Bernstein's Bagels
{{Short description|Bagel shop in Portland, Oregon, U.S.}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox restaurant
| embed =
| name = Bernstein's Bagels
| title =
| logo = Bernstein's Bagels logo.png
| logo_width =
| logo_alt = Graphic logo with the text 'Bernstein's Bagels'
| image = Torgler Building - Portland Oregon.jpg
| image_width =
| image_alt = Photograph of the exterior of a building
| image_caption = 2008 photograph of the exterior of the Frederick Torgler Building, which housed Bernstein's Bagels starting in 2018
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| established = {{Start date|2016}}
| closed =
| current-owner = {{flatlist|
- Noah Bernstein
- Peter Hurteau
}}
| previous-owner =
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| street-address = 816 North Russell Street
| city = Portland
| county = Multnomah
| state = Oregon
| zip = 97227
| country = United States
| coordinates = {{coord|45.5409|-122.6750|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| seating-capacity = 25–30
| reservations =
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| website = {{URL|bernsteinsbagels.com}}
}}
Bernstein's Bagels is a bagel shop in Portland, Oregon, United States. Noah Bernstein and Peter Hurteau started the business in 2016, and opened a brick and mortar shop in North Portland's St. Johns neighborhood in 2017. Bernstein and Hurteau opened an outpost in the Eliot neighborhood's Frederick Torgler Building in 2018, briefly operating two shops before the building that housed the original shop was sold.
Bernstein's serves bagels with schmears and sides like eggs, lox, and prosciutto, as well as bagel sandwiches, coffee, and tea. The business has garnered a positive reception. Bon Appétit and Food & Wine have included Bernstein's in overviews of the nation's best bagels.
Description
Bernstein's Bagels has a shop in the North Portland part of the Eliot neighborhood, and previously operated in the St. Johns neighborhood. The shop has a seating capacity of approximately 25 to 30 people, a counter with white tile, and Art Nouveau wallpaper with paintings.{{Cite web |title=Bernstein’s Bagels Poised to Break Big with Second Location on N Russell |url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2018/11/bernstein-s-bagels-poised-to-break-big-with-second-location-on-n-russell |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326045825/https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2018/11/bernstein-s-bagels-poised-to-break-big-with-second-location-on-n-russell |archive-date=2023-03-26 |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Portland Monthly |language=en-US |issn=1546-2765}}{{Cite web |title=At Bernstein's, a Pair of Musical Nerds Make the Best Bagels in Portland |url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2018/12/at-bernstein-s-a-pair-of-musical-nerds-make-the-best-bagels-in-portland |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Portland Monthly |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-03-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323202848/https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2018/12/at-bernstein-s-a-pair-of-musical-nerds-make-the-best-bagels-in-portland |url-status=live }}
The menu includes eight regular bagel varieties, plus pumpernickel on weekends. Sides for bagels include eggs, lox, and prosciutto.{{Cite web |last=Bamman |first=Mattie John |date=2017-05-31 |title=Bernstein’s Bagels Begins Boiling in St. Johns |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2017/5/31/15717242/bernsteins-bagels-opens-brick-and-mortar |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304080745/https://pdx.eater.com/2017/5/31/15717242/bernsteins-bagels-opens-brick-and-mortar |archive-date=2024-03-04 |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Eater Portland |publisher=Vox Media |language=en}} Among schmears are two called 'I Shallotted the Dijons' and 'Twin Leeks and Honey'.{{Cite web |last=Barnett |first=Daniel |date=2016-02-17 |title=10 Real-Deal Bagel Shops in Portland |url=https://pdx.eater.com/maps/best-portland-bagels-new-york-style-chewiness |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029073615/https://pdx.eater.com/maps/best-portland-bagels-new-york-style-chewiness |archive-date=2021-10-29 |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Eater Portland |language=en}} The 'Mama Lil's' schmear is cream cheese with pickled goat peppers and the 'Raisin Schmearizona' has cream cheese with brown sugar and honey-macerated raisins.{{Cite web |last=Klimek |first=Sara |date=2024-02-29 |title=The Best Bagel Shops In Every State, According To Online Reviews |url=https://www.tastingtable.com/1527675/best-bagel-shops-every-state/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Tasting Table |publisher=Static Media |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-06-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617003600/https://www.tastingtable.com/1527675/best-bagel-shops-every-state/ |url-status=live }} The Popper is a bagel sandwich with avocado, egg, sweet onion, and pickled pepper schmear. The Oregon trout salad sandwich has caramelized fennel and Old Bay Seasoning.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-06-27 |title=The Very Best Bagels in the US (Yes, Outside New York) |url=https://www.bonappetit.com/story/best-bagels-united-states |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121182107/https://www.bonappetit.com/story/best-bagels-united-states |archive-date=2023-11-21 |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Bon Appétit |publisher=Condé Nast |language=en-US |issn=0006-6990}}
Bernstein's serves coffee by Nossa Familia and tea by Steven Smith.
