Nos Vemos al Bagel! (See you at the Bagel)
(printed in Atencion 31 July 2009, p.40)
On Friday July 31st, the Bagel Café will be celebrating 15 years of bagels and community. More than just a few San Miguel residents can
remember a time when they had to go out of town for a bagel. That all changed, when Juan Carlos Alonso began making bagels in the interior
courtyard space at #19 Correo.
Just like San Miguel, the Bagel has seen many changes in the years since. Owners have come and gone, the menu has grown, and the
clientele has evolved. But just like San Miguel, some things do remain the same. The bagels are still made fresh every day, you’re sure to meet
a friendly face, and the bathroom is probably occupado!
Although many think of a bagel as a distinctly New York or Jewish food, none of the Bagel owners has been a New Yorker. Or Jewish. After Juan
Carlos, a Venezuelan, came Dick Weber, a Texan. He held the Café for a couple of years, expanding the menu before poor health demanded
he sell. Robbie Mantooth took up the challenge, and added more menu items as well as built the now much-admired (and used!) bar with
some friends. Next came Ron Dumas, a New Orleans native who returned to Portland, Oregon to open a fine restaurant with his wife in 2006.
Since 2006, I have had the distinct pleasure of owning the Bagel in partnership with my father and step-mother, Roy and Marguerite. I often tell
people that we didn’t buy a business; we really bought a living room. Some people even go so far as to call the Bagel San Miguel’s answer to
Cheers, the popular TV show from the 1980s where “everybody knows your name.”
In keeping with my previous career as a community organizer and social researcher, the Bagel crew has worked to create a place that reaches
out to all of San Miguel. If you haven’t been with us for a while, you might be surprised to learn that our clientele is nearly evenly split between
international and Mexican patrons. On any given day, you might hear (or even join) a conversation about the latest sports news, the most recent
astronomical discoveries, the latest movie, an unexpected find at the Biblioteca’s Thursday book sale, or which charity is hosting the next event.
At its core, the Bagel is a place of dignity and respect. It’s not uncommon for folks to come in just to say hi, get a hug, find out some piece of
information or leave a message for someone. I’ve even had one or two people swing by to share some food they cooked with me! Talk about
coals to Newcastle, but welcome every time!
We at the Bagel have had cause to celebrate birth and death and all other events that mark life—a marriage, a divorce, a new book, a play, an
adoption, a new house, a new puppy (or kitten), and the list goes on. We have rejoiced in the birth of Abrahamcito, Alexis, Julito, Aiden, Maria
Rene, Maya and so many others. We have mourned the passing of Esther, Eric, Peggy, Stucco Steve, and others, not least my own father, Roy,
who died last July.
Behind all the changes at the front, the crew at the heart of the Café has remained largely unchanged over the years. That’s why year after year,
owner after owner the bagels are still great (even if they don’t usually have a hole), the soups are amazing, and the sandwiches are the best
you will find anywhere. Guadalupe, Magali, Carmen, Julio and Abraham are chopping, stirring, frying, kneading, arranging, brewing and serving!
Just as the Quinceñeros is an important right of passage in Mexico, we at the Bagel are also marking a new phase. For the first time, the Bagel
will be owned and operated by a son of San Miguel, Julio Galicia. As of August 1st, Julio will take up the reins, continuing the traditions of great
food and real community all have come to expect. I hope to renew my career of international democratization and governance reform, while
maintaining my home here and my own seat at the bar of the Bagel.
Here's what others say:
Not far from the jardin is The Bagel Cafe, again very comfortable for a 6 year old & very reasonable prices for breakfast & lunch, closed Sunday.
www.tripadvisor.com
East of the Jardín are four good places on Correo, starting with the Bagel Café on Correo 19, and El Correo restaurant at 23. Jennifer Butz
recently purchased the Bagel Cafe and turned it into one of the most popular spots in town. She even serves a pretty good Reuben, though it's
65 pesos. Many dishes are in our range, however. Her soups and chili are to die for, 50 pesos for a large meal-sized bowl. www.
fallinginlovewithsanmiguel.com
The Bagel Cafe is an understated place and a fave of expats. It serves cheap bagels and egg breakfasts. www.lonelyplanet.com
Best place for breakfast and early lunch for me was the Bagel Café on Correo. It changed hands a couple of years ago from Ron to a lovely girl
named Jennifer. Great bagels! www.chapala.com
Bagel Café (Correo #19, interior, 154-6524, $). Nice plant-filled respite off the jardin. Slip in and have a fresh fruit or veg jugo or smoothie.
