Baked Goods
Gryfe's Bagels
Gryfe's Bagels has, in my opinion, the best bagels in the city. Bold statement, I know. But I have yet to find another bakery in Toronto that makes bagels that are just as delicious plain as they are toasted and smothered with cream cheese. Gryfe's Bagels need no adornment. They're fluffy and light, often devoured in just a few bites, and I think best eaten when slowly ripped apart.
Toronto has been trying to crack Gryfe's secret for over 50 years. "It's TLC," manager Annabelle Villa-Real tells me as she cracks a grin. Alas, I won't be the one to get the scoop.
The bakery was opened back in 1957 by Arthur and Ruth Gryfe. After they passed away, son Moishe took the helm and now runs the North York bakery, which can produce upwards of 1,000 dozen bagels on any given day. And that's the focus: bagels. While there are several varieties (poppy seed, flax seed, whole wheat, multigrain: $7.20/doz), as well as homemade mini pizzas ($5.75/pkg), and a few sandwich options (though not available on weekends), Gryfe's is not a hangout space. There's no seating, little décor, stark walls, and a cash-only checkout.
"There's nothing fancy here," Villa-Real says. "Even we're not fancy," she says smoothing out her apron. "But that's how people know us."
Gryfe's is also famous for its weekend lineups. Villa-Real says they used to start at around 8:00 a.m., until people started coming earlier to try to beat the crowd. Unfortunately, everyone had the same idea, and now the lineups are formed by about 6:00 a.m. "Out the door and around the corner!" she tells me. "Even in the winter, when it's snowing, they still line up."
On the plus side, the line will take you to everything you need for a weekend brunch. Gryfe's has a variety of cream cheeses, eggs, juice, and specialty jams imported from Israel ($4.99) in store. And if you're not in the area, chances are you can pick up a Gryfe's bagel somewhere else in the city.
Villa-Real starts listing off some of the places that carry their bagels. "Pusateri's, Daiter's, Grace Meats, Nortown, Villa Foods, Bruno's, Kitchen Table..." She actually goes on for another minute or two. I catch "Toronto Cricket Club" and "Holt Renfrew Bloor" somewhere in there too. "People just like our bagels, I guess," she says. And I'd have to agree. True to their mantra, Gryfe's simply "just tastes better."
Photos by Dennis Marciniak
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I also second scott's comment on michael being a racist grump. Yikes.
P.S They serve some grocery stores(fiesta farms) in the city so don't think you actually have to drive up that far north to get them.
Maybe it wouldn't be such a secret if reviews mentioned the location :o Am I to assume that since they make bagels it's either on Bathurst or just off Bathurst somewhere north of Eglinton?
???...Ummmm, those bagels you purchased, did they came with a side order of irony?
I can eat them just plain without any butter and it still tastes incredible.
I am just glad they sell them at various places around the city since I live far from their location.
No. These are very different from the Montreal and New York style bagels. I guess it would be Toronto style.
It's worth the drive to Bathust just north of Lawrence. :)
I'm not sure what I think yet. They're very different from any other bagel I've ever tasted and I almost want to compare their taste and texture (but not shape of course) to brioche! I usually prefer Montreal style bagels and go to St. Urbain in St. Lawrence Market. But now that everyone here is raving about NY style I'll have to try some when I'm in New York next. What's different about NY bagels? Can anyone describe???
MMMMMM poppy seed!
I've had the H&H from the store on Broadway in the Upper West Side, fresh from the oven. They are an 8. I've had the St Urbain's fresh from the oven, when they opened their first store. Another 8. Gryfes from the oven? a 10!
The true test is the day after. H&H? hockey pucks. St Urbain's? Best for ringette. Gryfe's? Still a 10!
Try the pizzas. On Fridays, the challahs are the best. I think I need an onion bun.
Nobody does it better!
Best of
Accolades
Gryfes
Excels
Longest
I wouldn't call them bagels, just bread. When I slice a bagel I don't want to see a pile of crumbs, I want a smooth, elastic, chewy surface. Maybe it is NY bagels that I am talking about. I certainly haven't found one in TO. Maybe Sarah Lee will be the answer.
In the meantime my trek to Gryfe's will not be repeated.
Doesn't sound appetizing.
OK, I'm going to drive from London to Toronto today to pick some up (2 doz. to make it worth the drive). I'll let you know what I think and if it's worth the drive. If they taste like crap I'm going to ask for gas money from you all (lol). The only good bagels in London are the Tim Horton ones but only fresh baked not sitting around for hours. Yeah, pretty pathetic, but remember I live in London, there's nuthin' here!