A New York native's review on Princeton's Bagel Nook

Living close to New York City, I’ve always considered myself a bagel connoisseur. I’ve tried all the popular spots in the city, from top-rated establishments to small, local businesses around the boroughs. However, I barely ventured off into New Jersey to try bagel shops, as I assumed the best were only found in the city. I was proven wrong when I stepped foot into Princeton gem, Bagel Nook.

Located in the Princeton Shopping Center just off of North Harrison Street, the Bagel Nook became known for their wild bagel sandwiches, with mouthwatering flavors from Oreo Overload to Flaming Hot Cheetos Overload. Like their niche bagels, the store offers a multitude of cream cheese flavors, including birthday cake, bacon cheddar, and ghost pepper. The shop also serves gigantic, hearty sandwiches like “The Captain,” containing chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, and BBQ sauce, or “The Reuben,” which has hot pastrami piled high with sauerkraut and melted swiss on grilled rye bread, topped with a Russian dressing. Just by glancing at the menu, I knew this place was promising.

A lot of effort goes into creating these delicious sandwiches; the bakers clock in at 3 a.m. every morning to begin work.

“We make all of our products on site,” the owner of Bagel Nook’s Princeton location Greg Casso told me. “It’s a three-day process before the bagel hits the oven, from mixing the dough to forming our perfectly shaped bagels followed by proofing.”

A New Jersey native from Monmouth County, Casso purchased the Bagel Nook in Dec. 2020 and has been the sole operator of the business, backed by his staff.

The shop itself is quite large. At the entrance, I was greeted by the smell of fresh bread and an order station that listed various cream cheeses, sandwiches, and specialty baked goods. My eyes widened at the large rows that showcased the mounds of cream cheeses and the many baskets piled high with the assortment of bagel flavors. There is plenty of room for indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a clean bathroom in the back of the store. There was a long line of people; however, it moved fairly quickly thanks to their fast-paced service.

I went with my go-to order: an everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, lox, and the works — tomato, capers, and onion. As I waited, I was able to see the workers in the back boiling the dough and taking out fresh, hot bagels from the oven, making my mouth salivate in eagerness.

When I finally got my sandwich, I went to sit in the back of the store for my taste test. On my first bite, I was immediately impressed. The bagel’s texture was perfect, with a crispy exterior and a soft, tender interior. The bagel itself was not too dense nor too chewy, and had a hint of sweetness to the dough’s wheat flavor. The tang of the scallion cream cheese complimented the salty lox, and the addition of tomatoes, capers, and onions balanced the savory sandwich. The ratio of cream cheese to bread was excellent, as there was just enough cream cheese for each mouthful of bagel. Some other places barely lather the bagels in cream cheese, so this was a nice surprise. When I finished, I was truly shocked at how incredible this bagel was. It was hands-down better than many bagel spots in New York City that I have been to, including the famous Russ & Daughters.

For newcomers, Casso recommends two distinct items: a classic bagel with a smear (he suggests an everything bagel with scallion cream cheese), and one of their signature, wacky bagels, like the Oreo bagel with Oreo cream cheese. His personal favorite is the “Black Russian,” a pumpernickel bagel with sesame seeds.

Not only is the Bagel Nook a fantastic place to enjoy a great breakfast or lunch, but it is also an integral part of the Princeton community. Many customers are regulars from the area, and some come from neighboring towns to eat these wonderful creations. Casso greets each customer with a smile, and makes sure each order is done well in order to ensure customer satisfaction.

“I love finally being able to run a business in a community [where] I feel welcome,” said Casso. “Princeton is a tight-knit local community, and over the past few years, I’ve gotten to know so many of my customers on a personal level.”

As for the future of Bagel Nook, Casso told me that he is looking to expand the business.

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“My hopes for the future [are] to continue serving the great community of Princeton for many years to come,” he said. “But I would love to venture out to other towns and bring them our wonderful products and creations as well.”

So please, do yourself a favor and visit the Bagel Nook. It isn’t too far from campus and can serve as a satisfying lunch or meal to fuel for studying for exams. Although this was my first visit to the Bagel Nook, it certainly won’t be my last.

Dana Serea is a contributing writer for The Prospect from Rutherford, N.J. She is a member of the Class of 2026 and can be reached at ds4271@princeton.edu.