serves as a central hub for students, local professionals, and families looking for a quick, quality start to their day. While maintaining high-quality ingredients and traditional methods, the Long Beach location fosters a welcoming environment, where, as many loyal patrons attest, the hardworking team behind the counter often remembers their names and regular orders, adding a personalized, neighborhood feel to every quick visit.

Location and Accessibility

The East Coast Bagel shop serving the Long Beach community is located at 5753 Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90803, USA. Strategically situated on the busy Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in the Bixby Village Plaza area, the shop is a highly accessible breakfast and lunch spot for those traveling along the coast or commuting through the city. Its location near major Long Beach areas makes it an easy pit stop for anyone in the vicinity, including those coming from nearby residential neighborhoods and the university campus.

Accessibility for all guests is prioritized, with key features including a wheelchair accessible entrance and a dedicated wheelchair accessible parking lot. Furthermore, the Long Beach shop provides a free parking lot for customers, eliminating the typical Southern California challenge of finding convenient parking. The business operates during morning and early afternoon hours, generally from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM on weekdays and Saturdays, and slightly later on Sundays, making it exclusively a daytime establishment perfect for a morning grab-and-go or a quick, casual dine-in breakfast experience.

Services Offered

East Coast Bagel provides a full spectrum of services to cater to the diverse needs of the Long Beach clientele, whether they are looking for a quick individual order or catering for a large group.

• Full In-House and Off-Site Ordering: Customers have the flexibility of dining in, utilizing Takeout, or arranging for Delivery through popular services. They also offer In-store pickup for those who prefer to order ahead, ensuring efficiency during busy morning hours.
• Massive Menu Variety: The menu is exceptionally comprehensive, extending far beyond simple cream cheese on a bagel. It includes dozens of specialty Bagel Sandwiches (Deli, Hot, Hero), the popular Beggel breakfast sandwich line (e.g., Bacon & Cheddar Beggel, Chipotle Beggel), and indulgent Xtreme Melts (e.g., Xtreme Bacon Avocado).
• Bagels and Cream Cheese: The core offering features a variety of freshly baked bagels, available individually or in Baker's Dozens (13 bagels). There is an extensive selection of spreads, including regular, lite, and flavored spread tubs (7 Oz. or 2 Oz. sizes), ensuring every taste is satisfied.
• Catering and Party Trays: The shop is equipped to handle large orders, offering options like the Party Tray (12 regular bagels with two cream cheese tubs) and a comprehensive Bakery Party Tray featuring a dozen fresh bakery items, making it ideal for office meetings or group events.
• Full Beverage Menu: A wide array of drinks is available, from classic Hot Coffee and espresso drinks (Latte, Cappuccino, Americano, Vietnamese Latte) to an extensive selection of cold beverages, including Smoothies (Taro, Mango, Horchata), Iced Blended coffees (Mocha Freeze, Java Chip), and various juices and teas (including Thai Iced Tea).

Features / Highlights

East Coast Bagel stands out in the competitive Long Beach market due to its commitment to quality, authenticity, and a customer-first approach.

• Authentic Kettle-Boiled Technique: This is the most crucial highlight. Unlike places that steam their bagels, East Coast Bagel honors the traditional, New York-style method of kettle boiling before baking. This process creates a bagel that is genuinely satisfying, with a tender chewiness that resonates with those who know and love a true East Coast product.
• Extensive Premium Selection: The bakery not only offers classic bagels but also "Premium" varieties (including Pizza, Scored Garlic, Super Cinnamon, and Cheezy Jalapeno options) which are larger than normal and contain no preservatives, are low in sodium and fat, and are cholesterol-free. This focus on ingredient quality and size adds substantial value.
• Exceptional Sandwich Offerings: The true breadth of the menu lies in its sandwiches. The Lox & Bagel and Gravlox & Bagel are popular choices, using Nova Lox smoked salmon. For breakfast, the Beggel sandwiches—like the Bacon & Cheddar or the spicy Chipotle—provide a hearty, made-to-order morning meal. The sheer depth of the sandwich menu, including unique items like the Hero Bagel Sandwiches (e.g., Hot Reuben Sandwich, East Coast Submarine), makes it a lunch destination, too.
• Strong Customer Loyalty and Service: Consistent customer feedback highlights the friendly, respectful, and welcoming nature of the staff, often a reflection of the family that runs the shop. Many reviews note that the owners are highly attentive, remembering names and regular orders, which creates a strong sense of community and personable help as soon as guests step into the door.
• Beverage Variety: Their beverage selection is a major feature, offering specialty iced drinks like Vietnamese Iced Coffee and an array of unique smoothies (like Taro and Horchata), appealing to the Californian palate for diverse and flavorful cold drinks.

Contact Information

For Long Beach residents and visitors looking to reach out or place an order, here is the essential contact information:

• Address: 5753 Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90803, USA
• Phone: (562) 985-0933
• Mobile Phone: +1 562-985-0933

What is Worth Choosing

For Californians in the Long Beach area, choosing East Coast Bagel is a choice for quality, authenticity, and a truly hearty breakfast or lunch. It stands out by delivering a rare product in the West Coast market—a genuine, kettle-boiled bagel—which provides a superior texture and flavor profile compared to its steamed counterparts.

If you are visiting for the first time, you should certainly try the Lox & Bagel or the Bagel & Flavored Cream Cheese; the variety of freshly-made spreads (like the Lox Spread) are highly recommended for maximizing the classic bagel experience. The Bacon & Cheddar Beggel or any of the breakfast 'Beggel' sandwiches are also a must for a satisfying morning meal that is made to order. For larger groups, their Baker's Dozens and Party Trays offer great value, especially when bundled with their array of cream cheese tubs.

However, it is important to choose this shop not just for the food, but for the customer-centric service. While some customer experiences suggest issues with atmosphere or value—particularly the higher price point for premium sandwiches compared to East Coast standards—the overwhelmingly positive feedback focuses on the friendly family who runs it and the deliciousness of the core product. The shop provides a much-needed, high-quality, non-corporate alternative to chain fast food, giving local patrons a chance to support a business committed to an old-world craft right here in Southern California. For a quick visit, a reliably delicious bagel, and genuinely personable service, East Coast Bagel is a solid choice in Long Beach.