The Globe and Mail:
In late October, the city of Montreal declared what some considered a war on the bagel. When I heard the news, I blew a gasket. Wouldn’t this mean the death of the Montreal bagel?
There are a few immediate reasons to defend the traditional way of making bagels. I don’t want to start a war with the Italians, but no one comes to Montreal for the pizza. Our bagels, however, are famous around the world. There’s no such thing as a “Montreal-style” bagel. There are Montreal bagels, and then there are bread-like items with a hole in the middle. This isn’t controversial – it’s just bagel science.
This story is much bigger than being about “just” a bagel. It’s about tradition vs “progress” and how Montreal sees itself as a city.
There’s a reason why the biggest jazz festival in the world doesn’t happen in Vancouver.
That hurts but he’s not wrong. If the weather were better, I’d much prefer to live in gritty Montreal than beautiful but boring Vancouver.
Even New York Jews (if they’re honest) will admit that our bagels are better than theirs.
Hey New Yorkers – shots fired!
Oh, please. I’d love to stage a blind taste test in a neutral location after seeing this sort of silly trash talk. If only the original H&H was still around.
Love Montreal-style bagels.
Ironically, there are a few places in Vancouver that make an excellent ones, using a wood oven.
Between a Montreal bagel and a NY bagel?
Sure. Why not. The question is, who should judge?
Personal preference, of course.
But advocating a blind taste test suggests that you might not be aware of what a Montreal bagel is. Its not the same food as a NY bagel… it would be like having a blind taste test between NY pizza and Chicago deep dish.
I wasn’t aware of the difference. So, the guy making claims in the article is just generating free PR for himself while also indulging in “no true Scotsman” crap. Pfft.
Yeah, this is climate theater. 70 wood-burning ovens aren’t going to be the difference in climate change or even significant contributors to the local pollution landscape. This kind of thing is silly and a waste of time and resources.
And if your comparison is apt—since Chicago deep dish isn’t actual pizza—well…
“I was gonna be nice…”
I live in Jersey. We can’t have nice things. Fire away.
Uh oh, this could get ugly.
Sicilian vs neapolitan.
Manhattan vs boston clam chowder.
Never heard of a Montreal bagel. Hard to agree that they’re world famous.
There’s no such thing as Manhattan clam chowder. That’s just disgusting tomato based soup with clams in it. 🙂
LOL America doesn’t equal The World. 🙂
America isn’t part of the world? That’s an odd outlook to have.
I’m sure the vast majority of the citizens of China and India are devastated by the death of this “world famous” bagel.
Absolutely right. Sorry to offend everyone with my opinion and comments.
Montréal has a population of 1.7 million. That’s just in the city proper.
Somehow, I find it difficult to believe that an exception can’t be made for 70 wood-burning ovens in all that pollution.
It was indeed everyone. The entire world was offended. 😉
When I told a tuk tuk driver in Mumbai that I was from Canada, he immediately told me that he wanted to see Lake Louise and eat Montreal bagels.
You got the Boss.
And Chris Christie.
Great arguments, all. 😉
Finally, something my wife can agree with you about.
My husband’s lived in Montreal for eight years and this is the first he’s heard of it. ?♂️
The United States houses less than 5% of the world’s total population. “World famous” relies upon a bit more than what you might personally have heard about. And occasionally, not at all.
We’ve effectively established that the article’s writer is prone to hyperbole. But your premise was based upon what you alone are familiar with.
“If I haven’t heard of it, it ain’t famous” is something I expect to hear from a shut-in grandparent in a corduroy recliner.
“Doesn’t equal” doesn’t mean the same thing as “isn’t part of.”
Guess I was wrong again. Seems to be a constant problem here.
It sure happens to me a lot.
I came to the comments specially to see if I was the only one never to have heard of this “world famous” Montreal bagels. That’s not to say that I don’t want to try one though.
Really? Ummm, where? I’ve tried a few that say they are Montréal bagels -but they all kind of sucked. Ditto the Montréal bagel wannabes in Seattle.
Now, over 1.8 million 😉
They are renowned around The World, anyway. Montréal, generally, has been a relative global ‘secret’. It really is one of the world’s greatest urban places.
Ok, kids, Settle down. People who travel to Montréal from around the world know Montréal bagels. Anthony Bourdain, the French media and countless others have publicized them. They may be less- known than Napolitana or New York pizza but there is a Global following, for sure. Generally, New Haven pizza is even better than that in NYC. Serious pizza aficionados know this. It is there North American pizza mecca. Same comparison could be émaade for Montrl éand bagels. NYC just has better PR 😉
Wow! Not to offend or be rude but, your husband either lives under a rock or is a hermit. There is no other way to explain how a Montréaler/Montréalais could be oblivious to the city’s bagels. No. Way.
Bless your heart.