History
Business partners Noah Bernstein and Peter Hurteau started Bernstein's Bagels in 2016. Bernstein had been making bagels at his house for approximately two years.{{Cite web |date=2017-02-21 |title=Every Boiled Bagel in Portland, Ranked |url=https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2017/02/21/every-boiled-bagel-in-portland-ranked/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215032752/https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2017/02/21/every-boiled-bagel-in-portland-ranked/ |archive-date=2021-12-15 |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Willamette Week |language=en}} The company's bagels were available at farmers' markets, Townshend's Teahouses, and Museum Grounds, the coffee shop at the Portland Art Museum.{{Cite web |date=2015-11-20 |title=Bagels rise to greatness in Portland |url=https://orjewishlife.com/bagels-rise-to-greatness-in-portland/ |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Oregon Jewish Life |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810232050/https://orjewishlife.com/bagels-rise-to-greatness-in-portland/ |url-status=live }}
In February 2017, Willamette Week reported that Bernstein and Hurteau were planning to open a brick and mortar shop in St. Johns by early April. The shop opened in on May 19, operating Tuesdays through Sundays.
Bernstein's sold approximately 300–500 bagels a day, as of 2018. In November, Bernstein and Hurteau announced plans to open a second location in the Frederick Torgler Building, which previously housed the craft cocktail bar Mint, in Eliot in December. The duo wanted an outpost since the building in St. Johns was put up for sale. The second location opened on December 22, 2018.{{Cite web |last=Jackson-Glidden |first=Brooke |date=2018-05-02 |title=This Knockout Bagel Shop Just Opened on N Russell |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2018/5/2/17311764/portland-restaurant-openings-2018-bars-cafes |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2019-12-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208002931/https://pdx.eater.com/2018/5/2/17311764/portland-restaurant-openings-2018-bars-cafes |url-status=live }} The St. Johns location closed.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-28 |title=Portland bagel shop replaces tipping with 20% menu price spike to increase workers' pay |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/life/food/portland-bagel-shop-bernsteins-bagels-gets-rid-of-tipping/283-f7912fe4-d463-439f-91c8-2bf20a87d8e2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621234532/https://www.kgw.com/article/life/food/portland-bagel-shop-bernsteins-bagels-gets-rid-of-tipping/283-f7912fe4-d463-439f-91c8-2bf20a87d8e2 |archive-date=2024-06-21 |access-date=2024-06-21 |website= |publisher=KGW |language=en-US}}
Bernstein's offered delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |last=Jackson-Glidden |first=Brooke |date=2020-04-09 |title=Where to Get Breakfast and Brunch for Delivery or Takeout in Portland |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2020/4/9/21210121/brunch-breakfast-dim-sum-delivery-takeout-covid-19-portland |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224052711/https://pdx.eater.com/2020/4/9/21210121/brunch-breakfast-dim-sum-delivery-takeout-covid-19-portland |archive-date=2021-12-24 |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Eater Portland |language=en}} In 2022, the shop hosted Bialy Bird, a pop-up restaurant specializing in bialys.{{Cite web |title=Bialy Bird Might Make Your Bubbie Balk—But It’s Delicious |url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2022/08/bialy-bird-bernsteins-bagels-pop-up |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Portland Monthly |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-06-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621235045/https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2022/08/bialy-bird-bernsteins-bagels-pop-up |url-status=live }} Bernstein's got rid of tipping and implemented a service charge in 2024, in order to make wages more consistet and fund employee benefits.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-02-29 |title=Bagel shop in N. Portland gets rid of tipping |url=https://www.kptv.com/2024/02/29/bagel-shop-n-portland-gets-rid-tipping/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621234534/https://www.kptv.com/2024/02/29/bagel-shop-n-portland-gets-rid-tipping/ |archive-date=2024-06-21 |access-date=2024-06-21 |website= |publisher=KPTV |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-03-01 |title=Portland bagel shop hikes prices, eliminates tipping to guarantee consistent wages |url=https://www.koin.com/news/food/portland-bernsteins-bagel-shop-hikes-prices-eliminates-tipping-to-guarantee-consistent-wages/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322062452/https://www.koin.com/news/food/portland-bernsteins-bagel-shop-hikes-prices-eliminates-tipping-to-guarantee-consistent-wages/ |archive-date=2024-03-22 |access-date=2024-06-21 |website= |publisher=KOIN |language=en-US}}
Reception
