B.B.'s

Worth the drive? Absolutely!!! This adorable diner was life-changing. I will never look at a bagel the same again. B.B.'s (770 McFarland Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30004) is short for Bronx Bagels and this place is serious about bagels. What makes BB's bagels soooo good? They are hand-rolled and kettle-boiled. Does that really make a huge difference? Surprisingly the answer is YES! These bagels were hands down the best bagels I have ever had in my life.

First of all, BB's is located just a mile off of GA 400 on McFarland Pkwy (exit 12). It's about a 35-45 minute drive from downtown Atlanta but well worth the drive. The diner looks like a typical diner but is rather charming. It's pretty small on the inside but they do have a decent size patio where you can sit outside if it's a nice day. This place is packed on weekend mornings so parking can be a little bit of an obstacle. Once you're inside the diner, you know this place has to be good because all of the locals are dining there. The owners of BB's are a husband and wife duo straight out of the Bronx. Most of the employees have a New York accent which adds to the experience as well. Just make sure not to hold up the line or you might get yelled at by the bagel nazi. As you enter the diner, take-out orders are a line to the left and seating is to the right. I picked up a dozen bagels to go and later wished I had bought more. Supposedly, you can put them in a ziploc bag in the refrigerator or freezer and store them for a couple days.

BB's does offer sandwiches, breakfast items and other things besides bagels on its menu but after trying their bagels, it doesn't make sense for me to talk about anything else. Their bagels are seriously addictive! Not to mention huge. I was stuffed after eating half of one but it was so good I managed to shove the other half into my mouth as well. The reason these bagels taste so different is the process used when baking them. Most bagels are steamed because it's easier and cheaper. BB's boils water in a kettle and then bathes the raw bagels in the boiling water to give them their shiny, golden chewy crust. The consistency is absolute perfection. A little chewy on the outside and very soft on the inside. BB's has quite the variety of bagels: plain, egg, sesame, blueberry, cinnamon raisin, marble-rye, pumpernickel, poppy seed, everything, salt, onion, garlic and whole wheat. They also have a few specialty bagels including cheddar, cranberry, french toast, chocolate chip, sundried tomato, energy, flagel and veggie). Their selection of cream cheeses is quite varied as well. They have plain, low-fat, vegetable, scallion, cinnamon raisin walnut, sundried tomato, strawberry, blueberry, horseradish bacon, olive pimiento, honey nut, and chocolate chip. I tried both the sesame seed and the whole wheat bagel. Both were outstanding! I know it's not around the corner but this place is definitely worth the drive. You've got to try it!

Update: I just found out they have a new location at 10995 State Bridge Road, Alpharetta, GA 30022. This is off of the Old Milton Pkwy exit on GA 400 so it's a little closer to Atlanta. I'm not sure if this location is open yet or not so you may want to call before you go.