It wasn’t long ago that Washington’s bagel situation was bleak. Sure, good versions existed—at Bagels and . . . (2019 West St., Annapolis; 410-224-8686), Goldberg’s New York Bagels (9328 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, 240-450-4177; 4824-26 Boiling Brook Pkwy., Rockville, 301-816-9229; 7731 Tuckerman La., Potomac, 240-403-1210), and Bethesda Bagels (4819 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda, 301-652-8990; 1718 Connecticut Ave., NW, 202-299-9399)—but beyond that, the selection mostly made frozen Lender’s seem decent. Happily, things are looking up.
Newcomer Bullfrog Bagels (1341 H St., NE; 202-494-2615) draws snaking lines, and it’s easy to taste why: The small, hand-rolled rounds are soft and chewy inside with a slightly crisp exterior and just enough seasoning (we love the everything and salt varieties). Even better with roasted-jalapeño cream cheese or a heaping of smoky whitefish salad.
One of the unlikelier sources for bagel greatness: 2 Amys (3715 Macomb St., NW; 202-885-5700). Sundays, the pizzeria’s owner, Peter Pastan, makes a batch of golden-crusted beauties—and his own cream cheese.