"We’ve been huge fans of Poppy Bagels and their plump golden-brown bagels since their pop-up and farmers market days—so the opening of their brick-and-mortar in Oakland Temescal was more exciting than the time we ran into Steve Kerr at Safeway. The bagels themselves embody every trait an outstanding bagel should have: a chewy interior, an even coating of toppings, and a crisp crust that’s satisfying to bite into. You can order by-the-bagel at this counter-service spot, but our preferred method is to go with one of the open-faced sandwiches. The Spicy & Sweet is two bagel halves smeared with thick layers of jalapeño cream cheese and drizzles of honey, while the Basic has sliced sweet tomatoes which make the whole thing taste like borderline dessert. Make getting either part of your new morning routine." - Julia Chen
