CONCORD, CALIFORNIA – After a long, long wait for those of us here in the far East Bay, Boichik Bagels has finally opened its first outpost east of the tunnel.
The new location opened in Concord, California today at 7:30 a.m. right by the Trader Joe’s and Baskin-Robbins on the border of Concord and Walnut Creek, California at 2980 Treat Blvd, Oak Grove Plaza.
This was an extremely exciting development for me, partially because I’m the one who called Boichik Bagels the best bagels in the country—even before The New York Times caught on.
I was writing for the Bold Italic at the time, but since then, I’ve covered Boichik more than 10 times here in the Bay Area Telegraph.
Of course, I stopped by on the first day to try out the new location. The Concord location is bigger than I was expecting. The interior is surprisingly light and airy for what’s essentially a strip mall location.
When you walk in, you’re greeted by big bins of bagels, much as you would be walking into a traditional bagel place in New Jersey.
That figures, as founder Emily Winston hails from the Garden State. A full wall of the new Boichik location is painted with a giant mural, mirroring the style and color scheme of the mural at Boichik’s Berkeley factory.
Fitting for the Bay Area, you’ll find bagels, local people, and of course, the giant robot arm from the factory depicted in this mural.
Sadly, there’s no robot to watch in Concord, but there is a full kitchen making the bagels right there in plain sight.
Many of Boichik’s new stores don’t have this extensive bagel-making operation on display, so it’s exciting to see. The Concord location is bigger—perhaps it’s the flagship store and what will soon be an empire of Boichik locations all over the 925!
The staff at the new location is great, and there’s a solid amount of interior bar seating.
Outside, you’ll find several small tables where you can hang out and have your bagels. If you’re so inclined, you can walk to the adjacent Baskin Robbins storefront and get ice cream afterward.
I’m pleased to report that the bagels at the Concord location are every bit as good as the bagels at the original Boichik location in Berkeley, as well as the new factory.
I had an everything bagel toasted with chive cream cheese and nova lox, and it made for a fantastic lunch.
Winston apparently opens every new location by slicing open a champagne bottle with a sword, which happened at 7:30 a.m. Sadly, I wasn’t able to make it for that spectacle, but it’s quite a way to celebrate a new restaurant opening!
Winston was on hand for the Concord opening and hung out there all day. She came over and warmly greeted my family as we enjoyed our bagels—I decided to stay in “stealth mode” rather than identify myself (even though Winston and I have talked many times as she’s expanded her bagel empire.) It’s nice to see that Boichik and Winston are extending this level of hospitality to every guest!
The new Concord location is in a perfect place to grab some bagels after stopping at Trader Joe’s, and I’m sure it’ll be popular with the nearby high schools as well. Even on my first visit, I saw local students walking over to grab a bite after school.
Boichik will offer catering and online pickup from the Concord location. There are frozen bagels to take home, too.
And again, now that Boichik has made it through the tunnel, we sincerely hope this is the first of many stores in the area. Lafayette needs one too, right?
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