Finally! Real New York bagels in Southern Oregon. Ahuva Bagel Company recently opened in West Medford (2386D West Main Street in the Albertson's Shopping Center, 541-776-2245).
We drove by a few months ago and were intrigued, but dubious. We stopped in this past weekend and immediately upon walking in, grilled the owner.
So...what exactly makes your bagels real New York bagels? They're boiled, he says. OK, he passed the first test. Then, when I asked him if he was going to have bialys, he said it was definitely possible. He got points just for knowing what bialys were (although he dropped a point for not having an everything bagel). If he had a true "regular coffee" and was using NYC tap water, we'd really be in business.
No offense to the Little Shop of Bagels and the Key of C Coffeehouse, but in general, I have had some truly god-awful bagels since I left NYC and moved to Ashland, Oregon. (Steamed bagels...what is this world coming to???) So, all hail Ahuva. This displaced New Yorker suddenly feels a little better about her current home away from home.
