Best Bagels

A crusty exterior and chewy interior are the mark of a real bagel, and Bruegger's delivers. With 15 kinds of bagels ranging from asiago parmesan to cranberry orange, Bruegger's provides noshers with enough choices to satisfy most bagel aficionados. Add 14 flavors of cream cheese spreads-which run the gamut from sweet (strawberry) to pungent (jalapeño)-and you have enough possible combinations for more than 200 breakfasts. Besides the classic bagel with cream cheese, Bruegger's offers eggs, soups, salads and a good selection of sandwiches, including standards like roast beef, as well as the more exotic Thai peanut chicken. Vegetarians can choose from the Leonardo da Veggie or the Mediterranean, a scrumptious hummus and sun-dried tomato spread combination. For the less hip, Bruegger's also carries a selection of square bagels.

Runners up:

2. Einstein Bros. Bagels, 4708 E. Sunrise Drive, 615-0508; 7151 N. Oracle Road, 219-1220

3. The Bagelry, 2575 N. Campbell Ave., 881-6674