Golden Bagel Cafe (El Cajon)

After 23 years, Golden Bagel Cafe has closed, a great loss.  It will be missed.  Cheers Deli remains open (but does not have bagels).

mmm-yoso!!! is being written by Cathy today; Kirk is still on a vacation with His Missus.

The Mister and I have tried to avoid patronizing chain businesses during this time of COVID-19 and lockdown.  The Golden Bagel, located at the intersection of Navajo and Fletcher Parkway, in El Cajon (right on the border of La Mesa) is locally owned and prides itself on fresh made, preservative free items.  It is a sister store of Cheers Deli which has been in business for 20+ years  and is located about a mile west. (I know, I have to do a post) 
 Stepping inside, the selection of bagels (25 flavors) is good in the early morning.  There are a variety of beverages available (although many opt for the Starbucks next door). There is plenty of out front seating.  Here's a quick sampling of some of our breakfasts here.
 Pumpernickel bagel with cream cheese ($2.99)  You can taste the rye flour in this bagel and it is so very fresh and bright. On the right here is a bialy- a baked bread (the bagels here are water boiled) topped with poppy seeds and onion.  A lighter, softer (yet chewy) bread, I like the differences between a bialy and a bagel.  Toasted and buttered is a wonderful treat. The cheese topped bagel is also a favorite  (with butter, $1.99).
 Ham and cheddar with avocado and tomato on an everything, open face. ($8.99  plus $1 for the avocado=$9.99; we went for it).  There is a choice of cheeses, the avocado made this kind of perfect.  Open face, warm and melted- shareable! (The open face sandwiches cost more than a regular bagel sandwich.  You can see each half is substantial).

 The open face smoked salmon ($11.99) (of course on pumpernickel) .  Pacific Northwest Smoked salmon (lox), cream cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, red onion, dill and capers (and a slice of a really good pickle).  Quality as well as quantity; more than enough to share.

There are wraps, focaccia, pizza melts, salads...a nice menu.  Always nice people work here.  We had always passed by and are so glad we have finally stopped (and stopped in again and again!)

Golden Bagel Cafe 2744 Fletcher Parkway El Cajon 92020 Open Mon-Sat 6 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun 7 a.m.-3 p.m. (619) 464-2243 Website

Comments

[Loren]

my Mom and Dad are born New Yorkers, live in the La Jolla region. My dad regards golden bagel as THE only good bagel in San Diego and he (or let's be honest I) have driven out there many a time to stock up for family brunches or events (ah the time before COVID).

Honestly one of my favorite things about them are their cream cheeses, especially the garlic one but also the apple cinnamon and sun dried tomato. All of them are just phenomenal and make a great bagel even better.

[RedDevil]

Pleasantly surprised how easy it’s been finding proper (water boiled) bagels here in SD compared to LA. Used to have to order from H&H in NYC because I’m a huge bagel snob. Glad you found some good ones!

[caninecologne]

Did you say Bialy? I'm there! Theirs look really good!

[kat]

pumpernickel is so rare here. this looked great!

[Cathy]

Oh, this is good to know, Loren. Next visit, we will get all wild and crazy and try one (or more) of the 'fancy' cream cheeses. The quality here is remarkable.

The only other bagels we really like are at PL Bagel (Point Loma), RD. Yes, water boiled is proper; can taste the difference. Golden is so much shorter drive, though.

*Really* nice bialy here, cc. You know The Mister doesn't like onions, so more of the top half goes to me!

Oh, that's terrible, Kat. Pumpernickel/rye is one of those choices automatically gravitated to when given a choice.