In the 90’s, there was an explosion of bagel and frozen yogurt shops – seemingly there was one or the other, or even both, every couple of blocks. Most of them have since disappeared, but at the corner of Westwood Blvd. and Olympic Blvd., Bueller’s Bagels and The Bigg Chill still remain. Of the bagel places in Westwood, Bueller’s is definitely the best, baking up fresh bagels daily.

This small storefront shares a tiny parking lot with the enormously popular Bigg Chill. If you visit Bueller’s, it’s probably during the morning hours when luckily parking isn’t a problem because the Bigg Chill is closed.

Bueller’s bagels are nicely rounded, and have the proper chewy outside, thanks to being boiled prior to baking. If you get an everything, onion or sesame bagel, you’ll find that the bagels are lightly coated with the toppings, which, on the positive side, means there’s less of a mess when you bite into them. Freshly baked, there’s no need to toast them before you slathering them with cream cheese.

Bueller’s Bagels is a cash-only establishment. Once when the ATM machine outside wasn’t working, a man offered to leave his driver’s license behind with the promise of returning later to pay.  The lady behind the counter allowed him to go without leaving the license and took it on good faith that he would return. I was amazed to see such trust. Did he return to pay? I hope so.

Bagels, a traditionally Jewish food, has become part of a typical American breakfast. With Passover starting tonight, observant Jews will be giving up bagels for a week. For  those who aren’t observing, Bueller’s Bagels will be open for your carb pleasure.

Location – 10840 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Website – none
Kid-Friendly – Yes
Kid’s Menu – No
Vegetarian Friendly – Yes
Vegan Friendly – Yes
Gluten-Free Options – No