Filling the Hole in Your Appetite - Bagel & Doughnut Shops

Bagels and doughnuts have long been a tradition of both breakfast eaters and snack lovers alike.  Driving down any street or neighborhood, bagel and doughnut shops are numerous and easy to spot.  Although bagels and donuts are popular, the histories and make of both foods widely differ.  Bagels require boiling the dough before baking.  They date back to 1683 when a Jewish baker wanted to thank the King of Poland for protecting him, mimicking the bread dough into a German riding stirrup (hence its circular shape). Donuts, on the other hand, require deep-frying the dough before topping it off with glaze, sugar, seeds, or whatever topping the doughnut maker prefers.  Donuts come in numerous shapes – circular, braided, and even jelly-filled.  Its origins, however, is widely disputed by either Dutch settlers or American creators.

Birth of the Bagel Shop

Jewish immigrants set up the first bagel shop in New York.  The creation of the bagel machine answered to the growing popularity of the bagel, boosting bagel shops’ success. To this day, bagel shops remain in business from hungry breakfast eaters that crave the simple yet tasteful snack.  Bagel shops have evolved into creating bagels into full, hearty meals, combining them with different fillings - such as egg, cheese, and meats - along with the traditional cream cheese filling.  It was in the late 20th century did bagel shops expand the plain dough for a variety of flavors, such as chocolate chip, pumpernickel, and cinnamon raison to name a few.

Rise of the Doughnut Shop 

Despite the unconfirmed origins of the doughnut, one cannot dispute its popularity as a delectable treat.  In 1917, French soldiers stood in front of a Salvation Army tent, whose volunteers made donuts for the starving soldiers.  Gaining immediate popularity, the world’s first doughnut shop was born.  In 1930, the doughnut machine was created, giving rise to the doughnut shop.  To this day, doughnut shops come in the form of privately owned shops or chain doughnut shops, such as Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donuts.  Like the bagel shops, doughnut shops have evolved the traditional doughnut into creative entities, experimenting with different jellies, fillings, and toppings – such as chocolate, cereal crumbles and sprinkles. 

Bagel and donut shops sustain popularity for its easy “grab on the go” dining and its ability to satisfy a hungry appetite.  Bagel and donut shops can find business in any neighborhood and is a great place to grab a bite to eat, sit and talk with friends or read a book in.  For a quick snack or a tasty meal, stop by any bagel or donut shop and one will not be disappointed by the different varieties of both foods to fulfill the hungry appetite.