If you’re craving something fresh, crispy and delicious, you’re in luck. A regional, family-owned business, Bethesda Bagels, opened in Cabin John Village on Monday, Oct. 6, exciting locals with the mouthwatering breakfast options to come.
Founded by Steve and Fran Fleishman in 1982, Bethesda Bagels is known for its specialization in New-York style bagels. Over the past four decades, their company has grown to include multiple locations across the DMV. Today, the business remains family-operated and is recognized for their handmade, kettle-boiled and baked bagels.
With locations on Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda Row and Fallsgrove, the Cabin John Village location is the most spacious and coziest. Unlike the others, this location offers tables so couples and families can enjoy their food in each other’s company.
Other visitors acknowledged the new seating options and appreciated the open space. Junior Elena Bernal was especially impressed by the openness of the store and the wide variety of the menu. “It was a lot less cramped than the Fallsgrove location. I also ordered an everything bagel and it was really good,” Bernal said.
When I walked in, I immediately noticed the shop’s noisy environment. There were people everywhere — couples, children and even high school students. One would think that bagels are enjoyed as a breakfast food, but even on a Sunday afternoon, the shop was packed. I had to wait in line behind four people just to put in my order. My bagel took around three to five minutes to come out, which was surprisingly quick for the number of people in front of me. I ordered a warmed, plain bagel with strawberry cream cheese. The bagel itself was decent, although the edges were slightly burnt. The cream cheese, however, was thoroughly applied and a vibrant shade of pink. One of Bethesda Bagels’ specialities is their house-made cream cheese, and it did not disappoint. It had the perfect amount of cream cheese, coming from a person who loves an excessive amount of it on their bagels.
Junior Elena Firoozfar visited Bethesda Bagels last Saturday and ordered a bagel dog. Intrigued by this order, I searched up a photo, and it appears to be a hotdog with a bagel baked around it, similar to a hotdog bun. According to Firoozfar, the store was crowded, so to avoid the long line, she ordered a hotdog, thinking it would be faster than ordering a regular bagel. “The line was long and the food was just OK, but it’s a nice place,” Firoozfar said.
Junior Maddie Luxenberg hasn’t visited the Cabin John location, however she’s looking forward to seeing how it differs from the Fallsgrove location. “I’ve heard positive things about the new location,” Luxenberg said. “Whenever my friends and I go to Fallsgrove, Bethesda Bagels is always one of our top three food options.”
