It begins: Best bagels in New Jersey

The competition between New Jersey and New York for best bagel is incomparable to the intrastate battle for the crown. Dozens of bagel shops are spread throughout strip malls, parking lots, boardwalks and convenience stores. These places don't carry the same deli atmosphere or the sidewalk lines that NYC bagel places likely tout. You walk in, pick from a basket, and get something amazing.

I judge these places on a few key parameters: speed, quality (or homemade nature) of the cream cheese and toppings (fresh lox), price, and toasted-ness. The bagel is designed to be a quick breakfast, and the breakfast sandwich is similarly a simple meal, easy to access and not overdone. Yes, I could do it at home, but the griddle eggs and bagels sliced through the mechanical knife are just less fuss for me. And for a price under five, a completely reasonable morning meal that I have taken for granted. And with that, here are my south jersey bagel recommendations.

Growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, I have a unique corner of jewish american and italian american comfort food. I plan to create a map of these places, never referring to them as 'the best' places because I do not think the typical food blog words - incredible, authentic, fresh, rich - capture the integrity and consistency in my preferred style of food. The key issues for me when going out to eat in jersey are that there should be no or minimal wait time, made to the tradition of the meal, cheap, and staff that knows what's up.

I will continue this unsolicited series of my favourite South Jersey (now leaning a bit Philadelphia) eats. It is my own historical map to the experiences and places that were meaningful for me and my friends and family. I'm going to tackle the big Philly four - pizza, bagels, ice cream (particularly custard), and cheesesteaks.

TOP BAGEL JOINTS:

1. Central Park Bagel: What can I say - the convenience is just too much. This bagel cafe is open at 7 AM only until 1 or 2 PM so you have to get in early (which makes sense). There's only one way to demonstrate commitment to your breakfast food and its to show up. Always get a bacon, egg, and cheese here, be sure to ask for it toasted as they're particular about it. There's a few stools to sit and eat as well but you don't really need that much time. The bagels are always super fresh, super hot, and covered in cheese. Perfect. They have Seattle's Best in those giant containers and a few choices in terms of Snapple or Nesquik drinks, you've got options. Also - cash only.

2. The Bagel Spot: The Bagel Spot is great for grabbing a few tubs of flavoured cream cheese (cinnamon sugar, chive and onion) and a dozen to bring back home for breakfast. Shmear is homemade, and the options for bagels is endless. Fresh lox as well. And, some days, they have homemade schneken and other jewish cookies. Again, they close a little later but they run out of all the good flavour bagels early on. If you want an everything bagel, which you do, you have to get there a bit earlier in the morning to try and snag the first batch. This place is delicious, offers lots of other kosher toppings, sweets, and desserts. Highly recommend getting on route 70 for these boys.