Ethan Anderson
Assistant Editor
With final exams and grades approaching, nothing says comfort food like a fresh breakfast bagel sandwich.
Fortunately the community has several options within a five-mile radius of the University of La Verne. I tried five of the closest popular bagel spots, searching for the best.
To ensure fair judging, I ordered the same thing at each location.
Closest to the University is Miss Donuts and Bagels on the corner of D Street and Bonita Avenue. Within walking distance from campus, it’s a popular choice among La Verne students and staff.
Customers can expect to pay between $5 and $10 for a consistently good breakfast sandwich.
For a sausage, egg, and cheese bagel sandwich on a plain bagel the price was $9.16. The sandwich included a sausage patty, scrambled eggs, and a slice of American cheese. My only complaint with Miss Donuts and Bagels was the untoasted bagel. The bagel’s soft interior became soggy from the oil and grease of the ingredients. Still, it’s a convenient option.
One mile north of campus is the Bagelry and Brew on Foothill and D Street, my second stop. For their sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich, the price was $10.20, and it lives up to its premium price.
This was the only sandwich wrapped in foil, which keeps it warmer and less messy, something an inelegant eater like myself appreciates. Bagelry and Brew had the best-tasting sausage and bagel of the bunch. As mentioned, I prefer a well-toasted bagel, and Bagelry and Brew checks that box. If you’re willing to pay a little more for quality, this is an excellent option.
I headed west for my next option, Tastees Donut and Bagel at Foothill and Wheeler, 1.8 miles away. Bagel sandwiches range from $7 to $9.
The man working at Tastees was extremely friendly and respectful, which likely boosts business; people buy from people they like. This was the cheapest bagel at $8.68, and it ended up being my second favorite.
The sausage, sliced from a frank, had a unique taste, with provolone melted over the sausage and a buttered, toasted bagel. This bagel felt the most homemade, like it was made with care.
The fourth bagel shop I tried was La Verne Miss Donut and Bagel, not to be confused with Miss Donuts and Bagels on D Street.
This spot, on White Avenue and Foothill, sits on the north side of the street across from Target. They were out of plain bagels, so I chose spinach and cheese.
My sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich was $7.99. The sausage patty had a good sage flavor, strong but not overwhelming. The toasted bun had a balanced ratio of ingredients, with no element taking a back seat. This was my favorite breakfast sandwich, with Tastees a close second.
The final spot was Bry’s Bagels in Glendora, five miles west of campus at Arrow and Sunflower in the Glendora Public Market. Though farther away, it’s within reasonable driving distance and a good option for commuters.
My bagel at Bry’s was $9.76, and I got a cinnamon raisin bagel as they were out of plain bagels and close to closing time.
The sausage patty did not stand out compared to the others, but the cheese was quality and nicely melted. It’s hard to compare this to the others because the sweetness of the bagel changed the flavor dynamics.
Here are my picks, from best to worst: La Verne Miss Donut and Bagel, Tastees Donut and Bagel, Bagelry and Brew, Miss Donuts and Bagels, and finally Bry’s Bagels.
Ethan Anderson can be reached at ethan.anderson@laverne.edu.
Ethan Anderson is a senior communications major with a concentration in public relations. He is the LV Life editor and a staff photographer for the Campus Times, and a staff writer and photographer for La Verne Magazine. He has previously been a staff writer for the Campus Times. As a lifelong student-athlete, he has picked up valuable skills that he seeks to apply in his career in public relations, and ultimately make an impact.
Anthony Eramya, a senior journalism major, is a staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine. He has previously served as a staff writer for both publications.
