Forget the mishigas you've read: Here's the real best bagel in S.F.

"Over the summer, San Francisco news outlets have attempted bagel taste tests, with results even they admitted were surprising. Sourdough bagels, a contradiction in terms, topped the charts. A California-based chain landed in the top 10, despite bagel aficionados knowing their product is subpar. Boichik's, widely regarded as one of the top bagel spots in the area, did middling at best."

"We had three criteria, developed with the assistance of AI and a highly opinionated New Yorker: Crust, crumb (the texture of the inside of the bagel), and flavor. We used the San Francisco Chronicle's list as inspiration, and limited our bagel options to just ones available within San Francisco city limits. That sadly eliminated what we've heard are some excellent options in the East Bay."

"Our panel of judges were an admittedly unscientific selection of four New Yorkers, plus one California native who lived down the street from one of New York's most famous bagel shops for four years. Our five testers tasted the bagels in two groups of four, all with plain bagels. Cream cheese was available. The top two in each group then advanced onto a final, during which tasters tried the plain again, plus sesame or poppy seed."

San Francisco bagel taste tests yielded surprising rankings, with sourdough bagels topping results despite being a contradiction to traditional bagels. A California-based chain placed in the top 10 despite known subpar quality. Boichik's, often counted among the best, scored only middling. Tasters used three criteria—crust, crumb (interior texture), and flavor—restricted to shops within San Francisco city limits and excluding sourdough-specialty bakeries. Judges included four New Yorkers and one California native. Testing proceeded in heats using plain bagels with cream cheese available; finalists were re-tasted with plain and seeded varieties.

Read at Mission Local