In 2017, Sophia June of Willamette Week said Bernstein's "is making some of the best bagels in the city". The business was a runner-up in the Best Bagel category of the newspaper's annual readers' roll in 2022 and 2024.{{Cite web |title=Food Winners |url=https://www.wweek.com/promotions/2022/07/13/food-winners/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2022-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715144318/https://www.wweek.com/promotions/2022/07/13/food-winners/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=2024 Best of Portland Readers’ Poll: Food |url=https://www.wweek.com/promotions/2024/07/23/2024-best-of-portland-readers-poll-food/ |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=Willamette Week |language=en}} Michael Russell included the shop in The Oregonian{{'s}} 2019 overview of the forty best inexpensive eateries in the Portland metropolitan area.{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Michael |date=2019-02-28 |title=These are the 40 best inexpensive restaurants in the Portland metro area |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/life-and-culture/g66l-2019/02/d0860094388477/these-are-the-40-best-inexpensive-restaurants-in-the-portland-metro-area.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107230122/https://www.oregonlive.com/life-and-culture/g66l-2019/02/d0860094388477/these-are-the-40-best-inexpensive-restaurants-in-the-portland-metro-area.html |archive-date=2020-11-07 |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=The Oregonian |publisher=Advance Publications |language=en |issn=8750-1317 |oclc=985410693}} Sunset magazine included the Super-Seedy Poppy-Seed Bagel in a 2019 overview of West Coast bagels that "deserve a nosh".{{Cite web |last=Gross |first=Matt |date=2019-05-15 |title=Whoever Said West Coast Bagels Suck Hasn't Tried These |url=https://www.sunset.com/food-wine/pantry/west-coast-bagels |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Sunset |archive-date=2024-02-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226045234/https://www.sunset.com/food-wine/pantry/west-coast-bagels |url-status=live |issn=0039-5404}} During the pandemic, Alex Frane included the business in Thrillist{{'s}} 2020 list of Portland's best sandwiches for "perfect picnic food".{{Cite web |last=Frane |first=Alex |date=2019-11-14 |title=The Best Sandwiches in Portland to Order Right Now |url=https://www.thrillist.com/eat/portland/best-sandwiches-in-portland-oregon |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Thrillist |language=en |archive-date=2021-10-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011060919/https://www.thrillist.com/eat/portland/best-sandwiches-in-portland-oregon |url-status=live }} David Landsel included Bernstein's in Food & Wine{{'s}} 2021 list of the best bagels in the U.S.,{{Cite web |title=The Best Bagels in America |url=https://www.foodandwine.com/travel/restaurants/best-bagels-america |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629215025/https://www.foodandwine.com/travel/restaurants/best-bagels-america |archive-date=2023-06-29 |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Food & Wine |publisher=Dotdash Meredith |language=en |issn=0741-9015}} and Bon Appétit included the business in a 2023 overview of the nation's best bagels outside New York.
Brooke Jackson-Glidden included the prosciutto bagel in Eater Portland{{'s}} 2019 list of the city's "hottest new cheap plates".{{Cite web |last=Jackson-Glidden |first=Brooke |date=2015-07-13 |title=Portland's Hottest New Cheap Plates |url=https://pdx.eater.com/maps/portland-restaurants-best-new-cheap-eats |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2024-06-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621234558/https://pdx.eater.com/maps/portland-restaurants-best-new-cheap-eats |url-status=live }} In 2021, Frane included Bernstein's in Eater Portland{{'s}} list of seventeen restaurants for "amazing" breakfast sandwiches,{{Cite web |last=Frane |first=Alex |date=2019-02-27 |title=17 Spots to Grab Amazing Breakfast Sandwiches |url=https://pdx.eater.com/maps/amazing-breakfast-sandwiches-bacon-egg-cheese |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2021-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021220804/https://pdx.eater.com/maps/amazing-breakfast-sandwiches-bacon-egg-cheese |url-status=live }} and he and Ron Scott recommended the bagels as one of Portland's "most potent" hangover remedies.{{Cite web |last=Scott |first=Ron |date=2016-12-30 |title=Portland's Most Potent Hangover Cures |url=https://pdx.eater.com/maps/best-hangover-food-portland-map |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2021-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810222440/https://pdx.eater.com/maps/best-hangover-food-portland-map |url-status=live }} Jackson-Glidden and others included the business in a 2024 overview of the city's ten best "real-deal" bagel shops. Zuri Anderson included Bernstein's in iHeart{{'s}} 2021 list of Portland's best breakfast restaurants.{{Cite web |title=This Is The Best Breakfast Restaurant In Portland |url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2021-06-24-this-is-the-best-breakfast-restaurant-in-portland/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=iHeart |language=en |archive-date=2021-06-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204930/https://www.iheart.com/content/2021-06-24-this-is-the-best-breakfast-restaurant-in-portland/ |url-status=live }} In 2024, Sara Klimek selected the shop to represent Oregon in Tasting Table{{'s}} list of the best bagel shops in each U.S. state, based on online reviews. Kilmek said the business offers "perfectly chewy" bagels in a "comforting" space, and wrote: "The vibe ... is definitely on par with Portland. Visitors ranked this shop a 4.7 on Google Reviews and 4.5 on Yelp."
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Portal|Food|Oregon}}
- {{Official website|https://bernsteinsbagels.com}}
- {{Cite web|url=https://orjewishlife.com/bernsteins-bagels-gets-a-home-and-its-worth-the-trip/|title= Bernstein's Bagels Gets a Home and It's Worth the Trip|date=April 27, 2017|website=Oregon Jewish Life|first=Kerry|last=Politzer}}
{{Eliot, Portland, Oregon}}
{{Restaurants in Portland, Oregon}}
{{St. Johns, Portland, Oregon}}
Category:2016 establishments in Oregon
Category:Restaurants established in 2016
Category:Restaurants in Eliot, Portland, Oregon