Local bakers poke holes in survey that ranks Worcester as one of worst cities for bagel lovers

Worcester is arguably one of the best cities in the country for doughnut lovers, but when it comes to bagels, well, the city is one of the worst.

One of the 10 worst, in fact.

An unscientific ranking, released ahead of Saturday's National Bagel Day, ranked the best cities for bagel lovers. The ranking was undertaken by Lawn Love, a company with expertise in landscaping and, it seems, marketing.

Worcester checked in at No. 149 out of 158, ranked low for quality, access and popularity.

More: Find holes in this ranking: Worcester is top doughnut city

Meanwhile, Boston, 50 miles to the east, ranked No. 3, just behind New York and San Francisco.

So what gives?

“You just don’t see a lot of bagels in Worcester,” said Robin Clark, owner of Doh! Girl bagels, a city pop-up business.

Clark, an accomplished chef and pastry chef, said the city's dearth of exquisite bagels was one of the reasons she decided to open her business that specializes in crafting delicious bagels.

“There was a need for (a bagel shop) and I wanted to fill that,” said Clark, who added that customers have been very receptive to her artistic bagels.

Clark sought to showcase her creativity and passion for bagels with flavors such as peanut butter, chocolate-chip, cranberry-orange and even stuffing bagels filling from the seasonally inspired menus.

Though admittedly disappointed about Worcester’s low ranking, Clark is hopeful that her business and others like it will change that.

She aims to one day open a food truck to make her bagels even more accessible.

But Doh! Girl is not the only bagel hot spot in town.

Upper crust

Crust Bakeshop, with two locations in Worcester at 118 Main St. and 1 West Boylston St., is known for its wide variety of artisan pastries and breads.

Manager Catie Childs shared that their bagels are within the top three best-selling items on the menu.

“They sell out most days,” she said of their freshly-baked plain, cheddar and everything bagels.

Considering owners Alexis and Nate Rossi have devoted their lives to providing Worcester with delicious food, as well as all the positive feedback she has received from customers, Childs was shocked by the city’s low ranking.

John Laracy, however, may not have been as surprised.

Laracy would pick up bagels from Worcester for his family on his way home from church every Sunday, but the bagels were never satisfying.

“ ‘I can do a better job,’ ” he thought over 30 years ago. “I think I’m going to open up a bagel bakery.”

And that he did.

A place for bagels

Laracy's passion for bagels and customer service came together at The Bagel Inn located on 785 Main St. in Holden, where he and his staff bake 22 types of bagels every day.

For those who buy the bagels right out of the oven to those who receive the donated day-old bagels at the shelter, one thing remains the same.

Everyone thinks they are the best.

Sarah Derderian, manager of iKrave Cafe on 517 Park Ave. in Worcester, said their bagels are also a hot commodity.

Their menu offers both savory and sweet options to satisfy every palate with flavors such as asiago cheese, jalapeno cheddar, onion, blueberry, cinnamon raisin and French toast.

“I actually think we sell more bagels and sandwiches than anything else,” said Derderian, the daughter of iKrave owner Walid Alnahas.

“We go through dozens a day and have to make more,” she said. “They come in just for the bagels.”

And as for those who determined Worcester an awful place to find a good bagel?

“They definitely don’t know what they’re missing.”

More: No matter how you slice it, Worcester gets good ranking among pizza places

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Best cities for bagels in the county? Worcester ranked one of worst.