Not only do Montrealers consider these bagels the best in the world but listen to an American Matthew Goodman who raves about these bagels and explains in detail how they are made and what differentiates them from other bagels. He even goes so far as saying that just to taste these bagels is well worth the trip to Montréal. I guess just as Maurice "Rocket" Richard is a legend to the Montréal Canadians bagels are just as legendary to the world of food.
For many decades Montreal locals have compared Bagel Shop Inc (most commonly known as St.-Viateur Bagels) to Bagel Factory (1951) Reg'd (most commonly known as Fairmount Bagels). The latter bakery is located at 74 Fairmount West.
It seems however that St-Viateur is preferred over Fairmount according to a survey comparing the two bakeries. This comparison has always been very controversial and in fact has led to some very heated discussions among the " Montreal bagel mavens."
We can definitely consider both of these shops as Montreal landmarks and a "must see" attraction especially on a Sunday morning where it seems every cultural group is standing in line to taste the morning's fresh bagels.
This in itself is an experience only distinct to Montréal. Where else would you hear bagel pronounced as if it were part of the French language "B -A- G- A- L?"
Just to stand near the wooden oven in the St-Viateur bakery and see and experience the preparation of the bagels is an experience in itself that you will not want to miss.
The blast of the heat and the rising flames reminds one of sitting around a campfire toasting marshmallows and cooking hot dogs. However the latter experience is nothing compared to the aroma of the bagels. Oh that mouth watering aroma! You can hardly wait to grab the black seeded or white seeded bagels from your bag once you have paid for them and taste the wood-burning oven. Be careful they are hot!
Be sure to ask for your plastic bags in order to place the bagels in your freezer when you arrive home. However, I doubt if you will arrive home with the bagels, as you will probably have devoured them before leaving Montréal.
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