BAGEL BIN
Hoppen Hierarchy:★★★⭑
District: Southwest Omaha
Bagel shop w/ sandwiches & pastries
Perfect For: Baked Goods; Breakfast/Brunch; Casual Dining; Lunch
Standout Dishes: Egg Mitt; Bagels & Lox; Cake Donut
With a simple name and a humble location, you likely wouldn’t guess Bagel Bin would be such a beloved part of Omaha’s culinary history.
But it’s played an important ever since the Brezack family moved from Long Island, NY, to Omaha in 1977 and opened this Kosher institution. Their family recipes showed Omahans why the New York bagel has such a sterling reputation.
As fascinating at the backstory is, however, you don’t have to know a lick of the Bagel Bin’s history to enjoy it. Simply walk in off the street and prepare to be astounded by not only the dizzying number of options, but the quality of the titular product.
Bagel Bin offers 17 different types of bagels, each with a unique flavor and personality. From savory options like Super Onion, Asiago, and Everything to sweeter flavors such as Cinnamon Crunch, Chocolate Chip, and Cherry, the wide variety makes picking just one or two a FOMO-inducing task.
Whatever flavor you choose, you can be certain the bagel will have been baked that day and without preservatives. True to New York style, these bagels have a crunchy outside and a chewy interior.
From the slight sweetness of the Cinnamon Apple Bagel to the rich, puffy Egg Bagel to the savory, piquant Asiago Bagel, Bagel Bin touches just about all aspects of the flavor spectrum.
You can top these crusty delights with nearly anything your mind can imagine: butter, cinnamon and sugar, peanut butter, or one of Bagel Bin’s 20 signature cream cheeses, which range from Plain to Jalapeno Cheddar, Garlic Herb, and the crowd favorite Lox Spread.
Bagel Bin doesn’t stop at just the bagel and spread, however—it lets you have some fun with your carbs.
The best example of this is the Bagels & Lox, which tops the bagel of your choice (I recommend the peppery, garlic-y Everything bagel) with cooling cream cheese, and salty, buttery salmon. Onions and tomato slices add bite and tanginess, respectively, while capers bring brilliant pops of salty tartness.
The Egg Mitt is Bagel Bin’s take on the breakfast sandwich, and it nails all the critical notes. The egg is very well cooked, buttery and creamy, and the melted cheddar gloms onto the inside of the toasted bagel. Because it’s a Kosher joint, you won’t find bacon or sausage here, but the flavors in this sandwich are powerful to stand up without them.
Though bagels are Bagel Bin’s calling card, that’s not the only baking this institution excels in. Alongside cookies, cinnamon rolls, turnovers, and raised donuts sits the majestic Cake Doughnut, which is among the best of its kind in Omaha. Rich and buttery, these confections have just the right amount of sweetness from icing, and the sheer amount of sprinkles ensures good texture contrast.
Available on Thursdays and Fridays, the Challah Bread is rich and spongey with the slightest bit of tang. Both soft and sweet, this bread is delicious when used to construct a sandwich, fried as French toast, or eaten plain.
Of Bagel Bin’s various side dishes, the Egg Salad has the grandest reputation. Creamy, tangy mayo and crisp, tart mustard balance each other well, and the mix is filled with large chunks of tender boiled eggs. Green onions and onions bring a fresh crunch and vegetal flavor.
The egg salad can be enjoyed as a side dish or spread across a bagel as a creamy condiment.
While the location (in a strip mall of 120th and Pacific) is off the beaten path, Bagel Bin is worth seeking out. It has a friendly ambience and spacious dining room, and the display case has enough bagel options to make any carb lover swoon. Every dish is prepared within full view of the customer, from toasting to application of ingredients.
The staff is very friendly and helpful; in fact, upon my second visit, they not only remembered my name, but what I’d ordered the first time around. That kind of attention to detail is nearly unheard of.
But that’s what makes Bagel Bin special. There’s great thought and intentionality put into everything about the restaurant, from the inviting space to the knowledgeable, caring customer service to the delicious food.
Prior to Bagel Bin, I thought bagels were simple carb rings only good for providing enough energy to make it to lunch. Bagel Bin proved me wrong; when done right, bagels can be so much more.