I Love Bagels

I Love Bagels, located in the beautiful coastal community of Dana Point, California, is a true Southern California gem that expertly bridges the gap between classic East Coast bagel tradition and West Coast hospitality. For many California residents, particularly those who have moved from New York, finding an authentically prepared, high-quality bagel can be a challenging priority—and I Love Bagels is widely recognized as having solved this problem. The business adheres to the time-honored techniques of bagel-making: boiling and baking the dough fresh daily, ensuring a warm, chewy interior and a perfectly crisp exterior that is never frozen, par-baked, or steamed.

More than just a bagel shop, this establishment is a tight-knit, family-run business that creates a genuine sense of community. The ownership and staff are known for their impeccable memory of regular customers' names and orders, fostering a truly welcoming and familiar atmosphere. This personal touch, combined with their commitment to using premium flour and fresh ingredients, sets them apart in the Orange County market. The shop operates with impressive efficiency; even during the busy morning rush, which sees a steady stream of customers, the lines move swiftly thanks to the courteous and conscientious staff. Customers feel a clear "vibe of familiarity" from the moment they step in, making every visit a pleasant experience that feels like visiting part of the neighborhood. This dedication to quality product and superior service has earned I Love Bagels its status as a highly successful local staple.

Location and Accessibility

I Love Bagels is centrally located at 32545 Golden Lantern B, Dana Point, CA 92629, a convenient spot for local residents and those passing through the scenic Orange County area. The location is easily accessible and built to accommodate all patrons comfortably.

The business offers comprehensive accessibility and amenity features, enhancing the customer experience:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance: Provides smooth, unhindered entry for everyone.
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot: A free parking lot with dedicated accessible spaces ensures convenient access.
• Wheelchair accessible restroom: Ensuring comfort and convenience for all patrons who choose to dine in.
• Free parking lot: Highly valuable in a busy coastal community, making a visit simple and cost-effective.
• Restroom amenities: Available for customers dining in.

The shop also offers both spacious indoor seating and a comfortable outdoor seating area, providing ample options for enjoying your breakfast or lunch in the beautiful Southern California weather.

Services Offered

I Love Bagels offers a comprehensive menu centered on its freshly baked bagels, extending into deli options and a full breakfast service. Services are structured for the convenience of a quick visit, offering:

• Freshly Baked Bagels: Available individually, as mini bagels, or in dozens, all boiled and baked on-site using premium flour.
• House-Made Cream Cheese and Spreads: Options include plain cream cheese, butter, honey, jelly, peanut butter, and combination spreads (e.g., Cream Cheese & Honey).
• Hot Breakfast Sandwiches: A variety of popular morning options built on a fresh bagel, including Egg & Cheese, Egg, Cheese, & Bacon, Egg, Cheese, & Sausage, and a combination featuring Egg, Cheese, Sausage, & Bacon.
• Bagel Melts and Savory Options: Featuring Bagel Melts such as the classic Cheese Melt and the satisfying Tuna or Chicken Melt, as well as the unique Bagel Dog.
• Deli Sandwiches: Served on a bagel, offering lunchtime favorites like Tuna Salad, Chicken Salad, Turkey Breast, Hot Pastrami, Ham & Swiss, and various Italian Salami and Provolone combinations.
• Specialty Items: Including Bialys (a classic Jewish baked roll similar to a bagel but without a hole) and the Veggie Sandwich and BLT Sandwich for lighter fare.
• Beverages: Freshly brewed Coffee to perfectly complement any breakfast or sandwich order.
• Service Options: Available for quick Dine-in, Takeout, and In-store Pickup, catering to a range of daily needs.

Features / Highlights

The Dana Point location of I Love Bagels stands out in the competitive California market due to its commitment to quality and community integration:

• Authentic Bagel Preparation: The most significant highlight is the use of the traditional boiling and baking method, ensuring the bagels are never frozen, steamed, or par-baked—a key indicator of authenticity and superior taste.
• Exceptional Customer Efficiency: The staff's "deft" and "conscientious" approach ensures lines move quickly even during peak rush hours, providing reliable, fast service for busy Californians.
• Family-Run Atmosphere: The strong family-run "vibes" and the personalized service, including staff remembering names and regular orders, make customers feel like "part of the neighborhood."
• High Quality Ingredients: The commitment to using premium flour, fresh ingredients, and preparing cream cheese spreads in-house ensures a superior food quality that has “surpassed the best NY bagels” for some customers.
• Inclusivity and Welcoming Space: The bakery is openly LGBTQ+ friendly and identifies as a Transgender Safespace, underscoring its commitment to being a welcoming and safe environment for all members of the Southern California community.
• Affordable Value: Despite the high quality, the bakery maintains very good prices, with a decent egg and cheese sandwich being noted as very affordable.
• Convenient Payment Options: Accepts Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and NFC Mobile Payments, catering to modern customer convenience.

Contact Information

For orders, questions about the menu, or checking daily availability, customers can easily reach the Dana Point location:

Address: 32545 Golden Lantern B, Dana Point, CA 92629, USA

Phone: (949) 443-3300

What Is Worth Choosing

I Love Bagels is an unmissable choice for anyone in the Dana Point or greater Orange County area looking for an authentic and high-quality breakfast or lunch experience. What is truly worth choosing is the foundation of their business: the classic bagel, prepared the right way. You should start with a plain or everything bagel with one of their famous, freshly crafted cream cheese spreads to appreciate the texture and flavor that has earned them such high praise.

For a complete meal, the Hot Breakfast Sandwiches are a must-try. The combination of fresh egg, melted cheese, and your choice of meat—especially the hearty Egg, Cheese, Sausage, & Bacon—served on a warm, chewy bagel, is the perfect fuel for a busy Southern California day and represents excellent value. Additionally, those seeking a satisfying lunch should explore the robust Deli Sandwiches, particularly the Hot Pastrami or the Italian Salami & Provolone, which offer a great blend of classic deli flavors served with a bagel twist.

Finally, you are choosing more than just food; you are choosing an efficient, clean, and genuinely friendly environment where the staff's memory and courtesy make you feel instantly at home. I Love Bagels represents the best of local, family-run business culture, consistently delivering a high-quality product with genuine warmth, making it the superior option for bagels in Orange County.

I Love Bagels

32545 Golden Lantern B, Dana Point, CA 92629, USA