I believe a really good bagel can cure any sadness. And if you haven’t had a bagel during a rough spot in life, you are prolonging your suffering. I’m joking, obviously. However, bagels are my favorite breakfast food, and because of their plainness, they can be crafted into the most filling lunch. I want my peers to fall in love with bagels like I have. So, I went to two beloved bagel spots in Austin to decide which is the best.

Located on Lamar Boulevard, you’ll find Nervous Charlie’s bagels, a delightful little spot that won my heart. After being forced to run four miles, I walked into nervous Charlie’s bagels, to fix my bagel craving and wipe the tears from my nonathletic eyes. I ordered their $12 specialty breakfast sandwich, the Longhorn. The sandwich comes with two fried eggs, cheddar cheese, breakfast potatoes, Charlie’s hot sauce, and your choice of protein.

As I took a crunchy bite into the toasted bread, I got a flavorful burst of sweet ham that balanced out the hot sauce perfectly. Out of all the bagel places in Austin that I tried, their bagels were definitely my favorite. And to make it even better, I only had to wait about 10 minutes in line.

And my favorite aspect is the owners of Nervous Charlies rescued their dog, Charlie, from a puppy mill, giving him a new life with a loving couple and a bagel shop mascot. According to their website, their goal is to bring Long Island-style bagels to Austin. And even though I’ve never been to Long Island and can’t be the one to judge its authenticity, I can say the bagel that I had was pretty astounding and won the favor of all my taste buds.

The specific location I went to had an outside seating option, which I thought was nice, but since we are in Texas and it’s always hot, I decided to eat in my car instead. Though having an outside seating area is perfect for dog owners who want to enjoy a bagel with their furry friend, and maybe have a play-date with Charlie.

But if I can’t commute all the way to Charlie’s bagels, Wholy Bagel, located off of Mopac, is tried and true. When I’m craving a classic everything bagel with a heck ton of cream cheese, I know a trip to Wholy Bagel will never disappoint.

Their bagels might be hard like a baguette, but they put a mountain of cream cheese on every bagel that counterbalances that texture. I was craving another bagel sandwich this specific time, and I ordered two, both with ham, cheese, and classic cream cheese. Unfortunately, they forgot my cheese on both of them. This was an honest mistake, of course. And in comparison to Nervous Charlie’s, their meat was less savory and tender, and overall less enjoyable. Though I am not impressed with their sandwiches, I will still visit to get the classics.

For my fellow Austinites, I am sure you know Wholy Bagel as the “it” spot for bagels in our city. Wholy Bagel originates in Austin and only has two locations, making this spot an Austinite exclusive. They are known for making their bagels from scratch daily and mirroring that New-York style. Growing up in Austin, I have many memories of my dad getting a Wholy Bagel almost daily. Then, I thought it was excessive. Now, I fully understand, and if I weren’t a broke teenager, I would be doing the very same.

Wholy Bagel doesn’t have outside seating, but for everyone always on the go, this is preferred. In comparison, Wholy Bagel is more convenient for those on the south side of Austin who need a fulfilling meal on the way to school or work. But, if you have more time and want scenery to enjoy your bagel, Nervous Charlies provides that.

Both places had a variety of options that were similar in comparison. I tend to favor savory foods, but bagels can also be sweet. I saw fruity blueberry bagels and sweet cinnamon bagels, so there is definitely a bagel for anyone and everyone. I mean, with the vast amount of ways one can eat a bagel, I would argue that there is no such thing as “disliking bagels.”

Overall, both spots have bagels that I love and recommend, but if I were craving a bagel sandwich, I would go to Nervous Charlie’s, and if I wanted the classic tried and true, I would opt for Wholy Bagel.