There’s a big blue banner outside this Berkeley-based bagel shop declaring “there are no(w) good bagels in California.” A bold statement considering: 1) there were already good bagels in LA before they arrived and 2) people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Because while Boichik’s thick bagels do have a nice crunchy crust, we found their insides a bit dense during multiple visits, with the notable exception being the fluffy egg bagel (the best one here). Whichever bagels you order, asking for it toasted helps.

The limited menu only has a few sandwich options (lox, whitefish salad, and a daily special), and while we wish there were a few more choices, you can always mix and match sandwich fillings. The smart move is to swap in one of the flavored cream cheeses, like green garlic, hatch chile, or horseradish cheddar scallion, which gives the sandwiches a needed boost.

photo credit: Cathy Park