Description: Though Boston does not have a long history of bagel-making as does it's nearby cousin New York City, it does have the fabulous local chain called "Finagle A Bagel." It is here that Bostonians go for the closest thing in the area to a New York bagel. There are several convenient locations throughout the city: two nearby South Station, on both Tremont and Franklin Streets. Once you try a Finagle, you will not settle for anything less while in Boston.
Finagle a Bagel's storefronts are like fast-food chain restaurants. Set up with under-inspired plastic booths and chairs, it is easy to dismiss this establishment before trying the food. Also not helping the matter is the gold and burgundy paint scheme and the lack of organization at the condiments/serving station. But the negatives about Finagle a Bagel end at the ambiance.
Behind a glass case serving counter customers can gaze upon a selection of bagels—up to 20 flavors on occasion. In front of the bagels a conveyor belt outfitted with a saw blade for cutting the bagels in half flings your order down to the preparation station of the store. It's very fun to watch and the saw makes an interesting wood-shop-esque sound.
Finagle's has the widest selection of flavor choices in the area for bagels. Seasonally they have flavors like Pumpkin Raisin (Fall), green bagels (St. Patrick's Day), Red bagels (For Big Red Sox games), and Apple Strudel (Fall again). Everyday flavors include everything from the ordinary (plain, cinnamon raisin, sesame, vegetable, etc) to the extraordinary. The cocoa bagel is a creation where cocoa is mixed into the batter and the bagel is coated in rice krispies. The Super cinnamon raisin bagel is a fabulously decadent bagel coated in a cinnamon and sugar glaze. Both of these bagels simply must be tried, they are so wonderfully delicious that words could not describe.
Finagle a Bagel also serves a nice selection of organic soups and sandwiches. Highly recommended is the pizza bagel for lunch with the eggplant topping. It is great for days when simply a bagel will not fill your craving.
Service at Finagle is fast and efficient- once you place your order your number is called very quickly to pick up. Sometimes the counter help can seem a bit curt if they have many customers, but overall my experiences at Finagle have all been pretty good.
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