Bagels have been a cornerstone in my life for as long as I’ve been alive. No joke, I have pictures upon pictures of myself in my Dad’s lap everywhere from 2 months old to 18 years old (don’t worry, I graduated from his lap after the first few years) as he went on his trips to the local bagel shop every Saturday.
Fast forward to being 23 and not knowing what I wanted to do in life. I didn’t know where to go, so I did what any unemployed college graduate does and moves to a tiny apartment in New York!
I lived there for a bit, long enough to get so used to my Saturday morning bagels at Tompkins Square Bagels that once I returned home to Columbus, it was hard to find anything that could compare.
Something about the hardness of the bread with perfect moisture levels and airiness… needless to say it’s been a long time since I’ve gotten a bagel that reminded me of East Coast bagels.
But all that has finally changed. Just when I needed it most, an incredible bagel shop came to town and changed my life for the better. Step Out Columbus readers, it’s my honor and privilege to introduce you to Bears Bagels in Hilliard, an incredible bagel shop that would thrive even if it was in the heart of Manhattan.
And no, they’re not paying us to write this. They probably won’t even read this, but we felt the need to share the good news because the world would be a better place if we all had an incredible bagel place to frequent during the week.
Offering classic flavors like plain, sesame, rosemary sea salt, and everything, these bagels are ~everything~ you could ever want out of a breakfast food.
They also have classic schmears like plain, Roasted Veggie, and Toasted Everything, with monthly specialty bagels and schmears on a rotating schedule.
Their secret is letting the dough rest for 24 hours, then boiling the bagels before finally baking them in the oven. Letting the dough rest creates a deeper flavor and allows for a harder sheen and a bigger crunch on the outside… is your mouth watering yet?
Honestly, for all I care, their secret could be letting the dough ferment in dog food and I’d still eat them… yes, they’re that good. No, they don’t ferment the bagels in dog food.
If you’re feeling like trying something new for breakfast or lunch, head on over to Bears Bagels in Hilliard. You’re not going to regret it!
Bears Bagels, 4142 Main St, Hilliard, OH 43026
