I heard this was rated as one of the best sandwiches in the states. I feel like that's a really big stretch. It's good but not close to my top sandwiches.We got one they recommended that had hash, cream cheese and lettuce. The ingredients were pretty good and went together well. Like most bagel sandwhiches, some insides get pushed out the back after the first few bites. The bagel is a little lighter than the ones you will get in new York and a little less chewey I think I prefer the latter. That all being said, it's still pretty good and the staff is friendly and quick. The atmosphere is nice but not super big so most the seats were taken when we were there.Overall a good place.
May 13 · Conner JollyBAKERY PROFILE
Philly Style Bagels
★ 4.0521 recorded reviews$1–10
1451 E Columbia Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125, USA
Directory information can change. Confirm current hours, prices, products, dietary needs, and custom-order requirements directly with the bakery.
PLAN THE VISIT
Essential details
- Address
- 1451 E Columbia Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125, USA
- Website
- Visit official site
- Rating signal
- 4.0 from 521 recorded reviews
HOURS
Listed operating hours
- Monday7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- TuesdayClosed
- Wednesday7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Thursday7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Friday7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Saturday8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Sunday8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
About and visit notes
Welcome to the heart of Philadelphia's bagel revolution. For years, the city of Brotherly Love was considered by many to be a "bagel desert," but all that changed with the arrival of Philly Style Bagels. More than just a shop, it’s a culinary landmark that has carved out a unique spot in America’s competitive food scene, earning national accolades and coining an entirely new style of bagel. Founders Collin Shapiro and Jonathon Zilber set out to create something truly distinct, and they succeeded by blending tradition with a local twist, resulting in a bagel that is crispy on the outside, soft and light on the inside, and boasts an unparalleled malty sweetness.
This is a story of local innovation. Beginning as a pop-up sensation operating out of Pizzeria Beddia, Philly Style Bagels quickly demonstrated that a fresh, artisan-crafted bagel could thrive outside of New York. The shop's unique method—boiling the bagels in a mixture of water and local Yards beer before baking them on wood planks in a pizza oven—is what gives them their signature flavor and texture. This proudly "Philly" twist has earned them recognition far beyond the Delaware Valley, establishing them as a must-try for any true Pennsylvania food lover.
Location and Accessibility
Philly Style Bagels' flagship location is a beloved fixture in the vibrant Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia. It operates as a quintessential local bagel shop and restaurant, perfectly positioned for both quick visits and those looking to enjoy a casual breakfast.
The shop is conveniently located at:
1451 E Columbia Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125, USA
Accessibility is straightforward for locals and visitors alike. The shop offers convenient service options, primarily catering to an on-the-go crowd with takeout, in-store pickup, and delivery available. For those driving, free street parking is a welcome feature in the city. The location, directly across from Palmer Park, also provides a pleasant, unofficial "dining option," allowing patrons to enjoy their fresh bagels outdoors, making it an ideal spot for a quick and scenic bite.
Services Offered
Philly Style Bagels provides a comprehensive range of breakfast and all-day bagel options, ensuring there is a perfect item for every craving, from a simple spread to a fully loaded sandwich.
- Individual Bagels and Spreads: Offers single bagels for a base price of $2.50 (Dry Bagel) or $1.00 for a special "Bagel" price point. An array of 8 oz. spreads is available, including Plain, Scallion, Veggie, Jalapeno, Smoked Salmon, and Strawberry, along with vegan options like Tofutti spreads.
- Bulk Bagels and Kits: Customers can purchase bagels in half-dozen ($12.00) and dozen ($24.00) quantities, making it easy to share or stock up. Bulk ingredients like Samaki Lox ($19.95) and an Everything Bagel Spice mix (9.0 Oz, $9.00) are also available.
- Artisan Bagel Sandwiches: A diverse menu of specialty bagel sandwiches, including the nationally recognized Classic Lox, Lox #2, VGS Sandwich (Vegetarian), BLT, BOA, Whitefish Sandwich, and breakfast classics like the Egg Sandwich and Hash Jawn. Creative options also include the Pizza Bagel ($8.50) and the Banh Mi.
- Vegan & Specialty Options: The menu is inclusive, featuring vegan-friendly sandwiches like the Classic Carrot Lox and Carrot Lox #2, along with Plain, Scallion, and Jalapeno Tofutti spreads.
- Sides and Sweets: Hash Browns ($2.50), Oatmeal ($5.50), Chips ($2.25), and Cookies ($2.75) are available to complete the meal.
- Fresh Beverages: A full selection of drinks, featuring Hot Coffee and Iced Coffee (often using high-quality Counter Culture Coffee or Elixr Coffee in the past), along with refreshing options like Orange Juice, Grapefruit Juice, Lemonade, Iced Tea, and specialty drinks like Viet Iced Coffee ($4.95). Coffee is also available in bulk, including a 96 Oz. Hot Coffee Box ($25.00).
- Merchandise: For the ultimate fan, the shop sells themed apparel, including the "Bagels Eagles T-Shirt ($27.00)," PSB Beanie ($18.00), and branded hats and shirts.
Features / Highlights
Philly Style Bagels is defined by its unique cooking process, its commitment to quality, and the major recognition it has received from national food critics, solidifying its status as a top-tier culinary destination in Pennsylvania.
