Planning our NYC vacation and a co-worker mentioned that we must get a NYC bialy down on the low East side.
What's a bialy? Coworker won't tell. Is it like a kanish?
Where can I find the best bialy and Kanish in NYC??
Thanks, and safe travels to all.

Biales are like squashed bagels. Not much to write home about. You can buy them in most bagel stores here in Northern California.

I'm sorry, there are NO good bagles or bialys anywhere in California. However, any good bagel store in NY will have bialys. Try them. They really are very good.

I think a bialy is more like a squashed onion bagel-totally different taste from bagels,a KNISH is made with mashed potato dough and filled with oniony mashed potatoes, at least that is the way my mother in law makes them I would think any good deli or one of the many restaurants on the Lower East side would fulfill all of your Jewish food dreams, try the corned beef sandwiches too with lots of pickles, don't forget the Tums and breath mints too

Grasshopper, don't worry about "x" he/she isn't talking about the same thing. You're talking about the bagels and he/she is talking about bagles. Check out the post.

One of my friends described a bialy as a cross between an english muffin and a bagel -- it kind of has that english muffin consistency to it. It also has some little onion bits on top, but not as "onion-y" a flavor as an onion bagel. Bialys happen to be my favorite, because they're usually smaller than a bagel.

You can get them at most bagel stores. If you want more info, you might think about the Big Onion Eating/Walking Tour of the Lower East Side, Chinatown and Little Italy -- the description says it includes an explanation and tasting of bialys. Info on Big Onion walking tours available at www.bigonion.com.

If they recommended you go to the lower east side for a bialy, THIS is the place they MUST be referring to:

Kossars Bagels
39 Essex Street
New York, NY 10002
212-387-9940

I'm not a huge fan of bialy's, UNLESS i'm at this place. Two great place that can be walked to from there are Gus's Pickles (ask at Kossar's for directions) and Economy Candy (108 Rivington) which has a lot of candy's from when you are a child and GREAT prices on bulk candy by the pound (gotta try the chocolate covered grahms!)

Bialys were created in the city of Bialystock, Poland probably by a Jewish baker. I think the above descriptions were quite accurate. I don't think they are that great either. I think a nice bagel with a schmear beats a bialy anytime. If you are willing to schlep down to the Lower East Side, you may as well try it....you might like it.

A Bialy is a fairly large (about 6 inches across) chewy round yeast roll. Somewhat similar to a bagel, it has a depression rather than a hole in the center, and is sprinkled with chopped sauteed onion before baking. I am really hungry!

Thereuare is 100% correct. Kossars is THE place. I also take exception to the description you all give to Bialys. Bialys are quite different from bagels. Definetely go to Kossars. Try to get them warm. For Knishes, go to Yuni Shimmels located on the same street as Katz's Deli. Between Katz' and Yuni Shimmels is Russ and Daughters for smoked fish and other goodies.

I do believe you want to go to Yonna Schimmel's on Houston Street for their bialies and famous Knishes, which is where by Jewish lover would take me for these treats many moons ago.

A Bialy is a fairly large (about 6 inches across) chewy round yeast roll. Somewhat similar to a bagel, it has a depression rather than a hole in the center, and is sprinkled with chopped sauteed onion before baking.

adoptioniffab and lovingheart, Are you conjoined twins?
In any case, you're all making my mouth water.

Orcas, the food lover,

I forgot to suggest to Dinah that she visit Katz's 1888 Deli at 205 East Hudson (212 254-2246). This place has great food and old-time ambience that is impossible to find elsewhere.

Food there should be washed down with CelRay Soda (a unique celery flavored drink).

Lovingheart

umm... Dinah's original post was in 2001-- I doubt she's still waiting for the bialys!
(and yes, guilty as charged for bringing this old post back to the top, again)

Nyer, Oops! Let's hope somebody else is looking for a good experience on the Lower East Side. Lovingheart

WOW!! I am impressed by "x". He/she has eaten at every place that sells bagels/bialys in the entire state of California, and did not find a single good one. I say we give him a round of applause, hear, hear. He must be enormous after eating all those bagels. Oh, "x" could we get a copy of your list of all these places, it must be huge.

Ess a Bagel has the best bagels and BIALES.