Tender bagels and wholesome grain breads baked daily. Healthy sandwiches and sopas, daily specials. Laid back atmosphere conducive to
hanging out solo with a magazine or a book, or just to savor a bit of quiet. Call ahead to order take out. www.opednews.com
(printed in Atencion 31 July 2009, p.40)
On Friday July 31st, the Bagel Café will be celebrating 15 years of bagels and community. More than just a few San Miguel residents can
remember a time when they had to go out of town for a bagel. That all changed, when Juan Carlos Alonso began making bagels in the interior
courtyard space at #19 Correo.
Just like San Miguel, the Bagel has seen many changes in the years since. Owners have come and gone, the menu has grown, and the
clientele has evolved. But just like San Miguel, some things do remain the same. The bagels are still made fresh every day, you’re sure to meet
a friendly face, and the bathroom is probably occupado!
Although many think of a bagel as a distinctly New York or Jewish food, none of the Bagel owners has been a New Yorker. Or Jewish. After Juan
Carlos, a Venezuelan, came Dick Weber, a Texan. He held the Café for a couple of years, expanding the menu before poor health demanded
he sell. Robbie Mantooth took up the challenge, and added more menu items as well as built the now much-admired (and used!) bar with
some friends. Next came Ron Dumas, a New Orleans native who returned to Portland, Oregon to open a fine restaurant with his wife in 2006.
Since 2006, I have had the distinct pleasure of owning the Bagel in partnership with my father and step-mother, Roy and Marguerite. I often tell
people that we didn’t buy a business; we really bought a living room. Some people even go so far as to call the Bagel San Miguel’s answer to
Cheers, the popular TV show from the 1980s where “everybody knows your name.”
In keeping with my previous career as a community organizer and social researcher, the Bagel crew has worked to create a place that reaches
out to all of San Miguel. If you haven’t been with us for a while, you might be surprised to learn that our clientele is nearly evenly split between
international and Mexican patrons. On any given day, you might hear (or even join) a conversation about the latest sports news, the most recent
astronomical discoveries, the latest movie, an unexpected find at the Biblioteca’s Thursday book sale, or which charity is hosting the next event.
At its core, the Bagel is a place of dignity and respect. It’s not uncommon for folks to come in just to say hi, get a hug, find out some piece of
information or leave a message for someone. I’ve even had one or two people swing by to share some food they cooked with me! Talk about
coals to Newcastle, but welcome every time!
We at the Bagel have had cause to celebrate birth and death and all other events that mark life—a marriage, a divorce, a new book, a play, an
adoption, a new house, a new puppy (or kitten), and the list goes on. We have rejoiced in the birth of Abrahamcito, Alexis, Julito, Aiden, Maria
Rene, Maya and so many others. We have mourned the passing of Esther, Eric, Peggy, Stucco Steve, and others, not least my own father, Roy,
who died last July.
Behind all the changes at the front, the crew at the heart of the Café has remained largely unchanged over the years. That’s why year after year,
owner after owner the bagels are still great (even if they don’t usually have a hole), the soups are amazing, and the sandwiches are the best
you will find anywhere. Guadalupe, Magali, Carmen, Julio and Abraham are chopping, stirring, frying, kneading, arranging, brewing and serving!
Just as the Quinceñeros is an important right of passage in Mexico, we at the Bagel are also marking a new phase. For the first time, the Bagel
will be owned and operated by a son of San Miguel, Julio Galicia. As of August 1st, Julio will take up the reins, continuing the traditions of great
food and real community all have come to expect. I hope to renew my career of international democratization and governance reform, while
maintaining my home here and my own seat at the bar of the Bagel.
Here's what others say:
Not far from the jardin is The Bagel Cafe, again very comfortable for a 6 year old & very reasonable prices for breakfast & lunch, closed Sunday.
www.tripadvisor.com
East of the Jardín are four good places on Correo, starting with the Bagel Café on Correo 19, and El Correo restaurant at 23. Jennifer Butz
recently purchased the Bagel Cafe and turned it into one of the most popular spots in town. She even serves a pretty good Reuben, though it's
65 pesos. Many dishes are in our range, however. Her soups and chili are to die for, 50 pesos for a large meal-sized bowl. www.
fallinginlovewithsanmiguel.com
The Bagel Cafe is an understated place and a fave of expats. It serves cheap bagels and egg breakfasts. www.lonelyplanet.com
Best place for breakfast and early lunch for me was the Bagel Café on Correo. It changed hands a couple of years ago from Ron to a lovely girl
named Jennifer. Great bagels! www.chapala.com
Bagel Café (Correo #19, interior, 154-6524, $). Nice plant-filled respite off the jardin. Slip in and have a fresh fruit or veg jugo or smoothie.
Tender bagels and wholesome grain breads baked daily. Healthy sandwiches and sopas, daily specials. Laid back atmosphere conducive to
hanging out solo with a magazine or a book, or just to savor a bit of quiet. Call ahead to order take out. www.opednews.com
The Bagel Cafe
Imagination is
more important
than knowledge.
Albert Einstein
more important
than knowledge.
Albert Einstein
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