- The Signature "Philly Style" Process: The bagels are hand-rolled and slow-fermented in small batches. Their innovative and defining characteristic is being boiled in a mixture of water and local Yards beer, which imparts a distinct malted flavor and a superior, super-crisp crust. They are then baked on wood planks, sometimes in a pizza oven, giving them a unique texture that is crunchy on the outside yet soft and light within.
- National Recognition for the Classic Lox Sandwich: In a major victory for the Philadelphia food scene, Bon Appétit Magazine named the shop's Classic Lox Sandwich the “Best New Sandwich in America.” The sandwich—featuring cream cheese, cured salmon, cucumber, tomato, and red onion—is highly praised, though some local customers note that while excellent, it may not reach the hyperbolic heights of that national title.
- Voted Best Bagel in Philadelphia: The quality of the bagels was recognized locally when Philadelphia Magazine voted Philly Style Bagels the "Best Bagel in Philadelphia" in 2016.
- High-Quality Ingredients: The shop focuses on pairing its unique bagels with premium products, including a variety of house-made spreads, cured salmon (lox), and high-quality coffee (previously serving Counter Culture Coffee or Elixr Coffee).
- Commitment to Community: The shop is known for its friendly, quick service and its dedication to the community, including being an LGBTQ+ friendly space.
Contact Information
To plan your visit or place an order, here is the essential contact and location information for the original Fishtown location. Note that in many modern, popular take-out spots, phone service may be limited, and online ordering is often the preferred method.
Address: 1451 E Columbia Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125, USA
Phone: Please be aware that like many popular establishments, the phone line may not be the primary source for orders, with online ordering and in-person visits often preferred. We recommend checking their official website or ordering platform for the best way to connect.
What is Worth Choosing at Philly Style Bagels
If you’re visiting Philly Style Bagels for the first time, you’re in for a treat that represents the best of Philadelphia’s innovative food culture. What makes this bagel shop stand out is its commitment to its craft, resulting in a product that genuinely deserves its own name. The bagels are smaller, denser, and have a beautiful, blistered crust that is a direct result of the signature beer-boiling method, offering a distinctive malty flavor that sets them apart from the typical New York or Montreal styles.
The number one recommendation, of course, is the Classic Lox Sandwich. Regardless of national rankings, the combination of their unique bagel, cream cheese, cured salmon, and fresh vegetables is a perfectly executed deli staple that showcases the excellence of their bread. For those looking for a savory breakfast, the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese sandwich is a hearty choice, often prepared in a way that allows the cheese and egg to bake into the bagel for extra flavor. Be prepared for a bit of a wait during peak hours, as the meticulous, small-batch process of preparing each item—like watching the chef bake the pre-made egg and cheese in the oven before assembly—shows they prioritize quality over speed.
For a lighter but equally flavorful experience, pair a dry bagel (for the full flavor of the bread itself) with one of their unique house-made spreads, like the Smoked Salmon or Jalapeno cream cheese. And, as a testament to their roots, don't miss out on grabbing a bagel with cream cheese and enjoying it across the street at Palmer Park for a classic Fishtown experience. This local gem isn't just selling bagels; it's selling an experience, a piece of Philadelphia history, and an award-winning new style of bread that's worth the trip.
VISIT FEATURES
Services and accessibility
These attributes come from the directory record and should be confirmed when essential.
Service options
- Delivery
- In-store pickup
- Takeout
Accessibility
Offerings
- Coffee
Dining options
- Breakfast
Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly
Planning
- Quick visit
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Free street parking
PHOTOS
See the bakery
VISITOR FEEDBACK
Reviews and recurring themes
Read individual comments as personal experiences, not verified guarantees.
everything bagel 32beer 9BLT 9scallion cream cheese 8salt bagels 7jalapeño cream cheese 7vegan 7oven 6whitefish 5toaster 5
Bagels were good but rather small. I got the bacon egg and cheese and it took upwards of 20 minutes for them to make it…I watched the chef put the cheese on the premade egg then put it in the oven before assembling the sandwich, he did the same for every bagel in front of me. We’ll definitely be back.
Jul 22 · David MackHad a wonderful experience having PSB cater our post-wedding brunch. The bagels were delicious, and the overall presentation and taste of the accompanying spread was perfect. All of our guests loved it! Coordinating / ordering was also great along with the pick up and invoicing part of the process. Highly recommend working with this team for catering (and also just getting a bagel sandwich on a regular day). Thank you!
Apr 30 · Britt TaylorI personally think these are really yummy bagels. Quite chewy, on the denser side. However I do feel these are probably the smallest bagels I have ever seen. Notable enough that it prevents me from giving 5 stars. The space is not particularly inviting, but that’s ok since it’s more of a order and take out kind of space. Coffee is good, service friendly.
May 23 · Christopher NötzelSandwich was great. I ordered a sandwich BLT on a cinnamon raisin bagel, cream cheese and a egg with a large lemonade. Phenomenal! You have to order online and pick it up at the window. The scam links are displayed on the windows. The cashier was pleasantly nice. Highly recommend a visit. Also if you solve the pictogram on the pick up window you win a prize.
Aug 22 · St3vi2 HoeNEARBY ALTERNATIVES
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