This Phoenix bagel shop was named one of the best in the country. And we totally agree

Bon Appetit released its list of "The Very Best Bagels in the US" outside of New York and Phoenix's Bagelfeld's was among the 24 bakeries recognized.

Rather than judge every bagel by how closely they approximated New York bagels, the article set out to celebrate bagels that defied categorization, added regional influences or played with unique toppings.

Here in Phoenix, Bagelfeld's owner and former caterer Charles Blonkenfeld had never made a bagel before the pandemic but noticed the paucity of good bagels in Phoenix. When his catering gigs dried up in 2020, the Brooklyn-born chef used his time to develop a New York-inspired bagel, crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.

He ferments the dough for his handmade bagels longer and adjusts for Phoenix's high temperatures. The resulting bagels are thinner and wider than their New York counterparts and not too dense inside.

Blonkenfeld quickly amassed a loyal following at the farmers markets and opened a brick-and-mortar on Thomas Road and 30th Street in 2021.

He sells his bagels retail and wholesale to a number of Phoenix restaurants and cafes.

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What's on the menu at Bagelfeld's

Plain, salt, everything, sesame and poppy seed bagels are priced at $2.50. Specialty bagels, like Asiago, fennel and raisin or blueberry cost $2.75.

The spreads, priced between $5 and $11, include plain cream cheese; lemon and herb; spicy pepper and garlic; honey brown butter and smoked salmon.

"Stick to classic toppings, like plain cream cheese, and watch out for specials like a nostalgic Asiago cheese bagel," recommended Serena Dai, Bon Appetit's digital editorial director.

Details: Bagelfeld's, 2940 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix. bagelfeld.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Bagelfeld's in Phoenix named one of the best bagels in America